Oregon Jewish Life March 2017 Vol.6/Issue 2

MARCH 2017

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WENDY WESTERWELLE Becomes Golda Meir on Stage

REAL ESTATE: Developers Bullish on Portland

CAMPS:

Lifetime Relationships Start at Summer Camp

NESHAMA

Daughter Shares Rabbi Carlebach's Legacy of Love

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 1

Pairing people with homes all over Portland...

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

betsyrickles@windermere.com www.betsyrickles.com 2 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

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®

4 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE. THE POWER OF COMMUNITY.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 5

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Oregon Jewish Life • March 2017 | Adar-Nissan 5777 | Volume 6/Issue 2

16

COVER STORY

REAL ESTATE

Neshama Carlebach shares legacy Shabbaton in Ashland April 7-8

24 29

FEATURES JEWS WITH ATTITUDE Jathan Janove has Hard Won Wisdom

24

BUSINESS Ins & Outs

JKIDS & TEENS TOO Good Deeds Day: Volunteer Kids and Teens calendar

30

56

14

41 43

Camp creates enduring relationships Grants for first-time campers

Tips for happy campers

Kids, ADHD & Camp

Camp Directory

YOUNG ADULT Oregon students experience Birthright

49

Risks & Rewards for board members Nehama shows namesake’s methods Purim is party time

FACES

Previews of things to come

Calendar

SENIORS Retired David Fuks expands horizons

51

COLUMNS

ISRAEL U.N. hypocrisy

54 56

Chef’s Corner by Lisa Glickman NW Nosh by Kerry Politzer

58

COVER: Neshama Carlebach Photo by Michael Albany

6 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

30 34 36 38 40

JLIVING

44 46 48

16 21 22 23 23

CAMP

ARTS & ENTERTAIMENT Sisterhood presents “Crossing Over” Shoah music benefits free series

Wendy Westerwelle is Golda Meir

FOOD Chef’s Corner: Pantry essentials NW Nosh: Produce market bounty

48

12

Portland is hot town for developers

Family company branches out

Buying a home? Consider tradeoffs

Featured Properties

Directory

60 61 62 64 65 66

54 56

e d u i t ati .. t c e p s r.. Re

o

on H . . e v Lo

Gr

Cedar Sinai Park is humbled by our community’s generosity, and thank all who came to support our residents!

With special thanks to our family of sponsors Presenting The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation / Arlene Schnitzer & Jordan Schnitzer Diamond

The Douglas Goodman Family Pacific Continental Bank R&H Construction

Ruby

American Heating Consonus Healthcare Michael Smira Real Estate Marcy Tonkin Wells Fargo Foundation

Sapphire

Affordable Kosher D.A. Davidson & Co. Bev & Stan Eastern and Michelle & Steve Gradow Michael & Chris Feves Ruben J. & Elizabeth Menashe Solomon D. & Rosalyn Menashe Debbie Mink – McKesson Medical Surgical Steinberg Investment Group The Stern Family The Tonkin Family of Dealerships The Family of Eric Weiss Whitaker Ellis

In Kind Sponsors Botanica Floral Morel Ink

Pearl

Anonymous (x2) Aspen Mitzvah Fund of the OJCF Carla Properties, LTD. Crystal Green Landscape Jim & Ilene Davidson Geffen Mesher & Co., P.C. Bob & Lesley Glasgow Rosalie Goodman Stan & Shirley Hodes Income Property Management Jack R. Menashe / Ruben J. Menashe, Inc. Tony & Priscilla Kostiner Medline Industries, Inc. Miller Nash Graham & Dunn, LLP Jerry & Shirley Nudelman Oregon Angel Fund Packouz Jewelers Bob & Rita Philip David & Diane Rosencrantz Jerry & Bunny Sadis Faye Gordon Samuels ShedRain Corporation Les & Martha Soltesz Linda & Larry Veltman Sharon Weil Gary & Carolyn Weinstein Jim & Susan Winkler Jay & Diane Zidell

We are also grateful to:

Our Mitzvah Moment donors, Co-Chairs Beverly Eastern & Michelle Eastern Gradow, Event Committee & Volunteers, our Board of Directors, and the Staff & Leadership of CSP.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 7

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MARCH2017 Oregon Jewish Life | March 2017 | Adar-Nissan 5777

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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.

Publication of advertisements does not constitute endorsement of products or services.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 9

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Spring is almost here. It officially begins on March 20. It seems that everything about spring is positive and life-affirming: rebirth, renewal, baby animals, blossoming flowers and warmer weather.

Spring marks the beginning of the busiest home-buying and selling season in most areas, including Oregon and Southwest Washington. According to Realtor.com, Portland-Vancouver will be the 10th best housing market in 2017. Pretty impressive statistic for our states. Take a look at our real estate special section this month to learn more.

Robert Philip

Spring is also the time that summer camp planning is on the top of many parents’ minds. Camps are a great way for kids to gain confidence, independence and build life-long relationships. And in some cases, they may even meet their future spouse. It’s true – see our story that begins on page 30.

Neshama Carlebach, the subject of our cover story this month is going through her own type of renewal and rebirth in what has already been a fascinating career.

Not only is Neshama an incredible talent, but as the daughter of the world famous and beloved singer Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, she has honored her father with her amazing strength and courage in a world that is not always receptive to her brand of religious Jewish music.

Cindy Saltzman

Neshama in Hebrew means soul or spirit. The name could not be more appropriate for a young woman who shows emotional depth beyond her years with a voice that will lift anyone’s spirit. Neshama is poised to carry the torch of her father’s legacy through her own voice and talents. She is definitely ready.

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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

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

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 11

Jewswith

Attitude Jathan Janove shares his leadership expertise with local execs

By Deborah Moon

Goldsmith Group, a leadership and executive coaching group of 14 associates, including Frank. The group has an executive coach network of 1,500 coaches who use Marshall’s program of executive development focusing on involvement of stakeholders, implementation of change and follow through to measure growth in leadership effectiveness.

“Marshall Goldman does one thing – he helps successful people get better,” says Frank, who lives in Lake Oswego. “Jathan has become a disciple of Stakeholder Centered Coaching.

Jathan Janove has decided to pay it forward and share his Hard-Won Wisdom as a labor and employment lawyer, executive consultant and author to help enhance the leadership skills of executives at local Jewish organizations.

His free sixmonth program kicked off at a luncheon Jan. 30 hosted by the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, which recruited the participants and Jathan Janove reads a selection from his most recent book, Hard-Won Wisdom: True Stories will provide space from the Management Trenches. Photo by Deborah Moon and administrative support for the program.

I’m here to help him.”

At the lunch Jathan and his partner on the project, Frank The author of three books including Hard-Won Wisdom: Wagner, explained the leadership program to participants True Stories from the Management Trenches, Jathan has 25 years and told them what they can expect and what he, Frank and of experience litigating workplace relationships and coaching federation will expect in return. The program will include a executives and employers on employee relations issues. When pre-assessment, two half-day workshops for the group and he heard about Marshall’s coaching philosophy “it resonated.” six months of individual and group coaching. Frank says When Marshall offered to share his entire system with participants just need enough courage, humility and discipline 15 people, Jathan was one of 12,000 applicants. Part of the to succeed in the program. application was to prepare a pay-it-forward plan of offering “For team coaching we will all come together and have pro bono coaching and leadership development. Though Jathan a team goal, but also individual goals,” says Jathan. “We wasn’t selected for the program (which has been renamed 100 are different organizations, but we are all part of the same Coaches), he decided he wanted to pay it forward anyway. community.”

“As long as I’m active professionally – probably till I drop Jathan recently earned Combined Individual and Team since work is more fun than fun for me – I will have at least Stakeholder Centered Coach Certification from the Marshall one major pro bono project going, and I will turn down 12 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

lucrative paying work to do it,” says Jathan. He adds that with three children, all adults, “I have no goal to earn a dime more than needed to be financially responsible to my family.”

Portland’s Jewish community is the first recipient of his commitment. In collaboration with JFGP, the cohort was selected from executive directors of Jewish organizations with an annual budget over $1 million. The participants are Steve Albert of the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, Marc Blattner of JFGP, Julie Diamond of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation, Gary Fifer of Congregation Shaarie Torah, Carrie Hoops of Jewish Family & Child Service, Josh Kashinsky of Congregation Beth Israel, Michelle Koplan of B’nai B’rith Camp and Sandra Simon of Cedar Sinai Park.

Utah where Gabrielle lives. Raphael lives in Delaware clerking for a federal judge.

In Portland Jathan’s Jewish commitment shifted from synagogue to federation and the Judaic Studies program at Portland State University. Marjorie, a former pianist with the Salt Lake Symphony, plays with her students for residents of Robison Jewish Health Center and Rose Schnitzer Manor.

She also hosts an annual Sukkot gathering and performance for Café Europa ( JFCS’ social group for Holocaust survivors).

“For team coaching we will all come together and have a team goal, but also individual goals.

We are different organizations, but we are all part of the same community.”

– Jathan Janove

Though Marshall Goldsmith didn’t tap Jathan for the 100 Coaches program, he did endorse Jathan’s book, saying, “If you want a front row seat to observe workplace behavior in all its intricacy and variety, read this insightful book. Jathan Janove’s long experience in employment law, executive coaching and management make for some compelling stories. Not only that, the specific, actionable advice he provides is sure to help anyone who wants to avoid career-derailing conflict.”

Participants in the Portland cohort not only have a front row seat, they’ve also been invited backstage to learn how to become leaders who influence their employees to follow them to a stronger organization and community.

Jathan Janove . Photo by Trevor Pound/Portland Photography

While living in Salt Lake City for a number of years, Jathan and his wife, Marjorie, were involved in the area’s largest synagogue, Congregation Kol Ami. Jathan served a term as president, and their three children, Nathaniel, Raphael and Gabrielle, became b’nai mitzvah at Kol Ami. His involvement with the Jewish Federation there was more focused on sharing advice on employment issues.

Wanting a lifestyle change, the couple decided to move to the Pacific Northwest after a vacation in the San Juan Islands in 2006. Jathan was thinking of Seattle, where he had clients.

“My wife wanted to live in Portland and after a couple days reflection, I decided I wanted to live with my wife,” says Jathan with a chuckle.

Nathaniel moved, too, and graduated from Lincoln High School and the University of Oregon before returning to OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 13

INS & OUTS

Jake Birkel

JFCS Gets Grant for Groundbreaking Holocaust Survivor Care

Michael Allen Harrison and Rabbi Alan Berg

Portland’s Jewish Holocaust survivors will soon receive innovative services designed to reduce trauma and isolation thanks to a grant to Jewish Family & Child Service by the Jewish Federations of North America. Combined with matching funds from the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, the award will provide nearly $40,000 in new programs for local survivors.

JFCS is one of 11 organizations to receive new second-round funding through JFNA’s Center for Advancing Holocaust Survivor Care. JFNA established the center in late 2015 following an award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that allows up to $12 million over five years to support state-of-the-art, trauma-informed services for Holocaust survivors in the United States.

These grants mark the first time the federal government has provided direct funds for Holocaust survivor services. Of the more than 100,000 survivors who live in the United States, nearly one-quarter are ages 85 or older, and one in four lives in poverty. Many live alone and are at risk for social isolation, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other debilitating conditions that stem from atrocities in their youth.

JFCS will use the grant to add holistic group counseling and wellness services for local survivors. Most of the 115 Holocaust survivors that JFCS works with are Russian-speaking refugees from the former Soviet Union, who immigrated during the 1980s and 1990s as part of a JFCS resettlement program.

Person-centered, trauma-informed care promotes the dignity, resilience and empowerment of trauma victims by incorporating knowledge about the role of trauma into programs, policies and procedures.

“Triggers are everywhere, especially as survivors experience the losses associated with aging,” says JFCS Executive Director Carrie Hoops. “These new services will help foster a sense of healing.”

JFGP President and CEO Marc N. Blattner adds, "Our Holocaust survivors deserve the highest quality of services available, and the federation is proud of JFCS for stepping forward and seeking this grant to provide additional support for our survivor community. It is our honor to partner on these efforts."

503-226-7079 ext. 124 | jfcs-portland.org

14 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

Russell McAlmond

Reuben Rotman

Teen Funders Picks Jake Birkel for Youth Council

The Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation’s Jake Birkel has been selected to serve on the Jewish Teen Funders Network Youth Ambassador Council.

Jake is one of 10 expert teen philanthropists selected for this new platform. The Youth Ambassador Council will enable members to connect with other teens from across JTFN’s national network and to share insights and experiences with the JTFN team.

Jake is currently participating in his third year of OJCYF and is part of the Bonim group. He is a junior at Sunset High School and is very invested in the school's arts and social programs. He believes in helping people and making any and every community a stronger, better place for all. jtfn.org | ojcf.org

New Production Company: Harrison-Berg Presents

In February Michael Allen Harrison and Rabbi Alan Berg formed the production company Harrison-Berg Presents. The two have collaborated on three successful musicals in five years: “Crossing Over,” “It's A Wonderful Life” and “Soul Harmony.” Their shows have won more than a dozen major Portland awards. Later this year, the two plan to open their first original drama, “Charity Garfine.”

“Crossing Over” returns in a dynamic production at Congregation Beth Israel on March 30, sponsored by the Sisterhood (see page 44). A twoCD set featuring an original cast recording of the songs and the entire seder service from “Crossing Over” is available at the production company website or through Amazon.

“It's a Wonderful Life,” an award-winning score, is now being produced by Harrison-Berg Presents as a new show album. “It's A Wonderful Life” will be available for community and high school theater in 2018.

“Soul Harmony – The Story of Deborah Chessler, Sonny Til and the Orioles” is in preproduction for reopening locally and on the East Coast in 2018.

Karla Green and Richard Garfinkle have joined the new company’s team of producers. mah@teleport.com | Alanbfpd@gmail.com | michaelallenharrison.com/ musical-theater-

Russell McAlmond Ordained as Rabbi

Rabbi Russell McAlmond is Portland’s newest rabbi. He received his rabbinical training and ordination from the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute of New York in January 2017.

“Becoming a rabbi was a later in life decision,” says Rabbi Russell, a long-term resident of Portland, who recently sold the business he had owned for many years. He is a former member of Congregation Neveh Shalom.

JSLI is the rabbinical school for Universal Judaism, a movement Jemi Kostiner Mansfield Mark Meyer & George Macoubray that believes in a more inclusive and welcoming Judaism. Universal Judaism denies that Jews are “chosen,” because it does not believe Jemi serves as director of spiritual life for Cedar Sinai Park. She that G-d chooses a favorite child. The movement also requires the was selected as the 2016 recipient of the Laurie Rogoway Award. support of interfaith marriages and families where all are welcome She previously worked at Congregation Beth Israel from 1992-2015, to participate regardless of any other affiliation. Universal Judaism overseeing life cycle events, clergy management and congregant believes in the equality of every human and every Jew. relationships. Beginning in the early 2000s, her responsibilities Rabbi Russell is a former U.S. Marine. He has an MBA and MSFS stretched to include Beth Israel’s cemetery, including pre-need sales, along with two bachelor degrees in business and organizational records maintenance, database management, historic preservation leadership. His rabbinical thesis was on Mordechai Kaplan’s views on and funeral planning. These skills, along with her deep-rooted love of divine revelation. He also did a study on “Maimonides: The Jewish service to the community, will ensure a smooth transition and strong Aristotle,” which reviewed “The Guide for the Perplexed.” continuation of the services of Hesed Shel Emet.

There is not a Universal Judaism congregation in Portland but could be 503-805-1630 | jemi.mansfield@cedarsinaipark.org | jewishportland. with enough interest, says Rabbi Russell. org/ourcommunity/hesed-shel-emet mcalmond@ymail.com

Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies Forms

The Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies, of which Portland’s Jewish Family & Child Service is a longtime member, has merged with the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services to create The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies. The two organizations bring together 140 Jewish human service agencies in North America and three in Israel.

“This merger is an exciting development for Jewish Family & Child Service and other member agencies,” says Carrie Hoops, executive director of Portland’s JFCS. “As we advocate for needy people in rapidly changing times, it will be invaluable to have even greater access to best practices, innovation and partnerships.”

AJFCA board member Reuben Rotman was named the inaugural chief executive officer of the new organization. His mission is to establish a vibrant association that will become a leading voice for human service organizations and to strengthen agencies so that they can better serve the people who need their help.

Hesed Shel Emet Transition

Beginning Feb. 1 Jemi Kostiner Mansfield became the acting administrator for Hesed Shel Emet, the Oregon Jewish Indigent Burial Society. The program was previously administered by co-founder Debbi Bodie, who has overseen the program since its 2010 inception.

Established by the Oregon Board of Rabbis and facilitated by the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, this partnership is dedicated to assuring that every Jew, regardless of financial means or religious affiliation, receives a dignified, traditional Jewish funeral and burial.

