MARCH/APRIL 2022
GET READY
SUMMER
CAMP IS ON!
“It’s preserving that history so that it goes on in perpetuity”. ~Amy Cohn
ANDREW & AMY
CELEBRITY CHEF
Creates Passover dish for you!
COHN
Co-chairs, USHMM ‘Poignant, remarkable’ evening
TOGETHER WE CAN DO EVEN MORE JOIN US
2022 WESTERN REGION TRIBUTE EVENT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30 Reception: 6 p.m. PT | Program: 7:30 p.m. PT The Beverly Hilton
RSVP at ushmm.org/2022-west SUPPORT THE MUSEUM AS WE REIMAGINE HOLOCAUST EDUCATION in ways that engage new audiences and resonate with young people worldwide. As antisemitism and misuse of Holocaust history are on the rise, this work has never been more urgent. National Leadership Award Honorees Suzi and Steve Hilton, Phoenix Jane Jelenko, Los Angeles The Tramiel Family, Palo Alto Chairs Amy and Andrew Cohn, Phoenix Amanda Moose and Edward Lazarus, Santa Barbara Featured Speakers Prof. Peter Hayes, Historian and Author Dr. Edna Friedberg, Historian, US Holocaust Memorial Museum Tickets are $500 for in-person and a $100 minimum suggested donation to join virtually. For more information about event sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Western Regional Office at 310.556.3222 or western@ushmm.org.
Media Sponsor
CO N TE N TS Arizona Jewish Life March/April 2022 Adar 1-Adar 11, 5782 Volume 10/Issue 6
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FEATURES COVER STORY Andrew & Amy Cohn Co-chairs, USHMM ‘Poignant, remarkable’ evening 14 BUSINESS Biz Ins & Outs 12
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HEALTH NEWS: Ran Knishinsky’s new book, Healing With Clay
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FRONT & CENTER The evolution and inspiration of OK Little Bird Kimberly Faye Greenberg proves Fanny Brice is still wanted
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FOOD Celebrity Chef Jordan Urnovitz A Passover dish created for our readers Passover similarities and differences
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SPECIAL SEC TION • CAMPS Ten Top things you never knew about camp Camp Q & A First time at camp? Happy Camper gift guide
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AC TIVELY SENIOR Tucson’s Rabbi Safran reflects on a blessed career
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ISR AEL MDA helping Ukranian refugees
MARCH/APRIL 2022
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JLIVING 10th annual Genocide Awareness Week JNF AZ Breakfast for Israel AZ Musicfest brings back Emanuel Az Extremist propaganda on the rise
SUMMER
CAMP IS ON!
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“It’s preserving that history so that it goes on in perpetuity”. ~Amy Cohn
ANDREW & AMY
CELEBRITY CHEF
Creates Passover dish for you!
COHN
Co-chairs, USHMM ‘Poignant, remarkable’ evening
COVER ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MARCH/APRIL 2020 5
MARCH/APRIL 2022 Arizona Jewish Life • Adar 1-Adar 11, 5782 • Volume 10/Issue 6
PU B LI S H E R /E D ITO R Cindy Salt zman
H O N O R A RY E D ITO R Leni Reiss
ART DIREC TOR Tamara Kopper
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ellen Brauns tein Bob Dit ter, LCSW Michelle Talsma Everson
H OW TO R E AC H U S
602-538-AZJL (2955) E DITORIA L editor@az je wis h life .com ADV ERT IS ING S A LES 602-5 3 8 - 2 9 5 5 a dv ert is e @az je wis h life .com BUSINES S publ is h e r@az je wis h life .com E VE NT S editor@az je wis h life .com
Shannon Levit t Allison Mint z Rabbi Jef frey Schesnol
PU B L I C AT I O N A N D D E A D L I N E S
Arizona Jewish Life magazine in available online at azjewishlife.com. Send business information or event photographs to editor@arizonajewishlife.com. CALENDAR: Please post events on our online calendar. 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 event.
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2022-2023 MediaPort LLC All rights reserved The content and opinions in Arizona Jewish Life do not necessarily reflec t those of the publishers, staf f or contrac tors. Ar ticles and columns are for informational purposes only and not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Although ever y ef for t is made to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, Arizona Jewish Life, and its agents, publishers, employees and contrac tors will not be held responsible for the misuse of any information contained herein. The publishers reser ve the right to refuse any adver tisement. Publication of adver tisements does not constitute endorsement of produc ts or ser vices.
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MARCH/APRIL 2020 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Phoenix Holocaust Association brings Holocaust by Bullets Exhibit to Arizona State University Through April 17, 2022
Hayden Library, Arizona State University Main Campus Docent-led tours: Sundays from 1-3 pm, Mondays from 5-7 pm
The "Holocaust by Bullets: 15 Years of Investigation" photo exhibit showcases the step-by-step nature of the crimes committed against Jews and Roma by mobile Nazi killing units. Holocaust by Bullets is a program of Yahad-In-Unum (YIU), a non-governmental organization based in Paris and founded by Father Patrick Desbois.
Signature Events
Father Patrick Desbois Monday, April 4, 6:30 p.m. - ASU Memorial Union
With a life devoted to researching the Holocaust and fighting anti-Semitism, Father Desbois will discuss how Yahad-In Unum identified and documented the murders of more than two million Jews and Roma in the former Soviet Union at 3,100 execution sites in 11 countries and with more than 7,400 videotaped eyewitness testimonies.
Reservation required https://bit.ly/33d7zOB
Rosenbluth Family Charitable Foundation Genocide Awareness Week April 4-9 - ASU Memorial Union
A series of lectures, exhibits and storytelling by distinguished survivors, scholars, politicians, activists, artists, humanitarians and members of law enforcement. This week-long event seeks to address how we, as a global society, confront violent actions and current and ongoing threats of genocide throughout the world, while also looking to the past for guidance and to honor those affected Reservation required by genocide. https://shprs.asu.edu/GAW2022 Collaborating partners:
Rosenbluth Family Charitable Foundation, the sponsoring donor for Genocide Awareness Week Bureau of Jewish Education | Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix | Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix The Molly Blank Fund | Amy and Andrew Cohn
For more information: https://holocaustbybulletsphoenix.com/events
PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE 8
CINDY SALTZMAN Publisher
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST EDITION OF ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE. You will find this issue is chock-full of fascinating people, including a celebrity chef who created a modern twist on a Passover main dish specifically for the Arizona Jewish Life readers. And if you have camp-age children, we have you covered. Our special camp section helps prepare you and your children for camp in an informative and friendly way. On a more serious note, with so many people suffering in the world today, especially in Ukraine, it is sometimes hard to focus on the simple and joyful moments in life. So many people have told me how powerless they feel to make a difference. But if there is one thing the world has learned from President Zelensky, is that one person can make a difference, with little or big acts of courage, caring, and strength. It has been fascinating to watch the Jewish community all over the world swell with pride as the Ukrainian Jewish President, through his actions, has become a living hero. And we pray he stays that way. I saw a meme recently that said, ‘Here is my morning routine: 1. Wake up 2. Check on Zelensky 3. Coffee. Some days it does feel like that. But there are lots of ways to help. We have been putting together some resources that we will be posting soon. As we look forward to Passover and families coming together to celebrate our perseverance, we remember those who have not been so fortunate, perhaps even with an extra seat at our table. We wish everyone much strength peace health and happiness.
The Weekly: azjewishlife.com, click on “Subscribe Now!” Facebook: @AZJewishLife Twitter: @JewishLifeNow Instagram: @JewishLifeNow Call: 602-538-AZJL (2955)
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
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HEALTH NEWS
NISHINS K N KY A R
Arizonan recommends eating
clay
to cure what ails you By Shannon Levitt
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R
an Knishinsky didn’t really plan to be an author when he went to college, though he loved to write. He was always more of an artistic guy – albeit one with a fascination with naturopathic medicine. So, when he had an opportunity after graduation to buy into a homeopathic pharmacy and health food store in Arizona, he grabbed it. And it was there that he began to take “a keen interest” in writing about something that was becoming one of his passions: geophagia, the practice of eating dirt. It might seem a shocking notion to some. It certainly seemed so to Knishinsky when he was first introduced to the concept by a doctor who suggested he eat clay to make a ganglion cyst on his wrist disappear. The doctor explained that the clay could possibly remove some toxins from his system, thereby resolving the cyst. Knishinsky was skeptical that eating what he thought of as dirt had anything to do with healing, but he gave it a shot and found that, at least in this instance, “dirt” worked. A 2012 article in Scientific American explored research suggesting that geophagia has been practiced both by humans and animals for thousands of years and that eating clay may have been an adaptive method of detoxifying. Pharmaceutical companies originally used the clay mineral kaolin to help make Kaopectate, which is used to treat diarrhea and digestive problems. Kaolin has since been replaced with a synthetic chemical in the U.S., but clay is still in both natural and pharmaceutical medications including in livestock feed to protect animals from toxins. In 1998, Knishinsky learned that nobody had written about the topic in 20 years, so he wrote “The Clay Cure”. Recently, he discovered his book was selling more than ever, and he decided now would be the time to incorporate the past two decades of research on the topic and release a new edition. On April 5, a revised and expanded 2nd edition titled “Healing with Clay” will be released by Healing Arts Press and distributed by Simon and Schuster. Additionally, Knishinsky has created Detox Dirt, an edible and pharmaceutical grade montmorillonite clay, which can be found at www.detoxdirt.com. After his first foray into writing, Knishinsky wrote other books, then got his MBA and entered the pharmaceutical industry. He quickly got into brand management and became a consultant. It’s been an advantage knowing two sides of America’s health care industry: pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, an umbrella terms for all types of natural medicines and supplements.
