OCTOBER 2015
The Jewish Lifestyle Magazine For Arizona
Women's HealtH Beating Breast Cancer, Putting Health First
Women
ROCK the World! Celebrate Six Unstoppable Women
Bar & Bat Mitzvah Repairing the World One Mitzvah at a Time
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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 | OCTOBER 2015 3
Inside
October 2015/Elul 5775-Tishrei 5776 | Volume 4/Issue 1
12
58
42
Features
Women’s Health
COVER STORY Women Rock the World: Celebrate Six Unstoppable Women……………………26 Beth Jo Zeitzer: Inspiring others to do good…………………………………..27 Deb Rochford: A cheerleading dynamo for Israel…………………………...28 Fran Katz: Looking for meaning and purpose………….……………………..29 Francine Coles: Finding her true calling………………………………………..31 Jennifer Kaplan: A big voice in public relations………………………………32 Keri Silvyn: Leaving a better world for the future…………………………….34
Sisters in Survival……..…………………………………………………………………12
UPFRONT Coming together to help seniors……..……………………………………………………8
JKids
BUSINESS Ins & Outs………………………………………….…………………………………………..10 Arts & Entertainment Out of the ashes…a synagogue is reborn in Poland…………………………………36 ASU Kerr Cultural Center shines with local and international artists…………. 40 Festival celebrates Jewish music on Nov. 1…….…………………………………….42 Seth Rudetsky comes to Scottsdale…………………………………………………….43 HOME & GARDEN Vegetable gardening in the desert …….………………………………………………..44 Cimagine shows shoppers how items look at home……..…………………………52 Tucson J, Community Gardens of Tucson partner on new garden……………….54 FOOD Chef’s Corner: No soy, no dairy, no gluten, no refined sugar. Really!…....……58 A taste of Arizona: Food Festival – Phoenix…...……………………………………..60 SENIORS Don Harris: Committed to making a difference…....………………………………..70 Susan Price: Journaling for the soul…………………………………………………….73 YOUNG ADULT Andre Ivory helps young adults ACT…....……………………………………………… 77 TRAVEL Thessaloniki Jews have a rich history…………………………………………………..78
Maxine Murray keeps osteoporosis at bay at the Tucson J……………………16 Jennifer Brooks finds fitness and community at VOS JCC ….…………………18 Tucson J offers free Family Wellness Festival…………………………………….22 Healthy eating takes time……………………………………………………………..20 Self-Care: The Jewish path to good health…………………………………………… 24
Wanted: Mitzvah Projects.……………………………………………………………..62 Mitzvah projects from the heart……………………………………………………..64 Healthy LifeStars envisions healthy kids ………………………………………….66 Bar mitzvah signals son’s journey to outside world …………………………….68 JKids & Teen Events…………..………………………………………………………...69
JLiving Exhibit brings Jews of Shanghai to life...…………………………………………..82 Jeffrey Tambor brings one-man show to MEGA Event Nov. 12...…………….84 Federation Notes..……………………………………………………………………….86 FACES & PLACES …….………………………………………………………………….87 Previews ……………………….…………………………………………………………..88 Calendar …….…………………………………………………………………………….88
Columns 24 To Life by Amy Hirshberg Lederman 58 Chef’s Corner by Lucia Schnitzer 60 A Taste of Arizona by A. Noshman 68 Family Time by Debra Rich Gettleman 80 An American in Israel by Mylan Tanzer
CORRECTION: A headline in the BIZ INS & OUTS section of the September issue of Arizona Jewish life misidentified the new title of Or Adam Congregation’s Jeffrey Schesnol. Jeffrey has completed three years of Madrikh (Jewish studies certified para-rabbi) preparation at the International Institute for Secular & Humanistic Judaism and is invested as an endorsed celebrant by the American Humanist Association. He will be an ordained Madrikh in spring 2016. 4 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
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Remember your first day of school after a long summer? You spent the night before tossing and turning with a nervous stomach. It’s kind of the same thing when you start a new job. There’s usually nothing easy about stepping into a new position. You have to learn all the new stuff. There’s all the new people. Will that one like me? Will I get along with this one? Can we work together? Where’s the closest Starbucks? Coming on board as editor of Arizona Jewish Life has been nothing short of a whirlwind, but it’s been very out of the ordinary – in a very good way. I was welcomed with open arms from day one. The staff could not have been more friendly and helpful, and they all come complete with a sense of humor. You can’t beat that. So, here I am with my first issue under my belt. I came in as editor in the middle of putting together October’s issue. There’s nothing like a trial by fire when you have to get it all done while contending with Labor Day and the High Holidays. With much appreciation, guidance and help from a great staff, including Publisher Cindy Saltzman and my Oregon counterpart, Deborah Moon, we got it done, and here it is … our issue in celebration of women! I could not think of a better issue to start my tenure.
6 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
I was honored to interview four of our six cover story women. We know that women do a lot, but these women all are forces to be reckoned with. (Against my better judgment, I ended a sentence with a preposition, so please don’t hold it against me.) Each one is inspiring in her own right. Just when I thought my plate was full, we feature women who are attorneys, women who run companies and women in leadership at Jewish organizations. Some also sit on boards, have families, do volunteer work, run marathons, you name it. Who has the time? Our cover women do. Their stories are as incredible as they are motivating. As inspirational as is our cover story, so is the idea of recreating a demolished synagogue that was destroyed by the Nazis during WWII. Rick and Laura Brown were at the helm of such a project. There’s even a documentary to prove it. This exciting story had me on the edge of my seat while I spoke to Rick and took notes. I took so many, I could have written a book. I am truly thrilled to be a part of Arizona Jewish Life. Having lived in the Valley for almost 12 years, I cannot think of a better way to take part in the Jewish community. We’ll continue to feature all the sections you love from JLiving to JKids, and we will be open to new ideas as we learn and grow. Join me on my journey. Things are going to get JReal!
THE JEWISH LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR ARIZONA
Publishers Robert Philip and Cindy Saltzman Advertising and Editorial Director Cindy Saltzman Editor-In-Chief Deborah Moon Editor Rhona Melsky Contributing Editor Leni Reiss Social Media Editor Debra Rich Gettleman Webmaster Karl Knelson Advertising Sales advertise@azjewishlife.com 602-538-2955 Art Director Philip Nerat Copy Editor Susan Moon Columnists Amy Hirshberg Lederman, A. Noshman, Lucia Schnitzer and Jonny Basha Contributing Writers Craig Fischer, Sarah Chen, Tracy Rhodes, Carine Nadel, Debra Rich Gettleman, Melissa Hirschl, Dan Fellner and Mylan Tanzer How to reach us: 602-538-AZJL (2955) Advertise@azjewishlife.com Editor@azjewlife.com Publisher@azjewishlife.com
A Prince Hal Production (TGMR18) The content and opinions in Arizona Jewish Life do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers, staff or contractors. Articles and columns are for informational purposes only and not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, Arizona Jewish Life, and its agents, publishers, employees and contractors will not be held responsible for the misuse of any information contained herein. The publishers reserve the right to refuse any advertisement. Publication of advertisements does not constitute endorsement of products or services.
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Upfront
An Envoy America employee chats with and carries a client’s items before he drives her around to run errands.
Coming together across cultures to help seniors
For many elderly Americans, giving up or losing their driving privileges can be a frightening proposition. Having no car often
feels as if one is losing his or her independence and is solely reliant on others – family, friends or vendors such as taxi drivers and ride-share services – to make physician appointments, go shopping or conduct daily business. The 2009 National Household Transportation Survey found that more than 30% of seniors age 65 and older rely on others for at least some transportation. A more recent study from 2014 by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging listed transportation as the No. 1 concern for seniors. Usually adult children, friends or neighbors help with the driving duties, but if the children are out of state and the friends are busy, the senior’s health needs may go unfulfilled. Andy Beran, a Scottsdale entrepreneur and active member in the Scottsdale Jewish community, heard what many members of his congregation were saying. Andy believes taxis and app-based ride services don't work well for seniors, as they tend to be expensive and confusing for them. He also feels that those drivers couldn’t deal with the special needs of seniors who require a little extra help with stairs or packages. Transportation is nothing new to Andy, who owns Quality Transport Services of Arizona, an assisted transportation service helping people who are not ambulatory – those who require a
wheelchair or a stretcher. He began thinking of what a business model for a separate, independent company would look like if it were focused on ambulatory clients who could get in and out of a vehicle on their own or with some slight assistance. He wondered if drivers could became companions who help with rides and much more. For example, what if a driver also helped during errands by carrying groceries? Drivers could also accompany seniors to medical or social appointments, as would a family member. In 2012 he developed the base plan for Envoy America, an enhanced ride-share program that offers a door-to-door service instead of the standard curbside service of other transportation companies. To help get Envoy America moving, Andy partnered with his longtime friend and colleague, Karim (K.C.) Kanaan. K.C. was born in Nablus in the West Bank and grew up in Jordan. He met Andy when the two worked for Intel in Northern California; they remained close as each pursued different business opportunities with success. Andy, a former president of the Jewish Federation of Sacramento, CA, who remains very active in AIPAC, acknowledged people sometimes ask him what it’s like working so closely with a Palestinian. “K.C. has been a close friend for years,” he says. “I can’t think of a more genuine, caring person who respects and wants to help every person within our community.” At Envoy America, both men use their skills to grow the business. Andy is involved with the internal operations – finance, administration, legal and employment – so that as the company
Envoy America: 602-687-6345 | envoyamerica.com 8 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
By Craig Fischer
expands, everything will grow in a predictable manner. K.C. people in the pipeline who could become drivers soon.” focuses on growing the company – increasing the customer base, That response has Andy and K.C. looking to grow the pricing, marketing and working with partners. service in other parts of the Phoenix metro area and perhaps to As the two shared their plans, expand to other cities with similar help in various capacities came demographics. from K.C.’s friends and several Andy and K.C. are very big members of Andy’s synagogue, on community service. This year, Or Tzion in Scottsdale, including Envoy America provided free Judy Freider, Efram Lieber, Steve transportation for local seniors Ference and Josh Weiss. All are attending High Holiday services active in working on the growth at Congregation Or Tzion and a and success of the company. discounted rate for longer drives to After months of planning, services. Envoy America launched its They also work with Stepping service in May 2015, covering Up For Seniors, a local nonprofit Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, that helps seniors who don’t have Paradise Valley and north the means to afford transportation, Phoenix. The company provides by providing free rides just to help. ride services for seniors that Several independent-living facilities include companionship – the also refer their residents to Envoy Andy Beran, left, an active member of the Scottsdale Jewish driver will assist clients from America. community, and Karim (K.C.) Kanaan, a Palestinian from their house to the car, drive them K.C. adds they are looking for Nablus, have been friends for years and are now to the appointment and help other faith-based and service groups partners in Envoy America. them as needed during the trip. who work with seniors. “We want to Clients choose either a give back to the community; we are subscription-based or a pay-per-ride service, which is typically a part of this community,” K.C. says. “We want to help people 10 to 20% less than private pay services such as taxi or who can’t drive or are not in a position to get to the service. app-based ride services. Payment is arranged ahead of time Once they give us a call, we will go out of our way to help them.” and tipping is not allowed. Josh Weiss contributed to this article. K.C. says the customer’s children often contact Envoy America and pay for the service. “For adult children, our service to them is peace of mind,” he says. Typical trips include doctors’ appointments and pharmacy visits, shopping trips and worship services. “Our drivers will help our clients with everything, including pushing a shopping cart through a grocery store and picking items from the top and bottom shelves that are difficult for some seniors to reach,” K.C. says. When the trip is over, the driver will walk the client back into the house and make sure he or she is safely inside. Envoy America carefully screens its prospective drivers using Luxury Import Vehicle Specialists Reliable Background Screening, a national background-check firm based in Scottsdale and owned by Rudy Troisi (another member of Or Tzion synagogue) to ensure they have the best drivers available for their clients’ safety. “We treat each of our clients as a precious trust, and we devote every possible resource to ensure a safe trip,” K.C. says. TECH PLUS AUTOMOTIVE is your complete High-End In the short time the company has been in operation, Andy Euro and Japanese “Dealer Alternative” service notes that many drivers have become more than just drivers for their clients. “We have about 15 or 20 active drivers – drivers and repair option in Scottsdale. who are working several times a week. When a new client calls, We service: we always ask if they prefer a male or female driver, and we accommodate that request,” he says. “After each ride, we call the BMW Jaguar client to check how things went. One of the questions we ask is Land Rover Lexus if they want the same driver. What we are seeing is that many Mercedes Benz Infinity clients are requesting a favorite driver.” After a recent article appeared in The Arizona Republic, Volvo Porsche Envoy America saw an upsurge in new subscribers and received more than 400 inquiries from people who wanted to drive for 7333 E. Butherus Dr. #B200 • Scottsdale, AZ 85260 • 480.607.117 the company. “We were astounded by the response, and we info@techplusautomotive.com • www.techplusautomotive.com reviewed every single application,” K.C. says. “We have about 50 ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 9
Jewish National Fund Appoints Jonathan Breakstone to JNF Arizona Board Jewish National Fund has named Jonathan Breakstone to the JNF board in Arizona. He is a published author and has a bachelor’s degree in molecular genetics from the Weizmann Institute of Science. “His passion for Israel, his expertise in fundraising and his knowledge of our community will be invaluable in helping us reach our goals,” says Dr. Seymour Rife, president of the board of JNF Arizona. With a strong connection to Israel, Jonathan served as Arizona area director for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (2006-2012) and founded the Arizona-Israel Business Council in 2013. His relationship with JNF began eight years ago when he attended the Arizona Breakfast for Israel. “The greatest thing we can do to help Israel continue to thrive is to export the brilliance and technologies of its people,” Jonathan says. “Israel’s discoveries and innovations must be shared with the world, and I look forward to doing just that in Arizona through JNF.” Recently JNF announced its plan to share JNF’s involvement in water renewal with regions that experience severe drought and water scarcity. JNF has been at the forefront of water management and conservation in Israel for three decades, increasing the country's total water supply by 12% and helping Israel become a leader in water reuse. A dual citizen of the U.S. and Israel, Jonathan is a regional director at JDR Consulting. He and his family belong to Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale. jnf.org/about-jnf/in-your-area/western-zone/ arizona
Temple Solel Names Benjamin Davis Executive Director Benjamin Davis has joined Temple Solel of Paradise Valley as executive director. He comes to Temple Solel from Chicago following a national search. He has served in Jewish leadership and advocacy positions for the past 10 years, including acting as a skilled executive director, program leader, musician and fundraiser. Benjamin’s Jewish leadership experience began as a rabbinical student at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia, PA, where he attended from 2005-2009. “We are thrilled to have Ben join our Temple Solel family,” says Randall Udelman, president of the synagogue’s board of trustees. “Ben’s deep Jewish experience and wide-ranging skills set him up perfectly to succeed with the rest of our 10 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
talented staff and loving congregation.” Benjamin holds a master of music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a bachelor of music from Illinois Wesleyan University. He is also a certified nonprofit accounting professional. 480-991-7414 ext. 124 | templesolel.org
Bureau of Jewish Education Promotes Myra Shindler Myra Shindler has been promoted to director of the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix. Having served as principal of the BJE’s Phoenix High School of Jewish Studies (Hebrew High) for the past 23 years, she assumed her new role on Aug. 1 after the retirement of longtime director Aaron Scholar. She remains principal of Hebrew High, serving as one of three BJE department heads. Linda Feldman serves as family educator, and Elaine Hirsch heads the Adult Learning and Resource Center. Hebrew High offers the only program in the Valley for Jewish teens of all affiliations to meet and interact weekly with hundreds of their peers. It is an academic as well as a social experience. The BJE offers programs for all stages of life including Jewish Baby University for expectant parents; Baby and Me Shabbat; Jewish Marriage University; Interfaith classes; Jewish Lifelong Learning Adult Education classes; The Passages Lecture Series featuring world-renowned speakers; an annual Jewish Women’s Symposium; ACT – Action, Connect, Think – for adults in their 20s and 30s; and educator conferences. The BJE is home to a Jewish Community Library/ Resource Center, housing more than 11,000 Judaica books, DVDs and CDs, on the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-634-8050 | jewished@bjephoenix.org | bjephoenix.org
Jewish Community Foundation Names Dean Scheinert to Board The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix recently elected Dean Scheinert, CFA, to its board of directors and as chair of its investment committee. Dean is a wealth-management consultant with The Private Client Reserve of U.S. Bank. Prior to joining U.S. Bank, he was executive director at JP Morgan Private Bank. Following a 30-year investment career in the capital markets and alternative investments, Dean and his family relocated to Phoenix from New York in 2012.
Since 2014, Dean has served on the JCF investment committee. He succeeds Jeff Kravetz, who served on the JCF board since 2011 and as JCF’s investment committee chair since 2013. Dean serves many other local boards in both the Jewish community and the community at large. “We are delighted to welcome Dean to the foundation board,” says JCF Chair Beth Jo Zeitzer. “Dean’s financial acumen, experience and his overall community engagement make him a welcome addition to the board of directors.” jcfphoenix.org
Gregg Luchs Joins Temple Kol Ami as Cantorial Soloist Temple Kol Ami has named Gregg Luchs as its cantorial soloist. Gregg most recently was the soloist at the Reform Temple of Laguna Woods in California, where he served from 2006 to 2015. Some of his previous affiliations in California include Congregation Havurim in Temecula, the Eretz Alliance in Reseda and Temple Adat Elohim in Thousand Oaks, where he began his cantorial work in 2000. A native of New York City and a lifelong Yankees fan, Gregg holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Yeshiva University, Cardozo School of Law. After a successful 15year legal career, Gregg began his career in the cantorate. Gregg’s musical background includes participating in a myriad of musical genres, from performing in musical productions to singing in bands, choirs and other vocal groups. A classically trained baritone, he studied with John Ostendorf and Erik Thorendahl in New York, Patricia Kaufman in Philadelphia and Diann Alexander in Los Angeles. He has an extensive background in acting and dance as well, including performing for two seasons with the College Light Opera Company while an undergraduate. He later appeared on Broadway with Rudolf Nureyev and the Boston Ballet in “Don Quixote.” While living in Raleigh, N.C., Gregg was first exposed to Hebrew liturgy set to acoustic guitar music, which sparked a desire to immerse himself in Jewish music. He says his work with Debbie Friedman before her death was his greatest musical inspiration. Gregg and his wife, Sharon, have two adult children, Shannon and Ryan. 480-951-9660 | templekolami.org
Barbara’s Picks: A Design and Lifestyle Resource Interior designer Barbara Kaplan of Design Dimensions has opened her invaluable “little black book” and is sharing highlights of the
collection of connections she has made through the years. Her new website, Barbara’s Picks, offers design and lifestyle resources to the consumer and includes “the best of the best,” a listing she has culled and refined as a reigning maven in her field. She explains that while her expertise is in the area of design, she can’t physically create, manufacture, deliver and install. Rather than keep her resources to herself, she has enlisted carefully vetted vendors with whom the public can connect directly. Her fast-growing site also includes interior designers, beauty salons, restaurants, spas, travel agents and boutiques. Vendors pass a rigorous interview process to be included as one of Barbara’s picks and then pay “a fair price” to join the site, which includes information, illustrations and links to websites. There are monthly vendor meetings, media opportunities and special events. Eye-catching decals are available for vendors to display at their places of business. Barbara’s Picks, which she says is succeeding beyond her wildest dreams, is evolving not only as high tech but “high touch.” Visitors to the site have the option of rides in luxury chauffeured vehicles (champagne on board!) to tour showrooms and visit with vendors, including Arizona Jewish Life advertisers J. Levine Auction and Galleries and Buffalo Exchange. barbaraspicks.com | 480-998-5088
Jewish Montessori Preschool Opens in Tucson Tucson Jewish Montessori, Tucson’s first Jewish Montessori preschool, opened Aug. 31 at 5150 E Fifth St. Founded by Rabbi Israel and Esther Becker, classes are aimed at 3-to-6-year-olds, and run from 9 am to 3 pm Monday through Friday for the 10-month school calendar, with additional child care available before and after classes. “Our focus is honoring the path of every child, with practical life skills and Jewish learning integrated into the Montessori system,” says Rabbi Becker. “King Solomon advises us in Proverbs 22:6 to ‘educate the child in the course of his path; even when he will be old he will not depart from it.’ King’s Solomon’s direction is exemplified in the Montessori method of guiding each child individually. This is an important part of our objective to combine the best of Montessori with the values of our Jewish heritage for both general and Judaic subjects.” Developed in Italy in 1897 by Dr. Maria Montessori, the Montessori method emphasizes direct experience, investigation and discovery for children. “Through hands-on learning in a mixed-age classroom, children in the Montessori system learn to see cause and effect,” says Esther. “They learn to see the results of their actions in a very positive way. They learn to take responsibility for their actions. … The ethical behavior that Montessori stands for will be presented in a way that blends with our Jewish heritage. Both systems are child-centered.” 520-591-7680
bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona in psychology, a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, and a doctorate in clinical psychology. A native Tucsonan, Joline earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education from the University of Arizona and continued her education with a master’s degree in early childhood education, which was followed by her certification in educational administration. Most recently she was an instructor Joline Riddle and supervisor at the University of Arizona, College of Education. Prior to that Joline worked as an inclusion classroom teacher in grades K-3 for 10 years in the Tucson Unified School District. She has developed, created and administered an early childhood facility and successfully integrated children with disabilities into general education classrooms. Oren was an administrative assistant and Oren Riback paralegal for a busy immigration law firm for three years prior to his pursuit of educationrelated vocations. As an educator, Owen was a high school teacher and yearbook advisor; he also spearheaded athletic programs for middle and high school students including varsity girls’ volleyball, junior varsity boys’ basketball, yoga and physical education electives. This is Oren’s fourth year teaching Hebrew, Jewish history and the life cycle to Congregation Or Chadash fifth graders. A Tucson native, Oren is a graduate of The College of Wooster in Ohio, where he majored in philosophy with a minor in classical civilizations. 520-299-3000 | tucsonjcc.org
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The Tucson J Announces New Staff Hires The Tucson Jewish Community Center welcomes three new staff: Director of Development Kristin Schwartz, Early Childhood Education Co-Director Joline Riddle, and Children & Youth Assistant Director Oren Ribach. Kristin is a seasoned program-development professional, with a track record of creating one of the most successful anatomical gift donation programs in the state. A fourth-generation Arizonan, Schwartz began her career cultivating Kristin Schwartz mindfulness both as a facilitator/instructor and as a therapist providing interventions for those enrolled in social services. Her professional pursuits evolved into building and developing broader programming in hospitals and medical centers for more effective partnering with community agencies and support for anatomical gift donations. Kristin holds a
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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 11
Sisters in Survival By Deborah Moon
Linda Schnitzer, 2005
Linda, left, and Lucia Schnitzer
Know your body, advocate for yourself when something feels wrong, find a support system.
