Oregon Jewish Life September 2015 Vol 4/Issue 6

SEPTEMBER 2015

The Jewish Lifestyle Magazine For oregon & sw washington

High Holidays: Awaken to Sound of Shofar

Arts &

Entertainment:

Dance, Music, Theater

Brian Bendis

Changing the World One Superhero at a Time

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OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 5

Inside

September 2015/ Elul 5775-Tishrei 5776 | Volume 4/Issue 6

20

28

54

Happy New Year!

From all of us to all of you, have a wonderful, prosperous and joy-filled new year!

The team at Oregon Jewish Life Magazine

Features COVER STORY Brian Bendis transports comic book readers….…………………………………………………. 20 UPFRONT Pedal Parlor a modern Ice cream truck….….........10 BUSINESS Ins & Outs………………………………………….……….12 ISRAEL Pomegranates packed with biblical history ……..……………………………..34 70 great pomegranate recipes……….……………...38 In Israel, the New Year is in the fall . ..………………45 Israel’s GreenWall opens future to edible landscaping……………………..……………………….. 56 Tel Aviv researcher finds “Fountain of Youth”………………………………………65 FOOD Chef’s Corner: Harvest Sukkot treats….....………..52 NW Nosh: Portland Feast chef Amanda Cohen…...…………………………..…………………….. 54 HOME & GARDEN Wall gardens keep house cool……..……………….. 56 YOUNG ADULT Talia Berniker’s D.C. internship eye opening..……58 SENIORS CSP and JFCS consolidate to enhance service..………………………………………………….... 60 CSP Foundation fundraises for multiple needs………………………………………..62 6 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

Sisterhood becomes Friends of Robison……..…62 Robison earns kudos; future looks even brighter……………………………..…………………….63 Rejuvenated skin through technology….……..….64 TRAVEL Thessaloniki Jews’ rich history…....……………….66

JKids Rosh Hashanah Reboot…………..………………46

Arts & Entertainment

JLiving Rabbi Cahana completes

Update on oboist Gabe Young ……………………..14 JTC’s Page2Stage explores ’20s-’30s NYC……...15 Artists Rep announces diverse season…………..16 New sculpture graces Isaak Foyer…….….……….17 White Bird again brings Israeli dancers………….18

Rosh Hashanah fun sheet ………………………..48 PJ Library has growth spurts.…………………….50

business alliance leadership program...………68 Neveh Shalom welcomes Rabbi David Kosak………………………………….70 Previews ……………………….…………………….. 71 FACES from recent events …….………………….72 Calendar …….……………………………………….74

High Holy Days

Columns 40 To Life by Amy Hirshberg Lederman

Awaken to blast of shofar….……………………..28 Rabbinic blessings for 5776…………….……….32 Reasons to love the pomegranate…….………..34 How do I eat a pomegranate……………………..38 10 ways to be a mensch in the new year….…..40 ‘Making of a Mensch’ premieres on Character Day….………………….41 Fight hunger, Repair the World …………………43 High Holidays: a good time to redefine priorities……………………………….44 New Year in the Fall……………………………….. 45

44 Ask Helen 52 Chef’s Corner by Lisa Glickman 54 NW Nosh by Kerry Politzer

COVER ART: Comic book illustrations courtesy of Marvel.

Brian Bendis photo by Deborah Moon

In Israel, the siren you have to worry about is the one you haven’t heard yet.

Last summer, no one was expecting Operation Protective Edge. But when rockets started flying, Magen David Adom paramedics were ready to rescue injured Israelis every day thanks to donors like you. As we welcome the new year with reports of continued sporadic rocket fire, we don’t know when the next major attack will come, but we do know now is the time to prepare.

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www.afmda.org OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 7

As Oregon Jewish Life heads into the new year, we are eager to continue to build relationships with all of the state’s Jewish organizations. We also look forward to continuing our mission to engage the unaffiliated community by sharing stories of Jewish people doing incredible things.

I’m pleased to share this month’s stellar issue.

Our cover story features Brian Bendis, whose comic books not only transport readers young and old, they also tackle important issues of diversity and respect.

The magical worlds he creates are a wonderful introduction to our Arts & Entertainment section with its preview of the outstanding music, theater and dance that Oregonians can feast on in the coming season. Speaking of feasting, our coverage of the High Holy Days explores the symbolism of the healthy pomegranate and offers recipes for the fall harvest to create foods for Sukkot. This year’s holiday section has a special focus on being a mensch and repairing the world as we look to the new year.

Our holiday coverage continues in our JKids & Teens section with ideas for a Rosh Hashanah reboot and a Rosh Hashanah activity page from “The Famous Abba.” Let us know if you’d like to see more of these games and puzzles for kids to connect them with the cycle of the Jewish year.

New beginnings got an early start, with some major shifts

happening over the summer. Cedar Sinai Park and Jewish Family and Child Service have consolidated some of their administrative and fundraising operations to serve their clients more efficiently.

Also over the summer, CSP broke ground for an innovative new format for senior housing that uses the Green House household model where elders live with dignity and a sense of self-control.

In other news Oregon welcomed a new senior rabbi at one of our largest congregations. Check out our JLiving section and meet Rabbi David Kosak, who became the third senior rabbi of Congregation Neveh Shalom since the congregation was founded by the merger of two Conservative synagogues in 1961.

This summer the community also came together to mourn the passing of Charles Schiffman, who led the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland for 23 years before he retired and moved to Israel.

More than 200 people turned out for his memorial service at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. While Charlie will be missed, his impact on the community will continue for generations through the work he did while he was here and through the Jewish Federation’s Schiffman Israel Travel Fund, a fund set up in his honor many years ago to provide financial assistance to help young people to travel to Israel for experiences to connect them to the Jewish state. More than 20 contributions have come in over the past couple weeks adding nearly $4,000 to the fund.

And all of that happened before we even started preparing for the new year.

May you have a sweet new year!

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Pedal Parlor brings artisan ice cream to a park or market near you

By Deborah Moon

Two years ago, at the urging of friends who enjoyed his homemade, seasonally inspired ice cream sundaes, stay-at-home dad Jared Goodman decided to offer a dessert pop-up in his dining room.

From that humble beginning, Goodman has expanded to offer monthly dessert pop-ups, Sundae Cycles on six Jewish holidays, a Pedal Parlor roving ice cream stand at farmers markets and street fairs, and catering cool desserts for events such as the opening reception hosted by Oregon Jewish Life magazine at this year’s Portland Jewish Film Festival. He also catered an event at the Portland Art Museum with each sundae inspired by a work of art. He says he would love to cater weddings or rehearsal dinners and create ice cream desserts inspired by the couple’s individual story.

But it all started with his desire to feed people.

When Jared and his wife, research analyst Rebecca Seel, moved to Portland in 2009, they joined Havurah Shalom and started to meet other Jews on Portland’s Eastside. Initially Jared worked as a substitute teacher, but when their daughter, Lena Goodman, was born in 2012, he became a stay-at-home dad.

“I enjoy hosting people, especially for Shabbat dinners,” says Jared. Since friends always raved about his homemade ice cream, he decided to host an ice cream social at his home; attendees told him he should be selling his artisan ice cream. “I had an epiphany. Ice cream is popular, but no one had reinvented the ice

cream sundae, which is to me the ultimate ice cream treat.”

“So in September 2013, I created Morgan St Theater Dessert Club (morgansttheater.com),” he says. At the first event, for $10 attendees were treated to three original ice cream sundaes featuring flavor profiles Jared created using Northwest ingredients.

“The first time it took a month to sell 12 seats,” he says. “I did it again the next month, and it took a week to sell the 12 seats.

In December I sold out two seatings in two days.”

Clearly something was working. The next year EaterPDX named Morgan St Theater one of the top eight most exciting pop-ups in town. He says the name reflects both the storytelling that accompanies the desserts and the theatricality of the whimsically inspired desserts. This year he has collaborated with two local theater companies to present “dessert theater.” The second theater event will take place later this year at Portland Playhouse.

Last year he added Jewish storytelling and desserts in collaboration with Mikdash, a fledgling community and network

Pedal Parlor/Morgan St Theater: info@morgansttheater.com 10 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

of connection on Portland’s Eastside. He created five dessert pop-ups featuring an ice cream menu based on the holidays.

“Culinary meets spiritual meets Jewish meets social,” says Jared.

“Each one managed to introduce the holiday (i.e., historical background and relevant stories) while maintaining an element of spirituality and culinary exploration,” he says. “For example, at the Hanukkah event, I asked guests to bring a menorah from home. Then before we sat down for dessert, the group lit their menorahs in the window of a bakery on Northeast 42nd Avenue and sang the blessings together. … On Passover I told the story of my grandfather and his passion for matzo brei, and then I flipped a matzo brei in front of the guests.”

This year Sundae Cycles expands to six holidays – Sukkot, Hanukkah, Tu B’shvat, Purim, Passover and – Jared Goodman Shavuot. Each event will cost $30; season tickets are $150 (buy 5 get 1 free). The first event, Sukkot, will be Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 8 to 10 pm.

“I am excited to host another year of events, building upon the relationships and ideas of this year past,” says Jared, who has a bachelor’s degree in Jewish studies and a master’s degree in Holocaust historiography.

With the help of a successful Kickstarter fundraiser this spring, Jared also grew his ice cream business to make it mobile.

Serving farmers markets and restaurant districts, city parks and street fairs, the Pedal Parlor is a roving ice cream social bringing thoughtfully composed ice cream desserts to the people of Portland.

“The Pedal Parlor is off to a great start,” says Jared. “Every time I ride the trike, I’m filled with the joy of living the dream I have imagined for so long. I am connecting with a variety of people and families in my neighborhood, and often bringing a smile to one’s face upon seeing the trike, let alone serving up some ice cream.”

He doesn’t have a set menu for the Pedal Parlor, though all desserts are designed to be something you can walk off eating.

Bonbons, floats and scoops always will be available, but the flavors will change because, “It’s too exciting to pass up the

“The Pedal Parlor is off to a great start. Every time I ride the trike, I’m filled with the joy of living the dream I have imagined for so long.”

Sundae Cycle Sukkot – Tuesday, Sept. 29, 8 pm Hanukkah – Tuesday, Dec. 8, 8 pm

2016 Tu B’Shvat – Sunday, Jan. 24, 7:30 pm Purim – Thursday, March 24, 8 pm Passover – Tuesday, April 26, 8 pm Shavuot – Saturday, June 11, 8 pm

available fruits and vegetables for a seasonally driven menu.” He does offer his popular Salty Buckeye bonbons (peanut butter ice cream dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt), in addition to a seasonal flavor each day.

For his floats, he makes his own shrub (a sweet and sour syrup of sugar, fruit and vinegar), which he adds to club soda and then pours over ice cream. “The vinegar balances the sweet of the ice cream,” he explains.

He also offers specialty items such as ice cream sandwiches at times. But Jared’s sandwiches really are sandwiches – he layers his ice cream on bread or brioche (just about the only thing he does not make himself, he buys the brioche from a local bakery).

One popular flavor is a brioche bun with chocolate rosemary ice cream, olive oil, sea salt and hazelnut praline.

“I want to make desserts balanced in flavor – not sweet on sweet on sweet,” he explains. “In the sandwich, the bread soaks up the melting ice cream like French toast.”

In addition to the new trike, Jared also bought a new machine that will make three gallons of ice cream an hour.

Jared says that unlike the 90% of ice cream shops who buy a premade base and add flavors, he makes his own custard base.

He says it is very labor intensive standing over the stove stirring for 10 minutes as he maintains the temperature at a constant 170º. The homemade base means he can’t sell pints of ice cream for people to take home, but he can make treats for people to eat immediately.

“For me, every flavor of ice cream is a unique recipe,” says Jared. “I’m doing true artisan ice cream.”

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 11

Kesser Israel hires Jodi Fried as first program director/ office manager

JFCS names Carrie Hoops executive director

Carrie Hoops is the new executive director at Jewish Family & Child Service. Hoops has served as interim executive director since April 2014 and has been key in planning the recently announced consolidation of JFCS and Cedar Sinai Park, a human services agency in Portland focused on providing residential and community-based care to our elders and adults with special needs. Carrie’s appointment as executive director was effective July 1.

Carrie brings a wealth of nonprofit management experience to JFCS, including skills in change management, collaborative leadership, organizational assessments, fundraising and communications. Over the past 23 years, Carrie has contributed to the success of several outstanding civic, humanities and arts organizations in Oregon, and has led strategic transitions at six regional nonprofits.

A lifelong Oregonian, Carrie formerly served as executive director of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon and as executive director of Literary Arts, a community-based nonprofit that serves readers and writers.

“I am delighted that Carrie has accepted the position of executive director at JFCS,” says Les Soltesz, board president.

“JFCS does such stellar work to support at-risk community members as they transform their lives,” says Hoops. “It’s been deeply gratifying to work with the talented board and staff at JFCS during the past year. It’s an honor to be appointed to lead the organization and to help inform our future direction.”

503-226-7079 | jfcs-portland.org

Shir Tikvah hires Debbi Bodie as executive director

After a four-month national search, Debbi Bodie was hired as the executive director of Congregation Shir Tikvah effective June 24.

“Debbi brings us over 20 years of Jewish professional leadership and management experience in Portland. Her deep understanding of Jewish values, nonprofit management and philanthropy expertise, including volunteer engagement and support, is most impressive,” says Shir Tikvah Search Committee Chair Jerry Cohen.

Debbi served as chief development officer at Cedar Sinai Park, spending 15 years working with executive leadership, staff and volunteers to ensure the frailest elders and persons with disabilities received access to quality care regardless of income or resources.

Rabbi Ariel Stone notes that she and Debbi co-founded Hesed Shel Emet, which provides a dignified Jewish burial for low-income community members in the region. Debbi has been responsible for ongoing fundraising and coordination of all burials; she received the Jewish Programming Award from the Association of Jewish Aging Services for this program.

She has committed her life to volunteerism, from being the youngest Sisterhood President of Congregation Beth Israel to chair of Congregation Neveh Shalom’s cemetery committee. She is a Florence Melton graduate.

Under the direction of the Steering Committee, Debbi will be working closely with Rabbi Ariel Stone and staff including Education Director Katie Schneider, Office Manager Amelia Schroth and Office Assistant Jennifer Jones. Debbi will run Shir Tikvah’s day-to-day operations in support of congregational activities, including operational budgeting, communications and priority setting.

Steering Committee Chair Alysa Rose observes, “The hiring of an executive director is another milestone to celebrate during our 13th year.”

503-473-8227 | shirtikvahpdx.org

12 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

Jodi (Meyerowitz) Fried began work in July as Congregation Kesser Israel’s first-ever program director and office manager – a job she describes as the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

“I have so much respect for the people who built this community and who have kept it going,” she says. “And I want to help take it – and the Portland Jewish community – to the next level.” She will focus on expanding Kesser’s congregational and community programming.

Born in South Africa, Fried moved to Portland with her family at the age of 10, and attended Portland Jewish Academy and Wilson High School. She graduated from the University of Oregon Honors College in 2010 with a double major in economics and planning, public policy and management. At UO, Fried was board president of Hillel and a co-founder and co-director of Shomer Achi, an innovative international social justice program focused on issues of immigration for Israeli and American Jewish college students.

She previously worked in various capacities with the Jewish Community Center and other Jewish groups in Boulder, CO, including developing programming for young adults, professionals and unaffiliated Jews. For the past several years, she worked in human resources at a gourmet caramel factory in Bozeman, MT. “Jodi has a passion for enhancing and enriching Jewish community,” says Rabbi Kenneth Brodkin. “We are delighted to have her back at Kesser Israel.”

Jodi@kesserisrael.org | 503-222-1239 | kesserisrael.org

CSP hires Jemi Kostiner Mansfield as spiritual life director

Jemi Kostiner Mansfield is the new director of spiritual life for the Cedar Sinai Park campus. Jemi began her role on July 6, overseeing the Judaic content on the campus, organizing volunteers to lead Shabbat and holiday services, and coordinating with Life Enrichment to present a well-rounded roster of programming designed to nurture the soul.

Since 1992 Jemi has served the Portland Jewish community through her work at Congregation Beth Israel. Originally hired as a temp, her solid Judaic education and a lifetime of community involvement quickly led to her advancement throughout the organization with a focus on life-cycle events, clergy management and congregant relationship. Most recently she has filled the role of Congregational Affairs Director under the guidance of senior clergy Rabbi Michael Z. and Cantor Ida Rae Cahana.

A Pacific Northwest native, Jemi grew up at Neveh Shalom and attended Hillel Academy (now Portland Jewish Academy) at Shaarie Torah. Her parents, Priscilla and Tony Kostiner, emphasized the importance of living a Jewish life and arranged for a yearlong sabbatical in Jerusalem in 1982, where Jemi and her sister, Dana, were fully immersed in the public school system.

Jemi met her husband, Greg, while still in high school. Following graduation from UCLA with a degree in theater, Jemi and Greg returned to Portland and were married in 1992. They have two sons: Alex, 19, will start his sophomore year at Northern Arizona University in August, and Ben, 15, will be a sophomore at the School of Science and Technology in the fall. Both boys are proud PJA graduates.

Jemi.Mansfield@cedarsinaipark.org 503-535-4038

MJCC appoints new program director: Len Steinberg The Mittleman Jewish Community Center is pleased to welcome Len Steinberg as the MJCC’s new Program Director. Len will have broad oversight of Cultural Arts, Day Camp, Teen and Young Adult Programs, and on-campus fundraising events and initiatives.

Len holds a B.S. in management from the University of South Florida. He began his career

as a Jewish professional as a program associate for Hillels of the Florida Suncoast, where he facilitated Taglit-Birthright programs at five colleges and supervised the student boards in the region to develop programs and marketing. Subsequently, Len worked at The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee as a program associate, STEP and cultural arts coordinator, assistant program director, and, most recently, program director. Len coordinated the Young Ambassador Teen Leadership Program to Israel for three years, led the Sarasota delegation on two March of the Living Missions and has led numerous Birthright trips.

Len has experience planning a wide range of social, cultural and arts programs as well as coordinating large events, concerts and festivals.

Lsteinberg@oregonjcc.org | 503-535-3555

Gloria Hammer opens private Pilates studio

A certified Pilates instructor for more than 10 years, Gloria Hammer now teaches private Reformer classes in her new studio overlooking the Willamette River. The privacy and solitude of her studio encourages focus and individual attention while creating a comfortable environment.

Pilates improves flexibility and strength. The emphasis is on alignment, breathing and developing a strong core. It heightens coordination, balance and mind/body awareness.

Gloria takes the time to study her clients’ movements and needs, which allows her to create personalized programs to maximize flexibility and overall potential. Pilates can assist both athletes wanting to improve in their sport and those with physical issues that call for a workout to increase strength or mobility.

Her enthusiasm and expertise make for an empowering experience for clients of all ages and skills. Her experience of more than 30 years as a masters learning specialist further adds to her ability to teach with ease.

Besides her Pilates credential, Gloria has an advanced certification in Therapeutic Training and also teaches at the MJCC. Sadie and Henry, her grandchildren, are serious reasons to stay fit.

Gloria splits her time between Hood River and Portland with her windsurfing husband, Jeff Hammer.

