Jewish Community Chronicle - January 2018 Issue by Jewish Long Beach

PJ Library Helps Parents Pass on Jewish Values PAGE 2

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FEATURE STORY

PJ Library Helps Parents Pass on Jewish Values By Sharon Kenigsberg, Director of Endowments & Community Development

always looks forward to receiving her PJ Library package in the mail. She rips open the envelope with great anticipation and is excited to sit together to read the new book or do the activity. The books tell stories about the Jewish holidays and teachings with creative characters that sustain her attention and provide an opportunity for us to talk about Judaism and our family history. We will be sad when she ages out and no longer receives her PJ Library subscription! “

PJ Dinner & Storytime in the Sukkah at the Alpert JCC on the Weinberg Jewish Federation Campus.

PJ “pajama” Library is a popular Jewish children’s book program that is helping to preserve the richness and vibrancy of Jewish culture, one book at a time. PJ Library, the flagship program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, delivers more than 170,000 free Jewish children’s books and music CDs throughout the United States and Canada each month. That subscriber base includes 374 families in Greater Long Beach, where PJ Library is administered by the Jewish Federation of Greater Long Beach and West Orange County. PJ Library is also an international program providing Jewish books to over 13 countries. To date Federation and its local partners have given over 10,000 books. Books are sent to children ages 6 months to 8 years, with each subscriber receiving a title carefully selected for high-quality content and age-level appropriateness. These subscriptions are free to the families, in our community, thanks to the partnership of the Jewish Federation of Greater Long Beach & West Orange County, the Alpert Jewish Community Center, Temple Israel of Long Beach, Congregation Shir Chadash, Temple Beth Shalom and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. PJ Library is now in its fifth year in our community. The books introduce the child to Jewish values, ideas and traditions. For the parents, the books also include helpful reading guides- to help continue the conversation about the lessons in each book. Parents also receive a monthly e-newsletter with links to articles about Jewish parenting and ways to teach their children about Judaism as well as links to local Jewish events. Local PJ parent Lysa Saltzman tells us, “Elyanna 2 | JEWISH COMMUNITY CHRONICLE |

PJ Library Success A newly released national survey found that Long Beach area families who participate in the PJ Library program say it has influenced or supported how they talk about and practice Jewish traditions in their home. Ninety-eight percent of local survey respondents say PJ Library helps them have conversations about Jewish traditions, values and customs with their children. PJ Library’s Triennial Family Survey, which was released last summer, found that the program plays an important role in the lives of Jewish families regardless of background. This is especially true for interfaith families. Ninety percent of interfaith families who responded to the survey said that PJ has increased their confidence to engage their children around Jewish traditions, values, and customs. The Sramek Family looks forward every month to their PJ Library book. Mary Sramek states, “Abraham loves to get the book straight from the mailbox and open it up himself. We like that the books are often about an upcoming holiday or season. I believe it makes my son even more secure in his own Judaism. We love to see images of our culture and traditions in print, as well as traditions of other cultures within Judaism. These books are a blessing to our family. We sincerely thank the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and our local community sponsors for their monthly gift to us and families everywhere!” PJ Programs One of the goals of PJ Library of Greater Long Beach is to connect families through PJ Library events. Past PJ events have included Rosh HaShanah story walks at the park, a Pajama Pizza Party, Dinner & Storytime in the Sukkah, Tu B’ Shevat Tot Shabbat, Havdallah Storytime and Dinner, and more. Our community partners are busy planning events for 2018. In addition to individual subscriptions, PJ also offers classroom subscriptions and 19 Alpert JCC Early Childhood Education classes receive books each month and AJCC Camp Komaroff day camp is also participating in PJ goes to camp. Kelly Cooper Perler states, “I’m very lucky to be involved with PJ Library on several levels. My children have been receiving books for five years. We have been so happy with the

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Jewish Federation Jewish Community Foundation OF GREATER LONG BEACH & WEST ORANGE COUNTY

incredible selection of books we receive every month, and it has been a wonderful way to introduce conversations about Judaism. I am also blessed to be a PJ Library Tot Shabbat leader at Temple Israel. The experience is amazing. So many families show up knowing that the books I’ll be reading during the Shabbat service will not only be wonderful, but they will either be familiar or a preview of what’s to come. It’s been a great way to introduce PJ Library to the members of the community who are not familiar with it yet. PJ Library is an incredible program. I love that my children’s book shelves are lined with Jewish themed books, and I am grateful that I get to share PJ Library with the larger community through Tot Shabbat programs.” We are fast approaching the maximum number of subscriptions that we have funding for and are looking for sponsors. If you would like to be a sponsor of PJ library in our community, now or with a gift in your will or trust, please contact Sharon Kenigsberg at (562) 426-7601 ext. 1008 or sharonk@jewishlongbeach.org. If you are interested in subscribing to PJ Library, please visit www.pjlibrary.org. If you are a grandparent who has grandchildren living in another community, you can have your children sign up in their community by going to the website and typing in their zip code and they will be connected to the PJ program closest to where they live.

Published since 1947 by the Jewish Federation and Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Long Beach & West Orange County

Daryl Phillips JEWISH FEDERATION PRESIDENT

Contents 4

8-13

Let’s Gather on Thursday, February 15 By Wendy Manasse Wiese, 2018 Visions Chair

L’Dor v’Dor: From Generation to Generation with Love & Gratitude By Sharon Kenigsberg, Director of Endowments & Community Development

Jan Stein JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION PRESIDENT

Deborah Goldfarb CEO

Danny Levy DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

King Chan MARKETING COORDINATOR

Jewish Federation Jewish Community Foundation Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Federation Campus One Sommer Way 3801 E. Willow Street Long Beach, CA 90815-1791 562-426-7601 FAX 562-424-3915 jewishlongbeach.org

INSIDE THE CHRONICLE

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Around the J January Events at the Alpert Jewish Community Center

PUBLICATION & ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT 562-426-7601 EXT 1007 chronicle@jewishlongbeach.org ADVERTISING & COPY DEADLINE February 2018 deadline: January 3rd ISSN# 1525- 6847

_____________________ Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Member

Shabbat Candlelighting

January 5

4:40 pm

LAWRENCE H. NEMIROWPC

January 12

4:46 pm

SHARI D. NEMIROW, CPA

January 19

4:53 pm

January 26

5:00 pm

Cover Image Parents Reading PJ Library Books to their Daughters

THE LAW OFFICES OF

Become a Corporate Partner Today. Contact The Jewish Community Partnership at 562-426-7601 ext. 1007. For more information about our Corporate Partners, visit jewishlongbeach.org/sponsors

The appearance of product or establishment advertising in the Jewish Community Chronicle does not constitute an endorsement of kashruth. Opinions printed in the Jewish Community Chronicle do not necessarily reflect those of the Jewish Federation. The publication of a paid political advertisement does not constitute endorsement of any candidate, political party or political position by the Jewish Federation or any employee.

jewishlongbeach.org | JANUARY 2018 |

Let’s Gather on Thursday, February 15 By Wendy Manasse Wiese, 2018 Visions Chair

Every year, women from all over our community come together to make a difference through the funds raised at the Arlene Solomon Visions Dinner. The dinner, which this year is on Thursday, February 15, is the Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy Annual Campaign Event. Arlene Solomon, of blessed memory, was an integral part of Women’s Philanthropy at the Jewish Federation for many years and she saw the importance of having women of all ages around the table, and was inspired to endow this yearly event. Be the Start of Something Powerful At Visions, we come together to celebrate the power we have as women to care for the vulnerable, to be committed to the survival of the Jewish people, to invest in the future of our children, and to rescue those in need no matter where they live. One place Federation truly makes a difference is in our commitment to the well-being of all of our communities in times of crisis. We will hear from Becky Sobelman-Stern, Executive Vice President and Chief Program Officer of the Los Angeles Federation about her first-hand experience in Houston and the impact of how we all came together to assist the individuals and Jewish institutions affected by Hurricane Harvey. Another way that the women who attended Visions last year made a difference was in their participation in the Shabbat Meals on Wheels program. Leslie

Let’s Gather

To Make A Difference for the

Arlene Solomon Visions Dinner JEWISH FEDERATION’S WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY CAMPAIGN EVENT

Wendy Manasse Wiese, Visions Chair (l) and Leslie Kern, Women’s Philanthropy Chair (r) getting ready to deliver Shabbat Meals.

