Arizona Jewish Life Dec 2016 Vol. 5 / Issue 3 by JewishLifeMagazine

DECEMBER 2016

ANNICA BENNING Passionate about policy and polo

HANUKKAH Fun gift ideas and 8 nights of fashion BORDER TENNIS Unites kids from Arizona and Mexico GLAMPING Have you tried it?

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strategic thinking about wealth Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management has been helping ultra-high net worth individuals, their families and foundations plan for and grow their wealth for decades. Based in New York City, the Family Wealth Group at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management is a specialized team of interdisciplinary strategic advisors providing a full range of family office services to meet the complex needs of the UHNW marketplace. These services include financial & investment planning, estate & family succession planning, philanthropic advisory and administrative services. The Family Wealth Group is headed by Robert Stolar, a Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor. Drawing on three decades of investment & financial planning experience, Robert has earned various distinctions within the wealth advisory community, including recognition by Barron’s as one of the top 100 advisors in the country for 2015. Robert Stolar

Managing Director Private Wealth Advisor 522 Fifth Avenue, 10th Floor New York, NY 10036 212-296-6704 robert.stolar@morganstanley.com Source: Barron’s “Top 100 Financial Advisors,” April 20, 2015. Barron’s “Top 100 Financial Advisors” bases its ratings on qualitative criteria: professionals with a minimum of seven years of financial services experience, acceptable compliance records, client retention reports, customer satisfaction, and more. Finwancial Advisors are quantitatively rated based on varying types of revenues and assets advised by the financial professional, with weightings associated for each. Because individual client portfolio performance varies and is typically unaudited, this rating focuses on customer satisfaction and quality of advice. The rating may not be representative of any one client’s experience because it reflects a sample of all of the experiences of the Financial Advisor’s clients. The rating is not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors pays a fee to Barron’s in exchange for the rating. Barron’s is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved. © 2015 Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management, a division of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC. Member SIPC. CRC1179133 04/15 8225582 PWM001 04/15 ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 5

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Arizona Tree of LifeTM Award Dinner January 19, 2017 • The Camby Register at jnf.org/AZTOL17 HONORING

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Arizona Jewish Life • December 2016 • Tishrei- Cheshvan 5777 • Volume 5/Issue 3

FEATURES 28

COVER STORY Annica Benning: Passionate about policy and polo

JEWS WITH ATTITUDE Lauren Hendeles: Storytelling is what counts

BUSINESS The human-dolphin experience: a chance to connect-and learn Ins & Outs ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Downtown Phoenix jazz jewel captures the national spotlight Thunderbird Artists Sculpture & Wine Festival Chuck Field is no dummy when it comes to entertainment Nothing like a Dame

ISRAEL BDS onslaught drives Milan Chatterjee to activism

TR AVEL ZONA

Adventures Await at Arizona State Parks Glamping it’s all good

49 50

HOME & LIFESTYLE 8 nights of fashion Calling all rosarians Time for tea

56 58 61

51 54 81 87

62 66

SPECIAL SECTION: HANUKKAH Great Moments in Hanukkah History Leadership and the Hanukkah shamash Dreidel 101 Editor’s picks for Hanukkah gifts Books make great gifts 2016 Hanukkah Gift Guide

28 30 31 32 34 37

JLIVING

ASK HELEN Turn gift exchange into tzedakah opportunity

TRAVEL Travel’s triumph over terrorism

10 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

YOUNG ADULTS Mazelpalooza

Chef’s Corner by Lucia Schnitzer A Taste of Arizona by A. Noshman Family Time by Debra Rich Gettleman To Life! by Amy Hirshberg Lederman

51 54

JKIDS & TEENS TOO Reinvigorating the J’s Jewish soul It’s a match: Tennis unites children across Mexico-Arizona border All ages welcome at Families Giving Back

81 82

COLUMNS

FOOD Chef’s Corner: Happy Hanukkah! Taste of Arizona: Joy Bus Diner

ACTIVE ADULTS Energetic entrepreneur Myra Richman looks to the future – rooted in the present Creative Aging involves older adults in the arts

Family Time: Lucky latkes Kids & teens events calendar

70 72

To Life! A New Year with no regrets 87 Jewish National Fund honors Dr. Michael Crow and Ann and Ted Zinman 89 First Place AZ is breaking ground 91 Federation notes 92 Faces & Places 93 Previews 96 Calendar 97

75 77 80

ON THE COVER: Annica Benning Photo courtesy of Natalie Grancharov Camacho

What does the Federation do? We help people. Your gift to the Federation fosters Jewish education, inspires young Jewish adults, cares for Jewish seniors and forges ties with Israel. Your gift helps the most vulnerable individuals and families among us — children, single parents, those with special needs and the elderly — here, in Israel and in 70 countries throughout the world. Make your tax-deductible year-end contribution gift today! jewishphoenix.org/donate

With so many things to do, we suggest getting an early start on your want-to-do list. There’s a lot to do at Maravilla Scottsdale Senior Living Community — clubs, events, socializing, and more. So, go ahead and make your want-to-do list. But please don’t include a bunch of chores. We’ll take care of most of those for you. We invite you to see all that Maravilla Scottsdale has to offer (including assisted living services if needed) at a complimentary lunch and tour. Please call 480.359.1345 to schedule.

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Arizona Jewish Life • Tishrei- Cheshvan 5777 • Volume 5/Issue 3

PUBLISHERS

H OW TO R E AC H U S

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Home deliver y of Arizona Jewish Life magazine is $12 for an annual subscription or $20 for t wo years. Subscribe online at azjewishlife.com/magazine -subscription or call 602-538 -2955.

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Complimentar y copies of Arizona Jewish Life magazine are available at dozens of retail locations including A J’s Fine Foods, Chompie’s, Eli’s Deli, synagogues, Jewish communit y centers and organizations, enter tainment venues, restaurants and professional of f ices.

UPCOMING ISSUES

Philip Nerat

Januar y 2017: Education and Health & Fitness Februar y 2017: Weddings

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

P U B L I C AT I O N A N D D E A D L I N E S

Tamara Kopper

Arizona Jewish Life magazine is distributed on the f irst of the month. Stor y ideas for features and special sections are due 45- 60 days prior to publication.

C O LU M N I S T S

B IZ IN S & O UTS: Business news is due 4 week s before publication.

Debra Rich Gettleman Amy Hirshberg Lederman A Noshman Lucia Schnitzer

FACES & PL ACES: Photos from past events are due about 20 days prior to publication.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

C ALEN DAR : Please post events on our online calendar. Relevant events that are posted by the 10th of the month before publication will be included in the magazine. To request f irst-time authorization to post events online, go to azjewishlife.com and scroll down to the “calendar access request ” link under “Quick Link s” on the right. Af ter you submit the form, you’ll receive an email with instructions for posting future events.

Mar y Ann Bashaw Monica Enriquez Rich Gellar Melissa Hirschl Susan Kern-Fleischer Deborah Moon Tori Rosenblum Masada Siegel Shuly Wasserstrom Teddy Weinberger

12 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

E VENTS: Information about upcoming events is due about 20 days prior to publication.

A Prince Hal Production ( TGMR18) 2016-2017 MediaPort LLC All rights reserved 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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WHO IS YOUR MODERN DAY MACCABEE? With Hanukkah approaching, thoughts often turn to the miracle of the holiday and the heroics of the Maccabees. Even today, stories abound of modern day miracles and heroics on a global level. But what about people in your own community who have faced down challenges - whether economic, mental or physical to standing up to racism, anti-Semitism and bullying locally? Who do you know who has faced down challenges every day and still pushed bravely forward?

Robert Philip

AZ Home & Lifestyle PULL OUT QUOTE: Cindy Saltzman

In the spirit of Hanukkah and giving, we at Arizona Jewish Life would like to offer one family in Phoenix and one family in Tucson a one-year membership to your local Jewish Community Center. In Phoenix, at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center and in Tucson at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. The benefits of joining the J are plentiful—from becoming part of the larger community through events and activities, preschools, sports, lifelong friendships and even finding true love. It all happens at the J. From our family to yours,

Happy Hanukkah To enter the contest go to: azjewishlife.com/jcccontest

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Jews With Attitude

Lauren Hendeles:

Storytelling is what counts its website as “your quick, costeffective and reliable solution to Lauren Hendeles started her communications.” Lauren has career as a journalist, working coined a unique term for her as an editor for AOL and the approach: “I call it ‘influencer Huffington Post. While she relations.’ You have all of these enjoyed writing, she also realized different ‘relations’ when you that journalism didn’t have the are in a marketing team. You objectivity for which she was have public relations, analyst trained and that most articles relations, investor relations today are motivated by the “click” – and employee relations. I lump not the story itself. them all together and call them “I started exploring different ‘influencer relations’ – because options where I could harness no matter who we are talking to, my talent for writing but also we are trying to influence them.” intrigue my business mind,” says Lauren says she accomplishes Lauren. What she stumbled this with “really clear, engaging upon was a field called corporate copy and content. Whoever [we] communications. are talking to, we are going to She worked at Sprouts Farmers figure out the best way to tell Market, leading the company’s their story in that engaging, communications effort throughout insightful way.” its IPO. From there, she moved “Everything that a company to a global technology company does hinges on storytelling and called IO. “I got a tremendous really crafting that story and amount of experience with making sure that the message global communications there,” is really clear,” says Lauren. says Lauren. “We had teams in She finds this concept difficult London, Singapore and both for most companies; yet she Lauren with her husband, Zev Hendeles. coasts of the U.S. It was a very considers it the most important demanding job, but I learned a lot.” element of marketing and Then Lauren married Zev communications. Hendeles and came to the realization that she may be a This is where Lauren’s journalism background comes in workaholic. Working in five different time zones was not handy. She uses an interview format when talking to clients allowing her to be as present as she would have liked in her new to learn in a clear, succinct way what they do. She says many marriage. So she started thinking, “What can I do where I will agencies try to be a “one-stop shop” to potential clients, have a little bit more flexibility as we look to start a family and positioning themselves as masters at everything, from websites move into the next chapter of our lives?; where I can still work to social media. “I don’t pretend that I am a jack of all trades. I and write and do what I love and be a successful career woman am very good at a lot of different things, but my core talent is but not chained to my phone and desk six-and-a-half days a writing, storytelling and strategic communication planning,” week?” says Lauren. It took Lauren about five months to “pull the trigger.” That When asked what motivates her, Lauren doesn’t hesitate to was more than a year ago and it has been one of the best say her husband. “He, too, is an entrepreneur and we are both decisions she has ever made. out there charting our own course and succeeding together.” Her company, Hendel Content Creation, states the goal on He also gave her the push she needed to go out on her own. By Mala Blomquist

20 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

“Without him, I don’t know that I ever would have tried,” says Lauren, who also admits that “seeing my clients be successful time and time again is really motivating and makes me want to keep learning and succeeding more and more.” Giving back is also important to Lauren. She is a member of the Jewish Woman’s Philanthropy Circle of Arizona, which raises funds independently but also seeks matching funds. “Our goal is to raise $50,000,” says Lauren. “We have a grant application process for predominantly Jewish, nonprofit

“Everything that a company does hinges on storytelling and really crafting that story and making sure that the message is really clear." – Lauren Hendeles

organizations.” The members decide as a group what to fund. Lauren has solid advice for young entrepreneurs: “Start in the real work force and work for others. Stay humble and recognize that you don’t know it all and there is so much to learn. Keep your eyes and ears open and learn every facet of the business. When you’re an entrepreneur, you are the receptionist, accountant, janitor – you are everything. Once you feel like you have a strong foundation beneath you, don’t be afraid to jump.” She advises finding good mentors as a support system for sound advice “because everybody needs that. Then make sure that you take life into your own hands, whatever that may mean for you. Nobody can tell you what you can or can’t do – you are in charge.” Lauren has always known what she is capable of; even when working for others, she didn’t want anyone to dictate how fast she could grow or how successful she could be. She is now in charge of how busy she is and how successful she can become, writing her own story as she helps others write theirs. For more information, visit Hendelcontent.com

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Mala gets a kiss from Alia as Lara Kesselring looks on. Photo by Ganit Pinkus

The human-dolphin experience: a chance to connect – and learn By Mala Blomquist

Swimming with dolphins is on many people’s bucket lists. It was always on mine, but living in Arizona, I always figured that I would have to wait until I traveled to an island destination for a dolphin encounter. Then the people from Dolphinaris extended an invitation to a Dolphin Swim Experience at the new location in Scottsdale. I must admit, when I first received the invitation, I had mixed 22 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

feelings. Like many people, I’m an animal lover. I currently reside with a menagerie of rescued dogs, birds, a tortoise and a cat. I was more than a little leery in light of all the negative comments in the press and on the internet swirling around the place before it opened. On the other hand, I was extremely excited to do something that I had only ever imagined. There are four dolphin experiences to choose from at Dolphinaris: Dolphin Land Experience, Dolphin Swim Experience, Deluxe Dolphin Swim Experience and Dolphin

Photo courtesy Dolphinaris.

Trainer Experience. My coworker, Andre Gomez, accompanied me on the Dolphin Swim Experience. First, we changed into our swimsuits. (There’s also the option of wearing wetsuits and lockers are available to store belongings.) Then a staff member helped us into life vests. Before entering the water, we got a briefing on how to interact with the bottlenose dolphins and an overview of what we would be doing with them in the pool. Our dolphin trainer, Lara Kesselring, went into the water

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separate filtration system to prevent the water from becoming contaminated from the elements. There were three dolphins in the pool, along with another group of participants. Lara blew a whistle and a petite dolphin named Alia swam right up to us. Alia sidled up to Lara, who started gently rubbing her back. Lara instructed me to gently reach out and let Alia get used to me before I started petting her. Her skin was smooth and slick, just as you would imagine. We took turns touching the dolphin and then had some play time. We threw a ball and Alia retrieved it, emitting clicks and whistles as she played. Lara explained how dolphin echolocation, or sonar, works and talked to us about dolphin anatomy, including the fact that a flipper contains five bones similar to a human hand but a dorsal fin has none. The dolphins also swam across the tank to another trainer or frolicked together; they were never forced to interact with us. Lara also taught us some hand signals for maneuvers the dolphins are trained to execute and certain signals the trainers use when they need to perform a medical procedure or a blood draw. These dolphins were all born and raised under human care and will have average life expectancies as much as two decades longer than their counterparts in the wild. I don’t claim to be an animal expert by any stretch, but these dolphins seemed happy. They are obviously well cared for

and eat herring, squid and capelin imported from Alaska and Canada, because it is more nutritious than fish from tropical waters. The trainers also use only positive-reinforcement training – a reward for the dolphin can be as simple as a belly rub, which I learned Alia really likes. An on-site veterinarian, Dr. Molly Martony, monitors the dolphins daily and performs tests when necessary, including ultrasounds, X-rays, EKGs and bloodwork. These mammals receive better healthcare than many humans! Dr. Martony says their mission at Dolphinaris is “to inspire kids, learn from these animals and give back to their wild counterparts.” Helping their wild counterparts is exactly what The Dolphinaris Foundation does through education, research and conservation. The foundation works in partnership with several universities, providing an opportunity for students to study dolphin biology, physiology, behavior and medicine, along with marine-life conservation issues. Last year, samples were collected off the coast of Campeche, Mexico – one of the highest concentrations of wild dolphins in the world – to monitor the ecosystem of dolphin habitats and to learn how changes in the environment affect dolphins and other wildlife. The foundation also hopes to educate people about the world’s most endangered marine mammal, the vaquita, or desert porpoise, that resides in the waters off the Gulf of California,

Andre Gomez, Laura and Mala encourage Alia with applause 24 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

just 50 miles from the Arizona border. Most people have never heard of this rare animal. When people protest that dolphins should not be contained, they should take a moment to realize that, without these facilities, we would not be able to gain the valuable information and understanding that comes from the opportunity to monitor every facet of these creatures’ lives.

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A place like Dophinaris, where we can actually touch the dolphins as we interact and make eye contact with them, allows us to connect with these animals on a different level, giving us a better perspective on how to make responsible decisions about caring for them – and ultimately, the planet. The dolphins of Dolphinaris have a comfortable living environment, are well cared for, well fed and, I believe, happy. I may have had my trepidations when I first arrived, but by the time I left, that feeling had vanished. Dolphinaris is located at 9500 E Via de Ventura in Scottsdale. Call 480-407-5154 or visit dolphinaris-arizona.com to find out more information or to book your own dolphin encounter.

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BIZ

INS & OUTS

Abbie Fink

Monheit Zongolowicz

Dr. Jeremy Babendure

Dr. Valerie Paradiz

Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin

Abbie Fink awarded Patrick Jackson Award

Monheit Zongolowicz Frisch CPAs join CPAsNET

Abbie Fink of HMA public relations in Phoenix received the Patrick Jackson Award at the Public Relations Society of America 2016 Conference on Oct. 24. The award recognizes a PRSA member who has significantly contributed to advancing PRSA from the chapter to national levels, as well as furthered the society by inspiring fellow practitioners professionally and personally. Abbie is the vice president and general manager at HMA public relations, and is a past president of the PRSA Phoenix Chapter. Fink graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and has been working at HMA public relations since 1993. “Volunteerism has always been an important part of my life,” says Abbie. “Whether that be volunteering with Phoenix PRSA on committees and its board of directors, co-chairing the Western District conference or serving on the executive committee of Counselors Academy, to countless other local and national task forces, panels and speaking engagements, my professional volunteer time has been dedicated to PRSA.” Fink is often called upon to present to a wide variety of business and civic organizations on such topics as media relations, social media and digital communications strategies, issues/crisis communications and special events management. “We are proud to honor Abbie’s decades of contribution to the Society,” said Mark McClennan, APR, 2016 PRSA National Chair. “Pat Jackson called on us to be architects, not just carpenters. Abbie fits that mold. Her strategic insights, passion and dedication have helped grow and guide her local chapter and all our professional interest sections.” hmapr.com

The public accounting firm Monheit Zongolowicz Frisch CPAs, with offices in Surprise and Scottsdale, announced they have been selected to join CPAsNET. CPAsNET is a leading consortium of independent accounting firms that represent more than 100 partners, 300 professional associates and 500 employees. CPAsNET’s global reach represents more than 120 firms in 93 countries. Member firms have pooled their resources to provide their clients with the local, national and international prospective needed to prosper in challenging markets and times. Monheit Zongolowicz Frisch was selected based on a number of criteria, including the expertise and business acumen they provide to their clients in the Greater Phoenix community. Through their membership in CPASNET, they are able to provide their clients with the multitude of resources. “Monheit Zongolowicz Frisch, CPAs PLC is committed to offering innovative business solutions and accounting guidance at an exceptional value. Learning what other successful firms are doing will enhance our ability to succeed,” explains David Monheit, a partner at MZF CPAs, on why they chose to join CPAsNET. mzfcpa.com

26 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Dr. Jeremy Babendure honored at Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Awards The state’s top science and technology innovators were honored on Nov. 10 at the 13th annual Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Awards at the Phoenix Convention Center. This year’s Chairman’s Award was presented to Jeremy Babendure, Ph.D., executive director of the Arizona SciTech Festival and Arizona Technology Council Foundation. The Chairman’s Award is selected at the discretion of the Arizona Technology Council’s

Jewish Learning Institute certifies Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin

Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz

leadership. Dr. Babendure was recognized by the Council as its Chairman’s Award winner because of his dedication to STEM education. Dr. Babendure enables students and families all across the state of Arizona to experience science and technology in ways that are entertaining. The SciTech Festival includes more than 800 collaborators, 1200 events in 53 Arizona cities and draws more than 400,000 participants. “Arizona’s technology ecosystem is experiencing impressive growth, and continues to receive recognition on a national scale,” said Sandra Watson, president and CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority. “We congratulate this highly-skilled collection of technology leaders for helping Arizona stimulate this growth by advancing new innovations that are improving lives and creating high-wage jobs.” azscitech.com

Dr. Valerie Paradiz named director of First Place National Leadership Institute Valerie Paradiz, Ph.D. has been appointed as director of the First Place National Leadership Institute. First Place AZ is a local nonprofit working hard to ensure that housing options for people with autism and other special abilities are as bountiful as they are for anyone else. During her transition to First Place, Dr. Paradiz will continue to serve as director of the Autistic Global Initiative (AGI) of the Autism Research Institute in a part-time capacity, completing her service there this month. Dr. Paradiz is a National Board Member of Autism Speaks where she serves as chair of its Family Service Committee. She writes a regular column, Home Truths, for the Simons Foundation Autism Research Institute’s Spectrum News. First Place is advancing new residential options for adults with autism and related disorders and is underway on First Place-Phoenix, a transit-oriented property sited in the heart of the city at 3rd St. and Catalina. firstplaceaz.org

Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin, outreach director of Chabad Tucson and Associate Rabbi of Congregation Young Israel of Tucson, has joined the international faculty of the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute, the largest network of Jewish adult education. Rabbi Ceitlin traveled to New York this past summer to attend a series of inaugural training seminars in advance of the launch of the new courses in Tucson. “I am honored to be recognized for my knowledge and teaching skills and become a certified instructor of this acclaimed institute,” he said. Starting Dec. 8, Rabbi Ceitlin will present the new course, How Success Thinks: Jewish Secrets for Leading a Productive Life, at the Tucson Jewish Community Center on Thursdays at 7-8:30 pm. “I’m expecting high attendance from career and achievement-oriented individuals, but also from those interested in exploring Jewish approaches to behavioral psychology,” he said. The six-week course is accredited for continuing education for medical and mental health professionals and is co-hosted by Chabad Tucson, the Tucson JCC and the Maimonides Society of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. For the remainder of the academic year, Rabbi Ceitlin will present in February 2017, Ethical Conundrums, an interactive approach to Talmud study and modern-day dilemmas, and in May 2017, Survival of a Nation, exploring historical and contemporary Israel on the 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War. To enroll, visit myJLI.com.

Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz named by Forward as one of 50 Most Influential Jews of 2016 On Nov. 14, Valley Beit Midrash’s Presdient and Dean, Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, was named by The Jewish Daily Forward as one of the 50 Most Influential Jews of 2016. Others on the list include Bernie Sanders, Bob Dylan, Natalie Portman and Ivanka Trump. The Forward highlighted Rabbi Shmuly’s collective work at Valley Beit Midrash, Uri L’Tzedek, The Shamayim V’Aretz Institute, Yatom: The Jewish Foster & Adoption Network, Jews for Human Rights in Syria and Arizona Jews for Justice.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 27

Dec. 25, 2016Jan. 1, 2017 Light first candle on Dec. 24 after Shabbat.

28 GREAT MOMENTS IN HANUKKAH HISTORY 30 LEADERSHIP AND THE HANUKKAH SHAMASH 31 DREIDEL 101 32 EDITOR’S PICKS FOR HANUKKAH GIFTS 34 BOOKS MAKE GREAT GIFTS 37 2016 HANUKKAH GIFT GUIDE

Great Moments in Hanukkah History By Rich Geller

or more than 2,000 years the Jewish people have kept the lights of Hanukkah shining brightly, shepherding the story of the miracle of the oil through the generations. Innumerable Hanukkah celebrations and myriad innovations in how we celebrate have graced the intervening years. I’ll admit that it takes some chutzpah to try and distill two millennia of Hanukkah history into nine great moments; nevertheless, here is my Hanukkah top nine list, presented in chronological order: one for each candle and one more for the shamash or helper candle. Happy Hanukkah!

Judas Macabee by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

1) JUDAH MACCABEE STRIKES BACK. 167 BCE: Taking command of Jewish resistance to tyrannical King Antiochus in ancient Israel, Judah Maccabee, aka “The Hammer,” leads his people to victory over the occupying Seleucid Empire. The desecrated Temple in Jerusalem is subsequently liberated, purified and rededicated. One day’s supply of oil miraculously lasts for eight days. It is this miracle, along with the 28 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

dedication of the Temple, that we commemorate each year. In fact, Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew. 2) HANUKKAH GOES ELECTRIC. CIRCA 1918: Like Bob Dylan going electric at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964, the advent of electricity made it inevitable that Hanukkah would, too. The first electric menorahs began illuminating the windows of homes and businesses shortly after the end of World War I. These incandescent Hanukkiah demonstrated to the gentile world that the Jews had “made it.” They, too, could take part in the American holiday celebration, but on their own terms. While electric menorahs do not fulfill the mitzvah to kindle the Hanukkah lights, they are still a wonderful decoration and a great way to publicize Hanukkah and to spread the word of G-d’s miracle. 3) CHOCOLATE COINS. CIRCA 1920S: Loft’s Candy Company, based in New York City, introduces the world to the dubious pleasures of waxy gold foil-covered chocolate gelt. These sweet treats are a Hanukkah favorite of children, who often use them in games of dreidel. Gelt, which means money in Yiddish, was a common Hanukkah gift in the old country. In the New World its chocolate counterpart eventually superseded the exchange of actual money. Continued on page xx

HANUKKAH 4) FIRST LATKE MIXES. CIRCA 1950S: While Pillsbury had been running ads in Jewish publications as early as the 1930s recommending its flour for use in latke preparation, and Aunt Jemima, the instant pancake pioneers, had been hawking its mix as “best for latkes” since 1919, the first commercially produced, dehydrated, potato pancake mixes didn’t appear on grocery store shelves until shortly after World War II. These newfangled products liberated the modern housewife from the drudgery of peeling and grating potatoes by hand. Kosher food producers such as Streit’s and Manischewitz led the charge of creating the first wave of processed kosher convenience foods, whose star rose in an age that equated science and industry with progress, not to mention health and sanitation. Packaged frozen latkes soon followed, while the advent of Crisco vegetable shortening in 1911 allowed for sour cream to accompany schmaltz-free latkes. Of course, purists and your bubbe still insist that nothing can compare to the sublime delectability of a hot, crispy homemade latke, made with the one ingredient no processed food contains – love.

7) THE CHANUKAH SONG. 1994: On Dec. 3, 1994, Adam Sandler first performed the song during the Weekend Update segment of “Saturday Night Live.” Both an ode to Jewish celebrities and a gift to Jewish children everywhere, the Chanukah Song spawned two follow-ups and a major motion picture (“Eight Crazy Nights”), becoming a holiday favorite in the process. 8) FIRST WHITE HOUSE HANUKKAH DINNER. 2001: The first official Hanukkah dinner at the White House was hosted by Laura and George W. Bush in 2001 and quickly became an annual tradition. The first dinner was a catered affair, with a menu featuring kosher meatballs but curiously no latkes! Subsequent Hanukkah dinners were prepared in the White House kitchen, which was fully kashered for the occasion. For the first time a menorah was lit in the official White House residence. In 2008 the grandsons of President Harry S. Truman and Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion of Israel attended the dinner. Together they lit the menorah given by Ben-Gurion to Truman in 1951, in gratitude for the United State’s recognition and support of the fledgling Jewish State. Left: Jewish astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman floats in the forward middeck area of the space shuttle Endeavour Dec. 5, 1993. PHOTO COURTESY OF NASA

7 Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, right, in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia at the lighting of the very first public menorah in 1974.

PHOTO COURTESY LUBAVITCHER CENTER

8 5

5) FIRST PUBLIC MENORAH. 1974: Spearheaded by Chabad-Lubavitch as part of Rebbe Menachem Schneerson’s Hanukkah awareness campaign, the first public menorah stood in the shadow of the Liberty Bell at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. Five years later, in 1979, President Jimmy Carter broke 100 days of self-imposed seclusion during the Iranian hostage crisis to light the new National Menorah erected on the White House lawn by Chabad Rabbi Abraham Shemtov. It has been lit every year since then. 6) FIRST HANUKKAH IN SPACE. 1993: Jewish astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman makes Hanukkah history by becoming the first person to spin a dreidel in zero gravity while serving as mission specialist on the space shuttle Endeavour. Hoffman even brought a small silver menorah onboard. Of course, it could not be lit for safety reasons. In 1997, another Jewish astronaut, David Wolf, observed Hanukkah in space while serving aboard the aging Russian Mir space station. Like Hoffman, Wolf brought a dreidel onboard the station. “I probably have the record dreidel spin; it went for about hour and a half until I lost it. It showed up a few weeks later in an air filter. I figure it went about 25,000 miles.”

9) THANKSGIVUKKAH. 2013: Worlds collide when the first day of Hanukkah is also Thanksgiving Day! A rare confluence of the Hebrew and Gregorian calendars conspired to produce this once-in-a-lifetime holiday mash-up. Thanksgivukkah was the brainchild of marketing specialist Dana Gitell, who came up with the quirky holiday’s name and launched a website, Twitter account and Facebook page devoted to “eight days of light, liberty and latkes!” Nine-year-old entrepreneur Asher Weintraub of Manhattan took it one step further when he invented the “menurkey,” a turkey-shaped menorah designed just for Thanksgivukkah. But perhaps the best thing about this rare event was the endless food possibilities it presented. Latkes with cranberry sauce, challah-pastrami turkey stuffing and pumpkin challahs were just a few of the creative recipes people came up with. While Thanksgivukkah was a blast, we won’t see it again for another 79,000 years. So unless your future plans include having yourself placed in cryogenic suspension for a few millennia, hope you enjoyed it!

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 29

HANUKKAH

Leadership and the Hanukkah shamash By Teddy Weinberger The following is my free translation based on the work of my friend and teacher, Rabbi Lior Engelman.

hen we were children it was clear which of the Hanukkah candles was the most important: the shamash, the “helper” candle. It is the most prominent and tallest candle – it is one of a kind. The shamash is the leader of the pack, the only one that can light the rest. In advance of the Hanukkah plays in preschool, everyone wanted to be the shamash, and the child who landed the part was happy indeed. Adults, too, are very impressed by the shamash. We similarly want to lead by standing out. And if we can’t lead, we often make do with getting close to the local shamash and serving him. However, anyone who has learned some of the basic laws of Hanukkah discovers something unusual: The tradition puts the focus on the regular candles and not on the shamash. Precisely, the regular candles tell the miraculous story of Hanukkah: the victory of the Maccabees and the solitary flask of olive oil that sufficed until the rededication of the Temple. The regular candles are so precious to us that we do not wish to benefit from them for profane purposes; as it says in the liturgy: “And no one may use them except to 30 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

look at them, and to be reminded to thank and praise Your great name for all your miraculous rescues.” The truth is that the shamash plays a negligible part in the Hanukkah story. It is designed to allow us to go about our lives in proximity to the Hanukkah lights – using its light and not theirs. The shamash stands out; he is impressive, he is exceptional, but on Hanukkah we are most impressed by those who are not out of the ordinary, who are part of the group. Yes, the shamash is in charge of lighting the other candles; he is responsible for the lighting, he is the leader, but his very name literally teaches him how our sages felt a leader should view himself. A leader is a shamash, an attendant, a servant. His job is to serve others. He is not valuable in himself, and the public is not supposed to worship him. It is likely that he has special abilities, which God gave him to a wonderful degree, but all this in the hands of an authentic leader turns into a tool to serve the public and not, God forbid, as a tool for the cult of his personality. When Rabbi Gamliel, president of the Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem in the first century, wanted to appoint two of his sages to leadership positions, they refused out of modesty. In response he said to them: “Do you think I am giving you a sinecure? I am putting you to work.” Leadership in Israel means work. Rav Kook referred to himself as “a servant of a holy people in the Holy Land.” We are all leaders in certain aspects of our lives: parents, teachers, people in important positions at work and really everyone who has an influence over the fate of another person. We need to remember that the big light that stands out, the special one, the one we so much loved in our childhood, is ultimately just a shamash. If the shamash is filled with selfpride and thinks that his light is the most important light, he has failed in his role. If he is a humble shamash, then all the candles around him will blaze joyously with a grand light. Happy Hanukkah! 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 Meaning ful, a company that works with Israeli nonprofit organizations.

Dreidel 101 By Mala Blomquist

he Hebrew word for dreidel is sevivon, which means “thing that turns.” The classic dreidel is a four-sided spinning top made of wood, plastic or clay. Dreidels have Hebrew letters on all four sides. These letters are nun, gimel, hay and shin and stand for the saying “Nes gadol hayah sham, which means “A great miracle happened there,” referring to the miracle that occurred in the land of Israel. In Israel, dreidels are specifically inscribed nun, gimel, hay and pey for “Nes gadol hayah poh,” meaning “A great miracle happened here.” The dreidel is used to play a traditional Hanukkah game in Jewish homes all over the world, but rules may vary. Here’s how to play the basic dreidel game: 1. Any number of people can play. 2. Each player begins the game with a large but equal number of small items, such as pennies, nuts, chocolate chips, raisins, etc. 3. To start, each participant antes in with one or two game pieces. Players take turns spinning the dreidel and following the rules, depending on which side is facing up when the dreidel stops spinning. Nun ‫ נ‬means “nothing.” The player loses his/her turn and the next player spins. Gimel ‫ ג‬means “everything.” The player wins all the pieces in the pot and all the players ante up again. Hay ‫ ה‬means “half.” The player gets half of the pot. (If there are an odd number of pieces in the pot, the player takes half of the total, plus one). Shin ‫ ש‬means “put in.” Pey (in Israel) also means “put in.” The player adds a game piece to the pot. 5. When players have no game pieces left, they are either “out” or may ask a fellow player for a “loan.” 6. When one person has won everything in the pot, the game is over! A game similar to the one played with the dreidel dates back to ancient times, when Jews were not able to freely practice their religion. They would meet in secret to study the Torah, which had been outlawed. If the Greek soldiers approached, they would hide their Torah scrolls and pretend to be playing a gambling game with a spinning top to avoid attracting further attention.

CELEBRATE

CHANUKAH WITH US!

Join us for these family friendly holiday celebrations:

Chanukah Super Sunday in the Hallway Dec. 18 | 10 am-3 pm A fun open house with Chanukah stories and crafts, including Chanukah cookie decorating and dreidel play. There’s even a bounce house!

Chanukah Character Breakfast Dec. 25 | 9-11 am Enjoy pancakes and latkes with some of your child’s favorite characters, including Olaf, Minion and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle! There’s menorah building, crafts, music and more!

For more information and to register,

vosjcc.org/chanukah

Valley of the Sun JCC - 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd. Corner of Sweetwater & Scottsdale Rd. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 31

HANUKKAH

Editor’s picks for Hanukkah gifts By Mala Blomquist

here are lots of traditional gifts to give your loved ones during Hanukkah. But there are also some unusual ones to consider. I spent some time searching the internet for some ideas. I hope you enjoy my top picks for an especially unique Hanukkah this year.

1 The 2017 Nice Jewish Guys Calendar features an array

of menschen you can proudly take home to mom. The calendar turns the spotlight on the underrated characteristic that pecs and tight buns can’t deliver...niceness. The Nice Jewish Guys Calendar features a different mensch every month. Major secular and Jewish holidays noted. $14.95. moderntribe.com

2 Dreidel is a fun game to play, but you can also have dreidels that are works of art. These Glass Dreidels by artist Gary Rosenthal have a contemporary style rooted in tradition. His inspiration comes from the rich history of the Jewish people, which tells us it’s a blessing, or mitzvah, to make beautiful, functional art. $120 for 6. menorah.com. 3 You can find menorahs made of metal, glass and clay in traditional, modern and unusual shapes, including people, animals, planes and cars. There is something about the Wheeling Groovy Menorah that just makes you smile! This enameled metal bus looks like it just came back from a road trip to a 60s concert. $52. menorah.com.

4 What better gift to give than your time? Pinspiration has all the supplies you need to “create” together as a family. Current Judaica projects include: a linen canvas and Star of David collage, a shalom pennant banner, Shabbat beaded/painted wine goblets, an oy vey food platter, Judaica wine charms, dreidel and Star of David mason jars, wooden menorahs and beaded spoons. Projects range from $26-$42. Reservations not required but recommended for large parties. Pinspiration is located at 5410 E. High St. #105 in Phoenix. Call 480-636-8010 or visit pinspiration.com.

The Chanukah Festival Basket has it all. Enjoy an assortment of noshes, including chocolate drizzle popcorn, Chanukah fortune cookies, chocolate babka, shortbread cookies, marzipan candies, assorted gourmet chocolates and other holiday necessities: menorahs, gelt and dreidels. Serves 10 to12. Parve & dairy. $159.99. challahconnection.com. Whether you own a teacup breed or a mastiff, your best friend can be decked out for Hanukkah in an I Love You a Latke Dog T-Shirt. They’ll be the envy of the dog park! $14.95. cafepress.com.

32 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

1 Looking for an outdoor, inflatable decoration? Look no further than the 6-Foot Jewish Snowman Hanukkah Inflatable. This snowman is ready to celebrate the festival of lights as he holds his own menorah and dreidel. Includes light bulbs, yard stakes, tether/ropes and an external fan for easy assembly. $129. standardconcessionsupply.com. 2 Wear a symbol of the Holy Land close to your heart with the Israel in My Heart RingSaver Pendant. Designed by Sarah Feld of Beit El, Israel and created by artist Avichayil, the silver RingSaver pendant features a map of the state of Israel safely enclosed inside a heart frame. The unique, open-ended design allows you to slip your ring off and hang it on the pendant when washing hands or applying lotion. $49. israel365.com. 3 Celebrate the Festival of Lights with eight days of Sprinkles! This year, skip the gelt and send a Sprinkles Hanukkah box, perfect as currency in dreidel games or paired with latkes by the menorah. Sprinkles Hanukkah boxes feature red velvet, dark chocolate and vanilla cupcakes adorned with blue Star of David sugar decorations and are sealed with a Star of David sticker. Available Dec. 24-31. $52. Sprinkles is located at 4501 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. Call 480-970-4321 or visit sprinkles.com to place an order online. 4 Even the little ones can join in the fun of lighting the menorah with a My Soft Menorah Set. This plush 11-piece set includes a menorah, nine removable candles and a candle-storage pouch. $12.99. judaica.com. 5

Ever wish you could participate in the “ugly sweater contest” at the holiday office party? This year you can when you wear the Hanukkah Sweater with dark blue and white accents livened by a pair of dancing dreidels with enormous grins on their little faces. They jointly hold aloft the time-honored menorah, creating a cheery motif sure to be a contender. Sizes for women and men. $55. tipsyelves.com.

Who doesn’t want a mensch around the house? The Mensch on a Bench is a 12-inch plush doll with an accompanying hardcover storybook explaining Hanukkah from Moshe the Mensch’s point of view. The book tells the story of Moshe, who was in the temple when Judah and the Maccabees won an important war. With only enough oil for one night, Moshe volunteered to watch over the menorah while everyone else was sleeping. What a mensch! $29.99. Moshe also has friends! Hannah the Hanukkah Hero comes with her own hardcover storybook. $29.99. Pose questions to the Ask Bubbe – Talking Grandma Doll and get a response typical of a Jewish grandmother. $19.99. themenschonabench.com. 6

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HANUKKAH

Books make great gifts Compiled by Deborah Moon

remember years ago one of my sons telling his brother that the secret of reading was to “be in the book.” It was a comment I wholeheartedly believe. Books have the power to transport us to different worlds, to help us understand others’ struggles, to inspire us to explore. For all of those reasons, books have long been at the top of my gift list – both to give and receive. If you are looking for a gift that opens windows to the world, check out some of these books that have crossed my desk over the past few months. CHILDREN’S BOOKS

While there are plenty of classic Hanukkah books for children, I received two recently published children’s books that would make a nice addition to a youngster’s gift bag.

Fascinating: The Life of Leonard Nimoy, by Richard Michelson, illustrated by Edel Rodriguez, Alfred Knopf Books for Young Readers, hardcover, $17.99.

This picture-book biography of Leonard Nimoy, the late beloved Star Trek star, exemplifies the power of pursuing your dreams. Perfect for the legions of Star Trek fans, Fascinating is the incredible origin story of Leonard Nimoy from his little-known career as a photographer to his lifechanging encounter with John F. Kennedy. This story of how a boy followed his dreams and became one of the most iconic figures of our times is, as Spock would say, “Fascinating.”

A Hat for Mrs. Goldman: A Story about Knitting and Love, by Michelle Edwards, illustrated by G. Brian Karas, Schwartz & Wade Books, hardcover, $17.99.

Sophia likes to make big, beautiful pom-poms for the hats Mrs. Goldman makes for everyone in the neighborhood. But when Sophia finds out Mrs. Goldman is too busy knitting for everyone else to make herself a hat to keep her head warm, Sophia decides to make one herself. She wants it to be the most special hat in the world. For youngsters inspired to do the same, the book includes instructions to make “the Sophia hat.” FICTION

The Secret Book of Kings, by Yochi Brandes, translation by Yardenne Greenspan, St. Martin’s Press, hardcover $26.99.

This sweeping biblical epic filled with court intrigue, romance and rebellion caught the attention of a friend who saw it on my desk. After she read it she told me, “As a 21st-century Jew, it can often feel difficult to connect to

34 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

the stories of our tradition told in the Bible. This historical novel brings the Bible to life in a vivid, poignant way. It takes references and allusions found in the original text and expounds on them in exquisite detail. The reader will be transported to the days of the Biblical Israeli monarchy and feel connected to the rivalries and intrigues of our ancestors as if they were happening today. A compelling and relevant novel for those who want to learn about our history from all sides, not just the victors.”

Karolina’s Twins, by Ronald H. Balson, St. Martin’s Press, hardcover, $25.99.

Inspired by true events, this novel is the story of a Holocaust survivor’s quest to fulfill a promise she made to her friend long ago – to return to Poland and find two sisters lost during the war. Lena hires lawyer Catherine Lockhart and her privateinvestigator husband, Liam Taggert, who appeared in two earlier Balson novels, to find the girls she promised Karolina she would return for. The novel weaves between Lena’s story and the couple’s efforts to find Karolina’s twins, while Lena’s son threatens to sue them for taking advantage of a confused old lady. The dual story makes for a captivating and ultimately heartwarming read.

The Devil in Jerusalem, by Naomi Ragen, St. Martin’s Griffin, paperback, $15.99.

Available in paperback just in time for Hanukkah, this novel continues Naomi Ragen’s exploration of women in the ultraOrthodox Jewish world. Detective Bina Tzedek travels a winding path through Jerusalem’s Old City, kabbalists, mystical ancient texts and terrifying cult rituals to find out why a young mother refuses to talk about the horrific injuries that landed two of her children in Hadassah Hospital.

Death Steals a Holy Book, by Rosemary & Larry Mild, Magic Island Literary Works, trade paper, $14.95.

Reluctant sleuths Dan and Rivka Sherman yearn for a tranquil life as owners of The Olde Victorian Bookstore. But when they acquire a rare volume, they find themselves embroiled in a firestorm of deceit, thievery and violence. When a book restorer finishes his work on the Menorat ha-maor (The Candlestick of Light), he is brutally murdered and the book disappears. Dan and Rivka set out to find out why this rare text compelled someone to kill for it.