Eco-Friendly Lice Clinic Opens in Portland

Head lice infamously cause stress, disgust and embarrassment for millions of parents whose kids get infested each year. But thanks to the opening of a new Lice Clinics of America clinic, parents in Portland now have a chemical-free treatment option for the bugs.

Local Jewish dads George Macoubray and Mark Meyer opened the clinic because they saw an opportunity to use new technology to solve the ancient problem of head lice. "We both have experienced the frustration of head lice with our own children," George said. "We learned about the AirAllé and we were impressed with the technology that is clinically proven to kill live lice and 99.2 percent of nits."

George’s son graduated from Portland Jewish Academy last year and the family belong to Congregation Beth Israel. Mark’s two children also graduated from PJA, where he has served as past board chair and still serves on the finance committee. Mark is a past board member of the MJCC and the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and is now on the board of Tivnu. The family belongs to Congregation Neveh Shalom, where his wife Marcia teaches in the Foundation School.

Lice Clinics of America-Portland provides screening, diagnosis and treatment options for people infested with head lice. The clinic is staffed by certified operators of the AirAllé device, an FDA-cleared medical device that kills head lice and lice eggs using just heated air. located at 5201 SW Westgate Dr., Suite 106, the clinic is open seven days a week by appointment. The AirAllé treatment takes about 60-90 minutes, and comes with a 30-day guarantee when all family members are treated or screened for head lice.

503-404-0475 | mark@nwliceclinics.com | nwliceclinics.com portlandliceclinics.com OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 15

Developers bullish on Portland

By Deborah Moon

P

Real Estate

“Portland is one of the most unique and dynamic places to be involved in real estate on the entire

16 Portland's Jewish developers

West Coast – if not

21

keep our ‘edge.’ We

Julie Saltzman Leuvrey

affordable, have an

22 Homebuyers tradeoffs

23 Featured Listings

the country. It is important that we are still relatively amazing restaurant scene, have creative juices flowing on every corner, and are a bit ‘weird.’

Portland has a lot to offer! We are just scratching our potential!”

—JORDAN MENASHE

ortland’s skyline is changing, and four Jewish family-owned development companies are doing their part to ensure the change is positive.

“Portland seems like a very healthy real estate market now, and with proper stewardship can continue to be,” says Jack Menashe, president of Ruben J. Menashe, Inc., the company founded by his father in 1962.

Mark Goodman of the Downtown Development Group says his family “has been bullish on our city for a couple generations. … We purchase real estate as a long-term investment and look for opportunities to improve areas within the city of Portland.”

“We are optimistic about the future here in Portland,” says Evan Bernstein, a partner in the firm Pacific NW Properties, which was started by his father-in-law, Tom Stern, in 1990. “Good population growth, a compelling place to live and work, talented workforce and great market fundamentals give us lots of enthusiasm for the years ahead.”

“We are very bullish on Portland,” says Barry Menashe, who with his son, Jordan, operates Menashe Properties. “Portland is in growth mode for a lot of reasons people who live here know well.”

MENASHE PROPERTIES “Portland is one of the most unique and dynamic places to be involved in real estate on the entire West Coast – if not the country,” says Jordan Menashe. “It is important that we keep our ‘edge.’ We are still relatively affordable, have an amazing restaurant scene, have creative juices flowing on every corner and are a bit ‘weird.’ Portland has a lot to offer! We are just scratching our potential!”

The father/son team is also working to enhance Portland’s livability.

For the second year, they have donated space in one of their downtown buildings to serve as a homeless shelter for up to 100 people a night during the winter/spring months. “It’s such a serious problem” says Barry Menashe.

“We want to do our part.”

Founded 30 years ago, the family-owned company has properties in some of Portland’s most vibrant and densely populated neighborhoods. Barry says he is especially excited about a creative office space they are redeveloping at Southwest 12th and Morrison. Located on the west end of downtown Portland, the site boasts 60,000 square feet of office and/or retail space.

To the north in the Pearl District, the company is developing the Canopy Hotel for Hilton at Ninth and Glisan.

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT GROUP Another family with holdings in the downtown core is the Goodmans, who began investing in Portland commercial real estate when Doug Goodman (Mark’s father) and his father, Walter, started City Center Parking in 1955. The company sold the parking business in 2012 but retained ownership of the surface parking lots and buildings “to be used as a platform for generations to make their contribution to the city of Portland,” says Mark.

Continued on page 18

16 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

Below: The LEED Gold Certified Mason Williams building was the second mixed-use project of Ruben Menashe Inc. on North Williams. The 76-unit building has solar-thermal and photo-voltaic solar arrays and two green roofs. Its car-matrix parking stacker system enables more cars to park in less space. It also has two secure bike parking, a fitness center and a community room. Left: Ruben Menashe and Jack Menashe

Ruben J. Menashe, Inc.

Pacific NW Properties

Left: Aerial drone photo of Franklin Business Park II. The 62,000-square-foot multi-tenant business park in Tualatin was completed last year by Pacific NW Properties. Above: Evan Bernstein and Brad Stern in front of the Fourth Plain Business Park that Pacific NW Properties completed in February and Tom Stern.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 17

Real

Estate

“We take great pride in our city and look for specific opportunities that enrich the community,” says Mark, co-president with his brother, Greg. Greg’s older son, Matthew, is vice president and his younger son, Stephen, is expected to join the family business soon. “We stay very involved in the Portland community by supporting numerous charitable organizations and actively participating on civic boards.”

Mark is proud of the properties the family has already developed, including Twelve West and Indigo Apartments located at the corner of 12th and Washington. The building has 12,000 to 15,000 square feet of retail, 90,000 square feet of office space and about 200 apartments. “It’s right in the heart of the West End. That neighborhood is really exciting. It’s a wonderful mix of old and new. Plus it has so many fantastic food and drink and retail options; it’s near bike lanes and transit, and it’s in the heart of night life in the area.”

DDG plans to develop other mixed-use buildings on other sites in the area, including an apartment/retail building they have begun the planning process for on Third and Ash. “Our family started in the parking business and acquired ownership of 25 to 30 lots,” says Mark. “Every one will have a better use than surface parking in its time.”

RUBEN J. MENASHE, INC. Another longtime family firm has focused its recent development on a close-in neighborhood on the east side of the river. Ruben Menashe has been active in Portland real estate since

about 1960.

“It’s a very exciting time to be a developer in Portland because there is so much creative energy being thrown at the revitalization of the urban area,” says Jack Menashe, who is president of his father’s firm, Ruben J. Menashe, Inc. “The adaptive reuse and the renaissance of previously overlooked areas means less sprawl and will continue to make Portland a vibrant and attractive community with an emphasis on its core.”

Jack says the company has focused on the North Williams corridor for the past eight years, long before it became the darling of apartment builders. “We saw a lot of potential on the street,” he says, noting they bought their first lot on the street in 2008.

“When I first looked at the lot, I sat and watched the flow of bike traffic. It was close in, it was clearly a bike corridor and it was just rife with vacant parcels and neglected buildings. It seemed ready for development.”

That first lot is now the site of The Albert, a four-story mixed use building named after Jack’s great-grandfather. Albert Menashe arrived in the United States in 1913. Certified LEED Gold, The Albert is mixed use with ground floor retail and apartments, of which 25% are reserved as low-income housing.

Their fourth building in the corridor will also be mixed use but will not include any apartments. “Our feeling is the North Williams Corridor has seen all the apartments it needs for a while,” says Jack. “We saw a lack of other uses. We wanted to create places where people could work.” So the new building will have ground-floor retail beneath offices, with parking under

4073 N. WILLIAMS

ANOTHER QUALITY DEVELOPMENT by

RUBEN AND JACK MENASHE

Coming Spring 2018, this new office building is in the heart of the vibrant North Williams Corridor. Its’ construction mixes old-world post and beam wood construction with new-world glass “curtain walls” to create a warm feel with abundant natural light. Green Roofs and balconies create an outdoor oasis in an urban landscape.

Sustainably built and ideally situated: Consider it for your new office environment today.

Contact Jack @ 503-255-9680 for more information.

18 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

4073 N WILLIAMS AVE

O

the building. While they do not plan to seek LEED certification for this building, it will be green. “Green building is important to us, and we feel to the future of building,” says Jack. The timber-frame building wrapped in glass will have a green roof (with plantings to combat the heat island effect and provide storm water retention) and green walls (with frames built for plants to grow on the walls).

PACIFIC NW PROPERTIES Another local family focuses much of its attention on business parks around the metro area. Founded by Tom Stern, Pacific NW Properties is a Beavertonbased, family-owned company with about 3.5 million square feet of commercial properties under ownership and management throughout the greater Portland metro area. They are known as one of, if not the, “top business park owner and managers in Portland.”

“Over the past 20 years I have really enjoyed the process of developing business parks and office buildings from the ground up, securing good tenants and then managing these projects says Tom. “How exciting it is that my boys, Brad Stern and Evan Bernstein, also find this challenging, creative and gratifying. L’dor v’dor, from generation to generation.”

Brad adds, “It’s exciting to see all of the development in our market across all product types – office, industrial, multi-family and retail. Look at our downtown skyline. Portland cracked the top five for most construction cranes in the U.S. in 2016, topping New York City and San Francisco.”

Last year the firm completed a two-building, 62,000-square-foot, multi-tenant business park in Tualatin called Franklin Business Park II. “Within four months of delivery, the asset was 100% leased with 10 new dynamic tenants and friends,” says Evan. “This is the fastest we’ve ever leased up a speculative development in our 26-year history.”

They plan to add a third building across the street later this year.

Pacific NW’s most recent development is the Fourth Plain Business Park in Vancouver, completed in February.

The 40,000-square-foot, light industrial and retail building is on the corner of Fourth Plain and 152nd Avenue.

“Coming out of one of the darkest times and worst recessions our market has ever experienced from 2009 to 2012 or so, it’s been wonderful to see so many people in our industry doing well over the past several years,” says Evan. “Our tenants are thriving Top right: Twelve West and Indigo Apartments is a mixed-use, LEED Platinum certified building that serves as a laboratory for cuttingedge, sustainable design strategies. It serves as the home for six street level retail tenants including Lardo, Blue Star Doughnuts, Racion, Grassa, Fluevog Shoes and Prima Hair Design; has four floors of office space for ZGF Architects LLP, 17 floors of apartments and five levels of below-grade parking. The building has an eco-roof, rooftop garden and terrace space, complete fitness studio and a theatre. The four wind turbines atop the building represent the first U.S. installation of a wind turbine array on an urban high-rise.

Downtown Development Group

Doug Goodman

Mark Goodman

Greg Goodman

Matthew Goodman OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 19

Real

Estate and showing tons of confidence, contractors are busy, brokers are making a few shekels; we love it when our partners and friends are knocking it out of the park!�

Menashe Properties Above: Rendering of newly approved 12th Street and Morrison Street, retail and office building. Right: Barry Menashe and Jordan Menashe.

LEADERSHIP FOR A STRONG COMMUNITY In addition to the growth these noteworthy developers provide the general community, they are all involved in the Jewish community, as well. Many are members of Portland synagogues including Congregations Beth Israel, Neveh Shalom and Shaarie Torah. Most support the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland or have served on federation committees. Many have been involved with organizations such as Cedar Sinai Park, Jewish Family & Child Service, Mittleman Jewish Community Center, Camp Solomon Schechter and the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation.

The Jewish community and Portland overall are lucky to have developers focused on the current and future well-being of our region.

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20 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

Julie Saltzman Leuvrey stands on the dock of the Salish Ponds in Fairview across from The Lodges at Lake Salish, apartments that the company developed in 2004.

Family company branches out, grows big time

By Deborah Moon

F

rom its roots in the lumber industry, the Oregon Pacific Investment and Development Company has grown into the owner/manager of multifamily housing, retail and industrial properties in three states.

Despite the firm’s name, “we are no longer developers,” says Co-President Julie Saltzman Leuvrey, daughter of company founder Jack Saltzman, z’l. “We have switched our strategy to buying existing properties and renovating them – what is called a value-add acquisition strategy.”

In 2004 the family-owned company shifted from development to purely acquisition. OPID now has six commercial properties plus about 1,000 multifamily units in eight properties in Oregon; 457 multifamily units in two properties in Arizona; and three properties with 616 multifamily units in California.

“We typically have developed or renovated to own and manage,” says Julie. “We have passed on a lot of opportunities over the years, because we analyze the property with a longterm perspective – would we want to own it over various real estate cycles.”

In Oregon Julie is proudest of a 198-unit multifamily development completed in 1999. It is a sister property to one her father developed in 1980, a 14-story tower built, coincidentally, on the site of the home where Jack Saltzman

grew up, which became part of the South Auditorium Urban Renewal Area. The two buildings were renamed Linc 245 and Linc 301 in tribute to the light rail line that now runs down Lincoln Street.

Julie says Linc 245, a five-story midrise with subterranean parking, “gives us a great sense of accomplishment. … At the time, it was difficult to attract residential development downtown, which is hard to believe now. The property also includes 40 tax credit units affordable to people making 50% of area median income.”

The Portland market historically attracted only local developers, she explains. Now it has attracted developers from outside of the area in large numbers. Initially, she says, most of the national players invested only in downtown office and retail, and in Westside suburban submarkets for multifamily.

“That all began to change in the last decade and greatly accelerated during the last growth cycle, which began around 2012/13,” she says. “Now Portland is attracting people from all over the country as well as some international investors.

One example is The Yard, a residential development on the east side of the Burnside Bridge. It just sold for a record price to Thai investors.”

The family-owned OPID has a long history in Oregon. Jack Saltzman was born in 1920 to immigrant parents in Portland.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 21

Real He died in 2004, but Julie still calls him her role model and inspiration as well as the founder of the family business.

He grew up selling newspapers on a street corner to help support the family, before graduating from the University of Oregon and serving in the Navy. “He was part of the Greatest Generation,” says Julie.

Jack started a lumber brokerage business in 1946 and got interested in real estate development while building warehouses for his lumber company.

“I think he became tired of the volatility in the lumber industry and decided to give real estate development a try,” says Julie. “Oregon Pacific Forest Products was sold to the employees, and he created Oregon Pacific Investment and Development Company. He was a great role model for his work ethic, his loyalty to his employees and his unassuming nature.”

Julie earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California-Santa Barbara, receiving the Santa Barbara City Club award, given annually to the top six women graduating with liberal arts degrees.

“I used my award to return to France, where I had studied during fall term of my senior year,” she says.

In France she met her husband, Eric Leuvrey, now a global executive account manager at Mentor Graphics.

The couple moved to San Francisco in 1984, where Julie worked at two real estate investment advisors and completed an MBA in finance and real estate at UC Berkeley. They moved to Portland and Julie joined the family business in the early 1990s, when her father was having health issues.

The couple’s two children – Nicolas, 22, and Allisa, 19 – are both students at their grandfather’s alma mater, U of O. Julie says it is a coincidence her sister, Barbara, who works in OPID handling property management and accounting, and she “married men with very similar last names that are pronounced almost identically!” Barbara’s husband, Randy Lovre, is co-president of OPID. The family tradition of philanthropy is also still a central family value.

“My family has supported the (Jewish) Federation for a long time as well as the Jewish Community Center and other Jewish causes. We continue to support the federation in honor of our parents and to support the Jewish community here in Portland.”

Additionally, Julie is a member of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute Council and notes, “We have supported the Knight in many of its capital campaigns.” She also supports a number of causes such as Friends of the Children and Habitat for Humanity. opidportland.com | 503-225-1102

22 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

Estate

Consider trade-offs that make you happy when buying a home

By Deborah Moon

W

hen you buy a home, you need to consider what is most important to your

happiness.

“It’s a game of trade-offs,” says Matt Parker, author of three real estate books, including his 2015 book Real Estate Smart: The New Home Buying Guide. The Seattle real estate professional MATT PARKER has contributed to regional and national print and television real estate media since 2008.

Ask yourself “Would I rather have this or that?” he says. For example, “If you buy a waterfront home, it won’t be as nice as you could have somewhere else for the same money.”

Matt encourages people looking for a new home to consider what room makes them the happiest. He says many people are drawn to elaborate master suites. “But people don’t spend time in the master suite. If you look at trade-offs, you want to be happy with the kitchen at the expense of other rooms in the home.”

The kitchen?

Matt cites a study from UCLA that looks at the waking time people spend in different rooms of their home. “They found that people spend 80% of their time in the kitchen or rooms immediately adjacent to the kitchen,” he says, noting people cook, eat, watch TV and socialize in and around their kitchen.

The enjoyment a kitchen offers is enhanced by an open-concept floor plan that has lines of sight and lines of conversation between rooms, he says.

“With an open-concept home, you can monitor the kids in adjoining spaces while you cook the family dinner. When you host a party, you can cook and pour drinks while socializing with your guests at the same time,” he says.

Many older homes do not have an open floor plan, but if the price of the house would allow you to consider a remodel, he suggests considering that. Homes built in the 1920s often are difficult to open up since load-bearing walls often enclose the kitchen, he says. But many homes built in the 1950s or ’60s have easier options for opening up or expanding the kitchen.

