APRIL 2016
WANDER NO MORE
Passover
Zoe
Holiday Preparations Readers' Recipes
Business Profiles
Rubinstein
Making Arizona's Economy Tick
Turns Healing Instincts Toward Homeopathy
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4 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
g you n i h is a W Come celebrate Israel with the Weintraub Israel Center! Join us for the following upcoming events! Our theme this year is A Taste of Israel. We are proud to welcome four amazing Israeli celebrity chefs from our Partnership Region - Kiryat Malachi and Hof Ashkelon! Get ready to indulge as they treat us to the best of Israeli food!
Sahar Refael • Maya Klein • Yael Shamir Orly Varon Shoshan Monday, May 9
PA
SS OV E R
Yom Hazikaron
Participate in a moving memorial ceremony for Israeli soldiers and victims of terror. Monday May 9th. 6:30pm. JCC Ballroom. Free and open to all.
Tuesday, May 10
Israeli Cooking and Pastry Workshops
Join our four Israeli Chefs for a hands on experience as their share their expertise. This event will be held at four different homes.
Thursday, May 12
3rd Annual 12 Torches Ceremony
Join us for a unique and moving torch lighting experience as we honor 12 very special individuals, organizations and businesses who have demonstrated their ongoing connection and commitment to Israel and a strong Tucson-Israel relationship. JCC Ballroom, 5:30pm. Dinner will be cooked by our Israeli Celebrity Chefs
$36 per single. $68 per couple.
Sunday, May 15
Yom Huledet L’Yisrael
For kids of all ages and the young at heart! JCC Ballroom, 12:20-3pm. Free and open to all.
Vero Amore
Featuring a fabulous Israeli dinner cooked for you by our four Israeli Celebrity Chefs.
$75 per person
jewishphoenix.org ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 5
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Offer valid April 3 - May 31, 2016. Valid Sunday-Thursday only. Not valid with any other offers or promotion. Must be 18 or older to participate. A 20% gratuity is added to all services and treatments. Management reserves the right to modify or cancel this promotion at anytime. Locally owned and caringly operated by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. 6 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 7
Inside
Features
April 2016 / Adar II-Nisan 5776 | Volume 4/Issue 7
30
COVER STORY Zoe Rubinstein: Healing from the heart……………………………………………….36 JEWS WITH ATTITUDE Matchmaker, matchmaker find me a find …………………………………………….14 BUSINESS Ins & Outs………………………………………….………………………………………….16 Eliot Kaplan revitalizes Business & Professionals Group………….……………..18 Ask Helen: Recommending friend for job hits glitch …………………….………..20 FOOD Chef’s Corner: A Passover delight…....…………………………………………….…..42 From tsimmes to mud pies – readers send their favorite Passover recipes….44 A Taste of Arizona: The Tamale Store……………………………….………………….46 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT New juried exhibit opens at Tucson J Sculpture Garden ………………..…….….48 Music brings new life to Anne Frank’s words………………….……………………..50 Director of “Son of Saul” interviewed ………………………………………...……….51 Arizona premiere brings cinematic message of ‘Never forget. Never again.’..52 Phoenix Film Festival to show Victor Perez, Princess Shaw ….………………….53 HOME & GARDEN Antiques, whimsy and mid-century charm create a personal sanctuary …….54 Tasty tomatoes grow at Abby Lee Farms …………….………………………………. 58 Grow your own Passover plate produce………………………………………………..61 SENIORS Odette Evans: Feeling good, looking good and doing good .…………………...64 New resource fair spotlights aging well…………………..…………………………..66 Blood test for Alzheimer’s may be on horizon ……………………………….………66 YOUNG ADULTS Building Jewish identity on Arizona campuses………………………………………70
42
Passover
For Tina Sheinbein, Passover preparation is a labor of love……………………………...26 Passover previews .....................................…………………………………………………..28 Matza & More ensures Passover food for all……………………………………….…………30 Kosher for Passover in Israel.............…………………………………………………………..32 To Life: Passover, me and Bobby McGee……………………………………………………….33 Echos of exodus in St. Petersburg……………………………………….………………………34
JKids & Teens too
Rachel’sYoung at Art excites imagination and curiosity……………..………………….…72 Family Time: The vaping epidemic……………………………………….………………………74 High flying fun at The Phoenician.............……………………………………………………..76 Tucson J offers seder fun for children of all ages…………………………………………….78 Kids & Teen events .....................................………………………………………………….79
JLiving
Tee off for Valley of the Sun JCC……………………….………………………………………….80 Hadassah makes sure Every Step Counts ………………………………………………….… 82 Jewish burial section consecrated in Marana ………………………………………………..83 Federation Notes…………………..…………………………………………………………………84 Faces & Places ………….……………………………………………………………………………84 Previews ……………………….……………………………………………………………………….88 Calendar …….………………..………………………………………………………………………. 89
Columns
20 Ask Helen 33 To Life by Amy Hirshberg Lederman 42 Chef’s Corner by Lucia Schnitzer 46 A Taste of Arizona by A. Noshman 74 Family Time by Debra Rich Gettleman COVER PHOTO: Zoe Rubinstein. Photo by Zev Nadler
8 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
84
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Publishers Robert Philip and Cindy Saltzman
Advertising and Editorial Director Cindy Saltzman
Editor-in-Chief
Subscriptions and distribution Home delivery of Arizona Jewish Life magazine is $12 for an annual subscription or $20 for two years. Subscribe online at azjewishlife.com/magazine-subscription or call 602-538-2955. Complimentary copies of Arizona Jewish Life magazine are available at dozens of retail locations including AJ’s Fine Foods, Chompie’s, Eli’s Deli, synagogues, Jewish community centers and organizations, entertainment venues, restaurants and professional offices.
Nancy Ben-Asher Ozeri
Upcoming issues
Associate Editor and Events Coordinator Mala Blomquist
May 2016 – Focus on: Israel, Seniors and A Taste of Arizona June/July 2016 – Focus on: Staycations & Summer Plans, Best Summer Deals
Contributing Editors
Publication dates and deadlines
Deborah Moon, Leni Reiss
Arizona Jewish Life magazine is published on the first of the month.
Social Media Editor Debra Rich Gettleman
Webmaster
Story ideas for features and special sections are due 45 days prior to publication (April 15 for June/July). Biz Ins & Outs: Business news is due 4 weeks before publication (May 1 for June/July).
Karl Knelson
Faces & Places: Photos from past events are due about 20 days prior to publication (April 10 for May).
Sales Manager
Events: Information about upcoming events is due about 20 days prior to publication (April 10 for May).
Leslie Goldman advertise@azjewishlife.com
Art Director Philip Nerat
Columnists Debra Rich Gettleman, Amy Hirshberg Lederman, A. Noshman, Lucia Schnitzer
Calendar: Please post events on our online calendar. Relevant events that are posted by the 10th of the month before publication (April 10 for May) will be included in the magazine. To request first-time authorization to post events online, go to azjewishlife. com and scroll down to the “Calendar Access Request” link under “Quick Links” on the right. After you submit the form, you’ll receive an email with instructions for posting future events.
Contributing Writers Sarah Chen, Marty Haberer, Gloria Hammer, Melissa Hirschl, Michael Miklofsky, Deborah Muller, Becky Schulman, Faith Schwartz, Masada Siegel, Teddy Weinberger
How to reach us: 602-538-AZJL (2955) Subscriptions: azjewishlife.com/magazine-subscription Distribution: distribution@azjewishlife.com Advertising sales: advertise@azjewishlife.com Editorial: editor@azjewishlife.com Events: calendar@azjewishlife.com Business: 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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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 11
With Passover just a few weeks away, our thoughts turn to renewal and rejuvenation, Exodus and freedom, and, of course, food! This month’s issue of Arizona Jewish Life touches on all of those themes and more. You’ll find holiday inspiration galore – from the mouthwatering winners of our Passover recipe contest, to the enthusiasm of Tina Sheinbein as she lovingly prepares for Passover, the dedication of Nancy Lefkowitz as she organizes JFCS’s Matza & More food Nancy Ben-Asher Ozeri drive, and the reflections of our writers as they contemplate freedom, Exodus and the normalcy of keeping kosher for Passover in Israel. You’ll even discover which seder plate foods you can actually grow in your own garden. There are so many ways to celebrate the holiday! Check out our previews of inventive seders that are open to the community, including the Arizona Jewish Historical Society’s second annual Interfaith Seder on April 14. Our cover story features Zoe Rubinstein, whose personal journey of renewal brought her from IT consulting to homeopathic medicine. When she saw how homeopathy brought relief when nothing else seemed to work, she discovered her purpose in life – to share this knowledge with others, especially to benefit children. Art educator Rachel Ober is also focused on kids at her beautiful, inviting art studio that encourages child development through creative exploration. Odette Evans shares the intriguing story of her own Exodus from
CALLING ALUMNI, PARENTS & FRIENDS:
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MAY 20TH – MAY 22ND Join us for an intimate Shabbat getaway to celebrate Ramah’s 60 years with special guests Rabbi Ed Feinstein, David Passig, Ph.D and Comedian, Mark Schiff. COMMITTEE CHAIRS Rhoda and Dr. Bob Barnhard Lisa and Victor Kohn • Abby and Jonny Mars Lesley and Jeffrey Wolman
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12 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Morocco to Scottsdale and her secrets for healthy aging. That’s also the focus of Tucson’s first Jewish resource fair for seniors and their families, which will be held this month. At Arizona Jewish Life, we’re experiencing a renewal of our own. I am delighted to welcome Mala Blomquist as our new associate editor. Many of you might recognize Mala from Channel 12’s Arizona Midday show, where she Mala Blomquist appears on a weekly segment about weekend events and is a regular on Coffee Talk. Mala wrote for Raising Arizona Kids, where she also served as calendar and directories editor. Mala happens to be an event organizer extraordinaire, so watch for more special events under the auspices of Arizona Jewish Life. I’m excited to announce another new aspect to our magazine. Starting next month, we’re adding “Oy!” – a column dedicated to those moments in life that make you laugh, shake your head and exclaim (or mutter), “Oy!” To kick off this column, please send your funniest or most embarrassing “Oy!” moments to editor@azjewishlife.com. I can’t wait to laugh out loud. Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy Passover.
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Jews With Attitude
Karen Stein 14 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Matchmaker, matchmaker, find me a find By Mala Blomquist
The tradition of matchmaking can be traced back to the origin of life itself with G-d being the ultimate shadchan (matchmaker) behind the union of Adam and Eve. Those traditions carried forward to the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe and Russia, with the height of matchmaking occurring during the Middle Ages. The shadchan was essential to keep splintered and isolated communities alive during times of persecution and pogroms. Courtship was a practice that was frowned upon, so someone had to bring couples together. These early shadchanim would risk their lives to travel perilous roads to reach outlying communities and keep the framework of their society alive. The play “Fiddler on the Roof ” touched on the importance of these traditions as well with Tevye, the father of three daughters, wanting to find their husbands through the village matchmaker, Yente, and the eldest girl protesting through the song “Matchmaker, Matchmaker.” Now, in the 21st century, there are still matchmakers helping people find their beshert (predestined spouse). One of them is Karen Stein of MyTopMatchMaker. Karen, who is based in the Valley, has been making matches since she was in high school – she introduced a couple in their teens who are still together today. She carried around a Polaroid camera in college, taking pictures of potential suitors to show her friends. – Karen Stein Karen worked as a casting director and owned a talent agency before finding her true calling as a professional matchmaker. Under the guidance of her mentor, Mimi (the founder of MyTopMatchMaker), she embarked on a career that has brought forth her true passion and talent. “The most fun part is pairing successful couples together, getting it right, and knowing that two people are going to be on their way to building a happy future together,” Karen says. The only drawback is that she can never turn the matchmaker switch off. “It’s truly a seven-day-a-week passion; people need advice, dates need to be set up and I’m always on the lookout for the next hottie,” she says. In this age of online dating, where you don’t really know who is at the other end of the email, using Karen’s services seems like a safer alternative. She insists on drug testing, background checks and medical and financial screening verifications for
all her clients. She also relies heavily on her intuition, “As far as I know, the techies have yet to figure out an algorithm that helps you find true love.” She also says, “Online there is too much chatting and not enough dating. My clients enjoy getting dressed up, going out and having a great time. It’s a lot more fun than staring at a laptop or tablet waiting for a response from somebody who most likely just swiped left on you anyway.” No one has to fear “being swiped left,” Karen handles that too. “My clients don’t have to face rejection. I do all the hard work in dating for them, all they have to do is show up and be charming … and I even coach them on how to do that!” And has the matchmaker herself found true love? The answer is yes! She has been married for 25 years to “the most wonderful man in the world” and there is a good story behind their initial meeting. Karen was in a bar in New York City with some friends when she noticed a woman, all alone, sitting at the bar. She thought for a moment about how courageous the woman was to come out all alone. About an hour into the evening this man that Karen describes as “6 feet 2 inches of pure Jewiness, that every mother would love” walked up to the girl at the bar. As he talked to his date, he kept looking over at Karen. This continued for a time and then Karen’s heart sank as the two got up to leave. After they had walked out, he told his date that he had forgotten something inside. He went back into the bar and asked a waitress for a piece of paper and a pen. He wrote on the note that Karen had great eyes and included his number. “That was the beshert moment, and here we are today!” Karen encourages singles to give her a call or sign up online for a free consultation. She refers to these consultations as “fun, fact-finding and educational.” Her goal is to keep dating safe and work with “real people, looking for real relationships.” As Karen proves, the role of matchmaker is still a vital profession and an asset to the community. Perhaps if Tevye and Golde’s daughters had Karen Stein finding their matches, they wouldn’t have been so quick to change tradition. To book your free consultation with Karen, call 602-616-0026 or complete an online form at mytopmatchmaker.com.
“The most fun part is pairing successful couples together, getting it right, and knowing that two people are going to be on their way to building a happy future together.”
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 15
Dr. Sherman and Andi Minkoff with Michelle Abrams
MINKOFFS TO PASS JGDC LEADERSHIP TO MICHELLE ABRAMS
Jewish Genetic Diseases Center of Greater Phoenix co-founders Dr. Sherman and Andi Minkoff have decided to step down from the JGDC board. Dr. Minkoff served as board president for 10 years. The couple announced their retirement at the annual donor reception held at the home of Sheila Schwartz on Feb. 23. The board of directors elected Michelle Abrams as president-elect. The new board will take office on July 1. “We are very excited to have Michelle as our incoming president,” says JGDC Executive Director Jacqui Breger. “She is a fair leader who is well respected by the board as well as the community and she empowers others to take leadership roles. She and I share a clear and exciting vision for the center and together we are looking forward to expanding the incredible work the Minkoffs began 10 years ago in our community.” The Minkoffs say that new leadership will nurture their baby and help it grow. Andi urges those who have supported the center all these years to continue to do so. The Minkoffs intend to remain involved – Dr. Minkoff as head of the Medical Advisory Committee and Andi in an advisory capacity. Just as genetics is passed from one generation to the next, so too is the center being passed on from one generation to the next, ensuring its continuity and future existence. 480-668-3347 | jewishgeneticsphx.org
SHARONA SILVERMAN TO RETIRE FROM SHALOM CENTER
Sharona Silverman has announced her retirement as director of the Shalom Center, a position she held for more than 20 years. Her retirement from the center at Temple Chai is effective July 1. The Shalom Center, created in 1996, provides educational programs, support groups and spiritual development while utilizing Jewish 16 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
wisdom, tradition and compassion. Its mission is to create a caring and healing community of professionals and volunteers through visiting and comforting those in need, providing emotional guidance and solace through times of growth and change, and teaching Jewish wisdom and practices. “My hope is to continue to be involved with many of the programs that I have brought to our synagogue and to hopefully be involved with other projects in our community,” says Sharona. A celebration of the Shalom Center will occur during a Shabbat weekend with Rabbi Rex Perlmeter on May 13-14. templechai.com
FRIEDEL FOUNDATION CREATES SENIOR TRANSPORTATION FUND
The Friedel Family Foundation has established a transportation fund for Jewish seniors. Established by Alan and Randi Jablin and administered through Smile on Seniors, the fund is made possible through the foundation started by Randi’s parents, Leonard and Phyllis Friedel. The Friedel Family Foundation’s Senior Transportation Fund will cover 200 hours of rides with Envoy America, an enhanced rideshare program that offers a door-to-door service for seniors. The new fund will provide either individual or shared transportation through Envoy America for affiliated and unaffiliated Jewish seniors, age 65 and older throughout the Greater Phoenix area. “Our hope is that members of the community, and Jewish organizations, will see the value of this program and contribute, thereby eliminating the concern that demand will exceed supply,” says Randi. Smile on Seniors is a nonprofit organization that offers a wide range of programming for seniors. They will administer the funding of rides, yet the transportation fund will not benefit Smile on Seniors programming, and there are no administrative fees. Rabbi Levi Levertov, who directs the nonprofit with his wife, Chani, says, “A Jewish senior who needs to go shopping, to the theater or anywhere else will now have the opportunity.” Each senior is eligible for up to four free rides per month; call Envoy America one day in advance to schedule. Donations are accepted to fund future rides. 602-687-6345
CHEF LENARD RUBIN NAMED REGIONAL CHEF OF THE YEAR
Lenard Rubin, CEC, executive chef at The Country Club at DC Ranch, in Scottsdale, was named 2016 American Culinary Federation Western Region Chef of the Year on Feb. 6. He received the title following a competition
at the ACF Western Regional Culinary Salon held at the Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology, Reno, NV. Many of Chef Rubin’s recipes and photos of his work have been published in cookbooks including New York Times Passover Cookbook, Jewish Cooking in America and Savor the Southwest. In 1998 and 2001 he was invited to cook at the James Beard House in New York, and in 2002 he was inducted into the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame as Chef Extraordinaire. He has been the executive chef with The Country Club at DC Ranch since 2013. Rubin will now prepare to compete for the national title against his regional counterparts at the ACF’s Cook. Craft. Create. Convention & Show, in Phoenix, July 15-19. The national winner receives $5,000 and the title of 2016 USA’s Chef of the Year. “Being named the regional champion is the honor of a lifetime,” said Rubin. “To prepare for the national competition, I will train with my mentor and friend, Walter Leible, CMC, and study as much as possible to get myself ready for the ultimate culinary throw-down! Competing in front of my hometown crowd in Phoenix will energize and motivate me to perform at the highest level.” 480-342-7246 | ccdcranch.com
TEMPLE GAN ELOHIM MOVES TO SUN CITY WEST FOUNDATION
Temple Gan Elohim, a Reform Jewish community, invites the public to Kabbalat Shabbat services in their new home at the Sun City West Foundation, 14465 W R.H. Johnson Blvd., Sun City West. Song leader Scott Leader will continue to add music to these beautiful services. Continuing TGE’s commitment to its West Valley origins, the congregation is dedicated to growing its roots in the West Valley. “TGE is centered in caring outreach, warm family connection and inclusiveness,” says Rabbi Tracee Rosen. “Join us for services and help us grow our community. We look forward to meeting you.” Services will take place the first and third Friday night of each month in the Grand Canyon Room. TGE also conducts Nosh & Learn adult education discussions twice a month and is planning a Passover Community Seder and Dinner. The April 24 seder will begin at 4 pm, followed by dinner at 5:15. Temple Gan Elohim’s mission is to promote the values of Judaism as a Reform congregation through a caring, welcoming, spiritual environment of worship, learning and community involvement. 602-899-1426 | templeganelohim.org
JEANNA MICHAELS LAUNCHES COMPASS PLAYERS
Actress and director Jeanna Michaels has founded a new theater company in the West Valley. Named Compass Players, it promises to take the dramatic arts in “a surprising direction.” The new company’s stated goal is “to bring talent and theater to the Surprise area.” The company’s first production, Neil Simon’s “Chapter Two” will be presented at Theater Works in Peoria beginning April 15. Eventually, Compass Players hopes to have its own venue in the city of Surprise. Jeanna Michaels is a member of Temple Beth Shalom in Sun City. She comes to this venture from a career in stage, television and film. She is best known for playing Bobby Ewing’s secretary on the television series “Dallas,” but was also seen for years on “General Hospital” and other television shows. Locally, she has taught acting and directed for the Sun City Grand Drama and Comedy Club. She says she wants to incorporate talent of all ages from the community into the shows. Asked why she has this passion to create, she says, “Once you are an actor, you are always an actor. You always want to tell a good story.” The other three founding members of Compass Players – Dave Golden, Frances Murphy and Steve Murphy – are also part of the local theater scene. compassplayers.com | theaterworks.org
LORI RIEGEL INVITED TO PRESENT AT HARVARD CONFERENCE
Lori Riegel, MJEd, was selected to present her research, entitled “Engaging Diverse Families: Looking for the Missing Piece” at the Harvard Graduate School of Education Student Research Conference in a roundtable presentation on March 25. Lori is a PhD candidate in educational leadership in a joint program of Lesley University and Hebrew College. Riegel’s research focuses on the engagement of racial and ethnic minority families in schools and barriers to their participation. This is second time she has been selected to present at this conference. lori.riegel@hebrewcollege.edu
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 17
Eliot Kaplan revitalizes Business & Professionals Group diligently, taken risks and are at the apex of their careers. In addition to If anyone knows how to harness the passion Kaplan possesses for the the power of networking, it’s Eliot B&P, he is equally excited about the Kaplan, a Perkins Coie corporate federation. “It’s extremely important and tax attorney, as well as chair to me that the Phoenix Jewish of the steadily-evolving Business community supports the federation, & Professionals Group, (B&P) a which supports many local Jewish division of the Jewish Federation institutions as well as Israel,” he of Greater Phoenix. The group is explains. “I want my kids to have the dedicated to professional networking, opportunity to be part of a greater philanthropy and engagement in the Phoenix Jewish community. If we Jewish community. The incipient cannot connect local Jews to each “new kid on the block,” the group other and the larger community, our is in its third year and chugging local Jewish community is not likely along at an impressive clip. Kaplan to survive generation to generation. is always searching for ways to make Hopefully, B&P is a ripple effect that the group more vibrant, enriching and will help connect all of us.” meaningful to its members, whether Kaplan grew up in Phoenix and is Eliot Kaplan through speaker series, networking well steeped in the Jewish community. receptions, happy hours, lively He attended summer camp at the discussions, dinners or informative lectures. It is the ideal vehicle JCC for many years and became a bar mitzvah at Congregation for Jewish professionals on any level of the career ladder, in Beth Israel. His deep roots were part of the motivation to start addition to those making a foray into the world of business. the B&P. “When the recession hit,” explains Kaplan, “the The trio of groups making up the B&P includes the Cardozo federation was really struggling. The Cardozo and Real Estate Society for legal professionals, the Real Estate & Finance groups were created by this time, but they went dark. When Division, and Chai Tech, for those wanting to plug into the we came out of the recession, I was worried. It seemed like the technology industry. Jewish organizations were decimated and this was a way to get Kaplan credits the group’s success to the supportive team our community back together.” he works with: Adam Goodman, who is instrumental in When Don Schon, who was chair of the federation’s general B&P events, Steven Schwartz, current president of the Community Planning Commission, asked him to get involved in federation board (and a member of the Real Estate & Finance the federation, Kaplan jumped at the chance. That opportunity Division), and Jonny Basha, chair of Chai Tech. resulted in Kaplan joining the 2014 Campaign Cabinet, which Members have a unique opportunity to glean keen insights segued to 2014 Annual Campaign chairs Shari and Irwin from prominent local Jewish business leaders who have worked Kanefsky asking him to revitalize the B&P, and start a real By Melissa Hirschl
Nearly 100 people attended the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix Business & Professionals Group’s 2016 Economic Forecast featuring Elliott Pollack on Feb. 16. The event was hosted by the group’s Real Estate & Finance Division and provided insight into the Valley’s current economic, policy and real estate trends. Pollack captivated the audience, adding humor and political commentary to his presentation. From left: Gary Ringel (Real Estate & Finance co-chair and director of Henry & Horne LLP Business Valuation & Litigation Support Services Group), Eliot Kaplan, Steven Schwarz (federation board chair and managing director of ViaWest Group) and Tivon Moffitt (Real Estate & Finance co-chair and vice president of Colliers International) with Elliott Pollack (second from right). Photo by Daniel Spiegelman Photography 18 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
estate group and Cardozo Society. “We called people who were involved before it went dark, and over time we figured out the right people to run each division,” says Kaplan. “The results have been very impressive. Most recently the real estate group hosted the 2016 Economic Forecast of the Phoenix area. Elliot Pollack, an economist who runs his own company and is well known in the community, was the keynote speaker. It was a huge success that attracted more than 80 real estate and financial professionals.” Chai Tech board member Idan Shtayer is ebullient when discussing his group’s potential. “This group was founded to bring together a previously untapped group of Jewish professionals from all around the Valley. As the tech industry grows at an unprecedented rate, networking opportunities are becoming a necessity. The organization’s unique events and venues led to an incredibly successful first year, exceeding everyone’s expectations. We think 2016 will be even better, and we look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming Chai Tech 2016 events.” Here’s a sampling of what the B&P groups are up to: Real Estate & Finance: The group has sponsored Cutting Edge Development in Indian Country, which dealt with the ins and outs of getting deals done on reservation land, and Downtown Tempe is “En Fuego” Real Estate Deep Dive, which explored Tempe’s “on fire” real estate market. Cardozo Society: This division hosts a General Counsel Forum, where local Phoenix general counsel attorneys address issues such as relating to lawyer’s roles as in-house counsel, the evolution of their role within their companies and working with outside counsel. The Cardozo Society provides legal continuing education on ethics, which will be held in June. Members also enjoy the festivities and camaraderie of the end-of-year Chanukah networking event. Last year’s event was cosponsored by the Arizona Jewish Lawyers Association and was held at the Arizona Jewish Historical Society. Chai Tech: Started last year, this group is extremely successful and has fast acceleration, according to Kaplan. Last April, the group sponsored a meet-andgreet launch party in Scottsdale with 60 people in attendance. Members also toured the IO Data Center in downtown Phoenix, where they learned about data center operations and cloud utilization. The group also held an entrepreneur panel discussion and networking event at the Uber offices downtown. Across the board: B&P also holds events that bring together members of all its divisions. The first “Corner Office: Lessons from Jewish Business Leaders” (with key executives from IO, Njoy, and American Express), was held last April with a cocktail reception and appetizers. In addition the B&P also hosts a happy hour before the federation’s annual MEGA Event, which focuses on and celebrates giving to the annual campaign. This year’s Corner Office will be moderated by Adam Goodman and features Adam Draizin, executive vice president, American Traffic Solutions; Tomas Gorny, CEO, Nextiva; and Matthew Pittinsky,
CEO, Parchment. The event is sponsored by Perkins Coie and will be held on April 5. “The federation is the driving force behind all these groups,” says Kaplan. “Most events are not fundraisers, but outreach to connect Jews to the larger Jewish community and the federation. If you connect community; they will care about these institutions. The way to start is outreach to make sure everyone is connected with everyone else.” For more information on the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix Business & Professionals Group, visit jewishphoenix.org or contact Amanda Garcia at 480-634-4900, ext. 1202 or agarcia@jewishphoenix.org.