503-244-0757 | PilatesbyGloria.com

L'Shanah Tovah

we wish you a happy

New Year

PDX Hillel announces leadership team

Following the departure of Executive Director Rachel Hall, the Greater Portland Hillel has announced the following leadership team for the coming year: Israel Fellow Shiran Halfon will be returning for the 2015-2016 school year as managing director and Israel fellow. She will have the assistance of Aaron Peterson, who will join PDX Hillel for his second year as engagement associate.

Meaghann Ande, long-time operations manager and development support person, will continue in both of those roles.

The Greater Portland Hillel mission has been and will remain to enrich the lives of Jewish undergraduate and graduate students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world.

“Providing excellent Jewish and Israel engagement and programming for our students is always our top priority, even more so as we look to the future. We are enormously grateful to our community for all the assistance you have provided over the last seven years in accomplishing that mission,” says PDX Hillel Board President Jason H. Kaufman. pdxpresident@gmail.com

Business Ins & Outs welcomes submissions of news items.

Send a brief writeup (up to 200 words including contact info) and photo to Oregon Jewish Life Editor-in-Chief Deborah Moon at deborah.moon@ojlife.com.

THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE. THE POWER OF COMMUNITY.

503.245.6219 | www.jewishportland.org

JewishPDX

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 13

ARTS UPDATE

Oboist Gabe Young at the Kennedy Center

Arts

&

nt e m n i a t r e t n E

Inside 14 Arts Update 15 Davita’s Harp 16 Artists Rep Premieres 17 Art Installation 18 Israel Dance 14 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

Oregonian oboist Gabe Young Young created a breathtaking spell that performed the “Marcello Oboe Concerto” lasted well into the Mahler symphony.” with the National Symphony Orchestra An archived video of the concert is Summer Music Institute Orchestra available at http://www.kennedy-center. on July 25 on the Kennedy Center’s org/programs/millennium/archive.html.

Millennium Stage. Gabe, who was born The NSO Summer Music Institute, now and raised in Ashland, was featured in the in its 22nd year, is a four-week intensive April 2014 issue music program of Oregon Jewish located at the Life (orjewishlife.

Kennedy Center in com/gabe-youngWashington, D.C. named-nationalApproximately 60 youth-orchestra). students between He now attends the ages of 15 and the Jacobs School 20 from across the of Music at United States and Indiana University Canada are accepted where he is a each year to attend student of Linda the program, free of Strommen. Gabe cost. was invited to The Jacobs perform with the Music School blog orchestra after notes: “Gabe has winning the NSO been performing SMI’s concerto professionally for competition. He more than half of his also played the life. From busking principal oboe on the street corners part on “Mahler’s of Southern Oregon Gabe Young as a small child to Symphony No. 1” performing sold-out during the second concerts in world-class venues across the half of the program.

United States, Russia and England, he has In the Washington Post July 26 continued to develop his musical prowess review of the concert, Patrick Rucker in a variety of styles, including classical, wrote: “Gabriel Young, a 19-year-old jazz, Klezmer, and Celtic. … oboist from Oregon, played a Venetian “Gabe’s classical solo career includes baroque concerto by Alessandro Marcello, guest solo performances with the accompanied by a chamber-size ensemble Rogue Valley Symphony, Second of strings. Young is not only a master of Street Baroque Orchestra and Youth his instrument but an artist of taste and Symphony of Southern Oregon. He has discernment. The sound of his oboe is, for been interviewed and has performed lack of a better word, angelic. There were moments, particularly in the Adagio, when on National Public Radio, Sirius/XM Satellite Radio and BBC Radio and the music seemed to transcend even that Television.” exquisite oboe sound, emerging instead as pure, disembodied human expression.

Page2Stage 2015-16 season explores Davita’s Harp

Actor Kayla Lian. Photo by Friderike Heuer

Jewish Theatre Collaborative’s third Page2Stage season will bring to life a little-known story that reflects Jewish history. Previous Page2Stage seasons have featured settings in Argentina and Israel. This season brings readers and audience members to the gritty landscape of New York City during the turbulent 1920s and ’30s.

In the stormy melting pot that was New York City in the ‘30s, a young girl comes of age and finds her voice in this Page2Stage journey based on Chaim Potok’s novel Davita’s Harp. Ilana Davita’s mother was Jewish – but chose atheism and communism. Her father was Episcopalian – but chose atheism and communism. With guidance from a missionary nurse aunt, a mystical story-writing “uncle” and Orthodox cousins, Ilana discovers who she is and who she will choose to be.

This Page2Stage season will explore Ilana’s world through three programs that enhance audience appreciation of the novel and of the play produced as the culmination of the season.

The journey begins with the staged reading, “Aflame – an Album of Jewish Radicalism,” at 7:30 pm, Nov. 2 and 3, 2015, at the Milagro Theatre. Jews dominated the socialist scene of the ’20s and ’30s, driven by such radical ideas as fair pay and equal rights. Snapshots of Jewish activism come to life in this performance created from Dr. Tony Michels’ “Jewish Radicals: A Documentary History.”

The journey continues with an evening concert, “Searching for the Music of the World,” Jan. 18 and 19, 2016, at the Milagro Theatre at 7:30 pm. As the harp in the novel’s title indicates, music is a central force in the story. JTC partners with Portland favorites Jack Falk, Cantor Ida Rae Cahana, Andrew Ehrlich, Courtney Von Drehle and Ralph Huntly to present a musical collage that gives voice to the diverse soundscape of Ilana’s world.

This season features a special class, “A Taste of Yeshiva,” being held February 10th at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center and April 3, 2016, at the Milagro Theatre.

Engage in a lively debate over Talmudic texts Yeshiva style with the revered “Rabbi Akiva.”. This class will be facilitated

by Rabbi Tzvi Fisher, the dean of Portland Kollel. Experience firsthand the style of learning that excited and nourished the heroine of this season’s novel. This class is sponsored

by Portland Kollel, an institute for Jewish education and culture, and the MJCC. The exciting journey culminates in the world premiere of Davita’s Harp by Chaim Potok, March 19-April 9, 2016, at the Milagro Theatre.

“Davita’s Harp is a testament to the village it takes to raise a child,” says JTC Executive Director Sacha Reich. “The novel is a passionate story about the shaping of identity, the power of choice and the capacity of love.”

The play will be adapted by Sacha Reich and Jamie M. Rea, directed by Sacha Reich and features Kayla Lian, Jamie M. Rea, Jason Glick, Heath Koerschgen, Kate Mura, Sara Fay Goldman, Illya Torres-Garner, J.J. Johnston and Sam Dinkowitz.

Congregations around the city are featuring the novel as part of their book group reading series. A discussion guide is available online.

This season is produced with the generous support of the Ronni Lacroute and Willa Kenzie Estate, Oregon Cultural Trust, Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, Oregon Community Foundation, Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation and the Collins Foundation.

For more information visit jewishtheatrecollaborative.org.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 15

Arts Artists Rep to feature Portland

&

nt Entertainme

premieres, rare revivals and world premiere musical

Artists Repertory Theatre announces an ambitious and stylistically diverse 2015-16 season of eight engaging plays.

These selections emphasize Artists Rep’s role as Portland’s premiere mid-size regional theater company by offering five critically acclaimed contemporary plays, alongside two magnificent mid-20th century classics and the world premiere production of the Broadway-scale musical, “Cuba Libre.”

“This season's lineup of bold and diverse plays presents us with characters facing and ultimately emerging through life’s obstacles,” says Artistic Director Dámaso Rodriguez. “From challenges of immense or fantastical proportions to deep, internal hindrances they may not yet understand, the characters this season reveal the grace and beauty of accepting change through adaptation and perseverance.” Rodriguez continues, “I hope both veteran and new theatergoers see titles that inspire them to discover what makes Artists Rep such a special place to experience theater in Portland.”

The 2015-16 season will again feature the work of Artists Rep’s Resident Artist Company, alongside guest artists from Portland’s top-notch theater community and beyond. Now composed of 24 theater practitioners, the resident artists include five Jewish artists: director and actor Michael Mendelson, who has been with the company since the first group of resident artists was named in 2008; actor and playwright Linda Alper, who joined the company in its 2013 expansion; and actor Susannah Mars, playwright Andrea Stolowitz and actor Joshua Weinstein, who became resident artists in 2014.

Tickets for all shows are on sale now at artistsrep.org or by calling 503-241-1278.

ASL-interpreted performances are presented at the Saturday matinee of each play with open-captioned performances on the third Sunday night performance of each play.

The 2015-16 season features an exciting lineup.

“The Understudy” is directed by Michael Mendelson. An understudy rehearsal for a fictional Kafka play on Broadway teeters on the edge of reality when Harry – the understudy for Jake, who is the understudy for Bruce, a Hollywood action star about to land a multimillion-dollar part – must work with the ill-fated production’s exasperated stage manager whose life he ruined long ago.

“Cuba Libre” features the irresistible rhythms of Cuban music driving this riveting, timely story of a man caught between countries, losses and loves, and his search for freedom.

This Broadway-scale, contemporary musical features the internationally acclaimed, three-time Grammy nominated

16 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

band Tiempo Libre with a company of 22 actors, dancers and musicians in a not-to-be-missed theatrical event.

“Broomstick” is a fairytale-twisted yarn of delightful humor and spine-tingling suspense that conjures a spooky seasonal experience unlike any other.

“The Miracle Worker” is one of the most triumphant stories of the human spirit ever told. With dignity, perseverance and respect in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, a child, a teacher and a family learn to communicate.

In “Mothers and Sons” a mother, after a 20-year silence, pays a surprise visit to her deceased son’s former lover seeking a connection she can’t fathom. Vastly different worlds collide, yet truth and compassion rise to reveal that all dreams begin with the common ground of forgiveness.

Truly innovative is the play titled “A Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South West Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 18841915.” A multiracial cast of six idealistic actors sets out to improvise a story about the first colonial genocide of the 20th century in Africa, but get lost in the reality of their undertaking.

The unusual presentation, humor and inevitable discomfort of this provocative new play gripped audiences in theater hubs like New York, Chicago, London, Washington, D.C., and Seattle with its unique theatrical investigation of prejudice, power and perspective.

“Grand Concourse” is set in an industrial soup kitchen in the Bronx, where Shelley is a nun struggling to pray and questioning her life’s work.

“The Skin of Our Teeth” is a comedic masterpiece that spans the entirety of history, with one ordinary American family who lives through it all. Dad’s just invented the wheel, Cain is throwing rocks at the neighbor kid, mammoths and dinosaurs lounge in the family room, and Mom frets about how to get all those animals on the boat two by two. Through ice ages, biblical floods and political conventions, the Antrobus family of Excelsior, NJ, perseveres.

For performance dates, visit artistsrep.org Founded in 1982, Artists Repertory Theatre is the longest-running professional theater company in Portland. Artists Rep is also home to the ArtsHub, a program that offers residencies within Artists Rep’s facility to smaller and emerging arts organizations with subsidized administrative, performance and rehearsal space, as well other infrastructural services.

Gary Pearlman adjusts the Tree of Life sculpture he designed for Congregation Neveh Shalom’s foyer, which has been named the The Isaak Foyer in honor of Rabbi Daniel and Carol Isaak, following Rabbi Isaak’s retirement as the senior rabbi of the congregation. Metalsmiths Richard Cawley and Gustav Sculptor crafted the sculpture and Eddy Shuldman created the colorful fused glass leaves.

Art Installation

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 17

Arts

&

nt Entertainme

KILLER PIG SARA

Israeli dance returns to Portland thanks to White Bird

By Deborah Moon

For the 11th time in the past 15 years, White Bird will bring an Israeli dance company to perform in Portland. L-E-V (“heart” in Hebrew) will perform at 8 pm, Oct. 15-17 at Lincoln Hall, Portland State University.

Walter Jaffe and Paul King co-founded White Bird, a Portland-based dance presentation and commissioning company, 18 years ago.

“Israeli dance, in general, is highly approachable – it tends to have a slight narrative thread, and our audiences respond strongly to this,” says Walter.

Each year the two founders are invited to Israel to attend the dance festivals in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, which gives them the opportunity to see a lot of Israeli dance in a short period of time.

“We don’t go every year, but when we attend, we inevitably see at least one strong work we try to bring,” says Walter. “In December 2013 we saw over 50 companies and that resulted in our bringing Yossi Berg and Oded Graf ’s ‘BodyLand’ and Hillel Kogan’s ‘We Love Arabs’ last season, as well as L-E-V this season. The abundance and diversity of dance in Israel is astounding.”

The brainchild of choreographer Sharon Eyal, former dancer and resident choreographer with Batsheva, and arts producer Gai Behar, L-E-V will make its White Bird debut with two boldly sensual works, “Sara” and “Killer Pig,” performed by eight 18 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

astoundingly agile dancers.

The Portland performances are sponsored by the Oregon Israel Business Alliance.

In 2013 Eyal launched L-E-V with her long-time collaborator Gai Behar.

Born in Jerusalem, Eyal danced with the Batsheva Dance Company from 1990 until 2008 and began choreographing within the framework of the company’s Batsheva Dancers Create project. She was Batsheva’s house choreographer from 2005 to 2012. In 2009 she also began creating pieces for other dance companies around the world: “Killer Pig” (2009) and “Corps de Walk” (2011) for Carte Blanche Dance of Norway; “Too Beaucoup” (2011) for Hubbard Street Dance, Chicago; and “Plafona” (2012) for Tanzcompagnie Oldenburg, Germany.

“Sharon Eyal, the choreographer, is a totally unique voice in dance,” says Walter. “Her movement is focused both on the individual as well as the tight ensemble, and it’s fascinating to see how she shines the light on each of her six very individual dancers. Each moves in a distinct way – there are often very small movements, but they accumulate into a powerful whole.

The sound is equally important, often mysterious but also propulsive, that drives the movement along. There is no set or fancy bells and whistles. It’s all about unique, tightly controlled movement, with evocative lighting and sound.”

For tickets, visit whitebird.org/tickets

L-E-V

IN PORTLAND

A RT I STS

Presented by White Bird 8 pm, Oct. 15-17 PSU’s Lincoln Hall whitebird.org/event/l-e-v

(45 min.) – As if describing the roots of the creative mythology of L-E-V and gives a glimpse into the place where the most temporary theme of the group started. Place of minimalist expression, intense honesty and uncompromising physicality.

Also in this work, the collage of musician Ori Lichtik assimilated as an integral body part of the dance. The work feels like a gentle soul on the verge of collapse and the only instinct it got left is to kill her dearest and die.

(13 min.) – Sara is like a pearl in a treasure, box of jewels smell like ancient with the feeling of a new. The box cannot be opened all the way, her charm will fade. White pearl, transparent, leaking colors but always remains a pearl. Sara is minimalist, gentle, feeling and sensitive, hard core and old fashion at the same time. There’s a sense of restraint and taking advantage of the minimum and maximum. She is not allowing distance and get closer to the heart. She comes from there and leaves into the world like a cloud crumbles into dust of love.

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whitebird.org OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 19

20 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

vel r a M sy of e t r u o Art c

Brian Bendis' comic books transport readers

By Deborah Moon

About a year after his parents divorced, 6-year-old Brian Bendis arrived at the Passover seder clutching his drawing of Spider-Man and announced that he would be “the artist of Spider-Man.” His mother is amazed at how close he came to predicting his future.

Today at 48, Brian doesn’t illustrate Spider-Man, but he does write the full script (which includes instructions for the illustrators) for three Marvel comics, including The Ultimate Spider-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy, and has earned five Eisner Awards. His final issue of X-Men comes out this month, and then he begins writing Iron Man this fall. He previously scripted The Avengers for nine years, much longer than most of Marvel’s writers stay with “one book.”

“I did about 100 issues of X Men,” says Brian. “When you are

done, someone else takes over. It’s like a relay race. It keeps the characters vibrant decade after decade.”

After his first declaration about his future, Brian continued his fascination with Marvel superheroes and says that starting in sixth grade and continuing into his mid-20s he repeatedly submitted his work to Marvel comics.

Brian grew up in Cleveland attending the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland – a coed day school through sixth grade and the boys’ school from seventh to 12th grade. He was a member of Young Israel and NCSY. After graduating from the Cleveland Institute of Art with a degree in illustration and photography, he worked as an illustrator for several years.

“I was very ambitious, more ambitious than talented,” says Brian. “When I stopped hounding them and worked on my own comics – that’s when they called.”

He had written several graphic novels, including the crime OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 21

noir Goldfish, Jinx and Torso. He based Torso on Elliot Ness’s first challenge after leaving Chicago – the hunt for the first known serial killer on American soil. At the time Brian was working for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and had access to its extensive archives on the topic. “That’s the book that got Marvel’s attention.

“Marvel called and hired me,” says Brian. “I thought they had hired me as an illustrator.”

When he asked what he would be illustrating, the Marvel executive said, “You know you are a writer, right? Your illustrations are terrible. But your writing is where it’s at.”

After the shock wore off, Brian says he realized, “You want to work for people who tell you the truth. He teamed me up with some wonderful illustrators, and we were off to the races.”

While illustration turned out not to be the key to his career, it was the key to his family. He met his wife, Alisa, when she contacted him to create illustrations for the Cleveland Hillel Foundation. They started flirting and married a year later.

In 2001 with his Marvel career fully entrenched, the couple

decided they wanted to move to a new city where they could raise their family. They had friends in both Seattle and Portland who spoke highly of the Pacific Northwest communities. When Alisa visited Portland to explore, she was so enchanted she soon called Brian to say she had bought a house.

Brian arrived in Portland Sept. 11, 2001, with a truck full of their belongings. But Alisa was stranded in Cleveland for another month when that day’s terrorist attacks shut down the nation’s airports.

But once settled the couple prepared to expand their family.

Since Alisa had been told she could not have children, the couple planned to build their family through adoption. While exploring adoption, Alisa became pregnant and their first daughter, Olivia, was born 12 years ago. The couple now has

My great joy is mixing with these marvelous filmmakers in the high-end storytelling meetings that inform me in my own writing.

– Brian Bendis on working as an adviser for Iron Man films four children, two biological and two adopted, “but there is no difference on our end,” says Brian.

Olivia will become a bat mitzvah this fall at Havurah Shalom.

She attended Portland Jewish Academy through sixth grade and now attends Northwest Academy. Her three younger siblings, Sabrina, 7, Tabitha, 4, and London, 2, all attend PJA. They adopted Sabrina from Ethiopia and Tabitha domestically. Many of the family’s friends have also expanded their families with adoption and “talk about it and discuss it. It is all very positive.”

In addition to running a household of four busy children, Alisa also runs the family business – Jinxworld, overseeing the business end of the video game, TV, movie and publishing projects that Brian creates. In addition to writing comics, his Powers comic books have just begun their second season of

22 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 23

innocent ideas,” says Brian, noting sales of the graphic novel are sufficient to pay for Olivia’s college.

At those same New York meetings, the trend toward cultural sensitivity in comics has been a hot topic in recent years.

“Another writer had written something about Mutant being the new ‘M’ word, but he didn’t have a character make the point,” says Brian. Drawing on a personal experience from his teen years, he has Kitty Pryde, one of his characters in All New X-Men, (see panel at left) proclaim: “I’m Jewish.

I don’t have a quote unquote Jewish-sounding name. I don’t look or sound Jewish, whatever that looks or sounds like … so if you didn’t know I was Jewish, you might not know… unless I told you. Same goes for my mutation.