Kiss Me Kate Boutique is a specialty store for the fashion conscious woman. Our many labels take you to the board room, sports events, cocktail parties, or to travel around the world.

Simply the Best!

Located at the Camelback Village Mall 5039 N. 44th Street • Phoenix • AZ 85018 602 • 840 • 6173

MAZEL TOV GIFTS Jewish Art • Books • Gifts • Children’s Toys

✡ YOUR HANUKKAH SUPERSTORE ✡

NONFICTION

The Brooklyn Nobody Knows: An Urban Walking Guide, by William B. Helmreich, Princeton University Press, paperback, $24.95.

Structured geographically, this easy-to-transport paperback takes readers through each of Brooklyn’s 44 neighborhoods. The book features candid commentary from residents, off-the-beaten-track sites and historically significant buildings – the Carroll Gardens church where Al Capone was married and the Brooklyn Heights house where Carson McCullers and W.H. Auden lived (at different times). Historical context makes this informal, eye-opening walking companion a find for New Yorkers and tourists alike.

10211 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale AZ 85253 (480) 922-0250 Located next to Kitchen 18

Find us on Facebook ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 35

HANUKKAH 100 Things To Do in Portland Oregon Before You Die, by Ann Smith with Allison Symonds, Reedy Press, paperback, $16.

From world-class dining and spectacular outdoor adventures to quirky pastimes and raucous sports fans, Portland has something for everyone. It is a city of hipsters, runners and foodies. Brewpubs, tattoos, underground tours, bike shops, coffee houses and gardens mix with official tourist sites such as the Oregon Zoo, Japanese Gardens, Rose Gardens, Schnitzer Concert Hall and the World Forestry Center.

Traditional Jewish Baking: Retro Recipes Your Grandma Would Make if She Had a Mixer, by Carine Gore, Page Street Publishing, hardcover, $24.99.

This cookbook recreates the best versions of timeless and traditional Jewish baked goods. A baking phenomenon on Israeli television, Carine teaches readers how to make more than 100 delicious treats straight from the homeland like Bubbe would, but using new and simple techniques and adaptations for today’s appliances.

Year 2016

$1,087 for individuals $2,173 for married couples

Eat My Schwartz: Our Story of NFL Football, Food, Family and Faith, by Geoff and Mitch Schwartz with Seth Kaufman, St. Martin’s Press, hardcover, $26.99.

For the football fan on your gift list, check out this book by two Jewish brothers, who are star offensive linemen in the NFL. The pair explains how good kosher dishes

and football are perfect companions.

In the Darkroom, by Susan Faludi, Metropolitan Books/Henry Holt and Company, hardcover, $32.

In this extraordinary inquiry into her family saga, Susan Faludi finds out her 76-year-old father, long estranged and living in Hungary, has undergone sex reassignment surgery. She explores how this new parent who identifies as a “complete woman” is connected to the silent, explosive and ultimately violent father. Her struggle to come to grips with her father’s metamorphosis takes her across borders historical, political, religious and social as she faces the question “Is identity something you choose, or is it the very thing you can’t escape?”

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 37

HANUKKAH

2016 HANUKKAH GIFT GUIDE

KISS ME KATE BOUTIQUE 5039 N 44th St., Phoenix 602-840-6173 kissmekateaz.com Kiss Me Kate Boutique is a specialty boutique with many “one-of-a-kind” gift items. We feature Booty Bagz, a handbag made from cowboy boots and jewels and gorgeous pearl and crystal jewelry by Linda Pratico. Our fashions take you to casual events, professional events, or to the cocktail party. Kiss Me Kate is “the” place to shop.

THE SPA AT TALKING STICK RESORT 9800 E Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale 480-850-4065 talkingstickresort.com From Dec. 1, 2016 through Jan. 31, 2017, receive a free gift card with any purchase of $200 or more at The Spa at Talking Stick Resort.

38 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

DOLPHINARIS ARIZONA 9500 E Via de Ventura, Scottsdale 800-92-DOLPHIN dolphinarisaz.com Give an amazing and unforgettable gift – Swim with Dolphins, right in Scottsdale! Choose a Dry Land or Swim Experience. Exchange fin-tohand shakes and dolphin kisses. Engage with the dolphins using positive reinforcement and learn about these fascinating animals from our trainers. This experience is great for adults and children.

MAZEL TOV GIFTS 10211 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480-922-0250 The Valley's only freestanding Jewish gift shop. Offering a complete selection of designer Jewish ritual, holiday, wedding and bar/bat mitzvah items. Largest selection of tallitot, kippot, and hostess gifts, children’s games and toys. Hundreds of unique mezuzot and Jewish books to choose from. Large Jewish jewelry selection. Candles, Shabbat and holiday, Havdallah items and much more. Many items imported from Israel.

CHOMPIE’S Five Valley locations 480-398-3008 chompies.com This holiday season, buy your loved ones a gift card to Chompie’s, Arizona’s New York Deli since 1979. Get a free $10 gift card with the purchase of $50 in Chompie’s gift cards. Online at chompies. com or at any Chompie’s location. Offer ends 12/31/16. Free gift card valid after 1/1/17.

J. LEVINE AUCTION & APPRAISAL 10345 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480-496-2212 • jlevines.com

GILBERT ORTEGA GALLERY 3925 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480-990-1808 Visit Gilbert Ortega Gallery in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale for all of your turquoise jewelry needs. Features unique items for gift giving that include the finest quality Native American jewelry and art.

This vintage black Hermès Birkin Kelly bag will be in J. Levine’s annual New Year’s Day auction on Jan. 1, 2017. Estimated value: $20,000 to $30,000; size: 35cm; approximate measurements: 14” x 14” x 5”; approximate weight: 1 pound. J. Levine holds back the best of the best collectibles from multiple estates for its New Year’s Day auction. Free mimosas will be served before the auction starts at 11 am.

THE PHOENICIAN 6000 E Camelback Road, Scottsdale 480-941-8200 thephoenician.com/ seasonal-events Give the gift of an adventure like no other with I.FLY Trapeze at The Phoenician, Arizona’s premier AAA Five Diamond resort destination. This oneof-a-kind experience teaches the techniques of aerial artistry including timing, swinging and even the celebrated wrist-towrist catch!

LUCI’S AT THE ORCHARD 7100 N 12th St., Phoenix 602-633-2442 lucisorchard.com The Giving Key makes an amazing gift. The Giving Keys exist to spread hope and inspire others thru the words written on each unique piece.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 39

For her bat mitzvah project, Annica wrote a book about Native American art and culture. As of this year, 500,000 copies of Arizona: Nations and Art have been distributed to fourth-grade students across the state.

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Annica Benning: Passionate about policy – and polo By Mala Blomquist

f you read Annica Benning’s LinkedIn profile, you might think she was much older than her 22 years. “Experienced in public affairs, government relations, public policy research and political communication. Graduated from ASU at age 19. TEDx speaker. Wrote a book about Native American art and culture and donated 500,000 copies to all fourth-grade students in Arizona. Provided strategic research for Clint Bolick’s Arizona Supreme Court appointment.” And it doesn’t even mention her latest passion: polo. Annica attended the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championship preview parties in past years and watched matches back East. At this year’s preview party, she met Natalie Grancharov Camacho, a member of the Arizona Polo Club and an avid polo player. She talked to Natalie about the sport but thought that it would be too expensive for a twenty-something recent college graduate. “I had a horse when I was 12 or 13 and rode pretty often. I did hunter-jumper, where they were always pushing you to do more and spend more. It got to be too much. My dad described my horseback riding as going outside and setting piles of money on fire,” joked Annica. Natalie told Annica how welcoming and affordable polo was and invited her to come out to her barn and check it out. “After that, I was pretty much hooked,” says Annica, who has been riding with Natalie twice a week and spending Saturdays and Sundays riding with her in the arena. “The thing I like about polo is that you can be as involved with it as you want. There are people who have many horses, but you can also join the club and lease horses and go at your own pace,” says Annica, who has felt very welcomed into the polo community. “I think some people think, or at least I thought, polo

would be a little pretentious, but they are just the nicest people. Annica’s mom is from the U.S. but lived in Israel after high school and went to college there before joining the army. Her father is from Düsseldorf, Germany, where Annica lived for a time when she was younger. She has always enjoyed being around people from foreign countries. “I noticed that about the polo community – people from all over, which is so much fun,” she says. Polo is also one of the few sports where you are totally on an even playing field. “There are mixed teams and it’s something women can do on the same level as men. There are all ages. There is one girl who is 16 and men who are in their 50s. If you have a good horse and you’re talented, you can hold your own,” says Annica. Annica hopes to make the Arizona Polo Club team in a couple of years but admits it’s a challenging sport to learn: “You are on this horse that is going really fast and you are looking at this tiny ball and not looking ahead and swinging your arm trying to hit the ball – and then there are other horses all around you. There is bumping, where you’re riding into the horse next to you, which is considered smart and totally normal, but it’s a little difficult for me. It’s a learning process but so exhilarating and so much fun!” Being challenged is nothing new for Annica. For her bat mitzvah project, she decided to write a book about Native American art and culture. “I was really fascinated by it at the time, and living in Arizona, you see it all around you. I had a lot of questions and I couldn’t find the answers, so I took it upon myself to do it.” Initially, Annica was inspired by then-Gov. Janet Napolitano’s program called Books for Kids, where she gave away books

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 41

ANNICA BENNING

to put together this little book and I figured I would hand it over to Books for Kids and they would print and distribute it and all those other great things,” says Annica. But what she didn’t take into account was that Gov. Napolitano would be called up to Washington D.C., and that her replacement, Jan Brewer, would cut the program. “So here I was, left with a book that I had spent two years putting my heart and soul into, driven all over the state researching and putting together and [now] I had nothing to do with it.” Fortunately, many corporate sponsors had also set aside funds for the book before Gov. Brewer cut the program. Annica and her mother reached out to them before founding a nonprofit publishing house called Walnut Canyon Press. They used the funds for printing Arizona: Nations and Art, and distributed a copy to every classroom, school library and public library in Arizona. “The next year, we ramped up the fundraising efforts and were able to give one to every fourth-grade student. We’ve been doing that ever since. We started in 2008, and as of this year, have given away 500,000 copies,” says Annica. Fourth-grade students receive a book when they learn about Arizona history. Annica hopes that it inspires kids to take advantage of the library or other resources and gets more books into their homes. “If you can get books into their hands and inspire them and teach them that there are other things out there – that’s a win in my book. My little mitzvah project turned out to be a whole lot more work than I bargained for!” Hard work is nothing new to Annica. After graduating from Arizona State University at 19 with a degree in political science, she went to work as a litigation investigator at the Goldwater Institute, a conservative libertarian-leaning political think tank. Her boss was Clint Bolick, a very respected lawyer who spent his entire career suing the government. Clint was approached to apply for the position when a vacancy opened up on the Arizona Supreme Court. “I was his policy and research helper at the time. I worked with him on putting together his application, researching the different committee members and understanding the politics of the commission process,” says Annica. “You apply to this commission of 14 people and then the commission selects a couple of names and brings those names to the governor.” Clint got the position and now he and Annica share an inside joke. “I say, ‘Never in a million years would I have thought you’d be working for the government – the people that you sued for your entire life’ and he says, ‘I never thought that you’d be working for a sports team, since you know nothing about sports.’” Clint is referring to her current position as public affairs specialist with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Annica works with 42 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

state legislators and city officials to ensure that the laws being passed don’t interfere with the Diamondbacks’ business practices. This includes staying up to date on regulations that could affect team operations. She also works with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce to stay current on issues affecting the business community. “I’ve met so many awesome people and have really developed a deep appreciation for how local government works,” says Annica. “I talk with these people with amazing backgrounds…and I have been impressed with their commitment to public service.” She also values being part of such a philanthropic company. The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Arizona Diamondbacks

Foundation have made charitable contributions totaling more than $49 million to nonprofit organizations across Arizona. Of all three major Valley sports teams, the Diamondbacks are the largest donors. “It’s the youngest team in Arizona, too! It’s so awesome to be part of a company that values the community and giving back as much as they do,” says Annica. Another thing Annica admires about the Diamondbacks is that “they put on a good show and focus on creating a great fan experience. We can’t control what happens on the field, but we can make sure that Baxter visits the kids or that Luis Gonzalez signs some autographs or Paul Goldschmidt comes by. We can control creating nice experiences and I think people appreciate that. Even when we have a tough year, like this year, there is still that loyalty and people still like to come out to the games,” says Annica. She’s looking forward to long relationship with the Diamondbacks, although in the beginning she wondered, “So

Clockwise, from left: Annica at polo practice atop Wolfie. Annica with Clint Bolick, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Arizona. Annica in Natalie Grancharov Camacho’s barn with Dolly. At the 2011 Mohammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night, Make-A-Wish arranged for Miley Cyrus to pass out copies of Arizona: Nations and Art to a group of children. In 2013, Annica signs copies of Arizona: Nations and Art for students at Balsz Elementary School in Phoenix.

how does this baseball stuff work?” Annica even took an online class on the rules of baseball. “While I was taking my class, one of my colleagues walked past my office and saw me taking a test and asked me ‘What are you doing over there?’ I turned red and said, ‘I’m taking an online class on baseball rules.’” That colleague was Luis Gonzalez, former player with the Diamondbacks and now senior advisor to the president and CEO. “He looked at me and said, ‘There’s a

class on this?’ then sat down and worked on a couple of lessons with me. Never in a million years did I think that this would be my life right now,” says Annica with amazement. When asked who did better on the online assignment, Annica responds, “We actually both got five out of five on that quiz. Thank you, Gonzo! I got a certificate of completion and I proudly hung it above my desk. I can hold my own at the water cooler now.” Holding her own has never really been as issue for Annica. She knows that if she in not passionate about something, she is not interested in it. During her senior year in college, she assumed that she would graduate and instantly make great money. She looked into moving to California or New York, but the cost of living there was too high. Her boyfriend at the time was making great money but also worked long hours, never took a day off and was miserable. Annica thought, “Nope, not for me! I am going the route of things that I am passionate about. Things I am interested in and excited about. If that doesn’t pay me the big bucks, that’s OK, because I am actually excited and happy in what I’m doing – opposed to dreading going into the office every day.” Many people don’t realize the secret to happiness is not always tied to a paycheck until well into middle age. It’s pretty unique to see a person in her early twenties figure that out – but then, Annica Benning is a pretty unique millennial. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 43

Downtown Phoenix jazz jewel captures the national spotlight

The Nash is located at 1ST St. and Roosevelt in downtown Phoenix.

By Mary Ann Bashaw

The Valley a national jazz destination? Why not? According to a prominent, 25-year Phoenix jazz aficionado – and a piano player himself – it’s about time. The honor is long overdue, according to Joel Robin Goldenthal, executive director of The Nash, a hopping jazz venue on Roosevelt Row in the heart of downtown Phoenix. “The Nash is putting a national spotlight on the Valley. Suddenly we’re a jazz destination. Who would have thought?” says Joel. The Nash was recently named one of four U.S. “JazzHubs” by the Jazz Forward Coalition, a global consortium of jazz professionals and industry leaders dedicated to the growth and sustainability of the music genre. Thanks to a grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, The Nash will participate with three other jazz venues located in Pittsburgh, Portland and Washington, D.C. in an 18-month pilot program developed to foster professional development and community engagement. The goal of such a collaborative effort is to build an ongoing exchange and establish a viable national jazz network in the JazzHub communities and beyond. Since it opened in April 2012, The Nash has been on the forefront of the growth of jazz in the Valley, serving as a multigenerational go-to place for those who love to play or listen. Joel calls The Nash’s namesake, South Phoenix native Lewis Nash, “arguably the most respected drummer in the world.” And The Nash was destined for notoriety when world-renowned trumpeter Wynton Marsalis came to town to play – pro bono – at its grand opening.

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Joel points out that such recognition shouldn’t be surprising for Phoenix, the nation’s sixth-largest city. He views The Nash as “very much a part of the economic and cultural advantage” of Arizona. “We are elevating the cultural landscape of our city and making it attractive not only to residents but to people looking to move here.” He adds that jazz is a model for society in terms of “demonstrating and teaching young people about self-respect and respect for others, teamwork and creativity. There’s a much larger story here.” The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF) is one of the largest philanthropies in the U.S., donating millions to causes that improve Americans’ quality of life. The Arts Program of the DDCF “focuses its support on contemporary dance, jazz and theater artists and the organizations that nurture, present and produce them,” according to the foundation’s website. It’s no surprise that The Nash fits the bill for that kind of support. The Nash also received a grant from Phoenix’s own Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust last year to help build a strategic plan to accommodate its amazing growth. Since 2012, the venue has gone from about 20 to between 300 and 400 events a year. Joel says the grant has helped The Nash to “shore up our resources to make a plan for sustainability.” The four JazzHubs will also facilitate best practices for presenting and promoting jazz performance and education on a national basis. Since the grant was awarded in September, The Nash has been focused on collaborating with its fellow JazzHubs to develop an agenda for the next 18 months that includes several town hall meetings and specialty workshops. Joel’s goal is to target the first major event for April 2017, in time for Jazz Appreciation Month, or JAM, a national celebration initiated by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The excitement in Joel’s voice is unmistakable when he says that The Nash has gone from being “the new kids on the block” just four short years ago to “turning heads around the country, if not around the world. The attention is unprecedented.”

Meet Artists Working in Studios 480-837-7163 ArizonaFineArtEXPO.com 26540 N Scottsdale Rd January 13 - March 26 10-week Season Pass $10; Military/Seniors $8 • Open Daily 10-6

Mary Ann Bashaw, of Phoenix, is a freelance writer and editor.

December highlights for The Nash

These are just some of the more “major” events planned at The Nash this December. For a full listing, go to thenash.org and click on the “Calendar” tab.

December 9: Nash Composers Coalition – Debut Performance! December 16: Bob Ravenscroft Inner Journeys Trio December 17: Dmitri Matheny Group featuring Holly Pyle December 21: Nash Vocal Jazz Ensemble All Performances start at 7:30 pm. Admission is $15 for adults with discounts for seniors, students and youth. The Nash, 110 E Roosevelt St., Phoenix 602-795-0464 thenash.org

SCULPTURE

& WINE FESTIVAL IN FOUNTAIN HILLS JAN 13-15 Ave of the Fountains, Ftn Hills

CAREFREE

FINE ART & WINE FESTIVAL JAN 20-22 101 Easy Street, Carefree WATERFRONT FEB 10-12 CAREFREE MAR 17-19

SURPRISE FEB 17-19 FOUNTAIN HILLS MAR 24-26

Meet renowned artists, stroll throughout juried fine arts, enjoy sipping fine wines and listening to live music. „ • Held Outdoors • 10-5 $3 Admission

ThunderbirdArtists.com • 480-837-5637 ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 45

Myra Burg at work

Thunderbird Artists Sculpture & Wine Festival

By Susan Kern-Fleischer

With the spectacular fountain as its backdrop, a main avenue in Fountain Hills will be transformed into a sculpture wonderland next month when Thunderbird Artists hosts its 2nd Annual Sculpture & Wine Festival Friday through Sunday, Jan. 13 through 15. The juried show will feature more than 60 acclaimed sculptors from around the globe, giving awestruck patrons a chance to view and purchase stunning, diverse pieces made of bronze, stone, copper, clay, wood, metal, glass, gourd, steel, found objects and mixed media. The event takes place from 10 am to 5 pm each day at 16810 E. Avenue of the Fountains. A portion of proceeds 46 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

will benefit the International Cancer Advocacy Network (ICAN). Denise Colter, vice president of Thunderbird Artists, says the event will provide a rare chance to meet many of the renowned sculptors in one setting. “There is no other sculpture-only show in Arizona where you can see a breathtaking array of small, medium, life-sized and monumental sculptures,” says Denise. “Whether you are seeking to enhance your home décor or want to begin a sculpture garden, you’ll find a diverse selection of original, high-quality pieces to choose from.”

Wrapping colorful fiber into art

Detail of a Quiet Oboe by Myra Burg

Myra Burg is a mixed media artist from California whose sculptural pieces and “Quiet Oboes,” or cylindrical tapestries, have caught the attention of collectors, interior designers and even Hollywood producers. A native New Yorker, Myra grew up in the Los Angeles area, in the hills just beneath the Griffith Observatory. She loved art as a child and pursued a career in architecture – until a didgeridoo at home got her thinking. “I realized my didgeridoo was more art piece than musical instrument. I wrapped a companion piece with colorful fiber and named it The Quiet Oboes,” Myra says, adding that each tube she creates is individually wrapped, top to bottom, with sumptuous fiber of varying colors, sheen and texture. The Quiet Oboes put Myra on a new career path working full time as an artist. The career move made perfect sense to Myra, who always held a fascination for yarn. “My mother taught me to crochet when I was about eight,” says Myra. “When Mom took me into the notions department to shop for needles, thread and fabrics, the display of all the colors of threads fascinated me. As a teenager, I decided to try some free-form weaving. Years later, in a box of kindergarten and elementary school goodies my mother saved, there were two little weavings from that early era,” she recalls

PÉ December 27 - January 8

New Acts!

New Characters!

