Oregon Jewish Life April 2017 Vol.6/Issue 3

APRIL 2017

PASSOVER

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Local chefs' new twist on old favorites

A&E

One of top 10 new Jewish plays premieres in Portland

WOMEN

OF THE WALL Inspiring women everywhere

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 1

1709_FMASO

PASSOVER BRINGS THE FAMILY

Versions FMASO

together.

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2 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

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THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE. THE POWER OF COMMUNITY.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 3

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Oregon Jewish Life • April 2017 | Nissan-Iyar 5777 | Volume 6/Issue 3

14

PASSOVER

COVER STORY Seeking equality at Judaism’s center 32 WOW executive director in Portland 34 Women of the Wall: history in brief 36

FEATURES JEWS WITH ATTITUDE Linda Cohen: Mitzvahs & Peace Poles

32

BUSINESS Ins & Outs Imagine Energy gets creative

10

12 14

Local chefs share recipes for Pesach 18 Celebrate dayenu moments 24 Seder is great time to share our story 26 Try a meat-free day this Passover 28 Holiday is time to find your strength 30 Seders around Oregon 31

JKIDS & TEENS TOO Communication is key to brighter future 56 What does OJCYF mean to teens?

58 JKids & Teens Calendar 59

JLIVING HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE Preserving first-person testimony Climate of hate reaches Oregon too Yom Hashoah events

18

38 41

41

ISRAEL Educators seek to engage at-risk youth 42 Israel a complex, healthy society 44 Celebrate Israeli independence 44 Subsidized airfare for lone soldier kin 44 YOUNG ADULT Israeli Soldiers Tour stops in Oregon

46

45

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Playwright brings Berlin Diary to stage 46 Film and action festival for April 48 Life provides comic material 49

Rabbi Joey Wolf retiring

60 Havurah plans retirement celebrations 61 Julie Diamond joins fly-in 62 Previews of things to come

63 FACES

64 Calendar

66

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

FOOD Chef’s Corner: Simple Pesach dessert 50 NW Nosh: Hawaiian fish at Poke Mon 52 SENIORS Make My Day! Volunteer

60

54

COVER: Women of the Wall gather for Kislev Rosh Hodesh in 2015.

PHOTO BY DANIELLE SHITRIT; COURTESY OF WOMEN OF THE WALL

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24 30 50 52

®

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APRIL2017

Oregon Jewish Life • April 2017 | Nissan-Iyar 5777 | Volume 6/Issue 3

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H OW TO R E AC H U S

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Nowadays, it’s a shortage of blood that’s really a plague.

Nothing is more important than saving a life, so it’s essential that Israel have an ample supply of blood for all its people. That’s where Magen David Adom comes in — collecting, testing, and distributing Israel’s blood supply for civilians and the Israel Defense Forces. And to protect Israel’s blood supply in the future, we’re building a new blood center for Israel, one that will be reinforced against rocket or other terrorist attacks. You can support MDA’s lifesaving blood services.

Make a gift today. Pesach kasher v’sameach.

AFMDA Western Region 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 750 Los Angeles, CA 90048 Toll-Free: 800.323.2371 • western@afmda.org www.afmda.org OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 7

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We at Oregon Jewish Life Wish all a joyful and

MJCC FAMILY MEMBERSHIP CONTEST WINNERS Recently we held a contest for a one-year family membership to the Mittleman Jewish Community Center.

Here is the winning family:

meaningful Passover.

Robert Philip

May you rejoice in our traditions, Create memories for tomorrow, Be surrounded by those you love today And always enjoy health and shalom bayit.

Warmly, Bob, Cindy, Deb, Mala, Philip, Tamara, Debbie and Cynthia

Cindy Saltzman

and all the team Theo and Sonia Marie Leikam are looking forward to their three sons learning to swim in the MJCC's “amazing pool.”

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carolyn and robin weinstein

fifth annual

Realtors for Every Generation ÂŽ

Jewish Family & Child Service Fundraising Luncheon

Tuesday, May 2

Please join uďż˝!

11:30am to 1:00pm Multnomah Athletic Club

To reserve a seat or learn more, visit jfcs-portland.org, call 503-535-4360, or email patapofft@ cedarsinaipark.org.

special thanks to our major sponsors The Holzman Foundation / Renee & Irwin Holzman Larry Holzman

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

cweinsteinpdxhomes.com or contact us personally

carolyn 503.802.6415 robin 503.802.6405

carolynandrobin@hasson.com

The Spirit of Camp in the Heart of the City!

A Special Thanks to Our Most Generous Sponsors Assistant Director Sponsors Larry Holzman Rita & Bob Philip Shulman Family Foundation

Castaway

1900 NW 18th Avenue Portland, OR 97209

Unit Head Sponsors Moss Adams LLP Stifel RMG Group

$60 per person | $125 per patron ticket

www.bbcamp.org/bash jbenjamin@bbcamp.org

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 9

Jewswith

Attitude

Linda Cohen

From 1,000 Mitzvahs to 100 Peace Poles

By Deborah Moon

When Linda Cohen decided to do 1,000 mitzvahs to work through her grief over her father’s death, she had no idea the concept would launch her on a career as an author, speaker and kindness consultant.

She recently launched “The Economy of Kindness,” a program designed to teach businesses how to cultivate kindness in their organizations. Kindness enhances both customer service and employee satisfaction, says Linda. She has spoken on the topic at conferences and association meetings, but now 10 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

is ready to present the workshop at businesses.

Speaking at Rotary events led to another addition to her repertoire. Beginning this month, peace joins kindness on her agenda. She is the coordinator for a project to plant 100 Peace Poles in Oregon in April. Each Peace Pole includes a translation of “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in four or eight languages. The Peace Pole Project (peacepoleproject.org) was founded in 1975 in Japan by Masahisa Goi, founder of The World Peace Prayer Society, now headquartered in New York.

Tens of thousands of poles have since been planted around the globe. In Oregon the plantings will be part of the Rotary 5030

(Seattle area) Conference in Portland, April 21-23, with funding from the Jubitz Family Foundation.

A public Peace Pole planting is planned at 11:45 am, Friday, April 21, at North Precinct Police Station at 449 NE Emerson, Portland.

The project has surpassed its goal of 100 poles, with about 112 poles being ordered in Oregon. Congregation Neveh Shalom will plant a Peace Pole, and the city of Newberg ordered 50. Several of the poles will include Hebrew as one of the languages. The Beaverton School District ordered six poles to be able to include all 30 languages spoken in their schools.

Her involvement in the Peace Pole Project grew out of Linda’s meeting with Al Jubitz about five years ago after a Rotary program. A third-generation Rotarian, Al devotes most of his time to the War Prevention Initiative, a program of his Jubitz Family Foundation. It was Al’s idea to plant 100 Peace Poles locally, and he asked Linda to consult and coordinate the project.

“Al is not Jewish, but he is a huge mensch,” says Linda.

Linda’s journey to share Jewish concepts such as mensch, mitzvah and healing the world began when she was a child.

“Growing up in Vermont as the only Jewish family (in our town), I had the feeling of being a Jewish ambassador,” says Linda.

She earned a bachelor’s in Jewish history from the University of Judaism in Los Angeles. When she was home for winter break her senior year, a friend set her up on a blind date with Aaron Cohen. After graduation she moved to Boston and the two started dating. She earned a master’s in Jewish Communal Service at Brandeis.

In 1995 the newlyweds moved to Oregon when Aaron was hired by Intel (he now works at OHSU). The couple have two children, Gabrielle, 19, and Solomon, 16.

Following her father’s death from lung cancer in December 2006, Linda decided to do 1,000 mitzvahs and blog about each one as a way to deal with her grief. That

effort resulted in the 2011 publication of 1,000 Mitzvahs: How Small Acts of Kindness Can Heal, Inspire and Change your Life.

“The book allowed me to speak about mitzvah to a general audience,” she says.

She soon joined the National Speakers Association and Toastmasters International and began speaking nationally. “I struggled with how to use the word ‘mitzvah’ for secular audiences,” she says. “I lead with loving kindness or kindness and then ask, ‘Do you know what a mitzvah is?’ Then I tell how I started my project.”

She found it especially moving to share her story with the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Foundation. “Service and humility are their life’s work,” says Linda.

She has returned to performing concentrated mitzvahs on a couple of occasions. In 2012, she performed a mitzvah a day, and in February she did 28 days of loving kindness.

Following her mother’s death from suicide in 2014, she focused on specific mitzvahs.

“My mom suffered from depression her whole life,” says Linda.

“We did not realize how dark it had gotten for her.”

She participated in the Out of the Darkness suicide awareness march, and on the anniversary of her mother’s death, she took snacks to the Suicide Prevention Hotline. “The work they do is amazing,” says Linda. On her mother’s birthday, she and her brother, David Rabow, distributed bottles of water to homeless people in Las Vegas.

For Linda, performing acts of kindness help her deal with grief and loss. But she worried how she could share her mother’s suicide with audiences.

“As a speaker of mitzvah and kindness, how do you incorporate that?” she wondered. But she soon discovered, “When you are authentic and honest and share what’s real for you, you connect with your audience.”

503-730-8750 linda@lindacohenconsulting.com lindacohenconsulting.com

Linda’s journey to share Jewish concepts such as mensch, mitzvah and healing the world began when she was a child.

Planting a Peace Pole at the Lake Oswego Heritage Center.

Linda Cohen and her dad, Peter Rabow, z”l.

Distributing water to homeless in Las Vegas.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 11

INS & OUTS

Rabbi Benjamin Barnett

Elad Vazana

Rabbi Benjamin Barnett Leaves Beit Am for Portland

Rabbi Benjamin Barnett will leave Beit Am in Corvallis this summer to become the new rabbi of Portland’s Havurah Shalom, from which Rabbi Joey Wolf is retiring this spring (see page 60).

Rabbi Benjamin had served as rabbi of Beit Am since August 2006.

Beit Am supports religious, educational, cultural, social and charitable activities of the Jewish community in the mid-Willamette Valley including Albany, Blodgett, Dallas, Depoe Bay, Lebanon, Monmouth, Newport, Philomath, Seal Rock, Sweet Home, Tangent and Waldport, as well as Corvallis. Beit Am launched an immediate search for a new rabbi with the preliminary application deadline of March 17.

However, rabbinic search chair Tanya Katz says, “We would be willing to consider applications later in the spring or early summer if we don't hire someone in the next few months. If we don't have someone in place by September, then we will wait until 2018.”

Originally from the Chicago area, Rabbi Benjamin received his B.A. in English from the University of Michigan and his rabbinic ordination from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Prior to entering rabbinical school, he worked with mentally ill adults, led wilderness expeditions for teenagers, and lived, worked and studied in Israel. He is devoted to the spiritual life, in particular prayer, meditation and the cycle of Jewish time, as a means of inspiring and guiding loving, conscious action in the world. He and his wife, Rachel, will move to Portland this summer with their three children, Lev, Arava and Judah. beitmidrash@beitam.org | beitam.org

Israeli Peace Builder Offers Skills

Elad Vazana, Israeli peace builder and dialogue facilitator, is in Portland through June to share his expertise in successful face-toface communications between adversaries, even enemies.

Elad's family is here while his wife, Iris Erez, is an artist-in-residence at Reed College for the spring semester. They will return home to Israel, where Elad guides multi-narrative tours for social change.

“For 15 years, I have cooperated with diverse Middle East organizations creating and leading successful, person-to-person engagement of Arabs and Jews,” says Elad.

In Portland and the Pacific Northwest, Elad is offering speaking engagements and workshops for quality listening and experiencing that "an enemy is one whose story we have not heard."

He facilitates empathic interfaith and cross-cultural, trust-building workshops and tours.

12 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

Jennifer Harrington

Scott Reese

Elad's workshops provide adults and youth interactive sessions that explore his life, then participants' own life stories "as a bridge between cultures and humans." He additionally offers a virtual tour into history and life's realities in Jerusalem and the Holy Land that respects multiple narratives.

"My goal – my love – is to meet with teachers, students, civic and religious leaders, diverse communities, youth groups, peace activists and others who desire to learn about transcending divisiveness and racism to create sustainable community," he says. eladvazana@gmail.com | tour4change.com

MJCC Names Jennifer Harrington Assistant Executive Director

Jennifer Harrington has been promoted to assistant executive director of the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. Jennifer will provide oversight to all MJCC camp programs, fitness, aquatics, sports and recreation, and membership.

Jennifer has been in the fitness industry for nearly 20 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in health & nutrition education from Western Oregon University with a strong emphasis on exercise and corporate wellness. She has been involved with the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Council of Exercise, and she has taught various classes for the American Red Cross. Her career began as a personal trainer, which led to the position of general manager for a large syndicated health club chain. Jennifer was the owner of her own corporate wellness company before joining the MJCC team in July 2011 as the fitness program manager. oregonjcc.org

MJCC Adds Recreation/Fitness Managers

Mittleman Jewish Community Center recently hired two managers in the fitness and recreation departments. Scott Reese is now sports, recreation and camp manager, and Joe Seitz is fitness program manager.

Scott has recently relocated to Portland after working six years for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line as youth activities program manager. In this role he oversaw the daily operations of the youth program on the ship, which involved catering to children ages 6 months to 18 years, supervising a large program staff, providing excellent customer service to guests, and creating and developing programs. Scott has also been a club director with Boys and Girls Club. With a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, he worked in various school settings

Joe Seitz

Bryan Avery & Dena Marshall

and was the assistant varsity baseball coach at Lakeridge High School.

Joe has a bachelor’s degree in physical education specializing in fitness management. He has been in the fitness industry for more than 25 years, starting his career as a fitness attendant and personal trainer and moving into fitness management. He has been a general manager or fitness director for Gold’s Gym, Bally Total Fitness and Villa Sport. While working as a sales manager for The Shane Company and Helzberg Diamonds, he held a part-time fitness position on the side in keeping with his passion for health and wellness. Joe wanted to rejoin the fitness industry with an organization with values such as the MJCC. oregonjcc.org

Save a Life and You Have Saved the Whole World

To accommodate the Shabbat-observant, the city of Portland will conduct a weekday Neighborhood Emergency Training program on Tuesday evenings this summer. Normally such classes are held on Shabbat. The classes will meet at Congregation Neveh Shalom June 20 through August, with a final outdoor practice exercise on a Sunday.

While the region has an effective professional response network including fire and police departments, hospitals and medical clinics and ambulances, in a region-wide intense emergency such as a 9.0 earthquake, these facilities will be overwhelmed. Preparation and training and “deputizing” of citizen volunteers is the best way for having the most people possible come out whole after a major disastrous event. NET offers such training and offers an official tie-in to the regional, state and federal response hierarchy.

The program seeks to have several thousand citizens well trained to help ourselves and our neighbors survive and become an auxiliary to our public servants.

In response to the needs of the Jewish and Seventh Day Adventists communities, the management of NET is offering this weekday series.

There are 100 openings. Sign up soon to secure a spot. portlandoregon.gov/pbem/58587 | signupgenius.com/ go/20f0d4cafa923a7fc1-basic7

Kids Discover Hebrew with Alef Bet Schoolhouse for Mac

Chicago-based Davka Corporation now offers Alef Bet Schoolhouse for Macintosh, an engaging program that introduces Hebrew letter basics to children aged 3 and up. This app features four enjoyable activities that teach pronunciation of Hebrew letters, recognition of

Alef Bet Schoolhouse

letter shapes, the order of the Hebrew alphabet and the differences between letters of similar appearance. Based on the best-selling iOS version, Alef Bet Schoolhouse for Mac is an ideal Hebrew learning tool for preschoolers.

The “Meet the Alef Bet” section displays each Hebrew letter with a picture of a word that begins with that letter, accompanied by a delightful animation and audio pronunciation of the letter and word.

The “Magical Alef Bet Game” presents a sequence of Hebrew letters that need to be placed in their proper order. The “Unscrambulator” requires players to reassemble scrambled Hebrew letters into their correct shapes, while “Name that Letter” places different letters of similar appearance on the screen that must be identified and distinguished from one another.

Alef Bet Schoolhouse 1.0 for Mac is $5.99 and is available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Education category. davka.com

Building a Generation of Confident Swimmers and Environmental Stewards

SwimTayka is a new 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded by Southeast Portland environmental mediator/triathlete Dena Marshall and tech guru/ultra marathon open water swimmer Bryan Avery of the United Kingdom. The mission is to provide free swimming lessons and environmental education to underserved kids who live along oceans, rivers and lakes. Dena is a mother to two Portland Jewish Academy students and a part-time swim instructor at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center.

“We launched SwimTayka after swimming a 5-mile stretch of Lake Titicaca together about a year ago,” says Dena. “The word tayka means mother in Aymara, the major indigenous language spoken around Lake Titicaca. A mother gives her children life skills and teaches them how to care for the earth. The concept here is, ‘as we care for the water the water cares for us.’ Jewish themes also run deep.

Tikkun olam to repair the earth, tzedakah to care for the underserved, and of course shalom to build peace.”

SwimTayka started with a successful four-week pilot project in Peru in January. The organization is now preparing for a five-week project in Dominican Republic in June-July, and a summer-long project in the Columbia River Gorge. They will return to Peru in January-February 2018.

SwimTayka is seeking volunteers and sponsors for the projects.

971-978-7043 | dena@swimtayka.org | swimtayka.org OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 13

Business

Jonathan Cohen’s Imagine Energy takes a holistic approach to find innovative solutions for commercial and “complicated residential” projects.