Kern, Women’s Philanthropy Chair, adds, “Thanks to your donations to this Tzedakah project, Women’s Philanthropy was able to deliver over 100 meals to those in need this past fall. We will also be able to make another delivery this Spring. Thank you to the volunteers who delivered the meals and to those who helped us organize this project.” Women of Vision At Visions, we also come together to honor Women of Vision who are doing good works throughout our community and are nominated by their agencies and synagogues. (Please see the sidebar). Wendy Manasse Wiese explains, “I am excited to be chairing Visions 2018 and I am especially looking forward to honoring the amazing Women of Vision in our community.” Going Green This year, you will be receiving your Visions event invitation via email. If you have attended Visions in the past and do not have an email address, we will be mailing you a flyer. We encourage those of you who wish to pay by credit card to register online and the email that you will receive in early January will have a link to

the RSVP page. You may also still pay by check and can also charge by phone. We will be sending more than one email. “I look forward to welcoming everyone to Visions this year. The Women’s Philanthropy Cabinet and Visions Committee are working hard to ensure a fabulous evening. We will be serving family style dinner from 5:30- 7:00 p.m. and the program will take place from 7:00-8:30 p.m.” states Leslie Kern, Chair of Women’s Philanthropy Cabinet. Tickets to the dinner are $65. In addition to the ticket price, guests are asked to make a minimum gift to the 2018 Annual Community Campaign of $180. If you already made your pledge of at least $180 on Opening Night, Super Sunday or through the mail, you do not need to make an additional pledge to attend. Your pledge can be paid in installments throughout the year, by check or credit card, and is not due until December 31st, 2018. The dinner will take place at the Weinberg Jewish Federation Campus at 3801 East Willow Street. To charge by phone, contact Yolanda Placencio at (562) 4267601 ext. 1314 or email events@jewishlongbeach.org

INVITATIONS WILL ARRIVE VIA EMAIL IN JANUARY 2018 4 | JEWISH COMMUNITY CHRONICLE |

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2018 Women of Vision

Joyce Greenspan

Alpert Jewish Community Center

Ellen Goldsmith

Congregation Shir Chadash

Nelli Greenspan Hebrew Academy

Nicole Honigman Jewish Community Foundation

Norma Stein Jewish Family & Children’s Service

Leslie Kern Jewish Federation

Danielle Botvin Long Beach Hillel

Barbara Wolfe

National Council of Jewish Women

Eileen Braeman

Sharon-Carmel Hadassah

Goldie Weingarten Shul By The Shore

Debbie Lelchuk Temple Beth David

Sharon Kravitz Temple Beth Ohr

Shelley Carl

Temple Beth Shalom

Chana Ham-Rosebrock Temple Israel

*This list of honorees is still in formation.

Jewish Community Foundation OF GREATER LONG BEACH & WEST ORANGE COUNTY

ENSURE OUR FUTURE L’Dor v’Dor: From Generation to Generation with Love & Gratitude By Sharon Kenigsberg, Director of Endowments & Community Development

Miriam pictured the year of her Bat Mitzvah.

Jack Berro (c) with his grandsons Nathan Berro Krugman (l) and Aaron Berro Krugman (r) in Israel on this year’s Jewish Federation Mission.

“And you shall teach the commandments diligently unto your children.” Just a few short weeks ago, we were celebrating the victory of the Maccabees and the miracle that Jewish people were once again able to triumph and continue to live freely as Jews. Many have said that it is a miracle that the Jewish people have continued for over 5778 years when so many other peoples have long since ceased to exist. A large part of that miracle has been the generations of people who have dedicated themselves to perpetuating Judaism and Jewish community. Passing onto each successive generation basic Jewish values defines us as a people and acts as a powerful bridge connecting our past and future. The Berro family is one

example of a family who has given back so much to our community and continues to set an example for their children and grandchildren. Binnie and Jack Berro each talk about the influence that their grandparents had on them. They both came from hard-working generous families that wanted to make a difference. Each had the wonderful experience of having a grandmother living with their family while they were growing up-one from Russia and one from Greecewho offered amazing wisdom and unconditional love. Binnie’s grandmother came from Russia as a young girl. The family struggled and worked very hard. As Binnie grew up her grandmother would often say, “You are such a lucky girl to have this wonderful life in America”. Binnie and Jack learned

the value of giving back to others through their parents and grandparents. They attribute their lifetime of service and giving to learning by example how to feel gratitude for whatever they have. The Berro’s continue to share those feelings with their children and grandchildren. Recently, Jack went on the Federation trip to Israel with his two grandsons, Aaron and Nathan. They were enthralled with seeing the miracle of the country, being amongst their people, and learning and experiencing firsthand the importance of Israel to the Jewish people. As Aaron expressed, “Israel was the trip of a lifetime and I was blessed to be with my Papou”. Jack said, “My journey with my grandsons on the Federation trip to Israel was both a privilege and a great pleasure. It was definitely my opportunity of a lifetime and I

am a grateful grandpa”. Jack and Binnie are proud of the interests that their family has shown in spreading gratitude and acting on the value of K’vod ha Briot-being sensitive to other people’s needs. Their daughters and grandchildren have demonstrated this through the professions they have chosen and the causes that they are passionate about. Michele is an Occupational Therapist and Political Activist. Denise has spent her career as a teacher for low-income students. Aaron is a Social Worker, Nathan is passionate about the environment and Miriam, who is currently a student at Brandeis University, is passionate about social justice and a few years ago participated in The Union of Reform Judaism’s Mitzvah Corp trip to the Deep South. Miriam also had another

connection with our Federation when she became a Bat Mitzvah and donated stuffed animals to needy children in our sister community in Israel. Through the years the Berro’s have been generous donors to many of our local organizations and have become leaders in joining the ranks of people leaving bequests in their estate to those local agencies. Another way Jack and Binnie lead by example is by including the entire family in their plans for gifts to charity through their family foundation. The family has meetings and each person shares their concerns as they discuss what organizations they would like to support. Binnie and Jack grew up here in Long Beach, raised their family here and are continually grateful for a community that has “always been our community”. They have grown with the community through all of its stages and will continue to give back, hopeful that future generations will practice the tradition of philanthropy.

The Jewish Community Foundation is dedicated to working with donors of every level to help them realize their Philanthropic Goals. To learn more about establishing a Family Fund, Donor Advised Philanthropic Fund or leaving a bequest, please call Sharon Kenigsberg at (562) 4267601 ext. 1008.

jewishlongbeach.org | JANUARY 2018 |

CONGREGATIONS

R A B B I N I C

R E F L E C T I O N S

Joy and Weeping: The Paradox of Jewish Life By Rabbi Peter Levi

“In the evening, there may be weeping, but in the morning joy.” (Psalm 30:6) We close Rabbi a joyous Peter Levi wedding ceremony with shattering a glass. The most common explanation is that this is a reminder of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. How can it be that at the height of joy we remind ourselves of the pain and loss of the Jewish people? When a loved one dies, the words of Mourner’s Kaddish roll off our tongues. The traditional prayer, however has no mention of death, but rather is a hyperbolic praise of God. How can it be when we feel so low wondering how God could let this happen that we are expected to praise God? We embrace these paradoxical emotions when we embrace the Jewish tradition. Yet, a paradox is

but a seemingly absurd and contradictory position which upon further inspection is not contradictory at all but contains profound truths. The Jewish tradition not only teaches but guides us down the wisdom of this conflicting and clashing path. When my father lay dying of cancer in a hospital, my wife was giving birth to our second son 5 miles away in another hospital. Simultaneously I had tears of joy and sadness, and Jewish rituals to accompany me. Working for the ADL has given me a view of the ugliness in our society: from Charlottesville to our local communites. Just in our region we have had: • anti-Semitic signs at political rallies • white supremacist recruiting posters on college campuses and in residential neighborhoods • a Holocaust denier speaking engagement • anti-Semitism in our local schools, including pennies being thrown at a student, photos posted of a student

