The Jewish Light 2021 Business Referral Guide

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Volume 11, Number 1 January 2021

Serving the Local New Orleans, Northshore, and Baton Rouge Jewish Communities

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If your group has an event that you would like for us to include on the Community Calendar please e-mail the information to jewishnews@bellsouth.net. All submissions are subject to acceptance by the Editor. ì January 25, 2021, February 1, 2021, February 8, 2021 11:00 am - 12:00 pm ACE - MUSIC MONDAYS WITH ARMAND Location: Virtual J Contact: Rachel Ruth Phone: 504-897-0143 Email: rachel@nojcc.org January 27, 2021 11:00 am - 12:00 pm COOKING WITH EMAN Location: Virtual J After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

No charge members and nonmembers Zoom Meeting Celebrate Tu B'Shevat with some new recipes this year. Acclaimed chef, Eman Loubier of Dante's Kitchen and Noodle and Pie, will lead us in an online cooking class.

We will learn two new dishes: Frittata Primavera and Charred Green Beans with Almonds.

A frittata is essentially a crustless quiche or a baked omelet. This frittata is loaded with vegetables.

The recipe will make enough for 4 people as a brunch or lunch item.

He even has it for dinner.

Eman likes to cook this green bean dish as a side dish. It involves the charring of the beans in a very hot pan to develop the proper browning. The onions add a nice sweetness and the almonds have a beautiful richness and crunch.

The ingredient list will be sent to you once you register for the program. It will also be posted on our website.

Contact: Rachel Ruth Phone: 504-897-0143 Email: rachel@nojcc.org January 27, 2021, February 3, 2021 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm SOURCES THROUGH SRUGIM Location: Virtual J Email: judy@nojcc.org Join Rabbi Josh for TV and Torah on Wednesday nights. We'll be watching the hit Israeli TV show SRUGIM; the Israeli version of 2

January 2021

FRIENDS. Unlike in FRIENDS, the characters in SRUGIM need to navigate relationships and family dynamics within the bounds of Halacha, traditional Jewish law, and we will explore their challenges and successes in balancing their religious and personal lives.

We will start with a min-class to prepare for that day's episode with Rabbi Josh at 7:00 PM, before breaking to watch the episode.

Afterward, we'll regather for a brief discussion of the episode.

Beginning at 8:15 PM those who would like to stick around, we will have a halachic discussion concerning the episode with Rabbi Josh, Rabbi Rebecca Schatz of Temple Beth El in Los Angeles and members of her congregation.

ZOOM link will be provided upon request.

Instructor: Rabbi Josh Pernick No charge members and nonmembers Contact: Judy Yaillen Phone: 504-897-0143 February 8, 2021 11:00 am - 12:00 pm MORRIS BART, SR. LECTURE SERIES: BANANAS, YELLOW FEVER, AND THE QUARANTINE TOUR OF 1906 Location: Virtual J Emily Perkins is a curatorial cataloger at The Historic New Orleans Collection (THNOC) where she researches historical context for items within the archives. Through a unique object in the THNOC archives--a photo album documenting a 1906 “quarantine tour” of Central America by the United Fruit Company (now Chiquita Brands International), which was essentially a PR stunt--Emily will discuss the history of yellow fever in New Orleans and its connection to the United Fruit Company, and bananas.

REGISTER IN ADVANCE on JCC’s website.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

No charge members and nonmembers.

Contact: Rachel Ruth Phone: 504-897-0143 Email: rachel@nojcc.org ZOOM meeting 

JEWISH LIGHT

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- Chabad Jewish Center 4141 W. Esplanade Ave.|Metairie, LA 70002 - Fee: $70 (textbook included) - Instructor: Rabbi Mendel Ceitlin - RSVP JewishLouisiana.com/JLI For more information, please call 504.534.8685 Course also offered on Wednesdays @ Chabad Uptown This course is sponsored by Lake Lawn Metairie - Funeral Home and Cemeteries LakeLawnMetairie.com 504-486-6331 New Orleans JCC

Table of Contents Around the Town

2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 12 14 15 17 18 20 22 24

Chai Lights USA Israel Global Alma Sports Arts & Culture Entertainment Financial Jewish Life The Nosher Focus on Issues Judaism Political Business Referal Guide

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United Media Corporation has been proudly serving the Louisiana Jewish Community since 1995. Together, we can help rebuild Louisiana. We thank you for the last 25 years and we look forward to an even brighter tomorrow.

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ChaiLights features announcements of births, B'nai Mitzvahs, engagements, weddings, and honors. To request your special event be published in The Jewish Light send your material to United Media Corp., P.O. Box 3270, Covington, LA 70435 or e-mail jewishnews@bellsouth.net. Events are published on a first come, first served basis, as space permits. Photographs are welcom; professional ones preferred. The must be clear and in focus. 

MAZEL TOV

on their grandson and son, Maxwell * To Claudia & Rafael Shabetai Cohn Kesselheim, who was called on the birth of their grandson, Rex to the Torah as Bar Mitzvah on Rafael Shabetai. Parents are Jade Saturday, Nov. 14 in Brookline, Sonnier and Michael R. Shabetai. MA. * To Erin & Randy Springer on * To Elizabeth & Austin Kent the engagement of their daughter, on the birth of their son Leo Hanes Hannah Springer to Ryan Kent on October 21, 2020.

Kornrumpf. * To our immediate Past * To Becca Brenner Grooss & President, Judge Robin Giarrusso Frankie Grooss, on the birth of Aubrey Willow Grooss. Mazal on her re-election to the Civil Tov as well to proud grandparents, District Court. * To Maddie Fireman for Kelley & Guy Brenner as well as Robyn Honquest & Frank Grooss. receiving the Elissa Froman * To Andrea & Rabbi Ed Cohn Inspiring Leadership Award for her and Jennifer & Aaron Kesselheim work with NCJW New Orleans. 

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If you have a condolence that you would like for us to include in Life Cycle please e-mail the information to jewishnews@bellsouth.net. All submissions are subject to acceptance of the Editor. ì The Departed Whom We Now Remember - may their memory be for a blessing * S. Gene Fendler, the husband of Linda and father of Julia and Abby and of the late Ben Fendler. * Mariann Prince, wife of Howard S. “Duke” Prince, mother of Peggy “Pepe” Prince, Nancy Prince, Mary Ann “Skipper” Prince.

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*Elizabeth Heller McMillion, mother of Sharon McMillion Pindell of Baltimore, MD. Sister of Mark Heller, Ellen Heller Cohen and Nancy Heller Skochdopole of Dallas, TX.

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Get Ready To Apply, Again: Jewish Nonprofits To Get Advice About Securing Slices Of $284B Pandemic Relief Bill

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(JTA) — Nearly a third of the $900 billion Congress is set to approve in a pandemic relief will go to a new round of payroll protection, and the Jewish Federations of North America is set to reprise the role it played earlier this year and explain how nonprofits can get their share.

“We are pulling back together again the team of experts both from within the JFNA and lay leaders who train themselves on the program to offer volunteer support to help fill out forms and connect banks and such,” Eric Fingerhut, the group’s CEO, said in an interview Monday after news broke of agreement between Republicans and Democrats on the $900 billion stimulus plan. Congress approved the plan, part of a larger $2.3 trillion spending package, Tuesday.

Some $284 billion will be set aside for forgivable payroll protection loans for small businesses, including nonprofits, administered through the Small Business Administration. The money will go to small businesses and nonprofits that missed out during the first round of $349 billion in loans, and to those that did get loans but can show sufficient losses to qualify for additional funds.

In the first round, running from April 3 through Aug. 8, more than 1,000 Jewish organizations received federal coronavirus relief loans totaling approximately $540 million to $1.3 billion, according to an analysis published by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. The analysis was done before the Aug. 8 dead-

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line, so the amount could be larger.

The JFNA helped lead lobbying for the relief and offered webinars and one-on-one advice for Jewish and non-Jewish profits for the first round of loans. The group is planning an initial training for this round on Wednesday, even as the full terms of the new loans are not yet known. The loans will be available through March 31.

What is known, said Elana Broitman, JFNA’s senior vice president for public affairs, is that businesses and nonprofits employing 300 people or less qualify, as opposed to 500 or less in the previous round.

Entities applying for a second loan must show a 25% loss in gross receipts against the same quarter in 2019.

Also featuring in the $2.3 trillion spending bill that President Donald Trump is expected to sign: Private schools, including religious schools, will be eligible for $2.7 billion in relief out of the $900 billion coronavirus stimulus package.

Funding for nonprofit security grants, a program initiated in 2005 at the behest of Jewish organizations, has doubled from $90 million in 2020 to $180 million in 2021; The Emergency Food and Shelter Program will receive $130 million, up from $120 million two years ago. Jewish welfare agencies are among those who tap into the program.

A program to assist Holocaust survivors — launched by presidentelect Joe Biden when he was vice president — will get $5 million.

The spending package will include the $3.3 billion in defense assistance and $500 million Israel is guaranteed under a 2016 agreement with the Obama administration. Also included: $250 million over five years for peace-building in the region, championed by Rep. Nita Lowey, the Jewish New York Democrat and chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, who is retiring.  THE

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Israel And Morocco To Establish Diplomatic Ties

By Ben Sales

(JTA) — Israel will establish diplomatic relations with Morocco, which becomes the fourth Arab country to announce it will recognize Israel in the last year.

President Donald Trump announced the development Thursday on Twitter. He also said the United States would recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a territory to Morocco’s south that the northwest African kingdom has controlled since the 1970s.

“Another HISTORIC breakthrough today!” Trump tweeted.

“Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to full diplomatic relations – a massive breakthrough for peace in the Middle East!”

Morocco is the fourth Arab country to announce that it will be normalizing ties with Israel after more than 70 years in which Israel was almost completely isolated diplomatically in the Middle East. Israel is in various stages of establishing relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan. Israel also has relations with Egypt, the first Arab country to make peace with the Jewish state in 1979, and Jordan, which signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994.

Like the rest of the Arab world, Morocco opposed Israel’s creation in 1948 and did not recognize it thereafter — though like several Arab states, the kingdom maintained a clandestine relationship with Israeli intelligence.

An adviser to King Mohammed VI, Andre Azoulay, is Jewish, and the country opened a Jewish culture center earlier this year. There are approximately 3,000 Jews in the country, down from the 200,000 THE

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who lived there before Israel’s establishment. Morocco also has a centuries-old community of farmers who grow etrogs, the citrus fruit Jews use ritually on the holiday of Sukkot, and have exported them to Israel despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

Trump’s announcement came paired with American recognition of Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara, a territory that has been the site of decades-long conflict with local militants seeking to establish an independent state. In a resolution last year, the United Nations called for a solution that would “provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.”

Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, said the administration wanted to take a different approach to “break the logjam” in the Western Sahara conflict, according to PBS correspondent Nick Schifrin.

“This is an issue that’s been out there for a long time, and quite frankly there’s been no progress,” Kushner said regarding Western Sahara, according to a tweet by Schifrin. “It’s recognizing an inevitability.”

The recent agreements signal a major shift in Israel’s diplomatic standing in the Middle East, where it was long seen as an enemy interloper. In August, Israel and the UAE, with American support, announced they would be normalizing ties. Similar announcements with Bahrain and Sudan followed.

Israeli-Emirati ties have particularly progressed, and Israeli tourists began visiting the Persian Gulf country in November.

Tying the Morocco announcement to Hanukkah, which begins Thursday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted that the announcement was “a great light of peace, today with Morocco.” 

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January 2021

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Yes, The New Federal Budget Includes $500 Million For Israel. No, That Isn’t A Surprise.

By Ron Kampeas

Alyssa Milano, seen on Jan. 15, 2020, was among hundreds of thousands on social media who criticized the $500 million allocation for Israel in the spending bill passed by Congress.

(Rodin Eckenroth/WireImag)

(JTA) — The criticism began almost as soon as the text of the budget deal that Congress struck Monday became available: How could lawmakers give $500 million for Israel as part of a deal to support Americans struggling financially during the pandemic?

“We get $600 while they send $500 million to Israel lmao,” read one of the tens of thousands of tweets posted Monday and Tuesday about the line item in the budget. Some of the messages have been shared hundreds of thousands of times, including by prominent Twitter users such as the actor and liberal activist Alyssa Milano.

What those reactions missed

was that the $500 million allocation was neither a surprise nor part of the $900 billion pandemic relief bill. It is included in the $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill, a separate piece of legislation, passed at the same time in a desperate legislative effort to keep the government operating and get pandemic relief to President Donald Trump’s desk before the year is out.

To understand why the $500 million for U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation — along with thousands of other items unrelated to pandemic relief — ended up in the budget document revealed to Americans Monday night requires a solid grasp on the way Congress always does its work.

(Israel, under an agreement it concluded with the Obama administration since 2016, gets a total of $3.8 billion every year: $3.3 billion for defense assistance and $500 million for missile defense cooperation.)

The last days of any Congress are packed with must-pass spending bills. Often the measure —

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covering social welfare, defense and foreign aid, among other expenditures — are wrapped into a single omnibus bill.

The process is something like rolling a bunch of errands into a single afternoon: Walking your dog has nothing to do with the check you deposited at the bank on the same outing, however much someone watching you leave your house and return again might think you only made one stop.

Complicated budget deals can happen in the smoothest of times.

But in moments like this, when Congress is divided, they’re even more likely: The sides resist getting along until they have to get along to keep the government running. That’s what happened this week, with a Republican White House and Senate and a Democratic U.S. House of Representatives in a showdown until the last possible moment to reach a deal before the Christmas recess.

The folks who follow Congress usually understand it well enough not to conflate the disparate expenditures that are being rolled into one or two votes for the sake of convenience.

But to armchair government observers, the result can make it appear that dealmaking resulted in unrelated expenses being bundled into an emergency package.

And for critics of Israel and the U.S. support for it, that amounted to a perfect storm on Monday.

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contains $500,000,000 for Israel,” Walter Bragman, a left-wing writer with 45,000 followers on Twitter, tweeted Monday afternoon.

By Tuesday morning, his callout had generated 55,000 likes, nearly 30,000 shares and hundreds of comments criticizing U.S. spending on Israel.

“When Israeli missiles are worth more than American lives,” one representative response said.

Multiple responders also let Bragman know that he was mischaracterizing the legislation, and he added more tweets pointing to other expenses in the bill — including $2 billion for America’s new Space Force initiative — and explaining that the Israel spending was not part of the pandemic relief.

But Bragman did not delete his original tweet and, as is so often the case on social media, his clarifications drew only a tiny fraction of the engagement as his first comments.

When Milano shared Bragman’s erroneous original tweet, he had already walked it back two hours earlier.

“Between 30 and 40 million families are at risk of eviction, but Congress can only afford $600 per person,” she said. “I’m sure the $500 MILLION in arms and military aid to Israel and the $2 BILLION for Air Force missiles will help keep them warm when they are on the streets.”

Among those pushing back against the mistaken narrative was the journalist Yair Rosenberg, who writes about anti-Semitism for Tablet and other media organizations, and has 85,000 followers of his own on Twitter. He posted a thread on Monday explaining how Congress allocates funding and showing that he received hateful private messages as a result.

To conclude his thread, Rosenberg pointed to another item in the omnibus spending bill that was getting much less attention.

“Fun fact: There is also a historic $250 million fund for Palestinian and Israeli peacebuilding in the omnibus bill,” he wrote, “but that’s not sexy for Twitter so almost no one on here even knows it exists.”  THE

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G lobal EU Invites All Member States To Adopt Definition Of THE

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Anti-Semitism That Includes Israel Hatred

By Cnaan Liphshiz

President of the European Council Charles Michel attends a virtual meeting with the leaders of Italy, Latvia and Luxembourg in the Europa, the EU Council headquarters, in Brussels, Dec. 2, 2020. (Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)

(JTA) — The Council of the T 2012European Union, which is a key driver of EU policy, “invited” all T 2012the bloc’s 27 members to adopt a T 2012definition of anti-Semitism that

includes anti-Israel vitriol.