Photo by Deborah Moon

Imagine Energy: Green, efficient and creative

Energy as an online resource to connect people to creative solutions to fulfill their energy needs. In 2005 he needed an When Jonathan Cohen moved to Portland, potential income stream; inspired by the availability of solar energy employers saw his diverse skills as a lack of focus. grants from the Energy Trust of Oregon, he added solar While earning a degree in aerospace engineering from Penn installation to the business. Then he expanded to installing State, he worked on a farm near campus and later volunteered the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning solutions he on an environmental farm. He did an internship working had devised for unusual projects. He now has a partner, Ross on wind turbines at the National Renewable Energy Lab in George, who serves as operations manager. They employ about Colorado. He built a house and worked at a charter school. He 25 people and do all of their own installations. tried working at a high-tech firm, but he didn’t like it.

Alternative energy is now clearly a trend, not a fad, Jonathan So he decided to use his skills and start his own business at says, adding solar is the most appropriate option for urban the age of 26. “In my industry, areas. “I’m proud of the role our being older implies experience,” company has played in moving says Jonathan, who turns 40 this paradigm over the last 15 this year. While he had a wealth years.” of diverse experience that belied “No matter what they think his age, he didn’t tell customers about climate change, people his age until recently. do understand we can’t expect In 2003, and excited by the fossil fuels to last forever,” he proliferation of technology says. “I’m not sure I thought available for green power, such a shift in people’s thinking ~ Jonathan Cohen, Imagine Energy Jonathan launched Imagine was going to happen.”

By Deborah Moon

“No matter what they think about climate change, people do understand we can’t expect fossil fuels to last forever.”

14 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

Imagine Energy specializes in unusual commercial projects such as historic buildings and indoor cannabis cultivation.

Historic buildings routinely call for maintaining the historic character of the building, and they often require structural augmentation to support the weight of a solar installation. Indoor cannabis growers need dehumidification and heat-dissipation solutions, similar to those in the pool industry, which Imagine Energy also serves.

On the residential side, the company takes a holistic look at homes.

They are not married to specific suppliers or one-size-fits-all solutions. “As long as we are solving your problems, we don’t care what we sell you,” Jonathan says. Many of the complicated residential projects they focus on feature geothermal, radiantfloor and multi-zone systems. “We use our engineering capabilities to solve problems.”

Those problem-solving skills were a key element in designing and installing an HVAC system for the historic Society Hotel, of which he and his wife, Jessie Burke, are part owners. Built

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

in 1881, the building is on the National Historic Register, so a paramount consideration was how to heat the building without the HVAC system being visible.

“It required out-ofthe-box thinking,” says Jonathan.

The building has no insulation, but the exterior walls are thick brick, which slows heat loss in winter. Combined with that, the people who use the building generate warmth – and the more people, the more warmth – “so we could reduce the size of the equipment and use fewer small pieces of equipment to fit in a small constrained building,” he says.

The building’s tall proportions (18 foot ceilings on the first floor) provided options. “In the halls we were able to drop the ceilings 6 inches to hide the ductwork, and in bathrooms we lowered the ceilings to hide the equipment. The guest experience looks very much like it did – very open and tall,” he says.

They also installed a small (6.5-kilowatt) residential-sized solar array on the roof, which took up so little space they were able to have a roof deck without the equipment being visible.

Two other residential trends that Imagine Energy has

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 | APRIL 2017 15

Imagine Energy installed the largest solar array in Portland on a historic building, Montgomery Park, shown here in a time-lapse photo. The 1 megawatt solar array was dedicated in March of this year.

the event of an earthquake or other natural stepped up to meet are the demand for disaster that damages the power grid. efficient heat pumps and solar backup On a personal note, Jonathan and his wife systems. are members of Congregation Beth Israel.

As energy sources shift from fossil fuels He says they have begun many rewarding to electricity, heat pumps are becoming a relationships there, including business popular heating method. Previously heat relationships. pumps could not heat homes efficiently “There was a gap in my active Jewish life when temperatures fell too low outside. But from young adulthood till I had kids,” he new technology allows heat pumps to heat ~ Jonathan Cohen adds. efficiently down to 5 degrees.

He became a bar mitzvah at Temple Beth As awareness increases of the potential Am in Philadelphia. In 2000, he went on a for a high-magnitude earthquake in our Birthright Israel trip, which he says showed him there are many region, many people with grid-connected solar arrays on their ways to live Jewishly. home are installing battery backup systems. Using a process “Meeting people from all over the world with different called net metering, home-based solar arrays create power Jewish experiences and seeing how secular Israelis live gave me during daylight hours and send the power to the electrical so many more perspectives,” says Jonathan. grid. That way, the home draws power from the grid full As an interfaith couple, Beth Israel has been a good fit. time, including at night when the sun isn’t shining, but the They joined CBI when their oldest daughter, Anouk, now 9, homeowner gets credit for the power contributed by their solar started kindergarten. They now have two more children, Julien, system. When the grid goes down, most solar inverters shut down. But with a battery backup system, the solar inverters will 5, and Miette, 2.

“Beth Israel binds us together and brings richness to our lives pump energy into batteries instead of the grid. in Oregon,” says Jonathan.

“Battery backup combined with a solar array stores solar imagineenergy.net | 503-477-9585 power,” explains Jonathan. That stored power can be used in

“Battery backup combined with a solar array stores solar power.”

16 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

GREETINGS FROM THE STATE OF SELF RELIANCE Installing solar is a great way to turn your rays into watts and your watts into cash. Energy Trust of Oregon can connect you with a solar contractor for an estimate and put you on the path to generating your own power.

We’ve helped thousands of businesses and homeowners save money with solar. You’re next.

+Get more from your energy.

Visit www.energytrust.org/solar or call us at 1.866.368.7878.

Serving customers of Portland General Electric and Pacific Power.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 17

18 Local chefs share Passover recipies

24 To Life: Dayenu moments 26 Interfaith seder 28 A meatless Pesach?

30 Ask Helen: Find strength 31 Passover seders around the state

Local chefs share Passover creations Compiled by Deborah Moon To help our readers enjoy a tasty week of Passover meals, we asked some local chefs and bakers to share their Passover favorites. Following are some recipes to consider whether you want a traditional Passover dish such as matzah ball soup or a fresh idea for tantalizing your taste buds during a week without chametz.

18 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

Lisa Schroeder, C.C.P. Executive Chef/Owner Mother’s Bistro & Bar 212 SW Stark Street Portland, OR 97204 503-464-1122 mothersbistro.com

L

isa Schroeder is the chef/owner of Mother’s Bistro & Bar and Mama Mia Trattoria in Portland and author of Mother’s Best cookbook. She attended high school at Akiba Hebrew Academy in Philadelphia and Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America and was chosen as a Top Student Chef by Food and Wine Magazine. She honed her cooking skills at Le Cirque and Lespinasse in New York and Moulins des Mougins and L’Auberge de L’Eridan in France. She opened Mother’s Bistro & Bar in 2000 to rave reviews and the “Restaurant of the Year” title from Willamette Week.

Lisa is also an active member of the community, participating in a numerous charities and causes focusing on equal rights and justice. She donates to Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and the Carl Preschool, where her twin grandsons attend.

For our Passover issue, Lisa shares this matzah ball soup recipe handed down from her mother, Belle.

BELLE’S MATZAH BALL SOUP 10 servings

Chicken Soup 2 whole chickens and other carcasses, if available 2 onions, peeled and left whole 4 stalks celery, peeled and left whole 4 carrots, peeled and left whole 4 parsnips, peeled and left whole 1 bunch flat leaf (Italian) parsley, stems and all Fresh cold water to cover Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste 2 cups finely diced carrots 2 cups finely diced celery 1 bunch chopped fresh dill (for garnish)

In a big pot just large enough to hold the chickens, put in the chickens and vegetables (up to the diced vegetables). Add only enough cold water to cover the chickens (about 1½ gallons). Bring to a boil; skim any scum that rises to the surface and discard.

Season soup lightly with salt and pepper.

Simmer the broth, uncovered, for at least 3 hours.

Lift the chicken from the pot and set aside until cool enough to handle. Strain the rest of the broth into a clean pot. Discard the whole vegetables.

Add the diced celery and carrots to the strained broth, bring to a boil and cook until just tender.

While the vegetables are cooking, pick through the chicken, trying to leave the pieces as large as possible, discarding the bones. Set aside.

Matzah Balls ¼ cup chicken fat, melted, or vegetable oil 4 eggs, slightly beaten 1 cup matzah meal (available in the kosher section of the supermarket) 2 teaspoons salt plus 1 tablespoon for water 2 tablespoons cold chicken soup 2 tablespoons soda water In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the chicken fat, eggs, matzah meal and salt. Add the soup and soda water and mix well. Cover mixture and place bowl in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

Place one gallon of water and one tablespoon of salt in a large pot and bring to a boil.

Remove matzah ball mixture from refrigerator; using an ice cream scoop (this ensures that the matzah balls are uniform in size) scoop out equal amounts (about 1 inch in diameter) onto a cookie sheet. With wet hands, roll each scoopful of the matzah mixture so that it is shaped like a ball and drop the balls into the boiling water.

Reduce the heat so the water is at a simmer, cover pot and cook matzah balls about 20 minutes. Lift lid, stir balls, cover and cook another 20 minutes, for a total of 40 minutes.

To Serve: Add some of the cooked, picked chicken back to soup pot (you can make chicken salad with the rest of the boiled chicken), taste soup for seasoning, adjusting with salt and freshly ground pepper as needed.

Place the matzah balls into serving bowls. Ladle broth, chicken and vegetables into bowls; sprinkle with fresh chopped dill and serve.

Note: If making the matzah balls ahead, keep them in the cooking liquid until ready to serve, then lift them out with a slotted spoon and place in serving bowls. This will prevent the balls from drying out.

Scott Weaver Elephants Delicatessen Seven Portland locations elephantsdeli.com

E

lephants Delicatessen Chef/Owner Scott Weaver is a native Portlander who started his career in food at The Town Club at age 15. He was mentored by James Beard and worked for Horst Mager. In 1979, at 21, he received particular notice as Portland’s youngest chef – helming the kitchen at the Norton House, one of Portland’s first farm-to-table restaurants. In 1983, Scott took over the kitchen and bakery at Elephants Delicatessen, a pioneer in specialty foods and gourmet to go.

More than 34 years (and 4,000+ recipes) later, he takes immense pride in the company he’s helped build.

Scott’s cooking philosophy remains grounded in the basics. “My lifestyle is centered on good food. It’s what makes me happiest. Keep it simple, buy great ingredients and learn proper technique. Know your ingredients, taste everything and develop your taste buds.”

CHICKEN WITH APRICOT, CHIPOTLE AND TAMARIND SAUCE Elephants Delicatessen’s spice-laden twist on the classic chicken and apricot pairing.

6 to 8 servings 1 chicken, cut into 8 pieces 2 tablespoons achiote paste 1 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper ¼ cup vegetable oil ¾ cup dried apricots, roughly chopped 3 tablespoons apricot preserves 3 tablespoons tamarind concentrate ¼ cup sugar 1 pepper and 2 tablespoons sauce from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo Season chicken well with achiote, salt and pepper.

Add oil to large sauté pan. Heat the oil and add chicken pieces skin side down in a single layer. Reduce heat to medium and slowly brown, turning occasionally until browned on all sides.

Pour 4 cups water over chicken, raise heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Stir in dried apricots, apricot preserves, tamarind, sugar, and chipotle pepper and sauce.

Simmer, adjusting heat as necessary, about 30 minutes or until sauce has thickened enough to coat chicken. Adjust salt and pepper to taste and serve.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 19

Nathan Seldner Mirabella Portland 3550 SW Bond Ave. Portland, OR 97239 503-245-4742 www.retirement.org/ mirabellaportland

One sprig each of parsley, thyme, cilantro and rosemary 2 tablespoons crushed horseradish Splash of olive oil Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place lamb on cutting board fat side up. Lightly score the fat layer with a sharp knife.

Next, generously sprinkle the lamb with salt and pepper.

Mop up the excess seasoning with the rack of lamb, ensuring it’s thoroughly coated. Heat some olive oil in a heavy skillet.

Seal the lamb by holding each side in the oil long enough to develop color (careful not to burn your hands). Save oil in skillet for sweet potato mash (recipe below). Place the lamb on a roasting pan and bake for 15 minutes. Prepare the crust while the lamb is cooking.

Preparing the crust: Place all of the ingredients for the crust except the horseradish into a blender and pulse several times until it looks nice and green. Make sure you don’t overdo it with the olive oil, just a splash. Pour the mixture into a deep dish (bowl or plate) and set aside.

Putting it all together: Remove the lamb from the oven and brush generously with horseradish. Dip the lamb into the crust mixture coating it completely. Dip several times to ensure an even coating. Allow meat to rest for a bit. Place it back into the oven for 3-4 minutes when you’re ready to serve. *Vegan Parmesan: Place 1 cup Brazil nuts, 1 teaspoon chopped garlic and ⅓ teaspoon salt in the food processor and pulse until combined. (Store extra in sealed container in the refrigerator.)

N

athan Seldner is a graduate of Portland Jewish Academy and the Oregon Culinary Institute. He became a bar mitzvah at Congregation Kol Ami. He is a fourth-degree black belt in tae kwon do.

For the past four years, he has cooked at Mirabella Portland, a retirement community on Portland’s south waterfront.

Three nights a week, he creates a special for the dinner service in Mirabella’s 24th-floor Aria East Dining Room, the most formal atmosphere on campus with seated wait service and spectacular views of the Willamette River, Mt. Hood and downtown Portland. He also spends two nights preparing dishes for the buffet service in the 24th-floor Aria West Dining Room.

To create an elegant Passover feast, he adapted this recipe for Crusted Rack of Lamb from a Gordon Ramsay creation that appeared on the first episode of the first season of The F Word, Ramsay’s British cookery program. Nathan dovetails the preparation of the lamb with his own Sweet Potato Mash.

He adapted the Mint Pesto from a variety of online recipes.

CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB (plan 3 bones per serving)

2 large racks of lamb, cut in half Salt Pepper Olive oil Ingredients for the crust: 1 cup matzo meal ¼ cup vegan parmesan*

20 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

Sweet Potato Mash 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks Salted water – enough to cover potatoes 2 medium shallots, chopped Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil Boil potatoes till soft. Drain. Sauté shallots in olive oil used to brown lamb. When shallots are caramelized, mash cooked potatoes in skillet and stir thoroughly to incorporate shallots.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Mint Pesto 4 cups lightly packed mint leaves, rinsed and spun dry ⅓ cup almonds, blanched 2 medium cloves garlic, peeled and minced Grated zest of one lemon Salt and freshly ground black pepper Juice of one lemon ⅓ cup olive oil, plus more if necessary Use a food processor or blender to grind the mint leaves, almonds, garlic and lemon zest together until finely chopped.

(You’ll need to stop the machine a few times to scrape down the sides of the bowl or blender.) Season with salt and pepper, then slowly add the lemon juice and the olive oil while the machine is running until the mint is a loose paste. Taste, and season with more salt and pepper if desired.

Storage: The mint pesto can be made a day or two ahead, and refrigerated, but will lose some of its nice green color.

Allen Levin & Colt Gilbertson Café at the J 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland 503-535-3630 Century Catering centurycatering@msn.com 503-849-2605

Allen Levin

Colt Gilbertson

A

graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in Portland, Colt Gilbertson says he works for Allen Levin, but Allen says the two work with each other.

Colt worked for several Portland-area restaurants and caterers before joining Allen last year. “I love working for Allen.

It’s a nice mix of family and work.

I have time to make new foods, and I have time for my family.”

“And our customers are family too,” adds Allen.

Born in South Africa, Allen began working for a kosher restaurant while still in school. When he graduated, he began managing the restaurant and soon became part owner. By the time he was 19, he was the sole owner. After moving to Los Angeles he worked in a non-kosher restaurant. He moved to Portland in 1984 and started his kosher catering business as well as opening the Cajun Café and a Garbanzos Fresh Mediterranean Restaurant.

For the past 12 years, he has devoted himself to kosher cooking.

When Allen and Colt learned this feature would include rack of lamb, Colt decided to create a side dish to complement it.

SWEET POTATO STACK Serves 4 1½ pounds sweet potatoes Olive oil 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 tablespoon Passover “mustard” (made with turmeric and other spices) 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary needles (no stems), chopped ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper Slice potatoes into half-inch rounds. Boil in water until fork tender. Remove from water, drain and fry in olive oil till brown.

Mix mayonnaise, mustard, rosemary, salt and pepper to make aioli.

Layer potato slices and dollop of aioli, ending with aioli on top.

If desired, garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

The Joys of Passover g Passover Dinner Package $25 per person

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Enjoy new dishes and time-honored favorites like our housemade Chicken Liver Mousse and Matzo Ball Soup.

May you be blessed with peace, happiness, love, and lots of latkes!

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www.elephantsdeli.com OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 21

Terri Burke Posies Bakery and Cafe 8208 N Denver Ave. Portland, OR 97217 Posiescafe.com 503-289-1319

T

erri Burke moved to Portland in 2009 to bake at her daughter’s ( Jessie Burke’s) café, Posies Bakery & Café.

“Jessie lured my husband and me out because she wanted me to bake for her coffee shop. … Before I came Jessie bought sweet breads and cupcakes from another baker.”

Posies Bakery & Café was recently voted one of the best 30 bakeries in Portland by Air B&B. Terri studied baking at L’Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg, MD. She spent seven years as a pastry chef at Sofitel, a French hotel one block from the White House.

Jessie and her husband, Jonathan Cohen, have three children and are members of Congregation Beth Israel.

Jessie told some CBI friends about her mom’s flourless chocolate cake (recipe below), and people have begun to order it for Passover. Orders need to be made five days in advance.

Other Passover-friendly treats the bakery offers are coconut macaroons dipped in chocolate and a flourless chocolate walnut cookie.

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE Terri adapted this recipe from an old cookbook called Growing Up on the Chocolate Diet by Lora Brody.