Frank Ferrante in An Evening with Groucho Sunday, March 12 · 3pm

Full season listing

ChandlerCenter.org · 480.782.2680 ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 47

Sculptor carves acrylic sheets

Kachina by Edward Meyrowitz

with fondness. As Myra expanded her Quiet Oboes series, she began to collaborate with Liz Cummings, a mixed-media painter. “We design together and sometimes show and install our collaboratives together,” says Myra. “Quite often, only one of us will be on-site or at a show, and still, we combine our pieces. It seems once the canvas and fiber meet, they take on a life of their own.” Describing herself as “deeply Jewish and spiritual,” Myra embraces life with the same zest as she does her art. At 33, she began surfing for the first time. Now 57, she and her partner, Charlie Christensen, have competed in several international competitions and won fourth place in tandem surfing at the 2011 ITSA (International Tandem Surfing Association) World Tour. During the Thunderbird Artists sculpture festival in January, Myra will exhibit a variety of Quiet Oboes. Prices range from $150 for an individual piece to several thousand dollars for larger, more complex installations. “They’re a little like potato chips,” says Myra. “Tricky to have just one.”

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While the surf calls to Myra, it’s wide open desert landscapes, mountain breezes, abundant wildlife and spectacular sunsets a few miles past the far northern edge of the Valley of the Sun that keep Edward Meyrowitz, a Black Canyon City resident, inspired to create his unique, carved acrylic Plexiglas sculptures. A New York native, Edward lived in California for more than 30 years before moving to Arizona in 2001 to take advantage of the state’s booming art market. The talented artist worked in the aerospace industry for a decade before pursuing his passion of working full time as an artist. Describing himself as a “modernist dealing with the inner world of feeling” and “spiritual in his Jewish faith,” Edward says his works of art are not just exercises in the principles of design, but also visual projections of interior emotions and experiences: “They are to be criticized and enjoyed as manifestations of artistic impulse fulfilled in the manipulation of the physical elements and psychological effects of the work of art itself.” Using hand, electric and pneumatic tools – some of which he developed himself – Edward carves acrylic Plexiglas sheets and paints them with automotive and other paints. “The tools I developed allow me to carve deep into the hard acrylic without breaking it,” he says. “I’ve been working in acrylic for 24 years and I have not come across any other artist who does what I do.” Edward has been exhibiting his work with Thunderbird Artists for more than 20 years. For the sculpture show in January, he will display a variety of large, multi-piece and freeform designs, ranging in price from $300 to several thousand dollars.

Wine and microbrew tastings The sculpture festival also combines fine art with an extensive collection of domestic and imported wines and microbrews for tasting. For $10, patrons will receive an engraved souvenir wine glass with six tasting tickets, allowing them to walk the Fountain Hills festival sipping samples, enjoying superb art and listening to live music. Additional tasting tickets may be purchased for $1 each. Admission to the 2nd Annual Sculpture & Wine Festival in Fountain Hills is $3 for adults and free for children ages 17 and younger. Parking is free all weekend. For more information, call 480-837-5637 or visit thunderbirdartists.com.

Edward Meyrowitz

Chuck Field is no dummy when it comes to entertainment

By Mala Blomquist

It’s an ordinary fact that Chuck Field grew up in Illinois. What’s extraordinary is that he became a ventriloquist when he was 10. “I loved ‘Paul Winchell and The Jerry Mahoney Show’ on TV,” says Chuck. “One day, my mom opened up the Jewish Community Center program guide and [saw that] they were offering a class on ventriloquism. I took the class.” He’s been entertaining folks ever since. He started his routines at the neighbor’s house. Word spread of his unique talent and he was soon doing shows every weekend. “People would pick me up and take me to parties,” says Chuck, because he was too young to drive. His mom would help him write his material. He was also attending a Hebrew day school and involved in the Jewish community.

Chuck Field on stage with his friend, Ziggy.

When he was getting ready to go to college at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, he decided to leave his “dummies” at home. But soon there was a demand in college for his performance skills. After he graduated, he went on to work in the field of his degree, developing advertising campaigns and producing radio commercials. Throughout different jobs, ventriloquism was always his go-to. In 1982, he went to work for his family’s business, H. Feld & Sons, Inc. – an 83-year-old company that specializes in high-end, corrugated packaging – located in Arlington Heights, Illinois. More than a year ago, Chuck and his wife decided to move to Phoenix to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren. He continues to work for the family business from there. “I juggle my day between selling boxes and talking to the guy in the box!” jokes Chuck. His cast of stage partners – “wooden Americans is the politically correct term,” says Chuck – includes Ziggy and Dr. Sol Finkelstein. “Dr. Sol reminds me of my father and other relatives,” says Chuck. “Ziggy is my alter ego. He represents the kid in me. He says what I am thinking, but it’s funnier coming

out of him.” He uses Ziggy when he is entertaining kids as well as in shows for adults. Chuck most enjoys putting on family shows, whether it’s a 4th birthday or a 40th anniversary. “I love a mixture of the generations in the audience,” says Chuck. “I like to bring adults up on stage and let their family see them be goofy.” Chuck performs about 150 shows a year in locations like Miami, San Diego, the Catskills, and the Bahamas. Venues include schools, senior centers, comedy clubs and resorts. He has also performed at about a dozen Pesach vacation spots in the last 12 years. “The Jewish community is my glue,” says Chuck. He enjoys traveling to the International Ventriloquist Convention, where he first connected to others “who were like me” and where he says he can hone his craft. “People are there

Chuck (center) with his family during their first Rosh Hashanah in Phoenix.

to learn. There are vendors and educational sessions. You learn how to develop characters and how to split yourself between being a good technician and being likeable and relatable to any audience.” Chuck credits Jeff Dunham with bringing ventriloquism to mainstream entertainment. “People used to watch variety shows and then that kind of entertainment went away,” says Chuck. “Then Jeff Dunham became popular and Paul Zerdin was on ‘America’s Got Talent.’” Suddenly, ventriloquism became mainstream again. As things come full circle and ventriloquism gains popularity, Chuck enjoys keeping busy with his hobby. He also appreciates that his parents, who live in San Diego, are still supportive and encouraging. “My mom sends me jokes,” he says with a chuckle. If you’re looking for unique entertainment for your next simcha that is suitable for all ages, consider calling Chuck and his wooden American friends. You won’t be disappointed. Contact Chuck at 847-814-5120 or visit whatsupchuck.com. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 49

By Leni Reiss

Paulette as Ethel Merman

She has appeared for

senior communities from

Flagstaff to Chandler,

“going from ‘Hatikvah’

She’s a self-described “big, brassy dame” with a penchant, as a kid, for “overacting and stealing the show.” She is Paulette Rockir, a native New Yorker with a flair for mimicry and a passion to perform. Now residing in Prescott since 2009 with her husband and biggest fan, David, Paulette was on stage in November at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. She has appeared for senior communities from Flagstaff to Chandler, “going from ‘Hatikvah’ to ‘Amazing Grace’ depending on the audience.” She has entertained crowds at Prescott’s Palace on Whiskey Row and The Elks Opera House, impersonating a range of performers including Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer and Tina Turner. According to her husband, though, as Ethel Merman, “She is the best and in a class by herself.” With self-effacing good humor, Paulette says she is a “[ Jewish] ham with a knack for comedy. “ She says she rarely has missed an opportunity to go for it – to get a part, “even with lots of competition.” Her first big gig, she recalls, was entertaining the troops at California’s Ford Ord, where she was honored by the U.S. Armed Forces as entertainer of the year. She earned her Broadway creds at the St. James theatre as one of the leads in “Auntie Mame.” Married for six years, Paulette and David met in an internet chat room. ‘He was on two New York public access TV shows, espousing a pro-Israel stance and I was intrigued because I believe in what he stands for.” They met and fell in love. Retired from a career as a computer programmer, David now supplies the music for Paulette’s performances. The Rockirs welcome inquiries from Valley hotels, resorts, senior facilities, Jewish organizations and private parties, promising fun-filled tributes to America’s favorite stars. They can be contacted at DRockir@aol.com.

to ‘Amazing Grace’ depending on the

audience.”

50 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Stewart and Sue Feldman visit with Paulette Rockir (center) following her "Divas on Broadway" performance Nov. 12 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Photo by Leni Reiss.

CORNER

Hanukkah enlightens and revives for me the many faces of miracles that reveal themselves every day: my children, life, health, love and so many more. It’s the gratitude that builds up inside that reflects an everlasting flame that flickers and bursts each time I witness G-d’s grace in my life and in others. The oil that lasted eight days signifies why we fry foods during Hanukkah, including sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), latkes and other kinds of fritters. The oil you use should handle high temperatures without browning and turning toxic. Some oils to consider are avocado, coconut, grapeseed and safflower. Traditional latkes (fried potato pancakes) are topped with applesauce or sour cream, but there are many other creative variations for pancakes and toppings. This year, try organizing a latkes bar, including mini latkes, with sophisticated toppings. This recipe offers a delicious variation for a main dish or appetizer: soft potato pancakes with fresh tuna tartar. May the miracle of the lights remind you of the many miracles in your own life. Happy Hanukkah!

HAPPY HANUKKAH! By Lucia Schnitzer Photo by Matthew Strauss

Potato Pancakes with Tuna Tartar

Potato pancakes ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds Idaho or other baking potatoes 1 Spanish onion, finely chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 tablespoons butter 1 large egg, lightly beaten kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon extra butter for frying 2 tablespoons canola or frying oil

Tuna tartar ingredients:

12 ounces sushi-grade tuna, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 1 tablespoon chili powder 3 tablespoons olive oil

Lucia Schnitzer and her husband, Ken, own Pomelo (a full-service restaurant), Luci’s at The Orchard and Splurge (a candy and ice cream shop), all at The Orchard Phx, 7100 N 12th Street, Phoenix. They also own Luci’s Healthy Marketplace, 1590 E Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, which they opened in 2009 in Lucia’s honor after her successful battle with breast cancer. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 51

2 shallots, minced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon minced ginger 1 teaspoon mustard juice of 2 limes salt and freshly ground black pepper 4 basil leaves, chopped

The holidays are a time for family and friends. NOT COOKING. For your catering needs, let Chompie’s do all the work.

Directions:

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Dice tuna into medium-size pieces. Place in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix all other ingredients with a whisk. Fold mixture into tuna, season with salt and pepper and finish with basil. Wash potatoes and place in pot. Cover with salted water and simmer until done. Peel the potatoes, then grate them on a box grater or mash them with a fork. Place in a large bowl and add the onion, olive oil, butter and egg. Mix well. Season with salt and pepper and divide the potato mixture into 4 parts. Heat butter and oil in an 8-inch skillet over medium heat. Add one quarter of the potato mixture and cook for 4 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom. Turn the cake and cook another 4 minutes or until browned on the bottom side and cooked through. Transfer to paper towels to drain then to a baking sheet. Keep warm in the oven while you cook the remaining pancakes. Serve with tuna tartar.

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 53

FOOD RESTAURANT REVIEW

taste of

Arizona Lox Plate

Eat for a good cause at Joy Bus Diner By A. Noshman

Two things you need to know right up front: it’s a mitzvah to eat here and the food is good! The combination of doing good while eating well is a joyous experience and reflects the very name of this restaurant. It’s a mitzvah because the Joy Bus Diner, organized as a nonprofit, uses its proceeds to fund support and relief to people battling cancer, and the food is good because chefs from around the Valley have contributed their talent, helping to create menu items unique to this culinary ride. I think people who eat here know they are supporting a good cause. This sets a whole different tone and creates a vibe you will only find here. That, and the fact the staff (many of whom are volunteers) want to be there and strive for perfection, so you will come back and support the cause again, is what brings it all together. The kicker, the icing, the cherry on top, is delicious food, served with a smile. They are not heavy-handed with their message. There are little tell-tale signs what they are about. You will see things like, “Today’s eggs are donated by Hickman Farms,” but you almost have to ask how it all works to get the answer – that the proceeds help pay for chef-cooked meals delivered to homebound people trying to beat cancer. The restaurant is well run, cute, with an open kitchen so you can see, hear and enjoy the meals as they journey toward happy customers. They are open for breakfast and lunch, though you can order either throughout the day. Over the course of several visits, here is what I had: 54 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

THIS MONTH’S RESTAURANT

Joy Bus Diner $$ 3375 E Shea Blvd., Phoenix 602-595-5884 thejoybusdiner.com

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

Avocado Woods Toast $4 (with poached egg, arugula and tomato)

As a poached egg lover intrigued by the price, and the fact that it was the first item listed on the breakfast menu, I ordered it. A perfectly poached egg came gingerly perched atop a mound of arugula and beautiful looking toast, surrounded by bits of Avocado Woods Toast

(like and enchilada sauce) with a fried egg on top, some onions (not mentioned in the description but certainly welcome) and some savory additions of queso fresco (a mild, unaged Mexican white cheese), and crema Mexicana (a rich sour cream). Caution – spicy! Good spicy, the kind that burns a little but you can’t stop eating it. You have to like the heat to enjoy this wonderful breakfast. Here’s a tip, sour cream takes away some of the sting of spicy foods. Take a bite of the sour cream by itself every now and then to cool your tongue.

Chicken and Waffles $10

(double-dipped crispy chicken breast served alongside savory waffles, drenched in maple syrup) The origin of chicken and waffles began in the South. Establishments catering to late night revelers on their way home, some of whom were looking for breakfast, and some of whom were looking for dinner, concocted this perfect solution. Confession, I like dark meat chicken, but I ordered anyway expecting disappointment. I was happily surprised by the golden dark brown, generous serving of what I would soon learn was delicious fried chicken. The waffles were dusted with powdered sugar and not drenched in maple syrup as described. Instead, it was served on the side which was good for me because here comes another confession; I ate both the chicken and the waffles with my hands, happily dipping away (bites of chicken too) in the syrup. I kind of still wish there was a dark meat option. fresh avocado and tomato. I love sopping up egg yolk with toast. I had to ask why it was called “woods toast” and the answer is because Clint Woods of Fox Restaurants gave the bread recipe to the Joy Bus Diner. The bread is like a French baguette and served as the perfect vehicle for egg and avocado to reach my mouth. The arugula was fresh, slightly bitter, healthy for you, and made this $4 meal filling.

Lox Plate $9

(cold smoked salmon garnished with caperberries, red onion, egg, cucumbers, cream cheese and woods toast) Again intrigued by the price, I ordered this Jewish classic. For $9 there was plenty of lox and all the traditional trimmings. Also there, the woods toast, which was fast becoming a favorite of mine. There was so much lox that I had to ask for more toast and cream cheese which was happily brought to me.

Chiliquilles $8

(crisp chile drenched tortillas with an egg sprinkled with queso fresco and drizzled with crema Mexicana) This dish is as much a feast for the eyes as it is the belly. There is a heaping helping of tortilla chips that have been toasted to a crisp, gently coated with a house made roasted chile sauce

Tuna Sandwich $8

(tuna salad served on 9-grain bread) I made a small substitution here and asked for rye bread, toasted. The sandwich comes with fries and I love the combination of cold tuna salad and hot French fries. I grew up on this lunch. The tuna salad was wonderfully cold, wet (I like that) and had a little spice to it that I couldn’t place so I asked. It turns out there are bits of pepperoncini in the mix. I liked it. It’s not a hot spice, but there’s a little heat here, so the squeamish have been forewarned. The toasted rye was fabulous, and even more fabulous was the golden brown, seasoned fries. Between the sandwich and the seasoned fries, there was a lot of flavor going on here. Again, generous portions which seem to be the Joy Bus Diner modus operandi. The Joy Bus Diner is a celebration of food and life. You feel good about eating there even if you’re munching on fried chicken or French fries. Everyone is friendly, the staff knows their stuff, and I saw servers stuffing their tips into a donation jar. How nice is that? The restaurant is located just east of State Route 51on Shea Blvd., so there’s no excuse not to drop by. You will be happy you did, maybe joyful. Come along for the ride.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 55

H&L

NIGHTS OF

FASHION BY TORI ROSENBLUM

HANUKKAH IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER and that means dressing for eight festive nights! As we enter the joyful season, we see a shift toward cooler weather and holiday style with winter fabrics and flourishes. Sure, a little black dress or menswear suit is always a solid choice for the party scene, but who says holiday dressing has to be so obvious? From velvet suits to silky slip dresses, I have eight tips to help you switch it up and look festive for the eight nights of Hanukkah.

56 DECEMBER 2016 ||ARIZONA ARIZONAJEWISH JEWISHLIFE LIFE

1. JUMPSUIT The jumpsuit is taking over as the non-traditional, go-to style statement for a night out. This party season, forget your typical cocktail dress and opt for a one-piece instead. This is a great option for risk takers. A jumpsuit is classy, comfortable and looks pretty darn sexy. 2. EVER GREEN Tired of the standard little black dress? Try a hunter green one on for size. The number one trending color this holiday season is green. This rich and fresh hue is sure to make a statement. It acts great as an unexpected pop of color and the darker shades make the perfect substitution for the basic black. 3. SLIP DRESS The slip dress has made a major comeback since its prime in the late 90s. It’s been celeb-vetted and worn by some of our favorite fashion icons this season. To keep the classic style looking fresh, try this tried-but-true tactic for rocking the sexy silhouette. Layer the slip dress over a t-shirt, long sleeve or turtleneck. This trick is simple and can be easily recreated with items already in your closet. 4. COLD SHOULDER This season try giving the “cold shoulder” in a blouse or dress with cutouts on the shoulders. The silhouette makes for the perfect day to night outfit. Whether you pair yours with a cute pair of jeans, a midi skirt or opt for a flirty dress, you have many options that encourage you to show off your shoulders. 5. EMBROIDERY Embroidery adds special detail that makes any silhouette holiday ready. Embroidered jackets, vests, blouses, dresses and pants are not only popular right now, but they’re also fashion’s next trend. This season, try an embroidered bomber jacket or jeans for a feminine take on menswear inspired pieces.

6. “CHAI” SHINE Your menorah won’t be the only thing aglow at this year’s Hanukkah party. A bit of shine during the holidays will never go out of style. Whether you wear a sequin legging to a casual Hanukkah dinner or a beaded sheath dress to an elegant holiday party, you will bring festive sparkle to any occasion. Your outfit will shimmer in the candlelight. 7. BOMBER Meet fashion’s new favorite jacket. The bomber has recently taken over the fashion scene, and this year it takes on a new twist in unusual colors and fresh fabrics. Whether color blocked or embroidered, leather or satin, it’s all about the details this holiday season. A good bomber encompasses just the right amount of tomboy and street wear, both of which are important trends in women’s fashion right now. These casual jackets work just as well with a slinky dress as they do with a pair of funky jeans. 8. VELVET There’s a feeling to holiday fashion that goes beyond the need to bundle up and layer. This winter, try thicker fabrics that beg to be touched. Velvet is undoubtedly one of the most luxurious materials available in the market, and this year, it is creating quite an impact. Trade in your classic suit for a velvet one, or pair your over- the-knee boots with a flocked velvet dress. This fashion forward fabric will make a statement on any silhouette this holiday season.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 57

Home & Lifestyle Calling All Rosarians! By Mary Ann Bashaw

You’re the One. Ruby Ruby. Voodoo. Sexy Rexy. If you recognize these as names of roses, you’re probably a rosarian. If you don’t, there’s no time like the present to become one and join legions of lovers and cultivators of roses the world over. What’s so special about the rose? Not only is it the national flower and floral emblem of the 58 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

U.S. as decreed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, but its variety, beauty, fragrance and hardiness (it grows in all 50 states) make it a favorite for novice and expert gardeners alike. “There are many types of roses,” says Arizona Rose Society Master Rosarian Jeannie Cochell of Phoenix. “On average, a rose bush can live anywhere from five to well over 500 years. Roses have a history dating back to the days of Cleopatra.”

The Rose Garden at Encanto Park. Photo courtesy the Phoenix Rose Society.

Not only do they add beauty to our lives, but roses are also used to make perfume and have medicinal purposes, including rose oil for sensitive skin and stress relief. Rose petals are used for making rose water and flavoring for cooking. Rose hips, a natural source of vitamin C, are used to make herbal tea and other nutritional supplements. As a master rosarian, Jeannie has paid her “rose” dues. Such a title requires volunteerism in writing, lecturing and working in local and district rose societies. “I joined my first rose society in 1997 and the American Rose Society in 1998,” says Jeannie. “After three years, I qualified to take classes and a test to become a consulting rosarian,” or CR, teaching other rose enthusiasts to learn to grow better roses. After 10 years as a CR, Jeannie qualified to become a master rosarian. She has been the garden chair for the Valley Garden Center Rose Garden at Encanto Park in Phoenix for the past four years. “Roses are very popular. Contrary to what people think, they’re easy to grow,” says Bill Wray, buyer and manager at

Berridge Nurseries, a longtime Phoenix nursery founded by Jim Berridge, Jr. in 1938. In December and January, Berridge offers more than 5,000 bare-root rose plants – dormant roses sold without soil around the roots – in more than 100 varieties. He says that bare-root roses are less expensive than roses already growing in containers. Floribunda rose varieties – bushy, thick, showy roses with more flowers – get through the Valley’s hot summers better than the long-stemmed, single-flower hybrid tea roses. Bill suggests avoiding planting bare-root roses on hot, westfacing walls and recommends “deadheading” (cutting dead roses) to promote new growth. Regular fertilizing also keeps rose plants healthy and less susceptible to fungus and insects. The window of time for planting bare-root roses, which have been growing in commercial fields for at least one to two years before harvest, is from mid-December through mid-February, says Jeannie, adding that “ideally, the roses will be planted and growing so they are fully ‘leafed out’ by the end of March to ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 59

withstand the onset of summer.” The Valley’s mild winters are ideal for roses, which can also tolerate the occasional frost. And Jeannie offers the little-known fact that nearly 70% of the rose bushes sold in the U.S. originate on rose farms – west of Phoenix!