All in all, he says that when you are looking at a home, remember to consider, “Is this kitchen somewhere I like being?”

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OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 23

NESHAMA CARLEBACH brings father’s legacy of love to Oregon

BY DEBORAH MOON

our years after her last tour, Neshama Carlebach is once again on the world stage singing the beloved songs of her late father, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, and sharing his message of love for all humanity.

Neshama will be in Ashland for an April 7-8 “Legacy” Shabbaton featuring a concert, storytelling, teaching and conversation, all intermingled with music.

After f our years spent in courtrooms in an “intense divorce,” Neshama says she emerged with an even stronger sense of self, a restored relationship with God and a renewed commitment to share her father’s legacy of music and love for humanity. She resumed her appearances in October of last year and was gratified to be so in demand after her hiatus with bookings across America, Israel and even Cuba.

She was not grateful to find that the world needed her father’s music, message and love more than ever. The U.S. election was the most divisive ever, and religious divides in Israel were heated.

During Hanukkah, she was singing with the Women of the Wall at the Kotel when they were set upon by screaming haredi women, an event from which she is still reeling.

Continued on page 26

24 MARCH OREGON2017 JEWISH | OREGON LIFE | JEWISH MARCH 2017 LIFE

“In my humble opinion, love is our only hope. Music is a manifestation of love.”

PHOTO BY MICHAEL ALBANY

OREGON OREGON JEWISH JEWISH LIFE LIFE ||MARCH MARCH2017 2017 25

NESHAMA CARLEBACH

“In my humble opinion, love is our only hope,” says Neshama. “Music is a manifestation of love. There is harmony in music. It is a language we can all relate to. … Music is a very big unifying force in our world. We all need each other.”

She describes her father as the embodiment of that harmony.

Reb Shlomo has been called the most influential composer of Jewish religious music of the 20 th century. The folksy, guitarplaying Orthodox rabbi created hundreds of uplifting melodies including legendary classics such as “Am Yisrael Chai.”

“He loved humanity,” says Neshama. “He wanted to give the best of himself to everyone he met. … I hope I can continue to keep him here with music.”

Her Ashland Shabbaton is part of that mission. She last sang in Ashland in 1993.

“Reb Shlomo left a great legacy to the entire Jewish world,” says Rabbi David Zaslow of Havurah Shir Hadash, organizer of the Shabbaton. “Not only is his music sung in so many synagogues, but the way he combined Torah teachings, storytelling and music was unique. He didn’t just teach and then sing a song. He sang his teachings, chanted his stories and told his melodies.”

Havurah Shir Hadash brought Reb Shlomo to Ashland twice in the early 1990s. On his second visit, the Jewish community in southern Oregon also met Neshama.

“She was just a teenager then, but the power of her voice and her spiritual presence was palpable,” says Rabbi David of that concert with her father. “We all knew then that she wasn’t just singing songs, but she was singing to G-d, she was singing for G-d. None of us knew then that it was going to be Neshama who would inherit the legacy of Torah teachings, music and storytelling of her father.”

26 MARCH OREGON2017 JEWISH | OREGON LIFE | JEWISH MARCH 2017 LIFE

Neshama rocketed into the public spotlight in 1994 when her father died after suffering a heart attack during an airline flight while on a worldwide tour – a tour she felt compelled to continue so as not to disappoint her father’s fans.

Neshama was raised in the Orthodox world, which prohibits men from hearing women sing, and she initially did not want to sing on stage with her father. But it was a way to feel close to the man who seemed to belong to the world. When the two began performing together, they were both vilified for breaking the kol isha prohibition.

When her father died, Neshama stepped in and sang at the concerts booked before his death. While she was assailed by some for her audacity to perform for men, many more were thrilled to hear her carry on the legacy. Two of her first concerts in 1994 were in Oregon – Portland and Eugene.

“At the very beginning, I sang because I was desperate for the world not to forget him; it was connected to my own sorrow,” explains Neshama. “It took me several years to own the fact I had something to offer myself. I had to accept that I am also a healer and valuable.”

She performed tirelessly for 15 years, culminating in 2011 with her seventh recording, “Higher, Higher,” which was a sixtime entrant in the 2011 Grammy Awards. With two young sons and a crumbling marriage, the next year her performing became sporadic.

“I was so full of sadness, I wasn’t able to be there for people, I couldn’t give back love,” she says. “I had no music in my heart and head.”

Looking back, she finds the painful journey served a valuable purpose.

“How would we know we were happy if we never felt pain,”

she says. “No one wants to live in pain, but if you knew you would survive, if you could tell yourself you will get through. … I was so full of sadness, now I’m feeling healed and ready to give.”

“What a gift to have something that breaks you in half and then rebuild; now I feel so whole,” says Neshama, adding she no longer recognizes the person she was before her divorce journey began. “Every day I get to sing, I’m giggling. Now I am awake – what a gift that is.”

But this time around she is remembering to maintain a life/ work balance. Rather than a traditional tour, Neshama says she follows a schedule that suits her lifestyle yet enables her to share her father’s legacy with the world. As the mother of two sons, she says she does quick “in and out” appearances on the weekends the boys are with their father, and then she spends the week relishing her role as a single mother.

Her sons have both been called music prodigies. Micah, 6, is nicknamed Mini Jimi at the music academy where he is the youngest student and plays Jimi Hendrix on his guitar.

Rafael, 10, has been known as a drum prodigy for a few years.

Neshama says she sees her father reflected in her sons’ talents.

“They are my best thing in the world,” she says, adding, “My mother spends a lot of time with me, and my father is with me from another space – the circle is full.”

In September she performed at the International Lions of Judah conference, in October she started touring in earnest performing in four states and in November she was inducted into the Brooklyn Jewish Hall of Fame.

Her fall tour included some interfaith appearances with the Glory to God Singers, a gospel choir she began singing with many years ago. Just as she has reached out to all branches

Left to right: Neshama and her father, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach PHOTO BY JOAN ROTH

Neshama and Milton Vann PHOTO BY MF ANDREWS Neshama in Central Park, New York City PHOTO BY DARI CARLEBACH of Judaism, she also wants to reach out to other faiths as she continues to embrace her father’s love of all humanity.

“We are singing together because we are brothers and sisters,” Neshama says. “The love we give to audiences can make a difference. … At this point in our country's history I will fight harder than ever to be connecting and to love every human being.”

Then in December she experienced firsthand the religious divide in Israel. Invited to sing during a Hanukkah celebration in the Jewish homeland, she traveled there, eager to also visit the Kotel, which her sons call “Hashem’s House.” She joined the Women of the Wall for a rosh chodesh (new moon) prayer service, recalling that her father bought the first Torah for those women in 1993. Not only was the prayer service disrupted, but her sponsors withheld payment for her trip, treating her as a “fallen soul in need of saving.”

In an article in The Forward, Neshama described the chaos at the Kotel: “Then, while singing my father’s Pitchu Li, the prayer for opening the Gates of Justice, I felt the air shift and grow colder. The sounds of shrill whistles filled my ears and the voices of my sisters were buried.

Where there had been peace and happiness, I was now engulfed in fear.

“The whistles and screams grew louder. I soon realized that our Continued on page 28

OREGON OREGON JEWISH JEWISH LIFE LIFE ||MARCH MARCH2017 2017 27

NESHAMA CARLEBACH attackers were other women. Standing with their backs to the Kotel and God, they yelled “Chilul Hashem!!” (desecration of God’s name).

“Zonot!” (whores). When they ran out of breath to scream, they blew their painful, screeching whistles.

“The women around me prayed louder for we were not just singing for God; we were engaged in battle. Unaccustomed to confrontation of this sort, I could not hold back my tears, my horror and shame. As the first Orthodox woman to publicly sing for a mixed audience I have faced criticism, scorn and judgment my entire life but this was a new level of assault. I stared at their angry faces.

Are we all not Jews? Are we not one People, arevim zeh lazeh, responsible for one another?”

The day after Neshama drafted this essay, Israel’s high court ruled that the Western Wall Rabbi must explain why women should not be allowed to pray at the traditional plaza. Neshama added a paragraph to her piece before it was published, RECORDINGS BY ending with the prayer: NESHAMA CARLEBACH “Blessed, Holy One: Please Open the Gates of Justice to Soul usher in this long-overdue HaNeshama Shel Shlomo change. Let us pass through (duet with Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach) your sheltering arms, embrace Dancing with My Soul each other as one and sing Ani Shelach your praises.”

Journey The Women of the Wall One and One also enjoy the support of Higher and Higher the Reform Movement, one Every Little Soul Must Shine (a lullaby record for PJ Library) of the reasons Neshama Soul Daughter proclaimed her solidarity with the movement three years ago.

“I feel in alignment with the Reform community,” she says. “When URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs’ spoke on Audacious Hospitality, I was moved to tears.”

The URJ website defines Audacious Hospitality as “the focused effort to embrace our diversity and reach out to those currently not engaged in Jewish life. … Audacious Hospitality is a transformative spiritual practice rooted in the belief that we will be a stronger, more vibrant Jewish community when we fully welcome and incorporate the diversity that is the reality of modern Jewish life.”

Neshama says a Judaism where everyone is welcome resonates with her. “That to me is my father’s Judaism. It is the Neshama in Central Park, New York City PHOTO BY ALEYAH SOLOMON Judaism I want to give my children.”

While a Judaism that welcomes everyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation or difference appeals greatly to message and her father’s songs next month in Ashland.

Neshama, she says she is not a Reform Jew or an Orthodox Retired Temple Beth Israel Rabbi Yitz Husbands-Hankin Jew. is looking forward to this Shabbaton. He was the rabbi of that “I feel just Jewish,” she explains. “It is time to break down Eugene shul when it hosted Reb Shlomo during his Oregon the walls and be one and be present together. Nothing matters visits. more. Let’s be one.”

“I am enthusiastic about hearing Neshama as she carries Finding unity rather than building walls is the message forward her father’s great legacy,” says Rabbi Yitz. “Reb Neshama hopes to share at the many bookings she has Shlomo, z’l, had an extremely rare and precious gift for bringing accepted in the coming months. Oregonians can hear that pure and holy music into this world. He seemingly held the

28 MARCH OREGON2017 JEWISH | OREGON LIFE | JEWISH MARCH 2017 LIFE

NESHAMA CARLEBACH SHABBATON WHEN: April 7-8 WHERE: Havurah Shir Hadash, Ashland SCHEDULE: Friday evening: Neshama will lead some prayers and songs and tell stories; a highlight will be a “conversation” with Rabbi David Zaslow talking to Neshama informally before the congregation about her work in carrying on the legacy of her once-in-a-lifetime father.

Saturday morning Torah service: Featuring Neshama teaching, storytelling and singing.

Saturday afternoon: Workshops (to be announced) followed by a shuk.

Saturday night concert: Storytelling, anecdotes and singing by Neshama. Storyteller Rebbetzin Devorah Zaslow, who was a friend of Reb Shlomo, will share one of his stories. Rabbi David will “have the honor of singing a song of his.”

TICKETS: $125 (early bird) or $150 after March 16, which includes the Friday evening oneg and a fish or vegetarian luncheon on Saturday.

(Partial work/trade available through executive director Ayala Zonnenschein at ayala@ashlandhavurah.org) REGISTRATION: 541-488-7716 or havurahshirhadash.org keys to the heavenly chambers from which sacred melody flowed. His music touched people of all ages, Jews and nonJews, because of the stunning beauty found in his melodies. I look forward to seeing Neshama at the Shabbaton and to seeing how she is adding her own voice to the music and message of the Carlebach legacy.”

Neshama says, “I am ready to do my part to fight in the revolution for love.”

OREGON OREGON JEWISH JEWISH LIFE LIFE ||MARCH MARCH2017 2017 29

Enduring Relationships

Great things grow from friendships started at camp

CAMP

30

Enduring Relationships from camp 34 One Happy Camper scholarship 36 Q&A on what first-time campers can expect 38 Preparing kids with special needs for camp 40 Camp Directory

By Deborah Moon

T

he air may still have a winter’s chill, but working parents are already thinking of summer – and how they will keep their children entertained during the months off from school.

But summer camp is about so much more than keeping children safe and happy. It is an opportunity for them to grow in so many ways – not the least of which is creating and nourishing their own friendships. The friends children make at camp often become lifetime pals, confidantes and even spouses.

What makes those ties so precious? We interviewed an assortment of adults in quest of the answer.

WEDDING BELLS Overnight Jewish camps have inspired their fair share of weddings. For decades most camps had separate boys and girls sessions, so couples who found wedded bliss at camp in those years had to wait till they were on staff for their first introduction.

Linda and Larry Veltman have been married for 51 years. Both Portland natives, their paths had crossed when they were young children, but they hadn’t seen each other for years. In June 1962 they met again as teens at B’nai B’rith Camp, where Linda was a counselor for the girls’ session, and Larry spent the entire summer as a lifeguard for boys’ and girls’ sessions.

“We met again at the old JCC on Southwest 13th, waiting for the bus to take us to camp for counselor training,” says Linda. “We both had just completed our freshman year in college, and I think we both were ‘interested’ upon meeting again. Immediately we seemed to have so much in common, laughed a lot and enjoyed our time together every day. … When I returned to Portland after three weeks, we had already decided we would marry – and we never doubted our decision. That was 54 years ago; we have been married for 51 years, have two daughters who attended BB Camp and now have two granddaughters who have attended BB.” Married 38 years, Barb (Hopfer) and Randy Gordon also met while teenagers on the staff of BB Camp.

A Portland native, Barb started working

30 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

at camp in 1973. Randy was drawn from St. Louis to Oregon in 1975 when the director of Missouri’s Camp Sabra became director of BB Camp and recruited some of his former staff.

“I was 17 and he was 19,” says Barb. “He was funny and we both admired the camp director, Mike Lainoff. … We became great friends and wrote letters (after camp was over for the summer).We both had things going on – he was in college in Missouri, and I was living in Israel for a while.”

They developed an enduring relationship, says Barb, because of “our friendship, our love for camp and working with kids and being part of a team.”

Barb is executive assistant at BB Camp, and Randy is a mental health therapist. Both of their children went to BB Camp as campers and staff.

Hailey (Stern) and Evan Bernstein met as counselors at Camp Solomon Schechter in 1999; they have now been married for more than seven years and have a toddler named Jory.

“Each summer was a highlight of my childhood,” says Hailey. “I attended public schools growing up and had just a few Jewish friends. One of the incredibly special things about camp was being surrounded with Jews and the special relationships made.”

“We dated that summer, then took a six-year break before meeting up again in 2005,” says Evan. “We fell in love (again) on that first night and have been together ever since.”

Hailey says that in 1999, Evan was her first boyfriend.

“After camp, he served as the benchmark to which I compared every other guy I ever dated,” she says. “Obviously, no one came close to measuring up.”

“After our success, we are DEFINITELY sending our kids to summer camp,” says Evan.

Sam and Rachel Rubens met as junior counselors at Solomon Schechter, where Rachel had been a camper for several years. Sam was going in to his junior year of high school and Rachel her senior year. They married in May 2010 and have a daughter, Sydney.

Though the couple had a lot in common and were friends with many of the same people, they Continued on page 32

Right: Evan and Hailey Bernstein 2016 in Greece and in 1999

Right: Matthew and Melissa Korch at camp in 2016; the Korch's at camp 2008

From left, Barb, Leah, Savannah, Aaron and Randy Gordon

Above: Brooke Marquardt reads to another camper; Right: Brooke, Damaris Cowgill and their daughters today

Left: Sam and Rachel Rubens 2001 and today with daughter Sydney Karen Twain's camp gang

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 31

CAMPS lost contact after their first summer together.

“We got back together during the following summer and have been together ever since – going on 16 years, six of which married,” says Rachel, adding they will definitely send their children to Jewish camp.

Matthew and Melissa Korch met at Solomon Schechter as campers. They started dating in 2008 during their second summer as girls’ and boys’ side supervisors and married in 2014. They agree that being in a Jewish space surrounded by Jewish friends is a defining experience.

The couple believe that camp is built on the ideas of building lasting relationships and making memories within a Jewish context.

Both grew up having strong Jewish identities and value Jewish community. After years at camp together, the two feel they know they are a good team and balance each other well.

“We will absolutely send our kids to Camp Solomon Schechter,” says Melissa.

FRIENDS FOR LIFE Mac Weinstock and four of his friends from Camp Solomon Schechter now all attend Colorado State University, where Mac and Jack Hirsch are both part of the Jewish fraternity AEPi. Mac and Aviva Lessnick had known each other two years before she persuaded her synagogue friends Savannah Pessin and Jack to join her at Schechter before eighth grade.

“Camp enhances our friendship in that we’ve been a part of each other’s lives for so long because of camp that it is almost implied we are all here for each other wherever we are,” says Mac. “We’ve all seen each other go through braces, boyfriends/girlfriends and adolescence, which is something shared from camp, that creates a connection (in which) no one else can say they play a part. I think we will stay in touch after college; seeing as we have such an extensive history, it would be a shame if we didn’t.”

