OCTOBER 2019
MJCC's Celebration of Art JUST FOR WOMEN:
Health , Travel, Fashion The B’nai Mitzvah Journey
IRIN CARMON Co -author of Notorious RBG and the Face of Feminism Today JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 1
2 OCTOBER 2019 | JEWISH LIFE
Assure Jewish Tomorrows With the start of the New Year, make a legacy gift that will be a sweet reminder of who you are and what’s important to you. Sincere thanks to the individuals listed here who have participated in the LIFE & LEGACY program by committing to leave an after-lifetime gift to benefit one or more of the 10 partner organizations listed below. Their commitment will strengthen our Jewish community for future generations. Anonymous (20) Roy & Kay Abramowitz Bruce Abrams Steve Albert & Janie Goldenberg Joy Alkalay* Ron & Judy Appelbaum John & Carol Arnsberg Barbara Atlas Evelyn Banko Henry & Evelyn Barber* Patti Barkin Thomas Barkin Joan Bayliss Barry & Karla Benson Steven Berliner Manny & Karen Berman Ed Black & Geraldine Moreno-Black Stephen A. & Toby F. Blake Marc N. Blattner Doug & Amy Blauer Gerel Blauer Stanley & Judith Blauer George Bodner* Lynn Bonner Stephen & Beverly Bookin Elise & Gary Brickner-Schulz Svevo Brooks Stephen Butler Rabbi Michael Z. & Cantor Ida Rae Cahana Milt Carl* Stuart & Mandi Chestler Kathy & Norman Chusid Glen Coblens & Mia Birk Arlene Cogen Frieda Gass Cohen Roberta & Philip Cohen Nathan Cogan Lee Cordova Sheri Cordova Elaine Coughlin Susan Danielson Carol Danish James & Ilene Davidson Berta M. Delman* Annette Demsey
Kathleen Derrick Julie Diamond Richard Dobrow Marlene Drescher Ned Duhnkrack Stan & Bev Eastern Jordan Edelson Zoe Edelson Robert Ehrlich* Rosalie Eisen Maram Epstein Becky & Greg Ewer Howard & Jen Feldman Gary Fifer Richard Finkelstein & Ann Cole Eleanor Fisher* Robin & Eric Flamm Bazil Freedman Dolfy Freinquel Larry & Deborah Friedman David Fuks & DeAnn Sullivan Lynn & Charlie Gelber Linda Georges John & Beth Germain Peter Glade Robert & Lesley Glasgow Jonathan Glass Sarah Kahn Glass Sheldon Gloger Ivan Gold Bernard Goldhammer* Judy Goldstein Tiffany & David Goldwyn Ira & Julie Gottlieb Samuel Gottlieb Steve & Michelle Gradow Nancy Green* Joel Greenblum Maura Greenblum Miriam Greenstein* Katherine Grinnell Rachel Halupowski Karen & Vic Hansen Gregory Harris David Hassin Margaret Hasson
Emily Heilbrun Merrill & Perry Hendin Sue Hickey Larry Holzman Renee & Irwin Holzman Rabbi Yitzhak & Shonna Husbands-Hankin Lesley Isenstein & Steve Laveson Hilde Jacob* Irvin & Jacqueline Jacobs Marje Jacobson Michael Jeser Rabbi Rachel Joseph Garry Kahn Judith Kahn Steven & Wendy Kahn Marvin & Betsy Kaiser Jennifer Kalenscher Mark Kalenscher Lisa Kaner Lisa Katon & Noah Kressel Randy Katz Jason & Allison Kaufman Julian Kaufman Rhonda & Jim Kennedy Jeff & Jody Kirtner Sheldon Klapper Anna & Eric Kodesch Paul & Arlene Koenigsberg Nina Korican Eric Kornblit Robin Kornblit Anthony & Priscilla Kostiner Harold & Lorraine Kroptizer* Theodore D. Lachman* John Laursen Jordana & Ryan Levenick Nira & Leonard* Levine Shari Levinson Glen & Lisa Levy Jonathan Levy Richard Levy Leonard & Mimi Lewitt Wendy & Howard Liebreich
Diana Lindemann David & Liz Lippoff Justine Lovinger Eva Lowen* Peter Lyman Martha MacRitchie & Mike Lewis Ellen Maddex Bernie Maengen Evelyn Asher Maizels Eleanor Maliner Jerry Maliner* Gail Mandel & Steven Klein Philip Mandel Bud & Robin Marcus Stanley & Susan Marcus Judy Margles & Steve Wasserstrom Elizabeth & Ruben Menashe Joanne Van Ness Menashe Toinette & Victor Menashe Alice & Paul Meyer Andrea Meyer Jim & Lora Meyer Michael Millender Alan & Lana Miller Liza & Beth Milliner David Molko & John Rafalski Alan & Debbi Montrose Debora Mrowka Leah Nepom Robert Neuberger* David Newman & Deirdre Steinberg Jeanne Newmark Irwin Noparstak Paul Norr & Helaine Gross Jeff & Anne Nudelman Dale Oller Stacey & Marshal Oller Sue & Andrew Osborn Ray & Dorothy* Packouz Robert Leonard Parnas* Teri & Allen Patapoff
Gary & Sylvia Pearlman Sue Perkel Robert & Rita Philip Nathan & Robin Philips Robert & Gail Pioso Ron Popkin Lois Poplack* Jerome Reich Jeff & Francine* Reingold Anita Reinhorn* Steven Reinisch James Richman Erik Richmond Bert & Laurie Rogoway Gayle Schnitzer Romain Rabbi Josh & Channah Rose Helen Rosenau Steve Rosenberg & Ellen Lippman Eric & Tiffany Rosenfeld Madelle & Stan Rosenfeld Sally Rosenfeld & Andrew Frank Kyle & Rebecca Rotenberg Ruth Roth Caron Blau Rothstein Fred Rothstein Rabbi Ruhi Sophia Motzkin Rubenstein Sheldon Rubin & Margie Paris Sharon Rudnick & Arden Olson Steve & Sheryl Rudolph Isadore Russell* Ruby Sachter Jerry & Bunny Sadis Minalee Saks Faye Gordon Samuels Andrea Sanchez & Benjamin Drucker Elaine Savinar Diane Schechter Mindy & Marc Schlossberg Joan Schnitzer Sandra Schnitzer
Charlotte Schwartz* Christopher Setzer Michael Sheehan* Arden Shenker Mylen & Rosalyn Shenker John Shipley Michael Simon Jonathan Singer Linda & Gary Singer Dana & Steve Sirkin Jill Ann Slansky Thelma Solomon Les Soltesz* Martha Soltesz Marshal P. Spector Roslyn Srebnik* Tyler & Sara Staggs Robert Stein Lance Steinberg Arthur Steinhorn Tom Stern Ronald Subotnick & Barbara Weiland Elvin & Virginia Tarlow* Menachem Teiblum* Gary Tepfer & Esther Jacobson-Tepfer Charlotte & Isaac Tevet Marcy & Ron* Tonkin Aaron Vitells Howard & Vivian Wasserteil Claire Westerman H. Peter Wigmore Bruce & Susan Winthrop Estelle Winthrop* Carrie Wynkoop & Kari Chisholm Dena Luna Zaldua Kenneth & Jennifer Zeidman Mark & Mindy Zeitzer Justin Zellinger Jason Zidell *Of Blessed Memory
LIFE & LEGACY Partners Cedar Sinai Park | Congregation Beth Israel | Congregation Neveh Shalom | Congregation Shaarie Torah Jewish Family & Child Service | Jewish Federation of Greater Portland | Mittleman Jewish Community Center Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education | Portland Jewish Academy | Temple Beth Israel, Eugene
CREATE A
LEGACY OREGON A Program of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation
For more information contact a LIFE & LEGACY partner organization or Julie Diamond, OJCF President & CEO julied@ojcf.org | 503.248.9328 | ojcf.org The list above includes participants in LIFE & LEGACY through August 15, 2019, who have given permission to include their names in a community-wide list. Every effort has been made to ensure this list is accurate and complete. We apologize if your name has been omitted or improperly recorded. If so, please contact OJCF so we can correct our records. The LIFE & LEGACY program and logo are trademarks of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. All rights reserved.
JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 3
CO N TE N TS Oregon Jewish Life • October 2019 • Tishrei-Cheshvan 5780 • Volume 8/Issue 6
14
COVER STORY Irin Carmon: The face of feminism today
ACTIVELY SENIOR 24
FEATURES
24
JEWS WITH ATTITUDE Teen unites passions for medicine and Israel 10 BUSINESS Ins & Outs
12
WOMEN’S SPECIAL SECTION
30
Pregnancy and exercise do mix 14 Women’s financial empowerment workshops 17 Q&A with Dr. Robin McCoy 18 Rachel’s Well Mikvah 20 Get your duds delivered 22
FRONT & CENTER Celebration of art 32
FOOD Beetroot Market & Deli
40 4 OCTOBER 2019 | JEWISH LIFE
30
32
Mark Padgett shares a passion for sports and politics 34
JKIDS & TEENS/ BAR & BAT MITZVAH SECTION Bat mitzvah bravery B’nai Tzedek Teen Charitable Giving Funds Include marshmallows at your mitzvah Ask Helen: Writing a b’nai mitzvah speech
36 38 40 41
COLUMNS Ask Helen
41
JLIVING Wexner Heritage Program returns to Portland 42 Trio of honorees selected for community enrichment award 43 Oregon Holocaust Memorial celebrates 15th anniversary 45 Fund-raising pros to honor Jewish organization and teen 46 Faces & Places 47 Previews 48 ON THE COVER: Irin Carmon
PHOTO BY MALIN FEZEHAI
Inspiring passionate learners PreK-12 Join us to learn more about our schools:
High School • HS Open House, Thursday, Nov. 7 • Shadow Days through February Grade School • Kindergarten Q&A, Jan. 24 • Tours through February Find more details and register on our website. Limited space for non-resident students − enrollment request forms due Feb. 14.
Legacy Heritage
Teaching students to be thoughtful in their education, about each other, and for their community.
wishes a happy and healthy new year to all of our partners and fellows in your community
Teacher Institute Project
ACCELERATE
503-262-4847 • www.riverdaleschool.com
Grade School • 11733 SW Breyman Ave., Portland High School • 9727 SW Terwilliger Blvd., Portland JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 5
PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE
O
ctober is National Bullying Prevention Month, and the quote that begins our Women’s Special Section, “A strong woman stands up for herself. A stronger woman stands up for everyone else” got me thinking. We need to support one another
more and stand up if we witness bullying of any kind – to anyone. As bullying has gotten more pervasive in our society – from the political arena to the playground – this behavior is more apparent than ever. And being able to hide behind social media
CINDY SALTZMAN Publisher
(cyberbullying) somehow makes things worse. There are many ideas as to why a person bullies another. Some people are victims of abuse themselves, and use bullying as a way to gain power or control. Others do it because they suffer from low self-esteem, peer pressure or for the attention it creates, even if it’s negative. Or, it comes from a misunderstanding about the other person – whether it be their race or religion. Whatever the reason, experts agree that it almost always stems from some insecurity. Being in the media industry, we know firsthand the power of words. Words do matter. Words have consequences. The rate of U.S. adolescents and young adults dying of suicide has reached its highest level in nearly two decades. Bully victims are between 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims, according to studies by Yale University.