“I am Jewish. I am –Kitty Pryde, character a mutant. And I want in All New X-Men people to know who and what I am.”

“The response to the panel was very nice,” says Brian. “The allegory was so clear and couldn’t be more important in today’s climate.”

Brian says today’s comic books are created for a demographically diverse audience.

“There is a massive movement to write not just for guys and not just for kids,” he explains.

While some comics are created by adults for adults (adult in subject matter, not porn), most of Marvel’s comics are designed more for all ages from sophisticated children to young adults and adults.

“It’s like a movie with substance but no swearing or sexual content,” Brian says. “The Marvel Universe philosophy is to write up, don’t write down to them. Give them thoughts they have to think about.”

“X-Men is an allegory about race. We use the challenges of the mutants and hold it up to what we see going on in the world around us.”

When Marvel asked Brian how he’d like to “start Spider-Man from scratch,” he jumped on the opportunity to create a superhero that children of color could relate to.

Miles Morales, a blackHispanic teen, debuted as The Ultimate Spider-Man in 2011 in Ultimate Marvel, a parallel universe that reimagines the characters.

The challenge was, there was no problem with Peter

I am Jewish. I am a mutant.

And I want people to know who and what I am.

filming as a Sony TV online streaming series.

Brian also participates on the creative team that advises the Iron Man filmmakers. He was one of several members of the Marvel team invited to be part of a “brain trust” that read the early drafts of scripts, looked at clips and gave advice. After the success of the first movie, the informal creative committee was turned into a formal group of advisors for the subsequent Iron Man films.

Brian says he gets two major benefits from being a film adviser: “I get to see movies before my friends, and they know I can’t talk about it. … My great joy is mixing with these marvelous filmmakers in the high-end storytelling meetings that inform me in my own writing.”

But Brian isn’t the only creative mind in the family. When she was 7, Olivia drew on both her family’s experience and her father’s creative impulse to ensure her own future. When Brian returned from his annual Marvel Comics retreat in New York City, Olivia asked him what he did on his trips.

“I told her we tell each other stories we want to make into comics,” says Brian. “She pitched something completely original and Marvel published it.”

Olivia’s creation, Takio, is about two sisters – one adopted, one not, who both have superpowers, “unique superpowers, beautiful 24 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

Parker as Spider-Man. “It’s not like Spider-Man needed fixing. For Miles to work, Peter has to die … no one was looking for Peter to die; that can be upsetting,” explains Brian. After months of conversations, an idea arose that allowed the change. “If Peter dies saving his aunt in a way he couldn’t save his uncle, and Miles knows it, Peter’s story continues through the eyes of a new kid. … With great power comes great responsibility.”

“A lot of kids of color think, ‘I could be Spider-Man,’ ” he says. “The roar of approval was so loud and so emotional. …

Miles added something that is beautiful.”

Created in Marvel’s alternate universe, this fall Miles moves into “the Marvel Universe” and he will be “the SpiderMan.” Looking back, Brian believes his fascination with superheroes began as a subconscious search for a strong male role model. He is proud to have played a role in ensuring that today’s youth – whether they are boys or girls, white or of color, or those who are differently abled – can find a role model that reflects their face in today’s comic books.

Brian says the pleasure he discovered as a young reader of being transported to a different existence is taken to the next level when he creates those worlds for others.

“It’s a magical thing to create an experience for lots of people,” he says.

“So much is shared with the audience.

To transport them based on the strength of my own writing and the art of collaborating is very, very special – and clearly something I’m addicted to.”

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26 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 27

High Holy Days Erev Rosh Hashanah

Sept. 13

Rosh Hashanah Sept. 14-15

Kol Nidre (Erev Yom Kippur) Sept. 22

Yom Kippur Sept. 23

Erev Sukkot Sept. 27

Sukkot Sept. 28-Oct. 4

Shemini Atzeret/ Simchat Torah Oct. 5-6 Visit ORJewishLife.com/calendar for holiday service times and locations in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

28 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

wake slumber

They

you from your

By Polina Olsen

Joanna Booser got her shofar from Temple Beth Tikvah’s former rabbi, Glenn Ettman.

The haunting sounds of the shofar have awakened people from their spiritual slumber every year since ancient times. Made from any kosher animal, but usually from ram or antelope horns, the shofar is sounded on Rosh Hashanah, and in some communities, during the month of Elul and at the end of the Yom Kippur fast. Shofar blowing consists of three basic sounds: tekiah, a long, unbroken blast; shevarim, three short, sharp notes; and teruah, a rapid series of short, sometimes staccato notes.

Here in Oregon, shofar blowers come from all religious affiliations and all walks of life. Many have sounded the shofar for years, and others have learned recently. Here are some thoughts and memories from a few heralds of our High Holidays: Joanna Booser got her shofar from Temple Beth Tikvah’s former rabbi, Glenn Ettman.

“He flew from Los Angeles to Bend once a month and brought a beautiful shofar with him,” she says. “Airport security didn’t know what it was, so he had to blow it to get through. Glenn taught me the calls, and I watched on YouTube. When Glenn got a full-time rabbi position and left the temple, he gave it to me.

“A flash mob is when people get together on the spur of the moment and have events. During the High Holidays, Glenn wanted a shofar flash mob on the bridge that runs across the river in our downtown shopping center. He called the calls, and I blew them up and down the river. We found all these Jewish people that were new to town. It was on the TV news.

“Our new rabbi, Johanna Hershenson, expanded the tradition. She invites all three Bend Jewish communities to bring their shofars to the bridge. She says the name of the call, I blow it as an example and everyone else follows.” ~~~ Diane Chaplin became interested in her Jewish roots at around age 40. A concert cellist, she was attracted to anything musical. Today she teaches at local colleges, directs the Rose City Youth Orchestra (rosecityyouth.org) and sounds the shofar at Havurah Shalom.

“There’s a tradition that you sound the shofar every day during the month of Elul,” she says. “We like the opportunity to get in shape. The technique is not different than other horn instruments.” ~~~ Dolfy Freinquel has blown the shofar at Temple Beth Israel in Eugene for nine

High Holy Days

Jeff Olenick and his wife, Amy Shapiro, have led services at Cedar Sinai Park for many years.

Sounding the shofar was always an ambition of Liza Milliner’s.

years. “It’s like being a conduit, producing the sounds G-d needs,” he says. “During the year we drift far away. That primal sound inspires us to awaken that longing to return, to do teshuvah.”

Like many, Dolfy found getting sound from the shofar was difficult at first, and consistency is never certain. “You can practice and practice, but that doesn’t reflect what is going to come out in front of the congregation,” he says. “Every year, I make an agreement with the divine. If sound comes out perfectly, I won’t take the credit, but if things don’t go well, I won’t take the blame.” ~~~ Liza Milliner learned to sound the shofar from Neveh Shalom virtuoso Alan Montrose (see below). “Four or five years ago, we started doing echoes,” she says. “I’m one of those echoes.”

Shofar blowing was always an ambition for Liza. “It was the highlight of the High Holidays, and I thought it would be

Alan Montrose has collected shofars over the years.

cool,” she says. “The first year was filled with anxiety, but each year it has improved. The hardest part is you don’t know what it’s going to sound like.” ~~~ Alan Montrose has sounded the shofar at the Congregation Neveh Shalom’s High Holidays for about 30 years. A lifelong member of the synagogue, his interest began during his bar mitzvah years.

“The cantor said if I learned my lessons, he’d teach me to blow the shofar,” Alan says. “At first, I thought it was impossible. I was never a trumpet player. It was hard to make sound and hit the notes. Staccato was the biggest challenge.

“The majority of the shofars are ram’s or antelope horns,” Alan says. “The shorter ones are ram. The Sephardim like to flatten theirs, and the Ashkenazim usually have one curl, the natural shape. The Yemenite favor the long curly antelope.

“The cantor gave me my first shofar. Then Rabbi Stampfer

Open the gates

and enter the new year with

All services

(except Rosh Hashanah Day 2) at Unity Church 4525 SE Stark, Portland

and Rabbi

Yitzhak Husbands-Hankin

Erev Rosh Hashanah ~ Sunday 9/13, 6:45 Rosh Hashanah Day 1 ~ Monday 9/14, 9:30 Children’s Service 10:00-11:00 Rosh Hashanah Day 2 ~ Tuesday 9/15, 10:30 services followed by Tashlich and a picnic at Cook Park shelter #3 (by the boat launch) in Tigard Kol Nidre ~ Tuesday 9/22, 6:45 Yom Kippur ~ Wednesday 9/23, 9:30 Children’s Service 10:00-11:00

Open your heart

‫יִל ּוחְתִּפ‬

• Everyone is welcome • Sliding scale donation • No ticket required Childcare available by advance registration at admin@pnaiorpdx.org

with Jewish Renewal

For more information, view www.pnaiorpdx.org or call 503-248-4500 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 29

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decided he wanted me to blow a longer shofar and brought me back one from Israel, I think. When I went to Israel, I blew around 200 trying to find a sound that I liked. I finally found one with the best tone I ever heard in Mea She'arim.

That was 22 years ago. On my last trip I picked up a few more.

“If you’re going to blow the shofar, you want to do it well.

The goal is a heartfelt thing. It inspires people, gets them out of their normal mindset so they focus on things that are important.” ~~~ Jeffrey Olenick and his wife, Amy Shapiro, have led High Holiday services at Rose Schnitzer Manor for many years.

“When you blow the shofar, you’re part of a long tradition,” he says. “Every year people come up and tell me how much they enjoy it.

“A true kosher shofar has no added anything; it’s just a horn,” he says. “The end is simply cut off and you blow into the cut-off end. The one I got in Israel originally was a ram’s horn. About 20 years ago, they had a beautiful, large shofar at the MJCC gift shop. It blew easily and had a magnificent loud tone. I’ve used that since.

“Keep trying shofars until you find one that plays well for you. Then practice and figure out what part of your lip gives the best tone.” ~~~ Howard Patterson belonged to the juggling, comedy troupe The Flying Karamazov Brothers before moving to Portland and joining Havurah Shalom.

“I happen to be an aficionado of medieval music,” he says.

“The cornetto or zink was a medieval instrument like the shofar. They were shaped like a horn and had holes drilled in the side so you got a more complete scale.

“The shofar is one of the oldest instruments in the world. It ties us to our early hominoid ancestry – my guess is it’s preHomo sapiens. In Yemen, they use the horn of the greater kudu. They look great, about two feet long with a giant corkscrew horn, and they have a lower, deeper sound than a ram’s horn. This is the kind I play.

“The shofar has a power older than music. It’s supposed to alarm you. How can I improve my life, apologize to people I’ve hurt? Let the sound into your heart. Let it disturb you and vibrate your stagnancies away.” ~~~ When Karen Peterson’s father, Larry Kruss, could no longer sound the shofar at Kol Shalom’s High Holiday services, he passed the baton to her. “He’s been a trumpet player since high school and blew the shofar at services every year,” she says. Karen played with his shofar as a child and even won a shofar-blowing contest at her Southern California synagogue when she was about 8.

“The hardest part is having enough breath to make the tone go up at the end and not being too nervous,” she says. “When you’re nervous, it sounds shaky.

“The best part is seeing the look on my dad’s face.” ~~~ “Every year I offer a clinic for whoever wants to learn to sound the shofar,” says Rabbi Ariel Stone of Congregation Shir Tikvah.

“I needed to learn when I was in rabbinic school and serving a congregation as a student. A fellow student showed me, and we practiced like crazy. It takes some good breath. There’s no mouthpiece, no help.

“I spent my first year of rabbinic school in Jerusalem and buying a shofar there was great fun. It’s a process of figuring out which one you like. They can be brown or black, short or long, curved or straight. I’ve had several over the years. I have one (of ) polished antelope as long as my arm.” ~~~ Rabbi Motti Wilhelm learned to sound the shofar at Chabad of Oregon’s Gan Israel day camp. “I was 9 years old,” he says.

“They did a shofar-making factory, and Rabbi Chaiton taught me. His trick was to put your finger over your lips and seal everything.

“The rebbe told us not only to blow the shofar in the synagogue, but also to reach out. After I became bar mitzvah, on Rosh Hashanah I walked to the apartments where the new Russian immigrants lived. I said, ‘Have you heard the shofar yet?’ Each apartment directed me to the next. Last year, I went up to OHSU and my nieces and nephews went to senior living centers.

“I’ll blow for parts of the service this year, but my father does the main shofar blowing. The hardest part? It’s a live performance, and there could be a lot of people. You’re always nervous that the sound just isn’t going to come out. It’s a raw sound, and we are taught that it represents the cry of a child. To me, it’s just trying to be present in the moment and allowing the shofar to be the sound of my own heart.”

Havurah Shalom invites you to our High Holiday Services 5776

Sunday, Sept. 13 – Wednesday, Sept. 23

No charge – All are welcome!

For service and celebration schedule, childcare registration, and other information, visit bit.ly/InfoHHD.

carolyn and robin weinstein

Realtors for Every Generation ®

Working for you and our community since 1978 to learn more visit

cweinsteinpdxhomes.com or contact us personally

carolyn 503.802.6415 robin 503.802.6405

carolynandrobin@hasson.com

Happy New Year

Services will be held at

The Tiffany Center 1410 SW Morrison (Except Tashlich, which is at Sellwood Riverside Park on Sept.14.)

Havurah Shalom 825 NW 18th Ave, Portland info@HavurahShalom.org www.HavurahShalom.org

BEAVERTON Beaverton Canyon Place Canyon at 117th Avenue 503-627-0113

CLACKAMAS Clackamas Promenade on Sunnyside Road 503-654-2888

Women’s & Men’s Wide Shoes Proud to be Locally Owned and Operated for Over 30 Years

www.jayswideshoes.com OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 31

High Holy Days

“May our goal for these High Holidays be to examine where we’ve been and where we are going through the lens of acceptance.” ~ Rabbi Rachel Joseph

BLESSINGS for a New Year from

Oregon’s Rabbis

“This year, 5776, ushers in a Hakhel year. May we use the blessing of this year to unite all Jews, encourage each other to increase in Torah observance and study, and foster an environment of love and awe of G-d.” ~ Rabbi Yosef Chaiton

“May Portland be blessed with Jews who will be searching, learning and celebrating the holiness of life.” ~ Rabbi Laurie Rutenberg

“May the light of Torah fill our lives through learning, yearning and earning. L’Shana Tova! A year of renewal and blessing to you and yours.” ~ Rabbi Gary Schoenberg

“May our community and the entire Jewish people be blessed with a year of … all the blessings from Aleph to Tav!” ~Rabbi Motti Wilhelm

“May we each have just enough time and inspiration and strength to do the work we need to do to move forward into the New Year with healing, determination, hope, forgiveness, love and strength.”

“May G-d bless every one of us with a year filled and overflowing with blessing.” ~ Rabbi Dov Bialo

“May it be your will God that We return to this date a year from now a stronger people.” ~ Rabbi Eve Posen

“May the works of their hands be blessed with much success, and may they walk the paths of peace along with their sisters and brothers in the Household of Israel and the wider human family.” ~ Rabbi Maurice Harris

“May your life have the sweetness of the honey.

May the many flavors of apples be like the many types of joy you experience. May your spirit have the clarity of call of the shofar.” ~ Rabbi David Kominsky

“May this year fill to the brim the rank and file those who serve who march themselves unsettled to the drawer of catch phrases away from the wizened quarry of heaven and earth.” ~ Rabbi Joey Wolf

Excerpts of blessings collected by the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. To read full blessings, visit jewishportland.org/blessings

~ Rabbi Jacqueline Brodsky

Shana Tova!

32 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

MAY YOuR NEW YEAR BE SWEET— MAY YOuR NEW AND SAVORY TOO. YEAR BE SWEET—

Celebrate the sweetness of Rosh Hashanah with our soft turban-style challah—then celebrate all of life’s flavors with beef brisket, house-made kugel and the rest of our High Holiday offerings.

AND SAVORY TOO.

Celebrate the sweetness of Rosh Hashanah with our soft turban-style challah—then celebrate all of life’s flavors with beef brisket, house-made kugel and the rest of our High Holiday offerings.

newseasonsmarket.com

newseasonsmarket.com

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 33

High Holy Days

Top 10 great reasons to love the pomegranate Pomegranates (rimonim in Hebrew) add color and symbolism to Rosh Hashanah tables worldwide

Here’s why you should try one

By Viva Sarah Press

Pomegranate season is underway. Markets are teeming with this glorious red fruit, supermarket shelves are packed with pomegranate juices, and cosmetic stores are promoting pomegranate oil-infused creams.

The fruit-with-a-crown is one of the ritual foods for the Rosh Hashanah holiday. It is understood to be the fruit that grew in the Garden of Eden and which biblical scouts brought to Moses to show the fertility of the promised land. It is also said to have 613 seeds – corresponding to the 613 mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah.

The pomegranate is a fun-to-eat but messy treat packing a tart and sweet taste. And this beautiful fruit is celebrated for its medicinal powers.

ISRAEL21c gives you 10 great reasons to add pomegranates to your shopping list:

1. Pomegranates are good for you

The pomegranate is known as a superfood. Its jewel-like seeds (arils) have been used for medicinal purposes for millennia.

Packed with powerful antioxidants and vitamins, this ruby-red fruit has been shown to be a cure-all for just about any ailment.

It helps stomach upsets, menopausal hot flashes, hemorrhoids, conjunctivitis, osteoarthritis, lowers blood pressure, stimulates the immune system, wards off the flu, reduces inflammation, reduces risk of heart disease and lowers cholesterol.

“The peel is good for the heart and blood vessels; the white membrane is good for stopping diarrhea and good for wounds and ulcers of the mouth and throat. The fruit also strengthens the brain, cleanses the body and blood from toxins, and is very good at expelling worms from the intestines,” Merav AltmanAdler, who practices classic Chinese medicine, tells ISRAEL21c.

2. Pomegranate juice is heart-healthy

“The most important new issue is the cardiovascular protection of pomegranate,” says Prof. Michael Aviram, head of the Lipid Research Laboratory of Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center and one of Israel’s top pomegranate researchers.

34 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

Pomegranate juice packs a high antioxidant potency punch and protects against heart attack and stroke. According to new research coming out of Aviram’s lab and an article he coauthored in Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal in April 2013, this royal red juice has an even higher concentration of antioxidants than other sources of dietary antioxidants such as red wine, grape juice, blueberry juice, cranberry juice and green tea.

3. Pomegranates help combat prostate cancer, diabetes

A Technion-Israel Institute of Technology study led by Aviram showed that the antioxidants found in pomegranate juice may be especially beneficial to diabetes patients.

Researchers found that drinking pomegranate juice reduced the uptake of oxidized “bad” LDL cholesterol by immune cells, which is a major contributing factor to atherosclerosis.

“Pomegranate at low dosages is also good for diabetics as the pomegranate sugar is not free (and harmful) but it is attached to the pomegranate’s unique phenolic antioxidants,” Aviram tells ISRAEL21c.

Two other recent studies by British and American researchers show that components in pomegranate juice help prevent prostate cancer metastasis. But Aviram warns that while the fruit juice is beneficial, “Pomegranate is not a magic bullet” in curing diseases.