Women’s Health
12 Sisters in Survival 16 Keeping osteoporosis at bay 18 Jennifer Brooks finds fitness, community 22 Free Family Wellness Festival 22 Healthy eating 24 The Jewish path to good health 25 Advertisers Index 12 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Two sisters-in-law who have forged an even stronger bond as sisters-insurvival want to share that message with all women. The two Young Israel members, Linda and Lucia Schnitzer, do that by speaking to women’s groups (especially encouraging Orthodox women to realize self-exams are not in violation of the commandment for modesty). Linda also sings at breast cancer events (including the Komen Walk and the annual Phoenix Mercury “Rock the Pink” annual breast health awareness game). Lucia shares healthy recipes as a columnist for Arizona Jewish Life and on Sonoran Living on TV and is always willing to speak with women who visit Luci’s Healthy Marketplace, which she and her husband, Ken, opened as a tribute to Lucia’s brave battle with cancer (see story at azjewishlife.com/1story-2-lives-3-acts). Linda and Lucia each were nursing an infant (Linda’s fourth and Lucia’s first) when they realized something wasn’t right. Linda was 35 when her 13-month-old son refused to nurse from her right breast. When she noticed a lump, she called her OB/GYN Dr. Steven Wininger. When Dr. Wininger felt three lumps, he immediately sent her for a mammogram. The technician didn’t want to do a mammogram since she was nursing, but Linda refused to leave. The clinic called Dr. Wininger, who insisted on a scan. An ultrasound revealed six lumps, but the clinic said they appeared to be lactating adenoma and there was no need to worry. However, Dr. Wininger had already scheduled an appointment with a breast surgeon and told Linda to keep it. The surgeon suggested that since her child Akiva was more than a year old, Linda should wean him and return in four weeks. Time stretched to nearly two months before she kept that appointment, and Linda says as soon as the surgeon felt the lumps “she flew out of the office” and immediately scheduled a biopsy. The radiologist doing the biopsy said the smooth tumors didn’t resemble cancer, which tends to “spider out.” When her breast surgeon called the next day and said the six tumors totaling 6.2 cm were cancer, fear set in. A series of scans the next day showed the tumors had not spread. On Dec. 20, 2005, Linda had a mastectomy, which did find cancer in two lymph nodes, so after recovering from the surgery she began chemotherapy.
Testing showed her cancer was triple positive (estrogen, progesterone and HER2 positive), so in addition to a course of eight rounds of chemo every two weeks, Linda had to receive Herceptin every week for a year. That extended chemo regime meant that she was still getting chemo when Lucia began her cancer journey five and half months after Linda’s began. People who saw the two women in chemo together dubbed them “sister survivors.” At age 34, Lucia was worried about the pain she felt when her first child, Aviva, was nursing. Linda told her that was not normal and encouraged her to get it checked. “When you feel something is not right, you need to follow up,” Linda says. Lucia went to the same OB/GYN as her sister-in-law, and Dr. Wininger wasn’t taking any chances. Once again, technicians were hesitant to do a mammogram on a nursing mother, but her husband Ken and Dr. Wininger were not taking no for an answer. Unlike Linda’s slow-growing cancer, Lucia’s was very aggressive. Following surgery, she too started chemo, but since her cancer was triple negative, she did not need the extended course as did Linda. Both women credit the support of their family, their religious community and each other for getting through the ordeal. A year before her diagnosis, Linda and her husband,
David, moved into a neighborhood where many members of Congregation Young Israel live. They moved to provide support to David’s brother, Cary, and his wife, Raquel, who were raising three sons – one with cerebral palsy and one with autism. Instead it was Raquel who rallied the community around Linda, who says the religious community in central Phoenix is amazing about helping those with any need. “Raquel sep up a care calendar,” says Linda. “People brought dinner every night when I was on chemo. They got the kids to school. Raquel coordinated the whole thing.” Lucia found the same support when she was diagnosed, but she had the added advantage of Linda’s support. “She became like a blood sister because we share something,” says Lucia. “We shared breast cancer. We were both mothers with little children. We had each other to depend on.” Lucia recognizes not everyone has the support of a family and community, so Luci’s holds an annual fundraiser for Singleton Moms, which helps single mothers with cancer. The local foundation helps women with housecleaning, shopping and other support. “If something tragic happens for whatever reason, it’s important to embrace it,” say Lucia. “From this came our business, and I discovered strengths unknown to me.” As the mother of four young children (Aviva, 9, Benzi,
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“It is so curable if it’s caught early enough.”
Women’s Health
– Linda Schnitzer
6, Gavi, 4, and Yasi, 2), Lucia doesn’t have a lot of time to speak to groups, but she says she has an open door policy at Luci’s, and frequently talks to women about their concerns and encourages them to be aware of anything that doesn’t feel right. She recently had a scare when bone pain sent her rushing to the doctor. Scans revealed no cancer, but when she wasn’t satisfied all was well, she asked for blood tests. The tests revealed a vitamin D deficiency – easy to cure once diagnosed. Early diagnosis is especially important for cancer. Linda says neither she nor Lucia has a family history of cancer and neither has a BRCA mutation. So if they had not discovered their own cancer, things likely would have been much worse. “I’ve lost a lot of friends over the years, most of them young,” says Linda. Since breast cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage in young women, it is more often fatal. “It is so curable if it’s caught early enough.” Therefore, Linda encourages women to listen to their bodies and get a mammogram. At her talks she always carries cards for free mammograms and says it is easy for
women without insurance to find a free mammogram. “There isn’t any excuse,” she says. In the wake of her cancer, Linda discovered a talent she had long wanted to explore. When her husband asked her which “coulda, woulda, shoulda” she wished she had pursued, she said singing. So David bought voice lessons for Linda for her 40th birthday. With voice coaching, she recorded an album and began to sing the national anthem at sporting events. This year on Oct. 11 she will sing at the Komen Race for the Cure for the second year. She will perform her original songs, all of which have deeply personal messages – some to her children (Elianna, 21, Sarah, 19, Laila, 13, and Akiva, 11) and some to her husband about the struggles they’ve shared. Though she is shomer Shabbat and keeps strictly kosher, she said she does sing in front of men and now that she finally has hair, she has stopped wearing wigs. As members of an Orthodox community for more than 20 years, she says she does what works. The families stay close celebrating Shabbat and holidays together in each other’s homes. And the sister survivors continue their special bond.
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14 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 15
Women’s Health
Maxine Murray, right, celebrates with fellow exercisers at the Tucson J.
Maxine Murray keeps osteoporosis at bay at the Tucson J By Sarah Chen
Timing couldn’t have been more serendipitous for Maxine Murray to start exercising at the Tucson Jewish Community Center.
“I have a diagnosis of osteopenia, a condition which leads to osteoporosis,” says Maxine. “The medication known to treat this condition only builds bone density, not necessarily healthy bones. I had to do something additional to maintain my health.” Then Maxine saw a notice for BEST Protocol for Osteoporosis, a small group class meeting three times weekly for a 12-week commitment. She knew it was important enough for her to do it. The protocol describes prevention, maintenance and potential reversal of osteoporosis for women as studied by nutritional scientists at the University of Arizona as a “gold standard” for improving bone health. The BEST (Bone Estrogen Strength Training) study was funded by the National Institute of Health. The study is based on the idea that if you increase the load on your bones, the bones will respond and adapt. BEST protocol includes a warm-up period to target large muscles on a treadmill, bike or other cardio machine, followed by a structured rotation through six specific weight machines. It wraps up with 15 minutes on the stair stepper, the affectionately known “stairway to hell.” Despite 16 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Maxine Murray
“People ask me, how do you do this? I just explain to them, this is my job, and my salary is my strong, healthy body as payment.” – Maxine Murray
the rigorous challenges of the protocol, Maxine raves about their “truly magnificent” instructor, Mary Maher, MS, ACSM-CPT. Program participants bonded during their sessions to the extent that they’ve maintained their workout routines after completing the program. Some have signed up for the next session beginning in October. Their ages range from 64 to 82. “People ask me, how do you do this?” Maxine jokes, “I just explain to them, this is my job, and my salary is my strong, healthy body as payment.” Accomplishing the BEST protocol leaves her feeling hopeful and optimistic about her long-term health. Of the recent Tucson J remodel, Maxine comments: “It’s just beautiful, absolutely beautiful. It’s not just a community limited to Jews, it’s a real Tucson community with all ages, all ethnicities. It’s so good to be a part of an all-inclusive community.” Although Maxine exercised for years with Silver Sneakers at the Ott Family YMCA closer to her east side home, she now finds herself more fully using the J’s gym in addition to her other J activities. In addition to her exercise activities, Maxine is a lifetime Hadassah member and book club aficionado. She enjoys Rabbi Stephanie Aaron’s services in Tucson “I have become stronger, I have more endurance and I feel healthier! You get out what you put in,” says Maxine.
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Women’s Health
“I feel great. I never hit an afternoon slump. I can go on vacation and walk 10 hours and not feel awful.” – Jennifer Brooks
Jennifer Brooks
Jennifer Brooks finds fitness and community at VOS JCC By Deborah Moon
A competitive ice skater until she tore her Achilles tendon at age 12, Jennifer Brooks stayed active in high school. But from age 18 to 30, “I did nothing … I was packing on the pounds,” she says. She got a wake-up call during a doctor visit in 2000. Her weight gain combined with her parents’ heart issues (her dad had a triple bypass, and her mom had high cholesterol and high blood pressure) persuaded her to take action. Her first step was to sign up for Weight Watchers. She shed the pounds and has maintained her weight for the past 15 years. Now at age 45, Jennifer works out regularly at the Valley of the 18 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Sun JCC and is happy to report “I am on no medications and I have no issues.” She says she and her husband, David, decided to join the J about 10 years ago when they were looking for a gym. “It offered more than a gym,” Jennifer says. In addition to the classes and fitness equipment, it was a wonderful place to catch up with Jewish friends and find out what’s going on in the Jewish world. It’s become even more convenient since last year when the campus became the new home of Pardes Jewish Day School, where their daughter, Emma, is now in fifth grade. Emma, 10, joins Jennifer for family yoga and can’t wait until
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Women’s Health can go on vacation and walk 10 she is old enough to join her hours and not feel awful.” mom at Bryan’s Boot Camp Jennifer and David plan an classes. Jennifer says she does overseas trip every year. They’ve Bryan’s cross-training class been to Australia, Turkey, every Tuesday and Thursday at Greece, Spain and Italy. In 2017 5:30 am, during which they do they plan to go to Israel for 1,000 reps in 45 minutes along Emma’s bat mitzvah at Masada. with 15 minutes on a treadmill. Whenever she doesn’t want She does the same class with to get out of bed for an early another instructor on Mondays morning class, she remembers and a TRX strength class on the discrepancy between her own Wednesday mornings; she also health and that of her sedentary does weights on her own. While parents. David’s dad also had she has done personal training bypass surgery, so David also in the past, she says it’s hard works out at the J. to justify the added cost when Jennifer also likes the sense of “Bryan teaches the Tuesday community at the J. About once and Thursday classes every bit a month she hikes up Pinnacle as hard as he was in personal Peak with a couple of women training.” Jennifer Brooks, left, with Gail Adelson from her exercise classes. And In addition, she says, “We eat she is inspired by the “class very clean. Nothing processed. grandma, Gail Adelson.” Jennifer We cook all our own food. My says Gail is 75 but always keeps up with the rest of the class. husband is a great cook.” “She is my inspiration; I want to be like that.” “I feel great,” says Jennifer. “I never hit an afternoon slump. I
20 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 21
Women’s Health
Tucson J offers free Family Wellness Festival
On Sunday, Oct. 18, the Tucson Jewish Community Center and Tucson Medical Center (TMC) present the second annual Family Wellness Festival. This free, interactive event will engage families of all ages and backgrounds from noon to 4 pm at the Tucson J. The Family Wellness Festival was created to help educate our community on the importance of wellness and connect them with local agencies that support healthy lifestyle choices. Families will experience interactive activities throughout the Tucson J. Organizers hope attendees leave empowered with a new skill or knowledge to apply toward making healthier choices in their daily lives. TMC Director of Wellness Mary Atkinson says, “TMC is proud to be working with the Tucson J on so many programs and events that focus on improving the health and wellness of our community. The Family Wellness Expo is a perfect example of how our two organizations are working together to promote the concepts of wellness to families in fun and engaging ways. By demonstrating how choosing healthy lifestyles can be easy and fun for the whole family, we believe we will have a positive impact on their health outcomes.” This year’s event has evolved to incorporate a more festive atmosphere with features including international and local speakers, experts on health and wellness, authors, food exhibitors, native seed swap, child safety and more. Author, kickboxing champion and international endurance athlete Leah Goldstein will be the festival’s keynote speaker. Leah will share the story of her achievements, tragedies and triumphs, and the lessons she has learned along the way. She will also offer a women’s bike clinic on Sunday morning. Other guest speakers will be on hand. The heightened festive atmosphere will include large pavilions set up throughout The J, each one hosting a theme such as safety, physical activity, food, literacy, health and wellness. All exhibitors in each pavilion will offer interactive activities to give families the knowledge or skill to make better lifestyle choices. One of the new features offered this year is literacy. As a critical foundation for lifelong self-discovery, literacy is a competency individuals require to make healthier lifestyle choices. The Festival of Books and the Arizona Daily Star have joined the festival this year as a featured sponsor of the Literacy Pavilion. The pavilion will include authors, performances by Stories that Soar and Curious George from “PBS Kids,” and exhibitor booths from various local literacy agencies, including Literacy Connects. 22 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Tucson J Health and Wellness Director Susan Frank says, “As we enter the final stages of planning for the 2015 event, we are excited about the new elements we are adding to build on our success in 2014. The Tucson J is a premier destination for wellness, and it is the perfect setting to invite the public to enjoy an afternoon of education, fun and exposure to new ideas about how we can all live happier, healthier lives.” tucsonjcc.org/sports/family-wellness-expo
Healthy eating takes time Certified nutritionist and personal trainer Christi Christiaens works with Valley of the Sun JCC members and also meets with staff once a month to offer a nutrition tip of the month. Originally from Belgium, Christi has worked at the J for three years. One staff member who attends her monthly classes says: “Attending Christi’s nutritional sessions have offered me a greater insight into ‘mindful eating.’ I leave each session with the gift of knowledge. As Christi states, sometimes it just takes a little ‘tweaking’ of our shopping or cooking habits that can lead to big changes in our overall health.” Another notes: “I am more aware of how much what I eat affects how I feel.”
Here are some tips that Christi feels are important for women to try: • Stay hydrated: be sure to drink plenty of water every day. • Cut sugar consumption: start by not adding sugar to your coffee, yogurt and other food and drinks. • Be organized: plan snacks and meals for the next day and don’t leave home without your snacks and lunch. • Cut out processed foods: buy fresh foods; shop the “outside aisles” of the supermarket.
And most importantly: • Lose the “diet mentality”: focus on long-term healthy habits; focus on changing behavior strategically over time.
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 23
Women’s Health
To Life
Self-Care: The Jewish path to good health By Amy Hirshberg Lederman
According to my good friend Selina, I scored a minus one on the “pamper scale” when we first met. Selina could book a massage or take time out for a cup of coffee without giving it a second thought. I, in the other hand, considered spending more than 15 minutes or $15 on a nonessential service as totally frivolous. Obviously, I needed some serious self-pamper coaching if we were to remain friends. Rather than spending countless hours in therapy, I altered my behavior by asking a simple question whenever I considered doing something special: “What would Selina do?” The answer was much clearer when the question was asked in the third person. “Just do it!” my brain screamed. Now, years later, the benefits of self-care, of treating myself to “pamper perks,” has become clear to me as both essential and necessary to maintaining optimum mental and physical health. Jewish wisdom beckons us to take care of ourselves. At the heart of the Torah is the Holiness Code, which tells us to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” These five simple words speak volumes about self-care. They teach us that we must first learn
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to love and care for ourselves before we can hope to love and care for others. And since loving and caring for others is a quintessential Jewish value, it is imperative that we take care of ourselves! Maimonides, the noted 12th century Jewish philosopher and physician, taught that true health depends on moderation and balance – between work and play, activity and rest. The Sabbath, a day where we are commanded to refrain from work, is a perfect example of how this balance is integral to Jewish living and life itself. Actively engaging in self-care is not the same as being selfindulgent. Self-care is about taking time away from the demands of life to pursue things that make you feel refreshed, renewed and “your best self.” It is a process of consciously creating ways for being in the moment, and feeling joy and gratitude for life. Getting a massage, reading a book, listening to music or taking a walk with a friend might work for me, but the choices are totally personal, limited only by your imagination (and wallet). There are countless ways to take care of yourself, depending on your age, interests, limitations and daily responsibilities. As a start, I offer Lederman’s Top 10 ideas to encourage and inspire your own path to self-care: 10) Take time for being: It is always productive, even when it doesn’t appear to generate results. 9) Be authentic: It is much healthier to be real than to try to be what others expect of you. 8) Find outlets for your creativity: writing, painting, cooking, dancing and singing are great ways to express yourself. 7) Go outdoors daily. Walk in your garden, look at the sunrise or night sky, watch the changes of the seasons. Stay connected to the world around you. 6) Use your body, not just your mind. Find a form of exercise you enjoy. Yoga, walking, swimming, cycling – even hugging a friend – can make you feel energized. 5) Smile. You will be amazed at how good it makes you feel and how it affects others. 4) Do the unexpected. Travel to a new place, eat a new food, buy a hat or crazy pair of sunglasses just for the fun of it. 3) Be grateful for the simple pleasures in your life. Pay attention to how a good meal, the work you do or a call from a caring friend can lift your heart and spirits. 2) Take stock at bedtime: Look at your day to see what you have learned. A good day teaches; a difficult day often teaches more, and helps us grow and change. 1) Think of something that feels like a special treat and DO IT! Pamper perks will make you feel great.
Amy Hirshberg Lederman has written more than 300 columns and essays that have been published nationwide. amyhirshberglederman.com
24 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 25
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Women do amazing things.
Working hard, doing good and getting it done!
Women
Rock the World!
There was a time when women were told they couldn’t have it all – that it was impossible to have a successful career, marriage and family – let alone throw in volunteer work and actually be happy and fulfilled. In the 1987 film “Baby Boom,” Diane Keaton plays J.C. Wiatt, an over-the-top New York City workaholic career woman who is all about business. With a highprofile job as a management consultant, she lives with her similarly career-minded boyfriend. Theirs is a life of work, work, work and no time for anything, especially the toddler J.C. “inherits” from a deceased cousin she hadn’t seen in years. After being handed the baby, she says, “I can’t have a baby because I have a 12:30 lunch meeting.” J.C. starts to warm up to the baby as she desperately tries to juggle new motherhood and her demanding job. After being turned down for a promotion, her boss says, “I told you you can’t have it all.” Don’t ever tell a woman she can’t … because she can. J.C. ends up with her own thriving business, a loving child and she gets the man, proving that yes, women (on the silver screen anyway) can do it all and have it all. In real life, today’s women don’t have to be crazed and frantic in business or in their daily family lives. By all appearances, the six women featured on our cover have it all. Each woman is as careerminded as she is family-minded, and each is determined to leave the world a better place. As they each leave a mark on business, they believe it’s important to leave a mark in the Jewish community as well as the community at large by volunteering some of their precious free time. Our cover story women have a lot to say and to do. They are not stopping anytime soon. As a matter of fact, they are just getting started. – Rhona Melsky
26 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Beth Jo Zeitzer: Inspiring others to do good By Rhona Melsky
“
“
The key is to be able to embrace challenges before us and turn them into opportunities. ~ Beth Jo Zeitzer, attorney, and board chair of Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix
With very few women in her professional field, Beth
Jo Zeitzer, Esq., is able to play ball with the boys and come out a winner. A licensed attorney in Arizona and California, Beth Jo is president and designated broker of R.O.I. Properties, a fullservice commercial and residential brokerage firm providing a variety of services including commercial brokerage, residential brokerage, property management and receivership services. While she is able to blend her real estate and legal background, “there is no one in the community who does exactly what we do,” she says. A passion for real estate and the law led Beth Jo to want “to do something closer to the deal as opposed to documenting the deal.” She has found a successful niche resulting from what she calls a unique platform along with a unique set of service offerings.
in the commercial real estate community, typically seeing three women a week in three separate meetings. Beth Jo has a solid career and is involved with a number of trade organizations and bankers’ associations. On top of that, she is actively involved in the Jewish community and serves as board chair of the Jewish Community Foundation, which is built to ensure an enduring legacy for the Jewish community. “Ensuring a Jewish future for the community is really a driver for me,” she says. “An organization like this that funds grants for a variety of organizations with Jewish roots and causes will advance Jewish culture and religion.”