The Real Estate & Finance Division hosted Downtown Tempe is “En Fuego” – Real Estate Deep Dive last November at the offices of Zion & Zion PR firm. From left: Matt Mooney (vice president and managing director of Parkway Properties Inc.), Gary Linhart (managing director of ViaWest Properties, LLC), Shannon Selby (City of Tempe business and development officer), Brian Frakes (principal of Common Bond Development Group) and Eliot Kaplan.
Corner Office: Lessons from Jewish Business Leaders WHO:Moderated by Adam Goodman, president and CEO, Goodman Interior Services Panelists: Adam Draizin, executive vice president, American Traffic Solutions; Tomas Gorny, CEO, Nextiva; Matthew Pittinsky, CEO, Parchment WHEN: 5:30 pm, Tuesday, April 5, 2016 WHERE: The Phoenix Plaza – Code Talker Conference Room, 2929 N. Central Ave., Phoenix 85012 WHAT: Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix Business & Professionals Group TICKETS: $36 for professionals, $18 for students RSVP: jewishphoenix.org/corneroffice or call Amanda Garcia at 480.634.4900, ext. 1202
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 19
A Nosh of Jewish Wisdom: Too much of a good thing can be very much too much.
Ask
Helen
Recommending friend for job hits glitch Dear Helen:
I helped get a friend a job after he’d been fired from his last one. I left the final hiring decision to the owner, even though I am the human resources manager, because of my conflict of interest. I was clear that he was a friend, but also well qualified. He has messed up royally by both attitude and performance. He’s flippant when he should be penitent, and people see him as a roadblock rather than an asset. I’m afraid he’s going to get fired. Do I alert him or not?
In the Middle
Dear In the Middle:
Hiring friends is as awkward as borrowing or lending money. But you’re wearing exactly the right hat to intervene and possibly forestall the firing. Call him in to your office and say: (Friend), I’m wearing my Human Resources hat, not my friend hat. Can you hear what I’m about to say in that context? (Get an explicit “Yes.”) I’m hearing complaints about your performance, from down the line and above my head. If you’re happy and want to keep the job, you’re going to have to change your style and
Protecting all the things that you cherish Jillian C. Schroeder
Jschroeder2@farmersagent.com T. 480-596-3456 7000 E. Shea Blvd, Ste J252 Scottsdale, AZ 85254 C. 602-803-8318 F. 480 314-9795
performance. Let’s work on a remediation plan I can show the owner, so you can turn this around. If you’re not happy, let’s meet off-site for a beer, and I’ll help you with your resume. A friend would say “Thanks.”
Dear Helen:
I just got tapped to be the key speaker for my company’s promo video. I’m terrified!!! I don’t have the normal fear of public speaking, but there’s a difference between briefing your colleagues on this quarter’s sales reports and trying to talk to people you can’t make eye contact with, who may or may not care about what you’re pitching. Can you give me some tips? I do know to get a haircut and wear clothes that look professional. A promotion could be on the line.
Upwardly Mobile
Dear Upwardly Mobile:
Most important is to know your material well. There’s no magic bullet for any form of public speaking, but if you don’t know what you’re talking about and you can’t say it in a convincing way, the entire episode will fail. Start by getting the script from the person writing it ASAP, as in now, today. Make sure you have at least two weeks, preferably more, to practice your delivery. Keep practicing until you can do this for your family or colleagues and have them stay interested until the end. Here’s how: Read the script out loud, repeat out loud. Say it to yourself in a room as though you were speaking it to your audience. If you hear your voice falter or you need to gasp for air, it’s a good clue you need to edit the text. For people to listen to you and believe you, you’ll need to sound comfortable with the words. Comfortable people talk in contractions, not in formal language like what you see on corporate brochures. So get relaxed with the actual text, and, if necessary, get approval from whoever needs to sign off on your changes. Then read it aloud onto your iPhone or some device where you can play it back and listen with headphones. Get used to the sound of your voice saying the words. It’s not so much a matter of memorizing it (though I’m not against knowing it cold) as it is having the talk become and feel like a natural part of you. Go for nice long walks and listen a couple of times in each direction. Once you’ve got the words down, add body language. Practice giving the talk in front of a mirror. Look at your facial expressions. It’s a mixed call about whether it’ll terrify you or encourage you if you get a friend to video you. But if you have a promotion riding on it, go full bore to look fabulous and sound wise.
Call
480-596-3456
for Auto, Home, Life, and Business. Helen claims to have black belts in schmoozing, problem solving and chutzpah. She’s a writer and an artist (kabbalahglass.com). Please email your questions to helen@yourjewishfairygodmother.com
20 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
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ABLE Financial Group ABLE Financial Group was co-founded in May 2006, by Adam Brooks and Lee Eisinberg, Managing Partners, and they are excited to be celebrating their 10th anniversary! They set out to create a practice that could deliver high-end, customized investment planning and management to the “mass affluent.” ABLE Financial was developed to guide individuals and their families through significant times in their lives; whether it be retirement income planning and strategies, dealing with a divorce or loss of a loved one, estate planning investment strategies, tax minimization strategies or the financial issues surrounding the sale of a business. Adam and Lee’s partnership was officially formed in 2002, on the basis of a shared work ethic and commitment to delivering the highest level of investment guidance and service to their clients. They found that by combining their 30 plus years in the industry and utilizing their different areas of experience, they were better equipped to help their clients achieve their financial goals. “Having worked at the larger brokerage firms, we wanted to provide a better service experience and a more independent and objective investment approach where the focus is where it should be - on what is best for each client,” explains Lee. Additionally, the partners share a commitment to making the community a better place by taking a hands-on approach to getting involved in a variety of local and national charities. “Judaism and our commitment to the Jewish community are of great importance to us. We have actively integrated giving back in a variety of ways including our time, our money and our leadership. We try to live by core Jewish values in how we conduct ourselves with our clients, our employees and our vendors. If you look closely at our logo you will see the tree is not really a tree, but a shin, and there are 36 leaves displayed, which was a subtle way for us to proudly connect to our Jewish values,” says Lee. From 2011, through 2015, ABLE Financial Group was listed as one of the “Top 25 Independent Financial Advisory Firms” according to the Phoenix Business Journal, as measured by assets under management. ABLE Financial is a rapidly growing firm, but the culture of treating each client as if they were the first and the only client remains.
ABLE Financial Group
8737 E Via de Commercio #100, Scottsdale 480-258-6108 • ablefinancialgroup.com Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. ABLE Financial Group is a separate unity from WFAFN.
22 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Dr. Heather McCoy of Integrative Headache Care, LLC. In July 2015, Dr. Heather McCoy opened Integrative Headache Care, LLC., where she treats adults and adolescents with various headache disorders (migraine, cluster, concussion, tension, etc.). “It is a very underserved population of patients who are often poorly understood by the medical community,” explains Dr. McCoy. “Most of my patients come to me after more than one bad experience with someone, somewhere who made them feel like they should just ‘learn to live with’ their headaches. I provide prescriptive and procedural treatments utilizing guidelines established by the American Headache Society and The American Academy of Neurology, and integrate evidence-based complementary therapies such as biofeedback, nutritional and herbal supplements and physical therapy/ massage.” As a nurse practitioner, Dr. McCoy has worked in neuroscience for more than 15 years. In 2007, she became one of the first NPs in the country (the first in Arizona) to become a doctor of nursing practice (DNP). “There were 12 of us in that first program; there are now more than 3,000 DNP graduates from over 140 programs throughout the U.S.,” she says. She is also one of only three NPs in the U.S. to obtain the certificate of added qualification in headache medicine (CAQH) by the National Headache Foundation (formerly only available for physicians). What sets Integrative Headache Care apart from traditional medical practices is its distinctly non-traditional approach to healthcare delivery. “I wanted my office to be entirely void of everything unpleasant about getting healthcare: layers of overworked/indifferent office staff between patient and provider, long waits for short visits, sterile and soulless surroundings in dreary office parks. My office is distinctly non-medicinal, with soothing white hues and elemental accents of wood and glass, and being the only medical office located at The Scottsdale Quarter, allows patients the ability to combine a healthcare visit with leisure activities,” say Dr. McCoy. She put great care into the selection of the design elements in her office. She contracted with Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) to provide the unique plants and planters. Dr. McCoy has a young adult son with autism, so working with places like SARRC holds a special place in her heart.
Integrative Headache Care, LLC.
15169 N Scottsdale Road #350, Scottsdale iheadcare.com • 480-758-4288
Liz Hernández of Jewish Family & Children’s Service
After two years as Marketing Manager for Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Liz Hernández was recently promoted to Director of Public Relations and Communications. Liz says she loves what she does because it gives her the opportunity to talk about the positive impact that JFCS has on the lives of the most vulnerable people in our community. “It’s my role to raise awareness about who we are and what we do. For example, many people don’t know that JFCS provides therapy, treatment and other support services for children and adults who are coping with mental illness, trauma from abuse and violence, among other serious life challenges.” She adds, “Also, many folks don’t realize that JFCS is nonsectarian, that most of our clients live in poverty, and over 65% are children.” Liz left a long career in the arts and culture sector, as owner of fine art galleries in Tucson and Scottsdale, to transition into the nonprofit sector. “I love art and believe that artistic expression enriches our human experience. I also believe that it’s essential to live compassionately, care for others, and be a positive influence in society.” Liz points out that mental illness is the root cause of many of the issues that JFCS’ clients face. “Mental illness is a huge public crisis in America. One in every five adults will suffer from some form of mental illness in their lifetime. And the same statistic applies to children by the time they’re in seventh grade.” JFCS served over 41,000 individuals last year, making it one of the largest behavioral health and social service agencies in Arizona. “One of the things I’m very excited about is JFCS moving into integrated healthcare.” Liz says. “A whole health approach is logical, since over 70% of behavioral health patients suffer from one or more chronic physical health conditions. In keeping with our tradition of innovation, JFCS recently opened a stateof-the-art integrated health clinic in the poorest neighborhood in Maricopa County.” Liz adds, “JFCS is committed to offering quality, accessible services. That was the vision of our late CEO, Dr. Zent, and has been the mission of JFCS for over 80 years.” The JFCS Board recently renamed this clinic the Michael R. Zent Healthcare Center. In other big news, JFCS was honored with the 2016 Industry Leaders of Arizona “Community Impact Award” for its leadership in responding to the child welfare crisis in Arizona.
Jewish Family & Children’s Service 4747 N 7th Street, Phoenix 602-279-7655 • jfcsaz.org
Dr. Heather McCoy of Linda Zell of the Jewish Integrative Headache Tuition Organization Care, LLC. The Jewish Tuition Organization was established in 1999 with the goal of ensuring no child is denied a Jewish day school education because of the cost. Since then, the JTO has been privileged to make a difference in the lives of students in the Phoenix area by awarding more than 5,000 need-based scholarships to students at six partner schools. These partner schools are: Desert Jewish Academy (formerly East Valley Jewish Day School), Pardes Jewish Day School, Phoenix Hebrew Academy, Shearim Torah High School, Torah Day School of Phoenix and Yeshiva High School of Arizona. As a student tuition organization, the JTO is able to raise funds for these scholarships through the dollar-for-dollar Arizona Private School Tax Credit. For 2015, individuals can donate up to $1,067 and married couples filing jointly can donate up to $2,134. Taxpayers can still make donations to the organization up until April 18, and be able to take the credit on your 2015 Arizona state tax return (to the best of the JTO’s knowledge, you can also take it as a charitable donation on your federal tax return). Linda Zell, the executive director, has been with the JTO just over 10 years and runs the organization. She is also in charge of the fundraising. Last year through a combination of tax credits, direct mail, email and phone calls, the JTO raised $3.8 million. “The important thing for people to know is that we disperse just over 90% of what we take in, in the form of need-based scholarships to children at the six Jewish day schools in the greater Phoenix area,” explains Linda. These scholarships help children, who would otherwise be financially unable to go, attend a private Jewish day school. Linda has worked in the Jewish community for more than 40 years. She was born in South Africa and came to the United States after spending part of her childhood in Israel. She was the principal of a Jewish community religious school in Rhode Island for 20 years before moving to the Valley 18 years ago. When Linda is not serving the Jewish community, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 45 years and her seven grandchildren, five of whom live here in the Valley. She also enjoys cooking, knitting and reading.
Jewish Tuition Organization
12701 N Scottsdale Road #100M, Scottsdale 480-634-4926 • jtophoenix.org ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 23
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Tony Lehrman of Lehrman Group Health Insurance Brokers Since 1988, Tony Lehrman, president and CEO of Lehrman Group Health Insurance Brokers, has specialized in the health insurance marketplace. Lehrman Group has always ranked in the top 5% of health insurance marketing organizations in Arizona. They provide broker services to individuals, families, small and large businesses, franchisors, franchisees, governments, municipalities and institutional clients throughout Arizona. Since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, marketing health insurance plans has become more complicated. On the plus side, people who were previously turned down for a policy due to a preexisting condition, are now able to purchase a health insurance policy from a company of their choosing. On the downside, the cost of the typical health insurance policy has almost tripled since Obamacare has been in effect. Some people with lower incomes can qualify for “tax credits” to help offset some of the monthly premium cost, but most people have incomes too high to allow for these “tax credits” so they have to pay the entire premium amount. We strive to help these people by offering plans that meet their needs, both medically and financially. “Lehrman Group has always sold our clients the smartest plan for THEM, not the richest plan for Lehrman Group. In fact, since January 1 of this year, we have sold many health insurance policies where Lehrman Group receives NO compensation whatsoever,” explains Tony. Since he was a young child, Tony Lehrman always wanted to be a medical doctor so that he could help people in need. Over the years, health insurance companies have paid many millions of dollars in benefits on behalf of Lehrman Group’s clients. “I have found that getting a health insurance company to pay the high medical bills of a client is extremely satisfying,” Tony says.
Lehrman Group Health Insurance Brokers 40 N Central Ave. #1400, Phoenix 623-455-6997 • LehrmanGroup.com
24 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Terri Porter of Phoenix Urgent Care
Phoenix Urgent Care (formerly Doctors Express) is a locally owned and operated, independent, walk-in urgent care facility that has been serving the Arcadia neighborhood since August 2011. Services offered include school and pre-employment physicals, travel immunizations, wound repair (including sutures), fracture diagnosis and stabilization, X-rays, testing and treatment for strep throat, flu, UTI, STDs, glucose monitoring and diagnosis and treatment of other non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses. Phoenix Urgent Care provides care for all ages, but does not treat infants under 6 months of age. Hours of operation are daily from 8 am-8 pm; holiday times may vary. Terri Porter joined Phoenix Urgent Care as clinic administrator in November of 2012. A portion of her duties includes the day-today operations of the clinic, and to ensure the clinic runs smoothly by monitoring patient wait time, staff scheduling, billing issues and problem resolution. She has been in the health care field for more than 35 years, beginning her medical training as a radiologic technologist. She has been an instructor and program manager for health care schools in Phoenix for twenty years. Terri had the opportunity to manage an urgent care facility and then went on to get a degree in health care administration, which brought her to the position she holds today. The provider staff at Phoenix Urgent Care consists of Dr. Jennifer Wild, DO, medical director; Michael Kipp, PA-C; Susan Eller, NP and Yuriy Alayev, PA-C. The remainder of the center staff is made up of medical assistants and radiologic technologists. Phoenix Urgent Care is very community-oriented. “We offer select sports sponsorships for local schools, including the Arcadia High School softball team,” explains Terri. “We try to be more local, to meet the needs of the neighborhood. We offer no-cost and low-cost services to those in need.” They also have relationships with the businesses in the Arcadia area, offering discount pricing to employees who are uninsured or underinsured; and they offer free blood pressure checks for anyone that needs it. “I love what I do and the people we provide health care for,” Terri proclaims. “We all try to make it a good balance of providing quality health care that is reasonably priced, and keeping the doors open.”
Phoenix Urgent Care
3931 E Camelback Road, Phoenix Phone: 602-687-7858 Fax: 602-687-9276 •help@phoenixurgentcare.com
Kimberli Davis-Baker of The Slate Group
From luxury cars and art to treasured family estates, The Slate Group has seen – and demonstrated – the remarkable power of auction. With more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, CEO and Designated Real Estate Broker, Kimberli Davis-Baker, loves introducing new clients to the wonders of auction, especially for real estate assets. “So many people associate real estate auction with distressed properties,” Kimberli says, “Yet the finest art, luxury cars and priceless antiquities are sold almost exclusively at auction, and for good reason. No other approach can accomplish what the auction method of marketing and sale can.” The Slate Group offers a full range of auction services, including real estate, personal property, vehicles, art and antiques. Working in association with Slate Realty Associates and Impetus Properties, their proprietary system of marketing and promotion attracts a highlytargeted global buyer base. Kimberli explains the advantages that the auction platform offers to sellers. “No other sales approach has the ability to bring together a roomful of highly qualified buyers, each of whom has come with the intent to win. The emotion, the excitement and the competition of bidding means our sellers frequently realize full market value – or above.” The Slate Group specializes in luxury and lifestyle property, real estate portfolio and bulk sales, and unusual or niche properties. Kimberli describes the unusual properties as the most memorable. “We’ve sold a ghost town in Montana, a haunted castle outside St. Louis and, my favorite, a historic lighthouse on the northern coast of Maine.” But, while the unusual properties are memorable, Davis-Baker and her team of experts are partial to properties and estates in Arizona. The Slate Group provides services around the world, but prefers to focus on the Valley and its outlying areas. The Slate Group works throughout the year sponsoring charity auctions and donating time to a variety of important causes, and Kimberli herself is highly active in the animal rescue community. Former restaurant owners and chefs, she and her husband enjoy spending their free time cooking for friends and family; but she admits auction is her true passion. “I love helping our clients realize their dreams and achieve their goals, in ways they never thought possible. Auction really is that powerful!”
The Power of
MEDICAL RESEARCH Members of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, have always been visionaries. Over 100 years ago, Hadassah was the first to bring modern medicine to the Middle East. We established Israel’s first teaching hospital, its first nursing, medical and dental schools. We established the first cancer center, burn unit, trauma unit, bone marrow transplantation center, neonatal unit, and first Embryonic Stem Cell Research Center in the country. Today, Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO), with two hospitals in Jerusalem, serves one million patients annually without regard to race, religion or nationality. Beyond extraordinary patient care, Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO) is internationally recognized for pioneering medical research. World-renowned HMO neurologist Prof. Dimitrios Karussis, MD, PhD, conducted the world’s first clinical trial using patients’ own bone marrow stem cells to treat ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), injecting the patients directly into the spinal cord fluid with an infusion developed by an Israeli/US biotech company. The astonishing results: 87% of the subjects showed improved respiratory or motor function. Similarly exciting research into age-related macular degeneration, melanoma and other cancers, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and heart disease is taking place at HMO.
Hadassah is also in the forefront of an issue that affects all research, and all women, everywhere: Gender Equity in Medical Research (GEM). In many cases, males and females have different signs, symptoms and outcomes of disease. Without sufficient female representation in research, women and girls are at risk for misdiagnoses and potentially harmful treatments. In Israel and the US, Hadassah is advocating for GEM at the highest levels of government. To locate an Arizona Chapter contact:
The Slate Group
Luxury & Estate Auction Services 2942 N 24th St. #114, Phoenix 602-405-7752/800-383-9753 • slateauctions.com
Hadassah Desert-Mountain 520.268.8687 desertmountain@hadassah.org hadassah.org/research HADASSAH THE WOMEN’S ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA, INC. ©2016 Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. Hadassah is a registered trademark of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.
DM_Research Advertorial.indd 1
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 25
3/16/16 9:50 AM
For Tina Sheinbein, Passover preparation is a
labor
love
of
By Leni Reiss
It starts as Purim ends. That’s when Tina Sheinbein goes into Passover prep and the countdown begins. Depending on the
year, and which out-of-towners will make the trek, between 28 to 36 guests from ages one to 90 gather at Tina and Irwin Sheinbein’s central Phoenix home for two seders. Tina explains that she and her sister-in-law, Sandra, used to alternate years, but when Sandra was widowed, Tina says “I was happy to do it all - and Sandra more than compensates throughout the year.” In advance of the holiday Tina shops for and stores non-perishables. In addition to leading the two traditional seders, Irwin helps to get the tables set up and set, as well as thoroughly cleaning the oven, stove and refrigerator, “removing all the shelves and checking out every nook and cranny.” Tina says it is “one less stressor” to ready the tables at least 10 days in advance, and she acknowledges that switching several years ago from dishes to fancy plastic is a boon. Food-and-wine-stained place cards, reused each holiday, are a meaningful tradition. Tina has preserved the cards through the years “and going through them never fails to bring back warm memories of people who have passed away.” Because there typically is a need for four tables to accommodate the crowd, there also are four sets of “necessary accoutrements:” Pitchers for water, grape juice and wine; and seder plates replete with shank bone, maror, karpas and charoset and separate bowls of salt water for dipping. (For the charoset, Tina adheres to the basic and delectable combination of nuts, cinnamon, apples and wine.) Irwin, who is flanked each year at the seders by his two oldest grandchildren, gives an annual “going through” to the family Art Scroll Haggadah and doles out assignments to all attendees, giving them about a month to prepare. They are welcome to read aloud, add personal commentary, ask questions, “Whatever they want to do,” says Tina, “to really feel a sense of participation.” To add to the experience, in place at the tables are puppets, masks and a collection of small objects representing the plagues. A “Pesach Song Book” includes “Take Me Out to the Seder” and “Just a Tad of Charosis.” Every year Tina buys Irwin a new Haggadah to add to his sizeable collection, which includes a Women’s Haggadah, one in Spanish and one dedicated to Soviet Jewry. They are on display for guests to peruse throughout the holiday. Meanwhile, and according to Jewish law, the Sheinbeins follow the dictate of not knowingly owning any chametz (non-Passover food). They sell and then buy back the chametz before and after the holiday, with Rabbi David Rebibo of Beth Joseph Congregation acting as their agent. Irwin explains, “Chametz has to be sold by 10 a.m. the morning of the first seder and it can be bought back one hour after sunset the last night of the holiday.” Once the kitchen is kosher for Passover, signs are posted in the Sheinbein kitchen that declare “No chametz allowed.” Tina, who not incidentally is employed just short of full time as executive director of Jewish Free Loan, embarks on a cooking marathon. Soup, brisket, turkey, beef ribs and meat balls all are prepared and placed in the freezer. She has to push to get it all done,
26 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
she says, “because I work - and I have plenty of family responsibilities with children, grandchildren, extended family - and a 90-year-old mom.” Major orders are placed with Segal’s and Imperial, local kosher purveyors. Tina’s shopping list at these venues includes Israeli salads, kugels, quinoa and grilled veggies, all of which “take so much time to prepare, and this way,” she says, “I can pick them up the day before.” Tina shares a time-saving discovery: Mrs. Schreiber frozen matzoh balls, which are often available locally in stores that sell kosher foods. “I served them for the first time without telling the family - and no one guessed. They were a home run!” A “pilgrimage” to California is a traditional part of the plan. Two to three weeks before Passover, the Sheinbeins drive out to Tustin, with ice chests and freezer bags in tow, to pick up delectable kosher foods for Passover including fresh baked cookies, cakes, dairy products and more at OC Kosher Market. Tina says that the most challenging piece of her “Passover project” is what can’t be done ahead of time, for example, “doctoring up the pre-purchased chopped liver, preparing the gefilte fish loaves, crafting the dry fruit platters and whipping the cream for the fresh fruit.” She admits to taking two pre-Passover days off work and enlisting the grandkids to help peel the eggs and chop the charoset. “This is my holiday,” she says, “and all the work is truly a labor of love,” but she strongly suggests, when possible, that hosts and hostesses get some help with the serving and cleaning up. Sheinbein seders conclude with the reading of “Chad Gadyah” (“One Little Goat”) by their daughter Deborah. “Even when she had fallen asleep,” Tina recalls, “we woke her up.” Now the family anticipates the time when Deborah’s daughter, and the Sheinbeins’ youngest grandchild, Sadie, going on two, will assume the responsibility to officially end the first seder.