4. Pomegranates make dessert wine

The Rimon Winery in Israel is one of the world’s top producers of this crimson dessert wine. Father-and-son duo Gabi and Avi Nahmias, from Moshav Kerem Ben Zimra in the Upper Galilee, developed a new strain of pomegranate for winemaking. In 2003, they produced just 2,000 bottles of pomegranate wine to test the market. Today, they ship more than 720,000 bottles across the globe.

5. There are different pomegranate varieties

Israelis have innovated different varieties of pomegranates.

Some are sweeter; others keep longer. According to the Agricultural Ministry, the 2013 crop was expected to yield some

5776/2015

Shaarie Torah wishes you and your loved ones a sweet and healthy New Year.

Join us for uplifting services and activities.

Tickets are free and open to all.

Donations gratefully accepted.

Visit our website for times and activities:

shaarietorah.org/hhd5776 920 NW 25th Ave., Portland, OR 97210 503.226.6131 ~ shaarietorah.org OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 35

60,000 tons of fruit. Of that, 14,000 tons of pomegranates will be used by the domestic market and the rest will be exported, mostly to Europe.

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev horticultural researchers have introduced three types of pomegranates to the market. Prof.

Ze’ev Wiesman of the plant oil biotechnology lab led the team that improved the genetic makeup of the new pomegranates — Narda, Rotem and Nitzan. Wiesman says they taste better, are more vivid in color, and ripen earlier – as was the case this season, when Israeli pomegranates hit the global market in July 2013, three weeks earlier than usual.

6. Peeling pomegranates can be stain-free

7. Pomegranates keep you young

Chinese herbology cites pomegranate juice as a longevity treatment. And thanks to the pomegranate’s antioxidant extracts, modern science and the cosmetics industry agree that topical application of products containing the ruby red fruit can keep wrinkles at bay. Pomegranate-tinged anti-aging creams, massage oils, masques and toners are readily available.

Shavit – an Israeli company specializing in all-natural beauty products – produces a line of pomegranate-infused products that are exported around the world.

“Pomegranate oil is a rich source of punicic acid and this is a very strong antioxidant that helps fight wrinkles,” Aliza Shavit, a pharmacist by training and co-founder of the company, tells ISRAEL21c.

Punicic acid is a rare omega-5 conjugated fatty acid that has been shown to improve skin tone and elasticity. “Every day our faces are exposed to harmful sun rays and pollutants,” Shavit says. “The pomegranate extracts help keep the skin healthy.”

Rimonest – a company funded by the Technion and led by head researcher Dr. Ephraim Lansky has also developed a line of products for the functional food, functional beverage, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors.

Punicic acid is a rare omega-5 conjugated fatty acid that has been shown to improve skin tone and elasticity.

“Every day our faces are exposed to harmful sun rays and pollutants,” Shavit says. “The pomegranate extracts help keep the skin healthy.”

Two Israeli companies have found revolutionary ways of extracting the fruit’s seeds and oils so they can be used commercially in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Juran Technologies of Rishon Lezion uses its ArilSystem to extract a whopping 600-1,800 kilograms of pomegranate seeds in just one hour. The ArilSystem can also remove the tough peel and inner membranes of the fruit, important for the beverage industry since the tannins in pomegranate membranes add a bitter taste to the juice.

“Pomegranate is an evolving product worldwide,” Juran CEO and Marketing Director Avner Galili, told ISRAEL21c in an earlier interview. “We believe the only way to keep the pomegranate sector profitable is by industrializing it — freshcutting, juicing, drying and freezing.”

Caesarea-based Hefestus uses water and sound-wave technology to separate the pomegranate peel and its paper-thin membrane from the arils. To achieve optimal long-lasting shelf life, Hefestus packs the fruit in sealed trays using its patented Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) technology.

8. Pomegranates are packed with religious history and symbolism

The pomegranate has enjoyed celebrity status for millennia.

Widely believed to have originated in Persia (modern-day Iran), the fruit is mentioned in ancient Babylonian texts, the Bible, the Homeric Hymns and the Quran. Pomegranates appear in Greek mythology, Egyptian papyrus, Tang Dynasty characters, and ancient Armenian texts.

A pomegranate tree growing at Casa Caesarea, a Bed & Breakfast in Caesarea, Israel (casacaesarea.com). Photo by Anne Kleinberg 36 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

daeh dpyl L ’Shanah Tova and

Welcome!

MICHAEL Z. CAHANA Senior Rabbi

IDA RAE CAHANA Senior Cantor

SYDNEY A. BAER Executive Director

1972 NW Flanders Street Portland, Oregon 97209-2097 www.bethisrael-pdx.org

RACHEL L. JOSEPH Associate Rabbi BEN SANDLER, M.ED. Education Director

EMANUEL ROSE, D.H.L., D.D. Rabbi Emeritus

JUDITH BLANC SCHIFF Cantor Emerita

JEN LEVISON FELDMAN, A.C.S.W. Development Director

Temple Office: 503.222.1069 Education Department: 503.222.2037 Fax: 503.274.1400

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 37

The Greeks called pomegranates the “fruit of the dead,” relating to the story of Hades tricking Persephone into eating its seeds in order to keep her as his wife. Ancient Egyptians saw the pomegranate as a symbol of prosperity and ambition. In Judaism, it symbolizes fruitfulness, and in Hinduism it represents prosperity and fertility.

9. Pomegranates are beautiful

Pomegranates are a favorite theme in visual and literary arts.

King Solomon, in the Song of Songs, cites the fruit in one of the most famous love poems: “Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks.”

Thanks to their all-religions symbolism, pomegranates can be found in artworks throughout the centuries. Famous paintings include Early Renaissance Italian painter Sandro Botticelli’s Madonna of the Pomegranate (ca. 1487) and French painter William-Adolphe Bouquereau’s Girl with a Pomegranate, 1875.

Want a modern take on pomegranates? Stop by any of Israel’s crafts markets and you’ll be inundated with pomegranate-themed ceramics, woodwork, clay, photography and drawings.

How to eat a pomegranate

10. They taste great!

Pomegranates would hardly enjoy such celebrity status if they tasted as bitter as their peel. But crack open this pink-red-purplish fruit and dig in. A bit tart but sweet too, pomegranates are a tasty and nutritious snack.

And if you’re not a fan of purple-tinged fingers, you can always stop by a fresh juice stand or order pomegranate ice cream. Enjoy!

This article provided by israel21c.org.

Beit Haverim 1111 Country Club Road Beit Haverim invites you to join us fo r t he High Lake Oswego, OR 97034 Holy Days 5776. Community Ser vice 503-568-1241 s led b d C n a a g r n e B t o n y a rial Sol Rabbi Al office@beithav.org oist A nn Brown. www.beithav.org Selichot Social Hour ................................Saturday, Sept. 5 ......... 7 PM Rosh Hashanah Erev Rosh Hashanah ................................Sunday, Sept. 13 ......... 7 PM Children’s Service ....................................Monday, Sept. 14 ......... 9 AM Morning Service*.....................................Monday, Sept. 14 ..... 10 AM Tashlich ...................................................Monday, Sept. 14 ....... 1 PM George Rogers Park, 611 S. State St., Lake Oswego

Shabbat Shavuah ......................................Friday, Sept. 18 ......... 7 PM Shabbat Service .................................... Saturday, Sept. 19 ....... 10 AM Cemetery Service .....................................Sunday, Sept. 20 ....... 10 AM Yom Kippur Kol Nidre ................................................... Tuesday, Sept 22 ........ 7 PM Children’s Service ..............................Wednesday, Sept. 23 ....... 9 AM Morning Service*................................Wednesday, Sept. 23 ....... 10 AM followed by Adult Study Session (2 PM), Afternoon Service (3 PM) Yizkor/Neilah (4:30 PM), and Potluck Break Fast (6 PM)

Sukkot Service ............................................... Friday, Oct. 2 ......... 7 PM Simchat Torah Service ................................. Tuesday, Oct. 6 ....... 10 AM Simchat Torah Family Service ......................... Friday, Oct. 9 ......... 7 PM *Childcare available, reservations required. Email: office@beithav.org

Non-Member Reservations: 503-568-1241 or www.beithav.org

38 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

PHOTO BY CAMPBELLSALGADO.COM

Oswego Pioneer Cemetery, 17401 Stafford Rd, Lake Oswego

Pomegranates add a splash of color, texture and flavor to many dishes.

Photo by Anne Kleinberg Now that you know why you want to wrestle with this amazing fruit, check out recipes to enjoy the hard-earned nuggets of flavor in Jewish Life columnist Anne Kleinberg’s book Pomegranates: 70 Celebratory Recipes.

Published by Ten Speed Press (Sept. 1, 2004), the book is available on amazon.com in paperback or kindle editions.

Whether an integral part of a dish's composition or adding a bit of color and surprise as a garnish, pomegranates bring beauty and stimulating flavor. Pomegranates offers the natural and cultural history of the pomegranate throughout the world; gives tips on how to buy, eat and use this delectable fruit; and then dishes up a comprehensive collection of 70 pomegranate recipes.

Anne Kleinberg, who is also the author of Menopause in Manhattan and several other cookbooks, left a cushy life in Manhattan to begin a new one in Israel. Now she’s opened a boutique bed and breakfast in her home on the golf course in Caesarea (casacaesarea.com).

Happy New Year!

JOE MENASHE Principal Broker

Serving Portland Metro area buyers and sellers for 23 years.

503-784-1855

JoeMenashe@RealtyTrust.com

Wishing you health, happiness and prosperity in the New Year.

Shanah Tovah PORTLAND CITY COMMISSIONER DAN SALTZMAN

WISHING YOU A

5776 bursting with

sweetness

HADASSAH PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION Peg Elefant, President 515 116th Ave NE, Ste. 131 Bellevue, WA 98004 425-467-9099 pnwregion@hadassah.org

HADASSAH THE WOMEN’S ZIONIST ORGANIZATON OF AMERICA, INC.

hadassah.org

©2015 Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc. Hadassah is a registered trademark of Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 39

High Holy Days

Rosh Hashanah: Ten Ways To Be a Mensch

By Amy Hirshberg Lederman

One New Year’s Eve when I was 6 years old, I stayed up way past my bedtime and, crouched behind the living room door, I looked on as my parents celebrated late into the night with friends. I watched silently as they twirled to the music of Tony Bennett, drank champagne from crystal glasses and toasted “Happy New Year!” when the clock struck 12:01. I couldn’t wait to be grown up – to wear silk lounge pants like my mother’s and have parties where I served tiny hot dogs wrapped in pastry.

From my youthful vantage point, the night seemed magical.

As Americans, we wish each other a happy new year on New Year’s Eve and toast to a year of good health, friendship and success. Yet when the Jewish New Year rolls around, we wish each other something quite different. At Rosh Hashanah we say “L’shanah Tova!” – may you have a good new year, not a happy one. Why the difference?

Although Judaism values joy and happiness as an important part of spiritual wholeness, we seek something more as the foundation of our new year. To be a good, kind and caring

Celebrating Jewish Life in Southwest Washington 360-896-8088 • www.jewishvancouverusa.org 7800 NE 119th Street • Vancouver WA 98662

L’shanah Tovah

‫לשנה טובה‬ Let us welcome you to all of our High Holy Day services http://bit.ly/highholydays2015

person – to be a mensch – is what the Jewish New Year is all about. What Rosh Hashanah inspires is a message of hope that this year we will raise our spiritual awareness and become better individuals. This will be a year where we make the world a better place for our family, friends and community.

But Jewish tradition does not provide a single rule, definition or value that defines what it means to be a good person. It understands the complexity of being human and that life is complicated and challenging. Being human is messy, not messianic.

The beauty of Judaism is that it provides us with a system, a framework of values that can help us in the daily choices we make in our efforts to be good. It gives us tools that we can apply to the many complex situations and relationships we encounter.

Where do we find the tools to help us become better people?

In the wisdom of the texts that are the blueprint for Jewish living found in the Torah and the Talmud.

If there is a Torah Top 10 on how to be a mensch, it would be the following: • Love your neighbor as yourself. (Leviticus 19:18) • Do not do to others what is hateful unto you. (Talmud, Shabbat 31a) • Do not stand idly by while your neighbor’s blood is shed.

(Leviticus 19:16) • Justice, justice you shall pursue. (Deuteronomy 16:20) • Do not separate yourself from the community. (Pirkei Avot 2:5) • Do what is fair and good in the eyes of the Lord.

(Deuteronomy 6:18) • Do not hate your brother in your heart. (Leviticus 19:17) • The world stands on three things: Torah study, service of God and acts of loving kindness. (Pirkei Avot 1:2) • He has told you what is good and what the Lord requires of you: to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8) • You shall be holy, for I, the Lord God, am holy. (Leviticus 19:2) To better understand and use our “mensch tool kit,” we need to learn more about what each of these sayings really means and how we can apply them to our daily life. Studying what Jewish wisdom teaches us about loving others, pursuing justice, helping the needy, engaging with our community and living a compassionate life is a meaningful way to walk the path of mensch-hood.

This year when someone wishes you L’shana Tova, remember that within those two words lies a deeper, more profound meaning. For in those words is the hope that this year will be a year of learning, opportunity and commitment to becoming a good (or better) person and the knowledge that the world will be enriched by your efforts.

Amy Hirshberg Lederman has written more than 300 columns and essays that have been published nationwide. amyhirshberglederman.com

40 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

“The Making of a Mensch” premieres on Character Day “The Making of a Mensch,” a new film premiering this fall on Character Day 2015, will be shown globally and at five Oregon groups, including Congregation Shaarie Torah in Portland.

Character Development Day is a global day created to engage Jewish and secular communities around the world in different perspectives and teachings around character. The release date intentionally falls during the Jewish High Holy Days, a period of reflection and self-examination on one’s character.

The inaugural Character Day 2014 was a wide success with 1,500 schools and nonprofits around the world screening Shlain’s film, “The Science of Character,” which launched the event, and using resources to hold discussions with their Filmmaker Tiffany Shlain communities. The U.S. State Department screened the film in Washington, D.C., and at embassies around the world. In total, people tapped in from more than 120 countries and 3,000 cities, and the film was translated into 14 different languages.

“The Making of a Mensch,” directed by acclaimed Emmy-

nominated filmmaker Tiffany Shlain (creator of Sundance hit film “The Tribe” and founder of The Webby Awards), explores character development through the ancient Jewish wisdom of Mussar, updating these teachings through her trademark accessible, provocative, engaging and entertaining 21st century lens.

“Premiering ‘The Making of a Mensch’ as part of Character Day, and during the High Holidays, will create a very powerful experience that we hope will spark new conversation and thinking about how to live fulfilling and purposeful lives in today’s 24/7 world,” says Shlain, named by Newsweek as one of the ‘Women Shaping the 21st Century.’ “People are hungry for deep and meaningful engagement around big topics like character and giving back in fulfilling ways. And after last year’s Character Day, Jewish educators and rabbis introduced me to the teachings of Mussar and it became very clear we had to make this film and resources

Happy New Year

from the Safeway Kosher Deli • Full service kosher bakery • Fresh baked dairy and parve goods • Traditional round challahs • Large selection of kosher meats and wines Great Rosh Hashanah menu including: Rotisserie Chickens, Briskett, Tzimmes, , Tzimmes, Kugels, Baked Salmon, Roasted Veggies

8145 SW Barbur Blvd Portland, OR 97219

(503) 452-6068 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 41

High Holy Days

about character through the lens of these great ancient Jewish teachings. We want to deliver an experience through the film and conversation cards and materials that gets Jews of all ages excited to dive in and learn more.”

This fall at Congregation Shaarie Torah, Rabbi Joshua Rose plans a class for adults that will do just that. The class, The 613 Habits Of Highly Spiritual People, is described thusly: “Did you know Judaism has its own guided path toward spiritual development and self-understanding? It is called Mussar, and it is an approach of self-awareness, self-understanding and personal development that is grounded in both deep reflection on Jewish texts and on spiritual practices that guide us toward greater control over our thinking and behaviors.”

Additionally Shaarie Torah plans to develop the concepts throughout the year in the high school program. “Since the High Holy Days are a perfect time for introspection from a religious point of view, we, at Shaarie Torah will use the concept and the material during family service on Yom Kippur,” says Education Director Dorice Horenstein. “We will take the words and ethical properties and will spread them throughout the building. That opening will allow me to then take this to the Wednesday Night School and continue to develop it throughout the year.”

In Oregon, related programs also are being planned by Next Door, Inc, Hood River; Salish Ponds; Fun, Loving & Connected Family, Bend; and Astoria High School.

With “The Making of a Mensch,” Shlain's filmmaking studio Let it Ripple hopes to engage more than 3,000 schools, synagogues, JCCs, nonprofits, Jewish camps, and other community organizations globally in film screenings and other activities on Character Day 2015. Partners include the U.S. State Department, Foundation for Jewish Camp, The Covenant Foundation, National Association of Independent Schools, the San Francisco Unified School District, the Center on Media and Child Health, and many more. Let it Ripple used “Cloud Filmmaking” to gain input, via video, from people all over the world on the issues the film addresses. Shlain and her team selected some of the submissions to include in the final film.

The “The Making of a Mensch” is Shlain’s first explicitly Jewish-themed film since “The Tribe” in 2006, which explored American Jewish identity through the history of the Barbie doll. Shlain’s original online series, the Emmy-nominated “The Future Starts Here,” has over 40 million views and in its first episode, “Technology Shabbats,” explored Shlain’s family’s weekly ritual of turning off all screens one day each week, an updated interpretation of the very old tradition of Shabbat.

“I think people are ready for this deep conversation, and it’s this great opportunity to show how these ancient Jewish ideas are in fact very relevant and can be a guide to leading a meaningful and purposeful life in today’s world,” adds Shlain.

“The Making of a Mensch and Character Day 2015 will ignite this dialogue. The short film is the appetizer, and the discussion everyone has afterwards, delving deeper into materials, is the main course.”

May your year be as crisp as a fresh apple and as sweet as honey.

Best wishes from

42 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

During High Holidays, Fight Hunger and Repair the World Repair the World staffers Amy Goldsmith and Danielle Kirshenblat were in Portland July 17-19 to encourage local participation in a new national campaign to inspire a different kind of High Holiday “service” this fall.

As part of September’s Hunger Action Month, Repair the World is recruiting volunteers to raise awareness about food justice, while fostering stronger local food systems, self-reliant communities and a healthier environment.

“We don't yet have any committed projects in Oregon to report on but there is a lot of interest,” said Amy in early August.

Repair the World Special Projects Director Danielle Kirshenblat, left, and Program Manager Amy Goldsmith explain a new national campaign to fight hunger to representatives of Oregon Jewish organizations and congregations.

Photo by Deborah Moon

While in Oregon, Amy and Danielle also spent the weekend at Cedar Ridge Conference Center in Vernonia, facilitating workshops at the Moishe House Repair the World Learning Retreat.

Repair the World is seeking passionate individuals and organizations to help build this movement around the country.

Working with Repair the World, movement leaders will help organize food justice volunteer opportunities between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (Sept. 13-23), host a Turn the Tables

dinner and help inspire service.

Repair the World movement leaders will create meaningful opportunities for service, promoting the High Holidays as a time for both attending services and doing service in your community.

Anyone can participate as a volunteer and a Turn the Tables dinner host. To volunteer, visit weRepair.org/InspireService.

Repair the World inspires American Jews to give their time and effort to serve those in need. For more information, visit werepair.org.