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As the book of Proverbs states, “Hamavet v’hahayyim b’yad halashon – death and life are the hand of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21) We protect our homes, schools, synagogues and communities physically but we also have to protect them from words. We cannot allow people who speak hatefully – and especially those who bully others –to gain the misguided attention they are seeking. To stop these words, sometimes it means standing up in a more public way. The popular phrase “If you see something, say something,” can not only apply to safety issues, but acts of bullying that may escalate, and become violent, if not stopped. Anti-Semitism is a form of bullying, too. And on the world stage, Israel has consistently been bullied,
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JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 7
OCTOBER 2019 Oregon Jewish Life | Tishrei- Cheshvan 5780 • Volume 8/Issue 6
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JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 9
Jewswith
Attitude Teen unites passions for medicine and Israel to save a life weeks of the program.
By Deborah Moon
“I felt very well During a summer
prepared,” says Rivkah
program in Israel,
of joining an EMT and
Portland teenager
ambulance driver on
Rivkah Zigman received
emergency response
a “Life Saved” medallion
calls. “We had been
from United Hatzalah
repeating the same
of Israel after she saved
steps for two weeks
the life of a 60-year-old
seven hours a day. …
Israeli woman.
They (the ambulance
Rivkah, 17, was participating in NCSY Hatzalah Rescue, a month-long summer
Portlander Rivkah Zigman, left, and NCSY summer program participants (in orange shirts) Sam Blech, Benjamin Mendelson and Jaden Jubas receive
crew) told us what to do, but they expected
medallions for saving a life using CPR from United Hatzalah of Israel. Photo
us to know how to do it.
courtesy of NCSY.
They’d give us pointers,
program organized by
but they didn’t baby us.”
NCSY in partnership
On July 16, Rivkah,
with United Hatzalah, a volunteer-based emergency medical
and New Jersey teenager Sam Blech were volunteering as part
services organization in Israel. Hatzalah and Magen David
of their summer program with a United Hatzalah ambulance
Adom are the two major ambulance services in Israel.
crew in Tel Aviv. When their ambulance was dispatched to an
Both of Rivkah’s parents are doctors – Aviva Zigman is a
unresponsive patient in an apartment complex, they arrived
trauma/ER doctor and Andrew Zigman is a pediatric surgeon
to find one of United Hatzalah’s ambucycle (a motorcycle
– and Rivkah plans to follow in their footsteps. So when she
equipped with emergency supplies) responders providing CPR
heard about NCSY Hatzalah Rescue, she decided that would be
compressions to a 60-year-old female. Rivkah immediately
perfect for her second Israel summer program.
applied the AED. After shocking the patient, Rivkah took over
“I wanted to give back as much as I could to the people of Israel,” she says. The NCSY teens spent two weeks training to serve as
compressions while Sam began giving breaths through a BVM device. The two alternated roles for several minutes. “The heart monitor had been flatlined,” says Rivkah. “I was
Emergency Medical Responders and then were assigned in
doing compressions on the third round when I started to
pairs to accompany an ambulance crew for the remaining two
hear beeping. … I took my hands off, and they gave her more
10 OCTOBER 2019 | JEWISH LIFE
“The heart monitor had been flatlined, I was doing compressions … when I started to hear beeping …” – Rivkah Zigman
Doovie describes NCSY Summer Programs as “one of the most meaningful and memorable experiences of a person’s life.” NCSY runs 21 summer programs in the United States, Israel and Europe that cater to teens with different interests and backgrounds. “Rivkah chose NCSY Hatzalah Rescue, to have the opportunity to give back to the Jewish people and Israel, through her passion in the medical field,” says Doovie. Someday Rivkah hopes to live in Israel and have time to volunteer for Hatzalah regularly. That day may come soon. She hopes to attend college at either the University of British Columbia, where her brother, Jonah, is
oxygen.”
studying engineering, or Tel Aviv University. If Rivkah goes to
A paramedic team from Magen David Adom arrived and
school in North America, she plans to start next year, but if she
started IVs and transported the breathing patient with a pulse
gets into Tel Aviv University, she plans to delay college for two
to the hospital.
years while she serves in the Israeli Defense Forces. Whichever
“Once it was over and I looked up, the family came up and hugged me,” says Rivkah. “Being there for the family is a big
route she takes, she intends to go to medical school and then practice in Israel.
part of medicine.” “The day after, we got an email saying she was awake and talking,” adds Rivkah. She was very surprised to receive an award for her actions. “It is amazing you saved a life, but to stand in front of a crowd for it … I felt very proud. Hatzalah gives it to all volunteers for their first life they save with CPR,” says Rivkah. A member of Congregation Neveh Shalom, Rivkah is now a senior at Wilson High School. During her freshman year, she attended a Jewish Student Union lunch at Wilson, where she met Miera Spivak and Doovie Jacoby, who oversee the JSU and Portland NCSY. “I went to one lunch and kept going back,” says Rivkah. “They started talking to me about summer programs.” “Hearing this about Rivkah doesn't surprise me at all,” says Doovie Jacoby Portland NCSY and JSU director. “Rivkah has been involved in NCSY and JSU for the past three years and has shown time and time again how she values life and helping people. After spending last summer on a learning-based and self-building NCSY summer program, it was obvious that this year Rivkah was going to do something great for others.”
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jan.israeljourneys@cox.net 402-319-1514 Iris Ricks Located in Portland, OR
iris.amiel.israel@gmail.com 402-917-5269
israeljourneys.com JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 11
BIZ Kimberly Fuson
INS & OUTS
Rabbi Menachem, Chaya Orenstein, Boruch and Yosef
Kimberly Fuson to Lead Cedar Sinai Park On Aug. 6, long-time Portland resident Kimberly Fuson returned to Oregon to serve as interim executive director for Cedar Sinai Park. Martin Baicker, who has led the organization since October 2017, is stepping down as CEO to pursue other opportunities in the senior health care industry. Kimberly has a long history with CSP. She worked for the organization from 2001 to 2013, ultimately serving as chief operating officer. Since that time, she has worked in senior executive positions in California, Hawaii and Nevada adding experience serving critical access hospitals and continuing care retirement communities to her work in independent and assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, day services and housing. In this interim role Kimberly says she is “excited to focus on knowing each person served and serving, securing results through organizational development based on person-centered servant leadership, generative governance, mutual accountability, responsibility, inspiration, creativity, kindness, motivation, self-reflection, independence, honesty, trust … and commitment to fun.” cedarsinaipark.org
Chabad Center opens in Tigard Rabbi Menachem and Chaya Orenstein recently relocated from Brooklyn, NY, to Tigard to open a new Jewish center as part of the outreach and community-building movement of ChabadLubavitch. The couple have two children, Boruch and Yosef. According to Menachem, the primary goal of leaving behind the easy Jewish lifestyle of Brooklyn was to help Tigard’s Jews find each other. “While exploring the parks and streets of Tigard, Jewish people would come over to me because I’m so visibly Jewish,” says the bearded, tzitzis-toting rabbi. “And what I kept hearing from people was, ‘I thought I was the only Jew in my neighborhood.’ Well, you’d be surprised how many Jewish people live here – and we have so much to share and gain from each other.” Chaya adds, “Our greatest joy, as a couple, is a Shabbat table where people of all backgrounds come together and bond, and are uplifted by our beautiful Jewish traditions. … and our delicious homemade Challah bread … that’s important too!” Tigard Chabad will feature programs including Shabbat dinners, children’s activities and more. 971-329-6661 | Jewishtigard.com
PJA/MJCC Boards and Officers Elected MJCC/PJA Executive Committee: (from left) Danelle Romain, Jason Zidell, Amy Blauer, Steven Klein, Marni Glick; and not pictured: Erik Richmond 12 OCTOBER 2019 | JEWISH LIFE
Danelle Romain, Jason Zidell, Amy Blauer, Steven Klein, Marni Glick Hannah Sherman
The executive officers of the Portland Jewish Academy and Mittleman Jewish Community Boards of Directors for the 201920 year were elected by the boards at the May board meetings. Elected officers are: Steven Klein, president, Jason Zidell, president-elect, Erik Richmond and Danelle Romain, vicepresidents, Marni Glick, treasurer, and Amy Blauer, secretary. “We are fortunate to have such a talented and committed team of officers to lead the school and the Center in the coming year,” said MJCC and PJA Executive Director Steve Albert. In addition to the officers, PJA board members are: Richard Barker, Barry Benson, Joyce Evans, Larry Gloth, Gail Mandel, Carol Richmond, Jonathan Singer, Ahuva Zaslavsky and Jennifer Zeidman. In addition to the officers, MJCC board members are: Richard Barker, Barry Benson, Joyce Evans, Jonathan Glass, Larry Gloth, Gail Mandel, Carol Richmond, Jonathan Singer, Ahuva Zaslavsky and Jennifer Zeidman. pjaproud.org | oregonjcc.org
Portland Hillel gets permanent office Greater Portland Hillel will move into a permanent office space steps from the campus of Portland State University. “The new office space will allow both staff and students to have a Jewish home of their own on PSU’s campus for the first time in their 11-year history,” says PDX Hillel Executive Director Hannah Sherman. “The new office space will be fully functional in time for students to arrive back to campus this Fall, allowing Greater Portland Hillel to further engage with Jewish students on campus and inspire the Jewish future.” 503-867-3646 | pdxhillel.org
Chanel Bourdeau new BB Day Camp & Youth Director B’nai B’rith Camp welcomes Chanel Bourdeau as their new BB Day Camp Portland and Youth Director. Chanel was born and raised in Portland, graduated from
Chanel Bourdeau
Gail Mandel
Oregon State University with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. Chanel first joined the BB Camp community in 2014 and feels lucky to call it her second home. Chanel is proud of her experiences working in various Jewish leadership roles at BB Camp, spanning from Counselor to Unit Head to Counseling Director to Social Inclusion Intern, and including volunteering for BBYO. Chanel has a passion for community enrichment and working with individuals of all abilities, which she attributes to her time spent at BB Camp. Prior to Chanel’s current position, she was the Housing and Employment Specialist at a local nonprofit serving adults with disabilities. She is looking forward to spending her summer at BB Day Camp Portland’s second year, housed at Congregation Beth Israel. bbcamp.org
OJMCHE hires Gail Mandel as Deputy Director Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education has expanded its staffing and expertise with the creation of a new position of Deputy Director and the appointment of Gail Mandel. Prior to joining OJMCHE Gail Mandel worked for the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation for eight years, rising to the position of Director of Philanthropy. “Gail is joining OJMCHE at a pivotal moment in our history. As we continue to grow and expand in the stature of our exhibitions and programs, and in education outreach Gail’s philanthropic capability and museum background will be a great asset. With Gail’s experience at OJCF, she brings a wealth of knowledge about our community and a deep understanding of our mission. We are extremely fortunate to have her expertise,” says Director Judy Margles. Gail holds a M.A. in Art History and Museum Studies from City College, City University of New York and a B.S. in Journalism from Boston University. Her local volunteerism includes serving on the boards of the Mittleman Jewish Community Center and Portland Jewish Academy. ojmche.org JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 13
Pregnancy and exercise DO mix
R
oughly four million women give birth every year, according to the CDC, yet there is still a significant gap in information and resources for women whose bodies are undergoing massive changes. It’s time to empower women and make “uncomfortable” topics about pregnancy mainstream. “As physical therapists and mothers, we have seen and felt the lack of support women receive during pregnancy and postpartum – specifically around exercise,” say Dr. Blair Green and Dr. Kate Mihevc-Edwards, co-authors of the new book Go Ahead, Stop & Pee. “There needs to be better education surrounding exercise for women during pregnancy and postpartum. Our mission is to shine light on what women should expect, how their bodies should feel, and what is normal.” Dr. Green is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with a focus on pre/post-natal health and wellness, the founder/CEO of Catalyst Physical Therapy, and a board-certified orthopedic specialist. We asked her to share some of her views on exercise and pregnancy. Following are her replies. Dr. Kate Mihevc-Edwards and Dr. Blair Green
14 PREGNANCY AND EXERCISE… 17 FINANCIAL LITERACY PIECE 18 Q&A WITH DR. MCCOY 20 RACHEL’S WELL MIKVAH 22 GET YOUR DUDS DELIVERED 14 OCTOBER 2019 | JEWISH LIFE
“Our mission is to shine light on what women should expect, how their bodies should feel, and what is normal.” ~ Dr. Blair Green and Dr. Kate Mihevc-Edwards
JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 15
WOMAN'S SPECIAL SECTION What do you think the biggest misconception women have
What are the top 3 advantages to running while pregnant?