with Anne Frank, swastikas on a student’s locker, and elementary school students singing, “We’re Nazis and we hate the Jews. We’re Nazis and we are creeping you. We’re Nazis and we’re killing you. We’re Nazis and we go [sound of a machine gun].” • an alarming 67% increase in anti-Semitic incidents nationwide and a 107% increase in K-12 schools! Do not despair. ADL does not just track and respond to hate. We educate the next generation to create a world without hate. From Long Beach down to Laguna Beach, schools are embracing ADL’s antibullying program No Place for Hate®. The week I wrote this piece, (1) a local high school conducted a program on stereotyping and how this can set an unhealthy precedent which can escalate to bigotry and bullying; and (2) I facilitated a workshop for a synagogue youth group to teach Jewish students how to respond when

they are the targets of antiSemitism, off color jokes or comments. In our discussion, every single high schooler shared incidents when they felt targeted because they were Jewish. They left the workshop empowered. The wisdom of the Jewish tradition has given me the strength to combat bigotry and bullying by imagining a world without hate. How do we move from Yom Kippur, the most solemn day on the Jewish calendar when we see the brokenness in our lives and the world as our hearts ache, to the most joyous festival Sukkot just 5 days later? How do we move from fasting to feasting? Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk perhaps explained it best when he said there is nothing more whole than a broken heart. Rabbi Peter Levi is a veteran Jewish community professional. After 18 years as a congregational rabbi, he now is the Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League’s Orange County/Long Beach office and currently serves as President of the Orange County Board of Rabbis.

Area Synagogue Upcoming Events

Please contact the synagogue directly with any questions using the Synagogue Directory (right). Also, see our online Community Calendar at jewishlongbeach.org for more community event listings.

CONGREGATION SHIR CHADASH Wednesday, 1/3, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2:30 pm: Join Rabbi Gindlin for a Torah Text Study Class gathering. Thursday, 1/4, 10:00 am: Kundalini Yoga & Meditation. Free & open to the public. Friday, 1/5, 7:00 pm: Young Adult Shabbat Tikvah Service. Wednesday, 1/24, 7:00 pm: “Defying Stereotypes: How to Coexist in a Loving Manner”. This month, learn about Islam with Milia Islam-Majeed. Held at Congregation Shir Chadash in partnership with the South Coast Interfaith Council. Free & open to the public. Friday, 1/26, 7:00 pm:

Upgrade Your MOJO! Join Rabbi Mariana Gindlin for a spiritually renewing Shabbat experience. Sunday, 1/28, 5:00 pm: Diversity Dinner - Destination: Argentina. Indulge in a traditional, yet Kosher Argentinian meal! Also, we will hold an Argentine Tango demonstration for beginners. $12 per person. Kindly RSVP by January 21st. P’NAI OR Saturday, 1/27, 10:00 am: Shabbat Shirah and Tu B’Shevat Lunch & Learning with Rabbinic student Ariel Root Wolpe. This will be a music-themed service since it is Shabbat Shirah. Ariel will also be teaching at our

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Tu B’Shevat themed lunch. Scholar in Residence: Jewish Bring a vegetarian/ dairy/ Magic & Magical Judaism. fish dish to share. Featuring Professor J H Yossi Chajes (Professor of Jewish SHUL BY THE SHORE History at the University Tuesday, 1/23, 6:30 pm: of Haifa). Sponsored by 6-Week Rohr Jewish the Community Scholars Learning Institute lecture Program & TBD Foundation. series with Rabbi Abba Saturday, 1/27, 9:00 am: Perelmuter: “Communication, Breakfast, followed by it’s Art & Soul”. Located at Zumba or another activity. the AJCC on the Weinberg Includes reflection & prayer. Jewish Federation Campus. Sunday, 1/28, 11:00 am: Texas Hold ‘Em. Sponsored TEMPLE BETH DAVID by TBD Brotherhood. Friday, 1/5, 7:00 pm: TBD Family Night Shabbat TEMPLE BETH OHR Service. Saturday, 1/13, 7:00 pm: Tuesday, 1/16, 10:30 am: Broadway Show Tunes Club 55. Featuring Speaker featuring Cantor Nancy from Long Beach’s Ronald Linder with a Gala dessert McDonald House. reception, includes themed Sunday, 1/21, 10:30 am: treats. $45 per person.

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Synagogue Directory Beit HaLev (I) P.O. Box 2279 Seal Beach, CA 90740 Contact: Rabbi Galit Levy-Slater Phone: 562-493-2680 Email: duets@icloud.com Website: www.galityomtov.com Chabad of Los Alamitos & Cypress (O) 12340 Seal Beach Blvd. Suite B-219 Seal Beach, CA 90740 Contact: Rabbi Shmuel Marcus Phone: 714-828-1851 Email: smarcus@jewishcypress.com Website: www.chabadlosal.com Chabad of West Orange County/ Congregation Adat Israel (O) 5052 Warner Ave. Huntington Beach, CA 92649 Contact: Rabbi Aron David Berkowitz Phone: 714-846-2285 Email: info@chabadhb.com Website: www.chabadhb.com Congregation Lubavitch (O) 3981 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach, CA 90807 Contact: Rabbi Yitzchok Newman Phone: 562-426-5480 Email: yitzyg@aol.com Congregation Shir Chadash (I) 6440 Del Amo Blvd. Lakewood, CA 90713 Contact: Rabbi Mariana Gindlin Phone: 562-429-0715 Email: csclakewood@dslextreme.com Website: www.CongregationShirChadash.org Congregation Sholom of Leisure World, Seal Beach (C) 13044 Del Monte Drive Seal Beach, CA 90740 Contact & Phone: President - 562-431-0113 Phone: Membership - 562-296-5567 Email: congsholomlwsb@gmail.com P’nai Or (I) 3955 N. Studebaker Road Long Beach, CA 90808 Phone: 562-364-5154 Email: info@pnaior.org Website: www.pnaior.org Shul By The Shore (O) Alpert Jewish Community Center 3801 E. Willow Street Long Beach, California 90815 Contact: Rabbi Abba Perelmuter Phone: 562-621-9828 Email: rabbi@shulbytheshore.org Website: www.shulbytheshore.org Surf City Synagogue (C) Services held at the HB Central Library 7111 Talbert Ave. Huntington Beach Phone: 714-596-2220 E-Mail: info@surfcitysynagogue.org Temple Beth David (R) 6100 Hefley St. Westminster, CA 92683 Contact: Rabbi Nancy Myers Phone: 714-892-6623 Email: tbdavid@templebethdavid.org Website: www.templebethdavid.org Temple Beth Ohr (R) 15721 E. Rosecrans Ave. La Mirada, CA 90638 Contact: Rabbi Mark Goldfarb Phone: 714-521-6765 Email:office@tbolm.org Website: www.tbolm.org Temple Beth Shalom (C) 3635 Elm Avenue Long Beach, CA 90807 Contact: Rabbi David Cantor Phone: 562-426-6413 Fax: 562-426-7824 Email: office@tbslb.org Website: www.tbslb.org Temple Israel (R) 269 Loma Ave. Long Beach, CA 90803 Contact: Rabbi Steven Moskowitz Phone: 562-434-0996 Email: info@tilb.org Website: www.tilb.org Temple Ner Tamid of Downey (I) 10629 Lakewood Boulevard Downey, CA 90241 Contact: Rabbi Daniel Mehlman Phone: 562-861-9276 Email: templenertamid1@dslextreme.com Website: www.downeytemplenertamid.org (C)=Conservative (I)=Independent (O)=Orthodox (R)=Reform

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inside

Around the J

Message from the Executive Director . . 2a SilverSneakers® / Silver&Fit® . . . . . . . 2a Staff Spotlight: Aaron Wiggs . . . . . . . . . 2a 8 | JEWISH COMMUNITY CHRONICLE |

Women’s Weekend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3a Cooking Class with Eileen Gelso . . . . . . 3a Senior New Year’s Day Celebration . . . . 3a

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January Membership Promotion . . . . . . 4a Martial Arts Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4a Martin Luther King Jr. Day Camp . . . . . . 4a

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JANUARY 2018

Around the J

Message from the Executive Director

AJCC STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Aaron Wiggs

A new secular year is upon us, and I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy and healthy year! The new year is a time to look forward to the possibilities of change and growth, and I am excited about what we have to look forward to this year here at the Alpert Jewish Community Center.