Cantor Deborah Bletstein Rabbi David Kosak

Rabbi Eve Posen

For High Holy Day Tickets and Membership Information Contact Wendy Kahn cnsmembership@nevehshalom.org 503.246.8831 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 43

High Holy Days

Ask Helen

High Holidays good time to redefine priorities Dear Helen:

It’s been a long time since I’ve been a good practicing Jew. I support my synagogue financially and I attend the High Holiday services, but it’s mostly to connect with family and clients, not because I’m truly drawn towards a deeper relationship with religion. But one of my best friends has just been diagnosed with inoperable cancer, and another died of a heart attack in his 40s right after a game of racquetball. So I am thinking more about both my mortality and what it means to use the days of my life. How can I use the HH to make myself a better person and change some of my life priorities? I don’t expect a radical makeover, but I miss feeling like I am more than a workaholic machine.

Lapsed

Dear Lapsed:

One of the most intrinsic concepts to the High Holidays is teshuvah, which means return, where return is to both a relationship with God and to your true self. It’s often discussed in terms of making amends for what you’ve done wrong, with all the discussion, apologies and atonement that accompany admitting your lapses and sins, large and small. But it’s also

CONGREGATION

Shir Tikvah Wishes you a sweet new year

www.shirtikvahpdx.org 44 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

about understanding, and committing to, what you need to do better. Doing teshuvah with real sincerity will help energize you to live the best life you can, not merely for yourself but for others, from sick friends to work colleagues. It will stretch the crack in your soul that your friends’ experiences have opened in you. It’s not easy, but it is a wonderful annual reminder about honesty and humility.

The rabbis describe how different teachers discipline students.

One would reprimand, demanding the student acknowledge the wrong and agree to make amends. The other would say, “I’m disappointed you didn't live up to who you really can be. Your soul is much greater than that.” Follow whichever teshuvah practice helps you live with more awareness and sensitivity in the new year. Stick or carrot, keep striving for goodness.

A year ago I almost died in a fire. It generated a deep form of teshuvah. I looked at each aspect of my world anew, and paid very close attention to how I felt in various situations. I became more discerning about when/why/how I was restless, lonely, annoyed, hungry and bored, as well as when I was joyous, attentive, playful and creative. I started to meditate regularly (there are many strong meditative traditions within Judaism).

I found myself gravitating more toward silence, kindness and happiness and choosing to move away from kvetching, judgment and negativity, whether it was in myself or in others.

Don’t pressure yourself to change too fast; and don’t set the bar unreasonably high. Allow yourself to actively experience what it feels like to shift how you think of yourself (and how others may perceive you), to change what you do and with whom you spend time. Teshuvah is self-generating. It will soften and lighten you, heart and soul. It will change you deeply.

Working on your soul and on how you live your life is important work. Help your friend with cancer. Being an active part of his support team will keep you from being too selfcentered. Visit your friend’s grave and talk to his spirit. Go to services more often. Ask for help in prayer and make time to listen to your own heart, whether through meditating or naturewalking. You will feel a state of renewal that will impact each future choice you make. Your life will become more conscious and less reactive. This is the beginning of tikkun olam, of healing and repairing the world. Like the phrase “think globally, act locally,” you are starting change within your heart and soul that will flow through you to those around you.

Helen claims to have black belts in schmoozing, problem-solving and chutzpah. She’s a writer and an artist (kabbalahglass.com). Please email your questions to helen@yourjewishfairygodmother. com and check out the blog at kabbalahglass. com/blog/

New Year in the Fall

By Teddy Weinberger

What does it mean to live in a country where the New Year is Rosh Hashanah rather than Jan. 1? Of course, if you are Jewish and care about Jewish traditions, Rosh Hashanah in Israel will provide you with a powerful sense of "group feeling" that comes from living in the only country in the world where Judaism is the majority culture. I would argue, though, that one doesn't have to be a religious Jew or even Jewish at all to reap some of the benefits from living in a country where the New Year is in early fall rather than winter.

One of the great things about Rosh Hashanah is that it makes sense of one's experience of the rhythm of the year. Whether you are a student or the parent of a student, or whether you are in the work world, there is a sense of something finished at the end of summer and something beginning again in September. And the change in seasons from summer to fall underscores one's experience of an ending and a beginning (OK, all right, for those who live in cities like Miami as I did before making aliyah, where summer ends in early November, you can just go on to my next point). Part of Rosh Hashanah's power, then, lies in the fact that at the exact time when we are predisposed toward ritualizing a new beginning, we have the Jewish New Year.

A major aspect of living in Israel during the fall holiday period is the very fact that the three weeks between Rosh Hashanah and Simchat Torah is a culturally recognized period. (Indeed, while the school year in Israel begins on Sept. 1, the university and work year do not begin until "after the holidays," aharay ha-hagim, a phrase that starts to come into play in August and is designed to put off any major professional decision for two months – until after Simchat Torah).

In America, with the exception of children attending day school, the Jewish holidays are experienced as interruptions of one's work life or school life. Your classmates and work colleagues are doing their everyday thing, and you know that you will have to play catch-up after each holiday. In other words, whereas the holidays abroad are experienced as a disruption of one's regular life, in Israel during this time school and work are experienced as disruptions of the holiday period.

A key difference between experiencing the New Year in Israel as Rosh Hashanah and experiencing it in America as Jan. 1 pertains to the ritualization of the process of turning over a new leaf in one's life. In America people speak about this as making a New Year's resolution, but because this is not anchored in ritual, it hardly packs any meaning. You don't have to be religious to understand that ritual has a function in human society – any sociologist and anthropologist will tell you as much. Ritual has a way of concentrating one's attention and underscoring the significance of what one is doing. In Israel, it is hard to escape from some kind of ritualization of the New Year. Phrases such as "may the curses of this past year disappear and the blessings of the New Year begin" are alive in the culture throughout this period. That is, one may come across phrases like this in advertisements for dishwashers, in holiday greeting cards from one's employer and on late-night radio talk

shows. Special symbolic foods for the New Year abound at our local supermarkets – pomegranates, beets, leeks, carrots, sesame, pumpkin, and apples and honey – encouraging one to treat this period with special attention. A family Rosh Hashanah meal, using some or all of the symbolic foods, serves to ritualize the day for most Israelis. Rosh Hashanah reflections facilitated by ritual are more anchored in Israeli culture than are New Year's resolutions in American culture, and hence, one is more apt to experience Rosh Hashanah as a new start than one does Jan. 1.

At the risk of going off topic, I’ll close by noting one other key difference between counting down to Rosh Hashanah in Israel and counting down to Jan. 1 in America. In America, the primary countdown in December is not toward Jan. 1 but toward Christmas. There are spiritual and emotional benefits for a Jew to live in a country whose culture counts down to Rosh Hashanah.

Shana Tova.

Teddy Weinberger, PhD, writes from Givat Ze’ev, a suburb of Jerusalem just over the Green Line. He and his wife, Sarah Jane Ross, made aliyah in 1997 with their five children. Teddy is director of development for Meaningful, a company that works with Israeli nonprofit organizations.

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By Rich Geller

The year 2015 just might go down in history as the year of the Hollywood reboot. Venerable cinematic franchises such as “Jurassic Park,” “Star Wars” and “The Terminator” have returned to the silver screen to reach a new generation of fans.

What’s old is new again as Tinseltown makes good on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signature catchphrase, “I’ll be back.”

However, reboot is more than just a Hollywood buzzword.

With the arrival of the Jewish High Holidays, G-d offers us an opportunity to reboot our entire lives. Beginning with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and concluding 10 days later with Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, The Days of Awe, as they are collectively known, are a time of reflection for Jews around the world. At this season Jewish people examine their lives both as individuals and as members of the larger Jewish community. For those of us with children, the High Holidays are also a time to ponder our parenting skills.

Parenting, much like the Peace Corps, is the toughest job you’ll ever love. I did not fully appreciate just how hard my parents had to work until I had children of my own. There is perhaps no greater challenge than shepherding the next generation of Jews toward adulthood. Yet despite the best of intent, or kavanah in Hebrew, as parents we sometimes miss the mark, saying or doing the wrong thing, often without even realizing it. The thoughtless word or deed cannot be unsaid or undone but can be made right, through repentance, or teshuvah, and a sincere commitment to change.

However, committing to change doesn’t necessarily mean reinventing the wheel. The best of the movie reboots retain the essence of the original while jettisoning only those elements that hold back the narrative or are no longer relevant to a modern audience. At Trader Joe’s, where I am currently employed, we frequently invoke the concept of “kaizen,” which is the Japanese term for continuous improvement. We are encouraged to improve ourselves a little bit each day. Aiming for slow and steady progress over time has the added benefit of being a more readily attainable goal. We don’t need to change every aspect of our lives overnight. If we identify and “kaizen” even a single goal

Rosh Hashanah

REBOOT

In Oregon, it is easy to find running water for the Rosh Hashanah ritual of tashlich “Tashlich” means “casting off” in Hebrew and involves symbolically casting off the sins of the previous year by tossing pieces of bread or another food into a body of flowing water. Just as the water carries away the bits of bread, so too are sins symbolically carried away.

each day, we have made worthy progress.

Part of the beauty of The Days of Awe is that they compel us to take a break from our everyday lives and to look within, providing a much needed reality check. When we look at the proverbial man in the mirror, what we see is often lacking. It’s all too easy to resolve to spend more time with your children or to decide to be more patient or gracious. Such promises come quickly to the lips. Whether you make New Year’s resolutions on Rosh Hashanah or January first, we all know that anybody can make a resolution; the trick is keeping it. Real change is hard work. It is not easy to break with long-established patterns of family dynamics. Fortunately as Jews we have access to a wealth of rituals that help to reinforce our kavanah. The intrinsic value of ritual is that it helps us to bridge the gap between the spiritual and the material worlds.

Long ago, when the Temple still stood in Jerusalem, each year on Yom Kippur the High Priest would symbolically place the sins of the Israelites upon the head of a goat. This “scapegoat” would then be sent out into the wilderness, figuratively absolving the community of their sins. The ritual helped the Israelites to face the New Year by letting go of the baggage acquired in the previous year. While this particular ritual is no longer observed, others have developed that serve a similar purpose.

One of my family’s favorite Rosh Hashanah rituals is tashlikh, which means “casting off.” Not only is it a fun family activity, it really helps our children to visualize the changes they wish to make in the coming year. I find it helps to sit down together with your children in the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah and write down things that you each wish to change, eliminate or work on. Next, locate a nearby body of water, preferably a flowing one such as a river or stream. Bring some old bread and give a piece to each child. A passage from the Book of Micah in the Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible, Micah 7:18-20 is recited at the beginning of the ceremony: "You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Then take turns tossing the bread into the waters as each child recites something they hope to change about themselves in the year to come. Take some time afterward

to discuss with your children the things they hope to change in the new year. Many synagogues now offer opportunities to visit a local body of water and perform the ritual of tashlich as a community.

Rosh Hashanah is also a day of judgment. G-d is said to judge each individual based on their actions in the previous year and determine their fate in the year to come. As I write this article, my children have just received their school report cards, and I have just had my review at work. In a sense the Jewish High Holidays are G-d’s annual review of his children. As it is said in the liturgy, “On Rosh Hashanah it is written. On Yom Kippur it is sealed.” Or in the words of “Northern Exposure’s” nebbishy Dr. Joel Fleischman, “What happens is you have basically 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to reverse the call. You examine your soul; you atone for your sins.” As a child I was terrified of G-d’s judgment. As an adult I see it as a chance to better myself, and as a parent I see it as an opportunity to double down on my commitment to my kids.

Our family spent the Fourth of July at the beach this year in Gearhart on the Oregon coast. My son Leo and I spent a lot of time in the water. As I watched the waves crash into us time and again, my thoughts turned toward the future. The ocean is an apt metaphor for life. Waves of opportunity and adversity hurtle towards us, an unstoppable force, interspersed with moments of joy and clarity. We cannot stem the tide, but we can gird ourselves against its ceaseless onslaught. We cannot control the waves – only our reaction to them. As I watched the Pacific Ocean pummel my son over and over, I began to realize just how strong and resilient kids really are.

As parents, we face the promise of 5775, while contemplating our own personal reboot. With one more year under our belts, and no help from fellow member of the tribe J.J. Abrams, I am reminded of the catchphrase from 2015’s “Terminator Genisys” as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s aging cyborg character repeatedly describes himself as “old, but not obsolete.” We may all be one year older, but on Rosh Hashanah we are born anew.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 47

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48 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

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Join Jewish high school students from across Greater Portland for a weekend of fun, unifying the local Jewish youth groups and synagogues.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 49

Kids

Families in Ashland enjoy Jewish stories, songs and movement at a PJ Library Sunday morning program in Lithia Park. On Sept. 11, Ashland launches PJ Library Connection Adventures with a Tot Shabbat at Pioneer Hall in Ashland. All families with kids 6 months to 8 years are invited to welcome Shabbat with blessings, song, storytelling and a light meal, all free of charge. RSVP to PJLibrarySOregon@gmail.com or call 541-488-7716 for more information.

PJ Library has growth spurts PJ Library has had two major growth spurts in Oregon: first the program was expanded to offer free books for children up to age 11 in all five PJ Library programs in the state, and now three of those programs have received grants to engage the community.

PJ Library is a book-based program available to North American Jewish children ages 6 months through 8 years. Every month, eligible families receive a specific, age-appropriate book in the mail.

PJ Our Way is the next chapter of PJ Library for kids ages 9-11, enabling kids to choose the books they want each month.

Fifty-five communities applied for the Engagement Grant from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and its generous PJ Library Alliance philanthropic partners. Of the 15 communities chosen, three are in Oregon.

PJ Our Way PJ Our Way launched as a pilot program in 10 communities.

This year all five Oregon communities – Portland, Bend, Eugene, Salem-Corvallis and Southern Oregon – were selected to be in the next pilot cohort of PJ Our Way for the 9- to 11-year-olds.

PJ Our Way offers the gift of exceptional books with Jewish themes to kids ages 9-11 – books that they choose themselves!

PJ Our Way is a free gift from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

With PJ Our Way, rather than receiving a specific book in 50 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

the mail, kids can go to pjourway.org every month to choose the free book they want to receive. Kids can also submit reviews and videos about the books. And they can apply to be part of the national Design Team that has early access to PJ Our Way books and helps create content for the website.

“We are so excited that in less than two months we are able to expand our reach from 6 months old all the way to 11 years old and look forward to new and amazing programing opportunities,” says Rachel Rothstein, who oversees the PJ Library program in Portland in her role as director of educational initiatives at the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.

Any child age 9-11 living in a pilot community is eligible to sign up. Kids can sign up with their parents at pjourway.org.

Community Engagement PJ Library Southern Oregon, Eugene and Portland are recipients of the Harold Grinspoon Engagement Grant given to foster social connections and new opportunities in communities across the continent.

Young families raising Jewish children in the three areas will now have more opportunities to participate in Jewish life, thanks to a grant recently awarded by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. The foundation created PJ Library, which offers Jewish books and programs to families around the globe.

The winning initiatives emphasize building social connections among families as well as engaging them in

Jewish life, programming or learning. They range from ongoing neighborhood gatherings to Shabbat-preparation workshops and dinners.

PJ Library Southern Oregon, co-sponsored by both Havurah Shir Hadash and Temple Emek Shalom in Ashland, received $8,000 to launch Outreach Adventures, which will provide programming for young families throughout the Rogue Valley and beyond.

“Southern Oregon PJ Library is honored to receive this grant and thrilled to be part of the global PJ Library community reaching tens of thousands of families,” says Havurah Shir Hadash Executive Director Ayala Zonnenschein. “Cyrise Beatty Schachter, Ashland-based cantorial singer/musician/Jewish educator, will oversee the programming, inviting local singers, storytellers, rabbis and artists to share their gifts in the richly textured events that will be offered. We are so excited to be the recipients of this generous grant, which will make a tremendous difference for young Jewish families in our region.”

Portland received $15,000 to expand and deepen the engagement of families raising Jewish children by increasing the number and quality of engagement initiatives available in our community. Portland will focus in areas underserved currently in the greater Portland area such as the Eastside and Hillsboro.

In Portland the grant will fund Neighborhood Story and Song in five neighborhoods, a multi-session, drop-in family program highlighting PJ Library books and Jewish songs. It is designed to deepen the Jewish connections of current PJ subscribers, identify

new subscribers and create micro-communities of families with young children living in close proximity.

PJ Library in Eugene is a program of the Jewish Federation of Lane County, where Audrey Banks serves as the coordinator.

Eugene received $8,000 to develop PJ Connect, a collaboration with local grassroots Jewish community organizations to engage unaffiliated families in meaningful Jewish-themed events via three initiatives: monthly structured programs, twice monthly social drop-in groups and a series of home-based “just-in-time” activities available from a lending library.

The grant proposals were chosen through a competitive process open to local organizations implementing PJ Library across North America.

“PJ Library’s impact goes well beyond the more than 144,000 books we send out each month,” says PJ Library Director of Community Engagement Judi Wisch. “We have worked closely with our local partners for years to help advance Jewish family engagement, and this is the first time we are able to add financial support to great initiatives to help ensure their success.”

These grants are the first stage in a five-year strategy to extend Jewish engagement in North America, through the support of the newly formed PJ Library Alliance. Partners in the Alliance are the William Davidson Foundation; the Jim Joseph Foundation; the William and Audrey Farber Philanthropic Fund; the Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation; Walter, Arnee, Sarah and Aaron Winshall; the Susser Family Trust; and an anonymous partner.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 51

Food

Corner The last couple of months will go down in the record books as one of the warmest summers the Pacific Northwest has had in some time. While Oregon is typically recognized for an abundance of rain, this summer’s unusual string of consecutive sweltering days makes most of us eager for a more temperate forecast. Although few Oregonians would complain about sunshine, I think it is safe to say that folks are looking forward to coming out of the AC and putting on a sweater for a change. The months of September and October cue kids going back to school, the High Holidays and the conclusion of the backyard BBQ. It also marks the winding down of our beloved local farmers markets.

When I shopped at the farmers market yesterday, I started to notice changes in the produce available from the local merchants. Colorful berries, tender asparagus, spring peas and fresh corn on the cob are being crowded out by late summer’s variety of eat-over-the-sink peaches, ripe juicy melons, root vegetables, and mountains of vine-ripened heirloom, cherry, Roma and beefsteak tomatoes. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and leafy greens like kale, collards and Swiss chard begin to show up because they are sweeter when harvested in cooler weather. Ripe red peppers, fresh garlic and horseradish root are all harvested in the fall, and it won’t be long before pumpkins, acorn squash and sweet potatoes color the markets harvest gold. Farmers markets have also become my go-to source for artisanal cheeses, nut butters, freshly laid farm fresh eggs and locally grown grass-fed beef. It won’t be the same when you’re gone!

Now is the time to preserve a little of nature’s bounty by canning plenty of those rich, red, fresh-off-the-vine tomatoes to enjoy right from your own pantry. Canning your own tomatoes is much easier than you might think, and it’s a delicious opportunity to capture their flavor at its peak. Safety instructions for hot water canning can be found easily on the Internet, and this time of year canning jars and supplies go on sale regularly at local grocery and hardware stores. Preserving the sweet taste of late summer tomatoes is a great way to amplify the flavor of many of your upcoming holiday dishes.