At age 8 Irving Potter met six lifelong friends sharing a cabin at BB Camp in 1956. Most of the boys remained cabin mates for several years. After meeting at camp, they would see each other at the JCC and Hebrew school before heading off to different colleges. But they stayed connected.

“Their families became my extended family,” says Irv. “We just have always had much in common. Plus, life cycle events always brought us back together – some good, like weddings and b’nai mitzvot, some not so good, like family deaths. We’re always there to support each other.”

He still spends camp time with two of those friends at the end of every summer when they return to BB Camp for Men’s Camp.

“The core of my adult social circle is comprised of my original camp friends and their other friends and relatives – mostly friends with one or two degrees of separation at most,” he adds.

Karen Twain, who met her first camp friends at Camp Solomon Schechter at age 9, likewise has joined her friends at life cycle events from bar/bat mitzvahs to funerals.

“We have been there for each other during every life event (weddings, bar mitzvahs), battles with cancer, etcetera,” she explains. “The bottom line is we still laugh about things we did at camp all those years ago. It’s a bond you can’t break.”

Growing up in Beaverton with “hardly any” Jewish classmates, 32 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

she enjoyed the Jewish community she found at Schechter. “You play, pray and sing Jewish songs together,” she says. “Even when you play basketball, they tie it back to Judaism.”

It’s a close friendship that has extended to the next generation, as well. Her children Karen, 18, and Oliver, 16, both followed their mom as Schechter campers and have formed their own close friendships.

DOR L’DOR Marian and Oliver Twain “both went up and down the I-5 corridor to all their friends b’nai mitzvot and had large contingents at theirs,” says Karen, adding they have continued the same friendships and stayed in touch as they get older.

Last year Marian spent a semester in Israel at the Alexander Muss High School. Since Solomon Schechter recruits campers and staff members from Israel, she had a group of friends to visit while she was there. She was excited to see them in person outside of camp, because they are the friends she turns to when she has a decision to make or when something is bugging her.

“Four of my closest friends from camp live in Israel,” says Marian, noting that they stay in touch almost daily with FaceTime and Snapchat. “They are my go-to people. I talk to them before school friends.”

While overnight camps are often called the source of lifelong friendships, returning to the same day camp year after year also can create close friendships, some of which also extend across generations.

Brooke Marquardt and Damaris Cowgill, both now 36, met at Willowbrook Arts Camp when they were 4 and 5, respectively.

Initially they would spend the whole summer together but not see each other much during the school year; Damaris attended schools in Tualatin, and Brooke was at Catlin Gable from kindergarten through high school Damaris says that changed “as soon as we were old enough to drive our own social engagements.” When Brooke headed to college in Boston, the two drove across country together and Damaris stayed for a week while they explored the city; Damaris calls it “one of my fondest young adult experiences.” Brooke visited Damaris in Arizona twice during college, and the two were still fast friends when both returned to the Portland area after graduation.

“We have similar interests, and Brooke brings a great balance to my personality,” says Damaris. “We were raised with a lot of the same values” on the environment, conservation, education and global issues.

Brooke says she believes friendships thrive at Willowbrook, because unlike many day camps, campers have a lot of freedom to choose how they want to spend their time. Campers can focus on pottery, stained glass, nature or a wide variety of other art forms.

“I have a handful of friends I went to high school and college with,” says Damaris, “but hands down I have more lasting friendships from my years growing up at Willowbrook than all the others combined.”

Last summer the two friends took their 4-year-old daughters to Willowbrook, and the cycle seems destined to repeat itself. Everly and Stella are already fast friends, and the girls and their mothers are looking forward to the return to Willowbrook this summer.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 33

CAMPS

First-time campers eligible for $1,000 grants

N

umerous studies have shown youth benefit from attending sleepaway camps. Jewish sleepaway camps not only help young campers learn valuable life skills, they have the added benefit of creating confident, engaged Jewish adults.

A study by the Foundation for Jewish Camp on the long-term impact of Jewish overnight camp offers compelling evidence that camp builds Jewish identity, community and leadership. The study found that adults who attended Jewish overnight camp are 30% more likely to donate to a Jewish federation, 37% more likely to light candles regularly for Shabbat, 45% more likely to attend synagogue at least once a month and 55% more likely to feel very emotionally attached to Israel.

To enable as many children as possible to experience the power of Jewish camp, FJC created the One Happy Camper program to provide need-blind grants of $1,000 to families with children attending nonprofit Jewish overnight camp for the first time. FJC partnered with Jewish federations, foundations and camps to develop the program.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland now fully funds the grants for campers from the greater Portland metro area, including Southwest Washington. The JFGP, unlike most of the funders nationally, has opened the grants to students of Jewish day

Camp Miriam Join us on beautiful Gabriola Island, BC Youth led Inclusive community Progressive Jewish values

“funnest sleepover ever”

A place where I can be myself 34 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

schools. Last year 73 campers received grants from the Portland federation.

Campers can select from more than 155 different camps across North America. If they want to stay in this region, eligible camps in the Pacific Northwest include B’nai B’rith Camp in Oregon; Camp Solomon Schechter, URJ Camp Kalsman and Sephardic Adventure Camp in Washington; and Camp Miriam and Camp Hatikva in British Columbia.

While there is no application deadline, grants are only available until funds allocated to the program have been given out. Visit OneHappyCamper.org to find a Jewish camp and to apply for a grant.

Other support for local campers is provided by the Kailes Campership Scholarship at the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation.

The Albert J. Kailes Memorial Scholarship of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation provides partial scholarships for Oregon youth and teens to attend Jewish overnight camps in the United States. The average scholarship last year was $300. To be eligible, an applicant must be a Jewish resident of Oregon and must demonstrate financial need. For more information and an application (due March 8), visit ojcf.org/grants-and-scholarships/ receive-a-scholarship/.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 35

Young campers have fun at B'nai B'rith Camp near the Oregon coast.

Expert’s tips for making a happy camper

H

ow can you ensure your child will be a happy camper this summer?

Kevin Nissen, camp director of Friendly Pines overnight camp in Arizona, has been helping children thrive at camp since 1990. So we asked him what parents need to know before sending their children to camp. The following Q&A has been edited for clarity and brevity.

IS THERE AN IDEAL AGE FOR OVERNIGHT CAMP? There is no perfect age. Many parents believe 6, 7 and 8 are too young. While that may be true for many children, parents would be surprised how well younger campers do. Younger campers live so much in the moment that they are easily distracted from thoughts of home; an 11- or 12-year-old who has never been away from home might struggle a bit more.

IS IT IMPORTANT FOR THE CAMP TO BE AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION ACCREDITED? The ACA is the only accrediting body in the industry – and the process of getting accredited is extensive. ACA accreditation is the only real way for a parent to know if a camp is meeting standards in the areas of staffing, safety, programs, health care, training, supervision, transportation, etc.

HOW DO CAMPS HANDLE HOMESICKNESS? There are varying approaches on handling homesickness, but most camps recognize missing home as a difficult but necessary part of growing up. Those first ventures into the world of independence and self-reliance can be tricky for any boy or girl – no matter how confident they may seem at school or on sports teams. If both camp and parents resolve to work as a team to encourage and support the camper, all campers will eventually adjust to being away from home. Experience has shown that calling home doesn’t help that much in curing homesickness; in fact, it usually makes it worse.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR CHILD IS READY FOR OVERNIGHT CAMP? If a child expresses any interest, he or she is probably ready.

If they have spent the night away from home, they are probably ready. Campers acclimate to the new environment at different paces, but in the end they all do acclimate.

The way a camper becomes ready for overnight camp is to go to overnight camp. I realize that sounds like an approach from another era, but aren’t a lot of things like this? Learning to swim.

Learning to read. Learning to like new foods. Granted, sending your child off to summer camp is a bigger leap of faith than having him or her try broccoli, but parents should rest assured that a well-established, accredited camp will keep their children safe and provide them with every chance in the world to grow and be happy.

36 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

SHOULD KIDS GO WITH FRIENDS, OR IS IT BETTER IF THEY GO ON THEIR OWN? There are arguments on both sides. Going with a friend can reduce stress if a camper is a bit anxious. Many parents, however, prefer to send their child alone. When a camper must navigate a new environment and make new friends, the camp experience is richer and more impactful.

SHOULD PARENTS ASK FOR REFERENCES FROM A CAMP? Any camp should be able to provide you with a list of camp

families willing to speak honestly about the camp. The list of parents should include those who match your own family’s circumstance.

HOW SHOULD YOU PREPARE A CHILD FOR CAMP? Seeing the camp is a great way to prepare a child for camp.

Walking the grounds and inspecting a cabin removes some of the mystery. Don’t ask things like, “Are you nervous about camp, Billy?” The question may only make things worse. Instead, be encouraging. Tell your camper how excited you are for him or her and about all the fun that awaits.

It’s important for parents to realize that the experiences and lessons campers take away from their time at summer camp will be profoundly personal. The lessons may not be what you expected or the same ones that influenced you when you were a camper.

Your camper will be making his own choices. She will be making her own mistakes and feeling the consequences. Counselors are always at the camper’s side to encourage and support, but campers decide themselves whether to keep trying a difficult activity.

Parents need to be confident that they have selected a camp that will keep their loved ones safe and lovingly mentored.

Sometimes it’s hard for parents to allow this much distance between themselves and their children, but they need to trust that they have raised children capable of making this important journey of self-discovery.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 37

CAMPS

Kids, ADHD & Camp: Tips to ensure an awesome summer experience

By Robin Finn

I

spent seven of the best summers of my life at camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. As an adult, I became a public health professional turned ADHD advocate, spiritual seeker, essayist and author – and a mother of three.

As they say, “l’dor v’dor,” from generation to generation: one of the key experiences I hoped to pass along to my kids was the opportunity to become summer campers. Camp had a pivotal and positive impact on my childhood. I wanted my kids to have the same.

For kids with ADHD, camp can be a wonderful experience, but planning ahead is critical. We’ve all heard of shalom bayit, or peace in the house. Following these simple rules can help lead to a summer of shalom kvutza, or “peace in the cabin.”

CHOOSE A CAMP THAT’S A GOOD FIT The outlook of the staff is what makes summer camp a safe and

38 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

magical place. Some camps focus on building athletic prowess, others on musical talents, others on religious values and some feature all of the above. For ADHD kids, the opportunity to be away from home, manage their own schedules, navigate conflict, act as a team player and even locate and clean their Shabbat clothes can have a lasting positive impact on their confidence all year long. With a little extra support, camp life creates a sense of accomplishment and acceptance that can truly transform a child.

At the camp my children attend, community and inclusion are values. Make sure your values are in line with those of the camp to ensure a successful summer.

COMMUNICATE HONESTLY WITH CAMP Most sleepaway camps ask for a list of medications your child needs while away from home. But not all ask about the child’s experience with transitions. Is he or she a good sleeper? How flexible is your child about food? Is he a good conflict resolver?

Is she particularly sensitive? Kids with ADHD may feel anxious about not knowing the schedule or with whom they are sharing a bunk. Painting an accurate picture of your child’s strengths and weaknesses will help camp staffers prepare for a successful session.

PLAN AHEAD WITH YOUR CHILD Think ahead and help your child solve problems in advance.

My son had a hard time falling asleep. Leaving for camp with an Itty Bitty book light and two novels helped ensure that he not only had a way to help himself fall asleep that wouldn’t disturb others, but also that he wouldn’t have to worry about it. Simply knowing he was going off to camp with a book light made an anxious situation a lot less anxiety-provoking.

LET GO OF THE SMALL STUFF ADHD kids can have a particularly difficult time keeping track of belongings. With swimsuits, towels and jackets going on and off, camp can be a real challenge in this regard. Let your kids off the hook early. Pack old, inexpensive items and label everything. That way they know – in advance – “if you can’t find it, it’s no big deal.” Anxiety can be a real problem for kids with ADHD. I don’t want mine spending the summer worrying about losing stuff. Some items won’t make it home – no big deal.

This puts their minds at ease.

HAVE A “PEACE PLAN” IN PLACE Multiple bunkmates, lack of sleep, a change in eating habits and a lot of stimulation can be challenging for any child. For ADHD kids, this can cause distress. As they acclimate to the camp environment, what can your child do if they are feeling out of sorts? Is there a quiet corner they can hang out in? A counselorbuddy they can talk to? Can they drop by the health center and

say hi to a nurse? Pop in the office and sit on the couch?

Being caught off guard can be really hard for an ADHD kid. Work with the camp to create a “peace Robin Finn plan” and communicate it to your child. It empowers them to know how to handle their feelings and, once again, knowing the plan significantly reduces anxiety.

Making sure the camp’s values are in line with yours, sharing honestly with the camp about your child’s strengths and weaknesses, and helping your child come up with solutions for possibly challenging situations boosts their confidence and increases the chances that your child will have an awesome summer. And isn’t that what camp is all about?

Robin Finn is a lifelong lover of summer camp. She lives with her husband and family in Los Angeles. Her first novel, Restless in L.A., is the story of a midlife mother struggling to raise three challenging children and deal with the fallout after she reconnects online with an old love. robinfinn.com

summer theater camps June 19 - Aug 25 • 503-222-2190 • NWCTS.ORG

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 39

CAMP DIRECTORY DAY CAMPS

OVERNIGHT CAMPS

GAN ISRAEL DAY CAMP 6612 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland, OR 97239

B’NAI B’RITH CAMP

503-246-KIDS (5437) cgiportland.com Through our three thoughtfully designed camps (18 months to 5 years, 6-8 years, 9 -11 years) your child will learn: Cooperation, Creativity and Optimism. Since 1984 Portland’s Gan Israel Day Camp has provided modern Jewish children from diverse backgrounds and affiliations an amazing Jewish summer experience.

MJCC SUMMER DAY CAMP

Mail and camp: 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland, OR 97219 503-244-0111 oregonjcc.org/daycamp MJCC Day Camp offers full day fun all summer long with options from 7:30 am to 6 pm. Great for working parents and tons of options for your kids from traditional day camp to specialty camps including gymnastics, cooking, soccer and more. Open to everyone! Swim lessons included.

NW CHILDREN’S THEATER CAMP

1819 NW Everett St., Portland, OR 97209 503-222-2190 nwcts.org NWCT’s summer theater camps has something for every actor age 3 1/2 to 16! Whether stepping onstage for the first time or taking the spotlight, NWCT’s camps cover everything from creative drama to skill strengthening to fully staged playlabs. There’s something for everyone, every week of the summer at NWCT!

PJA SUMMER DISCOVERY

Mail and camp: 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland, OR 97219 503-244-0126 PJA Summer Discovery offers exceptional classes taught by professional, experienced, passionate teachers. Exercise your brain in a fun way with junior engineering, drama, comic book writing, dog training and more.

Create, build or test a new idea. Challenge yourself to learn something new! Full day options available. Open to everyone.

PORTLAND PARKS & RECREATION SUMMER CAMPS

14 camp sites throughout the city 503-823-2525 PortlandParks.org We offer a variety of camps including sports, arts, dance, nature and more. We offer camp programs at more than a dozen community centers throughout the city. Join us for fun summer camps this summer.

WILLOWBROOK ARTS CAMP Mail: PO Box 3546 Tualatin, OR 97062

Camp: Browns Ferry Park, Tualatin 503-691-6132 (message phone) willowbrookartscamp.org Creativity flourishes in a beautiful outdoor setting! Children 3-18 explore hands-on experiences in world arts and crafts, nature, writing, ceramics, basketry, filmmaking, theater, music, dance and much more. Beginners and advanced students sample freely or hone favorite skills. No previous experience is necessary. Theater productions are open to all ages.

40 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

Camp: Oregon Coast 503-452-3443 bbcamp.org B’nai B’rith Camp is a vibrant, inclusive community rooted in Jewish values offering a wide range of activities including arts, sports, lake activities, outdoors, swimming, leadership development, social action, Jewish enrichment, Israeli culture and Shabbat celebrations. At BB Camp, every summer is an opportunity for deep, meaningful and lifelong friendships.

CAMP MIRIAM

Mail: 950 W 41st Ave. #303, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2N7 Camp: Gabriola Island 604-266-2825 campmiriam.org Habonim Dror Camp Miriam, on beautiful Gabriola Island, BC, offers a diverse Jewish camp experience for children completing grades 2-11.

Emphasis is on building a Jewish youth community based on values of equality and inclusion.

CAMP SOLOMON SCHECHTER

Mail: 117 East Louisa St., #110, Seattle, WA 98102-3203 Camp: near Olympia, WA 206-447-1967 campschechter.org Enjoy fun, friendship and Jewish education at our spectacular 180-acre facility featuring our private lake and hiking in the untouched beauty of our forests and protected wetlands. We create a unique, welcoming and spiritual Jewish environment for youth of all denominations. At Schechter, Judaism and joy are truly one!

