Oregon Jewish Life May 2017 Vol.6/Issue 4

MAY 2017

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SENIORS

Technology is changing the face of aging

CAMPUS LIFE

Oregon Hillels poised for greatness

CYMON KERSCH

Going the extra mile in science & sports

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 1

97 ANNUAL MEETING th

TUESDAY, JUNE 13 • 4:30 - 6PM Congregation Neveh Shalom • Stampfer Chapel 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland 97239

A LOOK BACK AT THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF 2016-17

plus a preview of our amazing new initiatives for next year & beyond!

Join us as we welcome our new board members and present the Laurie Rogoway Leadership Award.

With special guest,

RABBI JAY MOSES

Vice President, The Wexner Foundation Rabbi Moses has served for many years as Director of the Wexner Heritage Program, North America’s premier Jewish leadership education program, which Portland is excited to bring back in 2020. Join us and welcome Rabbi Moses to our community!

OPEN TO ALL • LIGHT REFRESHMENTS • NO COST ®

THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE. THE POWER OF COMMUNITY.

6680 SW Capitol Hwy | Portland, OR 97219 503.245.6219 | www.jewishportland.org

JewishPDX

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Oregon Jewish Life • May 2017 | Iyar-Sivan 5777 | Volume 6/Issue 4

COVER STORY 10

SENIORS

Cymon Kersch: At the top of her game in science and sports

16

FEATURES

16

JEWS WITH ATTITUDE Helping the homeless

10

BUSINESS Ins & Outs

Students gain skills while solving problems

12 14

ISRAEL Laetitia Beck: First Israeli on pro golf tour FASHION Women's styles for all ages

22

4 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

Doing good on Good Deeds Day Winners: Noa Cohen & Mendel Mishulovin

JKids & Teens Calendar

JLIVING

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT MJCC launches gallery

41

FOOD Chef’s Corner: Plan healthy breakfast NW Nosh: Bernstein's Bagels

44 46

Humanistic Judaism leader comes to town Mother’s Day: Wisdom of Mothers Panelists decry climate of hate Previews of things to come FACES

Calendar

YOUNG ADULT Fellows learn to support Israel

Oregon Hillel tapped for pilot program Global view at Moishe House

52 54 56

41

48 50 51

57 58 60 63 64 66

COLUMNS To Life by Amy Hirshberg Lederman Chef’s Corner by Lisa Glickman NW Nosh by Kerry Politzer Ask Helen

COVER: Cymon Kersch rides to victory in her first triathlon.

PHOTO COURTESY CYMON KERSCH

26 28 30 32 34 37 38 39

JKIDS & TEENS TOO

24

26

46

Adapt and keep on enjoying life Book of Life celebrates stories

Life well lived creates “daditude” Helping aging parents from afar

Art reflects lifetime of movement

Do you need a hearing test?

Passing knowledge to new generation Senior service and housing directory

30 44 46 62

Ready to move?

Let me do the heavy lifting.

Betsy Menefee Rickles Principal Broker Cell (503) 260-5866

betsyrickles@windermere.com www.betsyrickles.com

B

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MAY 2017 Oregon Jewish Life | May 2017 | Iyar-Sivan 5777

PUBLISHERS

H OW TO R E AC H U S

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A Prince Hal Production ( TGMR18) 2016-2017 MediaPort LLC All rights reserved The content and opinions in Oregon Jewish Life do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers, staff or contractors. Articles and columns are for informational purposes only and not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, Oregon Jewish Life, and its agents, publishers, employees and contractors will not be held responsible for the misuse of any information contained herein. The publishers reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.

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LOCAL EXPERTS, GLOBAL REACH Bonhams specialists will be visiting Portland soon to provide free and confidential appraisals with a view to selling at auction.

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY +1 (503) 312 6023 sheryl.acheson@bonhams.com AN IMPORTANT DIAMOND SOLITAIRE RING Sold for $1,447,500 Found in Portland, sold in New York

bohams.com/portland Prices shown include buyer’s premium.

Details can be found at bonhams.com

His Story Is Our Story Ensure that your legacy and values are passed to the next generation.

OJCF is securing a strong future for Jewish life in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Oregon Jewish Community Foundation 503.248.9328 l www.ojcf.org

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 7

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We were very excited to have Cymon Kersch on our cover this month.

Cymon is that rare person who is an accomplished and competitive athlete (actually a triathlete), medical student and cancer researcher. As busy as she is, she is very aware that balancing all of these parts of her life while also finding time for family requires a conscious effort. Finding balance was a consistent theme throughout this interview. And as she elaborates, Jewish values help her achieve that balance as well.

Robert Philip

From young to "older" we have put together a very robust Senior special section this month. We have done our best to present multi-dimensional options for enjoying life as a senior. The section also connects seniors and their families with the resources that are available in our community to help seniors age with dignity and find the care that meets their changing needs.

If as they say, one can judge a community by how they treat the elderly, then Oregon should be proud. The scope of resources and opportunities our community provides enables our seniors to thrive.

Enjoy your spring.

Cindy Saltzman

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This Yom HaAtzma’ut, celebrate red, white, and blue.

Magen David Adom, Israel’s largest and premier emergency medical response agency, has been saving lives since before 1948. And supporters like you provide MDA’s 27,000 paramedics, EMTs, and civilian Life Guardians — more than 90% of them volunteers — with the training, equipment, and rescue vehicles they need. So as we celebrate Israel’s independence, make a difference in the health, welfare, and security of the Israeli people with your gift to MDA. Please give today.

AFMDA Western Region 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 750 Los Angeles, CA 90048 Toll-Free: 800.323.2371 • western@afmda.org www.afmda.org OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 9

Jewswith

Attitude

By Polina Olsen

About 20 people from the Jewish community gathered with residents of Hazelnut Grove Village, a homeless encampment that has at least temporary support from the city of Portland. Photo by Polina Olsen

Coming together to help the homeless

They promised an eye-opening experience, and they were absolutely right. A tour for the Jewish community of an evolving homeless community provided a positive insight few are privileged to see.

Hazelnut Grove, a North Portland village that began as an organized homeless encampment, has tacit support from the city of Portland. The March 12 tour, organized by Tivnu: Building Justice, met in the parking lot of Kaiser Interstate West and walked down the slope to the junction of North Interstate and North Greeley Avenues. Overlooking the rail yard is a narrow strip of land abutting the hillside that has evolved from scattered tents two years ago to an organized community for 19 residents. The community includes a library, bathroom, kitchen area and cluster of colorful tiny homes. Among those homes is a bright red cottage built by Tivnu.

Tivnu is a Jewish gap-year program that gives high school graduates a year to take a hands-on approach to social justice before college. Participants spend at least one day a week constructing affordable housing. Like past Tivnu groups, this year’s seven young participants came from across the country and have little or no construction experience.

“Working with the homeless community has taken us out of our comfort zone – in a good way,” says Tivnu’s construction trainer Erik Brakstad. “The job site is a great opportunity for learning. It’s building a house, but on a small scale, so they get a handle on planning, framing, siding, flashing, roofing, flooring, and installing the window and door. We started on a 10 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

cold, rainy December day and have been out in the weather all winter. I’ve never heard complaints from Tivnu kids. They know they go home to a shower and warm bed.”

Erik, along with everyone involved, emphasizes that nothing could happen without the Rebuilding Center (rebuildingcenter. org), a Portland nonprofit that collects building supplies from donations or deconstruction and donates or resells them at affordable rates. The Rebuilding Center also served as Tivnu’s building site, where they found materials as they came in and built the tiny house’s sides, roof and base. They then transported the pieces and put them together at Hazelnut Grove.

“At Hazelnut Grove, we work side-by-side with people who are building community,” Erik says. “After we finished the tiny house, we tapped into other projects like helping a guy named Tequila build his roof. It’s rained every day, and he says it never leaks.”

Tivnu participants also helped build the two sleeping pods that spent 10 weeks at Congregation Beth Israel late last year as a display to encourage faith groups and others to host pods for use by homeless families. Those tiny homes are now part of Hazelnut Grove.

One Tivnu participant designed frames for solar panels that provide light and power to the community’s tiny houses and other structures. The solar system, called JuiceBox, uses solar electricity to power lights and household electrical sockets; it is the brainchild of a team from the Catlin Gabel School led by sophomore Solomon Olshin. (See related story page 14.)

“The JuiceBoxes are awesome,” says a Hazel Grove resident, who goes by the name Captain Dikwee. I can power up all my

devices.” He and his wife, Melissa Castor, have lived in their neat, one-room tiny house for a year and hope to add a porch and separate art gallery. “It’s a small space,” Captain Dikwee says, “but the floor is insulated, so we stay warm.”

Resident Joe Bennie spoke in front of the stand-alone communal living room. “Free Speech Zone” was painted in large letters across the siding. “Our general assembly meets every Saturday,” he says. “We hold each other accountable, and we like the community to agree. Any time you have a group of people, it’s a struggle, but it’s worth it. Community building is more important than house building.”

Andy Olshin, a Congregation Beth Israel member, has long advocated for the homeless and encourages small projects that individuals or small groups can accomplish. For example, Beth Israel Brotherhood members Eric Flamm, Jeff Capen and Mel Birgé shared the cost of materials for another Hazelnut Grove tiny house that Tivnu plans to build this spring. Andy hopes to put a mezuzah in the doorway.

“The concept of people living in houses put together with nothing has been around for centuries,” he says. “As the houses at Hazelnut Grove change, the residents develop more skill.

“The Hoovervilles of today are a shame on our cities. We shouldn’t allow our communities to be invaded by substandard housing when we can do something cost effective about it.

I want to say that we as a Jewish community came together, worked with houseless folks and helped build 100 tiny houses by the end of 2017.”

For more information on Tivnu visit tivnu.org.

Jamie Dessen from New York City and David Fresco from Santa Monica, two of this year’s seven Tivnu participants, work on one of the sleeping pods, or tiny homes, constructed for Hazelnut Grove Village. Photo courtesy of Tivnu

carolyn and robin weinstein

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carolynandrobin@hasson.com Captain Dikwee and his wife, Melissa Castor, have lived in their tiny house for a year. Photo by Michael Heumann OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 11

INS & OUTS

David Fuks

Len Steinberg

David Fuks returns to Cedar Sinai Park as interim CEO

David Fuks has been hired as the CSP interim CEO following the April departure of former CEO Sandra Simon. David had served as CSP CEO for 18 years before he retired Sept. 8, 2015.

The search for a permanent CEO has begun.

CSP will also be hiring a permanent Robison Home administrator. Kelli Cannon is the interim administrator during that search.

“We are always aware of our Jewish identity and our commitment to our mission: Cedar Sinai Park provides residential and communitybased care to our 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,” says CSP Board President Liz Lippoff. “We are totally optimistic about our future." cedarsinaipark.org

MJCC sends Len Steinberg to conference

Len Steinberg joined nearly 500 other JCC professionals from across North America at the JCCs of North America Professional Conference, which provides a variety of professional development opportunities for those who work in a variety of positions in Jewish community centers.

Len is the program director of the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. He took part in a job track specializing in program directors and middle managers.

JCC Association of North America holds the conference every two years. The conference provides JCC staff a chance to build their network, gain insight into their peers’ work, learn best practices in their field and discover what’s new and cutting-edge in JCCs across the continent. The conference also included several sessions on security issues led by outstanding leaders in crisis communications and the security field.

JFCS Executive Director Carrie Hoops takes post at William Temple House

Jewish Family & Child Service has announced that Carrie Hoops will be leaving as executive director, effective May 5. She has accepted a new role as executive director at William Temple House, a 52-yearold social services agency in Portland that provides counseling and emergency assistance to people in need.

"We are thankful for Carrie's leadership," says Les Soltesz, JFCS board chair. "In particular, she was key in planning and carrying out the consolidation between JFCS and Cedar Sinai Park. Carrie's experience and energy have been indispensable."

12 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

Carrie Hoops

Ronni Lacroute

Andrea Stolowitz

Carrie joined JFCS as interim executive director in April 2014 and was appointed executive director July 1, 2015.

"My time with JFCS over the past three years has been incredibly gratifying," says Carrie. "It's been an honor to be a part of this agency and community, and the consolidation with Cedar Sinai Park is helping to align our programs so that clients have a stronger continuum of services."

The JFCS Board has begun a search for an interim executive director. jfcs-portland.org | 503-226-7079

Playwright Andrea Stolowitz receives patronage from Ronni Lacroute

Ronni Lacroute, longtime Artists Repertory Theatre sponsor and Portland arts patron, has committed to funding a five-year patronage for Artists Rep Resident Artist Andrea Stolowitz. For at least two of those years, Stolowitz will be embedded in Artists Rep’s staff as the Lacroute Playwright in Residence.

“This is a remarkable opportunity for Andrea and for Artists Rep, made possible by the visionary support of Ronni Lacroute,” says Sarah Horton, Artists Rep’s managing director. “With targeted, gamechanging support like this, individual arts patrons like Ronni can personally impact the work of playwrights and the future of theatermaking in America.”

The Lacroute Playwright-in-Residence position offers Andrea, a local award-winning playwright, an annual salary and discretionary funds to enhance and promote the development of her scripts and support her professional development. Andrea’s five-year patronage will begin with a two-year residency at Artists Rep, where she can work on her writing and learn firsthand about the operating dynamics of regional theater. Andrea will bring the perspective of a working playwright to Artists Rep’s operations.

“Offering Andrea this opportunity is exciting to me,” says Ronni.

“This opportunity to be a playwright-in-residence is a dream come true,” says Andrea. artistsrep.org

JFCS hires three new staffers

Jewish Family & Child Service, a subsidiary of Cedar Sinai Park, recently added three new staff members. JFCS provides social services that improve the lives of adults, families and children in the Jewish and general communities.

Philip Gomez joined JFCS in February 2017 as lifeline services assistant, providing client and administrative support to the Emergency Aid, Holocaust Survivor Services and Partners programs.

Philip Gomez

David McGarry

Having experienced poverty in his youth, he is driven to fight for social and economic justice. Some of the organizations he has worked for, and been a member of, are the Industrial Workers of the World, the Communications Workers of America and Working America.

JFCS also welcomes to its staff two men named David.

David McGarry recently joined JFCS as a behavior support specialist for the Partners for Independence (Partners) program, which helps people with developmental disabilities boost their independence and community integration.David M.’s helping career began at J.B. Thomas Junior High School, in Hillsboro, where he served his seventh-grade class as a peer mediator. He would listen to peers in conflict situations and try to help them understand each other at a deeper level.

David M has worked over the past five years in direct care, case management and service coordination.

David Nyugen-Jackson is JFCS’s new accounting administrative assistant. He has been involved in faith-centered organizations throughout his life, taking on multiple roles from cooking to administration. After obtaining an undergraduate degree in Spanish in 2015 and an MBA in 2016, David N.-J. had a short stint at an auditing firm but decided that nonprofit work was his passion. In the fall of 2016, he began working for JFCS as a temp.

503-226-7079 | jfcs-portland.org

OJCF to honor Harold Pollin

The Oregon Jewish Community Foundation has selected Harold Pollin as the foundation’s 2017 Legacy Society Honoree. Pollin was instrumental in the establishment of OJCF, serving as its first president from 1988-1990, when the organization was known as the Portland Jewish Community Foundation.

“Harold’s contributions to the foundation over the years can’t be overstated,” says OJCF Executive Director Julie Diamond. “We are thrilled to have this opportunity to acknowledge and thank him.”

Pollin will be honored at OJCF’s Annual Meeting and Reception to be held on June 21, 2017, at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. No fundraising. ojcf.org | 503-248-9328

Peter Lyman captures Service Award

Congregation Shaarie Torah will present the Harry R. Nemer Service Award to Peter Lyman at a special award dinner Sunday, June 11.

The Shaarie Torah Men’s Club presents the Harry R. Nemer Service Award to members of Shaarie Torah in recognition of outstanding volunteer service to the congregation. For many years Peter served in a leadership role on various committees and on the Shaarie Torah

David Nyugen-Jackson

Harold Pollin

Peter Lyman

Board of Directors; for the past three years, he served as treasurer of the congregation. Chairs for this year’s event are Richard Cohen and Steph Kotkins.

The dinner honoring Peter will take place June 11 at Congregation Shaarie Torah located at 920 NW 25th, Portland. The cost of the event is $54 per person with dinner proceeds going to support various programs at Shaarie Torah. Reservations are required; sponsorships are available.

503-226-6131 | shaarietorah.org

Weinberg Foundation grant launches BB Camp’s public capital campaign

The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation’s Board of Trustees awarded B’nai B’rith a capital grant of $368,000, which completes the funding for the Mercaz Campus Center.