There are many myths about how pregnancy can affect the body.
baby by staying active during pregnancy. I think it’s important
about how pregnancy will affect their body?
I think the greatest misconception is that all women will suffer
from pelvic floor weakness after pregnancy and delivery, resulting
in leaking of urine, otherwise known as stress urinary incontinence. Too often, I hear women complain that they leak, but also
state that it’s a normal consequence of having children. This is simply NOT TRUE. While stress
incontinence may be common, it is never normal and is often curable through physical therapy and exercise.
The research shows there are many advantages to both mom and to note here that running during pregnancy is perfectly safe,
especially if you ran prior to pregnancy. However, I would not recommend starting a running program while pregnant.
Remaining active during pregnancy, including running,
will decrease the risk for preterm birth, caesarean delivery,
preeclampsia, and gestational
diabetes; decrease birth weight
(to a healthy range); it can also
decrease musculoskeletal pain and improve ease of delivery.
As a medical professional, you were
Are there other exercises you
most women, but was there some
non-runners?
certainly better informed than change that surprised you?
For me, the biggest change was probably more mental. Prior to
my first pregnancy, I was able to
exercise every day, or even twice a day. I spent most days in the gym or running outside. Once my son was born, and even more so after
my daughter, I had time and energy constraints that kept me from
maintaining that schedule. I found
that if I could exercise four times a
week, that was more than sufficient. When I first started to transition
to this schedule, it was hard for me
recommend for
YES! From a cardiovascular standpoint, I recommend
continuing whatever activities
feel good and you enjoy – biking,
elliptical, walking, swimming, even water aerobics. Many cities have prenatal exercise programs that
are tailored to expectant moms. It is okay to continue to lift weights and strength train, as long as you do not experience pain, severe cramping, or any unexpected
bleeding. These are all signs of
overexertion. Exercise programs
such as Pilates and yoga are also
safe to continue during pregnancy,
to resolve mentally that it would be enough. I thought for certain
with certain modifications. It is important not to spend too much
fitness. What I found was that while I exercised less, I was more
phenomenon known as supine hypotension. In this situation, the
I would not be able to maintain my weight or level of physical efficient with what I was doing, and actually became in better
shape after kids! It took a long time, though, until my brain was OK with me not going to the gym every day.
time lying on your back after 20 weeks of pregnancy, due to a
weight of the baby can restrict blood flow back to the heart from the abdomen in the mother. It can be avoided by limiting time
spent on your back, so that means some exercises may need to be modified to a seated, or standing position. A physical therapist
should be able to help you modify your exercise appropriately and tailor a program to fit your needs.
For more questions and Dr. Blair Green’s answers on pregnancy
and exercise, visit orjewishlife.com/pregnancyandexercise. 16 OCTOBER 2019 | JEWISH LIFE
WOMAN'S SPECIAL SECTION
T
Women’s Financial Empowerment Workshops
his fall and winter, Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland is presenting a Women’s Financial Literacy Workshop Series focused on three stages of life: adulting, transitions and retirement. All three workshops are designed to increase a participant’s financial literacy in key areas by incorporating Jewish values and providing tactical and practical tools for everyday living, personal goal setting and personal empowerment. Why is financial literacy Important? “While there are signs of improvement, the gender gap in financial and investment literacy remains persistent, and the gaps exist even in the millennial generation,” says Dawn Doebler, CPA, CFP, CDFA. The director of education for Her Wealth at the Colony Group continues, “There is still much work to do to monitor and narrow the gap in the coming years. Because women often have longer life spans and face financial challenges brought about by lower earnings and less time in the workforce, they can no longer afford to remain uneducated, underinvested, or disengaged from their finances. As our power and influence in the world continues to expand, it’s only natural that we’d find it necessary to take more responsibility for the wealth our greater influence is creating for ourselves, our families and for future generations.” The first workshop called “Adulting” was held Sept. 5. In addition to information on what Jewish values say about money, the workshop discussed how to buy a house, establish credit and minimize your student loan. The second workshop, “Transitions,” will be Nov. 3 from
9:30-11:30 am. The focus will be on marriage/family, divorce, inheritance and death/estate planning. On Dec. 8, the series turns to “Retirement.” The 9:30-11:30 am class will explore what you are going to do in retirement and the things you must do before you retire, as well as ethical wills, estate planning and making an impact.
Workshop presenters are Rabbi Barry Cohen, Chaplain, Jewish Federation of Greater Portland; Julie Diamond, CEO and president of Oregon Jewish Community Foundation; Rachel Oh, The Law Office of Rachel Oh, LLC; Kim Rosenberg, Rosenbaum Financial and Marshal Spector, Gevurtz Manashe. Workshops are $18 each. For more information, or to register, visit jewishportland.org/financialliteracy. JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 17
WOMAN'S SPECIAL SECTION
Dr. Robin McCoy
on medicine and motherhood
By Gloria Hammer
My grandfather Harry wasn’t able to fast on Yom Kippur, so he would always take all of the grandkids to Quality Pie during the afternoon services. ~ Dr. Robin McCoy 18 OCTOBER 2019 | JEWISH LIFE
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n 1997 as a family friend, I visited Robin McCoy during her internship and residency at the University of Utah. When I saw Robin in her lab coat, I remember asking her how people reacted to her looking like a kid. When I repeated the question for this interview, she said, “If I had a quarter for every patient who has told me I look too young to be a doctor I would be rich by now. I discovered early, if I was confident and took control of a situation, people would respect me.”
How do you balance marriage, motherhood and career? I am almost 48 and I am still trying to figure this out. This is definitely the hardest struggle. When I first went into medicine, I was very career-oriented and would do anything to get what I thought at the time was the best job. When Steve and I moved back to Portland in 2005, I knew I wanted to work at OHSU. I loved teaching medical students, residents and fellows (and I think I was actually pretty good at it). I also enjoyed the excitement of clinical research and staying on top Tell us about growing up in Portland. of what was going on in medicine. I became heavily involved in autism during my time at OHSU and was lucky to be part Both of my parent’s families are from Portland and we of the Autism Treatment Network. We did clinical research always got together. My immediate family were members of and traveled to Washington, D.C., twice a year for national Congregation Beth Israel, but my dad’s family were members meetings. at Congregation Shaarie Torah. This meant I got to enjoy the When Molly was born, I could balance it at first, but by the best of both. I have fond memories of going to services with time she was in pre-k, I began to realize that I wanted to focus my parents and siblings at Congregation Beth Israel and then more on family. Although my hours at OHSU weren’t horrible walking over to Shaarie Torah in the afternoon; their services as far as medicine goes, my time wasn’t always were longer. We would sneak in the flexible. It meant I could only chaperone door and sit with my grandparents. My a field trip if it happened to fall on a nongrandfather Harry wasn’t able to fast on clinic day. Otherwise, I would have to find Yom Kippur, so he would always take all coverage and always hated to ask for help. of the grandkids to Quality Pie during the In 2011, I left OHSU and started to afternoon services. work at the Children’s Program. What I I have fond memories of attending B’nai love the most about my current job is the B’rith Camp every summer. flexibility. I am able to be more present for my family and be an active volunteer in You graduated cum laude with a everything that Molly does. If I want to bachelor’s in Arts, majoring in Russian volunteer for a field trip, I can change my Studies from the University of Rochester schedule and see patients late one night or in 1993. At what point did you make a 180 on the weekend. This allows me to come degrees switch to medicine? home early one day a week to take her At first, I wanted to major in business, to dance and another day to drive her to then I thought about political science. Thank religious school. God I didn’t like those classes, but I loved I have to admit, I am lucky as Steve is my science and math classes. extremely engaged and we truly co-parent. I didn’t think about becoming a doctor Without him, I don’t think I could make until I was a sophomore. I always knew I this work. I think the hardest struggle is wanted to work with people. I was good at math and science and was in advanced Dr. Robin McCoy with daughter Molly finding time to volunteer and take care of myself. Volunteering for Molly’s activities is classes. Several of my classmates were and husband Steve. easy as this is usually time I can spend with premed, and it wasn’t until I met them that I her. It’s volunteering in the community that makes it hard. I am started to think about medicine as a profession. My junior year, currently in my sixth year as a board member at Congregation I volunteered at a hospital and I fell in love with medicine, and Beth Israel. I also sit on the Screening, Identification and that’s when I applied to medical school. I wasn’t a science major, Assessment workgroup for the Oregon Commission on Autism so between my junior and senior year I went to Portland Statew Spectrum Disorder meetings. I try and make time to run or University to meet the requirements. work out a few times a week. There are still days when the balance is hard; I always wonder Your work centers around children. Can you give some insight if things would be easier if I worked part-time. But I love being into what you do? a doctor, volunteering and spending time with my family. I don’t My training is in developmental and behavioral pediatrics. know what I could give up. Sure, there are times when I think Early in my career, I was drawn toward autism and spent the each part of my life suffers because I’m spending too much time majority of my time in this field. However, over time, I have in the other part, but in the long run, I hope it all balances out. been doing more work in the mental health field. Although I I think it’s important to be a great role model for my daughter am not a child psychiatrist, I have found that in the last several and other girls. It’s important for girls to know that they can do years, I am doing more psychopharmacology for children whatever they want and make it work. and adolescents with mental health difficulties. I still work with individuals who have autism and other developmental disabilities. I also treat ADHD, Tourette’s, anxiety, depression To see the complete Q&A interview with Dr. McCoy, visit and other behavior disorders. orjewishlife.com/drmccoy. JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 19
WOMAN'S SPECIAL SECTION
Rachel’s Well serving all Jews for nearly two years
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achel’s Well Community Mikvah ( Jewish ritual bath) opened in January 2018 in a secluded, natural setting on the Schnitzer Family Campus. Owned by the Jewish Federation of Portland with ritual supervision provided by the Oregon Board of Rabbis, the community mikvah is open to all who self-identify as Jewish. All attendants, or guides, are volunteers.