JCC MACCABI SPORTS CAMP

Camp: Atherton, CA (near San Francisco) 415-997-8844 info@maccabisportscamp.org maccabisportscamp.org JCC Maccabi Sports Camp is an overnight Jewish sports camp for boys and girls entering grades 4-11. Campers develop skills in their choice of baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, softball or girls lacrosse. Daily include other sports and camp activities with the core values of a Jewish summer camp experience.

URJ CAMP KALSMAN

Mail: 3805 108th Ave. NE, Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98004 Camp: Arlington, WA 425-284-4484 (winter) | 360-435-9302 (summer) campkalsman.org Camp Kalsman’s 300 beautiful acres offer a balance of education and recreation. Our core values are friendship, kehilah kedoshah (sacred community), Reform Jewish identity, chesed (kindness), connection to Israel and our relationship to teva (nature). Campers learn new skills and hone existing ones in athletic, aquatic, artistic and nature programs.

J

Kids & teens too

Butterfly Project installation at Tucson Children’s Museum.

Butterflies, blankets & food play role in Good Deeds Day

By Deborah Moon

Teens, preteens, children and families can step up and change the world on April 2 by participating in a variety of tikkun olam projects on Good Deeds Day. Family-friendly projects will include packing Passover food boxes, making blankets for children in crisis, making birthday cards for seniors, assembling hygiene kits for the homeless, preparing lunch kits for low-income children and others with food insecurity, and paper crafting for the Family Relief Nursery. For a full list of projects, visit jewishportland.org/ gooddeedsday.

But the day’s largest project will be The Butterfly Project.

Youth in grades six to 12 are invited to participate in The Butterfly Project, an international effort that uses art and the lessons of the Holocaust to educate youth about the dangers of

hatred and bigotry. Brought to town by Portland Area Jewish Educators, the project is expected to draw 150 teens and preteens to paint ceramic butterflies as the J-Serve portion of Good Deeds Day. Educator Jan Landau and artist Cheryl Rattner Price cofounded the initiative to take Holocaust education out of the textbook and bring it to life in a way that inspires students to make the world a better place. The project draws on inspiration from The Diary of Anne Frank, the poem “The Butterfly” (see next page) and the documentary film “Paper Clips.”

Portland youth can choose from two sessions, 11 am12:30 pm or 1-2:30 pm. Each session will begin with a short education piece about The Butterfly Project. Students and survivors will mingle at tables as they each paint a butterfly.

Survivors will share their stories informally as they work, and educational slides will be projected on screens around the OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 41

GOOD DEEDS DAY

WHAT: An annual celebration of community volunteering WHEN: 9 am to 3 pm, April 2 WHERE: Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland HOSTS: Jewish Federation of Greater Portland & MJCC INCORPORATING: J-Serve, an international day of Jewish youth service in partnership with Good Deeds Day, Repair the World, Youth Service America and BBYO INFORMATION: jewishportland.org/gooddeedsday • 503-245-6449

Survivor Gerhard Maschkowski paints his number from Auschwitz on his butterfly.

The Butterfly The last, the very last, So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow.

Perhaps if the sun’s tears would sing against a white stone…

Such, such a yellow Is carried lightly ‘way up high.

It went away I’m sure because it wished to kiss the world goodbye.

For seven weeks I’ve lived in here, Penned up inside this ghetto But I have found my people here.

The dandelions call to me And the white chestnut candles in the court.

Only I never saw another butterfly.

That butterfly was the last one.

Butterflies don’t live in here, In the ghetto. ~ Pavel Friedmann 4/6/1942

A biography card of a child who perished is paired with each butterfly painted.

room. Congregation Beth Israel has volunteered its kiln to fire the butterflies, which will then be returned to the Mittleman Jewish Community Center for a permanent installation later in the spring.

The Butterfly Project is now a global memorial with installations in more than 200 communities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Israel, Australia, France, Tanzania, Cuba, Morocco and Poland.

The Portland project coincides with an effort by Cheryl and documentary filmmaker Joe Fab calling for every state to mandate Holocaust education in the public schools to combat a rise in hate crimes nationwide that spiked around the presidential election. The call to action was issued Jan. 24 with a screening of “NOT The Last Butterfly,” which tells the project’s story.

“This work of The Butterfly Project has been a passion of 42 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

mine for over 10 years now, and I wanted to reach more people by creating a film about its impact,” says Cheryl. “I hope ‘NOT The Last Butterfly’ will help people feel that they don’t have to be experts on the Holocaust –that they can begin where they are and just open their hearts a little bit, and that the art gives them a softer way in. It helps you process these difficult stories and to feel that you’re creating something beautiful from something really difficult – a tribute on which you’re putting your signature.”

Cheryl says the resulting installations give people places to visit and show their children.

“What I hope is that they feel not shut down like we were, when I was getting educated about the Holocaust, but that there’s just enough to make them want to actually lean in and learn more.”

J

K iednsstoo Events March & te

MARCH 10-12

HAPPY PURIM. Family Friendly Purim parties are included in the calendar on page 66.

MARCH 26

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

THE JEWISH HOLIDAY CULINARY EXPERIENCE is an innovative program for adults and children ages 5-12. Passover cooking, 6-8 pm at Portland Kollel, 6688 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland. 503-245-5420

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

APRIL 2

RECURRING:

TORAH TROOP FOR 3RD-5TH GRADERS: 10:15 am–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

NORTHEAST STORY HOUR WITH PJ LIBRARY: 9:30-10:15

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

GOOD DEEDS DAY. See page 41

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 every 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 YOUNG FAMLY TOT SHABBAT: 10:15-11:15 first and third Fridays 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

Israel, 1972 NW Flanders, Portland. Join us for our special Saturday service for our littlest congregants and the grownups who love them.

503-222-1069

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

SHABBAT STORYTIME: 9:45-10:15 am, second Saturdays, at 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 afterwards 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 story telling! 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 age 2-11. 503-222-1239

A LITTLE SHABBAT: 5-6:30 pm every third Friday at Congregation Shaarie Torah, 920 NW 25th Ave., Portland. 503-226-6131

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 43

Beth Israel Sisterhood Crossing Over to next century

By Deborah Moon

Aaron Meyer 44 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

Crossing Over is a powerful and recurring theme this year as the Women of Reform Judaism/ Beth Israel Sisterhood celebrates its 100th anniversary.

The theme’s first appearance was at the Sisterhood Shabbat Feb. 10-11.

“The weekend of Congregation Beth Israel Sisterhood’s centennial Shabbat was, remarkably, the time Jews tell the story of their exodus from Egypt and dramatic journey to freedom by chanting the ancient poetry of the ‘Song of the Sea-Parashat Beshallach,’ ” says Beth Israel Senior Cantor Ida Rae Cahana. “Our seminal story defines us as seekers after freedom led by courageous leaders like Miriam and the women gathered to sing and dance in exhilaration after escaping Pharoah.”

The theme will return with the presentation of an epic liturgical musical that focuses on the seventh day of Passover when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and moved from slavery to freedom. On March 30 the community is invited to experience “Crossing Over: A Musical Haggadah.”

“Crossing Over continues in this tradition of retelling our seminal story, expanding it in the Midrashic tradition to remind us of the many oppressed ‘others’ in our midst with whom we share a bond of empathy as well as a responsibility to act,” says Cantor Cahana.

The sisterhood is bringing this theater event to the setting its creators envisioned. Crossing Over, composed by Michael Allen Harrison with book and lyrics by Rabbi Alan Berg, debuted at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center in 2012 and was most recently performed at Portland State University in 2014. But when the two men, both with strong ties to Beth Israel, composed the piece, it was with that congregation’s historic sanctuary in mind.

“Beth Israel's sanctuary was the setting in our mind when we created Crossing Over,” says Alan, who served as CBI assistant rabbi in the 1970s. “We are hoping for some amazing experiences for the audience as a result of being about to bring it to a new level in that

setting. …This will mark the first performance in any synagogue's sanctuary. Crossing Over is, at its core, a prayerful drama. This production will be re-imagined I'm sure in some wondrous ways.”

Linda Harrison, a past president of sisterhood and Michael’s sister, says she brokered the plan with her brother, and he was delighted to include his creation with the sisterhood’s celebration.

The Harrison family is a longtime member of Beth Israel, and Michael frequently plays the piano in the historic sanctuary.

“Michael plays for our Shir Shabbat. He’s been an integral part of our musical program since I’ve been at Beth Israel,” says Cantor Cahana.

Cantor Cahana, who has performed on Broadway and at Carnegie Hall, once again will sing in Crossing Over. She will be joined by Cantor Mark Saltzman of Congregation Kol Ami in Hollywood, CA, with whom she has frequently collaborated. The two cantors coproduced the 2012 American Conference of Cantors and Guild of Temple Musicians’ Concert.

Other musicians performing in this reenactment of the seder are Aaron Meyer on violin, Linda Harrison on the flute, CBI Director of Education Ben Sandler, Kim Schneiderman, an African-American choir and some of Michael’s students. Rabbi Emeritus Emanuel Rose will be the narrator.

Cantor Cahana says the production is “really building bridges with the community.”

Also returning from past productions, this re-enactment of the seder will feature projections of pictures from the Passover Haggadah illustrated by Leonard Baskin, z’l.

Sisterhood President Lynn Gelber calls the presentation part of the sisterhood’s community outreach.

“We bring the sisters out to get involved and participate,”

Michael Alan Harrison

The Women of Reform Judaism/Beth Israel Sisterhood will present “Crossing Over: a Musical Haggadah” in the Beth Israel sanctuary March 30. Standing at the entry to the sanctuary are from left: Ellen Bick (past president and past district president), Lynn Gelber (president), Linda Harrison (past president) and Cantor Ida Rae Cahana. Photo by Deborah Moon.

says Lynn, adding the sisterhood supports CBI in so many ways.

“We step up to meet needs and participate in the inclusivity (our) temple is trying so hard to incorporate.”

Linda adds that sisterhood’s education and social action programs are award-winning – “We have made a difference.” She says the group is always evolving, always moving forward. “We also take immense pride and have a lot of respect looking to the past and the women who laid the foundation.”

Throughout this centennial year, the sisterhood is celebrating the past and looking toward the future.

Sisterhood and Ellen Bick, WRJ district past president, have compiled an overview of sisterhood’s accomplishments, events and mission. WRJ founded NFTY, the Reform youth group, and the Jewish Braille Institute, for which Beth Israel women volunteered for decades converting Jewish interest books (very broadly defined) to Braille for the benefit of the blind.

Last year sisterhood’s 251 members purchased for CBI 500 new High Holiday Prayer Books, including large print books. The group has received many WRJ Or Ami Light of My People and District Kavod Awards for exceptional programming. Members lead Tot Shabbats, send care packages to students and military personnel for Hanukkah and Purim, and run a gift shop to raise funds for youth programs and special projects.

Those and other achievements will be celebrated at the 5 pm, May 6 “Centennial Havdalah and Historical Perspective.”

The Crossing Over themes of memory and freedom will make a final appearance this year at the Sisterhood Centennial Gala on Oct. 21.

For more information on sisterhood and centennial programs, call CBI at 503-222-1069.

For Crossing Over tickets (ranging from $18 for students to $72 for patrons), visit michaelallenharrison.com/crossingover.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 45

By Deborah Moon

Music from the Holocaust benefits free concert series

A March 4 concert will give voice to musicians who refused to be silenced by the Holocaust and raise money to bring music to underserved neighborhoods.

For most of the year, Portland Chamber Music brings free concerts to neighborhoods whose residents might never attend a concert because of lack of money, transportation or awareness of chamber music. Once a year, the nonprofit group presents a fundraiser to make that work possible. This year’s concert gives voice to musicians who refused to be silenced by the Holocaust.

The concert will include works by two composers who survived the Holocaust, two who perished in the camps and a Brahms piano trio in memory of a woman who conducted the Women’s Orchestra in Auschwitz before her death.

Portland Chamber Music's proposal was the first Innovation Fund granted by Institute for Judaic Studies.

“The PCM concert, we felt, was innovative, cultural and educational,” says IJS Executive Director Sylvia Frankel.

"Bright Voices of the Darkest Hour will include works which were performed at Nazi ghettos and camps or written during, or influenced by, the Holocaust. It is a most original way to bring awareness of the lesser known history and music of Holocaust musicians.”

The concert was the brainchild of PCM Executive Artistic Director Anya Kalina, a vocalist who moved to the United States from Russia in 2000 at age 25 when she “won the

green card lottery.” Anya sang with the PCM when it was first organized in 2010 and then stepped up to rekindle it a couple years after the previous director ran out of time to organize the concerts. Anya was searching for pieces suitable for small chamber groups when she discovered a piece commissioned for a small chamber group that included the same instruments in her group. The piece was a poem by Auschwitz survivor Primo Levy with music by Simon Sagan.

She began searching for other pieces from the Holocaust suitable for small groups. Amazed by the music and the stories she discovered, Anya wanted to share those discoveries with the community.

She says people often wonder why those fighting for their lives would bother with music. “To me it is obvious,” Anya says.

“Music is a basic need for human survival. It brings us comfort and joy and for many of us the meaning of life. … It can make people happy for a half hour by taking them to a different place.”

She fell in love with the work of Leo Smit, a Dutch Jew who perished in Sobibor. The concert will include a “very uplifting, jazzy and lush” sextet he wrote in 1933 and the last piece he wrote in 1943, a flute sonata. “It has a totally different feel – more somber of course, but not sad,” says Anya. “The flute is so desperate. It is haunting, more naked.”

PCM is creating a panel for display at the concert that will share more of Leo’s story than can be included in the concert.

Anya also wants to develop a panel sharing the story of the

Members of the Portland Chamber Music core group are (from left): Lynda Hess, flute; Michael Liu, piano; Anya Kalina, soprano; Jennifer Crockett, clarinet; Meghan Van Cleave, violin; Jonathan Cheskin, cello; and not pictured) Gemma Taylor, French horn. Portland Chamber Music is a nonprofit organization bringing together musicians and audiences from all walks of life with high-quality, welcoming performances and music education that is accessible to all.

46 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

Auschwitz Women’s Orchestra under the direction of Alma Rose. After the concert, the panels will be donated to the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education.

Alma was the daughter of Vienna Philharmonic violinist Arnold Rose, who performed the Brahms piano trio with the composer in 1889 after Brahms rewrote the work he first composed in 1854. After escaping to Britain, Arnold performed the piece again in London, not knowing his daughter had been sent to Auschwitz and was conducting the camp’s women’s orchestra. Alma perished before the camp was liberated.

Composer Gideon Klein also perished in Auschwitz after composing a lullaby in the Leo Smit “model” concentration camp of Terezin. Anya calls the piece, which will be featured in the concert, “absolutely beautiful. A mother singing in Hebrew is trying to calm a child before going to sleep.”

The concert will also include works by two composers who survived the Holocaust, a clarinet trio by Hans Gál and three songs without words by Paul Ben-Haim.

The concert will feature Michael Liu, piano; Lynda Hess, flute; Jennifer Crockett, clarinet; Meghan Van Cleave, violin; Gemma Taylor, French horn; Jonathan Cheskin, cello; Anya Kalina, soprano; and Deborah Gitlitz, storyteller. Special guest performers will be Lisa Lee, violin; Ann Van Bever, oboe; and David Taylor, bassoon.

A R T I S T S R E P E R T O R Y T H E AT R E

Bright Voices of the Darkest Hour: Music and the Holocaust

Saturday, March 4 at 7 pm Community Music Center 3350 SE Francis St., Portland Portland Chamber Music presents a special tribute to the power of music from a time that should never be forgotten. Come and learn amazing stories of the human spirit and hear music by Leo Smit, Gideon Klein, Hans Gál, Paul Ben-Haim, Simon Sargon and Johannes Brahms.

Suggested donation $15 at the door, but seating is limited.

RSVP to reserve a seat at pdxchambermusic.org/upcoming

Rabbi Joshua Stampfer Grant

The Innovation Grant Fund of the Institute for Judaic Studies offers financial assistance between $500 and $2,500 to promote innovation and to launch new projects consistent with the IJS mission "to encourage people throughout the community to join together to learn about Jewish history, culture and life."

Oregon Jewishmust LIfe: 1/4 (3.5 x 4.875) Applications be page submitted at least six months before Runs: March funds are needed.

Artist: Gil Shaham Contact: IJS Executive Director Sylvia Frankel at info@ portlandjudaicstudies.org

OREGON SYMPHONY PRESENTS

GIL SHAHAM

SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2 PM

Carlos Kalmar, conductor • Gil Shaham, violin Richard Heuberger: The Opera Ball Overture Johann Strauss, Jr.: Indigo and the Forty Thieves Overture • Korngold: Violin Concerto Suppé: Poet and Peasant Overture Josef Strauss: Dynamiden waltzes Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier Suite

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Viva Vienna! While the afternoon away with Carlos, the orchestra, and some of the greatest music composed

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2/6/17 4:14 PM

‘Golda’s Balcony’ brings fearless leader back to life

Wendy Westerwelle as Golda Meir. Photo by Katie Dessin Photography

By Shuly Wasserstrom

Portland theatergoers will have the opportunity this month to learn more about the remarkable life of Golda Meir, the iron-fisted fourth prime minister of Israel.