Ingredients 8 ounces unsweetened chocolate 4 ounces semisweet chocolate** ½ cup water 1⅓ cups sugar, divided ½ pound unsalted butter* at room temperature, cut into small pieces, plus more for greasing the pan 6 large eggs at room temperature Preparation Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Butter a nine-inch cake pan and place a neat circle of parchment or wax paper on the bottom, covering it completely.

If wax paper is used, butter it. If parchment is used, it is not necessary to butter it.

Chop both the chocolates into fine pieces and set aside.

Combine the water with one cup of the sugar in a heavy twoquart saucepan. A large copper saucepan is ideal for this. Bring to the boil over high heat and cook about four minutes or to a temperature of 220 degrees.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately add the chocolate pieces, stirring until they are melted and smooth. The mixture may ‘’seize’’ but that is all right; it will blend when the butter is added. Immediately start adding the butter.

Place the eggs and remaining sugar in the bowl of an electric 22 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

mixer. Start beating on high speed and continue until the mixture is quite thick and pale yellow, and tripled in volume. This may take about 15 minutes.

Start mixing the egg and sugar mixture on slow speed. Add the chocolate mixture, stirring only until it is fully incorporated. Do not overbeat. This would

cause air bubbles to form.

Spoon mixture into the cake pan. Set the pan in a slightly larger pan and pour boiling water around it. Do not allow the sides of the pans to touch.

Bake 25 minutes. Insert the sharp point of a knife into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean, the cake is done. If it does not come out clean, continue cooking for up to 20 minutes until toothpick inserted in center is no longer very wet, though some cake may cling to toothpick.

Let cool until completely cool. Run a sharp knife around the edge of the cake and unmold onto a cookie sheet. Invert a serving plate over the cake and turn it right side up. The cake is very fudgy, but can be fragile.

When cool, pour chocolate ganache over top (recipe below).

Serve with raspberry puree (recipe below) and whipped cream.

If you are making the cake pareve, skip the whipped cream and chocolate ganache and serve with the raspberry puree. * You can make this cake pareve by substituting margarine for the butter. ** 1 ounce baking chocolate = 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder plus 1 tablespoon oil or melted margarine. Alprose and Gross & Co sell Swiss Baking Chocolate that is kosher for Passover.

Chocolate Ganache 9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon dark rum (optional) Place the chocolate into a medium bowl. Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring just to a boil, watching very carefully because if it boils for a few seconds, it will boil out of the pot. When the cream has come to a boil, pour over the chopped chocolate and whisk until smooth. Stir in the rum if desired.

Allow the ganache to cool slightly before pouring over a cake.

Start at the center of the cake and work outward.

Raspberry Puree 12-ounce bag frozen unsweetened raspberries ¼ cup sugar, or to taste ½ teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional) Thaw raspberries in a fine mesh strainer placed over a large bowl. Once the berries have completely thawed, force the juice from the berries by gently pressing the berries with the back of a spoon. Discard the seeds. Stir together strained juice, lemon juice (if using) and sugar.

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to life Passover: Celebrate "Dayenu!" moments Amy Hirshberg Lederman the yoke of Egyptian bondage!

Perhaps a way to understand the kvetch part of our story is to view it as a reflection of the tendency to never be fully satisfied with our lot. The Exodus story suggests that it’s part of human nature to complain about what we don’t have rather than to focus on and be grateful for what we do have.

We spend most of our lives in relationships with others, so it’s natural to compare ourselves to those we know, admire, live or work with. But often, comparing ourselves to others leads to our own dissatisfaction, because, somehow, others just seem happier, richer, more popular or more successful. And just like in the movie “When Harry Met Sally,” Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Sunshine Pantry! we think to ourselves: “I’ll have what she’s Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Sunshine Pantry! having!”

PASSOVER IS THE TIME OF YEAR when Jews retell the core narrative of the Jewish people, which goes like this: We were slaves in Egypt for over 400 years, then God brought us out of Egypt “with a strong hand and an outstretched arm” to become a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” The Passover story is a powerful account of redemption through revelation that reminds us annually of our deep-rooted connection to God, freedom, community and Torah.

But it’s interesting to note that within the first few weeks of freedom, the Jews began to complain bitterly about how rough life was in the desert. Food was scarce, nights were cold and no one seemed happy with this new life – definitely a lot of kvetching for a group who, just weeks before, had been building pyramids under

wishing you a plague free Pesach!

locusts

Join us for a family-friendly Seder with Rabbi Alan Berg and Cantorial Soloist Ann Brown.

Tuesday, April 11th The 2nd night of Passover

Matzoh Ball Soup • Salmon OR 15555 Bangy Rd,• Roasted #100 | Chicken Lake Oswego,

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Seder: 6:00 to follow Buffet dinner with vegetarian optionspm/Dinner Children 5 and under are free.

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or office@beithav.org before sending in your registration. Your contact will be held

Children age 5 and under are Free in confidence.

Please bring a non-persihable food it em for the Sunshine Pantry! n o n p a e g r n s i r i h b a e s b a l e e food it l P Reservations: em for the Sunshine Pantry! www.beithav.org Reservations: office@beithav.org www.beithav.org 503-568-1241

office@beithav.org

503-568-1241 (503) 310-9184

Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Sunshine Pantry!

from Congregation Beth Israel!

24 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

Buffet dinner with vegetarian options

Member adult $35 | Member childNo (ages 6-12) $15 cancellations or refunds after April 6th.

Non-Member adult $45 |Member Non-Member 6-12)child $20 (ages 6-12) $15 adultchild $35 |(ages Member If you are in need of financial assistance, please contact the office at 503-310-9184 Children age 5 and underNon-Member are Free adult $45 | Non-Member child (ages 6-12) $20

Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Sunshine Pantry!

Happy Passover

Seder begins at 6:00 pm,Brown with dinner to follow.

Led by Rabbi Alan Berg andRabbi Cantorial Ann Led by AlanSoloist Berg and Cantorial Soloist Ann Brown Mountain Park Recreation Center Please join us for a family-friendly Please join usSeder for a family-friendly 2 Mt. Jefferson Terrace Seder CELEBRATE CONFERENCE CENTER BUFFET DINNER INCLUDES: CELEBRATE CONFERENCE CENTER 15555 Bangy Rd, #100 | Lake Oswego, OR

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in begins at 5:30 pm Beit HaverimBeit Community Passover Seder HaverimCheck Community Passover Seder

The issue of being unhappy with what we have and always wanting more has been around since the beginning of time.

Adam and Eve are a great example: God tells them they can eat from any tree in the Garden of Eden except for the Tree of Knowledge, and bingo, Eve goes straight for the apple from that very tree.

Over 2,000 years ago, the rabbis discussed this problem and gave us this bit of wisdom: “Who is rich? One who is happy with his lot.”

Passover is a great time to renew our commitment to become more aware of what we have. The seder can provide an opportunity to reflect on and share our appreciation for the people and things for which we feel grateful.

During the seder, we sing an upbeat, 1,000-year-old song called “Dayenu.”

Translated from Hebrew, it means “It would have been enough.” Dayenu is the quintessential Jewish gratitude song.

It reminds us, over and over again, that whatever we have is enough and that each additional blessing is a gift, a bonus, from God.

In the song Dayenu, we sing verses like: “If God had brought us out of Egypt and not punished the Egyptians, Dayenu!”

“If He had fed us manna in the desert but not given us Shabbat, Dayenu!”

“If He had brought us before Mt. Sinai but not given us the Torah, Dayenu!”

It’s hard to imagine Jews saying it would have been enough had we not been given the Torah – and yet that is what we sing. From the song we understand that “Dayenu” doesn’t literally mean “It would have been enough” as in “No more, you can stop now, game over.” Rather, the words remind us that no matter what we might not have, we should be grateful for all that we do have. In Dayenu, we thank God for each step of the journey and all that happens in between. Dayenu focuses our attention on what we have instead of what we lack.

At your seder this year, consider creating “Dayenu!” moments. You can use a simple statement about gratitude and let your family members and guests fill in the blanks. For example: It would have been enough if … (my son graduated college),

but he … (also got a job). Dayenu! Or: It would have been enough that … (I reached my 65th birthday), but … (my parents are also alive). Dayenu!

Another way to celebrate Dayenu moments is to have a discussion where family members and guests share what they are grateful for at this point in their lives. Even if everyone doesn’t participate, you can begin a new seder tradition.

Dayenu!

AMY HIRSHBERG LEDERMAN

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

THIS PASSOVER, CONSIDER FOUR MORE QUESTIONS...

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Do you support these organizations on an annual basis?

Do you want them to exist for future generations?

How will you assure Jewish tomorrows?

To create your Jewish legacy contact: Julie Diamond, Executive Director, OJCF julied@ojcf.org • 503.248.9328 www.ojcf.org

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18

Participants at last year’s Community Intergroup Seder dance and sing as the seder concludes.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER PORTLAND

ANNUAL COMMUNITY INTERGROUP PASSOVER SEDER

Thursday, April 6 at 6 pm Mittleman Jewish Community Center There is no charge for the dinner, but seating is limited.

RSVP: 503-245-6219 or laurar@jewishportland.org

Seders offer chance to share our story

By Liz Rabiner Lippoff

L

et all who are hungry, come and eat. Let all who are in need, come and celebrate Passover with us.”

So will start the evening of April 10, 2017, for millions of Jews around the world as they celebrate the first seder of Passover 5777. April 10 will actually be the second seder, however, for those who join 175 new and old friends April 6 at the 18th annual Community Intergroup Passover Seder in Portland. It will be led by Rabbi Joshua Rose and is organized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and supported by federation and by the Emily Georges Gottfried Fund at the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation.

“This is a big part of Emily Gottfried’s (z’l) legacy,” says seder organizer Rachel Rothstein Nelson. According to EmilysFund.org, the fund supports “initiatives and programs that open dialogue among people of different faiths, cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds.” Passover, Rachel says, “is a story of our people, and (the intergroup seder is an opportunity) to share our experience with the broader community.” Last year, 150 people of all ages from all across the community attended, including Muslims and Christians. It is a “learning experience.

Our rabbi does a great job of presenting the universal themes in history and in modern times.”

Rabbi Joshua Rose agrees: “The intergroup seder is a beautiful opportunity for the Jewish community to open its arms and share the stunning message of hope, freedom and redemption with our friends in the broader world. It is our particular story, but it is one whose core idea speaks to the universal impulse toward dignity and freedom. At this moment in our nation’s

26 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

history, it is essential that Jews break down walls that divide, and our Haggadah points the way.”

Many of us participate in multicultural seders by inviting non-Jews to our seders at home. We have friends who want to share what is important to us, learn more about Judaism or enjoy a joyous occasion with people they love. Other interfaith seders happen when mosques and churches invite Jewish leaders to conduct seders in their own communities. Sister Sharon Collver at The Madeleine Parish in Northeast Portland has been organizing Madeleine’s Seder for three years. A scripture instructor herself, their first seder grew out of her love and respect for scripture, including the Torah. “Christianity is really based on many of the principles there,” she says. She thought the seder meal would be a good way “to familiarize our people with how Jewish scripture affects our own worship.” They chose The Passover Celebration by Leon Klenicki and Myra Cohen Klenicki for their Hagaddah and guide, because it was written specifically for seders involving both Christians and Jews. She and her volunteers take pains to prepare the seder plates correctly, and they carefully adhere to the Hagaddah.

She prefers to have a Jewish leader. Congregation Beth Israel’s Cantor Ida Rae Cahana led it two years ago, and Kim Schneiderman of Portland Jewish Academy stepped in last year.

Sister Sharon is looking for a Jewish leader again, but she thinks they may hold the seder again even if she can’t find someone. “A Jewish leader helps give the flavor of the true seder. The service is not about Christianity. This is truly a Jewish feast and we stick to the Hagaddah, yet it has relevance for us as Christians. I like the

thought that it puts us back into that original experience. It helps us understand our relationship to God in a covenanted way.”

“It really was a model seder and a learning experience for them,” says Cantor Cahana. “We focused on the nature of Hagaddah – telling and retelling the seminal story that defines us as a people. We talked about how to let that story lead us to empathy with others, understanding of our responsibility to help others who are not free and exploration of the ways in which we personally or communally may still be enslaved with modernday plagues.”

And it is fun. “People enjoy it,” Sister says. “The kids were running around looking for the afikomen with the adults calling out ‘Hot! Cold!’ when the kids were on or off the right track.

People in the parish have asked when we are having another.”

Sister Phyllis Jaszkowiak of St. Charles Borromeo in Northeast Portland says her congregation has been having seders for more than 20 years. It started as a part of the religious education program. “We come from the Jewish faith, and we needed to know who our ancestors were, what they did, how they worshipped.” Now people come back, year after year. They, too, use the Klenicki text.

“We go through the whole seder, all of us, the leaders, participants and children. It is serious and it is fun. At the end, one of our guys plays Dayenu and we all dance, dance, dance,” she says. It goes without saying that there is wine for the adults and grape juice for the kids.

“I’d love to see more members of the Jewish community offer

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to lead model seders for our Christian friends,” says Rabbi David Zaslow of Havurah Shir Hadash in Ashland. In his new book, Reimagining Exodus, he delves into what it is about the Passover story that has the power to bind Christians and Jews together but can also divide them.

He is careful with his criticism of Christian-only seders. “I would not make blanket statements: some Christian seders may be totally appropriate.” But, he says, “Jews for Jesus, about 25 years ago, started promoting seders in churches in order to try to convert Jews to Christianity.” He points out that some Christian-only seders “misappropriate” the seder symbols to apply them to their faith, such as using the bitter herbs to symbolize Christ’s suffering on the cross as well as the Jews’ suffering in Egypt.

“The impact it has had is significant enough to warrant a respectful response, which I believe is for Jewish leaders to accept invitations to lead model seders,” the rabbi says. “This way our Christian friends can get a sense of the Jewish roots of their faith without a misappropriation of our sacred yearly ritual.”

“The era of interfaith work needs to begin,” says Rabbi Zaslow.

“We are willing to reach out to the world and share our beautiful rituals.”

“Let all who are hungry, come and eat. Let all who are in need, come and celebrate Passover with us.”

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

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How about a meat-free day for Pesach?

By Deborah Moon

A

s part of her drive to reduce meat consumption nationwide, Katie Cantrell suggests eating meals that are meat-free during one day of Passover.

The founder and executive director of Factory Farming Awareness Coalition, Katie speaks at colleges, high schools, synagogues and any available venue sharing her holistic message that factory farming is a threat to the environment, social justice, animal welfare and public health.

But rather than persuade the world to become vegetarian or vegan, she proposes small steps that together reduce meat consumption, thereby reducing the need for factory farms.

“We try to meet people where they are,” she says. “If I can get seven people to eat vegetarian one day a week, that’s the same as one person being a vegetarian all week. It is more effective to get a larger number of people to do smaller steps.”

That is the rationale behind FFAC’s Meatless Monday campaign and Katie’s suggestion to go meatless for one day during the weeklong festival of Pesach.

“Compassion for animals is certainly a Jewish value,” says Katie, who grew up attending Jewish summer camp and Hebrew school at the Conservative synagogue her family attended in Los Angeles. “In Hebrew school, I learned about tikkun olam and compassion for people and animals, and that was in keeping with the way my parents raised me.”

Katie considers Passover, when Judaism’s empathy for the oppressed and focus on asking questions is especially evident, a good time to talk to the Jewish community about the impact of factory farming.

“My family’s Haggadah talks about people still enslaved and oppressed,” says Katie. “And that relates to factory farming and the billions of animals who spend their entire life in confinement.

It’s nice our actions can have a direct impact. With our daily food choices we can vote with our dollars and have an impact.”

“Factory farming was created so everyone can eat meat every day,” says Katie. “Therefore, meat reduction is a key part of getting rid of that.”

Katie sits on the advisory council of Jewish Veg (jewishveg.org).

The organization provides extensive information on the Jewish arguments for a meat-free diet, such as this passage: And God said: “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree that has seed-yielding fruit – to you 28 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

Above: Katie Cantrell visits a cow at Farm Sanctuary in Orland, CA.

it shall be for food.” (Genesis 1:29). The Jewish Veg website notes, “In fact, God issued those instructions right after he gave humans “dominion” over the animals. So it is clear that ‘dominion’ does not include killing animals for food.”

While attending the University of California-Berkley, Katie learned that factory farming is the largest cause of suffering for animals in the world. But it wasn’t until she read Jonathan Safran Foer’s Eating Animals that she realized factory farming was detrimental in so many ways.

“I had never seen it laid out like that before,” Katie says. “I liked the holistic approach.”

After graduation, she looked for an organization that took that holistic approach against factory farming. When she couldn’t find one, she started FFAC “as a hobby. I did not set out to start a national nonprofit. I just felt compelled to share information with people.”

She moved to Portland in 2015 because the social climate is very conducive to her message and after visiting a friend here she thought it was a nice place to live. “Portland is the easiest outreach I’ve ever done,” she says, noting many college instructors invite her to speak to their classes every term.

FFAC now shares information on its website and through eight chapters around the country. They share recipes, suggestions for decreasing meat consumption and information about the negative impact factory farming has on the animals, the environment, workers in factory farms and public health.

Katie will speak at Congregation Neveh Shalom (2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland) at 2 pm, May 9.

For more information or to schedule a free talk by Katie, visit ffacoalition.org.

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ask helen Find your strength during Passover A NOSH OF

JEWISH WISDOM:

Truth is the light to find your way out of darkness. Turn it on.

Dear Helen: Every year my sister tries to upstage me at Passover. We have a family tradition of alternating first and second nights. When she goes first she puts on such an ostentatious display that my seder feels small and average. She says she cooks everything herself, but I’m convinced she’s used a deli. When she goes second she makes a point of outdoing whatever I have done.