One of the four seder tables readey for guests. The Sheinbein’s Passover Haggadah collection grows each year.
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 27
Interfaith seder explores freedom, environment and more
The Arizona Jewish Historical Society will host the second Arizona Interfaith Passover Seder, in partnership with Congregation Kehillah, on April 14. AZJHS Executive Director Larry Bell describes the seder as an educational opportunity for people of all faiths to learn about Judaism. It also provides an opportunity to explore the universal messages of freedom, social action and world peace through the story of the Exodus from Egypt. “Passover is a wonderful holiday and the seder is a wonderful ritual to teach about Judaism, because there are so many themes that translate across religions,” Bell says. Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman of Congregation Kehillah will lead the seder, which is an original service that she compiled as an offshoot from an interfaith Haggadah. “It’s a remarkable service. It touches on the
First Seder at Temple Beth Israel, 1926, now the Arizona Jewish Historical Society at the Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center
universal themes of the seder – human rights, liberation from slavery, belief in God, a celebration of freedom, the environment and caring about the world,” Bell notes. The Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, which houses AZJHS, where the seder will be held, has its own interfaith history. The building was constructed in 1921 for Congregation Beth Israel, the first permanent synagogue in Phoenix, and later held the first Chinese-speaking Christian church in the Valley. In 1981, it was deeded to a Spanish-speaking Baptist church until AZJHS purchased it in 2001. The Center was named for Rabbi Albert Plotkin, a pioneer of interfaith dialog in the Phoenix area. “Back in the 1950s and ’60s, when that was a novel idea, he really did more than any other single person to promote an effort to reach out, communicate with each other, share each other’s experiences,” says Bell. AZJHS held its first interfaith seder last year, which brought in about 100 people from a wide variety of religious and cultural backgrounds. Bell attributes this in part to the organization’s connection with Arizona Interfaith Movement, which often holds events at the center. AZJHS hopes to build on the success and popularity of last year’s seder to bring in an even wider 28 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
audience to share the holiday of freedom. The Arizona Interfaith Passover Seder begins at 6:30 pm and tickets are $36. Sponsors include Arizona Jewish Life magazine and Nestor and Susan Guzman. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. For information and tickets, contact Bell at lbell@azjhs.org, 602-241-7870 or visit azjhs.org.
Sculpture Garden is picturesque setting for second seder
Passover traditions will come alive under the clear sky of Tucson on a beautiful April evening in the Tucson Jewish Community Center Sculpture Garden. The Tucson J and Congregation Chaverim present a second night seder in the Sculpture Garden at 6:30-8:30 pm on April 23. This festive celebration includes the tastes, sights and sounds of Passover with special gourmet Passover desserts. Rabbi Stephanie Aaron from Congregation Chaverim will lead this inclusive Passover in the Tucson J Sculpture Garden. For the first two years, this community seder was held at the Tucson Botanical Gardens, where it quickly filled to capacity. Moving the event to the Tucson J allows more people to enjoy this Passover experience. A musical Havdalah ceremony begins the event. A music ensemble combines with Passover traditions to create an evening of traditional simplicity and warmth. In upholding the tradition of this participatory holiday, guests will read together from the Haggadah. The complete Reform Promise Haggadah will be read in a one-hour service, and tasting of traditional seder foods will be served. Each child will a receive a gift from the rabbi upon finding the afikomen. Upon completion of the seder, guests will enjoy a gourmet spread including dozens of kosher for Passover desserts. The Tucson J is located at 3800 E River Road, Tucson. Admission to the event is $18/adults and $12/children (under 13.) The seder includes tastings and dessert, but not a full dinner. Advanced reservations can be made by calling the Tucson J at 520-299-3000 or online at tucsonjcc.org.
Women’s seder times two
Rabbi Elana Kanter
The annual women’s seder will once again offer Valley women insight and inspiration when it returns to the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center on April 13 and debuts at the East Valley Jewish Community Center on April 11. The pre-Passover seders allow
women to celebrate together as they begin the intensive preparations for Passover. The seder has been held at the VOSJCC for some seven years. Last year’s event drew about 150 women. “Women and men often get so caught up in the depths of the physical preparations that we don’t do the kind of spiritual preparation for Passover that we’d like to,” says Rabbi Elana Kanter, who will be leading both seders. “Having the women’s seder means that a woman carves out an hour and a half to reflect on the themes of Passover, to do some stocktaking and see where each of us is on the path to our own liberation and to the greater liberation of our world.” The seders also are an opportunity for women to sample foods they might want to serve at their own seder or during the holiday. Celebrating together can renew enthusiasm for beginning this intensive cleaning and cooking season. The seder enables exploration of the central themes of Passover. Rabbi Kanter says that she follows the same basic framework each year, but then adds reflections on events of this year and new pieces of learning. “This year we’ll be looking at the different kinds of slavery that still exist in our world, including material from a website called freetheslaves.net. We also emphasize the role of some modern Jewish women who have worked to expand our freedoms and repair our world,” says the rabbi. “People have reported afterward that they have used material from our Haggadah and our presentations in their own seders, which was one of our goals – to help people make their own seders as meaningful as possible.” The VOSJCC women’s seder will be from 11 am to 1 pm, April 13. Individual reservations are $40. Hosted tables for eight to 10 women are available, but all reservations must be submitted together by April 8. For individual or table reservations, contact Harriet Colan at 480483-7121, ext. 1213 or harrietc@vosjcc. org. The East Valley JCC women’s seder starts at 6:30 pm. For reservations and details, call 480-897-0588 or visit evjcc.org.
This Passover Consider Four More Questions . . .
Do you value Arizona's Jewish organizations? Do you support these organizations on an annual basis? Do you want them to exist for future generations? HOW WILL YOU ASSURE YOUR JEWISH TOMORROWS?
In Partnership With: Arizona Jewish Historical Society Congregation Or Tzion East Valley Jewish Community Center Hillel at ASU Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix / Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center Jewish Family & Children’s Service Jewish Free Loan Jewish Genetic Diseases Center Pardes Jewish Day School Temple Chai Temple Emanuel of Tempe Temple Kol Ami
Learn more at jcfphoenix.org/life-legacy Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix
12701 N Scottsdale Road, Suite 202 • Scottsdale, AZ 85254 | 480.699.1717 LIFE & LEGACY™ program and the LIFE & LEGACY™ logo are trademarks of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 29
Dottie Klepper and Joel Alpert lend a hand with the Matza & More food drive.
By Sarah Chen
Matza & More ensures Passover food for all
For more than 40 years, Jewish Family & Children Services of Southern Arizona has provided Passover foods to Jewish residents who otherwise would not be able to afford to purchase the traditional foods that are part of the holiday celebration. Matza & More is a fine example of Tucson’s Jewish spirit of warm outreach to individuals and families of all ages. Matza & More volunteers, in coordination with JFCS staff, reach out to Tucson’s Jewish congregations and organizations to help provide financial support toward the purchase of food and other items included in the baskets that reach about 200 families. Recipients include older adults, Holocaust survivors – Nancy Lefkowitz and families who receive assistance through the JFCS and Jewish Federation
of Southern Arizona’s Mitzvah Magic program. Baskets are hand-delivered by volunteer drivers who sign statements of understanding, committing to protect the anonymity and dignity of recipients. Recipients are not necessarily limited to the greater Tucson area, as some recipients can come and pick up their own baskets from distant locations. Passover baskets consist of matzah, horseradish, grape juice, gefilte fish, macaroons, matzah ball soup mix, walnuts and apples to prepare charoset, onions and potatoes. All food items are kosher for Passover and Shamrock Foods donates the fresh produce. The baskets also include handmade Passover greeting cards from the students of Tucson Hebrew Academy and a “30minuteSeder” Haggadah from author and publisher Rob Kopman. “Passover is a retelling of the story of our freedom from slavery, and the
“Passover is a retelling of the story of our freedom from slavery, and the recipients [of the baskets] should be free to celebrate the holiday.”
30 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
recipients [of the baskets] longstanding tradition of should be free to celebrate donating macaroons. Rabbi the holiday,” explains Nancy Billy Lewkowicz, director Lefkowitz. Over the past five of Judaic studies, comments, years, she has volunteered with “We do it because we like Matza & More, packing and to teach the children the delivering food items. A retired mitzvah of ma’ot chitim speech-language pathologist, [literally translated to ‘wheat she and her husband, Joel fund’], or the mitzvah Alpert, are winter residents of assisting the poor to from the Boston area. celebrate Passover, originally “The program’s greatest by supplying the poor with need for 2016 is for financial matzah.” He continues, “On support,” explains Lefkowitz. a daily basis at THA, we “We already have around 20 encourage the importance of people committed to driving giving. To this end, everyone Nancy Lefkowitz leads the volunteer effort for Matza & More. and will probably need a few brings two, four, eight more people to help out. Our containers of macaroons to volunteers get such incredibly give to the less fortunate. This meaningful experiences doing is a way for us to be directly hands-on tzedakah.” involved.” Some of the most enthusiastic Last year, the program volunteers come from went green by distributing SaddleBrooke, an active adult the baskets in reusable bags. retirement community, and the This year’s bags will bear the University of Arizona’s Jewish JFCS 75th anniversary logo. fraternity and sorority students. In another twist, Lefkowitz’s “We love it when young ongoing volunteer work people participate,” Lefkowitz with the Community Food continues, “because this becomes Bank of Southern Arizona such a significant experience for facilitated the donation of them. Several volunteers have a $500 community grant to described their experiences as the Matza & More program. particularly powerful due to the The Community Food Bank personal interactions they have is donating funds to select with recipients, who readily Tucson nonprofit agencies express their gratitude for the in lieu of a 40th anniversary food delivered. It’s amazing party. what doing a mitzvah means to Lefkowitz is motivated to everyone.” again chair the committee as Traditionally, the Matza & she believes no one should be Ben Spiegel and his mother, Esther, helped pack food baskets last year. More program has asked for deprived of the pleasure of specific food donations from celebrating Pesach because of participating congregations financial circumstances. “It’s and groups. In 2016, the program committee decided to about the people of Jewish Tucson who willingly volunteer their establish a strategic partnership with the Safeway grocery chain time and funds to support the wider Jewish community who so that all the needed food could be ordered in advance and may not be as fortunate. I’ve been blessed, and giving back is delivered directly to the JFCS office in time for packing. In clearly the right thing to do.” lieu of specific food items, the program committee is seeking The program’s food packing date is Friday, April 15, with financial contributions. “It’s a new thing for us,” Lefkowitz deliveries on Sunday, April 17. Committee members are Barbara admits. “Our ultimate goal is not to burden congregations and Brumer, Carole Burtch, Lari Cote, Hedy Feuer and Nancy to forge strategic partnerships which will ensure the success and Lefkowitz, supported by JFCS staff Deborah Crowder, Pattie longevity of this vital program.” In addition, each family will Martin and Nancy Smith. To get involved or learn more about receive a JFCS-donated grocery gift card to supplement the food the program, visit jfcstucson.org/donate/matza-more or call in the basket, an extension of a JFCS goal of enabling families to 520-795-3000, ext. 2204. make personal food choices for their Seder. Sarah Chen is a freelance writer and associate director of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona’s Northwest Division. She lives in Oro Valley Tucson Hebrew Academy students will continue their with her husband and two preschoolers.
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 31
Kosher for Passover in Israel
By Teddy Weinberger
We were at Sachne one day last Passover. Sachne, also known as “The Park of the Three Pools,” is located near Beit She’an in the Lower Galilee. It was a beautiful day, and the place was packed with both Jews and Arabs, religious people and non-religious. The kids had a lot of fun going in and out of the waterfalls in the park, and we spent most of the day there. We ate a picnic lunch, and for a treat we walked over to the park’s snack bar and got the kids some ice cream. Not such an earthshaking moment ordinarily, but on Passover it was. For such a thing does not occur outside of Israel. To begin with, it is difficult to find kosher for Passover ice cream of any kind in most places in the States. And I have never seen kosher for Passover ice cream bars. They certainly are not for sale at the concession stand of your nearest national park. Though my kids have all outgrown it by now, at this time of year they used to enjoy a picture book called Matzah Ball: A Passover Story. The book tells the story of Aaron, who is invited by his friend’s family to join them at a Baltimore Orioles game.
It turns out that the baseball game is during Passover, and so Aaron’s mom reminds him that he can’t eat any of the junk food at the stadium. Aaron complains, “It’s not easy being Jewish, and sometimes it feels downright weird.” (Aaron is rewarded for his sacrifice, though, because while his friends are off at the concession stand, he manages to snag a home run ball thanks to the resiliency of the matzah he is holding in his hands.) In Israel it’s easy being Jewish, and it’s easy keeping kosher for Passover (though perhaps it’s more difficult for a Jew here to be humane – but that’s a topic for another column). Most of your regular grocery items that you use year-round suddenly sprout “Kosher for Passover” labels two weeks before the holiday. Even Elie’s penicillin for his ear infection was stamped “Kosher for Passover” (though I did not request such a stamp). The only complicating food factor in Israel on Passover, if you are Ashkenazi, is that there are two “Kosher for Passover” food labels: the all-encompassing “Kosher for Passover” and the “Kosher for Passover for those who eat kitniyot (legumes).” A kosher for Passover buffet at a hotel or restaurant will often include rice, corn, beans and other legumes, and it’s not always easy to steer your kids or yourself away from these items. Yet now that I am in Israel, this Ashkenazi stringency against eating legumes seems quite extreme. There are just too many religious Jews here who eat kitniyot for me to think that there is anything pious in abstaining from these foods. If anything is weird about Passover in Israel, it’s the lengths that secular Israelis go to when cleaning for Passover. The days leading up to Passover constitute a national spring-cleaning, both for religious and less traditional Jews. A frequent radio advertisement this pre-Passover season urged women to forego Passover cleaning and vacation in Cyprus, where they would find beautiful beaches and hotels and wonderful restaurants. Yes, apparently there are many in Israel who both clean exhaustively for Passover and who would entertain the possibility of vacationing at a non-kosher Cypriot hotel for the holiday. Passover in Israel feels normal because it seems like almost everyone is celebrating. I’m not exactly sure what the payoff is going to be, but it would certainly stand to reason that there are incredible psychological benefits for a Jewish kid who grows up on Israeli Passovers. Teddy Weinberger, Ph.D., writes from Givat Ze’ev, a suburb of Jerusalem just over the Green Line. He and his wife, Sarah Jane Ross, made aliyah in 1997 with their five children. Teddy is director of development for Meaningful, a company that works with Israeli nonprofit organizations. His in-laws live in Scottsdale for most of the year.
32 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
To Life
Passover, me and Bobby McGee
By Amy Hirshberg Lederman
The year was 1968: the Vietnam War was raging, psychedelic music and drugs were “in,” Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated a week before President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act and the Beatles released the White Album to mixed reviews. I was about to enter 9th grade and amidst the free love and political turmoil, I somehow finagled my mother into driving over two hours to Atlantic City to take me and my best friend to my very first rock concert. Janis Joplin – wild, passionate, soulful and very stoned – belted out “Piece of My Heart,” “Cry Baby” and “Move Over” until almost midnight. On the car ride home, we sang a medley of Joplin songs, but the one verse that really captured my imagination was from “Me and Bobby McGee.” Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose. The image was loose and free, unattached to anything or anyone, just like the pop culture for which it was Janis Joplin written. So why, as a 15-yearold, did I feel unsettled by the idea of having nothing left to lose? I have traveled a long distance since my first concert. Living as a Jewish woman, wife and mother has taught me quite a different reality. Genuine freedom comes with a high price tag because at the heart of freedom lies autonomy – the personal responsibility to exercise moral choice over our most basic instincts. The concept of freedom of choice is essential to being human and being Jewish. It distinguishes us from the rest of the animal kingdom and enables each of us, despite heredity, social conditions and environment, to choose to elevate good over evil. As Jews, we are free to choose to follow the laws, values and traditions of our ancestors – or not. The very fact that the choice is ours alone is what makes our decision significant and meaningful. Anthropologists suggest that the number of words in a language for a specific idea is an indication of the importance of the concept to the lives and society of its speakers. So it is interesting to note that there are three distinct words in Hebrew
for freedom. “Chofesh” refers to physical freedom, such as a vacation from work. “Dror” is the name of a bird and like a bird that soars and migrates, it refers to mental freedom. “Cherut” describes the kind of freedom we have to pursue a higher purpose in life; it signifies spiritual freedom. We are approaching Passover, the Jewish holiday that commemorates our freedom from more than 400 years of Egyptian bondage. The Hebrews who fled Egypt in the middle of the night had been slaves all of their lives. Moses led them to physical freedom, but it would take another 40 years of wandering in the Sinai desert before they would be able to relinquish their slave mentality and become freethinking men and women. What would enable them to make this difficult transition? The answer came seven weeks after the Exodus at the foot of Mount Sinai, where the Hebrew people gathered to experience the most profound moment in Jewish history, the revelation of the Torah. It was here that the people became unified as a spiritual nation when they entered into the covenant with the God that brought them out of Egypt “with a strong hand and an outstretched arm.” They were given freedom for a distinct and special purpose – to love God, to follow the laws of the Torah and to become a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” In Hebrew, Passover is referred to as “Z’man Cherutanu,” or the “time of our spiritual freedom.” The journey of the Jewish people from redemption from slavery to revelation is also the story of our redemption through revelation. We are given our freedom so that we can become a holy people with a unique spiritual destiny. This year when we sit together at the seder table and read the story of the Exodus from Egypt, let us remember that it is only because we are free – physically, mentally and spiritually – that we have the privilege of choosing how to live. And because of that freedom, we are never free from our responsibility to choose what is good and just. Amy Hirshberg Lederman has written more than 300 columns and essays that have been published nationwide. amyhirshberglederman.com ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 33
The Grand Choral Synagogue of St. Peterburg is the second largest synagogue in Europe.
Echos of Exodus in St. Petersburg Story and photos by Becky Schulman
34 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Over the centuries, our people have experienced many types of exodus in addition to the one described in the Torah and celebrated on Passover. On each of our three days in St. Petersburg, Russia, in June 2015, my husband and I were reminded of these journeys that led Jews to better lives, lives of freedom. On our first day in the metropolis, we toured Empress Catherine’s magnificent palace. At every step through the palace, entertainers performed: In a lavish blue and gold room, a flautist serenaded us; in an opulent green and gold room, a young woman played the harpsichord; and in the grand ballroom, “Catherine” herself welcomed us with a champagne toast followed by music from a string quartet and courtly dances by two ballet dancers. Was all of this enough to erase vivid images of my tiny grandmother Ida and her four little children, including my then four-year-old mother, fleeing the mayhem of pogroms? My mother and her family hid by day and gradually made their way at night to escape the tsar’s ravages in their shtetl. Their exodus in 1910 led them to Boston, where they were able to realize dreams of liberty long ago imprinted in the psyche of Jews. A many-mile-long canal ride throughout St. Petersburg highlighted the second day of our trip. Beautiful buildings abound in St. Petersburg, and as we passed them, Marty and I recalled our poignant clandestine visits in 1986 with Jewish refuseniks in the city, then known as Leningrad. Having applied for exit visas to escape the misery of their lives in Soviet Russia, refuseniks immediately lost their jobs and were under constant surveillance, sometimes sent to prisons far from home on trumped up accusations. The resplendent buildings we
The gift shop of the Grand Choral Synagogue is named “Kosher.” The sign mixes Cyrillic and Hebrew letters.
passed on our canal ride contrasted with the miles and miles of drab gray, concrete apartment buildings where we had visited refuseniks. Eventually, some of those we met made the exodus from the Soviet Union to America, Israel and other parts of the world where they could start new lives of freedom. On day three of our St. Petersburg trip, we visited the ornate Moorish Grand Choral Synagogue. A cantor filled the sanctuary, and our hearts, with a concert of Hebrew and Yiddish music. The synagogue gift shop is called “Kosher,” and I loved the way they spelled it with a Hebrew “shin” in the middle of the Cyrillic letters. It carries kosher foods and gift items. I bought a lovely porcelain dreidel painted by an Israeli-trained Russian artist with Chagall scenes from the Pale of Settlement he knew as a boy. In 1910, the same year my grandma, mother and her siblings emigrated to the United States, Chagall moved from
Russia to France where he could freely intermingle his Jewish imagery into his colorful art. In 1941 he escaped to the United States from Nazi-occupied France. His paintings, “The Fiddler” and “I and the Village” recall his childhood and later inspired the musical, “Fiddler on the Roof,” which brings me full circle to my grandmother’s heroic exodus from tsarist Russian pogroms. As we prepare to celebrate Passover, let us recall stories from decades, centuries and thousands of years ago in which our people left their homeland to pursue freedom. Let us also remember the streams of other people looking for safety and freedom in their lives today as they make an exodus from their ancestral homes in the face of starvation, death and persecution. Becky Schulman is a board member of the Secular Humanist Jewish Circle in Tucson. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 35
Cover
Zoe
Rubinstein: Healing from the Heart By Nancy Ben-Asher Ozeri
36 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Even as a young girl growing up in Israel, Zoe Rubinstein had the instincts of a healer. “It was mostly focused on animals, bringing those injured pigeons and kittens home, although my mom wasn’t happy about it,” she says. “As I got older and had a family, this need to heal was transferred to people, starting with family and friends.” Her passion for healing ultimately drove Zoe to pursue a career as a classical homeopath at Scottsdale Homeopathy. But the path was not a
“I truly believe that loving and giving are a huge part of who we are as Jews.”
- Zoe Rubinstein
direct one. She actually started off in computers during her compulsory service in the Israel Defense Forces. Being trained in computers for the IDF required a commitment of an additional three years in the army, on top of the two mandatory years for women. Although she enjoyed it, and was very good at it, she says it didn’t really fit who she was. “I did it because my parents wanted me to. At a young age, it’s hard to determine our course in ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 37
life,” Zoe says. Shortly after completing her IDF service, at the age of 23, she was sent by an Israeli computer firm to work with its subsidiary in New York City, eventually settling in Phoenix for its warmer climate in 1999. Zoe began exploring homeopathy when her oldest daughter, Shai, had a persistent cough and nothing else worked. Initially, she had her doubts. “Homeopathy is the science of really high dilutions and I was very skeptical before I started. I learned about a lot of other alternative medicines, but I didn’t get into homeopathy because at first it didn’t make sense to me. But when your kid is sick, you’ll try anything, as long as you know it’s not toxic and it’s not going to hurt her,” Zoe says. “She had been coughing and coughing for two weeks. The first time I gave her a homeopathic remedy there were just two or three more coughs, and then quiet … she fell asleep. It was mind blowing. But I thought, OK, that was a fluke, the cough must have run its course. But I was so curious that the next time my kid got sick, that was the first thing I went to, and again, the healing was so rapid. At the point, I was hooked. I knew I had found something incredibly powerful and that every mother should know about this.” That was in 2001. Zoe started studying on her own,
Zoe with her youngest daughter, Sivan, proudly displaying an award for winning a spelling bee at her school in 2014. Zoe’s path to becoming a certified homeopath was influenced by her experience as a mother. Sivan just turned 12 and her older daughter, Shai, is 18. 38 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
researching the field of homeopathy at night, while working as a computer consultant by day. After several years, the busy mother of two made the difficult decision to leave her successful career in computers and go back to school to pursue her calling. “Just the thought that I could help somebody feel better and get better, and I’m not doing it, felt like I’m betraying my own purpose in life. When you know in your heart what your life purpose is, but you’re sitting all day doing computer stuff, you know you’re missing something huge. That’s not what you came to this world to do,” she says. After graduating from the American Medical College of Homeopathy in Phoenix, Zoe was certified as a classic homeopath. She now owns Scottsdale Homeopathy, where she works alongside Jyl Steinback, a classic homeopath and executive director of Shape Up US. Once she started practicing homeopathy, she finally felt fulfilled. “I wake up in the morning so happy, because I know that I have another day, another opportunity to help someone. Writing a computer program never made me feel as good as when a mother sends me a text message that her kid is finally saying a word. Nothing in the world can compare to that.”
Partnership with patients
Zoe describes homeopathy as a very gentle therapy, with no side effects and no toxins. Instead of suppressing or relieving symptoms, like conventional medicine, she says homeopathy stimulates the body’s own ability to cure and push the illness out of the system. The goal is to help the patient return to a state of well-being. During the first appointment, Zoe spends two to three hours getting to know everything possible about her patients. Because homeopathy is highly individualized, Zoe says she needs to understand her patients’ mental, emotional and physical states, so that she can match them with the right treatment. “I can have 10 kids with ADHD and each will need a different homeopathic medicine. We are treating the person, not the illness, bringing them into perfect balance,” she says.