The fearless leader is being played by Portland actress Wendy Westerwelle in Triangle Production’s “Golda’s Balcony.” The one-woman show explores how Golda found her voice and the courage to become one of the great leaders of the Jewish state of Israel.

“Golda’s Balcony” is the final work from playwright William Gibson. Triangle Production's Founder and Executive Director 48 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

Don Horn found the script with Wendy in mind.

“When he told me he got it for me, I almost fell over,” Wendy says. “She’s been my hero since I was a little girl.”

Golda Meir was born in Kiev in 1898 and moved to the United States as a child. She and her husband Morris moved to a kibbutz in Palestine in 1921. She was involved in politics, holding different offices, before becoming prime minister from 1969 to 1974.

“I can’t think of a better example than Golda Meir how she used her strength and perseverance to shape the world around her," Don says. “Was it easy? Did she do everything right? No, but she stood against many tides and found a voice. I believe we need that voice right now.”

The play covers many parts of Golda’s life including her bold interactions with foreign leaders at a time when women had a different place in the world.

“She was a heroine and will always be one of the great women in history,” Wendy says.

Wendy and makeup artist Alexis Campell Starr spent hours studying her features to create the look for the show. “It’s fun to bring her to life,” Wendy says.

Wendy’s late husband Mark Larsen, to whom she is dedicating her performance, found the pearls she will wear in the show.

Golda Meir often donned pearls around her neck.

“The biggest challenge is to do my best work so people can know her and she can be revered,” Wendy says.

Wendy has worked as an actor her entire adult life in both Portland and Los Angeles. She says playing Golda is the start of the last chapter in her career as an actor.

“I can only hope to be as honorable, truthful and fearless as she was. It’s an honor to play such a woman.”

Golda’s Balcony WHERE: The Sanctuary @ Sandy Plaza, 1785 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland, OR 97232 WHEN: March 9-April 1 (7:30 pm Th., Fri., Sat.; 2 pm Sun., March 19 & 26) TICKETS: $15-35; all seats are reserved; call for student and group rates.

CONTACT: 503-239-5919 or trianglepro.org

YOUNG ADULTS

Oregon Hillel students at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

Birthright opens Oregonians' eyes & hearts

By Andrew Goldberg

On Dec. 25 while Christians celebrated Christmas and Jews enjoyed the first day of Hanukkah, the celebration was just beginning for 15 Jewish students from Oregon who boarded a plane to begin the trip of a lifetime.

Taglit-Birthright, a 10-day trip to Israel for Jewish young adults, is more than a free vacation – it is an eye-opening and life-changing experience. The December trip was facilitated by Oregon Hillel.

Landing at Ben-Gurion Airport, they were greeted by seven Israeli soldiers, who travelled with the group for the entire trip.

Most Birthright groups only travel with Israeli soldiers for the latter half of the trip.

“Every Birthright trip should have them for the whole 10 days,” says Oregon Hillel Israel Engagement Fellow Nathan Blocker, one of the staff members on the trip. “Our soldiers are part of our mishpacha, part of our family. … The little things that they contribute … it only enhances the trip.”

UO sophomore Emily Kalbrosky adds, “Each one of them is a beautiful and unique person with such kindness and strength in their hearts, such pride in their country, such love for life and such incredibly contagious smiles and laughs. They taught us all to live in the moment, to form deep connections fast, to appreciate the lives we live, to love hard and to laugh often.”

The trip began in the north, with the first night spent in Tiberias. Participants enjoyed off-road Jeep rides in the Golan while learning about the regions’s significance, visited the Tel Dan Nature Reserve along the Jordan River and visited the military outpost Mount Bental along the Syrian border. For

many of the students, the highlight of the trip’s northern leg was the holy city of Tsfat, the birthplace of Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism.

“Everything was made from a white/yellowish stone, from the streets to the walls of the buildings,” Oregon sophomore Lasron Schluter wrote in a blog post. The group also met with a kabbalistic artist who “used the spirituality of Judaism in his work,” which Lasron described as “so vibrant in color and carried such deep meaning.”

The group then visited the Arab village of Dir El Asad, where they met teenagers who talked about what it’s like being Muslim in a Jewish state.

“These kids were great and so intelligent, opening my eyes to the fact that kids everywhere are all the same, and somewhere along the way we get lost, separated and suddenly turn into adults arguing and debating about things our past generations left behind,” Lasron says.

When the trip turned south, students got a truly special experience, even by Birthright standards. They visited Save a Child’s Heart, a nonprofit that provides surgery and medical care at no cost to children with congenital heart defects. Most of the patients are from developing countries without adequate medical care.

“Children have the indescribable power of bringing out the best in people and revealing hidden sides of people. Their joy and laughter reverberated in the group and was felt by all. Their enthusiasm renewed our own, and because of this organization, their energies,” Monica Flynn wrote in a blog post.

Next came a visit to the sister cities of Tel Aviv and Jaffa; the former, a booming modern metropolis, and the latter, an ancient OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 49

port city. themselves in its mineral-rich After a night in Tel Aviv, mud. Returning to Jerusalem, the group traveled east to the students discussed their Jerusalem for a powerful experiences with anti-Semitism in day in Judaism’s holiest city. preparation for the next day’s visit Saying a prayer at the to Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Western Wall for a family museum. Their tour guide first member who recently led them to a tree dedicated to passed away, student Justin Raoul Wallenberg, a Swede who Asarch was “filled with saved around 100,000 Jews during different emotions, from the Holocaust, including the sadness, to happiness, to tour guide’s mother. Yad Vashem being blessed.” The wall, honors such brave non-Jews as the he notes, “has this weird “Righteous Among the Nations,” way of bringing out tears and each has a tree dedicated in and emotions from people their honor. who would least expect The group then drove along it from themselves … It’s part of the barrier that separates truly amazing how a simple Jerusalem from the West Bank and stone wall has such power learned about some of the complex over its people.” political realities in Israel. Nathan Makaela Press (Oregon Hillel) and Roberta Montag (San Deigo State Hillel) Nathan was surprised notes that the students probably visit children at Save a Child’s Heart in Tel Aviv. by the reaction to the wall. experienced Israel’s political side “You don’t know how the more through the soldiers traveling wall is going to affect anybody – it might not affect you until with them than through the programs they heard. “I’m pretty days, months later,” he says. Students surprised him with their sure the soldiers had conversations with them when we weren’t enthusiasm. “It was awesome to see somebody that you might around or on the bus, which is a better source. … They live it, not think was very religious … turn on that face,” and realize, they see it. And having a 30-year-old leader or a tour educator “ ‘This is the epitome of Judaism. I’m about to go put a prayer explain it to you is almost like a professor in some people’s eyes. in that wall and touch it.’ After visiting the Machane Yehuda Sitting down next to a 20-year-old soldier when you’re 18-21 outdoor market, students returned to their hotel to prepare for years old, telling you what their life is like with the political side Shabbat. Always a special day in Jerusalem, this Shabbat was of it is going to hit you a lot more,” he says. enhanced by four participants who celebrated becoming b’nai Back in Tel Aviv, the group stopped at Rabin Square, mitzvah. In a speech following his Torah reading, Andrew dedicated to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was Dalcher revealed the ritual was especially important to him; assassinated there. They visited Independence Hall, one of his family had been unable to join a Conservative synagogue the oldest buildings in Tel Aviv and the site of the signing of because they could not prove a family matriarch was Jewish.

Israel’s Declaration of Independence in 1948.

“We weren’t Jews in the eyes of others,” he said in his speech.

Then it was time to say goodbye to the soldiers, who had “So this bar mitzvah is important to me. It changes how the become like family. The students took a graffiti tour of Tel Aviv world sees us … it marks that we are Jewish. That I am Jewish.” before boarding the plane home. Without the soldiers, “I felt After Shabbat, the group travelled to Mount Herzl, Israel’s like something was missing,” says Emily Kalbrosky. national cemetery and the burial place of fallen soldiers and “These past 10 days, I’ve realized it is OK to not understand. prime ministers. The stories there “made me realize that Israelis I’ve realized everything is up to personal interpretation, and have to fight for their lives and for their country every single you must form your own opinions on everything. I’ve realized day, whether that means physically fighting in combat or just there is beauty in everything, and you can miss the beauty even justifying the Jewish state,” says student Alex Ruby. if you’re staring right at it,” Emily wrote in a blog post. “There Next they enjoyed some Bedouin hospitality in the desert. is so much in this world to see, and it is impossible to see it all.

That night students gathered to reflect on their time in Israel has helped me open my eyes and begin to be less blind.”

Israel and what they would take away. “It was a really special The students look forward to sharing their experiences with experience being able to spend some time alone with our the Jewish community and maintaining the bonds they formed thoughts in the middle of a freezing desert with just the lights on their short trip – bonds with land, bonds with friends, bonds from the ‘village’ and from the stars lighting the landscape,” with heritage.

Alex says.

In June a new flock of Jewish students from the Univeristy of The following day, the students rode camels – a quintessential Oregon and Oregon State will have the chance to create their Birthright activity – and claimed Masada, the desert fortress own bonds and memories. Registration for Oregon Hillel’s where a group of Jewish rebels held off Roman troops for summer Birthright trip opened Feb. 5. Jewish adults aged 18some time at the end of the First Jewish-Roman War, before 26 in Oregon can join the journey by visiting freeisraeltrip.org/ committing mass suicide in a final act of defiance.

Oregon.

After the hike, students floated in the Dead Sea and covered 50 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

SENIORS

David Fuks: Retired CEO expands horizons – his own and the community’s

to continue the leisure time with his wife and the creative time with his art. Today David volunteers with the Jewish Federation When David Fuks retired from his job as CEO at Cedar of Greater Portland, serving on the legislative committee and Sinai Park in October 2016, he promised his wife, Deanne, that volunteering with the Pathways mentorship program. He also he would just play during his first year in retirement. Chill out. sits on the board of the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Have fun. He would not, I repeat NOT, chair a committee, join Holocaust Education. a board or take on any other commitments that weren’t just for “It’s an exciting time for this organization, with the new fun. building and the new direction,” David says. It also feels it is So they rented an apartment in Puerto Vallarta for a month the right fit for him, as the child of Holocaust survivors. “The and had some quality time together. They took the bus to Hebrew International Aid Society helped my parents get to charming towns. They ate interesting food and drank beer with America; federation helped them get settled,” he explains. His a lime wedge sticking father ended up owning a out of the top of the furniture store, but he did bottle. Deanne led them not expect David to go on adventures: deep into business with him. sea fishing, snorkeling, “My father told me, ‘I’m horseback riding. He doing this so you can do wrote short stories and something for the coma novella; she edited his munity. Now go figure work. And, of course, out how to do that.’ ” some of the time they David has also joined were also your basic the board and the marbeach bums. keting committee of ProjTanned, rested and ect Access NOW, whose ready – but still in mission is to improve the Retirement Year One health of the community – David came home to by creating access to care Portland and resumed and services for those the creative life he had most in need. pretty much kept on “PANOW represents hold during the 40 years excellence in what it does of 60-hour workweeks and has a moral basis in RETIREMENT, YEAR ONE: David and Deanne Fuks enjoy horseback riding during the year in that characterized his terms of advocacy,” David which he committed to play, not commit to any volunteer projects. career in social services says. “It’s consistent with and health care. He had Jewish values: tzedakah always done some writing, but now he could focus. He wrote means justice and righteousness, and that’s what this is about. numerous stories and three novellas; one play was produced PANOW helps the people who are the least capable of standand one story published with, he hopes, many more to come. A ing up for themselves. These are not the people who will be stand-up and improv comic in his former life, David signed up able to create a health savings account. They are the ones who for acting classes, and in October he appeared in the Wilsonhave to choose between getting health care and buying food or villeSTAGE production of “The Cemetery Club.” He played paying the rent.”

Sam the kosher butcher, the romantic interest of three widows PANOW was created 10 years ago to connect low-income, and the only man in the cast. He had a blast. Today he has a uninsured patients who needed the care of specialists with docnew acting coach and is excited about the stage adventures that tors willing to donate that care. When President Obama signed lie ahead. the Affordable Care Act, says Executive Director Linda Nilsen, The year flew by, and when it was over, David was more than “PANOW made a conscious decision to support communiready to resume his involvement in the community he loves and ty-wide solutions to the new and different challenges facing the the causes he cares about. He decided, though, to choose carenewly and under insured populations, in addition to continuing fully and limit himself to commitments that would allow him the free care for the remaining uninsured.”

By Liz Rabiner Lippoff

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 51

David Fuks, Volunteer

“I agree with those who decide: I’m going to be a producer of community, not a consumer of it.”

David now volunteers with the following organizations: The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland: jewishportland.org The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education: ojmche.org Project Access NOW: ProjectAccessNOW.org

LET US HELP YOU TAKE THE FIRST STEP Come visit Rose Schnitzer Manor and see what our community is all about.

We at Rose Schnitzer Manor know it’s hard to make a move, that’s why we want to make it as easy as possible for you. Let us know by March 31, 2017, that you’re interested in making Rose Schnitzer Manor your home at a future date and we’ll help with your move-in costs. We think it’s a pretty special community here and would love to have you join us.

Rose Schnitzer Manor is a senior community focused on promoting healthy living and meaningful relationships in a beautiful setting. Residents have their choice of: •

Studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments

• •

A range of services to support activities of daily living Approximately 75 weekly on-campus activities and community events

•

Programs to stimulate mind, body, and soul

Contact 503.535.4000 to schedule a tour.

Cedar Sinai Park is a non-profit, Jewish-based continuing care organization offering a network of services designed and operated to serve the senior community and those in need regardless of faith.

52 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

RETIREMENT, YEAR TWO: David Fuks still plans to reserve time for fun, but he’s now added some volunteer commitments including serving on the board of Project Access NOW. Here he meets with Executive Director Linda Nielson, left, and Board President Katie Iverson.

The evolution continues. One primary focus in health care today, Linda says, is understanding the role played by the social determinants of health: housing, education, child care and so many more. Curing someone’s cancer doesn’t make him healthy if he must return to living on the street.

Again, a perfect fit for David. “David brings an incredible range of social service experience to our table, and he sees the intersections and opportunities for us to bring together and leverage multiple efforts, strategies and resources,” says Linda.

David believes Oregon is a state where communal cooperation is common; people are willing to work together and think creatively. “We need to advocate for things to happen and belong to organizations that can make things happen. It gets done when someone has clear values and is willing to show up and do the work.”

“What excites me about PANOW,” says David, “is that for 10 years they have helped motivate the health-care system to be responsive to low-income people to make sure that health care is easily available. As the health-care landscape has changed, they have changed with it. Given the challenges of the transitions at the national level, it’s enormously important that those of us who understand the health-care system and the social determinants of health stand up and say, ‘You can’t balance a budget on the poor and do it in good conscience.’ ” “I can’t stand idly by. I have retired from my work but not from my values, not as a Jew, not as a member of the greater community and not as an American.”

Liz Rabiner Lippoff is a marketing consultant, freelance writer and community volunteer. LizInk.biz

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FOOD

CORNER

LARGE PANTRY HAS SPACE TO STOCK JARS FOR IMPROMPTU MEALS Story and photos by Lisa Glickman

Lately, I have become a little obsessed with a TV show on HGTV called “Fixer Upper.” The hosts of the show are funny man and veteran home builder Chip Gaines and his extraordinarily talented designer and “straight man” wife, Joanna. In each episode the pair selects three properties for their potential buyers to choose from. Each of the properties, while still having key features the couples are ultimately looking for, are in various states of disrepair. Some homes are in need of just a little TLC and updating, and others are complete disasters that look like their only hope would be at the blade end of a bulldozer. The couples proceed to buy one of the dilapidated homes and, after handing over the money left in their budget for improvements, they leave the restoration process to Chip and Joanna.

Chip demolishes unnecessary walls and conceives new floor plans. He installs new floors, cabinets and appliances. He transforms tiny dorm-sized bedrooms and broom closets into colossal en suite master bedrooms and cavernous walk-in closets. A kitchen that had been cramped and closed off now spills into a great room complete with new windows, French doors and repurposed wood accent beams on the ceiling. Joanna masterfully cherry-picks the interior design, colors and textures for the couple’s personal taste and style. Between the two of them, they repair everything that’s broken while they illuminate the original beauty of each home. At the end of the show, they unveil the finished home and ask: “Are you ready to see your fixer upper?”

A custom-built home is new from the ground up. Every space is planned. Everything is brand new. On the other hand, breathing new life into an older home is pretty magical. Outdated appliances can be replaced and original hardwood floors and crown moldings can be restored to their original beauty. Rooms can be repurposed

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.

54 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

and a home’s treasures of original brick and stone can be uncovered and polished. Skilled craftsmen can recreate old world charm and character to make a new house look timeworn, but it can’t compare to the original.