Ran, Alma and their two daughters Danit & Yael. “I’ve worked on both sides of the fence and I consider myself pretty lucky and blessed to have an opportunity to understand how both types of medicine work,” Knishinsky said. During his career, he was a management consultant at Greater New York Hospital Association and worked with hospitals on a number of clinical and non-clinical issues, he said. From there he worked with large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturers in the commercial development of drugs. “There’s a place for different types of medicine,” Knishinsky said. “There’s a place for naturopathic medicine, for homeopathic medicine and for allopathic medicine, and it’s all very interesting.” He noted that he’s followed the arguments around the COVID-19 vaccine and remembers 20 years ago when there was an equal skepticism of naturopathic supplements. “My experience has given me a bird’s eye view into how pharmaceuticals are developed, and how they’re sold and promoted and I understand the clinical science and validation. I keep an open mind about natural medicine and pharmaceutical medicine and nothing is perfect.” The clay packaged in Detox Dirt has been the subject of qualified, double-blind placebo-controlled trials. He said that “there isn’t much that does real detoxification”. That’s the job of the liver and kidneys. However, he said, clay can act like a sponge absorbing toxins and carrying them through the GI tract and eliminating them through the feces.” And he’s confident in the amount of scientific validation for edible clay that’s been done in the last 10 years and wanted to add to the data by rewriting his original book “to introduce people to this really unique and arcane subject matter.” Born in Israel and raised in Arizona, Knishinsky is a Managing Partner at Arizona Boardwalk, a tourist attraction in Scottsdale. Though his family and the Boardwalk keep him busy, working on the book has allowed him to follow his passion again. “I love writing about such a unique subject matter,” he said. And in terms of his Detox Dirt, like the slogan of the old Hair Club commercials, he’s not just the owner, he’s a customer. He and his wife, Alma, and his two daughters, Danit and Yael, all take the clay cure. Shannon Levitt is a freelance writer in Greater Phoenix. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MARCH/APRIL 2020 11
BIZ IN & OUTS
Lori Shepard
Jay Lewis, Debbie Yunker Kail and Adam Lehman
Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center Announces new executive director The Board of Directors of the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center is pleased to announce that Lori Shepherd has accepted the position of Executive Director, effective March 16, 2022. Lori is the former Executive Director of the El Paso Holocaust Museum & Study Center. Lori learned about the Holocaust firsthand from El Paso’s vibrant survivor community and strengthened her understanding of the pedagogy of the Holocaust and genocides through the museum’s connections with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Association of Holocaust Organizations, and scholars in the field. “As we go forward into a world made uncertain by continued pandemic, political rancor, and for so many, socioeconomic uncertainty,” Lori says,” we must continue to use the lessons of the Holocaust to help create a more just and peaceful world. We will continue to be a place where Jewish values of social justice, tolerance, and repair of the world have a home. We will accomplish this by actively reflecting on who we are and how we can best serve the community, and by having the same active and open conversations that we promote – reaching out to Southern Arizona’s diverse communities and asking, “How can we help?” jewishhistorymuseum.org
Hillel at ASU receives $200,000 grant During a recent visit to Hillel at ASU, President and CEO of Hillel International, Adam Lehman made the announcement of a new $200,000 grant. This grant will allow Hillel at ASU to hire three additional student engagement staff over the next two years. There are 3,500 Jewish students across four metro campuses, with 85% of these students having little connection to Jewish life. Hillel is one of their last chances for Jewish connection. hillelasu.org 12
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Emily Kaye Wiss
Shahar Edry
New Mortgage Banker at Watermark Home Loans Emily Kaye Wiss, an Arizona native, recently accepted a position as a Mortgage Banker at Watermark Home Loans. Emily stated, “I am so excited to be part of such an incredible team and look forward to a successful career in my new role! “ Previously, Emily was a loan officer at Landmark Capital Mortgage LLC. Emily is also known to many in the Jewish community in her past career as a cantorial soloist and recording artist. genaschaublin.com
Shahar Edry assumes new position at Kids in Focus Shahar Edry recently accepted the position of Senior Director of Operations at Kids in Focus. Kids in Focus is an Arizona-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering at-risk youth to reach their potential using photography to ignite their imagination and build their sense of confidence by tapping into the power and universal language of photography. Shahar’s love story with the nonprofit world began right after he finished his military service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDf). While backpacking and exploring the world, he landed his first nonprofit job and knew he was born to serve. Before joining Kids In Focus, Sha filled senior nonprofit positions nationwide, including most recently as the National Community Director of the Israeli-American Council (IAC). kidsinfocus.org
Marty Harber Relocates to the Sunshine State After almost 5 years as the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, and just under two years as the Chief Development Officer, Marty Haber, is moving on. Marty was recently hired as
Please remember our students as you prepare your taxes
TAKE THE CREDIT FOR
Marty Haberer
Dr. Ross Goldberg
the CEO of the Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center in Boca Raton, Florida. We are thankful for the years he spent in our community and we wish Marty and his wife Lori, all the best on their next adventure. levisjcc.org
You can provide scholarships by supporting the JTO through Arizona’s dollar-for-dollar tax credit.
Dr. Ross GoldbergDoctor of the Day This past February, Dr. Ross F. Goldberg enjoyed his 9th time as the Arizona Medical Association’s (ARMA) Physician of the Day at the state legislature The ArMA Doctor of the Day program is a wonderful opportunity for Arizona doctors to show policymakers the value of quality healthcare from a physician’s perspective. The program dates back to 1975 and Arizona is one of the few states that have this program. Dr. Ross emphasized that the Doctor of the Day program is invaluable in building relationships with legislators year after year. In addition, the Doctor of the Day is on call for the House and Senate to answer questions, or if there is someone that is having a medical issue, the doctor is there to assess and determine the next steps. For more about ARMA and the Doctor of the Day program, visit: https://www.azmed.org/page/ doctoroftheday
Call today!
Year 2021 $1,219 | individuals $2,435 | married couples Deadline April 18, 2022 or when you file your taxes, whichever comes first.
Corporations can also take the tax credit! Call 480.634.4926 for details
480.634.4926 JTOPhoenix.org The Jewish Tuition Organization (JTO) is a private school tuition organization (STO). NOTICE: A school tuition organization cannot award, restrict or reserve scholarships solely on the basis of donor recommendation. A taxpayer may not claim a tax credit if the taxpayer agrees to swap donations with another taxpayer to benefit either taxpayer’s own dependent. Consult your tax advisor for specific tax advice.
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MARCH/APRIL 2020 13
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COVER STORY
ANDREW AMY
“I’m always struck by the survivors. I’m always struck by how “ deliberately they speak, how beautifully they speak, how artfully they tell a story.”
~Andrew Cohn
ABOVE: Strategic Adv Andrew Cohn, in the A Collections, Conservat
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COHN
Phoenix couple instrumental in US Holocaust Museum’s ‘poignant, remarkable’ evening
ANDREW AND AMY COHN United States Holocaust memorial Museum 2022 Western Region • CO-CHAIRS Phoenix
vancement Committee Member and Annual Fund National Chair Amy Cohn with husband, Andrew, Amy, Alexa and Matthew Cohn Archival Stack in The David and Fela Shapell Family tion and Research Center archives.