Zoe sees homeopathy as a partnership between practitioner and patient. She spends time educating patients, so that they take an active role in their treatment and make changes in their lives to support homeopathic healing. For example, if a patient consumes large amounts of alcohol or is exposed to toxins at work, it could interfere with the therapy. “I empower my patients to understand the homeopathic treatment and be responsible for what they’re going through,” she says. Many of Zoe’s patients are on conventional medication when they first come to see her. Although she says that these medicines can slow down the body’s response to homeopathic remedies, she tells them to talk to their physicians before dropping any medication. While homeopathy can be used to treat both acute and chronic conditions, Zoe focuses on chronic illness, mainly for women and children. When it comes to women’s wellness, she addresses issues such as menopause, PMS, migraines, bipolar disorder, hormone imbalance, depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue and more.
“The first time I gave her a homeopathic remedy there were just two or three more coughs, and then quiet … she fell asleep. It was mind blowing. The next time my kid got sick, that was the first thing I went to, and again, th e healing was so rapid. At the point, I was hooked.”
- Zoe Rubinstein
But her main concern is helping children. “That’s where my heart and passion are,” Zoe says. She addresses behavioral problems, learning disabilities, ADHD, temper tantrums, anxieties, eating disorders and autism. “With autism, there’s a longer process of healing. Not in all cases, but in general, children with learning disabilities, for example, will respond faster to homeopathy than kids with autism. It’s a feeling like there’s something stuck, and in order to release that, I use CEASE Therapy,” says Zoe. CEASE stands for Complete Elimination of Autistic Spectrum Expression. “It’s a release, a detox of toxins, used while treating them homeopathically at the same time. Once we do that, we see that awakening, we see them starting to respond to the homeopathic process. I see great results with my autistic patients. We see amelioration, where symptoms slowly start to go away to a point that they are completely reversed.”
homeopathy? What is
Homeopathy is a gentle, safe, and natural system of medicine that works with your body’s natural healing ability to relieve symptoms, restore itself and improve your overall health. It is extremely safe to use, even with very small children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and pets.
Homeopathy has none of the side effects of many traditional medications, is very affordable, is made from natural substances, and is FDA regulated. Homeopathy is used to treat chronic conditions, like anxiety, asthma, depression, autism and arthritis, as well as acute illnesses, like colds, ear infections, migraines and sore throats. The word homeopathy is derived from the Greek words “homeos” (similar) and “pathos” (suffering). It is based on a rule of nature called the Law of Similars, which states that “like cures like,” or that a medicine can cure a sick person if it can cause a similar sickness in a healthy person. For example, if you peel an onion, your eyes burn, itch and water. You might also have a runny nose and begin to sneeze. If you had similar symptoms during a cold or an allergy attack, such as a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing, a homeopathic preparation of allium cepa (red onion) would help your body heal. Although homeopathic remedies are derived from natural substances, homeopathy should not be confused with herbal medicine, Chinese medicine, or other types of natural medicines. It is its own, unique therapeutic system. Homeopathy recognizes that each person exhibits disease in a unique and different way. Two people with the same disease will not necessarily receive the same homeopathic remedy. Conventional medicine seeks to control illness and symptoms through the regular and continuous use of medications; if the medicine is withdrawn, the symptoms return. In homeopathy the idea is that a person needs just enough of the homeopathic remedy to stimulate their healing response. In other words, homeopathy seeks to cure a person so that they do not need any medications —homeopathic or otherwise.
-From scottsdalehomeopathy.com
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 39
Zoe, who recently participated as a vendor in the Arizona Autism Coalition’s first Autism Expo, says that after treatment she sees kids with autism calm down; restlessness and behaviors like spinning or hand-flapping vanish. Zoe says she also sees encouraging results when the main care giver embarks on homeopathic therapy at the same time as their child. Care givers, who often come to her exhausted and drained, may experience renewed strength and energy, which in turn helps invigorated the child’s treatment. However, she is cautious not to make promises, since each situation is unique, and the last thing she wants is to build up false hopes.
Spiritual influence
Zoe is the middle of three sisters who were raised in a very secular Israeli home. “My sisters are my best friends. Growing up in Israel in the ’70s was magical. I remember the frequent road trips exploring Israel and how warm and open people were everywhere we visited,” she says. But it wasn’t until she was older that she had an urge to learn more about her roots and Jewish spirituality. “I’m a very spiritual person. The shelf in my home is full of books of Jewish spiritualism. I’m self-taught. I’m a researcher at heart and I always investigate,” she says. Now she sees a correlation between being Jewish and being a healer. “I truly believe that loving and giving are a huge part of who we are as Jews. I think there’s a connection there. It’s about giving to the community.” When Zoe talks about helping and healing, you can hear her conviction. “Coming from that Israeli, Jewish background, for me, healing is about loving your neighbor as yourself; it’s about bestowing love and compassion. As a woman and a mother, it all comes together under that word, healing. That’s where my heart is.”
40 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
A brief history of homeopathy
Homeopathy is a system of medical practices that originated with the work of the German physician Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), an experienced orthodox physician as well as a competent chemist, a good mineralogist and botanist, and an able translator of eight different languages. Hahnemann discovered that patients with certain diseases could be cured with substances that produce similar toxic effects. He termed this principle “similia similibus curentur” – “let likes be cured by likes,” also known as the law of similars. The law of similars was already known and described by Hippocrates and Paracelsus and was utilized by many cultures, including the Mayans, Chinese, Greeks, Native Americans and Asian Indians, but it was Hahnemann who codified the law of similars into a systematic medical science. Hahnemann spent several years experimenting on himself, his family and a group of followers, testing a wide range of natural substances, such as plants and minerals. He was the “father” of experimental pharmacology. He and his colleagues catalogued over 200 medicines of plant, mineral and animal origin. Each substance was tested, i.e. taken by healthy volunteers who kept detailed records of their physical, mental and emotional reactions. Repeating this type of experiment led him to observe and describe the basic principles of homeopathy. A guiding principal in Hahnemann’s teaching is “Primum non nocere” – “First, do no harm.” Because of his desire to minimize the harmful effects of the medicines that doctors were using he repeatedly diluted and succussed (vigorously shook) each medicine to reduce its potential to poison and cause harm. What surprised him in his use of these preparations was that the more stages of dilution and succussion the drug had gone through, the greater its potential to cure quickly and harmlessly. His observations laid the principles of how homeopathic medicines are prepared using dilution and succussion. In the 19th century this method spread rapidly all over Europe and, through European emigrants, to North and South America. By 1900, about 10% of doctors in the United States were homeopaths, but due to various political and social changes, homeopathy became relatively unknown in the US until recently. This was not the case in other countries that have a wide acceptance of homeopathy such as France, Germany, Mexico, Argentina, India and Great Britain. The World Health Organization estimates that homeopathy is currently practiced by over 500 million people worldwide. - from scottsdalehomeopathy.com
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Food
A PASSOVER DELIGHT
CORNER
By Lucia Schnitzer Photos by Matthew Strauss
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. 42 MARCH 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
I love the culinary challenge of creating fun foods that make Passover memorable. I’m a big fan of gefilte fish, and have enjoyed it many different ways. The simple ingredients consist of white fish, onions, starch, and eggs, and have been an object of culinary delight and a linchpin of “Jewishness” for decades. Gefilte fish emerged in Europe as a savvy solution to meet a financial and a halachic ( Jewish legal) dilemma. Impoverished Jewish women of Eastern and Central Europe could feed their families the cheapest kosher fish, and eat it without violating the prohibition against removing bones on Shabbat. Eating fish on the Sabbath signifies fertility, and the numerical value of the Hebrew word for fish, “dag,” is seven, symbolizing the seventh day of the week. This is why fish is considered a very holy food. Now for those who pass up the traditional gefilte fish, you may like this salmon variation of the dish. It’s amazingly easy to make, and can be prepared a day in advance. May you be blessed with happiness, prosperity, peace and good health on Pesach and always. Happy Passover!
Herbed Fish Cakes with Green Horseradish Sauce Ingredients:
1 3/4 to 2 pounds skinless salmon fillets, cut into 2-inch pieces 1 cup (generous) minced red onion
Eli’s Deli
Under new management • Formerly 5th Street Deli Passover orders and products in starting April 3rd. Butchered meats, groceries, refrigerated items and frozen items.
For special Passover hours please check our website at www.kosherdelitucson.com Regular Hours: Sunday 9-7 Monday-Thursday 8-7 Friday 8-3 Closed Saturdays and All Jewish Holidays 5071 E. 5th Street Tucson, AZ 85711 520.325.3354
Full time mashgiach on premises Under Supervision of Rabbi Becker and Rabbi Shemtov
1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 1/2 tablespoons plus 1 tablespoon (or more) extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper wasabi or green horseradish sauce
Directions:
Line a rimmed baking sheet with plastic wrap. Place 1/2 of the fish into a food processor and pulse until the fish is finely chopped (do not puree to a paste); transfer to bowl. Repeat with remaining fish. Mix the onion, parsley, cilantro, 3 1/2 tablespoons oil, salt and pepper into the fish. Measure 1/4 cup of the fish mixture and using wet hands, shape into 3”x2 ”x1/2” cakes. Arrange on prepared baking sheet. (If making ahead, cover and refrigerate until the next day.) Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, sauté cakes until opaque in the center (about 4 minutes per side), adding more oil to the skillet, by tablespoonful, as needed. Transfer to platter. Serve warm or at room temperature with wasabi or green horseradish sauce. You can easily make your own green horseradish by adding chopped cilantro and parsley to prepared horseradish. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 43
Food
From tsimmes to mud pies, readers send their
Favorite
Passover Recipes When we think of Passover, we think of food. Yes, of course there’s more to the holiday than just matzah. But everything we do to prepare for the seder and plan for a week without chametz (bread and other leavened foods) brings us back to old favorite dishes and new adaptations. We asked our readers to submit recipes that please the palates of their friends and families. And they did not disappoint. Choosing the winners was no easy task – they all sound so delicious. In fact, our judges have been inspired to adopt some of them for their own Passover menus this year. The winning dishes from our Passover Recipe Contest are featured here, along with the stories behind them. Grand Prize winners in each category received a gift certificate for a one-night stay from The Phoenician in Scottsdale. Runners up were given autographed editions of The Seasonal Jewish Kitchen by Amelia Saltsman. We want to thank everyone who entered the contest. You can find their mouthwatering recipes on our website at azjewishlife.com.
Classic Traditions Grand Prize
Floymen Tsimmes
(Sweet Potato and Prunes with Matzah Balls)
Submitted by Esther Zack, Scottsdale
“Because my mother cooked for a large family before she became a professional Jewish cook (Lill the Cook), we all got to sample all her fabulous recipes. We watched her lovingly prepare these dishes and carried on the tradition with our own family seders!”
Ingredients:
olive oil, enough to coat the bottom of a heavy pot 1 large onion, sliced thin 2 pounds short ribs, cut apart so that each rib is separate 6 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces 1 tablespoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 8-10 pitted prunes 1 box Passover matzah ball mix
Directions: In a heavy pot, lightly saute the onion in olive oil until slightly brown. Add the short ribs and brown for 5-10 minutes. Add the sweet potatoes and enough water to cover them; add salt and pepper. 4. Cover and cook for 1 hour over medium heat. Add the pitted prunes and continue cooking. Prepare the matzah ball mix per package instructions and drop balls onto the top of the meat, potato and prune mixture. Cover and cook another half hour. Uncover and stir the matzah balls into the mix and finish on low for 30 minutes. Serve hot.
44 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Classic Traditions Runner Up
Passover Matzo Charlotte Submitted by Carol Abrams, Scottsdale
“This recipe was given to me by my friend Susan Lorant many years ago when we were living in and raising our families in Highland Park, IL. I always thought it was an old family recipe of hers. Her parents were from Germany and thankfully were able to get to England during the early days of World War II. Susan always made this kugel for second seder, which we celebrated together when our children were growing up. After I submitted the recipe for the 2nd Annual Kugl Kukh-off, sponsored by YiddishKeit LA, back in 2008, I learned the real origins of the recipe! I called Susan, by then retired to Prescott, to gleefully tell her the recipe had won Grand Prize in the contest (‘Best of Show,’ in my words!). She informed me then that the recipe was actually given to her by a relative who had grown up in Atlanta, and was most likely from either a temple cookbook or newspaper feature on Passover recipes, at least 50 years ago. Though our children have grown up and scattered across the country, it’s the holiday recipes that continue the traditions – and evoke the happy memories of past seders.”
Ingredients:
The first set of proportions are for a 13 x 9 inch pan; the ones in parenthesis are for a 1½ quart square casserole. ½ (¼) teaspoon cinnamon 4½ (3) pieces of matzah 6 (4) apples, grated 9 (6) eggs 1 (½) cup raisins 1 (½) cup sugar 1 (½) cup chopped almonds 1 (½) teaspoon salt grated rind of 1½ (1) orange
Topping:
½ (¼) teaspoon cinnamon 1½ (1) tablespoon sugar ½ (¼) cup melted butter or margarine
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Crumble matzah into water and soak until soft. Squeeze out all excess moisture. Add the eggs to a mixing bowl and beat well. Add the sugar, salt and cinnamon. Continue beating until well blended. Mix in the matzah, apples, raisins, almonds and orange rind.Pour into a well-greased pan. Combine cinnamon and sugar for topping, and sprinkle over pan mixture. Pour melted butter or margarine over all. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees until firm and browned, approximately 45 minutes. This dish may be partially cooked the day before and reheated to finish browning.
Modern Adaptations Grand Prize
Passover Mud Pie Submitted by Ora Kurland, Cave Creek
“Clearly, this is not a classic dish! Our family loves chocolate and chocolate/ raspberry combinations, so this recipe fits the bill perfectly! Everyone who has shared this dessert with us over the years is astounded that it’s kosher for Passover and pareve.
Ingredients:
1 cup margarine (or butter if you’re serving a dairy meal) 2 cups sugar 8 eggs 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips 2 cups almonds, cashews or hazelnuts, ground to the texture of cornmeal 2/3 cup matzah cake meal 1 jar of jam or preserves (raspberry is best!)
Modern Adaptations Runner Up
Rice-less Mushroom Risotto Submitted by Levi Gettleman, Scottsdale
“This contemporary dish is a new part of my Passover because, in my family, everyone loves pasta dishes. But this love of pasta and Italian food makes Passover difficult. That is why I developed this risotto; to have wonderful Italian food, during Passover, without the rather gross, store bought, kosher for Passover noodles.”
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil ½ cup (approximately) cauliflower, riced or finely chopped 2 cloves minced garlic, divided 6 tablespoons butter, divided ½ of an onion, diced 1½ - 2 cups chopped mushrooms 2 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed from the stem 3 tablespoon heavy cream 2-3 tablespoons of fresh grated parmesan, plus more for garnish salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
In a skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the cauliflower and 1 clove of minced garlic. Sauté until the cauliflower resembles the texture of rice. Remove from skillet, set aside. In the same skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter. Add the onion, remaining garlic and mushrooms. Sauté until the onions are translucent and mushrooms have softened. Add the thyme. Combine the cauliflower and the mushroom and onion mixture. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and 3 tablespoons of heavy cream. Mix until creamy, then stir in the parmesan. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm with additional fresh parmesan for garnish.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease bottoms of two 9-inch cake pans. In a large bowl, combine margarine and sugar. Beat until fluffy, then mix in eggs. Melt chocolate in a double boiler. Allow to cool for a minute, then add to the margarine, sugar and egg mixture. Stir in nuts and matzah meal and mix well. Pour mixture into cake pans and bake 25 to 30 minutes until cake tests done. When cakes have cooled, turn out and spread jam on one cake layer and top with the other layer. Top with another layer of jam and decorate with chocolate chips.
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 45
Food
Taste of A
Arizona
Green Corn and Cream Cheese By A. Noshman
It’s not a restaurant, which makes this an unusual restaurant review. It’s exactly what its name says, a tamale store. Those two words, Tamale Store, in bright red letters, caught my eye as I was careening down Cave Creek Road. A quick U-turn brought me around to an experience I feel obligated to share with food lovers, and might suggest as a delicious meal to eat after Passover ends. Finding fabulous Mexican food that isn’t made with lard or swimming in cheese is hard. Finding a tamale without a large olive (I’m not an olive guy) smack dab in the middle is difficult as well. Imagine my joy to discover a menu full of lard-free, Arizona Cornbread olive-free and glutenfree (for so many who prefer that) tamales. Finally, I can write about Mexican food for Arizona Jewish Life, but will the tamales be good enough to write home about? Tamales are generally considered a special occasion dish as they are handmade, one by one. This means the main ingredient
The Tamale Store $$ 13046 N Cave Creek Road Phoenix, AZ 85022 602-435-2604 thetamalestore.com
For the love of tamales
is love: love of making tamales or love of the people you are making them for. In either case, tamales are a special treat. If you think of tamales like an American sandwich, you open the possibility of dozens of variations and that is just what The Tamale Store has done. You will find the traditional chicken and beef tamales, but you will also find an adventure in imaginative combinations including monthly dessert tamale specials like blueberries and cream. I know! Sounds crazy, but wait until you hear more. Remember, it’s a shop. There are no tables, or wait staff, just friendly people to guide you through the chalkboard menu as items vary from day to day. There is always a fresh batch of tamales being made, and you can buy those hot and ready to eat, but the majority of tamales are sold frozen in packs of two or six. Frozen, you worry? Don’t worry at all. Tamales are wonderful reheated and in fact, this is the best part of The Tamale Store formula. Because they are frozen, specially wrapped, sealed and marked with reheating instructions, you can have them anytime!
My favorite time is at 2 am after coming home from the bars. I hope my mother isn’t reading this. As for pricing, I would say the average cost is around $3 per tamale, and I say average because there are price breaks on halfdozen and dozen batches. Here are some of the tamales I have brought home to eat at 2 am (and for lunch too, Mom):
Green Corn and Cream Cheese (vegetarian)
(fresh corn and mild New Mexican Hatch green chiles mixed into the masa with a mouthwatering cream cheese center) This is not a tamale I would normally have ordered but the woman behind the counter, a member of the family who owns the shop, talked me into it and I’m glad she did. This was the first tamale I tried and I was hooked. This was one of the fresh (not frozen) ones I took home and I could barely contain myself on the ride home, it smelled so good. It was sweet, savory, rich, with a small amount of heat that enhanced the tamale and made you pay attention to the goodness. The masa was delicate and held together all of the different flavors. This is a must order.
Beef Red Chile
Arizona Cornbread with Colby Jack (vegetarian)
(a marriage between a traditional green corn tamale and a warm slice of cornbread made with corn and jalapeño masa with a Colby Jack cheese center) I brought this one home because of the great experience I had with the Green Corn and Cream Cheese tamale and sure enough, wow! It tasted like sweet cornbread with a gooey cheese center and a small jalapeño kick. The thing I like about The Tamale Store’s use of spice is that it compliments and enhances the dish, never overpowers. I hate it when chefs add heat for heat’s sake, just to make it hot, but love it The Tamale Store way when it makes all the flavors pop.
Chicken Green Chile
(all natural shredded chicken breast with mild salsa verde made from fresh tomatillos, cilantro, and roasted green chiles) This was my first attempt at reheating a frozen tamale and there are two methods printed on the package. You can steam them or microwave them. Well, it’s 2 am, which do you think I did? You simply wrap this traditional tamale in a damp paper towel and heat it for 4 minutes in the microwave and you’ve got yourself a delicious and satisfying late-night snack. The chicken was tender and the salsa verde was mild but there was some welcome spiciness to it. There was no difference from the reheated tamale in comparison to the hot, fresh one I ate earlier.
Beef Red Chile
(lean shredded beef with a mild red chile sauce made from all natural tomato sauce and an exotic blend of dried Mexican chiles) This one is a traditional and very popular tamale, I was told. The beef is surprisingly tender, and the flavor of the whole tamale really worked. This was a reheat in the old microwave and I really couldn’t tell that it didn’t come right out of a steamer freshly made.
Chicken Mole
Chicken Mole (not gluten free)
(shredded chicken breast with a sweet and savory mole sauce made from mild Mexican chiles, cocoa, peanuts, cinnamon, and sesame seeds) This was the only tamale on their extensive menu that wasn’t gluten free. They use a small amount of flour to make the mole sauce. It was my favorite of the more traditional style tamales because of the way the flavors were combined so delicately. There are a lot of ingredients, yet it tasted so wonderfully simple. There is no heat here, not spicy at all, and I think this would be a favorite for those who avoid heat yet love flavor. Every time I went, the special dessert tamale was sold out. This says something, I think. The Tamale Store has quite a following and sells only at farmers markets and out of their Cave Creek Road shop. Tamales make wonderful side dishes, main meals, and midnight snacks or hangover preventers, I am convinced. They have vegan tamales as well. Go get them, bring them home and enjoy this goodness anytime day or night.
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 47
Arts & Entertainment Pitch, Daniel Lehman, forged steel, 2015
New juried exhibit opens at Tucson J Sculpture Garden
The Tucson Jewish Community Center’s Sculpture Garden opens its 7th annual juried exhibit on April 10 with a reception, brunch and artists’ talk. Artists featured in this year’s juried exhibit include Gary Beals, Fred Borcherdt, Carlton Bradford, Bryan Crow, Steven Derks, David Flynn, Al Glann, Flavia Krasilchik, Daniel Lehman, Pokey Park, Lauri Slenning and Ira Wiesenfeld. “In this exhibition, I chose works that exhibited content and form that speak to a broad audience, engaging the viewers in questioning what the work is about and how the artist came to his or her creative decisions,” says exhibition juror Moira Mari Geoffrion, professor emerita of art at the University of Arizona. “For example, in the case of Daniel Lehman’s work, the clarity and refinement of form lends a power to his art. The surface finish speaks to the forging process in his work, as does that of Fred Borcherdt, whose sculpture is so precisely fabricated that it seems to have happened on its own in an elegant and purposeful way. The steel seems to have emerged from the stone as if effortless. I included humorous and playful sculptures for the adult as well as the child to view, such as Carlton Bradford’s Doublewide shopping cart and Pokey Park’s Talvez Manana.” The reception will honor the 12 artists in this year’s juried show; Phoenix-based artist and sculptor Rotraut (Rotraut Klein-Moquay), whose exhibition of small sculpture and works on paper is on display in the Tucson J’s Fine Art Gallery through April 13; and the family of sculptor Norma Lewis, who recently donated several of her works to the garden’s permanent collection. Born in East Germany in 1938, Rotraut 48 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Deusa Brasil, Flavia Krasilchik, earthenware, 2013
spent much of her life and career in France. In her late teens, she met and married Yves Klein, and was his wife, muse and collaborator until his death in 1962. In the 1980s she moved to the Phoenix area with her current husband, internationallyknown art curator Daniel Moquay, and their children. Her work is regularly on exhibit at Art Basel (in both Basel, Switzerland and Miami) and she exhibits in Australia, Europe and the United States. Her work is described as colorful, lyrical, animated and brimming with optimism. Sculptor Norma Lewis was born in 1925 and studied at the University of Texas at Austin, the Art Students League of New York and Washington University in St. Louis. Lewis worked primarily in bronze, but also incorporated stone and aluminum into her work, which included both diminutive and large outdoor sculptures. Her sculptures and paintings are in museums and private collections worldwide.