Membership Administrative Assistant

Aaron has been a friendly face at the J for almost four years. He started working part-time in Member Relations, working at the Courtesy Desk in April, 2014, and then became full time a year later. About six months after that, he was promoted to Administrative Assistant in the Membership Department. His hard work and dedication to the J clearly stand out in everything he does.

First, I hope you all enjoyed our week of Chanukah celebrations! Candle lighting, sufganiyot, latkes, the kids’ artwork in the Promenade, and lots of music! Our community Chanukah event was again a great success, and it was especially meaningful to me that almost all of our local synagogues participated. The food was great, the services were spirited, and Mostly Kosher once again raised the roof with their wonderful playing and enthusiasm. It was a really great night. Thank you to all who attended! I want to thank all of you for your patience and understanding during our roof and solar project which took up so much of 2017. I am very happy to report that the construction is almost complete, and we go into 2018 with a new green energy solution that will greatly reduce our costs going forward. That’s revenue we can put back into programming and center improvements. This project is good for our environment and good for our community and, again, I really appreciate everyone’s patience during the construction. I know that many people have been curious about the potential pool projects. We are very interested in getting your feedback, and I want to thank everyone who participated in our survey, as the board is taking all opinions into consideration. Ultimately, we want to do what’s best for our community and best for our members, and no decision has been made as we continue to gather information. If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts, my office is always open for you to come and talk with me. You may have noticed that our gymnasium floor is currently closed for renovations. After all of the rain last year, we have been systematically drying out different affected areas. We were finally in the process of refinishing the floor when we found more moisture. We decided that the best way to ensure that we have the best possible gymnasium is to completely replace the entire floor. As this is a full replacement, the project will take more time than was planned for the refinishing. We are looking for all the work to be accomplished by the end of February. The courts will not be accessible during that time, but they will be amazing when they are complete. We will keep you updated throughout the process and look forward to great new courts! And last, the most exciting thing coming to the J in 2018 is the JCC Maccabi ArtsFest®! The AJCC is very proud to be hosting the ArtsFest, an arts experience for Jewish teens that takes place annually. The program features workshops, performances, and exhibits and incorporates community service, social activities, and themes of Jewish heritage, community, and Israel. If you’ve been to the J in the past few months, you have seen the signs around the building and the countdown clock in the promenade. Also, if you or a teen you know are interested in being an artist at this very exciting event, or are an athlete and want to participate in the JCC Maccabi Games ® hosted by our Maccabi partner in Orange County, then please go to the ArtsFest website: alpertjcc.org/artsfest. We are having an artists and athletes information pizza dinner on January 14 from 5-7pm. There will be cool giveaways and teens will learn all about the JCC Maccabi Games & ArtsFest! Email Susan Paletz to RSVP at spaletz@alpertjcc.org. I wish you all a healthy and productive new year!

L’Shalom

Jeffrey Rips AJCC Executive Director

WELLNESS & FITNESS

Fred Johnson, fjohnson@alpertjcc.org • (562) 426-7601 x1056

Born and raised in Long Beach, when Aaron was in middle school; his family moved, and he finished his schooling at Paramount High. Aaron explains that “while I was in high school, I started off wanting to be a teacher, and because I was looking to work with youth in some way, I worked in an after-school program for the city of Paramount. I also worked for the Boys and Girls Club of America in their Sports/Recreation program. When I started going to LBCC, I moved back to Long Beach to be closer to school. I developed good skills working with kids, but when I went to college, I wanted to try something different, and I discovered that I also love working in business and sales. “I am currently studying at LBCC and majoring in psychology, and I will definitely go back to working with kids in some way. I plan to transfer to Cal State Long Beach by 2019 and continue in psychology. I’m very interested in human behavior and the science behind it. I’ve always loved people and talking to people, and I love finding out why people behave the way they do. Once I took “Intro to Psychology” at LBCC, I knew that’s the topic I wanted to major in. There is definitely a lot of psychology in child development.” Aaron’s interests and strengths make him a perfect fit for working at the J. He is friendly and efficient and feels passionately about making sure other people know about the J. “I love to show prospective members around and let them see what a wonderful place we have here,” he explains, “The first thing I noticed when I started working here was that everyone is very nice, and the number one thing about the facility is that it’s an accepting place. When I was first hired, I was actually mad because I was born and raised here in Long Beach, and I had no idea that this place was here! I love sports and fitness, and I was upset because this place with a pool, a full fitness center, and two basketball courts had been hidden from me! “My job has changed a lot over the years. It started off with data entry and as the membership concierge and it has transitioned to giving tours of the facility, working on corporate, memberships, and I also work on member events like Summer of Fun and the annual Super Bowl Party. I also do a lot of membership bookkeeping. “I really like the interactions with all the members at the J. All the people who come from different backgrounds and different cultures, from the seniors to the kids. People are here for so many reasons: basketball, ECE, using the pool. It’s interesting to talk to everyone. I’m proud about my growth here as I continue to learn more about the business side of the JCC and member communication. And it’s a great place to be while I continue with college. “I’m really thankful for the people who have helped me grow while I’ve been working here. Irene Velasquez (Membership and Rental Associate) has really helped me organize my skills and guided me so that I can do this job properly, and I really appreciate that Jeffrey Rips has given me the opportunity to move up and develop my strengths in the different positions here.

SilverSneakers® and Silver&Fit® may allow you to have your Alpert JCC membership fees waived as a benefit of your healthcare plan.

Contact your healthcare provider today to see if you qualify.

“I really enjoy the facility and would be a member here even if I didn’t work here! When I get married and have kids, I will definitely have my family come here. It’s such a great place for the kids. They can start in ECE and grow up here until they are Camp Counselors! The atmosphere is really great for youth development. It’s just a great place and I really enjoy working here!”

Alpert JCC Customer Service Desk (562) 426-7601, ext. 1051

MVP: The MVP price is the "Member Value Price" that gives our members an automatic discount to the fee we charge for our programs and events. If you’re not a member of the AJCC, speak with one of our Membership Services specialists and learn how you can start benefiting from MVP pricing today.

- Interview by Erika Silver Hillinger

jewishlongbeach.org | JANUARY 2018 2018 | 9 Tevet-Shevat 5778 JANUARY

10 | JEWISH COMMUNITY CHRONICLE |

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jewishlongbeach.org | JANUARY 2018 |

Around the J

JEWISH LIFE & CULTURE

Shlomit Jackson, sjackson@alpertjcc.org • (562) 426-7601 x1067 The Zena & Pauline Gatov Gallery Presents

Richard Harvey - “Healing through Creativity” Exhibition runs through January 26

Richard Harvey is an author, painter, workshop facilitator, and two-time cancer survivor. He loves creativity, connectivity, and play. He wrote the poems in his book, 20 Poems 20 Paintings: A Creative Warrior’s Journal. He also holds “Healing through Creativity” workshops. He infuses his work with messages about overcoming fears, focusing on desired outcomes, empowerment, living in the moment, and gratitude.

Women’s Weekend “Joy”

Fri-Sun, January 19-21 Camp Hess Kramer, Malibu, California

For all women 18 and over A weekend celebrating Judaism, women, spirituality, learning, and friendship with creative and interactive Shabbat services. New format: “JOY” Chugim (workshops) available throughout the weekend including Joy of Body (hiking, yoga, line dancing), Joy of Spirit (crafts & cooking), and Joy of Mind (text study, discussions, happiness & humor). Prices vary; visit alpertjcc.org for details. Contact Susan Paletz at (562) 426-7601 x1012 or spaletz@alpertjcc.org.

Asian Cooking with Eileen Gelso Wednesday, January 24, 6pm

Asian flair recipes and hands-on cooking, with a touch of the holiday Tu B’Shevat from professional chef Eileen Gelso. $30

SENIOR ADULTS

Contact Ronnie Levine at (562) 426-7601 x1521 or rlevine@alpertjcc.org.