“Creative use of the mikvah for extra-halachic reasons are increasing exponentially at community mikvah’s like Rachel’s
Well,” says Naomi Malka, who will bring her Bodies of Water program to Portland later this year (see sidebar).
Women come to Rachel’s Well to immerse monthly as part of their traditional observance of the laws of family purity. Parents and
their teens come to mark a bat or bar mitzvah, brides and grooms come before their weddings, mourners and those recuperating from
illness come seeking healing. Some men immerse Friday afternoons as they prepare for Shabbat. Gay male Israeli couples have come to immerse their babies born to Oregon surrogates before returning to Israel.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY BENJAMIN ARIFF
Caron Blau Rothstein, Federation’s lead professional for the mikvah.
Mikvah use in the past year includes: • Nearly 400 immersions
• 190 for monthly family purity immersions
•A pproximately 70 conversions, many of infants born to surrogates
•H alf dozen men are Erev Shabbat regulars (60 immersions/ year)
• 20 people came for healing
• All genders have immersed (men, women, non-binary…)
• 50+ for holidays, other celebrations and non-disclosed reasons Reservations and donations accepted at jewishportland.org/
mikvah.
BODIES OF WATER
“I never thought I would find so much honor in being a mikvah
attendant,” says Sandy Nemer. “There are so many reasons why
the mikvah benefits us and these reasons are not so known. There are obvious halachic reasons and there are reasons that simply
help us to re-connect, re-charge, re-set our lives. It is one of many
beautiful gifts that Judaism offers. … The benefits of being able to have a spiritual ritual or renewal are immeasurable. The mikvah is such a blessing and such a gift. It can help put our everyday,
hectic, insane, fast, chaotic lives back into perspective even if it’s for a moment. It can also keep us to our mitzvahs. I have seen
women come in for healing and for celebration and come out of
the waters anew, ready to start fresh. I am honored to be a part of such values.”
This fall, Federation will launch a fundraising effort to support
ensuring Rachel’s Well is welcoming, inclusive and accessible to all Jews and those becoming Jewish, no matter what.
“Our stats far exceed any year the (former community) Goose
Hollow Mikvah was open, certainly in recent years but quite
possibly ever as the contemporary immersion movement has
grown and parallel, the traditionally observant community,” says
Naomi Malka, mikvah director of Adas Israel Community Mikvah, will bring her Bodies of Water program to Portland this December. Mikvah, Mindful Eating, Yoga/Meditation presents three ways to support/nurture positive body image in girls/women through a Jewish/mindful lens. “Bodies of Water is an award-winning program that introduces you to mikvah as a path to body positivity from a Jewish perspective,” says Naomi. “Framed along with other healthy practices like mindful eating and Jewish yoga, this experience is a very special way to explore how mikvah is relevant in modern Jewish life. We will watch a demonstration immersion by someone in their bathing suit, explore different ceremonies for mikvah use, learn simple ways to bless our food and eat mindfully, and get a taste of Jewish yoga.” Naomi developed the program “because I wanted to frame mikvah as a tool for positive body image and also put it into a context of healthy practice people already know about. Mindful eating and yoga are concepts people already speak about.” She adds that mikvah contributes to a positive body image because it emphasizes the holiness of the body. “Mikvah is the only ritual where the body itself is the ritual. Your body is the ritual and putting our bodies in that context give girls a new light.” WORKSHOPS: Dec. 15, 1-4 pm for female-identifying middle schoolers and parent(s)/special friend Dec. 17, 6-9 pm for female-identifying high school students QUESTIONS? Contact Caron Blau Rothstein, caron@jewishportland.org or 503-245-6449 Registration will be available late October at jewishportland.org/mikvah
JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 21
WOMAN'S SPECIAL SECTION
Get your duds delivered! SUBSCRIPTION CLOTHING BOXES ARE ALL THE RAGE
By Mala Blomquist Do you hate to go clothes shopping? Did you know that you can have clothing and accessories delivered to your door each month that have been custom picked for you by a stylist? It’s true! Today you can get monthly subscription boxes filled with makeup, books, food, pet products and more, and clothing is a big part of that growing market. Interested? Perhaps you’ll give one of these subscriptions a try. Le Tote offers designerquality clothing and accessories from athleisure to professional styles for rent. Plans include one or two totes per month. Each tote contains three garments and two accessories. Wear them as often as you want and at the end of the month, return the pieces with the USPS prepaid shipping label. If you can’t part with one of the items, you can purchase it at up to 50% off. letote.com Cost: Subscriptions start at $79 per month. StitchFix is a personal styling service. You begin by filling out a style profile where you set the price range that fits your budget. Styles for kids, men and women, with plus, petite and maternity sizes available. For each shipment, you pay a $20 styling fee, which is credited toward anything you keep. Each month, buy what you like and send back the rest. Shipping and returns are free. stitchfix.com 22 OCTOBER 2019 | JEWISH LIFE
Luxe Catch is a surprise box service with apparel based on your style questionnaire and their monthly themes. You can choose from the Bargain Box for $50 per month with one or more items valued up to $200, or the Posh Box for $250 monthly that includes three or more items with a combined retail price up to $1,000. luxecatch.com Cost: Starting at $50 per month.
WOMAN'S SPECIAL SECTION With Golden Tote, new totes go on sale the first Monday of every month, and if you like surprises, this is the service for you. The mini tote contains two clothing items, one you choose and one surprise. The Golden Tot contains five clothing items – two you choose and three surprises. The Surprise Tote contains three clothing items that are all a surprise. Items you want to keep are available for purchase at more than 50% off. Cost: Subscriptions start at $59 per month with $9.95 flat rate.
Fabletics, co-founded by Kate Hudson offers athletic wear including leggings, shorts, yoga pants, sports bras, outfits and more. The monthly subscription gives you the option to “shop” or “skip” your shipment of workout looks based on your style and exercise preference. New VIP members can get two leggings for $24. fabletics.com Cost: Subscription is $49.95 with free shipping on orders of $49.95 or more. Trunk Club is Nordstrom’s personal styling service. Start by taking a style quiz where you will be paired with an expert stylist. The stylist will select apparel and accessories based on your preferences, and you will receive a preview email to review before the items are shipped to you. Keep what you love, return what you don’t with free shipping. trunkclub.com Cost: $ 25 styling fee is applied towards items you choose to keep (fee is waived if you use a Nordstrom credit card). ThredUp is “the world’s largest online thrift store,” where you can purchase new and secondhand clothing and accessories. You also can order Goody Boxes that give you the option of shopping the site or having a stylist pick out 10 unique items from $20 per piece. Your nonrefundable $10 deposit will then be applied to what you keep. Just return unwanted items within seven days with the included prepaid shipping label. They also offer a Clean Out service where you can fill their bag with highquality clothing, handbags, shoes and accessories. They will inspect, photograph, list and ship your items for you and you will earn cash or credit for accepted items. Unaccepted items are sent back to you (for a small fee) or responsibly recycled. thredup.com Cost: $10 deposit for Goody Boxes (will be applied to kept items); no subscription necessary. JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 23
COVER STORY
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ward-winning journalist Irin Carmon, 36, says her earliest feminist memory is going to her school library wanting to read biographies of women. She found only two for young readers: one on Mary Todd Lincoln and the other on Julia Ward Howe. “Where are the rest of them?” Irin wondered. “We ended up writing one,” says Irin of the young readers’ version of Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which she co-authored with Shana Knizhnik, the creator of the Notorious RBG Tumblr page. When Irin speaks to Jewish groups (as she will in Portland in November), the Israeli-born writer generally focuses on Justice Ginsburg’s ongoing work on the Supreme Court and how her Jewish heritage contributed to her legendary status as “the Notorious RBG.” Irin discussed how she came to co-author the book during a telephone interview this summer. She initially requested an interview with Justice Ginsburg in the summer of 2014. At the time, Irin was a staff reporter at MSNBC focusing on women’s rights. “As a journalist, I had been focused on issues RBG worked on her entire career – women’s rights and
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its intersection with the law – and she was becoming more vocal,” says Irin. Irin was told the justice was busy, but that she might try again later because Justice Ginsburg would occasionally grant interviews during the Supreme Court’s winter recess. In November, a former colleague suggested to Irin that she might be a good fit to write Notorious RBG with Shana, the New York University law student who in 2013 created the Notorious RBG Tumblr to highlight Ginsburg’s dissent in the landmark Supreme Court case that gutted the Voting Rights Act. “I signed on to do the project and re-sent my interview request for MSNBC and the book,” says Irin. Though Justice Ginsburg had promised exclusivity to her official biographers, “she did speak to me in my journalistic capacity, which I could then use for the book.” After Notorious RBG was published in October 2015, it spent three months on the New York Times bestseller list, with the NYT describing Irin as someone “known for her smarts and feminist bona fides.” Though the co-authors tried to make the original book accessible to all audiences, they released a young readers’ edition for ages 8-12 two years later. Perhaps it was because Irin knew there was a dearth of such books available. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTHONY QUINTANO
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I R I N C A R M O N : T H E FAC E O F F E M I N I S M T O DAY
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1. Fellow author and collaborator, Shana Knizhnik. 2. The book; Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
3. Carmon at one of the many book signing events.
4. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg signs the ketubah at the September 2017 wedding of Irin Carmon and Ari Richter, at which she was the officiant. PHOTO BY CHAZ CRUZ
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6. Irin Carmon interviews Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for MSNBC in February 2015.
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“There is a reason we dedicated this book to the women on whose shoulders we stand – women like her who paved the way for younger women like Shana and me. This book is a recognition of how much is possible because of the work they did.” ~Irin Carmon
“It’s exciting to be able to add to that bookshelf,” she says. “But it’s really important to Justice Ginsburg herself for young people to see the Supreme Court is not just for one kind of person – that they be able to imagine themselves, especially young women, on the Supreme Court. She wants to be a role model for girls growing up.” Irin herself could be considered a role model for those same girls. She graduated from Harvard magna cum laude in literature. In 2011, she was one of Forbes 30 under 30 in media. Before joining MSNBC and NBC News, she wrote for Salon and Jezebel, a blog with the tagline “Celebrity, Sex, Fashion for Women. Without Airbrushing.” As a Jezebel staff writer, Irin wrote a 2010 post calling “The Daily Show” a “boys’ club where women’s contributions are often ignored and dismissed.” Initially, the post drew heat from both “Daily Show” fans and staff. But more women joined the show over the next couple years; at the time Irin said she did not know if her article contributed to the change. But in 2017 she learned she had. “I was happy to see Jon Stewart recently credit the piece for opening his eyes to structural issues,” says Irin of Stewart’s comments to Mashable in November 2017. In that article, Stewart said his first instinct on seeing the Jezebel article was to be defensive. “My first response was like ... ‘No no no no, I’m an O.G. feminist, man! I was raised by a single mother in the ‘70s,’” he told Mashable. “She had a shirt that said ‘A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.’ “ He said he went back to the writers’ room to rail about the article and realized, looking around the room, that it was right. Stewart thought his show was ahead of the game because it took blind submissions, but the submissions came from agents – who tended to be biased toward white men from Ivy League schools. “To change that system takes actual effort,” Stewart said in the article. Once he got past his defensiveness to examine the criticism, he said he tried to do better. In 2017-18, Irin teamed up with Washington Post coworker Amy Brittain to break the news of sexual harassment and assault allegations against Charlie Rose and CBS’ knowledge of those allegations. Their story won a 2018 Mirror Award for excellence in media industry reporting. Now a senior correspondent for New York Magazine and a CNN contributor, she reports on gender, the #MeToo movement, politics and the law, including the Supreme Court. Her interest in law comes naturally. When she was 2, her parents moved from Tel Aviv to the states to earn their master’s degrees at St. Johns University after earning law degrees from Tel Aviv University. Originally planned as a temporary move, her parents went on to focus their legal work on U.S.-Israel issues. Her mom, Rakeffet Carmon, works with Israelis in the United States. Her dad, Haggai Carmon, works with the U.S. government and other clients in Israel. Her father is also the author of five intelligence thrillers featuring fictional former Mossad agent Dan Gordon, who now works for the U.S. government. Irin grew up on Long Island but spent the summers in Israel. Her parents now live half the year in the United States and half the year in Israel. Irin visits Israel about every year and a half to see her grandfather, brother, aunts and uncles. In a 2010 article for Jezebel, Irin wrote, “I should disclose my bias
JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 27
I R I N C A R M O N : T H E FAC E O F F E M I N I S M T O DAY
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1. Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik speak at the Skirball Cultural Center when the center debuted the exhibit adapted from their book Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 2.Opening exhibition at Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.