It’s no surprise that a super-sized kitchen with a huge pantry would be at the top of my fixer upper wish list – a mature home with an old-style butler’s pantry and more than enough storage for all of my bottles, jars, cans and dry goods. I would also wish for a sunny breakfast nook and a proper dining room with ample space for big family gatherings. Somehow knowing that a home has memories to share makes it more of a home worth saving. Just because it’s out of date doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of little pieces that remain timeless.

Seared Rare Ahi Tuna with Coconut and Peppadew Pepper Salsa I always have cans of unsweetened coconut milk for a quick curry and a jar of sweet spicy peppadew peppers for an impromptu cheese platter in my pantry. This sweet and spicy peppadew pepper, coconut, avocado and citrus salsa is perfect for a simply seared piece of fresh fish.

4 portions sushi-grade ahi tuna, about 6 ounces each 1 tablespoon canola oil Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper For the salsa: 2 tablespoons finely minced purple onion 1 half firm ripe avocado, cut into ½-inch dice 1 large orange, segmented into supremes About 12 jarred peppadew peppers, finely minced ½-1 jalapeno pepper, finely minced 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk 2 teaspoons Thai sweet chili sauce Pinch of kosher salt

Tarheel Cookies

Another thing I need in my fixer upper is a place for all my cookbooks. Although I get many recipes from magazines, the internet and my own inspiration, I still love to thumb through my tried and true recipes. I found this recipe in one of my favorite old cookbooks.

It uses many ingredients that I always have on hand.

Makes about 2½ dozen cookies ¾ cup raisins ¼ cup rum or brandy 1 stick unsalted butter, softened 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1 large egg 3 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup shredded coconut 1½ cups quick-cooking oats Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line baking sheets with Silpat mat or parchment paper. Place raisins and rum or brandy in a bowl and set aside while making batter. In a mixing bowl beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and then beat in melted chocolate and vanilla. In a separate bowl, stir the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt until well blended. Gradually beat this mixture into the butter/sugar mixture until well blended. Stir in the raisins, coconut, chocolate chips and oatmeal. Using your fingers roll tablespoons of dough into balls and place about two inches apart on cookie sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with the back of a spoon. Bake until the edges just begin to turn brown, about 12-14 minutes.

Remove to wire racks to cool and store in a tightly covered container.

Mix all salsa ingredients together in a medium bowl and set aside.

Heat saute pan to medium high and add canola oil. Season fish with salt and pepper. Sear both sides of fish for just a minute or two on each side to desired doneness.

Plate fish and top with salsa

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 55

NWNosh

Josh Alsberg

Produce market offers meal planning advice too

By Kerry Politzer

When you walk into the Providore Fine Foods market, the first thing you might see is a glistening, jewel-toned array of fruits and vegetables. They are lovingly arranged by Josh Alsberg, owner of Rubinette Produce Market, and his team. If you seem overwhelmed by the selection, the friendly Josh might approach you and ask, “What are you making for dinner?” He explains, “A lot of times someone will say they’re getting, say, a salmon filet from Flying Fish (another vendor at Providore Fine Foods). So I will ask, ‘What would you like to do with that, are you thinking of potatoes, or a root vegetable medley or 56 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

more of a salad?’ It’s basically meal-planning assistance.”

Josh, a longtime produce buyer, has operated the pristine Rubinette Produce Market since February of 2016. He waxes eloquent about his offerings, raving about a “creamy, buttery” Taylor’s Gold pear from Kiyokawa Family Orchards and a purple sprouting broccoli from Mustard Seed Farms. Josh is especially excited about a tomato variety called Astiana, which is grown by Anthony and Carol Boutard of Ayers Creek Farm.

“It’s a very meaty tomato, the most perfect sauce tomato. It has a little bit of sweet, a little bit of smoky; it’s very rich. You can

“I noticed that really good fruit makes people smile, makes them happy. ”

Josh at his Rubinette Produce Market

roast it, or you can cook it in with other vegetables.”

Josh first discovered his love for fruits and vegetables as a child in the Jewish enclave of Skokie, IL. “I noticed that really good fruit makes people smile, makes them happy. My dad used to take my brother and me to this apple orchard just outside Chicago where you could pick your own apples. We hauled the big bushel basket out there, and my dad would lift us up over his shoulders to pick beautiful Golden Delicious apples off the tree. They were special to me, they had a great crunch and the juice just spilled out when you would sink your teeth into them. It made me happy.

“At some places,” he continues, “you pick an apple off the shelf and bite into it, and nine times out of 10 it’s kind of mealy and doesn’t have much flavor. So, I’m trying to replicate that ‘right-off-the-tree’ feeling.” Throughout the year, around 75 % of the produce he buys is certified organic.

Right now, Josh recommends that his customers come in and try some tangerines and oranges. “We’re getting the most delicious citrus in right now. As far as a recipe goes, a really simple salad would be to take a head of radicchio, chop it up, shave some fresh fennel into that, cut up a piece of citrus that’s your favorite, like a grapefruit or blood orange, and toss that in there with a little bit of light vinaigrette.”

Rubinette Produce Market is located inside Providore Fine Foods at 2340 NE Sandy Blvd., 971-888-5350, providorefinefoods.com.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 57

ISRAEL

Bob Horenstein, third from right, was part of a JCPA mission to Israel that visited the Ziv Medical Center in Safed. The hospital has treated more than 700 injured Syrians smuggled from Syria into Israel by the IDF.

Syria’s U.N. resolution against Israel is obscene hypocrisy

By Bob Horenstein

It’s widely known that Israel is often singled out for criticism and held to an unfair double standard. Nowhere is this more evident than in the relentless Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaigns seeking to vilify Israel and in the annual adoption of numerous one-sided, anti-Israel U.N. resolutions.

Now, when compared to the worsening atrocities in Syria, the assault on the Jewish state may have surpassed all previous levels of hypocrisy and absurdity.

During December here in Portland, for example, local proBDS groups were actively mobilizing. They were galvanized by what they consider to be the most serious human rights issue in the world, comprising, they say, the destruction of communities, homes and lives. Accordingly, you’re probably thinking that this urgent problem must be the humanitarian crisis in Syria, 58 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

and that this was a call to action against a despotic genocidal regime.

You would be wrong, however. This campaign wasn’t about Syrian President Bashar al-Assad or his Russian and Iranian enablers. Rather, it was a call to action targeting the American corporation Caterpillar and by extension Israel, which uses Caterpillar bulldozers for military purposes.

At the precise time when a wholesale slaughter of civilians was being carried out in what remained of the Syrian city of Aleppo, these self-proclaimed champions of human rights were preoccupied with other matters: a last-ditch effort to get the Portland city council to divest from Caterpillar due to its “complicity” in alleged Israeli violations of Palestinian human rights. (In the end, the council didn’t put any companies on the city’s Do-Not-Buy list.)

Try suggesting to BDS backers that the Israeli-Palestinian

conflict pales in comparison to the appalling bloodbath in Syria, and the response you’re likely to get is that although Syria is “undeniably tragic” (no kidding), it shouldn’t be a pretext for ignoring the plight of the Palestinians. And yet, that’s exactly what they’re doing: ignoring the plight of the Palestinians – in Syria.

Since the beginning of the grisly six-year civil war, 3,400 Palestinians have been killed in Syria as a result of bombings, artillery strikes, torture in prison, disease and starvation.

Approximately 150,000 Palestinians once lived in the Yarmouk refugee camp near Damascus; today, fewer than 18,000 remain, trapped amid the internecine violence. Out of desperation, people there have resorted to foraging for leaves, cats and dogs, frequently trying to survive without electricity and water.

But since Israel can’t be blamed for these atrocities, they hold little interest for the BDS movement, thus exposing the blatant hypocrisy of those whose true aim in singling out Israel is to delegitimize the Jewish state.

While Israel advocates were dealing with BDS in Portland, there were also troubling developments at the U.N., where an automatic majority routinely censures Israel.

With all the attention on the late-December U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity, it may have been easy to miss the fact that of the 24 resolutions adopted by the U.N. General Assembly at its annual legislative session, 20 were against Israel (only one addressed the situation in Syria). Thus, even as Assad was massacring his own people in Aleppo, the U.N. saw fit to adopt a resolution, drafted by Syria, rebuking Israel for “repressive measures against the population

of the occupied Syrian Golan.”

To understand just how perverse this resolution is, one need only look at the two realities that are Syria and Israel. In the former, more than 400,000 people have been killed, mostly by the regime and its allies, 1.7 million have been wounded and half of the population – originally 22 million – have fled the country or are internally displaced, dependent on international aid for daily survival.

Because the Syrian health-care infrastructure has been left in ruins, thousands of those injured have been brought to Israel under the cover of night by the Israel Defense Forces.

Recently, while on a mission organized by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, I visited the Ziv Medical Center in Safed.

Since 2013, Ziv has treated more than 700 Syrians, including 121 children, most of them suffering severe blast wounds from mines or rocket fire. Tragically, many of the children have lost at least one limb.

The cost of caring for the Syrians has been roughly $5 million, which has been almost entirely funded by the Israeli government. The U.N., which denounced Israel for “violations of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons,” contributes nothing.

This scapegoating of Israel isn’t merely hypocritical – it’s obscene. But given the upside-down moral universe in which BDS and the U.N. exist, don't expect things to change anytime soon.

Bob Horenstein is director of community relations and strategic initiatives at the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. This article first appeared in the Feb. 7 issue of the Jerusalem Report.

Please be our guest !

18th Annual

COMMUNITY INTERGROUP

SEDER

Be our guest as we bring together community members of varied faiths and backgrounds at our holiday meal telling the ancient story of the Jewish Exodus. Of the many special components of the Passover Seder -

none are more important than the guests seated at our table . . .

Thursday, April 6 at 6 pm - Mittleman Jewish Community Center RSVP by calling 503.245.6219 today This program is funded by the generous donations from the Emily Georges Gottfried Fund of the OJCF, the Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation of the OJCF, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 59

g n i v i L

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Panelists who discussed serving on a nonprofit board, from left: Dick Davis, CPCU, The Alfred J. Davis Company; Shouka Rezvani, JD, Tonkon Torp LLP; Richard B. Solomon, CPA, moderator; and Elizabeth Grant, JD, attorney-in-charge of the Oregon Department of Justice Charitable Activities Section. The panel was presented by OJCF’s Professional Advisors Group chaired by Brian Suher and Josh Frankel.

Risk of being board member has sweet rewards

By Deborah Moon

Panelists at a Jan. 25 program on the risks and rewards of serving on a nonprofit board spent most of the program ensuring that attendees understood how to avoid potential risks to themselves and the organizations they serve.

Presented by the Professional Advisors Group of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation, the lunch program drew 75 board leaders, attorneys, and tax and insurance experts, who learned about issues such as insurance and liability, governance responsibilities, best practices and risk management. Each attendee also received A Guide to Nonprofit Board Service in Oregon, published by the Office of the Attorney General (Oregon).

Panelist Elizabeth Grant, who heads the Charitable Activities Section in Oregon’s Dept. of Justice, said her section generally is working on the same side as the charitable board. “You don’t have to be right, but you must exercise judgment and use rational decision-making,” she said, emphasizing the importance of due diligence.

“The bigger issue is how would you feel if something bad happens that you could have prevented if you had been more engaged,” she said.

Panelist Dick Davis said the most important question to ask when buying any insurance is “What is not covered?” He also warned that

60 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

a personal umbrella policy does not follow an individual into their nonprofit activities.

At the conclusion of the panel’s portion of the program, panelist and attorney Shouka Rezvani noted, “All of us worried we would sound like downers.” She went on to quickly share several benefits of serving on a nonprofit board: “networking opportunities, good karma, the chance to make friends while doing something you care about … the benefits far outweigh the risks.”

CPA Richard Solomon, who moderated the panel, added, “When you believe in a mission and want to further that mission, it is greatly satisfying to be on a board of people who are wholly committed to it.”

Rounding out the benefits part of the program, OJCF Executive Director Julie Diamond gave an example of the wonderful things that can happen in a community through the efforts of nonprofits and their boards. She shared the story of the Oregon Jewish Museum and Oregon Holocaust Resource Center’s collaboration over several years. With the assistance of OJCF to create an endowment for the Oregon Holocaust Memorial, the two organizations were able to merge. That put the new Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education in a position to buy a permanent home, which is set to open in June.

“Though there are pitfalls (of serving on a board), great things can happen,” said Julie, which she called “the sweetness of serving.”

Namesake to share Nehama’s methodology for Torah study For the first time in its 20-year respond. Nehama's goal was to arouse history, The Women’s Day of Jewish the student's curiosity.

Learning will open up its day of “The most important thing” said learning to both women and men.

Nehama “is that the students should As 2017 is also the 20th anniverstudy Torah from all angles; search it sary of the passing of the master out, and choose or reject interpretaTorah teacher, Nehama Leibowitz, tions. All providing that they engage the evening will be devoted to an in Torah out of love. … My role is not evening of Torah study, guided by to provide answers but to ask quesNehama’s (as she insisted everyone tions." call her) methodology.

Her most famous question, “What’s Nehama was born in Riga, Latvia, Rashi’s difficulty,” has now become in 1905 into a religious family. commonplace among Torah scholars.

Unique for the time, Nehama Portland native Nehama Stampfer received a well-rounded Jewish and Glogower will be the keynote speakNehama Stampfer Glogower secular education, along with her er for this event. An educator and older brother, Yeshayahu, eventualhospice chaplain in Ann Arbor, MI, ly earning a doctorate in 1930 from Nehama Glogower had the opporthe University of Marburg for her tunity to learn with her namesake, thesis, Techniques in the TranslaNehama Leibowitz, both in the 1980s tions of German-Jewish Biblical while studying in Israel and in the Translations. On completing her 1990s while on sabbatical there. doctorate, she and her husband In an article written in 1996 she moved to then Palestine where she describes what it was like to attend began teaching at a women’s semiNehama’s class: "There are many nary, ultimately receiving a profesteachers of Torah in Jerusalem who sorship at Tel Aviv University and possess the deep knowledge and love holding her world famous teachings of Torah needed to be considered a in her home into her early 90s. truly great educator. But there is one Nehama Leibowitz. Photo from Wikimedia Commons Among her many accomplishments teacher who is the master of them all was receiving the prestigious Israel … and it is in the home of Nehama Prize in the Field of Education (1956).

Leibowitz that the magic of Torah learning constantly renews Among Nehama’s best-known works are her innovative itself, lifting students to some other place." weekly worksheets, gilyonot, which began as a way to keep in At WDJL Nehama Stampfer Glogower will present a section touch with a dozen students who completed her seminar and of one of Nehama’s worksheets, explain her methodology and wished to continue their studies with Nehama. These gilythen apply it to the text. onot would become the foundation of her famous long-disThis evening of study, sponsored by the Mittleman Jewish tance-learning correspondence, which lasted 30 years. Using Community Center, is scheduled for Wednesday, March 15. snail mail, these worksheets would eventually be disseminated The event is open to women and men and is co-sponsored by to tens of thousands of individuals in all walks of life: solthe Institute for Judaic Studies, Kesser Israel, Portland Jewish diers, kibbutz members, nurses, taxi drivers, waitresses, teachers Academy, Shir Tikvah and Portland Women’s Tefillah. and academics.

Nehama’s motto was to accept the truth from wherever it came. Beyond the inclusion of classic commentators, such as Women’s Day of Jewish Learning Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban, she also introduced modern ones Location: MJCC, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland such as Buber, Cassuto and Benno, who were not observant Time: 7-9 pm, March 15 Jews. Most important were her questions: all her worksheets Cost: $5 included questions to which the students were invited to Drinks and light snacks will be served OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 61

Purim is

party time!

By Rich Geller

as Mordechai Day. After the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, the rabbis began to formalize Purim observance, Grab your groggers and make some noise, because Purim such as deciding to read the whole Megillah (thus the phrase arrives the evening of Saturday, March 11. This joyous, raucous the whole megillah!). The holiday continued to evolve until festival commemorates the thwarting of a plot to kill the Jews the end of the Talmudic era around the fifth century CE, of ancient Persia. Purim is unlike any other Jewish holiday – when it began to resemble the festival we celebrate today.

Jews drink to excess, don fanciful costumes and masks, put on Purim plays, or spiels, which are humorous, lighthearted or plays and carnivals, and, oh yes, make a lot of noise. even ribald retellings of the Purim story, gained popularity Purim is both a celebration of the Jewish in the Middle Ages, as did Purim carnivals. The custom people’s resilience in the face of its enemies of donning costumes on Purim began around and a time to raise a glass, raise the roof the same time. Purim is the one day when it is and turn convention on its head. It is halachically permissible to cross-dress. With the also a time of giving and charity. Purim influence of Italian commedia dell’arte in is hands down the most jubilant day the 17th century, Purim masquerades on the Hebrew calendar. The story and balls became widespread, as of how Purim came to be is did the prominence of Purim y rouded b h s e r a something of a mystery, but jesters and fools. s of Purim ct of endless in ig r o e who doesn’t love a mystery?