It sounds petty, but if I make one dessert she makes two; if I make two, she serves three. My brother is single and never has to host. I know he loves us both, but he knows how competitive she is and always compliments her profusely. It shouldn’t bother me, but it does.

Second Fiddle Dear Second Fiddle: Annoying relatives are one of life’s challenges. Silly or not, it’s clearly gotten to you. A lifetime of sisterhood should have taught you that you’re unlikely to change her personality. You could create a lot of tension in the family by trying, but why?

Instead, get into the true spirit of Pesach and try to modulate the game. It won’t be as satisfying in the short run, but in the

~ Reb Nachman of Breslov

longer one, you’ll be happier. Plus your family will be more in tune with what the holiday is really about. Bonus: if you master this lesson with your sister, other people will have a harder time getting under your skin.

Passover is about liberation from Mitzrayim. For the moment, consider your personal Mitzrayim to be a vulnerable ego and your sister’s vanity. Since you’re not going to beat her at her own game, move the goalpost. Instead of buying into perpetual “one-upswomanship,” strive for simplicity, piety and a hamish sense of family and warmth. Compliment her for what she does well. Smile. Dig deep for sincerity. Match it with your simplest best. Sparkle where it counts, from within, and liberate yourself from this annual plague.

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

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30 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

Passover seders for all tastes

What goes on a seder plate

Compiled by Deborah Moon

W

hile there are some Jewish families who have lived here for generations, many people have chosen Oregon as their home. They often leave behind extended family, which can seem lonely around the holidays.

Although Passover is traditionally a “home” holiday, congregations realize there are many who do not have family nearby or who would just like to celebrate with their larger communal family.

Here are some options (Note: Many seders offer scholarships for those unable to pay full amount; contact organizers for details.): • Celebrating Our Freedom/Young Families Seder: Join Rabbi Josh Rose and Portland Jewish Academy’s Jana Hopfinger for an early evening of family fun, learning and connection designed for families with children in preschool through fifth grade.

4:30-6pm Tuesday, April 11 at Congregation Shaarie Torah, 920 NW 25th Ave., Portland $40 per family of 4, $10 per additional guest RSVP by April 7: shaarietorah.org or 503-226-6131 • Redemption Song: A Second Night Seder: A special seder full of song, celebration, kosher food and wine, conversation, connection and learning led by Rabbi Josh Rose.

Doors open 6:30, seder begins 7 pm, Tuesday, April 11 at Congregation Shaarie Torah, 920 NW 25th Ave., Portland Members: $36 adult/$14 child; nonmembers: $40 adult/$20 child RSVP by April 7: shaarietorah.org or 503-226-6131 • The Chabad Center for Jewish Life offers a warm, family-style community seder. The seder features gourmet cuisine, handmade shmurah matzah, international kosher wine selection, and readings in Hebrew and English.

7:30-10:30 pm, April 10, at 2858 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland $36 adult, $25 child, $180 patron or $360 sponsor; email Rabbi@ JewishNortheast.com regarding confidential cost adjustment.

RSVP by April 5: JewishNortheast.com/Seder • Havurah Shalom will host a Passover Community Seder led by Havurah’s very own Beth Hamon and Adela Basayne. The dinner will be vegetarian, with gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free options.

6 pm, Tuesday, April 11, at 825 NW 18th Ave., Portland Prices vary. To inquire about cost adjustments, contact Rachel at rachelp@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 2.

RSVP by April 5: tinyurl.com/Pesac17 • The Central Coast Community Seder is nondenominational, and in the true spirit of Passover, our doors are open to all. Join us for an evening of reflection and celebration. Kid-friendly.

6 pm, April 13, at BB Camp on the Oregon Coast near Lincoln City $18/person RSVP: bbcamp.org/community-seder

• Humanistic seder hosted by Congregation Kol Shalom. Come celebrate Passover with humanistic, culturally Jewish meaning. Check in/social hour begins at 4 pm; seder commences at 5 pm. Dinner is catered by Spin.

4 pm, April 16, at the Starlight Room, 1125 SE Madison St., Portland $45/person, $15/children 10 and under RSVP by April 6: 503-459-4210 or info@kolshalom.org • Temple Beth Israel’s Community Passover Seder with Rabbi Ruhi Sophia Motzkin Rubenstein. Join us for a joyful seder experience with song, insight and discussion while enjoying Passover ritual foods and a delicious catered meal. Gluten-free and vegan options available at registration.

6 pm, April 11 at Temple Beth Israel, 1175 E 29th Ave., Eugene Adult member $37, nonmember $43; children (age 6-12) $20 with maximum of $40 for families with multiple children; under 5 free.

RSVP by April 4: 541-485-7218 or https://form.jotform.com/70645186687974 Limited financial assistance is available; email info@tbieugene.org

WHEN WE WERE STRANGERS

A PASSOVER KIRTAN Celebrating immigrants and refugees April 14th 6:00 p.m.

7550 NE Irving Street Light refreshments served Register at shirtikvahpdx.org

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 31

WOW Executive Director Lesley Sachs holds a Torah she smuggled into the Western Wall Plaza on June 7, 2016, for Rosh Hodesh services.

Opposite page, police arrest Lesley for bringing the Torah to the plaza.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL FATTAL

32 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

WOW : Marathon for women's rights steps up the pace

By Deborah Moon

F

ounded in 1988 to secure women’s rights to pray and read Torah at the Western Wall, Women of the Wall has become not only a battle for women’s status and pluralism in Israel, but also a role model for women seeking parity in other countries and religions.

“This is a marathon and we still have a long way to go,” says WOW Executive Director Lesley Sachs, who will be in Portland April 24-26. In Portland, Lesley will meet privately with a variety of groups and present a public update April 26 on the accelerated pace of the marathon that has resulted in significant steps from Israel’s Supreme Court and government in 2017. “I’m optimistic change is coming,” says Lesley.

“The Western Wall is the most visited site in Israel, both by visitors and Israelis,” she says. “It is the heart of Judaism. … The Western Wall is our center in so many ways, so the battle to keep women quiet there of all places is so meaningful.”

WOW seeks to enable women to pray at the Wall with

the four Ts: Tefillah (prayer), Tefillin, Tallit and Torah.

“The four Ts are permitted halachically,” says Lesley.

“Rashi’s daughters did tefillin and tallit.”

But in 1988 when the First International Jewish Feminist Conference held services at the Kotel, services were disrupted by verbal and physical assaults from ultra-Orthodox men and women. Those disruptions have continued over succeeding decades.

“They didn’t want to hear our voices,” says Lesley, referencing kol isha, the prohibition against men hearing women sing.

Every Rosh Hodesh, WOW holds prayer services in the Women’s Section of the plaza. “It’s very violent. UltraOrthodox women stand with whistles and shout. We are double body-searched (to ensure no woman smuggles a Torah into the plaza). … We have so many women join us, but it’s not easy. We’re all suffering abuses and bruises.”

Among the women who have joined WOW for Rosh Hodesh are Neshama Carlebach, who detailed her Continued on page 34

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 33

WOW: Women of the Wall

experience in the March issue of Oregon Jewish Life, and Portland Rabbi Rachel Joseph.

“When I prayed with Women of the Wall 10 years ago as a rabbinical student, it was a transformative experience,” says Rabbi Joseph. “I was filled with gratitude and pride. Yet, despite all the pride, I also felt remarkably sad. As a typical North American Reform Jew, I had never before felt afraid at the Kotel, but this day was different. The throngs of angry, shouting, shoving people surrounding us had a look of malice that was shocking. On our way out, people threw water bottles, and a classmate of mine was hit by a rock. How, in the Jewish Homeland, could any Jew – let alone Jews praying at our holiest site – be treated that way by their own community?”

“I never imagined that in 2017, women would still be prohibited from raising their voices in prayer at the Kotel.

However, as much as ever before, the religious extremists continue to hold authority and power over all Jews in the State of Israel – from school funding to liberal rabbinic recognition – and over all activity at the Kotel.”

Lesley says that the Western Wall administrator, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, “runs the Wall not as an Israeli or Jewish site, but as his own private synagogue.”

34 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

Left: Female yeshiva students join Women of the Wall for a Rosh Hodesh prayer service.

Right: Every Rosh Hodesh, when WOW holds prayer services in the Women’s Section of the plaza, ultra-Orthodox women stand with whistles and shout at the praying women.

Lesley has been arrested five times at the Kotel – four times for wearing a tallit and once for smuggling a Torah into the Western Wall plaza. Though courts have ruled women have the right to read Torah at the Wall, Rabbi Rabinowitz created a regulation prohibiting anyone from bringing a Torah into the plaza. Men are permitted to borrow one of the 200 Torah scrolls kept there, but women are not permitted to use one.

“It’s a catch-22,” says Lesley. “We are permitted to read from the Torah, but we can’t get one in.”

The pace of change picked up in 2009 when the social media revolution enabled WOW to bring its narrative to journalists and Jewish communities around the globe. Progressive and liberal Jewish groups in North America and elsewhere began to urge the Israeli government to recognize religious pluralism, especially as it concerns the status of women.

“It is focusing attention on the point that the Israeli

WOMEN OF THE WALL IN PORTLAND WHAT Women of the Wall Executive Director Lesley Sachs will update Portlanders on the rapidly evolving legal battle over women’s rights to pray at the Western Wall. Light dessert reception will follow.

WHEN 7 pm, April 26, Rosh Hodesh Iyar WHERE Congregation Beth Israel sanctuary PRESENTED BY CBI with the support and partnership of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland INFORMATION 503-222-1069

“The Women of the Wall is an important movement that increases religious pluralism in Israel.” ~ JFGP President and CEO Marc Blattner government does not accept any way of being Jewish that is not Orthodox,” says Lesley, adding that Diaspora Jewry is concerned about Orthodox control of marriage, divorce and especially conversions.

“Revolutions such as this don’t happen a lot in a person’s life,” says Lesley. “It’s exciting and invigorating. This is a battle to engage and involve and influence Israel and North American Jewry.”

When Lesley visits Portland this month, she will share the ongoing battle and the latest developments with Portlanders.

The Portland visit, part of Lesley’s four-state tour, is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland in partnership with Congregation Beth Israel.

“The Women of the Wall is an important movement that increases religious pluralism in Israel,” says JFGP President and CEO Marc Blattner. “The Jewish Federation remains supportive of openness and inclusion in regard to Jewish tradition and practice.”

Rabbi Joseph, CBI’s associate rabbi, notes that the Reform Movement and Congregation Beth Israel have always supported pluralism in Israel and egalitarian prayer at the Kotel.

“The issue of civil and religious rights for non-Orthodox Jews in Israel is one of the most important issues facing Progressive Judaism worldwide,” says Rabbi Joseph. “And the Reform Movement is lucky to have a political voice in Israel through the Israel Religious Action Center led by Anat Hoffman,” who also serves as board chair of Women of the Wall.

“I am excited to bring this conversation to the Jewish community of Portland and Congregation Beth Israel,” says the rabbi.

Continued on page 36 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 35

WOW: Women of the Wall

Women of the Wall at Robison’s Arch.

“I am forever hopeful that when I return to Jerusalem, I will feel no hesitation or anxiety when I wrap myself in my tallit at the Kotel, singing out loud alongside women and other Reform Jews without scrutiny or fear of repercussions,” she says. “It is said that, among other reasons, it is so powerful to pray at the Kotel because you have the eyes of all of the Jews of the world on your backs, as they face east to pray.

Now, the eyes of every Jew in the world should be on the Wall and the Israeli government as the deal for egalitarian prayer plaza stalls.”

WOW is battling to claim the rights women were promised in a 2014 agreement that became law in January 2016 (see box page 37).

In the first three months of this year, Israel’s Supreme Court and government have moved to address those issues. On Jan. 11, the Supreme Court ruled that the Western Wall administrator and state agencies “must explain why the petitioners should not be allowed to pray in accordance with their custom at the traditional plaza, or alternatively allow them to pray in accordance with the custom at a place which has access to the

Western Wall similar to the traditional site.” At the end of February, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Knesset minister Tzachi Hanegi to find a compromise in the next three months.

Lesley says she hopes that results in Robinson’s Arch finally being upgraded into a proper prayer area. Located on the south end of the Western Wall, the arch supported a staircase that led up to a gate into the Temple Mount.

Boulders that have fallen over the past two millennia make the area look more like an archaeological site than a prayer plaza. The current wooden platform, which Lesley says resembles a parade platform with scaffolding, does permit people to get close enough to touch the Wall. But it needs to be a larger, more permanent structure. Additionally, access to the lower part of the Wall on the Herodian road needs to be expanded by removing fallen boulders.

If the area is turned into a pluralistic plaza with equal access to the existing plaza, Lesley says, “Most people from North America and Israel will choose to come to the pluralistic plaza because that is the way they pray. This new plaza will become

“The Western Wall is our center in so many ways, so the battle to keep women quiet there of all places is so meaningful.” ~ Lesley Sachs

36 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

‘The Plaza.’ ” The pluralistic plaza would include a low symbolic mechitza setting aside an area so that Orthodox women who wanted to pray with the four Ts could do so in a women’s-only setting.

When full access to the Wall is available at the arch, Lesley believes it also will meet the needs of Orthodox women who split from WOW believing the arch is an unsatisfactory location for prayer.

The desires of the ultra-Orthodox also would be satisfied by the new plaza.

“We would leave the women’s section (of the current plaza) to any woman who wants to continue to pray according to Rabbi Rabinowitz’s outlook,” says Lesley. “When we have an alternative, we will leave their area. This will be a respectful thing for the ultra-Orthodox women, too. That is the beauty of our agreement.”

In addition to changing the status of women in Israel, Lesley says the movement also has a lot to teach women involved in other battles. Mormon women seeking to enhance women’s status within their religion have been inspired by WOW. In 2015 a young Mormon woman invited Lesley to participate in a panel discussion on Women and Religion at the Parliament of the World’s Religions, an international convention that drew about 9,500 people to Salt Lake City.

“She told me, ‘Women of the Wall are our heroes, our role models,’ ” says Lesley.

Lesley believes many women’s movements can look to WOW for inspiration.

“Participants in the Women’s March can learn a lot about resilience from the Women of the Wall,” she says. “A lot of North American women feel they will need to be vigilant to retain their achievements for women’s rights over the past few decades.”

Prayer parity is not Lesley’s first battle for women’s rights in Israel.

“I have been a feminist activist ever since I finished my army service,” says Lesley. “When I was in the army, women held menial positions. … The hierarchy was so clear and sexual harassment was horrible at the time.”

So when she started college in Haifa, she began volunteering at Women to Women. She moved to Jerusalem after graduation and began volunteering at the Israel Women’s Network, where she soon joined the staff, ultimately rising to executive director. The Network relied on legislation and litigation to improve women’s rights in Israel and especially in the Israel Defense Forces.

“We represented a woman (Alice Miller) who wanted to be a pilot, and we won and we changed the entire IDF.” Now women serve in virtually every position in the IDF. “Opening up the IDF was closure of a circle for me,” says Lesley.

Though at that time Lesley did not herself pray at the Western Wall, she began volunteering with WOW and became the executive director in 2008.

She describes the ultra-Orthodox assault on women praying halachically at the Wall as patriarchal and chauvinistic. “It’s not about religion, it’s about power and dominance,” she says.

“We set out to pray with the four Ts at the Wall,” says Lesley.

“We are accomplishing and changing so much more.”

A RECENT HISTORY OF WOMEN’S PRAYER AT THE KOTEL (Condensed from history provided by Nechama Namal, Resource Development Director of Women of the Wall)

2003: S upreme Court decision gives women the right to pray as they wish at the Kotel, but only at Robinson’s Arch.

2009: W OW stops praying at Robinson’s Arch because it remained in disrepair and was not yet suitable for worship.

2013: J udge Moshe Sobel ruled that the State of Israel had not renovated Robinson’s Arch in a manner befitting a holy place.

2014: I sraeli government invited WOW, the Reform Movement, the Conservative Movement, the Jewish Federations of North America and the Jewish Agency to discussions for a plan to transform the southern plaza area of the Western Wall – also known as Robinson’s Arch – into a pluralistic place of worship. The site was to be renovated and the entrance to the Western Wall was to be changed so that the three sections – men’s, women’s, pluralistic – would be equally visible and accessible.

Jan. 31, 2016: The Israeli government voted to implement the agreement by a vote of 15 to 5. None of its provisions have yet been implemented.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 37

Yom Hashoah

Luba Tryszynska-Frederick, z”l, front row third from left, with children she saved at a reunion 50 years after liberation. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum works hard to preserve stories of survivors such as Luba. Luba's papers and photos are now housed at the USHMM’s new David and Fela Shapell Family Collections, Conservation and Research Center, a home for the museum’s archives.

Preserving first-person testimony

By Deborah Moon

The recent donation of materials about Luba Tryszynska, “The Angel of Bergen-Belsen,” adds an important message to the collection of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

“As important as it is to know about man’s capacity for evil, it is also important to know man’s capacity for good,” says Judith Cohen, the museum’s chief acquisitions curator. “We don’t think of rescuers in a camp. Her altruism rescued 52 children 38 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

Luba and two sisters at liberation

from the Netherlands and about 50 from other countries … It is important to study goodness, or we will be overcome with a nihilistic view of the world. The moral of the Holocaust is people make choices for evil or good.”

Luba Tryszynska-Frederick, z”l, rescued about 100 children while she was herself a prisoner in the Nazi concentration camp where some 50,000 Jews died. After her 3-year-old son had been sent to the gas chambers in Auschwitz, Luba was transferred to Bergen-Belsen in the summer of 1944.

Hearing children crying her second night in camp, she went out to find 54 children ages 2 to 14 who had been dumped from a truck and left to die in the camp.