3. Irin Carmon talks with Samantha Bee at a June 2018 New York Historical Society event. The Emmy-winning journalist and comedian Samantha Bee joined author and journalist Irin Carmon to discuss women, politics and the media today.
6 6. For the exhibition, Irin and her husband, Ari Richter, collaborated on RGBTatoo ll. Ari is an associate professor of art at LaGuardia Community College in The City University of New York.
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4. Irin Carmon talks with MSNBC’s Joy Reid at a New York Historical Society event.
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as an Israeli-born Jew, whose European grandparents and greatgrandparents were among the few in their families to survive Nazi genocide because they were Zionists in what was then known as Palestine.” She frequently speaks across the country to a variety of groups including Jewish federations, campus Hillels and women’s groups. Earlier this year she addressed state policy officials at a conference in Phoenix, AZ. Irin says most of the groups she speaks to, which tend toward progressive, are interested in reproductive rights and the direction the nation is taking. “People are alarmed about the direction of the country in general,” she says. “In the last year or so, the anxiety about reproductive rights has gone into overdrive. It’s no surprise given the composition of the Supreme Court right now and given the hostility coming out of the federal government, particularly the presidency.” The stance of recently appointed justices seems in stark contrast to Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s statement on the subject at her confirmation hearing: “The decision whether or not to bear a child is central to a woman’s life, to her well-being and dignity. It is a decision she must make for herself. When government controls that decision for her, she is being treated as less than a fully adult human responsible for her own choices.” Last year a museum exhibit adapted from the book Notorious RBG opened at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. For the exhibition, Irin was able to collaborate with her husband, Ari Richter. Ari is an associate professor of art at LaGuardia Community College in The City University of New York. He earned a BFA in drawing and painting from Florida State University and an MFA in studio art from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His contributions to the RBG exhibition are just one of several exhibits he has contributed to throughout the nation in recent years. Ari’s “RBG Tattoo II” and other works are part of the exhibit also named “Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.” This fall the exhibit will be in Philadelphia Oct. 3-Jan. 12, 2020, before moving to Chicago Feb. 9-Aug. 16, 2020. Irin and Shana spoke at the opening in Los Angeles and are expected to participate in events at other venues of the traveling exhibit’s national tour through 2022. “I am honored to be somebody who is part of telling her (RBG’s) story,” says Irin. Irin readily acknowledges her accomplishments have been made easier by the work of early feminists such as RBG. “There is a reason we dedicated this book to the women on whose shoulders we stand – women like her who paved the way for younger women like Shana and me,” says Irin. “This book is a recognition of how much is possible because of the work they did.”
JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 29
FRONT & CENTER 1. Morrie Jackson in his carving studio. 2. Untitled #5, painted walnut 3. Morrie carved this stand from black walnut for a shofar he bought from Israel as a birthday gift. 4. Untitled #2, sealed maple
Celebration of Art By Deborah Moon
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wo years ago, Morrie Jackson’s wife Gerry went to ORA’s annual Celebration of Art at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center and told Morrie he should exhibit his work. Last year, Morrie took a few of his wood carvings and was very gratified by the comments from people about his art. He also joined ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists and now serves on the board. With more awareness of his art, he was hired to carve a commission, which has absorbed much of his attention this summer. This fall, the 79-year-old plans to display a larger collection of recent carvings at the annual art celebration (see box). Morrie spent his working life as a draftsman – initially designing homes for a builder in Beaverton and later designing various elements of industrial buildings. But drafting didn’t quite satisfy his artistic cravings, and he pursued art as a hobby throughout his life. “Art is part of my soul, something I have to do,” says Morrie. “It completes me.” With more time on his hands, a few years ago Morrie enrolled
in sculpture class at the Pacific Northwest College of Art. He still enjoys working with clay and glass casting, but much of his focus has been on wood for the past two years. “Wood kind of guides you with the grains and other things,” he says. “I follow the flow of the wood and usually it becomes very visible what it should be.” He generally leaves his pieces untitled, “so the viewer can interpret what they see.” But sometimes the shape that emerges from the wood is so obvious or suggests a meaning of life, that he will give the piece a name. A lifelong Portlander and member of Congregation Beth Israel, Morrie has a lot of friends in town whom he hopes will come to see his work at the J. He’s also looking forward to meeting new admirers of his art, too.
ORA’s 14th Annual Celebration of Art WHEN 7-9 pm, Saturday, Nov. 2 10 am-4 pm, Sunday, Nov. 3
WHERE Ballroom, Mittleman Jewish Community Center 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland SATURDAY Join us for a Free fun and exciting evening with ORA’s talented artists. Be the first to preview and purchase the artists’ new and affordable art, including photography, fabric, fused glass, jewelry, paintings, pencil drawings, pottery, wood, sculpture, quilts and more. Refreshments will be available. SUNDAY You won’t want to miss the 14th Annual art exhibit and sale in the MJCC Ballroom (admission is free). Hosted by ORA Northwest Jewish Artists, the only arts organization devoted to promoting art created by Jewish artists in Oregon and Washington. Perfect for Hanukkah and hostess gift needs. SPONSOR MJCC, Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, and ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists CONTACT: northwestjewishartists.org choosearttoday@gmail.com 503-244-0111
OCTOBER 3, 2019 – JANUARY 26, 2020 45th Parallel Universe Oct 22 7pm | Oct 23 7pm Featuring chamber music from Bernstein’s early years
Bravo Youth Orchestra Concert Nov 10 2pm | Featuring music by Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, and George Gershwin
A Talk with Jamie Bernstein Nov 11 7pm | Jamie Bernstein will speak about her memoir Famous Father Girl
724 NW Davis St., Portland, OR 97209 | 503-226-3600 | www.ojmche.org JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 31
Beetroot owner and Executive Chef Sonya Sanford welcomes patrons from behind the deli counter. PHOTO BY DEBORAH MOON
Portland gains modern Jewish deli with Beetroot By Deborah Moon
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modern Jewish deli and specialty food store opened in Northwest Portland Aug. 21. Beetroot Market & Deli owner and Executive Chef Sonya Sanford describes the deli as “a warm, nourishing and safe space for all people – while sharing our Jewish heritage through food.” Sonya and her Chef de Cuisine Risa Lichtman share the traditional Ashkenazi favorites they both grew up with as well as the Israeli cuisine they each grew to love while each lived in the Jewish state. They also incorporate seasonal, organic produce, locally sourced as much as possible. The menu features pastrami and lox, artisan boiled bagels and rye bread, and Israeli-style chicken schnitzel sandwiches and za’atar roasted vegetables. “We are sourcing bread from different artisan bakeries,” says Sonya. The bagels are from Puddletown Bagels. Sonya, who fell in love with Portland as a student at Reed College, considers Portland the perfect place to bring
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BEETROOT MARKET & DELI 1639 NW GLISAN ST. PORTLAND, OR 97209 503-227-2154 beetrootmarketanddeli.com
her dream of a modern Jewish deli to fruition. “Portland is a place that cares about food and ingredients,” says Sonya. “I feel the Jewish community is growing … (and) there is room for more Jewish food in Portland. It is an embarrassment of riches.” Sonya says she chose the name Beetroot for multiple reasons, but primarily because, “I think of beets as the vegetable of ‘my people,’ which involves its link to borscht. I learned to make borscht from my grandmother, and it one of my favorite things to make and serve, and also one of the first things I really learned to master as a cook.” Sonya was the first member of her family born in the United States after her parents moved from what is now the former Soviet Union. “That definitely influenced my cooking,” she says. She added Israeli cuisine to her experience when the family moved to Jerusalem when she was 10 while her mother earned her Ph.D. Risa also spent time in Israel. Her father survived the
Holocaust in France as an infant. “We have a strong Ashkenazi background along with other Jewish cuisine influences,” says Sonya. The market portion of the business will feature all the foods used in the deli as well as packaged specialty foods. Sonya describes the market portion as a work in progress; on opening day only a couple of stands held packaged products, but she plans to expand as she finds suppliers for foods she wants to share with her customers. Though the deli is not certified kosher, some of the packaged items are kosher. Deli foods are kosher-style with lots of vegetarian and vegan options. The deli is closed on Shabbat, but will provide catering for Kiddush and simchas on Saturdays. The deli website includes a form to request catering information. The two Jewish women also want to ensure their business is inclusive and rooted in social justice. Sonya uses inclusive hiring practices and offers a living wage – not because it’s easy, but because she believes in the importance of balancing business with ethics.
Above: Borscht is one of Chef Sonya Sanford’s favorite things to make and serve. PHOTO BY JAMIE THROWER
Left: Bagel with housemade Gravlax, schmear and fresh veggies. PHOTO BY SONYA SANFORD
JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 33
ACTIVELY SENIOR
Three of Mark’s relatives (Molly, Phil and Irene) who worked for Al Capone in the 1930s attended Mark’s bar mitzvah in 1961 (at right). Mark’s grandfather Philip Lewin with Mark’s mom Shirlie; and from left, Shirlie (mom), Malvena “Molly” Mandel (great grandmother), Mark and Irene Lewin (grandmother).