Weinberg Foundation Program Officer Stan Goldman praised BB Camp: “The Weinberg Trustees admire the impressive and powerful work that BB Camp is doing, especially for kids with disabilities.”

The Mercaz Campus Center was completed in July 2017 using a nointerest loan of $750,000 from the Foundation for Jewish Camp. The building features new arts and crafts spaces, a flexible programming room and a new home for the BB Day Camp, which serves primarily low-income children from Lincoln County.

“The work we do at BB Camp is based on the concept of hachnasat orchim – welcoming the stranger,” says Executive Director Michelle Koplan in thanking the Weinberg Foundation. “We pride ourselves on making our camp experience available to everyone.”

The gift from the Weinberg Foundation propels BB Camp past the $9 million mark in the 10-year Second Century Campaign. The campaign has a goal to raise $13.3 million to completely rebuild the campus before the 100th Anniversary of BB Camp in 2021. Other early donors include Jeff and Judy Greenstein, Stan Litt, Don Loeb and the Loeb Family Foundation, Ken and Mary Unkeles, Howard and Linda Davis, David and Katie Gold, Howard and Wendy Liebreich, the Meyer Memorial Trust, the Ford Family Foundation, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, the Marcus Foundation, the Jay and Diane Zidell Foundation and Charlene Zidell.

The public phase of the campaign will fund replacing all remaining cabins with sustainable double cabins, building a full-sized gym and auditorium, purchasing property adjacent to BB Camp’s relatively small campus and improving the overall grounds. The goal is to raise $3.4 million additional dollars to fund these projects and $1 million in scholarship and capital endowment. bbcamp.org | apearlman@bbcamp.org | 503-345-9476 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 13

Business

Catlin Gabel’s InvenTeam – including two members of Congregation Beth Israel in the back row, Layton Rosenfeld, far right, and Solomon Olshin, third from the right – designed and built solar energy units for the tiny homes in Hazelnut Grove.

Students solve problems today, build skills for future

By Deborah Moon

As they use technology to solve social problems, InvenTeam members also learn graphic design, marketing, public speaking, team management and entrepreneurship.

The ideas of two Catlin Gabel sophomores merged into a single invention that is changing lives at the Hazelnut Grove homeless village.

Solomon Olshen wanted to provide electricity to residents of Hazelnut Grove, where he has volunteered with his father, Andy, to help residents create a community of tiny houses. Classmate Anjali Haripriyan wanted to bring solar power to homeless shelters to help them use clean energy and reduce their energy costs.

The two shared their ideas with fellow members of Catlin Gabel’s InvenTeam, an extracurricular club that brings together friends interested in robotics, engineering and social justice. Each year students design a project that tackles a social issue with simple technology.

14 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

Other InvenTeam projects have included The Water Trotter, which uses old car tires and UV purification to clean waterways; LostExhaust makes carpooling easy by connecting people with those who live near them and drive a similar route every day; and ScumBot, a low maintenance autonomous robot designed to skim and remove aquatic surface vegetation such as duckweed and algae from small lakes and ponds.

In addition to applying STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills to real life problems, students on the InvenTeam have the opportunity to learn graphic design, presentation skills, marketing, public speaking, team management and entrepreneurship.

Those skills will poise InvenTeam members to succeed both at college and then in the modern workforce.

This year’s project is already changing lives in Portland. In November the team built a prototype of a solar-powered LED light and charger. Then the team met with Hazelnut Grove residents to ensure the final design met their needs. Their project won $10,000 in the Lexus Eco Challenge – money the team poured back into the project to build 30 JuiceBoxes. Twenty have been installed at Hazelnut Grove, with the rest donated to the mayor’s office, Benson High School and other groups that are working with homeless populations who need a power source.

The team is now soliciting in-kind donations from businesses and cash from individual donors so they can build and distribute more JuiceBoxes to homeless communities in the Portland region. They have also posted instructions to build the units online so other communities can use the technology (catlininvents.org/juicebox-doc).

Solomon has been helping the homeless since 2013 when he created SoupSac for his bar mitzvah project at Congregation Beth Israel. His project has provided 3,000 meals to homeless people in Portland. He feels this new project feeds a different kind of hunger for the homeless.

Expert in minimally invasive hysterectomies One of three black OB/GYNs in Portland

Bakes a tasty cake with her sweet daughter

The power source Catlin Gabel students created for homeless communities. Using solar power, it provides the “juice” for two LED lights, two electric outlets and two USB ports.

“They use laptops and cell phones to remain engaged in the community and to look for jobs,” says Solomon, adding lights enable them to extend their activity into the evening during the winter.

Previously Hazelnut Grove residents could only charge their laptops and cell phones with a “noisy, dirty” diesel generator they had to buy fuel for. With the JuiceBoxes, they can stay in touch with donors such as food programs and the Rebuilding Center, which donates materials for building projects at the village.

To engage others at Catlin Gabel, the InvenTeam recruited other students to help the villagers build a portable shower unit that uses a propane water heater and a modified JuiceBox for lighting and a water pump.

“I think we are really enabling the folks at Hazelnut and other villages to be more productive and engaged in their community as they get back on their feet,” says Solomon. “I do feel we are making a difference.”

Dr. Kimberlynn Heller, Obstetrician and Gynecologist with her daughter Olivia

Top rated and down to earth. oregonclinic.com/unique

catlininvents.org

Jewish Life Magazine - May 2017 - V. Half Page 3.5in x 9.875in - The Oregon Clinic

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 15

MED STUDENT AND TRIATHLETE CYMON KERSCH TAKES ON THE WORLD

By Deborah Moon

PERFECT BALANCE If

there is an art and science to living in balance, Cymon Kersch, 30, has mastered it. She balances academics and athletics; basic science and clinical research; study time and personal time; achievement and humility.

“I think if I have more going on to structure my time, then I am able to use the time I have set aside for each piece of life and use it more efficiently,” says Cymon, pronounced Simon, in honor of her great grandpa for whom she was named. “If I only have this long for family time, I better get it done.”

She will compete on Team USA in the 2017 World Triathlon Championships in Rotterdam this September. Competing in her first Olympic-length triathlon last year at Oregon’s Hagg Lake, she won and qualified for nationals. A month later, she finished sixth in her age group, earning a spot on Team USA for this year’s world championships.

As an M.D./Ph.D. student at the Oregon Health and Sciences University, Cymon’s feats are no less impressive. Her academic advisor Dr. Edward Neuwelt sums up Cymon: “In athletics or hardcore science, she goes the extra mile.”

Continued on page 18

16 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

Above: Cymon in the lab.

Right: Cymon Kersch on a training run.

Photos courtesy of Cymon Kersch

In athletics or hard-core science, she goes the extra mile.� ~ Dr. Edward Neuwelt

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 17

PERFECT BALANCE Clockwise from left: Cymon Kersch and Trey Read at the summit of McKenzie Pass; Cymon qualifies for the World Triathlon championship with her sixth-place finish at the U.S. National Championships; Cymon displays the triathlon medals she earned at Hagg Lake and Nationals; and Cymon, second from left, with her MJCC Stingray swim team friends.

“She is approaching one of the fundamental problems in cancer,” says Dr. Neuwelt, who is on Cymon’s dissertation committee. “The implication (of her work) is going to be earth shattering.”

Dr. Neuwelt says he oversees the clinical applications of Cymon’s research, while OHSU Associate Professor Leslie Muldoon, Ph.D., oversees the hard science. Now in the third year of her Ph.D. program, Cymon does all her doctoral research in Dr. Neuwelt’s Blood-Brain Barrier and Neuro-Oncology research group.

“One problem today is the tremendous crevasse between basic science and medical care,” says Dr. Neuwelt. “She will understand the basic science and be able to cross the bridge to the clinical science.”

18 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

Cymon calls Dr. Neuwelt an ideal advisor for her.

“Throughout his career, he has been able to take what he learned in the lab and go back and treat patients,” she says.

“He structures his time to balance the clinic and research.

It’s very rare for people to be able to do that.”

Cymon hopes to achieve that professional balance, as well. That is why she enrolled in OHSU’s M.D./Ph.D. program, which is designed so a student can become a clinician scientist.

Cymon’s Ph.D. research is focused on two areas. First, she is exploring how metastatic breast cancer interacts with the brain to grow tumors there.

Women with certain subtypes of breast cancer, such as HER2+ breast cancer, that metastasize (spread from the initial tumor location to other parts of the body) are more likely to develop metastatic tumors in the brain than women with other types of cancer.

“I’m looking at how HER2+ metastatic breast cancer cells are able to survive and grow in the brain environment,” says Cymon.

The brain environment is made up of unique blood vessels (that form a special blood-brain barrier) and cell types (neurons and glia support cells) that are very different from the breast tissue where these tumor cells come from.

“Metastatic cancer cells have to learn to grow in this ‘foreign’

tissue to become a large tumor,” explains Cymon. “This idea is often referred to as the ‘seed and the soil’ model, where the metastasized cancer cell is the seed, and the different organs are the soil. Only certain seeds are able to grow in certain soils, and understanding what allows those seeds to grow in different soils will hopefully provide new ways to prevent or treat brain metastasis. If you understand better how the seed and soil interact, then you could change parts of that soil so that the seed cannot grow in it, and by doing so you could effectively prevent a metastatic tumor from being able to grow there.”

That is especially important given what Dr. Neuwelt calls an epidemic of metastasized brain tumors. The success of chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments against cancer elsewhere in the body has reduced deaths from those cancers, but such treatments are much less effective against brain tumors.

“Once a patient has brain metastasis, it is hard to cure,” he says.

“This is a whole new area to figure out a way to prevent it. … That is her thesis.”

The second part of her research looks at glioblastoma tumors, and is inspired by the successes and failures of new immune therapies. Glioblastoma tumors, unlike metastatic tumors, start in the brain. This particular type of brain tumor is one of the most aggressive types of cancers.

“By looking at the expression of thousands of genes across tumors, we can infer what types of immune processes are going on and how the tumor is responding to this immune attack,” says Cymon. “Our goal with this project is to provide a fundamental understanding of how the body’s immune system interacts with different spatial regions of glioblastoma tumors.

We then hope that by finding how different patients’ immune systems interact differently with their tumors, we might in the future be able to predict who could benefit from immune therapies or be able to better tailor these therapies to people’s individual tumors.”

Cymon says her dissertation committee is very supportive of her upcoming participation in the World Triathlon. A couple of people from her Ph.D. program, including program coordinator Johanna Colgrove, who has family near Rotterdam, hope to travel to the Netherlands to cheer her on. Her boyfriend, Trey Read, also a cyclist, will accompany her, and they want to spend at least a couple of days cycling in Europe. But since she intends to finish the Ph.D. portion of her program by next summer, she says, “We won’t be going on a long vacation.”

Cymon says she has “private” goals for her first world championships, which, just like when she applied to medical schools, include reachable, realistic and fallback. But the only goal she is willing to share for Rotterdam is to “have fun.”

The journey to becoming a world class athlete began when Cymon joined the Stingray swim team at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center when she was in grade school. Shortly after

she was born, her parents, Harriet Cooke and Charles Kersch, decided to move from the east side of the river to the west side to be near the MJCC. The family also joined Havurah Shalom, which then met at the J. She became a bat mitzvah at Havurah Shalom after the congregation bought a building in Northwest Portland.

She still attends some holiday services at Havurah or at P’nai Or, where her mom is now a member.

Cymon competed in swimming for the MJCC and later the West Hills Aquatic Team until she graduated from Wilson High School. At the University of Puget Sound, she started her first college winter training camp for the swim team while she was still jet-lagged from a winter break trip with Birthright Israel (which offers free 10-day trips to Israel for young Jewish adults).

“I always did long distance,” says Cymon. “I don’t have a fasttwitch muscle in my body.” (Fast-twitch muscle fibers produce short bursts of energy useful in sprints, while slow-twitch fibers are used in endurance sports.)

She says the mile freestyle she competed in during college was good prep for the Olympic-length triathlon, which begins with a swim of 1,500 meters (.93 mile), followed by 40 km (24.9 miles) on a bike and ends with a 10 km (6.2-mile) run.

While she was in her master’s program at Texas A&M, without training she tried a sprint triathlon and part of an Olympic triathlon.

“I didn’t think I had time to do all of it,” she says of her decision not to take time from her studies to train for triathlons at that time. “In retrospect, I wish I would have.”

That feeling of lack of time kept her from exercising consistently during the first two years of medical school at OHSU. For her M.D./Ph.D. program, she went to the first two years of medical school before shifting to the Ph.D. program for four years. After earning her Ph.D. next summer, she will return to medical school to complete the final 1½ to 2 years of clinical work to earn her M.D. “In my first two years in medical school, I spent almost all my time studying,” she says, adding she ran a bit, but never consistently. “I didn’t feel like me anymore.”

Writing about her journey in an OHSU student blog, she explains, “Growing up as a student athlete, I was accustomed to having some form of sporty outlet during my academic life and soon found a love for running. Running was simply Cymon-time.”

Over the next couple of years, she competed in several half and full marathons.

“I wanted to spend time for me,” she says of her decision to run more. “It feels a lot more healthy and sustainable.”

But at the Boston Marathon in 2015 she hobbled across the finish line with her back and shoulders in spasm and a very disappointing finish time. She decided it was time for a change.

Continued on page 21

“She lives her life from Jewish values – works hard, is humble and caring, and loves justice and joyful celebration.” ~ Harriet Cooke, MOM

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 19

PERFECT BALANCE

“Cymon lives, breathes and exudes the attitude you want in an athlete.” ~ Coach Shawn Bostad 20 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

Trey was preparing for his upcoming season of bicycle racing.

Cymon says that she thought if she could learn to ride well enough to keep up with Trey on his easy training rides, it would allow her to double-dip and spend time with her boyfriend while exercising.

She has had a lot of support and encouragement on her journey, with Trey serving as training partner, cheerleader, equipment procurer and lucky charm.

Trey soon decided she needed a better bike and got her a Focus Izalco road bike. She used that bike for both of her triathlons. But with Worlds coming up, a triathlon bike sounded like a good idea.

However, the cost of a good tri-bike, ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 new, was not trivial.

Western Bikeworks had announced a raffle for a Cannondale Slice triathlon bicycle in conjunction with a celebration for the March reopening of Athletes Lounge in the bike store’s Northwest Portland location.

“Trey and I both bought four tickets, then crossed our fingers and had good thoughts,” says Cymon.

“Trey held the winning ticket – he’s my lucky charm!”

The win included a fitting from the bike shop, and her new aerodynamic bike was ordered.

“There will be time for me to learn to ride on the bars,” says Cymon. Tri-bikes have special handlebars designed to put the rider in the most aerodynamic position.

Trey also gave her training a boost when for her birthday in September, he gave her a Garmin Pedal power meter. Power meters register the watts generated as cyclists pedal and provide instant feedback on how much power is generated.

“Trey and my coach both told me training with power would change my training – and it has,” says Cymon.

In addition to riding with Trey at least a couple of hours each weekend, she also joins rides with the Portland Bicycle Studio and Portland Velo.

She runs with a “pure running” group, as well as the Portland Triathlon Club, with which she also attends swim sessions. In the summer she swims outdoors with a group at Hagg Lake. Once a week she does strength training, during which she spends time on – what else – balance.

But her training is directed by Shawn Bostad of Steelhead Coaching.

“Cymon is a very special person,” says Shawn.

“Cymon lives, breathes and exudes the attitude you want in an athlete. … She works hard with a great attitude; she is genuinely excited to put in the hard work.”

Cymon says she likes Shawn’s approach, which promotes longevity in a sport and pre-hab (injury prevention) rather than rehab.

On his website, Shawn explains his coaching

philosophy: “I take a holistic approach towards coaching and training to ensure all my clients reach the starting line injury-free, mentally prepared and physically tuned to compete at their optimal level. … We can allow the body to develop naturally according to its own physiological clock and each client’s personal goals.”

That philosophy fits well with Cymon’s quest for balance.

“My body feels so much better with the three sports,” she says. “I think they balance each other well.”

Initially Cymon says she hesitated to share her journey, but decided that others might benefit from her example of taking time to exercise even when a busy schedule makes that seem impossible.

“No matter how busy you think you are, you can exercise,” says Cymon, adding that the interview for this article was the first time she talked publicly about her journey to the Worlds. “People working in medical fields need to take time to take care of themselves, too,” Cymon says of her decision to also write a blogpost on an OHSU student blog site.

“As students going into medical sciences and practices, we dedicate our lives to the health of others, and it’s easy to become completely immersed in our academic training to prepare ourselves for our careers,” she writes. “This immersion often comes at the cost of our personal well-being and life experiences outside the walls of the library, the laboratory, the classroom or the clinical office.