Join today & make no payments until 2017!*

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Visit TryTheJ.com or call 480.420.0268 Valley of the Sun JCC - 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd. Corner of Sweetwater & Scottsdale Rd. *Pay no membership dues until January 2017. $150 initiation fee applies. If membership is cancelled before March 31, 2017, 2016 monthly dues will apply. 30-day cancellation notice required. New members only. Other restrictions may apply.

60 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

A master rosarian’s tips for growing ravishing roses • Give roses ample water, preferably flooding versus slow drip. • Plant for optimum morning sun and some afternoon shade (especially in summer months).

• Avoid full-strength fertilizers from mid-June to mid-September. • Plant your bare-root roses in a large hole

in sandy loam soil with plenty of rich soil from decaying compost, or “humus.”

—Jeannie Cochell, master rosarian (who favors the Iceberg rose, a white floribunda that blooms 365 days a year)

Resources

American Rose Society: rose.org Mesa-East Valley Rose Society: roses4az-mevrs.org Phoenix Rose Society: phoenixrose.org Rose Society of Glendale: roseglenaz.com

Time By Mala Blomquist

As the story goes, afternoon tea began in the early 19th century, when Anna Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, is said to have complained of growing very hungry between the more substantial meals of breakfast (7 am) and dinner (8:30 pm). She requested that her servant bring tea and a light snack, perhaps a slice of bread and some butter, to her boudoir in the late afternoon. She started inviting friends to join her. It soon turned into a more social event where ladies showed up to be “seen” and chat about the latest fashions or catch up on gossip. Other hostesses picked up on the idea and moved it to the drawing room, where it became a fashionable norm to sip tea and nibble sandwiches in the middle of the afternoon. While it may not be the norm in Arizona to have high tea in winter, it is the norm to welcome winter visitors from the frigid northeast. If you find yourself with guests in town and would like to treat them to something special, we’ve compiled a list of locations where you can sip a spot of tea and nosh on finger sandwiches.

The Arizona Biltmore

2400 E Missouri Ave, Phoenix 602-955-6600 • arizonabiltmore.com Classic High Tea includes tea, pastries, cakes and sandwiches for $50/person. Seatings offered at noon and 2 pm on Thurs., Fri., Sat. and Sun. Reservations required.

English Rose Tea Room

201 E Easy St #103, Carefree 480-488-4812 • carefreetea.com Duchess of Bedford’s Formal Afternoon Tea includes petits fours, two scones, tea sandwiches and a small pot of tea for $28. Tea selection includes: Nursery Tea (for younger guests), Fireside Tea, Cream Tea and Just Dessert Tea. Open 10 am-5 pm Mon.-Sat. and 11 am-4 pm Sun. Reservations recommended.

tea

Photo courtesy Photo courtesy of Arizona Arizona Biltmore. Biltmore The

for

The Jazz Bouquet Floral Shop and Tea Café 140 Coffee Pot Dr, #E-106, Sedona 928-204-1091 • jazzbouquetfloral.com Full Tea menu includes tea sandwiches, canapé, scone, fresh fruit, shortbread, cookies and choice of tea for 24.95/person. Cream Tea and Light Tea also available. Afternoon tea served daily. Reservations required.

Kimberly Ann’s Tea Room & Café

7153 N 59th Ave, Glendale 623-934-1106 • kimberlyannstearoom.webs.com Classic High Tea menu includes fruit, finger sandwiches, dessert, tea and scones for $25/person. Other teas available offering additional food options: Garden Tea, Elegant Tea or Princess Tea. Afternoon tea is served at 11 am or 2 pm. 24hour advance reservations required for all high teas.

The Phoenician

6000 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale 480-423-2530 • thephoenician.com/lobby-tea-court Full Tea menu includes finger sandwiches, scones and tea pastries for $42/person. Add sparkling wine or champagne for an additional charge. Holiday Tea with live entertainment runs through Fri., Dec. 30 for $67/person. The Lobby Tea Court is open from 2-3 pm daily. Reservations required.

The Spicery in Our 1895 Home

7141 N 59th Ave, Glendale 623-937-6534 • 1895spicery.com Adult Tea features tea, scones, bite-sized sandwiches, fresh-fruit parfait and bite-sized desserts for $23/person. Tea is served from 10:30 am-1:30 pm Mon.-Sat. Reservations required.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 61

ADVENTURES Arizona AWAITatState Parks

Zona Travel

By Monica Enriquez Photos courtesy of Arizona State Parks

Arizona became the 48th state of the United States on February 14, 1912, making it one of the youngest states. This is also true for the Arizona State Parks system, established in 1957, which is young compared to other state park systems. Following numerous unsuccessful attempts to create a state parks system in Arizona, a 1956 article written by Ben Avery, the outdoor reporter for the Arizona Republic, catapulted support by interested citizens who joined together for the creation of Arizona State Parks. Through these efforts, the department 62 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

was created to acquire and manage park and cultural areas. Today Arizona State Parks is nearing a milestone and is proud to celebrate its 60th “Diamond” Anniversary in 2017! During the last 60 years, the agency has grown to include management of your 32 parks. We invite you to explore and uncover the many secret places and stories that are still to be found in Arizona’s state parks. Adventures in camping, fishing, hiking, boating and much more await those individuals with an adventurous attitude. Arizona State Parks is hosting events throughout the year to celebrate Arizona and your parks. We will continue to offer events and initiatives that will strengthen communities through economic growth, improved public health, social equity and natural resource conservation. Join one of our signature events including the opening of our new Outdoor Recreation Information Center in Phoenix, Arizona State Parks Day, Mariachi Festival at Patagonia Lake, First Day Hikes at every state park on January 1, 2017, Cave Fest at Kartchner Caverns and much more throughout the year.

Outdoor Recreation Information Center

The information center provides visitors information on Arizona’s recreation opportunities and cultural treasures. Stop by our new offices at 23751 N 23rd Ave. #190 in Phoenix to get information about outdoor opportunities in the area and around the state. Purchase your state parks annual pass and get some last-minute gear you might need on your excursions.

Arizona State Parks Day

For 60 years, Arizona State Parks has been working to preserve Arizona’s outdoor and cultural resources. We plan to celebrate on March 25, 2017, by planting trees all over Arizona! We will start in the morning by planting a tree at the Arizona State Capitol to commemorate 60 years of parks, trails, historical places and all the people who have contributed to protecting them.

First Day Hikes

Each year every state park system in the nation holds “First Day Hikes” on Jan. 1. It is the opportunity to start off the year on a healthy note. In honor of the Diamond Anniversary, Arizona will offer 60 hikes at 30 parks throughout Arizona. So get out those boots and start hiking. You can find a hike near you at AZStateParks.com.

Looking into the “Big Room” at Kartchner Caverns State Park.

The Mariachi Festival held at Patagonia Lake’s Boulder Beach.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 63

Zona Travel

First Day Hikes are a great way to start the new year.

Mariachi Festival

Spice up your spring and head south for the sounds of traditional and modern Mexican Mariachi Band music and dancers. The Festival is held at Patagonia Lake’s Boulder Beach, one of our newest swimming beaches. There will be authentic Mexican food, hot dogs, hamburgers, kettle corn and shaved ice. Enjoy the sounds, bring your family for some dancing and spend the day swimming, relaxing and lounging on the beach.

Cave Fest

Kartchner Caverns State Park’s “Cave Fest” is an annual celebration of the parks underground world. The event offers something for everyone with family friendly activities, captivating talks about the science of the cave and opportunities for cave tours in both the Rotunda/Throne Room

64 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

and Big Room Tours. Experience one of the world’s longest soda straw stalactites, the tallest and most massive column in Arizona, Kubla Khan and the world’s most extensive formation of brushite moonmilk. Tour guides will unveil this fascinating underground landscape during a memorable 90-minute tour. Come out to one of our events and explore the beauty of Arizona’s state parks. Reserve a campsite amidst mountain backdrops and lakeside views or spend the day at the beach, right here in Arizona. Dogs love Arizona’s state parks too! Pack their leash and water bowl for a hike, nature walk or even a full camping adventure. Your RV spot is waiting, the trail is groomed and an epic Arizona sunset waits to be photographed and shared. Visit AZStateParks.com or call 1-877-MYPARKS to plan your next adventure!

ask helen Turn gift exchange into tzedakah opportunity

A NOSH OF

JEWISH WISDOM:

Truth is burdensome, so its bearers are few.

Dear Helen: How can I pull the plug on a gift exchange that I did not initiate, but have participated in for the past two years? I met a friend on a bridge cruise after my divorce. Many of the single women were hunting for a man. I wasn’t, and ended up in a random pairing with a smart Jewish woman from Tennessee. We have partnered together online in the interim, but no more travel, for various reasons on both sides. She has significantly more money than I do, but when she sent me the original Hanukkah gift I felt I had no choice but to reciprocate. Gifting has continued for Hanukkah and birthdays. Is there a polite way to end this without hurting her feelings? I think she likes shopping and gifting people as a hobby. Honestly, I don't need anything except better knees and a few extra hours in each day. Living the Good Life

Dear Living the Good Life: Send her an email that goes roughly like this: Dear Partner – I so enjoy our friendship. I hope we can connect again in person sometime. This year for the holidays I have decided to forgo gift giving and gift receiving. My life is so full, and there are so many in the world in such need. Below I have listed a set of organizations that I’ve selected for their good works to make a hard world a better place for people whose lives are much more difficult than ours. Please tell me which you would like me to gift in your name, and please do the same rather than sending me anything for Hanukkah or in the future. We are so lucky. Let’s share. Dear Helen: I go to High Holiday services, have an annual seder, light Hanukkah candles and believe in (one) God. A friend insisted that I go with her to a lecture/ meditation by a guru that she just “discovered.” If this woman had dressed and talked differently, she could have been in our bridge club. Instead she has a crew of acolytes, a series of books, CDs, DVDs and a radio show. Nothing she said was wrong or bad, but also not much different than the psychobabble I read in any magazine at the hairdresser’s. The audience of several hundred appeared rapt, even enchanted, even when all she did was parrot back what they said and murmur “Yes, yes, yes.” I was mostly bored, occasionally annoyed and generally surprised about how easy such a lucrative gig seemed, not to mention confused how it pulled in so many, including my sharp-as-a-tack attorney friend. She’s now after to me to enroll in a weekly study group, go to a retreat with her or otherwise demonstrate my support while she explores this new path. She’s offering to make this my Hanukkah gift. How can I decline without insulting her? Naysayer

Dear Naysayer: Clearly this person has had a very meaningful influence on your friend. Be kind and polite. But don’t draw out the period of ostensible consideration. Ask to borrow one book or tape to follow up the lecture. Keep it for a week and read the first five pages. Then return it. Say you tried out of respect for her judgment, but have decided to decline. Be clear that you gave it due thought, but that your friend’s teacher is just that, hers not yours. Say your spirituality is more traditional – that you’re not against the guru, just more indifferent than enthused and that you don’t want to invest more time seeking her influence. If, and only if, pressed, say that you were a little turned off by the slick packaging and adoring rapture. But sincerely go out of your way to be gentle and indifferent rather than cutting or belittling. Then go to services a little more often and talk Jewish at your friend for a few weeks. She’ll back off. Who knows, you might like services.

HELEN

A resident of Eugene since 1981, Helen is a member of Temple Beth Israel, where she studies and speaks on Torah. She 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 and subscribe to the blog at kabbalahglass.com/blog/ ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 65

Zona Travel

Glamping it’s all good

Vintage trailers are decked out in the ultimate in retro-chic at The Shady Dell in Bisbee.

By Mala Blomquist

There is a new way to travel that’s been gaining popularity in recent years. It’s called glamping – a fusion of glamorous and camping. Glamping is for those who want to experience the great outdoors, without having to be uncomfortable doing so. Apparently, it was popular internationally way before it came over to the U.S., perhaps because Europeans take more vacations than Americans? Who knows. And as the weather cools down, fall in Arizona is a great time to get your glamp on. Glamping is more than just a clean bathroom facility at the national park campground. It can be on par with a four-star hotel. For example, Arizona Luxury Expeditions (azluxtours. com), offers A Day and a Night of Glamping to either the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley. These trips feature lodging for up to four guests in a large expedition tent (or hogan in Monument Valley) outfitted with everything you will need from linens to end tables. All locations have toilets and showers. Meals are included: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks (fresh fruit and water available at all times). Staff are on hand to help you plan activities and excursions during your stay. The price

66 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

may be a little high for one night ($750-$900 per tent), but it’s hard to put a price on the combination of comfort and nature. For something a little more affordable, there is the Shash Diné Eco-Retreat (shashdine.com). This bed-and-breakfast located on the Navajo Nation offers unobstructed views of Lake Powell and the Vermilion Cliffs. Guests stay in either a canvas bell tent or hogan (traditional Navajo dwelling). The accommodations contain cots, padding, linens, lanterns, towels, toiletries, books, games and water. Includes a traditional Navajo breakfast with blue corn hot cereal, seasonal fruit, nuts, coffee or Navajo tea. Prices here start at $150 per night. Starting in November, guests will also be able to stay in newly constructed earth and log hogans. If you want to try glamping at a lower elevation, check out Raven’s Way Wild Journeys (ravensnatureschool.org) located within Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary near Patagonia. They offer a choice of two luxury safari-tented sites that contain beds, linens, bath towels, fans and a private bathroom with an enclosed hot or cold shower and an incinerator toilet. Included in your stay is a full gourmet breakfast, early morning tea and

Arizona Luxury Expeditions offers well-stocked glamping accommodations at the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley.

scones and use of all the facilities at the Raven’s Nest. Located near the tent are dining and lounging areas, nature trails and the Sky Islands Discovery Center. The rate here starts at $95 per person, and the tents have a two-person maximum. If you’re ready to go glamping on your own, but need a tent, Stout Tent in Phoenix (stouttent.com) has you covered. You can rent tents starting at $250, and they will apply that fee if you decide to purchase a tent from them. They also set up tents for rent at various festivals (as advertised on their Facebook page). Stout Tent offers glamping event packages, too. They can create a bell tent village for a large group, such as a wedding, where guests can enjoy all the amenities of a hotel, but in nature. I’m not sure if you could call The Shady Dell (theshadydell. com) in Bisbee glamping or just plain kitschy, but either way, it is a unique experience. What once started out as a place to provide trailer and camping spaces to weary travelers in the late 1920s is now a retro-chic place to stay in a vintage trailer. The accommodation range from a 1949 Airstream (starting at $85 per night) to a 1959 Boles Aero (starting at $105 per night). Some trailers have bathrooms, some do not, but there are bathroom and shower facilities just steps away. There are more options around the state, and if you want to adventure further you can go to glamping.com for locations that span from Africa to the United Kingdom. So, if you are willing to give up the complimentary toiletries, breakfast and high-thread-count sheets – wait, you don’t have to give up any of that. Maybe all you give up by not staying in a hotel is being immersed in nature – oh, wait… maybe there is no downside to glamping.

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Travel

Masada and her skydiving partner, Dave Ellis, 12,000 feet above Queenstown, New Zealand.

By Masada Siegel

Travel’s triumph over terrorism

After a three-month adventure seeking beauty in the world, many thoughts race through your mind, especially when you have quit your job, run out of money and have no clue what comes next. However, a philosophical discussion on the meaning of life with a perfect stranger is not one of them. A tall man stood behind me in line at passport control in the Sydney airport. He started to chat with me, wondering where I was going. Grinning, I explained I was returning home after wandering solo around Australia and New Zealand. He was heading to Wales. Grant was part of an elite Australian special-forces team. Somehow we got into a deep and meaningful conversation while killing time walking in the airport. It was August 2004. “Everything happens for a reason,” Grant said with confidence. “How can you be so sure?” I replied. “I know it. I have seen it every day of my life. It’s just how the world works.” “Do you really believe that?” I wondered. “How do you know 68 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

that things happen for a reason? Maybe things happen and we give them reason, not the other way round.” I recalled every last detail of how I spent Sept. 11, 2001. I was working for CNN as a field producer on Lou Dobbs’ show, “Moneyline.” My job had started a few weeks prior and I was thrilled, as financial news was perfect and it’s generally low drama. I distinctly remember a conversation with my father at the end of August 2001. I said, “I can do this. The markets go up and down – there is no blood and guts in these news stories.” Weeks later, September 11 happened in front of my eyes and I can’t think, let alone write about it, without tears in my eyes. In a state of shock, I watched smoke pour out of the enormous gash in one of the World Trade Center towers. Soon after, the building started to fall. As I watched, my brain was screaming, “There are people in that building and you are watching them die and there is nothing you can do.” I have never felt such anguish and helplessness. With these thoughts racing through my mind, I asked Grant, “Where were you on Sept. 11?” Grant said solemnly, “I’ll never forget Sept, 11. My mother

died in my arms at the hospital and then my brother and I heard the news.” I was shocked. As I watched my city fall apart, his world was also breaking into pieces thousands of miles away. Soon after, Grant was one of the Australian servicemen who went to fight in the war in Afghanistan. I covered terrorism and the Sept. 11 story for two years. It got to me. My usual happy-go-lucky, cheerful disposition disappeared. Covering funerals and sad stories daily left a deep imprint on me. I needed change. I wanted to see the beauty in the world – the happy, the positive. I read books by every optimistic self-help guru I could lay my hands on and, of course, picked up books by the Dalai Lama. However, the book that made the most sense to me was the Australia and New Zealand guidebook. I put my math skills to good use, reached into my savings account and soon found myself with my backpack in a Victorian-style hostel in Auckland, New Zealand. Down under was the perfect place to find a new worldview. To fill my head with beautiful images

Leonard had been in the British military. They traveled the world together. She was an avid dancer as a youngster and an adventurous lady filled with energy. Her world was forever changed on Feb. 28, 1967, when she was nearly killed in a terrorist bomb attack in Aden, Yemen. A bomb exploded near her at a cocktail party. The two women speaking with Bette were killed. She survived and was left a paraplegic, paralyzed from the waist down. The Ellis family was torn apart. Her youngest son, David, was sent to England to be looked after by Bette’s sister. Leonard suffered from extreme guilt, because he had left Bette at the party when he was called away to work. They eventually divorced and she became a single parent to three children. Leonard went on to have three nervous breakdowns and died at 62 from cancer. In the most unlikely place on the planet I could have imagined, I had come face to face with terrorism and its effects on a family 40 years later. Once again, my heart was ripped to shreds over how one act, one moment in time, can shatter and splinter a person and a family forever. Her world was forever changed on The story stuck with me, so I emailed Dave’s Feb. 28, 1967, when she was nearly father, Alex Ellis, to interview him. He wrote, “Thanks for the interest in Mum’s story. Yes, the killed in a terrorist bomb attack in impacts may go on for years and in many cases Aden, Yemen. A bomb exploded near are difficult to cope with, whereas the public her at a cocktail party. The two women interest tends to be more about the event and speaking with Bette were killed. She the immediate impacts. In many ways, there are almost forgotten victims of such attacks. Mum survived and was left a paraplegic, was a very strong person and led a very active paralyzed from the waist down. life, considering the extent of her injuries. Her story is certainly one of strength and hope, but to counter the horrible ones, I hitched rides from Bette Ellis, z”l, prior to the there is no doubt that many other victims have perfectly lovely strangers, drank pure water from bomb attack in Yemen in not fared as well.” ancient glaciers I hiked and dared myself to do He continued, “Coincidentally, Mum 1967. anything and everything interesting, including passed away and the date is very easy for us to scaring myself to death skydiving in New Zealand remember, as it was 11 Sept.” with my new travel friend, Dave Ellis. Teary-eyed, I was shocked. I can’t help but wonder about the I admit, tossing and turning the night before I was scheduled timing. While 15 years have passed since Sept. 11, 2001, for to jump, I prayed for it to rain. I wished I could back out of my many it is as if it happened yesterday; and for even more people, commitment without looking like I was terrified. But yes, I was the scars of terrorism will be there for generations. afraid of heights and I was scared out of my mind. But no, my I don’t know if I believe that things happen for a reason, sense of adventure got the best of me, as it usually does. but I do know that giving them reason is all most people can Dave and I became the best of friends after jumping out accomplish. of a perfectly good airplane 12,000 feet above the earth in The next time you travel, be open to the world. Because Queenstown, New Zealand. Later in the trip, he invited me even in learning of others’ gut-wrenching heartaches, you can to come explore Perth after I had toured the east coast of find wisdom. Bette Ellis was a woman with a staunch will to Australia. live. Her family, a role model of love, made the best of a tragic It was a great suggestion. A five-hour-plus cross-country situation. On your journeys around the planet – if you are truly flight from Brisbane squished in between two larger-than-life lucky – you might make lifelong friends like the Ellis family, rugby pIayers brought me to my destination. Traveling without who will restore your vision of the world and show you that a plan but with cash in hand left me open to see where the good always triumphs over evil. world would take me. Masada Siegel is an award-winning journalist and photographer. Follow her In Perth, one night I was invited to Dave’s parents’ house for @masadasiegel and check out her website, masadasiegel.com. dinner. His British grandmother, Bette Ellis, told me about her life and how she had met her husband in Jerusalem in 1946. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 69

Active Adults

Myra next to her wall of entertainment memorabilia. Photo by Leni Reiss.