Mark Padgett shares a passion for sports and politics By Deborah Moon
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34 OCTOBER 2019 | JEWISH LIFE
At age 11, Mark Padgett was paid $1 each Sunday to help his grandfather track scores for the mafia’s sports betting operation in Chicago. He parlayed that early interest in sports into his 25year avocation as a basketball referee in Tigard. Now 70, Mark lives on the Cedar Sinai Park campus in Rose Schnitzer Manor, which he calls a great place to live with kosher food and fun activities (including the occasional trivia night he hosts). He’s known on campus for the daily joke he shares with all who have a moment for a smile. Many of the jokes are from one of his grandsons. Mark’s three children Mindy, Jennifer and Joshua all live in the Portland/Salem area. Mark says he developed his affinity for humor while attending a rough junior high. “I learned to tell jokes (because) it kept the tough guys from pommeling me,” says Mark. But humor wasn’t the only thing he learned growing up in Chicago. As long as he can remember, he knew some of his family was involved with the mob. When Mark was 8, the family moved from Chicago’s Southside to Chicago Heights, which he says was a mob-run neighborhood. “I’d visit a friend and the family would be planning a heist,” says Mark, noting they didn’t stop talking when he arrived. “They trusted me because most had known my grandfather.” His grandfather Phil Lewin (originally Lewinsky) was a dealer in mafia-run card games in Chicago. (He ended his career as a dealer in Las Vegas after he and Irene divorced). Phil also used to do betting cards listening to the radio in Mark’s family’s home
Sitting at his computer in his apartment at Rose Schnitzer Manor, Mark Padgett sports an Al Capone t-shirt his son gave him.
every Sunday. Mark helped track the sports scores and Phil paid him a dollar from the winnings, which Mark says may have made him “the youngest person to have a paying job for the mafia. … Sports betting was run by the mafia in Chicago.” His great-grandmother Molly had run a brothel for Al Capone and his grandmother Irene had worked there before retiring to open a photography studio. Having heard the stories all his life, Mark says he was shocked when he understood what a brothel implied when he was about 14.
Mark had skipped a few “half grades” growing up, so he started college at age 16. He studied political science at North Illinois University until his parents Shirlie and Yehudi “Jules” Gershon divorced during his second year. His mom soon married William Keith Padgett, who adopted Mark. In the late ’60s, Mark used his passion for sports while working in radio as the news and sports director for a small radio station in Aurora, IL. Then in 1971 he followed his parents to Portland and worked for his adoptive dad, Keith. Over the next decades he worked primarily in retail but sports and politics were his passion. “My avocation was basketball; I refereed basketball for 25 years,” he says, noting he reffed high school and adults and kids rec leagues in the Portland area. For several years he chaired the Tigard rec program and trained new referees. He also spent decades involved in politics. He volunteered for anti-war candidate Eugene McCarthy in the 1968 presidential election. In Oregon, he chaired the Washington County Democratic Party for four years. He has thank you letters for helping on political campaigns from President Jimmy Carter and Rep. Les AuCoin (DOR). Those letters now hang on the walls of his apartment at Rose Schnitzer Manor. He first moved to the Robison Home on the CSP campus after heart surgery and moved to the Manor four years ago.
Great Social Activities. Interesting Residents. Options Galore.
Just a few of the reasons people choose Cedar Sinai Park!
a few
Just of the reasons people choose Cedar SinaiCare Park! Assisted Living | Post-Hospital Rehab | Long-Term Care | Adult Day Services | In-Home | and More Call 503-535-4000 for a tour and see what residents love about Rose Schnitzer Manor. Founded in 1920 on core Jewish values. Living them out each and every day.
JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 35
JKIDS & TEENS
SPECIAL SECTION
Bat mitzvah bravery: How Western Wall sisterhood can transform your big day
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or many young women, preparing for one’s bat mitzvah ceremony can be daunting: learning the intricate trope to confidently chant the Torah portion, bracing oneself to deliver a speech before the congregation, considering the weight of becoming an adult in the Jewish tradition. But for Olivia, who traveled from Florida to Jerusalem to mark her milestone moment, uncertainty hung in the balance, beyond the typical pre-event jitters: Would Olivia have a Torah to chant from at her bat mitzvah? Olivia Schottenstein is among the women of all ages who have chosen to mark their b’not mitzvah with Women of the Wall, an Israeli organization advocating for equal rights for women at the Western Wall (the Kotel) and beyond. Comprised of women from a variety of Jewish denominations (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, etc.), the group prays at the Western Wall on Rosh Hodesh (first day of each Hebrew month). Over 31 years of resilience, WOW has withstood numerous arrests and detainments, as well as violence from worshippers who protest the group’s presence at the Kotel. WOW has succeeded in normalizing the image of a woman wearing ritual items such as tallit (prayer shawl) and tefillin (phylacteries), yet the battle for women’s access to Torah still remains. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation, the authoritative body over the national public site, subjects WOW to degrading “security” checks, searching for a hidden Torah scroll, as none are permitted entry to the Kotel’s women’s section. With determination and stealth, WOW has successfully smuggled in Torah scrolls to use in their service. Thankfully, Olivia’s bat mitzvah was one of these triumphant highs. A bat mitzvah with WOW is an event whose resonance reaches beyond the immediate circle of celebrants, spreading a message of equal opportunity. For instance, only 5% of Israeli girls celebrate a bat mitzvah with any religious content. Only Women of the Wall has established a meaningful framework for
Olivia Schottenstein’s bat mitzvah service with WOW, from Rosh Hodesh Tamuz 2018. PHOTO COURTESY HILA SHILONI ROSNER
celebrating this milestone on Rosh Hodesh on the women’s side of the Kotel. Each bat mitzvah who joins WOW on her special day declares that Torah is not only her birthright, but that of every Jewish woman. WOW Board Member Rachel Cohen-Yeshurun grew up in ultra-Orthodox Beis Yaakov schools and only later in life gravitated toward Jewish feminism. Nowadays, Rachel is a regular leyner (Torah-reader) at Women of the Wall’s services at the Kotel. She especially enjoys sharing her skills with other women and girls. “Our bat mitzvah girls often need to bravely ignore the demonstrators who come to disrupt... But when I see a woman confidently chanting Torah at the Kotel, I am filled with hope that one day there will be an Aron Kodesh, an ark filled with Torah scrolls in the women’s section of the Kotel.” Courageously, Olivia chanted every note on her bat mitzvah. She recited the traditional blessings of gratitude for the Torah, for being given a part in its living legacy, and the words took on extra significance. “Each woman we empower by chanting Torah is one more soldier in the struggle for women’s equality at this holy site,” says Cohen-Yeshurun. For information on marking your bat mitzvah with Women of the Wall, please visit WOW’s site: womenofthewall.org.il/batmitzvah/ or contact Education@womenofthewall.org.il.
JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 37
SPECIAL SECTION
Bar & Bat Mitzvah
B’nai Tzedek Teen Charitable Giving Funds
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regon Jewish Community Foundation has created a new program designed to instill the tradition of giving at a formative time in a young person’s life. B’nai Tzedek Teen Charitable Giving Funds encourage teens to become involved in tzedakah by establishing an OJCF fund for Jewish charitable giving at the time of their bar or bat mitzvah. Opening a B’nai Tzedek fund gives bar and bat mitzvah youth a chance to play a part in improving their community and the world. These funds are a perfect complement to the bar and bat mitzvah vision of our youth becoming engaged and caring members of our Jewish community for life. “OJCF is excited to expand support of our community teens with these new funds, and to celebrate the work of our synagogues, as well,” said Julie Diamond, OJCF president and CEO. “These youth funds can create an experience of giving that will last a lifetime, and inspire teens after their bar and bat mitzvahs to participate in Jewish life and community.” OJCF is joining many other community foundations that offer these funds such as Kansas City, Memphis and Phoenix. The foundation will collaborate with synagogues around the state to promote the program to their b’nai mitzvah students. Youth can invite friends and family members to make contributions for all sorts of mitzvahs, from bar and bat mitzvah to graduation and for other accomplishments. The family can include the fund on the bar and bat mitzvah invitation sharing the opportunity to give in honor of the teen’s bar or bat mitzvah. Participants must complete a Youth Fund Enrollment Form, which will be available on the OJCF website in October. To learn more about the program, visit ojcf.org or call OJCF Collaborative Giving Program Coordinator Sonia Marie Leikam at 503-248-9328.
38 OCTOBER 2019 | JEWISH LIFE
PROGRAM OVERVIEW: Youth of a minimum 12 years of age and/or family contributes $250; program sponsor contributes $250 match. Youth makes grants annually up to 10% of the fund per year to Jewish organizations located in Oregon and SW Washington, or to Jewish communities where they live during or after college. The fund exists up to age of 25; at that time, the fund holder could convert to a Donor Advised Fund, which has a minimum $1,800 or $5,000 requirement for granting privileges; participants without the required minimum can discuss other options with OJCF. If fund has been inactive for five years, OJCF will close the fund and add the balance to B’nai Tzedek Sponsor Fund for future support of Youth Funds. Grants will be made once a year – OJCF sends youth a reminder that will include a list of Jewish nonprofits for their consideration. OJCF will offer teens and parents opportunities for philanthropy discussions, values explorations and more.
JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 39
SPECIAL SECTION
Bar & Bat Mitzvah
Include marshmallows at your mitzvah By Mala Blomquist
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ost of us were introduced to marshmallows around a campfire when someone handed us a decadent treat with the fluffy white confection sandwiched between golden graham crackers with melted chocolate oozing out – behold the s’more. Today, gourmet marshmallows are popping up as party favors and at candy stations at bar and bat mitzvahs across the country. The treats are handmade and come in a variety of flavors and colors. But have you ever thought of where these puffed confections originated? The original mallow plant that grew in marshes (marsh mallow) was used for medicinal purposes in ancient Greece to cure everything from sore throats to upset stomachs. The ancient Egyptians were the first to create a confection from the plant’s roots more than 2,000 years ago. They would combine the sap of the marshmallow plant with nuts and honey. This treat was reserved for pharaohs and gods. In the 1800s, French candy makers were the first to make the treat that we are familiar with today. They combined the marshmallow sap with egg whites and sugar and whipped the sweet treat by hand. The French also were the first ones to use corn starch molds to form the marshmallows so they could be made faster. In 1927, the Girl Scouts Handbook came out with a recipe for “Some More.” It instructed readers to “toast two marshmallows over the coals to a crisp, gooey state and then put them inside a graham cracker and chocolate bar sandwich.” The name was soon shortened, and s’mores have been an American campfire tradition ever since. Then in 1948, according to campfiremarshmallows. com, Alex Doumak (son of the founder of Doumak, Inc., the makers of Campfire Marshmallows) patented the marshmallow extrusion process, revolutionizing marshmallow production by making it fast and efficient. In extrusion, the marshmallow mixture is pressed through tubes, then cut into equal pieces, cooled and packaged. This new process allowed enough marshmallows to be produced that they became an everyday sweet treat and staple for favorite family recipes. A search of marshmallows on Pinterest leads you to hundreds of photos of multi-colored and flavored squares of the confection. Squish Marshmallows (squishmarshmallows.com) out of New York City offers a variety of flavors like birthday party and peanut butter and jelly time in addition to the classic s’mores. They ship their marshmallows across the United States, and they are certified kosher under United Kosher Supervision, Inc. So, if you’re thinking about adding a sweet party favor or dessert to your bar/bat mitzvah festivities, visit the many options available today – you’ll find it’s not your bubbe’s marshmallow anymore.
ask helen Dear Helen I help writing a speech. I am an adult woman (45 in November) who decided to fulfill her lifelong dream of being b’nai mitzvah. Long family drama short: my father died before my 13th birthday and my grandparents and mother were in such shock that the whole celebration was cancelled as inappropriate. In college and after I drifted from Judaism, though I did stand under a chuppah as I married a nice Jewish man. Our twins were bar mitzvah four years ago and now it is my turn. But I am not a scholar. How can I interpret Torah? Can you help me with what to say if I send you my Torah portion info? My Turn At Last Dear My Turn: Here’s the best news: a 45-year-old woman has lots of well-earned wisdom to share. I’m only an occasional speechwriter, so if you were hoping for a finished product you will be disappointed. But here’s how to succeed: For this and many other aspects of life I suggest a journal process. Sit some place you are not likely to be interrupted. Look up the Torah portion (easy online) and print it out. Then take a couple deep breaths and read the passage aloud slowly. Take note of anything that jogs your mind or heart: words, phrases, images, metaphors, whatever fodder your inner voice lobs to you. Write down any and all ideas right then before they flee. I strongly suggest doing this even before you finish reading this email.