The invitation to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition came in a declaration published Wednesday by CHECK YOUR the Council, which is made up of EFULLY FOR cabinet ministers from all the bloc’s CHECK YOUR GRAMMAR, AS states. member CHECK EFULLYYOUR FOR States that have not OF“Member ADEFULLY FOR &CURACY GRAMMAR, AS so are yet done invited to join the NUMBERS & &ONE GRAMMAR, AS CURACY OF ADother Member States and endorse INFORMATION. CCURACY OF ADONE NUMBERS & working definition as the IHRA soon as &possible,” reads the docuHONE Ld INFORMATION. willNUMBERS run ment, titled “Council Declaration L INFORMATION. ess changes on Mainstreaming the Fight ad will run ade and against Antisemitism across Poliad run lesswillchanges cy-Areas.” dless with your changes made and The Executive

by IHRA working definition made ed withand your describes various forms of antied with Semitism, yourby Executive including hatred and discrimination against Jews and Executive by Holocaust denial. It also includes examples of anti-Israel criticism it defines as anti-Semitic, including comparing the country’s policies to those of Nazi Germany, denying the Jewish people their s deadline, right to self-determination and yischanges deadline, “applying double standards by yisbe made deadline, changes requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any changes ayycorrect be made other democratic nation.” CritiER’S ay beERRORS. made o correct cism of Israel similar to that levo correct ER’S ERRORS. eled at any other country is not ow-resolution anti-Semitic, the definition also ER’SofERRORS. oof your ow-resolution states. tisement ow-resolution oof of yourPalestinians and their supporters ue actual size). that the definition, by conoofto of your rtisement worry demning operty of rtisement rue to actual size). certain forms of anti-Israel rhetoric, will have a chilling ce rue Publishing to actual . roperty of size) effect on criticism of Israel more nal creator) roperty of and The European Parliament, nce Publishing broadly. notcreator) be the EU’s nce Publishing nal and legislative branch, adoptoduced, IHRA definition in 2017, as nal creator) nnot be ed theand

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LIGHT

have dozens of countries.

The Council declaration also reiterated earlier language expressed in declarations and resolutions by various EU bodies about the need to fight anti-Semitism with legal means and “decisive action” because the phenomenon is “an attack on European values,” as the declaration states.

The document speaks of the need to carry out Holocaust education and also of “Protecting Jewish life and making it more visible as part of Europe’s identity.” It does not list concrete actions to achieve this.

Several Jewish groups welcomed the document.

In a statement, World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder called it a “significant step forward in making Europe a better place for Jews.”

European Jewish Congress President Moshe Kantor said it was an “important decision” that “appreciates the sad growth of antisemitism.” 

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This Israeli Dance Class Is the Best Workout for These Trying Times For pandemic-era exercise, forget yoga.

Do Gaga.

By Sarah Rosen

cienpies/Getty Images

In April, I spent a half hour bounding around the 25 square feet of empty space in my bedroom along with hundreds of people on Zoom. They were beaming in from across almost every continent while our fearless dance teacher directed us from his living room in Tel Aviv.

For a pandemic-era workout, forget yoga. Do Gaga.

I don’t mean the Gaga played at Jewish summer camps, AKA the dodgeball of the Berkshires. This Gaga is a movement language created by Ohad Naharin, the Israeli choreographer (and certified genius, IMO) who propelled the Tel Avivbased Batsheva Dance Company to international stardom.

I first encountered Gaga when I

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worked (not as a dancer) at Batsheva, the world-renowned contemporary dance company whose sensibility transcends stylistic definition.

After work, I’d wander into the studio and join a Gaga class, populated by everyone from hippies and hipsters, to middle-aged Tel Aviv residents, to Batsheva’s international roster of professional dancers.

The class, which I’d incorrectly imagined would be a conventional free-flowing dance class — like Zumba with less instruction — quickly evolved into something with much more precision and depth. The teacher guided us with movement that was in one moment lithe, light, or invisibly small, and the next explosive and expansive. As she led by example, she directed us with evocative metaphors, drawing our attention to our “seaweed spine,” describing our “flesh grabbing bones,” telling us to “float,” “curve,” and “quake.” Unlike many dance classes, there were no mirrors and we weren’t learning a routine. Our teacher stood at the center of the room in loose-fitting clothes, and we stood around her in a spread-

out clump, attempting to connect to sensations emanating from deep within our muscles and flesh.

Ohad Naharin, who’s been a leading player at Batsheva since joining the company as Artistic Director in 1990 (his title is now House Choreographer), originally developed Gaga as a way to better communicate with the dancers performing his work. In Move, the dance documentary that recently hit Netflix, there’s an episode dedicated to Naharin. In it, he says that if he had to describe Gaga, he’d say that it’s like “strengthening your engine,” which in turn can “make what’s heavy feel much lighter.”

Naharin describes being frustrated by his limitations in communicating with the dancers with whom he was collaborating. His response was to create Gaga, which gave them a shared vocabulary and toolbox that could inform how the dancers performed his choreography. Now, dancers in Batsheva’s companies practice Gaga every day and tout its therapeutic benefits, helping them to move through injuries and pain.

Kelvin Vu, a Gaga teacher who used to dance in Batsheva’s Young Ensemble, told me that for him, Gaga is also about finding a “higher volume of expression, a richer quality of movement.” But Gaga isn’t only for dancers — it’s for us lay people, too.

“Having a greater awareness of your body is such a source of pleasure,” Vu said. “Gaga heightens how in tune you are with what’s happening in your body and the outside world, and that heightened sensitivity is a great thing for anybody.”

It was one of the small silver linings of the pandemic that Gaga classes became available online. Ana Harmon, a Gaga teacher who also works for the Gaga organization and has been coordinating their online classes, told me that they started offering classes online to support Gaga teachers, many of whom, like so many artists, found themselves without a livelihood as the coronavirus forced everyone to stay home.

Now, Gaga offers online classes multiple times a day, seven days a week (a single class costs $9, while an unlimited monthly pass is $68).

They soon hope to include classes taught in languages other than English and recently began offering a seated class tailored to those who aren’t able to practice Gaga standing. The classes have been extremely popular, and Harmon told me it’s been inspiring to see people in so many different countries (Taiwan,

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JEWISH LIGHT

Brazil, Canada, the UAE, Israel, Italy… the list goes on) as they dance, virtually, next to each other.

“Gaga online is a different experience from Gaga in-person,” Harmon said, “and it serves people who wouldn’t normally have access to classes or who are too shy to research this often very exposed, delicate, and sensual movement.”

As I Gaga’d my way through a stressful spring and a depressing summer, I found that the classes became a helpful antidote to this year’s myriad woes. For one, it’s a workout that makes you sweat and directly battles sluggishness and that stiff, numb lower body feeling that I’ve dubbed Couch Butt. And watching hundreds of strangers dancing in their little boxes around the world has been a welcome antidote to being stuck in one place.

But Gaga also gets at something more nebulous that so many of us have been feeling these days: a general loss of vitality and connection to our physical selves. Gaga is fun.

Remember fun? There’s a reason we dance at weddings and dance at parties and dance in the streets when wannabe dictators don’t prevail — it’s a way to connect to the joy of life that’s been relatively absent during this bleak time. Gaga reminds me that I have flesh and bones, that my physical self hasn’t ceased to exist while it’s been confined and under-socialized. As it’s been harder to connect to the parts of ourselves that want to be seen by other people and engaged in the world, it’s been therapeutic to move to music and to dance with people in countries that I can only fantasize about visiting.

When Naharin talks about Gaga, he describes it as a kind of physical research, as a way of locating the parts of your body that have atrophied, the parts that need to let go, that once found allow for an expanded freedom of movement.

As Vu told me, “Not to get too philosophical, but in this time when we’re so often fighting about the importance of nuance and the ability to hold contradiction, Gaga is about existing in many states at the same time. Grabbing and letting go at the same time is such a physical thing, but that tension is what gives richness to movement and to moments. That idea ripples out into other areas, whether it’s politics or life or the ways we treat each other.”

In other words, it’s just what the doctor ordered.  THE

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Amar’e Stoudemire Shares His Jewish Journey, From Young Scholar To Aspiring ‘Prophet’

By Gabe Friedman

Amar'e Stoudemire watches a high school basketball game in Las Vegas, July 25, 2018. (Cassy Athena/Getty Images)

(JTA) — Asked by one of New York’s wealthiest men, in a forum convened by one of the world’s largest local philanthropies, how he would improve relations between Black and Jewish Americans, Amar’e Stoudemire had a quick answer.

“I’ve created a program … like an educational center where students can go and play basketball or they play their recreational sport and you have a rabbi will come in and just have a lesson throughout the day,” Stoudemire said. “You know there’s a 1 o’clock lesson, you guys want to join? ‘Hey, Rebbe Pinchas is having a lesson on God’s creation, feel free to sit in.’”

The exchange came during an extended conversation between Stoudemire, the basketball coach and former NBA star, and billionaire hedge-fund investor Dan Och Monday night, during a Zoom call organized by the UJA Federation of New York. (UJA-NY supports 70 Faces Media.)

With a laugh, Och suggested that Stoudemire was onto something.

“You know Eric Goldstein’s on the call here,” he said, referring to the CEO of the New York federation.

“And I’m sure if we’re not already involved in funding and growing that program, we’re certainly going to be, starting tomorrow.”

Stoudemire’s idea marries his two passions. During the call, he explained how a 6-foot-10 NBA All-Star became so interested in religious Judaism and his African Hebrew roots that he underwent an Orthodox conversion. He also described how he has maintained his Jewish practice as a celebrity in the spotlight.

And he offered his uniquely Jewish vision for bringing together two communities whose historic alliance has frayed over time.

Stoudemire, now 38, told Och THE

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that his mother first brought up the concept of their Hebrew roots when he was 14 or so. During a fraught childhood, which involved poverty and the death of his father when he was 12, the young Stoudemire began to research Jewish history and various Black Hebrew movements on his own. Eventually he would study the topics with a group of high school friends.

He was drafted into the NBA straight out of high school, but despite the whirlwind experience, he kept up his research and found new study partners (he didn’t name them on the call).

“We would have on the table,

Amar’e Stoudemire participates in a UJA Federation of New York event on Zoom, Dec. 21, 2020. (Screen shot)

you know, a Western civilization history book, we’d have a Tanakh open, we’d have a Torah open, we’d have these different school books and we’d try to figure out exactly what’s happening here,” he said, sitting in the Zoom call in front of a bookcase packed with Jewish texts.

When he was 24 or so, Stoudemire said he had an epiphany about Judaism as a religion and an “organized structure,” instead of an interest that he had dug into without any guidance. What ignited his passion was the idea of becoming more like a “prophet” — especially after what he described as the “many mistakes” he felt he had made in his personal life as a young star athlete.

“I was always intrigued with the prophets, I was always intrigued by how these guys carried themselves.

How they lived their life, how they were so on point with everything, from a righteous standpoint. And so my mindset was like, ‘How do I get to that level?’ It’s a heavy lift, it’s not easy, I’m not sure it’s possible,” he said. “And so that is what somewhat gave me my love to continue my search, continue to try to clean myself up, clean my character, understand how to carry myself,

how to speak properly, how to not use profanity, how to not say certain words, not speak lashon hara [saying negative things about someone].”

He kept all of this private until 2010, when he visited Israel for the first time. Teammates, friends and the press all asked him why he would visit there, out of all the vacation destinations in the world.

He told them he was educating himself about his “Hebraic roots.”

“Once that word got out it was basically over from there,” he said.

After knee injuries derailed his high-profile stint with the New York Knicks, he moved to Israel to play in 2016 for Hapoel Jerusalem, a team that he also co-owns. Over the next few years he would go on to win Israeli basketball championships with both Hapoel Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv (where he was a teammate with Deni Avdija, the Israeli recently selected ninth overall in the NBA draft).

But his post-NBA career has involved more than just Israeli basketball — he also started a kosher wine label, underwent an official Orthodox conversion to Judaism and opened a program at a college Hillel to connect Black and Jewish students. He is now an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets and is working on an MBA through the University of Miami.

Och was impressed with how Stoudemire kept up his Jewish study, and how he kept his enthusiasm after leaving the world of the NBA. “I went from being A-list celeb-

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rity, I was going to all the fashion shows, all the Met galas, all the operas, all the Broadway shows, I was on David Letterman, I was on Jimmy Kimmel, I was all over,” Stoudemire said. “But Israel was just pulling at me. … It was definitely an experience for me, a humbling experience. I truly had to humble myself completely, to go from this top level situation to more of a downgrade, but for the sake of Torah. So that was the idea and why I made that decision.”

He said he hoped in his community center to create a setting where more young people who enjoy basketball can engage with Judaism, if not to follow in his own path but to learn about ideas that might help them on their own — and might accelerate bonds across communities.

“That kind of atmosphere is what I’m looking to build. So that way these kids who are not from a Jewish background or not totally familiar with it, they just want to go there to play ball, have a good time, but yet they’re hearing these guys speak Hebrew here and they go back home and go, ‘Mom, I’ve learned about how not to speak ill will against someone,’” Stoudemire said. “I know that little conversations seem small and minute to us but if you add that up per month and his friends now want to join, take that by a year, the community is changing. The mindset of the African American community is changing towards the Jewish community. There’s more love gravitating, there’s more understanding happening.” 

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A Short Film Offers New Perspective On Birthright — Through The Eyes Of Russian Jews

By Stephen Silver

Nataliya Olshanskaya plays Natasha in "Birth Right." (Ilya Marcus)

(JTA) — Israeli filmmaker Inbar Horesh met Russian actress Nataliya Olshanskaya on the latter’s birthday, so they ordered a bottle of wine. Olshanskaya proceeded to tell Horesh the story of how she immigrated to Israel after taking a Birthright trip.

Horesh was so inspired that she eventually turned a version of that story into a short film, with Olshanskaya playing a character similar to herself.

“It actually started quite by coincidence,” Horesh told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in November.

The resulting 25-minute short, titled “Birth Right,” has played at

several Jewish film festivals this fall and will stream at the Other Israel fest, which starts Thursday night and is run by the Marlene Myerson Jewish Community Center in New York. Horesh, a 32-yearold Jerusalem native who has directed several short films, says she’s at work on the screenplay for a feature-length version.

The film depicts a Birthrightstyle trip to Israel by a group of Russian speakers, focusing on the part of their visit to a Bedouin Arab village. Olshanskaya’s character, Natasha, banters with other young women on the trip and later bonds with a male Israeli soldier who also is of Russian heritage.

Eventually it becomes clear that Natasha, who plans to stay in Israel after the trip, is the child of a nonJewish mother and doesn’t particularly identify as Jewish, and that her decision to emigrate has more to do with escaping a bad family situa-

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tion than a sectarian desire to live in the Jewish state.

Under Israel’s laws, she’s eligible for citizenship — but once there, she will not be considered Jewish under the Chief Rabbinate’s rules on matrilineal descent.

For Horesh, the issues raised in the film speak to innate inequalities inherent in those laws.

“As an Israeli, what blew my mind was to realize that she doesn’t consider herself Jewish, and she didn’t grow up as Jewish, and yet she was approached by the Jewish Agency, invited to a trip, completely encouraged to emigrate to Israel, because she has Jewish heritage,” Horesh said. “To me it was surprising because I think as an Israeli, we have an image where we are the Jewish state, and we are not aware of the fact that actually the government is encouraging non-Jews to move to Israel — and my first instinct is to think that if the government is offering citizenship to non-Jews from outside of Israel, why not give citizenships to the non-Jews that already live in Israel?”

The film also tackles the sexualized undertones of Birthright trips, including the tradition of female participants having their pictures taken with gun-toting male soldiers. Jon Stewart joked about it in a 1996 stand-up routine, and a 2016 episode of the Comedy Central series “Broad City” depicted Birthright as a thinly veiled scheme to pressure young Jews to couple off, hook up, and eventually marry and reproduce.