Energetic entrepreneur Myra Richman looks to the future – rooted in the present By Leni Reiss

Full disclosure: Myra Richman and I met in Columbus, Ohio as collegians and “sisters” in a Jewish sorority. She comes from small-town life in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. I am a native New Yorker. To me, Myra – my “first Canadian” – was unique, soft-spoken and elegant. Since our happy reunion, she has admitted that she was originally taken aback by outspoken and outgoing East Coasters like me. During her college years, Myra set her sights on New York City, where she says she sought “more of a world view and to live out a fantasy of working behinds the scenes in television 70 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

production.” This was precipitated by a post-graduate, chance meeting at a restaurant with a Big Apple-based scenic designer for the “Today” show. “We hit it off,” says Myra. “He said to call when I got to New York. [Then] he introduced me to the news department and I was hired as an assistant to the producer.” Myra also traveled the world with NBC News as associate producer to newscaster David Brinkley. The late talk-show host Johnny Carson invited Myra to join his staff as a talent coordinator, so she moved to Burbank for several years, where she met an impressive roster of celebrities.

“Some were terrific, some psychotic, but mostly neurotic,” she says with a smile. She recalls playing tennis with Farrah Fawcett, “a doll,” and spending time with “the late, great Joan Rivers.” After moving back and forth across the country and visiting her now deceased aunt and uncle in the Valley, Myra settled in Scottsdale in 1990. Divorced and looking for a new start, she started her own public relations firm, Richman & Associates. She admits she was “new in town and not particularly well-connected,” but she was entrepreneurial and energetic and acknowledges that “my chutzpah and personality gave me the confidence to jump in.” Her clients soon included resorts, spas, salons and some international associations. A Canadian-based producer of “Unique Lives & Experiences,” a lecture series featuring female celebrities, hired Myra to book, produce and promote events at Gammage Auditorium. Over a five-year period, the successful venture brought Mary Tyler Moore, Mia Farrow, Maya Angelou, Madeleine Albright, Julie Andrews and others to Tempe. In 2005, her company’s burgeoning client list led Myra to add BlacktieArizona as a subsidiary, forming an 11-market national franchise “that brings together nonprofits and individuals who support them, providing tools and promotional services to help raise money, lower costs and gain visibility.” Blacktie-Arizona also provides photo and story coverage of member events and maintains an online, community fundraising-event calendar. “We do everything to relieve [chairpersons] and nonprofits of the detail work – it’s a one-stop shop,” says Myra. A caveat: She requires that her public relations clients contribute to local charities. Myra has served on the boards of the Scottsdale Healthcare Women’s Advisory Council, the Phoenix Art Museum Contemporary Forum, the International Cancer Advocacy Network and other local and international agencies. As if all this weren’t enough, Myra’s latest venture is co-founding Philanthropy, a glossy biannual charity register that “isn’t a lifestyle magazine but is all about putting charities in front

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of high-net-worth individuals looking for donors and visibility.” Myra is editor-in-chief of the publication, which is mailed to this select group and also available online. A portion of the proceeds is rerouted to nonprofit advertisers. Myra’s warm and welcoming Scottsdale home reflects her artistic temperament and talent. Brightly colored walls serve as the background for eclectic art, while shelves and tabletops abound with treasures she collects and crafts, including handmade quilts and decoupage. Myra attended Parsons School of Design in New York City for a time and much of her dramatic, handmade jewelry – especially necklaces – reflect a true talent. “My house is like my diary,” Myra says. “It reflects my history.” So far, she says she treasures a life “filled with sensational memories of people, places and things.” A self-described “media junkie, world traveler, avid reader and intermittent exercise enthusiast,” she lists her passions as her daughter Samantha, granddaughter Francesca, the NBA and The New York Times. As she looks ahead to more life challenges and adventures, Myra says she is also “very much committed to living in the present.” Connect with Myra at myra@myragards.com, blacktie-arizona.com or azcharityregister.com. Myra Richman

involves older adults in the arts Creative Aging is a national initiative based on studies showing that older adults live longer, better lives if they are actively involved in the arts. The movement is aimed at fostering an understanding of the vital relationship between creative expression and quality of life for older adults. Jewish Family & Children’s Service is offering a pilot program of Creative Aging classes from January through May 2017. Participatory arts classes for baby boomers and seniors will be held in three six-week sessions at four different locations around the Valley. The program includes such arts disciplines as vocal music, dance, creative writing and Readers’ Theatre. “JFCS is dedicated to helping ensure the highest quality of life for people at any age,” says JFCS Vice President of Older Adults and Jewish Community Services Ellie Schwartzberg. “We’re looking forward to embarking on this new line of 72 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

services for older adults.” “According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one in four people in Arizona will be over age 60 by the year 2020,” says Janet Arnold, director of the Creative Aging program. “We need to find innovative ways to keep our older adults actively engaged. Creative Aging is based on an ‘assets approach’ to aging, emphasizing what ‘can’ be done rather than what limitations there might be.” At the East Valley Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Road in Chandler, there will be a free kickoff event at 10 am on Monday, Dec. 12 featuring the reading of a oneact play by East Valley playwright and author Amy Dominy. “We thought it would be great fun to show off how Readers’ Theatre actually works and at the same time showcase a local creative writer,” says Janet. Classes in creative writing will begin on Monday, Jan. 9 at the EVJCC and will be taught by Kim

Porter, an award-winning playwright and performer recently named “Best Storyteller” by the Phoenix New Times. Kim says, “I've always wanted to run a workshop for seniors,” says Kim. “I have a real passion for the organization of personal narrative and the transformation that comes from seeing the events in our lives through the filter of story.” Dance instruction will be led by the professional teachers from Dance Fusion

“JFCS is dedicated to helping ensure the highest quality of life for people at any age. We’re looking forward to embarking on this new line of services for older adults.” Ellie Schwartzberg JFCS Vice President of Older Adults and Jewish Community Services

on Wednesdays at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd. in Scottsdale. “Dance is a social art promoting health and well-being with physical, mental, emotional and social benefits,” says Linda Simon, coowner of Dance Fusion. Dance styles include ballroom, country line, musical theater and Israeli folk. Classes begin on Jan. 11. Readers’ Theatre will be taught by Janet Arnold, the founding producing director of the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company, on Thursdays at Congregation Beth Israel at 10460 N. 56th

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 73

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St. in Scottsdale. For over 30 years, Janet has been active in the theater community as a producer, director, actor and teacher. She believes that nearly everyone can remember plays in which they performed when they were young. “Readers’ Theatre is great fun,” she says, adding that any age or background is welcome – “and there’s no memorization!” Classes begin Jan. 12. On Fridays, Dan Kurek will teach vocal music at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center at 122 E. Culver St. in downtown Phoenix. Dan has been musical director for a number of theaters in the Valley, as well as choir director for Temple Chai for the past seven years. He is also involved in “Songs by Heart,” a new program that brings music into the lives of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and also volunteers at Circle the City working with the homeless. “Dan is a perfect match for all we hope to accomplish with our Creative Aging classes,” says Janet. Funding for the classes has been generously donated by Barbara and Barry Zemel, with assistance from a Creative Aging pilot grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts. All venues are contributing partners. To find out more about the Creative Aging initiative, visit creativeaging.org. Classes run from 10 am to noon and are open to adults age 60 and older. Registration is $60 for one six-week session. Contact Janet at janet.arnold@jfcsaz.org or call 480-599-7198.

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s d i K too & Teens

Reinvigorating the J’s Jewish soul By Melissa Hirschl

Innovative ideas are bustin’ out all over at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center in Scottsdale. A bastion of the community, “The J” is on a mission to become your one-stop place for everything fun and engaging in Judaism. Many programs are being revamped and expanded. New Managing Director Kim Subrin, a “make it happen” kind of person, is a passionate advocate for increasing family programming and community involvement. “Partly because of transitions and leadership changes, The J went through difficult transitional times over the years,” says Subrin. “Now people are ready to have their J back and are investing in its success. The new staff, board of directors and I are dedicated and committed to bringing back the soul of The J with more staff and programming.” A Jewish communal professional for the past 16 years, Subrin’s vision and exuberance are a vital part of The J’s transformation. “I want this to be the place everyone thinks of going to for Jewish holidays, simchas and events,” she says. A recent “Pizza in the Hut” celebration, for example, brought Sukkot to life for many kids and their families. Representatives from PJ Library, a free early-childhood Jewish lending library, were there, along with the Shemesh summer music camp director. Delectable meals were served up by La Bella kosher catering and Rabbi Nate Crane from Or Tzion brought the traditional lulav and etrog. “You don't have to be affiliated anywhere to enjoy our events,” says Subrin. “You can just come and learn Kim Subrin about the holiday and meet new people in the community.” W Currently, Subrin has her sights set on an ambitious activity guaranteed to rock the entire Phoenix Jewish community. It’s so huge that over 15 agencies have already shown interest and almost every synagogue is on board. On March 12, 2017, The J will host a huge community Purim carnival. “We had over 3,500 people attend in 2008, but we’ve never had anything of that magnitude since,” says Subrin. “Hopefully, this year, we will exceed our 2008 number. A food pavilion, along with dessert vendors and a Judaic store, will be included and we’ll have a stage to showcase youth group choirs and other Kim Subrin, community programs. We'll also be talking about New Managing Director mishloach manot – food baskets with Purim

“ e will hold a candle lighting for each night of Chanukah in the lobby, where anyone in the community can join us for songs, prayers and Chanukah activities.” ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 75

celebrate Shabbat with prayers, songs and challah, encouraging everyone in the vicinity to gravitate over and join in the fun. Wee folks at the Early Children enjoying youth Shabbat at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center. Childhood Center, can also enjoy interactive, holidayfoods such as hamantaschen.” themed activities throughout Chanukah will take on some extra sheen this year, thanks the year, such as a mock Passover sedar, where children can to the festive J family program planned from 9 to 11 am on taste all kinds of foods. Dec. 25. The Chanukah Character Breakfast celebration will Some higher-intensity fun can be found at once-a-month be replete with crafts, breakfast, latkes, a DJ and cartoon Super Sundays, where kids of all ages engage in games, create characters. “For two hours, kids will make autograph books, crafts, listen to lively music and play in a bouncy house. Done be silly and have fun,” says Subrin. “In addition, we will hold a in conjunction with Member Appreciation Days, the free candle lighting for each night of Chanukah in the lobby, where festivities take place in the main hallway. “One Sunday a anyone in the community can join us for songs, prayers and month, we partner with other Jewish organizations – like PJ Chanukah activities.” Library, the Padres Jewish Day School and the Jewish National For maximum exposure, Club J, the after-school enrichment Fund – as we focus on whatever holiday is coming up next,” program, moves into the J hallway every Friday at 4 pm to says Subrin. “In January, we're looking forward to not only celebrating Tu B’Shevat, but to a community camp fair as well.” Subrin’s excitement is palpable when she talks about the Shemesh Summer Camp, which serves kindergarten through 10th grade. “We have much higher quality programs now and a higher level of staff with more experience,” she says. “Our 10week program this summer is kicking off with OTG [On the Go] for sixth- to eighth-graders. This is a two-week program, which includes four days of travel on a bus with counselors.” Planned trips include Las Vegas (zip-lining, race car driving and roller coaster riding), Albuquerque (hot-air balloon ride, hiking and an Amazing Race-style adventure), San Diego and Disneyland. Other planned camp adventures allow kids to get a taste of the “big top” experience at circus camp and to try their hand at cooking, art, dance, sports, science, engineering and theater. All help to provide an empowering and engaging summer experience. The J leadership and staff are determined to continually improve program offerings and service. With myriad activities – not only for youth but teens, adults and seniors, too – it’s easy to see why The J is the epicenter of Jewish life in the Valley.

76 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Kids & teens too

Charlie Cutler instructing some of the kids participating in the Border Youth Tennis Exchange program.

It’s a match: Tennis unites children across Mexico-Arizona border By Shuly Wasserstrom

Many children in both Nogales, Arizona, and its sister city Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, would not recognize a tennis court, let alone know the rules of the game. For Charlie Cutler, a former professional tennis player, the goal is to change that. Charlie grew up in Portland, Oregon, attending Havurah Shalom where he became a bar mitzvah. The 29-year-old recently established a nonprofit organization called Border Youth Tennis Exchange. Charlie provides tennis lessons and educational programming on both sides of the border in Nogales, enhancing the lives of children who otherwise would not have access to extracurricular sports and education. The children are only about 5 miles apart in distance, but are separated by a border and have never met. Both communities are largely made up of low-income workers. “BYTE promotes healthy cross-border interaction,” Charlie explains. The program was originally slated just for the

summer, but in the coming months Charlie plans to make it a permanent afterschool program. He will teach lessons two days a week in Arizona and two days a week in Mexico and will have a video conference between both sets of students during the educational component of the programming. Charlie and his wife, Stefanie Tannenhaus, recently moved from San Francisco to the Arizona side of the border community to dedicate themselves full time to BYTE. Charlie was finishing his master’s degree in international studies and human rights with a focus on border policy and immigration, specifically refugee asylum, at the University of San Francisco. He originally discovered the border communities of Nogales through an internship with the Border Community Alliance during his studies. “At a more theoretical level, one of the greatest challenges facing the border is misrepresentation in the media and disconnect between public conception and realities on the border. Crime, drugs and undocumented immigration

BORDER YOUTH TENNIS EXCHANGE: bytetennis.org | ccutler@bordercommunityalliance.com ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 77

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78 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

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dominate national perceptions of the border region and overshadow the real people living their daily lives in a place dictated by fearful national policy,” he says. Charlie spent his youth in Portland playing tennis, saying it enriched his life in ways he has never taken for granted. He played competitively starting at age 7 and began playing nationally as a high school junior and through four years of college. In 2011 he played three professional tennis tournaments in Israel – two in Ramat Hasharon and one in Ashkelon. While there he visited cousins on Kibbutz K'Far Blum. Now, he wants to bestow the gifts of sportsmanship to kids in high-risk communities, giving them an opportunity to immerse themselves in positive and educational afterschool activities. “When I first arrived last summer to teach lessons, about 35 kids showed up. It was total mayhem. I’m not even sure anyone learned anything about tennis,” Charlie says. The kids’ – and parents’ – interest sparked the idea for him, and he went to work to build his organization. “I really see this model as a pilot for a healthier way to interact as countries, connecting communities at a grassroots level,” Charlie says. “BYTE is a vehicle for involving youth in sports and exercise as well as a method for productive mentorship and the teaching of positive life habits. There is ample data on the role of sports and afterschool programming

in gang prevention and youth development.” Incorporating digital technology into learning will advance the programming, he says. On the days he is on the Mexico side, Stefanie will be in Arizona and the two groups will video conference. The chats are an opportunity for the kids to interact in a format unfamiliar to them. To start, the program will focus on 15 students on each side between the age of 8 and 10. Charlie says the age of the children participating is critical. “The younger you can make an influence, the better chance of impacting lives,” he says. He is adapting and customizing the curriculum for BYTE from a National Junior Tennis and Learning model called Academic Creative Engagement. There are no public tennis courts on in Nogales, Mexico, and along with growing and funding the afterschool program, Charlie is setting out to build one. His ultimate goal for the future of the organization, however, is to establish the program permanently and share the pilot model with other cities. “I plan to use my organization as a narrative for healthier interaction across borders,” Charlie says. Much of the support received so far has been from the United States Tennis Association Foundation, the community development arm of the USTA that oversees a network of nonprofits and supports organizations such as BYTE. Funding has come from a variety of donors, Charlie says, and he has already raised $130,000 from government agencies, the U.S. consulate in Nogales, national foundations and individual donors.

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Kids & teens too

All ages welcome at Families Giving Back

participate through a wide variety of more convenient, athome projects benefitting nonprofits across the Valley. The Age is just a number when it comes to making the world a organization’s website is also a great resource for simple ways better place. That’s what Alexandra Sklar and Lisa Geyser, the families can integrate giving back into their daily lives,” says founders of the nonprofit Families Giving Back, believe. Lisa. Lisa and Alex became fast friends in a parenting group Families Giving Back has over 800 volunteer families and when their oldest children were 6 months old. “We were new has logged more than 1,500 volunteer hours, not including moms, Jewish, and had similar backgrounds, growing up far at-home projects and donation collections. Some partnering less privileged than our organizations include Free children,” says Alex. Arts for Abused Children “We often talked about of Arizona, Phoenix how important it was Children’s Hospital, to us both that our boys Southwest Human grow up appreciative Development and Valley of of what they have and the Sun United Way. understand…[that At last month’s 5th with that, comes] the Annual Thanksgiving responsibility to help Meal Bag Assembly event those less fortunate. hosted at Pardes Jewish Equally important, we Day School, families each wanted our boys to brought five non-perishable know that, even though Thanksgiving food items someone may have and $10 grocery store different circumstances gift cards. They colored than we do, we are all and decorated paper the same and should be grocery bags with markers From left, Karen Conway, Alex Sklar and Lisa Geyser stand amid the nearly 700 treated equally. and stickers and made Both families have two Thanksgiving meal bags to be distributed to students at Granada Primary School. Thanksgiving cards before boys who have all grown forming an assembly line of up and volunteered 300 volunteers to assemble together. Lisa and Alex searched for an organization where nearly 700 meal bags during two one-hour shifts. The bags their children could also participate at an early age, but they were delivered to Granada Primary School, a Title 1 school in didn’t find many options. So they decided to create their own. Phoenix. “It’s always so much fun delivering the bags. Some Both moms wanted to instill in their young boys the of the students help unload the truck and they are incredibly importance of helping others and giving back. They believed it appreciative and sweet,” says Alex. “It’s always one of our was possible for young children to make a difference. Knowing favorite events of the year!” families like their own who wanted to volunteer together, Alex “There’s no prouder moment as a mother than watching your approached Lisa with an idea. Within the same week, they children do something to help someone else,” says Alex. “It’s founded “Families Giving Back” and “we haven’t stopped since,” been amazing to watch them grow into caring, compassionate says Alex. boys who will continue to make helping others a way of life. Because Lisa and Alex know how demanding life can be, It’s [amazing] watching our young volunteers work so hard and they carefully crafted an organization with a variety of options feel so good knowing that they are helping other people, other for families to participate. “No matter the age of your children kids, and proving that the smallest of hands can make a big, or how much time you have, Families Giving Back can help positive impact.” your family make a positive difference in our community,” says Lisa. “Our events are one-hour in length to fit into busy Get involved at familiesgivingback.org. families’ schedules. If families can’t attend an event, they can By Masada Seigel

80 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Family Time

By Debra Rich Gettleman

Lucky latkes

Things are definitely different here in Washington state. If you follow the news, you will consistently read about Seattle as being one of the strongest and fastest-growing Jewish communities in the country. I have little reason to doubt this fact. Except that unless I’m at our wonderful new temple in North Seattle, I could swing dozens of dead cats and never hit a single member of our tribe. We currently live about 20 minutes north of the city in a suburb at the tip of Lake Washington known as Kenmore. My kids have no Jewish friends at school, I haven’t seen a single home in our neighborhood with a mezuzah on the doorpost and I can’t find a decent challah within 20 miles of my front door. I’m not exactly complaining. But it’s awfully weird for this North Shore Chicago girl, who spent the last two decades in Los Angeles and Scottsdale surrounded by plenty of Jewish brethren, to be living among all of these lovely people, most of whom have never even met a Jew. My oldest son, Levi, who is deeply entrenched in Judaism, Torah and spirituality, has mentioned to me several times that he feels kind of weird telling kids at school about his Judaism, because he’s always met with strange looks and perplexed stares whenever he mentions his religious heritage. Please understand that we have in no way met with unkindness or religious intolerance in any way. Our neighbors are civil and have spoken to us on at least one or two occasions. But they’re not busting down our door with plates of greatAunt Sofie’s mandel bread or a sample of Grandma Sarah’s famous rugelach. That said, Levi loves his new high school. In part, this is due to the outstanding culinary arts program in which he managed to earn a spot as the only sophomore ever admitted. His culinary arts teacher is an amazing chef, teacher and yes, “Iron Chef America” winner. We’ve even talked about asking her and the students to cater my younger son Eli’s upcoming oneg Shabbat bar mitzvah luncheon at the temple this March. But the other day, Levi came home in a state of utter delight and could barely contain his excitement long enough to tell us why he was so elated. He explained that there was a new class competition in culinary. Each student would get to choose one kitchen appliance for the upcoming challenge and would have to prepare a specified dish with that appliance. Levi

immediately began gunning for the food processor. But after picking numbers from a chef hat, he ended up being the last student to choose his appliance. “I knew there was no way I was going to get the food processor,” he told us sadly. The other appliances included a blender, a KitchenAide mixer, a waffle iron, a deli slicer and several other typical kitchen helpers. “But somehow, no one picked the food processor,” said Levi. “I was absolutely last and I got it! Can you believe that?” “No one picked the food processor?” I asked incredulously. “That’s really bizarre. That doesn’t make any sense. I would’ve thought the food processor would’ve been the first to be snatched up.” “I know,” he said, a huge smile plastered across his face. “I never knew I was this lucky. And guess what else? You will never believe what recipe I got with it.” “What?” my husband, Mark, asked with intense curiosity, to which Levi cheerfully replied, “Dad, it’s our favorite thing to make in the food processor! You’ll never believe it. Guess! You have to guess.” “Our favorite thing to make in the food processor?” repeated Mark. “Um…potato pancakes?” “Not just potato pancakes,” chirped Levi, “but latkes! Actual latkes! That’s what the recipe said. Isn’t that amazing?” Now comes the moment where I regret lacking any internal editing programs to stop my mouth from speaking exactly what my brain thinks up. “Well, obviously you got the food processor because no one else even knew what a latke was.” Both Levi and Mark looked at me in horror. “Mom, that’s ridiculous,” said Levi. “Who doesn’t know what a latke is?” Mark was smiling a knowing smile: “Yeah, hon, who doesn’t know what a latke is?” “Um…you’re right, Leves,” I stammered. “Forget I said that. You just got…lucky, incredibly lucky!”