Dr. Susan Mathieu, smathieu@alpertjcc.org • (562) 426-7601 x1721

The Pauline and Zena Gatov Gallery Presents

The 34th Annual Norman Gottlieb Student Art Show January 30-March 2

Each year, the Gatov Gallery, in conjunction with L.B. Unified School District, brings together a sampling of the best middle and high school art. Awards are presented to the top three participants from the middle and high school level. The Gottlieb show was established by past AJCC President Norman Gottlieb. The show is open and available for viewing by the entire community. For more information contact Shlomit Jackson.

New Year’s Day Celebration Monday, January 1, 1-4pm

Champagne, raffle, appetizers, entertainment, and prizes! $10 RSVP to Susan Mathieu

Happiness & Humor Group

Holiday Treat in the Promenade for Tu B'Shevat Wednesday, January 31, 9am

Kabbalah Class

Wednesdays, 12pm, Ongoing

Enhance or begin your knowledge of Kabbalah, an aspect of Jewish mysticism. Rabbi Abba Perelmuter teaches this class with his keen sense of wit and knowledge of Judaism and its teachings. Open to the community. Free

Weekly Shabbat Candle Lighting Fridays, 3:30pm

Friday, January 5, 11:30am

All Senior adults are invited to this FREE ongoing monthly group, led by Dr. Susan Mathieu. Bring your friends and be ready to laugh. Coffee and light refreshments will be served. RSVP to Susan Mathieu

The Barbara Alpert Chorus Wednesdays, 10:30am

Please join us! Strong singing voice not required. Frank Mcilquham from "The Rock Club - Music is The Remedy" will lead group with a pianist. This group experience promises to be uplifting and a lot of fun. Contact Susan Mathieu at (562) 426-7601 x 1721 or smathieu@alpertjcc.org

Join Shlomit Jackson, and the AJCC community for Shabbat candle lighting, Kiddush and HaMotzi. Grape juice & challah provided.

Women’s Health Series Get to the Heart of the Matter Tuesday, February 6, 6:30pm

Presentation on heart health by a medical expert, and a heart-healthy cooking demonstration. Hadassah Southern California and the AJCC are teaming up to bring you this exciting series on women’s health.

Senior Lunch Program Every Wednesday, 12pm

Each week, the Alpert JCC welcomes local seniors into our Center for a hot lunch and companionship. Staffed by volunteers who have become like family to these seniors, this weekly meal is just one example of the many ways we help keep older members of our community engaged, active, and connected. $7; $6/MVP RSVP to Susan Mathieu

Ongoing Alpert JCC Senior Activities

For info. and pricing, contact Michelle Shahon, Hadassah Director (562) 430-5055 or mshahon@hadassah.org or Shlomit Jackson, Director of Jewish Life and Culture, (562) 426-7601 x1067

12 Barbara | JEWISH&COMMUNITY | TEVET-SHEVAT The Ray AlpertCHRONICLE Jewish Community Center

Knit Wits: Mon, 1-3pm • Senior Lunch: Wed, 12-1:30pm Bridge: Wed, 1:30pm • Mah Jongg: Thurs, 11:30-3pm

5778

www.alpertjcc.org

Around the J

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Alayna Cosores, acosores@alpertjcc.org • (562) 426-7601 x1091

Kids’ Night Out

Saturday, January 13, 5-9pm

For children ages 2-6 Take advantage of our Kids’ Night Out program: The kids here at the JCC having fun with our amazing staff; you with 4 hours to spend however you wish. Can’t beat that! Cost: 1st Child: $30/MVP • 2nd Child: $25/MVP Sign up at the ECE front desk or call (562) 426-7601 x1090

From the Beginning

Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30am Newborn-Walking with an adult

Join us for this FREE class that will help you connect with your baby. It is the perfect place to bond with your baby, share your experiences, ask questions, get advice, and make lifelong friends.

Winter Break is Here!

Let the Alpert JCC ECE help with your childcare needs. January 2-5, 7am-6pm For children age 2-Pre-Kindergarten.

Contact the ECE at (562) 426-7601 x1090 to register.

SPORTS & RECREATION

Member Courtesy Desk (562) 426-7601 x1051

Kids & Adults Martial Arts with Sensei Mac

Pee Wee Martial Arts • Youth Martial Arts Youth Sparring • Advanced Sparring Mixed Martial Arts • Jiu Jitsu • Self-Defense Private Lessons For more info, contact the Courtesy Desk (562) 426-7601 x1051

YOUTH & FAMILY

AQUATICS

Brandon Julian, bjulian@alpertjcc.org • (562) 426-7601 x1024

Ignacio Berumen, iberumen@alpertjcc.org • (562) 426-7601 x1020

Prep Swim Team

Tuesday & Thursday, 4:30-5:30pm

Ages 5-12 The Prep Swim Team is a perfect stepping stone to the more advanced Competitive Youth Swim Team. The goal of the program is to get kids ready for a swim team, Junior Lifeguard programs, and/or water polo. Freestyle, back stroke, butterfly and breast stroke are all taught and refined. Flip turns are introduced as well as dives and streamlined push-offs from the wall. Participants must be able to swim 25 yards freestyle with side breathing $45/MVP; $60/Public (per month)

Camp Komaroff Winter Break Camp Only 4 days left for School’s-Out fun!

Water Polo Class

Monday & Wednesday, 3-3:45pm • Sunday, 3-3:45pm

Learn the basics of ball handling and shooting while improving swim skills. Work on treading water and swim strokes specific to water polo. Class requirements: 25 yard freestyle swim test. Mon & Wed: $70/AJCC Member; $90/Public • Sun: $35/AJCC Member; $45/Public

Grades K-5

Pajama Day • Science Celebration Camp Crafts • Puppy Party/Shabbat

Camp Komaroff School Vacation Day

Swim instruction for all ages • 15 or 30 minutes

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Learn the fundamentals of swimming with one of our Swim University instructors.

Monday, January 15, 9am-4pm or 7am-6pm

Group Swim Lessons

Grades 6-9

Day at The Rinks • Nature Center Bowling • Top Chef/Shabbat

Register for all camp programs online at www.alpertjcc.org Contact Dana Schneider, (526) 426-7601 x1023 or dschneider@alpertjcc.org

Private & Group Swim Lessons

Mon & Wed or Tues & Thurs (30-minute lessons) Tiny Tots: 11:30am | 1pm | 1:30pm | 3pm | 3:30pm Beginner: 11am | 1pm | 2pm | 5pm Adv. Beginner: 1:30pm | 2:30pm| 3:30pm | 4:30pm

January 2-5

Grades K-9 We will be honoring Dr. King’s memory by learning about his heroism. We will also enjoy fun art projects, gaga, and group games. $65; $55/MVP Contact Dana Schneider, (526) 426-7601 x1023 or dschneider@alpertjcc.org

jewishlongbeach.org | JANUARY 2018 | Tevet-Shevat 5778 JANUARY

13 2018

JEWISH FAMILY & CHILDREN’S SERVICE Call Today! We’re Here to Help! 3801 E. WILLOW STREET, LONG BEACH, CA 90815 WEB: www.jfcslongbeach.org EMAIL: jfcs@jfcslongbeach.org PHONE: 562-427-7916

60th Anniversary Kick-Off Celebration Takes Shape

Mark your calendars, find attire inspired by your most favorite decade—50’s through today and into the future--and plan to attend “Past, Present, and Future”, an evening of celebration where JFCS will honor its

past, celebrate the present and welcome the future as its year-long 60th anniversary is launched. The event will be held on Saturday evening, January 27th at 6:00 pm at the Betty H. Reckas Cultural Center at the Greek Orthodox Church in Long Beach. The fun begins with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a brief program where past presidents and outgoing board members will be recognized and new board members will be

installed. Delectable dinner stations will then open, and attendees can glam it up in a photo booth or try their hand at a round of Jenga or Connect Four, sized as if they just stepped out of Alice in Wonderland. The Emperors will provide a musical background spanning the decades for dancing. If a weekend in a luxurious suite at La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad sounds fabulous, you could be the lucky winner of

the evening’s opportunity drawing. Tickets are $100 each and only 100 will be sold—very favorable odds. The package, valued at over $1500, includes two nights’ accommodations with breakfast and a gift certificate for resort amenities. You do not need to be present to win, but it is so much more fun if you are there to claim your prize! Ticket prices start at $90 for open seating, and sponsorships with reserved

seating begin at $125. There is also a keepsake program book where ads may be purchased to remember loved ones who were dedicated to JFCS, honor incoming officers and new board members, or congratulate outgoing board members on a job well done. For more information on the event, please contact Pattie Davidson at (562) 427-7916 ext. 235.

adults). We have a terrific board that works very hard to meet the fundraising and governance needs of JFCS. I am grateful to our many generous donors who embrace our mission and vision and help fund our programs by supporting our events and Friends Campaign. While our major fundraising events are our lifeblood, personally, I have

enjoyed the more intimate activities such as Café Europa, our annual luncheon for Holocaust Survivors, providing Thanksgiving dinners, and participating in Adopt-a-Family. I will miss being President but I will still be on the Board for another few years and will always be an ardent supporter of JFCS.