“I was surprised to realize that one of the many ways to lure participants to join these types of trips is by creating this myth that these trips are full of sexuality, and [they’ll be] meeting young soldiers,” Horesh said. “And when you go out to a trip like this, you really realize that this is a very big part of the experience, that people are actually coming on these trips so men and women can meet each other. It’s actually part of the agenda in a very formal way.

“It creates this amazing gap between the very weighty Jewish

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content and the atmosphere of spring break.”

American audiences may be familiar with the American views of Birthright, but Horesh’s film presents an Israeli perspective, and one that focuses on a Russian person rather than an American. She says the film isn’t particularly meant as a takedown or broadside against the Birthright program itself.

“I have no specific criticism of the Birthright organization,” Horesh said. “I feel that as an Israeli, that doesn’t touch me so much. For me, my main interest is to look at the Israeli society and to examine how we define our identity. What does it mean to be Israeli?”

“Birth Right” was filmed in a “Bedouin camp for tourists” in the Negev, long before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, and it was produced with the assistance of the Israeli Film Council and the Ministry of Culture and Sport. It ends with a catchy, klezmer-style Russian-language song whose title, per the director, translates to “Dunia’s Head Began To Ache.”

While the film was shown in theaters at some festivals in Israel prior to the pandemic, it’s mostly been relegated to virtual festivals.

It’s won awards, including the 2020 Moulin d’Ande Award at Cinemed: Montpellier International Festival of Mediterranean Cinema, and the award for Oscar-Qualifying Best Live Action Over 15 Minutes Award at the Palm Springs ShortFest.

There aren’t any specific plans yet to roll out the film for non-festival American audiences online, but Horesh hopes viewers eventually look beyond surface commentary on whether the film portrays Birthright as “good” or “bad.”

“I live in Israel, I grew up in Israel, I deal with Israeli issues more than with Jewish issues on a global scale. And for me,” she said, “the main idea is to help the people in Israel to realize that these definitions of who is Jewish and who is not, and who is allowed to be a part of the Jewish state, are not Godgiven, they are man-made.”  THE

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Martin Scorsese’s ‘Casino’ Is 25 Years Old. Here’s A Primer On Its Jewish Protagonist And Hollywood’s Other Jewish Gangsters.

By Stephen Silver

Robert De Niro as Ace Rothstein in a scene from the 1995 film "Casino."

(Universal Pictures/Getty Images)

(JTA) — “Casino,” Martin Scorsese’s examination of the mob’s control of Las Vegas in the 1960s and 70s, debuted in theaters on Nov. 22, 1995 — 25 years ago this past week.

It may be a tick below “Goodfellas,” which came out just five years earlier, in terms of its reputation in the eyes of film historians. But the three-hour epic remains one of Scorsese’s most ambitious and gorgeously realized films. It also may be the best crime film with a Jewish protagonist at its center.

That was Sam “Ace” Rothstein, the character played in the film by Scorsese mainstay Robert De Niro.

Rothstein is depicted as a Jewish associate of the Chicago Outfit, an expert bookmaker and sports handi-

capper who is sent to Vegas to run the Tangiers, one of the largest casinos on the Strip. The character is based on Frank Rosenthal, a real Jewish gambling expert from Chicago who had ties to the Chicago Outfit and eventually headed to Vegas to run casinos for them.

While the film is somewhat fictionalized, Rosenthal really did pioneer the idea of sports books in casinos, really did survive an assassination attempt by car bomb and really did have his license denied by a state gaming commission, which was led in real life by Harry Reid, before he was a senator.

Rothstein, as depicted in the film, is sort of a gangster, and sort of not; he is with the mafia, but not of the mafia, because of his ethnic identity. Like Henry Hill, the protagonist of “Goodfellas,” Rothstein can’t ever be a “made guy” because he’s not fully Sicilian.

However, Ace sees his work running the casino as having a certain degree of above-board legitimacy and is constantly worried that his longtime friend Nicky (Joe Pesci), a fully “made” mobster, is ruining

that reputation with his loose cannon antics.

In the film, the viewer never hears Rothstein himself address his Jewishness or what it means to him, and he appears to lead a largely secular life. The topic is mentioned, however, by Pesci’s character, in a somewhat pejorative way.

“I gotta make sure no one f***s around with the golden Jew,” Nicky says at one point. As their relationship begins to sour, he says things like “Jew MF,” and threatens to “take a piece out of your Jew butt.”

“Casino” also featured a supporting cast full of famous Jewish comedians, including Don Rickles, Alan King and Kevin Pollak.

In the end, Rothstein is the perfect symbol of how Jews could find great success in mid-20th century America — even in the crime world — yet remain outsiders, through no fault of their own.

After Frank Rosenthal’s death in 2008, it was revealed that he had long been an FBI informant. In an interview prior to his death, Rosenthal was asked whether his heritage protected him while dealing with

underworld figures.

“No, when you excel at anything — my expertise was sports and thoroughbred wagering — you rise to a very high level,” he said. “Some people were impressed and took special notice that I could beat the odds.

To have recognition, in my judgment, opened certain doors for me. It put me in a semi-celebrity category.”

Another fact surrounding the Rothstein character is that he was portrayed by the non-Jewish De Niro — something that could have raised eyebrows today. Of course, this can go the other way, too: Actor James Caan has said in interviews that he’s had to turn down “ItalianAmerican of the Year” awards multiple times because even though he played Sonny Corleone in “The Godfather,” he is in fact the son of German Jewish immigrants.

Rothstein is far from the only major Jewish character in the canon of American gangster movies.

Here’s a quick recap of some of the others: See SCORSESE on Page

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2021 Grammy Awards: All The Jewish Nominees, From Haim To An Orchestral ‘Diary Of Anne Frank’ Adaptation

By Emily Burack

From left: Jack Antonoff, Doja Cat and the Haim Sisters. (Photo design by Emily Burack/Getty Images)

(JTA) — This year’s Grammy Awards will almost certainly be different from past years, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. But despite the lack of details surrounding the ceremony, it’s still taking place, and as usual, several Jewish artists made the nominations list, which was announced Tuesday.

Ranging all the way from the sister rock band Haim to comedian Tiffany Haddish, these are the Jewish artists who made the biggest impact on the recording industry

James, Marcus King and others.

His father is of Polish Jewish heritage.

Breakout Jewish rapper Doja Cat (real name Amalaratna Zandile Dlamini) had a standout 2020 after going viral on TikTok and is nominated for best new artist. Her hit song “Say So” also received nominations for record of the year and best solo pop performance. She was born to a Jewish mother and nonJewish South African father in California.

Daniel Maman, better known by his professional moniker The Alchemist, shares a nomination for best rap album with Freddie Gibbs for their record “Alfredo.” The prominent hip-hop producer, who has worked with dozens of rappers, from Eminem to 50 Cent, has a father with Israeli heritage.

And singer J.P. Saxe shares a nomination for song of the year along with Julia Michaels for their hit ballad “If the World Was Ending.” Saxe’s grandfather was Janos

The Haim sisters, from left, Danielle, Este and Alana, at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif., Feb. 9, 2020.

(Taylor Hill/FilmMagic/Getty Images)

this year.

The Big Awards Leading the way are the Jewish Haim sisters — Alana, Danielle, and Este — who are nominated for album of the year for “Women in Music Pt. III,” and for best rock performance for their song “The Steps.” The album, which is their third, was released in June to rave reviews.

Jack Antonoff — the Jewish musician who has become a go-to producer for some of the industry’s biggest pop stars and often wears a Star of David in public — is up for producer of the year, for his recent work with Taylor Swift, The Chicks (formerly the Dixie Chicks), FKA Twigs and Sia. He received another nod for his work on Taylor Swift’s album “folkore.”

Also nominated for producer of the year is Jewish musician Dan Auerbach, the frontman for the rock band The Black Keys, for his work on music by CeeLo Green, Early 12 January 2021

Tiffany Haddish performs in her Netflix stand-up special “Black Mitzvah.” (Netflix)

Starker, a renowned Grammy-winning cellist and Hungarian Holocaust survivor.

Jewish comedians, of course Two Jewish comedians are up for best comedy album: Jerry Seinfeld for “23 Hours to Kill” and Tiffany Haddish for “Black Mitzvah.”

Haddish celebrated her bat mitzvah on the same day the Netflix special premiered.

“When I came up with the concept for my special,” Haddish explained to Alma, “I was trying to figure out a way to tell my truth, my experiences in life, and also maybe open other people’s eyes to the fact that in African American culture, there is nothing that says, ‘Okay, you’re officially a woman,’ or, ‘You’re officially a man.’ There’s no ceremony. There’s no rite of passage.”

Musicals and movies

A scene from the London production of “The Prince of Egypt.” (Tristram Kenton)

Stephen Schwartz’s West End adaptation of “The Prince of Egypt” received a nod for best musical theater album. The recording was released shortly before Passover, fitting for a production that tells the tale of Moses and the Exodus story.

“A lot of times you put stuff out there and don’t know how it’s being received. So if people have found something inspiring or comforting, there’s just no greater gift a writer can ask for,” Schwartz told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

Schwartz will be competing against a Jewish superstar pair: Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. The new off-Broadway cast recording of composer Menken and lyricist Ashman’s “Little Shop of Horrors” was also recognized in the musical category. The two of them also worked on “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin.” Ashman passed away in 1991 at age 40.

In the film soundtrack category, Jewish composer Thomas Newman received a nomination for his score for “1917.” If he wins, this would be Newman’s seventh Grammy. “Jojo Rabbit,” the Taika Waititi-led Holocaust satire, received a nomination in best compilation soundtrack.

For best music film, Spike Jonze’s “Beastie Boys Story” received a nomination. It’s a documentary that premiered on Apple TV earlier this year telling the tale of the pioneering rap group — whose three members were all Jewish. Jonze, known for directing the movies “Her” and “Where the Wild Things Are,” is also Jewish.

And while superstar Beyoncé is not Jewish her visual film “Black Is King,” which adapts the story of Moses, also received a nomination in that category.

An orchestral Anne Frank

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adaptation Nominated for best classical compendium is an orchestral adaptation of “The Diary of Anne Frank,” narrated by Isabel Leonard and conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas for the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. Thomas produced the work back in 1990 with the help of Audrey Hepburn, who originally read Frank’s words in performance.

Israeli cellist Matt Haimovitz is also in this classical compendium category, for “Woolf, L.P.: Fire And Flood.” His last nomination was a decade ago, in 2010.

Other notable nominations Black Jewish rapper Drake added three Grammy nominations to his long list of accolades — for best music video, for the accompaniment to the track “Life Is Good,” and for best melodic rap performance and best rap song for “Laugh Now, Cry Later.”

Drake at the Los Angeles premiere of the HBO series “Euphoria,” June 4, 2019.

(Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images)

Leonard Cohen, who passed away in 2016, received a posthumous nomination for best folk album for “Thanks for the Dance.”

The record, his fifteenth and final studio album, was finished by Cohen’s son Adam.

And Joanie Leeds‘ “All the Ladies” is up for best children’s album.

The Grammys are set to air on Jan. 31 on CBS, hosted by Trevor Noah of “The Daily Show.” 

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How Pixar’s ‘Soul’ Borrows From An Ancient Jewish Idea

By Rabbi Benjamin Resnick

Jamie Foxx voices the main character in Pixar's "Soul." (Screen shot from YouTube)

(JTA) — Pixar’s “Soul,” released on Friday on Disney+, is a tender balm of a movie about an aspiring jazz musician who dies on the day he gets his big break. Watching “Soul,” which is set in a richly imagined New York City, as well as in a blissed-out, blue-ish, and minimalist realm of unborn souls, in the final days of 2020 is once elegiac (the riotously crowded New York it depicts sure isn’t there at the moment) and soothing, like applying a poultice to a wound. The New York of our dreams may be in limbo, but there’s still Pixar offering its pastel take on, well, limbo.

“Soul” may not feature the nuanced emotional intelligence of the previous Pixar hit “Inside Out,” which takes place mostly inside the head of an 11-year-old girl, nor the devastating power of the opening minutes of “Up,” but it is the first to make its central subject a question of metaphysics. The question of metaphysics. Namely, what is the body and what is the soul?

For those of us who take Pixar’s metaphysical questions seriously — and as a Jew, a rabbi, the father of young children, and an adult who remembers being wowed by the first “Toy Story” in the theater, I take these questions very seriously indeed — ”Soul” offers a great deal to think about. Watching it over the weekend with our two boys gave us a most welcome opportunity to talk about some big-ticket Jewish questions as well as an occasion to sit back and inhabit a lush world beyond the little realm of our apartment.

For a movie about the nature and destiny of the soul, “Soul” is wisely spare when it comes to explicit religious content. Quite simply, there isn’t any. The abstract beings (all named Jerry or, in one case, Terry) that guide souls in the hereafter and in the Great Before are somewhat godlike, but they certainly don’t seem to be gods. And the subject at hand isn’t why things work as they do, or, really, what the capital-M THE

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Meaning of it all is. Instead, the story of Jamie Foxx’s poor Joe Gardner is focused squarely on questions surrounding the nature of his soul’s “spark” (and the spark of one other lost soul, voiced by Tina Fey) and what that has to do with his body and his path through life.

“Soul” offers a variety of sweetly packaged, life-affirming answers to these big questions, answers that have resonances in a variety of world religious traditions. Certainly, in the Jewish mystical tradition, there is much ado about soul sparks.

There are also cognate visions of the Great Before, my personal favorite being the Kabbalistic image of the tree of souls, hung richly with the fruit of future lives, which, when ripe, are blown down to earth by a light wind. This particular image doesn’t appear in Pixar’s version of things, but it is certainly of a piece with the gentle realm where new souls are nurtured before birth.

It doesn’t give too much away to tell you that one of the movie’s central messages is that true personhood is rooted in the union of body and soul, that they are both indispensable ingredients of life’s confection. If Joe Gardner’s adventure with an unborn soul named “22” yields any concrete moral, it is that corporeality and spirituality are intimately bound up with one another. Each is incomplete, perhaps woefully so, without the other.

And of the many ideas that Pixar gracefully bandies about in “Soul,” it is this one that strikes me as the most profoundly Jewish.

On this very subject, there is a famous midrash, or ancient rabbinic homily, about a body and soul separated by death and standing before God in judgment.

The soul, pleading her case, argues that all of her sinful behaviour was caused by the body’s base desires. The body, not to be outdone, makes the point that without the soul he would have been entirely lifeless and therefore unable to transgress. Accepting their argu-

ments, God puts them back together and punishes them in unison.

I have always found this story irresistibly charming (very much like a Pixar movie) not because I am in love with the idea of divine retribution, but rather because, as an embodied soul myself — or, if you like, as a body who happens to be ensouled for the moment — it simply rings true. One of the enduring contributions of the ancient rabbis is their forceful insistence that we are Jews not only because we have Jewish souls (though they did believe that) but also because we have Jewish bodies, the product of Jewish families and pumping with Jewish blood. The human being, in this view, is not a metaphysical construct — as Tina Fey’s character somewhat derisively describes the realm of souls. Nor is the human being only a soft, perishable body.

Rather, a human being is a luminous, fragile and ultimately tempo-

rary marriage of the two. In “Soul,” it is only when our heroes discover and inhabit this truth that they both get to where they need to go.

In a year in which so many bodies have been ravaged — and in which so many souls have been frayed — you can do a lot worse than sitting back and, for just under two hours, allowing Pixar to offer up some humane and very Jewish answers to some very deep questions. The movie itself is perhaps somewhat slight, given it’s rather weighty subject matter, and the answers it gives may not knock your socks off. But they just might soothe your soul, and, as we close the book on 2020, I say that’s plenty. I give it three out of four sparks.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

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Jewish Philanthropists Have Increased Their Giving During The Pandemic — But Prioritizing Causes Has Never Been More Difficult

By Shira Hanau

Volunteers distribute food as people drive through in cars in Reading, Pa., Dec. 15, 2020. (Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images)

(JTA) — Lisa Greer used to devote a significant share of her time and money to long-term philanthropic projects. She didn’t mind that it could take years to see a new multimilliondollar hospital wing built halfway around the world or for a project requiring years of planning to begin.