In modern times, biblical h je T b are the su stonishing d n a e The origins of Purim costumes compete with a tim ay he most m T . y e ll t a ia b it are shrouded by time superheroes and Disney e in d rim hat Purim t u P is . y y a it and are the subject of princesses on Purim. Purim il d oli possib n Jewish h a a g a n e p e endless debate. The most is often referred to as Jewish a b not have een adapted from origin. astonishing possibility is Halloween.

There is also a eb ylonian in b may hav a B ly that Purim initially may touch of April Fools’ Day in the ib poss festival, not have been a Jewish air as the day is full of frivolity, holiday. Purim may have silliness and lighthearted fun. For been adapted from a pagan example, the Jewish newspaper The festival, possibly Babylonian in Forward publishes an annual Purim issue origin. The names Mordechai and called The Backward, which is filled with Esther from the Purim story appear to satirical articles, jokes and nonsense. have been derived from the names of the Purim is also time to rejoice in the Babylonian gods Marduk and Ishtar. perseverance of the Jewish people in spite of The Purim story is found in the Book of Esther, our many detractors over the years. The perpetrator also known as the Megillah, which means scroll in of the diabolical plot to kill the Jews was Haman, Hebrew. The Megillah has been dated to approximately 400 royal vizier to King Ahasuerus. Haman was presumed to BCE and was the final book to be added to the Tanach, or be a descendant of King Agag of Amalek, the Amalekites Hebrew Bible. The Purim story is one of only two books in being a perennial enemy of the Jews. Amalek and Haman the Tanach not to mention the name of G-d. Many biblical are understood to represent foes of the Jewish people – past, scholars consider the events to be apocryphal. present and future. The Purim practice of shouting and Public reading of the Book of Esther on Purim has making noise with groggers is meant to blot out the name of been documented from at least the third century BCE. Haman and by extension all the enemies of the Jews. Thus by Writing in the first century, Roman-Jewish historian Flavius blotting out Haman’s name we are erasing him from memory, Josephus described observance of the holiday, then known at least temporally, aided of course by a few stiff drinks. Purim 62 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

In modern tim es, biblical costumes co mpete with superheroes and Disney princesses o n Purim. Purim is often referr ed to as Jewis h Halloween.

is a chance for Jews to really let their hair down. In the Talmud, Jews are advised to drink on Purim until one cannot distinguish between the phrases “cursed be Haman” and “blessed be Mordechai.”

Purim has traditionally been a time for tzedakah or charity. This tradition comes from the Book of Esther (9:22), which instructs Jews to give portions of food to their friends and relatives (mishloach manot) and to the poor (matanot l’evyonim). This helps to make sure everyone in the community can participate in the Purim feast. Make Purim a time for tzedakah, or social justice, by donating to a local food bank or Jewish Family and Child Services. Another charitable Purim tradition is known as the giving of the half coins (or Machatzit Ha Shekel). At the time of the Second Temple, Jews were required to donate a half shekel toward upkeep of the Temple and purchase of sacrificial animals during the Hebrew month of Adar (Purim is on the 14th of Adar). In the spirit of this tradition, some Jews make a donation to their synagogue or havurah or give a gift of coins to a beggar.

In the Purim story, Queen Esther hides her Jewish identity from her king. In the Talmud, it is said that Queen Esther

subsisted primarily on beans to observe the dietary laws on the down low, so it is customary to eat dishes featuring beans and chickpeas on Purim.

The most well-known Purim treat is hamantaschen, so named for its resemblance to Haman’s tri-cornered hat.

The folded pastry is filled with fruit or poppy seeds. Kreplach are also popular on Purim. Think of them as a sort of savory version of hamantaschen. While they also look like the hat of the wicked Haman, they are essentially a meat dumpling. For dessert you can bake a Shikkera babka, which translates as “drunken grandma.” It is a babka cake popularly drizzled with whiskey-laced syrup.

While only a minor festival, Purim appeals to young and old alike, and has become a treasured tradition. In the Book of Esther it is written "that these days (of Purim) should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, every city…” (9:28). Therefore, it’s up to each of us to keep the spirit of the holiday alive. So this Purim, raise your glass high, curse Haman and drink deeply to life!

L’Chaim!

Upcoming Cultural Events How to be a Friend to a Friend Who’s Sick Wednesday, March 1 7:00 pm Friends of the Center Brunch with Special Guest Yosef Abramowitz Sunday, March 5 10:00 am Author Series All events begin at 7:00 pm Tuesday, March 7 - Janis Cooke Newman Tuesday, March 14 - Jennifer Keishin Armstrong Tuesday, March 21 - Local Author Panel Discussion Thursday, April 13 - Joan Nathan + Andrew Fortgang

Jewish Family & Child Service provides social services that improve the lives of adults, families, and children in the Jewish and general communities.

Our Services Counseling, Disability Support Services, Emergency Aid & Holocaust Survivor Services

Remembering Nechama Leibowitz (z”l): An Evening of Text and Conversation Wednesday, March 15 7:00 - 9:00 pm Artists Panel Discussion: Why We Should Buy Art Thursday, March 16 6:30 pm

1221 SW YAMHILL ST. SUITE 301 PORTLAND, OR 97205

Needle Felt Owls Workshop Thursday, March 23 6:30 pm

503-226-7079 JFCS-PORTLAND.ORG

6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland, 97219 | 503.244.0111 | oregonjcc.org

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 63

L iving

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FACES & PLACES

FRANK TALK — Former Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) addressed a full house at the 12th annual Gus & Libby Solomon Memorial Lecture INVESTMENT INSTITUTE – Oregon Jewish Community Foundation representatives attended the February Jewish Federations of North America Access to Success Investment Institute in Palm Beach, FL. Israeli Ministry of Finance Director General Shai Babad shared economic information on "Mission Related Investing" in Israel. The conference welcomed 350 Jewish professionals for a three-day program on strategies and opportunities for endowment investing including, from left: OJCF Executive Director Julie Diamond, Babad and OJCF Past President Sharon Morell. Also attending from Portland was OJCF Investment Committee Chair Steve Gradow (not shown).

THE Q – This year’s Q trivia event drew 316 people and raised more than $155,000 for NCSY youth programming. Oregon NCSY Director Meira Spivak ,left, and Portland Director Doovie Jacoby, right, flank the winning trivia team, from left: Pamela Miles, Iris Cox, Perry Miles, Nicole Payne, Ben Cox, Len Berman, Alta Kaplan and Daniel Kaplan. Photo by One Click Studio

at Portland State University on Jan. 26. From left, Professor Nina Spiegel, PSU President Wim Wiewel, Congressman Frank and Professor Loren Spielman pose at the Solomon Lecture.

ISRAEL DAYS – Shaarie Torah Education Director Dorice Horenstein and Rabbi Joshua Rose lead families in song during a two-day celebration of Israeli Arts and Culture. Activities for the whole family included games, cooking, films, lectures and dancing.

SEE TURTLES – Neveh Shalom’s “Wondering Jews” series for the 55+ crowd recently featured Brad Nahill of See Turtles. From left are Bob Weiner, Steve Sirkin, Myra Siegel, Brad Nahill, Elaine Cogan, Jen Zitomer, Barbara Hopfinger, Marcy Morris and Dana Sirkin. Through an exciting slide presentation, Brad provided insight into the unique characteristics of sea turtles, threats to their survival, and how organizations and individuals around the world are working together to save this species that has been on earth for over 100 million years.

64 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

PREVIEWS

PEACE LUNCHEON – Educating for Peace the Wholistic Peace Institute honored The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation for their deep commitment to promoting peace through education, cultural arts and student leadership during a Jan. 23 luncheon. The Heart of Gold Award was awarded to Arlene Schnitzer and accepted

by Foundation Executive Director Barbara Hall and program officer Celeste Rose.

Pictured from left are Institute founder and board member Gary Spanovich, Institute Executive Director Nancy Spanovich, Celeste Rose, Institute President Rabbi Joshua Stampfer, Barbara Hall and Gary Withers, executive vice president of Concordia University.

PLACES OF REMEMBRANCE – More than 50 people turned out for the Jan. 22 Places of Remembrance program at Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. Given the response, OJMCHE plans to hold a second event this spring.

Participants traveled through the years of anti-Semitic laws of the Nazi Reich and read aloud laws from each year including: 1940: Telephone lines to Jewish households will be cut off, and 1941: All Jews over the age of 6 must wear a yellow star with the word Jew on it. Photo by Michael Hall

PREVIEWS

Trio of Shabbaton Events with Rabbi Shefa Gold Three Oregon congregations are hosting a Shabbaton with Rabbi Shefa Gold March 2425. Rabbi Gold is the author of Torah Journeys and The Magic of Hebrew Chant.

Rabbi Gold composes and performs spiritual music, has produced several recordings, and her liturgies are published in many prayer books. Her melodies have become standards in communities Rabbi Shefa Gold across all denominations and around the world. With ordination from both the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Reb Zalman Shachter-Shalomi, she is a leader in the Jewish Renewal movement.

A teacher, mentor, and role model to hundreds of rabbis and cantors, Rabbi Gold embodies deep spiritual practice grounded in the practice of chanting verses from the Bible, Jewish liturgy and classical texts – a practice that transforms our understanding of Jewish tradition, enhances our spiritual practices, and grounds us during challenging times.

Rabbi Gold will lead services and present workshops at Temple Beth Sholom in Salem for Kabbalat Shabbat, March 24; Beit Am in Corvallis on Shabbat morning, March 25; and afternoon/havdalah at Temple Beth Israel in Eugene. rabbi@tbsholom.org | office@beitam.org | nina@tbieugene.org

Artists Reimagine Ritual Objects for Exhibit Oregon Jewish artists reimagine the ritual object in Ritual Unmoored at the Portland State University Broadway Gallery (Lincoln Hall, Ground Floor; 1620 SW Park Ave.), March 22-Sept. 15. An opening reception will be 5-7 pm, March 22.

Ritual Unmoored features six noted Oregon Jewish artists who fashion vessels, abstract or figurative sculptures, and wall pieces, to reimagine the ritual object, and other traditional forms. Sponsored by the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education and PSU and organized by artist Willa Schneberg, the exhibition also includes work by Patricia Berman, Linda Bourne, Betty Feves, Kenneth Pincus and Maria Simon.

The ceramic artists featured are working in stoneware, earthenware, porcelain and colored clay. Their work exemplifies the balance between utility and beauty, which lies at the heart of human creativity – how to adapt to the needs of everyday life while reaching for the sublime.

Some pieces are secular in nature, while others are informed by the celebration of the natural world and the feminine divine.

Some adhere to Jewish tradition as reTorah pointer by Willa Schneberg envisioned forms unmoored from ritual tradition. All find final form, perfected over time, through each artist’s particular ritual: wedging, throwing, hand-building and carving, performed with practice and discipline in his or her studio space.

Ritual Unmoored: Works by Six Jewish Ceramists is presented by Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, Portland State University’s College of the Arts and Broadway Gallery in conjunction with the National Council for the Education of Ceramics’ conference in Portland March 22-25. ojmche.org | 503-226-3600 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017 65

Through March 31

MARCH CALENDAR

Jewish Art Month at the MJCC. Different artists exhibiting each week. oregonjcc.org

March 1 Portland Hadassah presents author Letty Cottin Pogrebin speaking on How To Be a Friend to a Friend Who’s Sick. 7 pm at MJCC. Fundraising for Hadassah Marlene Greenebaum Breast Cancer Institute. $36. 503-312-2530, Hadassah.org/ events/pdxhbc “The Lost Boys of Portlandia” film and a panel discussion with youth who have experienced homelessness. 7- 8:30 pm at Havurah Shalom, 825 NW 18th Ave., Portland. Free. Nili Yosha, 503-664-8344 nili@otfpdx.org

March 3 Spend the Night with Billy Crystal. 7:30 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, Portland. portland5.com/arleneschnitzer-concert-hall

March 3-4 Iris Erez performs “Local (not easy)” at 7 pm both nights at the Reed College Performing Arts Center, Massee Performance Lab (PAB128). Tickets: $10 general, $5 students/seniors; free for Reed students, faculty, staff; available at the door or online: events.reed.edu

March 9

Nosh and Drash with Rabbi Eve Posen. 1- 2 pm at the Cafe at the J (MJCC). Topic: Purim Torah. Free.

503-535-3555 Hamantaschen Bake Off + Purim Costume Contest. Non-kosher entries are accepted. Purim storytime too! Bake-off entries due: 6:15 pm day of event; tasting/judging: 6:30-7:30 pm at the MJCC. 503-244-0111

March 9-April 1 Golda’s Balcony presented by Triangle Productions. See page 48

MJCC Authors series begins with presentation

by Janis Cooke Newman: A Master Plan for Rescue. 7 pm at MJCC. Continues March 14 and 21. Member/$5, guest/$8; Series Pass: Member/$12; guest/$20.

Register at oregonjcc.org/authorseries “The Truce” is the final film in this year’s Sephardic Film Festival. Films, dessert and discussions at 7 pm at Ahavath Achim, 3225 SW Barbur Blvd., Portland.Free. David: 503-892-6634, jewishfilmportland.org 66 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MARCH 2017

Why We Should Buy Art. 6:30 at the MJCC. Come to a lively panel discussion about the joys, benefits and risks of collecting art. Free.

503-244-0111

March 19 Taste of Temple. 40 food/drink vendors 5-8 pm at the Castaway. 503-222-1069

Shabbaton with Rabbi Shefa Gold at Temple Beth Sholom in Salem, Beit Am in Corvallis, and Temple Beth Israel in Eugene. See page 65

March 11 Purim Celebration: Around the World with Congregation Shir Tikvah, 7550 NE Irving St., Portland. Festive meal and family-friendly reading of the Megillah. Customs from Italy, Tunisia and France; treats from Syria and Morocco. 5-7:30 pm. $18/family. 503-473-8227

Purimshpiel: Menches and Meidels. 6 pm at Congregation Beth Israel, 1972 NW Flanders, Portland. Free. 503-222-1069

March 7

March 16

March 24-25

Friends of the Center Brunch featuring Yossi Abramowitz. 10 am-noon at the MJCC. $54 or $36 under 36. oregonjcc.org/brunch

Bright Voices of the Darkest Hour: Music and the Holocaust. See page 46

Women’s Day of Jewish Learning. See page 61

Persian Kabbalat Shabbat service & dinner for Purim! 6:30 pm at Congregation Shaarie Torah, 920 NW 25th Ave., Portland. Prices vary.

Childcare available with reservation. 503-2266131

March 5

Love, Honor, Respect: Benefit for residents of Cedar Sinai Park. 6 pm at the Hilton Portland. $118. Cedarsinaipark.org/annualevent

March 15

March 10

PURIM: Music and Fun. 6 pm-midnight at Congregation Shaarie Torah, 920 NW 25th Ave., Portland. Games for preschoolers to high schoolers, food, Cha Cha the Clown, facepainting and henna. Megillah reading 7 pm with songs from the musical Hamilton adapted into the Purim Musical “Esther, the Persian Musical.” Dance party and drinks to follow. Free.

503-226-6131

March 4

March 21 with local author panel discussion.

Member/$5, guest/$8; Series Pass: Member/$12; guest/$20. Register at oregonjcc.org/authorseries

March 12 Purim Celebration 9:30 am-noon at Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane., Portland. Megillah reading, Purim carnival for ages 3-11, Hamantaschen. 503-246-8831 Purim Carnival. 11:30 am at Congregation Beth Israel, 1972 NW Flanders, Portland.

503-222-1069

March 14 MJCC Authors series with Jennifer K Armstrong, author of Seinfeldia. 7 pm at MJCC. Continues

March 26-28 PJA/MJCC Used Book Sale: Sunday 10 am-5 pm, Monday, 8 am-7 pm and Tuesday, 8 am-7 pm Held at the MJCC ballroom. Please be prepared to show ID upon entering. pjabooksale@gmail.com

March 30 Crossing Over: A Musical Haggadah. See page 44

March 31 North Coast Shabbat Services are usually held on the last Friday of the month from March through October. 8 pm at the Bob Chisholm Center, 1225 Ave A, Seaside. March leaders Leonard and Elayne Shapiro. Free. Bev Eastern, 503-244-7060

April 2 Oregon Symphony presents Gil Shaham. 2 pm at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. OrSymphony.org, 503-228-1353

SUBMITTING EVENTS:

To obtain a password to enter an event on our online calendar, go to the bottom right of our home page (ORJewishLife.com) and under “Quick Links,” click on Calendar Access Request. After you submit the form, we will send you an email with instructions for posting future events.Events posted by March 10 will be included in the April issue of the magazine.

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strategic thinking about wealth Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management has been helping ultra-high net worth individuals, their families and foundations plan for and grow their wealth for decades.

Based in New York City, the Family Wealth Group at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management is a specialized team of interdisciplinary strategic advisors providing a full range of family office services to meet the complex needs of the UHNW marketplace. These services include financial & investment planning, estate & family succession planning, philanthropic advisory and administrative services.

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Robert Stolar

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