Keeping a strong Jewish identity
Although she is surrounded by men in business, Beth Jo is a standout as the only woman at home. She is married to Adam Nach, and the couple has three sons, Ben, 19, Reuben, 18, and Aaron, 16. They are members of Temple Solel in Paradise Valley and The New Shul in Scottsdale. While growing up, her family She makes things happen celebrated all the Jewish holidays and her own sons attended Before starting her own company, Beth Jo faced a turning Jewish day school. Being Jewish is important to her family, point when the company where she worked merged with a huge which is apparent in weekly Friday night Shabbat dinners with corporation. A new direction was in order. family and friends complete with candle-lighting, challah and Going off on a new path and following her belief that “you wine. make things happen,” in 2003 she started R.O.I. Properties and Beth Jo cites Golda Meir as “someone I always looked up to turned what seemed like an insurmountable problem into a real and admired.” She also looks up to her parents, who she says opportunity. “I have found there is no such thing as luck,” she have characteristics she tries to emulate in her daily life. Those says. characteristics are “embedded into who I am and who I want to Having achieved success herself, Beth Jo looked for ways to be.” She considers herself lucky give a leg up to other women in from a business standpoint as her field. “Women many times well as with her family and are not given a fair shake because friends, noting a great network they have responsibilities in of people who stood by her at addition to work and are not every turn in her career. This always seen as the same level also is why she gives back so of producer,” she says. As a much of her time. result, and because she started Beth Jo and Adam share her own firm, Beth Jo knew the a good partnership as they importance of giving back to co-parent their children. “We other women in the community really make it happen with who might lack the same level of a lot of mutual respect,” she confidence or experience, so she says. “We love each other but makes it a point to be a mentor. From left, R.O.I. Properties’ Kaytlin Stevens, commercial associate; Beth Jo Zeitzer, really like each other, too.” She works mainly with women president and designated broker; and Justin Cirell, commercial vice president.
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 27
The family enjoys hiking and watching movies. As far as classic movies, she notes “Annie Hall” as a favorite. Like the trailblazing main character of that film, Beth Jo has paved her own way in a profession in which the main characters are men. “The key is to be able to embrace challenges before us and turn them into opportunities,” she says.
The Jewish community and beyond
Beth Jo’s passion extends beyond her family in her devotion to strengthening and ensuring a viable existence for the Jewish
community. She wants to give back and be part of confirming the long-term success and stability of the greater Phoenix Jewish community specifically.“Although it might not be the impetus behind the activity, it always amazes me how much I get when I give,” she says. As she continues to make a difference in the Jewish community and beyond, Beth Jo says she hopes “to live a life that inspires others to be kinder to all, continuously learn, move through daily life with honesty and integrity, reach our full potential, and ensure a vibrant and enduring Jewish people.”
Deb Rochford:
A cheerleading dynamo for Israel By Debra Rich Gettleman
~ Deb Rochford, JNF Desert States executive director
If you were a country the size of New Jersey
and could pick one person on the planet to be your advocate, who would you choose? Deb Rochford seems to be the right woman for the job. This Jewish National Fund dynamo is more than passionate about her role as Desert States executive director and her mission to give all generations of Jews a unique voice in building a prosperous future for the land of Israel and its people. More than 100 years ago, JNF began when a small group of leaders purchased plots of land to establish the groundwork for the foundation of the Jewish state. Since then, Deb says, “JNF has developed over 250,000 acres of land, 240 reservoirs and dams, created over 2,000 parks and provided the infrastructure for over 1,000 communities in Israel.” Today JNF is, as Deb puts it, “the master developer of the state of Israel.”
It’s much more than trees
While JNF may be famous for planting trees and building parks, it’s a multifaceted organization engaged in community building, ecological development, technological innovation, education, water renewal, and serving the disabled and special needs communities. “I’m a serious supporter of Israel,” says Deb. “I surround myself with people who believe in Israel’s right to exist. It’s where I draw the line. I go to work every day with the mission of connecting people to Israel. I take my job very seriously.” That serious devotion shows. Since Deb became the executive director three years ago, the Arizona division of JNF has almost tripled its donor contributions. 28 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
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As a Jew and a woman, I think it’s critical that the community sees successful women at the highest levels of business.
“Arizona has become a force to be reckoned with,” says Deb proudly. “This mission is the most important thing I have ever done in my life. I believe it’s the duty of Jews to support Israel. As a Jew, it is our responsibility – and I don’t take the word ‘no’ easily.”
Growing up with a sense of duty
Deb is originally from Denver, where she was raised in a Conservative synagogue. Her family always supported Jewish nonprofits, and she was raised with a sense of duty to care for the Jewish people. Her family celebrated the Jewish holidays joyously, and Deb still treasures them – especially Passover. “Passover is my holiday,” she tells me. “I cook for the many family members who travel from New York, Las Vegas and Colorado. It’s my pride and joy to make it happen.” Deb calls her 86-year-old mother her best friend and her biggest influence. Her mom started a Mexican restaurant in Denver when Deb was 10. Watching her go to work every day inspired Deb. “She is a marketing and customer-relations genius,” Deb says. Deb also worked for years in the for-profit sector before coming to the helm of JNF. She spent 25 years in businesses including consulting, owning a wholesale commercial office furniture business, and publishing a teen magazine with a circulation of 30,000 and 250 contributing teen writers. “Coming from the for-profit segment, you see things a certain way,” says Deb. “You respect people’s money and appreciate it when people give it to you. They don’t have to.” She goes on to praise JNF: “I appreciate how they run JNF because I ran a business. I run the Desert States Division of JNF like a business, not
a nonprofit.” That could account for JNF’s coveted four-star ratValuing women in business ing on Charity Navigator, the leading 501(c)(3) evaluating service As a high-ranking woman in business, Deb praises JNF for that ranks nonprofits based on financial efficiency, program and how the organization values women in the workforce. “Many administration expenses, fundraising and a host of other costexecutive and management positions are held by women,” she allocation assessments. says. “I would not work within an organization that did not have a path to success for women. As a Jew and a woman, I think it’s critical that the community sees successful women at the highest levels of business.” Deb admits to being a workaholic, but when you love your job this much, how could it be any other way? “My husband is my equalizer,” she says with a smile. “I relax only because he forces me to stop. We have been married for 26 years. We are great together.” The couple’s secret? “We laugh every day. He has a sense of humor and keeps me grounded.” She’s proud that her kids developed a sense of humor as well. “When we all get together we crack each other up.” Deb herself is a glowing ball of energy, positivity and determination. “I’m pretty lucky,” she says. “I am doing what I love, and I am working with staff and donors who are truly remarkable. I get up every morning and can’t wait to get started.” From left, Frances and Alfred Sachs with Deb Rochford at a JNF event
Fran Katz: Looking for meaning and purpose By Rhona Melsky
~ Fran Katz, senior vice president of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona
If the saying is true that you have to give to receive,
then Fran Katz is going to get back nachas tenfold. She’s unstoppable in her giving – and she wouldn’t have it any other way. After 29 years in a rewarding career at Tucson Lifestyle Magazine, most recently as associate publisher, Fran needed something more. She put out some feelers and took on the position of director of donor services for the University of Arizona Foundation “to do something more meaningful and purposeful” with her life. Upon Brenda Landau’s resignation of her post at the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, Stuart Mellan, JFSA president and CEO, approached Fran for the position of senior vice president. She began in May and “absolutely loves it.” She works in partnership with Stuart for the same goal … and that’s just one of the many roles that occupy Fran’s very busy yet fulfilling life.
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I’ve always felt I received more than I’ve given, even with everything I’ve done.
Born in Manhattan, Fran and her family moved to Queens, NY, and stayed until her family left for Phoenix when she was 9. The Shadow Mountain High School graduate was active in BBYO both on the local and district level. She headed down south to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona, where she not only received a degree in business administration and marketing, she met her husband, Jeff Katz, also an alumni of U of A and now an attorney. The couple moved to Phoenix, where they married, but then returned to Tucson 30 years ago and have been there ever since. They immediately became immersed in volunteer work, with Jeff as chair of Jewish Family and Children’s Service and president of the Jewish Federation board. Fran held roles in women’s philanthropy and chaired the Jewish Community Relations Committee. She and Jeff co-chaired the JFSA Campaign in 2008 and were also involved with various other positions at the federation. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 29
Fran Katz, right, with a young woman and her child in their village of Gondar, Ethiopia. The woman hopes to make aliyah one day.
The art of giving
Because giving is a part of who she is, Fran wanted to do more to help people. “But I’ve always felt I received more than I’ve given, even with everything I’ve done,” she says. “I just can’t give enough.” She has been a stellar community volunteer with other notable past posts including president of Hillel, volunteering for JFCS and co-chair of the capital campaign for Congregation Or Chadash, of which she and her family are members. Her awards include the 1998 Woman of the Year for WYCA and the 2012 Phyllis Ehlinger Woman of Excellence for the Tucson chapter of the American Advertising Federation. Fran is on the boards of the Tucson Airport Authority, the Tucson Medical Center Foundation and Ben’s Bells, an organization focused on spreading kindness and named for a 2-yearold boy who died unexpectedly.
Getting involved; spreading the word
Her goal is to get more people engaged and involved in her work at the federation. On an international level, she experienced the federation’s work firsthand on a recent mission trip for campaign chairs and directors to Tblisi, Georgia, and Israel. The trip included more than 100 people from across the United States. “It empowered me and invigorated me to come back and raise more funds for what we do locally, nationally and internationally,” Fran says.
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Can women really have it all? Fran is certainly a strong case in point. Keeping her family as the No. 1 priority, Fran figured out how to balance the needs of her young children, her work, volunteerism and her running schedule, which she wanted to keep. “I was able to do all four successfully,” she says. This longdistance runner has completed 28 marathons, including seven in Boston and one in New York, and two Iron Man events. When her children were young, she showed them the importance of being part of a community. “I wanted them to see what good you can do by giving back,” Fran says. Now she sees the payoff with daughter Aimee, 26, who is involved in the Moishe House in Tucson, and son Adam, 24, who is getting involved in young leadership in Dallas.
Family, friends keep her grounded
Fran’s door is always open to family and friends, especially during the High Holidays. Those who lack a place to go for the holidays can find a seat at the Katz home, where the welcome mat is always out for observance and a holiday meal. After 30 years of marriage, her husband is still her biggest cheerleader. “He has always stood by me and believed in me,” Fran says. “He encouraged me to be the best person I can be.” She proves to be that person of principle every day as a champion for Judaism and its legacy, and in her passion to help young women achieve their goals. “Having integrity is one of the most important things while you are alive, and it’s what you leave after you are gone,” Fran says.
Francine Coles: Finding her true calling By Leni Reiss
~ Francine Coles, outgoing council chair of Phoenix AIPAC
Toronto’s loss clearly was a gain for Phoenix
when Canadian transplants Francine (Shostack) Coles and her family moved to the Valley in 1977. Francine, then 18 years old, completed her education at Arizona State University with a major in construction engineering. “I was good in math and science,” she says, “and architecture was an appealing next step,” but marriage and a stint in retail turned out to be an ideal mix for her nascent creative and artistic bent. Her life took a different route as family life and membership in Temple Chai became a priority. As her children, Haley, 25, Zach, 22, and Sam, 19, spread their wings, Francine did the same, seeking a place where she could combine her knowledge and talents to her commitment to all things Jewish.
It’s all about community
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The message that I could really make a difference resonated with me. I felt empowered – I felt that I truly could act to help protect both the U.S. and Israel.
ingly more ingrained in the Jewish/Phoenix axis. Within Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix she served on the Women’s Department board, chaired a Pomegranate Division event, and was a founder of the Anne Frank Award program to honor outstanding high school students. Francine says that the federation women were uniquely warm, mothering and supportive, singling out Vicki Cabot, Wylie Silverstein and Berry Sweet for special praise. Still fresh in Francine’s memory is the experience, “one of the most moving ever,” of traveling to Ethiopia to assist emigrés on the way to the Jewish state. “Our planes traveled almost side by side,” she recalls. “And we were able to be at the terminal waiting to greet them and help them go through the process when they arrived. The youngsters were wide-eyed, all dressed in their best, and many of the adults stopped to kiss the ground. There were few dry eyes.”
“The message that I could really make a difference resonated with me. I felt empowered – I felt that I truly could act to help protect both the U.S. and Israel.”
A true calling
Francine describes her parBut Francine says she found her true calling ents, the late Betty and Bernard when, in 2003, her father took her to a breakShostack, as wonderful role models fast hosted by AIPAC (American Israel Public for community involvement, and Affairs Committee). “The message that I could cites her late former mother-in-law, really make a difference resonated with me. I felt Lois Coles, as her initial contact to empowered – I felt that I truly could act to help the auxiliary of the Kivel Campus protect both the U.S. and Israel.” –Francine Coles of Care. She joined New DirecAt that point Francine enthusiastically actions, a program designed “for a cepted every role offered to her within the organew generation of leaders,” and rose nization. It also was her entrée into politics. She recalls meetin the ranks to auxiliary president. During her tenure she helped ing, getting to know and building relationships with Arizona craft Kivel’s “restraint-free campus,” enabling residents to best maintain their dignity. One simple but thoughtful example: Beds members of Congress. were lowered to allow seniors to more comfortably get in and For the past six years Francine has been a member of AIPAC’s out of them and reduce the risk of falls. “We raised more money national council, traveling four times a year to Washington, during my terms in office than the NBA wives did for their D.C., to lobby members of Congress. She is chairing one of charities!” she says with pride. the local political networks designed specifically for pro-Israel, Francine remained on the Kivel board but became increassingle-issue fundraisers. Network participants get to meet and ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 31
connect in private homes with members of Congress. The formation of a leadership development institute here in the Valley during her three-year stint as AIPAC’s Phoenix council chair is what Francine considers her greatest accomplishment. “This is an opportunity and a way to provide a ‘deeper dive’ to people with leadership potential, and it is working,” she says. Concluding her third and final term as council chair, Francine
notes the growth and impact of AIPAC in the Valley. “We have great lay leaders and a tremendous staff,” she says. “And there is cohesion and cooperation in all we do.” She will remain on both the local and national councils while running the local network and serving on AIPAC’s national leadership institute; she also has accepted membership on the Jewish Community Foundation board. Sorry, Toronto, you can’t have her back. Treasured pieces of indigenous Inuit art reflect Francine’s pride in her Canadian heritage and roots.
Jennifer Kaplan: A big voice in public relations By Rhona Melsky
~ Jennifer Kaplan, owner and founder of Evolve Public Relations & Marketing
Jennifer Kaplan was born to talk. Just ask her mother, who will tell you that Jennifer came out of the womb speaking right from the start. “I’ve always been a people person,” Jennifer says. In grade school, she was known for being very social. So it’s not a surprise that she was voted Senior Most Talkative her senior year in high school. Those exceptional social skills are a perfect match for her chosen profession. As owner and founder of Evolve Public Relations & Marketing in Scottsdale, Jennifer and her team go above and beyond to meet client expectations in all things public relations. Born and raised in Phoenix, Jennifer’s parents moved to Arizona from New York. Her entire family, from grandparents to aunts, uncles and cousins, followed. She has a unique and creative family; her mother, father and brother are all entrepreneurs as she is herself. She didn’t have the eye of her interior designer mother nor did she think she was funny enough to be a comedian at her father’s comedy club. However, she did have a big personality. “My strong suit was people,” she says. 32 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
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The feeling I get from donating time or money or services to an individual or an organization just makes me feel good.
A childhood of Judaism, sports Attending the Jewish Community Center was a big part of her youth. Her grandmother was an assistant teacher in the preschool, while her grandfather played racquetball there. She was involved in BBYO and became a bat mitzvah at Beth Israel. She attended Hebrew High and was involved with Hillel when she attended Arizona State University. Passover was always a standout holiday for her and brings up fond memories of family and rituals. While in high school, Jennifer was very involved with sports and lettered in softball, volleyball, tennis and basketball. In college she was involved in a sorority and, not surprisingly, was social chair. Her degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations didn’t bode well for a job directly after graduation. “I couldn’t find a job in PR,” she says. After attending a job fair, she took a job with UPS and then went to a logistics company. In her personal time, she sat on boards and committees to volunteer her time for PR and events. “To evaluate what direction I wanted to go in, I decided at 30 to start my own business,” Jennifer says. She had a business
is important to me in finding my partner,” she says. That and going on her own in business taught her about responsibility. “It matured me in a different way and forced me to do things that are outside of my comfort zone,” which led to her opening her business. Not only is she responsible for staff, she helps clients get their name and brand out into the community. “When we secure coverage and exposure opportunities for our clients, they really can see a change in their business,” Jennifer says. “Whether it’s sales or increased awareness – that is the best reward of what we can do.” When she’s not pulling out all the stops for her clients, Jennifer spends time with her family and boyfriend, John Collura, who she first met when she was 16. After their lives took separate turns, they reunited and now have been together for a year. Jennifer’s gift of gab has enabled her to grow a business based on her best social attributes. As her business continues to grow, she has her sights set on giving back to the community, treating people with respect and enjoying an overall passion for life.
“The feeling I get from donating time or money or services to an individual or an organization just makes me feel good in that I may be making a difference in somebody’s life.” – Jennifer Kaplan
partner in public relations for five years before she left to start Evolve on her own. The firm now has six full-time staff, and the company does only public relations work. “I feel we are successful because we have focused on one thing, and we have done that really well.”
Building her brand and loving her job Not everyone is so lucky in his or her career, but Jennifer says she could not imagine doing anything else. “I get so excited when my feet touch the ground. I have really evolved.” One of the things Jennifer does to build her brand in the Valley is a weekly segment on a local television station. She was a 2014 Athena Award nominee, which honors women in the community; a 2015 one•n•ten honorary chair; and she participated in the 2013 local Dancing with the Stars benefiting the National Kidney Foundation Arizona Chapter. It is important for her to give back and support the community. “The feeling I get from donating time or money or services to an individual or an organization just makes me feel good in that I may be making a difference in somebody’s life,” she says. Personal challenges often help people overcome obstacles, and Jennifer is no different. She gained a lot of insight after going through a divorce. “I learned a lot about myself and what
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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 33
Keri Silvyn: Leaving a better world for the future By Rhona Melsky
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Anything I am involved in I want to leave it in better shape than when I received it. ~ Keri Silvyn, attorney and former chair of Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona
Not every young girl can say she shared her bat mitzvah with her grandmother. Keri Silvyn can. On Nov. 10, 1984, Keri and her 64-year-old maternal grandmother each became a bat mitzvah. “She was of a generation when girls didn’t do that,” Keri says of her grandmother, Reva Balanoff, who was finally able to realize her dream. Keri, attorney and owner of Lazarus, Silvyn & Bangs, P.C., learned an important lesson from her grandmother: make sure to realize dreams while helping others.
A blind date and so much more Keri’s childhood was marked by a very strong Jewish identity, which included involvement in United Synagogue Youth. Her family attended Congregation Beth El in Phoenix, and she attended Hebrew and Sunday school. Keri moved to Tucson in 1989 for her undergraduate degree and stayed for law school. She fully intended to head back to Phoenix at some point, but while at law school, Keri was set up on a blind date with Jeff Silvyn, who was already practicing law. That became the game changer for her to stick around. Tucson is glad she did. Following a successful law career practicing with a large firm, Keri decided to try her hand at her own practice along with her father, Larry Lazarus, who runs the Phoenix office, partner Frank Bangs and two other lawyers. Lazarus, Silvyn & Bangs, P.C, was born as a land-use law firm for zoning and land-use planning, helping developers and communities grow responsibly. “I am learning by fire how to run a business because they don’t teach you that in law school,” Keri says.
in her school. She grew up in a Conservative home where tzedakah and giving back is ingrained in family. “It just seems to be what I do because I like it,” Keri says. In December she will be named chair of the TMC Foundation. She got involved in the Jewish community through the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona’s Real Estate and Allied Professions, REAP, which offers programs on hot topics in real estate. She became a steering committee member and ultimately a co-chair of the group. Next she became involved with the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona; Keri chaired the board for three years during a time of significant transition for that organization. “I am very passionate about making sure our Jewish community is secure for the next generation,” Keri says. “Part of what I do for a living creates senses of place in the form of development projects. In the Jewish community, I took a leadership role in the foundation, which is about people investing in our future and creating multigenerational trusts or using other financial tools to ensure our local Jewish community is there for the next generation. It does not require great wealth to be part of this effort. Nobody else is going to sustain the Tucson Jewish community other than the Tucson Jewish community.” She stepped into her role at the foundation at a transitional time and ensured a strong base to take it into the next decade. “The foundation couldn’t be any stronger than it currently is,” Keri says. She and her father provide significant volunteer and assistance work in land-use areas and are very involved in community boards within the Tucson and Phoenix communities. They do pro bono work for clients including veteran’s groups, autism organizations and others. Keri also co-founded Imagine Greater Tucson, which brings community together to create a vision for our regional future. That vision has been or is in the process of being incorporated into all of the comprehensive and general plans throughout the region. In recognition of all that she has done within the region, Keri was honored as the Tucson Woman of the Year in 2013.
“I am very passionate about making sure our Jewish community is secure for the next generation.” – Keri Silvyn
There’s honor in tzedakah As if her law practice were not enough, Keri throws a lot of volunteerism into the mix. “I’ve always been one of those people who stepped into leadership positions,” she says, adding that her enjoyment of working with organizations to do good things in the community goes back to student council in high school, where she started the Students Against Drunk Driving program 34 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Silvyns Family: Keri and Jeff behind (from left) Ethan, Riley and Bennett on a ski vacation.
Inspired and powered by family Noted for her mentoring and ability to inspire others, family is what inspires Keri the most. She shares her home with Jeff and their three children: son Bennett, 14, daughter Riley, 10, and Ethan, Riley’s twin brother. The family is affiliated with Or Chadash, a Reform synagogue, and they enjoy spending time and travelling together. Whether it is family or community, Keri gives her all. “If I
take something on, I do it passionately and 100 percent,” she says. In doing so, she hopes to leave a better world. “Anything I am involved in I want to leave it in better shape than when I received it,” she says. “I want it to have improved and move forward and be in a better position, whether a community, a project organization or my children. I want them to be better people because of their interactions with me.”
FEATuriNG JEFFrEY TAMBor
entertaining guests with his one-man show Performing Your Life, What’s Keeping You?
ThursDAY, NovEMBEr 12 at the Historic orphEuM ThEATrE 203 West Adams Street, Phoenix 85003
A MEGA EvENT LiKE NEvEr BEForE!