Bindings VI, Gary Beals, powder coated steel, 2012
Norma and her husband spent several years on the central coast of California before retiring to Oro Valley. She passed away in 2010. “Norma’s work synthesizes a clear command of her materials, a respect for weight and balance and a simplicity of form. Her approach was much more emotional than intellectual, and she created accessible, inviting sculptures that resonate with the viewer,” says Lynn Davis, The J’s director of arts and culture. The Sculpture Garden is open Sundays from 9 am-8 pm, Monday-Thursday from 7 am-10 pm, and Fridays from 7 am-6 pm. It is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. To request a docent-guided tour, call Davis at 520-299-3000, ext.106. Events on April 10 include a brunch and artists’ talk from 11 am-1 pm. The brunch benefits the Sculpture Garden and tickets are $50. A free public reception follows from 1-3 pm. To RSVP for the brunch, call 520-299-3000. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 49
Arts & Entertainment
Music
brings new life to Anne Frank’s words
my kids right from wrong, to never forget, to carry on the legacy of my grandparents … Grammy-award nominated soprano and to continue to come back to the idea that Arianna Zukerman will headline the words matter. These words are so important, Arizona premier of “Annelies,” an and when you add the element of music – oratorio based on the Diary of Anne music is a universal language, which we don’t Frank, on April 9 and 10. Zukerman, have to learn to speak; we all come out of the daughter of renowned Israeli violinist womb speaking music – and if you add what and conductor Pinchas Zukerman, has a we all understand about music to these words, long and personal history with this piece, it brings a subtext to the fore. It’s a very deep which she says resonates with audiences piece.” in a very powerful way. David Schildkret, who directs the Arizona Zukerman performed the world State University Chamber Singers for the premier of the chamber music version two local concerts, agrees that the music of “Annelies” in The Hague on what amplifies the message. “We’re dealing with would have been Anne Frank’s 80th one of the most powerful voices to come out birthday in 2009. “That kind of blew my of World War II in The Diary of Anne Frank. mind, because Anne Frank would have And the reason that we still read it all of Arianna Zukerman, soprano been 80 in 2009 and I think my own these years later, and assign it to kids, is that grandmother was 96 that year. With it speaks on its own. What can music add to a different trajectory, she could still be that? My belief is that it gives it a freshness among us,” says Zukerman. A few years and immediacy. We get a relationship with later, the composer, James Whitbourn, something that we’re supposed to think of as asked her to sing on the first recording a classic. There’s a certain detachment. Music of the piece, which was nominated can bridge that. To re-experience it in a way for a 2014 Grammy for Best Choral that moves us to a different side of the thing, Performance. almost like walking around a sculpture, causes The oratorio, which bears Anne us to rethink it. I think we need to keep doing Frank’s full first name, has taken on new that if we’re going to keep the memory and significance for Zukerman over the years. powerful horror of the Holocaust alive.” There’s the importance of sustaining the As a breast cancer survivor, Zukerman now memories of the Holocaust, which has relates to the score in a new way. “Coming personal implications for Zukerman, back to it with having had that struggle and whose grandparents were survivors. being helped to survive is such a different “As the last survivors are leaving us, situation. It continues to be relevant,” she says. it becomes more and more important “There’s a section with text from the to present works like this, to tell their morning they left their apartment: ‘The stories,” she says. breakfast things on the table. We close the Becoming a mother brought home the door behind us.’ And I think to myself as David Ehrlich, violin story in a different way. “I have two little a mom, I can’t take the kids to school with Jewish girls and one of them hasn’t quite the breakfast things on the table. It makes learned to write yet, but she’s definitely going to keep a journal me crazy. I think about Anne Frank’s mother and how that when she does,” Zukerman laughs. must have felt to her, which is not the perspective I had when I “Anne Frank is sometimes very personal and sometimes very started. So there is always something to learn,” Zukerman says. global in her perspective, but what I am amazed by how relevant Israeli-born violinist David Ehrlich has performed “Annelies” what she has to say about our ability to be humane to one in several different settings, including Prague. As an annual another remains,” she says. “What keeps bringing me back is the performer with the Red Rocks Music Festival, he offered to desire to leave this world a better place than I found it, to teach bring the oratorio to Phoenix. Ehrlich, who studied with the By Nancy Ben-Asher Ozeri
50 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
“Annelies” same music teacher who trained Zukerman’s father in Israel, is a fellow of fine arts at Virginia Tech and co-founded the Renaissance Music Academy of Virginia together with his wife, Teresa, who plays piano in the chamber trio for “Annelies.” “This music is as powerful as almost anything that I heard, because it has a lot of dignity, and at the same time tells the story from [Anne Frank’s] point of view. The music is accessible; anybody can understand it right away. In all of our performances we have done, people tell me how much they’re moved,” says Ehrlich, who was born in Poland to Holocaust survivors. When they played the piece at a castle in Prague last summer, several elderly people left during the middle. Afterward, Ehrlich spoke with them. They were Holocaust survivors who found the piece overwhelmingly emotional and too much to bear. “It’s a thought-provoking piece. There are some juxtapositions in the piece that are quite curious. The composer incorporates a Lutheran hymn. There are words from the Catholic mass. What’s the place of those things in telling this story? That alone gets your attention,” says Schildkret, who will be exploring these questions further in his pre-concert talk for both performances. “Annelies” is a co-production of the Red Rocks Music Festival and ASU Chamber Singers, sponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Director of “Son of Saul” interviewed By Gloria Hammer
“Son of Saul,” directed by Laszlo Nemes, won a 2016 Oscar for Best Foreign Language film. Whether you catch it at the theater or on DVD, it is intense. The film stars Geza Rohrig as Saul and is set in Auschwitz. Saul is a Sonderkommando, an inmate forced to drag bodies to the crematorium and cleaning up the remains. Saul sees the body of a boy and becomes obsessed with giving his corpse a Jewish burial. No matter how many Holocaust films you have seen, you have never seen one like this. The cameras focus tightly on Saul. Eight languages require English subtitles. I was fortunate to attend this year’s Palm Springs International Film Festival, where the film was screened. We were taken by surprise when the 38-year-old Hungarian film director came on stage immediately following the film to answer questions. Nemes was soft-spoken and passionate – and the whole experience was riveting. Following are a few of the audience’s questions and the director’s answers (edited for brevity and clarity).
WHAT: Oratorio based on The Diary of Anne Frank by British composer James Whitbourn and librettist Melanie Challenger WHO: Arianna Zukerman, soprano; David Ehrlich violin; Joshua Gardner, clarinet; Ben Wyatt, cello; Teresa Ehrlich, piano; ASU Chamber Singers; Larry Wyatt, conductor
Saturday, April 9, 2016: Concert at 7:30 pm with pre-concert talk by ASU Professor David Schildkret at 7 pm Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix $18 general admission, $8 students with ID ($2 service fee), redrocksmusicfestival.com, 602-787-1577
Sunday, April 10, 2016: Concert at 2:30 pm with pre-concert talk by ASU Professor David Schildkret at 2 pm ASU, Katzin Concert Hall, Music Building, Tempe $18 general admission, $8 students with ID ($2 service fee), herbergerinstitute.asu/events/current.php, 480-965-6447
What was your reasoning behind your filming approach, using close-ups and leaving everything else in the periphery? Actually, in cinema when you want to show too much and you have the strategy of frontal representation, I believe you actually diminish the moral scope or the significance of what you show. You make it understandable. The audience can encompass what they see. The imagination of the viewer is not working. I knew that I had to find a way to make it a personal experience, and for that I had to narrow the scope. We wanted to make a portrait of one individual. One thing that makes sense, that you could represent, is the honesty in the human face. Everything else is in reference to that. There is one reference point. It is the human face and then the imagination to function, to recreate, to have the intuition of the suffering that is taking place in the background. It has to go through the viewer’s imagination.
Do you think Saul’s journey was a search for redemption? Or was this his son? I am very reluctant to give a manual to the film. I think I really wanted to offer a personal experience. It had to be a simple story. The real question within the story is one that you, the viewer, has to answer: Is there in any way a possibility when there is no more hope, no more religion, no more God and nothing human, is there still the possibility to remain human? And that is the question of the film. I am not saying that what the main character wants to accomplish has to make sense to everybody. But it is a question. If Saul in the film, and the other members around him, do not understand what he is trying to accomplish, but it still makes sense to him. We hope it makes sense to the viewer after a while. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 51
Arts & Entertainment
Filmmaker Eli Adler (right) and his father, Jack, at the gates of Auschwitz. Photo by Monise Neuman
Arizona premiere brings cinematic message of ‘Never forget. Never again.’
By Deborah Muller
Never forget. This short declarative sentence frequently is used to commemorate a wide array of national and international tragedies occurring in unprecedented numbers, but it originally was articulated after the Holocaust to memorialize the murder of more than 6 million European Jews. Very often “never forget” is used in conjunction with “never again,” as a reminder to do everything in our power to prevent that level of human tragedy from reoccurring. Four of the Valley’s Jewish organizations will come together on Sunday, April 17, at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus to present the Arizona premiere of “Surviving Skokie: A Heartwarming Tale of Community, Transformation and Discovery,” a film that is the cinematic representation of “Never forget. Never again.” “Surviving Skokie” is director Eli Adler’s deeply personal film that follows the path of his father, a Polish immigrant and concentration camp survivor who tried to rebuild his postWorld War II life in the film’s titular Midwest city. The Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival, the Bureau of Jewish Education, the Phoenix Holocaust Survivors’ Association and Generations After – Descendents of Holocaust Survivors in Greater Phoenix joined forces to present the film with the shared goal of ensuring the message continues to remain unforgotten. Encapsulating a dark and ugly time in America’s past, “Surviving Skokie” is the story of a father who didn’t want to 52 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
remember his haunted past until something so awful forced his hand, and a filmmaker son wanted to understand what made his father stay silent for so long. The entire family of Jack Adler, the director’s father, perished in the Holocaust. After being liberated, Jack found his way to Skokie, IL. In this small suburb of Chicago, almost 7,000 Holocaust survivors made their lives over – the largest concentration of survivors in the U.S. at the time. These men and women had survived the horrors of the Holocaust and came to America to put the past behind – and leave it there. For decades they kept awful memories secret, not even telling their spouses or children. But in the late 1970s, when a group of neo-Nazis (led by Frank Collin, ironically the son of a Jewish Holocaust survivor) threatened to march through their quiet village “because that is where the Jews are” – the survivors could – and would – remain silent no longer. “Co-producer Blair Gershkow and I made this film to not only honor my father, but to honor all survivors,” says Adler. “We believe its message of speaking out against intolerance of all forms is as pertinent today as it was in 1977.” Adler’s father, Jack, confronts his own past, returning to his birthplace with his son to tell the stories of family members who perished in the ghetto and death camps. They visit Jack’s ancestral home of Pabianice, Poland, and Auschwitz, retracing the steps of his horrifying journey. With many survivors of the Holocaust, the horrible truths and wretched experiences are buried deep inside, hiding from
the light of day and pain of rediscovery. “Never forget,” is a rallying cry for all Jewish people, yet the dwindling numbers of concentration camp survivors are often the ones who do not wish to remember. The recent death of outspoken Valley resident Helen Handler, a Holocaust survivor who shared her personal experiences with thousands of people, silences one more voice. “Eli Adler’s film looks at the significance and longer-term impacts of that tumultuous episode, especially from the perspective of Holocaust survivors,” says Janice Friebaum, director of Generations After. “Here in Greater Phoenix, we have quite a large number of Jews from the Skokie-Chicago area, including Holocaust survivors and their descendants, for whom this film will be of keen interest.” Friebaum adds that “Surviving Skokie” will also appeal to a wider audience “as it demonstrates inspiring examples of courage and catharsis in the face of hate and bullying.” Indeed, the film commends not only the Holocaust survivors who reopened old wounds in order to prevent fresh ones, but thousands of others in the Skokie community – Jews, Catholics and Protestants, civic and religious leaders and veterans of World War II, young and old – who rose up against the voices
and gestures of hate. “Films featuring the stories of people who are willing to take a stand against hatred and discrimination are characteristics the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival looks for in films we seek to share with the community,” states the festival’s executive director, Robert Segelbaum. Eli and Jack Handler will be present at the “Survivng Skokie” premiere to introduce the film and participate in a moderated post-screening film discussion with the audience. To order tickets, call 480-792-6736 or visit phoenixhsa.org
WHAT: Arizona premiere of “Surviving Skokie: A Heartwarming Tale of Community, Transformation and Discovery.” WHEN: 3:00 pm, Sunday, April 17 WHERE: Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale COST: $10 in advance / $12 at the door TICKETS: Call 480-792-6736 or visit phoenixhsa.org
Phoenix Film Festival to show Victor Perez and Princess Shaw The Phoenix Film Festival is celebrating its 16th anniversary in the Valley this month. The week-long festival will be held from April 7-14 at Harkin’s Scottsdale 101 Theatres. Last years’ festival saw over 23,000 attendees and they are hoping to attract even more movie lovers this year. “We’re very excited about the wide variety of films that we’ve got lined up for 2016. Our expansion to over 175 screenings gives our audience even more opportunities to see great independent films,” says Jason Carney, director of the Phoenix Film Festival. Two of the films in this year’s festival with Jewish themes are “Victor ‘Young’ Perez” and “Presenting Princess Shaw.” The French 2013 documentary “Victor ‘Young’ Perez” tells the moving story of the Tunisian Jewish boxer and how he went from winning the International Boxing Union’s version of the World Flyweight crown to being arrested and transported to Auschwitz, where he was forced to participate in
boxing matches for the amusement of the Nazis. Screenings of “Victor ‘Young’ Perez” will be on April 8 and 11. The second movie, “Presenting Princess Shaw” is a documentary that examines loneliness, anonymity and connectivity in the Internet age. Samantha Montgomery, caregiver for the elderly by day, soulful singer Princess Shaw by night, shares her performance clips on YouTube. Little does she know that one of her followers is Kutiman (a.k.a. Ophir Kutiel), an Israeli musician living on a kibbutz outside Tel Aviv, who mashes up YouTube videos from all over the world. He discovers Princess Shaw and propels her into Internet fame. Screenings of “Presenting Princess Shaw” will be on April 12 and 13. Tickets and passes are available through the Phoenix Film website or in person at the Phoenix Film Festival ticket center next to the Harkin’s Scottsdale 101 Theatre. Prices range from $13 for a single screening to $300 for a platinum pass. For more information, call 480-513-3195 or visit phoenixfilmfestival.com. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 53
H G
ome &
arden
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Antiques, whimsy and mid-century charm create a personal sanctuary Story and photos by Nancy Ben-Asher Ozeri
Although it’s been described as a hidden gem, El Encanto Condominium is truly hiding in plain sight smack dab in the heart of Tucson’s historic Sam Hughes neighborhood, on busy Sixth Street, just east of Treat. Built in 1940, as luxury apartments for well-heeled winter visitors, Hollywood starlets filming at Old Tucson Studios and military officers at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the Monterey-style complex was converted into condos in the 1960s, while maintaining the original architecture and design, then granted historic status in 1994. In the documents submitted to the National Register of Historic Places, it’s described as “the first true luxury apartment complex in Tucson, employing a multi-courtyard plan with a symmetry of space and landscape suggesting a Beaux Arts influence. … The El Encanto concept of a larger complex with multiple courtyards was a planning innovation which became common in Tucson.” Today, the two-story buildings that enclose most of the site include 57 units. Nestled among them are just a handful of one-story bungalows, with secluded gardens and private entries. The mid-century charm suits Patty Vallance perfectly, and this active member of the Jewish community has turned one of the five diminutive bungalows into an eclectic personal sanctuary that could easily double as an antique dealer’s showroom. Each item has been lovingly collected over the years – some passed down through generations, like a clock that belonged to her father’s family; some acquired for their message, like an antique door knocker to remind her that when one door closes another opens; some because they are just cute little things that make her happy. “The house is designed to be a reflection of me. It is important to surround myself with things that have affirmations and reminders,” she says. For example, mirrors of varying sizes grace almost every wall – from small mirrored insets in rusted tin ceiling panels turned wall-art, to a large ornately-framed mirror over the living room sofa – reminding Patty to be reflective and authentic. A collection of antique clocks scattered throughout the house convey that time is a precious resource. In the entry, the hands of a mid-century star-burst timepiece are set just after midnight, signifying that tomorrow is another day. Patty’s favorite room in the house is her sun room. It is lined with cabinets overflowing with assorted collections – flower pots, knick-knacks, vintage pottery and more. Well-worn pink and yellow shelves hold an assortment of lunch-hour pieces – imperfect stoneware items painted by women who
A handful of the menorahs in Patty’s Judaica collection are displayed in the sunroom.
“The house is designed to be a reflection of me. It is important to surround myself with things that have affirmations and reminders.” - Patty Vallance
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Tin ceiling panels frame miniature mirrors on the living room wall
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worked in pottery factories during World War II over their lunch breaks for personal use. Many of these pieces were cold-painted with floral designs after they were glazed and fired. No two are alike. The sunroom is dominated by an Irish linen press from the 1800s, which served as a library for Patty’s children, Zev and Noa, who are now in their 20s. It is hand-painted with a pastoral scene of the two toddlers in a clearing, surrounded by characters from their favorite bedtime stories, including those that Noa invented, like a snail going off to school and a mouse wearing a tallit (prayer shawl). Patty has a whimsical touch at repurposing objects from thrift stores, antique shops and yard sales. A chandelier perched on
Hand-painted lunch-hour pieces, imperfect stoneware painted by pottery factory workers during their lunch break, circa World War II.
a bird stand serves as a floor lamp. Vintage jewelry works as a curtain tie-back. A wooden corbel finds new life as a door stopper. Patty even took a set of Christmas stocking hooks she found that spelled “JOY” and left off the “J” to spell “OY,” fitting in with the plethora of Jewish themes and Judaica. She also uses her creative talents beyond her own walls to benefit a wide range of non-profits in Tucson. When survivors of Hurricane Katrina were resettled in Tucson, Patty collected furnishings and housewares that would make them feel at home, taking into account each family’s personal tastes, color preferences and unique needs. She came up with the concept and established the 1st-Rate 2nd-Hand Thrift Store to benefit all of Tucson’s Jewish organizations and synagogues, while implementing a vocational training program. She wrote a children’s book to benefit the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation, which she helped found. She regularly cooks meals for Fire Foundation board meetings and for the low-income residents of B’nai B’rith Strauss Manor on Pantano, where she served as president of the board. In 2006 she received the Jewish Community Relations Council’s Margie Fenton Award for her volunteer efforts and in 2012 she was honored as one of 13 Extraordinary Women by the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona Women’s Philanthropy. Just like the décor in her home, everything Patty does for the community she does with intention and meaning. She looks at the ordinary objects and circumstances of daily life and sees the potential for beauty and opportunity to do good.
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Tasty tomatoes grow
at Abby Lee Farms
facility in Willcox occupies another 100,000 square feet. The two locations allow the farm to produce year round. “We grow Neal Brooks, the owner of Abby Lee Farms, wants to here [in Phoenix] during the nice, warm winter and then in bring something back to the produce department of your the heat of the summer we go to Willcox, which is 30 degrees neighborhood grocery store – taste. Mostly in the form of cooler. We do that because we don’t want to leave our clients for tomatoes that have such astonishing flavor, you won’t want to months,” Neal explains. “Growing in a controlled environment, settle for anything less, ever. heating and cooling and manipulating the light where the baby To appreciate these tomatoes for even more than just their plants are grown. If we want to get a plant ready early, we can taste, you have to go back to where Neal pretty much manipulate everything. That’s Brooks, the farmer, began. the whole idea. To have consistent taste, Neal was a businessman at 12, selling consistent quality 12 months of the year.” tapes at the swap meet with his brother. “Hydroponics was really perfected by the When a family friend told them that a Dutch; we are growing in a bag of cocoa plant store was going out of business and waste that is 4 inches by 6 inches wide and liquidating its inventory, Neal’s mother a meter long. We water 35 times a day this drove him there so that he could purchase time of year. We can get as good a taste in all the remaining plants for $200. He hydroponics as you can with those grown in turned his investment into a couple of the ground. It is the most sustainable and thousand dollars and thought, “Hey, plants consistent way to grow produce,” says Neal. are a good angle.” At 14, he used his bar But this production does not come cheap. mitzvah money to start producing his own The average cost of water and fertilizer Neal’s grandson, Gavin Greenberg inventory, with greenhouses located in his alone is $1,000 a day. “Farming today takes at Abby Lee Farms family’s north Phoenix backyard. tremendous capital, tremendous patience For the next 35 years, he grew and you have tremendous risk,” says Neal. ornamental plants and supplied them to Costco, Home Depot, Hydroponics uses 10% of the water a field would use and Walmart, Kmart and more stores from 35 acres in Phoenix takes up less space; you can grow in three acres hydroponically and an operation in Chino Valley near Prescott. He sold the what would take 40 acres if grown in the ground. Everything is business in 2000, but still retained the facility. Then in 2007, the grown on a wire, vertically, up to 10 feet. The plants start in one ornamental market plummeted as people started to plant only position, but by the time the fruit is mature it may be 40 feet plants that “had a purpose” – like vegetables or fruit trees. away from where the plant started, like a big merry-go-round. About three years ago, Neal started working with a tenant in The workers harvest on stilts to be able to reach the top of the his Phoenix facility who was a hydroponic gardener. Today the plants. Phoenix facility is 150,000 square feet and a second hydroponic In this high intensity growing environment, things move By Mala Blomquist
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YOUNG ADULTS
fast. The entire crop can be wiped out in two days if a problem arises. Insects can potentially be an issue, but have limited access to plants grown inside a greenhouse. Still, Neal has a solution for pests, “We use predators, so we can kill bugs naturally. You want to use the predators to achieve a balance – feed the good bugs so that they eat the bad bugs. We also bring in bumble bees to do the pollination. I don’t like to spray because it hurts the bees.” He calls his tomatoes “not organic, but pesticide free” and also explains that they do not wash their produce after harvesting. “We pick and ship. We don’t wash the produce and we don’t refrigerate it. The shipment touches the truck and the distributor, and that’s it. Washing actually exposes the produce to more bacteria like E. coli. The idea is to wash it when you get home.” The minimal handling and quick delivery also make for a tastier tomato. “When you get tomatoes in the store, they are usually 20 days out from when they are picked to when you eat them. Check the label. They are required to put the pick date on it; you know that if the tomato wasn’t picked ripe, it’s not going to have any taste,” explains Neal. Much of the produce we eat in Arizona comes from Mexico or Florida and has been traveling for weeks to get to our store’s produce section. But no matter how well you handle the tomato, it helps to start out with good genetics. “The Israelis are some of the best tomato breeders in the world. They have phenomenal quality and consistency. They ship all over the world. We have used their genetics a lot. You can trace back most seeds to Israel.” Tomato sweetness is measured in Brix units. The average tomato at a grocery store would measure 5-6 Brix units. Neal’s are 10-12. There is a new variety from Israel that measures 16 Brix units. Neal says, “It tastes like a berry because it is so sweet.” Because of their incredible flavor, Abby Lee Farms tomatoes (and their other produce, too) are a favorite among local chefs. Pizzeria Bianco, Pane Bianco, The Henry, True Food Kitchen, FnB, The Parlor, Crudo, Postino are just some of the restaurants that put their produce on the menu. Neal also lets chefs shop in the greenhouse. “We have shopping carts and the chefs go around and pick exactly what they want. We love restaurants that come down [to the farm] direct, or go to the farmer’s markets,” says Neal. They sell their produce at 10 farmer’s market locations in the Valley every week and in the summer, they head to the markets in Payson, Prescott and Flagstaff. Neal explains that produce for the farmer’s markets is “picked by 4 am to be at the market by 8 am.” “The best thing in the world is to have your own garden. The problem is, it’s work. We do the work for you.” But Neal knows that trying to put a new brand out there is hard. Big grocery chains are hesitant to take a risk on a new supplier. Only 1-2% will actually stock local produce even though they may claim their produce is local. “We know that people want fresh, local, tasty produce; they just need to convey that to the stores,” says Neal. He also knows the power of the consumer. “The whole idea is a throwback to what we used to do 50 years ago, growing in your backyard – nobody had to pick, pack or ship it – [you just] pick it and eat it. We are trying to bring freshness and taste back to the grocery store, and it’s a matter of people asking for it.”