But when the pandemic started, her thinking shifted to what was closer to home, and in some cases to what was happening right in her own city.

“I’d much rather get some hospital people PPE, so people can live,” she said from her home in Los Angeles, where hospitals are again filling to capacity and another lockdown has been put into place. “It’s sort of like life or death became more important.”

Greer, a philanthropist and investor, isn’t alone in shifting her giving. According to a recent report by the Jewish Funders Network, a majority of Jewish donors are rethinking their strategies in response to the pandemic, loosening application requirements for grants and increasingly giving unrestricted gifts that can be used for any purpose rather than for specific projects or new programs.

“We’ve been talking about this for years but when the pandemic hit, people really adopted wholeheartedly this more flexible way of giving,” said Andres Spokoiny, president and CEO of the Jewish Funders Network.

The changes to philanthropic giv-

ing have perhaps never happened as fast as they have during the pandemic, now in its 10th month, nor is it easy to recall a time in living memory when need has escalated so quickly — though unlike in past crises, a booming stock market means donors are in a better position to give. Not only are the strains on medical resources stronger than ever, but the economic fallout from the pandemic and its accompanying lockdowns has created an unprecedented need for social services like food and housing assistance. That has led some donors to shift their giving and prioritize social services over flashier causes.

The Jewish Funders Network survey found that the 30% of its members, which include over 500 private donors or foundations that give more than $25,000 per year “in the name of Jewish values,” public charities giving more than $100,000, foundations outside the U.S. and giving circles donating more than $50,000, reported awarding $409 million just in emergency grants. In a typical year, the organization estimates that its membership gives $1.6 billion in total.

More than three-quarters of the group’s survey respondents said they had increased their giving in response to the pandemic, and more than half of the respondents had broadened their giving to include new causes, with some of the new areas including support for basic necessities like food and shelter. More than half allowed for previously granted funds to be used for other needs and a like number also provided support for general operating costs.

Jewish Federations and locally focused foundations have also increased their giving during the pandemic. The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles has disbursed $14 million in COVID response grants this year. UJA-Feder-

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ation of New York has disbursed approximately $64 million in COVID-related aid on top of its regular grants of $133 million. (The New York federation is a funder of 70 Faces Media, JTA’s parent company.)

Eric Goldstein, CEO of UJAFederation, said the pandemic had served as a reminder to donors of what was most important.

“Philanthropic people often pursue the shiny object, the new thing,” Goldstein said. “I think in times like this it reminds you how critically important it is to support the abiding institutions that are critical to the well-being of our community going forward.”

UJA-Federation’s board authorized five extra rounds of grants this year on top of its total budget of approximately $195 million.

Most of the extra grants went to social service agencies providing food, shelter and mental health services, as well as to Jewish community centers that were forced to close due to the pandemic.

Goldstein said the skyrocketing demands on social service agencies, which are partially funded by government aid but still require philanthropic support, had triggered an increased awareness of the importance of social services and of the extent of poverty within the Jewish community.

“It’s a critical reminder of how urgent the less glamorous social service needs are,” Goldstein said.

UJA-Federation dipped into its endowment to cover the cost of some of its emergency grants this year, just like it did during the Great Depression when it nearly depleted its funds while aiding the unemployed. But during the pandemic, UJA-Federation saw an increase in donations, in part because the stock market has been rallying, leaving donors feeling confident and able to maintain their usual gifts, if not increase them.

And even as funders shifted their focus to critical services like food assistance and mental health services or ensuring hospitals have adequate PPE, some say it’s still important to support cultural institutions and projects having to do

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with Jewish life.

The dilemma of whether it is right to give to the arts or to other causes when people are going hungry “is a very old dilemma, it’s not a pandemic dilemma,” Spokoiny said.

He believes there are enough resources to support all of the causes and that cultural projects and Jewish life initiatives should not be neglected because there are more basic needs still going unmet.

“It becomes a very difficult conversation,” he acknowledged. “I tend to think that community building and welfare needs are complementary. Engaged communities give more to charity, so how do you create engaged community? With things that are not social services.”

And even if it’s important to support cultural institutions for their own sake, the welfare of those institutions affects the welfare of the people who work for them.

Greer started supporting a local performing arts center after her daily drives past the darkened theater made her think about how many people were dependent on the center for their livelihoods.

“At the beginning I thought about it just on that level, it doesn’t matter if we go to the theater, people need food,” Greer said. “And then when I started understanding, wait, there are 300 people and they have families and they provide for their families and all of a sudden you’ve got a thousand people who aren’t going to have food because the theater is dark.”

When it comes to thinking about a post-pandemic future, Spokoiny said, those institutions are going to be critically important. He likened the period after mass vaccination against the coronavirus to the Reformation period that followed the Black Death in the Middle Ages. He said he wants Jewish organizations to be in a position to offer spiritual direction to Jews once the pandemic allows some normal life to resume.

“There is always a spiritual search after a pandemic,” Spokoiny said. “And if we don’t invest enough in that stuff, we won’t be able to provide an avenue for Jews to engage in that.”  THE

JEWISH LIGHT

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JEWISH LIGHT

Jewish Life In 2020: A Year In Pictures

JEWISH LIFE

By Shira Feder

A small group of socially distanced kohens, or Jewish high priests, take part in Passover prayers by the Western Wall, April 12, 2020. (Ilia Yefimovich/ Picture Alliance via Getty Images)

(JTA) — For the Jewish community, 2020 has been historic, turbulent and revelatory. The year began with 25,000 people, Jews and non-Jews, marching across the Brooklyn Bridge to take a stand against anti-Semitism, and it seemed this could be a year of growing awareness of the fight against Jew hatred — a year of possibility during which America’s political landscape could change.

Then COVID-19 hit and the community moved indoors. By April, most colleges and synagogues were closed.

By June, Zoom had become a staple for most Jewish households. By September, some rabbis were doing High Holiday Services on Zoom, while others were praying alone in their homes.

In spite of everything, Jewish life continued. Here’s what the year looked like in photos.

JANUARY

Waititi won best adapted screenplay for “Jojo Rabbit,” his film about a boy growing up in Nazi Germany with Hitler as his imaginary best friend. Jewish actors Natalie Portman and Timothée Chalamet presented Waititi with the award.

MARCH

(Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

As the number of COVID-19 cases rose, some members of the haredi Orthodox community flouted social distancing rules, walking on the streets of Williamsburg without masks. The ensuing criticism caused some friction between the Hasidic communities and Mayor Bill de Blasio. Pictured above are two Satmar Jewish men walking in the Brooklyn neighborhood on March 21.

APRIL

May 18.

JUNE

(Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

OCTOBER In June, a wave of protests over the death of George Floyd swept across America, and many Jews joined the millions protesting racial injustice. “We understand the urgency of the moment and stand against police brutality and white supremacy, and silence is not OK right now,” said Rachel Sumekh, pictured above, who marched on June 3.

JULY

Alexa Rae Ibarra is all smiles after finishing her conversion. (Courtesy of Ibarra)

As COVID-19 began to spread, those who planned to complete their conversion to Judaism with a ceremonial dunk in the mikvah realized doing so indoors would be impossible. So Alexa Rae Ibarra, a 29-year-old yoga instructor, traveled to Camp Ramah in the Berkshires to finish her conversion.

AUGUST

(Ilia Yefimovich/picture alliance via Getty Images) (Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images)

Before the COVID-19 pandemic prompted citywide shutdowns, some 25,000 people marched across the Brooklyn Bridge to protest rising antiSemitism in and around New York City. It was a historic march that symbolically started in Lower Manhattan and crossed the bridge.

FEBRUARY

In April, Jews around the world planned for a Passover they never expected. The holiday saw a new range of small, virtual and solo Seders, and in Israel, socially distanced Passover prayer at the Western Wall.

MAY

(Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

(Steve Granitz/WireImage)

At the Oscars, one of the last big events before social gatherings became verboten, Maori Jewish director Taika THE

JEWISH LIGHT

By May, parts of New York and other cities had begun to reopen. Jewish life resumed, with people in masks going outside, attending synagogue and even going to small, socially distanced gatherings. Here, New Yorkers wait in a line on

(UNC-Chapel Hill Hillel)

By August, many colleges and universities had gone completely virtual, taking Jewish campus life with it. “It’s definitely not the same because we’re not having one-on-one and smaller conversations,” student Abigail Adams said. Pictured above is the last in-person Hillel event at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill before the school went all virtual.

SEPTEMBER As the weather cooled, it became clear the pandemic would upend traditional holiday services, leaving rabbis to find other, virtual ways to connect with their congregants. Some rabbis, like Rabbi Aaron Potek, even took to TikTok for their daily shofar-blowing.

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(David Perlman Photography)

In 2020, more Orthodox rabbis began officiating same-sex weddings, signaling a growing acceptance of LGBTQ Jews, as well as a sea change in Orthodoxy. “Clearly some in the Orthodox community are ready for this,” said Jeremy Borison, who married his husband in 2020.

Nadiv Schorer, above on right, married Ariel Meiri in 2020 with Orthodox Rabbi Avram Mlotek officiating.

NOVEMBER

(Mark Makela/Getty Images)

In November, Kamala Harris made history as both the first woman and the first woman of color to be elected vice president, and her husband, Doug Emhoff, made history as the first Jewish “second husband.” Together they presented to the public a picture of what a prominent interfaith family could look like.

DECEMBER

(Gil

Cohen-Magen/AFP Images)

via

Getty

For Hanukkah, people celebrated by lighting menorahs in hospital wards, on Zoom and outdoors in places as varied as Dubai, Australia and Casablanca. In Tel Aviv, at the Ichilov Hospital’s COVID-19 isolation ward, medical staffers lit Hanukkah candles.  January 2021

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Jewish Life In 2021: Predictions About The Future Of Politics, Culture And Anti-Semitism

By Shira Feder

An Orthodox Jewish man wearing a surgical mask rides by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, April 22, 2020. (Erica Price/Getty Images)

(JTA) — If we learned anything from 2020, it was that trying to predict the future on Jan. 1 is a foolish exercise. Yet here we are, taking stock of what we learned in this tumultuous, terrible year and starting to think about what’s coming next.

Will Zoom become a permanent fixture of Jewish life? What will happen with anti-Semitic attacks once people start spending more time out of their homes? Will Joe Biden bring back the White House Seder — and will Doug Emhoff, the first Jewish second spouse, be involved?

I became JTA’s audience engagement manager this month with the goal of deepening our relationship with readers. One big goal of my job is to take readers behind the scenes and let them get to know the people who are writing and reporting the news they’re reading.

So, I reached out to JTA’s reporting and editing team, plus some of our correspondents covering Jewish life around the world, for their reflections on 2020 and their insights about what to look for in 2021. Here’s what they told me.

Ben Sales covers anti-Semitism and is based in New York City.

What’s your takeaway from 2020?

I learned a lot about the staying power of hateful ideas like QAnon, the influential conspiracy theory that is a modern version of the ageold ideas that Jews are conspiring to control the world and harvest the blood of children. These smears were in vogue as far back as the Middle Ages, but millions of people still believe them today – just in a new form.

What’s on your radar for 2021?

I’m trying to never predict the news because I’m always wrong, but it’s sadly safe to say that some people 16 January 2021

are still going to hate Jews in 2021.

I’ll be looking out for what shape that will take. If and when COVID fades, will street attacks on Orthodox Jews pick back up from 2019?

Will anti-Semitic claims that Jews spread the virus fuel a new wave of attacks? Will far-right groups, embittered by Trump’s loss, act on their extremism? Will the progressive Democrats who are critical of Israel become more prominent under a new political administration? And what will that new administration do to combat the rising threat of white supremacist groups?

Shira Hanau covers Orthodox communities and is based in New York City.

What’s your takeaway from 2020? Something I learned from my beat this year is how easily seemingly small decisions by elected officials can harm long-term relationships with communities. We saw this when New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted at “the Jewish community” after a large funeral in Williamsburg didn’t adhere to social distancing guidelines, and we saw it again when protesters for racial justice were allowed to gather to march (even if they were attacked by police) at the same time that synagogues could not gather in large numbers for prayer services. Those incidents contributed to anger at the government and, in one case, to the burning of masks in the streets. These kinds of small acts led to monthslong resentments that may well outlast the pandemic.

What’s on your radar for 2021?

The most controversial issue that I think will play out in the Orthodox world is vaccination. There’s long been a strong anti-vax element in parts of the Orthodox community, one that has even contributed to some recent outbreaks of measles.

The big question in 2021 is whether that element drowns out efforts to encourage vaccination, which is needed to return safely to pre-pandemic life.

The effect that the pandemic has had on synagogues also can’t be understated. Will people who have chosen to attend services online keep doing so? What will be the economic fallout for synagogues?

And will anyone ever want to sit court ruling that effectively bars through a long sermon again? kosher slaughter in Belgium. I predict that advocates of those bans Ron Kampeas is the will push for more countries to Washington, D.C., adopt them — and that other efforts bureau chief. to limit aspects of religious practice for Jews and Muslims will be What’s your takeaway from emboldened. We could see progress 2020? Like a lot of professional in the movement to ban circumciJews, I’m aware of how easily sion of boys — like animal slaughvicious and toxic myths can take ter, it’s an issue that unites the far hold. You don’t get through study- right and the far left in Europe in a ing Jews and the 20th century with- way that makes life for Jews here out an awareness of how deep a difficult. capacity for irrational thought runs We’re also going to continue to among men and women. That said, grapple with the ongoing loss of living it in real time this year and Holocaust survivors, which the watching reasonable people buy COVID-19 crisis has accelerated, into myths about QAnon, the pan- and ultimately their disappearance. demic and Black Lives Matter, New initiatives will continue to try among others, was eye opening. to capture survivors’ stories before Truth is not as powerful as I it is too late, while at the same time, believed, and that is sobering for a how the Holocaust is memorialized newsperson. will continue to be a political issue, What’s on your radar for 2021? especially as Hungary and Poland I’m paying close attention to what plan to open state Holocaust musethe Biden administration does when ums for the first time. it comes to foreign policy. Presi- Marcus Gilban is a Latin Amerident-elect Joe Biden has said he ca correspondent based in Brazil. will rush to reenter the 2015 Iran What’s your takeaway from nuclear deal. Iran’s regime, so far, 2020? More Brazilian Jews than has indicated that it would welcome ever are making aliyah, and Brazil’s reentry and return to the terms that Jewish leaders must address this limited uranium enrichment, which phenomenon or risk the community it abandoned after President Donald shrinking further. One thing I’ve Trump pulled out in 2018. Will Iran observed in 2020 is that opportunibe as accommodating in February ty can arise if the communities in as it is promising now? The regime Rio and Sao Paulo, which traditionis unpredictable, hard-liners report- ally have operated separately, work edly have the upper hand and there together. are no guarantees. Biden moreover What’s on your radar for 2021? wants to negotiate, after reentering Like other Brazilians, Jews have the deal, the areas that critics said been divided politically for years were neglected in 2015, including — a split worsened after then-presIran’s missile program and its idential candidate Jair Bolsonaro adventurism in the region. Would visited Rio’s Hebraica club in 2017, Iran agree to negotiating those dif- and several other divisive episodes ferences? Would that help calm that followed. New leaders are takIsrael and Sunni Arab states, which ing over in several Jewish instituoppose the deal? Other questions tions at the regional, national and on foreign policy: Does Biden press local levels. I’ll be watching to see Israel into talks with the Palestin- whether they are able to unite Braians? Will there be more normaliza- zil’s divided Jews. tion agreements announced with Jacob Judah is a United Kingregional Arab countries? dom correspondent based in LonCnaan Liphshiz covers Europe don. and is based in Amsterdam.

What’s your takeaway from What’s your takeaway from 2020? This year has not been easy 2020? I learned that some people’s for Britain’s Jews: The community responses to a pandemic accelerat- has been badly hit by COVID-19, ed by large gatherings is to hold and worries about finances, friends large gatherings to protest.

What’s on your radar for 2021?