Songs performed by Maytal & Etzion from The Voice Israel
megaevent2015.org | 480.634.4900 x1213
Co-ChAirs Michelle Mandell, Sara Silver & Bob Silver
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 35
Out of the ashes … a synagogue is reborn in Poland
Aterrttasin& ment En
Documentary “Raise the Roof” premiers Oct. 8 in Tucson By Rhona Melsky
Jason Loik retouches the ceiling painting of the Gwozdziec after the installation in the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, Warsaw, Poland, 2013 Photos: Copyright 2014 Trillium Studios. . 36 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
There is a profound sense of accomplishment when creating something from nothing. Sculptors and educators Rick and Laura Brown of Handshouse Studio, handshouse.org, set out to recreate something from the ashes of war-torn Poland, and history was revealed. “We don’t like to think of ourselves as teachers,” says Rick in a phone interview. “We are more interested in learning by doing, and we are interested through experience.” They were determined to reconstruct Gwozdziec, a demolished Polish synagogue. Long gone but remembered for its spectacular, colorful hand-painted interior roof, the wooden 18th century structure was destroyed by the Nazis in World War II. The Browns and their team had nothing but old black and white photographs from 1914 and one color study from which to work. Gwozdziec was one of the most documented synagogues they could find. The inspiring story is chronicled in “Raise the Roof,” a documentary by filmmakers Yari Wolinsky and Cary Wolinsky, who followed the Browns and their team to Sanok, Poland, as they undertook a seemingly insurmountable project to rebuild the synagogue’s roof using traditional tools and methods – all while facing a six-week deadline. Creating in what Rick calls a “dynamic learning environment,” they replicated historical objects in a short period of time. “We believe that if you replicate an object using the same tools, the same methods,
Painting leaders and students paint a 30-foot long cove panel.
the same materials and the same techniques, you can uncover or recover information not only about how to make it, but learn about the culture that built it,” Rick says. A project more than 10 years in the making About 10 years ago the Browns learned the amazing history of the Polish Jews and the more than 200 synagogues systematically destroyed by the Nazis. They set out to take on a learning project with the goal of one day building a full-scale replica of one of the synagogues, says Rick.
“We don’t like to think of ourselves as teachers. We are more interested in learning by doing, and we are interested through experience.” – Rick Brown
“Some students stuck with us for almost 10 years and became our key people, because they were so inspired that one day we would do this – and sure enough it happened,” Rick says. More than 300 people including professionals, scholars, craftsmen and students from 16 countries were involved in the project. The documentary focuses on the replication of Gwozdziec’s ceiling, which would become an integral part of the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw. Working in a part of the world that was once so unwelcoming to Jews, there was “resounding acceptance” of the project, according to Rick.
“Poland was the country where the Nazis built most of the death camps,” Rick says. “Most people think it’s the place where most of the Jews were killed. After World War II, we also know there was anti-Semitism all over the world. After the war under the veil of communism they wouldn’t let anyone talk about the Holocaust or what had happened during World War II. For 65 years nobody could talk about history in any respect.” Only after the fall of communism was the real truth revealed about what happened in Poland during the war, Rick says. “In our project we were dealing with a lot of young people in Poland. We found they wanted to know this history because nobody could ever talk about it. A good number of them found out after the fall of communism that their families were Jewish. People wanted to know this history.” Many people do not realize that the history of Jews in Poland spanned 1,000 years before the Holocaust, and it held the largest concentration of Jews in Europe. Throughout the project, Rick says they had amazing experiences with people, including Holocaust survivors wanting to learn and take part. Another opening; what a show More than 7,000 people attended the museum on opening day in October 2014. As Poland is so much more than just the death camps, the museum is mostly focused on the “unique and wonderful history of Jews in Poland,” Rick says. “It’s amazing it took all those years for the doors to open to the truth.” In reconstructing such an important part of history, Rick says the “objective was to be a dynamic learning environment for our students seeking information without any subjective opinion.” His students realize every moment can be creative and lead to changing the world. It takes working together, collaboration, solving problems and then moving on. “Over a period of time you make dramatic changes in yourself and the world,” Rick says. “We’re not really building a synagogue, we’re building ourselves.” ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 37
Aterrttasin& ment En
Rick and Laura Brown review photos of the Gwozdziec synagogue destroyed during World War II.
An Arizona premiere The Arizona premiere of Trillium Studios’ “Raise the Roof ” will open the Tucson Festival of Films, Oct. 8, and the Browns will be on hand for the screening. Presented by the Tucson International Jewish Film Festival, the film will be among many others at the festival. The screening will be at the Temple of Music & Art, 330 S Scott Ave., Tucson. The festival, from Oct. 8-10, is a collaboration of eight of the
city’s film festivals and will showcase a variety of features, shorts and documentaries. For more information about “Raise the Roof ” and other films in the festival lineup and to buy tickets, visit tucsonfestivaloffilms.com. For more information about the Tucson International Jewish Film Festival, which is scheduled for Jan. 14-23, 2016, visit tucsonjewishfilmfestival.org.
FREE ADMISSION
38 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Growing the Arts in Gilbert ERIC GILIAM / Oct 10, 2015
Three shows! 1pm • 4pm • 7:30 pm. Magic for ages 4 to 104!
THE RAVE: Tribute to the British Invasion Oct 16, 2015 7:30 pm. 60s & 70s British Legacy Rock
THE HEARTLIGHT SHOw / Oct 17, 2015
7:30 pm. Jack Wright performs the Best of Neil Diamond
MAndy BARnETT / nov 4, 2015 7:30 pm. Classic Country!
Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale 85254 Help your Federation to score during the Super Sunday Fall Phone-A-Thon! There will be plenty of family fun, food, prizes, tzedekah opportunities and more! Raise money to help Jews in need and to build vibrant Jewish communities in Greater Phoenix, Israel and in 70 countries throughout the world.
ARCH ALLIES / dec 11, 2015
7:30 pm. The music of Journey/REO Speedwagon /Styx
THE nuTCRACkER BALLET / dec 18-20, 2015 Fri 7 pm • Sat 2 pm & 6:30 pm • Sun 3 pm Accompanied live by The Chandler Symphony Orchestra
On THE AIR: Radio Stars of the 40s / Jan 8, 2016 7:30 pm. Bob Hope/Jack Benny/Red Skelton/Jimmy Durante
JIM CuRRy / Jan 9, 2016
7:30 pm. Take Me Home: The Music of John Denver
ABBEy ROAd BAnd / Jan 14, 2016 IF YOU CAN’T VOLUNTEER, PLEASE ANSWER THE CALL AND SUPPORT THE 2015 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN! For more information and to register by October 10, visit jewishphoenix.org/supersunday or call 480-634-4900 ext.1202 Phone-A-Thon Chairs: Susan Farber & Gail Ober 2015 Annual Campaign Chairs: Don & Esther Schon
7:30 pm. The Music of The Beatles
PETER, PAuL & MARy REMEMBEREd And FRIEndS / Jan 16, 2016 7:30 pm. Remembering the “best of times.”
BLInddOG SMOkIn’ / Jan 28, 2016
7:30 pm. Blues/Gospel. 2015 Grammy Nominee.
CLOSE TO yOu / Feb 24, 2016
7:30 pm. The Music of The Carpenters
Visit our website for other exciting shows!
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 39
Aterrttasin& ment En
A statue keeps watch over the exterior of the Kerr Cultural Center. Far right: Friends gather.
ASU Kerr Cultural Center shines with local and international artists and enjoying music with talented friends. She invited The ASU Kerr Cultural Center hosts a diverse annual season artists from around the world to work on their craft in her of jazz, classical, world music, storytelling and theater in this home. Driven by a hospitable desire to provide practice and one-of-a-kind performing arts venue. performance opportunities for musicians, Kerr constructed guest This season features the popular Jazz in AZ concert series, houses on the property to board visiting artists. Her vision was classical music stars Ying Quartet and Ang Li, Latin world to cultivate an artists’ colony. music luminaries Las Cafeteras, Grammy-winning classical Kerr’s personal touches abound throughout each building. The guitarist Jason Vieaux, globetrotting African/world music Studio and home are made of adobe bricks that were poured and duo Kinobe and Jaja, and the critically acclaimed theater dried on her land. Each unique sugar works “Meena’s Dream,” “An pine door was hand carved by Tucson Iliad” and “Borrowed Time.” Kerr artist Charles W. Bolsius. Sidelights is a division of Arizona State made from beer bottles line the main University Gammage. door’s frame. “Every season at Kerr Kerr helped co-found and develop is meticulously curated, The Phoenix Symphony, Scottsdale showcasing international-level artists Center for the Arts, The National and local stars in beautifully intimate Society of Arts and Letters, The performances,” says ASU Kerr Bach and Madrigal Society, and The General Manager Tracey Mason. Phoenix Cello Society. Kerr was a major “The up-close-and-personal nature Jazz musicians perform a sound check in the Kerr Studio. benefactor to the ASU School of Music. of a Kerr show is a rare treat.” After her death in 1977, she bequeathed Built in 1948, the original her Scottsdale property and structures to ASU with the house was part of 47 acres owned by Louise Lincoln Kerr, condition that the space would continue to be a home for music. daughter of John C. Lincoln. Louise Kerr was a noted violist, In addition to being a world-renowned historic music venue, ethnomusicologist, composer and one of the first women invited ASU Kerr is also available for affordable private rentals, which to join the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra in 1913. include access to professional sound and lighting, staff and Her performance room, known as The Studio, was built in amenities. 1959 and was Kerr’s intimate space for practicing, performing
ASU Kerr Cultural Center: 6110 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale | 480-596-2660 | asukerr.com 40 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Purchase tickets at asukerr.com or 480.596.2660
Meena’s Dream
Friday, November 6 at 7:30 p.m.
solo theatre December 6-7, 2015 • The University of Arizona Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Itamar Rabinovich, renowned Israeli scholar Prof. Asher Susser and several other international experts will address the political, economic and military challenges facing Israel within it Middle Eastern context. The region has been overtaken in recent years by the rather disappointing outcome of the so-called “Arab Spring” as national conflicts, sectarian civil wars and serious economic challenges rock the Middle East. Shiite Iran and its proxies battle for regional hegemony against their Sunni Arab neighbors. Iran’s nuclear program has increased political tensions and threatens to further destabilize the region. In the emerging new balance of power between Shi’is and Sunnis, ISIS fighters continue to spread their influence and ideology, as they dismember the old Arab state order in the process. This conference will explore how Israel deals with these new regional realities, while it faces vexing internal social, political, and economic challenges. What are the contours of the internal Israeli debate on Iran? What is the impact of the disintegration of states in the region on Israel’s security doctrine? How does Israel deal with radical non-state actors that are filling the void and who also seek its demise? How do the significant changes in the market for Middle Eastern resources (declining demand for Arab oil in the US and Israel’s discovery of huge reservoirs of natural gas in the Mediterranean) impact upon Israel’s regional stature? The conference speakers will discuss the current situation and offer insights into what Israel and its neighbors might do next, actions that will have a great impact on US policies in the region.
Ying Quartet:
Musical Dim Sum
Thursday, November 19 at 6 p.m. dining experience with classical music African, world music
Kinobe and Jaja
Thursday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. classical music
Ang Li, pianist
Friday, January 15 at 7:30 p.m. classical guitar
For more information, call (520) 626-5758 or visit us at judaic.arizona.edu/IsraelSymposium
Grammy winner
Jason Vieaux
Tuesday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m.
6110 N. Scottsdale Rd. (off Rose Lane) Scottsdale, AZ 85253 asukerr.com Senior, military and group discounts available. Student tickets are just $10 with ID. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 41
Spiritual musician Mikey Pauker was named by Time Magazine as one of the Top 10 stars of new Jewish music. Mikey, who is the headline act for the Jewish Music Fest, has been breathing life into Jewish music for years. His music spans multiple genres including folk, pop, hip-hop electronica, and reggae, blending them into a beautiful uplifting and unique sound.
Aterrttasin& ment En
Music Fest Schedule: 2-2:30 pm: Yehudie 2:30-2:45 pm: Pardes students and local Hebrew school kids and cantors 3-3:45 pm: Ari Lesser 4-4:45 pm: Todd Herzog 5-6 pm: Mikey Pauker and Diwon
Festival celebrates Jewish music on Nov. 1
The rich diversity of Jewish music comes alive for music lovers of all ages, ethnicities and denominations at this fall’s third annual Desert Gathering Jewish Music Fest. Acoustic folk, dancehall electronica, traditional Jewish song, pop and hip hop are just some of the music styles festival goers can explore during the Coachella-esque outdoor community music festival taking place Sunday, Nov. 1, at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix. “This year’s festival will celebrate interesting and unexpected pairings of musicians performing a variety of styles of Jewish music,” says Todd Herzog, founder of the Desert Gathering Jewish Music Fest and president of the newly created 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation, Desert Gatherings, Inc. Todd and the first festival were the subject of the November 2013 Arizona Jewish Life cover story. “We're bringing together Orthodox-infused rap from Ari Lesser, crowd favorites from Yehudie and the Gefilte Fish, acoustic spiritual pop from me and headliner Oakland-based pop-folk artist Mikey Pauker, who will perform with Yeminiinfluenced electro dancehall DJ Diwon," says Todd. "This is a festival that appeals to music lovers of all ages and beliefs and absolutely should not be missed.”
The festival, founded in 2013, is the premier Valley event celebrating Jewish music, culture and community and drew more than 2,000 attendees last year. This year's festival opens with a musical performance featuring students from local schools and cantors from across the Valley. Family friendly activities at the event include arts and crafts, face painting, raffles, food vendors and artisans, Israeli dancers and story time from PJ Library. The Desert Gathering is an event where people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of Jewish involvement – or uninvolvement – can enjoy a day of entertainment together. “It’s a great experience for people to be able to connect with other people with like minds, with similar backgrounds, and feel like there is a community in Phoenix,” says Todd. "That said, music and culture lovers of any religion are welcome to share in and be embraced by the Jewish community." Free general admission tickets are available with advance online RSVP. In addition to single tickets, VIP festival passes include VIP tent access, catered buffet, designated VIP seating, commemorative souvenir, preferred parking, and meet-andgreet opportunities with the musical talent.
Third Annual Desert Gathering Jewish Music Fest WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 1, 2-6 pm
CONTACT: 480-425-0700 | info@desertgatheringaz.com
WHERE: Steele Indian School Park, 300 E Indian School
WEBSITE: desertgatheringaz.com
Road, Phoenix PRICE: Free with advance reservation; $75 for VIP package 42 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Seth Rudetsky comes to Scottsdale Desert Foothills Theater, a division of the Foothills Community Foundation, brings Sirius/XM radio’s Seth Rudetsky to Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, 33606 N 60th St., in Scottsdale, “Seth’s Big Fat Broadway Show” at 7:30 pm, Sunday, Oct. 25. This special fundraising event features Rudetsky’s trademark “deconstructions,” in which he uses his audio/video collection to break down performances from Broadway divas such as Patti LuPone and Betty Buckley. He will also showcase mind-boggling videos such as The Osmonds singing a medley from “Fiddler on the Roof” and Cher performing all of “West Side Story.” Meribeth Reeves, Desert Foothills Theater managing director, who attended Oberlin College with Rudetsky, says this is a rare chance to see the talented actor perform. “Seth was nominated three times for an Emmy Award for his work as a comedy writer for ‘The Rosie O’Donnell Show,’ ” she says. “He has also worked as a writer for the Grammy and Tony Awards shows. Many of his shows have sold out, so get your tickets early.” Tickets range from $45 to $60. For information, call 480-488-1981 or visit dftheater.org.
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44 Fall gardening 52 Israeli tech and home shopping 54 Tucson community garden 44 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Photo: Adam Rodriguez
Fall Vegetable
Gardening Tips from the experts at
Desert Botanical Gardens By Tracy Rhodes, Gardener Il
As summer heat gives way to autumn coolness, gardeners look forward to a time of renewal, a second spring of sorts. The mild months ahead means myriad planting possibilities. For those who prefer to harvest what they plant, fall is prime time for cultivating a vegetable and herb garden that will pay dividends well into spring.
Preparing your fall garden Planting time depends not so much on specific dates as on weather conditions over several critical weeks. Gardeners should watch long-range forecasts and observe their garden’s sun exposures. Cool season plants need at least four to six hours daily of direct sunlight. By the time high temperatures drop into the 90s and lows into the 70s, the season has begun. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 45
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Prepare soil by turning over the top six to 12 inches, removing old plants and roots, and adding amendments. Compost is a common soil amendment, along with aged manure (pelletized chicken manure is the Center for Desert Living’s choice, for its trace minerals and slow-release properties). Compost and manure not only loosen and nourish the soil but help bring its pH into the slightly acidic range preferred by most vegetable plants. Supplemental fertilization also is important, especially if you have just grown heavy-feeding summer crops. All-purpose vegetable fertilizers provide nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K) and often other nutrients such as calcium, sulfur, magnesium, boron and iron. Rich soil promotes growth of beneficial soil bacteria, fungi and insects. Adding amendments and fertilizer a few weeks before planting will allow them time to integrate with the soil. Gardeners challenged by a small yard, hardpan soil or mobility issues may want to consider using raised beds or pots. Raised beds offer easy access and the opportunity to customize soil content. They should be large enough to be useful and deep enough to support long roots: 4 feet by 8 feet by 18 inches are typical dimensions. Construction materials may vary from untreated redwood to concrete blocks or even hay bales. When filling beds, native soil is useful for its mineral content, but limit it to 30-50% of bed composition, which is preferable, combined with richer,
water-wise components such as compost, manure, coir, peat, sand, gypsum or crushed lava rock. Alternatively, most fall herbs and vegetables should grow in pots with good drainage. The deeper the pot, the better; ceramic or clay will insulate roots better than plastics.
Selecting the seeds Many crops thrive in desert winter months, including dozens of leafy greens, carrots, radishes, beets and beets’ leafy cousin, Swiss chard. Consider plants from the brassica family, including cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, cauliflower, mustard greens and kale. Peas, fennel, celery, onions, and many cooking herbs such as parsley also thrive at this time of year. In January, plant seed potatoes for a late spring harvest. A key consideration in crop selection is a characteristic known as “days to maturity.” DTM represents the approximate time between when a plant begins its
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mature growth – marked by true leaves sprouting after the initial seed or cotyledon leaves emerge – and when its food portions may be harvested. For transplants, DTM is typically counted from date of transplant. Crops with a short DTM range of 40-65 days, such as radishes, beets and lettuces, may be planted more than once throughout the growing season for constant availability, a process known as staggered or succession planting. Most leafy greens will yield multiple harvests with careful exterior picking; just leave an inner leaf core that will continue to produce new growth.
Tips to keep in mind
Planting calendars specific to Phoenix can be invaluable guides. Two reliable calendars for the Valley are the University of Arizona Extension’s Vegetable Planting Calendar (extension. arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1005.pdf ), and Urban Farm’s “Low Desert Planting Calendar” (http://www. yourguidetogreen.com/TheUrbanFarm/wp-content/uploads/ Planting_Calendar.pdf ). Both guides provide optimal planting time frames and growing tips such as cold tolerance, whether to start seeds indoors or directly in beds, and how soon to expect harvest. Additional resources can be found in the Desert Botanical Garden’s Schilling Library. Plants with longer DTMs of 75-110 days, such as cabbages, must be started as soon as possible so they can mature before spring warmth causes bolting. Indoor germination using greenhouses, heat mats, grow lights, or even a sunny window can help gardeners get a jump on the weather. Aside from root crops,
Photo by Tracy Rhodes
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most cool season seedlings transplant well. Direct-sown seeds such as squashes may be pre-sprouted in a damp paper towel before planting. Garden soil should be damp when planting and remain so while seedlings develop. Adding several inches of wood mulch around young plants conserves water, controls weeds and insulates from cold. Watering should be deep but staggered; constantly soggy soil can sometimes drown plants. A soil moisture monitor can be handy for checking watering needs. Usually one or two deep soaks per week are sufficient. Regarding pests, flea beetles may leave tiny but mostly harmless buckshot-sized holes in leaves. Aphids are tenacious but may be removed with water or soap sprays. Looper worms and beetles are easily hand-plucked. A real benefit of cool season gardening is that plants encounter fewer pest, weed and weather stressors.
The majority of established cool weather veggies will survive light frost without covers. In fact, some growers claim that winter crops gain sweetness from exposure to a light freeze. Even lettuces that seem frost-melted should be left alone; by afternoon they are often good as new. Most losses will be from seedlings or leftover warm season vegetables such as basil, tomatoes and peppers. With care, cool season gardens can thrive and offer vitamin-rich fresh produce well into the following spring. Some herbs and hardy greens such as Swiss chard may even survive through summer and become perennial producers. Fall is a great time to experiment with what works in your garden. This article originally appeared in The Sonoran Quarterly, September 2015, Volume 69, No. 3. Photos coutesy of Desert Botanical Gardens.
Fall Plant Sale Shop at the Fall Plant Sale October 9 - 11 to experience the largest variety of aridadapted plants available in one location. This sale will have many new and unusual plants of all sizes. Specimen-sized plants and delivery services will be available. Garden volunteers and horticulturists will be on hand to answer questions, assist in plant selections, and offer advice. Check dbg.org/events for Plant Sale times.
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Retailer John Lewis adds Cimagine augmented reality to the shopping experience.