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produce Grow your own Passover plate
By Faith Schwartz
Passover is fast approaching and the seder menu may be on your mind. Of six of the traditional foods found on the seder plate, four categories are vegetables or herbs, or come from plants. And you can actually harvest much of the Passover plate produce from your own garden. Or, if your “green thumb” isn’t up to the task this year… know that many of these crops thrive in Arizona, and are available locally. Traditionally, fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables do not require kosher certification. That means whether you purchase your fruits and vegetables from the store, a local grower or grow them in your own backyard, if they are washed – they are considered kosher for Passover. Crop foods that are not kosher for Passover include wheat, barley, oat, spelt or rye flour which have come in contact with water or moisture and were not fully baked within 18 minutes
from the moment of contact. In older Ashkenazim tradition, sages banned eating legumes, such as corn and rice, on Passover, because their textures resembled the above “five forbidden foods.” These are known as kitniyot. There are a few vegetables, such as garlic, ginger and radish, which certain communities don’t eat for various reasons. Ask your family, or your rabbi, for specifics regarding the customs of your ancestors. Let’s take a look at a few of the foods commonly found in most traditions on the seder plate, with a few tips on growing them in your own garden: Bitter herbs (maror); apples, pecans and dates (charoset); green vegetable (karpas); bitter vegetable (chazeret). Maror: Bitter herbs, that symbolize the bitterness of slavery the Hebrews endured in Egypt. In Ashkenazim tradition, horseradish or romaine may
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 61
be eaten in the fulfillment of the mitzvah of eating bitter herbs during the Seder. Horseradish: We can grow horseradish in Arizona, with a few limitations, according to Peter Warren, associate agent in urban horticulture with the University of Arizona’s Cooperative Extension. “Horseradish does better in cooler place above 2000 feet elevation. It should be planted in November through January,” says Warren. Horseradish roots look like carrots, and instead of planting seeds, you can plant ‘crowns’ that will multiply. Well-drained soil is best for horseradish, and it works well as part of a container garden. Romaine lettuce: Romaine grows very well in Arizona. Warren suggests planting it between mid-August through the end of March. Soil needs to be well-drained, loose loam. Romaine should be kept moist, but not waterlogged. Waterings
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should be frequent and light. While romaine does well in sunny weather, it prefers shade in the hot Arizona weather. If you don’t grow romaine in your own garden, it’s widely available. Yuma is considered the “winter lettuce capital of the world”, and farmers there supply 90% of the nation’s leafy greens between November and March. Chances are if you purchase lettuce at your grocery, it most likely came from Yuma. In Sephardic tradition, many Jewish families use parsley, green onion or celery leaves. Parsley: Parsley is a winter crop. Warren suggests planting between the beginning of September and mid-January. Many families have a tradition of planting parsley on the holiday of Tu B’Shevat to use on the seder plate at Passover. Celery: Celery should be planted in Arizona between August and mid-October. Green onion: Green onions should be planted mid-August
through the end of January. Charoset: Charoset comes from the Hebrew word cheres, meaning clay, and it represents the mortar the Israelites used for building structures in Egypt. It is often a mixture of apples, nuts, wine and spices in Eastern European Askenazim tradition. In the Sephardic tradition, charoset is a paste made of figs, dates and raisins. Charoset ingredients are more difficult for the average home gardener to grow, but many of the ingredients are readily available in Arizona. Apples: Arizona’s climate is often not thought suitable for apples. However, apples grow very
well in cooler parts of Arizona with adequate irrigation and care. Golden Delicious, Anna and Gala are a few types that grow well in Arizona. You can find several growers of apples in our state. Willcox, in southern Arizona, is one of the most popular places to find apple orchards. Pecans: While walnuts are Traditionally, fresh, unprocessed fruits and traditionally the nut of choice vegetables do not require kosher certification. for charoset recipes, pecans are in Arizona. For the That means whether you purchase your fruits abundant length of season pecans have, they are not considered a “high and vegetables from the store, a local grower water use” crop. According to or grow them in your own backyard, if they scientists at the University of Arizona, they “like” Arizona’s are washed – they are considered kosher for climate. Arizona ranks as the Passover. fourth-largest pecan-producing state in the nation and is on track to double production in about 10 years. Dates: Dates are low in fat and sodium, and are high in fiber and magnesium. They contain more potassium than a banana. Date palms are abundant in the Phoenix area. Dateland, a popular tourist spot in southwestern Arizona, caters to date lovers. Farmer’s there grow least eight different varieties, including Medjool dates. Karpas: On Passover, a blessing over green vegetables is recited, and then a vegetable, usually parsley or celery, is dipped in salt water, and eaten. The green vegetables are symbols of spring, while the salt water represents the tears of slavery. See above for advice about growing parsley and celery in your own garden. Chazeret: Romaine lettuce is usually used, which doesn’t seem very bitter, but the plant has bitter tasting roots. The leafy greens from a horseradish root can be used, too. Again, see above for facts. If you do decide to grow “Passover Plate Produce” in your own home garden, check out this resource, from the University of Arizona’s Cooperative Extension: extension.arizona.edu/sites/ extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1435.pdf For more on fruit trees, head to this link from Cooperative Extension cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1269/ . For other questions about plants or your own garden, you can contact a Master Gardener. To find a Master Gardener in your county, visit extension.arizona.edu/master-gardeners. You can reach Warren at tucsongardensage@gmail.com. Faith Schwartz is an information specialist with the University of Arizona’s Cooperative Extension, sharing the science of the College of Agriculture with the people of Arizona. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 63
Seniors
Odette Evans: Feeling good, looking good and doing good By Nancy Ben-Asher Ozeri
Odette Evans doesn’t let her age get in the way of her passion for life. At 80 years young, she has more energy than many people several decades younger. She works as a Realtor, lifts weights, takes Zumba and aerobics classes, entertains friends and family with home-cooked meals and travels internationally. Oh, and she looks fabulous while doing all of this. What’s her secret? Odette sums it up: “I have a passion for exercise, food and languages. I think the human element is very important around you. I believe that in a healthy body there is a healthy mind. And, if you have a healthy mind, you have a healthy body. It works both ways. It’s just your approach to life.” Odette exercises daily, harking back to routines rooted in her childhood in Casablanca, Morocco. “Before we started school, we used to run three times [around] the courtyard of the school, and then go and start our first class. Physical education was very much a part of our curriculum.” With her petite stature, Odette excelled at gymnastics. But, since her mother thought it was inappropriate for a nice Jewish girl to compete in such a sport, she never pursued it beyond the local level. Seventy years later, she still enjoys the physical benefits. “I’m very supple. I can touch the floor with my elbows,” she laughs. Odette still follows the Mediterranean diet she grew up with in Morocco, preparing fresh food from scratch. She inherited her love for cooking and hospitality from her mother. “When my mother saw people at the door, she was making tea before they even entered.” Serving Moroccan or English tea still brings Odette great joy. Although friends have suggested that she go into catering, Odette prefers to cook for small dinner parties or to help friends who need someone to cook for them, like after surgery.”The quality of food gets diminished when you have a big crowd,” she says. Food and socializing go hand- in-hand for her. “Breaking bread is part of something that I don’t want to lose, because that is my culture. I love to cook for people. I think the human element is lost in this generation. They communicate through texting. I like to sit at the table and have a conversation with people. They are very important in my life. My friends are very energizing. It’s healing and it keeps you healthy.” Odette was born in Casablanca, which she describes as “the little Paris of Morocco,” where she was the youngest of three children. She grew up during a time when 64 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Jewish life was thriving in Morocco, but saw a rise in anti-Semitism after the creation of the state of Israel. Her parents and two sisters made aliyah in the 1950s, and she has many nieces and nephews in Israel, whom she still goes to visit. She speaks five languages – Arabic, French, English, Spanish and Hebrew – and had plans to be a translator for the United Nations. But after falling in love and marrying a U.S. Navy officer, she followed him to Green Bay, WI in 1958. “I was going to make aliyah when my parents did, but I went to Tangier [in Northern Morocco] and met my husband. So, I took a different boat, a different direction,” she says. They were married at the U.S. embassy in Morocco, and her husband returned to the U.S. while Odette waited three months for her visa. “It was during the McCarthy years. America was paranoid about Communism and espionage. People were following me all over, the FBI, the CIA, when I was in Morocco, trying to see if I was an unwanted alien,” Odette remembers. When her visa was finally issued, Odette travelled to New York by boat in December 1958. One of the passengers on the boat was acting U.S. Secretary of Commerce Lewis L. Strauss, who was also Jewish, on his way back from a diplomatic mission to Israel. “He was nice to me because I was Jewish. I was seasick during the day time, and they would send me flowers. I was in second class, they were in first class, and they would invite me to go on the deck with them. It was an eight-day journey, but my mother didn’t want me to travel by plane.” In Green Bay, she tutored French and Spanish as a volunteer at the YMCA.
In 1972, she was one of the first three women to earn a real estate license in the city and grew her business to be one of the top sellers in the area, with $4.5 million in sales in 1979. Her clients included Procter & Gamble and the Green Bay Packers. In 1987, Odette visited Phoenix and it reminded her of Morocco, so she stayed in the Valley. Several years ago, Odette hosted a tea in her home for a visiting delegation from Scottsdale’s sister city of Marrakech. She befriended several of the delegates and was invited to a Muslim wedding in Morocco several years ago. She went with her daughter-in-law, who wanted to see Odette’s roots, and they were treated like queens. “It was a royal wedding, like ‘One Thousand and One Nights,’” she says. Odette found herself discussing Israel and the Six Day War with one of the guests, who happened to be the Moroccan minister of security. “If I was in Iran, I would have been hanged,” she says, pointing out by contrast the historic camaraderie between Morocco and the Jewish people. Odette was married twice, has two sons and two granddaughters. Kurt, who is divorced, and his 11-year-old daughter, Emma, live in Scottsdale. Eric lives with his wife, Abby, and their 18-year-old daughter, Aria, in Ft. Collins, CO. A self-described fashionista, Odette always makes sure that she’s properly dressed for any occasion, even a trip to the gym. “I was surprised, to be honest with you. When I came over [from Morocco] I had gloves and a hat and never wore a pair of jeans. My mother-in-law said, ‘Don’t you have a pair of jeans?’ We didn’t have slacks overseas. We used to wear dresses and ribbons. I got used to wearing jeans and so forth. But you won’t find me going to the store wirth rollers in my hair. When I go out I want to make sure that I am properly dressed. I think if you like people, you have to like yourself first. If you like yourself, you want to bring care to yourself. You want to feel good, look good and be good to people.”
Experience matters. Let us show you why. By any measure, 28 years of experience in senior living is a lot. And through the years, we’ve helped many people find a lifestyle perfectly suited to them. Our secret? We listen. And we’ve found that every person’s need or desire to move is incredibly unique. We’ve created equally unique places to live with great social opportunities, fine dining, accredited care services, and more. All with you in mind. Come see how good it feels to have experience on your side. Please call now to schedule your complimentary lunch and tour. Awa r d -Wi n n i ng M e mor y C a r e Hawthorn Court • 13822 South 46th Place at Ray Road Phoenix, AZ • 480.367.8999 I n de p e n de n t & A s s i s t e d L i v i ng The Village at Ocotillo • 990 West Ocotillo Road Chandler, AZ • 480.558.0246 La Siena • 909 East Northern Avenue Phoenix, AZ • 602.910.6319
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Seniors
Blood test for Alzheimer’s on the horizon
Courtesy of American Friends of Tel Aviv University
New resource fair spotlights aging well
SelectCare Services and the Senior Task Force of the Jewish Community Roundtable present Tucson’s first Information Fair for Jewish Seniors, Families & Friends, on Sunday, April 3, from 1-5 pm at Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging, 2221 N Rosemont Blvd., Tucson. The fair brings together a variety of Jewish resources pertaining to health and wellness of body, mind and spirit. According to Rabbi Sandy Seltzer, chair of the Senior Task Force, “Aging is no longer to be experienced as a static reality, but as a challenge and an opportunity.” The fair will connect seniors with community resources that can assist in making good decisions to promote aging well in today’s world. Guests will have a chance to question experts in the field. Sponsored by Jewish Tucson and the Jewish Tucson Concierge, the fair features a keynote address by Rabbi William Cutter, Ph.D., Steinberg Emeritus Professor of Human Relations and founding director of the Kalsman Institute, who has published widely on Judaism, health and healing. His topic is “On Judaism and Health on The Obligations of Aging: The Demands and Expectations of Jewish Tradition As One Grows Older.” There will be time for questions and answers, followed by breakout sessions on health and wellness, financial and legal matters, and presentations from social workers and agency representatives, as well as vendors. A raffle will culminate the afternoon. The event is free, with complimentary refreshments and valet parking. SelectCare and Jewish Elder Access are services of Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Southern Arizona. For more information, visit jfcstucson.org or call 520-795-0300. For information about the resource fair, or to register, contact Beverly Sandock at 520-577-9393, ext. 119 or bsandock@jfsa. org, or visit jewishtucson.org/information-fair-for-jewishseniors-and-their-families. 66 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Currently medical professionals have to conduct a long series of tests to assess a patient’s memory impairment and cognitive skills, functional abilities and behavioral changes to accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. They also have to use costly brain imagining scans
and even, sometimes, invasive cerebral spinal fluid tests to rule out other diseases. The process is laborious at best – and subjective at worst. A new discovery by Tel Aviv University, Technion (Rambam Medical Center), and Harvard University researchers takes the medical community a leap forward in the process of effectively screening and diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. The new study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, proposes a new biomarker for cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease: activity-dependent neuroprotective protein; ADNP levels can be easily monitored in routine blood tests. The study also found that ADNP levels tested in the blood correlate with IQ in healthy older adults. The research was led by Professor Illana Gozes, the incumbent of the Lily and Avraham Gildor Chair for the Investigation of Growth Factors and former director of the Adams Super Center for Brain Studies at TAU’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine and a member of TAU’s Sagol School of Neuroscience. TAU PhD student Anna Malishkevich conducted the research, which was spearheaded by Dr. Gad Marshall, Dr. Aaron Schultz and Professor Reisa Sperling, all of Harvard University, and Professor Judith Aharon-Peretz of Rambam Medical Center-The Technion Institute of Technology.
A step to early intervention
Significant increases in ADNP RNA levels were observed in patients ranging from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s dementia. ADNP levels tested in plasma and serum samples, as well as white blood cell RNA levels, distinguished among cognitively normal elderly, those with MCI and Alzheimer’s dementia participants. For the purpose of the cross-sectional study, the investigators analyzed blood samples taken from 42 healthy adults, MCI patients and Alzheimer’s disease patients at Rambam Medical Center in Israel. After comparing the
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Seniors ADNP levels in the blood samples, the researchers prepared plasma samples and once again compared the protein levels. “This study has provided the basis to detect this biomarker in routine, noninvasive blood tests, and it is known that early intervention is invaluable to Alzheimer’s patients,” says Gozes. “We are now planning to take these preliminary findings forward into clinical trials – to create a pre-Alzheimer’s test that will help to tailor potential preventative treatments.”
Builds on original research
This new research is based on Gozes’ earlier investigation of neuronal plasticity and nerve cell protection at the molecular, cellular and system level, and her discovery of novel families of proteins (ncluding ADNP) associated with crosscommunication among neural nerve cells and their support cells. Gozes focused on the potential use of blood ADNP levels as an Alzheimer’s biomarker. “The more ADNP RNA found in the blood cells, the fewer aggregates found in the brain of elderly cognitively normal individuals,” says Gozes. Protein aggregation, which impairs essential cellular functions, is a common feature of many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers.
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“Interestingly, we also found that the more ADNP in the serum, the higher the person’s IQ level,” says Gozes. These findings are corroborated by a separate study by an independent group that found that the ADNP protein is present in lesser quantities in serum samples from select mild Alzheimer’s disease patients. However, in Gozes’ studies, which approach advanced Alzheimer’s disease patients, the ADNP mRNA levels in white blood cells dramatically rose above the levels measured in cognitively normal individuals. This finding suggests that dramatically increased ADNP mRNA blood levels in Alzheimer’s patients may be either insufficient or damaging. “We have found a clear connection between ADNP levels in the blood and amyloid plaques in the brain,” says Gozes. “Our study is the first to assess ADNP in elderly individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, and its results open the door for further validation in larger, more informative studies.” The researchers are now exploring larger clinical trials to better determine the ability of ADNP to predict cognitive decline and disease progression. American Friends of Tel Aviv University pursues the advancement of Tel Aviv University in the United States. TAU’s dynamic research centers offer a multidisciplinary environment that is highly coveted by young researchers and scholars.
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Young Adult Rabbi Mitch Goldstein (center) discusses a lesson with students in the Maimonides Leaders Fellowship program at the University of Arizona.
Building Jewish identity on Arizona campuses
By Michael Miklofsky
When college students embark on the pursuit of higher education, they often move out of their family homes and are left to their own devices. Among their considerations for how to build their future is whether to form, or continue nurturing, a religious identity. Jewish Arizonans on Campus was first formed in 2005. It was an outgrowth of student interest in higher Jewish education that started at the Phoenix Community Kollel, where rabbis and other educators provided instruction. Rabbi Jordan Brumer and his wife,
Risa, were selected to start development of JAC. “At the time, they were looking to expand that and create a full-time position [for] someone who would focus on providing educational opportunities for students at the university,” he says about the organization, which became independent of Kollel one year later. “We now have over 120 students who study with us [between Arizona State University and the University of Arizona],” Jordan says. “Our focus is always on educational programs.” Over 100 of those students are involved in the Maimonides Leaders Fellowship, a 10-week program in which students study with rabbis and other Jewish educators. Students have 20 hours of classes throughout the
“Campus is when a young Jewish adult is on their own. It’s extremely important to introduce Jewish students on campus to really positive Jewish wisdom.”
70 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
semester that focus on Jewish philosophy, Jewish wisdom and training students on how to make a difference in the Jewish community. The fellowship is one of two major learning opportunities offered by JAC. The second program is a one-on-one study program with JAC staff and is led by the JAC rabbis and their wives. Rabbi Mitch Goldstein and his wife, Chana, run programs inside their family’s home, which also serves as the JAC house at ASU in Tempe. “My husband and I work hand in hand and have a very 50/50 marriage,” Chana says. “Mostly, he works with the guys and I work with the girls, probably because guys are often a mystery to me. But, to be honest, it's because we want our students to have both strong male and female spiritual leaders and role models.” Mitch and Chana moved with their family to Tempe from Toronto to initiate development of the JAC home. After having graduated from law school in England, Chana turned her focus to educating students about Judaism and worked with Hillel, among other organizations. “We were pretty set on the idea that really campus is where it all happens,” Chana says. “Campus is when a young Jewish adult is on their own. You don’t live under your parents’ roof anymore and, really, it could be make it or break it for your Judaism. No one is going to make you go to, for example, Rosh Hashanah services, a Shabbat dinner or an Israel event. You have to choose it. You have complete free will. For that reason, we think it’s extremely important to introduce Jewish students on campus to really positive Jewish wisdom, which is so practical to their life.” At the University of Arizona in Tucson, the JAC home is overseen by Program Director Sophie Gibly. Sophie grew up in Tucson and graduated from ASU, where she participated in JAC and Chabad programs and learning sessions. Sophie discovered the organization, in the same way that many students have, when she came across representatives of the organization at a campus event. Sophie specifically remembered first approaching the JAC table during ASU’s Passport Fair, which is held at the beginning of every semester to provide information about clubs and organizations. “I met Rabbi Brumer at the JAC table and signed up,” she says. “When a student signs up, the JAC staff calls to meet with them for coffee, and then they are able to form a personal connection with the students. From there, it becomes easier for students to attend events and to hang out. Easier, meaning it’s more comfortable, it’s not awkward.” Since starting in her position in the fall of 2015, Sophie says that she feels she is getting as much from the organization as she
puts into it. “It gives me the opportunity to form very genuine connections to students,” she says. “The University of Arizona JAC house is really focused on quality over quantity. We make sure that students who are involved get a very fulfilling and true, rich experience.” Before JAC, Jewish students at ASU and UA had two primary options for places to learn, pray and get involved with the Jewish community on campus: Hillel and Chabad, with each student center offering a unique way of engaging the student population. “Each organization has a different flavor,” Sophie says. “I think JAC is very focused on creating a very homey, very welcoming community.” JAC at UA offers weekly Shabbat dinners and other social and educational events. To learn more about JAC, visit myjac.org or find them on Facebook at JAC – Jewish Arizonans on Campus. The ASU JAC home is on 69 W 13th St., Tempe; JAC at UA is at 2146 E 4th St., Tucson. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 71
Kids &Teens too
A child-friendly resource for parents
Mini Monets create water lilies out of tissue paper and coffee filters on cardboard canvases.
Young At Art excites imagination and curiosity By Masada Siegel
The world is filled with buried treasure, colorful picket fences and yellow brick roads. Well, maybe not the real world, but the one Rachel Ober creates in her new art studio for kids, Rachel’s Young At Art Studio. This colorful venue opened its doors in Scottsdale earlier this year. Much like Rachel herself, it is bubbling over with excitement and is filled with color, personality and warmth. Ober, who was born in Phoenix and grew up in Scottsdale, earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Arizona. She is passionate about art and wanted to figure out how to combine her love with a hands-on 72 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Rachel Ober (peeking out from the playhouse) encourages creative exploration on all levels.
Rachel Ober helps a young artist explore sensory art with shaving cream.
experience for children. But it took leaving Arizona on her own adventure for her to realize there’s no place like home. Ober explains, “After college, I had this huge ‘uh oh, what now?’ moment. What do you do with a degree in art? I didn’t want to be a fine artist. Art was always a fun and cathartic experience for me. I didn’t want to be told how to do it or judged by my end product. I’m still very process-oriented in my personal art and now in the activities I provide in my studio for the children. “My best friend from college moved back home to California and convinced me to move out there to live with her while I figured out my existential, quarter-life crisis. I found a job at a preschool in the area that was just starting out and needed teaching assistants quickly. That was that. I fell in love with the children. I was in awe every day by the discoveries and
connections the children made. I was able to incorporate my artistic knowledge into the classroom activities and saw how much it impacted and encouraged growth and development during the early childhood years. I enrolled in countless courses on child development until I was qualified to become a lead teacher at a synagogue [pre-school] in Santa Monica. In early childhood, art and free play often go hand in hand and are invaluable to the learning process. I kept wondering what it would be like to have a safe place for children that fostered their innate curiosity to discover through enriching artistic experiences. There really was no place like what I envisioned. The seed in my mind had been planted.” Not only is Ober artistic, but she has the advantage of coming from an entrepreneurial family. Her parents, Gail and Ed Ober, were strong supporters of her idea to start her own studio. “When they heard about my idea to start an art studio to present children with the tools to empower them with a strong sense of confidence, accomplishment and overall identity, they were immediately on board. My dad told me when I was ready, when the itch to act became too strong to ignore, he would be my biggest supporter. After four years of teaching preschool, I moved back to Arizona this past August to make my dream a reality,” Ober grins. The studio opened early this year with 60 kids attending a variety of programs. Ober was beyond thrilled. “This is my project of passion and I am so incredibly invested in it. It was so humbling to see other people believe in my product and understand its value. It truly benefits the children who participate. I love watching these little people blossom creatively, cognitively, socially, emotionally and linguistically through the artistic process.” The studio uses a variety of media such as pastels, tissue paper, tempera paint, watercolors, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, markers, sequins and charcoal to name a few. Classes start for children from age 18 months and up. A full list of classes is on Rachel’s website at rachelsyoungatart.com. “I love the Mini Monet after-school program because I’ve really gotten to know the 5-8 year olds who come week after week. During that program, I also get to introduce the basic principles of art and design into their fun projects, as they make observations from nature as well as create purely from their imaginations. I also love my Mother and Me program because my mommy runs it with me. It’s super messy and sensory focused and the children are discovering arts and crafts for the first time. We have a program that revolves around sensory art, one geared toward the little builders in your home, and one that only use art supplies that have glitter in them. We’re always having fun.” While the studio is a place to have fun and learn, it also provides other opportunities. For example, it is a place where parents can bond with their children and take time out to see the world the way their little ones do and encourage them. “The world of art encompasses so many things. It is not just painting or drawing, necessarily, although those definitely help with motor skill development! Art is playful for children and play is nature’s way of children doing the work of growing up,” Rachel says. “Sensory art stimulates their senses and is purely explorative. It excites the imagination, curiosity and creativity in a hands-on way. Life is messy, after all!” ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 73
Kids & Teens too
The vaping
By Debra Rich Gettleman
epidemic
“Dear Parent/Guardian, We want to inform you about the recent epidemic of e-cigarettes being used by our young people. E-cigarettes also referred to as electronic cigarettes, hookah pens or vapes, are an electronic nicotine delivery system designed to mimic smoking a cigarette. They produce an odorless vapor of nicotine liquid, or in the case of marijuana, a THC liquid that resembles smoke. We are concerned about the potential for these devices to be used for the intake of drugs. Additionally, because of the novelty value, the common assumption is they are safe. E-cigarettes may also encourage young people to start smoking more than nicotine.” This is the first paragraph of an email from my son’s high school. The letter went on to explain that e-cigs or “vapes” come in lots of teen-friendly flavors like cherry, apple and watermelon. That they come in brightly colored packages and look more like pens than cigarettes. That they are marketed to adolescents and can be easily purchased in convenience stores, gas stations and of course, online. As I waited for my son to get home from school, I started paging through my husband’s medical journals and googling as much as I could about vapes. The facts were troubling. First of all, there is a prevalent belief among young people that because vapes don’t have tobacco they are safe. Allow me to dispel that misconception. E-cigarettes contain liquid nicotine, which is highly addictive and can produce structural changes in developing adolescent brains that can lead to future alcohol and various drug addictions. In fact, the FDA has dubbed some liquid nicotine products “starter” products, due to the fact that these flavored delivery systems establish patterns that actually lead to long-term addictions. According to the most recent CDC National Youth Tobacco Survey, e-cigarettes are now more popular than traditional cigarettes, with some 450,000 middle school and at least 2 million high school students using e-cigs. This translates into a triple increase in e-cigarette usage among teens in the last year. The e-cigarette market has become a multi-billion dollar industry and Wall Street analysts are predicting that revenue from e-cigarettes will exceed traditional cigarette earnings within a decade. But perhaps the most alarming part of the e-cigarette story is that the entire industry remains completely unregulated with virtually no federal rules or government control. While this could change any day as the FDA and Congress argue over whether or not to give the FDA control over the vaping industry, 74 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Family Time
right now the only federal law surrounding e-cigarettes is one recently signed by President Obama, which requires child-proof caps for the liquid nicotine containers used with vapes. The difficulty in regulating e-cigarettes is that they are not tobacco products so they cannot be FDA controlled under current tobacco guidelines. Research on e-cigs is mixed with many studies lauding the new liquid nicotine delivery systems as beneficial when used as a traditional smoking cessation device. Vaping advocates claim that vapes are potentially lifesaving products and for the first time in decades, glamorous television ads are appearing that rekindle the fashionable image of smoking. All this translates into more teenagers being lured to the devices. While many claim that e-cigarettes are significantly less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes, a recent study published in the journal Tobacco Control showed that teen users of e-cigarettes are three times more likely to smoke conventional cigarettes one year later. So this thought that our kids are avoiding the carcinogenic exposure to tobacco by smoking vapes is questionable at best. Another study at Harvard University found evidence of chemicals that cause respiratory problems in 47 out of 51 types of flavored e-cigarettes. Plus, with no federal regulations intact, there is no way to know what is actually contained in the devices’ cartridges or cartomizers. Finally, I read several news stories about e-cigarettes exploding in people’s faces or pockets causing severe burns and damage. This was the last straw. I waited for my son to walk in the door. When he finally did, I was less than subtle. I said, “I know all about the vapes. I know everyone is using them, and I need you to fess up and tell me the truth.” “Mom,” he said, looking at me as if I had suddenly sprouted a second head, “Are you kidding me? Do you actually think I would ever do something that stupid? Anyway, they already talked about this at school a few days ago. You really should read your emails on a more timely basis.” Then he smiled, gave me a peck on the cheek and headed into the kitchen for his afternoon snack of two helpings of mac ’n’ cheese, a box of Wheat Thins and three bagels. Ahhh, the joy of teenage boys.