Debra Rich Gettleman is a mother, blogger, actor and playwright. For more of her work, visit unmotherlyinsights.com

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 81

Kids & teens too

r e b m e c e D s ent

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 those in K-8. Transportation from nearby schools available. Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 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 Jewish Community Center, 908 N Alma School Road, Chandler. Contact Jeff at 480-897-0588 or hastj@evjcc.org, evjcc.org.

J-CARE AFTER-SCHOOL 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 K-12. Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E River Road, Tucson. Contact Scott at 520299-3000 ext. 192 or szorn@tucsonjcc.org, tucsonjcc.org.

Ongoing Sat-Sun in Dec. and daily Dec. 19-23

WINTER WONDERLAND begins at Butterfly Wonderland, 9500 E

Via de Ventura, Scottsdale. Kick off the holiday season with their tranquil blue, white and silver decor. 7-foot tall living angels with expansive wings add an ethereal aura to the conservatory from 10am-4pm, while musical groups Nouveau Papillon, the Scottsdale String Quartet and harpist Adrienne Bridgewater fill the air with the serene sounds of the season from 11am-3pm. Included with admission: $19.95 adults, $17.95 ages 13-17, $12.95 ages 3-12, ages 2 and under free. 480-800-3000 or butterflywonderland.com.

Dec. 2

TOT SHABBAT at 5:45-8 pm at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550

E 5th St., Tucson. Special Kabbalat Shabbat Service for young families to welcome the Sabbath with stories and songs, followed by kid-friendly Shabbat dinner. $25 per family (2 adults & up to 4 children). Additional adults $10 per person. RSVP to Kim, 520-745-5550 ext. 224 or edasst@ caiaz.org.

Dec. 2, 9, 16 & 23

MOMMY & ME ROCK SHABBAT at Temple Kol Ami Early

Childhood Center, 15030 N 64th St., Scottsdale from 9-10:30 am. Teacher-led class for moms and their children ages infant to 2 years. Moms connect and share experiences while their children learn and grow. Classes are just $5 per class (or $35 for a 10-class pass) for Temple Kol Ami members. Non-members pay $10 per class (or $75 for a 10- class pass). For registration or information contact 480-951-5825 or tkaecc@ templekolami.org.

82 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Dec. 5, 12 & 19

PARENT-TOT CLASS for ages up 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 5th St., Tucson. 520-745-5550 ext. 229 or lynne@caiaz.org.

Dec. 6 & 20

STORYTIME IN THE NORTHWEST with PJ Library at 10:30

am at the Jewish Federation Northwest, 190 W Magee Road #162, Oro Valley. Storytime featuring PJ Library books followed by snacks. We have guest readers and guitar players, seasonal crafts, outdoor play and more! Meet other Jewish parents, grandparents and caretakers. For newborn through age 5, but all ages and abilities are welcome. 520-505-4161 or northwestjewish@jfsa.org.

Dec. 9

FESTIVE - YOUTH HANUKKAH SHABBAT at Or Adam

Congregation, 122 E. Culver St., Phoenix. Call for more information. 480-865-4710 or oradam.com.

SHABBAT ROCKS! Service & Family Shabbat Dinner at Temple

Emanu-El, 225 N Country Club Road, Tucson from 5:30-8 pm. Shabbat dinner at 5:30 pm of kosher chicken and sides (vegetarian upon request). Then an energetic, musical Shabbat service for the whole family at 6:30 pm, featuring the Avanim Rock Band, followed by dessert oneg. All are welcome; please RSVP for the dinner. Diner is $12/adults, under 13 free. 520-327-4501 or mila@templeemanueltucson.org.

Dec. 10

K’TON TIME at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E 5th St., Tucson from 10:30-11 am. This fun & lively 20-minute service led by Gabby Erbst includes songs, prayers, stories & games; playground time for kids & schmoozing time for parents; kid-friendly kiddush. Geared to families with kids ages 1 to 6, but every family is welcome! 520-745-5550 or rabbi@caiaz.org. KID’S NIGHT OUT – SUMMER IN DECEMBER for grades

K-5 at the Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 6-10 pm. Parents, enjoy the night out while the kids enjoy fun activities in the pool and splash pad. $30 non-members, $20 for members; sibling discounts available. 480-634-4949 or youth@vosjcc.org.

PARENT’S NIGHT OUT at Xtreme Gymnastics, 15821 N

79th St. #3, Scottsdale from 6-10 pm. Leave your kids for a funfilled Saturday evening of gymnastics fun, games and group activities while you go out and have a lively time of your own! For ages 3-12; open to non-members. $24/individual, $58/family. Reservations required. 480-596-3543 or xtreme@xtremegymnastics.com.

TWEEN’S NIGHT OUT – BOWLING at the Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 6-10 pm. 6th through 8th graders start the evening in The J’s Teen Lounge for Havdalah and mixers, then hop in the vans for an evening of fun bowling. All entry costs are included and a snack is provided upon return to The J by 9:35 pm. $50 non-members, $40 members; sibling discounts available. 480-634-4949 or youth@vosjcc.org.

Dec. 25

Dec. 11 MISHPACHAH (FAMILY) PROGRAM at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E 5th St., Tucson from noon-2:30 pm. Begins at CAI with pizza & games in the Linda Roy Youth Center. Then we’ll caravan to Handmaker at 1 pm to visit and play games together, and help the residents make holiday cards for their families. Free, RSVP to Nichole Chorny by Dec. 6 at 530-745-5550, ext. 228 or cantorialsoloist@caiaz.org.

Dec. 16

SHABBAT STAY AND PLAY/SHABBAT ON THE GO

features singing and blessings in the art gallery, a special lunch discount for participating parents and children and play space fun immediately following. 10 am at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E River Road, Tucson. Free. 520-299-3000 ext. 236 or tucsonjcc.org.

FAMILY SHABBAT SERVICE & DINNER at Congregation

Anshei Israel, 5550 E 5th St., Tucson from 5:45-8:30 pm. Service begins with a “drum circle” – instruments are supplied, you bring the rhythm! Percussion instruments will be available for all who wish to participate. Then Shabbat dinner, followed by Open Lounge in the Youth Center with games and fun. $25 per family (2 adults & up to 4 children). Additional adults $10 per person. RSVP to Kim, 520-745-5550 ext. 224 or edasst@ caiaz.org.

Dec. 18

HANUKKAH FAMILY WORKSHOP & Kollel at Congregation

CHANUKAH CHARACTER BREAKFAST at the Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road from 10 am-3 pm. Enjoy pancakes and latkes with some of your child’s favorite characters, including Olaf, Minions and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! There’s menorah building, crafts, music and more. $15/person non-members, $11/person members, ages 12 months and under are free. 480-634-4949 or youth@ vosjcc.org.

Dec. 27-Jan. 8

ZOPPE, AN ITLAIAN FAMILY CIRCUS at Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N Arizona Ave., Chandler. One-ring circus that honors the history of Old-World Italian tradition. $18-$40; times vary. 480-782-2680 or chandlercenter.org.

Dec. 28

HANUKKAH PARTY at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E 5th St., Tucson. Lighting the hanukkiah, live entertainment, dinner, donut dipping station and chocolate gelt. Children’s activities, crafts and games. 6-8 pm. $13/person ($6.13 with paid reservation through Dec. 16). 520-7455550 or caiaz.org.

Dec. 31

NEW YEAR’S EVE KIDS PARTY at Xtreme Gymnastics, 15821

N 79th St. #3, Scottsdale. Leave your kids for a rockin’ New Year’s Eve of gymnastics fun, games and group activities while you go out and have a lively time of your own! For ages 3-12; open to non-members. Choose 7-10:30 pm ($35), 7 pm-1 am ($50) or 7 pm-8:30 am Jan. 1 ($70). Reservations required. 480-596-3543 or xtreme@xtremegymnastics.com.

MOVE-N-LEARN

Anshei Israel, 5550 E 5th St., Tucson from 9 am-noon. Learning activities, adult education, Maccabiah competition and Hanukkah party with food and games. Free; please RSVP by Dec. 14. 520-745-5550 ext. 227 or eddir@caiaz.org.

CHANUKAH SUPER SUNDAY in the Hallway at the Valley of the

Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road from 10 am-3 pm. Family-friendly open house with PJ Library story time, games, bounce house and prepare for Chanukah with cookie decoration and dreidel play time. 480-634-4949 or youth@vosjcc.org.

Dec. 19-23

FIT-N-FUN DAY CAMP at Xtreme Gymnastics, 15821 N 79th St. #3, Scottsdale from 9 am-3 pm; extended hours available. Gymnastics, trampoline, group challenge activities, obstacle courses, team sports, inflatables and more. For ages 3-12. Half- and full-day options. $49-62 daily rate; $199-$256 weekly rate. Reservations required. 480-596-3543 or xtreme@xtremegymnastics.com.

Dec. 23-Jan. 9

WINTER CAMP Rimon at the East Valley Jewish Community Center,

980 N Alma School Road, Chandler. Field trips, themed activities, sports, art projects, cooking, science and more. 9 am-3:30 pm; extended hours available. Daily and weekly pricing. 480-897-0588 or evjcc.org.

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 83

Young Adults

The crowd on the dance floor at Mazelpalooza.

l e z Ma looza pa

By Masada Seigel

Mazelpalooza, one of the biggest parties of the year. continues to grow, with an expected turnout this month of over a thousand people. The event was first started in 1998 by the Young Leadership Division at the Federation in Phoenix. It has always been held on Christmas Eve - the perfect time to attract a large Jewish crowd. This annual event takes place in many cities across the U.S., albeit with a different name. For example, a big party called “Light It Up” is held in Las Vegas, Seattle calls it “Latkepalooza” and it’s the “Matzo Ball” in New York City. The evening is one of the many events hosted by NowGen, an initiative of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, to engage Jewish young adults between the ages of 21 and 45 through meaningful programs. “It is the primary social gathering for Jews in Phoenix. For many Jews, this is the only “Jewish” event they will attend all year,” says Stacey Cohen, senior director of NowGen. “People 84 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

who have moved out of town will come back for Mazelpalooza, because they know it’s a great place to catch up with old friends and meet new people. It also serves as the primary fundraiser for NowGen Phoenix, providing key funds that help support Jewish events throughout the year, such as NowGen Kickoff, Shabbat Hop and more.” The well-attended Mazelpalooza is a carefully crafted event that requires a great deal of effort to put together. Leila Mikal is one of the event chairs. “This event is six months in the making,” says Leila. “Our NowGen board members and our Mazelpalooza committee have been working very hard on making this event what it will be: the best year yet – because not only is it the first night of Chanukah, it’s on a Saturday night – and there will be upwards of close to 1,000 Jews dancing and partying their hearts out. There is no other event in Arizona [where] there are so many young Jews at one location, all there to have fun.” Past events have been held in posh hotels and clubs (generally in Old Town Scottsdale), ranging from the W Hotel and the

“

not seen in a year. It’s like Valley Ho to Mint and a reunion of sorts – for Livewire. This year, the The sheer size of the event makes it fun. everyone!” festivities will be Young adults connect with friends from Mazelpalooza is held at the Maya around the Valley and the country – plus not only a guaranteed Day and Nightclub we have a professional DJ, a photo booth good time, but in Scottsdale. and this year we’ll have some unique attending is actually Attendance has entertainment provided by Maya. a mitzvah: $18 (tax steadily increased every – Stacey Cohen deductible) from every year since its inception as ticket sold will be donated to word gets out that Mazelpalooza the annual campaign for the Jewish is the hottest ticket in town for the most Federation of Greater Phoenix. entertaining event of the evening. “The sheer size of the event makes it fun,” says Stacey. Location: Maya Day and Nightclub, 7333 E. Indian Plaza, “Young adults connect with friends from around the Valley Scottsdale and the country – plus we have a professional DJ, a photo Sponsors: NowGen Phoenix and Steve LeVine booth and this year we’ll have some unique entertainment Entertainment provided by Maya.” Date: Saturday, Dec. 24 Co-chair Mitch Cohen is excited about the evening and Time: 9 pm-2 am knows it will be another smashing success.“We are sure that if you ask 100 people what the best part of Mazelpalooza is, you Ticket info: will get 100 different answers,” says Mitch. “However, from Tickets are on sale at mazelpalooza.org our point of view, the best part of Mazelpalooza is seeing that General admission: $36 (available until 5 pm, Dec. 24) you had an impact in making these 1,000-plus Jews have the At the door: $45 time of their lives on this particular night, not too mention $18 from each ticket will be a donation to the Jewish seeing people that you might have lost contact with or have Federation of Greater Phoenix Annual Campaign The DJ gets the crowd moving at Mazelpalooza. Photo credit Peter Speyer.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 85

Israel

BDS onslaught drives Milan Chatterjee to activism By Deborah Moon

Milan Chatterjee at the IAC national conference. Photo by PAL Photography

The son of immigrants from India, Milan Chatterjee grew up deeply immersed in Indian and Hindu culture. Though he became

president of the UCLA Graduate Students Association, he was apolitical. So when he was targeted by supporters of the Boycott, Divest, Sanction movement, he was very surprised but assumed the university would deal with it. When he was instead rebuked after a UCLA investigation, he became publically committed to opposing the BDS movement. He is now finishing his law degree at New York University. In September, Milan was a featured speaker at the Israeli American Council’s national conference that attracted 2,100 activists and leaders. Among those leaders was Jewish Life Magazine’s Publisher Cindy Saltzman who recorded a video interview with Milan (an excerpt of the video is posted on azjewishlife.com). The following story is based on that interview. Milan’s road to becoming an anti-BDS activist began in October of 2015 when a student group requested funds for a campus diversity event from the graduate student group Milan was president of. Since the BDS movement is extremely active on UCLA’s campus, Milan said some of his administration was concerned that topic would be part of the event. Wanting all students to feel safe at the event, Milan told event organizers the event should include pro and con BDS groups if event organizers “accepted our funds. They accepted our terms and both sides were represented.” When he received a letter a couple of weeks later from Palestinian groups and the ACLU “falsely accusing me of viewpoint discrimination, I was surprised but thought the University would address it.” Instead, the letter was circulated on campus and a petition was started against Milan. Then one BDS activist called for

86 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

“holy war against me and my administration.” “We had to get campus security to come to our meetings,” says Milan. Though nothing happened, Milan said he felt he could be in physical danger because you don’t know where that kind of language can lead. “I asked UCLA for help and support from this anti-Israel harassment,” he says. Instead, UCLA launched a three-month investigation against Milan, but never investigated the BDS activists. “That is the double standard you see in terms of the administration’s handling of the BDS movement.” “They returned a defamatory report saying I violated viewpoint neutrality in the allocation of student fees,” Milan says in a tone that still resonates with shock nearly a year later. “I was trying to be neutral.” Milan and his attorneys now are attempting to have the report overturned. “Seeing how the BDS activists want to destroy people’s reputations and their careers, and engage in smear campaigns, I don’t know how anyone can support the BDS movement,” says Milan, adding, “It also calls for the economic annihilation of Israel.” He says he is most troubled by UCLA’s collusion with the BDS movement causing him to waste three months of his life and needing lawyers to defend himself. He says he is grateful for the support he has received from the Jewish community. Those two diverse reactions have inspired him to become a very public anti-BDS activist. “I feel a moral obligation to expose the BDS movement and administrations who collude with them,” he says. “It is a very dangerous movement … the tactics they use to advance it is malicious and affects the safety of students.” “Since I had this experience and learned a lot, I feel I can help in overcoming it.”

L iving

To Life

TO LIFE!

A New Year with no regrets By Amy Hirshberg Lederman

It shouldn’t take a diagnosis of cancer or other life-threatening illness to make us “wake up” to wanting to live our lives more fully. Yet, for many of us, the sense of urgency that comes with having a disease or serious medical condition is often the impetus for just that sort of wake-up call. When my husband, Ray, was diagnosed with cancer five years ago, we became a team as we faced the challenges of living with his disease. From the onset, we talked openly about risks and probabilities as we aggressively researched and pursued treatments and clinical trials. We got help from all sorts of medical and alternative healing sources and were supported beautifully by family and friends. But what helped us most was a philosophy that we embraced throughout the three and a half years that Ray lived. “Live with no regrets” became the mantra we used to prioritize our relationships and choices. “Will I regret this?” became the standard question we would ask in making daily decisions. Should we tell the kids about the risks of treatment? Yes. No regrets. Should we remodel our 35- year-old bathroom? Do it now. No regrets. Should Ray contact a friend in the hopes of resolving a painful interaction? Definitely. No regrets. Should we take that family cruise to Alaska even if we aren’t sure how Ray might feel? Why wait? No regrets. When it became clear that the final months of Ray’s life were at hand, “no regrets” was the compass that directed us in our interaction with others. We attempted to do all we could to ensure that our children, family and friends would have no regrets after Ray was gone. He was able to tell people what he wanted them to know and to hear what they needed to say. It was a gift of time, honesty and truth – for Ray and for those who knew him. Living with no regrets takes a great deal of intentional living. Dying with no regrets takes a life well-lived and well-loved. The new year is often a time when we reflect on the past and consider what changes we would like to see in the year ahead. In some ways, the calendar beckons us to “begin again” and inspires us to make resolutions and set goals with the hope that they will result in positive change. With that in mind, I would like to offer “Lederman’s Top Ten” suggestions for living with no regrets in 2017. 1. Consider that experiences often bring more happiness than material possessions do. 2. Create a bucket list. Cross off at least one thing every six months. 3. Be alive and present to what you have in the moment. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 87

FEDERATION

MATTERS YOUR YEAR-END GIFT

MATTERS

4. Find something to be grateful for every day. 5. Be present in your relationships. It keeps you focused and aware and is a path to intimacy, authenticity, friendship and love. 6. Communicate, even when its hard. Speak from your heart and remember that words from the heart go to the heart. 7. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Living with no regrets doesn’t mean living without mistakes. It’s better to say "Oops!" than to wonder "What if....?" 8. Always remember that it’s never too late to get it right (whatever "right" means to you!). 9. Don't spend your time worrying about staying on top and being popular, beautiful, admired –these are fleeting qualities. Letting go can enable you to be more and do more of what you want. 10. Never regret a single moment of the journey. If it wasn't your destination, it was part of your preparation. Living with no regrets means living authentically, honestly, openly and lovingly. And for those who are able to follow that path, life – no matter how challenging – will offer a deeper sense of meaning and fulfillment. Amy Hirshberg Lederman has written more than 300 columns and essays that have been published nationwide. amyhirshberglederman.com

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L iving

Jewish National Fund honors Dr. Michael Crow and Ann and Ted Zinman

The Jewish National Fund is deeply honored to recognize the tremendous accomplishments and vision of Arizona State University President Dr. Michael Crow with its annual Tree of Life Celebration. The Tree of Life is a humanitarian award given in recognition of outstanding community involvement, dedication to the cause of American-Israeli friendship and devotion to peace and security of human life. The award honors leaders for their achievements and innovations in industry, government and education. The award will be presented during the annual Arizona Tree of Life Celebration on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2017 at 6 pm at the Camby Hotel in Phoenix. Dr. Crow has been instrumental in building the ArizonaIsrael relationship, which has flourished and thrived, establishing new partnerships, research collaborations and opportunities for joint study abroad programs. President Crow has worked to integrate Jewish life into the vibrant fabric of the ASU community by representing Jewish interests on the Council of Religious Advisors, bringing kosher food to campus and fostering a strong Jewish studies program. Under his tutelage, ASU and Ben Gurion University of the Negev

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expanded their alliance to establish a new joint research agreement to focus on areas of shared strength, including cybersecurity, homeland security, Arizona State University nanotechnology, President, Dr. Michael Crow community medicine, remote sensing and sustainability. ASU also belongs to the U.S Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Israel Business Initiative. President Crow has consistently refused calls to join the academic boycott of Israel, stating: “If anyone will bring a lasting peace, academia is where we want to begin dialogue.” “It is truly a distinct honor to be awarded the JNF Tree of Life Award as we share the same commitment for a strong Israel and working together as partners to create innovations that make the world better for everyone," remarked President Crow. During the Tree of Life Celebration, JNF will also honor Ann and Ted Zinman with the coveted Golden Branch Award.