Cimagine shows shoppers how items look at home By Viva Sarah Press
Cimagine, which lets you use a mobile or wearable device to visualize products in life-like 3D at the click of a button, announced today that it is partnering with the UK’s leading retailer, John Lewis Partnership. The Israeli company is a leading developer of markerless augmented reality (AR) technology for retailers and brands. Its technology will be used to create a virtual showroom at JLP’s flagship store on Oxford Street. The new visual commerce (“v-commerce”) experience shows shoppers how items, colors and fabrics not on display really look and creates a new type of in-store experience. “Technology will play a key role in the new Home Department at John Lewis Oxford Street, helping customers visualize new ways to personalize and design their home. Central to this is our new partnership with Cimagine. It allows customers to visualize products in life-like 3D, rather than just on
the pages of a catalogue; helping them to virtually ‘try’ an item before they buy it. “We hope it will give our customers a taste of the future of shopping and enhance their overall experience,” said Matt Hully, head of brand innovation at John Lewis. “This is just the first step in using a very exciting technology.” JLP also plans to unveil a similar display at its Cambridge Store. At the end of last year, ISRAEL21c included Cimagine, a company founded in 2012, on its list of “Top super-cool technological advances from Israeli companies that you should keep an eye on [in 2015].” Cimagine’s technology measures any physical space and augments the reality by adding high-resolution computergenerated models, such as furniture and appliances, to the real environment. Users can walk around the room and view the item from any distance and angle, while the object remains anchored to its place. “It’s exciting to see a giant in its field like John Lewis take the leap towards a huge change in the industry, creating a better experience for both costumers and retailers. I truly believe that this partnership is a significant step forward in the future of both augmented reality and retail,” said Cimagine’s CEO, Yoni Nevo. Courtesy of Israel 21c.org
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Tucson J, Community Gardens of Tucson partner on new garden By Sarah Chen
The Tucson Jewish Community Center and local nonprofit Community Gardens of Tucson will partner to open a new 24plot community garden on the grounds of the J in late autumn 2015. Groundbreaking for the garden is anticipated within the coming months. “To the best of our knowledge, it’s really the first community garden in Arizona used as a vehicle for implementing Jewish education,” says Lynn Davis, director of arts and culture at the Tucson J. “Three or four garden plots cultivated by participants in JCC programs will enable us to teach universal Jewish values of tikkun olam (repairing the world) and shemirat ha’adamah (protecting the earth).” The J’s community garden is the brainchild of Susanne Kaplan, CGT board chair and longtime Jewish community participant, to honor her daughter, Shay Emma Hammer, who passed away in 2011. The Shay-Shay Garden will be a community-centered place to grow fresh, healthy food and 54 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
commemorate loved ones who have passed away. Kaplan is working with a local sculptor and welder to create a unique memorial gate to honor Shay and other departed loved ones in the community on engraved metal circles. “Shay was a joyful presence,” Kaplan says. “She touched a lot of people. She loved to play in the dirt, in the water. So much of her life was spent at the J.” Her daughter suffered from a genetic mutation in a sodium channel gene that resulted in idiopathic epilepsy and a life of severe disability. Her death, a few weeks after her 15th birthday, came as a shock to her family. “I describe my grieving process like riding on a surfboard,” Kaplan says. “At the beginning it’s turbulent, you get knocked down by the waves. Over time, you’re able to handle yourself on the surfboard and you can manage. Then the waves get smaller and less frequent. But you’re always on the water.” CGT administers 25 community gardens in Tucson with a stated mission to establish and maintain community gardens and ongoing education to enable residents to grow food successfully and sustainably within their neighborhoods. A
“To the best of our knowledge, it’s really the first community garden in Arizona used as a vehicle for implementing Jewish education.” - Lynn Davis, director of arts and culture at the Tucson J.
community garden typically consists of separate garden plots that are rented to individuals or families to grow food, flowers or ornamental plants. “Many are surprised to learn that the Tucson climate closely mimics that of Israel,” Davis says. “Therefore many varietals of Israeli produce grow quite well here such as lemons, oranges and olives. I won’t be surprised when someone attempts to grow an etrog!” Davis anticipates that most gardeners will grow local vegetable and herb favorites like tomatoes, squash, carrots, bell peppers, basil, rosemary and cilantro. “Having a community garden enhances our Tucson J wellness initiative,” Davis says. “When we talk about nutrition, environment, community and values, we’ll be able to point to this community garden as an illustration.”
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CGT reports that community gardens bring residents many physical, social and spiritual benefits. In addition to plots reserved by departments of the Tucson J, individual plots are available to the public. To reserve one, contact the Community Gardens of Tucson by calling 520-795-8823 or emailing admin@communitygardensoftucson. org. Plots are available for an $18 per month subscription and include the irrigation system and all water costs, an onsite toolshed available to all gardeners, a monthly education session with a master gardener, a quarterly newsletter and a community of gardeners. Scholarships are available to inquiring prospective members.
“Gardening makes sense in a senseless world. By extension, then, the more gardens in the world, the more justice, the more sense is created.” – Andrew Weil, M.D., Tucson
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Food
Corner
With a new generation of NO’s to all kinds of foods, what are we supposed to eat if we’re trying to avoid them? In my household alone there’s about 10 solid no’s – and the list seems to be growing. My husband and I love food, but most importantly food with great intense flavors. I want my kids to enjoy the same food palate that otherwise gets muted with these food challenges. This means doing research to see which products meet the approved list – checking labels for those hidden sugars and “not so good” ingredients. It is getting easier with the availability of so many options and food substitutes we can use to recreate favorite dishes, making them delicious and memorable again. Don’t be afraid to dabble with unfamiliar spices and herbs to create the intense
No soy, no dairy, no gluten, no refined sugar. Really! By Lucia Schnitzer
flavors that help elevate the food experience. Here are some of my family’s favorite Chinese recipes with no soy, dairy, refined sugars nor gluten. I hope I am enticing you to make these at home and to put your own twist on dishes to meet your dietary needs.
MONGOLIAN BEEF Ingredients 1 pound flank steak ¼ cup cornstarch or arrowroot 2 teaspoons avocado oil ½ teaspoon ginger, minced
Lucia Schnitzer and her husband, Ken, own Luci’s Healthy Marketplace in Phoenix. The local coffee shop and marketplace opened in 2009 in Lucia’s honor after her successful battle with breast cancer. She successfully manages her career, her growing family (four children), her personal well-being and the countless demands of the day. 58 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
1 tablespoon garlic, minced ½ cup coconut aminos or Braggs aminos (soy-free sauce) 2 tablespoons rice wine ½ cup water ½ cup coconut sugar ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) About 1 cup avocado oil 2 green onions, sliced 1 medium onion, sliced 1 cup broccoli crowns, blanched Slice the flank steak against the grain into ¼-inch-thick slices. Tilt the knife blade at a 45-degree angle to the top of the steak to get wider cuts. Toss the steak slices with cornstarch and let the beef sit for 10 minutes (this is very important, do not skip).To make the sauce, heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a sauce pan. Add ginger and garlic, stir fry 10 seconds. Add the amino sauce, wine and water. Add coconut sugar and dissolve into the sauce. Add red pepper flakes if using. Bring the sauce to a boil for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.Heat about 1 cup of oil in your wok to about medium heat. Add the beef slices to the wok and cook for 3 minutes. Remove the meat from the wok with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Drain all of the oil from the wok except about a tablespoon. Add onions to the wok and stir fry for 2 minutes. Add the steak and broccoli to the wok and pour in the sauce. Cook while stirring until the sauce begins to bubble.Serve over brown rice or quinoa.
Sauce: In a small bowl, stir the cornstarch with about 2 tablespoons of the cold chicken stock (or water) to form a paste and set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine all other ingredients and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, whisking regularly. Slowly pour the cornstarch mixture into the orange sauce while whisking. Lower heat to mediumlow and continue to stir. When the sauce has thickened, remove and set aside.
Chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and pat dry. In a zip-top bag, toss chicken in the cornstarch until completely coated. In a bowl, whisk the eggs, garlic and almond milk together. In another bowl, mix flour, sea salt and pepper. In a large frying pan over medium to medium-high heat, heat 1½ to 2 cups of avocado oil. Remove chicken from the bag, place in egg mixture and then coat in flour mixture. Shake off any excess flour and place chicken in the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan to ensure each piece gets crispy and golden. Cook until chicken is golden brown. Remove chicken and place on a paper towel to absorb the excess oil. Toss chicken in the orange sauce and garnish with sesame seeds. Serve warm over brown rice or quinoa.
ORANGE CHICKEN Orange Sauce: 3 tablespoons GMO-free cornstarch (or arrowroot), mixed with 2 tablespoons cold chicken stock or cold water 1 cup mild honey ½ cup fresh orange juice ½ cup rice wine vinegar 2½ tablespoons coconut aminos or Bragg's aminos 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 cup chicken stock 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated or minced ¼ teaspoon garlic powder Pinch of red chili flakes Zest of 1 orange Zest of 1 lemon Crispy Fried Chicken: 1 pound chicken breasts 4 tablespoons GMO-free cornstarch or arrowroot 3 eggs, beaten well 1 clove garlic, minced 2 tablespoons almond milk 2 cups gluten-free, all-purpose flour Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Avocado oil for frying Sesame seeds for garnish
Come experience our new Authentic Kebab Entrees
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Tel: 602-285-1515
Fax: 602-277-5760 Email: SegalsOneStop@gmail.com ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 59
Taste of Arizona A
Food Festival
Phoenix Cooks $$$$ Benefiting Banner Children’s Westin Kierland Resort and Spa
By A. Noshman
Eating at a food festival is a lot like people kibitzing about what they ate. It going to the movies. It’s a larger than life gets a little crowded and some lines form experience shared with a crowd. At the at the serving tables, but all in all everymovies, people laugh when you laugh, thing runs smoothly. I did notice most cheer together and jump all at once when tables were hotels featuring their restauthe knocked-out bad guy suddenly grabs rants. For an advance purchase price of the ankle of his next victim. At food $85, attendees were treated to more than festivals, the audience oohs and aahs over they could eat and drink. There must have yummy treats and presentations, chats been 50 vendors of beer, wine and spirits with total strangers about things they who were eager to pour you a drink and have to try, and experiences the sights and talk about their products. Here are some sounds of 50 restaurants all under one highlights. roof. Like a movie, food festivals are journeys The Chocolate Bar of Sin with twists and turns, and you never know The Greene House at Kierland Commons how they are going to end. As you walk from table to table, aisle to aisle, you have This was the kind of dessert that made no idea what is next or what you will see your eyes roll backward and your soul do or taste. There’s an aspect of adventure. a little dance. A chocolate mousse served There’s tension as you wait your turn for with a hazelnut wafer, surrounded by a the most popular items, and a physical chocolate shell, and topped with raspand emotional battle as you press on to berry puree and freeze-dried raspberries try new things even though you are full had the most appropriate name ever. This already. At the end you are exhausted, was so good that I returned to this table Blood Orange Float – Hyatt but you talk about what happened, what to have it again on my way out of the you thought, what was the best part and festival. I was stuffed, but I wanted this to whether you would go again. be my last taste of the day. This day I was on assignment. It is rare that Arizona Jewish Life magazine asks me to cover a specific place, but this time they did and I’m glad. Tagged with the line, “It’s a Foodie’s Para- Greene Goddess Crudités The Greene House at Kierland Commons dise,” Phoenix Cooks brings together 50 restaurants and a vast Also from the Greene House, this simple bruschetta-like bite number of adult beverage purveyors into two giant ballrooms was fresh and flavorful. Eating these two offerings was enough of the Westin Kierland. The entire place is abuzz with sounds for me to conclude that I had to visit this restaurant soon. I of dishes being served, chefs conducting demonstrations and 60 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
The Chocolate Bar of Sin
guess this is the point of product sampling at food festivals. I am definitely putting this on my “To Eat List.”
Chilled Salmon I wish I could remember the restaurant that served up this sweet, flavorful and fresh offering, but I’m going to go ahead and write about it anyway for two reasons. The first is as an argument for why you should go to Phoenix Cooks – there are just so many wonderful things to try that it is impossible to keep track of everything. The second reason is that this station was a perfect example of the creative quality of disposable serving ware. They had little pots with covers for their short ribs and the fanciest disposable spoons for their delicious chilled salmon.
Blood Orange Float Hyatt
What a refreshing and tasty sip of sweetness! Who knew vanilla ice cream, blood orange juice and a crushed candy on top could be so delicious? I have no idea if this is a regular offering at this restaurant, but it seems simple to make. I’m not exactly sure what was on top, but it was sweet and crunchy and complemented the silky smooth float perfectly.
Grilled Corn Salad Saltrock Southwest Kitchen
This was a welcome vegetarian treat of grilled corn, chipotle aioli, corn nuts, cojita cheese and lime. Tastefully blended and fresh, this salad was unusual and delicious. There isn’t time or space to capture all of Phoenix Cooks in this article, but I recommend watching for the event to come around next year. Most of the food had been prepared off-site and was assembled by chefs at their tables. Not a lot of cooking going on, but still wonderful. It all benefits charity and that is always a plus. See you there next year!
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 61
Kids
& Teens too
A child-friendly resource for parents
SPECIAL
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Section!
WANTED:
Mitzvah Projects Arizona Jewish Life wants to help bar and bat mitzvah students achieve their mitzvah project goals. So we have added a “Mitzvah Project” button to our website. We want to hear from young people who need help getting signatures on petitions, raising funds for a charity, or collecting donations such as canned food or school supplies.
Please submit the youth’s name, b’nai mitzvah date and congregation, brief description of project and why s/he chose it and how to help. Also please send a photo of the bar or bat mitzvah youth (either a headshot or with something related to their project). To have your project posted on our site, contact editor@azjewishlife.com. The first project we featured on our website was David Machbitz’ quest to provide school supplies for kids in need. David was able to donate 152 backpacks with basic school supplies to JFCS of AZ for the 2015-16 start of the school year. He delivered them the week of July 19 so that students starting back early would have supplies should they need them. The following is an excerpt of David’s post on our website: 62 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
David Machbitz fills backpacks with school supplies for kids served by Jewish Family and Children’s Service’s annual “back-to-school backpack program.”
David Machbitz wants to help kids succeed in school David Machbitz comes from a family that not only believes in the value of education but also puts their time, energies and resources into ensuring that value. His grandmother, Eve Tutnick, was a teacher and director at the Valley Jewish Day School, the original nondenominational Jewish day school in the Phoenix area from 1976-83. She was later in the education department at the Community College District. His mother, Lesley Tutnick-Machbitz recently completed her master’s degree and is on the theater and film faculty at Glendale Community College. David started eighth grade at Pardes Jewish Day School, and his sister Anya is in fifth grade there. His father Joseph Machbitz, who is a project manager, serves as a strong source of support as well. When David started thinking about his bar mitzvah project, he knew right away he wanted to tie it into education. “Like most children in the United States, at the beginning of the school year my sister and I get long lists of school supplies that we need to bring to school,” explains David in a letter he sent out introducing his project. “It is a fun day of shopping picking out the items we need. However, over 16 million children nationwide begin school each year without the supplies needed to go to school. Studies show that students who do not begin the year with the needed supplies have lower self-esteem, fall far behind in school and are less likely to graduate high school.” David and his mother determined what supplies would be most necessary and priced backpacks and contents. He contacted Jewish Family and Children’s Service, which has an annual “back-to-school backpack program” and joined forces with them. Working with Jessica Green at JFCS, David started his process of educating and asking. “My mom and I keep looking for even better deals on the backpacks, and are hoping to supply way more than the 100 I originally set as a goal,” David says. To help David reach out and help Valley school children in need: • Make a tax deductible donation at jfcsaz.org/david-mitzvah. • Send a check to Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Arizona at 4747 N Seventh St., Phoenix, AZ 85014. Write “David Machbitz-backpacks” on the check. Though the cost per filled backpack is about $30, David reminds everyone that “No donation amount is too small!” David will become a bar mitzvah at Congregation Or Tzion in Scottsdale on Oct. 17. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 63
Mitzvah projects from the heart By Carine Nadel
The Hilton family helps Sophie, center, celebrate her bat mitzvah.
Sophie Hilton and Ryland Davidson thought long and hard about what they wanted to do for their respective bat/bar mitzvah projects. While both 13-year-olds chose opposite age groups to devote their time, they both had very personal stories behind their passionate choices.
Sophie: a memory project For Sophie, daughter of Arizona real estate developer Steve Hilton and his wife, Suzi, it was Alzheimer’s disease. Suzi’s mom died almost three years ago from the disease and the family is extremely involved in the fight to find a cure. Steve
is on the board of Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation and Suzi is a founding member of the Women’s Council of the Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation. So, Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation was a natural fit for Sophie’s choice. “A lot of the bat/bar mitzvahs I’ve been too I’ve watched as the focus was put on what presents the honoree was receiving,” says Sophie. “It became more about those gifts than the ceremony and the meaning behind it.” Sophie says that she really has everything she needs, so she decided to ask the people “who were going to join my family and me in celebrating my bat mitzvah … to donate to the Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation.” Sophie feels Alzheimer’s stole her chance to have a relationship with her grandmother. “I didn’t get to know my grandma because by the time I was old enough to have a relationship with her she was in the later stages of the disease,” says Sophie. “I don’t want this disease to rob other people of a good life, a relationship with their parents and grandparents – I want this solved. I want a cure to be found. I keep thinking that someday I’ll have kids, and I want them to enjoy my parents as they are now and not remember them as having no memory of their time together from visit to visit.” So instead of gifts, Sophie requested donations. “I also wanted to set an example for my younger brother and other kids to do the same,” she adds. The Hiltons belong to Congregation Beth Israel, where Sophie became a bat mitzvah earlier this year. Suzi Hilton says that she’s very proud of Sophie’s work. The entire family has a passion to help eradicate Alzheimer’s disease. To learn more on Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation, visit banneralz.org.
Ryland: create happy memories Ryland Davidson has actually been working on his mitzvah project for three years. He chose the Ryan House, which embraces all children and their families as they navigate lifelimiting or end-of-life journeys. His father, Craig, says Ryland initially created a fundraiser for the facility. During this endeavor, he contacted the main doctor and interviewed him. The videotaped interview was posted on YouTube. He also 64 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Tweeted about the interview and included a link to the presentation. He raised more than $1,200. The presentation can be seen online at: prezi.com/rty0d9ve9-co/?utm_ campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share. After Ryland donated this money, Ryan House relaxed their normal age requirements to enable Ryland to be involved with fundraising in capacities normally done by older volunteers. Ryland works with the children at many events. Sometimes when the kids are enjoying a fun activity, Ryland will use the opportunity for more fundraising. For instance when Ryan House took a group of kids to a Coyotes game, Ryland wandered around the stadium asking for donations. “My favorite moment with the Ryan House was when I did the 50/50 raffle at the Coyotes game,” says Ryland. “I sold tickets and couldn't believe how much money and awareness was raised for the Ryan House.
CURATE A NEW TRADITION THIS HOLIDAY SEASON Plan now for your group’s year-end celebration. Early scheduling ensures your selections from our best
“I started to work with the Ryan House because I felt that children with life shortening diseases deserved to live a happy life,” says Ryland. “Also, I believed that the families who care for these children deserve a break from the everyday stresses of being a parent, sibling or relative of one of these children.” Some of his other volunteer efforts include helping with pumpkin decorating at the fall festival and wheel chair painting at the art fair. He aligned trash cans at their annual run at DC Ranch and helped kids enjoy a video game night. During Ryan House’s annual breakfast at the Biltmore, he asked for donations and didn’t hesitate to ask some very famous people in attendance. In his spare time, he organized the house’s pantry. “It just makes me feel good when I know I’ve done something great for these kids and their families,” says Ryland. “The Ryan House is an amazing charity. I never thought that they would mean so much to me as they do now.” Ryland will become a bar mitzvah this month at Temple Kol Ami, but his involvement with the Ryan House is sure to continue. For more information on Ryan House, visit ryanhouse.org.
available dates and venues. Let our culinary and event experts create a signature design for your vision, whether large or small, to be remembered for years to come. PARTY PLANNING TIPS • Prepare for your year-end celebration prior to October 31 for the best available dates • Ask about our holiday promotions and special offers • Budget restrictions? Consider Sunday evening or midweek lunch events • Redeem the Starpoints you earn with SPG for instant Meeting Rewards For more information, contact our Catering Department at 480-423-2722 or PhoenicianCatering@Luxurycollection.com
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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 65
Kids
Healthy LifeStars envisions healthy kids
By Debra Rich Gettleman
Childhood obesity is on the rise in America – dangerously so. According to the Centers for Disease Control, childhood obesity has more than doubled in the past 30 years and now affects nearly 20% of children between the ages of 6 and 11. Blame it on video games, compulsive computer use or even our national addiction to junk food. Whatever the reason, you can spend your time lamenting the ever-widening waistbands of our youth, or you can get up from the couch, turn off the TV and do something about it. Julie Frankel, Ben Moke and Renee Karson have chosen to do just that and have pooled their efforts to help keep kids fit, goal-oriented and healthy through an amazing organization called Healthy LifeStars. HLS is a nonprofit founded by Valley dynamo Ruann Ernst. HLS has developed a comprehensive program to encourage underprivileged kids to lead a healthy life through goal setting, structured fitness activities and healthy eating. To date, HLS has served more than 18,000 children and their families in Arizona, Colorado and Nevada. The HLS vision is to launch a generation of healthy kids through its innovative LifeStar Challenge program. The LifeStar Challenge targets elementary-aged kids, especially those “at risk,” by providing online and on-campus opportunities. The goal is to help kids through extracurricular programs at schools and at youth-serving organizations everywhere to learn to take personal
Julie Frankel 66 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
responsibility for living active, healthy lives now and throughout their lives. The program is based on three components: I Can Do it! (setting healthy goals), I’m Active (staying active) and I Eat Right (good nutrition). Julie Frankel is the executive for development and operations for HLS. “The LifeStar Challenge focuses on personal responsibility to help kids build the habits and skills they need to be in charge of their own healthy lives,” she says. Julie also cites benefits to families and institutions when kids join the HLS program: “Partners who have implemented the program have seen their kids make healthier food choices (and) step away from video games to run around and play games with each other, and they have even seen less disruptive behavior from kids in the program.” Ben Moke, the HLS program implementation manager, spent 10 years with the JCC in Denver as its athletic and Maccabi games director. Prior to that he was a middle and high school physical education instructor who realized kids need to get involved in some sort of physical activity no matter their shape. “During my time teaching, it was very evident that most of the kids who were overweight would resist participating or put forth a lackluster effort,” says Ben. “At first glance, it may seem that they didn’t like the game or exercise. But after getting to know them, you realized that they love the games and running around. They just lacked the self-confidence and felt their weight made it difficult to play with their classmates. So we created a
Ben Moke
Renee Karson
new program where students could jog/run laps instead of playing the games.” That option created a nonthreatening way for kids to get involved in physical activity. Much like the HLS model, when Ben offered kids a way to “exercise” on their own terms, he saw them excited and eager to engage in moving their bodies. Kids who had initially lacked the confidence to participate began timing themselves and logging their miles. By the end of the school year, those same kids were often joining their classmates in team games and sports. Ben was raised in an interfaith family that celebrated only a few Jewish holidays, but he feels a strong sense of Jewish purpose in his work fighting childhood obesity. “HLS and its vision are in line with tikkun olam,” he says. Julie attended a Jewish day school in Quebec until her parents enrolled her in a French school in third grade to facilitate her learning French. Her mother and aunt were Holocaust survivors, both surviving a year at Auschwitz. The Holocaust is also part of the family history of HLS board member Renee Karson. Renee’s mother and father both survived the Holocaust. “I believe that my Jewish heritage and unique Holocaust connection make me especially sensitive to helping people at risk, especially kids and their families,” says Renee. She also credits her Jewish background for instilling within her a sense of community and encouraging the performance of mitzvot as a part of daily life. “It’s just something I believe in,” says Renee. “I hope I have taught my own kids both by directly encouraging them to participate in community work as well as leading by example.” Renee handles a lot of the marketing and communications for HLS. Her day job is a full-time gig as vice president at Penn Schoen Berland, a strategic market research company. She started with HLS when she offered to conduct a market research study on a potential new direction they were considering. That participation led her to leading a subcommittee on marketing and her current role as one of the lead promoters of HLS’s StepUp4Kids Challenge, a weeklong event to challenge adults and kids to take the most steps they can to raise money and awareness to fight childhood obesity. The StepUp4Kids Challenge invites an adult participant (a “champion”) to partner with a child or group of children in taking the most steps during the challenge week, Oct. 12-18. Participants can monitor their steps on their cell phones or use pedometers and track the progress of their partners, friends, family and supporters. Anyone can sponsor a team or make a donation on the website at healthylifestars.org. “The purpose of the StepUp4Kids Challenge is to raise funds to support the addition of underserved kids and sites wanting to join the HLS program,” says Renee. “It takes $50 per year per child to join HLS. So that’s the minimum we’ve set for participating in the challenge.” The StepUp4Kids Challenge culminates in a celebratory dinner and silent auction Oct. 21 featuring Honorary Chair Tom Lehman, Congresswoman Martha McSally and media personality Lin Sue Cooney. “We’re very excited about this event and getting everyone to start walking and raising money to fight childhood obesity in a fun way,” says Renee.