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MARCH/APRIL 2020 15
THE TASK UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM
“It’s preserving that history so that it goes on in perpetuity.” ~Amy Cohn
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of explaining how it came to pass that Nazi Germany and its collaborators would systematically murder six million Jews, roughly two-thirds of Europe’s Jewish population, between 1941 and 1945 can seem an impossible one. Mountains of books have been written in an attempt to comprehend and explain the Holocaust; a plethora of scholars have spent their lives studying its context and aftermath; museum exhibits and lectures on the topic are plentiful. And yet, one would be hard-pressed to find a better instructor of that brutal period than someone who actually survived it. “I’m always struck by the survivors,” Andrew Cohn said. “I’m always struck by how deliberately they speak, how beautifully they speak, how artfully they tell a story. It is quite a thing for people that have suffered through as much as some of them have to be able to communicate the way they do. You need to spend time listening to them speak about these atrocities, which they do with a degree of rhythm and elegance you’ve never seen before -- it’s remarkable how they do it.” Andrew and Amy Cohn are Phoenix co-chairs of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s “What You Do Matters” Western Region Tribute Event being held on March 30 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. Supporters from 10 western states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington) will gather at this year’s hybrid event to renew their commitment to ensuring Holocaust history is learned and that its important lessons continue to be conveyed. There is wide concern that the Holocaust’s history is being distorted and misused at an alarming rate. Physical, verbal and online antisemitic events have risen in the last few years as well, and the Museum’s website states: “These events, part of a larger climate of hatred, remind us of the urgent need to share Holocaust history and convey its continued relevance.” Nights like the one planned for March 30 are intended to assist the Museum in its quest to engage more people and resonate with young learners throughout the world. “It’s important to understand the Museum is an institution that not only has a bricks and mortar
museum on the National Mall of our capital, but it’s also a national institution that has broad reach across the U.S. and globally, and there’s a lot of programming that goes on in these various regions,” Amy said. Andrew agreed. The Museum “does an amazing job” of providing programming and outreach for its mission: to preserve and protect history and to provide education for any genocide, not only for the Holocaust. “Its presence is not just in the past, it’s in the present, too, which is why it’s so important that the education is done,” he said. “I think we’re seeing a lot of careless comparisons and equivalencies with the Holocaust today,” he said. “There’s also a protective cocoon you try to put around it to keep people from being able to hijack the story of the Museum, the story of the Holocaust, the story of the suffering, for their own benefit.” This sentiment is among the reasons for the tribute event and “why we have to keep pushing forward and getting the resources out there and teaching it.” The night itself is about creating an opportunity “to put people in a room together and highlight a story,” he said. “This is not about an individual. This is about the Museum and carrying forth the programs and what the Museum was put in place for, which is to protect the legacy and the memory of those who were lost and to make sure it never happens again.” Andrew and Amy Cohn were first introduced to the Museum several years ago by friends Bill and Susan Levine, well-known philanthropists in Greater Phoenix. Since then, Amy has gone on to become national fundraising chair and Andrew was appointed to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council by former President Donald Trump and sits on its executive board. When Amy and Andrew first visited the Museum, the couple marveled at the diversity of people gathered in front of the exhibits, people of all ages, ethnicity and races. “You could see everybody was really impacted by it,” Amy said. “We had a bit of Holocaust education when we were younger, and we were wondering if that education was available for our children. We realized at that time that we wanted to get involved to make sure
that this history stays relevant today, and continues to get taught.” Pursuant to that goal, this year, the couple were excited to recommend highlighting the work of fellow Arizonan Steve Hilton for his longtime commitment to Holocaust education and the Museum itself. Steve and his wife, Suzi, will be honored during the event with the Museum’s National Leadership Award. Steve is the son of Sam Hilton, a Holocaust survivor from Poland. Sam and his family lived through the Nazi occupation of Warsaw and were eventually confined to the infamous Warsaw ghetto. Sam was deported to Majdanek, and because he lied about being
STEVE AND SUZI HILTON National Tribute Award Honorees Suzi and Steve Hilton (Phoenix): The Hiltons are dedicated to honoring the memory of Steve’s father, Holocaust survivor Sam Hilton, and are part of the Museum’s Founders’ Society. Steve is a Western Region Adviser for the Museum and serves on its Collections and Acquisitions Committee. In addition to being the executive chairman and co-founder of Meritage Homes Corporation, Steve serves on multiple boards, including as chairman of the Banner Health Foundation board. Suzi also holds leadership positions at multiple charities, including recently serving as a vice chair for the American Heart Association Phoenix Heart Ball.
four years older than he really was, he was sent on to Buchenwald, which was liquidated in 1945. Then the inhabitants endured a death march to Theresienstadt. From there, he was eventually liberated and made his way to the American Southwest. Steve will tell the story of his father’s journey and how he was his family’s sole survivor. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MARCH/APRIL 2020 17
JANE JELENKO National Tribute Award Honoree Jane Jelenko (Los Angeles): Jane was the first woman partner in the consulting arm of KPMG, where she served for 25 years, and is a past member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. Jane continues to hold positions on several corporate and community boards, including SunAmerica Funds and Cathay Bank, and is the founding president and a board member of Center Dance Arts. She is the author of Portraits in Black and White: Holocaust Survivors of Café Europa, a collection of stories and photographs of Holocaust survivors.
Additionally, Steve Hilton was involved in the process of passing Holocaust education legislation in Arizona, which was signed by Gov. Doug Ducey last summer and requires the state’s public schools to teach the history of the Holocaust and other genocides at least twice between seventh and 12th grades. Arizona is now the 16th state to require Holocaust education by statute, according to the Phoenix Holocaust Association and Arizona State University. Andrew and Amy said Steve’s passion for the Museum more than any single thing he’s done made them want to see him honored. “Steve does this not only from a legislative standpoint, but because of his father’s and family’s direct involvement with the Holocaust,” Andrew said. And by honoring a Phoenician, they will be able to bring several people from Arizona to the California event, which could mean greater fundraising and ultimately, more people exposed to the mission of the Museum. Amy said Steve and Suzi’s friends and families have been especially helpful with that. And Andrew and Amy believe that sharing stories 18
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like Sam Hilton’s are the most effective way of making an indelible impact on people. Books, exhibits, academic lectures can all give the Holocaust context and shape, but a firsthand tale of heartache and cruelty, both witnessed and endured, still seems the most effective tool of teaching the 20th century’s most bloodthirsty decade. The couple recently watched a video of Sam telling his story and can attest to its effectiveness. Reading something in a book, Andrew said, feels more sterile but “when I see the tears streaming down a man’s face telling me that he went to go wake his father and his father was dead from starvation – those are words that you don’t forget.” The Museum has been capturing these stories for years so that future generations will be able to watch and hear the survivors’ voices. “The Museum serves a purpose with this and it does an amazing job,” Andrew said. Amy agreed that the most powerful moments of events like theirs is the chance to hear and meet Holocaust survivors. “It’s amazing to see them with their families surrounding them,” she said. And she believes that it offers the survivors some relief to know that their stories will go forward even once they are no longer around to tell them. That, she said, is one of the great missions of the Museum: “It’s preserving that history so that it goes on in perpetuity.” Andrew appreciates the way the Museum acknowledges itself as a living memorial to the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, as well as the millions of others, including the Roma, the disabled, political and religious dissidents, gay men, ethnic Poles and Soviet civilians and prisoners of war, without confining itself to the past. The Museum’s mission also involves promoting human dignity while confronting hatred and preventing further genocides in the present and future. “It’s really important to continue to tell those stories. Whether it’s the Holocaust or whether it’s slavery -both of those were terrible periods of time of the world. And it’s important to protect the message of both of those periods of time and make sure that you can convey what happened, who it happened to, why it happened and make sure it never happens again. And that’s the basis of what the Museum is, and it’s really important,” Andrew said. The people who will be attending the March 30 event will likely have gone to their fair share of charitable events and “have eaten rubber chicken dinners,” Andrew
joked. But this will be a far cry from that. The Museum always brings a “high degree of elegance,” which he EDWARD LAZARUS thinks is remarkable given the subject matter. “It’s one & AMANDA MOOSE of those discussions that most people stay away from because somebody is afraid they’re going to trip over the wrong word, say the wrong thing, and offend somebody United States at some point, especially in today’s world, but the Holocaust Museum does it with such a high degree of elegance. It’s Memorial Museum remarkable to be quite candid.” The evening will be filled with poignant and 2022 Western emotional moments, but often those are the most Region uplifting, Andrew said. He noted that you can tell the CO-CHAIRS Santa impact of the speakers when you watch people at the end of the night versus when they’re just walking in. “It Barbara, CA has a lasting impact on people, and every year we lose more and more survivors and at some point we will have none, which is why telling these stories while they’re here, documenting these stories and making sure they’re Jane Jelenko and the Tramiel family will receive National available for future generations is a blessing.” Leadership Awards and Peter Hayes, PhD and Edna The Museum is a repository of all these stories and Friedberg, PhD will be featured speakers along with relics. Andrew and Amy see their job as helping transport various Holocaust survivors. The event will be live this collection from the archives in Washington to share streamed on March 30 at 6 p.m. P.T. with people in other states and beyond. “That’s what our job is,” he said. “You need some way to connect people Arizona Jewish life is a media sponsor for the event. back to the mothership, so to speak, and that’s how we use these evenings and that’s what they’re for.” Shannon Levitt is a freelance writer in Greater Phoenix. In 2020, the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and last year, it was held virtually. This year’s event is hybrid, both available virtually SAM AND TZIPI and in person. TRAMIEL Those who attend in person National Tribute will have the opportunity to tour Award Honorees the Museum’s exhibition “Some Were Neighbors: Choice, Human The Tramiel Family (Palo Behavior, and the Holocaust,” Alto, Calif.): Holocaust which is presently only on view survivors Jack, z”l, and Helen in Poland and Germany. It looks at ordinary people involved in Tramiel, z”l, were part of the the Holocaust. “This includes Museum’s Founders Society those who did not give in to the and instilled in their family a opportunities and temptations deep commitment to philanthropy. Their children, including son Sam to betray their fellow human Tramiel and his wife, Tzipi, have carried on their legacy. They’ve been beings, reminding us that there dedicated to the Jewish communities in which they have lived, including is an alternative to complicity in Toronto, Hong Kong, Japan, and finally Palo Alto, Calif., where Sam has evil acts – even in extraordinary times,” according to a Museum held executive positions at Commodore and Atari and is currently a press release. partner in Tramiel Capital. In addition to the Hiltons, ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MARCH/APRIL 2020 19
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JEWISH LIFE PRE A SE ON N IZ
“CAMP
Where strangers become friends, and friendships last forever.”