But we can and should make time to take care of ourselves, our health and to enjoy life. My own is one little story about a student finding a little more balance through racing, but stories like mine are shared by current M.D. and Ph.D. students at OHSU. … We do not have to limit ourselves; we can be dedicated students, brilliant future clinicians and researchers; and cherish our lives outside of academics.”

For Cymon, that balance also includes family time.

She and Trey join her mom for Shabbat dinner as often as they can. And while she says organized Judaism has taken a backseat in her life for the moment, she and her mom agree that Jewish values are still a big part of her life.

“I could not be more proud of my daughter,” says Harriet. “She lives her life from Jewish values – works hard, is humble and caring, and loves justice and joyful celebration. … She devotes her life to work that will benefit others, engages both the rational and intuitive aspects of her mind, lives with a deep heart and is powered by the joyfulness that is encouraged by Hassidic and Jewish Renewal thought. This powers her work, her relationships, her triathlons, her friendships and the way she brings a joyfulness with her wherever she goes.”

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 21

Israel’s first professional golfer

By Mala Blomquist

FOCUS ON GOLF LAETITIA BECK STARTED PLAYING GOLF She quit all other sports and started playing when she was 9 years old. That may not be "For me, it golf five days a week. “The next year, I really unusual, but Laetitia was living in Israel saw an improvement,” says Laetitia. She doesn’t matter if you where there is only one 18-hole golf course started to win every tournament she in the whole country and no professional are a Reform Jew, a entered – and not by a small margin; at golfers.

Conservative Jew or an times, she won by as many as 30 strokes.

Laetitia was born in Antwerp, When Laetitia was 13, her family Orthodox Jew. For me, what’s Belgium. Her family moved to Israel realized that Israel lacked the resources, when she was 6 years old. “I loved important is how someone including professional training facilities sports; even in Belgium I remember identifies – how proud and coaches, to provide her with a future playing different sports,” says Laetitia. in golf.

“Then when we moved to Israel, golf they are.”

“If I really wanted to get to the next level, [became] my hobby. We had classes at – Laetitia Beck I would have to leave Israel,” she says. the country club in the center of town.” Her Another young golfer from Caesarea, Roi family lived in Caesarea, where she played at the Steinberg, had left a couple of years earlier to attend Caesarea Golf Club. the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. IMG is a boarding When Laetitia was 12, the lead golf pro at the club told school that offers academic and athletic college-preparatory her and her mother that Laetitia should compete in the Israeli experiences in golf and seven other sports. The Becks decided the Ladies Championship. At that time, she had only competed in transition might be easier if Laetitia knew someone at the school. junior tournaments. In this competition, she would be playing At 15, she left for the United States. against women four times her age! “My mom caddied for me, and She was always very independent in Israel, going to the golf I ended up winning,” she recounts of that day. course to practice after school before returning home in the At that time, in 2004, she was the youngest person ever to win evening. the country’s championship. At Laetitia’s school the next day, they Still, that first year was a struggle. She even thought of called all the students outside, announced that she had won and going back to Israel but realized that if she returned, she would surprised her with a trophy.

22 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

probably quit golf. She spent time with Roi speaking Hebrew and playing tennis, but her socialization was limited. She concentrated on golf.

During her sophomore year, college scouts started attending the tournaments. After a scholarship offer from Duke University in North Carolina, she set her sights on college.

In 2010, she started at Duke and joined the women’s golf team. The team of seven players played tournaments together.

“It was fun! It was the first time I had a team,” says Laetitia.

She also became involved with the Jewish student community. “I keep kosher and it was much easier for me [at Duke] than in high school,” says Laetitia.

She found the sports/school balance and graduated with a degree in psychology with All-American honors in both her junior and senior years. She was only the 11th Duke golfer to earn All-ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) accolades during each of her four years.

TIME TO TURN PRO

Laetitia’s goal after college was to become a professional player. “[I] always wanted to turn professional, I wanted to [play golf ] for a living and represent Israel and my family,” she says.

After graduation, Laetitia moved to Montreal, Canada. She divided her summers between Israel and training with her coach, Andrew Phillips, at the Elm Ridge Country Club in Île Bizard, an island near Montreal.

Her first professional event took place in Canada in 2011.

“I was still an amateur, but I qualified to play at the Canadian Women’s Open [at the Hillsdale Golf and Country Club],” says Laetitia. “It’s funny, because the tournament was held at a Jewish club. So my first professional event with the LPGA was as an amateur at a Jewish club.”

Laetitia’s focus now turned to getting her Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour card. Anyone can turn professional but qualifying for membership on the LPGA Tour is an arduous process. She began that process in 2010 with more than 400 other women golfers, 20 of whom went on to receive cards.

Laetitia received her LPGA Tour card in December 2014 at age 22, becoming the first Israeli to qualify as a full member of any major golf tour.

In the fall of 2014, a golf friend from Belgium suggested that she stay with his family in Aventura, FL, near Miami. They offered her a room in their home and the chance to play golf at the Turnberry Isle

Miami Resort and Golf Club. She liked it so much, she decided to stay in Aventura – and Turnberry is currently sponsoring her.

“It’s a resort with a lot of Jewish people. I love it there! Every other person is wearing a Star of David,” jokes Laetitia.

OLYMPIC MOMENT

Laetitia competed at ages 13, 17 and 21 in the the Maccabiah Games, also known as the “Jewish Olympics.” She took home gold medals in the individual competition at age 17 and in both individual and team competitions at age 21. But she also wanted to compete in the “real” Olympics.

In 2016, she qualified to compete in the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She even designed her own uniform, shoes and golf bag. “It took me a long time to design my golf bag, because I wanted [it] to represent the culture and religion – not just Israel,” explains Laetitia.

Laetitia is extremely proud of her Jewish identity and was uncomfortable hearing that she shouldn’t wear her uniform with the Star of David emblem outside of the Olympic Village. She has not encountered much anti-Semitism on tour or in everyday life, but she did encounter anti-Semitism at the Olympics. As the Israelis went to board their assigned bus to go to the Opening Ceremonies, a member of the Lebanese team, which had already boarded, stood in front of the bus and ordered the driver to close the door and not allow the Israeli team on the bus.

“That was the first time I had experienced anything like that,” recounts Laetitia. “[It was] frustrating to see how this was happening at the biggest event in the world.”

Around 30 Israeli athletes were not allowed on the bus. “But they got us another bus – for just us,” she says. Fortunately, Laetitia had no further contact with the Lebanese athletes for the rest of the Olympic Games and no more unpleasant encounters.

THE PASSION BEHIND THE PLAYER

When asked what has influenced her most, Laetitia’s answer is not another golfer or athlete – it is her history. “I think of how my grandparents had to go through a lot of things [that] I didn’t have to,” says Laetitia solemnly. “What my grandparents came from – almost dying – and I can be at this level [of success]. Two of my grandparents were in Auschwitz and the other two were in hiding in Belgium. I felt I had to do something to show the world that we are strong people.”

Golf lets Laetitia represent the country of Israel, the Jewish culture and her family’s heritage.

“I get a lot of joy from seeing someone identify Jewishly,” says Laetitia, adding she especially enjoys it when someone “comes to the golf course, watches me and says ‘Shalom, we are so proud of you.’ For me, what’s important is how proud they are.”

She also hopes that her success on the greens can help her reach her goal of making a difference. “If I can reach a really high level, then I can reach more people,” she says. “It all depends on how well I do in golf – and that will give me a stronger voice. I still have to find that passion and what I want to do. I’m hoping to do something that will make the world a better place than before, [to] use the power that I will have to try to do something better.”

She is already used to making history – so making the world a better place is right on par for Laetitia Beck.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 23

TOP FASHION TRENDS THAT EXTEND TO WOMEN OF ALL AGES

By Tori Rosenblum Your sense of style should evolve as you do over the years. Whether you’re dressing for the office or a day with your grandchildren, choose an outfit that reflects your personality.

Don’t get too comfortable with pieces from the past. Keep up with current trends that are still age appropriate for the more mature shopper.

1 The WRAP DRESS is a figure-flattering silhouette that looks beautiful on women of all ages and body types. It fits a woman’s curves in all the right places and camouflages common problem areas including wide hips and thick midsections.

HERE’S A TIP: Try a style with ruching, which is extremely slimming.

24 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

2 If you’re looking for a light layer that can easily add a little more coverage, give a trendy BOYFRIEND CARDIGAN a shot.

The oversized, unstructured sweater provides length that covers the hips and is an easy way to conceal the arms.

3 To give the illusion of longer legs, choose a WIDE-LEG TROUSER. A wide pant will lengthen you, while concealing the thighs and calves. A pair with stretch will allow for extra comfort and ease of movement.

HERE’S A TIP: Try a version with a wide elastic waistband that will act as a slimming panel over the tummy .

4

An A-LINE SKIRT should be a staple in every woman’s wardrobe.

The flowing fabric glides over the body without hugging it.

Whether you choose a maxi or mid-calf length, there is no better silhouette for a mature woman.

Pair with heels or flats depending on the occasion.

You don’t have to sacrifice style to dress ageappropriately.

Try these trends that extend to women of all ages. They will highlight and enhance your best features and make you look like and feel like a fashionista.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 25

Adaptability key to moving on

By Deborah Moon

26 Seniors and Technology 28 Book of Life 30 "Daditude" 32 Help from afar 34 Portable art 37 Hearing Test 38 Passing down knowledge 39 Senior directory

26 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

T

hree years ago my father-in-law, now 96, traded his bicycle for a recumbent trike. Freed from the fear of falling and breaking a hip or shoulder as he had seen friends do, he continued his cycling adventures.

But the heavier cycle and different muscles needed to pedal made climbing hills a slow, tiring process.

Concerned he wouldn’t have the energy to make it home, Dad planned routes with fewer hills. Then, last year, he decided to buy a motor for his trike. It doesn’t run all the time, but he can push a button and get an assist on climbs. He returned to many of his favorite rides. The world was once again open before him.

There’s no denying that as we age, our brains and bodies change. But thanks to technology and revolutionary ways of thinking, we can now enjoy a rich life well into our golden years.

That’s especially important given the growth of our senior population.

The 2010 U.S. Census found more than 40.3 million people aged 65 and older, with the 85+ the most rapidly growing age group.

MOBILITY

Maintaining mobility is an important part of retaining independence.

From canes to mountain trikes, finding ways to stay on the go has gotten easier in recent years.

As Dad discovered, even active seniors can benefit from getting creative to extend their mobility. A 2011 AARP article on the increasing popularity of recumbent trikes listed advantages including stability, comfort, cardiovascular benefits, adaptability for riders with disabilities and a view of the landscape instead of the road.

For those who rely on their upper body strength to get around, there are options for them to enjoy the outdoors, too.

Mountain Trikes, an all-terrain, self-propelled wheelchair, is perfect for exploring the outdoors, from muddy trails to the beach, or as the name implies climbing mountains.

Scooters have also grown in popularity.

HIGH TECH

A couple months ago I saw the futuristic play “Marjorie Prime,” which explored the intersection of science and aging.

It was a deeply thought-provoking play. The technology in the play, an artificial version of Marjorie’s late husband who helps her grapple with memory loss and loneliness, clearly does not exist – yet.

On a much simpler level, smart speakers and personal assistants such as Amazon Echo and Alexa can provide interaction and memory aids to seniors.

While screen interaction is often considered detrimental to in-person social interaction among children and teens, the use of social media and the internet seems to have the opposite effect on seniors.

A 2013 Pew Research Study on internet use reported: “[O]lder adults who use social networking sites such as Facebook are more likely to regularly socialize with friends, whether online, in person, or over the telephone, compared with seniors who are not social

LOW-IMPACT ACTIVITY & SIGHTSEEING

Technology also provides “armchair travel experiences” for seniors. CSP has a green screen where groups of up to 20 residents can

“Families bring in a senior to look at scooters, and the grumpy senior sees it as being stuck, as losing independence,” says Christina Forlenza, manager of All In One Mobility. “While they are here, they realize this is a move to more independence. Soon they are riding around doing what they want to do.”

Phoenix Barrow, life enrichment manager at Rose Schnitzer Manor, says scooters are in wide use around the Cedar Sinai Park campus, allowing residents to travel further than they could in a wheelchair.

RSM resident Shelly Petcher, 81, goes further than most – he has used his scooter on visit to Israel twice, Japan, the Baltic countries, Scandinavia and Russia. In mid-April he headed off on a cruise to Central America with stops in Belize, Mexico and Honduras, followed by a week in New Orleans.

“The only place I got stuck was in the Hermitage in Russia,” he says. Stopped at the base of a stairway with no elevator around, he got moving again when two American tourists picked up his

Joe Patton, 96, now uses a recumbent trike for his cycling adventures. scooter and carried it up the stairs. “I can go anywhere I want to go except stairs.”

“The scooter is what enables me to go on these trips,” Shelly says. “A walker could do it, but I run out of energy.”

When he’s home at RSM, he uses a walker in his apartment, but hops on his scooter to get around campus.

According to a 2013 report from the University of California Disability Statistics Center, Shelly is not alone: “Just over 6.8 million community-resident Americans use assistive devices to help them with mobility. This group comprises 1.7 million wheelchair or scooter riders and 6.1 million users of other mobility devices, such as canes, crutches and walkers.”

Even walkers have advanced in recent years.

“They are more tailored to the individual now,” says Phoenix.

“There used to be one model. Now some have reverse brakes, which are good for residents with Parkinson’s. You squeeze the brake as you walk and release to brake.”

trouble navigating the digital world. He says most seniors use technology for communication. “They use FaceTime and Skype to see loved ones in different parts of the country.”

networking site users. Some 81% of older adults who use social networking sites say they socialize with others on a daily or near-daily basis.” “… Among older adults who go online but do not use social networking sites, that figure is 71%; and for those who are not online at all, it is 63%.”

Many senior facilities provide Wi-Fi, public computers and tech support to help their residents reap those benefits.

Kristi Ferris, the administrative assistant at NW Place, offers technical support once a week. She helps residents set up their portable devices, create email accounts and download apps. Uber, Lyft and Facebook are the most common apps that residents want, she says. She also helps residents retrieve and save videos and photos that relatives have emailed to them. A grandson of one resident comes once a month to help with some of the technical issues that Kristi can’t solve.

West Hills Village also offers weekly help. “Every Monday is electronics assistance day,” says sales and marketing manager Sean Proper. Staff help residents who are having

Many seniors use iPads or smart phones to keep in touch with family and friends via FaceTime, Skype or social media sites.

participate in interactive visits to museums, castles and other far-flung places. “They can connect with a docent via green screen,” says Phoenix. “It’s similar to Skype, you see the person on screen but see the exhibit in the background. The docent can go through and discuss each piece of art, and we can ask questions in real time.”

Phoenix says residents also enjoy Wii games.

“It’s a low-impact way for seniors to enjoy participating in tennis and bowling,” she says.

A 2015 blog post from McMaster University found that

virtual reality gaming systems like the Nintendo Wii provide both entertainment and opportunities for physical activity. The post noted that evidence from research studies shows that Wiibased training is comparable to other exercise programs for improving balance in older adults, which can reduce the risk of falling.

There’s no question that technology is changing how we age.

Being willing to adapt and use technology creatively helps us hold onto the passions, activities and connections that make us who we are.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 27

Dor l’dor: OJCF’s Endowment Book of Life celebrates the power of stories

By Gail Mandel “We are the sum of our stories – those we tell ourselves and those we share about ourselves with others. Our stories are the currency by which we live our lives; they define our relationships, color our present and shape our future. And, what we share, or fail to share and pass on to others, will affect them and their future as well.” ~ Amy Hirshberg Lederman

28 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

S

tories are powerful and we all have them. When we share our stories with another person, we can turn a stranger into an acquaintance or an acquaintance into a friend.

We can even bridge generations. Stories, and the act of sharing them, can also build community. They can connect people with those around them by revealing the values and motivations that we hold as individuals and perhaps share.

With the goal of gathering, celebrating and sharing our community members’ stories, the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation is developing an Endowment Book of Life program for our region. The Book of Life will be a living, evolving collection of legacy donors’ stories that convey the values and motivations behind their decision to make a legacy gift to benefit future generations.

“At the foundation, we work in areas that are intangible, and legacy is one of them,” says OJCF Executive Director Julie Diamond. “The new Endowment Book of Life is so exciting, because it will give us a tangible way of honoring and celebrating our generous community members. It will be like a shared photo album that will display the personal stories of Jewish family and communal life.”