A President’s Perspective

By Rick Burney, Outgoing Jewish Family & Children’s Service - Board President

As I complete my term as JFCS Board President, I have the opportunity to reflect upon these past two years. My prior experience working as an electronics engineer and program manager brought me much satisfaction as I grew professionally. However, that experience did not touch my heart or give me the sense of pride I have felt as a volunteer leader

at JFCS. Each time I hear a story of how our agency made a positive difference in someone’s life, I am thankful for the opportunity to contribute to JFCS. It has been my honor to lead our board as JFCS evolves to meet the changing needs of our community members, from small children to older adults and everyone in between. During my presidency,

the agency provided mental health counseling services, domestic violence education and therapy, older adult services and emergency financial assistance to over 1600 people per year. We expanded our school counseling program to include grades K-12 in the Downey School district. We also launched a referral service for people in need of caregivers (primarily older

ECE Adopts Two Families for Holidays

PREPARE TO CARE

A workshop for caregivers of loved ones How to: 

Assess the needs of your loved one



Locate important resources



Have vital conversations with older family members

Sunday, January 14 at 2:30 p.m. Alpert Jewish Community Center on the Weinberg Jewish Federation Campus

Open to the public * Respite care provided Call JFCS at (562) 427-7916 for reservations Children and teachers from the Alpert JCC Early Childhood Education Program gathered to present JFCS with holiday gifts for a family in need. ECE families donated over $500 in tzedakah to provide toys, clothing, food, and other essentials for the family. JFCS offers sincere thanks to ECE parents and children for your outstretched hand to help others enjoy the holiday season!

14 | JEWISH COMMUNITY CHRONICLE |

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HILLEL AT CSULB FOR MORE INFORMATION: WEB: www.beachhillel.org EMAIL: info@beachhillel.org PHONE: 562-426-7601 ext 1424

Hillel Welcomes Students Back to Semester

(l-r): Michael Rothbart, Benjamin Goldstein, Ellie Rips, Claire Spivak, Anna Eyfer, Lea Mano, Rachel Spivak, Josh Goldstein, Omid Nikayin, Rachel Kaplan. Students and staff light first night of Hanukkah candles at the CSULB University Interfaith Center.

(l-r): Julia Katz, Chase Niles, Claire Spivak, Lea Mano, Elisha Breton, Rachel Spivak. Annual Hanukkah Party on Monday, December 11th at the Alpert Hillel House.

After a long and fruitful Winter Break, our students are back on campus and ready to take on a new semester filled with exciting Hillel programs! For the upcoming Spring semester, Beach Hillel is ready to engage students

to kicking off our semester of programming with our “Welcome Back Shabbat” on January 26th, 2018 at the Alpert Hillel House and we look forward to seeing our students after a long break away from their Hillel family.

with a plethora of exciting programs throughout the semester, which will include weekly Shabbat dinners, intensive learning travel opportunities, inclusion programming, and our classic coffee dates. As an added bonus, our

staff will be applying the training that they received at the Hillel International Global Assembly (HIGA) in Denver, CO to enhance the breadth and depth of student programming and engagement. Our team looks forward

If you are interested in learning more about our upcoming programs for the coming Spring 2018 semester, or sponsoring a Beach Hillel event, please contact Hillel’s Executive Director, Rachel Kaplan, at Rachel@BeachHillel.org

(l-r): Benjamin Goldstein, Joel Bond, Maya Unger, Elisha Breton, Rachel Kaplan, John Stouras, Sofia Musman, (l-r): Joel Bond, Ally Levine, Chaya Leah Sufrin, Rachel Kaplan. Students Simon Scherer, Maya Abed. Students and staff attending Stand With Us’ Festival of Lights Gala at the Beverly and Hillel staff heading back to Long Beach from the Hillel International Hills Hilton on Sunday, December 10th. Global Assembly in Denver, CO which took place from December 4-7.

jewishlongbeach.org | JANUARY 2018 |

THE HEBREW ACADEMY

Award Winning Academics in a Genuine Jewish Environment 14401 WILLOW LANE, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92647 WEB: www.hacds.org PHONE: 714-898-0051 CAMP SILVER GAN ISRAEL: www.campsgi.com

Guiness World Record for Largest Latke

Hebrew Academy students measuring proportions of ingredients.

On December 14th, 2017, Hebrew Academy students and faculty were competing to break the world record of the largest latke. The final latke came in at 312 pounds and consisted of 250 pounds of potatoes and 360 eggs, fried in 60 gallons of oil. The latke was fried in a pan that was an ellipsoid shape with a measurement of 10 feet by 8 feet. The Hebrew Academy put together a dream team,

The team who allowed Hebrew Academy to make the biggest latke recorded in the Guniness World Records.

with each member sharing their expertise in making the project a success. The dream team included: Food Preparation Expert Bob Rosenberg, who owns a string of IHOPs and his Master Chef Benito Roman, Expert Metal Fabricator Ralph Labelson and Propane Expert Shmuel Newman. The effort was led by Project Manager Steve Greenspan, with Nelli Greenspan in charge of PR and Marketing,

Their combined knowledge and expertise comprised the ideal dream team to take on this monumental project. The entire process started at 8:30 am, when the witnesses/judges lined up and the preparation began along with the mixing of the ingredients. All 300 students of The Hebrew Academy got involved by helping prepare the ingredients. Under the direction of a nutritionist, they all donned caps and put

on gloves as they excitedly helped prepare the batter. The middle school students used the latke project as a lesson in math calculations and shapes. Their teacher took them through a process of determining size and weight in a complex formula. The latke came in at 5.2 square meters, surpassing the existing record of 4.6 square meters. Many hours later, the latke came out of the pan in one beautiful sizzling,

browned piece and was divided up amongst all the students, faculty, and parents who came to celebrate as one family while lighting the school’s giant menorah. The latke was big enough to feed in excess of 500 people. It was a moment for celebration at The Hebrew Academy on Chanukah. This combined effort resulted in a world record latke for a world class school, the Hebrew Academy.

The Miracle of Chanukah: Hebrew Academy Student Won 1st Place in the Nation

Elias Greenwood with his award-winning essay.