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10
Top Ten Things You Never Knew About Camp
C
amp has become a staple of the summer season. Each year, millions of children, youth, and adults head to the hills, lakes, valleys, and parks to participate in the timehonored tradition of camp. And, while most people easily conjure up images of campfires and canoes, there is a lot more to the camp experience. Here are ten of the things you may not have known about the camp experience.
10. CAMP IS OLDER THAN DIRT, ALMOST LITERALLY. Started in 1861, the camp experience turned an impressive 150 years young in 2011. The secret behind the longevity? “Camps are adapting to meet the needs of today’s campers,” says Tom Rosenberg, president/ CEO of the American Camp Association. “At the same time, the impact camp has on campers, the life-changing experience, has remained after all these years.”
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9. CAMP IS WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD, AND THEN SOME! The camp experience is life-changing – developing friendships and memories that last well beyond the final campfire. And, there is a camp for literally every budget. Often camps offer special pricing or financial assistance, and some camp experiences qualify for tax credits or for payment with pre-tax dollars. Visit ACA’s Affording Camp page for more information.
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8. GREEN IS “ZEN.” Research shows that firsthand experience with nature, like those at camp, reduce stress in children and help them better handle stress in the future. In addition to teaching children how to
be good stewards of the environment, camps are teaching children how to enjoy the world around them and take a minute to breathe deep and feel the nature, which ultimately teaches them how to de-stress the natural way. 7. MOMMIES AND DADDIES DO IT TOO. Camp is not just for children and youth. There are family camp experiences, and camps for single adults, senior adults, and any adult that wants to relax and enjoy all camp has to offer. Adults benefit from the same sense of community, authentic relationships, and selfdiscovery that children do. Camp is an excellent vacation option, allowing adults to try a variety of new activities in a safe and fun environment.
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6. TRY THIS ON FOR SIZE! Camp is a great place to try new activities and hobbies. Afraid of rock walls? According to ACA research, 74 percent of campers reported that they tried new activities at camp that they were afraid to do at first. And, those activities often leave lasting impressions. In the same survey, 63 percent of parents reported that their child continued new activities after returning home.
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5. MANNERS MATTER, AND OFTEN LINGER. The camp experience teaches more than just archery or lanyard making. The entire experience is made of teachable moments, perhaps one of the biggest is how to live with a group of people. Campers learn to pick up after themselves, respect each other’s property, and to say “Please” and “Thank You.”
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4. VEGGIES TASTE BETTER WITH FRIENDS. Hollywood and fictional novels may have given camp food a bad reputation, but in truth, camps are constantly exploring healthy food options, and often are at the forefront of things like allergy specific diets, healthy snack options, and vegetarian meals. According to ACA’s 2011 Emerging Issues survey, 90.7 percent of responding camps indicated that healthy eating and physical activity was an important or very important issue.
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3. IF EVERYONE ELSE WENT TO CAMP, MAYBE THERE’S SOMETHING TO IT! Camp has played an important role in the lives of some of the most talented
people in history. ACA’s family resource site offers a list of notable campers – including business professionals, celebrities, artists, and great thinkers. 2. CAMP GETS THOSE NEURONS PUMPING! Education reform debate and concern over summer learning loss have pushed academic achievement into the spotlight. Research shows that participation in intentional programs, like camp, during summer months helps stem summer learning loss. In addition, camp provides ample opportunity for developmental growth, which is a precursor to academic achievement. And, because of the “hands-on” nature of camp, often children who struggle in traditional education settings do well at camp.
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1. CAMP BUILDS LEADERS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY AND BEYOND! Independence, resiliency, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and the ability to relate to other people — these are the skills that tomorrow’s leaders will need, and the skills camp has been adept at building for 150 years.
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For more information on preparing your child for an independent, fun-filled summer, visit ACAcamps.org. Or, follow ACA on Facebook and Twitter for helpful hints and camp information. Contact Public Relations at 765.346.3391 or pr@ACAcamps.org to interview an ACA spokesperson or for more information about preparing for camp. For customizable public service announcements or article reprints, visit our Press Room.
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MARCH/APRIL 2020 21
SUMMER CAMP
Q A
MICHELLE WORLEY
School of Rock Scottsdale General Manager
&
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Q: How do you think children most benefit from going to camp? Children can explore new avenues of potential focus in a condensed version of full programs, without major commitment. They find independence and learn ways to express themselves with their own individual likes and dislikes. We can help them see their potential as a musician on stage.
OLIVER
Camp Kalsman Camper Q: How has camp impacted your Jewish identity? I interact with judaism most through music, so the biggest way camp has impacted my Jewish identity is introducing new songs and melodies that I can sing or play! Q: What is special about your counselors? They’ve always had my back, no matter what. Every counselor is committed to making camp the best for everyone in their cabin, which is really special.
SPACE STILL AVAILABLE! HAVE QUESTIONS?
JOIN
Feel free to contact Jennifer at camp@cbiaz.org for any questions or more information. T H E
FUN! FUN!
FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! CAMPSTEIN.ORG @CAMPSTEIN @CAMPDAISYANDHARRYSTEIN
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MARCH/APRIL 2020 23
SUMMER ZACH DUITCH CAMP
Camp Solomon Schechter Executive Director
Q A &
How do you think children most benefit from going to camp? Camp Solomon Schechter is a beautiful, happy place. It is a place our children go to learn, to grow, to try new things, to become independent, and to meet other Jewish children and live a Jewish life. We foster and encourage habits such as tikkun olam (repairing the world), derech eretz (living ethically and responsibly), welcoming the stranger and treating others as you’d like to be treated. As campers come back year after year, they develop deep, lifelong connections to their friends, to Judaism, and to the special place that is camp. They also develop leadership and team-building skills that will serve them well as they grow. This place, these characteristics, are so important to our community and our world.
HANNAH MILLER Camp Stein Staff Member
Q: How do you think children most benefit from going to camp? At camp, campers are creating memories, doing all the activities they love with friends and have the opportunity to try something new (like archery!) While at camp, campers build friendships, start to understand the importance of tradition, and gain independence. They are also given the opportunity to become more in tune with themselves, and find new interests that they want to pursue.
MIRIAM
Camp Kalsman Camper Q: What is your favorite activity? My two favorite things to do at camp are singing songs every morning after breakfast and swimming at the pool. Q: How are camp friends different than your friends from home? My friends at camp are Jewish and they understand the things I do at Shabbat. That’s a little different than some of my school friends 24
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SUMMER CAMP
First Time at Camp? Talking with Your Child
Bob Ditter, L.C.S.W.
S
ending your child away to camp for the first time is a major milestone for most families, one that is often marked by excitement, anticipation, and perhaps even some anxiety. Though camp is certainly about making friends and having fun, it is also about being on your own and being a part of a community. One of the most important things you as a parent can do to help prepare your child for both these aspects of camp is to talk with your child about it before he/she goes. In fact, it may be better to have several occasional, shorter talks rather than one long conversation as children often absorb more when there is less to think about at one time. I also find that children do better with this sort of conversation if it is part of a more general conversation and if it is part of a pattern of talking, either at the dinner table or while riding in the car doing errands. The following are some sample topics for discussion that will help prepare your child emotionally for their big adventure:
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FRIENDS Camp is not anything if it is not about making new friends. If you are shy about meeting new kids, then learn to get to know others by being a good listener. Remember also that not everyone in your cabin, bunk, or group has to be your friend, and you don’t have to be everyone else’s friend. As long as you treat others with respect and they do the same with you, then having one or two friends at camp is fine. If you have more, then that’s great! ACTIVITIES There are many exciting things to do at camp, many of which you may never have tried before. If your child tends to be a bit homesick or worried about being homesick, remind him/her about the excitement of going to camp: Remember, when you first decided to go to camp, what made you so excited? You may not like all the activities, or you may be better at some than others. That’s normal. I, however, hope you are willing to try. The more you put into camp, the more you will get out of it! COOPERATING You, like every other camper there, will be part of a cabin, bunk, or group. As your parent, I hope you will cooperate with others and help out. That’s part of what makes camp so special — kids helping each other out. Most kids will help you if you are friendly and help them. Give yourself time. One thing about camp is that almost everything is new — the kids, the activities, the routines, the bed you sleep in, the bathroom. It takes a few days to get adjusted, so be patient with yourself. Most of the time you will be having so much fun you won’t mind all the changes, but if you do, remember that you will get so used to things that by the time you come home you will miss all those things!
HELPING OUT Camp is about fun, but it also requires that you help out. Clean-up is part of camp. You do it every day! As your parent, I hope you will cooperate! GETTING HELP Everyone has good days and bad days. If you are having a problem, your counselor is there to help you! You don’t have to wait to tell us if you are upset about something.