After more than three successful years partnering with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation on the Life & Legacy initiative, OJCF believes the establishment of an Endowment Book of Life program for Oregon and Southwest Washington is the logical next step for our community. Legacy giving has become a more regular part of our community’s philanthropic culture, and an Endowment Book of Life will provide the opportunity to recognize and honor individuals who have committed to leave an after-lifetime gift to support our community’s Jewish organizations.

“The Endowment Book of Life has proven to be a very meaningful way for legacy donors to share their histories, values, visions and hopes for the Jewish community with their families, friends and future generations,” says Arlene D. Schiff, national director of Life & Legacy.

“These testimonials serve as a public statement of the important role the Jewish community and valued organizations have played in a donor’s life, providing the story behind one’s financial legacy commitment,” she adds.

OJCF’s Endowment Book of Life will have three components – an actual book that contains the donors’ stories, photos and signatures; an interactive digital display that will present in a searchable fashion our legacy donors’ photographs and stories; and a website

This rendering, at left, shows how the Endowment Book of Life might be exhibited in the lobby of the MJCC. The display will feature the print copy of the book featuring legacy donor photos and personal stories of Jewish life and an interactive, searchable digital version of the book. that also will display donor testimonials and photos. Both the actual book and interactive display will be located in the lobby of the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, while the website will be accessible for all through ojcf.org.

“OJCF and the MJCC have had a strong, long-standing relationship, and the Life & Legacy program has been an important part of our collaborative work in recent years,” says Steve Albert, executive director of the MJCC and Portland Jewish Academy. “Since 1914, the MJCC has served as the ‘living room’ of the entire Jewish community. Jews from all backgrounds, denominations, affiliations and neighborhoods have gathered at the J for social, cultural and recreational programs, and we believe that makes the J uniquely suited to house the community’s Endowment Book of Life. We’re excited and proud to host this installation in our lobby, where it will be readily accessible to our entire community.”

The Endowment Book of Life will be introduced to the community on June 21 at OJCF’s Annual Meeting and Reception, to be held at the MJCC. Arlene D. Schiff will be in attendance as the foundation presents this exciting initiative to the community.

“I encourage every donor who has made a legacy commitment to participate in OJCF’s Endowment Book of Life program,” says Schiff. “It will be a rewarding experience for you and inspirational for others.”

If you have made a legacy gift to benefit our community, we invite you to be a part of the Endowment Book of Life. For more information, contact Gail Mandel at gailm@ojcf.org or 503-248-9328 or visit ojcf.org.

Gail Mandel is the legacy development and marketing manager for the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation.

Cancer care built around you We are in a new era of personalized cancer care where we can tailor treatment to the genetics of a particular tumor. Compass Oncology physicians are a trusted resource in this rapidly evolving field, not only for their knowledge but also for their approach to care. At Compass, you are more than a pathology report. You are a unique individual about to embark on a highly personal journey. Our experts are dedicated to guiding you through this process—to listening and understanding who you are and what’s important in your life.

Find your path to hope and healing at CompassOncology.com.® OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 29

to life

Daditude grew out of 95 years of life experience Amy Hirshberg Lederman

MY DAD IS A STAND-UP KIND OF GUY. Well, actually, at 98, he is more of a sit-down, “I’m-tired” kind of guy, but his attitude reflects that of someone much younger. He has weathered business ups and downs, macular degeneration, colon cancer, a daughter who hitchhiked cross country after college hoping to “find herself ” and a host of other challenges. But in each situation, he has looked for the silver lining or at least for a plausible reason to keep moving forward.

Dad’s secret is mostly in his positive attitude. When I was young and became frustrated or disappointed by something that happened to me at home or school, dad would offer this advice: “For the same nickel, you can have a good attitude or a bad one.”

After facing serious health problems during the past two decades, Dad’s standard answer when asked how he is doing is “no pain, no complain.” But perhaps my favorite comment came on his 95th birthday, when – after finally having to give up doubles tennis – he wistfully remarked, “Oh, to be 90 again!”

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WHATEVER HAPPENS TO YOU, AT ANY AGE OR STAGE OF LIFE, YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE “THREE A’S RULE:” ACCEPT, ADJUST AND ADVANCE.

Over the years, I have come to call Dad’s philosophy of living “daditude.” In a nutshell, it is this: Whatever happens to you, at any age or stage of life, you have to follow the “Three A’s Rule:” accept, adjust and advance. Simply put, we have to learn to accept our situation, adjust to the new realities that we now face and advance in order to live life to the fullest.

My father is not a religious man, but I have come to view his way of dealing with life as a form of an ethical will. An ethical will is a lovely Jewish tradition, the origins of which date back to the patriarch Jacob who, from his deathbed, counseled each of his 12 sons. In its simplest form, it is a transmission of the values, life lessons and wisdom a parent wants to impart to a child before that parent dies.

Unlike a legal will which disposes of property and possessions and must comply with state law, an ethical will bequeaths one’s innermost spiritual estate with no formal requirements. Traditionally, it is written in letter form at any time during one’s life. Some ethical wills are more like continuing letters, added to at various stages of life, such as a child’s birth, bar/bat mitzvah, graduation from college or marriage. Others are written once, later in life, incorporating desired, important values and life lessons. Sometimes they take the form of oral wisdom and life lessons, as in my dad’s case.

Daditude is all about living with the right attitude. None of us will ever know what will happen to us or what problems, disappointments or losses will come our way. Though we can’t control what happens to us, we can control what happens within us. We can control our attitude about the good and the bad, the joys and the sorrows – and we can remember that, for the same nickel, it is totally up to us to find ways to accept, adjust and advance in the life we are given.

AMY HIRSHBERG LEDERMAN

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

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OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 31

Helping aging parents from half a world away Teddy Weinberger

A

immediate family. Zooming out a bit, however, produces a more qualified picture. Sarah and I are the only members of each of our larger families to move to Israel.

With the average age of our four parents, may they live and be well, hovering around 82, Israel’s distance from the United States is taking on much larger dimensions than it ever has before.

We moved to Israel from Miami in 1997, so we were used to missing out on minor family events like birthday parties and Mother’s Day brunches, but it’s another thing entirely to be a distant onlooker on the twilight years of your parents’ lives. Yes, you can weigh in on critical decisions from anywhere

century of my family’s living in Brooklyn came to an end a few months ago, when my parents moved out of their Flatbush home of 41 years to the Gurwin Jewish Assisted Living Community in Commack, NY. My paternal grandparents, who married in 1917, raised four children in Brooklyn, three of whom elected to raise their own families there. Of the 17 grandchildren, not one stayed in Brooklyn. My two sisters and brother oversaw my parents’ momentous move; I remained in Israel.

Our aliyah has been an unqualified success story for my

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on the planet, but sometimes you need to be there to assess the situation. And then sometimes you might feel the need to visit more, to help with their care – tough to do from 6,000 miles away.

Faced with a parent who is no longer able to live independently, there are Israeli-Americans, especially those with no siblings to help out, who have moved back to the States (for months or even for years) to help with that parents’ care.

Thank God, I have three wonderful siblings who are willing and able to help, but I am missing out on physically caring for my parents. My sister, Jessica, understands this dynamic

YES, YOU CAN WEIGH IN ON CRITICAL DECISIONS FROM ANYWHERE ON THE PLANET, BUT SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO BE THERE TO ASSESS THE SITUATION. instinctively. Jessica, with her husband, Ben, has over the past 20 years been the anchor for my family in New York, hosting our parents dozens of times on Sabbaths and holidays. She said that she didn’t want to be selfish and object to Gurwin in favor of a facility closer (but of inferior quality) to her home in Long Island. I was stunned when I heard my sister say this. She was saying that the much greater distance to Gurwin would make it difficult to visit frequently. She labelled the closer option as

being “selfish,” since it would enable her to visit more often.

How best to understand Jessica’s thoughts on selfishness?

Knowing something of his own family’s recent history, I suspected that Don Saliers, the theology professor to whom I was closest at Emory University, could assist me here. I feel honored and blessed to be able to end this column with Don’s words: “My wife was discovered to have a form of dementia shortly after her retirement. I and our daughters journeyed with her until her death some five years later in 2011. Caring for someone in such rapid decline whom you have loved over many years is not easy. Yet the final months with her are among the richest years of my life.

In Jane’s weakness she taught us about love and strength. The times of singing and silence became sacred. As life narrowed, we all discovered more of the mystery of what it means to share a lifetime of mutuality. Her dying taught me how to respect and even to stand in awe of our mortality.

Deep human sharing – especially in the face of weakness and mutual vulnerability – holds the secret we should never take for granted. This is slow but sacred learning.”

TEDDY WEINBERGER

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

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Lifetime of movement reflected in Frieda’s portable art

By Liz Rabiner Lippoff

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Frieda Golding shows off one of her large, beautifully bound books that hold the artwork she now produces instead of the framed paintings she did in her younger years.

rieda Golding’s watercolor paintings are breathtaking, pen and ink lines and shapes that float and connect and release bursts of light and color. Often she is inspired by flowers and plants, and she remembers being moved by biblical verse: “The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air.” (Song of Solomon 2:12) Frieda, though, isn’t painting the flowers per se. Her paintings are abstract, and she will do draft after draft before she finally sees the essence that will become the final painting. And that essence is almost always movement. One might think that flowers are still, but Frieda would disagree.

“The movement can be tiny, like air movements, or the small movement of a plant in nature.”

Not surprising for a woman who hasn’t stood still for more than a few months at a time.

Frieda, 85, grew up in Scranton, PA, and she says she was always painting. After she attended Albright Arts School at the University of Buffalo, she got a job at 22 as the advertising designer at Antiques Magazine. It wasn’t long, though, before she became restless for a job that would let her do more, so she moved again, this time to St. Louis. It was a big publishing hub at the time, plus her brother lived there. She soon landed a plum job at Webster Publishing, and she plied her craft working on children’s books.

It wasn’t all work, work, work, however. At her brother’s urging, Frieda went to a dance at the JCC, and there she met a nice young man named Bob. The flowers Frieda now paints may move slowly, but that was not the case back then for Frieda and Bob. They married after only 3½ months. From then on, movement became a central theme for both of them.

Bob was a produce broker, and the two headed north when he was transferred to Chicago in 1961.

There Frieda was able to go back to school to work on a fine arts degree and focus on her own art for the first time. But Chicago was hard for a lover of nature, and when the area was slammed with a record-breaking 23 inches of snow in the infamous Blizzard of ’67, the two packed their bags and moved on. For nine months they travelled, all through the southwestern United States, all the way up to Alaska, searching for the type of life that would suit them.

They settled on Carmel, its dissimilarity to Chicago being one of its many draws to the young couple. Because of Bob’s job as a produce broker, they got to spend November through March every year on the Mexican border.

“That is where the produce was. All the managers and sales staff went down then,” she says, adding, with a sigh, “Now it’s all done with computers.”

Continued on page 36

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“We were traveling a lot, but we felt we They lived what she calls their “migrant “I DON’T GO BACK BECAUSE were getting stale in Carmel. Time to move!” worker” lifestyle, moving twice a year, north I CAN NEVER RECAPTURE They lived first in an apartment in and south, until Bob retired in 1992.

THE MOMENT, THE Ashland to try out the area, and then they The first line of business in retirement settled into an airy, light-filled apartment was to ... well, move more. They did a lot of MOVEMENT, THE LIGHT, at Rogue Valley Manor in Medford. They traveling, one month in the United States, MY FEELINGS TOWARDS IT.” absolutely fell in love with Oregon. one month at home, one month in Europe, ~ FRIEDA GOLDING Bob and Frieda are members at Temple one month at home. And all the while, Emek Shalom, and Bob goes to Torah study Frieda was painting. She is a life member at the Chabad and to Emek Shalom on Saturday mornings. The of the Carmel Art Association. She had shows in various venues two of them have friends and activities both in Medford and from and for a while was featured in a gallery in Santa Barbara. But the their three years in Ashland. They go to Newport every summer business of being an artist has never interested her; it was always for a few days, as they are big fans of the jazz festival. Another about the process of creating art. favorite is Bandon, a quintessential Oregon beach towns ocean “I start with black and white line drawings, one after the vistas, a historic lighthouse and a thriving art community. other. All of a sudden, something comes to me, a way of working Now in her 80s, Frieda’s art has taken an interesting turn. between the leaves, the stems. I pick up a color.”

Instead of the framed paintings she had produced her whole She can go through 20 pieces of scrap paper before she is ready life, she is putting her new work into large, beautifully bound to try with quality watercolor paper, and then she is finished in books. You open the cover and see first folded paper with dancing one sitting. lines and flowing shapes and glowing colors. You unfold and it “I don’t go back because I can never recapture the moment, the opens into a larger work, revealing new aspects of the nature that movement, the light, my feelings towards it.” inspired her. Finally, it opens out, each panel a separate work and She uses watercolor or colored chalk, and ink and pencil – at the same time part of the whole. nothing opaque.

“But,” I protested, “you can’t hang this on the wall!”

“I want the transparency, and I want the paper to give it a glow.

“No,” she smiled. “But you can take it with you.”

Watercolor is an immediate medium.” And it’s tricky, she explains.

“If the paper is dry or damp, it affects the color. You colors can Liz Rabiner Lippoff is a marketing consultant, freelance writer bleed and ruin the work.” and community volunteer. LizInk.biz Frieda and Bob moved to Oregon in 2004.

36 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

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ay is Better Hearing Month and according to the American Academy of Audiology, approximately 36 million Americans suffer from hearing loss. More than half of the people with hearing loss are younger than age 65. One in three people over the age of 60 have hearing loss and that statistic increases to one in two people for those over the age of 85.

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Yes No Sometimes

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Yes No Sometimes

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Yes No Sometimes

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Information courtesy of the American Academy of Audiology.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 37

Docents pass down knowledge at the Oregon Holocaust Memorial

“Use your voice for good, because we are all human beings and we need to treat each other, even if we don’t agree, with respect.” ~ Harold Lesch, docent

By Shuly Wasserstrom Harold Lesch guides a group of students on a tour of Oregon’s Holocaust Memorial in Washington Park.

A

t the Oregon Holocaust Memorial, the young and old collide regularly. School groups and organizations tour the memorial each fall and spring. They are led by volunteer docents, who have memorized a script of important points, putting their own personal spin on it.

For Harold Lesch, 64, serving as a docent is a hobby. He’s been guiding tour groups for the past four years and says middle school students are his favorite. Sometimes, he guides adult groups as well, but he enjoys the interest and energy of the younger groups.

“What I try to do is bring the Holocaust to Oregon, to bring the understanding and experience,” Harold says.

Harold is a retired business sales manager and a retired Army officer. He felt drawn to the memorial because both he and his wife lost family members in the Holocaust.

“I encourage the students to participate. To ask questions, to read quotes together, that helps provoke them. I tell them at the beginning – it is difficult material. They are welcome to take breaks,” he says.

April Slabosheski, the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education Holocaust educator, says the docents are incredibly valuable for those visiting the memorial for the first time.

“All the docents have their own perspectives and personalities that they bring to the tour,” April says.

The conversation-style tour is much more engaging than a lecture, according to April. “It’s not everyday that you get to tour somewhere that your perspective as a learner is put in the foreground. Especially with Holocaust history, because it is so emotional.”

The Oregon Holocaust Memorial was dedicated Aug. 29, 38 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

2004. The trained docents are mainly retired seniors and, like Harold, have personal connections to Holocaust history as survivors themselves or as family members of survivors.

“A personal connection to Holocaust history makes all the difference to visiting groups. It makes a huge impact,” April says.

The docents go through a training and watch others give tours before taking on a group alone. They learn from each other and sometimes, for larger groups, tour together.

“The docents do incredible work. I really rely on them to do high-caliber educating, and they never disappoint me. I am always stunned by the kinds of conversations they have with groups,” April says.

The youngest school group to tour is generally 5th or 6th grade.

Most elementary school curriculums don’t include Holocaust education, so students don’t have the opportunity to learn about it before then.

“Once in a while you get a group that only a couple want to participate,” Harold says. “When that happens, I try to focus on the ones that want to learn. It’s not our job to discipline or correct students, it’s our job to provide information.”

Although the younger groups have less previous knowledge, Harold says they are eager to learn. “I treat them as mature,” Harold says. “I try to treat them as adults. There are levels of what you say depending on the age group, and I try to tailor what I say to the age of the group.”

Docents who have been volunteering for years are often requested by name by group leaders. School teachers develop relationships with them and return each year with their new class.

“I try to get them to understand the depth of the horror and accomplish that by reading quotes,” Harold says. “I tell them that everyone has a voice. Use your voice for good, because we are all human beings and we need to treat each other, even if we don’t agree, with respect.”