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The buying process for our fleet and internet department is done at your speed. Our Fleet and Internet Managers will use their 15 years of experience to help answer all of your questions. This is a stress and hassle-free buying program and we are proud to help serve the local companies of Scottsdale and the sorrounding areas. Contact us today to get started.
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mazeltovgifts@gmail.com ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 67
Family Time Kids Bar mitzvah signals son’s journey to outside world By Debra Rich Gettleman
My son Levi just became a bar mitzvah. Well, I guess he didn’t just become one. It was a little bit ago. OK, it was a while back. Fine. It was two years ago this October. But it still feels like yesterday. How is it possible that he’s already turning 15? Why is time hurtling by so quickly? Levi started high school this year. I was freaked out. He was fine. He’s doing great. Loves his classes. Has plenty of friends. He’s even started obsessively texting, which is slightly reassuring to me in a weird way. It proves that he’s actually a normal redblooded teenager. When we were preparing for his bar mitzvah, I remember my rabbi telling us that the process of preparing and experiencing the event was as much for the parents as it was for the child. A time to recognize the end of childhood and begin to emotionally prepare ourselves for living with an adult who would very shortly move on and move out of our home. I loved creating that celebration for my son. I loved writing a d’var Torah that incorporated our thoughts about his Torah portion combined
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602-741-3471 68 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
with our dreams and wishes for his future. I loved having my family and closest friends all together to celebrate his stepping into manhood. I just didn’t fully comprehend that the “end” of childhood meant that ultimately my child would move on beyond the safe confines of his childhood home and world. But suddenly I’m scared to death that manhood is stealing him away from us. As his independence increases, his need for us decreases proportionately. Soon he’ll be driving. That might just push me over the edge. What do parents do when kids no longer need them? Do kids ever stop needing their parents? I still need mine and long for the days when my father was alive to share his wisdom and advice on everything from what kind of tires to get to what I ought to do with the rest of my life. It feels like time keeps racing relentlessly forward, and I’m just watching it whir by like Dorothy watching her world being swept away in a tornado. I want to slow things down, make every moment last, enjoy the time I do have with my son, before he packs up and goes off to college. But instead I harp on him to clean his room, put away his dishes and stop leaving his crap all over the house. I toggle between wanting to kill him for being a thoughtless teenager and being blown away by his poise, intelligence and compassion. He’s an amazing person, an amazing person who is only three years away from leaving me. I find it hard not to focus on that ever-encroaching loss. In the meantime, it’s time to plan my younger son’s, Eli’s, bar mitzvah. He doesn’t want anything resembling a party. He just wants to have his bar mitzvah in Israel. He’s wanted that ever since he was a small boy. I’m not really sure why that’s so important to him. He’s never shown all that much interest in Judaism or Zionism. He seems so young to me. Too young to be on the cusp of manhood. But maybe my vision is just impaired, clouded by the wish to remain important and relevant in my children’s lives while knowing how truly insignificant my role is rapidly becoming. Planning a bar mitzvah can be daunting. But keeping focused on the true meaning of the ritual seems crucial to me. Whether you celebrate with a huge bash, pack up your family for a trip overseas, or just gather a few of your nearest and dearest for a post-Torah reading luncheon, this important day is just one of many along the path toward adulthood and future independence. Life is moving forward, sometimes at an alarming rate. Children grow up. Things change. Enjoy the moment. It really does pass quickly. Debra Rich Gettleman is a mother and blogger based in the Phoenix area. For more of her work, visit unmotherlyinsights.com.
Kids & Teen
ONGOING:
EVENTS October
Club J at the Valley of the Sun JCC Provides afterschool programming ranging from sports to cooking and crafts to Israeli culture and more for those in K-8. Transportation from nearby schools available. 12701 N Scottsdale Road. 480-483-7121, ext. 1275, vosjcc.org
J-Care Afterschool Program at the Tucson JCC Includes a variety of activities, help with homework, or teens can hang in the Youth lounge. Bus transportation from schools available for K-12. 3800 E River Road, 520-299-3000, jzorn@tucsonjcc.org, tucsonjcc.org
J-Care at the J – East Valley JCC Pickups from area schools for grades K-6. Includes homework club, cooking, Israeli culture, dance, sports and much more. Early pickups from Kyrene on Wednesday early dismissals. EVJCC, 908 N Alma School Road in Chandler. 480-897-0588 or hastj@evjcc.org, evjcc.org
MIMkids Mini Music Makers. Introduce your child to the wide and
Oct. 17, 18
Family Weekend: Music in Disguise. Discover the what, why and where of the outrageous, beautiful and (sometimes) scary outfits at MIM – all through the instruments and music of the world! Wear your favorite (weaponless) costume; play a game of matching examples of traditional dress, masks, regalia and ceremonial costumes with musical instruments; make a costume accessory; and see some special attire in action. 9 am-5 pm. Activities and performances included with paid museum admission. MIM, 4725 E Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000 or MIM.org
Oct. 30
Paradise Valley School’s Out Day at Valley of the Sun JCC. When school is out, Club J is a safe and fun place for your child to spend an enriching time with friends. Activities include enrichment classes, sports, art, games and more! 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Fees vary. For more information, contact 480-483-7121 ext. 1275 or youth@vosjcc.org.
wonderful world of music through MIM’s early childhood music and movement courses. Explore music from around the globe with your children while singing, dancing and playing instruments. Designed for children and caregivers, each four-week session explores a new musical culture in engaging ways. Motor, pre-language and musical skills are developed simultaneously, while children actively participate in the music making. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in October. Tickets: $12 per class or $40 for four. See MIM.org for class times listed by age. MIM, 4725 E Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. Reservations required. Contact Katherine Palmer at programs@MIM.org or 480-245-6962 for questions.
Oct. 5
PARDES School’s Out Day. Valley of the Sun JCC. When school is out, Club J is a safe and fun place for your child to spend an enriching time with friends. Activities include enrichment classes, sports, art, games and more! 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Fees vary. For more information, contact 480-483-7121 ext. 1275 or youth@vosjcc.org.
Oct. 12-16
J Camp/Fun Days - Fall Break at Valley of the Sun JCC. J Camp is a safe and fun place for your child to spend an enriching time with friends during fall break. Activities include enrichment classes, sports, art, games and more! 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Fees vary. For more information, contact 480-483-7121 ext. 1275 or youth@vosjcc.org.
Oct. 17
Kids Night Out at Valley of the Sun JCC. The J’s funfilled kids’ nights allow parents to enjoy special time while their children have fun with friends enjoying dinner, games, a movie and build-your-own sundaes. Grades K-5. 6-10 pm. 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Members: $20; Nonmembers: $30. For more information, contact 480-483-7121 ext. 1275 or youth@vosjcc.org. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 69
Seniors
Don Harris: Committed to making a difference By Leni Reiss
Retiring attorney Donald Harris is taking on a new challenge. football for the Marines against Navy. He then decided to follow We talked to him in the barely controlled chaos of his his father’s advice to come home and practice law, even though longtime law offices, where he was closing shop after 42 years his commanding officer “offered me the moon” if I would stay, to devote his efforts to his role as president of the Maricopa Don recalls. At a social event here he met then-County Attorney County branch of the NAACP, the National Association for the Bob Corbin who, impressed by Don’s Marine credentials, took Advancement of Colored People. him on as a prosecutor to handle major felonies. Don formed a Yup, this Brooklyn-born Jewish white guy, decorated U.S. partnership with Doug Peacock, and his retirement comes after Marine and longtime local a successful longtime legal criminal attorney is now practice. His local involvement the face of the NAACP through the years includes here. His goal: “to get a serving on the boards of real dialogue started and Congregation Beth Israel, the strengthened between Boys Club and the Western blacks and whites, blacks Art Association of the Phoenix and Latinos, and, of Art Museum, and he is “a big course, blacks and Jews.” supporter” of the Scottsdale Don credits his late Artists School. parents, Samuel and His connection to the Jewish Helen Harris, “the finest state? From the first time he set people who ever lived,” foot in Israel in 1972, Don says with instilling in him he felt like he was “walking on and his older brother, air.” Since then he has visited Irwin, a deep concern the Jewish state 36 times. “I for the rights of others. am an American and served The family moved to the my country well,” he says, “but Valley in the mid-50s I also am an ardent Zionist. and Don attended West I support local Jewish causes, Phoenix High School. He but programs benefiting Israeli went on to play football soldiers are the ones that have and baseball at Phoenix my heart.” At one point he College (he is a recent helped patrol the Gaza border initiate to the school’s along with members of the Baseball Hall of Fame.) IDF. He transferred to the A local judge, George Logan, University of Arizona really turned him on to the after two years and stayed cause of civil rights and took in Tucson to graduate him to an NAACP meeting. A bulletin board in Don’s office contains photos of him with, among others, Moshe Dayan, John from law school with a The judge, who laughingly Denver, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard and Mickey Mantle. Photo by Leni Reiss. specialty in criminal law, describes Don as “a white guy interspersed with joining who dances like a black guy,” the Marine Corps and continuing in the naval justice school introduced him to leaders in the black community including and “four years of heaven” with the Marines. He was staff legal the Rev. Oscar Tillman. Don was at the meeting when Tillman counsel in Okinawa and then was sent to Vietnam, where he announced his retirement as the organization’s president. “No made his mark as a civil affairs officer. Don’s cell phone ringtone one was willing to replace him,” Don recalls. “No one was is the Marine Corps hymn. running, and I thought that was a shanda (Yiddish for shame). I Although Don seriously considered staying in the service, nominated myself – I ran unopposed – and I won!” things changed after he fractured his knee at age 28 playing His two-year term began this past January. Don says 70 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Don visits with Andrew Young and Young’s wife at an NAACP convention.
he is “a tough, strong leader,” while acknowledging he is not everyone’s “favorite flavor.” He says, “there are some people in the African-American community who are not happy that I am the face of the local NAACP” and notes that prejudice goes both ways. “For the most part, my being white is a bigger issue than the fact that I am Jewish.”
Don’s goal: “to get a real dialogue started and strengthened between blacks and whites, blacks and Latinos, and, of course, blacks and Jews.” He says his main thrust is to help people better understand each other. He ponders if blacks even know that Jews played a major role in the founding of the NAACP. He is glad that, at the organization’s recent conference in Philadelphia, delegates viewed a screening of “Rosenwald,” the story of philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, who made his fortune at the helm of Sears, Roebuck and Co. and contributed staggering amounts of money to benefit African-American culture and education. Closing in on a youthful age 80, Don is committed to making a difference during his NAACP regime and strongly supports the premise that black lives do indeed matter. He invites interested parties to contact him at 602-252-4064. “We could use counselors, office staff, educators, people of good will,” he says.
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Seniors
Susan Price:
Journaling for the soul By Melissa Hirschl
Submerging herself in the world of writing is just one creative outlet for Susan Price. Her other artistic passion is creating distinctive glass pieces.
Pens move and thoughts flow the fourth Saturday of every month at Congregation NefeshSoul in Chandler when Susan Price leads “Journaling for Spiritual Growth.” The class gives participants a chance to explore the myriad benefits associated with writing from the heart, while seeking new heights in self-discovery. They also mine experiences, hopes, dreams and Jewish values, finding themselves immersed in a prolific world not easily accessible without the benefit of paper and pen. In her class, Price offers encouragement, techniques and inspiration. “This journaling class is very important to me,” says member Renee Newman. “I have multiple medical challenges, and I use the journaling to express myself when I have to vent. We're provided with various prompts and ideas to facilitate our journaling, and I find these really helpful. I am now on my second journal.” The seeds for Price's class were sown during NefeshSoul's Mussar class, which encourages introspection and examination of soul traits. While Mussar concluded earlier this year, the journaling class dovetailed into a similar journey of personal exploration that “I came into the world wired for sharing,” says Price. “Conversations are deliciously energizing experiences that broaden my perspective and awaken my creative passions. It became clear in the Mussar class all these ideas about who we are, and how we feel about these traits, are connected to the importance of quieting yourself in prayer and writing.” The book used in class is Kaballah Month by Month, by Melinda Ribner, and some writing practices are aligned with the traits ascribed to the Hebrew calendar. An example is the concept of “receiving,” which according to Kabbalists corresponds to the month of May. To ignite 72 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
the creative process in this case, prompts are provided to explore the possibilities of receiving in relation to being creative. “They evolved from studying and learning Torah, or realizing our personal relationship with God,” says Price. “Sometimes, the rabbi (Susan Schanerman) will say something that will ignite our imagination through the d'var Torah or her teachings.” In addition to spiritual self-discovery, Price also credits the process of journaling with problem solving. “When I face a particularly tough decision I flow-write from two opposing perspectives,” she explains. “The trick is to set a timer, write from the heart, keep the pen moving and not stopping to edit. When Price and her husband considered a family move from Arizona to Oregon due to his job offer, they each wrote beginning with these two prompts: ”We must stay in Arizona because...” and “We must move to Oregon because ... .” Afterward, they shared their discoveries, processed their concerns and chose to move. Susan had since returned to the Valley. Price discovered a life-changing passion for spiritual writing in l997, when she decided to leap off the high board of the corporate world after being a human resource executive since 1969. Intrigued with the idea of writing for spiritual growth, she traveled to Payson to attend a weeklong writer's workshop based on Christina Baldwin's book Life's Companion, Journal Writing as a Spiritual Quest. Price's friend knew the author and thought the workshop would help ease her transition out of the corporate world. “I wrote an emotionally charged essay about leaving that environment, and the process of crafting, drafting and editing wiped away corporate ladder doubt,” says Price. “It was scary to jump off. In the workforce, it's hard to get your foot in the door once you take your foot out of the
passion: “legacy weaving.” door.” Three years ago she had another In the midst of her soulful “aha moment” and created a endeavor, Price's creative grandmother's writing circle. spirit cracked wide open. She Having five grandchildren between befriended three other workshop the ages of 4 months and 12 attendees, and the small cadre years herself, she and the other of women became a close-knit grandmothers meet monthly to writing group. Each member capture the stories of their lives: possessed distinct writing holidays, homes, friends, lifestyles ambitions – essay, memoir, poetry and current events. Included are and children's stories. “We were personal stories regarding lessons dedicated to supporting each learned, things cherished and values others' efforts through critique, community connections and held as they focus on capturing the extra-special grandparent/ emotional support,” says Price. grandchild moments. Four years later the group (The “Now we are writing about our Storytellers) offered its own Glasswork by Susan experiences with them, such as women's workshop series, “Write explaining how it felt the first for Life.” time we held them,” she says. “I do have some seeds of “This class was one of the most profound projects regret though. I wish that I had embarked on this legacyI've ever undertaken,” she says. “Whether the women completed one piece or went on to make writing a lifelong weaving, story-capturing journey before the majority of my elders passed. I would have liked to know more about my journey, they all had the satisfaction of knowing their grandparents’ lives. I know very little about the generation stories were precious gifts that they gave to themselves.” that came before me, and I want future generations to This experience linked Price into another writing Continued on 75
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know whose shoulders they stand on.” Submerging herself in the world of writing is just one creative outlet for Price. Her other artistic passion is creating distinctive glass pieces. “I was born with some artistic talent,” she says. “I had an eye for color and design and always enjoyed art and drawing.” In the early '80s she took her first glass art class at Artistry Stained Glass in Tempe and wound up making glass recreationally for herself and friends.
“The trick is to set a timer, write from the heart, keep the pen moving and not stopping to edit.” – Susan Price
“When I moved to Oregon in 2001, I found myself with a lot of time on my hands,” she says. “Soon I found my way to the Eugene Glass School, where they taught me how to fuse glass. I absolutely loved the medium; it was so different from leaded glass.” After six months, Price bought her own kiln and her fledgling hobby blossomed into the dimension of fine art. She had her first open-studio sale and started doing commissioned work. Price recently created NefeshSoul's Ner Tamid and is currently working on a large-scale installation (8'x6') for the Allan Price Commons and Science Library at the University of Oregon, which is scheduled to open fall of 2016. The new building is ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 75
being named after Price's husband, who served as the university's vice president for advancement for eight years. Allan tragically drowned in 2013 while the couple was vacationing in Mexico to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. She moved to Arizona soon after to heal her wounds by being near family: her sons, grandchildren, sister and longtime friends. “The university project will be steeped in creative symbolism, drawing on sentimentality and the elements of Jewish tradition,” says Price. “I've faced many challenges in life, but nothing so poignant as the death of my beloved husband. This project is truly a heart and soul undertaking.” Summing up her activities since abandoning the corporate ladder, Price says, “I have hit life's grand trifecta. I am bolstered by the power of creativity. I am centered by the power of writing, and I am supported by a magnificent Jewish community. Lucky me!” Price is also the author of a children's book, It's Me! As Good As I Can Be, a spirit-lifting story rooted in the power of positive thinking. The book is based on her real life storytelling experience – bedtime stories she told to her then young son after he developed a genetic kidney disorder. “The book is a legacy – leaving testimonial to love and healing,” she says. NefeshSoul is located near Ray and Kyrene, inside the Valley Unitarian Universalist Church at 6400 W Del Rio in Chandler. More information on “Journaling for Spiritual Growth” can be found at nefeshsoul.com. Click on the link for programs. The class meets the fourth Saturday of the month from 10 to 11 am. NefeshSoul classes and activities are always open to the public. You can also contact Susan Price directly at: price. susan12@gmail.com.
76 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Young Adult
Andre Ivory helps young adults ACT By Melissa Hirschl
Andre Ivory has had a fire in his soul for Judaism since his teens. That fire, coupled with an intense curiosity, set him on a course of self-discovery that dramatically altered his life. Since converting at age 20 and becoming a bar mitzvah at age 33, Ivory has fine-tuned his passion for Judaism into a rewarding career as a Jewish educator, bar and bat mitzvah tutor, and now outreach coordinator for the Phoenix Bureau of Jewish Education. This affable, engaging and energetic man was youth director for Congregation Beth Tzedec in Toronto and now holds that same post at Temple Beth Shalom in Sun City West. He perpetually seeks new avenues to promote Jewish education and ethics; so much so that Ivory jokes about his life being “full of moving parts.” As BJE outreach coordinator, Ivory hit upon a novel idea to tap into the passion of young professionals in their 20s and 30s. The lofty concept of tikkun olam (repairing the world) has intrigued Ivory since he was a teen. Based on that idea, he dreamed up ACT, a philanthropic group minted a year ago. The acronym stands for action, connect and think. “I wanted to create something that didn't replicate other great organizations around the Valley,” says Ivory. “I have always been enthralled with the idea of saving the world through g'milot (giving and doing) and avodah (serving God) since I was a teen. One of the aspects about Judaism I love the most is that Judaism is not just based on faith but on actions as well.” Some of ACT's noteworthy programs include Rebuilding Together, where volunteers work with low-income homeowners on home improvement; the Paint-a-Thon for homeowners who need help painting; and Helping Hands, where volunteers distribute water and sandwiches to the homeless. Ivory says one popular program is for volunteers to provide dinners at Ronald McDonald House for parents of children who are being treated at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. A recent event boasted a menu of salmon, couscous salad, steamed vegetables, house salad and brownie desserts for more than 30 resident families. In August, volunteers went to bat for Phoenicians battling the brutal summer heat. It is no secret that the heat can be a life-ordeath issue; to combat the dangers of heat stroke and illnesses associated with dehydration, ACT volunteers distributed cold water, fruit and other supplies to those in need. “I think the Phoenix Jewish community is only at the tip of its
Andre Ivory stands before the Tree of Life at the Valley of the Sun JCC. Photo by Melissa Hirschl.