After all, if your counselor doesn’t know what might be troubling you, he/she can’t help you. Be honest and ask for what you need. If your counselor doesn’t seem to be concerned or doesn’t help you, then you can go to the unit director, head counselor, etc. Parents should know who these “back-up persons” are and how their child will recognize them if they need to. Continued on next page
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BEING POSITIVE It’s a great thing to remind your first-time camper about his or her strong points. I would focus not just on what they do well, but their positive qualities as well, such as what makes them a good friend or the type of person other kids would want to know. Helping children identify their strengths can help them when they are having a setback — one of those inevitable growing pains all children have from time to time. Talking with your child about these kinds of issues is a great way to show support as your child gets ready to take this important step on the road to being more resilient and self-reliant. For you as a parent, it can give you more peace of mind as you allow your child to participate safely in a broader world. To learn more about camp and child development, please visit the American Camp Association’s Web site: www. ACAcamps.org, or call the toll-free number, 1-800-428CAMP (2267). Bob Ditter is a child and family therapist living in Boston who consults extensively with people who work with children. He was special consultant to the Disney Channel for their series “Bug Juice.” Ditter has visited over 500 children’s camps in the United States, has been quoted in Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, Parent Magazine, and the Ladies Home Journal. He has appeared on “The Today Show” and the “Evening News with Peter Jennings” and is considered one of the nation’s leading experts on camp. Originally printed in CAMP Magazine, reprinted by permission of the American Camp Association; © 2006 American Camping Association, Inc.
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Open Doors and an Open Heart ACTIVELY SENIOR
Rabbi Richard Safran reflects on a blessed career and life By Michelle Talsma Everson
Rabbi Safram with the Handmaker walking club.
W
hen you talk to Rabbi Richard Safran, it’s obvious from the light in his eyes and the gratitude weaved throughout his stories that he has lived a blessed life— and that he continues to bless others every day. “It’s been a wonderful life. I’ve been able to travel and serve congregations both big and small,” Rabbi Safran says. “It’s been awesome, and I’ve seen God in all forms.” 34
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A resident at Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging’s senior living center in Tucson, Rabbi Safran is an intricate part of the Handmaker community. He’s the person that other residents go to for advice (whether Jewish-related or not) and he performs the Shabbat blessing at the Shabbat dinners every week. He served as the Tucson Jewish Community’s chaplain for many years, visiting with Handmaker and other members in the community who were ill, before training the next PHOTOS COURTESY OF HANDMAKER JEWISH SERVICES
few chaplains that have served there. “We are grateful for Rabbi Safran on so many levels,” says Nanci Levy, Community Outreach Coordinator for Handmaker. “He’s had a huge impact on the overall community—not just at Handmaker, but in Tucson, too.” Rabbi Safran’s impact throughout his life reaches a global scale. He shares that he has a “history of traveling,” having been to Israel ten times, and other impactful destinations, including all over Europe, Egypt, the U.S., and more. He loves traveling and outdoor activities—having climbed peaks everywhere from Mount Sinai to Tucson’s nearby mountains. He grew up in New York City where his parents owned a kosher deli and says that he got his start as an Air Force assistant chaplain during the Korean War. He was ordained by the Hebrew Union College — Jewish Institute of Religion in 1960. In addition to his congregational duties, he was also a chaplain at prisons, hospitals, and veterans’ hospitals for decades as well in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Tucson. “Being a hospital chaplain requires a certain set of skills, an intuitiveness and a way with people,” Rabbi Safran explains. He was first certified by the Association of Mental Health Chaplains and later by the National Association of Jewish Chaplains. He adds that he served three congregations before becoming a congregational
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MARCH/APRIL 2020 35
ACTIVELY SENIOR
rabbi for Congregation Achduth Vesholom, where he served for 24 years before moving to Tucson in 2000. “I retired and moved here with Lois, my wife of 60 years, of blessed memory, to help her health condition,” he says. “We had an amazing life together and a wonderful family,” he shares about Lois and his two sons. “We saw things I never thought were possible—from Israel to Egypt to Tucson and beyond.” He adds that, during the summers while his sons were growing up, the family would travel across the U.S., hiking, camping, and making priceless memories. His son Jonathan passed away last year, but his son Daniel continues to support and assist him in many ways. With a career and life that spans everything from classes overseas, holding hands in hospital rooms, to lectures in Alaska, Rabbi Safran views his journey as, “God opening door after door.” “Doors opened up all of the time for me, and I’d go through those doors, and they’d take me wonderful places—I’m still going wonderful places, even from here in Tucson,” he says. “Life sets the path for most of us, and it’s up to us to go down in.” When asked about advice for the local Jewish community, Rabbi Safran had nothing but encouraging words. “Don’t give up hope,” he says. “Nwo matter what is happening, there are wonderful peoplwe all around. Look in their eyes and you will see God.” 36
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“Doors opened up all of the time for me, and I’d go through those doors, and they’d take
me to wonderful places—I’m still going to wonderful places, even
from here in Tucson. Life sets the path for most of us, and it’s up to us to go down in.” ~ Rabbi Richard Safran
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FRONT & CENTER
The Evolution and Inspiration of OK, Little Bird by Deena Goldstein
DEENA GOLDSTEIN
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O
n the first page of OK, Little Bird, readers are immediately catapulted into laughter at a seemingly inappropriate moment. And, therein, becomes the tempo and pacing of the book. Ok, Little Bird flips the expected on end and leaves readers both laughing and tearful. To have a deeper understanding of the humor and writing style in OK, Little Bird, it’s important to take a glimpse at my background. I’m a former stand-up comedian and multimedia artist (www.deenasart. com). Whether on canvas, stage and now print, my inspirations come from life, love, family, and experiences. Often, I’m not making a conscious choice in my desire to create, make people laugh or share a story – it just becomes something I must do. The writing and publishing of OK, Little Bird has been the most profound, surreal, and rewarding experience of my life. From conception to print, OK, Little Bird was a year and half journey. At some point in all our lives, we’ll undoubtedly find ourselves confronted with an overwhelming and often devastating circumstance. For me, it was the knowledge and eventuality, that I would lose my father. As with anything else in life, what we do with challenges we’re handed foreshadows the outcome of how we heal and move forward. For me, it was my father’s gift of humor that put wind in my sails to exit the harbor of the deepest grief and loss I’ve ever known. For OK, Little Bird to resonate and be relatable, I became a hunter and gatherer of memories from my childhood and adult life. Synthesizing the essence of our quirky family dynamics, and often addressing painful moments, that I
previously had not handled. Through wry banter, anecdotes, cantankerous family dinners, unfiltered commentaries, voicemails and letters, readers will take a bouncy ride as they experience the unconditional love and bond between Little Bird and her father. In short, a simply unforgettable father-daughter relationship. I’ve always seen the world through the lens of joy, love and humor, and growing up, was extremely close with my family members – in particular, my father. He was a bigger-than-life character. Unfiltered, funny, irreverent, and stern. As the youngest of three, (without spoilers), I wriggled my way into my father’s heart. We spent time together, we did life together, we laughed together, and, when his health took a severe and terminal decline, we stood together in that fight as well. In the greatest irony of all, I became “Little Bird” weeks before my father passed, and it was at that very moment I knew I had a story to tell. We were most certainly, not the typical father-
daughter tale. Most importantly, I felt readers would be inspired by our incredible, loving connection, while simultaneously reflecting on a special connection to someone in their lives. Suddenly hospice and group homes were part of our dialogue and daily lives. Most importantly, learning how to stay connected while steeped in mutual impending pain and loss. How did we do this? Humor. My father, through it all, never lost his sense of humor, and in that strength, I too, used his gift of humor to heal through his loss. Humor is pervasive throughout the book (even when you least expect it!) OK, Little Bird navigates deep waters of close relationships, unconditional love and how we handle grief when we’re in its’ midst. Each of us experiences loss differently and each of us has a way of coping. OK, Little Bird puts into words what many experience, but are unable to emote or communicate. It lets readers know that even when things are “not OK”, there is light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Readers are left feeling uplifted, inspired – for even in darkness, joy can be found. OK, Little Bird delicately balances laughter, joy and heartache – and I hope you will pick up a copy and enjoy. As there is much content for discussion, Book Club Kits are available, which include a moderator packet of questions and touchpoints. For information or to obtain a Book Club kit, email deegold710@gmail.com. OK, Little Bird is now available for preorder on Amazon at oklittlebird. com – and soon, will be available worldwide at a variety of online and offline retailers.
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KIMBERLY FAYE GREENBERG Below: Fanny Brice on stage in dress with floral garland in her hair. AMERICAN VAUDEVILLE MUSEUM COLLECTION (MS 421), MS 421 BOX 6 FOLDER 13, AZU_MS421_ B6_F13_003_M.JPG, COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA LIBRARIES, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS.