“Sometimes young people don’t show they get it, but they do,” Harold says.

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Fred Harwin works on his latest landscape. Photo by Deborah Moon

MJCC art gallery debuts with Fred Harwin exhibit

By Deborah Moon

For its premier exhibit, a new art gallery in the Portland Jewish community’s “living room” will feature the diverse works of lifelong-artist Fred Harwin.

Fred is a former president of the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, whose tagline is “the living room of the Jewish community.” He’s also a painter, a published medical illustrator and the subject of an award-winning documentary entitled “Ocularist,” which reveals the meticulous process he uses to create custom ocular prosthetics (artificial eyes).

“I’m honored to help get art going again at the center,” Fred says of being asked to present the first exhibit in the new gallery.

MJCC Program Director Len Steinberg says the center is installing a professional art-hanging system, like those in museums and galleries. The 29-foot "history wall" in the J’s lobby will double as a gallery. During exhibits, a system of cables will display art in front of a shade covering the history wall display. Len says the center will avoid back-to-back art exhibits, so the wall’s 100 years of history will be visible several times throughout the year. “(The gallery) will allow us to exhibit a wide range of artwork and attract new partnerships with artists and arts organizations,” says Len. “Our building has the opportunity to enhance public access to a broad range of visual art.”

The J has about 1,700 member "units" (roughly 4,000+ people) and 10,000 to 12,000 unique visitors for various events and programs throughout the year.

“This project will create a new venue for art exhibitions in Portland, located in a section of the city that is largely residential and has few galleries and exhibition spaces,” says Len. He adds that the project will “enrich the lives of those who visit and make our campus a true destination for artsrelated experiences.”

Fred’s show at the J’s new gallery will draw on his own diverse experiences and talents.

“My world is a visual world,” he says.

He has pursued art with a passion since beginning art lessons at the Detroit Institute of Arts with encouragement from his fourth-grade teacher. He continued those art classes into his high school years, when he studied art and architecture at Cass Technology High School. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Wayne State University. Then he became one of three students studying with six instructors for a Master of Science degree in medical and biological illustration at the University of Michigan.

As medical illustrator and co-author with two cardiac surgeons of the Manual of Cardiac Surgery Vol I & II, Fred spent three and a half years observing cardiac surgery once a week.

Translated into four languages, the volumes are designed for use by residents and cardiac surgeons early in their careers.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 41

Unlike most medical books, in which illustrations are added to the text, Fred says he drew all the illustrations before any text was written, and the text in the books is minimal. “The illustrations are teaching,” he says.

“I wanted to observe everything. I didn’t want to work from subjectivity,” he says of his intensive observation.

“I learned to express myself in something I felt I understood.”

He has put those same skills to work creating custom ocular prosthetics since 1978. Unlike many ocularists, Fred will create only a couple of artificial eyes a week. He works closely with each client to create a prosthesis that is indistinguishable from the real eye.

He even developed a technique that makes the pupil appear to dilate.

“It’s not about the product, it’s about how the person feels when they leave,” says Fred. “I look at my eye work as my tikkun olam. It’s important work to help people in terms of self esteem. … This is part of our ( Jewish) tradition.”

For more than a decade he has created “Eye Art” calendars featuring an image of an eye. But if you look closely at the eye, A R T I S T S R E P E R T O R Y T H E AT R E

the iris is made up of related images, and the blood vessels that radiate into the whites of the eye are words related to those images. For instance, his Iris of Irises piece uses iris flowers to create the iris of the eye, and the words branching out from the iris are the names of different kinds of irises. Four of his Eye Art images will be on

“I wanted to observe everything. I didn’t want to work from subjectivity.

I learned to express myself in something I felt I understood.”

– Fred Harwin

by

Oscar Wilde Michael Mendelson

directed by

STARTS MAY 16 An all-female, all-star Portland cast stars in Oscar Wilde’s “trivial comedy for serious people.”

SEASON SPONSORS:

a r t i s t s r e p .o r g 503. 241 .1 278

42 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

display at the MJCC. Now director of the Center for Ocular Prosthetics in Portland, for the past few years Fred has been taking Wednesdays off to revisit his fine art roots and paint with oils.

“As an artist, if you don’t know the medium, the medium controls you,” says Fred. “If you understand the medium, you can use it to convey what you want.”

As he explored oils, he created a series of paintings he calls “Branches.”

“Are they tree branches or are they capillaries?” he asks. “To me it’s all the same. It’s about life. It’s bringing sustenance needed for life.”

But while tree branches and the branches of blood vessels both carry nutrients, the birds and moths that dot the dozen paintings in his Branches series point toward trees as the subject matter.

“I have to throw these little guys in,” says Fred of the hummingbirds, flickers and moths. “They may not go with what I’m doing, but … it adds an element I enjoy.”

Visitors to the MJCC will have the opportunity to decide for themselves what the Branches paintings represent. Four of the paintings will be on display at the J. Fred also plans to share a couple of his most recent oil

Portland Center Stage at

128 NW Eleventh Avenue Portland, Oregon 97209 503.445.3700 | pcs.org

Fred and one of his Branches paintings

paintings – landscapes from recent trips. One is an image of a canyon in America’s Southwest and another is from photos he took while on a recent vacation in New Zealand.

“I always like what I’m working on at the present,” says Fred. “It’s an accumulation of everything else.”

Both of the recent paintings are from vacations with his wife, Sara Harwin, also an artist. The couple has two children: Lise Harwin, who is communications director for the Port of Portland, and Jesse Harwin, who recently married Sarah Chellis and is in a five-year apprenticeship to become a journeyman commercial electrician.

NEW MJCC GALLERY PRESENTS FRED HARWIN Opening night: 7 pm, May 16, with light snacks and refreshments Fred Harwin’s exhibit of “Branches” and other natural scenes (oil paintings) and his “Eye Art” (watercolor and colored pencil on frosted Mylar) will be on display for three months.

Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland 503-244-0111 | Oregonjcc.org The new gallery is supported in part by a grant from the Oregon Cultural Trust.

Additional support comes from the Kostiner Cultural Education Find.

BOTTOM: MONA GOLABEK IN THE PIANIST OF WILLESDEN LANE. PHOTO BY MELLOPIX.COM.

SEASON SUPERSTARS

SEASON SUPPORTING SPONSORS

SHOW SPONSORS ANDY AND NANCY BRYANT DON AND MARY BLAIR

Portland Center Stage receives support from the Oregon Arts Commission, a state agency funded by the State of Oregon and the National Endowment for the Arts.

DRS. ANN SMITH SEHDEV AND PAUL SEHDEV

HILARY KRANE AND KELLY BULKELEY DR. BARBRA HORT RONNI LACROUTE/ WILLAKENZIE ESTATE PORTLAND TIMBERS

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 43

FOOD

CORNER PLAN AHEAD FOR EASY, HEALTHY BREAKFAST Story and photos by Lisa Glickman

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.

44 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

Physical activity has always been an important part of my life.

Over the years I have benefited from everything from aerobics to Zumba. As I get older, I realize how valuable regular exercise is to my overall well-being. Along with making me physically stronger, it helps me mentally by reducing stress and promoting a more positive attitude toward life’s daily challenges.

Until recently, I only related raising my heart rate with helping me feel physically fit. But in the last couple of years, I have realized the surprising benefits of slowing down and listening to the way I just breathe in and out. I discovered that stretching and flexibility improve my strength and muscle tone.

I began the practice of meditation and yoga.

Loosely translated, yoga means to integrate the spirit and the physical body. It aims to transform the body as well as the mind by enhancing one’s physical and mental capacity.

It is a centuries’ old exercise that, when practiced regularly, can aid in everything from reducing weight to boosting the immune system by enhancing the circulation of blood cells and stimulating the lymphatic system.

The beauty of yoga is you can begin at almost any age. The degree of flexibility is totally up to you. Modification and assistance through blankets, bolsters and props are always available to help achieve optimal benefit from the poses, and qualified instructors encourage proper form and provide variations for more difficult positions. The best part is ending class with “shavasana,” or corpse pose, and quietly meditating.

Not only relaxing, it’s a rejuvenating and restoring way to end each practice.

All forms of exercise can be beneficial for the mind and the body. Yoga has become a welcome addition to my routine for overall health and well-being. Hectic schedules and busy lifestyles require us regularly to give ourselves the permission to slow down, breathe deeply and achieve a little inner peace.

Namaste.

Everyone knows that breakfast is an important part of any healthy lifestyle. My hope is that you will enjoy these two offerings with a positive spirit and good appetite.

MORNING GLORY MUFFINS There are many variations for these muffins. Make a batch and grab one on the way out the door to yoga class. Kept in an airtight container, they will last a week and stay perfectly moist and delicious!

2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon salt 3 large eggs ⅔ cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract ¼ cup orange juice 2 cups peeled and grated carrots (about 4-5 large ones) 1 tart firm apple (like Granny Smith), peeled, cored and grated

½ cup unsweetened grated coconut ½ cup golden raisins ½ cup chopped walnuts 2 tablespoons golden flaxseeds (optional) Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray a muffin pan lightly with nonstick spray (or use paper cupcake liners). Mix first six ingredients in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. In another bowl, mix together the eggs, oil, vanilla and orange juice. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Remove bowl from standing mixer and fold in the carrots, apple, coconut, raisins, walnuts and flaxseed.

Scoop mixture into muffin tins filling just to the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes until top of muffins spring back to the touch.

BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE OVERNIGHT OATMEAL

I love this idea for a breakfast that is hearty and delicious and waiting for me when I get up in the morning. Adding wholesome ingredients to rolled oats and letting it “cook” overnight in the refrigerator is pure genius! I happen to love blueberries, so this is the way I roll. You can use the basic wet ingredients and add anything you like, from fruit to nuts! ⅓ cup plain yogurt (whole, low-fat, nonfat – your choice) ½ cup rolled oats (I like Bob’s Red Mill) ⅓ cup milk (again, any type you like) 1 tablespoon chia or flaxseeds (optional, but good for you) ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract Pinch of salt 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup ¼ cup fresh or frozen and thawed blueberries 3 tablespoons cream cheese Zest and juice of half of a lemon Stir together all ingredients in a bowl. Place in a pint jar and cover with a lid. Place in refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 45

NWNosh

Bernstein’s Bagels gets a home and it’s worth the trip

46 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

By Kerry Politzer

Noah Bernstein first became enamored of bagels as a child in Burlington, VT. The chewy, round breads were often part of his Jewish family’s meals.

“I have a bagel-eating background, I guess,” he says with a laugh. “I grew up eating them. In Burlington there was, and still is, a handful of really great bagel makers.

They’re right in between New York and Montreal, and the bagels reflect that.”

But it wasn’t until many years later, after Noah had become a touring jazz saxophonist, that he discovered his own knack for making bagels. “My brother sent me a Cook’s Illustrated magazine,” he explains. “It was a baking edition with all these bread recipes, and one of them was a bagel recipe. I started making them then.”

By this time, Noah had made Portland his home. When he would return home between trips, he found himself missing the structure of his regimented touring schedule.

“Getting back home, you totally lose that,” he says. “I started baking bread, and it was a great way to be like, in four hours I have to get back to this dough and knead it some more, and then in two hours, I have to knead it again and put it in the oven. It was this very nice sort of time regulation. Bagels are the pinnacle of that. You knead them and then they sit out for a bit, and then they sit in the fridge for a long time, and then you go back to them a couple days later and see what they’ve done, and then boil them and bake them. It’s such an intricate process.”

Noah attended a weekly jam session at the home of local saxophonist David Valdez. He started bringing buckets of bagels, which the musicians would munch on between tunes.

“That was a great starting point for me, spreading the word at these iconic ‘bagel jams,’ ” he says.

It didn’t take long for word to get out, and soon Noah was delivering his bagels all over town. Not only did he land accounts at coffee and tea shops, he also developed a network

of fans in office and apartment buildings. Native East Coasters developed a special affinity for Noah’s product.

“A lot of advocates (from there) were like, oh my gosh, these are the best bagels I’ve had since moving out here. Those have been my most solid, steadfast customers so far,” he says.

But Noah’s end goal had never been to own a delivery service.

He’d always dreamed of opening a brick-and-mortar bagel shop. So when he got word that a storefront was available for rent in St. John’s, he jumped at the chance to transform it into Bernstein’s Bagels. As of this writing, the store is set to open at the end of April.

Devotees of Noah’s exceptional bagels will find their old favorites alongside some new creations at the shop.

“The everything bagel has been very popular, and that’s also my favorite,” he says. “The salt bagel has been really surprising, too. Having our own storefront, we’re really going to have some time to work on some new flavors and bases. I’m really excited to make an egg bagel as well as a pumpernickel bagel. I love pumpernickel, and I miss being able to eat it.

“All the bagels are vegan. We’re going to start out just with bagels and cream cheese, butter or hummus. And drip coffee.

We’ll start incorporating in some breakfast sandwiches, maybe a few lunch sandwiches, and we’d love to start making some pizza bagels in the not-too-distant future.”

For those who miss the convenience of home bagel delivery, Noah says he might eventually contract with a local service. But he’s primarily focused on bringing the highest-quality bagels to a local community of bagel lovers.

“There’s a great community really built into St. John’s; it’s such a lovely neighborhood. We’re hoping that will be sustaining for us.”

This writer’s opinion is that Noah’s bagels are well worth the trip. So even if you don’t live anywhere near St. John’s, you will want to pay a visit to Bernstein’s Bagels.

Bernstein's Bagels, 8408 N Lombard St., bernsteinsbagels@gmail.com

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 47

s d i K too s n e e T &

J 48 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

G N I DO D O O G

This year 2.5 million people worldwide and more than 400 in Portland participated in the annual Good Deeds Day. People of all ages including many teens and families with children participated in Good Deeds Day/JServe mitzvahs in Portland April 2 at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. Top left: girls pack Passover Food Boxes to ensure everyone has what they need for a celebratory Passover meal (The Passover Boxes are sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, Congregation Kesser Israel and Jewish Family & Child Service). Bottom left: a father and daughter make sandwiches to be distributed via Potluck in the Park. Above: a father and son prep weekend foodstuffs for children and their families to receive via the NE Backpack Lunch program. Above, right: three teens take pride in their Good Deeds as part of JSERVE for teens. Save these dates for future Good Deeds Days: March 18, 2018; March 17, 2019, and March 15, 2020. Photos by One Click Studio

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 49

AWARDS Riverdale senior Noa Cohen receives prestigious scholarship

In a notice about Noa’s scholarship sent to Riverdale High School, UO’s Assistant Director of Scholarships Holli Johnson wrote: “She was offered this award after a rigorous application process that included two interviews, and she impressed the scholarship committee at every turn. … You are no doubt very proud of all she’s accomplished at Riverdale High School and feel – as do we – that she is poised to excel at the highest level in college.”

Noa Cohen, Riverdale High School senior and Jewish Student Union president, has been awarded the Stamps Scholarship.

Each year, the University of Oregon selects five incoming freshmen from Oregon to receive its most prestigious and generous undergraduate scholarship, the Stamps Scholarship. This year, Noa is among this elite group of highPortland Jewish day achieving recipients chosen for their strong leadership potential, academic school student brings merit and exceptional character. home gold medal Noa is the regional president of the Comparable to the Scripps National JSU, president of the Riverdale drama Spelling Bee, the International Chidon department and is active in mock trial.

Sefer Ha’mitzvos (Hebrew for “contest A Hebrew music and dance specialist about required good deeds”) shone a and private tutor, Noa has had an spotlight on Portland’s Maimonides article published in the national Jewish Jewish Day School, known for magazine Ignite, in which she wrote excellence in Judaic and general studies. about her work teaching Portland high And that light was gold. school students about the Holocaust, Mendel Mishulovin, 10, proved anti-Semitism and tolerance. She is a himself an expert on the 613 good classically trained pianist and regularly deeds found throughout the Torah, or Noa Cohen competes in piano festivals and the five books of Moses. Mendel placed competitions. She volunteers at Rose first – winning the gold medal – out of Schnitzer Manor assisted living and 3,000 children, ages 9 to 13, from 80 has worked as a camp counselor at the schools around the globe, who came in YMCA. Noa also received the Oberlin late March to Brooklyn, NY, to exercise Book Award for Commitment to the their Torah chops.

Arts and Community.