Debra Rich Gettleman is a mother and blogger based in the Phoenix area. For more of her work, visit unmotherlyinsights.com.
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 75
Kids & Teens too
High flying
Lena Fleisch, 15, (right) completes a successful wrist catch with Efe from I.FLY Trapeze.
By Mala Blomquist
at The Phoenician
Nestled at the base of Camelback mountain, inside The Phoenician resort’s recreational area known as The Park, a unique adventure awaits both guests and locals. For a limited time (through the month of April, to be exact) you can “fly” at The Phoenician. It’s true! The Phoenician has brought the talented group from I.FLY Trapeze to hold 90-minute trapeze classes every Tuesday through Sunday. These classes are offered to anyone age four years and older. They teach participants everything they need to know to go from standing on the ground watching a demonstration to completing a wrist-to-wrist catch! I took my daughter Mylan and her friend Cameron to try the class one weekend. Located next to the tennis courts, the trapeze apparatus is quite impressive. It reaches high into the sky and there are giant ropes and rigging in every direction holding it secure. The guys with I.FLY Trapeze were welcoming and joked around to ease 76 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
fun
some of the tension among those who were less than sure about this experience. Each participant was fitted with a belt that was essentially their safety harness while they were “flying.” There was a brief class held on the ground with a short demonstration of what each person would try first and then the fun began. To get started first you have to climb the ladder (which is very tall) and get to the platform (which is very small) where Max was waiting to hook up that safety belt to a line that Paul on the ground would be handling. When it was Cameron’s turn, he grabbed the trapeze, unclenched his toes from the edge of the platform and with a small hop he was swinging! He listened to the orders of “hands on, knees up, let go, look behind you” so that he could go from hanging to getting his legs hooked around the bar and then be able to let go so that he was hanging upside down. From that position he received the orders of “hands up, legs down, three
big kicks, let go” to get back to the hanging position and get the momentum to do a flip dismount on the trapeze. He landed on the net and after walking across it, learned how to dismount that too. He enjoyed it but admitted one of the hardest things was to do what the instructor was telling you to do, at the moment he was saying it. Timing is most critical in this sport, and when you are hanging up high off of a tiny bar, it is hard not to second guess what someone is telling you and just to trust the instructions. Mylan was next and was at a bit of a disadvantage because she had to remove her glasses, leaving her mostly blind. They told her what to focus on once she got her legs through the bar, and she admitted that she wasn’t exactly sure where she should look because she couldn’t see it! She had some “trust issues” with the directions as well, and didn’t get the force behind her kicks in the dismount and essentially floated to the net with Paul at the guideline letting her down easy. The star of the class turned out to be 15-year-old Lena Fleisch. She made all the movements look effortless. When I mentioned to her mother, Denise, that it was obviously not her first time on the trapeze, she told me that Lena had started flying 2 1/2 years ago. She was taking trapeze lessons at a place but, unfortunately, that went out of business. Because her mother knew how important this activity had become to Lena, she had an 8-foot trapeze rig with a trapeze bar and an aerial silk installed in the living room ceiling. When a friend told them about the class offered at the Phoenician, she immediately signed Lena up. “This is the best activity for Lena. It’s a perfect fit for her. She is focused on her craft and wants to do the flying trapeze for the rest of her life. She loves the freedom she has when she’s flying. This activity gives her strength and flexibility. I have tried flying, and it’s not for me. It’s not for everyone,” Denise said with a smile. Everyone received several more turns, each time getting better and better as the I.FLY crew gave them feedback on their performance and tips like how to kick with their legs straight to get the momentum for the flip dismount. Then came the “final exam” – a wrist-to-wrist catch! At this point, Mylan and Cameron opted for an “incomplete.” Mylan admitted that she enjoyed what she learned and was proud of herself for trying it out but, echoing Denise’s sentiments, acknowledged, “it’s not for me.” We decided to settle in and watch the rest of the class as each one successfully completed a wrist-to-wrist catch with Efe from I.FLY. As each individual dismounted the net, the bystanders would erupt into cheers. It was really amazing to watch everyone, regardless of their age or athletic ability, go from never having flown on a trapeze to doing a mid-air catch in just 90 minutes. The crew at I.FLY are a great group of instructors. If you want to cross “flying trapeze” off your bucket list or direct your child’s daredevil tendencies in a safer direction, I.FLY Trapeze will be teaching classes through April at The Phoenician. Registration is required at iflytrapeze.com or 480-599-2345. You can also sign up for group packages or workshops. For spectators, like myself, the I.FLY team and select students will performing at The Phoenician on April 8 at 7 pm, where you can watch with your feet firmly planted on the ground.
MORE CAMP
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For more information and to register, call 480.634.4949 or visit ShemeshAtTheJ.org *Must sign up for 5 weeks at once. Other exclusions apply.
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 77
THE MOST WONDERFUL CAMPS OF THE SUMMER! MAY, JUNE, JULY & AUGUST
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www.Robots-4-U.com 78 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Tucson J offers seder fun for children of all ages
Children from preschool on up can find many ways to enjoy Passover at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. Preschoolers in the Tucson J’s Early Childhood Education program enjoy the school’s annual model seder. Table centerpieces are all created by children and chocolate matzah and springtime “friendship fruit salad” are served, while the story of the Exodus unfolds before them in a child-friendly manner. From The J’s CEO Todd Rockoff as Pharaoh to Director of Children, Youth and Family Engagement Scott Zorn as Moses, staff comes together for a dramatic representation of the Passover story. The children love hearing the story, and the staff have a blast coming together to tell it. For school-aged children, The J’s annual Chocolate Seder is so popular and well-loved that it won a national Jewish Community Centers Association ( JCCA) Biennial Award several years ago. It’s just what it sounds like - a high energy event, oozing with sweetness and featuring chocolate versions of Passover symbols. Picture chocolate dipped strawberries for karpas and a marshmallow and chocolate charoset mixture. Mmmmmm. Four glasses of chocolate milk replace the traditional four glasses of wine. The evening includes an interactive seder with Shabbat Scott and Julie, sing-alongs, prizes and lots of chocolate. The Chocolate Seder starts at 6:30 pm on Saturday, April 16. Tickets are $3 in advance or $5 at the door. Call 520-299-3000 or visit tucsonjcc.org to register.
Kids & Teen
EVENTS
ONGOING: Club J at the Valley of the Sun JCC
Provides after school programming ranging from sports to cooking and crafts to Israeli culture and more for grades K-8. Transportation from nearby schools is available. Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-634-4949 or youth@vosjcc.org, vosjcc.org
J Care at the East Valley JCC Parent drop-off or bus transportation from area schools for grades K-7. Includes homework club, cooking, Israeli culture, dance, sports, gymnastics and more. Early pick-ups from Kyrene schools on Wednesday early dismissals. East Valley JCC, 908 N Alma School Road, Chandler. Jeff at 480-897-0588 or hastj@evjcc.org, evjcc.org
J-Care Afterschool Program at the Tucson JCC Includes a variety of activities, Homework Hangout program (help from education specialists), arts, sports or teens can hang in the Youth Lounge. Bus transportation from schools available for grades K-12. Tucson JCC, 3800 E River Road, Tucson. Scott at 520-299-3000 ext. 192 or szorn@tucsonjcc.org, tucsonjcc.org
April 1 & April 25-28 Spring Break School Days Out at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E River Road, Tucson. Daily field trips, lunch options, sports, activities and more for grades K-9. 9 am-4 pm; pre/post care for grades K-5. Members: $44-$49/day; Nonmembers: $55-$60/day. Aimee at 520-299-3000 ext. 256 or agillard@tucsonjcc.org
April 3 Open House and One Day Sale at The J’s Early Childhood Education Program, 3800 E River Road, Tucson.. Learn about the emergent curriculum for ages 6 weeks-preK and features including temperature-controlled playspace, newly renovated classrooms, splash park and more. 11 am-3 pm; plus Science Sunday 2-4 pm. 520-2993000 or tucsonjcc.org
April hour advance reservation required. 6-10 pm at the Tucson JCC, 3800 E River Road in Tucson. Members: first child $20, each additional sibling $15; nonmembers: first child $25, each additional sibling $20. Aimee at 520-299-3000 ext. 256 or agillard@tucsonjcc.org
April 10 J Family Outreach Picnic – Northwest Fun in the Sun Day at Riverfront Park, 551 N Lambert Place, Oro Valley. Food trucks, bingo, activities for kids, friendship and an optional 1 mile walk benefiting a summer camp scholarship for a northwest child. 1-4 pm. Free. 520299-3000 or tucsonjcc.org
April 15 Tucson J’s Annual Chocolate Seder. See page 78. April 16 Kids Night Out – Pancakes & PJs for grades K-5 at the Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 6-11 pm or overnight with pick-up at 8 am Sunday. Parents can enjoy a night out while their children have fun. Pillowcase decorating, breakfast for dinner, bedtime story writing and the movie “Monsters, Inc.” Members: $25; nonmembers: $35. 480-634-4949 or youth@vosjcc.org
Parents Night Out gives parents the opportunity to take a welldeserved break! Experienced JCC staff leads games, crafts and more. Separate movies for younger and older children. 6-11 pm. $25 for first child, $15 for sibling. Nonmembers welcome. East Valley JCC, 908 N Alma School Road, Chandler. Jeff at 480-897-0588 or hastj@evjcc.org
April 17 Tucson Family Tri. See page 88. J-Serve Day for children in grades 6-12. Jewish teens from around the world will come together to serve their communities and make a difference. jserve.org
Family Yoga & PJ Library Story Time. 12:30-1:30 pm at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Age-appropriate yoga poses, animated breathing and soothing techniques for adults and children ages 5 and up. Storytime immediately follows. 480-483-7121 ext. 1281 or healthandfitness@vosjcc.org
Passover Family Workshop and Chocolate Seder. 9 am-noon at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E Fifth St., Tucson. Learn about the messages of Passover through activities, foods and a decadent chocolate seder. Free, but RSVP needed by April 12. Rabbi Ruven Barkan. 520-745-5550 ext. 227 or eddir@caiaz.org
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Festival at Tucson Hebrew Academy, 3888 E River
USY “Step-Up” Day at CAI for all kids in grades 3-12 at
Road, from 10 am - 3 pm. Family friendly and open to all.
April 5, 12 & 19 Parent-Tot Class at CAI for ages 9 to 24 months and their parent(s). Participants sign songs, make art projects, read stories, have a snack and share parenting advice. Free. 9-11 am at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E Fifth St., Tucson. 520-745-5550 or edasst@caiaz.org
April 9 Parent’s Night Out Parents can enjoy a night off while the J-Care staff provides a fun evening for children grades preK-5. Includes special-themed programs, dinner, snack, games, a movie and more! 48-
Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E Fifth St., Tucson. Learn about CAI’s exciting youth programs. Whether USY is new to you or you’re in Kadima moving to Junior USY, or Junior USY moving to Senior USY, this is going to be fun! Noon-2 pm. Free, but RSVP to Rabbi Ruven Barkan by April 14. 520-745-5550 ext. 227 or eddir@caiaz.org
April 22-29 School’s Out Days @ The J for grades K-8. Features activities, sports, art, games and more. 8:30 am-3:30 pm; extended am and pm times available. $45-$65 (depending on membership). Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road. 480-634-4949 or youth@vosjcc.org
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 79
J
g n i v i L Tee off for Valley
Golf Tournament Chair Jonathan Harris and Valley of the Sun JCC Chair Jonathan Hoffer get their game on in preparation for the tournament. Photo by Becky Ankeny/Valley of the Sun JCC.
of the Sun JCC By Melissa Hirschl
If you are passionate about supporting the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, plug Silverado Golf Course in Phoenix into your GPS on April 7. That’s the date of The J’s annual golf tournament, one of the center’s largest fundraisers. Exercise, friendship, and the great outdoors are compelling factors for participation, but the main benefit is the opportunity to support the myriad enriching programs The J offers; from preschool to camps, to youth scholarships and even senior programming. Novices are welcome; you don’t have to be an Arnold Palmer or a Jack Nicklaus toBob participate Silver – all you need is a desire to enrich the lives of fellow Jews. 80 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
The event starts at 11:30 am with a shotgun start at 1 pm. Cost per foursome is $900 or $250 per individual. The fee includes a pre-tournament lunch, 18-hole round of golf, cocktail awards reception and a gift bag. Tournament fun includes closest-to-the-pin and longest-drive contests complete with prizes. If you are lucky enough to get the coveted hole-in-one, you’ll be driving home in a brand new car from Scottsdale Infinity. A “dynamic duo” of Board Chair Jonathan Hoffer and Event Chair Jonathan Harris are the driving force of the tournament. The two met at The J and are now friends and business partners at SMS Financial in Phoenix. “I’ve been involved with The J my entire life,” says Harris, who has served on the board twice. “In fact, I’ve never not been involved with The J. I practically lived there when I was younger. I swam, played tennis, and played a lot of basketball. I went to Camp Kadima, Camp Teva and Camp Lebeau in Prescott.” Hoffer, too, has a rich history at The J, spending countless hours there during his youth. Eventually,
Tournament fun includes
closest-to-the-pin and longest drive contests complete with
prizes. If you are lucky enough
time. The JCC is an important part of our community and we feel it is necessary to support the outstanding programming they provide. I especially enjoyed playing in last year’s event because I love the scramble format and spending the afternoon with friends and colleagues.” For those who love the thrill of a live auction and can’t resist waving their hands wildly, a number of golf experiences at private exclusive clubs such as the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, Silver Leaf, Paradise Valley Country Club, Phoenix Country Club and Forest Highlands will be up for grabs. “There will be a good contingent of long-time JCC members from our previous facility on Maryland Avenue,” says Hoffer. “We are looking to getting as many new people as well to experience this fun JCC event. We are also very excited to bring the JCC tournament back to Silverado and are expecting an exciting day for everyone that plays. It’s a critical fundraiser for the JCC, which is the hub of the Jewish community. It’s also important so that future generations can thrive.”
2016 Golf Tournament
WHEN: 11:30 am, Thursday, April 7 WHERE: Silverado Golf Course, 7605 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250 WHY: To benefit the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center RSVP: vosjcc.org/golf
to get the coveted hole-in-one, you’ll be driving home in a
brand new car from Scottsdale Infinity.
Hoffer ended up keeping score for the basketball leagues and ran summer camps. In later years, he became the assistant physical education director and camp director as well. Harris credits Lanny Lahr, who co-owns the golf course, for the success they have had in the past. “He’s been very involved with the Jewish community as well as the capital campaign to build the campus,” he says. “He’s also been the past chairman of the board of the federation, and he works to make the event as seamless as possible. Of course, our sponsors are crucial to the success of the tournament and we are always looking for more.” There are others who have worked diligently and behind the scenes to create an unforgettable day: Special Events Manager Megan Montgomery and Corporate Giving Director Andrea Quen. “Without these two, the event would never have come to fruition,” says Hoffer. As of press time, corporate sponsors included presenting sponsor Republic West Remodeling, Infinity of Scottsdale, Goodman Interior Structures, Gary Weiss/Raymond James and the Mahoney Group. “Republic West Remodeling is proud to sponsor the tournament again this year,” says owner Jim Weisman. “It was a wonderful event last year and everyone appeared to have a good ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 81
JLiving Hadassah makes sure Every Step Counts
Every Beat Counts: Hadassah’s Heart Health Program has opened 2016 registration for Every Step Counts: Hadassah’s Walking Program, which runs April 11 to July 21. The virtual walk starts in Jerusalem, Israel, and extends to Atlanta, GA, the site of Hadassah’s 2016 National Convention. Every Step Counts is designed to engage and inform women of all ages that heart disease is preventable most of the time, says Ellen Hershkin, president of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. The 2016 Every Step Counts program challenges women and men to wear pedometers, track their steps online through WalkerTracker.com (an online wellness solutions site) and walk their way to improved heart health. The program also teaches women to identify heart attack – Dr. Chaim Lotan symptoms (which are often different for
women) and seek prompt treatment. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one cause of death in American women, claiming more than 400,000 lives per year, or one life per minute. Heart disease claims more lives annually than the next three leading causes of death, including all forms of cancer combined, with mortality rates steadily increasing for women ages 35-54. Dr. Chaim Lotan, director of the Cardiovascular Division at Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem, cautions, “All women should realize their potential risk, even those who are relatively young and have heart-healthy lifestyle habits – nonsmokers who exercise regularly, drink modestly, eat nutritiously and control their weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and stress levels.”
“All women should realize their potential risk, even those who are relatively young and have heart-healthy lifestyle habits.”
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In 2015, Every Step Counts participants logged over 360,000 miles collectively. The 2016 virtual walking route is offered at three challenge levels: 5,000 steps/day, 8,000 steps/day and 12,000 steps/day. “Heart disease kills one in four women every year in the United States,” says Hershkin. “Heart disease can also be a ‘silent killer’ – nearly two-thirds of women who died suddenly had no symptoms, so education is a vital component of that prevention. Last year, as over 1,000 registrants walked 720 million steps, I am pleased to report that I was able to contribute over one million steps (570 miles) to the total.” Hadassah is the largest Jewish women’s organization in the United States with 330,000 members, associates and supporters. Hadassah brings Jewish women together to effect change and advocate on critical issues such as medical care and research, women’s empowerment and the security of Israel. Through the Hadassah Medical Organization’s two hospitals, the world-renowned trauma center and the leading research facility in Jerusalem, HMO serves without regard to race, religion or nationality and earned a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 2005 for building “bridges to peace” through equality in medical treatment. Registration is open now at hadassah.org/health-medicinein-us/heart-health/every-step-counts.html.
Jewish burial section consecrated in Marana By Deborah Moon
Early this year the Marana Mortuary and Cemetery opened a Jewish section under the supervision of Rabbi Ephraim Zimmerman of Chabad of Oro Valley. Previously, Jewish burial in the Tucson area was available only at Evergreen and East Lawn cemeteries. There were no Jewish burial options on the northwest side. Marana Cemetery Director of Operations Doug Joseph was familiar with Jewish burial needs, having worked for the corporation that owned East Lawn before Marana Cemetery opened in September of 2011. “When I came here, I wanted to set aside a section just for the Jewish faith,” says Doug. “I met with Rabbi Zimmerman and we kept building (on the idea).” Marana Cemetery has set aside 300 plots with the potential to expand with up to 1,000 more plots for the Jewish section. Doug says the mortuary also has set aside space available for the rituals of tahara (washing and preparing the body) and shemirah (sitting with the deceased so they are not left alone from the time of death until burial). “We have a place for people to sit with the body the whole time,” says Doug, adding the area has a small kitchenette so the watchers can have coffee, tea or other refreshments during their vigil. After the location of the new Jewish section was determined, Rabbi Zimmerman says the next step was consecrating the area. “Consecrating (or inaugurating) a Jewish cemetery is a very old ritual, though it is a rather unknown procedure due to its very rare appearance in actual practice – truly a once in a lifetime experience for those involved,” says the rabbi. “A minyan is gathered, and special prayers are recited while circling the section to complete seven circuits. Charity is given at the conclusion of the service.” Rabbi Zimmerman also worked with Marana Cemetery to develop a Jewish burial package including tahara arrangements, pine coffins and other needs for a traditional Jewish burial. “We’ve set a flat fee for the funeral home and cemetery,” says Doug. The first burial in the new section was performed in early March with tahara provided by members of Congregation Anshei Israel’s Chevra Kadisha (burial society). “A number of plots have already sold and the news of this offering is being well received,” says Rabbi Zimmerman. “As the Jewish community continues to grow here in Northwest Tucson, I felt it was important that we establish our own Jewish cemetery locally. … I am honored to be a part of bringing this option to those interested.” The Marana Mortuary and Cemetery is located just off I-10 at 12146 W Barnett Road in Marana. For more information, call 520-682-9900 or visit maranamortuarycemetery.com. Rabbi Zimmerman can be reached at 520-477-TORA. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 83
FEDERATION NOTES
Beyond ‘Dayenu’
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Living
FACES & PLACES
By Marty Haberer
Our sages remind us that in every generation, everyone must think of him or herself as having left Egypt. This is to remind us of the incredible role that the Exodus played, and continues to play, in our identity as Jews. It marked the birth of our people as a nation. Each Pesach, we read from the Haggadah (the telling), and relive the story of Passover and the Exodus. We recount the many miracles through which G-d demonstrated His love and concern for His people. Of the many prayers and songs in the Haggadah, “Dayenu” (That alone would have been enough) teaches us to refocus from the mentality of want to being grateful for what we have. As we at the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix celebrate our 75th anniversary year, I dare say dayenu simply is not enough. It is true that we can, and should, proudly ponder the many wonderful achievements that our federation and our Jewish community have made possible over these many years. But, it is not enough. There is still so much work to do. We still have Jewish families in the Valley who are struggling or who simply cannot make ends meet. They need our help. Students on our college campuses still have to fight back against the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement and to make sure the factual story of the modern-day nation state of Israel is properly put forth. We need to insure that no Jew, whether in Israel, the former Soviet Union, France, Iran or anywhere else around the world, is living in poverty or prohibited from freely expressing their Jewish identity. And most importantly, b’kol dor v’dor (for every generation), we need to invest in NowGen, our young Jewish adults, so that they too recall and cherish our 3,500-year-old story. So this Passover, please remember to support our federation, because we are not yet ready to say “dayenu.” Do it for ourselves, our children, our grandchildren, for Israel, forever! Marty Haberer is chief development officer for the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.
84 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Michelle Kort with her mother-in-law, Elaine Kort
Rana Schwartz, Jane Weitzman, Lenore Schupak
Guest speaker Jane Weitzman (left) with IGNITION! co-chairs Anita Gutkin and DeeDee Vecchione
IGNITION!
BEST FOOT FORWARD FOR PHILANTHROPY - Jane Weitzman captured the crowd at IGNITION! as she shared her insights on making a difference worldwide. Weitzman, the former executive vice president and founding vice president of retail for Stuart Weitzman, and a philanthropic leader in Jewish and general causes, was the guest speaker for the event, presented by Women’s Philanthropy of Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. At the luncheon, Friday, March 4 at the Scottsdale Hilton, Sandy Belfer was the recipient of the prestigious Gerda Weissmann Klein and Kurt Klein Award. Other honorees were Gail Ober with the Rising Star Award and Sandy Rife with the 2016 Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award. Photos by Leni Reiss
Leni Reiss, Arizona Jewish Life contributing editor (center), celebrates with Gerda Weissman Klein (left) and Sandy Belfer.
Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair Sally Oscherwitz, Women’s Philanthropy Chair Julee Landau Shahon, longtime federation supporter Jean Grossman, NowGen Board Chair Rachel Hoffer, Women’s Philanthropy Board Member Benée Hilton-Spiegel. Photo by Sandra Tenuto/Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix
NowGen Program Associate Lizz Katsnelson collects donations at the event for the Passover food drive.
Helen Gubin and Phyllis Miller
Jill Weiss, Marlene Lahr, Brenda Schwartz
RABBI ALLOUCHE SPEAKS AT AIPAC – Rabbi Pinchas Allouche of Congregation Beth Tefillah in Scottsdale addressed an audience of more than 18,000 at the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, DC on Sunday, March 20. He was one of several faith leaders to speak about the importance of mutual respect.
RIDING FOR YESHIVA HIGH – Over 110 cyclists came out to ride in Yeshiva High School of Arizona’s second annual Community Bike-A-Thon at Mountain View Park in Scottsdale. Fourteen riders braved the new 63-mile expert ride from Phoenix through Fountain Hills to the park, where they were welcomed at a barbecue with the community. Seven expert riders from California participated in a Shabbaton hosted by Ahavas Torah and Rabbi Ariel Shoshan. Most of the cyclists rode the 24-mile ride on the scenic Greenbelt Trail from Mountain View Park to Tempe Town Lake. Families and children joined in on shorter rides. The bike-a-thon raised over $30,000 for the YHSA Building Fund. Many YHSA students raised money by getting their rides sponsored and rode the entire 24 miles. Photos by Jacky Sebag, Lori Krenzen and Gary Steiner ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 85
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FACES & PLACES
WHAT’S YOUR GENETIC MAKEUP? – The Jewish Genetic Diseases Center held a successful annual luncheon on Feb. 24 at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus. Over 170 participants discovered makeup tips and tricks from Luis Dominguez of Nordstrom and learned about BRCA gene mutations and cancer prevention, treatment and advocacy from Ellyn Craine Davidson, board president of FORCE (Facing your Risk of Cancer Empowered). The goal of the luncheon was to raise awareness about the center and enlighten the community about the importance of carrier screenings and hereditary cancer screenings. Photo by Charles Abrams
ART-FILLED EVENING – Nearly 400 people attended AAHA! at The Arizona Biltmore, the annual fundraiser art auction with proceeds benefitting patients and families of Hospice of the Valley. The event on Feb. 13 included silent and live auctions of art, one-of-a-kind items and trips, and dinner and dancing. Marlene Lahr, pictured with her husband, Lanny, serves on the AAHA! committee; Lanny is HOV chairman of the board. Lin Sue Cooney is HOV director of community engagement, and Susan Levine is executive director.
HAVA TEQUILA - With the James Bond - inspired theme of “Party Royale,” Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona’s Young Leadership event raised $6,000 for the Ethiopian National Project in Tucson’s Partnership2Gether city of Kiryat Malachi, Israel. Over 125 guests enjoyed food, drinks, dancing and more on the rooftop at Playground Bar and Lounge on Feb. 20.