Imagine getting flown to the nation’s capital to celebrate Chanukah for winning a national essay contest. Now imagine getting to light a massive menorah while there. That is something magical that is happening for

one of our students right here at The Hebrew Academy. Winning a national essay contest to light the nation’s largest menorah on the first night of Chanukah was one of our own. Hebrew Academy fourth grader Elias

16 | JEWISH COMMUNITY CHRONICLE |

Greenwood flew to our nation’s capital to light the National Menorah, run by The National Menorah Council, a project of American Friends of Lubavitch. Greenwood’s winning of the Rabbi Mendy Deren Memorial National Menorah Essay Contest for 3rd-4th graders allowed him to go to Washington, D.C. Mushka Landa from Connecticut won the contest amongst 5th-6th graders. Greenwood discussed the importance of Hanukkah to him and his family in his contestwinning essay. “Chanukah is about connecting with our Judaism and ancestors,” Greenwood wrote. “We

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can connect through our stories and our celebration of Chanukah. Through lighting the Menorah, or other customs for Chanukah, like getting together with family and friends, we can be transported to times in the past, when past generations celebrated Chanukah the same way we are in 2017.” Greenwood also wrote about Chanukah’s history and its relationship to his life. “When I think of the small group of Jewish Maccabees fighting the large Greek army, it reminds me that it does not matter what I face in my life, no matter how big I think the problem. By facing

big problems even as a small person, if I focus on my faith and my strength, I can be successful.” In closing, he spoke of Jewish pride and Jewish history: “It is an important Chanukah message to remember to be proud of being Jewish and to find meaning within our history.” We are proud of Elias Greenwood and his education here at Hebrew Academy. For more information regarding our award-winning school, please contact Nelli Greenspan by sending an email to Nelli@hacds.org

Join NCJW on Tuesday, January 16th, 2018, at 10:30 am at The Grand, located at 4101 E. Willow Street, in Long Beach for the Shirley Stein Book Review of Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, to be reviewed by Barry Mitnick. This event is co-sponsored by Sharon-Carmel Hadassah. A delicious lunch will follow the review. This honest and beautifully woven story gives a perspective to help understand a population of our country that has never been given a respectable voice. This review is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Barbara Alpert National Council of Jewish Women Endowment of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Long Beach and West Orange County. To RSVP, please mail a check payable to NCJW

for $32. by January 10th to Judy Leff, 3011 Hillrose Dr. Rossmoor, CA 90720. An update on Immigration Rights will be presented by a Pastry & Politics event organized by the NCJW’s Advocacy Committee on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Alpert Jewish Community Center on the Weinberg Jewish Federation Campus. Our three expert panelists will be Norma Chinchilla, CSULB Sociology Professor & President of the Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition; Maribel Cruz, Operations Manager of the Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition, a former LBCC Puente student, a DACA recipient & an immigration lawyer; and Sabrina Rivera, Staff Attorney with the Western State College of Law’s Immigration Clinic.

SAVE THE DATE ABOVE & BEYOND

COMMUNITY

Two Programs for these Critical Times from NCJW

for the

2018/5778 Jewish Federation Annual Community Campaign Men’s Philanthropy

DUTY CALLS MONDAY MARCH 26, 2018 at the

Joint Forces Training Base - Los Alamitos

HONORING MEN WHO HAVE SERVED with Special Guest Speaker

CAPT Jon Kurtz, USN (Ret)

Formal Commanding Officer, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach (2006-2009)

 INVITATIONS WILL ARRIVE EARLY FEBRUARY 

Unseen Seers: Recovering the Women Mystics of Jewish History The CSULB Jewish Studies Program is very pleased to again partner with the Orange County One Month Community Scholar Program. This year’s speaker is Dr. Yossi Chajes. He will speak on Thursday, January 25th, at 7:30 pm, at the Alpert JCC on the Weinberg Jewish Federation Campus. Dr. Chajes will address the topic of women mystics in Jewish history. The great historian of Jewish mysticism, Gershom Scholem, famously asserted that there were no women kabbalists. Dr. Chajes will show how Scholem was right in particular, but wrong in general. If women were not, as a rule, producers or consumers of kabbalistic texts, Jewish women were nevertheless to be found among our mystics. Together with the attendees, he will study materials that allow us to reconstruct the circle of women mystics in sixteenthcentury Safed. J.H. (Yossi) Chajes is Professor of Jewish History

at the University of Haifa and director of its Center for the Study of Jewish Cultures. A former recipient of the Fulbright, Rothschild, Wexner, and Hartman Fellowships, he has also been a visiting professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, and a three-time visiting professor at the University of Pennsylvannia. His first book, Between Worlds: Dybbuks, Exorcists, and Early Modern Judaism (2003), was listed by the Wall Street Journal as among the top five books ever written on spirit possession. His studies have explored Jewish women’s mysticism, Jewish autobiographical writing, the history of Jewish attitudes towards magic, and, most recently the genre of kabbalistic diagrams. Like all Jewish Studies talks, this concert and discussion is free and open to the public; there is no need to reserve a space. For more information on this talk or spring 2018 events, please contact Dr. Jeffrey Blutinger, Jeffrey. Blutinger@csulb.edu jewishlongbeach.org | JANUARY 2018 |

TRIBUTES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tributes

P ROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY ACCOUNTING

Shari D. Nemirow, C.P.A.

Small Business accounting & income taxes for Corporations, Partnerships, Individuals 5242 Katella, #104, Los Alamitos

(562) 430-8231

Send a special gift to honor, memorialize, or congratulate friends & family for all occasions. We will send a card on your behalf. Jewish

FEDERATION

LAW

GENERAL FUND

Lawrence H. Nemirow, ESQ Business Law, Insurance Law, Trusts and Estates 5242 Katella Ave., Suite 104 Los Alamitos, CA 90720

• Deborah Lewis & Michael Rosen

(562) 799-1379

C.P.A.

Brodsky Orthodontics

(562) 803-5324

5920 Del Amo Blvd., Lakewood

Los Alamitos Cardiovascular Celebrating 38 Years!

Braces & Invisilign™ for all ages

drbrodskysmile.com

• Doreen Shuldiner

From Linda & Sanford Simmons

• Sanford & Linda Simmons

PEDIATRICS

From Roz & Ned Bassin Jewish Community

FOUNDATION

FACC, FACP, FSCAI, CCDS

Steven T. Forman, MD,

GERDA SEIFER YOM HASHOAH FUND

FACC, FSCAI, RVT

Timothy F. O’Neill, MD Bret A. Witter, MD,

IN MEMORY OF

• Esther Albert

FACC, FACP

From Gerda & Harold

MD, FACC, FHRS

Robert S. Lee, MD

(562) 430-7533

to Don Appleman

• Alicia Appleman

From Gerda & Harold

IN MEMORY OF YOUR MOTHER

Performance Vein Institute of Los Alamitos

• Anita

Your Legs Made Better

MD, FACC, FSCAI, RVT

(562) 493-8346 (VEIN) performancevein.com

GASTROENTEROLOGY Allan Effron, MD FACG

Stomach Pain, Change in Bowel Habits, Colon Cancer Screenings Most Insurance Accepted

(562) 882-0834

AJCC GENERAL FUND

Reach over 6,000+

homes each month!

From Gerda & Harold

IN MEMORY OF

• Larry Gershon

to Bobby Gershon & Jeff Rips

GET A HEAD START

From Gerda & Harold

PLACE YOUR LISTING TODAY FOR 2018!

Honors &

SIMCHAHS MAZEL TOV ON BEING APPOINTED AS CHAIR OF THE CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE FOR EQUALITY & JUSTICE (CCEJ)

To advertise, call:

562-426-7601 x1006

MARCIE BALAN BLAKEY FUND

New Grandchild to Rita & Barry Zamost From Joanne Ratner & Wayne Slavitt

IN HONOR OF YOUR BIRTHDAY

• Susan Mathieu’s Birthday & The Senior Adult Program

WISHING A HAPPY CHANUKAH TO

• Ethan Isaac Cooper

Linda Brayton Inga Freshman Charlotte Moskowitz

to Roberta Gershon, Lauren & Jeffrey Rips, and Family

Elinor & Mike Blum Phyllis Perley & Marissa Perley Harold & Gerda Seifer

IN MEMORY OF

• Norman Punim

to Donna & Jeff Punim

From Joanne Ratner & Wayne Slavitt

PAULA BLUM SENIOR ADULT FUND IN HONOR OF

• The Senior Adult Program Marianne Bobick Vida & Michael Simpson

AJCC tributes: 562-426-7601 EXT 1421

From Barbara & Arthur Miller

• The Brindze Family • Doug & Sue, & Sammy Blakey • Karen Kirchner & Charles Blakey • Karen & Lorry Frankel • Ruth Beckman • Gerda & Harold Seifer • Sandy Horwitz • Barbara & Art Miller • Lee Balan • Kathy & John Eastman • Dan & Palmer Beckman • Eli Frankel • Michael Berlin • Kyle Fincham & & Alexa McInerney • Julie & Arnie Goodman From Alene & Bruce Balan

JFCS tributes: 562-427-7916

T H A N K YO U ! !