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the land and people of Israel. The The Golden Zinmans describe Israel as their Branch is Philanthropy home; a place that they support with awarded to and Israel are all their hearts. The Zinman’s support individuals in of JNF is widespread. Ann sits on recognition of two passions of the Women’s Executive Board, the their support Ann and Ted Go North Task Force, is a Makor for Jewish Zinman. Their member and a past president of National Fund, the Arizona Board of Directors. In Israel and the involvement with May 2017, she will co-chair JNF’s community. JNF spans nearly Interfaith Mission to Israel. While “We are a decade and their all of JNF’s projects and partners are delighted to Arizona Jewish Life ad_Layout 1 8/20/2016 8:51 AM Page 1 commitment is special to the Zinmans, their hearts receive JNF’s are particularly touched by the work Golden Branch leaving lasting done at ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran Award,” the positive impacts and JNF’s Sderot Indoor Recreation Zinmans on the land and said in a joint Center. Because of a personal statement. connection to the Ayalon Bullet people of Israel. “Being Factory, the site of secret bullet manufacturing factory operational in recognized by Ann and Ted Zinman. the years preceding Israel’s founding, an organization that does so much for the land and people of Israel is a tremendous they are dedicated to the Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites. honor. We firmly believe that we all need The Zinmans belong to Congregation Or Tzion and enjoy to support Israel, and JNF is the best means of channeling that spending time with their children and grandchildren. support.” To purchase tickets or for sponsorship opportunities, please Philanthropy and Israel are two passions of Ann and Ted contact Executive Vice President, Deb Rochford at drochford@ Zinman. Their involvement with JNF spans nearly a decade jnf.org or 480-447-8100 ext. 980. and their commitment is leaving lasting positive impacts on

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neuro-diversity, independent living and its belief that housing options for people with autism and other special abilities should be as bountiful as they are for everyone else. First Place AZ is a sister nonprofit to the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC), the organization cofounded by First Place founder and president/CEO, Denise D. Resnik, and is propelling the mission of SARRC set forth 20 years ago: to support individuals with autism and their families throughout their lifetimes. It separates the real estate ownership from supportive services, an important finding identified through more than 16 years of research. First Place is not a group home, licensed facility, congregate care or assisted living, and is not reliant on government resources. First Place-Phoenix, the inaugural First Place property located in the heart of Phoenix at 3rd Street and Catalina Drive, will feature three main components: First Place Apartments: 56 apartments (studio, one-, twoand four- bedroom units) where residents are supported by a suite of independent living services and amenities. First Place Transition Academy: A two-year, tuition-based residential training program for participants – focused on independent living skills, career readiness and interpersonal relations. First Place Leadership Institute: A national training center for professionals, direct service support providers and medical personnel, and robust site for research and public policy advancements. Set in the 6th largest metro area in the U.S., First Place is collaborating with more than 80 public, private and charitable organizations, locally and nationally, in the fields of autism, adult services, real estate, education, healthcare, technology, research and public policy to create new outcomes. A transitoriented site within walking distance of light rail and public transportation, First Place-Phoenix is designed to connect residents to jobs, volunteer work, friends, lifelong education, healthcare, the arts, recreation and their community. The property will also be supported by an extensive technology platform, made possible by Cox Communications, bringing together smart homes with smart phones and tablets that involve the participant’s daily living and personal schedules, tele-health, property management and communication with family and friends. First Place-Phoenix is scheduled to break ground Dec. 6. Significant efforts are fueling the $21.3 million comprehensive capital campaign, which includes charitable, private and public sources for the real estate development and operations. The grand opening is projected for the spring of 2018. While construction is underway, the First Place Transition Academy continues its important work in collaboration with the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC). A beta site property has been operational for nearly two years, co-locating participants with autism in eight two-bedroom apartments with primarily seniors leasing 13 affordable housing units, demonstrating the success of multigenerational living. The Transition Academy is now enrolling for the July 2018 class. For more information, visit firstplaceaz.org. 92 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

FEDERATION NOTES

Together We Can Illuminate the World By Stuart Wachs

Hanukkah marks the miraculous oil that lasted eight days. It also honors the victory of the vastly outnumbered Maccabees against the Greeks. What stands out about this conflict is that the Greeks didn't just try to slay the Jews – they targeted the very core of their Judaism, the Temple. The Greeks understood that it is our Judaism that sustains us. To me, the flames of the menorah perfectly represent Judaism, because fire has two distinct qualities: 1) It illuminates the area around it, and 2) It can ignite other flames without diminishing itself. These are the same qualities that helped Jews persevere. They are why the menorah and flame were chosen as the focal point of Hanukkah. Like fire, it is our Judaism that lights our world and ignites our energy, commitment and passion. So what does this mean with respect to supporting our Jewish community? The meaning of Hanukkah’s menorah flames draws a parallel to the important impact federation makes through the organizations we work with and the generosity of our supporters. While the power or brightness of an individual can be powerful, that power is greatly magnified by the collective. Together, we can illuminate and add vibrancy to Jewish communities. Together, we can radiate Judaism. Our “Jewish light” has the power to engage the Orthodox, the Reform, the Conservative and the “Just Jewish.” And it can illuminate the general community. In the light of this inclusive Jewish environment, we can soar. The support of our community’s organizations and individuals, human and financial, serves as the “oil” that lights federation. Together, we can perform miracles big and small. Help us keep Judaism burning bright for Jews here, in Israel and in 70 countries around the world. Your generosity fuels the fire and, instead of depleting your resources, gives joy and satisfaction in the knowledge that you helped the flame burn brighter and touched lives in ways you would never imagine. Please give generously. Chag Sameach, Happy Hanukkah and may the lights of our menorahs inspire us to lead a bright year. Stuart Wachs is president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.

L iving

FACES & PLACES

ACTIVIST/PHILANTHROPIST – Ron and K.C. Yelin and Sam Weissman, from left, have front-row seats at Arizona Jewish Historical Society for the Oct. 20 showing of “Rosenwald,” the documentary about unsung philanthropist and civil rights activist Julius Rosenwald, the longtime CEO of Sears Roebuck. Photo by Leni Reiss

SUKKOT – Residents of Handmaker in Tucson celebrate Sukkot under their beautiful Sukkah.

SHAKE IT UP – Rabbi Kenneth R. Leitner, of Temple Beth Shalom of the East Valley teaches students in preK to second grade the proper way to shake the lulav and etrog.

CASTING THEIR SINS – Religious school students, parents, and other members of Congregation Or Chadash gathered on Oct. 9 at Fort Lowell Park in Tucson to cast their sins (fish food) into the duck pond and recite Tashlich prayers, after a full morning of religious school activities and games. Photos by Sarah Bollt. SPEAKER SERIES UNDER WAY – Channel 12 anchor/reporter Brahm Resnik, right, is welcomed by Temple Beth Ami’s Rabbi Arthur Abrams prior to Resnik’s presentation on the presidential elections at the temple on Oct. 23. The enthusiastically received veteran journalist, assuring the audience he wasn’t endorsing any candidate, led off the congregation’s speaker series. Photo by Leni Reiss

SILLY SUNDAY – The students of Temple Beth Shalom of the East Valley and Rabbi Kenneth R. Leitner show off their silliness during the temple’s Silly Sunday and Rosh Hashanah celebration. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 93

FACES & PLACES

MOVIE SCREENING – The Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival and the Bureau of Jewish Education co-hosted a free screening of the new documentary “Bagels Over Berlin” on Oct. 30 at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus. Director Alan Feinberg traveled from Florida to introduce the film and participate in a post-screening question-and-answer session with the audience. From left, Elaine Hirsch (Bureau of Jewish Education), Bob Segelbaum (Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival executive director), Linda Mittelman (Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival’s artistic director), Army Air Corps veteran Saul DuBovis. (seated), Alan Feinberg (director) and Army Air Corps veteran Bill Nopar. Photo by Deborah Muller

HAPPY CAMPERS – Students from the Raker Religious School at Temple Solel went on their annual youth retreat to Camp Stein in Prescott on Oct. 28-30. The youth retreat is open to all 4th through 7th graders. Children are encouraged to attend this inspiring and fun camp-style weekend that builds and bonds friendships.

MEMORIAL LECTURE – At Temple Chai, Karen Sachs Spiegel and her husband, Bruce, were among 600-plus attendees at the final Valley Beit Midrash memorial lecture series on Oct. 30, honoring her late father, Sy Sachs. VBM President and Dean Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz and VBM Board Chair Mark Feldman flank guest speaker, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin. Photos by Leni Reiss

SPECIAL HONOR – Irving Berk, Czech Holocaust survivor, cradles Temple Havurat Emet’s 366-year-old Czech Holocaust Torah from the Memorial Scrolls Trust.

CJSN CELEBRATES – Honorary co-chairs at Burgers, Boots & Brews, the annual Council for Jews With Special Needs event, held this year on Nov. 5 at Mummy Mountain Western town at Camelback Inn, were Joel Hanania, Marty Keller and Ruan Melmed; all members of the CJSN medical advisory board. Among the guests were, seated from left, Dr. Shelly Doumani-Semino, Dr. Elizabeth Leonard and Marla Crown. Standing, from left, Dr. Houshang Semino, Rob Crawford, Veronica Lieb Crawford, Dr. Martin Keller (honoree), and Rabbi Laibel Blotner. Photo by Cheswick Photography

ARTISTIC EXHIBIT – Barbara Brown at the Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center visits the exhibit featuring the work of Beth Ames Swartz. Odyssey Film has produced a documentary on the art and life of the Valley-based artist. Photo by Leni Reiss

94 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

HERITAGE AWARD – Arizona Diamondbacks President & CEO Derrick Hall was presented with the 2016 Heritage Award by the Arizona Jewish Historical Society on Nov. 12 at the Musical Instrument Museum. From left, AJHS Associate Executive Director Jeffrey Schesnol, Derrick Hall and AJHS Executive Director Lawrence Bell. Photo by Molho Photography

HELPING VETERANS – Jewish War Veterans Post 210 had several personnel out collecting during their Veterans Day Poppy Drive. Rochelle Hayman and other volunteers were able to collect funds outside Valley Fry’s grocery store locations to help support the Arizona State Veterans Home, The Maricopa Stand Down, Mary Ellen’s House and other veteran’s organizations in Phoenix.

SHABBAT SHALOM – The Israel Center of Greater Phoenix and the IAC (Israel American Council) Arizona held its first Shishi Israeli on Nov. 11 at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus. About 300 Israeli-American and Israel lovers came together to welcome the Shabbat and enjoy a familystyle dinner. Pictured: IAC Arizona Regional Directory, Shahar Edry, helped coordinate the event.

BETTER TOGETHER – The Tracing Roots Building Bridges program began its second year at Handmaker, with high school students from Tucson’s Hebrew High getting to know Handmaker residents by sharing their backgrounds, histories and traditions. This Better Together year long program is funded by a grant from a prominent national foundation.

AMERICAN SHTETL – Yisroel Loeb, right, chats with Professor David Myers prior to the professor’s Valley Beit Midrash presentation Nov. 7 at Temple Chai. Myers, a Jewish history educator at UCLA, spoke on “American Shtetl: Kiryas Joel, A Hasidic Town in Suburban New York.” Photo by Leni Reiss ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 95

PREVIEWS

LADIES FIRST: MAKING YOUR OWN PATH

than 40,000 participants each year. Michael Feinstein has built a dazzling career during the past Ladies First is an informational networking and learning three decades bringing the music of the Great American series on Dec. 1 at 6:30 pm at the Ina Levine Jewish Songbook to the world. From recordings that have earned Community Campus, 12701 N Scottsdale Road in him five Grammy Award nominations to his EmmyScottsdale. Event features a panel of dynamic women who nominated PBS-TV specials, his acclaimed NPR series, are leaders in their professional and philanthropic lives. concerts spanning the globe, and his work as an educator They have built businesses and careers while maintaining and archivist, Feinstein is one of the most important a deep commitment to their families and the Jewish musical forces of our time. community. Join us and learn from them and from each Scottsdale Arts’ 2016 ARTrageous Benefit Gala invites other. guests to step back into the Jazz Age through an inspired Making Your Own Path will feature women who have experience laced demonstrated with the allure remarkable vision of the era that and dedication in ushered in a creating unique purely American business ventures. style of creativity. • The highs and lows In addition to of entrepreneurship Michael Feinstein’s lessons learned performance, the • Secrets of growing evening features a business from delectable culinary scratch offerings prepared by Santa • Why leadership is the key to Barbara Catering, a silent building a successful business auction and raffle with one-ofFeatured panelists include Aly a-kind experiences, and for the Saxe, CEO & Founder of Iris PR; grand finale, The Speakeasy Lucia Schnitzer, Owner of Luci's at After-Party featuring music, the Orchard, Pomelo, Splurge, and dancing, divine edibles and Luci's Healthy Marketplaces; and surprises, hosted by The AvantBeth Jo Zeitzer, President of R.O.I. Garde on Second Street (AG2), Properties. Moderated by Kathy the young professionals of Sacks, CEO of Coleap, Tickets are Scottsdale Arts. $10 pre-registration and $18 at the Tickets for the Michael Feinstein door. Register at jewishphoenix. concert and Speakeasy regfox.com/ladies-first-2. After-Party are $149 through ScottsdalePerformingArts.org or ARTRAGEOUS BENEFIT GALA Michael Feinstein 480-499-TKTS (8587). STARRING MICHAEL Tickets to the ARTrageous FEINSTEIN Benefit Gala silent auction, The incomparable “Ambassador of the Great American gourmet dinner, Michael Feinstein concert and Speakeasy Songbook,” Michael Feinstein, with a special guest, will After-Party start at $500 and are available by contacting headline Scottsdale Arts’ annual ARTrageous Benefit JonetteL@ScottsdaleArts.org or 480-874-4609. Gala on Dec. 3, at 8:30 pm at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E Second St., Scottsdale. The DOCUMENTARY SCREENING OF “50 CHILDREN” event celebrates and supports the nonprofit Scottsdale The Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival, Bureau of Jewish Arts, which includes the Center, Scottsdale Museum of Education, Phoenix Holocaust Survivors Association and Contemporary Art (SMoCA), Scottsdale Public Art, as well Generations After continues its cinematic partnership with as arts education and outreach initiatives reaching more 96 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

the screening of the documentary “50 Children” on Dec. 8, at 7 pm at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. “50 Children” demonstrates how some people stepped out of their everyday roles and were able to overcome great obstacles in achieving their righteous goals. Their sense of justice was violated by the crimes and policies of Nazi Germany, even though they lived far away from that repressive dictatorship and were not directly affected. Yet, unlike many of the people surrounding them, the politicians governing the country, their administrative officials and even the Jewish community they were part of, the Krauses felt compelled to act – and thus saved 25 boys and 25 girls from certain death. “Untold stories of bravery must continue to be told, so the public never forgets the atrocities that were committed in the past and how important it is to prevent them in the present and future,” says Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival Executive Director Bob Segelbaum. “The four community organizations joining together to screen 50 CHILDREN underscores our shared goal.” To reserve advance tickets, visit bjephoenix.org or call 480634-8050.

$10,000 YOUTH FUNDRAISING RAFFLE The Chabad Youth Programs annual raffle fundraiser is back! Aside from the $10,000 grand prize drawing, there will be a few smaller drawing as well. The raffle raises funds for Chabad of Phoenix Youth Programs. Support is vital in ensuring that Chabad is able to continue providing high quality Jewish educational and holiday programs. Some of what the raffle helps support includes: • Provides scholarships to less fortunate families at Aleph Bet Preschool & Kindergarten and the Chabad Hebrew School. • Ensures that the family holiday celebrations are economically viable for all Jewish families. • Ensures that CKids can provide Mesibat Shabbat & a children’s service. • Helps keep the playground and its equipment up to date. • Brings the premier JLI Teens to Valley teenagers. Drawing will be held on January 8th, 2017 Tickets begin at $36. Donate $770 and become a raffle sponsor! For those not interested in buying tickets, you can still join the year-end campaign with a straight donation. Share the mitzvah with friends at www.chabadaz.com/win.

DECEMBER CALENDAR

Through Jan. 21

Tikkun Olam: Repairing the World Selected Artworks of Beth Ames Swartz at the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, 122 E Culver St., Phoenix. Beth Ames Swartz has had a remarkable artistic career for over fifty-five years including more than seventy museum and gallery exhibitions, three books, five catalogs, numerous critically acclaimed national reviews and three traveling museum exhibitions. For more information, contact Jeffrey Schesnol at 602-241-7870 or jschesnol@ azjhs.org.

Through Jan. 29 Illuminations: Aleph to Tav at the Tucson Jewish Community Center Fine Art Gallery, 3800 E River Road, Tucson. A mixed-media exploration of the Aleph Bet by Lynn Rae Lowe. 9 am-9 pm Mon.-Thur. and 9 am-6 pm Fri. & Sun. Artist’s reception on Dec. 4 from 2-4 pm. For more information, visit tucsonjcc.org or lynnraelowe.com.

Dec. 1 Ladies First: Making Your Own Path. See page 96.

Dec. 2 Senior Shabbat Luncheon at Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E River Road, Tucson at 11 am. Enjoy music, Shabbat lunch and a featured program. $15 per person; please pay more if you can, less if you can’t. Advance registration required. To RSVP call 520-299-3000 or register at tucsonjcc.org.

Dec. 3 ArtRageous Benefit Gala Starring Michael Feinstein. See page 96.

Dec. 4 On the Cutting Edge…Today’s Jewish Women is a symposium for women of all ages at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale from 9 am-5 pm. Learn from top notch college professors and presenters on a wide-range of important topics for today’s world. Enjoy a gourmet luncheon and fabulous raffles. $48. RSVP to Linda Feldman, 480-634-8050 or linda@bjephoenix.org.

Dec. 4 & 5 Second Annual Modern Israel Conference at University of Arizona Student Union, 1303 E University Blvd., Tucson. The title for this year’s conference is Balancing Unity and Diversity – Israel’s Changing Society and Politics. 9 am-3 pm on Dec. 4 and from 9 am-4 pm on Dec. 5; with dinner and keynote address at 7 pm. $50-$150 with a discount for students. For more information or to register online, visit judaic. arizona.edu/IsraelConference2016. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2016 97

DECEMBER CALENDAR Dec. 5 & 12

games for the kids. All are welcome; show is free

enjoy Jewish folk rock music and light Hanukkah

Beginner’s Tai Chi at Temple Beth Shalom of the

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the dinner by 12/7.

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at 2:30 pm. Open to the general public; no experience required. 480-897-3636 or taichi@

Dec. 13

tbsev.org.

Torah on Tap at Two Brothers Brewery, 4321 N

Hanukkah Party at Beth Shalom Temple Center,

Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale from 6:30-8 pm.

1751 N Rio Mayo, Green Valley at 5 pm. Hanukkah

Dec. 7

Join Rabbi Pinchas Allouche of Temple Beth

You-Tube video show, live entertainment, sing-

JNF Women for Israel Luncheon at Chateau

Tefillah for a casual night of Torah discussion

along, latkes, doughnuts and candle lighting

Luxe, 1175 E Lone Cactus Dr., Phoenix. Features

while enjoying delicious appetizers from Kitchen

ceremony. $7 ($5 members). 520-648-6690.

speaker Ethan Zohn, “Survivor” winner, cancer

18 and craft beer from the Two Brothers on-site

survivor and advocate for Israel. $180 minimum

brewery. Presented by NowGen. $15 per person.

Dec. 27

donation required. jnf.org/AZWFI2016

Email nowgen@jewishphoenix.org or call 480-

Schmooze & Pastry with Chani at the Valley of

481-7010.

the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale from 11 am-noon.

Dec. 8 Gift Shop Hanukkah Blow-Out Sale at Beth Emeth

Dec. 18

Enjoy homemade pastries and stimulating

Congregation, 13702 W Meeker Blvd, Sun City

Schmooze Singles & Couples (30s & 40s)

conversation with Chani. A collaboration with

West from 10 am-1 pm. Find everything you need

to volunteer with Ladles of Love. East Valley

Smile On Seniors. For more information and

for the holiday – discounts on most items. 623-

JCC, 908 N Alma School Road, Chandler.

to register, contact Chani at 602-492-7670 or

584-7210 or bethemethaz.org.

Meet at 9 am to cook meals for families in

chani@sosaz.org.

need. Meal preparation will go until 12:30 pm Documentary Screening of “50 Children.”

with opportunities to deliver meals after that if

Dec. 30

See page 96.

interested. For additional details and for the RSVP

Schmooze Hanukkah Party (30s & 40s) with AVIV

link, visit Facebook.com/azschmooze.

of Arizona. 6:30 pm at a location TBD in Central Phoenix. Children are welcome! For additional

Pearl Society Donor Appreciation Event at The New Shul, 7825 E Paradise Lane, Scottsdale

Dec. 20

details and for the RSVP link, visit Facebook.com/

at 7pm. A fun and inspiring evening featuring

Dreidels & Drinks at Goodmans Interior

azschmooze.

producer, editor and writer Janice Kaplan, author

Structures, 1400 E Indian School Road, Phoenix

of The Gratitude Diaries: How a Year Looking at

from 5:30-8 pm. Join the Jewish Federation of

Dec. 31

the Bright Side Can Transform Your Life. Guests

Greater Phoenix Business & Professionals Group

New Year Party at Beth Emeth Congregation,

will receive a copy of the book and a book signing

for a business networking Chanukah party.

13702 W Meeker Blvd, Sun City West. Evening

follows the program. $18 per person. Women at

Professionals: $18. The event Includes beer, wine

starts at 7 pm. Celebrate the new year,

all giving levels Pearl and above are welcome.

and appetizers. Dietary laws observed. Register

New York time. Four-course kosher chicken

Light fare. Dietary laws observed. RSVP by Dec. 1

by Dec. 16 at jewishphoenix.org/dnd.

dinner, assortment of desserts, wine and live entertainment. $36/person; reservations

at jewishphoenix.org/pearlevent2016.

Dec. 24 Dec. 11

Hanukkah begins at sundown.

Greatest Hanukkah on Earth at Temple EmanuEl, 225 N Cuntry Club Road, Tucson from 4:30-7

Mazelpalooza. See page 84.

pm. Lighting of the giant outdoor menorah, then a Hanukkah show with skits, parodies, songs,

Dec. 25

music, telling the story of Hanukkah. Afterwards,

Hanukkah Night Out at Club XS, 5851 E Speedway

kosher brisket and latkes dinner and activities,

Blvd., Tucson at 5 pm. Eat Chinese cuisine,

98 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

required. Call Sandy at 623-584-7210.

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 Dec 10 will be included in the January issue of the magazine.

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100 DECEMBER 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

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