potential,” says Ivory. “We have the ability as a whole to have a huge impact on the city and state we live in. We have wonderful professionals within the community with the best interests in mind for everyone. I'm delighted that the bureau is looking to expand ACT and make it the service-learning component of the bureau, thereby creating volunteer opportunities for all ages.” Ivory was born in Los Angeles as the youngest of five siblings; he never envisioned the life he would have years later as a dynamic Jewish professional educator and motivator. The quintessential round peg in a square hole, Ivory was raised in a Lutheran/Baptist family but was surrounded by Jews in his neighborhoods, schools and ice hockey teams. “I began my exploration when I was in my teenage years,” he says. “My dad died when I was 13, but I remember he wanted us to have a strong backbone and good ethical compass.” That philosophy became the primordial one that shaped Ivory's life. “I played ice hockey for over 25 years and coached the game for 17 of them,” he says. “I was a 'rink rat' and I had a lot of great role models; many were my coaches who happened to be Jewish.” In addition to his coaches, a lot of the players were Jewish, as were his friends and girlfriends. At 17, Ivory's quest for deeper spirituality led him to a comparative religions class in which a teacher sparked his burgeoning curiosity about world religions. “I questioned what spiritual foundation I wanted to have,” he says. “I explored Buddhism, but when I talked to friends about what they did as Jews, every question led to more questions. I became increasingly curious about every aspect of Judaism – so curious that I'd ask friends to invite me to Shabbat dinner and take me to services.” In his senior year of high school, Ivory became convinced he would convert to Judaism. “It felt like I was going up the ladder,” he says. “Everything became more and more clear. One thing was the fact that Judaism is not just a religion based on faith, but a religion based on actions – particularly tikkun olam. It really was a home run issue with me. I was fascinated by our responsibility to take care of each other and take care of the world. I was very at home with the idea, and still am to this day.” To learn more about ACT or to become one of Andre Ivory's mitzvah warriors, email andre.ivory@gmail.com or call him at the Bureau of Jewish Education at 480-634-8050, ext. 1302. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 77
Travel
Thessaloniki Jews have a rich history Thessaloniki’s most iconic site, the Thessaloniki’s most iconic site, White Tower, nownow houses a museum. the White Tower, houses a museum
Located in downtown Thessaloniki in a building that once housed a leading Jewish When thinking of the historical hubs invaded by the Nazis, newspaper, the two-story museum displays of Jewish life in pre-Holocaust Europe, some 3,000 objects honoring the countless most Jews invoke stories of their contributions of the city’s Sephardic who forced the city’s ancestors’ “old country” – places like community and painting a vivid picture Poland, Germany, Hungary and Russia. Jews into a ghetto, then of everyday life. All exhibits are in Greek, But Greece? English and Hebrew. deported about 50,000 Surprisingly, as I learned during a There is an exhibit devoted to Jewish recent visit, Thessaloniki, Greece, the history – including an easy-to-digest of them to concentration timeline showing the evolution of the country’s second-largest city, has one of the richest and most vibrant Jewish community through the centuries – camps in Auschwitz and Jewish histories in the diaspora. In fact, Jews and a separate room about the Holocaust. were such an integral part of the city’s Bergen-Belsen. Less than The ground floor features a number of heritage, Thessaloniki once had 32 historic gravestones originally from the working synagogues and was known by 4% of Thessaloniki’s Jews massive Jewish cemetery that was destroyed the moniker “Madre de Israel” (Mother by the Nazis. There also is a library with of Israel). survived the Holocaust. some texts dating back to the 16th century. The highlight of my spring trip to Visitors interested in researching the this northeastern Greek port city of Holocaust can access a computer database about a million residents was a visit to the Thessaloniki Jewish containing the names of 37,000 victims. Museum. There, I met with Erika Perahia Zemour, a Greek Jew It is believed that Jews were among Thessaloniki’s first who has managed the museum since it opened in 2001. inhabitants, arriving more than 2,000 years ago. But they didn’t “Everybody is surprised to learn that,” she says of the develop a huge presence here until after the Spanish Inquisition significant role Jews played in the city’s history. “If they don’t forced them to flee Spain in 1492. have a grandfather or a neighbor who came from Thessaloniki, Jews found Thessaloniki – then part of the Ottoman Empire they don’t know about this part of the world.” – to be a safe haven from the anti-Semitism spreading across If there is anyone qualified to talk about the history of other parts of Europe. For the most part, they lived peacefully Jewish life in Thessaloniki, it’s Erika. In addition to managing alongside Turkish Muslims and Greek Orthodox Christians, and the museum, she has traced her family back 16 generations prospered in such fields as medicine, printing and education. in Thessaloniki to 1504. Both of her parents were Holocaust The Jewish population in Thessaloniki reached a peak of survivors. 80,000 at the beginning of the 20th century, a time when they By Dan Fellner
78 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
In 1941, Greece was
once part of the city’s fortifications. The tower now houses a fascinating museum of the city’s history, including a number of exhibits referencing Jewish life. The top floor of the tower offers beautiful views of the Thessaloniki waterfront. Today, only about 1,200 Jews live in Thessaloniki, a tiny fraction of the number who thrived here more than a century ago. The city has one full-time rabbi, who presides over a synagogue called Yad Lezicaron. It opened in 1984 and is located in the city center a few blocks from the Jewish Museum. “We are not observant here in Greece, at least not after the war,” says Erika of the local Jewish community. Regardless of one’s faith or heritage, Erika says no visit to Thessaloniki is complete without a visit to the Jewish Museum, where the vitality of Jews’ contributions to the city’s past – and the ultimate tragedy of the Holocaust – is tastefully chronicled. “If people want to learn the history of Thessaloniki, they have to come here,” she says.
Helpful websites:
Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki: jmth.gr Greek National Tourism Organization: visitgreece.gr/en/ main_cities/thessaloniki
Dan Fellner of Chandler is a faculty associate at Arizona State University and a freelance travel writer. He spent the spring semester as a Fulbright Scholar at the American University in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, a four-hour bus ride from Thessaloniki. Visit his website: Global-Travel-Info.com.
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comprised half of the city’s population. So strong was Jewish influence in the city, the bustling port of Thessaloniki was actually closed on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. At one point, the Jewish cemetery housed more than a half-million tombs. Thessaloniki was incorporated into the Greek state in 1912; five years later, a fire destroyed most of the city’s Jewish Quarter, leaving some 50,000 Jews homeless. It crippled the Jewish community and many Jews immigrated between the two world wars. In 1941, Greece was invaded by the Nazis, who forced the city’s Jews into a ghetto, then deported about 50,000 of them to concentration camps in Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. Less than 4% of Thessaloniki’s Jews survived the Holocaust. After a slow start when the museum first opened 14 years ago, word got out and its popularity has been steadily growing. “I remember our first year; if we saw two visitors per week, that would be great,” Erika says. A half-dozen years ago, Israeli guidebooks began mentioning the museum and traffic soon soared. Last year, the museum attracted nearly 14,000 visitors. Erika says that 70% of them are from outside of Greece, with Israelis constituting the largest group of foreign visitors, followed by Americans. About 3,000 Greek students toured the facility in 2014 on class field trips, a segment of museum visitors that has jumped dramatically in the past two years. Erika was told that an official in the Greek Ministry The oldest surviving Jewish house of worship in Thessaloniki is the Synagogue of of Education recently the Monasteriotes. recommended that more classes visit the museum to raise awareness of the Holocaust, a subject that is not typically taught in Greek schools. “This year, it’s been really incredible,” she says, noting that in March there were two or three class visits every day. “It’s important that they (Greek schoolchildren) learn what a Jew is, and that Jews are Greeks. And last, it’s important that they learn what happened to the Jews during the war.” In addition to the museum, there are other Jewish-related sites in Thessaloniki, all within walking distance of each other. Across the street from the waterfront – a gulf that opens into the Aegean Sea – is a haunting Holocaust memorial. Designed by Holocaust survivor Nandor Glid, it depicts tortured victims melded together in a burning menorah. The oldest surviving house of worship, the Synagogue of the Monasteriotes, is also worth seeing. It opened in 1927 and became the center of the Jewish ghetto during the Nazi occupation. The building survived the war and later a 1978 earthquake. It is now used only for high holidays and special events. I also visited Thessaloniki’s most iconic site, the White Tower, the sole survivor of the 24 towers overlooking the sea that were
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 79
An American in Israel
Sandstorms, literal and figurative, threaten Israel By Mylan Tanzer
The week before Rosh Hashanah, a sandstorm originating in the Syrian desert covered Israel in a thick layer of dust and sand. From Metulla to the Negev, the skies were yellow-brown, the sun could not be seen, the heat was unbearable and breathing was difficult. Generally these storms last no more than a day, and then the wind or rain wash them away. This storm was the worst in 75 years. Such a storm had never occurred at this time of year. It lasted for four miserable days. Airports were closed intermittently and organized outside activity was canceled. During this “brown-out,” weather reports preempted the main news stories, including the issue of global warming, the effects of which seem to be involved here. But the skies cleared in time for Rosh Hashanah, the sun is again visible and it is possible to breathe. The daily issues that will determine how we live and continue to survive are back to their place of prominence in the news. Rarely has our reality been at a more pivotal stage. As I write this article, historic and far-reaching matters are being decided. The Iranian nuclear deal, the rift in U.S.-Israel relations and growing Arab provocations in Jerusalem will determine the level of physical security we will have to survive in what is undoubtedly the most dangerous and lethal region in the world. The recent and controversial decision of the government to approve the exploitation of Israel’s vast natural gas reserves under the Mediterranean by a consortium of the Israeli “Delek” Energy group and Texas-based Noble Energy will determine what kind of society Israel will become. Will the revenue be used to create a more equal and affluent society, or will the growing gap between rich and poor continue to widen? The Knesset still needs to approve the deal. Meanwhile, Egypt, the client that is supposed to purchase much of the gas, has discovered even larger reserves in its territorial waters. In addition to the security and economic/social questions raised by the Iran, Jerusalem and natural gas issues, another immediate problem has become part of the ongoing struggle. The struggle to determine the role of Judaism in our daily life came out of nowhere to assume a prominent place alongside the life and death issues mentioned above. All these issues relate to who we are and where we are headed. This sandstorm of a different kind arose in a fairly innocuous and innocent way. Recently, the Israeli cable sports channel asked the Israeli Professional Football League, which manages the top two professional soccer leagues (for which I consult), to move one weekly game of the second-tier league from the regular Friday and Monday slots to Saturday afternoon. The channel wants to televise it live before the first-tier Premier League 80 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
matches on late Saturday. Unlike other countries where both Saturday and Sunday are days off, in Israel only Shabbat, which begins at sundown on Friday and ends Saturday night, is a fullfledged day of rest. Saturday has always been the traditional day that soccer is played, from children to the top-flight Premier League. In recent years, the second-tier league moved to Friday and Monday for reasons of television programming. The IPFL approved the Sport Channel’s Shabbat request to increase exposure, which can be leveraged into needed revenue to improve the financial situation of the teams and the sport. The moment the decision was publicized, all hell broke loose. A group of second-league players who observe Shabbat (many had previously played for years on Shabbat) contacted the players union to protest playing on Shabbat. The head of the players union recognized the opportunity for publicity and headlines, while completely ignoring the potentially fatal implications for the future of Israeli football (professional and amateur), and took the matter to court. The judge upheld a law that had never been enforced. Shortly after the establishment of the state (1951), the Hours of Work and Rest Law was enacted to ensure no Jew could be forced to work on Shabbat, and an employer who wished to remain open on Shabbat had to receive permission from the state. In her decision, she said “the holding of soccer matches on Shabbat without approval from the economy minister is a criminal offense.” Wow! In other words, for more than 60 years, anyone who participated in any soccer-related activity has participated in a criminal offense. Scores of Israeli businesses are open on Shabbat, including restaurants, museums, movie theaters, concert halls, beaches, pools, some public transport, mini-markets and some retail stores. Most, but not all, have obtained licenses to operate from the Minister of the Economy. Until the late ’70s and early ’80s, Israeli football was largely semi-pro or amateur, so it apparently never occurred to those who managed Israeli football that there was a need to receive a license to operate. Therefore, the decision by the players union to petition the labor court opened Pandora’s box. To legally play on Saturday, a license had to be granted by the Minister of the Economy, a post currently held by the leader of the Orthodox Shas party, Arieh De’eri. If he granted this license, it would probably his last act as the head of his party. The IPFL and the Football Association immediately announced there will be no football, professional or amateur, on Saturday, because it will constitute a criminal offense. Populist Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev, a rising star in the Likud party due to her popularity with the right-wing and religious rank and file, fully supported the actions of the players union, only pausing to think about the implications when confronted with the decision by the IPFL to
stop all Saturday activity. Seemingly lost in the rhetoric was that for many Israelis who respect tradition but do not adhere to an Orthodox definition of what constitutes rest on Shabbat, going to a soccer game does not constitute a desecration of the holy day of rest. If anything, it is their way of enjoying this day, even though many actions that are prohibited according to Halacha must be carried out to hold soccer games on Shabbat. President Reuven Rivlin said in an interview that “an integral part of Israeli culture for hundreds of thousands of us is on Shabbat morning you go to the synagogue and then you head to the soccer stadium." Since the decision of David Ben-Gurion to bring the ultraOrthodox parties into the government, a status quo has developed over the years that has balanced strict Orthodox Jewish law (Halacha) with modern secular Israeli culture. This status quo that allows our diverse cultures to coexist is threatened by the changing political map. The battle for Shabbat football became the latest and most high-profile battleground. This is not only a matter of professional football on Shabbat. It affects tens of thousands of young players, parents, officials, linesmen, employees of clubs, fields and stadiums, and contractors who can play only on Shabbat because it is the only day that schools and offices are not open. This saga threatens other sports as well. Track and field, gymnastics, cycling, judo (in which Israel is a formidable world power) cannot function without Shabbat activity. International tournaments take place on weekends, and Israeli athletes must participate in these to be eligible for the Olympics and world championships. Ironically it is not the rapidly growing ultra-Orthodox “Haredi” community who are raising this issue. As columnist Ben Caspit wrote, “(they) have nothing do to with this charade. They have learned to live with Shabbat soccer that has been played here even prior to the birth of the state. This crisis has been created by the Likud central committee.” This hot potato was on the fast-track to the prime minister’s office. Netanyahu was smart enough to understand what a liability a soccer lockout would become but was not willing to risk angering his party’s central committee. De’eri was petrified that he would need to either approve the license, which would be the responsible course of action as Israel’s Minister of Economy, or to reject it, as the head of an Orthodox Shas party. Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein appeared as the knight on a white horse, pulling Netanyahu’s and De’eri’s chestnuts out of the fire. More importantly, he spoke up for the sake of Israeli sports, culture, the status quo and the general sanity of Israeli society. Weinstein said he saw no reason to suddenly enforce a law that had been ignored for decades and that nobody would be prosecuted. Following that, the IPFL and IFA announced all matches would proceed as planned. In his decision, Weinstein wrote: “It is a fact that professional soccer matches have been played in Israel on Shabbat forever and filing a criminal charge for playing on Shabbat after nothing had been done for decades is difficult in my eyes. Soccer matches have operated for decades without a waiver, as part of a so-called status quo. Therefore
there is no legal reason to prevent the continuation of this activity.” Wow! just turned into Whew! Reporter Ron Amikam wrote that Weinstein implemented in perfect fashion the famous Israeli saying “Don’t be smart, be right.” He added, “There are so many problems in moving soccer games and activity from the Sabbath to weekdays that compelling players who keep the Sabbath to play on Shabbat is a much smaller problem, and this is what Weinstein boldly clarified. … To prohibit Saturday soccer would cause the destruction of Israeli culture. All normal societies hold the majority of sports events on their days off. Only the Jewish religion prevents its believers from partaking in any sports, leisure or cultural activity on its day off.” The battle for Sabbath soccer is not over. The Hours of Work and Rest Law does not allow Saturday soccer. As long as Arieh De’eri is the one who must grant permission, the legal status of Saturday soccer will not be resolved. When Weinstein's term ends, Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked, from the right-wing religious Jewish Home party, will appoint her choice. That choice might not have the same pragmatic orientation or courage to stand up to the growing encroachment on the status quo. Regev has set up a committee to explore how to allow players and clubs not to play on the Sabbath if they so choose. The only true solution is to turn Sunday into a day off, something that has been proposed in recent years, but it will probably not happen anytime soon. Any other solution besides the current reality will mark the beginning of a slow death for the most popular professional Israeli sport. Israeli pro soccer, like almost any professional sport, is financed largely by sponsors and broadcasters, that conduct their business based on exposure and ratings. Without Saturday broadcasts, they will have no reason to invest in professional leagues and clubs. Without this money, Israeli football will sink, as will all Israeli sports. The commercial money given to professional football by the State Sports Lottery, the primary sponsor of Israeli soccer, finances the rest of Israeli sports. With the Iranian nuclear agreement and their proxy armies of terror on our borders, with the growing social gap in Israeli society, with ongoing Arab incitement surrounding the holy sites in Jerusalem, sports is extremely valuable in maintaining our feeling of normalcy and sanity. These threats are not necessarily new. The difference is that in the past, Israel dealt with these dangers in a pragmatic and intelligent way. The unintelligent and bellicose Israeli reactions to Arab provocations common in the current government are part of the same pattern now threatening Israeli sports. The vast majority of Israelis, even religious, fully embrace the status quo. But these same people are too busy working to survive – to provide for their families, to pay taxes and to defend the country – and do not have time for political involvement. Therefore, attempts to subvert the status quo will not end. While checks and balances may not save us from sandstorms, we can hope they will continue to save us from ourselves. Mylan Tanzer is an American native who moved to Israel in 1981. He was the founding CEO of the first Israeli cable and satellite sports channel. Since 2005, he has launched, managed, and consulted for channels and companies in Israel and Europe. Tanzer lives in Tel Aviv with his wife and five children. He can be reached at mylantanz@gmail.com. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 81
Exhibit brings Jews of Shanghai to life The Center for Jewish Studies at Arizona State University along with the Confucius Center at ASU and the Arizona Jewish Historical Society present the Jewish Refugees in Shanghai exhibit in the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center of the AZJHS in Phoenix, from Oct. 18 to Dec. 15. While the exhibit is on display, the Hayden Library at ASU in Tempe will feature related items from the library’s collection. Former “Shanghailanders” now living in Arizona will be invited to loan memorabilia for the opening. The traveling exhibit brings together the photos, personal stories and artifacts from Shanghai’s Jewish Refugee Museum, located in the former Ohel Moshe Synagogue in the Tilanqiao Historical Area of Shanghai. The museum educates local and international visitors to tell the unique story of Shanghai’s Jewish refugees.
g n i Liv Inside 82 Jews of Shanghai exhibit 84 Jeffrey Tambor at MEGA Event 86 Federation Notes 87 Faces & Places 88 Previews 89 Calendar
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From 1933 to 1941, the city of Shanghai, China, became a modern day “Noah’s Ark,” accepting those Jewish refugees who then lived in the “Designated Area for Stateless Refuges” in the Tilanqiao area of Shanghai. While Nazi Germany forced German and Austrian Jews to emigrate during the 1930s, most countries closed their borders to these immigrants and refused them visas. A visa was not required to enter Shanghai, under Japanese control during the time, but it was an indispensable document for Jews desperate to leave areas in Europe under Nazi control. The visa to Shanghai was in truth the “exit visa” for Jewish people to find their way to other countries and escape Nazi Europe. Because of help offered by Dr. He Fengshan, the consul of the Japan embassy in Vienna, Austria, and Chiune Sugihara, the consul of the Japanese embassy in Lithuania, roughly 18,000 European Jews found refuge in Shanghai. From 1933 to 1941, the city of Shanghai, China, became a modern day “Noah’s Ark,” accepting those Jewish refugees who then lived in the “Designated Area for Stateless Refugees” in the
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND ARIZONA WOMEN FOR ISRAEL
3rd Annual Luncheon Tuesday, November 10, 2015 Phoenix Art Museum 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Jessica Abo Celebrity Journalist
A Jewish Boy Scout troop in Shanghai.
A long ago Jewish Boy Scout troop in Shanghai
Tilanqiao area of Shanghai. They coexisted with local Chinese in the area and overcame various difficulties. By the end of World War II in 1945, most of the Jews had survived the harsh, impoverished conditions. They went on to live remarkable lives. Holocaust historian Dr. David Kranzler dubbed it the “Miracle of Shanghai” and noted the city was one of the few bright lights during such a great tragedy. In the "Tilanqiao Historic Area,” some original features of the Jewish settlement continue to be well preserved, sustaining the legacy of Shanghai’s Jewish past. Communities around the globe have had the exciting opportunity to learn about this significant story of Jewish immigrants and their place in world history. Traveling in part or in its entirety, the exhibit has been to places such as the Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Kansas, the University of Kentucky, the University of Minnesota, Chicago’s Thompson Center and New York’s Rockefeller Center. Across the country, the exhibit has brought about symposiums, conferences and education initiatives among high schools and middle schools. Following Arizona, the exhibit will continue to travel to other institutions of higher education. It was first developed by the University of California, Los Angeles Center for Jewish Studies, the UCLA Confucius Institute, Hillel at UCLA, and the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum. For information, visit azjhs.org or contact Larry Bell at LBell@azjhs.org.
EVENT CHAIRS: Judy Bassett & Kim Kotzin
RSVP by October 30, 2015 at jnf.org/azwfi jnf.org • 800.JNF.0099 ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 83
JLiving Jeffrey Tambor brings one-man show to MEGA Event Nov. 12 By Deborah Moon
Jeffrey Tambor won an Emmy Sept. 20 as lead actor in a comedy for his role in “Transparent.”