FRONT & CENTER
Kimberly Faye Greenberg proves Fanny Brice is still wanted
N
obody wants a book about Fanny Brice!” That bit of vitriol comes from “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”, a 2018 Oscar-nominated film based on real-life biographer Lee Israel. A literary agent is assuring her in no uncertain terms that Brice, Jewish comedienne, Ziegfeld Follies/Broadway, radio and film star, is an unsellable subject for a biography. The agent ushers Israel out of her office shouting, “There is nothing new or sexy about Fanny Brice!”
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If you look at a picture of her and a picture of me, it’s uncanny the resemblance.” ~Kimberley Faye Greenberg
The moment is funny because it drives the introverted Israel to do something outrageous and criminal to boot. But nobody has more reason to laugh at the agent’s assessment of Brice’s irrelevance than Kimberly Faye Greenberg, a New York actress, singer, writer and career coach. After all “Fanny has gotten me a lot of jobs,” she said. Greenberg was in musical theater growing up, and her high school teacher told her of her striking resemblance to Brice. Greenberg didn’t really know who that was but was stunned after seeing a photo. “If you look at a picture of her and a picture of me, it’s uncanny the resemblance,” Greenberg said. She was intrigued but had no way of knowing then what a big part Brice would come to play in her career. After moving to New York in 2000, Greenberg did the grunt work of an aspiring Broadway actress, getting small parts and keeping connected to the theater however she could, like working as a dresser for Broadway shows. Things really started to happen once she played Sylvia Fine, Danny Kaye’s wife in an off-Broadway musical. That role, she said, also led to her “discovery” as someone who would be a very suitable Brice. She was soon cast in “One Night With Fanny Brice,” an off-Broadway solo show that was well-reviewed in the New York Times and Associated Press. The Times reviewer wrote that “Ms. Greenberg almost matches her (Brice) in vivacity and vocal range in songs like ‘Second Hand Rose.’” Reviews like that got Greenberg noticed, and her adeptness at portraying Brice catapulted her career to new levels. Suddenly, “other people started seeing me in that show and invited me to be in their shows as Fanny,” she said. And it wasn’t only theater people asking her to portray Brice. A Jewish organization in New Jersey wanted to see her as Brice, but since “One Night” wasn’t her show, Greenberg decided to create a unique performance for them. Soon, more requests started coming in slowly and “it became this thing, and more people wanted it,” she said, about the process of creating her one-woman show, “Fabulous Fanny Brice.” “I’m going to have this thing for the rest of my life and I’m in control,” she said. Greenberg recently brought the show to Arizona. The Feb. 3 performance was in Green Valley, about 20 miles outside of Tucson, and it is also where her parents happen to live.
Afterward, she said the show was great, buoyed by what was “the right audience for my show, more retirees and a senior crowd more familiar with Fanny Brice.” She guessed that there were probably more than a few Jewish audience members. Like Brice, Greenberg is Jewish, and it’s something that’s “very important” to her. She sees herself as a cultural Jew, and while she may not celebrate every holiday, she embraces her Jewish identity. Early in her career people suggested she change her name, maybe tone down her Jewishness. But she refused. “No, no, no. I’m a Greenberg,” she said. Passing on her Jewish identity and knowledge of Jewish culture is very important to Greenberg. And Brice is hardly her only Jewish character. She’s often cast in the roles of other Jewish historical women “who are brassy and sassy.” She’s even played Mary Magdalene and the Virgin Mary. “I’m Jewish even in the non-Jewish shows,” she quipped. But she keeps finding her way back to Brice. Whenever someone is writing something set in the early 20th century, people reach out to her about the possibility of playing Brice. “Fanny keeps showing up because I’ve created this name for myself in this niche,” she said. In addition to acting in theater, television and film, Greenberg is a career coach for other actors. People began asking her for advice, and she had a lot to teach. She’s the original multi-tasker, which pays off, especially when your main career is never really in your control. “As a performer,” she said, “you never know where that next job is going to happen.” During the pandemic, she added author to her resume. She’s always been interested in the business side of the industry as well as the performance side, and she used quarantine to write. She’s currently polishing the final draft of her book, which is an encapsulation of all she’s learned over the years. Greenberg has big plans for more television, film and Broadway, but since an actor never knows “what’s actually going to hit,” in the meantime she’s keeping her “hands in all the pots!” For more information, visit www.kimberlyfayegreenberg.com. Shannon Levitt is a freelance writer in Greater Phoenix. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MARCH/APRIL 2020 41
AZ ENTREPRENEUR
Celebrity Chef
Jordan Urnovitz
calls Arizona home By Allison Mintz
J
ordan Urnovitz (aka Nomad, by food) is a culinary artist in the kitchen. As a self-taught chef, Jordan has hit the culinary scene by storm. In 2016, Jordan was named Top Home Chef in the fourth annual cooking competition by the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, propelling Jordan's culinary career to new heights. From catering small dinner parties, fundraisers, and most recently appearing on Guy’s Grocery Games, Jordan has dazzled the media world and has become a local celebrity. Although he is very humble and does not consider himself to be a celebrity, he has shown that a home chef can accomplish anything through hard work, determination, and a love of cooking. In looking back at the past six years, Jordan reflected on all that has changed in his life. He has gotten married, has a 3 ½-year-old son, and has another child due in the summer. He looks at the opportunities he has been given and feels that through his cooking he has the ability to better connect to his family, community, and Jewish roots. Jordan has lived in six states, hailing from his home of Detroit Michigan. According to Jordan, Arizona is the first place besides Detroit that feels like a true home. Being connected to the Jewish community and being able to participate in
Left: Jordan and his family. Right: Mouth-watering dishes as seen on Jordan’s Instagram account (Jordan Urnovitz@jordanur). Sweet potato, beet & roasted poblano hash poblano, hollandaise and poaced egg; warm Israeli couscous with orange-mint vinaigrette; Turkish Manti dumplings, over roasted garlic and lemon labneh, zaatar and garlic tomato sauce. Dusted with dried mint, aleppo and sumac and Corn and ricotta triangoli, arugula and sunflower shoot pesto.
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Top: From Jordan's Instagram account, risotto with beet green and jalapeno pesto, brown butter sunchokes with pistachios and grilled tomato and basil pork sausage. Above: Two of the winning dishes from the 2016 fourth annual cooking competition by the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com: appetizer shawarma deviled eggs and dessert orange blossom olive oil cake with sweet corn and black pepper ice cream.
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events has really given him the comfort and satisfaction to call Arizona his home. In late March, Jordan will be partnering with PJ Library to teach young kids how to cook in a one-day event. This event gives Jordan the opportunity to not only support his Jewish community but also gives him the ability to have his young son watch and participate in the work that he loves so much. Jordan started cooking when he was a young child living in Detroit. From watching his Bubbie and mom cooking and helping in the kitchen, Jordan developed a passion to keep connected with his family and culture through creating recipes and honoring his family by keeping the recipes alive. “I love cookbooks and have over 200. But what I loved most was the Rolodex file of my mom's that has handwritten family recipes. This takes me back to cooking with my mom and Bubbie”, said Jordan. As Jordan was collecting photos, he noticed that most of the pictures included his family cooking and eating together. He said that so much of his Jewish identity was about food. Eating food as a family, cooking food together, and sharing life experiences through food helped to ~Jordan shape his life and inspire his culinary passion. Although he has no formal culinary training, Jordan has an amazing ability to create dishes that are inspiring, unique, and full of flavor. He has a way of pairing ingredients that not only capture the flavors of the region but also that play homage to his culture. Jordan once described himself as a nomad. He said that he travels extensively through his cooking. During Covid, Jordan decided to research and learn how to cook food from a different country every day. What he hadn’t planned on, was that Covid was going to last a lot longer than he thought. So far, Jordan has made it through 57 countries and is still on a roll. In looking back at Covid, Jordan said, “it gave him the ability to try things that he never would have done.” Prior to the start of Covid, Jordan received a call from the Food Network Channel. The producers had discovered Jordan through his Instragam posts, blog, and through winning the 2016 Arizona Top Home Chef. At first, Jordan thought the call was a joke or a scammer. Once he realized the call was legitimate, he was ready for any challenge thrown his way. The producers had a show in mind to highlight home chefs. Unfortunately, Covid ended up delaying and then eventually putting the original show idea on the back burner. After a 1 ½ year of delays, the producers over at Food Network called Jordan
in August of 2021 and asked him to appear on Guy’s Grocery Games. When Jordan received the call he was over the moon excited. Within a week, Jordan was on a plane and the show was being filmed. Jordan described his experience on the show as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and extremely challenging and fun. He said he would participate again in a heartbeat. While Jordan can cook anything, he tends to favor the flavors and cuisine of the Middle East. In Guy’s Grocery Games, Jordan was told to stay within this region for the competition. While he would have liked to experiment with other food regions, he took this situation in stride. While everything looks seamless on screen, Jordan reflected on some of the challenges he encountered. As Jordan pointed out, “your grocery store where you shop at you know where everything is, and your kitchen you know where everything is. We were given 30 minutes to familiarize ourselves with the store’s layout.” One of the funniest challenges Jordan shared was when he was trying to cook Chicken Shawarma. He couldn’t Urnovitz find the meat tenderizer, so he ended up using his fist to tenderize the chicken. As Jordan said, “you have to improvise when things go wrong in the kitchen.” One always thinks that a chef never has a kitchen disaster or mishap. However, Jordan has given home chefs everywhere some comfort in knowing that they are not alone and mistakes can and do happen in the kitchen. Jordan said that the most important aspect is to be adventurous, have fun, and love what you are doing and the recipe will come together. For those of us who are intimidated by long recipes or just fearful about messing up in the kitchen, Jordan shared a bit of advice, “don’t be afraid to deviate from the recipe and make substitutions when you can. Sometimes a dish may not be working out the way you intend, but by adding a sauce or a unique spice you may just find the best flavors.” The greatest takeaway that Jordan shared was that anyone can be inspired to cook and to not let your fear stop you. What really hit home was when Jordan said, “you really have to enjoy the process of cooking. You have to love to cook and be more interested in the process, rather than the outcome. It takes hours to cook a meal and only 10 minutes to eat it. You have to enjoy the idea of cooking for hours and make it fun and adventurous.” Jordan has many ideas on his future plans, so we will stay tuned, and hopefully, we will be seeing Jordan again in the near future.