“She brought them under her wing,” says Judith. “Of the original group of 54 Dutch children, 52 survived – an amazing ratio.”

About 50 more children from other countries were brought to her for protection in the months leading up to the April 15, 1945, liberation of the camp. She scrounged for food and tried to keep them quiet in her barracks so they would not annoy the guards. Following liberation, many of the Dutch children returned to Holland, and she escorted many of the other children to a displaced persons home in Sweden.

In 1947 she immigrated to the United States, where she and her husband, Saul Frederick, also an Auschwitz survivor, raised two children.

In 1995 many of the children she rescued brought their children and grandchildren to a reunion with the woman who saved them.

A collection of Luba’s photos, articles and letters from the children she saved were donated to the USHMM by Luba’s cousin, Ruth Saltzman, mother of Oregon Jewish Life

“As important as it is to know about man’s capacity for evil, it is also important to know man’s capacity for good. ...The moral of the Holocaust is people make choices for evil or good.” ~ Judith Cohen, USHMM chief acquisitions curator.

Publisher Cindy Saltzman. Judith came to Portland, where Ruth resides, in early February to accept and transport the collection to Washington, D.C. The papers and photos are now housed at the USHMM’s new David and Fela Shapell Family Collections, Conservation and Research Center, a home for the museum’s archives slated to open April 15. All the items in the museum’s permanent collection have been transferred to the new state-ofthe-art facility designed to preserve photos and documents.

“Our main concern is preservation of artifacts,” says Judith.

“With time, documents tend to deteriorate. Our collection is the survivors’ eyewitness accounts of what happened. This Judith Cohen

Honoring 31 Years of Remembrance

2017 Events

OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL PROGRAM remember the past • change the future The Wars in Iraq and Syria – National, Regional, and Global Implications

Sarhang Hamasaeed Monday, April 24, 7:30 p.m.

Construction and Engineering Hall, LaSells Stewart Center, OSU

Reflections on the Holocaust Lucille Eichengreen Tuesday, April 25, 7: 30 p.m.

Austin Auditorium, LaSells, OSU

Religious Prejudice on the Contemporary Scene: How Great is the Threat?

Hilary Bernstein & Amarah Khan

Wednesday, April 26, 7:30 p.m.

Milam Auditorium, OSU

The Transformative Power of the Holocaust Anne Kelly Knowles Thursday, April 27, 7:30 p.m.

C&E, LaSells Stewart Center OSU

Student Conference on Human Rights and Social Justice Issues Friday, April 28, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Native American Longhouse, OSU For details on the program,

http://holocaust.oregonstate.edu OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 39

Yom Hashoah

Coming In May 2017

SENIORS Please contact your account executive today advertise@ojlife.com orjewishlife.com

“Age is just a state of mind”

Luba's Portland cousins joined her in Amsterdam when Queen Beatrix honored her with the Medal of Honor for Humanitarian Deeds. From left are Helen Stern; Hal, z"l, and Ruth Saltzman; Luba Tryszynska-Frederick, z"l; and Jerry Stern, z"l. While researching family history in a museum archive, Ruth found a document that made her think Luba was a cousin. When Luba was interviewed on Dateline, Ruth contacted the studio, which put her in touch with Luba. (The interview can be seen on YouTube). The two were indeed cousins and became very close.

is what will remain of authentic documentation that is so crucial.”

The new facility will also serve as a reference center so people can come and do research on original artifacts.

Formerly researchers could request a document from the museum’s archive, but it had to be transported to a research area. Now items will be available onsite; researchers can request specific catalogs, photos or entire collections that are cataloged with general descriptions of their contents.

The expanded access to safeguarded artifacts will enable the museum to further its important mission, says Judith. Noting that last year the museum welcomed its 40-millionth visitor since opening in 1993, she says, “We are introducing the Holocaust to many people who had heard nothing about it. It is crucial to share these lessons. … It’s not just the numbers, but the fact we make sure everything is historically accurate.

Our website reaches people around the world in countries without Holocaust museums.”

“It shows what can happen when you turn a blind eye to evil and how quickly horrible things can happen,” she says.

For more information, visit ushmm.org.

TM

WANDER NO MORE

40 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

Hate crimes hit Portland too

By Deborah Moon

Anyone who follows the news is probably aware that hate crimes and scapegoating “the other” has been on the rise in recent months.

“The climate in the country has emboldened extremists, so the rise of antiSemitism is alarming,” says Bob Horenstein, community relations director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. “But hate crimes against other communities are up, as well.”

Portland is not immune to this trend.

On March 12, a Jewish employee at the Lucky Labrador Beer Hall on Portland's Northwest Quimby Street confronted a large group who referred to themselves as “National Socialists” (Nazis). Staff had reportedly been finding cards left on the premises listing links for white supremacist websites.

Overhearing comments from a table of 10 customers, employee Ilan Moskowitz asked them about the cards.

Willamette Week reported that when asked why he confronted them, Ilan said, "My whole life, I hear about this shit. My grandfather survived two prison camps. I'll tell you what was going through my head: 'This is how Hitler got started. In a beer hall.' " But in an interview with Oregon Jewish Life, Ilan says he doesn’t believe the group’s intentions were so symbolic. He says it was a meetup group that converses online as a book group. “They had their rights down pat,” he says.

“They felt comfortable in a place with no black employees.”

Ilan says they were almost correct – at the Lucky Lab, “Anybody’s politics are welcome unless there is hate involved.”

Ilan says his reaction is consistent with his other activities as a journalist and musician. In April, his comic book-rock group Millennial Falcon plans to record an anti-Nazi single, and his journalist group Fake Publishing Millionaires plans to send out postcards opposing Twitter as legitimate political communication.

Ilan says he stepped up at the Lucky Lab because he sees apathy as a real danger to a free, democratic society. On March 16 he quit his job at the bar because of harassment – "Neo-Nazis hacked everybody's [employees'] Facebook."

Portland also became one of at least 100 Jewish community centers and schools around the country that have received bomb threats since early January.

“Late in the evening on March 6, Portland's Mittleman Jewish Community Center received an email threat that turned out to be a hoax,” says Executive Director Steve Albert. “The message indicated the possibility of explosives on campus. … Four police officers and one FBI agent responded to our call.

We closed the building and completed a comprehensive sweep of the facility.

No one was ever in any danger, and we have no reason to believe there is any ongoing need for concern. The safety of everyone who enters our facility is always our top priority, and we continue our long-standing practice of assessing and enhancing campus security protocols and infrastructure in an ongoing manner.” With local and regional law enforcement, the Jewish Community Center Association of North America and the FBI, he says they hope “to bring those responsible for these threats to justice.”

There is perhaps a silver lining to the recent increase in hatred, says Bob Horenstein. “There’s been a lot of outreach from other faith communities. We are not standing alone.”

He adds that in late March, representatives from Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and the African American community met “to brainstorm and see how we can respond collectively.”

Events to commemorate Day of Remembrance Local events commemorating the Holocaust begin at noon, April 23, with a public tour of the Oregon Holocaust Memorial.

Memorial docents Jill Slansky and Evelyn Banko will lead a one-hour tour, sharing stories of survival and loss.

The Oregon Holocaust Memorial is located in Washington Park at the intersection of SW Washington Way and Wright Avenue.

Docent-led tours are available year-round.

To schedule a tour for your school or organization, call 503-226-3600.

This year’s communitywide commemorative service will be 7 pm, April 23, at Congregation Shaarie Torah, 920 NW 25th Ave., Portland. Attendees are asked to bring a yellow flower to symbolize life.

The service will include a candle-lighting ceremony in memory of the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust. Lighting candles will be Eva Aigner, who survived the Budapest Ghetto; Evelyn Banko, whose family fled Austria through Lativa, China and Japan on the way to the United States; Anneke Bloomfield, who spent the war as a child in hiding; Yelena Elkina, a survivor of Camp Pechora, where 24 or her relatives died; and Miriam Greenstein, who survived the Lodz Ghetto, Auschwitz and Bergen Belsen.

The service is presented in partnership with Congregation Shaarie Torah, the Oregon Board of Rabbis, and Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education.

The commemoration continues the next day with the Reading of the Names, which this year has been moved from the traditional Pioneer Courthouse Square because of construction.

This year’s reading of the names will be in Director Park, 815 SW Park Ave., Portland, from 10 am to 5 pm April 24. Here in Portland – as in Jewish communities around the world – we gather to read the names of the men, women and children murdered by Nazi Germany and its European collaborators between 1933 and 1945.

Chaja Brajtsztajn died 1942 Treblinka; Beryl Solowjczyk died Wilna 1942; Rywka Fyhrer died Auschwitz 1943; Rachela Szucht died Warsaw 1944; Lina Stern died 1944 Theresienstadt. Throughout our Remembrance Day members of the community will read these names out loud in Portland’s Director Park. One cannot help but reflect on the once-living spirit and body of these lost individuals.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 41

ISRAEL

Dror Israel helps all Israelis engage

By Deborah Moon

On his fourth visit to Portland to share the success of the educational kibbutz movement, Gilad Perry asked fellow educator Shraga Stern to share his story on a new program and surviving a terrorist attack.

Dror Israel has 16 educators’ kibbutzim with 1,200 young adult residents who provide education, cultural and social activities that serve more than 100,000 teens and adults. The movement seeks to help Ethiopian and Russian immigrants, Arab Israelis, Druze, Bedouins and the working classes fully engage in Israeli society. The group has seven high schools, two boarding schools, seven afterschool centers for at-risk youth and now a pre-military gap year program to help at-risk youth succeed in Israel’s compulsory military service.

Shraga created a pre-military gap year program for young people whose backgrounds seemed likely to make military service unsuccessful. He spoke about the importance of the program in helping young people find success in the IDF, which is a key component to success in Israel. He also spoke about finding out that what he himself does embodies the responsibility and commitment he strives to teach the students.

Six months ago while on reserve duty, Shraga was critically injured by a terrorist with a knife.

One night at 2 am, the base where he was stationed received a call from a civilian who reported seeing a man headed for a town. Shraga’s unit and others searched the area, including going door-to-door, until trackers saw signs the man had come and left. Citing other assignments, the battalion commander ordered the troops to leave, but convinced there was still danger, Shraga and eight of his soldiers remained so they could search

in daylight.

While sitting in an armored vehicle near a line of trees, Shraga opened his door to get some air. When he felt a blow to his right side, he jumped out of the vehicle and tried to subdue his attacker by hand, ordering his men not to shoot. It wasn’t until he felt the attacker pull the knife out of his side that he realized the first blow had been the knife being thrust into his ribcage.

He managed to pin the terrorist long enough for his men to grab him.

Thanks to the quick work of a medic and civilian doctor from the town, he survived the damage to his liver and lungs, which had begun to fill with blood. Still awake as the doctor performed an emergency procedure to drain his lungs, Shraga said his first thought was he was glad the man had not attacked his driver, who has two young children. His second thought was of the deaths of five members of the Fogel family in 2011 when two terrorists entered their home.

“Making the decision not to leave stopped the opportunity for another family to die,” said Shraga.

“I teach students about military service and being part of society,” he said. “And I was pleased that when put to the test, I made the right decision.”

During his seven years of active duty, Shraga became aware that some parts of Israeli society were not represented in the infantry. “Students from different backgrounds were not there with us in the struggles of young Israelis,” he said.

“Military service is a gate to Israeli society,” he explained.

“Part of your resume is your IDF service and what did you do there.”

But teens with a police record are not given a chance to serve in combat positions, even if they have changed. “If you become

Dror Israel: dorisrael.org.il/English/ 42 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

a cook or janitor, then you will have different opportunities in Israeli society.”

“I started a new leadership program to take underprivileged kids and try to create opportunities for military service,” said Shraga. “They are valuable and they have something to offer.”

The 10-month program created three small businesses that teens run to develop social, leadership and organization skills.

Shraga also goes to bat for his students.

“One student was very motivated to be in military service; the army was not interested,” said Shraga. This boy had grown up with a single mom in a tough neighborhood and had a police record. “We had to get him recognized by the army. I had to use my connections and knock on doors. … He did really well and finished his service. He had a tough time the first year, but we were there to help.”

Opposite page and above: Kibbutz Eshbal, one of 16 Dror Israel educators’ kibbutzim, has found working with horses and dogs allows youth who have previously experienced only failure to learn they can care for other things. Photos courtesy of Kibbutz Eshbal Top: Gilad Perry talks with Dror Israel supporters in Portland.

Photo by Deborah Moon At right: During a Portland visit, Shraga Stern described his hand-to-hand battle with a terrorist last fall that left him near death. Photo by Deborah Moon

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 43

Israel Democracy Institute President Yohanan Plesner presents the results of the 2016 Israeli Democracy Index to Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin.

Complex but healthy society Think tank strengthens foundations of Israeli democracy

By Ilene Schneider

How can Israel cope with the challenges arising from its dual identity as a Jewish nation-state and a multisector liberal democracy? How can it preserve a free society under conditions of permanent siege? How can the feelings of Israelis be translated into workable government policy?

These are some of the tough questions the Israel Democracy Institute seeks to answer. IDI was created 25 years ago as an independent center of research and action dedicated to strengthening the foundations of Israeli democracy. An institute that provides evidencebased analysis to government agencies, IDI has become a “government ecosystem to develop policy,” according to its president, Yohanan Plesner.

To take the pulse of the Israeli public, IDI has published the Israeli Democracy Index annually since 2003.

The latest edition of the index determined that Israelis trust each other but not their government, that citizens – both Jews and Arabs – are proud to be Israeli and that integration of various sectors of Israeli society could pave the way to prosperity.

See the full story on our website at orjewishlife.com.

44 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

Israel’s Memorial Day & Independence Day

Yom Hazikaron: Commemoration honoring those who have given their lives for the State of Israel. 8 pm, April 30 at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland.

Yom Ha’atzmaut: Celebrate Israel’s 69th year of independence! Israeli music and dancing, arts and crafts, explore Israel in a unique way, hear from teens who have travelled to Israel, food and more.

5-8:30 pm, May 1, at the MJCC.

Subsidized tickets available to parents of IDF lone soldiers Nefesh B’Nefesh and EL AL Israel Airlines are partnering to offer partially subsidized plane tickets between any EL AL gateway city in North America and Israel for parents of Lone Soldiers. The tickets will be allocated to families whose financial limitations prevent them from otherwise reuniting.

EL AL and Nefesh B’Nefesh created the program to enable parents to proudly witness and support their Lone Soldier standing in uniform on a special day and spend quality time together. A soldier participates in an average of three ceremonies: the “swearing-in ceremony” (Tekes Hashba’ah), the “acceptance into his or her unit” (Tekes Kumta) and the “end of basic training” (Tekes Sof Maslul).

One non-transferrable ticket per Lone Soldier family can be used to attend one of these first-year ceremonies, or for a ceremony ending elite unit training courses ending during their second year.

The total ticketing fee is $250 (all other flight costs are subsidized by Nefesh B’Nefesh and EL AL).

For more information on the subsidized tickets, email lonesoldierparent@nbn.org.il.

YOUNG ADULTS

Israeli Soldiers Tour stops in Oregon

1 4 2

3 Two reserve duty Israeli soldiers were in Oregon at the end of February for the ninth StandWithUs Israeli Soldiers Tour, which brought six pair of speakers to college campuses across the country.

In Oregon, Itay and Yuval (last names are withheld for security purposes) related their personal experiences serving in the IDF, spoke about their life in Israel and answered questions from college students.

Accompanied by StandWithUs Pacific-Northwest Campus Coordinator Noa Raman and Israel shaliach Timna Rockman, the two visited two Oregon campuses. They spoke at a Greater Portland Hillel program and visited with students while making challah in Eugene with Akiva, the campus outreach program of the Portland Kollel led by

Rabbi Jack and Shira Melul.

Itay studies political science and communications at Bar Ilan University.

He spent five years in the IDF as a human resources officer. His last assignment and reserve duty are with the medical corps, where he coordinated the construction of a field hospital to treat those wounded in the Syrian conflict. In addition to his studies, Itay works for the Ministry of Tourism as an assistant spokesperson and social media manager.

Yuval, 25, lives in northern Israel.

She studies industrial engineering and management at Ben Gurion University in Beer-Sheva and was part of the StandWithUs Israel Fellowship. During her military service, Yuval was a medic in the Paratroopers Brigade. She serves in the reserves in a search and rescue unit in the Home Front Command. In 2014, she was stationed on the Gaza border during Operation Protective Edge. In her free time, she volunteers with middle school students teaching them robotics.

1

PDX Hillel's Our Israel Fellows and other event attendees join two IDF reserve soldiers following the "Soldier Stories" event at Portland State University. PDX Hillel has 12 OI Fellows, who will finish their fellowship with a trip to AIPAC policy conference. Photo courtesy of Greater Portland Hillel

2

Itay, StandWithUs Emerson Fellow Natalie Engler, Noa Raman and Yuval at the Akiva event in Eugene. Photo courtesy StandWithUs

3 4

Timna Rockman and Yuval make challah with students at the University of Oregon in Eugene. Photo courtesy StandWithUs Noa Raman visits with PSU students Brennan Thorpe (a StandWithUs Emerson fellow) and Tali Aynalem. Photo courtesy of Greater Portland Hillel

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 45

Local playwright Andrea Stolowitz brings her great-grandfather’s 1939 diary to life

By Shuly Wasserstrom

For playwright Andrea Stolowitz, weaving pieces of history into a story is what she does best. So when she came across her great-grandfather’s diary in 2013 at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum archives, she knew she had to weave it into a play that could be performed for a larger audience.

Andrea, who lives in Portland with her husband and children, had been writing plays since she discovered her passion for it during her undergraduate studies. She has never before written a story so personal and connected to her roots.

Andrea’s great-grandfather, Max Cohnreich, escaped Berlin in 1936 and settled in New York City. In 1939, he began keeping a diary about his experiences as a new immigrant for his yet-to-be-born grandchildren. Andrea says her great-grandfather’s English was good by 1939, but not perfect, and she spent over a year reading and developing the text of his journal. She spent 2014- 2015 in Berlin on a Fulbright scholarship to find clues about his life and doing the work to bring his journal to life.

“Once I began reading the diary, I realized it didn’t answer all the questions I had about my family,” Andrea says. She set to work to uncover her great-grandfather’s social network in Berlin, reconnecting with long-lost family and trying to find pieces of his life.

Andrea Stolowitz. Photo by Sabina Samiee

“BERLIN DIARY”

Presented by Hand2Mouth in association with CoHo productions WHEN: April 15-April 30, Thursday-Saturday 7:30 pm, Sunday 3 pm WHERE: CoHo Theatre, 2257 NW Raleigh St. TICKETS: Cohoproductions.org Related Sunday afternoon events: April 15: Searching for Family: a panel of personal stories of the challenges and rewards of genealogical searches in the face of mass displacement. Stories will draw from a range of experiences and perspectives, including Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

April 23: The Future of the Archive: an introduction to archiving in the digital age. This event will precede the 3 pm matinee performance and be a workshop that asks participants to reflect on choosing what to preserve, as well as best practices for personal archiving. It will outline how to keep digital information in formats that will most likely be accessible 20 years, 50 years or 200 years from now.

April 30: 21st Century Berlin & the Jewish Diaspora: this panel will examine Berlin's place in the contemporary Jewish Diaspora in light of the fact that Israelis are the second-largest group to hold German passports (after the Germans themselves). How does this reflect Germany's approach to reconciliation and memorialization of the Holocaust?

46 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

The global refugee crisis was at the forefront of Andrea’s mind as she wrote the play. During the year she spent in Berlin, already almost 1 million people had claimed asylum in Germany. She was surrounded by immigrants whose struggles paralleled those of her great-grandfather.

“I was there working on a story about people fleeing Germany at the same time as people were fleeing their countries to come to Germany. I drew on the parallel of what it means to assimilate and what it means to lose your home,” she says.

In “Berlin Diary,” Andrea explores the process of cracking clues left in great-grandfather’s diary to better understand his life in Berlin and then as a new immigrant.

“It was interesting to see Germany as the same place that created a huge refugee crisis and is now the home to refugees – and the similarity of the traumas. And seeing the trauma of the people who were coming made me understand the trauma of my relatives better,” she says.

While Jewish refugees from other parts of Europe fled the

Erin Leddy and Damon Kupper get ready for Portland production of "Berlin Diary." Photo by Mishima Photography

World premiere in Berlin. Photo by Jerun Vahle

German invaders, “the German Jews, such as my great-grandfather, have the duality of, this is their home too,” Andrea says.

Andrea is a character in the play and says the story is really about her. It’s the first time she’s written in this format, but says it’s the first time she’s written on a topic that calls for it.

“The story craves the specific and that’s the reality of it,” she says. “There is a lot of power in the way the story is told.”

The play premiered at the English Theatre Berlin in October 2016 after her year of work in the city. She has been a Resident Artist at Portland's Artist Repertory Theater since 2014, a position she continued while in Berlin.

She has worked closely with the production team to bring “Berlin Diary” to life in Portland.

Andrea began her undergraduate studies as a Russian literature major. She studied abroad in Moscow in 1992, a time that sparked her love for theater. The government was in shambles, she says, and the university was forced to close. This meant she had plenty of time to attend plays, which were cheap and lively.

“I hadn’t realized the social impact that live events could have. Here was a country falling apart, but the theater was still full,” she says. The bustling theater left an impact, inspiring her to write plays of her own.

“Before that, I had never seen theater as a way to share stories communally to process history.”

She finished her undergrad degree at Barnard College in New York City and then earned an M.F.A. in playwriting from UC-San Diego. She has since served on the faculties at Willamette University, The University of Portland, Duke University and UC-San Diego and has written a number of plays that have premiered across the country.

“Berlin Diary” was named one of the Top Ten 2017 New Jewish Plays by the Jewish Plays Project.

“On a theatrical level, ‘Berlin Diary’ is daring and exciting, stretching the formal bounds of what a play can be in amazing ways,” says JPP Artistic Director David Winitsky.

Generally JPP avoids World War II-era plays, says David, “but this play looks very clearly at the way in which contemporary Jews – especially those who are less involved in daily Jewish life – continue to find connection and meaning in the memory of the Shoah. How do we process the Holocaust, how does it still define who we are as a people and as individuals, and what does all of it have to do with our fast-paced, 21st century lives?

“Andrea is getting into these questions with innovative the-

ater, bitingly honest comedy and a big, big heart.”

In addition to the Portland performances, Hand2Mouth Theatre will run a series of events alongside the run of the show on Sunday afternoons. Hand2Mouth received a large Metro grant for the programming (see box page 46).

“Berlin Diary” premiered at English Theatre Berlin in October 2016. The play was supported through a 2014-15 DAAD faculty research fellowship, a yearlong residency at the English Theatre Berlin/International Performing Arts Center, and grants from the Oregon Arts Commission, The Regional Arts and Culture Council, The Checkpoint Charlie Foundation and The U.S. Embassy. The play was developed at PlayPenn and the New Harmony Project.

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

by

Oscar Wilde Michael Mendelson

directed by

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

SEASON SPONSORS:

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

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 47

Rising up for Human Dignity: a film and action festival

In commemoration of Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month, two groups have teamed up to present an April festival featuring films and opportunities to take action.

Portland State University’s Holocaust and Genocide Studies Project and the local advocacy group Never Again Coalition will present Rising up for Human Dignity, a film and action festival.

“We want people to walk away from these films not feeling hopeless, but invigorated and feeling like they can help make change,” says Lauren Fortgang, policy director for Never Again Coalition.

The groups set out to engage people with a series of films and actions. Each Thursday night in April will feature a film, along with talk-backs and action opportunities.

The festival begins April 6 with “The Uncondemned,” the gripping and world-changing story of a group of young international lawyers and activists who fought to make rape a crime of war. The documentary reveals the mystery witnesses who testified from behind a curtain to bring about the world’s first-ever conviction of rape as a war crime in Rwanda. The timing of this film coincides with the April 7 commemoration of the genocide in Rwanda. Actions will include ways to connect with local sexual assault centers and opportunities to help end the Global Gag Rule.

On April 13, attendees will see “When Elephants Fight,” a documentary that brings to light a bloody conflict involving the mineral trade in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Minerals that are necessary to sustain today's cell phones and laptops are funding the deadliest war since World War II. There will be a variety of actions to take including an e-cycling station and information about making Oregon a Conflict Free State. Portland recently became a Conflict Free City.

Filmmaker Elias Matar will be present to introduce his film “Children of Beqaa” on April 20. “Children of Beqaa” documents director Elias Matar and his daughter, Lyla, traveling to the Beqaa Valley, Lebanon, in June of 2016 to work with Salam LADC, a local NGO. In the Beqaa Valley, more than 500,000 Syrian refugees have been living in a state of limbo for the past five years. These refugees are left in the dark; they have no country, nearly no rights, very little education and not enough food. “Children of Beqaa” gives a voice to the refugees, who 48 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

Children of Beqaa

want their stories to be heard.

“Ahead of Time – The Extraordinary Journey of Ruth Gruber” will be shown April 27. The film tells the story of Ruth Gruber, an international correspondent, photojournalist and the youngest person of her time to receive a Ph.D. A feminist before feminism, Ruth was never just an observer, rather she was a participant in the making of history. This night was chosen for this film because of its proximity to April 23, this year’s observance of Yom HaShoah or Holocaust Remembrance Day. April Slabosheski, holocaust educator at Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, and Julie Reihs, a local photojournalist, will be at the film for a talk-back.

The festival will wrap up May 4 with “Heart of Nuba,” documenting the war-torn Nuba Mountains of Sudan, where American doctor Tom Catena selflessly and courageously serves the needs of a forgotten people, as the region is bombed relentlessly by an indicted war criminal, Sudan's President Omar Al-Bashir.

Sara-Christine Dallain, program director for the NGO iACT, will be speaking about the lives of Sudanese refugees. Although Darfur may seem like a past conflict, the violence continues to flare up, both there and in other regions of Sudan.

For this and all the other films, the organizers are pleased to be able to offer tangible ways that can effect change in these conflicts as we come together to Rise Up for Human Dignity.

Film & Action Festival

WHERE: Various venues on the PSU campus WHEN: 7 pm, every Thursday in April and the first Thursday in May ADMISSION: Free, but seats are first come, first served. Subject matter may not be appropriate for young children.

INFORMATION: neveragaincoalition@gmail. com or http://www.neveragaincoalition.org/ rising-up

Life provides a wealth of material for Jewish comedian definitely The Other.”

Natalie never drank or used drugs in high school, but she Maybe growing up in a seriously Jewish home leads some got online bullied when she dated a guy that another girl liked. people to take refuge in a life of comedy. Or could it be that “Yup, she and her gal-pals started spreading online rumors laughter has been the greatest cure for all the trials and tribuabout me, but they were naive about how easy it was to digitally lations Jews have endured throughout history? Whatever the trace back to the origins of those messages. They got busted and reason, our tribe has certainly contributed more than its fair were suspended for a week. Ha!” share of comedians to the world.

At 14, Natalie took a class at Lane Community College on Portland comedian Natalie Logsdon certainly got into stand-up performance. Her first year, she placed third in the the game at a young age; she began her comedy career when Eugene Laugh Off, even though she was the youngest competshe was voted funniest female at her itor there. She continued performing at eighth-grade graduation. local clubs, the Eugene Celebration, the “Yeah, I kind of worked at being Northwest Women's Comedy Festival funny,” she says. “I started by memoand at a fundraiser for Temple Beth Israel, rizing pages from one of those ‘Truly sometimes requiring special dispensation Tasteless Jokes’ books when I was in as an underage performer. seventh grade. By the time a year had Natalie also had a gift for improvisagone by, I’d established a fan base in the tion, successfully auditioning for the high cafeteria. Each morning, they’d welschool theater group "Chock full of funcome me with, ‘What’s the joke of the ny" and becoming the youngest member day, Natalie?’ ” to join a local chapter of the international “Not everyone approved, however. improv comedy troupe Comedysportz.

One of my best Christian friends wrote At 19 she moved to attend UCLA as a letter telling me that my jokes were a science major. “I was thinking medical sinful, so she was going to pray each school, psychology, brain science. But day to save me. I thought, ‘That’s not so get this: I’ve got the world’s only Jewbad. I get to joke sinfully, and she gets ish mother who didn’t want her kid to to make it right for me in heaven.’ Can become a doctor. Marry one? Sure. But you believe that 25 years later we’re still for me she says, ‘Go be a comic. You’ll be Comedian Natalie Logsdon will perform good friends? But I think she gave up happier.’” at Portland's Bridgetown Comedy Festival, running May 4-7. praying for me, ’cause she never again “Shortly after turning 22, I reconnected mentioned that letter, and meanwhile with a guy I had the biggest crush on sevI’m still telling questionably respectable eral years earlier. After spending less than jokes.” a week together, he says, ‘Move to Portland, we’ll live togethBorn in North Carolina, but brought up in southwest Euer, and probably get married.’ So I go. Three months later, he gene, Natalie found plenty of joke material at home. drunkenly proposed to me in a hot tub. From there, our story “I was raised by a Jewish mother and Catholic father with played out like episodes of Comedy Central’s ‘Drunk History’ exposure to many varieties of guilt and some priceless traditions combined with ‘Cops.’ Not a lot of planning on my part.” on both sides,” Natalie says. “Can you imagine? … If you think After a little abuse, a lot of alcohol and his aunt suggesting that’s confusing, consider how I felt when, just when I began that Natalie should convert in order to stop his drinking, she’d feeling comfortably Jewish, I found out that I and my younger had enough. brother were secretly baptized by my dad when we were too “I divorced him and got a rescue dog instead. Worked out young to know the difference between holy water and a bath in much better. And the dog was neutered before we met. The resthe kitchen sink.” cue facility said it made males much gentler and easier to train.

Natalie’s brother took a more serious path. “He made aliyah, So then I started thinking, ‘What if my ex-husband …’ Wait, then became a soldier and officer in the IDF, and is now an no, I won’t even go there!”

Israeli citizen and university student,” she says. “I would have Natalie restarted her comedy career in Portland. She’s frefollowed exactly the same path, but I’m allergic to bullets.” quently a featured performer at Sam Bond's Garage in Eugene A very Jewish New York grandmother also played an import- and is taking part in Portland's Bridgetown Comedy Festival ant role in her sense of humor and upbringing. But unlike New running May 4 through May 7. In the meantime, follow her on York, Oregon wasn’t exactly a citadel of diversity. “Yeah, every Twitter (@Natalie_May) for the latest show, events and fundweek friends in grade school would say stuff like, ‘Why are you raiser dates and times, as well as random details about her life.

Jewish?’ as if it were a choice like, ‘Why are you vegan?’ … I was

By Joseph Lieberman

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 49

FOOD

CORNER

PASSOVER DESSERT IS ONE TIME TO THINK SIMPLE

Story and photos by Lisa Glickman

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

She can be reached at lisa@lisaglickman.com.

50 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

I love entertaining, therefore the task of having a large group to share a Passover seder is never a daunting one. Whenever we entertain, my husband pleads with me to “just keep it simple.”

He tells me that it’s perfectly fine that everything isn’t made from scratch, and I don’t need to serve several courses for the meal to be “just fine.”

Clearly, I never listen to him. I take pleasure in sourcing the best ingredients and carefully preparing elaborate dishes that may take days to prepare. When I put my heart into a meal, “just fine” is never on the menu.

For me a Passover seder is certainly not the time to take shortcuts. I journey across town for chicken feet and salvaged backs and necks for my chicken soup and seek out only the freshest fish for my gefilte fish. I begin to collect red horseradish in February wherever I can find it. I don’t think I can ever have enough!

Dessert, however, is the one place to keep it simple for a Passover seder. After all of the rich food and a long meal, just a little something sweet is what just about everybody wants.

These two recipes can be made ahead and both require very few ingredients. Whether you are the host or a guest at this year’s seder, these tasty meringue cookies are a perfect way to end the meal. If you eat kitniyot, which includes peanuts, the peanut butter cookies are another option for a tasty dessert.

VANILLA MERINGUE COOKIES WITH ESPRESSO MASCARPONE FILLING These deliciously light and crispy cookies take some time to make, but they can be made well ahead and stored in an airtight container.

Fill with the sweetened mascarpone just before serving.

For the cookies:

6 large egg whites at room temperature 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract Pinch of salt 1⅓ cups sugar

For the filling:

1 cup mascarpone cheese 3 tablespoons superfine sugar (see note) 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract ½ teaspoon instant espresso powder Preheat oven to 250 degrees and line two baking sheets with a Silpat or parchment paper. Place egg whites in the bowl of a standing mixer with a whip attachment. Add vanilla and pinch of salt. Turn mixer to high speed and whip until egg whites begin to turn white. SLOWLY add the sugar and continue to beat until meringue is thick and glossy. Rub a pinch of the batter between your fingers to make sure sugar is completely dissolved. Use a pastry bag to pipe meringues onto baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Place in oven and bake for 1½ to 2 hours until firm to the touch and barely beginning to brown on edges.

Turn oven off and allow to cool completely, overnight if possible. Store cookies in airtight container until ready to fill.

Remove mascarpone from refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature. Use a whisk or handheld mixer to blend in sugar, vanilla and espresso powder. Place a small dollop between two cookies and gently press together.

Note: You can buy superfine sugar, but to make it place granulated sugar in a blender and process in pulses until very fine.

PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY COOKIES This recipe can be used during Passover only if you eat kitniyot.

Ashkenazi Jews generally abstain from kitniyot as well as chametz, but many Sephardic Jews eat peanuts and other kitniyot during Passover. I found this recipe when I had a craving for peanut butter cookies and made up my own spin by adding the jelly. When I saw how few ingredients were in this recipe I had to try it. It’s a very dense cookie so make them small. Creamy or chunky is up to you.

1 cup natural peanut butter 1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed 1 egg 1 cup jelly (I used Concord grape) Flaked, or larger salt such as fleur de sel (optional, but delicious) Mix peanut butter, sugar and egg together in a medium bowl.

Chill for at least half an hour. Spoon batter by small teaspoons and shape into a ball. Place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet about two inches apart. Use the tines of a fork to push each cookie down slightly and create hash marks. Sprinkle each cookie with a pinch of salt if using. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake cookies for 10 minutes or until edges just begin to brown. Cool cookies. Place a small amount of jelly on bottom of one cookie and sandwich with a second cookie.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 51

NWNosh

Poke Mon: Hawaiian fish a healthy treat

Story by Kerry Politzer Photos by Ryanne Engeldinger

Poke, which might be considered Hawaii’s take on ceviche, has long been a staple on Hawaiian restaurant menus in Portland. Noho’s Hawaiian Café, Ohana Hawaiian Café and the Woodstock location of Ateoh-Ate all offer different versions of this delicious dish. But until recently, there were no Portland restaurants solely devoted to poke.

Now we have at least two: Quickfish Poke Bar, and this writer’s new favorite, Poke Mon. Traditionally, poke consists of cubes of sashimi-grade tuna mixed with roasted kukui nuts and seaweed, all served over rice. Poke Mon serves several takes of the dish, all topped with sesame seeds, Hawaiian salt and green onions. Poke Mon chef/co-owner Colin Yoshimoto says of his creations: “(It) represents my experiences, what I’ve learned throughout my culinary years. It’s not like classic poke, it’s a little different.”

52 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

When asked why Portland loves poke, Colin enthuses, “It’s tasty, quick, healthy. It’s nourishing!” He brings in fresh ahi tuna six days a week from Oahu, as well as an albacore known as tombo. At his restaurant, diners can order a bowl of tuna or Pacific Northwestern salmon with four types of sauces: sesame-shoyu, spicy Japanese citrus, red chili aioli or roasted garlic ponzu.

There are various add-ons such as avocado and roasted shiitake mushrooms, as well as toppings including grapefruit and fried garlic.

During Passover or for low-carb dining, forgo the white or brown rice and order a portion of fish over salad greens. Vegetarians may opt for a tofu and kale bowl made with local Ota tofu. Portions are surprisingly generous considering the reasonable price point. There is also a great selection of sake.

Poke Mon’s offerings are meat- and dairy-free, except for

the macaroni salad side dish, a fried chicken dish that is only served on Fridays and a rotating series of chef ’s specials. Colin collaborates with various local chefs on monthly bowls; a portion of the proceeds goes toward a charitable organization of the chef ’s choice. One month, Kachka’s Bonnie Morales created a bowl with fish roe.

Portlanders can now enjoy home delivery of Poke Mon’s cuisine, as Delivery Dudes and trycaviar.com/portland recently added the restaurant to their rosters.

Poke Mon, 1485 Hawthorne Blvd., 503-894-9743, pokemonpdx.com.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 53

SENIORS

Volunteer Robin Kirsch with CSP resident Lorie.

Volunteering with seniors may just make your day

By Polina Olsen

Ultimately, it’s your experience that matters.

To be sure, we’re proud of our 29 years of experience in senior living. But, to us, what really matters is your experience at our communities. We invite you to experience NorthWest Place for yourself at a complimentary lunch and tour. Please call now to schedule.

I n de p e n de n t L i v i ng R e s i de nc e s

2420 NW Marshall Street • Portland, OR SRGseniorliving.com • 503.388.5417 54 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

Volunteering, Robin Kirsch says, is the favorite part of her week. Once a staff worker in Adult Day Services at Cedar Sinai Park, she switched to volunteering every Tuesday and Thursday.

“It’s important to have someone pay attention to the residents,” she says. “As you focus, their whole mindset changes.

A lot of them are lonely. Just a touch of a hand or smile makes their day.”

Robin sits and chats with people in their rooms, or hunts for the perfect word search puzzles for them at the Dollar Store.

In the Memory Care Unit, she reads Chicken Soup for the Soul series stories or leads sing-alongs with songs residents still recall like “Oh You Beautiful Doll.” Even people who are sleeping wake up when the music starts.

“I meet the most amazing people,” Robin says. “One woman named Mimi grew up in Eastern Europe and worked as a docent in a French museum. Hearing about things they’ve done is like reading a history book. It’s my favorite part of the week.”

In fact, helping out at CSP is a favorite for many Portlanders, says Campus Volunteer Manager Phoenix Barrow. “We have a diverse group (of volunteers), from middle schoolers through the retired individual. Volunteers are caring, compassionate people who want to give back to our community but also learn from our elders. We have a fantastic life enrichment team, but volunteers truly make our programming possible.”

Opportunities to help are limitless, including a one-on-one match with an isolated resident who needs companionship.

There’s organizing and assisting with events, parties and outings to museums, plays and the ballet. Several volunteers teach

classes or lead discussions, such as Eddy Shuldman’s superb writing workshop or Toinette Menashe’s always popular current events meet-up called Putting in Your Two Cents.

“One resident’s son leads a brain fitness class using mechanical puzzles,” Phoenix says. “We’re hoping to organize a French class.

I love when volunteers come to me with something they’re passionate about that they want to share.”

Charles Jaggar grew up in Portland and lives downtown near Portland State University. When he retired, he needed something to do and saw volunteering at CSP as a short-term activity. That was November 1999, and he’s still coming three days each week.

“We’ll take people to the ballet, and there’ll be lunches out,” he says, “We zip down to the beach or up to Mount Hood, and we’re having our own chocolate festival. The biggest thing I do is walk around and talk to people. Everyone is so open, and everyone wants to connect.

'It’s about others and what you can do to make their lives better."

– Charles Jagger

“Especially at Robison where people are more dependent, you come to the realization that it’s not about you,” he says. “It’s about others and what you can do to make their lives better. Because CSP is small enough, you get this intimate feeling of connecting with the residents. I see the people at Rose Schnitzer Manor and the Robison Home as my second family.”

Learn more about CSP volunteer opportunities by contacting Phoenix Barrow at 503-535-4055, or phoenix.barrow@cedarsinaipark.org or visiting cedarsinaipark.org and selecting Get Involved.

Life Continues Here

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 April 30, 2017, that you’re interested in making Rose Schnitzer Manor your home at a future date and we’ll help you 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 meaning relationships in a beautiful setting. Residents have their choice of: •Studio, one- and two-bedroom appartments •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.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 55

s d i K too s n e e T &

J

Israeli shaliach Timna Rockman. She is in Portland with StandWithUs funded by a grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.

Communication and understanding offer brighter future

By Deborah Moon

Israeli shaliach Timna Rockman, 26, is pinning her hopes for peace on the next generation – in Israel and here in Oregon.

In the middle of her six-month Portland assignment, Timna has visited at least 15 high schools around the state. She is in Portland with StandWithUs funded by a grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. She shares her personal story and explaining the complexities Israelis face on a daily basis. Generally she speaks to world history or social studies classes at public schools, but she was also invited to a religion class at LaSalle North Catholic High School.

“Besides me and social media, most have no knowledge of Israel,” she says. “The students are really thirsty for knowledge. … I love their reactions.”

Her impact will stretch even further from her visits to Corvallis and Gaston schools. When

56 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

high schoolers participate in this year’s Model United Nations, April 13-15, the Corvallis school representing Israel will draw on their sessions with Timna. Each year about 1,500 high schoolers explore contemporary world issues related to security, economics, human rights, health and the environment. This year the students sharing Israel’s perspective will have firsthand knowledge to share.

When she returned for a second day of speaking to Gaston High School, a teacher told her, “We are so excited you are here again.” Wanting to be able to share Timna’s story with more students, the school videotaped her final presentation to a class.

“It makes me feel my work is so important,” Timna says.

In her presentations, Timna shares both information about Israel and about her own life there, including the fact that her brother, Daniel, died while serving in the Israeli Defense Forces. That story sparked an especially meaningful encounter with one student. “She said her brother, Daniel, also died in the service.”

“We all are people and we all have brothers; that made it so real,” says Timna.

After one high school presentation, Timna says, “A teen asked me, ‘If it is so hard living in Israel, why don’t you just all move here?’ I told her it’s our country, our heritage, our culture and everything we stand for. We are willing to fight to have a normal country living in peace with our neighbors.”

She also visits congregations’ Wednesday night schools for informal conversations with Jewish teens and campus events to connect with young adults (see page 45).

“The Jewish students know more, but living in the U.S., they lose their connection to Israel,” she says. “I show them ‘Israel needs your help … needs the support of America.’ ” Timna hopes, with her help, the next generation here will understand more about Israel. But she pins her highest hopes on the next generation of Israeli Jews and Palestinians. She wants to help people understand that lashing out at Israel does not help Palestinians, but that supporting the Palestinians in building their own system and their own country can make a difference.

When she was in college, she spent two years in a program trying to build that foundation for peaceful co-existence. Jewish and Palestinian students brought 10- and 11-year-old Jewish and Palestinian girls together to play soccer – “to be normal kids, playing together.”

During the two-year program, while the girls learned to play together, the girls and the older students had many political and nonpolitical discussions. In the nonpolitical conversations they talked about school, and boys and life. But when discussions turned political, she says, “There was a lot of pain on both sides.”

Timna says she finds such integrated programs hopeful and notes such programs are proliferating.

“Maybe in 20 years, when these kids are adults” peace will be possible. “Maybe the next generation will have it easier.”

Timna is eager to continue conversations in Oregon with any group willing to listen. She has spoken to Mormons and to female veterans. To schedule a talk by Timna at your school or organization, email Timna.r@standwithus.com.

“The road to peace is definitely communication,” she says.

Join the Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation For

OJCYF’sG

Festival of

iving

Featuring guest speaker Judy Margles,Executive Director, Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education

T h u r s d a y april 27, 2017

5:30 - 8:30 PM Mittleman Jewish Community Center Thanks to our generous sponsors (as of March 8, 2017)

Guardian Harold & Arlene Schnitzer Family Fund of OJCF* – Arlene Schnitzer & Jordan Schnitzer

champions

Dick & Cameron Davis · First Republic Bank · Geffen Mesher Steve & Michelle Gradow* · Blake Morell · Sharon & Dean Morell Perkins & Co · Harold & Jane Pollin* · Rosemarie Rosenfeld* Warren & Sheryl Rosenfeld* · ShedRain Corporation Jerry & Helen Stern’s Grandchildren* · Marcia & Stuart Weiss* Charlene Zidell & Daughters*

partners Lora & Jim Meyer* · Eric & Tiffany Rosenfeld* · Rob & Mara Shlachter* Jonathan Singer* · Marshal P. Spector - Gevurtz Menashe Jeff & Lynn Wolfstone*

teachers Julie & Tom Diamond* · Jonthan Glass & Sarah Kahn Glass Theodore M. Nelson & Curtis R. Shaffstall · Irv & Arlene Potter* Jack & Barbara Schwartz* · Brian Suher & Barbara Atlas Mrs. Moe M. Tonkon Fund*

mensches Jonathan & Bonnie Barg · Shari Levinson Liz & David Lippoff · Andrew & Alexis Rosengarten *Sponsorship support provided through a philanthropic fund of OJCF

OJCYF will be accepting donations of underwear for all genders, haircare products and hair accessories for p:ear.

ojlAd_april_1/2page.indd 1

for more information 503.248.9328 or www.ojcf.org OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 57

3/17/17 9:07 AM

What OJCYF means to teens Now in its 14th year, the Oregon Jewish Community Youth Jesse: I like learning about all the organizations in the comFoundation continues to be a dynamic program for high school munity and getting to know the teens in the OJCYF commustudents. At monthly meetings from September through May, nity. Learning about other organizations through OJCYF has the teens discuss the importance of giving back to their cominspired me to become more involved with nonprofits in my munity and the Jewish values that shape their philanthropy. community on a hands-on level.

Participants in the program are split among three groups Jesse: Hannah, why do you keep coming back to OJCYF? – Manhigim (leaders), Lomdim (apprentices) and Bonim Hannah: I come back every year because OJCYF allows (builders) – based on how long a teen has been in OJCYF. The the teens to make a real impact. Teens are involved in the Bonim and Lomdim learn what it means to give consciously grant-making process from the start, when they reach out to and how to serve on a board; they also engage with community organizations in the community, until the end of the year, when organizations through site visits and guest speakers. The Manthey make the final decision of where the money goes. It is rehigim focus on planwarding to see the imning the annual dinner, pact our work makes learning about investing in visible ways around and strategic grant-makthe community. ing, and hearing from Jesse: What has representatives from been your most memorganizations around orable moment with Portland.

OJCYF? The highlight of each Hannah: Definitely OJCYF year is the making the Mitzvah annual benefit dinner Moment paddle raise and celebration (see box) speech at last year’s that raises funds for the dinner. It was both teens to grant to the exciting to be able to community’s nonprofits. make a speech in front OJCYF fully entrusts of a large audience the grant-making deciand rewarding to see sions to teen members. the donations comOJCYF board members (from left) Layton Rosenfeld, Every dollar raised goes ing in to support our Caitlyn Gitelson and Rachael Diamond at work. back into the communigrant-making. ty. Over the course of the Jesse: What will you program’s life, OJCYF take from OJCYF to teens have made grants to organizations both locally and in college with you next year?

Israel totaling almost $440,000. The organizations supported Hannah: OJCYF has impacted my Jewish identity by rehave been diverse and reflect the interests of the teens each year. connecting me to the Jewish value of giving. This is the Jewish Sponsored by the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation, value that most resonates with me, and I am grateful to have OJCYF is designed to develop a strong generation of future had OJCYF as an outlet to foster this Jewish principle.

Jewish leaders in our community. For more information, contact Sonia Marie Leikam, collaborative giving program coordinator, at soniamariel@ojcf.org or visit ojcf.org. ~~ As the teens prepared for this year’s dinner, Hannah Glass OJCYF’s Annual Benefit Dinner and Jesse Rothstein took some time out to discuss what GUEST SPEAKER: Judy Margles, executive director of OJCYF means to them. A senior at Lincoln High School, the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Hannah is in her fourth year in OJCYF. She serves as the reEducation gional president for the Pacific Northwest region of USY and is WHEN: 5:30-8:30 pm, Thursday, April 27, 2017 involved with the organization Hands of Peace. Jesse, a sophoWHERE: Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 more at Beaverton High School, is in his first year of OJCYF. SW Capitol Hwy., Portland Hannah: Why did you decide to join OJCYF? TICKETS: $54 per adult; $36 per youth (OJCYF memJesse: I knew that it would be a great opportunity for learning bers, alumni, students) leadership skills. I also wanted to meet new people.

REGISTER: by April 20 at ojcf.org Hannah: What is your favorite part of OJCYF so far?

INFORMATION: 503-248-9328 or ojcf.org

A Festival of Giving

58 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

J

K iednsstoo Events April & te

APRIL 2

GOOD DEEDS DAY & J SERVE: Volunteer opportunities for all ages at the MJCC. 503-245-6449

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

am, Sundays at New Seasons, 3445 N Williams Ave., Portland. Story hour and music. rachelr@jewishportland.org or 503-892-7415

MONTHLY HEBREW STORY HOUR WITH PJ LIBRARY:

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

CHAI BABY + PJ LIBRARY INDOOR PLAYGROUND:

10 am-noon, every first Thursday at the MJCC, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy. For parents and their children up to 5 years old. 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 A LITTLE SHABBAT: 5-6:30 pm every third Friday at Congregation Shaarie Torah, 920 NW 25th Ave., Portland. 503-226-6131

FOURTH FRIDAYS WITH RABBI EVE POSEN: 5:15-7 pm,

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

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

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

YOUNG FAMLY TOT SHABBAT: 10:15-11:15 am, first and third Saturdays at Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland. Join other young families for a special Saturday morning Tot Shabbat with singing, dancing, stories, indoor picnic-style lunch and Shabbat fun. Free. Rabbi Eve Posen 503-246-8831 TORAH TROOP FOR 3RD-5TH GRADERS: 10:15-11:30 am, first and third Saturdays, Congregation Neveh Shalom. Meet in the main service for the beginning of the Torah service, and then come out with your friends for a fun and active lesson on the Torah portion (parsha) of the week. Return to the service to help lead Adon Olam, and join the community for lunch! Free. 503-246-8831

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

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 59

g n i v i L

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After 30 years, Rabbi Joey Wolf retires

By Elizabeth Schwartz

When Rabbi Joey Wolf moved to Portland in the late 1980s, Portland’s synagogues were known as “The Big Three” – Beth Israel (Reform), Neveh Shalom (Conservative) and Shaarie Torah (traditional). But there was an emerging fourth, Havurah Shalom, which hired Rabbi Joey in 1987. Over the last 30 years, Rabbi Joey has shepherded HS through numerous changes. This month, Havurah and Wolf celebrate his 30-year tenure with a weekend of events, which will launch Rabbi Joey’s retirement.

A native of Boston, Rabbi Joey was ordained in the Conservative Movement, after attending Brandeis University and the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. In his first posting as a senior rabbi, he served Agudas Achim, a large Conservative congregation in Austin, TX. “It was a generic large synagogue,” Rabbi Joey says. “I was a necktie rabbi and I didn’t like it. I felt really constrained; there were so any expectations about what a rabbi was and what kinds of work and relationships I was expected to fulfill.”

In 1987, Rabbi Joey heard about an opening at Havurah, flew up to interview and, to use his word, was immediately “enraptured.” He adds that “I couldn’t believe the colorfulness of people, their questions, what they cared about, what was important to them. I was blown away. I said, ‘This is where the work is.’ ” When he arrived, Rabbi Joey found the members of his new community (affectionately known as ‘Havurahniks’) “spontaneous, unendingly imaginative and audacious, both spiritually and politically. There were always wonderful people bursting the seams of Jewish life, whether creating a new prayer, doing a dance, taking us to new places to pray, going on a hike, or bringing together people with disparate interests, like astrology. Services weren’t some standard brand form.”

In those days, HS did not have its own building and held Friday night services at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. “We averaged between 40 and 50 people per service, and our demographic skewed young; the average age of the people was 29-30. It was a different kind of spiritual experience.”

One central facet of Havurah Shalom is its conscious choice to highlight its community identity, as its name suggests, rather than its rabbi.

“That was music to my ears,” says Rabbi Joey. “There’s a lot of intention in congregants saying, ‘We want to be in the driver’s seat. We want to demand of ourselves that we lead our own services, that we figure out what counts in Jewish life, living, worship, etcetera.’” Although Rabbi

60 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

Joey has been a full-time rabbi, he led services only twice a month, which allowed congregants to take on that role on both Friday nights and Saturday mornings. This lay-led model extends to holidays and festivals, as well. Another important aspect of Havurah’s community is the diversity of its membership, particularly its interfaith couples.

“We want to honor the non-Jewish partners, and we want them as leaders who are as committed and respected as any member,” says Rabbi Joey. “Performing interfaith marriages was central to that commitment. I was ambivalent about going against the Conservative party line on interfaith marriages, but I recognized that this was part of the future of Jewish communal life.”

Over the years, Havurah grew, albeit gradually. Multigenerational approaches were developed, along with a Shabbat School and Havurah High. In the mid-1990s, Havurah experienced two major changes: the community acquired its own worship and communal space, a former warehouse in Northwest Portland, and Havurah changed its affiliation, at Rabbi Joey’s suggestion, from Reform to Reconstructionist.

“I pointed out we weren’t really Reform,” he recalls. “Our MO was democratic and egalitarian, and our style was more in line with the Reconstructionist Movement.”

In some ways, Rabbi Joey’s Conservative inclinations have made Havurah somewhat atypical among Reconstructionist congregations. When he began Havurah’s Saturday morning minyan, he deliberately chose a traditional service model. “I was trying to figure out a way to give people skills in chanting Torah and learning trope. I also wanted us to have traditional liturgical services, so our people would be Jewishly literate wherever they go.”

Today, Havurah’s community has a high rate of Hebrew literacy and is equally comfortable with traditional or contemporary styles of prayer, something in which Rabbi Joey takes great pride.

Just as Havurah has evolved, so has Portland’s Jewish community.

“When I first came, there were four rabbis in Portland besides me: Rabbi ( Joshua) Stampfer, Rabbi (Emanuel) Rose, Rabbi (Yonah) Geller and Rabbi (Moshe) Wilhelm,” says Rabbi Joey. “Today we have something like 25 rabbis.” Jewish institutions such as Portland Jewish Academy and Rose Schnitzer Manor grew and thrived, as well.

“Jewish community was centralized when I came,” he says. “It is no longer suffering from the illusion that ‘we are all one.’ We are many and that’s a good thing. I’m talking institutionally, but also geographically. Jews no longer live exclusively in Southwest Portland.”

Jewish priorities have also shifted. “In the middle to the late 20th century, American Jews were obsessively focused on the Holocaust and Israel,” he says. “Today we know that those two issues can’t be the only drivers of Jewish identity. To prioritize these issues exclusively does not make sense to today’s Jews.

We’re concerned with global issues and responsibility to other communities with whom we interact. We also care about environmental issues, homelessness and immigration.”

Rabbi Joey and his wife, Lisa Rackner, will remain in Portland after he retires. “I’ve always considered people in Havurah to be my closest friends,” says Rabbi Joey, “but my immediate plan is to step back and get out of the public eye. I’m an introvert and I took a job that is essentially extroverted. I want to continue to do the things I love: reading, writing, study, cooking, hiking, yoga. I might even start up piano lessons again. In a couple years I’ll just be a Jew in the pew and join the minyan.”

Elizabeth Schwartz is a Portland freelance writer.

Rabbi Joey Wolf’s Retirement Celebrations All events, except retirement dinner, will be at Havurah Shalom, 825 NW 18th Ave., Portland.

April 15, 4:45 pm: Havdallah with Shabbat school, middle school and high school families April 20, 6-9:30 pm: Retirement Dinner and Celebration, Mittleman Jewish Community Center, $54, registration required at havurahshalom.org/RabbiJoey April 21, 7:30 pm: Shabbat Evening Service and Oneg Shabbat honoring Rabbi Joey with Rabbi Levi Weiman-Kelman of Congregation Kol Haneshema in Jerusalem April 22, 10 am: Shabbat Community Minyan and Potluck Lunch For more information: havurahshalom.org

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OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 61

L iving

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Julie Diamond joins fly-in for 100 Years of Giving

On Feb. 16, more than 200 “This is a critical time for the nonprofit leaders from across the nonprofit sector,” says Michael nation representing a diverse group Kenyon, president and CEO of charities gathered on Capitol Hill of the National Association to urge lawmakers and their staffs to of Charitable Gift Planners. protect charitable giving in America “Congress is poised to undertake as part of the Charitable Giving the largest rewrite of the tax code Coalition’s “100 Years of Giving in over 30 years, and whatever Fly-in.” lawmakers ultimately do this year Julie Diamond, executive director could have an enormous effect on of the Oregon Jewish Community charitable giving in this country.”

Foundation, and Dawn Johnston, Giving USA reported that major gift officer of Peacehealth Americans contributed more Southwest Medical Center in than $265 billion to charities in Vancouver, WA, joined the effort.

2015. More than 80% of those Participants from 37 states met with dollars are given by taxpayers who more than 125 House and Senate itemize and use the charitable offices, including 52 meetings with deduction. As lawmakers are members of Congress who serve on drafting tax reform legislation, the tax-writing committees. several provisions have been “Our meetings went well,” says proposed that would alter this Julie. “Everyone seemed to apprevaluable tax incentive in ways ciate their constituents traveling to that could significantly reduce Washington, D.C., for discussions charitable giving about the importance of sustaining “The notion of an aboveand even expanding charitable tax the-line, or universal, charitable deductions. There are tax proposals deduction is one that has come being floated that are likely to reup in many of the meetings that duce charitable giving in the United we have conducted,” says Chris Julie Diamond, right, and Dawn Johnston States, largely as an unintended Gates, executive vice president of in Washington, D.C. outcome. Dawn and I were excited external affairs at the Council on to represent Oregon and Southwest Foundations. “I think lawmakers Washington and be advocates for our communities and our are open to it, and I think some are often surprised to hear that donors.” when you triple the standard deduction, the number of itemizJulie says she plans to continue tracking the issue and being ers would be so greatly reduced. So, I think meetings like these an advocate for OJCF and the community. are critically important to ensure that these issues are put on This year marks the 100th anniversary of the charitable tax the radar of members of Congress.” deduction. The CGC is urging lawmakers to recognize this reThe CGC formed in 2009 in response to proposals by the markable milestone and preserve this tax incentive that encour- Obama Administration and members of Congress to limit the ages individuals to give away more of their income, investing it tax deduction for charitable contributions. As Congress and the in their communities. The “100 Years of Giving Fly-in” served Trump Administration contemplate comprehensive tax reform, as a kickoff for the CGC’s work during the 115th Congress. the CGC remains a relevant, constructive voice.

62 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

PREVIEWS

Rabbi Stampfer to Receive Ageless Award April 27 Jessie F. Richardson Foundation will present Rabbi Joshua Stampfer with its Ageless Award April 27.

Since 2013, JFRF has given the Ageless Award to individuals who are 75 years or older, and demonstrate the importance of living a purposeful life and continue to make significant contributions to society: as volunteers, philanthropists, mentors and civic leaders. “We give out this award because we think it’s important to celebrate people who have gone above and beyond in their lives to serve others and who inspire people to do more in their communities,” according the foundation’s press release. “Our annual Ageless Award Luncheon and fundraiser is our way of reminding others how important the contributions of older adults are to our communities.”

Past honorees include Governor Barbara Roberts, Gerry Frank, Tom Vaughn, Serge D’Rovencourt and Ken Austin.

Rabbi Stampfer was Congregation Neveh Shalom’s rabbi from 1953 to 1993 he now serves as Rabbi Emeritus and after 60 years at CNS still teaches his Talmud class every Tuesday. He serves on the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. He has developed major conferences under the auspices of the Institute for Judaic Studies, including Sephardic History and culture, the Vienna of Freud and Herzl, the Teachings of Abraham Joshua Heschel, Interfaith Conference on Biblical Studies, From Powerlessness to Power – Israel and Japan 1948-1988, as well as a number of single lectures in Judaica.

The annual awards luncheon will be 11:30 am to 1 pm, April 27 at the Multnomah Athletic Club.

Tickets are $100 with sponsorships starting at $1,000.

503-408-4759

Rabbi Joshua Stampfer

dignity and compassion. “We work to heal the community – one person, one family at a time.”

Rosenblum was elected to a four-year term as Oregon's 17th attorney general in November 2012. She is the state's first woman and first Jewish attorney general, and the Jewish values she has learned throughout her life dovetail with her priorities.

As attorney general, her emphasis includes advocating for Oregon's most vulnerable residents, particularly families and children, seniors, Oregonians whose first language is not English, and students who have incurred significant education-related debt.

The luncheon will be 11:30 am to 1 pm, May 2 at the Multnomah Athletic Club. Honorary Event Chairs are Eve Rosenfeld and Mark Rosenbaum. Tickets are complimentary, however guests will be asked to make a meaningful gift to support the JFCS mission. patapofft@cedarsinaipark.org 503-535-4360.

Jewish Community Orchestra Spring Concert April 9

The Jewish Community Orchestra will present its spring concert at 3 pm, April 9 at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland.

For more than 40 years, the Jewish Community Orchestra has combined standard classical fare with works by Jewish Ellen Rosenblum composers, or works relating to Jewish themes and historical events. As amateur musicians, the JCO’s goal is to further the growth of local artists by presenting concerts that attract, educate and entertain the audience.

Although all JCO concerts are Sunday afternoons at the MJCC, the orchestra hold rehearsals Wednesday evenings at the Rose Schnitzer Celebrating Our Caring Manor, where residents can drop in to listen for free.

Community Luncheon May 2 The April 9 concert will feature soloist Linda Appert. Music selections Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum will be the featured speaker at will be: Weber – Overture to Euryanthe; Mozart– Ach ich liebte from this year’s Celebrate Our Caring Community luncheon. from Il Seraglio; Naftel – Aubade Pastorale for strings; J. Strauss –“Mein Proceeds from this yearly event support Jewish Family & Child Service.

Herr Marquis” from Die Fledermaus; Herbert – Italian Street Song from For nearly 70 years, JFCS has provided social services in the Portland Naughty Marietta; and Grieg – Symphonic Dances. area, helping people of all faiths and backgrounds realize their full Tickets are available at the door for $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 students potential. The JFCS team helps ensure that isolated seniors, people and children under 6 free. with disabilities, and others who are facing adversity are treated with 503-244-0111 | jewishcommunityorchestra.org/wordpress/

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 63

L iving

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LIFE & LEGACY – From left, top, Jeanne Newmark, Karen Blauer and Gerel Blauer joined 75 other community members at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center for the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation’s third annual community-wide Life & Legacy celebration on Feb. 23. Guests were treated to an inspiring talk

by Amy Hirshberg Lederman (above center), with Gail Mandel (left) and Julie Diamond. Lederman spoke of the importance of personal values, family, community and leaving a legacy. As of Jan. 31, the 10 participating organizations have received 463 legacy commitments.

These commitments, benefitting local Jewish organizations, have an estimated future value of $20.1 million.

FACES & PLACES FRIENDS OF THE CENTER – The Mittleman Jewish Community Center welcomed 275 attendees to their annual Friends of the Center Brunch including, from left: board co-president Jonathan Glass, emcee Sarah Glass, speaker Yosef Abramowitz, event co-chairs Jeff and Anne Nudelman, Executive Director Steve Albert, board co-president Andrea Sanchez. Harry Glickman Scholar Athlete Award recipients Claire Rosenfeld and Jacob Adler pose with the MJCC’s sports display.

The event also honored two inductees into the Oregon Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, Sam Rotenberg and Gary Rubin. The event raised $115,000 for the Mittleman Jewish Community Center’s operations. Photos by Naim Hasan Photography

SHABBATON - On the weekend of Feb. 24, Congregation Kesser Israel welcomed Rabbi Ilan Feldman of Beth Jacob Atlanta, as Scholar-in-Residence. Over 200 people participated in the events over Shabbat. These photos are from the Saturday evening Melava Malka, where Rabbi Feldman captivated the audience with a talk about his exile to Buffalo, NY, titled "How a Rabbi Lost his Identity and his Mind, and Found Himself"."

TU B’SHVAT – Maimonides Jewish Day School students team up with Portland Parks Department at Custer Park. Students split into groups raking the bark dust, wiping the structures and picking up litter to celebrate the New Year for Trees.

64 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

PREVIEWS

MARDI GRAS TWIST – On Feb. 26, the Neveh Shalom does Mardi Gras fundraiser drew a crowd including, from left: Brad Topliff, David Malka, Ronnie Malka, Ryan Levenick, Jordana Levenick, Doug Blauer, Amy Blauer and Jenn Topliff. The event featured a stilt walker during the silent auction, live entertainment and delicious Cajun-inspired food. Photos by Jana Foo Photography LAID BACK PURIM – Neveh Shalom Rabbi David Kosak kicked back and relaxed for the Megillah reading at the synagogue’s Purim party.

Entertainment was provided by singer Michelle and The Mystics, accompanied by dancer Bevin Victoria.

Photos by Daniela Meltzer

MJCC’S NEW ART – This terra-cotta relief was conceived, designed and executed by Lorraine Widman, Portland. The relief is dedicated to the memory of William Gordon, who served the center as Mittleman Jewish Community Center assistant executive director from 1953 to1975 and was inspirational in his energy and creative leadership.

Symbols on the relief reflect the Judaic mission of the MJCC to serve the individual and the family, visualized as a family tree/menorah forming deep community roots.

LOVE HONOR RESPECT – The Hilton Portland was the place to be on March 4 for an evening of community and fun at the annual gala, “Love Honor Respect,” a fundraiser for the residents of Cedar Sinai Park. More than 200 guests heard updates on the construction of the Harold Schnitzer Center for Living and renovation of the Robison Jewish Health Center, before an inspiring Mitzvah Moment (above) that included a special $18 chai bid to celebrate the lives of those served by CSP. After dinner and remarks by event co-chairs Beverly Eastern and Michelle Eastern Gradow and CEO Sandra Simon (pictured with Jewish Federation President Marc Blattner), guests enjoyed the rollicking entertainment of The Dueling Pianos. A highlight of the night was the presence of many residents of the Cedar Sinai Park. “Having the residents and staff celebrated at this event really connected our guests to our mission” said Angelo Turner, CSP chief development officer at Cedar Sinai Park. Photos by Andie Petkus Photography OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017 65

April 1-30 Monthly Mitzvah Project: MJCC and PJA collect Art Supplies for Children’s Healing Art Project. Items can be dropped off in the blue bin located in the MJCC lobby. 503-244-0111

APRIL CALENDAR

Author Series featuring cookbook author Joan Nathan and local chef Andrew Fortgang, owner of Le Pigeon. 7-8 pm at the MJCC. $5 member; $8 guest. 503-244-0111 oregonjcc.org/authorseries

Film & Action Festival. See page 48

April 14

"When We Were Strangers" is the theme April 4 Sephardic Film Festival presents season’s final film: “The Ballad of the Weeping Spring.” Film, dessert and discussion begin at 7 pm at Ahavath Achim, 3225 SW Barbur Blvd., Portland. Free (donations accepted). David: 503-892- 6634, jewishfilmportland.org

of Congregation Shir Tikvah's erev Shabbat service at 6 pm. Inspired by the themes of Passover, this special kirtan-style service will celebrate immigrants and refugees. Music and stories from the past and present day. Light refreshments. 7550 NE Irving St., Portland. shirtikvahpdx.org

April 5

April 15-30

It’s in Our Hands – Activism Craft Fair for Reproductive Justice. 6:30-8:30 pm, at Havurah Shalom, 825 NW 18th Ave., Portland. Free.

503-248-4662

“Berlin Diary” on stage. See page 46

April 6

April 19 Israeli Dancing introductory class begins. 7-8 pm, Wednesdays, at the MJCC. $100. 503-244-0111, oregonjcc.org/registration; CG300

18th Annual Community Intergroup Passover Seder. See page 26

April 20

April 6-May 4

April 21

Film & Action Festival. 7 pm, Thursdays.

See page 48

Shabbat service and oneg honoring Rabbi Joey Wolf. See page 61

April 7-8

Peace Pole planting. See page 11

Neshama Carlebach Legacy Shabbaton in Ashland. 541-292-0805

April 22

Rabbi Joey Wolf Retirement Dinner. See page 61

April 26 Women of the Wall Executive Director Lesley Sachs in Portland. See page 34

April 27 OJCYF’s Festival of Giving. See page 58 Rabbi Joshua Stampfer receives the JFRF Ageless Award. See page 63

April 28 North Coast Shabbat led by Kim Schneiderman.

8 pm at the Bob Chisholm Center, Seaside.

Services are usually held on the last Friday of the month, from March through October.

503-244-7060 Parkinson’s Resources Gala. 5:30 pm at the Multnomah Athletic Club, 18 Salmon St., Portland. From Baltic Place to Boardwalk, Parkinson’s Resources is bridging the gap the wellness for the Northwest’s Parkinson’s community. Monopoly-themed event supporting Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon’s services.

800-425-6806

April 30 Yom Hazikaron: Israel Memorial Day. See page 44

May 1 Yom Ha’atzmaut: Israel Independence Day. See page 44

May 2

Jewish Community Orchestra Spring Concert.

See page 63

BB Camp Bash. The spirit of camp in the heart of the city. 5:30 pm at the Castaway,1900 NW 18th Ave., Portland. $60, $125/patron. 503-4967445, bbcamp.org/bash/

April 10-18

April 23

Passover begins with first seder the evening of April 10 and ends at 8:48 pm, April 18. See our roundup of seders on page 31.

Tour of Oregon Holocaust Memorial. See page 21 Yom Hashoah Community Commemoration. See page 21

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

April 12

April 24

Rescheduled: “Crossing Over: A Musical Haggadah” at Congregation Beth Israel, 1972 NW Flanders, Portland. Originally scheduled March 30. michaelallenharrison.com/crossing-over

Reading of the Names. See page 21

April 9

April 13 Nosh and Drash with Rabbi Eve Posen. 1-2 pm, at Café at the J, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland.

April topic: the meaning of four. 503-244-0111 66 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | APRIL 2017

Celebrate Our Caring Community. See page 63

May 5-7

April 24-28 OSU Holocaust Memorial Program. See page 39

April 25 Mah Jongg: Learn to play. 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Tuesdays through May 23. $100; $85 member.

503-244-0111, oregonjcc.org/register; CG301

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.

Relevant events posted by April 10 will be included in the May issue of the magazine.

Many events in the calendar are at the MJCC, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland

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To advertise, please contact Debbie Taylor debbie.t@ojlife.com orjewishlife.com

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