See LIFE IN 2021 22 We ended the year with a dramatic on Page

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the

JEWISH LIGHT

This Beety, Beefy Cabbage Soup Is Perfect For Quarantine

By Crystal Rivera

A rich, beety, meaty cabbage stew.

(Crystal Rivera)

This recipe originally appeared on The Nosher.

This comforting soup is a cross between a meaty borscht and my current obsession: caramelized cabbage. Both the flanken and cabbage lend a hand in its richness. You might just find yourself not needing any bouillon for this one.

If you can’t find golden beets, any beet will do. I just love the goldenness it promotes in the broth.

Please do not, however, cut any cooking time of the cabbages. The longer you cook them, the better.

To make this vegetarian, add dried mushrooms for umami and double the vegetables in the broth to make it heartier. A cup of pearl barley would be a nice addition, too.

INGREDIENTS For the cabbage: • 1/3 cup olive oil • 1 1/2 pounds green cabbage, chopped • 1/2 cup leeks, halved and sliced • 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt • 2 teaspoons sugar (optional) For the broth: • vegetable oil • 1-1 1/2 pounds flanken • 2 carrots, unpeeled • 2 celery stalks • 1 head of garlic, unpeeled, halved crosswise • 1 onion, unpeeled • 1/4 cup fresh herbs of your choosing

• 10 cups water • 2 1/2 teaspoons salt For the soup: • 2 1/2 cups golden beets, peeled and diced • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced • salt and pepper, to taste • fresh herbs, to taste (optional) DIRECTIONS 1. Start by making the cabbage: Set a deep, large pan over mediumhigh heat. Add the olive oil.

2. Add the cabbage, leeks, salt and sugar. Immediately turn the heat down to low. Stir every 8-10 minutes (be careful not to interrupt the browning process by moving the cabbage around a lot) until the mix turns a deep brown, about 40 minutes. If at any point the pan looks too dry, gradually add a little more olive oil.

3. Once cooked, set the cabbage aside in a bowl lined with a paper towel. Pat down with more paper towel to remove any excess oil.

4. To make the broth, heat a large pot over high heat. Brown the flanken in batches, returning the meat to the pot when the last batch is done.

5. Add the vegetables, herbs, salt and water. Bring to a boil, cover with a lid and turn down to a simmer. For the first 15 minutes, check on the broth to remove any scum that rises to the top. I like to skim off some of the fat as the flanken simmers, but you may find it easier to do this once the soup cools down and the fat solidifies.

6. After 1 1/2 hours, discard the vegetables and herbs, and add the beets, carrots and caramelized cabbage. Continue to cook for another 30 minutes, or until tender. Add salt and pepper to taste, and fresh herbs, if you’d like. 

NOSHER

(food)

Make Andrew Zimmern’s Super Fluffy Matzah Ball Soup

By Andrew Zimmern

A Passover and holiday staple, matzah ball soup is Jewish penicillin. Before I had a bottle in my mouth I was sipping on this soup, and it’s remained one of my top five favorite foods. This is the only recipe I’ve come across that measures up to my grandmother’s.

This matzah ball is a floater. To make good floaters, you have to get air into the balls, which is best achieved with beaten egg whites.

INGREDIENTS For the matzah balls: • 5 large eggs, 3 separated • 1/4 tsp cream of tartar • 1/2 tsp garlic powder • 1/2 tsp onion powder • 1/2 tsp baking soda • 1/2 tsp baking powder • 2 1/2 tsps kosher salt • pepper • 1/4 cup schmaltz • 1/4 cup minced onion • 1 1/4 cups matzah meal • 1 Tbsp vegetable oil, for forming the matzah balls For the soup: • 2 quarts chicken stock • 1 3-pound chicken • 1 small onion, diced • 1 large carrot, thinly sliced • 2 celery ribs, thinly sliced • 1/3 pound rutabaga, peeled and diced

• 4 large parsley sprigs, plus more for garnish • 4 large dill sprigs, plus more for garnish DIRECTIONS In a large bowl, beat the 3 egg whites and cream of tartar with an electric hand mixer until stiff peaks form.

In a separate bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, 3 egg yolks, 2 whole eggs, and pepper. Whisk to incorporate. Add the schmaltz, minced onion, beaten egg whites, and matzah meal. Fold together until fully combined. Press a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the batter and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours.

In a large pot, bring the chicken stock to a simmer. Add the whole chicken and return the stock to a simmer. Cover and cook for about an hour, or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken and let cool slightly, then shred the meat; discard the skin and bones. Reserve half of the chicken meat for another use.

Strain the soup into another pot set over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, rutabaga, chicken meat, parsley, and dill sprigs.

Remove the matzah ball batter from the fridge. Using the vegetable oil to keep your hands moist and prevent the batter from sticking, roll golf ball sized matzah balls and gently place in the soup. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 25 minutes.

Serve, garnishing with chopped dill and parsley. 

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January 2021

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Focus Issues

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Men Have Dominated Jewish Texts For Most Of History.

These Women Are Trying To Change That.

By Shira Hanau

Rabbanit Jenna Englender dances with the Torah during her graduation ceremony from Yeshivat Maharat in New York, June 17, 2019. (Shulamit Seidler-Feller/Maharat)

(JTA) — When Danielle Kranjec committed to using only Jewish texts written by women and queer people in the classes she taught for Hillel International’s Springboard Fellowship, a program that places recent college graduates in positions at college campus Hillels across the country, she knew she was taking on a challenging task.

After all, for most of Jewish history, women weren’t encouraged to take on religious leadership roles or write commentaries on the Torah or Talmud.

But Kranjec knew that elevating the work of women would be worth the effort, both because doing so would communicate the value of women’s insights to her students and she believes the mismatch between the diversity of the people teaching Torah today and the sources they teach had grown too great.

Also, as a Jewish educator and trained historian, she knew there were a plethora of texts that might not be considered “Torah” in the traditional sense but could serve as rich source material.

Much of the time, those who assemble materials for Jewish study sessions — commonly known as “source sheets” — start with the Torah text, working their way to the rabbinic texts, the Mishna and Talmud, followed by commentaries on texts written over a span of more than a thousand years. Men wrote the vast majority of those texts.

“I’m trying to do something different, to start in the lives of women and then follow the Torah that emerges from that,” Kranjec said, noting her love for the memoirs of Gluckel of Hameln, a 17th century Jewish woman whose autobiography is an important primary text for Jewish historians.

18 January 2021

Two years later, Kranjec’s name is now synonymous with a growing movement to advance women’s voices in Jewish text study. The Kranjec Test, coined by her colleagues at Hillel International, calls on educators to include a text written by someone who is not male on any source sheet including at least two Jewish texts.

Along with other initiatives to encourage more women to publish Jewish religious writing, the test is shaking up the world of Jewish study and calling attention to the ways in which women are still not equally represented in positions of authority in the world of Jewish text study.

The Kranjec Test is inspired by the Bechdel test, in which a work of fiction or film passes if it includes a conversation between two female characters about something other than a man. That test has become well known after being invented by cartoonist Alison Bechdel in 1985, though according to The Hollywood Reporter, approximately half of the top-grossing 25 movies that came out in 2016 did not pass the test.

The Kranjec Test was named for Danielle Kranjec who took upon herself to teach only sources written by women and queer people. (Courtesy of Danielle Kranjec)

But the Kranjec Test is perhaps more challenging because unlike fiction and film, Jewish study largely revolves around texts written long before the modern feminist movement.

Still, in recent years, traditional text study has ceased to be the exclusive domain of men. Women

have taken their place among the most well known and respected Torah teachers today, teachers and activists for feminist causes in the Jewish world say, leaving the texts themselves as the next frontier. So in addition to focusing on the people who are visible in positions of authority today, Jewish educators are going to the source material, trying to right the balance between representation of men and women in the texts they are teaching.

“If the leadership and the ‘no more manels’ is top down, this is more grassroots,” Kranjec said.

The test has adherents among Hillel educators and is spreading among educators at pluralistic institutions of Jewish learning. It’s recently been the subject of debate among Jewish educators on listservs and in heated social media discussions.

Holding oneself accountable for including women’s work even in traditionally male domains such as halacha, or Jewish law, carries a benefit, according to Elana Stein Hain, scholar in residence and director of faculty at the Shalom Hartman Institute, where she leads a research group that focuses on issues of gender and leadership in the Jewish community. By bringing in sources written by women that are less directly related to the subject being taught, “what you’ve done is actually elucidated and expanded the way we understand these earlier ideas,” she said.

But not everyone who wants to see more women’s voices in Jewish text study believes the test is a good idea.

“It’ll create a sort of impression that a woman who finds her way onto a source sheet hasn’t done so because she is brilliant and erudite and profound but because of this positive discrimination,” said Gila Fine, editor in chief of Maggid Books, an imprint of Koren Publishers in Jerusalem.

Fine said she almost always includes women on her source sheets in teaching at the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem — but that’s because doing so is relatively easy in the subject she teaches, aggadah, which includes stories from the Tal-

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mud.

“Women have earned their place fair and square in the world of aggadah,” Fine said. “They’re two steps behind in the world of halacha, and they’ll get there, but creating that shortcut will hurt them in the long run.”

In a blog post from September, Rabbi Micha’el Rosenberg, a professor of rabbinics at Hebrew College, wrote about his own difficulty in finding a suitable womanauthored text to use in a class centered on a rabbinic text. Rosenberg eventually included a piece by the modern poet Mary Oliver and wrote that it “brought new meaning and depth to the source” that he would not have found had he limited his sources to premodern ones.

“The historical exclusion of women from Torah study was not only hurtful to women (though that would be enough reason to want to remedy it); it also hurt Torah,” he wrote. “Because of the loss of people with different experiences and perspectives, the Torah is haseirah, it’s lacking, it’s not its full self.”

To Fine, what’s needed are more and more diverse religious texts written by women. Maggid has made publishing books by women teachers a priority, she said, and in recent years has brought to print books by Erica Brown, a popular lecturer and a professor at George Washington University; Rachel Berkovits, a lecturer at the Pardes Institute; and Nechama Price, the director of Yeshiva University’s graduate program in Talmud for women. In the past few years, three books of traditional halachic responsa, answers to Jewish legal questions, written by women have been published, including one by Maggid, constituting what Fine calls “a huge step in the right direction for women.”

But Fine said she often finds herself having to convince women teachers that their work is good enough to publish or that they are ready.

“I will get many, many manuscripts by a man in his 20s who has written a book about Genesis or See JEWISH TEXTS on Page THE

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SCORSESE Continued from Page 11 -The “Godfather” movies featured a pair of prominent Jewish gangsters, both allies-turned-antagonists of the Corleone Family: Moe Greene (Alex Rocco) in the first film, and Hyman Roth (Lee Strasberg) in the second.

The two men were based, respectively, on real-life Jewish gangsters Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and Meyer Lansky. Roth, like Lansky, would even seek political asylum in Israel — “I wished to live there as a Jew in the twilight of my life.”

Hyman Roth, according to a deleted scene in “The Godfather Part II,” was originally named Hyman Suchowsky — but the character changed his name out of admiration for the real-life Jewish gangster Arnold Rothstein (not to be confused with the fictional Ace), later shortening it to Roth. “I’ve loved baseball ever since Arnold Rothstein fixed the World Series in 1919,” the character says in the film.

-Hollywood has offered plenty of other depictions of all three of those real-life gangsters. Bugsy Siegel was played by Warren Beatty in the 1991 biopic “Bugsy,” which Beatty also directed.

-Michael Lerner played Arnold Rothstein in “Eight Men Out,” John Sayles’ 1988 movie about the fixing of that same 1919 World Series.

-None other than Joe Pesci played another Lansky stand-in named “Mayakofsky” in the 1983 film “Eureka,” while Dustin Hoffman was Lansky in the 2005 drama “The Lost City,” a film that covered the gangster’s adventures in Cuba.

Richard Dreyfuss played Lansky in a 1999 HBO movie “Lansky,” which was written by Jewish playwright David Mamet.

-Harvey Keitel, who is Jewish and is another veteran of Scorsese gangster pictures, is set to play an aging version of Lansky in an upcoming biopic, also called “Lansky.” That film is being directed by Eytan Rockaway, whose father Robert wrote a book in 1993 called “But He Was Good to His Mother: The Lives and Crimes of Jewish Gangsters.”

-On the HBO TV series “Boardwalk Empire,” which Scorsese executive produced, Michael Stuhlbarg (famous for his role in the Coen brothers’ “A Serious Man”) played Rothstein and Michael Zegen, later of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” portrayed Siegel. In the short-lived cable series “Mob City,” Edward Burns was Siegel and Patrick Fischler was Lansky. In THE

Focus

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the lightly regarded 1991 film “Mobsters,” Richard Grieco played Siegel, Patrick Dempsey played Lansky and F. Murray Abraham portrayed Rothstein.

-There have been many fictional Jewish gangsters as well. For example, in 1990’s “Miller’s Crossing,” written and directed by the Coen brothers, John Turturro played bookie Bernie Bernbaum, about whom it is said “he’s got a mixed reputation, but for a sheeny, he’s got a lot of good qualities.” “Sheeny” is an antiJewish slur from the 19th century.

-In the 2006 crime drama “Lucky Number Slevin,” Ben Kingsley played a crime boss who was also a rabbi, and was called simply “The Rabbi.” The current season of the FX TV adaptation of the Coen brothers’ film “Fargo” features a character known as “Rabbi Milligan,” played by Ben Whishaw, who was traded among different ethnic crime families. One of those is the Jewish outfit known as the Moskowitz Syndicate.

-And on “The Sopranos,” there was Herman “Hesh” Rabkin (Jerry Adler), a veteran Jewish gangster and longtime associate of the Soprano family. In one episode, Christopher Moltisanti warns that an upcoming sit-down involving Hesh is likely to be a tough negotiation, because “I’ve heard his opinions on giving back pieces of Israel.” Adler also guest-starred on an episode of “The West Wing” as the father of Richard Schiff’s character Toby Ziegler, who was estranged from him due to his long-ago involvement with the Jewish organized crime group Murder, Inc.

JEWISH TEXTS Continued from Page 18 Maimonides, something as grandiose as that,” Fine said. “Conversely … when I have actively approached women who are established and brilliant and profound and nuanced in the Torah that they do and I say I think you’re great and should be writing a book, more often than not the response I get is ‘I don’t think I’m quite ready.’”

Users of Sefaria, an online database of Jewish texts that allows one to see hyperlinks between texts in a side-by-side format, also want to see more texts by women. Sara Wolkenfeld, Sefaria’s director of learning, said it’s not uncommon for users to complain that there aren’t enough texts written by women in the site’s database.

“That’s not a Sefaria problem,” Wolkenfeld said. “That’s an issue with the history of Jewish texts.”

The site is taking steps to change that history. Along with Yeshivat Maharat, a Modern Orthodox yeshiva in New York City that ordains women, Sefaria is launching a fellowship to encourage Jewish women to put their ideas onto the page. The program will provide training and stipends to 12 women who will each write an article, book chapter, legal opinion or other form of Torah text.

“We want to create a space for women to say, no, I do have something to contribute and I can do that work and I can put it out there,” Wolkenfeld said.

Fine said the initiative is a welcome addition to a space that is slowly but surely beginning to change in ways that could reshape the idea of who gets to create Torah.

“It’s still individual attempts,” Fine said, adding that with time, “these trickles will become a current.”

Several women advocating for

on Issues

increasing representation of women in Jewish text study have struggled with the idea that Torah texts written by women would be inherently different from those written by men. Even so, Stein Hain argued, it would be worth including them to expand the quantity of texts available to learn from.

“I’m not sold on the idea that a woman’s take is going to be different but I am sold on the idea that we shouldn’t be limiting the voices to male voices,” said Stein Hain.

“You’re missing out on more people having good ideas about Torah.”

Efforts to increase the volume of texts by women that are part of the Jewish library may never lead to actual parity — there’s only so much that can be accomplished by modern women adding their own scholarship to the collected works of thousands of years of male scholars.

“On the ‘mikraot gedolot’ page, we’re always going to have the same people,” Kranjec said of the classic medieval rabbinic commentaries traditionally printed alongside the text of the Torah. “That’s not really going to change because of our extensive, beautiful, wonderful long, complicated, patriarchal textual tradition.”