“ I love cookbooks and have over 200. But what I loved most was the Rolodex file of my mom's that has handwritten family recipes. This takes me back to cooking with my mom and Bubbie.”
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PASSOVER JORDAN URNOVITZ
Matzo & Za’atar Chicken Schnitzel with Sunchoke Puree and Horseradish Chermoula Giving the traditional flavors of Passover a modernized twist that any home cook can make! By Jordan Urnovitz
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ith Passover quickly approaching, I was tasked by Arizona Jewish Life magazine to develop and share a dish that could be made by the home cook during the Passover holiday. I wanted to come up with something that would look fancy shmancy and impress your guests during the holiday, but also something that was very representative of the available ingredients that surround the Passover tradition. Roasted chicken or brisket is common, and almost every Jewish household has their staple recipe for both, and if you ask any Bubbie or Zaide, they’d tell you not to meddle with their classics. So, I looked at the seder plate and wanted to incorporate what most people knew about the foods of the holiday, even those not familiar with Jewish traditions. I’m not making a dish for Jewish people, I’m making a dish for everyone that wants a taste of Passover. A must is the matzo, followed by horseradish and other bitter herbs. I also wanted to keep with the kosher laws of not mixing meat and dairy. This isn’t a dish you need to serve at your seder, but it is a dish you should definitely make during the days that follow. 46
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The issue with Passover dishes are that they can sometimes become boring or monotonous. I wanted to provide a modern take on an easy to make dish, with a Passover spin. So here’s a dish with a little bit of a wow factor, with only a little elbow grease to produce. Enjoy! EQUIPMENT Food Processor mallet plastic wrap deep frying pan INGREDIENTS HORSERADISH CHERMOULA 1.5 cups chopped cilantro 1 cup flat leaf parsley 4 cloves garlic 2 tsp cumin 1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp coriander 1/4 tsp cayenne 1/2 lemon, juiced 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp horseradish root, freshly grated you can substitute 2 tbsp of prepared horseradish from a jar, but I promise you the freshly grated one makes a difference if you can find it
INSTRUCTIONS HORSERADISH CHERMOULA Combine all the ingredients listed above EXCEPT the horseradish, in a food processor, and process until somewhat smooth, but don’t overprocess. Transfer mixture to a bowl and mix in by spoon the freshly grated horseradish. SUNCHOKE PUREE Add sunchoke pieces to a large pot of water, bring to a boil, and allow them to sit in the boiling water for 20 minutes. Drain and transfer to a food processor. Blitz until somewhat smooth and then add the milk, slowly, making sure to not make the puree too thin. Add salt and pepper to taste.
SUNCHOKE PUREE (PARVE) 1 pound sunchokes scrubbed, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks 1/4 cup soy milk or any other non-dairy milk, to keep the recipe from being meat and dairy. Salt to taste Black pepper to taste MATZO AND ZA'ATAR CHICKEN SCHNITZEL 4 chicken breasts 1 cup potato starch SUNCHOKES 1.5 cup matzo meal 3 large eggs 3 tbsp za'atar 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp coriander 1 tsp salt plus more to coat chicken 1 tsp black pepper plus more to coat chicken Vegetable oil for frying
MATZO AND ZA'ATAR CHICKEN SCHNITZEL Laydown a 2-foot long strip of plastic wrap on your kitchen countertop. Place chicken breasts on the plastic, leaving a 2-inch space between each breast. Cover the breasts with another strip of plastic wrap, so the meat is sandwiched between two layers of plastic wrap. Use a mallet to pound the breasts until they are a little less than 1/4 inch thick but be careful not to rip the chicken. Season breasts with salt and pepper. Setup three wide, shallow bowls and a large plate on your countertop. In your first bowl, place the potato starch. In your second bowl, beat the eggs. In your third bowl, stir together the matzo meal, za’taar, paprika, coriander and 1 tsp salt and pepper until well mixed. Leave an empty plate nearby where you will place your coated chicken breasts. Pour oil into a skillet until it’s deep enough for frying (about 1 inch). Heat the oil slowly over medium until it reaches 375 degrees. While oil is heating, dip each breast one by one into your breading bowls, coating them on both sides with each ingredient. Starting with potato starch, then the egg and then the seasoned matzo meal. When the oil is hot, fry the coated breasts 2 at a time until they are golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. After frying, set the schnitzels on a wire rack or a paper towel to drain off excess oil. Sprinkle the schnitzels with additional salt to taste. To assemble as seen in the picture, place a large dollop of sunchoke puree towards the center/edge of the plate, and on top of that place a schnitzel. Top the schnitzel with the horseradish chermoula and add some of your favorite roasted veggies (I opted for sweet carrots).
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MARCH/APRIL 2020 47
SWEET AND SAVORY BRISKET
HUEVOS HAMINADOS
LEEK SOUP
GEFILTE FISH
APPLE WALNUT CHAROSET
SEVEN SPICE GRILLED LAMB CHOPS
EASY KUGEL
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KITNIYOT
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
ROASTED CHICKEN LEGS WITH GARLIC
PA S S O V E R
Ashkenazi European and Sephardi and Mizrahi Mediterranean
Passover Similarities and Differences
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s we usually celebrate Passover in America with the customs and symbols of Ashkenazi European Jewish heritage, while few celebrate the holiday with Sephardi and Mizrahi rituals. Sephardim are found in many countries. Typically, the migration from the Iberian Peninsula took Jewish families from Spain and Portugal to some European locations and North Africa and the Mizrahi in the Middle East and Asia. Sephardic and Mizrahi practices vary widely from country to country, like Turkey, the Balkans, Kurdistan, China, Greece, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Egypt, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Tunisia, and others. Whatever the customs or origins, they all share the values of birth & rebirth and freedom. Mainly, the Sephardi variations reflect local foods, eating kitniyot, legumes and some grains, rice (forbidden amongst the Ashkenazim on Passover,) and brown warm eggs, Huevos Haminados. Seder foods include leek soup, fish appetizers, main courses of lamb and fish sprinkled with fruits or sweetened vegetables. The recipes for chaorset vary widely, but frequently may include apples, dates, honey, figs, and other sweet fruits and red juice. Typical Ashkenazi foods include chicken soup with matzo balls, gefilte fish, matzo kugel, and brisket. Of course, everyone eats matzo. Sephardi seder language is generally either bilingual
RABBI JEFFREY SCHESNOL
Hebrew and the local language or Ladino with a combination thereof. Sephardim ask the Four Questions in a slightly different order, starting with the question about dipping twice. Customs like flagellation using celery, chives, scallions, or leeks are used to simulate the Egyptian taskmasters beating the slaves. Moroccan and Tunisian Sephardim hold the seder plate over their head or pass it over the head of those at the seder table, symbolizes slaves carrying burdens on their heads. Some families cover the seder plate with fine embroidery and place it on the head of a child present for all to see. Sephardim in Turkey and the Balkans will not look at the juice spilled symbolizing the ten plagues, while Greek Sephardim pour vinegar into a basin as the ten plagues are recited. Sephardim do not hide the afikomen (hidden dessert) or have a Cup of Elijah. They do take some seder foods from the table to use as good omens for an entire year. In some communities they save a piece of the middle matzah to use as an ornament or carry it on their person to protect them from the “evil eye” and some dip their hand in the charoset to make an imprint of a hamsa hand (good luck symbol) on paper to hang on their door as protection against evil spirits. Today, many American Jews are experimenting with Sephardi or Mizrahi seder variations to spice up the traditional seder. I particularly enjoy the Sephardi charoset. It even makes a good dessert.
Or Adam Congregation for Humanistic Judaism & Arizona Jewish Historical Society
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MARCH/APRIL 2020 49
Magen David Adom’s ISRAEL
Ukrainian Refugee Assistance Center helps locate missing relatives.
MDA paramedics in Poland.