“This is the first time a Maimonides The Stamps Scholarship program Jewish Day School student has won a at UO is very selective, and Noa was Chidon medal,” Principal Rabbi Shneur chosen from an applicant pool of Wilhelm said. Mendel’s classmate, Levi hundreds to receive this merit-based Greenberg, also medaled. scholarship. The award covers tuition and room and board “The brightest Jewish day school students from around the for four years of undergraduate study, and provides up to world – including Asia, South America and Europe – compete $12,000 in enrichment funds that help students pursue study in this very tough contest,” said Rabbi Zalman Glick, one of abroad, unpaid internships, research endeavors and other the contest’s judges. “Oregon can be very proud it produced a opportunities such as participating in a leadership program gold medalist.” or academic conference. In addition to generous levels of Participants in the annual contest spend nearly an entire financial support, Stamps Scholars are automatically granted academic year studying large volumes of detailed texts that admission to the university's Robert D. Clark Honors delve into the intricacies of the Bible’s 613 required good College. deeds. To master this information, students carve out about The Stamps Family Charitable Foundation supports seven months, spending their free time preparing after school promising students who are eager to make their contributions and via special online classes. to the world and have the work ethic to make their dreams Mendel said he enjoyed the studying process because it a reality. Other benefits of the Stamps Scholarship include earned him a Chidon berth. His experience yielded not just participation in a national day of service, access to a growing gold, but friends from all over the country and the world. network of scholars and alumni, and opportunities to attend “I thought that if I tried for it (the first-place medal), I biennial conventions, where scholars are able to network with could get it, and I made friends from Arizona, England and each another and learn from recognized leaders.

Australia,” he said.

50 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

J

K iednsstoo Events May & te

May 5, 18, 19 & 31 and June 1

MJCC VACATION DAY CAMPS: Need something for your kids to

do during school breaks? Keep them busy and having fun at the MJCC with sports, swimming, gymnastics, arts and crafts, games and more! Ages 3-11. Half-day: 8 am-1 pm, $30; members $25. Full-day: 8 am-5:30 pm, $55; members $45. oregonjcc.org or 503-244-0111

MAY 7 & 17

A LITTLE SHABBAT: 5-6:30 pm every third Friday at Congregation Shaarie Torah, 920 NW 25th Ave., Portland. 503-226-6131 FOURTH FRIDAYS WITH RABBI EVE POSEN: 5:15-7 pm,

fourth Fridays. Join Rabbi Eve Posen for this fun Shabbat for young families! Welcome Shabbat with music and stories. Potluck dinner to follow. Co-sponsored by PJ Library. RSVP for more info and location: 503246-8831 or eposen@nevehshalom.org

OJCYF INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS: All incoming 9th12th-grade Jewish teens are invited to learn about the Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation. Interested teens and a parent must attend one of the meetings to participate in OJCYF in 2017-18. Meeting dates are Sunday, May 7, at 3:30 pm at Tivnu; or Wednesday, May 17, at 5:30 at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. This meeting will cover the basics of how to apply and the expectations of the program for next year.

Returning applicants will also receive information about OJCYF’s new Youth Leadership Program and how to apply for it. RSVP to Sonia Marie Leikam: 503-248-9328 or soniamariel@ojcf.org

TOT SHABBAT: 9-10:30 am, first Saturdays at Congregation Beth

May 21

YOUNG FAMLY TOT SHABBAT: 10:15-11:15 am, first and third Saturdays at Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland. Join other young families for a special Saturday morning Tot Shabbat with singing, dancing, stories, indoor picnic-style lunch and Shabbat fun. Free. Rabbi Eve Posen 503-246-8831

BACK-TO-NATURE DAY AND LAG B'OMER CELEBRATION: Great for kids and families (0 -12)! Bonfire, art projects, music & dance, rustic pita making, games, an Israeli shuk and goats! 9:30-11:30 am at Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland. Free.

503-246-8831, nevehshalom.org

June 1

SHAVUOT BIKKURIM PARADE & FRUIT DRIVE: Children

Israel, 1972 NW Flanders, Portland. Join us for our special Saturday service for our littlest congregants and the grown-ups who love them. 503222-1069

TOT SHABBAT: 10:30 am, first Saturdays, at Congregation Ahavath

Achim’s Hillsdale location: 6686 SW Capitol Hwy. Eve Levy will lead tots and their parents in singing, dancing, stories and plenty of time for the children (and parents) to have fun. This program is geared for children up to age 5 and any older siblings who would like to attend. 503-227-0010

TORAH TROOP FOR 3RD-5TH GRADERS: 10:15-11:30

am, first and third Saturdays, Congregation Neveh Shalom. Meet in the main service for the beginning of the Torah service, and then come out with your friends for a fun and active lesson on the Torah portion (parsha) of the week. Return to the service to help lead Adon Olam, and join the community for lunch! Free. 503-246-8831

bring a decorated basket of fruit to services and are a part of a special parade that culminates with them donating their fruit. Fruit will be donated to Neighborhood House! Join us, this event is open to anyone! The fruit parade will be followed by a delicious dairy Kiddush! 10-11:30 am at Congregation Kesser Israel, 6698 SW Capitol Hwy. 503-222-1239

KIDDUSH CLUB FOR K-2ND GRADE: 10:15-11:30 am, first

RECURRING:

SHABBAT STORYTIME: 9:45-10:15 am, second Saturdays, at

NORTHEAST STORY HOUR WITH PJ LIBRARY: 9:30-10:15 am, Sundays at New Seasons, 3445 N Williams Ave., Portland. Share in a weekly story hour for families with music and PJ Library Books. rachelr@ jewishportland.org or 503-892-7415

MONTHLY HEBREW STORY HOUR WITH PJ LIBRARY:

2:30 pm, second Sunday at the Hillsboro Public Library, 2850 NE Brookwood Pkwy., Hillsboro. rachelr@jewishportland.org or 503-892-7415

CHAI BABY + PJ LIBRARY INDOOR PLAYGROUND: 10

am-noon, every first Thursday at the MJCC, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy. For parents and their children up to 5 years old. Playing, running, meeting new and old friends, snacks. Free. 503-244-0111

PJ STORY HOUR YAD B'YAD: 9:30-10:15 am, Fridays at Rose Schnitzer Manor, 6140 SW Boundary St., Portland. Share in a weekly story hour for young families with music and PJ Library books with the residents of Cedar Sinai Park. rachelr@jewishportland.org or 503-892-7415

and third Saturdays at Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland. Join other families for prayer, singing, conversation and fun, followed by an indoor picnic-style lunch. 503-246-8831

Congregation Shir Tikvah, 7550 NE Irving St., Portland. Free. Shabbat gathering of toddlers and their caregivers. Best for kids up to age 5, although older siblings are welcome. Enjoy stories, songs and crafts that celebrate holidays and Jewish values. Stay afterward for bagels and coffee with Rabbi Ariel Stone. 503-473-8227

TORAH YOGA: 10:30 am-noon every second Saturday at Congregation Shaarie Torah, 920 NW 25th Ave., Portland. 503-226-6131 TOT SHABBAT: 10-11 am every second Saturday at Congregation

Kol Ami, 7800 NE 119th St., Vancouver. Rabbi Elizabeth Dunsker leads a short Shabbat service with singing and storytelling! Craft-making based on the story and a short oneg follows the service. Ages 0 to 5. jewishvancouverusa.org

KESSER KIDS' TIME: 10:30 am-noon every second, fourth and last Saturday at Congregation Kesser Israel, 6698 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland.

The program is geared for children ages 2-11. 503-222-1239

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 51

YOUNG ADULTS

Our Israel Fellows from the Greater Portland Hillel attend the AIPAC conference in Washington, D.C.

By Peter Kranitz

Fellows learn to support Israel on campus

Given the recent rise in anti-Israel sentiment on college campuses, many Jewish students feel it is imperative to understand the Jewish state’s culture and complex political issues.

Portland Hillel’s Our Israel Fellowship works to give students the tools they need to be effective Israel advocates who can educate their peers.

This year Portland Hillel Director Rhonda Kruschen has been working with 12 OI Fellows from Portland State Uni52 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

versity and Lewis & Clark College. The OI Fellows have been attending community events related to Israel and meeting as a group to discuss their individual views about the country. The fellowship has been funded by generous donors and the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.

“These intelligent and compassionate students care about the future of Israel and its relationship with the United States, and it’s truly humbling to have spent the last few months learning with and from young adults like these,” says Rhonda.

Rhonda has helped to organize several community events

that the Fellows attended. These events cover all aspects of Israeli life, giving a perspective of the country that reaches beyond the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, a perspective that the Fellows are passionate about gaining.

“We don't only want to focus on the conflict, we want to talk about why Israel is an amazing place beyond the conflict,” says OI Fellow and PSU student Anthony Safir. Events have covered subjects from Israeli history to the LGBT community in Israel.

OI Fellow and LC student Aaron Schimmel agrees with Anthony that these educational opportunities are essential to Israel advocacy.

“Learning about the country gives people the knowledge and confidence to engage in advocacy,” says Aaron. “Having the knowledge to teach others and address their misunderstandings about Israel is extremely powerful.”

Aaron, Anthony and the other Fellows will all have the opportunity to educate the community through events like the ones they attended. Each Fellow commits to a full term of on-campus Israel advocacy, which often takes the form of organizing similar programs.

Their Israel education does not end with the events. The Fellows meet frequently to discuss their own views on Israeli culture and politics. In doing so, they have become “a small family,” as Anthony puts it.

“Like any family, we disagree on a lot, but learning from each other has been the best experience I’ve had,” he says.

OI Fellow and LC student Alex Raphael agrees, adding, “It’s

been a lot of fun getting to know the students at PSU, who have very different challenges regarding Israel on their campus than we do at LC. I really admire them and it’s really great being able to spend time learning with those students.”

The Fellowship culminated in the Fellows attending the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference in Washington, D.C., March 25-28. About 19,000 Israel advocates from across the country attended this year’s AIPAC conference. All the Fellows expressed excitement about having the chance to engage with and learn from other activists.

“It is such an incredible experience, being surrounded by thousands of people who are pro-Israel, but that doesn’t mean we all agreed on the same politics,” says Alex, who attended the AIPAC conference last year.

Anthony was eager to participate in actively shaping U.S. policy toward Israel.

“One of our greatest rights as citizens is the ability to tell our elected leaders what we want them to do for us,” Anthony says.

“I’m looking forward to … advocating for the best interests of both the U.S. and Israel.”

Speaking from the conference, Aaron described how inspiring it was to be there.

“In most of my life I feel like a minority for my support of Israel, a disliked minority,” Aaron said. “But here, being with so many others who share my support for Israel, it’s very empowering and an incredible experience.”

Peter Kranitz is an English major at Lewis & Clark College and an active participant in the Greater Portland Hillel.

Calling all Jewish Social Entrepreneurs and Innovators: Join us for this energizing weekend that brings together Jewish professionals in their 20s & 30s to develop and pitch solutions to a community challenge. The weekend will feature two free opportunities for you to build community and tackle a challenge facing Jewish Portland.

Learn more: JewishPortland.org/Hackathon

Community Hackathon Sunday, May 21st / 9am - 5pm

Sha-hack-a-thon Dinner Friday, May 19 / 6 - 8:30pm

®

THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE. THE POWER OF COMMUNITY.

503.245.6219 | www.jewishportland.org 6680 SW Capitol Highway | Portland, OR 97219

JewishPDX

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 53

YOUNG ADULTS

Oregon Hillel picked for pilot program fostering growth

we can put on campus and the more students we can reach.

That’s what it’s all about.”

Oregon Hillel Foundation is one of 10 programs chosen by During the 18 months of the pilot, participants will focus Hillel International to participate in the pilot program of its on developing effective leadership and governance within the Excellence Accelerator, which is providing resources to help campus Hillel; developing donor databases and strategic growth campus Hillels improve operations and increase engagement plans; assessing fiscal health and building a financial plan for with Jewish stuthe future; and aiding dents. The program the measurement and began in Decemcollection of data to ber 2016 and will quantify successes. continue through Andy and Sharon, June 2018. who are the lead part“The idea of the ners for Oregon’s paraccelerator is to ticipation, both describe bring together core the early focus of the Hillels that have accelerator as “triage.” shown growth, “It started with triage but don’t have with Hillel professionals a large pool of who looked at what and historic resourchow we do things,” says es,” says Oregon Sharon. “Their feedback Hillel Foundation was invaluable.”

Executive Director “We sat down with Andy Gitelson. members of different The initial cohort, departments of Hillel which met for the International to triage first time last Dekey areas and develop cember, includes a work plan and decide a cross section when to address each of Hillels servarea,” says Andy. ing small private Andy says an early schools, large pubfocus for Oregon Hillel Oregon Hillel Foundation President Sharon Rudnick and Executive Director Andy Gitelson. lic colleges, metro is to streamline its Photo by One Click Studio campuses and data management and multiple campuses. to work on board and Oregon Hillel serves students at the University of Oregon and governance issues. This spring a representative from Hillel InOregon State University. ternational’s data team helped Oregon Hillel “unpack” its data “This program is intended to take Hillels that are performregarding student engagement. ing well and help improve their governance structure, financial “She also went with us to speak to the admissions team at structure and development plan,” says Sharon Rudnick, board UO to look at ways to work together to recruit Jewish students president of Oregon Hillel Foundation. to UO – to deepen our relationship with our own university,” “Simply put, reaching Jewish students on campus requires says Andy. “Our ultimate goal is that every Jewish student staff, Jewish professionals – boots on the ground,” says Sharon. makes a lifelong connection to Judaism and Israel in a way that “That requires financial and volunteer support. The more we can is personally meaningful to them,” he explains. “If we improve build financial and volunteer resources, the more professionals back-office tasks, we can serve students better.”

By Deborah Moon

54 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

Oregon Hillel’s annual Retreat in the Snow Shabbaton drew 63 Ducks and Beavers together in Sun River this year.

Sharon says she can already see the possibilities of the pilot program. “My hope is that we end up with governance and development infrastructure that can really support this organization we are growing,” says Sharon, noting that other colleges in Oregon have approached the Oregon Hillel Foundation requesting assistance to engage their students. “We’d like to say ‘yes.’ That requires deeper infrastructure and support, and that’s what we are trying to build.”

Participation in the accelerator required a financial investment. Andy says that the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland provided two-thirds of the investment Oregon Hillel needed to participate. “Federation is partnering with us in this.”

In a press release announcing the program, Hillel Interna-

tional President and CEO Eric D. Fingerhut said, “The Excellence Accelerator is an important step in helping our Hillels improve Jewish student life on campus, no matter its size or level of funding. This new approach will streamline the process for providing much-needed resources to help campus Hillels do the important work of inspiring every Jewish student to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning and Israel.”

The pilot program was established as part of Hillel International’s Drive to Excellence mission. According to the press release, after the pilot year Hillel International intends to expand the Excellence Accelerator to provide guidance to Hillels of all sizes in creating strategic plans for growth.

Comi ng In Ju ne/Ju ly 2017

Staycations

& Summer Fun

To advertise, please contact your ad rep or email advertise@ojlife.com orjewishlife.com OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 55

YOUNG ADULTS

Vienna Moishe House resident shares global view

After moving to Vienna to study at the Economics University of Vienna, she began teaching Israeli dance at the Vienna Moishe House founding resident Natalie Assa, 22, Israeli Sports Club, and soon added another dance class at the visited Portland to swap ideas with Portland Moishe House Jewish Institute of Vienna. She also stayed active in Jewish residents and to share her Jewish journey growing up in Student Union activities and attended JDC programs around Bulgaria.

Europe.

Natalie was in the United States to accompany two Austrian After a friend attended a Moishe House retreat in Paris, teenagers to the BBYO International Convention and extended he wanted Natalie to help him organize events for a Moishe her stay at the request of Jessie House Without Walls in Vienna.

Bustamante, Moishe House West But program leaders are required Coast director of advancement. to attend a retreat, so in December The two had met when Natalie 2015, she did. served as a translator for a Moishe “I had no expectations,” she says.

House group touring Bulgaria to “I was used to JDC programs.” learn about the Jewish community “After two and half days in there and the role of Moishe Prague, I got very inspired. I got House in Europe. motivated to instead of planning Jessica says she invited Natalie to Moishe House Without Walls, I visit Portland because she wanted wanted a real Moishe House with to share a global perspective with walls in Vienna.” the local community and “to bring Vienna Moishe House opened new ideas here and I hope she 10 months later with Natalie and brings tips back to Vienna and four other residents (three of whom Bulgaria.” are Americans). All five are college Vienna Moishe House founding resident Natalie Assa, center, Natalie was born in Sofia, flanked by four of the five Portland Moishe House residents. From students, unlike U.S. Moishe left, Shayna Sigman, Jake Sullivan, Natalie, Aaron Kaufman and Bulgaria. Her family lived in Houses that are typically postRochelle Schwartz. Not pictured is MH resident Alex Friedman.

Israel when she was ages 2 to college residents.