But if they can’t catch up, Kranjec argued, modern teachers have to make space for them on the pages of their source sheets, both through newly published scholarship and by mining the tradition for places where women’s voices have shone through.

“I need us to learn Gluckel in conversation with 17th century Jewish thought, I need us to read other early modern poets … I need all of that to be a part of the conversation and modern writers, too,” she said.

In summary, she added, “I want all of it.”` 

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What Blessing Should You Say When You Get The Covid19 Vaccine? We Asked Rabbis For Their Guidance.

By Laura E. Adkins

A staff nurse at the Royal Cornwall Hospital prepares to administer COVID-19 vaccinations in Truro, United Kingdom, Dec. 9, 2020. (Hugh Hastings/Getty Images)

(JTA) — Jewish liturgy offers blessings for seemingly every occasion, from ritual moments (such as lighting Shabbat candles) to sublime experiences (seeing a rainbow) to mundane acts (going to the bathroom).

But what is the right blessing (“bracha” in Hebrew) to say upon receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

Is it even appropriate to say a blessing at all?

This moment felt far off at the beginning of the pandemic, but is

arriving at record speed. Both Moderna and Pfizer have produced COVID-19 vaccines that are more than 90% effective at preventing infection, and the U.S. government is set to receive enough vaccines to immunize 100 million people in the first quarter of 2021.

So, we reached out to rabbis from different denominations to get their opinions. All said the occasion merits a Jewish response, even as Orthodox rabbis noted that formal blessings with God’s name are reserved for certain situations.

But beyond that, they turned to different ideas from within Jewish texts and tradition. Here’s what they told us.

Do you have a different response to this question? Email us your thoughts.

Rabbi David Wolpe, Sinai Temple in Los Angeles I would say three, actually: the shehecheyanu blessing, thanking

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God who brought us to this day; “She’asah li nes bamakomhazeh,” who has done a miracles or me in this place; and “Shenatan michochmato l’basar v’adam,” who has given of His wisdom to flesh and blood. In a recent “daily connection” video, I cited the biblical Joseph saying the second of these blessings when he returns to the pit he was thrown into, and I suggest we should say the same.

Rabbi Emily Cohen, West End Synagogue in New York City What do you say upon receiving a vaccine that may, one day, lead to communal life again? First, I’ll invite each person, upon receiving the vaccine, to take a breath of awe and thanks, even if — like me — they hate needles.

I’ll be inviting each member of my synagogue to bench gomel on the Shabbat after they receive the vaccine. Gomel is a prayer said by Jews who’ve come through a harrowing threat to life, like giving birth, a major illness or a car crash.

It’s received by the congregation and responded to by the full community, each person asking for more good to come to the one who has survived.

One day, when we are able to gather as a complete community in our sanctuary, I will lead us all in the most profound of shechecheyanus, offering full-throated gratitude for being brought to the moment of collective, in-person religious expression for the first time in well over a year.

Rabbi Ben Greenfield, The Greenpoint Shul in Brooklyn One must offer words of praise and blessing to Hashem upon the amazing event of receiving this vaccine! That is clear. The question is if one should do so using one of the official, canonical brachot of our tradition, which would entail uttering God’s sacred name.

Here, too, the short answer is yes, complicated only by the fact that there are so many brachot which apply that it is hard to know which one is correct! Shehechyanu, recited upon occasional events that spark gratitude (e.g. buying new furniture, eating new fruit, impor-

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tant rain falling on one’s field) seems, at first glance, to easily qualify. On the other hand, ha-Tov v’ha-Meitiv (who is good and causes good) should be recited if the event is shared by multiple people (e.g. rain falling on a shared field, a couple buying furniture, new wine brought out to the dinner table), and receiving a vaccine is of both personal and public health benefit. Finally, ha-Gomel (who rewards the undeserving with goodness, and who has rewarded me with goodness) is recited upon rescue from an illness. A strong argument can be made for this blessing, too.

My master and teacher, Rabbi Dov Linzer, addresses all these possibilities and advises reciting HaTov, and to do so before receiving the first shot.

COVID has been a dark reminder of an eternally true fact: Our lives and our health are connected with those of strangers we will never meet. To have the opportunity to protect ourselves and, in doing so, grant protection to others is a gift from God worthy of a most heartful “HaTov v’ha-meitiv.”

Rabbi Salem Pearce, Executive Director of Carolina Jews for Justice Rabbi Karen Reiss Medwed and Rabbi Ruth Adar have both written original and moving brachot about vaccines. The other possibility I’m thinking about is asher yatzar, a prayer that is traditionally said after using the bathroom. The ambiguity of “b’chochmah” (with wisdom) could be understood as God creating us with the wisdom to recognize the divine image within ourselves and the importance of our partnership with God in creation and stewardship of human beings.

Rabbi Yosie Levine, The Jewish Center in New York City The impulse to recite a blessing upon receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is a laudable one. As a general matter, brachot insist that we pause and reflect on how we can endow otherwise mundane moments in our lives with a sense of sanctity. But See BLESSING on Page THE

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The Formerly Orthodox Character On ‘The Good Doctor’ Is Inspired By The Creator’s Family

By Curt Schleier

Noah Galvin as Dr. Asher Wolk on "The Good Doctor." (ABC/Jeff Weddell)

(JTA) — Writer and producer David Shore didn’t have to look far when developing a key new character for his hit ABC-TV series “The Good Doctor.” He went straight to his nieces and nephews, the children of his Orthodox rabbi brothers.

The show, which returns with new episodes on Jan. 11, focuses on Shaun Murphy (played by Freddie Highmore), an autistic doctor who is able to diagnose complicated illnesses and come up with creative treatments. But its fourth season introduced some new faces.

“We wanted to bring in some doctors junior to Dr. Murphy, some characters who have less experience than him, people he can serve as a guide to,” Shore, 61, said in a telephone interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “We [the producers] spent a lot of time discussing various characters.”

Enter Dr. Asher Wolk (Noah Galvin), who was raised in a haredi Orthodox environment but no longer believes in God. Shore’s two brothers are Orthodox rabbis affiliVACCINE Continued from Page 20 not everything warrants a bracha.

There is an argument to be made that the distribution of the COVID vaccine calls for the recitation of birkat shehecheyanu, the blessing that acknowledges how indebted we are to our Maker for permitting us to reach a given milestone. In the midst of the untold suffering brought about by this pandemic, the almost miraculous production of a vaccine represents a dose of unusually good news. As the Talmud teaches, hearing exceptionally good tidings is reason enough to recite this blessing.

At the same time, however, we typically adopt a minimalist approach to brachot. We tend to follow precedent. We might say that THE

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ated with the Aish Hatorah yeshiva based in Jerusalem.

“I’ve always been fascinated by religion and the lack of religion,” Shore said. “Some of [my brothers’] children are no longer religious, and I am fascinated by their experiences. I think it’s very interesting that they were brought up in one world and chose another.”

Wolk’s character is only three episodes old — the season was split into two parts because of COVIDrelated delays — and Shore is reluctant to give much more away about him. So far there’s been no indication of what caused Wolk’s break with his family, though the concept that he is gay may have precipitated the split. Wolk has, however, reluctantly uttered a Hebrew prayer at the request of a dying patient.

He is also the product of a bit of familial inspiration.

“I love all my nephews and nieces,” Shore said. “[Wolk] doesn’t represent them but was inspired by them.”

Shore, who also created the medical drama “House,” said he feels responsible to care for all the show’s characters – but the feeling is a little different with Wolk.

“This character has traits I’m more familiar with than others in the writing room. So I do feel more of a sense of responsibility and affinity,” he said.

While Jewish doctors as regular characters on mainstream TV shows are not unique, they are somewhat rare. Murphy’s mentor on “The Good Doctor” is Dr. Glassman (Richard Schiff), who presumably is Jewish. In “House” (about another physician with extraordinary diagnostic skills), Dr. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) was Jewish.

Neither talks about their rdly Jewish. “Chicago Med,” however, has a recurring Black Orthodox Jewish character, Dr. Isidore Latham (Ato Essandoh).

A doctor raised Orthodox who not only rejects his upbringing but the very existence of God is even rarer — to nonexistent. Was there any thought about possible negative feedback? Shore says no.

“I would be very disappointed if that happened,” he said. “I have prided myself throughout my career and through many shows and characters of various religions always presenting a respectful exploration of their beliefs, whether I agree with them or not.”

Shore grew up in a Jewish household in London, in the Ontario province of Canada. He graduated from law school and spent six years with a small Toronto firm, where he mostly focused on municipal and tax law, zoning work. But he decided television was his calling, moving to Los Angeles in 1988 with the

cautious support of his parents.

“They would tell you they were nothing but supportive, but basically they were nervous,” he said.

“I’m sure many people thought I was crazy.

the list of occasions that call for birkat shehecheyanu is fixed. As such, from the perspective of Jewish law, the best practice would be to recite the bracha while omitting the name of God. Many people are in the habit of doing this — perhaps unwittingly — upon hearing another kind of news.

At a funeral, mourners say the bracha of dayan ha-emet, expressing that God’s ways are just even if they are inscrutable. But others recite this blessing without God’s name by saying simply “baruch dayan ha-emet.” It’s an elegant compromise that allows one to express the intent of the blessing without running afoul of potentially reciting a bracha in vain.

In the case of the COVID vaccine, there may be yet another reason to say shehecheyanu. Though

the practice has largely fallen out of vogue, Jewish law mandates this bracha in a case where a person sees his/her friend for the first time in 30 days. Considering that this vaccine will allow people in isolation to soon reintegrate with their

friends and family, there will be much to celebrate. To put in differently, how could we not acknowledge the extent to which we are grateful for having reached this moment? What a blessing. 

David Shore at a film festival at the Writer’s Guild Theater in Los Angeles, April 29, 2018. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

“Law is a full-time job and I wasn’t disciplined enough to come home [from a day in a law office] and try writing. Looking back on my life, my analysis is that I was aware it was a crazy decision. But my thinking was if I fail it’s not the end of the world. I still have my legal degree. I didn’t burn any bridges when I left.”

It took Shore a year to find an agent and another year to get his first show assignment. Shortly after came his debut in a writer’s room on a show called “Due South.”

For his successes, principally with the two medical dramas, Shore was honored by the University of Western Ontario in 2018. He was given an honorary degree in — wait for it — law. 

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January 2021

21

Political

Israel Looks Headed For More Elections As Benny Gantz Backs Bill To Dissolve Parliament

By Gabe Friedman

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz speaks during a visit to the IsraelLebanon border, Nov. 17, 2020. (David Cohen/Flash90)

(JTA) — Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Tuesday that his party will back a bill crafted by the opposition in parliament to dissolve the government, likely sending Israel to its fourth election in two years.

The votes from Gantz’s Blue and White would provide the needed votes for the measure to pass in the Knesset.

Gantz and Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, formed a unity government earlier this year by agreeing to rotate the premiership after 18 months, but the two have been at odds from the outset of the partnership. Their latest logjam involves a two-year national budget that both said they would finance in their coalition agreement. But Netanyahu’s Likud party has agreed to pass only a one-year budget; the two-year agreement would set in

motion Gantz’s transition to power next year.

In a statement, Gantz blamed Netanyahu for the situation.

“Netanyahu has decided to dissolve the government and drag Israel into an election” by refusing to pass the budget, Gantz said, according to Haaretz.

Gantz had recently launched a commission to investigate a corruption scandal known as “the Submarine Affair,” which involves several people close to Netanyahu, further eroding their relationship.

“All of this is happening for a single reason … Netanyahu is only working to save himself from his trial,” Gantz said Tuesday, referencing the other scandals for which Netanyahu was indicted last year.

Gantz left open the possibility of passing the budget by its Dec. 23 deadline and avoiding an election that would take place in 2021.

His powerful coalition of parties splintered when Gantz joined forces with Netanyahu. Recent polling projects 31 Knesset seats for Likud, 21 for Naftali Bennet’s right-wing Yamina party, 17 for Yair Lapid’s centrist Yesh Atid, 11 for the predominantly Arab Joint List group of parties and nine for Blue and White. 

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The haredi community will also have to reckon with its handling of the pandemic, which many saw as a and family are omnipresent. Yet I failure, as well as the rabbinic leadwatched proudly as the community ership’s growing fears of young showed that it had not lost the fight- people defecting from the commuing spirit and campaigning courage nity. that it has built up fighting antiSemitism at home, as it adopted the Gabe Friedman is plight of Xinjiang’s Uyghurs and deputy managing Muslim minorities as its own. editor and covers Across the board – from communal arts and culture. newspapers to rabbis and national What’s your takeaway from organizations – the Jewish commu2020? It’s going to be a weird and nity has become one of Britain’s windy road back to normal in the most consistently outspoken chamarts, culture and food worlds in pions for the rights and survival of 2021 and beyond. The Warner Bros.

Xinjiang’s oppressed. move to stream all of its 2021 What’s on your radar for 2021? movie releases at the same time Britain, trying to tie up the final they debut in theaters provoked strands of the Brexit process and outrage, but it was also a sobering now battling a new more transmisreminder of how long companies sible strain of COVID-19, looks set expect the effects of the pandemic for a bumpy start to 2021. But I to linger throughout the upcoming think that Britain’s Jews will be year. So if you still don’t enjoy among the first in Europe to return experiencing your favorite Jewish to a semblance of normality: As artists’ work at home, or ordering COVID vaccines are rolled out from your favorite Israeli restaurant across the country, a glimmer of as takeout, there is plenty of time to light suggests that perhaps – if we get used to it. hold our breath – things will be In terms of specific works, there returning to normal by the summer. isn’t a ton of big-ticket content to Sam Sokol reports about Israel preview for now — such as a Nicole and is based in Beit Shemesh.

Krauss novel that takes place in What’s your takeaway from Israel or a Hanukkah album from 2020? Covering a pandemic and Haim — but in our new world of conducting repeated interviews pandemic delays and shifts, surwith the families of victims drove prise releases are almost ensured. home just how difficult, and imporFor pop and rap fans, there should tant, it is to retain journalistic objecbe new Bleachers (Jack Antonoff) tivity even while tempering it with and Drake albums. Actor Timothee sympathy for those about whom we Chalamet should become more of a are writing. Dealing with harasshousehold name through his star ment and personal threats as a result turn in the sci-fi epic “Dune.” Same of my coverage, as well as having for Ansel Elgort, who will star in to report on attacks against fellow Steven Spielberg’s big-screen journalists (including some who are remake of “West Side Story.” I’m personal friends), reminded me that looking forward to “Red Notice,” a while we in the press are required comedic thriller starring my favorto be detached, outside observers, ite Israeli Gal Gadot, alongside we can all too easily become the Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne Johnstory if something goes wrong. son.

What’s on your radar for 2021?

What’s on your radar for 2021?

Like last year, 2021 is beginning in I think we all learned that online Israel with an election looming that programming works incredibly could determine whether the counwell in some areas and fails comtry’s longest-serving prime minispletely in others. For example, ter, Benjamin Netanyahu, stays in thousands of people have engaged power. Netanyahu is facing what in new areas of Jewish learning and looks like his most formidable explored institutions they didn’t political threat with the formation have access to before, like Jewish of a new party led by a former ally, museums in foreign countries. But Gideon Saar, as well as serious live performances — especially legal troubles and deep public anger those of the most engaging, theatriover his handling of the pandemic. cal kind — don’t translate well If Netanyahu loses power, the through pixels. religious right in Israel could see its That said, something fun that did power blunted and the religious status quo in the country may be See LIFE IN 2021 23 on Page shattered in an unprecedented way.

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LIFE IN 2021 Continued from Page 22 emerge this year and should continue into 2021 is the celebritystudded online Jewish event, often for fundraising purposes. For example, I was able to easily watch a cooking lesson from Michael Solomonov, hear Amar’e Stoudemire tell his inspiring story and listen to Jason Alexander talk about Jewishness with Rachel Brosnahan. Look for this type of thing to become even more common.