The event was chaired by (from left) Gabby and Avi Erbst and Jennifer Bell, along with Jeff Bell (not pictured).
Party goers included (from left) Nate Grobstein, Adam Goldstein and Isaac Figueroa; Sarah Chen, Sarah Hitchings, Dana Goldstein and Lilah Morris; Ellie Maas and Andrew West.Photos by Omer Kreso Photography.
WHERE WORDS LEAVE OFF … MUSIC BEGINS – More than 325 mothers, daughters and grandmothers enjoyed a wonderful morning on March 6 for Connections, the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona Women’s Philanthropy annual brunch. Elaine Hall, founder of the Miracle Project, spoke about her innovative work using theater, music and movement to bring out the best in individuals of all abilities. The Young Women’s Cabinet Mitzvah Project collected art supplies for the Tucson Jewish Community Center’s Taglit Program and the Tucson Alliance for Autism. Madyssen Zarin, a senior at University High School, was honored with the 2016 Bryna Zehngut Mitzvot Award. Pictured from left are members of the Connections Committee: Melissa Landau, Ellie Bublick, Vida Barron (co-chair), Helene Mittleman, Elaine Hall (keynote speaker), Dana Narter, Nanci Levy (co-chair), Gwen Amar, Naomi Present, Kendra Citron, Tamar Bergantino and Joyce Stuehringer. Photos by Martha Lochert Photography.
86 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
CONSIDER YOURSELF CHALLENGED – Athletes of all ages and abilities participated in the Consider Yourself Challenged event on Feb. 21 at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. The annual event raises funds for the Challenged Athletes Foundation and is presented by CAF, Tucson Medical Center, Hanger Clinic, TriSports. com, the University of Arizona Adaptive Athletics Department and the Tucson J. Photo by the Damion Alexander Team.
FACES & PLACES
KUDOS FOR KIM – Friends, family and fans of Kim Subrin came out in force on Feb. 19 at Congregation Beth Israel’s Shabbat evening service to honor Kim as she leaves the congregation where she served from 2009-2016 as director of the Chanen Preschool. Kim has been named managing director of the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, where she will provide guidance and support to The J’s departments. Pictured with Kim at services are her husband, Brian, and sons Parker, 4, and Brayden, 6. Photo by Leni Reiss
Sara and Bob Silver
Kaylie Marsh and Rabbi Ed Feinstein
CAPITOL COMEDY – A sold out crowd laughed uproariously throughout an evening of political satire with the Capitol Steps at the Fox Tucson Theatre on Feb. 27. The comedy troupe of former congressional staffers, which has ample material to lampoon this election year, was brought in to support the University of Arizona Hillel Foundation’s programming for the 3,000 Jewish students on campus. Enjoying the after-party reception are UA Hilll students (from left) Gavi Fine, Steve Nazi, Rachel Sager, Nathan Bacall and Jan Mellon; Morgan Duncan (Capitol Steps), Mark Hanna (UA Hillel board chair), Brad Van Grack (Capitol Steps) and Lynda Hanna; event co-chairs Thomas Sayler-Brown and Jason Lazarow flank Morgan Duncan (aka, Barack Obama). Photos by Martha Lochert
ANNIVERSARY AND AWARDS – Renowned spiritual leader, author and lecturer Rabbi Ed Feinstein of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, CA was the guest speaker at the 75th anniversary kickoff and awards celebration for the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. An overflow crowd attended the event, March 9 in Scottsdale, at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus. Community leader Neal Kurn presented the prestigious Medal of Honor Award to Bob Silver and the Belle Latchman Community Service Award went to the Swift Youth Foundation, accepted by Kalie Marsh and presented by community planning commission representative Don Schon. A dessert reception in the campus promenade followed the program. Photos by Leni Reiss
GIVING CANCER THE BOOT – Sheila Corwin, left, and her daughter, Vicki Harris, were true to the Western theme at the 30th annual Phoenix Friends of the Arizona Cancer Center event on Saturday night, March 5 at The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch. Photo by Leni Reiss
OUT & ABOUT WITH ASU HILLEL – Arizona State University Hillel students attended IGNITION! with Women’s Philanthropy of Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.
Sue and Neal Kurn
MAKING TZEDAKAH COUNT – The Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona hosted a Next Generation Seminar on March 2, co-chaired by (from left) Jennifer Cassius and Rachel Green. Guest speaker Jeffrey Glebocki (founder and CEO of Strategy + Action/Philanthropy) outlined the attitudes and characteristics that shape how different generations approach charitable giving and presented ways to get everyone from Baby Boomers to Generation Z involved.
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2016 87
JLiving DOLLARS & SEN$E: FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR WOMEN
Dollars & Sen$e: Financial Literacy for Women is slated for 2-4:30 pm April 3 at The New Shul, 7825 E Paradise Lane Scottsdale. This informative, interactive and free workshop is co-sponsored by Jewish Free Loan, the National Council of Jewish Women and the Women’s Jewish Learning Center. To reserve your spot, contact Jewish Free Loan at 602230-7983 or info@jewishfreeloan.org.
“IS IT KOSHER?” SUPERMARKET TOUR
The Kosher Information Bureau’s Rabbinic Administrator Rabbi Eliezer Eidlitz returns to Tucson 4:30-6 pm April 3 for the “Is It Kosher?” Supermarket Tour at Albertsons, 6600 E Grant Road at East Tanque Verde Road. Co-sponsored by Congregation Chofetz Chayim, the Southwest Torah Institute and Albertsons, attendees will learn what foods and beverages are kosher for Passover and year-round, and what foods don’t need kosher certification. Rabbi Eidlitz has been directing the Kosher Information Bureau (kosherquest. org) for more than 30 years and is the author of Is It Kosher? an encyclopedia of kosher foods, facts and fallacies. He is a consultant to many supermarkets, manufacturers, journalists and consumers. “This is an opportunity that the kosher food consumer does not want to miss,” says Rabbi Israel Becker of Congregation Chofetz Chayim and the Southwest Torah Institute. “Rabbi Eidlitz is one of the most knowledgeable people about kosher ingredients on the planet. He’s also personable, approachable and entertaining. We have timed this event right before Passover when Jews are especially kosher-conscious. We appreciate that Albertsons is attuned to the needs of their kosher consumers, and is further educating them by helping to bring Rabbi Eidlitz to Tucson.” The in-store walking tour is free. For more information, contact Rabbi Becker at 520-747-7780.
DINNER AND THEATER EVENT FOR JEWISH SINGLES
A new calendar of events including social functions, cultural activities and entertainment is now available for Jewish singles ages 40 and up. The first event was a dinner and performance of “Becoming Dr. Ruth.” March events included a weeknight dinner, a concert and dinner, and a happy hour. April begins with a dinner and theater event April 3 at the Arizona Center and the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix. It will start with a dinner at Corner Bakery Café in the Arizona Center, followed by Arizona Theatre Company’s performance of John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” at the Herberger. Attendees may go to the dinner, the performance or both. There will be special ticket prices for the performance. For complete details on this event and other upcoming events, contact singles@centurylink.net.
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PREVIEWS
STRONGER RESPONDERS – STRONGER COMMUNITIES
Firefighters Beyond Borders invites police, fire, EMS, medical and legal personnel, dispatch, clergy, emergency management, educators, and mental and behavioral health providers to attend a conference with their Israeli professional counterparts. Stronger Responders – Stronger Communities Recognizing Trauma and Building Resilience will take place 8 am-3 pm April 6, at the Tucson JCC, 3800 E River Road, Tucson. Keynote speaker is Yotam Dagan, director of community programming for NATAL (Israel Trauma Center for Victims of Terror and War). As a former Navy Seal commander in the Israel Defense Forces, a clinical psychologist and a hostage negotiator, Yotam has helped soldiers build mental and professional capacity, develop skills and care for their own well-being. He heads a team of therapists, consultants, local government Yotam Dagan and security establishments on resilience-building and trauma-focused interventions. Yotam holds a B.A. in psychology, and an M.A. in clinical psychology from the University of Haifa, and an M.A. in public administration from the JFK School of Government at Harvard University. He is on the board of directors of POPPA (Police Officers Providing Peer Assistance), a NYCbased nonprofit. There is no charge for this event, but advance registration is required at tucsonfirefoundation@gmail.com. Firefighters Beyond Borders is a program of the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation in partnership with the Weintraub Israel Center and the Tucson Jewish Community Center.
LEGACY OF LIFE DINNER
Shearim Torah High School for Girls will hold its annual fundraising benefit dinner at 6:30 pm April 6, at the Phoenix Art Museum. This year’s event will honor Bayla Neuwirth and Susan Heller for their outstanding service to the school and the community. Bayla Neuwirth is a member of the Shearim board of directors and currently serves as secretary. Bayla believes that reading great literature is a key to academic and career success and has provided funding for a library at Shearim’s new building. She is also a member of the Phoenix Chevra Kadisha (burial society) at Mt. Sinai Mortuary, participates in a weekly Tehillim (Psalms) group, and is co-creator of Tomchei Shabbos of Phoenix, an organization that provides food for needy families for Shabbos and Yom Tov. Susan Heller has been devoted to the growth of Jewish organizations in Phoenix with a particular focus on Jewish education. She has served on the board of directors for Shearim for four years; has served as secretary and is currently fundraising chair. She has also been a preschool director with Congregation Beth Israel and was the founder and principal of Gan Yeladeem Preschool and Day School, which became Gan Yeladeem: The Looking Glass School, a public charter school that taught Hebrew as a second language. The Legacy of Life event will also honor Jamie and Karen Kaplan as Shearim’s Parents of the Year. The Kaplans are ongoing supporters of Shearim, where their daughter Allie graduated with the Class of 2015 and their daughter Emily is a sophomore. Jamie is also vice president of operations for Ahavas Torah. Karen travelled to Israel with the Jewish Women Renaissance Project and has helped plan events for
Shearim, the Kollel, JWRP and Ahavas Torah. Jamie was instrumental in finding the new property for Shearim Torah High School for Girls. During the Legacy of Life event there will be a raffle for a San Diego vacation, other raffle prizes and an art auction. Tickets are $125 and are available from Shearim, 602-3243406 or shearimhighschool.org/rsvpfordinner.
ADOPT-A-ROADWAY
Help clean up the roadways around the Tucson Jewish Community Center on April 10. Meet at the JCC parking lot, 3800 E River Road, Tucson at 8:30 am and join other like-minded environmentalists in this mitzvah opportunity. Usually ends around 10:30 am. For more information, call Mike Jacobson 520-748-7333.
MUSIC AND MESSAGE TOUR
Join AZ Everything Jewish for a night of music and caring with pianist Marvin Goldstein, vocalist Vanessa Joy and special guest Nati Rom, for two shows on April 12. Rom is the founder of the Lev HaOlam Package Project, which works against the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement by marketing handmade goods from settlements in the West Bank. The shows will be 6:30-8:30 pm and 9-11 pm at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Preregistration is required as seating is limited. Complete the online form at azeverythingjewish.com/tour or call 602-730-6149.
TRIATHLON FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Focused on introducing multi-sport to the next generation, the Tucson Jewish Community Center and Tucson Medical Center will present the second annual Family Tri on April 17 from 7:30 to 11:30 am. Multiple distances are available and mentors are encouraged to help their youth choose the appropriate distance for their age and
ability. All proceeds benefit the Shyann Kindness Project. More than 100 families participated in the 2015 Family Tri with ages ranging from 3-93. “The Tucson Family Triathlon is an excellent option for families to spend time together in an active way,” says Debbie Claggett, whose three kids are triathlon devotees. “Whether they have participated in a triathlon before or it’s their very first time, everyone is made to feel welcome, and kids and adults alike have a fantastic time! Our whole family participated last year, either racing or volunteering, and we all had a blast! From kids to adults, everyone who crosses that finish line, or helps by encouraging someone else to cross, feels a sense of accomplishment, and what a powerful experience to share
as a family.” The run and swim leg of the race will be on the Tucson J campus and the bike ride for longer distances will run along the Rillito River Park trail. Prices range from $25-$75, for individual, mentor or family registration. April 10 is the last day to register online. To learn more, visit tucsonjcc.org or call 520-299-3000.
HADASSAH SOUTHERN ARIZONA LUNCHEON
Be inspired as Talya Fanger-Vexler tells her story of what happened after she was injured in a motorcycle accident at the age of 22. She revisits the past three pain-filled years and her ultimate decision to have her foot amputated. Share the emotions of her journey, including the Jewish burial of her foot. Her positive attitude will definitely move you. Lunch is April 17 with check-in at 11:30 am; lunch starts promptly at noon. Country Club of La Cholla, 8700 N La Cholla Blvd., Tucson. Choice of salmon or vegetarian pasta lunch, with sides, dessert and beverage. $18 for members, $20 for nonmembers. For more information, call Ruth 520-579-3768. RSVP and payment required by April 8.
VALLEY BEIT MIDRASH SPEAKER SERIES
Join Valley Beit Midrash in April for the final speaker events of the season. A suggested donation of $18 is the cost for all speakers and registration is available at valleybeitmidrash.org. April 5: Is Forgiveness Necessary for Interpersonal Reconciliation: Lessons from Talmudic Stories featuring Professor Joel Gereboff. 7 pm at Temple Kol Ami, 15030 N 64th St., Scottsdale. April 6: What’s So Divine About Divine Law? Featuring Professor Christine Hayes. 7 pm at Congregation Or Tzion, 9096 E Bahia Drive, Scottsdale. April 10: Sharing America: The Future of Muslim-Jewish Relations (film and talk) featuring Rabbi Yehuda Sarna. 6 pm at Congregation Or Tzion, 9096 E Bahia Drive, Scottsdale. April 12: Seven Steps Toward A Less Violent World: A View From Science & Torah. 7 pm at Tempe Chai, 4645 E Marilyn Road, Phoenix. April 17: Spiritual Activism: Leadership in the 21st Century featuring Rabbi Avi Weiss. 7 pm at Tempe Chai, 4645 E Marilyn Road, Phoenix. PJ Library will host an activity table for families with small children at this event.
SPRING CONCERT FEATURES TODD HERZOG
Bridging the gap between religion and spirituality, singer-song writer Todd Herzog will be the featured artist performing at Beth Ami Temple’s Spring Concert 3-5 pm May 1 at 3535 E Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley . In addition to being a cantorial soloist at Temple Solel in Paradise Valley, Todd is an award-winning singer and the founder of the Desert Gathering Jewish Music Fest, now in its fourth year. Todd has many musical achievements. His music and voice have been featured in many films and television shows, and his song “You And I” reached number two on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Charts. Todd has worked with top songwriters and performers, including Burt Bacharach and Dave Koz, yet he continues to impact the Jewish community both in town and beyond. He travels around the country performing his uplifting songs at services and artist-inresidence weekends. For further information and to order advance tickets, contact azhorwitzs@cox.net or 602-9975623 or Blossom Osofsky, at blossomso@cox.net or 480-451-9233.
JEWISH BABY UNIVERSITY
Is someone you know expecting a baby? Tell them to sign up for the Bureau of Jewish Education’s Jewish Baby University for Expectant Parents at Temple Chai, 4645 E Marilyn Road, Phoenix. The class will meet 6:30-9 pm every Tuesday starting May 3 for six weeks. Participants will learn the newest delivery techniques, care of the newborn and mother, selecting a pediatrician, and breast- and bottle-feeding. Jewish rituals and traditions associated with childbirth and newborns and Jewish parenting will also be taught. Interfaith couples are encouraged to attend. Cost is $120 per couple. Call Linda Feldman at the BJE at 480-634-8050 or lindaf@bjephoenix.org or go to bjephoenix.org and click on Jewish Family Experiences.
April 1
APRIL CALENDAR
Shabbat Lunch – Sonoran Desert Flutes at Tucson JCC, 3800 E River Road, Tucson. Join us for Shabbat singing, lunch and a special performance by Bruce Stoller of Sonoran Desert Flutes. This is the last Senior Luncheon in the series. 11 am. $15/person (suggested donation). 520-299-3000 or tucsonjcc.org
April 1-3 Learning with Rabbi Rami Shapiro at Temple Chai, 4645 E Marilyn Road, Phoenix. This event runs the entire weekend. $18 suggested donation (except on Shabbat). 602-445-3112 or valleybeitmidrash.org
April 2 “Read It & Meet” Book Discussion at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E Fifth St., Tucson. The book selection is Thirteen Days in September by Lawrence Wright, with moderator Lily Brull. Noon-1:30 pm. 520-8878358 or rgellman@cox.net
April 3 Information Fair for Jewish Seniors, Families and Friends. See page 66. Dollars & Sen$e: Financial Literacy for Women. See page 88. “Is it Kosher?” Supermarket Tour. See page 88. Dinner and Theater Event for Jewish Singles. See page 88.
April 4 Crystal Bridge for Seniors: Supervised play (9-11:30 am) followed by duplicate games (12:15 pm mini-lesson, 12:30 pm games). Repeats each Monday at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Enjoy light refreshments and a friendly atmosphere. Reservations: Harriet at 480-483-7121 ext. 1213 or harrietc@vosjcc.org
April 5 Let’s Knit for Seniors: 1:30-3:30 pm each Tuesday at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480-483-7121 ext. 1213 or harrietc@vosjcc.org
Let’s Move On – Exploring Relocation and Transition for Seniors: Noon1:30 pm at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Discussion covers the financial and care options to consider when moving into a senior living community. Includes kosher lunch. Free, but reservations recommended: 480-483-7121 ext. 1213 or harrietc@vosjcc.org Corner Office: Lessons from Jewish Business Leaders See page 19. Is Forgiveness Necessary for Interpersonal Reconciliation: Lessons from Talmudic Stories. See page 89.
April 6 Stronger Responders – Stronger Communities. See page 88. What’s So Divine about Divine Law? See page 89. Annual Legacy of Life Dinner. See page 88. Let’s Talk Current Events Discussion Group for Seniors. 2-3:30 pm at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Bill Adler leads stimulating discussion each month on current events. 480483-7121 ext. 1213 or harrietc@ vosjcc.org Seder Cheder: Adult studies kollel and haroset tasting at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E Fifth St., Tucson. Participate in three rotating “mini” classes, followed by haroset tasting. 7-9 pm; each 20-minute class taught only once. Cost is one box of matzah per family for the “Matzah & More” Passover food drive. 520-745-5550 ext. 225 or clergysecretary@caiaz.org
April 7 Let’s Be Strong and Single. 10-11 am, Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Workshop helps middle-age, newly single women find confidence and begin the next fabulous chapter of their lives. Free, but reservations recommended: 480-483-7121 ext. 1213 or harrietc@vosjcc.org.
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APRIL CALENDAR Valley of the Sun JCC Golf Tournament See page 80. Temple Solel’s Women’s Seder at 6805 E McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley. Dinner and wine provided; guests should bring a plated dairy dessert or appetizer to share with 10-12 people. 6 pm. $10 for members; $12 for nonmembers; babysitting available for $5/per child; advance reservation required. RSVP by April 1 to Chelsi at cjohnson@templesolel.org or 480-991-7414
April 7-May 14 “The Diary of Anne Frank” at Hale Centre Theatre, 50 W Page Ave., Gilbert. Times vary. $18-$28. 480-497-1181 or haletheatrearizona.com
April 9-10 “Annelies,” an oratorio based on the Diary of Anne Frank. See page 50.
April 10 Adopt-A-Roadway. See page 88. Tucson JCC Sculpture Garden Exhibition and Reception. See page 48. This I Believe – Three Rabbi Panel at Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging, 2221 N Rosemont Blvd., Tucson. Join Rabbis Robert Eisen, Thomas Louchheim and Joseph Shemtov for a lively discussion exploring their beliefs from the Conservative, Reform and Orthodox Jewish perspectives. 3:30-5 pm. 520-322-3632 or nlevy@handmaker.org Sharing America: The Future of Muslim-Jewish Relations. See page 89. JFCS of Southern Arizona 75th Anniversary Celebration of Caring at the Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa, 3800 E Sunrise Dr., Tucson. Marlee Matlin is the keynote speaker. Reflection on the founding and evolution of JFCS and its impact on and in the community guided by Jewish traditions of the world (tikkun olam) with loving kindness (chesed) through just and charitable deeds (tzedakah). 5:30-8:30 pm. $125/person. 520-795-0300 ext. 2238 or jfcstucson.org/ donate/celebration-of-caring
Scottsdale. Lectures, exhibits, events by survivors, scholars, politicians, activists, artists, humanitarians and law enforcement. Times vary. Contact John Liffiton, 480-423-6447 or john. liffiton@scottsdalecc.edu
hametz before Passover. Sweet Tomatoes will donate 15% of sales generated by Congregation Anshei Israel when diners present a flyer (available in CAI’s administrative office and online at caiaz. org).
April 11
Let’s Eat Mature Mavens Dinner. Meet for dinner, socialize and make new friends. Dinner is separate checks. 5 pm. For restaurant, contact Bunneye at 602-371-3744
Women’s seder at East Valley JCC. See page 28.
April 12 Seven Steps Toward A Less Violent World: A View From Science and Torah. See page 89. Music and Message Tour. See page 88.
April 13 Women’s seder at Valley of the Sun JCC. See page 28.
April 14 Arizona Jewish Historical Society Interfaith Passover Seder. See page 28.
April 15 Family Shabbat Service and Dinner at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E Fifth St., Tucson. This interactive and upbeat Shabbat celebration for families incorporates fun-spirited melodies and family-themed activities. 5:458:30 pm. $25/per family (2 adults and up to 4 children), $10/person. 520-745-5550 ext. 224 or edasst@caiaz.org
April 15-May 1 “Chapter Two” performed by the Compass Players. See page 17.
April 16
Genocide Awareness Week at Scottsdale Community College, 9000 E Chaparral Road, 90 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
April 22 Chag Pesach Sameach Passover begins at sundown on April 22. The eightday observance commemorates the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to freedom. Check our online calendar for additional community seders near you. azjewishlife.com/calendar
April 23 Second Night Seder in the Tucson JCC Sculpture Garden. See page 28. Second Night Passover Seder at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E Fifth St., Tucson. Share great dialogue, family participation; supervised children’s play; traditional dinner by Handmaker Catering. CAI members: adult $45; child $30; nonmembers: adult $55; child $40; college and military: $37. Reservations due by April 18. Seating is limited. 520-745-5550 ext. 242 or barb@caiaz.org
Simchat Shabbat Special Needs Services for those with disabilities and their families. 12-12:45 pm at Congregation Beth Israel, 10460 N 56th St., Scottsdale. Free. 480-629-5343 or sherri@ cjsn.org
Passover Seder for All at Or Adam Congregation, 122 E Culver St., Phoenix. 5-7 pm. For more information, contact 480-663-7788, oradaminfo@gmail.com or oradam.com
April 17
Temple Solel’s Second Night Congregational Seder. 6 pm at 6805 E McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley. Conducted by Rabbi John Linder and cantorial soloist Susan Colin. Arizona Catering will prepare and serve a full-course, traditional, kosher for Passover seder and dinner. $75 adults, $65 ages 5-12, ages 4 and under free. Reservations taken on a first-come, first-served basis and can be made through April 15. 480-991-7414 or templesolel.org
Hadassah Southern Arizona Luncheon. See page 89. Spiritual Activism: Leadership in the 21st Century. See page 89. Arizona premier of “Surviving Skokie.” See page 52.
April 20 Education & Screening Event at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N Scottsdale Antiques-On-The-Go Show at J. Levine Auction & Road, Scottsdale. The Jewish Genetic Diseases Appraisal, 10345 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Center of Greater Phoenix is offering a free Bring up to three items for a free pre-auction screening for over 100 diseases, free genetic verbal assessment of antiques, heirlooms and counseling and education, raffle prizes and more. other items. 10 am-4 pm; reservations requested. 10 am-3 pm. jlevineauctions.us April 11-16
NowGen Happy Hour. 6-8 pm at Fez, 105 W Portland St., Phoenix. Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix’s NowGen for young Jewish adults. Engage, network and have fun! Bring nonperishables for JFCS’s Just 3 Things food drive. Click Upcoming Events at facebook.com/ nowgenphx
April 21 Sweet Tomatoes “Fun-Raiser” at 6202 E Broadway, Tucson. 5-8 pm. Enjoy a last bit of
SUBMITTING 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. After you submit the form, we will send you an email with instructions for posting future events. Events posted by April 10 will be included in the May issue of the magazine.
Your Neighborhood Grocer!
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It’s not manna from heaven, but this Passover, provide something just as crucial to the survival of the Israeli people.
In a country where knifings and other terrorist attacks are an all-too-frequent occurrence, your gift to Magen David Adom ensures Israel’s national paramedic organization has the medical supplies and blood it needs to save lives. So this year, while you recount the story of the Jews’ redemption from slavery, your gift will help modern-day Israelis survive the threats they face today. Make a gift today at www.afmda.org/donate. Or call 800.323.2371 to learn about sponsoring a laboratory or other facility at Israel’s soon-to-be constructed Marcus National Blood Services Center. Pesach kasher v’sameach. AFMDA Western Region 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 450 Los Angeles, CA 90048 Toll-Free: 800.323.2371 • western@afmda.org www.afmda.org 92 APRIL 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE