DECEMBER 2020
Beth Jo Zietzer
Eve Levy
Craig Gerard
Josh Frankel
Lisa Schroeder
Ellen Marks
Jared Blank
Tikkun Olam
TOP 10 Change Makers Unsung Heroes Influencers
Plus CHARITABLE GIVING Irving Potter
Sallie Pearlman Cohen
ACTIVELY SENIOR HANUKKAH GIFT GUIDE
Jodi Fried
Avrel Nudelman
You know why to give. We can show you how. You’re aware that people in our community are in need right now. We’re aware of the many non-profits addressing those needs in powerful, life-changing ways. If you want to make sure that your generosity has the most profound impact, contact OJCF at givesmartly@ojcf.org.
CO N TE N TS Oregon Jewish Life December 2020 Kislev-Tevet 5781 Volume 9/Issue 4
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16
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FEATURES COVER STORY Tikkun Olam Top Ten BUSINESS InPipe Energy hits home run at Hillsboro Stadium Portland-based company invests in Arizona
22 10 12
CHARITABLE GIVING Tips for smooth year-end giving B’nai B’rith Camp pivots to serve the community Mazon: A Jewish response to everyone’s hunger Giving Guide
14 16 18 21
FRONT & CENTER The Glass Ribbon Project promotes healing through art Virtual Marketplace: Gifts for all occasions
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DECEMBER 2020 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE
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ACTIVELY SENIORS Gifting wishes to those in hospice care Eleanore Rubinstein lived, and loved, fully Israeli duo’s Alzheimer’s detection test Digital banking workshops for seniors
32 34 36 39
ISR AEL Take a virtual tour of Jerusalem Tag Along: Street arts as seen in Israel
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COVER 2020's Top Ten
HANUKK AH How do you spell it? The sweet history of Jews and doughnuts Krispy Kreme glazed doughnut recipe (copycat) Hanukkah Happenings Gift Guides: For her, him, kids, home and pets
DECEMBER 2020
46 48 50 52 54
Beth Jo Zietzer
Eve Levy
Craig Gerard
Josh Frankel
Lisa Schroeder
Ellen Marks
Jared Blank
Irving Potter
Sallie Pearlman Cohen
Jodi Fried
Avrel Nudelman
Tikkun Olam
TOP 10 Change Makers Unsung Heroes Influencers
Plus CHARITABLE GIVING ACTIVELY SENIOR HANUKKAH GIFT GUIDE
OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 5
PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE 6
CINDY SALTZMAN Publisher
At a time when our shoulders are heavy with the weight of the world. When masks cover our faces, and our eyes truly become the windows to our soul. When a sense of community gives way to divisiveness and when fear often overtakes understanding – the light of compassion, healing and love still shines bright. For me, this is the Hanukkah miracle this year.
On behalf of our small but mighty team at Oregon Jewish Life, we wish all of you and your loved one's a healthy, safe, joyous and meaningful Festival of Lights.
DECEMBER 2020 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE
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DECEMBER 2020 Oregon Jewish Life • Kislev-Tevet 5781 • Volume 9/Issue 4
PU B LI S H E R
H OW TO R E AC H U S
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A DV E R TI S I N G A N D E D ITO R I A L D I R EC TO R Cindy Salt zman
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2020-2021 MediaPort LLC All rights reserved The content and opinions in Oregon Jewish Life do not necessarily reflec t those of the publishers, staf f or contrac tors. Ar ticles and columns are for informational purposes only and not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Although ever y ef for t is made to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, Arizona Jewish Life, and its agents, publishers, employees and contrac tors will not be held responsible for the misuse of any information contained herein. The publishers reser ve the right to refuse any adver tisement. Publication of adver tisements does not constitute endorsement of produc ts or ser vices.
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DECEMBER 2020 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE
COMING IN JANUARY
EDUCATION ISSUE What will education look like in 2021? School as we knew it changed in 2020. What will schools be doing to prepare themselves for 2021? Contact your account executive today. orjewishlife.com advertise@ojlife.com 602.538.2955
BUSINESS The In-PRV from InPipe Energy is reducing electricity costs and powering lighting and EV charging stations at Hillsboro Stadium, while saving water, infrastructure, tax payers’ money, and the planet.
InPipe Energy hits Home Run at Hillsboro Stadium Gregg Semler 10
DECEMBER 2020 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE
GREGG SEMLER BY MARIUS BUGGE
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he City of Hillsboro, Oregon, Energy Trust of Oregon, Portland General Electric and InPipe Energy jointly announced recently the completion of the Hillsboro In-Pipe Hydroelectric Project – the first renewable energy project featuring the In-PRV, a new smart water and micro-hydro system that generates electricity by harvesting excess pressure from a city water pipeline. The In-PRV bypasses an existing pressure control valve, only instead of dissipating the pressure, it converts it into electricity that is fed to the grid. This new technology will generate from 185,000 up to 200,000 kWh or more of electricity per year that will help power the lighting, electric vehicle (EV ) charging stations and concessions at Hillsboro’s Gordon Faber Recreation Complex, which includes Ron Tonkin and Hillsboro Stadiums. It will provide pressure management that helps save water and extend the life of the pipeline while reducing more than 162,000 pounds of carbon annually – that equates to over 240,000 driven miles off the road - every year. “As a growing city, we’re excited to pioneer this very practical new form of renewable energy that will help us continue to meet our climate action goals and build resilience,” said Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway. “The City of Hillsboro’s innovative new project is a great example of how we can support on-demand, cost-effective renewable energy generation right here in our community,” said Maria Pope, president and CEO of Portland General Electric. “From the In-Pipe Hydroelectric Project to sourcing their power from 100% clean wind, Hillsboro is a leader in sustainability. Thanks to PGE’s Green Future customers’ support for local renewable energy projects, we were able to help fund this
work, along with Energy Trust and InPipe Energy. Only by working together will we build a clean energy future.” “The City of Hillsboro is tapping into a new, local source of renewable energy that communities across the region can deploy, and we support these projects through funding to offset costs,” said Dave Moldal, senior program manager at Energy Trust of Oregon. “The relationships that Hillsboro, PGE, Energy Trust and InPipe Energy have developed provide a successful model for how we can come together to implement new, innovative sources of clean energy for Oregon.” “Water and energy are the most critical resources on the planet,” said Gregg Semler, President and CEO of InPipe Energy. “Water agencies across the country are being challenged with rising costs and aging infrastructure. Our In-PRV is a product that easily integrates into existing water pipelines and helps water agencies with both of these issues by enabling them to precisely manage pressure, save water, extend the life of their infrastructure and offset costs by producing renewable energy.” How it Works Throughout the world, water agencies use control valves to manage pressure in their water pipelines – this helps protect the pipeline from leaks and delivers water to customers at a safe pressure. These control valves normally burn off excess pressure as heat. InPipe Energy’s In-PRV pressure recovery system performs like a highly precise control valve, but takes the process one step further by turning the excess pressure – that would be otherwise wasted – into a new source of carbon-free electricity. This new form of renewable energy – in-pipe hydropower – has previously been used in large-scale projects, however the In-PRV is the first system that combines software, micro-hydro and control technology as a turnkey product that can be installed quickly, easily and cost-effectively throughout water systems with smallerdiameter pipelines and wherever pressure must be reduced. “We’re always looking for ways to improve our water operations and reduce costs for our ratepayers,” said Eric Hielema, Engineering Manager for the City of Hillsboro Water Department. “This technology provides us with a solution to help us precisely manage pressure while also producing renewable energy.” “Distributed energy resources are a critical component in meeting the state’s carbon goals, and this is a great addition to the renewable energy options available to cities, reducing both carbon and energy costs.” added Moldal. For more information, visit inpipeenergy.com. OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 11
BUSINESS
Harsch Investment Properties continues expansion in Arizona
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ortland-based Harsch Investment Properties announced its acquisition of Scottsdale Airpark Commerce Center for $17.5 million. The property features four buildings totaling 120,433-square-foot of rentable space on 10 acres with
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and is 90 percent occupied by multiple tenants at the time of sale. Located at 8212 and 8224 E. Evans Road and 14555 and 14557 N. 82nd Street in the heart of the Scottsdale Airpark, one of metro Phoenix’s most prestigious and
Jordan
desirable submarkets, Scottsdale Airpark Commerce Center has immediate access to the east-west and north-south branches of the Loop 101 Freeway which allows strategic access to one of the most educated and qualified workforces in Arizona. “We are very excited about adding the Scottsdale Airpark Schnitzer Commerce Center to our Phoenix holdings,” said Jordan Schnitzer, President of Harsch Investment Properties. “We will begin construction soon on 563,000 square foot project in Chandler, as well as a 250,000 square foot project in Goodyear. Phoenix continues to have solid and steady growth, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Tracy Cartledge, Steve Lindley, Bob Buckley and Michael Kitlica of Cushman & Wakefield’s Phoenix office represented Fadden Enterprises in the transaction. The manufacturing/ warehouse facility was constructed in the early 1980s, while the remaining three general industrial buildings were constructed in 2006. “We have been evaluating the Scottsdale Airpark submarket for several years, looking for an opportunity to add value to a project through our hands-on long-term ownership business model,” said Bill Rodewald, Senior Vice President and San Diego & Arizona Regional Manager. “We were thrilled to find and acquire Scottsdale Airpark Corporate Center and look forward executing our plan to improve the property and better serve our tenants.” For more information, visit harsch.com.
SPECIAL SECTION:
C H A R I TA B L E GIVING
Tips for smooth year-end giving By Julie Diamond IT’S EASY TO LOSE TRACK OF TIME in the
busy weeks of December. And this year, with coronavirus,
we have more on our minds than ever – like how to be safe with our loved ones
and still experience the holiday traditions we cherish. For many of us, supporting the nonprofits we believe in is one of our year-end traditions. If you plan your
year-end charitable giving well, you’ll be able to help those in need, protect your charitable tax deduction and enjoy the holiday season.
TIPS TO MAKE YOUR CHARITABLE GIVING SMOOTH: GIFTS OF CASH/CHECKS
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Mail is already slow due to the pandemic. Add in December holiday cards and packages and it has the potential to be even slower. Checks mailed to nonprofits must be postmarked by Dec. 31, for the donor’s charitable deduction to count in 2020. The date of receipt will be reflected in your gift acknowledgment letter provided by the charitable organization (for gifts over $250). You might consider making your contribution online. Many nonprofits provide this option on their websites. Remember, there is a fee of 2-4% depending on the credit card company. Often, you can cover the fee, so the nonprofit doesn’t lose that amount of your gift. If you plan to donate a large sum, consider a wire transfer or overnight guarantee delivery service. Mailed envelopes must be postmarked by Dec. 31.
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IRA ROLLOVER GIFT
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Although the required minimum distribution (RMD) is suspended temporarily because of the pandemic, you can still choose to distribute up to $100,000 of your IRA directly to a nonprofit. You must be 70 1/2 years or older and you won’t pay income tax on the transfer (however, there is no charitable deduction). Contact your IRA administer to arrange for the transfer by Nov. 30.
UNIVERSAL DEDUCTION
A $300 universal charitable deduction is now available if you take the standard deduction. This is a temporary change in tax law intended to encourage charitable giving by people who may be reluctant to give due to uncertainty about the economy and the virus.
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GIFTS OF APPRECIATED SECURITIES
Stock and mutual fund gifts are popular given the strong performance of the financial markets this year despite the pandemic. When you gift longterm assets (stocks and mutual funds you have owned for at least one year and one day) to a nonprofit, you bypass the capital gain taxes, and the gift is sold by the nonprofit for the full fair market value. You benefit from a tax deduction for the full fair market value (depending on whether you itemize or not). Short-term capital assets, owned for less than a year, are deductible but only at cost-basis. A stock gift is considered “received” by the nonprofit upon the completed transfer of the assets to the nonprofit (or their banking partner). This needs to happen by Dec. 31 for you to benefit from the charitable deduction in 2020. Smaller nonprofits may not be able to process stock gifts, so check ahead if you are thinking about doing this. At OJCF, once stock gifts are received by First Republic Bank, the foundation’s banking and investment partner, the stock is sold immediately and the gift is valued as the mean of the high and low stock value for that day, per IRS regulations. This will be reflected in your gift acknowledgment letter provided by the foundation. You can gift stock to replenish an existing donor-advised fund, establish a new fund, and create a charitable trust or a charitable gift annuity. Plan ahead to initiate the asset transfer by Dec. 15. OJCF accepts gifts of appreciated assets for the benefit of all our Jewish community partner organizations. If you’d like to do this, be sure to let us know of your intentions, and tell the organization, too. When the stock is sold, the gift amount will be placed in the partner organization’s fund according to your direction. We are proud and honored to be partners with 30 Jewish organizations in Oregon and SW Washington, including synagogues, day schools, social services organization, Jewish Federation and the “living room” of the community, Mittleman Jewish Community Center at the Schnitzer Family Campus.
With so many needs in our community, your devotion to tzedakah at any level will help others who are struggling. Let us know how we can help you support others facing hunger, housing needs, racial injustice, isolation, healthcare issues and so much more in these difficult and extraordinary times. Contact OJCF at 503-248-9328, or ojcf.org.
Julie Diamond is the President and CEO of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation. OJCF’s mission is to build and promote a culture of giving in Oregon and SW Washington that supports a thriving Jewish community now and for generations to come. OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 15
C H A R I TA B L E G I V I N G
A volunteer prepares meals for wildfire evacuees.
B’nai B’rith Camp pivots to serve the community
T
he financial implications of the Governor’s mandated closing of overnight camps are profound for BB Camp. The total lost revenue from the cancellation of BB’s overnight camp, our youth, teen, adult and family activities, and retreat rentals is $2.2 million. BB Camp relies on fees to cover camp’s summer costs and our year-round efforts to plan for camp, including staff salaries, year-round programming, and maintaining their beautiful grounds, to sustain a world-class experience for the community. Despite the overnight camps closure, BB Camp staff and lay leadership pivoted, creatively adapted, and persevered, using their Jewish values as their guide. Under these unprecedented circumstances, BB Camp has proven to find resilient, new, and forward-thinking approaches to programming to provide to the community this past summer, including: • Following COVID-19 mitigating protocols, BB Camp shared simcha (joy), passion and magic with 613 campers at four BB Day Camp programs, including Portland, Lincoln City and Seattle. It was beautiful to see BB Camp’s responsiveness to the community when called upon, as the team produced new pop-up programs – BB Middle School Days in Portland and BB Day Camp Seattle, along with the already established BB Day Camp Portland and BB Day Camp Lincoln City. • They built chaverut (friendships) with 1,937 campers, alumni and community members via virtual programs. • Worked to repair the world, tikkun olam, by serving 30,441 free “grab & go” meals ( June-August) to Lincoln County’s food-insecure and hungry children on their campus and off-site locations, through their Summer Food Services Program. • As summer began to wind down, their kehila (community) of 229 men’s campers and guests gathered in 16
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Grab and go meals are waiting for the community. a touching Zoom Memorial Shabbat Service, an engaging Zoom Good & Welfare, and a fun (but hot!) annual Golf Tournament. And 80 ReJewvenation women joined in a weekend of sisterhood and meaningful conversation on Zoom. All to benefit BB campers.
• And, amid this very challenging time, for the future generations, dor l’dor, BB Camp finished construction of all new ADA accessible cabins on their northside. Less than a week after the “Send a Kid to Camp” Golf Tournament, the historic straight-line windstorm and Echo Mountain Complex Wildfire hit the camp’s local area. The wildfire was imminently and dangerously close to BB Camp. Staff was evacuated, without warning. The fire almost reached BB Camp. It was just a few small blocks away when courageous firefighters stopped the treacherous fire. BB Camp was spared. Unfortunately, many of their neighbors and friends were not as lucky. Although BB Camp was saved from the fire, the camp sustained some damage and loss. However, the heartbreaking loss for BB Camp came from the impact of the food loss and prevention of serving 5,040 free meals to food-insecure and hungry children during this intense time. As BB Camp turned its attention to post-fire recovery, their commitment and efforts focused on continuing to provide free, delivered meals to food-insecure and hungry children in the local Lincoln County area as well as the evacuees from the Echo Mountain Complex Wildfire. Due to the pandemic and the unforeseen and increased need to feed families during this crisis, BB Camp has now served more than 46,000 free grab & go meals, so far, to food insecure and hungry children in the local area since June, and will continue to serve meals to the community’s children through August 2021. Additionally, they serve and deliver three hot, delicious and nutritious free meals; breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seven days per week, to more than 300 wildfire evacuees. And they’re delivering these meals to nine shelters. To date, they’ve served almost 17,000 free meals to evacuees! They will be supporting the evacuees through March. BB Camp is eager and delighted to provide this critical assistance to sustain the community. In anticipation of summer 2021, BB Camp has opened overnight and day camp registration. BB Camp encourages families to register early at bbcamp.org. Due to potential COVID-19 mitigating protocols, availability may be limited. BB Camp, approaching its 100th anniversary, is nearing the completion of its decade-long campus rebuild, with the building of a new amphitheater and aquatics center at the forefront for this year. Community celebrations will begin post-COVID. To overcome the loss of revenue due to the pandemic, BB Camp asks the community to contribute to the Bridge Covid Relief Campaign or their annual #BBGives, on Giving Tuesday, December 1. For more information and to donate, please visit bbcamp.org.
HAVE BUSINESS NEWS TO SHARE? Send your "Biz Ins" to editor@ojlife.com OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 17
C H A R I TA B L E G I V I N G
F
or more than 35 years, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger has been working with policymakers and engaging in broad-based advocacy to solve and fix the systemic problem of hunger in America. MAZON was founded by Leonard “Leibel” Fein (z”l) and Irv Cramer in 1985, to build a bridge between the relative abundance of the American Jewish community and the desperate need felt by millions of hungry people. “We work with people across the country,” says Liz Kanter Groskind, board chair of MAZON. “It’s a Jewish response to hunger, but it’s a Jewish response to everyone’s hunger.” MAZON is working on many different efforts,
MAZON:
A Jewish Response to Everyone’s Hunger By Mala Blomquist
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including hunger among active-duty military, foodinsecure veterans, LGBTQ seniors and Native American populations. Most people don’t know that there are food pantries or food banks on or next to every major military base in this country. “It is a fact that they are not being compensated enough to support their families,” says Liz. “They include their housing allowance in their pay, which keeps them from being able to be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).” MAZON has been working on this issue for nearly a decade. On July 21, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes
a provision to address hunger among currently serving military families. The bipartisan Military Family Basic Needs Allowance, championed by MAZON, is a targeted provision that aims to eliminate common barriers to nutrition assistance for military families, including shame, stigma and fear of retribution. Another vulnerable community MAZON works with is Native American populations, as well as those who live in rural and remote communities. MAZON is deeply concerned about access to fresh and nutritious foods in these communities, where the nearest grocery store could be an hour away. But there is a new cause of hunger in America – the pandemic. Food banks provide the immediate need of
OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 19
“It’s a Jewish response to hunger, but it’s a Jewish response to everyone’s hunger.” ~LizKanter Groskind, board chair of MAZON.
food, but the number of people they serve has doubled and tripled, depending on the area, as a result of COVID-19. “The hardest thing isn’t the mechanism or process of doing our work – we know what we do, and we do it well – it’s that first time you saw 10,000 cars waiting hours and hours at the food bank,” says Liz. “That breaks my heart to see those folks who are food insecure who don’t need to be. If the system worked, they wouldn’t have had to do that.” MAZON is used to working on a federal level, but they have begun to work with individual states since it’s up to the governors to request additional SNAP benefits. SNAP is also commonly referred to as food stamps. “Most people are on food stamps only a short time, not more than 3-6 months,” says Liz. “This federal program was set up to be a food safety net, but unfortunately, often times the people who need it can’t get it.” During the pandemic, it has been difficult for people to sign up for help because the agencies have been closed and not everyone has computer access to sign up online. Another vital facet of the SNAP program is that it stimulates the economy. The latest COVID-19 relief bill to pass did not include critical improvements to SNAP. “For congress to boost the benefits is proven to be one of the quickest ways to stimulate the economy,” states Liz. “The statistic we’ve heard time and again, especially during a recession, every SNAP dollar generates between $1.50 and $1.80 in economic activity.” People get the funds on an EBT card and often spend it right away for dinner that night. It would help people put food on their table immediately, and with a sense of dignity, but it would also help stimulate local economies. “One of the first things we did with COVID was create a directory,” says Liz. “So that we could refer anybody to our home page where there’s a directory to refer them to local service providers.” MAZON also works directly with anti-hunger partners around the country, some of which also operate food pantries, as well as Jewish community partners who are 20
DECEMBER 2020 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE
committed to the cause of ending hunger. “I refer to it as MAZON in a box,” says Liz. “Where we offer our staff time and knowledge to these nonprofits that are first and direct response folks.” MAZON has developed partnerships with 900-1,000 different synagogues around the country. They have a national synagogue organizer who works to build local coalitions in communities around the country and educates leaders about the circumstances that lead hunger to persist in this country. There are also educational resources and opportunities for bar/bat mitzvah projects and other simchas on MAZON’S website. “About four years ago, we commissioned a photojournalist to go across America,” says Liz. “We wanted people to see what the face of hunger looks like.” The result of this project was “This Is Hunger.” It was a traveling, interactive exhibit that featured first-person accounts of individuals touched by hunger. Housed inside a 53-foot-long travel trailer, “This Is Hunger” stopped at synagogues and Jewish institutions on a 16-month, 50 city tour in 2016. After the tour, “This Is Hunger” found a permanent home in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley where the space provides a gathering place for social justice organizations to meet, plan or host events (pre-pandemic). Currently, “This Is Hunger” is being offered as an immersive digital experience, exploring who struggles with hunger in America and why. “Camps and Jewish educators use it as a virtual field trip,” says Liza Lieberman, director of communications with MAZON. There are also companion materials, including a facilitation guide, wrap-around activities and additional resources. MAZON has also established a COVID-19 Response Fund. “Donations to this fund support MAZON’s efforts to ensure that all Americans can feed themselves and their families with dignity,” says Liza. For more information, visit mazon.org.
GIVING GUIDE CEDAR SINAI PARK
503-535-4000 cedarsinaipark.org/giving A gift to Cedar Sinai Park supports our elders and assists them with the cost of quality care. Your partnership allows us to continue our mission to provide residential and community-based care to our elders and adults with special needs, allowing them to live with comfort, independence and dignity in a manner and in an environment based on Jewish values. JEWISH FAMILY & CHILD SERVICE
503-226-7079 jfcs-portland.org
Guided by the wisdom and values of our tradition, JFCS provides social services that impact the lives of the vulnerable among us. Holocaust Survivors and other seniors, those with disabilities, and individuals and families are served by our counseling, case management and home care services in partnership with other community resources. JEWISH NATIONAL FUND – USA
206-760-1188 ext. 977 jnf.org
JNF’s vision is to ensure a strong, prosperous future for the people of Israel. We build houses, source water solutions, buy fire trucks, build medical centers, and run an American high school in Israel and more. JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER PORTLAND
503-245-6219 jewishportland.org
Join us by contributing at jewishportland.org/donate.
MITTLEMAN JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
503-452-3427 oregonjcc.org/donate
The MJCC proudly serves the community virtually and in-person during the current pandemic by providing access to the fitness center and pools and offering a variety of programs and services as well as virtual exercise classes and arts programs! Membership dues and program fees are limited, and the J depends upon the philanthropic support of the community to continue to provide these programs and services. OREGON JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
503-248-9328 Youth@ojcf.org ojcf.org
Open a new OJCF B’nai Tzedek Youth Fund in honor of your child’s bar or bat mitzvah. Establish the fund with a gift of $250, and your contribution will be matched dollar for dollar by OJCF’s Community Endowment Fund. Your child will embark on a journey as a philanthropist and grant-maker that can last a lifetime. PORTLAND JEWISH ACADEMY
503-452-3427 pjaproud.org/auction
Any donation made to the PJA Auction will be matched 1.5 times to maximize the benefit for students at PJA. Every student benefits every day from funds raised at the auction, and auction proceeds help fund tuition assistance for PJA students. OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 21
COV E R STO RY
Tikkun Olam
TOP 10 BY MALA BLOMQUIST
I
n 2019, we published our first “Tikkun Olam Top Ten.� We are continuing the tradition with what we intend to be an annual homage to the people in our community who embrace the true meaning of tikkun olam and work to make the world a better place. These are people who, outside of their professional careers, make sacrifices and contribute their time and other resources to help not only the Jewish community flourish, but society as a whole. We know that there are many people out there doing wonderful things, especially during this challenging time, but here is our list of unsung heroes, influencers and changemakers for 2020.
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EVE LEVY
Eve Levy’s passion is helping Jewish women find their unique light – engaging Jewish women of all ages, backgrounds and life stages in the beauty of Jewish tradition, and helping them connect to their Judaism in a way that is meaningful to them. Taking women to Israel to share her love of the land and the Jewish people is Eve’s favorite work. She has taken nearly 250 women on spiritual trips, mostly via JWRP ( Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project) to Israel, but also to Poland and most recently Thailand. She has been a city leader on the Momentum trips since 2010, and she created and led a unique woman’s trip called The Poland-Israel Journey, under the Portland Kollel, which is very dear to her soul, being a granddaughter of four Holocaust survivors. Eve has launched her own Poland-Israel trips along with destination trips through Inspired Jewish Women, which she is executive director of. She is also Rabissa of Congregation Ahavath Achim, supporting the Sephardic congregation and community with programming not available at other synagogues, connecting members to Sephardic traditions and culture. In 2019, Eve was the recipient of the Laurie Rogoway Outstanding Jewish Professional Award in recognition of her contributions and leadership in the greater Portland Jewish community.
CRAIG GERARD Stone Soup PDX is a nonprofit foodservice training enterprise based in Portland, OR, providing professional development and hands-on culinary expertise to people at risk of homelessness. Craig Gerard and his wife, Ronit, both came from backgrounds in food service and were raised with the principles of tikkun olam. Stone Soup is a marriage of both these concepts and provides a 12-week training course for participants to enter the foodservice workforce once completed. They work with a network of Portland area caterers and restaurants that ensures ample job interviews and placement opportunities for graduates. In the summer of 2019, Stone Soup transformed the old Gilt Club space on NW Broadway into Portland’s first hybrid restaurant and nonprofit culinary training program that offered fine dining, catering and daily lunchtime counter service. With Portland’s move to self-quarantine, Stone Soup closed their restaurant and are only doing take-out. They also started working with Multnomah County to manage meal production for new shelters in Portland. This means Stone Soup and their partner restaurants are cooking and delivering breakfast, lunch and dinner for hundreds of unhoused women and men, seven days per week. This opportunity has allowed them to keep most of their staff employed, and hire some of their program participants and recent graduates who have demonstrated outstanding skills.
OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 23
LISA SCHROEDER
The iconic owner of Mother’s Bistro & Bar in downtown Portland, Lisa Schroeder started her restaurant career in 2000, opening to rave reviews and receiving the “Restaurant of the Year” award from Willamette Week. When the pandemic started, she tried to keep Mother’s open with delivery and to-go orders, including her “mean chicken soup – Jewish penicillin,” but when the protests began in June, it was hard for her staff to get to work. The restaurant’s windows have since been boarded up and painted by artist Xochilt Potter as an homage to the lives of Black children lost too soon at the hands of the police. Lisa is also vocal about supporting all the restaurant owners and workers who are struggling at this time and posts resources on the restaurant’s Facebook page – and assures everyone that she will reopen when it is safe to do so. An active member of the community, Lisa has done fundraising for Bradley Angle and Raphael House that both provide shelter and assistance to domestic violence survivors; Sparks of Hope that grants wishes and provides Healing Youth Camps for children who are survivors of abuse and Basic Right Oregon that ensures that all LGBTQ Oregonians experience equality. She also donates space at the restaurant for nonprofits who need it.
JOSH FRANKEL
Josh says he grew up in a traditional Jewish family in a large Jewish community in Los Angeles before attending the University of Oregon, where he was a field goal kicker for the Ducks and discovered Hillel. He is the past board president of the Greater Portland Hillel and has also served on numerous boards and committees in the Jewish community including B’nai B’rith Camp, Cedar Sinai Park and Mittleman Jewish Community Center. Josh currently serves as board chair for the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation and is a board member for New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention and intervention of youth homelessness. Josh is executive vice president for West Bearing Investments, a division of Ferguson Wellman. He is a certified financial planner professional and portfolio manager. Since Ferguson Wellman encourages all employees to take leadership roles on boards they feel passionate about, it’s not surprising that Josh met some of his future co-workers while serving on a board. “Josh is the kind of leader who brings warmth, authenticity and knowledge to every conversation, meeting or...Zoom call. He is never too busy to speak to a community member or fellow board member. In addition to all that, his sense of humor is uplifting. We are especially fortunate to have Josh's strong and empathetic leadership during the pandemic,” says Julie Diamond, president and CEO of Oregon Jewish Community Foundation.
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ELLEN MARKS
In the summer of 2018, Ellen Marks created the Tikkun Olam Committee at Havurah Shir Hadash in Ashland, OR. The committee’s purpose was to make a difference in the lives of the community’s most vulnerable citizens – those who are hungry, homeless and in need of direct assistance. Ellen and the committee were pivotal in getting the community enrolled in the parking program to provide a safe parking place for up to three vehicles of unhoused community members at a time. They also organized a benefit concert to raise money for this program and brought in more than $3,000, allowing for a portable toilet and trash pick-up for those enrolled. With additional financial support, some of the people who have used the safe parking have been able to transition to housing. In addition, Ellen has been very involved in volunteering for the local homeless shelter. Both Temple Emek Shalom and the Havurah Synagogue provide volunteers one day a week, and meals for the people staying there. Ellen also works at the Family Nurturing Center, a part of Oregon’s innovative and comprehensive response to support children and families in crisis. She also facilitates a weekly free GED class to help those who have not graduated high school to get their general equivalency diploma. "Ellen is a woman with a heart as big as they come. Where there is a need, she tries to help. Our community is so grateful for all that she is doing on our behalf,” says Ayala Zonnenschein, executive director of Havurah Shir Hadash.
JARED BLANK
In January 2018, Oregon native Jared Blank, who was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was five years old, ran the World Marathon Challenge (seven marathons on seven continents in seven days) to raise awareness and $50,000 for the International Dyslexia Foundation so that teachers, parents, and students can receive the resources and support they need to be successful. He is a board member for the International Dyslexia Association-Oregon and also an advisory board member of Playworks that helps schools and youth programs create healthy play environments where every child can join in. Earlier this year, he shared his personal story of overcoming dyslexia with the congregants of Neveh Shalom in support of ALIYAH’s inclusion program. ALIYAH is Neveh Shalom’s Jewish learning program for kids in grades K-6. Jared has also written a book in 2019, Running the Distance. All profits from book sales are 100% donated to the International Dyslexia Association. He has also set up Running the Distance Scholarships, offering four $1,000 scholarships for high school seniors on track to graduate or are a high school graduate and seeking to pursue academic or professional endeavors. Scholarships are for all students with dyslexia or other related learning differences. Jared says the scholarships are his demonstration of carrying out the words he lives by and his mission to educate, advocate and inspire.
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SALLIE PEARLMAN COHEN
In her mission to amplify kindness, Sallie Pearlman Cohen is one of the first people to step up when there is a need in the community. She is the founder of Positive Charge! PDX, a Portland 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that welcomes everyone to positively impact the community and world. Positive Charge! PDX offers its own projects, as well as collaborating with community partners. In its more than three years in operation, they have created projects and events to fill needs for many groups: foster care children, senior recipients of the Meals on Wheels program, survivors of child sex trafficking, pediatric patients in local hospitals, the houseless community, animals with domestic and international needs, migrant children fleeing Central America, people in need of a smile and hope, and the list goes on. PC! PDX helps address the community’s hunger crisis by participating with other organizations in a rotating schedule to pick up day-old bakery items at Safeway and deliver them to Urban Gleaners. Also, Sallie started “One Can Wednesdays,” where people can place a can or box of non-perishable food at the curb and a volunteer will pick it up for delivery to a local food pantry. Recently, they hosted drives to collect critically needed supplies for the firefighters and evacuees of the Oregon wildfires. PC! PDX hosted Coaching Connection, a series of discussions from July through October where professionals shared tips and information especially geared toward young adults just getting started in the workforce to help build practical career and life skills.
IRVING POTTER
Irving Potter has been a camper at B’nai B’rith Camp since 1955, and he’s a past president and current chairman of the Men’s Camp Association Board of Directors. In 2009, after an 89-year affiliation with the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, the B’nai B’rith Men’s Camp Association, under the leadership of Irving and Board President Kyle Rotenberg, purchased the camp property and operation from the MJCC. They started a subsidiary organization to run the camp program, establishing BB Camp as an independent, community based Jewish camp. In 2018, at the BMCA summer retreat, campers raised more than $400,000. These donors and their families are leading a movement to raise $13.2 million to completely rebuild the camp in 2021 for its 100th anniversary. Over the past 10 years, because of the BBMCA’s efforts, BB Camp’s enrollment has increased from 360 campers each summer to 618 in 2018. Moreover, the camp is succeeding in helping local children with issues relating to poverty. Executive Director Michelle Koplan and Irving started a day camp program for Lincoln County youth in 2006, with full scholarships available. Set at $120 per week with full scholarships available. Since then, more than 2,000 day campers can now enjoy camp experiences of ziplining, rope obstacle courses, pool play, hydro-tubing, arts and crafts and life skills from talented staff who teach self-confidence and inspire leadership.
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JODI FRIED
Before the pandemic, Jodi Fried hosted The Jewish Mama Mashup online summit, where she interviewed 20 Jewish women from around the world who were experts in many different areas. After this summit, Jodi was inspired to start The Empowered Jewish Mom Movement, a closed Facebook group that welcomes all Jewish moms to join. Jodi felt a calling to go back to serving the Jewish community and help empower Jewish women to feel confident and happy in themselves and feel more fulfilled. She realized that so many moms have these dreams, whether it’s going on a trip or starting a business, that are pushed to the side, and there’s no reason they should be. What sets apart the Empowered Jewish Mom Movement page aside from other mom-oriented Facebook pages is that it is driven by Jewish values and moms can connect in authentic ways without judgment. In October, Congregation Kesser Israel honored Jodi for her five years of service as their membership and program director at a special virtual Sukkot celebration. In their High Holiday Appeal, Kesser Israel included the following statement about Jodi, “There is not a single aspect of congregational life that she did not touch and improve, and we have ALL benefited from her work. Thanks to Jodi, the congregation has taken strides that have enabled us to serve hundreds of local families and individuals.”
AVREL NUDELMAN
When Dr. Avrel Nudelman, O.D. is not helping people see more clearly at The Eye Group Associates in Portland, he is busy volunteering his time in the community – which is way he is often referred to as a “real mensch.” Before the pandemic, he was part of a rotating volunteer group that would lead the North Coast Shabbat Group’s monthly service. The group would meet on the last Friday of each month from April to October at the Bob Chisholm Community Center in Seaside, OR. Avrel has also been a service leader at Cedar Sinai Park for many years, where he leads High Holy Days and Shabbat services throughout the year. During the pandemic, when the leaders cannot go to the facilities in person, they have recorded their services ahead of time so that the programs could be streamed to residents. This year, Avrel was the service leader for the Yom Kippur morning program. He has also been a bar mitzvah tutor in Portland for the past 20 years. Avrel enjoys it when he sees a former student involved in Jewish life, and some of his former students have grown up to become tutors or even religious school teachers themselves.
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The Glass Ribbon Project promotes healing through art By Mala Blomquist
FRONT & CENTER
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bout a year ago, artist Gary Rosenthal was contemplating retirement when he received some devastating news. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. “I figured I had one to three years to live,” says Gary. “Instead of talking about retirement or crawling into a shell or something like that, I said, ‘How can I take my art and use it as a catalyst to do good?’ ” Gary has been creating art for more than 40 years and is best known for his custom line of Judaica, combining copper, brass and steel with brilliantly colored fused glass. Using his art as a “catalyst to do good” is not a new concept. He started more than twenty years ago donating materials and working with high school students and women in shelters to create Christmas tree ornaments that they could sell to raise money. He also worked with a group after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, 28
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FL, to make 100 candlesticks for families of the high school kids impacted. “Fighting darkness with light,” says Gary. Then in 2005, Gary created The Glass Ribbon Project. He was inspired by the story of breast cancer survivor, oncology nurse and patient advocate, Lillian “Lillie” Shockney. He had read an article where Lillie was walking on the beach with her mother, and she bent down and picked up two stones off the sand. She gave one to her mother and told her to hold onto the rock and say a prayer when she was undergoing chemotherapy, and she would do the same. Gary decided to make glass “strength stones” to support breast cancer patients out of pink and white mosaic glass. He creates giant sheets of mosaics that get fired in a kiln. The fused glass is then cut into 1-inch squares and re-fired to create the very tactile finished stones. People can order
a kit where they produce the initial mosaic sheet, send it to Gary, and he will return 50 stones to them. “I would send 50 stones back to someone, and they would give them to their children, friends, whoever,” says Gary. “The strength stones become a connection between the person who created them, who is under treatment, and their special people.” It wasn’t until his own treatment during the time of COVID-19 that Gary realized the real connection of the strength stones. When he first started chemotherapy, before the pandemic, things were very different. “I would go to the infusion center, and it was a cheery place,” Gary remembers. “One of my best friends would come in, we would have lunch together, and it was wonderful.” He had surgery on March 20, 2020. The hospital went into lockdown, and his wife could no longer be by his side. He had to spend time in intensive care and recovery alone. When he returned for his second round of chemotherapy, it was not the friendly place he initially visited. “The infusion center nurses were wearing masks, and you could sense the tension,” he says. “There’s no friend to come and take care of me – it’s so isolating, so different.” He wants to give strength stones out to people who are starting chemotherapy. “I’m telling them that your friends are not going to be able to come, but you still can be connected, and this is a way to create that spiritual connection,” says Gary. He wants to create a six-pack of strength stones available in various colors to represent different types of cancer. Gary has set up a nonprofit and hopes to get underwriting for the six-packs of stones so that no one going through treatment will have to pay for them. Gary has begun collaborating with a couple of national organizations, one being Project Purple out of Connecticut. They support patients with pancreatic cancer by sending them a big purple blanket. He wants to include a bag of six purple strength stones with a description of what they are in each blanket delivery. He also wants to add a note about the positive outcome he is experiencing. “I had a wonderful attitude from like day three of knowing because that’s just the way I am,” says Gary. They caught his cancer early, and when the surgeon removed the tumor he had clear margins. Biopsies on 18 lymph nodes have all been negative. “I have a wonderful prognosis, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s almost as if I never had cancer. Attitude counts for a whole lot, but luck counts for even more.” Gary finished his treatment at the beginning of June this year.* “I used to always tell people that my fingerprints stay on what I make forever,” says Gary. Recently, I was corrected
by a rabbi who said, ‘It’s not just your fingerprints that stay on your work forever, it’s your soul print.’ ” Of all the Judaica he has made over the years, he thinks about the Shabbat candlesticks and how he feels part of the tradition and “invited” into thousands of homes across the country every Friday night. Gary has always felt a spiritual connection to the pieces he creates, and the strength stones have always been a passion project. “It gives me personal pleasure that I can work with people in a time of need, and we are creating something that is making a difference for these people, for the patient and the friend.” He’s hoping to be able to take the program nationally or even internationally. “For me, to put all my energy behind this, I had to get pancreatic cancer for it to happen! It’s the silver lining,” he says. “I’m more excited about what I’m doing than I ever have been.” For more information on The Glass Ribbon Project, visit glassribbon.com. To see Gary Rosenthal’s artwork, visit collectgaryrosenthal.com. *UPDATE: The original interview with Gary was over the summer and when we checked in with him at the beginning of November, he shared this message, “I am feeling great. My last CT scan showed no evidence of disease, so I feel like I won the cancer surgery and chemo lottery – first prize!”
Gary, his daughter Sophie Rosenthal, and friend Mark Cackler work on a glass mosaic while Gary receives a treatment.
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FRONT & CENTER
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he holidays are approaching. Do you want to avoid crowded stores? Do you want to support local artists? Are you looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind gift? You can answer all of those questions and purchase all of your holiday gifts in one place –without leaving home. Join ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists for the Virtual Marketplace: Gifts for all Occasions – a showcase of 20 artists highlighting their photography, fabric, fused glass, jewelry, paintings, pencil drawings, pottery, wood, sculpture and more. ORA is a group of artists in the Portland area who have come together to support, share, inspire, enjoy and showcase their art. Visit northwestjewishartists. org/shop from Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 9 am through Thursday, Dec. 17 at 5 pm to complete your holiday shopping and support your local community. Due to the coronavirus, ORA has combined its annual Celebration of Art and Hannukah Fair into the Virtual Marketplace, where you can view and purchase affordable gifts and art from the comfort of your home.
Virtual Marketplace: Gifts for All Occasions
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For more information about ORA, visit northwestjewishartists.org. 30
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1. Forest Sunset Challah Cover Diane Fredgant silksbydiane@gmail.com 2. Mannequin Jane Means janemeans@msn.com
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3 3. Shivitis Wall Art Linda Zahavi Zahavi3@comcast.net 4. Butterflies Dancing Sharon Segal SHARON-SEGAL@ comcast.net 5. Hamsa Beadwork Esther Liberman 503.804.3015
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SPECIAL SECTION:
A C T I V E LY SENIOR
Gifting wishes to those in hospice care By Melissa Abu
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fter surgery and an arduous recovery following a 2007 diagnosis of a rare cancer, Jean Rosenbaum decided she wanted to do something to give back and live each day with joy. She started working with a local hospice as a public relations consultant and soon became director of marketing. “When I met with patients, I was moved by the things people requested,” says Jean. “They were small things. It is difficult to imagine how many people on hospice are without the means to provide their simplest wish; or meet their basic needs. Can you imagine knowing that you are leaving behind a wife and small children who can’t afford new shoes, or needing just a warm blanket, or not being able to afford to see your children to say goodbye? “There were so many unmet needs, and it was an honor to spend time with people who had so few hours left to share,” explains Jean. Though hospice care is covered at 100% for those on Medicare, the coverage brings with it a lot of guidelines that limit what a hospice can provide. Bus fare for a family member to visit, a marriage license, a last trip to the beach and headphones to listen to music are common requests not covered by Medicare. For patients with limited funds, such wishes often went unmet. Jean joined the board of the hospice’s fledgling foundation, hoping to be able to meet some of the simple requests she kept hearing. When an attorney suggested it would be easier to incorporate as a 501c3 foundation if it 32
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were not tied to a specific for-profit hospice, Jean created the Pacific NW Hospice Foundation, now known as Gifted Wishes, and incorporated as a nonprofit in 2010. Since then, the foundation has granted more than 1,000 wishes for patients nearing the end of their journeys. From a terminal Alzheimer patient remembering how to play the piano again, her Gifted Wish was a used piano. Gifted Wishes also provided care for a woman’s cats so she could have them with her at a facility in her final days. “No other organization in this region funds individual hospice patient’s wishes,” says Jean. “We try to have funds available, so we don’t have to turn anyone away. Many hospices have foundations, but those are often for capital needs or big projects. So, we get many requests from the biggest medical corporations like Legacy, Providence, Kaiser and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital at OHSU.” Social workers or hospice chaplains generally fill out requests with an online form or call Jean, who says she funds many requests on the spot. “I listen. They all sound heartwarming, and they all make me cry,” says Jean. “I’ve only declined one or two requests in 10 years.” As executive director, Jean is the only full-time staff member and is now joined by Melissa Abu, part-time development and marketing director. With a development director on board, Jean hopes to start building endowments. Several years ago, her cousins created a fund to grant wishes for Jewish patients in
“It is difficult to imagine how many people on hospice are without the means to provide their simplest wish; or meet their basic needs.” ~Jean Rosenbaum
Jean Rosenbaum
hospice in honor of Jean’s parents, William and Goldie, who have since passed away. Jean sees the work of the foundation as tzedakah and each gifted wish as a true mitzvah. “My parents were extremely generous and set a lifelong example of the importance of giving back. My dad, a surgeon, never turned away a patient who couldn’t pay.”
Jean feels one should make it a priority to give back, surround oneself with people who bring you joy, make sure that your medical records are up to date, like your advance directive, and be grateful every day. For more information, or to make a donation, visit GiftedWishes.org. OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 33
SPECIAL SECTION : SENIORS
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Eleanore Rubinstein and Sophie
Eleanore Rubinstein
lived, and loved, fully By Diane Koopman 34
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t could be said that she lived almost two lives – and lived them fully. Beloved family matriarch Eleanore Rubinstein peacefully left this world on November 8, 2020, at 107½ years young, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Born April 23, 1913, to Richard and Carolyn See in New York City, Eleanore moved to Portland when she was seven. After graduating from Grant High School in 1931, she attended the University of Washington. Eleanore married Paul Rubinstein in 1933, and together they raised their four children in Aberdeen, Washington, before relocating to Portland in 1960. A phenomenal mother and grandmother with four generations beneath her (“my granddaughter is a grandmother,” she liked to say), family was the most important thing to her, and she approached every day with humor, purpose, gratitude and grace. Still driving a Lexus SUV when she turned 100, her vanity license plate read “ABZGAL,” and indeed, this busy gal never slowed down. A natural athlete, Eleanore took pride in being a tomboy growing up, with a particular fondness for baseball and track. She loved bowling and golf and played tennis into her 90s, reigning as a two-time champion of the USTA’s Women’s 90s division. She enthusiastically (and quite vocally) cheered on family members when they were on the field or court and even attended Mariners games as a centenarian. A role model in every way, Eleanore demonstrated an unwavering commitment to volunteering. Starting with the Red Cross during World War II, she consistently found ways to give back, whether it was the PTA, Girl Scouts of America, or the National Council for Jewish Women. Well into her 100s,
Eleanore volunteered weekly for Store to Door, making calls to homebound seniors with her miniature dachshund Sophie sitting in her lap. No idle hands for Eleanore. A lifelong knitter, she always had a project underway, adding the label “Made with Tender Loving Care by Mom” (or “Mimi” as she was also called) before gifting each custom creation. That love was also expressed through the kitchen in the form of homemade corned beef, zucchini bread, pickles and jams. A math whiz and sharp as a tack, she adored playing bridge and working jigsaw and crossword puzzles. With stacks of sheet music at the ready by the piano, she was also a prolific letter writer and a voracious reader, consuming a steady supply of library books. She especially loved the sun and the beach, with Palm Springs and Seaside among her special places. “What’s your secret?” she was always being asked. “Just good luck and good genes,” she’d respond. No restrictive diet – she ate heartily and happily, relishing
spaghetti and meatballs or a juicy burger and fries. She preferred scotch and soda in the winter and vodka in the summer. And if margaritas were on the menu, “Make it a large!” Maintaining her positive spirit and clever wit to the end, Eleanore said all of her goodbyes before she passed. When asked if she wanted to rest between Facetime calls, she pressed to continue, quipping, “I’m going to be resting for a very long time.” Our “Busy Gal” is survived by her son, Dick Rubinstein (Deanne); daughters Carolyn Gevurtz (Ron); Sandi Rubin; Diane Koopman (Dirk); seven grandchildren, Teri DeHaan (Andy), Rick Rubinstein (Jill), Lisa Levin (Bart), Sheri Baer (Doug), Dirk Koopman (Secia), Devin Koopman (Amy) and Darci Keljo (Kevin); fourteen greatgrandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. And, her beloved dog, Sophie, who she got as a puppy at the age of 95. She is preceded in death by her husband, Paul Rubinstein, and nearly everyone else of her generation.
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A C T I V E LY S E N I O R S
Israeli duo’s early Alzheimer’s detection test brings cure one step closer By Robert Sarner ISRAELI EXPATRIATE BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERS Eliav Shaked and Roy Kirshon may be far from old age but one of its dreaded curses – Alzheimer’s disease (AD) – figures prominently in their lives. As business partners in an artificial intelligence medical imaging start-up in Toronto called RetiSpec, they’ve developed a new way for early detection of AD, the main cause of dementia among older adults.
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I
n recent years, the World medical facility established Health Organization in 1996 dedicated to the has signaled the growing diagnosis and treatment scourge of dementia of Alzheimer’s and (attributed mostly to related disorders, she’s the AD) as a global epidemic. principal investigator in a Tied, in part, to an aging current validation study of population, an estimated 47 RetiSpec’s technology. million people around the “Early diagnosis is world now suffer from AD important,” says Cohen, or related dementia. “even if some people say, “The problem today is ‘why diagnose early and the point at which you just extend the time that diagnose Alzheimer’s,” a person lives with bad Shaked, 37, told The Times news.’ But we think about RetiSpec COO Roy Kirshon, left, and CEO Eliav Shaked. of Israel during a recent it differently. There’s a lot to PHOTO COURTESY ROBERT SARNER/ TIMES OF ISRAEL interview with him and be done when you make an Kirshon at a Toronto outdoor cafe. “By then, there’s already a early diagnosis. It helps get on with the business of preparing neurodegenerative process that’s affecting the way the person appropriate care and improving the quality of life and thinks and reasons, which is caused by a pathological change support for patients and their families. It also helps facilitate in the brain that started 10 or 20 years before those clinical research into treatment and finding a cure.” symptoms.” An irreversible, progressive brain disorder with no known THE BALL IS ROLLING cure, AD is one of the main causes of death among adults Founded in 2016, RetiSpec is a Canadian company with over 65 in the United States. In the past 20 years, deaths eight employees, including Shaked as CEO and Kirshon as from AD there have increased significantly faster than those COO. Another Israeli, Alon Hazan, recently joined as Head from other major causes. It now afflicts 6 million Americans of Artificial Intelligence. and is expected to reach 14 million by 2050. The Alzheimer’s Beyond their partnership, Shaked and Kirshon are Association of Israel says around 150,000 Israelis have longtime close friends, having met in 2008 at Tel Aviv the disease while in Canada the current number is almost University where both were studying biomedical engineering. 600,000. In the latest boost for their company, Shaked and Kirshon Given AD’s growing death toll and the massive social concluded a partnership agreement in October with Gentex and economic burden of caring for millions of patients, the Corporation, a major US-based global hi-tech electronics disease looms large on society’s agenda. That’s heightened firm, to engineer, manufacture and commercialize RS1, the interest and support RetiSpec has attracted for its work which uses retinal imaging to look at the back of the eye as a to replace current diagnostic procedures for identifying AD small window to the brain. which are costly and impractical. It was the most recent in a series of auspicious RetiSpec’s diagnostic tool, named RS1, provides a far developments for RetiSpec. Last November, it won the simpler, less expensive alternative to the discomfort and annual iGan Partners’ Pitch to Heal Event, securing a inconvenience of current practices – a spinal tap or PET $250,000 investment from iGan. A month earlier, it received scan – for detecting AD early. It’s hoped this will help in an award from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation developing more effective treatments and, ultimately, a to accelerate commercialization of the company’s retinal prevention for AD. imaging technology. Supported by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, “By the time Alzheimer’s is now diagnosed, it’s already way among others, the award of up to $500,000 includes a direct too late,” says Shaked. “The horse is out of the barn. This is investment in the company. the reality clinicians and neurologists face today. If COVID In 2019, the Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization has taught us one thing, it’s that early, accurate diagnostics chose RetiSpec as one of several high-potential health are key in assessing epidemiological cases and supporting science companies for its Capital Access Advisory Program. therapeutics.” RetiSpec has also received funding from the TorontoDr. Sharon Cohen, a behavioral neurologist specializing based Ontario Brain Institute and Centre for Aging and in diseases of memory and cognition who is an expert on Brain Health Innovation. Recently, Shaked and Kirshon Alzheimer’s research and clinical care, echoes Shaked’s view. completed a second successful funding round with both As the medical director of Toronto Memory Program, a Canadian and Israeli investors. OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 37
A C T I V E LY S E N I O R S
The eye as a window to our brain. Sheba Medical team searches the eye for signs of Alzheimer’s. PHOTO COURTESY IFAT SHER
The RetiSpec RS1 diagnostic device. PHOTO COURTESY RETISPEC “What we’ve developed is non-invasive, quick, easy-to-use and allows for the user, the clinician, to get the results right there on the spot,” says Shaked, who received his BA and MA in bioengineering at Tel Aviv University and has long been passionate about the human brain. “We’ve focused a lot on ensuring the device’s user-friendliness and addressing key needs from a clinical perspective for this to be a successful clinical utility.” RetiSpec’s RS1 consists of a hyperspectral retinal camera and attached software involving artificial intelligence. It analyzes how light reflects off the back of a person’s eye to identify bits of harmful amyloid proteins and other evidence that indicate AD, even before the patient shows symptoms. The device draws on technology developed by Robert Vince and Swati More at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Drug Design. In contrast to current options, RS1 provides a painless, more accessible biomarker screening done in only 10 minutes. It’s intended for use in the office of an eye doctor whose retinal cameras would be modified with the addition of RetiSpec’s software and supersensitive camera mounted on standard machines now used by optometrists and 38
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ophthalmologists for routine retinal exams. “Retinal imaging is something that exists today,” says 36-year-old Kirshon. “You do it when you go to your optometrist. What we know how to do is to make those cameras smarter, with a little accessory and software that can acquire images much richer in data allowing us to see things that beforehand were impossible to see using normal retinal imaging.” “Preliminary results and findings from our current clinical validation studies really boost our confidence and help us understand the incredible potential in bringing this device to market,” says Shaked, whose participation in 2015 in the Google-supported Singularity University’s Global Solutions Program for entrepreneurs in California’s Silicon Valley inspired him to create RetiSpec. “We’ve brought together a lot of serious, global partners who believe in what we’re doing, believe in our team and are helping us get to the point that we’ll be in the market, but it’s not an easy process.” Shaked and Kirshon hope all the final testing necessary for the regulatory process will be completed by the end of next year, with the device available for purchase by clinicians in 2022. “So far, what we see is very promising,” Cohen told The Times of Israel. “Interim results suggest an accurate diagnostic, comparing well against the gold standard of Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis which is a spinal tap or PET scan. Of course, we await the final data, which we expect by January, but we’re encouraged by the preliminary analysis. The rationale for it makes a lot of sense and in terms of patient acceptance and tolerating the retinal scan, the results have been excellent.” The hope is that earlier detection of AD provides an opportunity for timely therapeutic intervention that can slow or even somehow halt the disease’s progression. It’s taken on greater relevance following news in August that American pharma giant Biogen won a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) priority review of its muchanticipated but controversial AD drug, with a decision expected in March. If approved, it would become the first treatment to reduce clinical decline in people with AD. “If you’re able to either tackle the pathology at the stage before it gets too late or prevent it from even getting there from the get-go, that’s what’s missing in Alzheimer’s disease,” says Shaked, who was born in Beersheba but spent most of his youth in the Tel Aviv suburb of Ganei Tikva. “That’s when you can turn it into a chronic disease from something that’s now fatal.” This article was excerpted from The Times of Israel article from Nov. 21, 2020. Read the article in its entirety at timesofisrael. com/israeli-duos-early-alzheimers-detection-test-brings-cureone-step-closer.
A C T I V E LY S E N I O R S
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cottsdale-based Early Warning Services, LLC, the network operator behind Zelle, the U.S.-based digital payments service, offers free e-learning classes aimed at older Americans. These classes are developed through a partnership with social change nonprofit Older Adults Technology Services (OATS). OATS online, interactive courses, offered through its award-winning technology training program, Senior Planet, educate older adults on safe digital banking habits, including using person-to-person (P2P) payments. Zelle has worked with Senior Planet to co-create workshops for older adults to learn to use digital banking tools safely during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. According to the latest Zelle data, more than one-third of baby boomers, ages 55-74, shared they are concerned about their risk of being targeted by financial scams or fraud. In addition, more than 20% responded that since the COVID-19 crisis began, they have adopted or plan to adopt a P2P payment services. This data combined with a recent survey from Senior Planet – finding more than 75% of older adults would like to take part in online learning – further showcases the necessity for easily accessible and inclusive digital education tools that meet the older adults’ unique needs. “The current global pandemic has forced changes in consumer behavior,” says Rose Corvo, Chief Marketing Officer for Zelle. “By partnering with OATs, we are helping older adults transition safely to digital banking services through education. Understanding how to use these services will help seniors transact safely from the comfort of their homes.” The FBI and FTC have issued warnings regarding scams related to the COVID-19 outbreak, noting that the rise in scams has included a range of tactics, including email phishing campaigns, robocalls, fraudulent goods, and disinformation campaigns. In the era of self-isolation, older adults must understand how to use digital banking tools safely. "We know that people 60 and older are among those most vulnerable to the financial scams that have cropped up since COVID-19, capitalizing on the culture of uncertainty,”
Digital banking workshops for seniors
says Tom Kamber, OATS executive director. “It's more important than ever for older adults to build the skills and tools needed to stay financially secure, so we're delighted to partner with Zelle to support older adults in connecting with their loved ones online and building digital financial literacy." The free, online courses are available via the Senior Planet website. For more information, visit seniorplanet.org. For additional resources on safe payments, visit zellepay.com/ pay-it-safe.
Recent Zelle data finds that in light of COVID-19 ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
Two-thirds (66%) of seniors are concerned about their long-term finances
One third (33%) of seniors are concerned about their risk of being targeted by financial scams or fraud
Nearly half (45%) of seniors have increased their frequency of online/ecommerce shopping
Almost all (93%) of seniors are concerned about the length of time until things get “back to normal”
OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 39
I S R A E L
Take a virtual tour of Jerusalem
S
tandWithUs Discover presents a brand-new way to experience Israel and walk the streets of Jerusalem, despite the current pandemic. And on Dec. 13, you can join one of these tours along with Neveh Shalom’s Israel360 program, Men’s Club and Sisterhood. Broadcast directly from Jerusalem’s most famous sites, StandWithUs Discover’s exclusive hour-long “JerusalemLIVE!” tours offer you the chance the explore the holy city in real-time with your own private guide. Each tour is led by Discover’s director of strategic tourism, Yoni Zierler – a master tour guide whose live tours on Facebook have been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of viewers – who will help customize each tour to best fit your group’s interests. These tours are live and interactive via Zoom, creating an immersive experience. Anyone who has walked in the places the tour goes, can recreate the Jerusalem experience, and anyone who hasn’t will be inspired to visit. The unique part of the Jewish Quarter tour is that it ends at the Kotel, and people can email personal notes that they’ll print and insert. StandWithUs Discover offers four tours to choose from on their “Live Tour Menu:”
Jerusalem LIVE: The Jewish Quarter of the Old City Hqw6eqjlTwWXzpNjC8vhpQ Fee: $10 per household Date: Sunday, December 13 Time: 12:30 pm (10:30 pm Israel time) Location: Zoom To reserve your space, please register and pay at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/ register/WN_ 40
DECEMBER 2020 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE
Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem: Uncovering the Jewish connection to Jerusalem. Nachlaot: A stroll through the colorful alleyways of Jerusalem’s beautifully eclectic neighborhood. Mishkenot Sheananim: The revolutionary first neighborhood built outside the walls of the Old City. Jerusalem Strategic Tour: An exploration of the history, challenges and successes of the once-divided city. Randy Kessler, executive director at StandWithUs Pacific Northwest, moderates tours in the region. He explains that they typically take questions via chat to minimize outside noise, but people are welcome to unmute and chat directly with the tour guide during Q&A breaks, so it can be as interactive as a real tour. Because of the time difference, the tours are typically held on Sunday mornings from 9 am to noon or weeknight evenings at 8:30 or 9 pm Pacific time. “At the outbreak of the pandemic, StandWithUs quickly pivoted to find new and engaging ways of connecting communities around the world to Israel,” shares Randy. “I’m so excited to bring this program to Portland in partnership with Congregation Neveh Shalom! Now more than ever, we are both determined that if you can’t come to Israel, we will bring Israel to you.” For more information on the tour offerings, visit standwithus.com/discovertours.
Yoni Zierler takes guests on a virtual tour of Israel from the Jewish Quarter to the Kotel.
Contact: Questions about the tour or payment? Contact Michelle Caplan at mcaplan@nevehshalom.org; or 503-246-8831. Co-sponsored by Neveh Shalom’s Israel360, Men’s Club, and Sisterhood and StandWithUs Northwest. OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 41
I S R A E L
TAG ALONG
Street art as seen in Israel So, when I take a trip somewhere new, I like to explore by just walking around, you never know what you might find. If you are lucky enough to be traveling to Israel next year, I recommend some fantastic street art, or graffitti, to stimulate the senses and boggle the mind. JERUSALEM
World War II hero Hannah Szenes in her military uniform. This captivating spraypaint is the work of 25-yearold British-born artist, Solomon Souza.
Pilpeled uses monochrome designs to achieve powerful dramatic effect. (PHOTO BY MARC ISRAEL SELLEM) . Right: Pilpeled.
The image pictured above was fashioned by Haifa native Maayan Fogel.
WALKING TOURS: authentic-jerusalem-tours.com • touristisrael.com/day tours/tel aviv street art tour • ohsoarty.com 42
DECEMBER 2020 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE
TEL AVIV
Dede Bandaid
Street artist Dede or Dede Bandaid, and one of his many examples that can be found in Tel Aviv. (PHOTO BY YOVA LITMAN )
Giraffe head graffiti on wall at Neve Tzedek in Tel Aviv by artist Michael Rubin. One of many pieces of street art by Murielle Street Art in the Florentin neighborhood in Tel Aviv. Artist Murielle Cohen.
An eye-catchingpiece of street art. Big Walls By Skount - Tel Aviv-Yafo. Far right - Skount
OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 43
TEL AVIV
Above: Street artists PichiAvo. "Meet Anacreon" new work by PichiAvo in Tel Aviv-Jaffa.
HAIFA Sleeping Beauty by Klone Portrait of Addam Yekutieli, a.k.a. “Know Hope,” Klone Piece by Brothers of Light, Elna and Gab. PHOTO BY
ELNA AND GAB
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r ao
Tant
Tan
De s
o
Un g
A mesmerizing example of street art by Tipa Graphic Art aka Vadim Sverdiov.
r to
Un g
a Broken Fingaz are a world-renowned psych-pop collective from Haifa, Israel. Since their founding in 2001, its members Unga, Tant and Deso have worked prolifically on the international art scene. Like some street artist, anonymity is key.
Fingaz Railways – Broken Borders by Broken Fingaz.
OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 45
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How do you
SPELL IT? By Mala Blomquist
H
anukkah, Chanukah, Hanukah, Chanukkah, Hanukka, Chanukka. During a recent Google search for the word “Hanukkah,” I found more than 15 variations on how to spell the Festival
of Lights. Every year when we are working on the issue that includes Hanukkah, we go back and forth between spelling it Hanukkah or Chanukah. The only easy decision, once you pick a spelling, it has to be that way throughout the issue. This year, as in most, we are going with Hanukkah. We follow the AP Stylebook and that is what is recognized by them. Also, Hanukkah is the most widely used spelling, although Chanukah is more traditional. But why so many different ways to spell it? The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and this holiday commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The simple answer (which is really not that simple) comes down to transliteration. Unlike translation, transliteration is when you “change (letters, words, etc.) into corresponding characters of another alphabet or language.” In Hebrew, the word for Chanukah is not easily transliterated into English. This accounts for why there are so many spelling variants. Hebrew does not use the Latin alphabet, which is the standard script of many languages, including English. When used in an English context, the sounds of the different letters have to be converted, or transliterated, into Latin letters. Here’s the catch, the Hebrew word for the holiday uses sounds that aren’t found in the Latin alphabet. And this is where things start to get tricky. The difficulty begins with the first letter of the word, which is the eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet – chet (also spelled ches and het – are you starting to see a theme here?). It
is pronounced with a guttural sound that is similar to “kh.” So, when the Hebrew word was transliterated in the 17th century, the chet became ch (Chanukah). However, when the English ch appears at the beginning of a word, it sounds quite different than the Hebrew chet. Thus, in the 18th century, another spelling appeared – Hanukkah – even though the h doesn’t really sound like chet either. Transliteration issues also arose over other letters – such as one or two k’s – resulting in all the different spelling variations. No matter how you choose to spell the Festival of Lights, the holiday’s significance remains the same. Around 200 B.C., Judea – also known as the Land of Israel – came under the control of Antiochus III, the Seleucid king of Syria, who allowed the Jews who lived there and continue practicing their religion. His son, Antiochus IV, proved less benevolent: Ancient sources recount that he outlawed the Jewish religion and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods. In 168 B.C., his soldiers descended upon Jerusalem, massacring thousands of people and desecrating the city’s holy Second Temple by erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs within its sacred walls. Following the destruction of the Second Temple, Jewish priest Mattathias, his son Judah Maccabee and their army (The Maccabees) revolted. They successfully forced Antichos IV out of Judea. and reclaimed the Temple and rebuilt the altar, which included relighting the menorah. With only enough oil to light the menorah for one day, the flames burned for eight. This wondrous event inspired the Jewish sages to proclaim a yearly eight-day festival, and the holiday as we know it was born. However you spell it, may you find the wonder in the miracle of Hanukkah when you light your menorah, or do you call it a hanukkiah? Sigh.
OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 47
HANUKKAH
Ad ol
it t Lev ph
The sweet history of Jews and doughnuts By Mala Blomquist
A "Donut Lassie" from World War I.
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DECEMBER 2020 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE
D
uring Hanukkah, doughnuts or sufganiyot are a traditional food to eat. The deep-fried dessert is symbolically prepared to remind us of the miracle of the Hanukkah oil. For as long as most of us can remember, doughnuts have been around. But have you ever thought of who might have been the first person to drop raw dough in hot oil, making one of the best treats ever? Archaeologists have turned up fossilized remains of what resemble doughnuts in prehistoric Native American settlements. Ancient Greeks and Romans fried strips of dough in olive oil and then sprinkled or spread them with ingredients to add flavor. Fried dough, either savory or sweet, is found in almost all cultures and cuisines. In the United States, doughnuts can be traced back to the 1700s, with Dutch settlers bringing their olykoeks or “oily cakes” to New Amsterdam (now New York). And why the hole? People have long questioned how exactly the hole got in the middle of the doughnut, but the Smithsonian Magazine shares an elaborate story in its archives. “Fast-forward to the mid-19th century and Elizabeth Gregory, a New England ship captain’s mother who made a wicked deep-fried dough that cleverly used her son’s spice cargo of nutmeg and cinnamon, along with lemon rind. Some say she made it so son Hanson and his crew could store a pastry on long voyages, one that might help ward off scurvy and colds. In any case, Mrs. Gregory put hazelnuts or walnuts in the center, where the dough might not cook through, and in a literal-minded way she called them doughnuts. “Her son always claimed credit for putting the hole in the doughnut. Some cynical doughnut historians maintain that Captain Gregory did it to stint on ingredients, others that he thought the hole might make it easier to digest. Still, others say that he gave the doughnut its shape when, needing to keep both hands on the wheel in a storm, he skewered one of his mom’s doughnuts on a spoke of his ship’s wheel. In an interview with the Boston Post at the turn of the century, Captain Gregory tried to quell such rumors with his recollection of the moment 50 years before: using the top of a round
liam Rosenb Wil erg
OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 49
tin pepper box, he said, he cut into the middle of a doughnut ‘the first doughnut hole ever seen by mortal eyes.’” The popularity of the doughnut took off after soldiers returned home from World War I. During their service in France, Salvation Army women volunteers – called Donut Lassies – would deliver doughnuts to the men on the front lines. When they returned to the U.S., they craved the breakfast pastry and more shops started selling the sweet treats. The Jews surprisingly had quite the influence on American doughnut culture. A Jewish refugee from czarist Russian named Adolph Levitt is responsible for inventing the first automated doughnut machine in 1920. Hungry theater goers would crowd his bakery in New York and pushed him to make a gadget that churned Left: As the popularity of the doughnut increased, Adolph Levitt opened a donut shop on Times Square, where people would stop and watch his new invention churn out donuts, often stopping traffic.
Krispy Kreme Glazed Doughnut Recipe
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DECEMBER 2020 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE
INGREDIENTS For the donuts 1 1/4 cups whole milk 2 1/4 teaspoon instant (quick-rise) yeast (one packet) 2 large eggs
(Copycat)
8 tablespoons unsalted butter – melted and cooled
Who can resist an original glazed doughnut fresh off the conveyor belt at Krispy Kreme? Now you can make them at home with this copycat recipe adapted from a recipe originally shared by Mark Bittman of The New York Times.
1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon salt 4 1/4 cups bread flour (plus more for rolling out the dough) oil (for frying) For the glaze 4 cups powdered sugar 1/2 cup milk 1 pinch salt
HANUKKAH out the tasty rings faster, and he did. The Wonderful Almost Human Automatic Donut Machine churned out doughnuts at an unprecedented pace. Doughnuts starred as the featured food of the Chicago World’s Fair in 1934, where they were touted as a symbol of American progress because they were made using a machine. Author Gil Marks, in his book, Encyclopedia of Jewish Food, shares a story of a Jewish man that started the largest doughnut shop chain in the world. “William Rosenberg (1916-2002), the son of immigrant Jewish parents, was operating an industrial catering business in which he sold snacks in converted secondhand trucks near factories around his native Dorchester, MA. He noticed that doughnuts and coffee accounted for 40% of his sales, and in 1948 launched a doughnut shop called the Open Kettle in Quincy, MA, the heart of America’s original doughnut country, aiming for a blue-collar clientele… “This unassuming store would eventually become, in Rosenberg’s words, ‘the world’s largest coffee and baked goods chain.’ Two years after opening, Rosenberg
INSTRUCTIONS To make the donuts In a medium bowl, heat the milk in the microwave until it is warm to the touch, about 45 seconds. Add in the yeast and give it gentle stir. Let the mixture sit until there is some foam on top, about 5 minutes. Using a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, beat together the yeast mixture, the eggs, butter, sugar and salt until combined. Add in about half of the flour and mix until combined. Add in the remaining flour and mix until combined. During the mixing process, you may need to stop the mixer and scrape down the sides. If the dough is too wet to handle, add in flour 1 tablespoon at a time. Cover the bowl with a large kitchen towel, and leave it in a warm place to let it rise until it doubles in size, about 1 hour. When the dough is done rising, pour it onto a well-floured surface and roll it to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut the donuts with a donut cutter, or with 2 different sized round cookie cutters (the large cutter should be about 3-inches in
changed the store’s name to Dunkin’ Donuts and five years after that, he arranged the first franchise in nearby Worcester… By 1963, there were 100 Dunkin’ Donuts shops, and by 1979, there were 1,000. “By the time of Rosenberg’s death, there were more than 5,000 Dunkin’ Donuts shops, including about 40 outlets under kosher supervision, in nearly 40 countries, and serving nearly 2 million customers per day.” The Wonderful Almost Human Automatic Donut Machine churned out doughnuts at an unprecedented pace. The machine became a local spectacle in Levitt’s neighborhood in New York City and soon, his business became a city-wide and then a country-wide phenomenon. Doughnuts starred as the featured food of the Chicago World’s Fair in 1934, where they were touted as a symbol of American progress because they were made using a machine. Whether you are a purist and just like a plain glazed, or go more gourmet with fancy fillings and toppings, the next time you enjoy a doughnut, thank your Jewish ancestors.
diameter). Save the donut holes. Knead scraps together, being careful not to overwork the dough, and repeat the process of rolling it out and cutting the donuts. Place the cut donuts on parchment paper, leaving room to rise between each one. (TIP: Place each donut on an individual piece of parchment paper, so it is easy to transfer into the hot oil for frying.) Cover the donuts with a kitchen towel and let them rise in a warm place until they are puffed up, about 45 minutes. About 15 minutes before the donuts are done rising, heat oil in a deep-fryer or large heavy-bottomed pot to 375°F. Place cooling racks on top of sheets of paper towels parchment paper, or line plates with paper towels. When the donuts are ready and the oil is hot, carefully add the donuts to the oil, a few at a time without overcrowding your deep-fryer or pot. (TIP: It’s easier to place the entire parchment paper in the oil with the donuts, so you don’t accidentally “stretch” out the donuts. Once the donuts are in the oil, you can easily
remove the parchment paper with tongs.) When the bottom of the donuts are golden, about 45 seconds, flip the donuts over using a spatula. Cook until the other side is also golden. Donut holes will cook quicker. Remove donuts with a tong or slotted spatula, and place on the prepared racks or plates. Repeat with the remaining donuts, making sure to keep the oil at the right temperature. To make the glaze In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, milk and salt until smooth. If you prefer a thinner glaze on the donuts, add in more milk one teaspoon at a time. To serve Place a cooling rack on top of paper towels or parchment paper for easy clean up. Dip one side of the fried donuts into the glaze. Flip the donut over using a fork. Carefully transfer the glazed donut to the prepared cooking rack. The glaze will slowly drip off the donuts as it sets. Repeat with remaining donuts. OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 51
GELT: HANUKKAH RETREAT FOR COUPLES Dec. 10-16 at 5 pm online Chanukah is a perfect time for you and your partner to take stock of your relationship to finances. Join ZIVUG for five nights of workshops with experts on everything money:
Hanukkah Happenings Hanukkah begins at sundown on Thursday, Dec. 10. Although there are not the usual amount of celebrations happening, there are still a few events hosted locally to participate in.
Gelt, God, and Gratitude: Jewish Wisdom on Money and Relationships with Rabbi Getzel Davis on Thursday, Dec. 10. Saving For Retirement While Saving The World with Jason Pollens on Sunday, Dec. 13. Separate, Merged, or Blended: How Partners Combine Finances with Zach Teutsch on Monday, Dec. 14. Setting Up Wills For New Parents and the ‘Just Married’ with attorney Barbara Katz on Tuesday, Dec. 15. The Light and Shadow of Money with Yotam Schachter on Wednesday, Dec.16. $20/couple for one class; $40/couple for the series. For more information, or to sign up for the series, visit zivugtogether.org/ couples-groups.
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MJCC’S EIGHT NIGHTS OF LIGHTS Dec. 10-17 at 5:30 pm via Zoom and Facebook Live Join the MJCC and the Greater Portland Jewish community for a virtual Hanukkah experience each night of Hanukkah at 5:30 pm. There will be candle lighting, blessings and a fun family-friendly activity including sing-alongs, cooking demonstrations, Zumba dance party and more! All events will be held virtually on Zoom and Facebook Live. For more information, visit oregonjcc.org. 8 NIGHTS OF BB CAMP Dec. 10-18 Check out any of BB Camps social media channels every evening of Hanukkah, for a holiday surprise. For more information, visit bbcamp.org/8nights.
HANUKKAH CELEBRATION Dec. 13 at 9:30 am and 6 pm Join Congregation Kesser Israel for a two-part Hanukkah celebration. Pick up coffee and donuts on Sunday morning at Kesser Israel at 6698 SW Capitol Hwy in Portland from 9:30 to 11 am. Then on Sunday evening at 6 pm, join Kesser Israel on Zoom for menorah lighting and singing. The winners of their menorah competition will also be announced. For more information, visit kesserisrael.org. VIRTUAL DIY STEEL DREIDEL CLASS WITH BB CAMP Dec. 13 at 4 pm via Zoom Celebrate Hanukkah with BB Camp and DIY Steel! Make a beautiful piece of art for your family, friends, or just for you this holiday season. We will put together a four-piece dreidel while learning the proper way to clean and paint metal while celebrating Hanukkah. $18/kit, includes delivery of kit, Zoom DIY class, Chanukah activities and BB Camp
surprises. Register by December 9 (if you live outside of Portland please register by Dec 7) to receive your kit on time for the class! All ages, kids and adults are welcome. Parent supervision is recommended for kids under 7 years old. For more information, or to register, visit bbcamp.org/dreidel. P’NAI OR HANUKKAH STORYTELLING PARTY Dec. 13 at 5 pm via Zoom Enjoy a Hanukkah Party featuring stories from Rabbi Hannah, Maggidot (storytellers) and Maggid students. Fun for the whole family! For more information, visit pnaiorpdx.org.
STANDWITHUS FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS GALA Dec. 13 at 5 pm online Join StandWithUs to Stand Together Against Anti-Semitism: StandWithUs Festival of Lights Gala featuring an evening of fun, inspiration, music, education and few surprises. This free live event is open to all, and features:
★ Elan Carr, US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism ★ Rock Legend Gene Simmons of KISS ★ Comedian Elon Gold with Chanukah Humor ★ Joshua Washington sings “Oh Jerusalem” ★ The Legal Fight Against Antisemitism with Carly Gammill and Yael Lerman Consider a sponsorship package and receive Israeli wine, a kosher cheese plate, and frameable lithograph by Arthur Szyk. Register at standwithus.com/fol.
CELEBRATING HANUKKAH WITH SONG, PRAYER AND CONVERSATION Dec. 16 at 7 pm via Zoom Join Congregation Ahavath Achim for a special Hanukkah program with song, prayer and conversation with guest Rabbi Frank Veron of Seattle. This is a free event and open to all! RSVP to info@ ahavathachim.com to get the link. OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 53
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Your A, B, C's ALEPH BET ART PRINT Shop for unique and custom designs at Modern Mitzvah like this darling Hebrew Alphabet art print—the perfect gift for new parents or a young child. $45 for 8x10, unframed. Shopmodernmitzvah.com or hello@shopmodernmitzvah.com. Heads Up YAIR EMANUEL KIPPAH WITH STARS $9.00 worldofjudaica.com
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Milk Moustache
SMEG MILK FROTHER $199.95 Color shown Pastel Green williams-sonoma.com OREGON JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2020 61
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