Laura Adkins is the opinion editor.

What’s your takeaway from 2020?

Happy stories don’t sell papers, but I’ve been inspired and amazed at how quickly this pandemic has brought to light “the helpers,” as Mr. Rogers would say, in science, health care, philanthropy, feeding the hungry, local acts of kindness and even government.

It’s also exposed trolls and plenty of bad actors. But this year reminded me of how much goodness there is in the Jewish community and world at large, and how many people truly do engage with the world in good faith. You just have to know how to spot them.

What’s on your radar for 2021?

I recently predicted on Twitter — a bit tongue in cheek — that Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump would make aliyah in 2021. It was lighthearted and looked past the fact that they have purchased a home in Florida and renovated their New Jersey estate, but generated a lot of discussion, as all things Trumpadjacent do. The family still enthralls and captivates our attention and imagination, and I don’t see that changing next year.

Philissa Cramer is the editor in chief.

What’s your takeaway from 2020? I’ve learned just how much JTA readers have to add to the excellent journalism this news organization has done for more than a century. Our efforts to engage our audience in new ways have included readership surveys, our Bonds of Life project, commemorating Jews who died of COVID-19 and content (like this!) that gives readers insight into how we report the news. I’m excited to deepen our relationship with our loyal and attentive readers in the coming year.

This was my first year in Jewish

journalism, and I’ve learned so much from our reporters all over the world — about people like Zsolt Balla, a Hungarian-born rabbi praying alone in Germany; about ideas like the Kranjec Test, which seeks to elevate women’s voice in Torah study; and about how we reinvent traditions, even in the midst of crisis, as community after community after community did this year, when everything changed.

Those are just a few of the stories that stuck with me this year; I could have chosen so many more. None of them would gain the recognition they deserve without a robust and independent Jewish press, powered by curious and compassionate reporters making another call and asking another question to get the story right.

What’s on your radar for 2021?

Unfortunately, the crisis in journalism is not abating. Even with many promising experiments underway, local news remains under pressure, something we unfortunately saw this year as multiple Jewish newspapers folded, closed print editions or interrupted publication. At the same time, the polarization of debate and spread of misinformation has eroded confidence in journalism at a time when setting the

record straight is more important than ever. Jewish media has not escaped this dynamic.

But I am optimistic about JTA and believe we can play an important role in bringing Jewish readers together. At a time when we are divided in so many ways and also cannot come together physically, the Jewish media can play a unique role in convening conversations that otherwise would be unlikely. In 2021, I am looking forward to expanding our reporting team, playing a role in serving local readers who might get lost in emerging news deserts and involving our readers in our storytelling in innovative ways. 

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If your pest control needs are residential, commercial or maritime related, we have an integrated pest control plan that is right for you. In addition to our pest control services, we also provide termite inspection certificates for real estate transactions. We also offer microbial remediation service certificates.

Because of our experience, we realize that pest problems Our friendly and professional staff is can be worrisome. here to help and answer any questions you may have. Our services are economical, and if you choose one of our maintenance plans you can be assured that our state certified technicians will utilize the appropriate tools and supplies to bring a speedy demise to your pest problem. Our goal is simple: to put your mind at ease knowing that you have taken the proper steps to protect your family, your home or your business by calling Al's Pest Control.

Services We specialize in pest elimination services that utilize the most modern pest eradication technology and environmentally safe products available. We also offer many other important services that protect people and pets from a host of problems.

Termite Baiting Service We specialize in both liquid and baiting termite management systems and provide monthly and annual contracts at very competitive prices.

Tree Protection Services We protect and treat your trees from termite infestation and the Buck Moth caterpillar.

Pre-Construction and Post-Construction Termite Treatment Take an added step in battling termites and other pests that invade your home by using our wood treatment with patented Borates in conjunction with our newest Green product...Termistop.

Home Protection Our home pest control service protects your home from common pests such as roaches, mice, rats, ants and other insects found in our area.

Elevation Termite Treatment and Bonding We provide termite treatment services for all home elevation projects. Our soil treatments help in the fight against termite infestation. We a so issue a termite bond for this service.

Termite Certificates If you are in the process of buying or selling a home, we can help. We provide termite inspection service for real estate transactions.

Browse our web site (www.alspestcontrol.com) for more information. Also, please follow us on Facebook (@alspestcontrolservicesinc for our latest coupons. If you have any questions or would like to speak with a representative regarding our products and services please e-mail us at: www.alspestcontrol. com or call us (504) 368-5927.  THE

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A Full Service Pest Elimination Company Residential • Commercial Maritime Boats Pest Control • Mosquitos Termites • Termite Certificates

504-368-5927

www.alspestcontrol.com

MENTION

KICKOFF

FOR

10% OFF

Protecting Your Property From The Ground Up!

FREE ESTIMATES Licensed • Bonded • Insured

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January 2021

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Business Referral Guide

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Backyard Printing Backyard Printing brings years of creative arts teaching in public schools to our very popular and highly efficient printing and embroidery business. We would love to work with you to create the perfect design and have it beautifully conveyed onto t-shirts, caps, tote bags, towels and other cloth items of your choice. We specialize in screen printed t-shirts, working with you to

arrive at a satisfactory design and layout that conveys what you want on the shirt. We screen print for businesses, schools and many other small and large organizations.

Another item that we have

ing of items at www.secondlinehandkerchiefs.com.

Personalized embroidery is also a popular part of the business. Please do not hesitate to contact us through email at backyardprinting@gmail.com or by phone (985-231-7789) if you have any questions you may also email us at Secondlinehandkerchiefs@gmail.com. ďƒŹ

with printed handkerchiefs.

We also offer printed and decorated Secondline umbrellas!

We offer white umbrellas and black umbrellas with a variety of screen printed images. Decorations can be team colors or added to our specialized items colors to match your wedding, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or special is Secondline handkerchiefs. event theme.

Make your event even more You can view a select offermemorable with a second line

26 January 2021

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Business Referral Guide

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Bayou Tree Service: Caring For Louisiana’s Historic Live Oaks Since 1978 Whether you live in New Orleans or Baton Rouge, perhaps nothing says “Southern Louisiana” like the stately, historic Live Oaks that decorate our commercial, educational, municipality and plantation landscapes, and even some private residences.

Hundreds of years in age and having witnessed centuries worth of history firsthand, these beautiful Live Oaks require an arborist’s knowledge and artful touch to provide proper historic tree care. Caring for historic Live Oaks isn’t just a specialty of ours here at Bayou Tree Service; it’s an honor and responsibility that we take very seriously.

If you’re fortunate enough to have one of these amazing trees on your commercial or residential property, then you know just how important historic tree care is to maintain these southern treasures for generations to come. But do you know exactly what needs to be done on a regular basis to care for these grand giants?

And do you have a team of professional ISA-certified arborists on hand to care for your historic trees?

The Importance of Working with ISA-Certified Arborists for Historic Tree Care

While you can easily perform a Google search for a “tree company” in the New Orleans or Baton Rouge areas, chances are you won’t find many of our competitors who have as many team members certified by the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture).

With only about 20,000 members worldwide, ISA requires arborists to truly understand both the art and science of tree biology, and study for and pass strict examinations to receive certification from the organization. This means, when you select Bayou Tree Service, you are working not only with the best of the best in historic tree care service, but also with a company that has been a part of the Southern Louisiana historic tree care community since 1978.

How We Care for New Orleans and Baton Rouge’s Beautiful Live Oaks Historic Live Oaks require special treatment and considerations to maintain these majestic trees for years to come. At Bayou Tree Service, we care for historic Live Oaks in a variety of ways, including: • Consulting with property owners • Working alongside architects, landscape architects and city

planners to develop and enhance historic Live Oak tree preservation guidelines in project specifications and city code • Annual maintenance including tree trimming, pruning, mulching and fertilizing • Inspection of historic Live Oaks to identify any diseased branches or pest infestations • Saving Live Oaks that have been damaged in Hurricanes and Storms • Transplanting Live Oaks Bayou Tree Service: A Proven Record in Historic Tree Care As professional, Louisiana-certified arborists who are specialists in caring for New Orleans and Baton Rouge Live Oaks, we’ve worked on several projects to care for our region’s historic trees, in which we’ve provided consulting services, pruning, fertilization, transplants and tree salvations.

Some of our happy historic tree clients include: • Audubon Park and Zoo, New Orleans, Louisiana • Audubon Tea Room, New Orleans, Louisiana • Iberville/Treme Housing Project, New Orleans, Louisiana

• Jesuit High School, New Orleans, Louisiana • Live Oak Society, Metairie, Louisiana • Longue Vue House and Garden, New Orleans, Louisiana • Jackson Barracks, New Orleans, Louisiana • New Orleans City Park, New Orleans, Louisiana • Oak Alley Plantation, Vacherie, Louisiana • Ohr-O’Keefe Museum, Biloxi, Mississippi • US 190 Live Oak Preservation, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Trust Bayou Tree Service to Care for Your Historic Live Oaks Historic Live Oaks provide curb appeal and aesthetic beauty to properties that are unmatched by no other. If you’re fortunate enough to be an owner of one of these majestic trees, you need a professional arborist service that will treat them like the national treasures they are.

That service is Bayou Tree Service.

To call us for assistance with your historic Live Oaks, dial (504) 837-8733 to reach our New Orleans office, or (225) 399-4356 to reach us in Baton Rouge.

We’re Caring For Trees And People.

Bayou Tree Service understands the relationship that people have with trees. Trees give us oxygen, shade, beauty, and history.

So we give them everything they need to stay healthy. Forever.

264 Industrial Ave., New Orleans, LA 70121

(504) 837-8733 2982 Varsity St, Baton Rouge, LA 70807 (225) 372-8585

Pruning, Fertilization & Planting • Large Scale Transplanting Arboricultural Consulting • Preservation Lightning Protection • Insect & Disease Treatment

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Business Referral Guide

Nugent Freeland Buying a home during the COVID-19 outbreak presents some unique challenges to prospective buyers.

Homeowners know that the process of buying a home can be both exciting and nervewracking. The anxiety associated with buying a home has hit new heights during the outbreak of COVID-19.

Historically low interest rates and limited inventory has made the past year an especially unique time to buy a home. It’s also a competitive and potentially expensive time to buy a home. While the economic consequences of COVID-19 have been severe, the Federal National Mortgage Association, also known as Fannie Mae, forecasted a significant increase in median home prices in March 2020. City dwellers

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have scrambled to buy homes outside of cities, where social distancing is more difficult and the risk of getting COVID-19 appears greater than it is in suburban or rural settings.

That’s led to a lot of competition among prospective buyers.

Prospective home buyers willing to enter the hectic fray and shop for a home during the COVID-19 outbreak may benefit from knowing what to expect as they search for their next home.

Get ready for virtual tours.

Buyers might once have scoffed at the notion of buying a home they’d only seen in videos, but virtual tours have become the new normal in the wake of the pandemic. An April survey from the National Association of Realtors¨ found that home tours had declined sharply.

While 98 percent of realtors reported taking clients on home tours, that number had declined to 63 percent by last April. As many regions pause their reopening plans, or return to even more restrictive rules in light of the latest spikes, prospective home buyers should ready themselves for continuing virtual tours as opposed to in-person home tours.

Expect limited inventory.

While home prices are up, many people are holding onto their homes. The NAR reports that total housing inventory at the end of May 2020 was down nearly 19 percent from the end of May 2019. Buyers will have less inventory to choose from, so those intent on buying may need to prioritize what they need in a home and focus on finding properties that can fulfill those needs.

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Expect to move quickly. Realtors have seen homes sell within days of being listed, and that has put pressure on buyers to move quickly. It also highlights the importance of finding a home inspector before your search begins as well as a lender who can handle quick closings.

Ask around for recommendations, but make sure you have these two important professionals lined up before beginning your search. Doing so will give you a better chance of buying in an unusual time.

Make the best down payment you can afford. A high down payment makes buyers look better no matter the state of the economy. An offer with a high down payment looks like a stronger offer, and that can make the difference between winning and losing a potential bidding war. 

Our Family Real Estate Team has the experience to help. Together we can guide you through buying, selling or investing in Real Estate all over the Metro New Orleans region.

Let us treat you like family! www.Metro-New-Orleans.com 877-409-1939 Lynda Nugent Smith, Lesha Nugent Freeland, Michael Freeland Keller Williams Realty 455-0100, 3197 Richland Drive Metairie LA 70002, Each office independently owned and operated.

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English Turn

Once reserved for the exclusive use of its members, the Clubhouse and grounds are now available for public and private events. Guests from all over the country are welcomed to host events at English Turn Golf & Country Club. You do not have to be a member of the club or a resident of the community to host your event at the clubhouse or on the grounds. Our centrally located Club includes a large ballroom with floor to ceiling windows, a glass ceiling atrium, and an impressive main dining room overlooking the 18th hole. The views are stunning and we always pre-order blue skies and sunshine.

We understand you want your wedding reception to be personal, elegant and a true reflection of your style as a couple, and you want to select items that best suit your vision.

There are menu packages available for you to choose from, or you have the option to create your own menu while

working with our Chef. The second level of our clubhouse can hold up to 500 guests reception style and 320 seated, although these may be limited dues to current COVID-19 restrictions, but our staff is able to accommodate many outdoor events, including heated tents. Our silk linens and gold chiavari chairs come with every reception package.

Our Event Coordinators will help you design a floor plan to fit the needs of your event. We offer several rooms that adjoin to each other creating a space that is truly elegant and unique, with tall ceilings and panoramic golf course views are the perfect setting for a romantic wedding celebration.

We welcome the opportunity to prepare a complete event proposal for your review, including everything that you will need to have a celebration you will always remember from linens to flowers, appetizers to cake, we can help you with it all!

We welcome all professional wedding planners to assist in planning your event at English Turn, and we have developed many relationships with every kind of vendor from florists to transportation services.

English Turn Golf and Country Club offers traditional and elegant locations for a wedding ceremony. Whether you choose our lush outdoor location offering scenic views and unparalleled privacy or our indoor garden room or dining room with classic design and warmth; the club is the perfect location for your ceremony. Each space can be customized to fit your personal style and can comfortably accommodate both intimate nuptials and large scale affairs.

Many couples are also avid golfers and Tee Times are available and scheduled within 30 days advance of your event.

Your event manager will provide complete details on availability for golf tournaments,

bachelor/bachelorette events, and corporate outings. Every wedding reception secured at English Turn will receive complimentary green fees.

More than just weddings are celebrated here. Within eight short miles of downtown New Orleans and the French Quarter, English Turn Golf and Country Club offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy city and is the perfect place for a luncheons, dinners, or cocktail parties. Celebrate with your sales staff, to showcase products to prospective clients, or to roll out a new advertising campaign. We understand the unique challenges that large-scale corporate events can experience and have the flexibility to ensure your company’s event is successful.

Contact our dedicated and professional catering staff for complete details on how together, we will prepare a customized event proposal for your next event. ďƒŹ

THE PERFECT PLACE...

Bridal Showers & Luncheons

to say I do.

Rehearsal Dinners Indoor & Outdoor Ceremonies Receptions Corporate Meetings & Luncheons Only 15 minutes from Downtown New Orleans

Contact Jessica King: jessicak@englishturn.com or Alisha Adams: alishaa@englishturn.com

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504.392.2200

englishturn.com

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Community referraLs

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Are you searching for a compassionate nursing home in New Orleans?

Ferncrest Manor Living Center is a nursing home community with a highly trained staff to provide professional care, comfort and security to seniors in the New Orleans area. They are also equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities and experienced physicians that will custom-tailor a treatment plan for each individual based on their unique needs while monitoring their progress throughout their stay.

Whether your loved one needs shortterm post-operative care or long-term rehabilitative care, Ferncrest Manor Living Center is the place to consider for exceptional senior care.

Ferncrest Manor Living Center Quality Nursing Care · Hospice Care Medicare Skilled Nursing Unit Intermediate and Respite Care Short and Long Term Rehabilitation Ventilator Dependent Unit On-Site Dialysis Positions available for RN · LPN · CNA 14500 Hayne Blvd.