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Selling Long Beach, Lakewood & West Orange County Website: www.EdieBrodsky.com Website: www.EdieBrodsky.com

Email chronicle@jewishlongbeach.org if you would like to recognize someone who has recently passed.

• Jane Miller-Levinson

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Edie Brodsky,, M.P.A. Edie M.P.A. “The REALTORBrodsky with the Personal Service Approach”

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to Dr. Victor Wayne

Grandparents to a New Grandson From Binnie & Jack Berro, & Family

IN HONOR OF

• Dr. Lawrence Gershon

IN MEMORY OF YOUR MOTHER

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• Goldie Krugman

MAZEL TOV ON NEW BIRTHS

to Jay Leff GIFTS IN MEMORY OF

Ramandeep K. Barr,

IN HONOR OF YOUR BIRTHDAY

• Ava & Howard Weiss

IN HONOR OF THE ENGAGEMENT OF YOUR GRANDSON, MOISHE

(562) 496-2000

GENERAL FUND

From Binnie & Jack Berro, & Michele Berro

From Linda Simmons

Stuart Fischer, MD,

Steven T. Forman,

Jewish Federation & Jewish Community Foundation tributes: 562-426-7601 EXT 1314

• Judy Leff

Master of Science-Taxation, Tax Returns-all types, tax planning & audits Downey

CARDIOVASCULAR

Board, Leadership & Staff

GET WELL SOON

ORTHODONTICS

JFCS

From the Jewish Federation

From Linda & Sanford Simmons

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Pamela Schulman-Flores,

CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING HONORED BY THE ADL

• Rosecarrie Brooks

ReMax Hall of Fame ReMax Hall ofClub FameAwards Top Producer Top Producer Club ReMax College Awards Park Realty

ReMax College Park Realty

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Office: (562) 594-6753 Office: (562) 234-1231 594-6753 Cell: (562) Cell: (562) 234-1231 Email: ediere@aol.com Email: ediere@aol.com

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COMMUNITY

Lyn Epstein, GRI Lyn Epstein, GRI ® Lyn Epstein, GRI REALTOR ® REALTOR REALTOR® DRE License # 01243400

DRE License License ##01243400 BRE 01243400

(562) 619-7657 Direct

(562) 619-7657 619-7657Direct Direct (562) (562)434-9263 434-9263Home HomeOffice Office (562) weilwmn1@aol.com (562) 439-0432 Fax (562) 439-0432 Fax www.lynepsteinsells.com weilwmn1@aol.com weilwmn1@aol.com 1650 Ximeno Ave., Suite 120 Long Beach, CA 90804 1650Ximeno XimenoAve., Ave.,Ste. Ste. 120 1650 120 LongBeach, Beach,CA CA90804 90804 Long Each Office Is Independently

Each Office Is Independently Representing & Sellers Since 1998 Owned and Operated. Owned Buyers and Operated. Serving Greater Long Beach/OC to the Newport Coast

Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

TEMPLE BETH SHALOM OF LONG BEACH Come Join Us! A warm, welcoming, inclusive shul in Bixby Knolls, since 1952

Upcoming Events:

Monday, December 4 @ 9:00am: Life Line Screenings Life Line Screenings go beyond regular check-ups. They will be at TBS one day only, offering 5 important screenings for a great package price! Plaque screening, Atrial Filbrillation, Abdominal Aneurysm, Peripheral Arterial Disease, and Osteoporosis Risk Assessment screenings- choose 1 or all 5! Painless, non-invasive, keep your clothes on! Call to register at 1-866-229-0469.

Wednesday, December 6 @ 10:00am: TBS Sisterhood Pan Tournament Do you play Pan? Come join the fun at our quarterly Pan tournament! $40 Buy-in, includes a Continental Breakfast & Luncheon. To register, please contact Ann Millman at (562) 439-8010.

Friday, December 8 @ 6:00pm: Family Shabbat Dinner & Service What's cookin'? It's Chili & Cornbread!

Bring the family and join us for dinner and our fun, Torah School-led early Friday Shabbat service at 7:15pm. Donations gladly accepted, $5 per person or $15 per family! Please RSVP to TBS office: (562) 426-6413 or office@tbslb.org by TUES, DECEMBER 5 & come join us!

Sunday, December 17 @ 6:00pm: Annual Hanukkah Dinner! Gather the family, bring a menorah & join us for our annual Hanukkah Dinner & Menorah Lighting, hosted by our Sisterhood. Dinner features "Miss Jenny's meatloaf" & latkes (there is also a vegetarian & kids pasta option)! Dinner is by reservation only; Please RSVP by Friday, December 8th to Shelley Carl at shelleyocarl@gmail.com

Saturday, January 6, 2018 - Save the Date: Community Concert by WANTED

The Ultimate Tribute to Bon Jovi

Temple Beth Shalom invites our community to come out for a fun evening of Rock n' Roll with the famed Bon Jovi tribute band, WANTED, live in concert on our stage. Tickets available now at TBSLB.org!

FAMILY TORAH SCHOOL & TBS YOUTH: Visit TBSLB.org for a calendar of events & more information. Join our Torah School, serving ages K - B’Nai Mitzvah (13 yrs), our Pre-School Class or our Youth (Teen) Program. Torah School meets weekly on Tuesday afternoons and select Sundays; Pre-School meets one Sunday a month. Our Teens enjoy fun outings, parties, movie nights & events throughout the year and volunteer in our community. Our Torah School helps to lead our Family Shabbat services held once a month on Friday evenings.

Temple Beth Shalom

Join us for Weekly Services: Morning Minyan: THURSDAYS @ 8:00 am Shabbat Services: FRIDAYS @ 7:45 pm & SATURDAYS @ 10:00 am Monthly Family Shabbat Dinners @ 6:00pm & Evening Services @ 7:15 pm

3635 Elm Avenue Long Beach, CA 90807 Tel: (562) 426-6413 Web: www.TBSLB.org

jewishlongbeach.org | JANUARY 2018 |

The Jewish Federation of Greater Long Beach & West Orange County Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Federation Campus 3801 E. Willow St., Long Beach, CA 90815

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No.129 Long Beach, CA

POSTPERSON PLEASE DELIVER BY 1/31/18

T E M P L E I S R A E L LO N G B E AC H

“We strive for Temple Israel to be like Abraham’s tent, open on all sides, welcoming to all. In keeping with that philosophy, everyone who wishes to be a supporting member of our community is welcome, regardless of the amount they are able to contribute.” Temple Israel Board of Directors

INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM Taught by Rabbi Steven Moskowitz

Wednesdays, January 10 - May 9 7:00 p.m.

ARE YOU

• Interested in exploring Judaism? • Want to become more familiar with the richness of your heritage? • Considering converting to Judaism? THIS IS THE CLASS FOR YOU! TUITION: $280 plus the cost of Text Books A partner/spouse may attend at no additional cost | Only $200 for members of a URJ congregation

REGISTRATION http://www.reformjudaism.org/introduction-judaism-california

AWA R D W I N N I N G A D U LT E D U C AT I O N

DR. REAGAN ROMALI

Superintendent-President LB City College

TU B’SHEVAT SEDER

JOYS OF JEWISH LEARNING

Thursday, January 18 ~ 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 30 ~ 6:30 p.m.

COME LEARN WITH US!

Come learn how LBCC interacts with our public school district and other higher institutions of learning throughout California, as well as the current projects and challenges they face.

Our Tu B’Shevat Seder is a beautiful way to celebrate the holiday. Join us for this unique learning an social opportunity.

Throughout the year we will build bridges and make connections. Download our full catalog and be part of our learning community! THIS YEAR’S CLASSES INCLUDE:

Cost: $18 per person - RSVP Required

Hebrew Language, Guest Speakers, Cooking Classes, Field Trips and Much More!

WE ARE A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE REFORM CONGREGATION INSPIRING JEWISH LIFE IN LONG BEACH FOR OVER 90 YEARS!

2 6 9 LO M A AV E N U E • LO N G B E AC H , C A 9 0 8 0 3 • 5 6 2 . 4 3 4 . 0 9 9 6 • W W W. T I L B. O R G

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