Writing a b’nai mitzvah speech at any age
Then do some research. Go to your synagogue library and look up commentaries or put your parshah into a search engine and see what comes up. Browse at least a dozen sites. Make sure you look at Jewish ones. (Phrases like “the blood of the chosen one” are a good clue, LOL). Thousands of years of scholars will offer you zillions of insights. Think about how the passage relates to you and to your community, both local and global. For example, your parshah may talk about an idea like “sacrifice.” You don’t have to talk about Biblical actions literally. Instead make it relevant and personal. Think about sacrifices you’ve made and make. Your reasons may range from generosity to codependence, but look deeply at family, friends, health, money, community service, etc. Consider when and how you have sacrificed for yourself or others. Ditto when others have sacrificed for you. What did it feel like, on both sides? What did you gain and learn, materially and emotionally? Would you or they sacrifice that way again again? Why or why not? Think about related words like gratitude and sharing, and loss, less, none. Then go bigger: how do these ideas play out everywhere from politics to socio-economicenvironmental justice, or in everything from union strikes to Middle East peace. You don’t have to solve these problems, but look at what comes up and how it makes you feel, from guilty to empowered. See your talk as
illuminating the relationship between Torah’s words and your very real life. A speech only needs a couple good stories, well told, to inspire listeners to examine their own lives. Even at 45, your Torah talk is part of a public ceremony of transition and initiation. Exploring the links between your smaller world and the bigger one we share is not about becoming a Torah scholar. It’s about bringing the ancient words to life, and making them relevant for those who will come to honor you. I promise you will inspire others to think about Torah more deeply even if you don’t cite a single rabbi. If you speak from your heart you’ll never go wrong, Congratulations and good luck. YourJewishFairyGodmother.com: What does she do? What do you need? Motivation, Inspiration, Support, Problemsolving. A resident of Eugene since 1981, Helen Rosenau is a member of Temple Beth Israel. She’s a student of Torah and an artist (kabbalahglass.com), a writer (yourjewishfairygodmother.com) and the author of The Messy Joys of Being Human: A Guide to Risking Change and Becoming Happier.
CELEBRATE Your Bar / Bat Mitzvah
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Contact Anna Wallace to arrange a site tour today! (503) 650-7810 • awallace@oregongc.com www.oregongolfclub.com
JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 41
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Wexner Heritage Program returns to Portland After nearly a generation, the Wexner Heritage Program makes its return to Portland with nominations now open for the 2020 Portland cohort. As part of its 2020 Centennial Celebration, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland is looking towards securing the future of Jewish life in Portland, partnering with the Wexner Foundation and local donors to bring Wexner back to Portland. Heritage alumnus Mark Rosenbaum shares that “the WHF experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself in the development of Jewish thought, culture and detailed historical experience. The relationships you form, the opportunity to learn with a diverse group of peers with the finest instructors in the country is unparalleled.� Alum Hank Kaplan's reflects that “if all of Judaism were in a single book, the Wexner program...provides exposure to the full table of contents...It prepares Jews to be better leaders and prepares leaders to be better Jews." Wexner Heritage was established in 1985 when Leslie H. Wexner, Founder and CEO of LBrands, realized he felt ill-equipped with the relatively modest Jewish education he had received growing up to chair a major national Jewish organization. He believed leaders of any major enterprise should also “know their stuff �— in this case, Jewish history and tradition. Since its inception, more than 2,000 leaders have participated in the program. Local leaders like Steve “Rosy� Rosenberg treasure what the program gave them. “The program provided me a new language to express my passion for Jewish life and its institutions, as well as Israel. It also added great meaning to everything I did in the community, providing the explanations I needed to support what I had been doing for years.� The program consists of a two-year Jewish study experience with an additional focus on leadership. Each local Seminar group consists of 20 outstanding and diverse Jewish volunteer leaders. Serious Jewish learning unites these people who live in the same community but might otherwise never have worked together. The relationships created among members are the heart of the program. To learn more about how you can participate or nominate, visit wexnerfoundation.org/programs/wexnerheritage-program or call WHF Director Rabba Yaffa Epstein at 614-939-6060.
You Power Hope
“Employees of the Jewish Family & Child Service Holocaust Survivor Services pay attention to our problems. For us, they organize group meetings, celebrations, lectures, tours, various movie screenings. All of this fills us with a mood of optimism. This is very important for us at our age.� -Boris Vaynshteyn Boris, a Holocaust survivor from the former Soviet Union, lives comfortably in the safety of his own home in Portland assisted by nurturing professionals who provide rides to the doctor and grocery shopping, as well as house eeping services.
Your gift to Federation powers innovative programs like those at Jewish Family & Child Service, creating countless moments of Jewish hope. And much more. Consider endowing your gift to ensure a strong Jewish world for generations to come.
jewishportland.org/donate 42 OCTOBER 2019 | JEWISH LIFE
Trio of honorees selected for community enrichment award Gary Pearlman, Steve Reinisch and Eddy Shuldman have been selected as this year’s recipients of the Rabbi Joshua Stampfer Community Enrichment Award. The three honorees have used their talents to make substantial contributions to the fields of art and education in the local area. Established to honor Rabbi Stampfer on the 50th anniversary of his ordination, the award honors individuals and organizations that have significantly enriched Jewish culture, education and community. It is sponsored by the Institute for Judaic Studies, the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, Camp Solomon Schechter, the Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies at Portland State University and Congregation Neveh Shalom, all organizations in which Rabbi Stampfer has played a key role. Gary Pearlman is an interior designer and artist who holds degrees from the University of Oregon and New York University. He began a second career as an internationally known Hebrew calligrapher after becoming captivated by the beauty of the Hebrew letter while working on a ketubah to honor his parents’ 50th anniversary. He has since used his talents to create logos and awards for many Jewish institutions in the local community and designing works of art such as the ark in the Stampfer Chapel at Neveh Shalom and the Nepom Gates at the entrance. His recent contributions include the redesign of the Rose Schnitzer Manor lobby, the newly created Marcy’s Bar and Goodman Hall at the Manor, and design of the ark in the Sara Cogan Chapel at Cedar Sinai Park. Steve Reinisch, a graduate of
Willamette University College of Law, has been a practicing attorney in Portland for 42 years. He has served on the board of the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education for the past decade, and following the example set by his parents, has been a key participant in interfaith dialogues in the Portland community. He sees the role of OJMCHE in “breaking down walls of intolerance, and sharing a message of diversity, respect, inclusion and education to combat hate and prejudice through the lessons of history,” to be an integral part of his personal mission in life. Eddy Shuldman, who taught in Portland Public Schools for 33 years and has served as an adjunct professor of Education at both Portland State University and the University of Oregon, is a lay leader at Congregation Neveh Shalom and a co-founder of the ORA Northwest Jewish Artists collective. Her artistic work includes unique Torah adornments crafted in celebration of Neveh Shalom’s 150th anniversary, and in collaboration chapel at CSP. She chairs the Religious and Spiritual Life Committee at CSP and works jointly with their organization and the Portland Jewish Academy in their B’yachad intergenerational learning program.
Gary Pearlman
Eddy Shuldman
RABBI JOSHUA STAMPFER COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT AWARD WHEN: Oct. 24, 6 pm WHERE: Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland TICKETS $60 RSVP: by Oct. 18 to Marg Everett meverett@nevehshalom.org or 503-293-7318
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Oregon Holocaust Memorial celebrates 15th anniversary
Oregon Holocaust Memorial. Photos courtesy of Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education.
By Debra Shein
Six Oregonian women – five of them Holocaust survivors and one the daughter of a survivor –gathered in 1994 to discuss creating a Holocaust memorial in Portland. It would honor all their lost family members and also the multitude of others who had suffered profoundly and were robbed of life during that horrific time. Because these millions had perished and had no final resting place, this would provide a visible monument where people could go to pay tribute. As voiced by survivor Eva Aigner, “We never had a place to go to remember. The 44 OCTOBER 2019 | JEWISH LIFE
memorial would be a place to go to think about them and reflect.” The original plan was to raise funds for a relatively modest memorial at the JCC. However, a tremendous evolution took place between the original conversation and the building of the memorial now found in Washington Park. As the planning progressed, the City of Portland generously donated a site, and a coalition comprised of a broad spectrum of community, religious, and civic organizations was formed to raise funds and coordinate planning. The first chair of the coalition was Jane Rosenbaum, who had been a part of the original group that
conceived the idea. A design team was assembled, consisting of artists Tad Savinar (who sourced the historical objects surrounding the monument and compiled the statements from survivors inscribed on the Witness Wall), and Paul Sutinen; a writer and historian, Marshall Lee (who wrote the text for the history panels that tell the story of the Holocaust); landscape architects Marlene Salon, John Warner, and Marianne Zarkin, and typographer John Laursen (whose job was to determine how the various text elements should be displayed). Finally, on August 29, 2004, a decade after the first meeting of the group of six, the Oregon Holocaust Memorial opened to the public. Since that time, three of the survivors who initiated the project and one of the members of the design team have passed away. And so on October 27, a panel of all of the available participants in the project will be assembled to discuss their memories of how the memorial came to be. John Laursen, lead organizer of the event, is enthusiastic about recording the history of the project, and comments that all of the participants each “have their own recollections of pivotal moments.” He notes that the discussion should be of special interest to current members of OJMCHE who were not connected to the memorial when it was being built because at the time the Oregon Jewish Museum and the Center for Holocaust Education had not yet merged. It should also appeal to all others who are curious and would like to hear more about how the memorial came to be, especially those who are new to Portland. In August, local survivors, friends, and families met for
their annual picnic at the site of the memorial. Eva Aigner reports that it was immensely gratifying to see the visible proof that all the work was worthwhile. “The biggest gift,” she says, “was observing the many visitors looking around, reading the walls. Thousands of students went through this year, and now, with the new Oregon Holocaust and Genocide Education Bill recently signed into law, it should receive more visits than ever. Students will be able to take field trips to the memorial, read the survivor quotes, and experience the history in a profound way.”