Between Paris Rd. and Bullard Ave.

504-246-1426 www.ferncrest.com

Owned by Wayne J. Landry and managed

by Lexis Landry Nunez, NFA. 16 January Winter 2017 30 2021

But, the best part of living at Ferncrest Manor Living Center is the sense of community shared by all of the residents and caring staff members. From the exquisite grounds and luxurious surroundings to the diverse calendar of activities, the concept of community is the main component of everything they do. Striving for a taste of true New Orleans hospitality and having a sense of community truly adds to the quality of life enjoyed by all the residents of Ferncrest Manor.

Complex Care Unit For residents who require long-term dependence on sophisticated health technology in settings other than the acute care hospital, Ferncrest Manor Living Center offers a skilled level of care, providing highly technical skilled nursing care to meet the intense level of respiratory needs for ventilator-dependent residents. These specialized tasks are performed by a staff of registered nurses, certified respiratory therapists, social workers, and other qualified professionals under the supervision of a qualified physician.

They also provide specialized care for patients with ventilator dependency

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requiring dialysis; Medicaid rehabilitation for closed head injuries; and Tracheostomy.

Medicare Skilled Nursing Unit Ferncrest Manor provides a skilled nursing unit for residents with Medicare insurance. They maintain a high level of healthcare standards and procedures to ensure all residents receive quality treatment. The medical director and staff of physicians make regular visits to residents and are on call for emergency treatment 24 hours a day.

Some of these services include tube feeding, tracheotomy, renal failure requiring dialysis, short and long-term rehabilitation, wound care (including decubitus ulcers), and physical, speech, occupational and respiratory therapies.

Respite Care Respite care is available for individuals requiring a short-term stay. For caregivers going on vacation, the Ferncrest staff can care for their loved ones.

Activities for All Ferncrest Manor Living Center encourages residents to take an active part in their own lives through programs designed with their special needs in mind. Whether it’s strolling in the courtyards, visiting in the gazebo or attending a traditional religious service, they have the activities that will make your loved one feel at home and a part of a truly great community!

Some of the regular activities include: arts & crafts, bingo, bowling games, card games, field trips, ice cream socials, monthly birthday parties, movies & popcorn, music hour, pizza parties, pokeno games, reading time, resident meetings, and wine & cheese socials.ì THE THE

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We

Are Here For You

Since 1874, Jewish families from all over this great city come to Jacob Schoen & Son to plan their funerals and pay respect to friends and loved ones.

A special place where heritage, pride in service and people make the difference.

Compare the value. See the difference.

Stop by, call or visit us online.

In-person and virtual accommodations available with complimentary seamless live streaming.

Patrick Schoen

Jean Newman

Dom Grieshaber

Kevin Hasson

Stefanie Weigel

Kevin Rickmon

Michael Smallpage

Rachel Moring

Personalized Burials, Cremations & Pre-Need Planning | Traditional & Non-Traditional Funerals www.SchoenFH.com | 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119 | (504) 605-0355 | WeCare@SchoenFH.com THE

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THE

Own the Road.

Or lease it for $349 a month.

Introducing the 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The most advanced Mercedes-Benz now comes at a most attainable price. Equipped with the groundbreaking Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), the A-Class ties car and driver together like never before. Loaded with new technology, its built-in artificial intelligence quickly learns your driving tendencies, while its natural voice control system awaits your voice commands.

So intuitive, so innovative—the all-new A-Class is bound to get people talking. Learn more at MBofNO.com

THE 2019

A-CLASS

STARTING AT

32,500

$

*

Second To None

MBofNO.com

3727 Veterans Boulevard Metairie, LA

504-456-3727

2019 A220 Sedan shown in Jupiter Red with optional equipment. *MSRP excludes all options, taxes, title, registration, transportation charge and dealer prep. 36 monthly payments at $349. $3,643 due at singing includes $2,499 cap cost reduction, $795 acquisition fee and first lease payment of $349, $0 security deposit. Credit permitting. Plus tt&l and registration fee. 30,000 mile lease.

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Mercedes-Benz continues to lead the world in innovation, and, Mercedes-Benz of New Orleans offers such leadership in Sales and Service. It’s a reputation that has grown in New Orleans for decades.

Mercedes-Benz of New Orleans is the Luxury Automobile Dealership that stands apart from the rest.

They offer not only Mercedes-Benz vehicles… they excel in their award winning service department. This is the type of service that prides itself on customer relationships.

Their Veterans Boulevard location provides most any and everything for your transportation needs since 1993, with an emphasis on customer service.

They are not only Louisiana’s largest MercedesBenz franchise, but one of the largest and state-ofthe-art dealerships in the nation.

Featuring a 6,000 square foot showroom with marble floors, children’s play area, customer internet lounge, and executive seating, to the climatecontrolled technician bays with computer analysis ability, provides Mercedes-Benz of New Orleans’ customers and their vehicles with the very finest care available.

Their service department begins receiving customers at 7am, Monday-Friday, and even offers service on Saturdays, from 8am until 3pm.

It’s easy to care for your Mercedes-Benz by just simply making a phone call to your personal service advisor, or sending an e-mail. Luxury MercedesBenz loaner cars are available as well. Or, if you would like to be chauffeured somewhere, we offer our customers a free shuttle service following all of the necessary COVID protocols.

If you would possibly experience any difficulty on the road, rest assured that Mercedes-Benz of New Orleans also provides factory authorized road service 24/7/365. And, if you should be involved in an accident rest assured that the Mercedes-Benz of New Orleans Collision Center is a full “pro shop” with all major insurance companies, offering the finest luxury collision repair available.

Come experience what customer service really is; an enduring commitment to excellence combined with an entrepreneurial spirit and the absolute dedication to customer service.

Friend us on Facebook, Instagram, or see our entire inventory and learn more about MercedesBenz of New Orleans at www.MBofNO.com. 

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St. Joseph Church Gretna, LA

We specialize in masonry repair and restoration, including the cleaning, repair, coating and caulking of new & existing commercial and residential structures. We take great pride in being the oldest and most experienced waterproofing contractor in the city, having worked on modern and historic properties across town, including the Vieux CarrĂŠ. Our reputation for knowledge, service, performance and quality has made us one of the premier waterproofing and coating contractors in the Southeast United States.

BEFORE

AFTER

We are ready to bring our solutions to any masonry restoration, waterproofing or coating problem to your home or business.

504-822-1684

southeastwaterproofinginc.com 1028 Justin Street, Metairie, LA 70001

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Southeast Waterproofing New Orleans has many examples of spectacular architecture, in many cases over a century old!

But if you need to restore or clean the exterior, you can’t call just anyone to work on it. You need a recognized professional, such as Southeast Waterproofing, owned

by Scott Heidingsfelder.

Scott advises that inappropriate cleaning and coating treatments can be a major cause of damage to historic buildings.

Cleaning may sometimes be followed by the application of a water-repellent coating. However, unless these procedures are carried out under the guidance and supervision of a professional, they may result in irrevocable damage to your historic building.

Southeast Waterproofing is well-versed on the variety of cleaning methods and materials that are available for use on the exterior of historic buildings.

There are several major reasons for cleaning a historic building including the need to improve the

appearance of the building, by removing dirt, address deterioration by repairing cracks and water intrusion, and certainly to provide a clean surface to accurately match the original exterior material, especially when dealing with masonry. Historic masonry includes stone, brick, architectural terra cotta, cast stone, concrete and concrete block.

Most people would consider that water is the most effective tool in cleaning any property, however in the case of many historic properties, water, especially high velocity water streams, such as a pressure washer, is likely one of the most damaging tools that could be used in cleaning the property. If the building isn’t watertight, any moisture that gets in through the exterior can exasperate damage and cracks in the exterior, especially the complex masonry, marble, and other soft stones on many historic properties.

Abrasive cleaning methods

are not appropriate for use on historic masonry buildings, either, because abrasive cleaning methods are just that—abrasive.

Since the abrasives do not differentiate between the dirt and the masonry, they can also remove the outer surface of the masonry at the same time, and result in permanently damaging the exterior. Abrasion of carved details causes a rounding of sharp corners and other loss of delicate features, while abrasion of polished surfaces removes the polished finish of stone.

Beyond the potential of causing catastrophic damage to their historic building, property owners also need to consider the safety of the environment when planning to rehabilitate the property. Southeast Waterproofing recognizes the potential effect of any method proposed for cleaning historic properties should be carefully evaluated. Chemical cleaners and paint removers may damage trees, shrubs, grass, and

plants. Scott’s team will have a plan providing for the environmentally safe removal and disposal of all cleaning materials involved in your project.

It is absolutely imperative to consider the historic appearance of the building. For example, Southeast Waterproofing recently completed two major historic projects including St. Joseph Church in Gretna and the Tulane University President’s House.

Both buildings were returned to their historic grandeur and are excellent examples of meticulous care, attention to detail, and a passion for the work that Southeast Waterproofing performs with each project they undertake. Indeed, Scott and his team can do the same for your special historic property.

The first step of your wellplanned project is to call Scott and Southeast Waterproofing at 504-473-7390 today to set an appointment to discuss your needs and concerns. 

Chris' Asphalt Paving Locally owned and operated, Chris’ Asphalt Paving was established in 1997 by Chris Shannon.

Now, with over 20 years’ experience performing driveway overlays, parking lot asphalt resurfacing, seal coating and other jobs, he is an expert paving con-

tractor known for servicing the most demanding commercial customers, surpassing the needs of governmental customers, and bringing relief and smiles to residential customers time and again!

You can see his work all around town, with some very

CHRIS PAVING Concrete & Asphalt

Licensed & Insured Locally Owned & Operated Northshore

985-960-2131 Southshore

504-909-2078

FREE ESTIMATES

800-622-3654 www.chrispaving.com 34 January 2021

notable jobs under his direction, including the parking lot at Smilie’s original location, and the street resurfacing surrounding Baptist Hospital. Everyone who travels Uptown regularly is familiar with the constant turmoil surrounding the land sinking, the flooding, and the S&WB work on Napoleon, which has caused much of the years of street damage, yet their work still looks as great as the first day!

Whether concrete or asphalt, Chris’ staff has the experience and equipment to do both, and isn’t this exactly what you want in a contractor to fix your driveway? Whether to eliminate tripping hazards, fix potholes, or even to just raise your curb appeal, Chris’ Asphalt Paving can truly do it all. Visit their website at www.chrispaving.com to view photos and videos of their work, including streets and parking lots, as well as to see testimonials from very satisfied clients! 

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Home Inspections 101 The process of buying a home can be unlike any experience parts of the home. The heating system, central air conditioning prospective buyers have ever had. After finding a home they like unit, interior plumbing and electrical systems, roof (though not and coming to an agreement on a sale price with the seller, buyers all inspectors will climb onto the roof, Arcane inspectors will can expect to add many items to their to-do list. One of the first climb most or uses drones.) The attic and insulation will also be things to jot down on that list is scheduling a home inspection. examined. Arcane inspectors will also examine walls, ceilings, Home inspections are a vital part of the home buying process. floors, windows, doors, the foundation of the home, basement (or Such inspections can protect buyers as they're on the cusp of crawl space), and structural components that are visible. making what will likely be the most significant investment of Can a home fail inspection? their lives. Understanding the home inspection process can help Homes cannot fail home inspections, which are just visual buyers during an exciting yet potentially nerve-wracking time in assessments of ais your home's existing condition.

Municipal This proof opportunity to review your ad prior to printing inspectheir lives. and make any necessary corrections.

Please pay particular tions are separate inspections conducted by government agencies attention to NUMBERS and SPELLING as well as content.

What is a home inspection? to verify that a property is in compliance with local codes. Arcane A home inspection as an objective visual examination of the home inspectors will provide detailed reports describing the conphysical structure and systems of a house. Arcane Inspection dition of a home and indicate if any repairs are needed. A typical Services will conduct visual examinations from the roof to the Please Review and Reply to IncentivesLA@gmail.com with Anyreport Changes or Youra Approval Within 24 Hours!

Arcane will include picture of what is wrong. foundation of the home. Additional structures on the property, I reallywithin need a24 home inspection?

Yourliving ad will runare ASnot IS typically unless you Do respond Hours! such as sheds or detached outdoor areas, A home inspection is a vital component that can help buyers included in the examination but can be added to our inspections Requested proofs beyond three willmake be subject to production the most informedfees. decision possible. Forgoing an inspecfor a small fee. Other “Arcane” inspections such as stucco or leave_____________________________________________ buyers vulnerable to potentially costly repairs and Signature sewer scopes are also available all with digital reports and photos tion can #1with your Proof #2 FINAL issues with a home that might have been detected with a proper that canProof be shared contractors. ________________________________________________ inspection.

In addition, some lenders insist that buyers Arcane Inspection Services also follows the Residential Con- homeDate struction Performance Guidelines set forth by NAHB (National have home inspections conducted before they will allow them to borrow money.

Association of Home Builders) for allASnew Approved IS home construction Approved WITH CHANGES Please Change SEND NEW PROOF When you are ready to schedule your Home Inspection or inspections. you need 3rd party consulting for anything on your home, What do inspectors examine?

An Arcane inspector will examine the condition of various call Chris at Arcane Inspection Services at 504-444-3210. 

985-264-0779

This is Your JANUARY 2020 INCENTIVES Ad Proof.

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The magical wedding of your dreams awaits.

Let us create a celebration for the most special day of your life. For more information about hosting an event with The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, contact us at (504) 670-2855 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/neworleans.

NEW ORLEANS

©

2016 The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.

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Hiring A Marquee For A Wedding Ceremony

By Katie Holmes A marquee is a large tent which is open in either all or just two sides. Marquees are used in many social functions like weddings, meetings and outdoor entertainment, and have increased in popularity this past year during COVID19 restrictions. Marquees have proven to be very efficient when holding social functions but there are a few factors that should be considered before choosing the type of marquee to rent for an occasion. Looking for a marquee to hire can be a very tiring task especially if you are looking to hire one for the first time. There are a few things that one should consider before going out to hire a marquee for a wedding ceremony.

The first thing that should be considered when looking for a marquee to hire is the size of the crowd that will be attending the wedding ceremony. You might rush to rent a marquee because it was cheap on rent but you will realize that the crowd in attendance is not going to fit in it. It is very important to keep records of

the guests that have been invited officially for the event so as to plan on the size of marquee which will suit the crowd. Other weddings are not invites only and everybody is invited and in such cases, an enormous marquee should be hired in order to cater for all the people in attendance.

Another important factor is to know the size of the marquee venue so that you can plan on where to locate the marquee and sitting positions of all the guests. It is important to know the size of the venue so that you may consider the type and size of marquee that will be suitable for the venue.

Many tents have certain features that will only be suitable for garden weddings and events and they include the shape of the tent, height, width and the nature of the tent whether it is open on all the sides or just the front part.

If the venue is a bit small, there are marquees that can be extended from a building's wall so as to create more space for accommodating the guests in attendance.

A good marquee renting company will send a representative to come and survey the grounds and advise you accordingly on which tent to rent.

After you have decided on the type of tent that will suit the venue and occasion, you should get quotes on renting a marquee from different companies so as to get a great deal.

Some of the companies that rent tents charge a huge amount for their services and requesting quotes is the best defense from this. You should also take time to go and

check on the quality of the marquee because the weather conditions may change and the guests may get rained on while the ceremony is taking place. This is the worst thing that could happen during a wedding and it is therefore very important to check on the quality of the marquee before deciding to rent it. Once you have considered these few points, you should rent a suitable marquee and enjoy the occasion.

For your special event, we recommend calling the Tent Man at 504-780-8368. 

Jacqueline F. Maloney Attorney at Law Notary Public

SUCCESSIONS ∙ WILLS ∙ DWI BUSINESS FORMATION & LITIGATION 3445 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 210 · Metairie, LA 70002

(504) 333-6934

Licensed to pracce law in Louisiana since 1998

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JEWISH LIGHT

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January 2021

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Best Wishes from all of us to all of our friends and clients in the local Jewish Community!

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