7. After returning to Bulgaria, “We live in the center of Natalie attended Jewish day Vienna,” says Natalie. “We usually school and Jewish summer camps including Camp Szarvas, have seven events per month.” an international camp funded by the American Jewish Joint The Vienna house holds monthly Shabbat dinners and a Distribution Committee. reading group, celebrates Jewish holidays and is helping clean From the time she was 14, she has held leadership roles – first up a Jewish cemetery. Natalie, of course, leads an Israeli dance in Jewish youth groups and now as an adult. Her first visit to class there, too. One creative idea is Charity Yoga, which the United States was in 2009 when she was sent to a BBYO charges a symbolic tax to participate; the collection is donated international leadership training conference. She spent two to different causes such as refugee groups or renovating a years at the Adaracha College leadership training program, Bulgarian synagogue. which poised her to serve as program coordinator and group “I have five or six jobs,” she says, noting all are in the Jewish leader at Camp Szarvas. community. She is on the staff of the new BBYO group in “I was planning programs for kids two years older than me,” Vienna, which she co-founded. And in cooperation with the she says. chief rabbi of Vienna, she puts on Shabbat dinners for teens With the goal of moving to Vienna for college, Natalie spent and their parents. her last couple years in high school studying economics and “After so many emails and hard work, we have BBYO Vienna German at a non-Jewish school. She maintained leadership and a working Moishe House,” Natalie says. “I’m happy I roles in BBYO and at camp and attended several more BBYO managed to be part of those ideas and initiatives.” conventions.

By Deborah Moon

56 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

Humanistic Judaism leader comes to Portland

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couple, Paul brings both personal and professional perspectives to the topic of Paul Golin, executive director of the Society intermarriage, which will be the focus of his for Humanistic Judaism, will be in Portland Sunday presentation at the Mittleman Jewish May 5-7 speaking on the future of liberal Community Center. Because his wife does Judaism, intermarriage and separation of not participate in another religion, Paul says church and state (see box). interfaith is not an apt description He will participate of their marriage. But he has an in three presentations Ashkenazi Jewish background while visiting Portland’s and she is Japanese, so they Congregation Kol are definitely intercultural and Shalom. Paul says that the interracial, as she is Asian and he is Saturday afternoon panel Caucasian. The couple are raising discussion promoting a their two children with Jewish secular government is traditions. the program he expects Whether a marriage is interfaith, will draw the broadest intercultural or interracial, Paul says audience during his that more Jews are intermarried Portland visit. than “in-married.”

Paul Golin The panel will explore “Intermarriage speaks to a lot how climate-change of families,” he says, noting Jewish science, women’s reproductive rights, LGBTQ parents of intermarried couples are especially equality and fair immigration policy are all interested in the topic and how it affects their argued against from a perspective of religious grandchildren. fundamentalism, and how those arguments “Humanistic Judaism is the most accepting can be countered with a return to the of intermarriage; there are no barriers,” he founding ideals in the U.S. Constitution of the says, noting he has worked on the issue for 16 separation of church and state. years. “We are the only movement that can “Jews have a unique voice in advancing say intermarriage is good, period. … For us the cause for separation of church and state,” Judaism is a culture anyone can benefit from.” says Paul. “People should do what they He says Humanistic Judaism accepts anyone want in private, religious spheres of life. But who says they are Jewish and identifies with government should not favor one religion over Jewish history and the Jewish people. “That is others.” pretty radical for a Jewish denomination.”

Noting most Americans do not identify as The practice of Jews telling someone else “religious,” he says the panel discussion will they are not really Jewish is “one of the most appeal to many who reject religions seeking divisive things Jews do to each other.” to control “what we do.” He says he hopes the He believes that if people find meaning panel will also address how people can become in however they do Judaism, they should be involved and influence the political arena now. accepted.

Paul previously served as associate executive “Humanistic Judaism benefits the Jewish director of the Big Tent Judaism/Jewish people,” says Paul. “For over 50 years we have Outreach Institute, a national, independent, enabled tens of thousands of families to feel transdenominational organization reaching connected as Jewish households, which is a out to unaffiliated Jewish families with great benefit to the Jewish community.” an emphasis on engaging intermarried He hopes his visit to Portland, his first, will households and helping the organized Jewish give more people who have not found ways to community better welcome them in. connect to their Jewish heritage a chance to do As part of an intercultural and interracial so. “That is what we can provide,” he says.

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By Deborah Moon

Society for Humanistic Judaism Presents The Future of Liberal Judaism May 5: Future of Liberal Judaism. 7 pm Shabbat service at Kol Shalom, 1509 SW Sunset Blvd., Ste. 1E May 6: Defending Separation of Church & State. 3:30 pm panel discussion at the Q Center, 4115 N Mississippi Ave. May 7: Intermarriage and the Future of Judaism. 11 am talk at the MJCC Chapel, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy. kolshalom.org | info@kolshalom.org | 503-459-4210 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 57

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Wisdom of Mothers now in print

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Pirkei Imahot, the Wisdom of Mothers, the Voices of Women is available to share with mothers and those who love them.

Co-authored by Rabbi Eve Posen and Jewish educator Lois Shenker, the book grew from the pair’s one-on-one study project.

Pirkei Imahot explores women’s voices, insights, experiences and – of course – questions, previously posed in Pirkei Avot, written by Jewish male sages in the second century CE. With the publication of this new book

by Jewish women – and for everyone – the authors say they want to make the phrase Pirkei Imahot as common as its progenitor, Pirkei Avot.

A book launch party in Portland will feature Ruth Messinger, who wrote the forward to the book. She writes of the authors: "They are building for women a sense of our own power to be the speakers, teachers, commentators and leaders for change in the 21st century."

Ruth now serves as the inaugural global ambassador of American Jewish World Service, an international human rights and development organization for which she served as president and CEO from 1998 to July 2016.

Lois is a community and family matriarch, life coach and published author. Lois and Arden, her husband of 56 years, are the proud parents of three children and their mates, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Rabbi Posen

is assistant rabbi of Congregation Neveh Shalom and a first-time author. Rabbi Posen, her husband, Duncan Gilman, their children, Shiri and Matan, and their dog, Stanley, live in Portland.

“We planned the launch on May 8 because it is Lois' 80th birthday,” says Rabbi Posen. “We also liked that it dovetails nicely with Mother's Day. This whole project is a wonderful way to celebrate Lois' birthday and the wisdom that women can share with each other.”

Shenker and Posen set out to give Jewish women their own voice and reflect our 21st-century world, Jewish and otherwise.

Their introduction notes: “It was written as a result of our own unique experiences as women, mothers, leaders and teachers in our community, and those of the many women who contributed their own words of wisdom to this book.”

Rabbi Posen says the two reached out to and received submissions from 48 women around the country, in varying life stages and occupations.

In the first half of Pirkei Imahot the authors introduce key writings from Pirkei Avot and then offer their own analyses and context. Following these are study questions for readers to ponder or to spark their own group discussions. Blank space following these sections invites readers to note their own thoughts or further inquiries.

Lois Shenker, left, and Rabbi Eve Posen study together. Photo by Deborah Moon.

58 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

Ruth Messinger visits a village in India.

The authors tackle topics including authority, friendship, study, respect for people of all ages and even the strategic use of silence.

From Pirkei Avot 1:17, it is written, “…nothing becomes a person more than silence.” In Lois’s analysis, she says, “It is often during the silence, the pause, where clear thinking truly

BOOK LAUNCH PARTY & RECEPTION

WHAT: Pirkei Imahot, the Wisdom of Mothers, the Voices of Women (Luminare Press, May 2017) WHEN: 7:30 pm, May 8

takes place and clarity occurs.” Then she poses the question: “Can you think of a situation in which keeping silent would help to resolve a problem?”

The second half of the book is filled with fascinating contributions by Jewish women of all ages, geographies and personal experiences, reflecting topics as diverse as Jewish ideals of tzedakah and tikkun olam, as well as universal ones like justice, mothering and ethical behavior.

“Pirkei Avot still feels real and relevant to our daily lives, perhaps more so than other texts,” Rabbi Posen says. “It reads as an ethical will of sorts from the great rabbis. Lois and I believed it was time to look at what those values have evolved into for today’s world from an entirely female perspective.”

Shenker adds, “Either by reading our book or attending a workshop, if a person just makes one change in her or his course of action, or becomes more mindful, or feels more comfortable with the moral imperative Judaism gives us, we will be satisfied and gratified by the efforts put forth in writing this book and learning from those who contributed to it.”

To purchase books and for more information, visit wisdomofmothers.com. Books also are available online, beginning May 1, at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

WHERE: Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland GUEST SPEAKER: American Jewish World Service Global Ambassador Ruth Messinger FREE

Join Congregation Neveh Shalom for these exciting community-centered events in May! May 8 | 7:30pm | Book Launch

“Pirkei Imahot, The Wisdom of Mothers, The Voices of Women”

by Rabbi Eve Posen and Lois Shenker with guest speaker Ruth Messinger, Global Ambassador, American Jewish World Service

May 21 | 9:30am-11:30am | Back-to-Nature Day and Lag ba Omer Celebration

Great for kids and families (0 -12)! Bonfire, art projects, music & dance, rustic pita making, games, an Israeli shuk and goats!

May 21st | 4pm | We Refuse to Be Enemies Music, Conversation and Friendship Amongst the Abrahamic Faiths

May 30th | Peace Pole Ceremony + Interfaith Shavuot Torah Exploration

6:30pm Peace Pole Ceremony 7:30pm – 12am Esteemed scholars and clergy of different religions will give various talks about how the Torah centered principles of kindness, civility and caring; conversation & dialogue and mutual responsibility find expression in their faiths and traditions.

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland, OR 97239 | 503.246.8831 | www.nevehshalom.org OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 59

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By Deborah Moon

Panelists decry climate of hate

More than 200 people turned out for an April 4 town hall meeting on dealing with the increase in hate crimes. The gathering was held at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, one of more than 100 JCCs and other Jewish organizations that received bomb threats, all of which were hoaxes. Though an American-Israeli teen was arrested on suspicion of making the threats a few days before the gathering, concern over the climate of hate in the country remained high.

The 11-member panel included government, law enforcement, academic, religious and social service representatives.

MJCC Executive Director Steve Albert noted that the gender imbalance of the panel (only one woman participated) was not intentional.

With Congress in session, representatives of Sens. Ron

Save the date and join us for the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation’s Annual Meeting and Reception Recognizing this year’s Legacy Society Honoree Harold Pollin

Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici read statements.

Sen. Merkley was on the Senate floor in the midst of a 15hour filibuster protesting President Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court. In the statement he sent the town hall, Sen. Merkley said, “I am shocked, saddened and disgusted by the surge in hate crimes that has swept the nation. … This is intolerable. This is not who we are as Americans. … For centuries, America has been a beacon for the oppressed and downtrodden around the world, no matter their faith or country of origin.”

Sen. Wyden’s statement noted, “I am committed to working with all of you to root out this virus of hate that is poisoning our country. As the child of Jewish immigrants who fled Nazi Germany in the 1930s, I stand solidly with you now and always in pushing back against all signs of hatred.”

Rep. Bonamici’s letter said, “Words have consequences and

Mark Your Calendar!

SUNDAY, JUNE 11

Museum Grand Opening

June 21, 2017 from 5:30-7:30 PM Mittleman Jewish Community Center Members and Supporters watch your mailbox for a Grand Opening special preview event.

There is no cost to attend and there will be no fundraising.

For more information: www.ojcf.org l 503.248.9328

Not a member or Community Campaign donor?

Today is a perfect opportunity to support OJMCHE! www.ojmche.org 724 NW Davis St., Portland, OR 97209 | 503-226-3600 | www.ojmche.org

60 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

we must all be cognizant of what we say and how it is received. Insensitive or incendiary remarks on social media or elsewhere in the public domain can be miscon- Panelists who addressed the Town Hall at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, from left: Douglas Ruth, Jewish strued and inflame prejudiced Family & Child Service; David Molko, JFCS; Brian Plinski, office of Rep. Suzanne Bonamici; Rabbi David Kosak, Congregation Neveh Shalom; Professor Steven Wasserstrom, Reed College; Grace Stratton, office of Sen. Ron Wyden; viewpoints.”

Nick Fish, Portland city commissioner; Bill Williams, U.S. Attorney for District of Oregon; Steve Goldman, FBI; Officer Portland Police Officer Brian Hubbard, Portland Police Bureau; and Jagjit Nagra, office of Sen. Jeff Merkley.

Brian Hubbard noted, “Social media plays into this frenzy. It come out of the woodwork after the election.” gives everybody a voice and they feed off of each other.”

Two counselors from Jewish Family & Child Service spoke FBI agent Steve Goldman assured the crowd that “Hate on how people can cope with the stress related to hate crimes crimes are a priority for the FBI.” and how they can help their children cope. David Molko sugPortland City Commissioner Nick Fish said, “There is a gested people focus on balance. “Recognize these are incidents white nationalist in the White House, and he is advising my and we can carry on with our lives.” president.” Fish added that Portland is joining lawsuits filed by Rabbi David Kosak also addressed ways to react on both other cities in defense of its stand as a Sanctuary City. a communal and spiritual level. On the communal front, he Professor Steven Wasserstrom put the situation in historical encouraged people to pursue both friendship and activism to perspective. “In the 1990s there was an uptick in the extreme maintain resilience. He urged people to “form relationships right wing. It seemed to go away after 9/11. … Groups have around difference.”

CONFRONTING REALITY: A TWO-PART SERIES ADDRESSING THE THREATS OF THE BDS MOVEMENT AND RISING ANTI-SEMITISM

THE ANTI-ISRAEL BDS MOVEMENT & THE COLLEGE CAMPUS: HOW CAN IT BE CHALLENGED EFFECTIVELY? Dr. Kenneth Waltzer of the Academic Engagement Network

MAY 3 AT 7PM: CONGREGATION NEVEH SHALOM

AMERICAN JEWS TODAY: CONFRONTING A CHANGING AND CHALLENGING CLIMATE

Dr. Steven Windmueller, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion MAY 17 AT 7PM: MITTLEMAN JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER

NO FEE OR REGISTRATION. LEARN MORE AT JEWISHPORTLAND.ORG/CONFRONT. Jewish Community Relations Council

503.245.6219 | www.jewishportland.org 6680 SW Capitol Highway | Portland, OR 97219

JewishPDX

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 61

ask helen

Dive in to clean up hoarding trend

A NOSH OF

Dirty hands are unfit for saying grace.

JEWISH WISDOM:

Dear Helen: After my divorce six years ago, I repainted everywhere, which meant moving and cleaning everything. It all sparkled. My springcleaning avoidance this year feels insurmountable. Even writing a check to a cleaning service won’t clear the accumulated piles and whatever’s stashed in drawers and closets. I don’t want to end up one of those strange old hoarders, but I am feeling …

Swamped Dear Swamped: Dive in on the first possible day! Get up early, drink caffeine and commit to a day of achievement. Start by making enough of a mess in diagonal places in the house that you cannot easily back out.

As you trot from one end to the other, you will accomplish small things along the way. You can work room-by-room or project-byproject. Leave the very tall projects and baseboards for another day. Make lists of future to-do’s (for yourself or future hired help).

Many will occur to you. Once you start doing, the list will motivate not frighten.

You’ll feel great once you get going. Pick good dance music to keep you in motion. Be ruthless about shedding old and unused items. Have bags and boxes handy. As the donations collect you

taking care of each other is what community is all about. the Jewish community with personal, compassionate care. Rely on us to help you create a meaningful memorial that honors the traditions of the Jewish faith.

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with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors

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503-639-1206 YoungsFuneralHome.org This program is not financed by or connected in any manner with any governmental agency or Veteran’s or other organization.

62 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

–The Talmud

will be more inspired. Take email and chocolate breaks. Give yourself lots of task choices, but also lots of “outs,” as in, When I finish X, I can stop. After you do, have a glass of something lovely, easy dinner food ready, and a good book or DVD on tap. Then treat yourself to a massage. Repeat as needed.

Dear Helen: My widower father lives in assisted living 3,000 miles away. The facility provides meals and light housecleaning. His private-duty grooming helper is planning a move home to Jamaica. An outside homecare agency costs much more than she did and pays the help a pittance compared to what they charge. The facility has help on staff, but puts residents on a check-in schedule and respond to calls only as they can. I’ve heard bad stories (think urine-soaked chairs).

There are also issues of access to his checkbook, credit cards, family heirlooms, etc. He will neither relocate closer to me nor give over power of attorney, though he admits he needs help solving this.

How can I help him sort this out?