As soon as the solemn day of Yom Kippur is behind us, we focus on the traditions of the approaching holiday of Sukkot.

Sukkah is a Hebrew word meaning “booth” or “hut.” The booths that characterize the holiday are made of organic material thatched together with an open roof for viewing the stars. They may originally have been temporary structures that people

Harvest is a good place to find Sukkot treats

By Lisa Glickman

would have used while taking in the harvest – a small, cozy place to share a meal and give thanks for the bounty of fall. The sweet flavor of summertime tomatoes is temporary, too, so the time is now to celebrate, share and hopefully preserve some of the abundant flavor this quickly passing season has to offer.

Beefsteak Tomato Tarts with Fresh Herbs and Goat Cheese

Lisa Glickman is a private chef and teacher who lives in Portland. She has made TV appearances on COTV in Central Oregon and appeared on the Cooking Channel’s “The Perfect Three.”

She can be reached at lisa@lisaglickman.com.

52 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

These individual tomato tartlets showcase the flavor of sweet beefsteak tomatoes and creamy goat cheese. Serve with a salad for a light lunch or for dinner as a side dish. Serves six.

Prakas (or Holishkes)

Ingredients

6-cup Texas muffin tin pan

(makes the super big muffins)

6 baseball-size beefsteak tomatoes

6 tablespoons good-quality olive oil 6 teaspoons chopped fresh herbs (thyme, savory, basil, oregano)

6 teaspoons chopped shallot Kosher salt

Freshly cracked pepper

1 package frozen puff pastry, defrosted but very cold

About a cup of soft goat cheese such as Montrachet

Balsamic syrup for drizzling.

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Cut about one inch off the tops (stem end) of each tomato and use your finger to scoop out seeds and squeeze out as much juice as possible. Place 1 tablespoon of oil, 1 teaspoon each of shallots and herbs, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper in each of the cups of the muffin tin.

Place tomatoes cut side up in each of the muffin cups. Use a ring cutter or bowl to cut puff pasty into rounds just slightly bigger than the muffin cups and top each with pastry. Bake tartlets in hot oven for 20-25 minutes or until pastry is rich golden brown and puffed. Remove from oven and place a baking sheet over the top of tartlets. With a quick motion, invert tartlets onto baking sheet. Use a spatula to plate tarts and top with a spoonful of goat cheese and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Serve immediately.

While researching this recipe, I found recipes for the cabbage rolls (referred to as both prakas and holishkes) that are typically served during Sukkot. Though the recipes were similar, I did find slight variations. My recipe uses my own preserved tomatoes and a hint of spice to make them my own. These freeze well and make a delicious meal to share in the sukkah.

Prakas (or Holishkes) 1 large head green cabbage Filling 1 pound good-quality ground sirloin ½ onion, grated or chopped fine in a food processor 1/3 cup cooked white rice 1 egg 1 teaspoon kosher salt A few grinds of black pepper Sauce

3 tablespoons olive oil 2 shallots, chopped 2 quarts canned tomatoes ¼ cup chili sauce (such as Heinz) 3 tablespoons brown sugar Juice of 1 lemon Kosher salt and pepper to taste ¼ cup golden raisins 2 whole star anise 1 cinnamon stick Cheesecloth and string

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully core the cabbage (without cutting through the leaves) and plunge into boiling water. Blanch for about a minute and remove. Carefully peel leaves whole. You might get two or three and then have to put the cabbage back into the water to blanch inner leaves. Continue blanching and peeling until you have about 12 large leaves softened and still intact. Preheat oven to 325ºF. Mix ground beef, onion, rice, egg, salt and pepper. Place a cabbage leaf on a cutting board with the stem side pointing toward you. Starting about three inches from the top of the leaf, use a paring knife to remove the thick spine. Bring the edges together and place about a golf-ball-sized scoop of meat filling in the center of the leaf. Fold in sides and roll into packages. Continue rolling packages out of remaining cabbage and filling.

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add olive oil and shallots. Cook shallots until soft and golden brown. Use the cheesecloth and string to make a bouquet garni with the raisins, star anise and cinnamon stick. Place whole tomatoes in a large bowl and use your hands to crush them into small pieces. Add tomatoes, chili sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, salt, pepper and bouquet garni to pan with shallots and bring to a boil. Taste and adjust seasoning. Gently place cabbage rolls into sauce. Cover and place in oven for 1 hour. Cool slightly before serving.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 53

NWNosh

Chef Amanda Cohen brings veggies to town for Feast Portland

By Kerry Politzer

Chef Amanda Cohen has been winning accolades for her stunningly creative vegetarian cuisine. On more than one occasion, the Michelin Guide has recognized her New York restaurant, Dirt Candy, for excellence, and Gourmet Magazine calls her cooking “so good it will stop your heart.” Portlanders will soon get a chance to experience Cohen’s culinary magic at the 2015 edition of Bon Appetit’s Feast Portland. The popular foodie fest takes place Sept. 17-20; Cohen’s event, “More Girls!

Girls! Girls! With Domaine Serene and Stoller Family Estate,” will be held on Sept. 17 at 7 pm.

The Ottawa-born Cohen grew up in a large Jewish family. She waxes nostalgic about her childhood, which was spent mostly in Toronto. “Growing up Jewish was all about the food to me … we'd all go over to my aunt’s and uncle's house for giant Friday night suppers. I'd sit in temple on Rosh Hashanah, and all I'd think about were the apples and honey and challah waiting for me at the end. I'm a fiend for horseradish, and so to me, all my Passover memories are about putting unwise amounts of it on everything. Hanukkah was latke time."

When Cohen was 15, she made the decision to become a vegetarian. She jokes, “It was the best way to irritate my parents.

Back then, there was a fear that if you didn’t eat enough protein

54 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

Chef Amanda Cohen will be stirring things up Sept. 17 at Feast Portland.

you’d die, so it gave us one more thing to fight about. After a while, I didn’t die, and it became a habit.”

While the chef now eats fish, her restaurant is entirely vegetable focused. “Vegetables are still the wallflowers at food prom: no one much is asking them to dance. But that just means more vegetables for me!”

Diners have much to enjoy at Dirt Candy. Each dish is like a meditation on a featured vegetable. Charred black radish spaghetti with butter-poached radishes is a customer favorite, as is the carrot waffle dish with peanut mole sauce and pickled carrots. Broccoli “dogs” in hot dog buns come with broccoli slaw, and eggplant is pickled, fried, grilled and broiled in just one dish. Even the desserts are vegetable focused; a corn cake is accompanied by popcorn ice cream, and carrot meringue pie comes with candied carrot chips.

At Feast Portland, Cohen will collaborate with Lincoln’s Jenn Louis, Irving Street Kitchen’s Sarah Schafer and New York chef Elizabeth Falkner. Cohen is excited about returning to Portland.

“I’ve been to Portland a couple of times; I’m a big fan of Powell’s, and you guys seem to have turned food trucks into a science.”

Tickets for Feast Portland 2015 can be purchased at feastportland.com.

Feast Portland returns for the fourth year Sept. 17-20. Participants at last year’s Feast Portland Night Market enjoy a lively outdoor celebration of global street food.

This year’s Feast features more than 80 local and international chefs, 30 wineries, 20 breweries and a ton of artisan makers in 30+ events. Net proceeds from Feast Portland are donated to Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon and Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign.

Photo by Jon Vall

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Home & Garden

The garden that climbs walls and feeds you “The future is edible landscaping,” predicts CEO of Israel’s GreenWall

wheat, rice and corn in keeping with the expo’s theme, “Feeding the world.” The pavilion showed off the Israeli gardening prophet Guy Barness inventions of several Israeli agro-tech sees two ways that people will grow food companies. in the not-so-distant future: “Outside the Incubating your live lunch cities at big farms like they do today, and Vertical gardens, an idea that has the other way, which is not so common already taken off in America, can right now, will be urban agriculture, in enhance bare walls, built structures cities. and fences, and can increase the overall “There won’t be a lot of places in the city beauty and interior design of homes and to grow food, so people will do it on walls office buildings. everywhere to save space,” Barness, the Environmentalists say that vertical founder and director of GreenWall, tells and city gardens are an answer to the ISRAEL21c. global water, energy and food crises.

GreenWall, founded in 2009 in Ramot Vertical gardens use up to 90 percent Hashovim, builds gravity-defying vertical less water than do traditional gardens, gardens that climb walls in or outside the and growing food in place saves on the ~ Israeli gardening prophet home or office. enormous shipping costs in terms of fuel GreenWall can do ornamental as well as and greenhouse gases. The walls have Guy Barness edible gardens. an insulating effect, buffering indoor High-profile clients including Apple, temperatures by as much as 50 degrees F. Google, Intel and Facebook already work with GreenWall, says Plus, plants clean and circulate stale indoor air.

Barness, and the company has installed about a hundred living Barness says: “If you add plants to the walls of the buildings walls in Israel. Homeowners can also buy wall gardens of only a they will reduce noise, decrease carbon dioxide emissions and few square yards in size; the price starts at $800. reduce your heating or cooling costs and the temperatures Visitors to the World Expo 2015 in Milan in May saw a inside.”

1,200-square-foot GreenWall outside Israel’s pavilion growing The client doesn’t need to have a green thumb, but if a section

By Karin Kloosterman Israel21c

56 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

“If you add plants to the walls of the buildings they will reduce noise, decrease carbon dioxide emissions and reduce your heating or cooling costs and the temperatures inside.”

fails to thrive or if the owner wants to refresh or change the design, GreenWall will plant new components.

Vertical gardens are not unique to GreenWall. In fact, Barness says the world market for such products has grown rapidly to $100 million.

But while anyone can find online instructions for building vertical gardens using found materials like shipping pallets, GreenWall offers some innovations.

First, the company incubates the “look and see” wall at its farm before installing it on the customer’s location. The systems incorporate technical knowhow from Israeli drip-irrigation pioneer Netafim; and GreenWall has developed its monitors, sensors and controls in cooperation with Israeli watermonitoring company Galcon.

Even European companies that have built vertical gardens of their own are making serious inquires to

Indoor plants clean and circulate stale indoor air. Photo courtesy or Betsy Huber/Betsy's Blooms

Barness. “Five years ago, when I came with this idea of saving water to the Europeans, well, they just laughed at me. They have those water fountains that run all day long outside in the villages and cities,” he says.

“Now things have shifted and they are talking about saving water. The Americans are, too.”

As an Israeli, this line of work is common sense for Barness, an agronomist. “Here, we don’t have a lot of space and we certainly don’t have a lot of water.”

In many ways Israel has been ahead of the curve since it was founded in 1948. At an early age, Israel developed water and seed technologies so it could grow food in the desert. What GreenWall does is just the next logical step as more and more people move to cities and want to grow their own food.

Barness sums up: “The future is edible landscaping. I mean landscaping you can eat.”

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betsysblooms.net OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 57

Young Adult

Talia Berniker, center, with other Machon Kaplan interns outside the Supreme Court.

Talia Berniker and Washington, D.C., make an impact on each other

By Deborah Moon

A summer internship in Washington, D.C., was an eyeopening experience for Portlander Talia Berniker, now a sophomore in the Robert D. Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon.

The daughter of David & Susan Berniker, Talia participated in the Machon Kaplan Summer Internship Program of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. The RAC assigned Talia to intern for the Jewish Council for Public Affairs D.C. office.

"Machon Kaplan is an internship program for undergraduate students interested in Judaism and social justice,” according to rac.org. “It provides students with a meaningful social justice internship, the opportunity to engage in academic study related to their internships, and a community of like-minded students with whom to share their experience."

Talia already had experience in D.C. having attended RAC’s L’Taken Washington Seminar with her confirmation class at Congregation Beth Israel. “I distinctly remember writing my lobbying talking points about climate change and getting the opportunity to share my thoughts with our Oregon senators,” she says. Additionally, she interned in Sen. Ron Wyden’s Portland office the summer before starting college and became really interested in politics and policy.

“I knew interning in Washington, through a nonprofit, would 58 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

give me a new perspective on politics,” she says of her decision to apply for the Machon Kaplan internship. “I have always had a fantastic time through Jewish summer programs such as NFTY in Israel and Jewish summer camp, so when I got an email about the Machon Kaplan program I figured it would be a good fit.”

She liked the idea that most Machon Kaplan participants live together in the dorms at George Washington University and attend classes together at the RAC. Spending her summer as part of a community surrounded by other teens interested in social justice was especially appealing.

She found the lobbying experience meaningful and empowering. She had the opportunity to lobby in the offices of Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Earl Blumenauer about the Green Climate Fund, “an issue important both to me and to the Jewish Council for Public Affairs where I interned for the summer.

“Other highlights were joining in the festivities in front of the Supreme Court after gay marriage was legalized and going bowling in the White House bowling alley,” she says. “Attending the Generation Make Progress Summit, which featured speakers such as Elizabeth Warren, Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden, was also incredible!”

While lobbying wasn’t a totally new experience, living independently in a new city was.

“I learned a lot about myself and my ability to be independent, as I was charged with working a 9-5:30 workday three and half

about the field of political communications days a week and had to prepare most of my and the wide range of opportunities to connect own meals,” says Talia. “After living in the politics and journalism,” she says. “Additionally, dorms last year, living independently in the this experience reminded me of the importance dorms at GW, without a dining hall, was a of being politically active: writing letters to new experience.” representatives, calling your senator’s office or Learning about specific political issues in volunteering with organizations whose values D.C. was different from how she learned you agree with can make a difference and is about issues in Portland. “For instance, when often empowering on an individual level as I began learning more about the bipartisan well.”

Summer Meals Act, I had the opportunity Since she worked in a Jewish nonprofit, to attend a hearing from the Secretary of she also experienced the way nonprofits form Agriculture in the House and then listen to coalitions to promote policies that support the the testimony of two food-insecure people missions of these organizations. And she saw who passionately detailed the impact that the impact those organizations can have. nutritional support programs have had In a blog post during her internship, Talia on their abilities to feed their families as working, low-income mothers,” she explains. examined her generation’s need to commit “Being able to hear these testimonials to reducing greenhouse gasses and climate firsthand and to hear from social justice change while reflecting on her “liberal, eco-chic advocates in Washington reaffirmed my upbringing in Portland.” Talia emphasizes that climate change is a phenomenon that affects confidence in our political system – even Talia Berniker bowls at the White House when Congress is in a stalemate.” everyone, and that Jews should take a leadership bowling alley during her internship in role in tackling this issue.

Although Talia wants to work in a creative Washington, D.C., this summer.

After her internship, she realizes just how industry, she says the internship reaffirmed important it is for the Jewish community to her desire to also be involved in politics or participate in the political process. nonprofit work. She learned about the potential to combine “Attending interfaith coalition meetings opened my eyes to the two through a program called RAC Café, which connects the influence that the organized religious community can have Machon Kaplan interns with MK program graduates. on impacting our nation’s political agenda,” she says.

“After speaking with my RAC Café match, I learned more

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OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 59

Seniors

The Future for Cedar Sinai Park: TLC Wherever You Call Home CSP and JFCS Join Forces

Rose Schnitzer Resident Sonia Kaplan is grateful to have assistance from Sinai In-Home Care caregiver Rachna Chaudhary. “I have neuropathy,” says Sonia.

“After I fell and broke my pelvic bone, I had to have rehab at the hospital. Now Rachna comes every day for 3-4 hours. She takes me to the doctor and the drugstore; she takes me shopping. I need her help, especially in the morning to take a bath and get dressed.

I’m afraid I’ll fall. Having Rachna makes all the difference.”

By Liz Rabiner Lippoff

In the olden days, people got old and older and then eventually died at home. The happy stories went like this: He plowed the north 40, had a big chicken supper and passed on in his favorite chair in front of the fireplace.

OR She broke her hip and spent her last days in her rocker on the porch, pillows cushioning her as she watched her grandchildren play in the garden.

The less happy stories were of long illnesses. Perhaps there were hospitalizations. Eventually, though, the doctor might say, “There’s nothing more we can do. Why don’t you take her home?”

I, however, did not grow up in the little house on the prairie, and you probably didn’t either.

Our grandmother fell while boarding a TriMet bus in the early 1980s, and she was whisked to the hospital. When it was clear she couldn’t take care of herself, she moved to The Robison Home. She stayed there until she passed away. As did my mother-in-law. As did our other grandmother.

And probably yours.

Today parents may not live in the same town as each other, never mind as their children. When we run into health trouble, 60 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

most of us need help. The Robison Home is still here and, as has already been widely reported, will be expanded and modernized to provide even better care in a beautiful residential home environment. The groundbreaking was held in July.

The will of our community, though, is clear: a lot of us sort of want those olden days. We don’t want to move to an institutional home as soon as we are frail. We’d like to stay in our home as long as we can. If we break our hip, we want to get the rehabilitative care we need … and go home again.

The good news, of course, is that medical expertise is growing exponentially: people today often live for years successfully managing a disease that was fatal only a few years ago. In addition, today we know more about how to take care of ourselves, and many of us stay healthier longer because of our lifestyle choices.

Still, aging successfully at home is not possible without affordable, reliable services, including those that make house calls. Fortunately, the Jewish community has long been a leader in this effort. Jewish Family & Child Service provides case management for seniors and adults with disabilities, social workers for them and their families, and in-home services. JFCS also has resources and programming for the Holocaust survivors in our community as well as for adults with disabilities and their families. Cedar Sinai Park opened its Adult Day Services

in 1999 so that home caregivers can drop off their loved ones for a day of quality activity on the CSP campus and gain some valuable time for themselves. JFCS and CSP joined forces in 2007 to create Sinai Family Home Services (now called Sinai In-Home Care) to add additional in-home general and specialized care. A new Housing with Services program at CSP’s affordable apartments for seniors and adults with disabilities downtown brings satellite offices of health and social service agencies into the buildings themselves.

It is the vision of CSP to expand the services people want and need at home while continuing to ensure that the CSP residential experiences are warm, comfortable homes for those who do move in. JFCS, for its part, is committed to continuing its effective programs focused on the vulnerable in our community. Do we have a range of services? Yes. Enough services? Not yet. Seamless? Again, not yet.

That, according to CSP CEO David Fuks, is the work ahead. As a result, the JFCS and CSP boards of trustees voted unanimously at their June board meetings to fold JFCS into the CSP umbrella of services. According to information released by JFCS, each organization will retain its unique identity and keep its separate tax-exempt and nonprofit identity, but administrative functions will be consolidated in ways that will be more efficient and effective. The important work of JFCS in particular will benefit from the resources of the CSP back office.

Their collaboration will also make it easier to expand the programing the community needs while avoiding duplication of services. JFCS has skilled counselors, for example, while CSP offers more limited group counseling to elders and their families. Expanding JFCS counseling resources to CSP can fill an important gap for current and potential residents of CSP and their families. Both JFCS and Sinai In-Home Care, however, send trained professionals to your home to help with home and health tasks. CSP and JFCS will discuss ways the services might be consolidated into one entity or separated into two clearly distinct categories of service.

“We have built a continuum of services that will be shaped into a cohesive system so that services are coordinated efficiently and people are supported consistently,” says Fuks.

JFCS Executive Director Carrie Hoops summarizes it this way: “With this consolidation effort, our voice becomes more comprehensive, focused and holistic, with the end product resulting in better service to our clients.”