Creating the Oregon Holocaust Memorial Sunday, Oct. 27, 2 pm at OJMCHE Free with admission, free for members RSVP online at ojmche.org A conversation on the decade-long process of creating the Oregon Holocaust Memorial, led by OJMCHE board member John Laursen, who was a member of the design team. Other panelists will include Holocaust survivor Eva Aigner, second-generation survivor Debbie Montrose, Lisa Kaner (who chaired the Oregon Holocaust Memorial Coalition during construction), design team members Marshall Lee, Marlene Salon, Tad Savinar, Paul Sutinen, and Marianne Zarkin, and construction manager Paul Schlesinger. Each panelist will talk briefly about their experience, followed by discussion and Q&A. JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 45
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Fund-raising pros to honor Jewish organization and teen
The Jewish community will be well represented when the Oregon and SW Washington chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals holds an annual philanthropy awards lunch Nov. 12. The B'nai Brith Men's Camp Association has been selected as the 2019 Outstanding Volunteer Group and, local teen and Congregation Beth Israel member Ben Olshin has been selected as the recipient of AFP's Youth in Philanthropy award. B’nai B’rith Men’s Camp Association The Outstanding Volunteer Group award recognizes that volunteers are the lifeblood of Benjamin Olshin philanthropy. They start, support and/or enhance the programs and services that organizations provide. They often make the difference in an organization being able to serve its community, expand its services to a broader audience or move its programs to a higher level of service to the community. The philanthropic influence of B’nai B’rith Men’s Camp Association extends far beyond the grounds of its Jewish camp in Lincoln County, whose primary audience for BB Camp is overnight youth campers. Enrollment in overnight camp has increased more than 70% in the past decade, thanks to BBMCA’s support. But the group’s philanthropy extends beyond the campgrounds and into the Lincoln County community. When BB Camp leaders learned that a majority of local children from low-income families didn’t have access to summer programs, they created a day camp for local youth with full scholarships available. Since then, more than 2,000 day campers have attended the camp and enjoyed the zipline and ropes course, heated pool, hydro-tubing on Devil’s Lake, arts and crafts, plus dedicated staff who model selfconfidence and inspire leadership. BB Camp has become a partner in the Youth Development Coalition of Lincoln County, which recently received a grant to fund a reading specialist at camp. BB Camp also received grants from Oregon Department of Education to establish on-site summer meal delivery at multiple low-income housing communities for Lincoln County youth. One result of BBMCA day camp are the touching, real-life stories of children who live in poverty – some in their family’s car – but found their confidence at BB Day Camp; some have been inspired to attend college. At BBMCA’s helm, Irving Potter and Kyle Rotenberg have led 181 volunteers to oversee B’nai B’rith Camp. Its Men’s Camp fundraising activity generates more than $400,000 annually and its 10-year capital campaign raised $10.6 million. Their philanthropic model is used throughout the U.S. for supporting local Jewish camps. Benjamin Olshin The Youth in Phiillanthropy award celebrates the future by recognizing young people who have dedicated themselves to improve
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the community and increase opportunities for others through direct financial support, development of charitable programs, volunteering and leadership in philanthropy. Benjamin Olshin, 17, believes in the power of literacy to transform young lives – even the lives of infants. When he was in middle school, Benjamin volunteered for a nonprofit that provides free books to low-income children. He quickly discovered the correlation between early literacy for school and social success. He learned that babies in neonatal intensive care units have higher rates of deficits in speech and language development, but that reading, singing and talking with NICU babies appears to support their speech and language development.
BBMCA Chairman Irving Potter, philanthropist Harold Grinspoon and BBMCA President Kyle Rotenberg.
At age 15, he founded Babies With Books, a nonprofit to support early literacy, promote infants’ brain development and family bonding in Randall Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. He engaged a team of peers who curate a book cart with titles in various languages for families to read to their infants and then take the books home. Team members talk with families about the importance of reading to their babies. Benjamin and his team of mostly youth volunteers developed this significant program that helps families and their infants. Benjamin also volunteers with and raises money for a local food pantry. He serves as a weekly peer tutor for elementary and middle school students, and took part in an experiential social action learning program in Washington, D.C.
The awards lunch will be held at the Portland Hilton on Nov. 12 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Tickets for the luncheon are $60 for AFP members and $85 for nonmembers. Ticket prices increase to $75 and $100, respectively, after Oct. 11. Tickets are available for purchase via AFP's website at afporegon@comcast.net or afporswwa.org
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MENGELE TWIN SURVIVOR – Jona Laks, right, speaks to audience members after her talk Aug. 11 at Mittleman Jewish Community Center. Jona Lak is, a Holocaust survivor who was subjected to human experimentation by Josef Mengele at the Auschwitz concentration camp.
FACES & PLACES
SHAARIE TORAH AWARDS – Nearly 150 attendees gathered at Congregation Shaarie Torah on July 21 as Charlotte Tevet (left) was presented with the 2019 Harry R. Nemer Service Award, and Kara Orvieto (right) received the inaugural Livnot Kehillah Builder Award.
PRIME TIME – Charles Kuttner and Aki Fleshler high five Bob at Bob’s Red Mill where the HAPPY CAMPERS – The B’nai Brith Men’s Camp AsKesser Prime Timers took a tour. Prime Time sociation hosted its 33rd Annual Send a Kid to Camp events are open to all ages 55+ and their Golf Tournament at The Reserve Vineyards and Golf partners, and is headed by Donna Kuttner. Club. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, players, and donors, our community raised over $88,000 for camper scholarships, none of which would have been possible without Menashe Properties’ Tournament Sponsorship and our Course Sponsors: Gevurtz Menashe and Apex Real Estate. Pictured Mort Simon and Denny Shleifer, the event chairs.
TINY HOME PROJECT - A group of 12 middle schoolers had a fantastic time helping out with all sorts of building chores on Aug. 21--removing nails from repurposed wood, and making and painting sawhorses. Henry, Eliav (sawhorse construction) Maya, Jake, and Anna (painters). Photos from Elana Cohn-Rozansky | Service Learning Coordinator Portland Jewish Academy
SONG OF MIRIAM 2019 HONOREES – (Front standing) Cheryl Richards; (from left, seated) Sarah Orzech, Beit Am Corvallis; Marissa Richardson, Congregation Neveh Shalom; Andrea Sanchez, Mittleman Jewish Community Center; Liz Stanley, Congregation Shaarie Torah Sisterhood, Linda Veltman, Oregon Jewish Museum & Center for Holocaust Education; Abbey Vanderbeek, Temple Beth GARDEN CELEBRITY – Vicki Rotstein and her garden Shalom, Salem; Jennifer Zeidman, Portland Jewish Academy; (back) Tehila Derfler, Congregation Kesser Israel; Evie Lerner, Temple Beth Tikvah, Bend; Emma were featured this summer on a segment of Garden Time, on Comcast, channel 13 (gardentime.tv). Vicki Lugo, Congregation Shir Tikvah; Gila Ormiston, P’nai Or; Nancy Becker, Havurah is in her 32nd year of teaching at Congregation Neveh Shalom; Karen Hyatt, Congregation Kol Shalom; and Kim Kent, Beit Haverim; Not pictured: Carmella Ettinger, Jewish Federation of Greater Portlnd; and Susan Shalom. Milstein, Women of Reform Judaism, Beth Israel Sisterhood. JEWISH LIFE | OCTOBER 2019 47
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PREVIEWS 2020 COMMUNITY GALA FEATURING DENNIS ROSS
The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland presents the 2020 Community Gala on Thursday, Oct. 17 at the Mittleman Jewish CommuDennis Ross nity Center at 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland at 7 pm. Join Middle East peace negotiator and American diplomat, Ambassador Dennis Ross as he provides a behind-the-scenes look at the current US-Israel relationship. With elections in Israel that took place on Sept. 17 and elections here in 2020, who wins will certainly play a major role in defining the relationship going forward. Regardless of your views, you will better understand the current realities and what may be.Ambassador Ross just published his latest book, Be Strong and of Good Courage, which highlights four Israeli leaders who faced existential questions about the future of Israel. These stories are relevant today as Israel strives to maintain its identity as a Jewish and democratic state and enhances its relationship between the United States and Diaspora.For ticket information, visit jewishportland.org
in Jewish Tradition. Rabbi Rose will lead sessions at the shul to introduce each new unit in the course. Study will be both in large-group and with partners those days. The remaining sessions of each unit are for you and your zug (partner) to arrange on your own time and in your preferred method, whether face-to-face or via technology. The first group session will be held on Sunday, Oct. 27. Subsequent group sessions are Nov. 10 and Nov. 24 with the final session on Dec. 8. All group sessions will be held from 10 am to noon at 920 NW 25th Ave., Portland, OR. For this first 10-week course we request a donation on a sliding rate of $36-$180 to support the cost of partnering with Hadar. If the fee is a barrier, please let them know. For more information, visit shaarietorah.org/projectzug. CLIMATE ACTION BOOK STUDY
Are you overwhelmed by our climate and various social crises? Want to understand the causes and solutions more deeply? Want to study in a community? And maybe build a climate action team in your own congregation? Join Havurah Shalom Climate Action Team, HCAT, for their annual fall climate action book study: November 7, 14, 21, Dec. 5, 12, and 19, 7-9 pm at Havurah Shalom, 825 NW 18th Ave., Portland, OR. LEONARD BERNSTEIN AT 100 This year they will be reading EcoMind, by Frances Moore’ Lappe, supplemented by sections from Leonard Bernstein at 100 celebrates the life Paul Hawken’s widely read Drawdown, The Most and work of Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse the great Jewish American composer and conGlobal Warming. We will also study chapter’s from ductor who dedicated his life to making clasDietz and O’Neil’s, Enough is Enough, Building a sical music a vibrant part of American culture. Sustainable Economy in a World of Finite Resources, The exhibition at the Oregon Jewish Museum Leonard Bernstein and we will conclude with an introduction to the and Center for Holocaust Education features Green New Deal, how it can support sustainable photographs, personal items, papers, scores, solutions, and how we can participate in the great T’shuvah of our correspondence, costumes, furniture, and audio and video recordtimes. ings. A vocal booth gives visitors the chance to sing lead in West To sign up for the book group go to havurahshalom.org/event/ Side Story. The exhibition is the most comprehensive retrospective eco. For more information about the inter-congregational climate of Bernstein’s life and career ever staged in a museum setting and team, email Michael Heuman at heumanncycle@gmail.com. will run from Oct. 3 through Jan 26, 2020.Curated by the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. Live in collaboration with The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and the Bernstein Family. Presented in cooperation with the Bernstein Family, The Leonard Bernstein Office, Inc., Brandeis University, and the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.For more information, visit ojmche.org.
PROJECT ZUG AT CONGREGATION SHAARIE TORAH Zug is the Yiddish word for partner (in Hebrew we say Chavruta). Partnered learning is the traditional way to study Jewish texts. Over a 6-week arc, participants will explore a 10-part course using text materials and online resources through CST’s connection to Project Zug. The theme for the first course is Love, Sex, and Relationships 48 OCTOBER 2019 | JEWISH LIFE
WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY PRESENTS IMPACT Enjoy an evening with friends on Monday, Nov. 18 at Mittleman Jewish Community Center at 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland starting at 5:30 pm for a cocktail reception, followed by the program and dinner. The featured speaker is Irin Carmon (for more on Irin, see this month’s cover story on page 22). For ticket information, visit jewishportland.org/IMPACT
For a complete calendar of events for October, visit orjewishlife.com/calendar.
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50 OCTOBER 2019 | JEWISH LIFE