Long Distance Dear Long Distance: Most important is that your father be treated with respect and dignity, with private-duty help if possible. Focus on assuring that they are honest and reliable, that he is treated well and that he can afford the level of service he prefers for as long as he requires it.

The financial affairs are, ironically, easier to organize. Lower the limit on his credit card; cancel all but one. Put payments to the assisted living center on autopay. Have a junior bookkeeper visit him regularly to write checks, pay bills and monitor finances including the facility billings. Require two signatures for checks over $xyz to prevent theft. Ask your father to authorize you to receive duplicate copies of monthly statements; monitor for unusual withdrawals. Password protect all his accounts. Lock valuables in a safe deposit box.

The caretaker issues will impact his comfort and potentially his longevity. Ask the departing worker if she has a friend of relative looking for private-duty work. Interview managers of the various agencies as well as the internal supervisor of support staff at his residential facility. Understand overt and hidden fees. When you choose help, pay attention to issues of personality, language and communication style, physical needs, responsiveness timing and genuine caring for his well-being. Keep searching until you have the right fit. Pay what it takes to keep him happy and healthy, and be thankful he can afford it. Visit as often as you can and call him as often as you can to say good morning and good night. Say I love you often every time you speak. These calls will do a lot to keep his mood up and life longer.

HELEN

A resident of Eugene since 1981, Helen is a member of Temple Beth Israel, where she studies and speaks on Torah. She claims to have black belts in schmoozing, problem solving and chutzpah. She’s a writer and an artist (kabbalahglass.com). Please email your questions to helen@yourjewishfairygodmother.com

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Young adults invited to PDX Community Hackathon

The PDX Community Hackathon invites Jewish professionals in their 20s and 30s for a free weekend of networking and community teamwork.

The weekend kicks off with a festive and fun camp-style Shabbat dinner. 6-8:30 pm May 19 at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. The main program will be 9 am-5 pm, May 21, at the MJCC. “Hackathon is about creating a community for natives and transplants alike that connects Jews with different upbringings to create a cohesive young Jewish Portland,” says Nadine Astrakhan, Hackathon steering committee. “For those who aren't looking to sit idly while others find a community for them, Hackathon brings together teams of thinkers to network, make new friends and better the world around them.”

The PDX Community Hackathon is centered on an energizing event that convenes a diverse array of local stakeholders to generate, prototype and pitch solutions to a shared challenge. The challenge our community Hackathon is addressing is how to create sustained engagement of young Jewish adults throughout the greater Portland area. The methodology encourages collaboration and breaks down barriers, while fostering a creative and experimental environment. Participants don’t just talk about solutions: they build them, in cross-functional teams that represent a variety of perspectives. The result is a more connected community whose members design the programs and services they wish to see.

Team proposals will be voted on by a panel of judges and receive funding for implementation.

The event is sponsored by Community Hackathon PDX, The Covenant Foundation, OneTable, Upstart, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, B’nai B’rith Camp, Chabad of Oregon, Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Neveh Shalom, Jews Next Dor, Portland Kollel, Mittleman Jewish Community Center, Moishe House, OJCF Giving Council, Oregon Jewish Museum & Center for Holocaust Education, PDX Pathways and Portland Jewish Academy.

Reserve spot: JewishPortland.org/Hackathon

2017 Song of Miriam brunch June 4 Honorees have been announced for this year’s Song of Miriam awards brunch. The Song of Miriam Awards honor women who volunteer their time and energy to ensure the continuity and vibrancy of the Jewish community of Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Twenty organizations chose outstanding women to be honored for their volunteer activities and dedication to promotion of Jewish life and values. This is the 25th annual awards brunch, which is sponsored by the Jewish Women’s Round Table. JWRT’s mission is to strengthen the Jewish community by honoring the excellent work of women volunteers and bringing the community together to celebrate Jewish life.

This year’s brunch will be 10 am to 12:15 pm, June 4, at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland.

The 2017 honorees are: Eve Berry of Havurah Shalom, Erin David of Beit Haverim, Peg Elefant of Portland Hadassah, Steffanie Goldsmith of Congrega-

PREVIEWS

tion Neveh Shalom, Judith Havas of Temple Beth Sholom (Salem), Melissa Horowitz of Portland Jewish Academy, Naomi Leavitt of Jewish Family and Child Service, Sari Pill of Kol Shalom, Erica Schiff Press of Portland Jewish Academy, Diane Lowensohn of Women of Reform Judaism/Beth Israel Sisterhood, Robin McAlpine of Cedar Sinai Park, Marcy Morris of Friends of Robison, Robyn Pekala of Beit Am, Bonnie Robbins of Congregation Shir Tikvah, Janine Segal of Mittleman Jewish Community Center, Lois Shenker of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, Thelma Solomon of Congregation Shaarie Torah Sisterhood, Joan Stiber of Congregation Kesser Israel, Helen Tevlin of Congregation P’nai Or, Allison Wetchler of Congregation Kol Ami. To find out more about the Jewish Women's Round Table, the history of the Song of Miriam awards, a list of past honorees, and the JWRT Board, go to our website at jwrt.org Reservations form at www.jwrt.org: For Reservations postmarked by Thursday, May 24, the cost of the brunch is $25; after May 24, the cost is $32. The charge for children 12 and under is $10, and $36 for Patrons. These amounts include a 3% donation to Mazon.

Please make your check out to the Jewish Women’s Round Table or JWRT, listing the names and type of reservation (Patron or Guest), and send them to Jerrie Roth, 1231 SW Texas St., Portland, OR 97219.

Families and friends are encouraged to attend this annual community event. For questions, call Jerrie Roth at 503-246-4367 or e-mail Leslye Epstein at leslyee@comcast.net.

Join us for...

Laughter and Stories by David Fuks Music and Dancing by Pace Mobile DJ Wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres Sunday, May 21 st from 5 - 8 pm Coopers Hall - 404 SE 6th Avenue To make your reservation online go to: http://bit.ly/Shirlalaland For more information or sponsorship

opportunities call Debbi Bodie, Executive Director, at 503.473.8227 or debbi@shirtikvahpdx.org

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 63

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FACES & PLACES

PIRATES OF PURIM – Kesser kids get into the Purimshpiel spirit at this year’s Purim Palooza and Megillah at Congregation Kesser Israel. The Megillah reading was followed by Purim snacks and an amazing Pirates of Purim Shpiel, written and directed by Miriam Lambert.

ACTIVISM FAIR – Havurah Shalom hosted an April 5 activism fair called “It’s in Our Hands: Intergenerational Activism Fair for Reproductive Justice.” Focused on protecting reproductive choice, the fair included Havurah member Natalie Lerner of the ACLU discussing the Oregon Reproductive Health Equity Act. More than 20 artists, including jeweler Ravit Pearlman shown here selling earrings to Jasmine Ilsley, sold their wares to benefit organizations supporting reproductive choice.

Photo by Beth Yohalem-Ilsley

NATIONAL CHAMPS – Shai Blattner (on left standing in front of coach) is part of the Portland Junior Winterhawks team that won the ice hockey 14U Tier II National Championship just before Passover. Shai is the son of Jewish Federation of Greater Portland CEO Marc and Sarah Blattner.

LONE SOLDIERS – Three Lone Soldiers from Reservists on Duty shared their stories of support and hopes for Israel with about 20 Porlanders April 2 at the home of Nurit and Boaz Kahana. Portland native Richard Stadig (center) was joined by Noa Shia (left) and Mike Starr (right). They are among 50 American born Lone Soldiers, who were compelled to support Israel in the IDF, now sharing their stories in the U.S. to promote understanding through the Gideon Project. Part of their stories included those of their grandparents. Each Reservist was inspired by grandparents who survived the Holocaust. "The horrors of the Second World War affected our families in profound manners, contributing to our later joining the IDF," Richard said. Photos by Sue Wendel 64 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

PREVIEWS PREVIEWS FACES & PLACES

HAMILTONIAN PURIM – Molly Baum was Haman, left, and Liz Miklja was Esther in Congregation Shaarie Torah’s Purimshpiel based on the Broadway play, Hamilton. This year’s Purim celebration drew more than 300 people

ISRAEL 360 – Timna Rockford, the shaliach for Portland this year, spoke about the role of ethics in the Israeli Defense Forces as part of the Israel 360 series at Congregation Neveh Shalom. The series explores diverse perspectives on Israel in an atmosphere of respect and is a project of the Kindness Commons, which is housed at Congregation Neveh Shalom.

WOMEN’S PASSOVER EXPERIENCE – Congregation Neveh Shalom Assistant Rabbi Eve Posen hosted a Women’s Passover Experience on April 3 at the Conservative congregation. The evening featured interactive activities exploring the theme “We were slaves, now we are free.”

PREPARING FOR POLAND – Wolf Pakula, 96, at left, shared his reflections on surviving the Holocaust with Eve Levy, center, and some of the women’s group embarking on a May 15-23 tour of Poland and Israel organized by the Portland Kollel. Eve has led multiple trips to Israel as part of the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project. This is the Kollel’s first Poland-Israel tour, with about two dozen women, including several mother-daughter pairs, participating. Also pictured are, from left: Jodi Garber-Simon, Shari House, Carole Glauber, Naomi Kaufman Price, Allison Sherman, Jennifer Ginther Reboja, Melissa Dodson and Sura Rubenstein.

PDX PATHWAYS RECEPTION – More than 45 mentees and community leaders enjoyed a reception celebrating the conclusion of the first year of PDX Pathways, a professional development and mentoring program for young adults through the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. The April 3 reception was hosted by Mara and Rob Shlachter (far right). Mentors of the second cohort were Becki Saltzman, Arlene Cogen, Jack Birnbach and David Fuks. To further help connect the mentees to the broader Jewish community, representatives from six Jewish agencies spoke to mentees about the important work they are doing.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 65

May 1-31 Monthly Mitzvah Project: MJCC and PJA collect canned fruit for Shavuot for the Neighborhood House Food Pantry. Drop off in the blue bin located in the MJCC lobby. 503-244-0111

May 1 Yom Ha’atzmaut: Celebrate Israel’s 69th year of independence! Israeli music and dancing, arts and crafts, explore Israel in a unique way, hear from teens who have travelled to Israel, food and more. 5-8:30 pm at the MJCC. 503-244-0111, oregonjcc.org

May 2 Celebrate Our Caring Community. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum will be the featured speaker at luncheon to support Jewish Family & Child Service. 11:30 am to 1 pm at the Multnomah Athletic Club. Tickets complimentary; guests asked to make a gift to support the JFCS mission. patapofft@cedarsinaipark.org, 503535- 4360

MAY CALENDAR

Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. 7 pm at May 7 Portland Hadassah’s Heart Health Program featuring Portland cardiologist. Come indulge and learn about the wonders of red wine and chocolate. Free. 2:30 pm at private home. RSVP 503-312-2530, diana2504@msn.com A Portland Jewish Film Festival special screening of “Norman: The Moderate Rise and Fall of a New York Fixer.” Written and directed by Joseph Ceder and starring Richard Gere. 4 pm at Whitsell Auditorium, Portland Art Museum. nwfilm.org Ovarian Cancer Alliance Survivor and Volunteer Luncheon. 11:30 am-2 pm at the Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd, Portland. Survivors and volunteers free. Guests $20. ovariancancerosw. org/event-2416652 Climate Information and Action Fair. 10 am-noon at Havurah Shalom, 825 NW 18th Ave., Portland.

Engage with experts from commercial, advocacy and governmental organizations. Free. 503-8802226, heumanncycle@gmail.com

May 3

May 8

Toxicity to Positivity: Communicating with Challenging People. 6 pm at the MJCC. oregonjcc. org/registration Code: FIT312

Book Launch: Pirkei Imahot, The Wisdom of Mother, the Voices of Women. See page 59

The Anti-Israel BDS Movement & the College Campus: How can it be challenged effectively?

Featuring Dr. Kenneth Waltzer, executive director of the Academic Engagement Network. 7 pm in the Stampfer Chapel, Congregation Neveh Shalom. bob@jewishportland.org, 503-245-6496

May 4 “Heart of Nuba,” the final film in the Film & Action Festival, documents the genocide in South Sudan. Followed by talk back and action opportunities. 7 pm at Smith Memorial Student Union, Room 238, at PSU. neveragaincoalition@ gmail.com Guided Visualization: 6 pm at the MJCC. oregonjcc.org/registration Code: FIT307

May 5-7 Spring Family Camp. Enjoy a weekend of nonstop family activities and laughs at B’nai B’rith Camp on the Oregon Coast! Adults $118, kids 2+ $85, kids under 2 free. 503-452-3443

66 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017

May 9 Healthy Kitchen Power. 6 pm at the MJCC. oregonjcc.org/registration Code: FIT302

May 10 PDX MOTs monthly happy hour for singles and couples. 6:30-8 pm at White Owl Social Club 1305 SE 8th Ave., Portland. RSVP at facebook. com/groups/PDXMOTS/

May 11 Nosh and Drash with Rabbi Eve Posen. 1-2 pm, at Café at the J, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland.

Free. May Topic: Pirkei Avot/Imahot: Wisdom for our time. 503-244-0111

May 16 Opening Night: The Importance of Being Earnest.

At Artists Repertory Theatre. Artistsrep.org, 503241-1278

MJCC. bob@jewishportland.org, 503-245-6496

May 21 Friends of Robison Brunch. Noon in Zidell Hall at Rose Schnitzer Manor, 6140 SW Boundary, Portland. Fashion show sponsored by Dazzle.

Cost is $54 for lunch for you and a CSP resident, or $36 for a single ticket. RSVP with payment by May 16 to Nathan Gregg at 971-717-7152 Shir La La Land: A benefit for Congregation Shir Tikvah. Stories by David Fuks; music by Pace Mobile DJ. Wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres. 5-8 pm, at Coopers Hall, 404 SE 6th Ave., Portland.

503-473-8227, http://bit.ly/Shirlalaland

May 24 Yom Yerushalayim: Jerusalem Day. 6 pm at the MJCC. Free. 503-244-0111 10th Annual Sara Glasgow Cogan Memorial Lecture, "The Ten Commandments in the Limelight" with Dr. Jenna Weissman Joselit.7 pm, 333 Smith Memorial Student Union, Portland State University. judaicst@pdx.edu, 503-7258449, pdx.edu/judaic

May 26 North Coast Shabbat led by Jemi Mansfield and Jennifer Felberg. 8 pm at the Bob Chisholm Center, Seaside. Services are usually held on the last Friday of the month, from March through October. 503-244-7060

May 30 Peace Pole Ceremony + Interfaith Shavuot Torah Exploration: 6:30 pm Peace Pole Ceremony; 7:30 pm-midnight: Scholars and clergy of different faiths discuss how Torah centered principles find expression in their faiths and traditions.

At Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland. Free. 503-246-8831, nevehshalom.org Shavout Cheesecake Bake Off: Recipes due: Friday, May 26 to Len Steinberg at lsteinberg@ oregonjcc.org. Cheesecake Due: 2 pm day of event. Tasting/Judging: 5:15-6:15 pm at the MJCC. Winner announced immediately and recipe shared with community. 503-244-0111

MJCC Gallery opening. See page 43

June 4

May 17

Song of Miriam Awards Brunch. See page 63

American Jews Today: Confronting a Changing and Challenging Climate featuring Dr. Steven Windmueller, Rabbi Alfred Gottschalk Emeritus Professor of Jewish Communal Service Hebrew

June 6 Cedar Sinai Park Annual Meeting: 7 pm in Zidell Hall at Rose Schnitzer Manor, 6140 SW Boundary, Portland. cedarsinaipark.org

THE ARTS! You feel it.

TM

WANDER NO MORE

advertise@ojlife.com orjewishlife.com Oregon Jewish Life - Supporter of the Arts

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017 67

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Managing Director Private Wealth Advisor 522 Fifth Avenue, 10th Floor New York, NY 10036 212-296-6704 robert.stolar@morganstanley.com Source: Barron’s “Top 100 Financial Advisors,” April 20, 2015. Barron’s “Top 100 Financial Advisors” bases its ratings on qualitative criteria: professionals with a minimum of seven years of financial services experience, acceptable compliance records, client retention reports, customer satisfaction, and more. Finwancial Advisors are quantitatively rated based on varying types of revenues and assets advised by the financial professional, with weightings associated for each. Because individual client portfolio performance varies and is typically unaudited, this rating focuses on customer satisfaction and quality of advice. The rating may not be representative of any one client’s experience because it reflects a sample of all of the experiences of the Financial Advisor’s clients. The rating is not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors pays a fee to Barron’s in exchange for the rating. Barron’s is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved. © 2015 Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management, a division of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC. Member SIPC. CRC1179133 04/15 8225582 PWM001 04/15 68 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2017