Who knows? I may follow in the steps of my grandparents and end up living in the newly created households at CSP. I’ve seen the plans and studied the research. That would be a good place for my last home. But it may well be I will know CSP because my family and I will get counseling on elder care choices from JFCS. I may go to The Robison Home for rehab after a surgery. It may be that CSP or JFCS sends someone to our home once a week to check on my medications. It is just good to know that the services will be there and, most importantly, the choices will be mine.

l’sHana

tovaH as we approach the High Holy days, all of us at Rose schnitzer Manor send you wishes for a sweet new year.

Please be our guest Fall is the perfect time to explore our beautiful community. Be our guest for lunch, take a tour, and see what everyone is talking about.

To RSVP call (503) 535-4004 or visit www.RoseSchnitzerManor.org.

Liz Rabiner Lippoff is a marketing consultant (LizInk.biz) and freelance writer. She also serves on the board of Cedar Sinai Park and the Cedar Sinai Park Foundation. LizRL@rabiner.com

independent living • assisted living

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 61

The Cedar Sinai Park Foundation Cedar Sinai Park has historically had a gap between what its high-quality services cost and what it is actually paid for those services by Medicare, Medicaid and others. As a result, fundraising is critical, and CSP has always done its fundraising internally. JFCS has done the same, as has Kehillah Housing on the CSP campus. It’s conceivable that Sinai In-Home Care could expand its services to low-income people, and it, too, might need to do some fundraising. This duplication offers another opportunity to manage resources in a new way.

Many people don’t know there is a “CSP Foundation” whose sole purpose up to now has been to oversee and manage the money in the CSP endowments. To streamline the multiple tasks and functions of development, CSP has expanded the mission and bylaws of the CSP Foundation to allow it to assume all the CSP fundraising and fund allocation duties. The development director and staff will essentially work for the foundation. The foundation will also serve as the development office for all the CSP constituent agencies, including JFCS. What does this mean for us, the community donors?

Each organization will continue to do its individual fundraising and events; the foundation will provide the staff support.

JFCS will still need the support of its donors; checks written to JFCS or one of its programs go straight to that account.

The same applies to The Robison Home.

Even specific funds, such as the Emergency Relief Program at JFCS or the Employee Recognition Fund at CSP, will continue to need donor dollars.

Checks written to Cedar Sinai Park will go where the money is needed most in the CSP constellation of services.

Expensive duplication of staff and functions will be eliminated. Donor dollars will go further.

“The community has always been generous,” says David Fuks. “Everyone’s donations will continue to go exactly where they intend. And the whole community will be the beneficiary.”

“As health and human service nonprofits face a growing number of elders and clients needing support services, it is important that we look to ways to be more efficient yet maintain the high-quality programs our community relies upon,” says Sandra Simon, CSP COO. “The CSP and JFCS collaboration and the expanded utilization of the CSP Foundation are two innovative approaches to that important goal.”

62 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

Sisterhood becomes Friends of Robison With a new name and a new mission statement, Friends of Robison (formerly Robison Sisterhood) is poised to increase its presence on the Cedar Sinai Park campus in Southwest Portland.

Friends President Michelle Gradow says the group plans to recruit more volunteers to interact with residents on campus, host at least three fundraising events a year and improve its use of technology to keep members informed of opportunities and needs. Friends also plans to serve as a support system for new families whose loved ones move to the senior living campus.

“We are recruiting more volunteers for tea time at Rose Schnitzer Manor and snack time at Robison,” says Michelle, who has spent much of her own life volunteering on the campus where both her parents (Bev and Stan Eastern) served as board presidents and where many of her relatives lived out their lives. “I grew up volunteering there.

It’s always been a part of my life.”

The group’s history notes that the "We are excited to see sisterhood formed in 1928 when a a new generation of group of women “true to the tradition leadership emerging in of Judaism banded together to perform charitable and humane work our auxiliary," says CSP CEO David Fuks. "Friends in assisting in the care of the Jewish aged in the community of Portland.” of Robison will create The Friends new mission statement an inter-generational reads: The Mission of Friends of approach to volunteering Robison is to enhance the quality of life for those served and living on the and fundraising while campus of Cedar Sinai Park. retaining the values and “It's an exciting time for Friends camaraderie that were of Robison as we build on the so much a part of the past to make a new future, just sisterhood." as CSP embarks on its new path,” says Friends Vice President Ilene Davidson. “As ‘friends’ we are inviting and welcoming men to join us as we continue our fundraising activities and increase our volunteer opportunities at CSP.” Friends Event Chair Christi Goodman agrees this is an exciting time. “The whole CSP campus is changing,” she says. “For the last several years, our board has been hard at work revamping our mission statement and making changes to become a more current organization. We have so many exciting things in store for residents, members, new members and people in our Jewish community.”

The first of three fundraisers planned for the coming year for Friends of Robison is a fun bingo event Sunday, Oct. 18, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at CSP. Reservations are required; send check for $18 (write "bingo" on envelope) to: Friends of Robison, 6135 SW Boundary, Portland, OR 97221 or call Mary Jane Schenk 971-717-7165 with credit card information.

To join Friends of Robison, call Mary Jane at 971-717-7165 or email Michelle at smgradow@comcast.net.

Past, current and future presidents of Cedar Sinai Park break ground for new senior housing. Photo by Deborah Moon.

CSP’s Robison receives top 10 rating and breaks ground for even better senior living

By Deborah Moon

Robison Jewish Health Center received the highest possible overall rating of five stars in U.S. News & World Report’s fifth annual Best Nursing Homes, the day before the senior campus it sits on broke ground for a new, even better senior living home.

Robison, which is part of the Cedar Sinai Park campus in Southwest Portland, is ranked as #7 in the July 14 report. The report is available at usnews.com/best-nursing-homes. The Best Nursing Homes 2015 ratings highlight the top nursing homes in each city and state, out of nearly 16,000 facilities nationwide.

According to a press release from U.S. News, the goal is to help users find a home with a strong track record of good care.

On July 15, CSP broke ground on The Harold Schnitzer Health & Rehabilitation Care Center, a $33 million construction project focused on renovation of the Robison Jewish Health Center and its transformation into a 44-bed, post-acute rehabilitation center. The project includes the construction of two additional buildings with four homes in The Green House model – providing 12 beds each (48 total) for an improved model of long-term care. Both the long-term care household and rehabilitation facility will feature all private rooms and bathrooms.

The capital campaign for the project is now at more than 94% of the fundraising goal. To contribute, visit dignitybydesign. mydagsite.com.

The U.S. News ranking is based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a federal agency that assesses homes in three categories – health inspections, level of nurse staffing and quality of care – and gives each an overall rating.

U.S. News awarded the “Best Nursing Home” designation to homes that earned an overall rating of five stars from CMS in January 2015.

Robison provides a full range of support services including physical therapy to assist in recovery from an injury or surgery, high-quality nursing care and memory support services. The care is delivered with kindness, respect and understanding by supportive, professional caregivers.

Cedar Sinai Park provides residential and community-based care to elders and adults with special needs, allowing them to live with comfort, independence and dignity in a manner and in an environment based on Jewish values.

While Robison is already an exceptional place, the new facility will provide even better options for the community’s elders. The groundbreaking on July 15 included remarks from CSP and OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 63

community leaders.

The four new homes in the Harold Schnitzer Health & Rehabilitation Care Center will focus on providing state-ofthe-art, long-term care in the model of Green House Homes across the country. These homes will emphasize quality-oflife, person-directed care that results in improved healthcare outcomes for residents who can no longer remain at home due to conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis.

“We are pleased to see this dynamic construction project begin. It is important to Cedar Sinai Park and the entire community that we develop a 21st century service capacity that is both beautiful and able to meet changing healthcare demands,” said Capital Campaign Chair Jim Winkler.

“Cedar Sinai Park is proud to be working with LRS Architects and R&H Construction on this project” according to CSP Chief Executive Officer David Fuks. “These two firms represent the highest-quality teams, and we are glad to be teaming with them on this very important work.”

The Green House Project is a radically new, national model for skilled-nursing care that returns control, dignity and a sense of well-being to elders, their families and direct care staff. In the Green House model, residents receive care in small, selfcontained homes organized to deliver individualized care, meaningful relationships and better direct care jobs through a self-managed team of direct care staff working in cross-trained roles. Green House homes meet all state and federal regulatory and reimbursement criteria for skilled-nursing facilities. (thegreenhouseproject.org)

L’Shanah Tovah Wishing you a happy, healthy, and productive new year!

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64 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

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Technological fountain of youth for skin?

Tel Aviv University researcher harnesses pulsed electric fields to rejuvenate skin Distributed by American Friends of Tel Aviv University

Americans spend more than $10 billion a year on products and surgery in their quest to find a "fountain of youth," with little permanent success. Botulinum toxin — notably Botox — which smooths lines and wrinkles to rejuvenate the aging face has been the number one nonsurgical procedure in the United States since 2000. But injections of this toxic bacterium are only a temporary solution and carry many risks, some neurological.

A team of Tel Aviv University and Harvard Medical School researchers has now devised a non-invasive technique that harnesses pulsed electric fields to generate new skin tissue growth. According to their research, the novel noninvasive tissue stimulation technique, using microsecond-pulsed, high-voltage, nonthermal electric fields, produces scarless skin rejuvenation and may revolutionize the treatment of degenerative skin diseases.

The study, published recently in Scientific Reports, was led by Dr. Alexander Golberg of TAU's Porter School of Environmental Studies and the Center for Engineering in Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Shriners Burns Hospital in Boston,

in collaboration with Dr. William J. Austen Jr. from the Department of Plastic Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital and Dr. Martin L. Yarmush at the Center for Engineering in Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Shriners Burns Hospital in Boston, along with other prominent researchers.

An (effective) shock to the system "Pulsed electrical field technology has many advantages, which have already proved effective — for example, in food preservation, tumor removal and wound disinfection," says Dr. Golberg. "Our new application may jumpstart the secretion of new collagen and capillaries in problematic skin areas. Considering that, in the modern era of aging populations and climate change, degenerative skin diseases affect one in three adults over the age of 60, this has the potential to be a healthcare game changer."

Current therapies to rejuvenate skin use various physical and chemical methods to affect cells and the extracellular matrix, but they induce unsightly scarring. Pulsed electric fields, however, affect only the cell membrane itself, preserving the extracellular matrix architecture and releasing multiple growth factors to spark new cell and tissue growth. By inducing nanoscale defects on the cell membranes, electric fields cause the death of a small number of cells in affected areas. The released growth factors increase the metabolism of the remaining cells, generating new tissue.

"We have identified in rats the specific pulsed electric field parameters that lead to prominent proliferation of the epidermis, formation of microvasculature, and secretion of new collagen at treated areas without scarring," says Dr. Golberg. "Our results suggest that pulsed electric fields can improve skin function and potentially serve as a novel noninvasive skin therapy for multiple degenerative skin diseases."

The researchers are currently developing a low-cost device for use in clinical trials in order to test the safety and efficacy of the technology in humans.

American Friends of Tel Aviv University (aftau.org) supports Israel's most influential, most comprehensive, and most sought-after center of higher learning, Tel Aviv University (TAU). A leader in the pan-disciplinary approach to education, TAU is internationally recognized for the scope and groundbreaking nature of its research and scholarship — attracting worldclass faculty and consistently producing cutting-edge work with profound implications for the future.

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OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 65

Travel

Thessaloniki Jews have a rich history

Thessaloniki’s most iconic site, the White Tower, now houses a museum

By Dan Fellner

When thinking of the historical hubs of Jewish life in preHolocaust Europe, most Jews invoke stories of their ancestors’ “old country” – places like Poland, Germany, Hungary and Russia.

But Greece?

Surprisingly, as I learned during a recent visit, Thessaloniki, Greece, the country’s second-largest city, has one of the richest and most vibrant Jewish histories in the diaspora. In fact, Jews were such an integral part of the city’s heritage, Thessaloniki once had 32 working synagogues and was known by the moniker “Madre de Israel” (Mother of Israel).

The highlight of my spring trip to this northeastern Greek port city of about a million residents was a visit to the Thessaloniki Jewish Museum. There, I met with Erika Perahia Zemour, a Greek Jew who has managed the museum since it opened in 2001.

“Everybody is surprised to learn that,” she says of the significant role Jews played in the city’s history. “If they don’t have a grandfather or a neighbor who came from Thessaloniki, they don’t know about this part of the world.”

If there is anyone qualified to talk about the history of Jewish life in Thessaloniki, it’s Zemour. In addition to managing the museum, she has traced her family back 16 generations in Thessaloniki to 1504. Both of her parents were Holocaust survivors.

Located in downtown Thessaloniki in a building that once housed a leading Jewish newspaper, the two-story museum displays some 3,000 objects honoring the countless contributions of the city’s Sephardic community and painting a vivid picture of everyday life. All exhibits are in Greek, English and Hebrew.

There is an exhibit devoted to Jewish history – including an easy-to-digest timeline showing the evolution of the Jewish 66 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

community through the centuries – and a separate room about the Holocaust. The ground floor features a number of historic gravestones originally from the massive Jewish cemetery that was destroyed by the Nazis. There also is a library with some texts dating back to the 16th century. Visitors interested in researching the Holocaust can access a computer database containing the names of 37,000 victims.

It is believed that Jews were among Thessaloniki’s first inhabitants, arriving more than 2,000 years ago. But they didn’t develop a huge presence here until after the Spanish Inquisition forced them to flee Spain in 1492.

Jews found Thessaloniki – then part of the Ottoman Empire – to be a safe haven from the anti-Semitism spreading across other parts of Europe. For the most part, they lived peacefully alongside Turkish Muslims and Greek Orthodox Christians, and prospered in such fields as medicine, printing and education.

The Jewish population in Thessaloniki reached a peak of 80,000 at the beginning of the 20th century, a time when they comprised half of the city’s population. So strong was Jewish influence in the city, the bustling port of Thessaloniki was actually closed on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. At one point, the Jewish cemetery housed more than a half-million tombs.

Thessaloniki was incorporated into the Greek state in 1912; five years later, a fire destroyed most of the city’s Jewish Quarter, leaving some 50,000 Jews homeless. It crippled the Jewish community and many Jews immigrated between the two world wars.

In 1941, Greece was invaded by the Nazis, who forced the city’s Jews into a ghetto, then deported about 50,000 of them to concentration camps in Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. Less than 4% of Thessaloniki’s Jews survived the Holocaust.

After a slow start when the museum first opened 14 years ago, word got out and its popularity has been steadily growing.

Holocaust memorial in downtown Thessalonik

View of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city with a rich Jewish history

Ancient headstones on display at the Jewish Museum

“I remember our first year; if we saw two visitors per week, I also visited Thessaloniki’s most iconic site, the White Tower, that would be great,” Zemour recalls. the sole survivor of the 24 towers overlooking the sea that were A half-dozen years ago, Israeli guidebooks began mentioning once part of the city’s fortifications. The tower now houses a the museum and traffic soon soared. Last year, the museum fascinating museum of the city’s history, including a number of attracted nearly 14,000 visitors. Zemour says that 70% of them exhibits referencing Jewish life. The top floor of the tower offers are from outside of Greece, with Israelis constituting the largest beautiful views of the Thessaloniki waterfront. group of foreign visitors, Today, only about 1,200 followed by Americans.

Jews live in Thessaloniki, a About 3,000 Greek students tiny fraction of the number toured the facility in 2014 who thrived here more than on class field trips, a segment a century ago. The city has of museum visitors that has one full-time rabbi, who jumped dramatically in the last presides over a synagogue two years. Zemour was told called Yad Lezicaron. It that an official in the Greek opened in 1984 and is Ministry of Education recently located in the city center a recommended that more classes few blocks from the Jewish visit the museum to raise Museum. awareness of the Holocaust, “We are not observant a subject that is not typically here in Greece, at least taught in Greek schools. not after the war,” says “This year, it’s been really Zemour of the local Jewish incredible,” she says, noting community. that in March there were two Regardless of one’s faith or three class visits every day. or heritage, Zemour says “It’s important that they (Greek no visit to Thessaloniki is schoolchildren) learn what a complete without a visit Jew is, and that Jews are Greeks. to the Jewish Museum, And last, it’s important that where the vitality of Jews’ they learn what happened to contributions to the city’s the Jews during the war.” past – and the ultimate In addition to the museum, tragedy of the Holocaust – there are other Jewish-related is tastefully chronicled. sites in Thessaloniki, all within “If people want to learn walking distance of each other. the history of Thessaloniki, Across the street from the they have to come here,” she waterfront – a gulf that opens says. into the Aegean Sea – is a The oldest surviving Jewish house of worship in Thessaloniki, haunting Holocaust memorial.

Helpful websites: the Synagogue of the Monasteriotes Designed by Holocaust survivor Jewish Museum of Nandor Glid, it depicts tortured Thessaloniki: jmth.gr victims melded together in a burning menorah.

Greek National Tourism Organization: visitgreece.gr/en/ The oldest surviving house of worship, the Synagogue of main_cities/thessaloniki the Monasteriotes, is also worth seeing. It opened in 1927 Dan Fellner of Chandler is a faculty associate at Arizona State University and became the center of the Jewish ghetto during the Nazi and a freelance travel writer. He spent the spring semester as a Fulbright occupation. The building survived the war and later a 1978 Scholar at the American University in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, a four-hour bus earthquake. It is now used only for high holidays and special ride from Thessaloniki. Visit his website: Global-Travel-Info.com. events.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 67

Rabbi Cahana brings religious voice to Leadership Portland

Photo by Joni Shimabukuro of Joni Photo

g n i Liv Inside 68 Rabbi Cahana 70 New Rabbi at Neveh Shalom 71 Previews 72 Faces & Places 74 Calendar

68 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

Rabbi Michael Cahana and his Impact Project Group developed “Business for Culture and the Arts,” a training platform for future arts group board members. The BCA group was, from left, Michelle Glass, Allison Rowden, Rabbi Cahana and Parna Mehrbani, as well as in photos held by Cahana Jessica Getman (left) and Emily Teplin-Fox.

By Deborah Moon

In 2003 the Portland Business Alliance developed a nine-month leadership program to build civic leaders from the business community. This year, for the first time an active clergyperson, Rabbi Michael Cahana, graduated from Leadership Portland.

Admission to the 36-member cohort is via a competitive application process designed to select “upper level leaders,” says Mari Watanabe, the executive director of Partners in Diversity and director of Leadership Portland. “We would like the business voice to be heard in civic matters. … PBA members work for what is good for the state and business.

For Rabbi Cahana, the senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel, participating in the program offered a “connection into the larger community where we have shared interests … concerns about safety and security and economic vibrancy of our community.”

“I think that all of our organizations have a tendency to be in our own world,” he says. “Religious groups talk to other religious groups. … Beth Israel has a very nice relationship with Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and St. Mary’s Cathedral.”

The three congregations are within a few blocks of each other and share parking and neighborhood security initiatives, as well as joint programs where clergy share three perspectives.

He applied for the BPA leadership program seeking similar connections beyond religious institutions.

“The religious and business community don’t often talk to each other,” says Rabbi Cahana. “Religious groups often lobby government (on issues such as homelessness). Government also often works with businesses when they want to get something done.”

Rabbi Cahana believes the three can and should work together.

“If government, religion and business work together on social issues, it is a huge opportunity for social change,” he

says. “That is why I wanted to be in the Leadership Portland program.”