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ince World War II, Magen David Adom, Israel’s national paramedic and Red Cross service, has operated a tracing unit for locating displaced relatives and renewing family ties. On Monday, March 7, MDA opened a hotline to assist Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Israel. An estimated 3,000 are already there. Russian- and Ukrainian- speaking volunteers are providing assistance regarding medical needs, and navigation and coordination among the various service and governmental agencies. But they are also receiving requests to find lost relatives. In the first 24 hours of operation, more than 100 inquiries were made, many seeking MDA’s assistance in locating missing family members. It is not clear if 50
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
those relatives are still in Ukraine or have fled to Israel or another country in Europe, or even if they are alive, dead, or injured. MDA is working with the Ukrainian Red Cross and its counterparts in Europe to locate the relatives. “We are working vigorously to ease the trauma experienced by these people who have been torn from their homes and families,” said Eli Bin, MDA’s directorgeneral. “We hope to reunite them with loved ones and provide them with some comfort and closure. AFMDA has launched a Ukraine Emergency Appeal to supporting EMTs and paramedics working near the conflict, lifesaving supplies, equipment, vehicles, and services for Ukrainians seeking temporary or permanent refuge in Israel: afmda.org/donate-ukraine
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10TH Annual Genocide Awareness Week coming in April Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, the University of Arizona and the Rosenbluth Family Charitable Foundation are bringing the 10th annual Genocide Awareness Week (GAW) to the ASU Tempe Campus the week of April 4-9, 2022. For more information about the events associated with Genocide Awareness Week or to sign up to participate in person or via Zoom visit https://shprs.asu.edu/gaw. The keynote speaker for GAW, sponsored by the Phoenix Holocaust Association, is Father Patrick Desbois. Father Desbois’ lecture, Holocaust by Bullets and Relevance to Modern Genocides, will be on Monday, April 4 at 6:30 pm at the Memorial Union on the Tempe campus of ASU and streamed online through zoom. His talk is complemented by an exhibition on Holocaust by Bullets currently on display at ASU’s Hayden Library. Father Desbois is a distinguished author, Georgetown University professor, historian, forensic detective and world-renowned human-rights activist. He has dedicated his ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MARCH/APRIL 2020 51
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J LIVING life to fighting the bigotry that fuels genocide and to bridging the divide between faiths. His ongoing work helps brings closure to victims and survivors of genocide and calls for legal justice for the perpetrators. Registration required. https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/newreg. php?eventid=664324& Other speakers during GAW include: Ambassador Michaela Küchler, outgoing President of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance; Naomi Kikoler, Director of the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Jan Grabowski, Professor of History at the University of Ottawa and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada; Ambassador and ASU Professor Clint Williamson. Rosenbluth Family Charitable Foundation Genocide Awareness Week (GAW) is the largest genocide conference in North America. As a week-long event it seeks to address how we, as a global society, confront violent actions and current and ongoing threats of genocide and related mass atrocity crimes, throughout the world, while also looking to the past for guidance and to honor those affected by genocide. It annually features speakers recounting and analyzing genocidal periods in world history through survivor accounts, academic discussions led by experts, author presentations and talks by humanitarians and activists engaged in the struggle to end human suffering. All events throughout the week are open to the public and free to attend. To see the full schedule, visit https://shprs.asu.edu/GAW2022 or contact Professor Volker Benkert Volker.Benkert@ asu.edu Phone number: 480 965 4538. 52
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Global Challenges Discussed at February JNF-AZ Breakfast for Israel How are we going to feed 9.7 billion people by 2050? That question and many more were discussed at Jewish National Fund-USA’s February 3 Breakfast for Israel which was held at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge. Over 350 supporters attended the dual in-person and virtual event chaired by Nikki Bernstein and Bryan Kort, which highlighted the work of the Beth and Mike Kasser JNF Joint Institute for Global Food, Water and Energy Security, a unique partnership between JNF-USA, the University of Arizona, and the Arava Regional Councils. The breakfast featured prominent thought leaders including Joaquin
EMANUEL AX
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Ruiz, Ph.D., Matthew C. Fragner, and Doran Arik Miller, who shared why Arizona and Israel are leading the world in desertbased agriculture while also discussing how the philanthropic community can support farmers in developing countries. The annual event also celebrated Jewish National Fund-USA’s support for Israel’s Negev and Galilee regions, as the organization continues to support the creation of medical centers, housing development sites, schools, parks, playgrounds, and much more through its philanthropic investments.
1: Bryan Kort (Breakfast Event Chair), Pam Meyer (JNF-USA Desert States Board President), Nikki Bernstein (Breakfast Event Chair) 2: Jonathan Goldman, Victor Goldman, and Itzik Becher (JNF-USA Major Gifts Director) 3: Matt Fragner (Event Panelist), Doran Arik Miller (Event Moderator) 4: Bryce Schotz, Josh Steinberg (JNFuture Board), Jonny Basha
PHOTOS COURTESY OF HAUTE MEDIA
Music Man Arizona Musicfest is honored to present one of the world’s pre-eminent pianists. Since he first came to public attention, Emanuel Ax has been a prominent figure in classical music. In the words of the Los Angeles Times, “His greatness, his overwhelming authority as musician, technician and probing intellect emerges quickly as he plays.” Ax has garnered seven Grammy Awards and has been featured in concert with all of the world’s leading orchestras. Recent engagements have included performances with the orchestras of Philadelphia, Dallas, New York and Cleveland, to name a few. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MARCH/APRIL 2020 53
J LIVING
Recent Extremist Propaganda Distribution in Tucson
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esidents in Tucson neighborhoods recently woke up to extremist propaganda flyers in plastic baggies on their porches. The individuals believed responsible for the propaganda distribution are associated with the extremist group Goyim Defense League (GDL), a loose network of individuals connected by their virulent antisemitism. The group includes five or six primary organizers/public figures, dozens of supporters and thousands of online followers. GDL operates GoyimTV, a video platform that streams antisemitic content. GDL espouses vitriolic antisemitism and white supremacist themes via the internet, through propaganda distributions and in-street actions. GDL parodies the Anti-Defamation League’s name and logo by replacing “Anti-Defamation” with “Goyim Defense” – “Goyim” being a disparaging Yiddish and Hebrew word for non-Jews. In addition to peddling antisemitic myths and conspiracy theories, the GDL engages in a range of antisemitic stunts to troll or otherwise harass Jews, and draw attention to themselves. 54
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
“Let’s Go Brandon” became a phrase and began making the rounds in October 2021 following a NASCAR race in Alabama. Driver Brandon Brown was being interviewed by a NBC Sports reporter as the crowd behind him chanted something difficult to make out. The reporter suggested the crowd was saying, “Let’s go, Brandon!” However, it later became apparent the crowd was shouting “F— Joe Biden.” The derogatory phrase caught on as a euphemistic insult to President Biden. The phrase has also been used by multiple politicians, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who have both shared the slogan on Twitter. NASCAR later sought to distance itself from the phrase. The ADL is in contact with the Tucson Police Department regarding this recent spat of hate-filled propaganda distribution, both for the purpose of situational awareness and also discuss efforts to identify those responsible. The ADL’s contact with law enforcement offers the research, subject matter expertise, and publicly facing social media monitoring of its Investigative Researchers within the ADL’s Center on Extremism.
Philip Roger Roy presents
NEW YORK’S HILARIOUS COMEDY HIT!
This hilarious & poignant story is universal in its message: The journey to follow one’s DREAM, and the parents who SUFFER thru it!
Actor/Comedian Brad Zimmerman’s moving, hilarious story about the gritrequired to “make it” as an artist and the sweet rewards that come from never giving up. Brad moved to New York and “temporarily”waited tables for 29 years, while pursuing his career as an actor. He has opened for Joan Rivers, Brad Garrett and George Carlin and now has his own show that is as profound and touching as it is entertaining. “Delicious!
D ISTIN CTLY O RIGIN AL & POW ERFU LLY PO IGN ANT.
y!” Great Comedes - New York Tim
“YO U’LL LAUGH YO UR
TUCHAS OFF!”
The Huffington Post
“An Absolute Must-See!
IF YO U C AN FI ND SO M ETH IN G TH AT YO U TRU LY LO IT GIV ES YO U V E, R LI FE M EAN IN G.“ Palm Beach Arts Paper
NOW PLAYING THRU
APRIL 10, 2022 Thurs. 2 & 7; Fri. 8; Sat. 2 & 8; Sun. 2pm
Box Office: 602-252-8497 Groups (12+): 1-888-264-1788
222 E. Monroe, Phoenix, AZ 85004
HerbergerTheater.org or PlayhouseInfo.com
THEATER COVID PROTOCOLS IN EFFECT
A Jewish Cemetery that cares about the Jewish Community
Jewish Owned and Operated Sidewalks at Every Grave Caring and Professional Staff Intermarried Families Welcome
(480) 585-6060 Mt. Sinai Cemetery www.mtsinaicemetery.com e-mail: info@mtsinaicemetery.com 24210 N. 68th Street (off Pinnacle Peak Road) • Phoenix, AZ 85054
Preplanning is truly the greatest gift one can give to their family.