The co-chairs for this year’s Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix MEGA Event have ramped up the main event and introduced so many new elements that they started calling it MEGA 2.0. Slated for the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix on Nov. 12, the MEGA Event presents Jeffrey Tambor, a veteran of television, film and stage, who uses his love of life and its lessons to create a creative and entertaining one-man show. He will share anecdotes from his decades in front of the camera, his family and his Jewish upbringing. “We wanted someone who would be a draw for everyone,” says Michelle Mandell, 33, who is co-chairing the event with Bob and Sara Silver, who say they are a couple decades older. Bob is a former chair of both the JFGP and the Valley of the Sun JCC. Tambor’s career has spanned decades. Many remember his television roles on “Hill Street Blues” and “The Larry Sanders Show” or as the dejected dad from the 2009 Hollywood hit “The Hangover.” But for Michelle, two more recent shows have made her a fan. “I’m into ‘Arrested Development;’ it’s really comical,” she says. “ ‘Transparent’ blew my mind. It’s one of the best shows – it’s honest and relevant. The show touches my heart. … My friends and I are so excited for the next season to start.” For his role as transgender patriarch-turned-matriarch in that new hit series, Tambor received the 2015 Golden Globe Award 84 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
for Best Actor in a comedy series. The role has also earned him an Emmy nomination. “He is very hot right now,” says Bob. He says for MEGA, Tambor will present a “one-man show of his life, his journey, his Orthodox Jewish upbringing” that will inspire MEGA guests to put their passions into actions and to overcome perceived limitations. Michelle says the Orpheum, which feels like an intimate setting despite being a 1,300-seat venue, will be the perfect setting for “this incredible actor to share his story. … He is giving us a one-man show – he’s not just a speaker.” To further ramp up the evening’s entertainment value, Maytal & Etzion, the duo that took Israel’s reality television show “The Voice” by storm, also will take the stage. They will be in town for an event at the Israel Center, and Israel Center Director Shahar Edry contacted the MEGA cochairs and asked if they would like the pair to sing “Hatikva” at the Orpheum. “When I went on YouTube and saw their performance on ‘The Voice,’ I asked, ‘Can we use them other places in our event?’” says Bob. “They are two very talented singers in Hebrew and English. We will use them for musical interludes during the evening.” Michelle says, “Shahar brought them to us. It’s not only a cool event, but it shows that we have a cross-cultural programming
element. It’s a sign of what our federation is. … Our message is ‘come see all federation is and how we can be stronger.’ ” With this year’s party coming at the end of the campaign instead of in the spring as it has in the past, Bob says the focus has shifted. “This year it is more of a thank you to donors for all the work they do on our behalf and to share information about federation and what is to come.” Michelle, who moved to Arizona five years ago, was part of the first cohort of Valley Beit Midrash’s Start Me Up group and is now involved in federation’s NOWGen for people in their 20s to mid-30s. Sara says that everyone knows Bob, and he knows the community. But as entrepreneurs (the couple own and operate Silverware, a software solution company), they wanted to reshape the event and think creatively. They say it was great to partner with Michelle to “reset” MEGA and create an event appealing to the under-35 crowd. The evening will begin with a wine reception (21+) at the Orpheum. A dessert reception will follow the main event. NOWGen attendees will take over the trendy bar Bitter & Twisted for a late-night after party featuring epicurean cocktails. Reserved seats for MEGA are $100 per person for Downtown Seats and $75 per person for Uptown Seats. Eighteen dollars of each reservation supports the federation’s 2015 annual campaign to help Jews in need and to build vibrant Jewish communities in Greater Phoenix, Israel and in 70 countries around the world. All seats are assigned and must be reserved by Oct. 30. For more information and to RSVP, call 480-634-4900, ext. 1213, or visit megaevent2015.org.
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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 85
FEDERATION NOTES
Federation Impact: My Story By Jonny Basha
What does the Federation do? We help people. Looking to the New Year, we are energized by the increased number of NOWGen members who are engaging within the community. They give tremendous hope to us and to the community and that is why Federation is embracing this generation and allowing them to guide us. Your gift to the Federation’s annual campaign, provides support to crucial programs for our community’s young men and women. Through the campaign, you invest in them and you invest in the strength of our community, now and in the future.
Helping Jews in need and building vibrant Jewish communities here, in Israel and throughout the world. 480.634.4900 x1299 | jewishphoenix.org/donate
The federation has been a part of my life for many years. Growing up here in the Valley, I was involved with several local organizations that were supported through the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. As a kid, I attended Hebrew school and attended weekly services at local synagogues with my family. In high school, I was in chess club and band as first chair clarinet. I also created games and programs on my TI-83 calculator. To my surprise, I wasn’t the most popular kid in school. Joining Hebrew High and BBYO changed that. Through these federation-funded programs, I learned a great deal about organizational leadership, and what I learned shaped my outlook on life. Both organizations were instrumental to my development as a soon-to-be young adult. I made some of my best friends in these programs, and I am still close to many of them today. While attending Arizona State University, I could not wait to visit Israel through Taglit-Birthright. When I returned, I knew that Jewish leadership was going to play an important role in my life. I spent most of my college years involved with several campus groups like Chabad, Hillel, JAC and Sigma Alpha Mu, a Jewish fraternity. After graduating, I started Moishe House Phoenix with some of those best friends I mentioned earlier. Moishe House Phoenix was extremely successful, and within the year we were hosting 10 events a month. Hundreds of Jewish young professionals attended. Last year, a group of us had the idea to form a giving circle. Though we were young and not yet established in our careers, we knew that we wanted to make a meaningful contribution to the vibrancy of our Jewish community and Jewish communities throughout the world. The federation helped us establish ourselves as a professional organization, and I am proud to say that the NOWGen Giving Circle made its inaugural grants this past August. I realize that I am thriving primarily because of the amazing leadership and generosity of our community. Our federation established the infrastructure for young adults like me to accomplish the things that I have accomplished. Even today, it provides matching grants, leadership stipends and support of all kinds to the people who need it in our community and abroad. Federation has been part of my life since I was in grade school, and it shaped who I am today. Through its dedicated commitment, our federation has helped develop an amazing generation of young adults to step up into the leadership roles that our community needs, and that is inspiring to me. Jonny Basha is a federation board member and resident of Moishe House.
86 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
JLiving
FACES & PLACES
DELIGHTFUL DOCUMENTARY – Connie Weiss Flegenheimer, left, and Margie Bold prepare to see “Hava Negila” at Arizona Jewish Historical Society on Sept. 8. The delightful documentary, tracing the history of the ubiquitous melody, played to an appreciative audience. Photo by Leni Reiss.
CHAI TECH – From left, Chai Tech Chair Jonny Basha, Business & Professionals Group Chair Eliot Kaplan and IO Founder & CEO Tony Wanger take a moment to pose during Chai Tech’s exclusive tour of the IO data center on
SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL - Diana Krohn, below left, visits with Francine Coles, who is ending her third term as AIPAC’s local council chair, at an Aug. 24 AIPACsponsored event at Congregation Beth Israel. Several hundred audience members heard from author Yossi Klein Halevi (“Like Dreamers”), pictured at left with Helen Freedman, Arizona regional chair of Volunteers for Israel. Photos by Leni Reiss.
TORAH WALK – Members of Congregation Young Israel, below right, carry their Torah scrolls from their old home to the Phoenix Orthodox congregation’s new home at 6232 N Seventh St., Suite 107, after Shacharit on Aug. 30. Rabbi Yossi Bryski, below left, speaks from the bimah in Young Israel’s new home following the walk.
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2015 87
PREVIEWS
Federation’s fall phoneathon hopes to raise $118K on Super Sunday
FAMILY SHABBAT – Temple Beth Shalom, Sun City, started regular Shabbat services for the coming year with a family service on Aug. 28. Congregation children participated by leading prayers with Rabbi Shelly W. Moss and School Director Andre Ivory. Temple Beth Shalom is located at 12202 N 101st Ave., Sun City; 623-977-3240; templebethshalomaz.org. FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL – Students at Tucson Jewish Montessori enjoy the first day of school Aug. 31. Rabbi Israel and Esther Becker founded the new preschool for children ages 3 to 6.
FAN FAVORITE - Author Jonathan Kellerman talked about and signed copies of his new psychological thriller The Murderer’s Daughter, for an audience of appreciative fans at The Poisoned Pen bookstore in Scottsdale in mid-August. Photo by Leni Reiss. TUITION DONATION – CenturyLink presents $200,000 in corporate tax credit dollars to the Jewish Tuition Organization. Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix Chief Information Officer Ofer Alphabet facilitated the contact between JTO and Century link. From left are Ofer Alphabet, JTO Board President Dan Postal, JTO Executive Director Linda Zell, and CenturyLink Regional Vice President of Public Policy Jeff Lindsey. 88 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
The Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix hopes to score big Oct. 11, during its Super Sunday Fall Phone-A-Thon with a goal to raise $118,000. “Team spirit is contagious; we did great with the spring phone-a-thon and now we have even more people participating and activities planned for Super Sunday,” says Susan Farber, who is co-chair with Gail Ober. Susan and Gail also co-chaired the spring phone-a-thon, which raised more than $86,000 for the federation’s annual campaign, including $11,000 in new and increased gifts. Along with their goal, the committee hopes to have more than 118 volunteers. One volunteer will be Blaine Light, 25, one of five men who volunteered Spring Phone-A-Thon Cofrom Moishe Chairs Susan Farber, left, and House during Gail Ober are all smiles over the $86,000 raised by 70 the spring phone-a-thon. “I volunteers on May 3. loved being part of the phone-athon,” he says. Super Sunday is part of the federation’s annual campaign, which raises funds to help Jews in need and to build vibrant Jewish communities in Greater Phoenix, Israel and 70 countries. The campaign is co-chaired by Don and Esther Schon. The phone-a-thon is at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center from 9 am to 1 pm. To volunteer, go to jewishphoenix. org/supersunday or call Amanda Garcia at 480-634- 4900 ext. 1202. To contribute, go to jewishphoenix. webconnex.com/ annualcampaign2015.
Get ready to Schmooze in the Valley If you’re looking to mix and mingle, Schmooze will bring together Jewish people in their 30s and 40s at local events in the Valley for Jewish social interaction. “We will bring three different kinds of events,” says Cory Shapiro, co-founder and leadership team member of Schmooze. “We will have events bringing singles
OCTOBER CALENDAR together, events for couples and events for young families. Our focus is 30s and 40s, but we recognize some young families extend from 20 to 40,” he says, adding they hope to collaborate with Moishe House for those in their 20s and 30s. Although there are other organizations offering a variety of events, “our goal is to complement what is already happening in Phoenix – not to compete with other organizations throughout the Phoenix community,” Cory says. Still in the planning stages, the first event, The Big Schmooze, will be held Oct. 24 at 7:30 pm for singles and couples. It will be followed by a Family Kick-Off event in November, which is still in the planning stages. Locations for both events will be available via the group’s website, azschmooze.com and Facebook page at facebook. com/azschmooze.
ASU’s Center for Jewish Studies offers course on ancestry Arizona State University’s Center for Jewish Studies will offer “From Eastern Europe to the United States: Our Wandering Jewish Ancestors,” a six-week course taught by genealogist Emily Garber. Emily describes the course as a Jewish family history back-story. “This course provides the context to understand our ancestors lives in the Old World: how they survived, why they may have emigrated and their experiences during immigration to the United States,” she says. Emily holds an M.A. in anthropology (archaeology) from the University of New Mexico and a B.A. in anthropology from Vassar College. In 2007 she began researching her family history and has traced relatives to Ukraine, Belarus and Romania. Her ancestors immigrated to the United States between 1881 and 1922. During June 2013, Emily completed her first family roots trip to Ukraine. She has been on the Advisory Board for the Phoenix Jewish Genealogical Society for several years, teaching courses and workshops. The courses fee is $180, which includes materials, and will be held at Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus every Wednesday from 1-3 pm Oct. 14 through Nov. 18. To register, go to jewishstudies.clas.asu. edu/adult-ed.
Oct. 2 Mystery Book Reading with Josh. Listen to a soothing read-aloud mystery. Sponsored by Jewish Family & Children’s Service Center for Senior Enrichment. 1 pm in the Cinema Room. Brookdale Christown, 6250 N 19th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85015. Free. 602-943-2198
Through Oct. 4 Sukkot holidays
Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin. Presented by Arizona Theatre Company. Temple of Music & Art, 330 W Scott Ave., Tucson, 520-622-2823, arizonatheatre.org Chicago, the Musical. Phoenix Theatre, 100 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix. 602-254-2151, phoenixtheatre.com
Oct. 5-6 Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah O ct. 7 Israeli Sing-Along Night. Join Israel Center for a night of music. 7 pm at Mozart Café, 7116 E Mercer Lane, Scottsdale. shahare@vosjcc.org JACS: Support group for Jewish alcoholics, addicts and their friends and family. 7:308:30 pm. ILJCC, 2nd floor Conference Room. Repeats Oct. 21. 602-971-1234, ext. 280
Oct. 8 Raise the Roof documentary, see page 36
Oct. 8-25 Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin. Herberger Theater Center. 222 E Monroe, Phoenix. 602-256-6995, arizonatheatre.org
Oct. 9-25 Man of La Mancha presented by Theater Works at the Gyder Theater. For mature audiences. 8355 W Peoria Ave., Peoria. 623-815-7930 or theaterworks.org
Oct 10-11
Peter, Paul and Mary Remembered. A concert with special guest Linda Bique. Co-sponsored with Folk Sessions. 2 pm. Prescott Center for the Arts Mainstage. 208 N Marina St., Prescott. $22. 928-445-3286, tickets@pcaaz.net
Oct. 12 Cooking with Eddie. Chef Eddie Matney shares his techniques and secrets for creating great seasonal recipes for family and friends. Series is offered by the VOS JCC and Allstate Appliances. Take classes a la carte or register for the series (also Nov. 2 and 30). At Allstate Appliances Showroom, 15250 N Hayden Road, Scottsdale. 480-483-7121 “Theatre Artists Studio,” with speakers Judy Lebeau and Debra Rich Gettleman. Sponsored by Hadassah Valley of the Sun. 10 am at Temple Chai. froma24@yahoo.com, 480-563-2221 Living through Loss: A Jewish Bereavement Support Group. Facilitated by Harriet Frost, M.S., LMFT. 4:30-6 pm. Temple Chai's Shalom Center. ssilverman@templechai.com or 602971-1234 ext. 280. Repeats Oct. 19.
Oct. 13 “Paris Lamb.” Hadassah Valley of the Sun presents author Marcia Fine. 6:45 pm. Pueblo Norte Auditorium. susido@aol.com, 480-659-0680 Capturing the Sun: What’s on the Horizon in Solar Energy. An evening with Prof. David Cahen. Hosted by The American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science. 7 pm, Gregory School, 3231 N Craycroft Road, Tucson. RSVP: Andy Weissman at 909-913-1307 or a.weissman@acwis.org JNFuture Arizona Fall Kickoff, Jewish National Fund. 6:30-8 pm. Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 N Scottsdale Road, Paradise Valley. RSVP: jnf. org/azkickoff or kgarrison@jnf.org
Arizona Opera’s “Arizona Lady,” 7:30 on Oct. 10; 2 pm on Oct. 11. Tucson Music Hall, 260 S Church Ave. 520-293-4336, azopera.org
Hebrew High Presents “The Making of a Mensch.” 8 pm at VOS JCC. 480-634-8050
Eric Giliam. Magic for all ages. 1, 4 and 7:30 pm both days at Higley Center for the Performing Arts. 480-279-7194, higleycenter.org
VBM panel. Young American Jews in the 21st Century: Our Relationship to Israel, the Holocaust and Anti-Semitism. 7-9 pm. Congregation Beth Israel, 10460 N 56th St., Paradise Valley. rabbi@valleybeitmidrash.org, 602-445-3112
Oct. 11 Blessing of the Pets. Pets safely leashed or crated. 11:30 am-12:15 pm. Congregation Anshei Israel. 5550 E 5th St., Tucson. barb@ caiaz.org or 520-745-5550, ext. 242 VBM 2015 Sy Sacks Memorial Lecture “Why Faith Matters” with Rabbi David Wolpe. 7-9 pm. Temple Chai. rabbi@valleybeitmidrash. org, 602-445-3112 Super Sunday Fall Phone-a-Thon. See page 87
Oct. 14
“Researching USCIS Records” presented by Marian L. Smith, historian with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. Overview of the federal immigrant agencies’ records. Sponsored by The Phoenix Jewish Genealogy Group, a committee of the Arizona Jewish Historical Society. 7 pm at Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, 122 E Culver St., Phoenix. emilyhgarber@gmail.com
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OCTOBER CALENDAR “Her Torah,” classes. from the perspectives of women rabbis and women Judaic scholars. (Also Oct. 21, 28 and Nov. 4, 11.) Presented by Temple Beth Shalom and JCC-Sun City. Beginners: 9-10:15 am. Advanced: 10:30-11:45 am at 12202 N.101s t Ave., Sun City. 623-977-3240 Capturing the Sun. 7 pm in Phoenix. See Oct. 13 listing.
Oct. 14-Nov. 18 From Eastern Europe to the United States: Our Wandering Jewish Ancestors. See page 87
Oct. 16 The Rave: A Tribute to the British Invasion. 7:30 pm. Higley Center for the Performing Arts. 480279-7194 or higleycenter.org Arizona Opera’s “Arizona Lady,” 7:30 pm. (Also 7:30 pm Oct. 17; 2 pm Oct. 18). Symphony Hall, 75 N 2nd St. 602-266-7464, azopera.org
Oct. 17 Casino Night at the J, featuring casino games, live auction, food and more, supporting VOS JCC. JccCasinoNight.org
Second Annual Family Wellness Festival, Tucson. See page 22
Oct. 19 Reunifying Jerusalem: The Story of Ammunition Hill, sponsored by Jewish National Fund. 6-7:30 pm. RSVP for address in Oro Valley, AZ kgarrison@jnf.org, 520-485-7619, ext. 967
Oct. 20 Ehud Banai in Concert. One of Israel’s unique singer/songwriters brings his music and original lyrics to the VOS JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale, Road, Scottsdale. Sponsored by the Israel Center. 7:30 pm at shahare@vosjcc.org VBM: Are You Jewish (enough)? Conversion & Jewishness Then & Now with Rabbi Dr. Seth Farber. 7-9 pm. Temple Kol Ami, 15030 N 64th St., Scottsdale. rabbi@valleybeitmidrash.org, 602-445-3112 Learn how stem cell therapy can help treat your lung disease. Seminar at 4 pm at the Scottsdale Lung Institute Clinic, 8377 E Hartford Dr., Suite 120, Scottsdale. See the facility, meet the doctor and set up a free consultation. 855-434-9235, lunginstitute.com/JewishLife
Oct. 23-24
The Heartlight Show: Jack Wright performs the Best of Neil Diamond. 7:30 pm. Higley Center for the Performing Arts. 480-279-7194, higleycenter.org
Prescott Ghost Talk. Written and directed by Karen Murphy. 6 and 7:30 pm on Oct. 23; 6, 7:30 and 9 pm on Oct. 24. Prescott Center for the Arts Mainstage. 208 N Marina St., Prescott. $15. 928-445-3286, tickets@pca-az.net
Oct. 18
Oct. 25
David Bromberg in concert. 7 pm. MIM Music Theater, Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000, mim.org
4th Annual Dia De Los Muertos PHX Festival. Presented by Cultural Coalition. 1-6 pm. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E Indian School Road, Phoenix. culturalcarmen@msn.com
The Jews of Singapore: Past and Present, by Anne Lowe. Hadassah Southern Arizona luncheon at the Lodge on the Desert. Noon. 306 N Alvernon, Tucson. RSVP: 520- 822-7941 CPR/First Aid. Sponsored by Smile on Seniors. 1-5 pm, 2110 E Lincoln Dr. Phoenix. 602-492-7670 or chani@sosaz.org Jewish Refugees in Shanghai exhibit opens. See page 82 Randall Sturdevant speaks at Temple Beth Shalom Brotherhood Luncheon about Roth IRAs and their advantages. Noon. TBS, 12202 N 101st Ave, Sun City. RSVP by Oct. 14: 623-977-3240 Education and Screening Event. The Jewish Genetic Diseases Center of Greater Phoenix event to learn about Ashkenazi Jewish genetic risks and options for counseling and screening. 10 am-3 pm. ILJCC. info@jewishgeneticsphx.org or 480-668-3347 How to use my smart phone. Young men from Yeshiva High School of Arizona will anyone 60+. Sponsored by Jewish Family & Children’s Service. 2-4 pm. Ina Levine Jewish Community Center. Register: janet.arnold@jfcsaz.org, 480599-7198 90 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
“Seth’s Big Fat Broadway Show” featuring Seth Rudetsky. See page 43
Oct. 26 VBM lecture: The Ultimate Sacrifice? Wrestling with the Binding of Isaac: Different Perspectives on Faith! With Rabbi Steven Exler. 7-9 pm. Temple Chai. $18 (suggested donation). rabbi@ valleybeitmidrash.org or 602-445-3112.
Oct. 28 VBM presents “Lincoln & the Jews,” a lecture by Professor Jonathan D. Sarna. 7-9 pm. Congregation Beth Israel, 10460 N 56th St., Scottsdale. rabbi@valleybeitmidrash.org, 602-445-3112
Oct. 28 Perception to Defeat the Art of Deception. 6-9 pm. J Levine Auction & Appraisal. 10345 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-448-2236, reception@jlevines.com
Oct. 29 Fall Catalog Auction, featuring luxury estate collections. 11 am. J. Levine Auction & Appraisal. 10345 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480448-2236, reception@jlevines.com
MonaLisa Touch Informational Seminar and Open House at Arizona Women's Care. 5-7 pm. Arizona Women's Care, 9823 N 95th St., Suite 101, Scottsdale. RSVP 480-455-0016
Oct. 30 Fall Fashion Show & Luncheon Fundraiser, sponsored by Hadassah Valley of the Sun. 12 pm. Gainey Ranch Golf Club. RSVP by Oct. 15 for reservations. 480-998-1880.
Oct 30-Nov. 15 Almost Maine – Where Love is Lost, Found and Confounded. Produced by Theater Works at Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, the play will be performed at the McMillin theater. For mature audiences. 8355 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria, $36; discounts for seniors, students and groups. 623-815-7930 or www.theaterworks.org
Nov. 1 40th Anniversary 3TV Phoenix 10K & Half Marathon. Race proceeds benefit the Mollen Foundation, dedicated to preventing childhood obesity. Registration begins at 6 am. Post-race party featuring live music. Dr. Mollen (who was on the October 2013 AZJL cover) will be on hand for the IASIS Healthcare Community Health Fair following the race. CityScape, 1 E Washington, Phoenix. phoenix10k.com/2015_Registration Third Annual Desert Gathering Jewish Music Fest. See page 42
Nov. 2 “Medicare in 2016,” with speaker Glen Spencer. Sponsored by Hadassah Valley of the Sun. 10 am. Temple Chai. froma24@yahoo.com or 480-563-2221
Nov. 3 “High Tech Meets the Holocaust,” with speaker Stephanie Silverman Houser. Sponsored by Hadassah Valley of the Sun. 6:45 pm. Pueblo Norte Auditorium. susido@aol.com, or 480-659-0680 Tea With Honey, a tribute to Honey Manson, 90, chair of the Hadassah Southern Arizona Nurses Council, with speaker Barbara Sofer, the Israel Director of Public Relations for National Hadassah. 4 pm. Tucson JCC. 520-275-5044
Nov. 10 Arizona Women for Israel 3rd Annual Luncheon, sponsored by Jewish National Fund. 11 am-1:30 pm. Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N Central Ave., Phoenix. RSVP by Oct. 30: jnf.org/azwfi
Nov. 12 Mega Event. RSVP by Oct. 30. See page 84
ADDING EVENTS:
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92 OCTOBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
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