As an example of what can be accomplished when the three sectors come together he pointed to a planned project in Couch Park, across the street from Beth Israel. In conjunction with Portland Parks and Rec, 17 religious, nonprofit and religious organizations are working to bring a Harper's Playground inclusive play plaza to what now a mostly empty play area in the park. Founded by Beth Israel members April and Cody Goldberg, the first Harper’s Playground was built at Arbor Lodge Park with another playground slated for Gateway Park, a brand new city park on Portland’s eastside. Couch is the third project “to unite diverse sectors of the community to inspire vital communities by creating innovative playgrounds for people of all abilities.”

Rabbi Cahana would like to see that level of cooperation on other projects and issues. His participation in Leadership Portland inspires him to believe that is possible.

“The people were really fantastic, dedicated, hardworking and imaginative,” he says of the cohort.

Before moving to Portland, he participated in a similar program Leadership Rhode Island, where he was also the only religious participant. When he participated in the Rhode Island program, he was just starting out; he came into the Portland program having already established government, arts and even a few business connections, “so this was a richer program for me.”

He gained two important things from his participation in

Leadership Portland: a broader understanding of how different institutions in this community work and a connection to individuals and the institutions they are connected with.

He says those connections extend beyond his own cohort.

Leadership Portland has an alumni network.

“I hope because I’m the first religious leader that they (alumni) will be open to reaching out to me and aksing me how they can get the religious community on board with whatever project they are working on,” says Rabbi Cahana. “If I can be a conduit, great. … I don’t think it is natural for business to think of religious institutions as partners.”

He hopes the connections he has forged over the past year can help change that.

“I think social change requires a moral voice and I think that is what religious institioutions can provide,” he says. “We exist without profit motive and without elections so we have a voice that can be a different voice at the table.”

Rabbi Cahana recommends other religious leaders apply for future Leadership Portland programs. “I think it is really incumbent on us to understand our community and I think it is useful fo the general community to understand what we do as religious organizations and how we can work together to benefit our community.”

For more information on Leadership Portland, visit portlandalliance.com/programs/leadership-portland. The ninemonth class is open to upper level employees of alliance member organizations.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 69

J

Living

Rabbi Kosak new senior rabbi at Neveh Shalom

He also believes the Jewish tradition of the maggid, a storyteller, has a lot to offer the modern world.

On Aug. 15, Rabbi David Kosak became the third senior rabbi “I think we are in an overly cerebral age,” he says. “I think of Congregation Neveh Shalom since the congregation was stories and myths work in archetypes and have a way of founded by the merger of two Conservative synagogues in 1961. informing us and cutting through our spiritual, emotional and Rabbi Kosak considers it a bonus that the congregation has even intellectual defenses.” such a rich history with its previous leaders.

Generally he doesn’t believe that his role includes that of “The way to succeed is to follow successful people,” he says. political commentator. Unless a Jewish lens “will shine light on “People have positive experiences and relationships with their an issue,” he does not intend to be involved in political issues. rabbis, so I don’t have to overcome any antipathy. Tremendous Though he notes he has been involved with Keshet, an LGBT work has been done by my two predecessors … and I’m blessed advocacy network, for a number of years. Since “the law of the they are still in the land is the law of the community.” He adds he land,” the Jewish stance intends to turn Rabbi on gay marriage has been Joshua Stampfer and simplified.

Rabbi Daniel Isaak, both “My job is to bring of whom continue to the inspiration of Jewish serve the congregation tradition to as many as rabbis emeritus, for people as possible,” he “insight and history.” says. “My goal is to bring Previously the senior Jewish light and wisdom rabbi of Congregation tested over thousands of Shaarey Tikvah in years to help people live Beachwood, OH, their lives better.” a Conservative As a former congregation of about professional chef, he says 250 families, Rabbi he sees his second career Kosak says his career as a rabbi as having a aspiration was “to get the great deal of overlap; he honor of helping a larger has moved “from feeding congregation.” The fact bodies to feeding souls.” that Neveh Shalom is in He has a bachelor’s Rabbi David and Laura Kosak and their sons.

Portland, his wife Laura’s degree in philosophy “fantasy place to live,” from New York sweetened the deal.

University and a master’s in rabbinics from the American Jewish “This work is about fit, whether you feel you share an outlook, University (formerly the University of Judaism). He pursued and human relationships,” says Rabbi Kosak. “Being in a larger advanced studies at Mechon Schechter, Hebrew University, community, my goal is to help us pursue shared visions. … I feel Yakar Torah Center for Tradition and Creativity, and the we have an ‘A team’ of professionals (at Neveh). To have talent Hartman Institute, all in Jerusalem. He received his rabbinic and passion will be really helpful.” ordination in 2006 from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies Calling this an exciting time in Jewish life, he wants to use in Bel Air, CA. the tradition to enrich people’s lives. He feels Judaism has a lot Laura has degrees in Jewish education and family and systems to offer to both Jewish people and the world in general. “Jews therapy. She is a family therapist with a background in human gave the world ‘the weekend.’ The Romans made fun of Jews for resources. taking a day off.” Now he feels the world can likewise benefit In July the couple moved to Portland with their two sons, ages from the Jewish tradition of avoiding technology one day a 8 and 10, and Siberian forest cat (one of the few hypoallergenic week. “In this electronic era, people – Jews and non-Jews – are breeds of cat in the United States). Finding a home that is just choosing to spend one day untethered. A day dedicated to a short walk through the woods to get to the synagogue was a community, to family, to appreciation is healthy for everyone.” pleasant surprise.

By Deborah Moon

70 SEPTEMBER 2015 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE

PREVIEWS Nordia House hosts exhibit on boatlift that rescued thousands of Danish Jews In the autumn of 1943, the efforts of Danish citizens successfully rescued 7,000 Danish Jews from imminent arrest and deportation to concentration camps. Using fishing boats, private vessels and other small crafts, Danes ferried their Jewish neighbors to safety in neutral Sweden. The boatlift had to evade the boat patrols of the occupying Nazi forces. Most of Denmark’s Jewish community remained in Sweden through the rest of the war.

The story is told in a series of posters with narrative and historic photos. “Denmark October 1943” was produced by the Museum of the Danish Resistance (Frihedsmuseet) in Copenhagen. It is made available to American venues through the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, IA (danishmuseum. org). Its exhibition in Portland is made possible through the generous support of Harsch Investment Properties and the ScanDesign Foundation.

The exhibit will be on display from Sept. 8 through Oct. 31, at the new Nordia House cultural center in Southwest Portland. There will be an opening reception the evening of Sept. 8. Nordia House is the result of years of planning and fundraising by the Nordic community, and opened to the public June 26. Its mission is to celebrate the contributions of the Nordic countries to the world. In addition to exhibitions of history and art, the center will also offer lectures, films, performances, classes and workshops, and a variety of special events.

Hours of operation are: Tuesday through Friday, 9

am to 5 pm. Admission to the exhibition is free. The center is located at 8800 SW Oleson Road, Portland. scanheritage.org | 503-977-0275

Security, hospitality and immigration topic of Sept. 3 talk "Strangers in the Land: Security, Hospitality and Immigration" will be the subject of a Sept. 3 lecture

by Mattathias Schwartz, a staff writer for the New Yorker and contributing writer for New York Times Magazine.

writer until 2013, he contributed to the New Yorker, the London Review of Books, the New York Times Magazine, Wired, Harper’s, the Wall Street Journal, MIT’s Technology Review, Bloomberg Businessweek and many other publications.

The lecture is free and open to the public.

503-246-8831

ReJewvenate at BB Camp women’s retreat

Co-sponsored by the Institute for Judaic Studies and Congregation Neveh Shalom, the talk will discuss whether we are “living up to our obligations as outlined in the Torah and as dictated by our ethical and moral principles.”

Schwartz won the 2011 Livingston Award for International Reporting for his piece, “A Massacre in Jamaica” on the extradition of Christopher Coke and the killing of 72 civilians in Kingston.

He was nominated for 2013 Livingston Award for “A Mission Gone Wrong.”

Matt Schwartz Schwartz earned a bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College, graduating with high honors.

From 2002 to 2005, he was editor and publisher of The Philadelphia Independent. As a freelance

B’nai B’rith Camp is hosting ReJewvenation, its 11th annual women’s retreat, Sept. 25-27. Chaired

by Michelle Caplan, Women from ReJewvenation ReJewvenation 2014 offers a weekend showcase a painting of relaxation, fun project. and inspiration to all women over 21 years of age.

The weekend features crafts, a cooking demo, spa treatments, yoga, canoeing and more. There is also a raffle, silent auction and mitzvah moment that will help raise scholarship money for BB Camp.

Register online at bbcamp.org/ReJewvenation. The cost is $200 before Sept. 1; $240 thereafter. showard@bbcamp.org | 503-345-9464

Keith’s team of RE/MAX professionals are here for you with Honesty, Integrity and Experience

CULTURES OF THE SEPHARDIC DIASPORA A Weekend of Music and Learning The Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies at Portland State University, together with the Sephardic Cultural Center of Portland, invites you to take part in a journey through the riches of the Spanish-Jewish diaspora.

Immerse yourself in Ladino music with the renowned Guy Mendilow Ensemble, learn from distinguished scholars, and enjoy authentic Sephardic food.

“Tales from the Forgotten Kingdom” with the Guy Mendilow Ensemble

Attendance at these events is available as a credit opportunity for PSU students — see our website for details.

All events are FREE and open to the public The 2015 Levy Event

October 8-11, 2015

Portland State University

Speakers

THU 10/8

8:30pm - 10:00pm CONCERT Monique Balbuena, University of Oregon FRI 10/9 11:00am - 3:00pm WORKSHOP & LECTURE Oren Kosansky, Lewis and Clark College

SUN 10/11 10:00am - 3:15pm LECTURES & LUNCH

David Wacks, University of Oregon Matthew D. Warshawsky, University of Portland

For more information including accessibility

pdx.edu/judaic 503.725.8449

Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies and World Languages & Literatures

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We are grateful for the generous support of Larry Levy and Pam Lindholm-Levy

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2015 71

J

Living

FACES & PLACES SHABBAT IN THE PARK: Rabbi Ariel Stone greets a young participant at Congregation Shir Tikvah's Shabbat in the Park at Laurelhurst Park in mid-July, at left. Below, multiple generations welcome in Shabbat with Congregation Shir Tikvah.

SONG OF MIRIAM HONOREES: The Jewish Women’s Round Table presented the 23rd Annual Song of Miriam awards on June 7 to 19 women selected by the organizations they volunteer to help. The Song of Miriam Awards honorees are from left: (front row) Mimi Orzech, Heather Kirkbride, Rachel Schatz, Arleen Slive, Hilda Welch, Michelle Katz; (Middle Row) Toby Blake, Marge Congress, Sherry Fishman, Jeanne Freeman, Evelyn Freedman, Arlene Gintz; (Back Row) Paula Boga, Leatrice Kaplan, Elaine Coughlin, Naomi Hall, Julie Poust, Linda Harrison, and Deawn Herrmann. jwrt.org

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FACES & PLACES CHARLIE SCHIFFMAN MEMORIAL: On Aug. 12 more than 200 community members came out for a beautiful memorial service for former Jewish Federation of Greater Portland leader Charlie Schiffman, who passed away suddenly one month ago in Israel. Past presidents of the Jewish Federation, rabbinic leaders, colleagues and friends all shared wonderful stories and sentiments about Charlie. Here is a video the family shared with the community: youtube.com/watch?v=EczMrWT8A9I&feature=y outu.be

JEWISH LEADERSHIP: Laurie Rogoway and Kathy DavisWeiner (chair, Laurie Rogoway Outstanding Jewish Professional Award Committee) present the inaugural award to Andy Gitelson, executive director of The Oregon Hillel Foundation, for his commitment to the field of Jewish professional leadership.

The award was presented at the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.

EUGENE CAMPERS: From left: Gabriel Warren, Karissa Wolf, Madeline Klein-Meiering and Adina Veloz-Remis Temple Beth Israel’s 5th annual Camp Chaverim for Eugene youth.

PLAY INTRODUCTION: Jerry Foster, artistic director of PassinArt, shares plans on the upcoming production of “Tommy J and Sally,” a play about racial tensions, to a joint gathering of the intergroup Outreach Committee of the Jewish Community Relations Council and the African-American/Jewish Dialogue Group. The play will be presented in October with talkbacks being planned by the JCRC.

JEWISH THEATER COLLABERATIVE JTC actress Jamie M. Rea and Rabbi Debra Kolodny at JTC’s Equity Pride Month performance of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Wellbeing at Milagro Theatre on June 28.”

LEGACY SOCIETY HONOREES: More than 120 people gathered in Rose Schnitzer Manor’s Zidell Hall at Cedar Sinai Park on June 10 for Oregon Jewish Community Foundation’s Annual Reception to honor Renee and Irwin Holzman, the foundation’s 2015 Legacy Society Honorees.

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Sept. 13

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR Through Nov. 8 Auto|Biography, an OJMCHE exhibition that explores the social phenomenon of Jews and their cars. Regular exhibition gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday 10:30 am-4 pm, Friday 10:30 am-3 pm, and Saturday and Sunday noon-4 pm. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for students and seniors, and free for members and children under 12 accompanied by a parent or guardian. ojmche.org

Sept. 2 Free “Taste of” classes 7-9 pm at Congregation Neveh Shalom. Hope & Healing taught by Rabbi Eve Posen; Siddur Basics followed by Trope: Learn to Leyn, both taught by Deb Freedberg.

The full courses begin in October. 503-2937309

Sept. 3 "Strangers in the Land: Security, Hospitality and Immigration." See page 71.

Talmud Class at Congregation Shaarie Torah 7:30 pm Thursdays. Free. 503-226-6131

Sept. 6 Join trained docents to tour Oregon Holocaust Memorial in Portland’s Washington Park. 1-2 pm. 503-226-3600

Sept. 8-Oct. 31 Demark October 1943. See page 71.

Sept. 8-Oct. 4 “The Understudy” at Artists Repertory Theatre.

See page 16

Sept. 10-Nov. 1 On Transience: Photographs of Friderike Heuer at OJMCHE. The transient nature of the immigrant experience, in place and emotion, inspired Friderike Heuer to photograph objects in transition. Opening Reception: Sept. 9, 5:30-7 pm.

503-226-3600.

Sept. 10 Book Talk: “Jewish Resistance against the Nazis,” by Patrick Henry, Editor. 7-9 at Oregon Historical Society. Free. Presented by OJMCHE in partnership with the Oregon Historical Society and the World Affairs Council of Oregon.

Sept. 11 Ashland launches PJ Library Connection Adventures with a Tot Shabbat at Pioneer Hall in Ashland. All families with kids 6 months to 8 years are invited for blessings, song, storytelling and a light meal. Free. RSVP: PJLibrarySOregon@ gmail.com or 541-488-7716

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Erev Rosh Hashanah. Visit ORJewishLife.com/ calendar for service times and locations.

Sept. 14-15 Rosh Hashanah. Visit ORJewishLife.com/calendar for service times and locations.

Sept. 17-20 Feast Portland. See page 54.

Sept. 18 A Little Shabbat at Shaarie Torah presented by Congregation Shaarie Torah & PJ Library. 5-6:30 pm at Shaarie Torah third Friday each month.

Join Rabbi Josh Rose and Dorice Horenstein for a lively Shabbat full of singing, greeting, stories, eating and new friends. Free. 503-226-6131

Sept. 20 2015 Oseran Family Lecture: “The Future of Terrorism and the Impact of the Iran Accord” by author and New Yorker staff writer Lawrence Wright. 4:30 pm at Congregation Beth Israel Sanctuary, 1972 NW Flanders St. 503-2221069 Lecture by Holocaust Survivors Eva and Les Aigner about how discrimination affects innocent human lives. 2-4 pm at The George R. White Library Lobby, Concordia University campus.

Catered and free. 503-226-3600 Annual memorial service at Beit Haverim’s section of Pioneer Cemetery. 10-11 am at Oswego Pioneer Cemetery, 17401 Stafford Road, Lake Oswego. 503-568-1241 Neveh Shalom Tashlich Bike Ride. Bike down Springwater Willamette trail to Sellwood Riverfront Park. In the tradition of tashlich, cast off previous years missteps for a fresh start. Several options: gather at 12:45 pm and bike with a group from NE, SE or meet at OMSI at 1:15 pm to bike the Springwater Corridor trail. Wear a bike helmet and bring a water bottle. Free. mzarkin@gmail.com or jgreenberg@nevehshalom.org

Sept. 22 Kol Nidre (Erev Yom Kippur). Visit ORJewishLife. com/calendar for service times and locations.

Sept. 23 Yom Kippur. Visit ORJewishLife.com/calendar for service times and locations.

Sept. 25 This month’s North Coast Shabbat Group services led by Cantor Deborah Bletstein at 8 pm at the Bob Chisholm Senior Center, 1225 Avenue A in Seaside.

Bev Eastern, 503-244-7060

Sept. 25-27 ReJewvenation Women’s Retreat. See page 71.

Sept. 27 Erev Sukkot Oregon Holocaust Memorial Volunteer Clean-up in Washington Park. 10 am-noon. Supervised by the Portland Parks & Recreation Dept. and by OJMCHE staff. This is a great way to get ready Sukkot by collecting the perfect sechach roof

material for the top of your sukkah. RSVP: 503226-3600

Sept. 28 30s -40s Happy Hour. 5:30 pm at the Neveh Shalom Sukkah. Meet other professionals for an afterwork beverage. jgreenberg@nevehshalom.org

Sept. 28-Oct. 4 Sukkot. Visit ORJewishLife.com/calendar for information about Sukkot gatherings.

Sept. 29 Sundae Cycle: Sukkot Ice Cream event.

See page 11

Oct. 4 Join trained docents to tour Oregon Holocaust Memorial in Portland’s Washington Park. 1-2 pm.

503-226-3600

Oct. 5-6 Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah. Visit ORJewishLife.com/calendar for service times and locations.

Oct. 7 “The American Road.” In conjunction with the exhibit Auto|Biography, OJMCHE guest curator Kenneth Helphand will give a lecture on how the car has shaped the American landscape. Call 503-226-3600 for time.

Oct. 8 Retirement Party for Cedar Sinai Park CEO David Fuks. 7- 9 pm at Mittleman Jewish Community Center. Refreshments, music, dancing and fun.

RSVP: 503-535-4360 or patapofft@cedarsinaipark.org

Oct. 8-11 Cultures of the Sephardic Diaspora: A Weekend of Music and Learning. Presented by PSU’s Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies and World Languages & Literatures and the Sephardic Cultural Center of Portland. Free. pdx.edu/Judaic or 503-725-8449

Oct. 10 Traditions: Congregation Beth Israel’s annual fundraising event. 6:30 pm at The Benson Hotel, Portland. RSVP by Oct. 6: bethisrael-pdx.org or 503-222-1069 MJCC is the Mittleman Jewish Community Center at 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland. 503244-0111, oregonjcc.org OJMCHE is the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education at 1953 NW Kearney, Portland. 503-226-3600, ojmche.org

ADDING EVENTS:

To obtain a password to enter events on our online calendar, go to the bottom right of our home page (orjewishlife.com) and under “Quick Links,” click on Calendar Access Request.

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