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Taglit-Birthright Israel: Creating a Jewish Identity for Our Youth
INSIDE
Published since 1947 by the Jewish Federation of greater Long Beach and West ORange County
Alpert JCC
Around the “J”
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www.jewishlongbeach.org | 562.426.7601
July 2012 | 5772 | TAMMUZ-AV | Vol.64-No.11
FEATURE article
Taglit-Birthright Israel: Creating a Jewish Identity for Our Youth By Becca Brukman, Jewish Federation Intern
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aglit-Birthright Israel provides Jewish Birthright experience as she states, “I was young adults with a once in a lifetime, personally captivated by Jerusalem. The truly unforgettable opportunity to both city has a sort of magic to it that can be explore and reconnect with the land of felt and is hard to describe. For me, it was Israel. Birthright essentially plants the seed hard to accept because I am not a religious for further Jewish development in the lives person. Once I was able to put that aside, of young adults. They instill in us the tools however, I was able to feel and understand we need to grow our own Jewish identity. the beauty of Jerusalem and the beauty of Taglit is the Hebrew word for discovery. religion. I decided to have a Bat Mitzvah In the greater context of the trip, it can be apwhile on the trip which strengthened and plied as the recognition of self through the impacted my connection to Judaism.” discovery of the land of Israel. The organiza One of the benefits of a Hillel trip is that tion provides a gift, whose governing princithese individuals can return back to our ple is that an education based tour of Israel community and ultimately become the new should be a “birthright” of all Jewish young leaders; with time we will look towards these adults. The two words blend together as one, individuals to foster a sense of belonging (L-R) CSULB students Shanny Singer, Brianna Pohl, Leehe Friedman, Zach to grow and enhance the development of the amongst the inhabitants of this generation Katona, Idan Raz and Leonard Drucker made fast friends on their Taglitnext generation for years to come. and those to come. Birthright Israel trip Birthright provides Jewish young adults, __________________________ ages 18 to 26, with the gift of a free, 10-day eduBirthright Israel NEXT cational trip to Israel. Birthright is the mother orga It is important that we continue to foster Birthright has and will nization, as it oversees smaller trip organizers who engagement, encourage development and help to facilitate the organizations overarching mis- continue to change the lives of strengthen our sense of Jewish Identity after the sion – to promote Jewish continuity by fostering a completion of the trip to ensure these ideals translate Jewish identity. The organization works closely with many for generations to come. into our day to day lives. As they stay committed to trip organizers who cater to a diverse scope of in- __________________________ their goal, Birthright has implemented a program called NEXT: a division of Birthright Israel. The Jewish Federations of North America and private program is similar to that of a concierge service, philanthropists. as it encourages Birthright alumni to connect with Since its first trip in 1999, Birthright has sent other participants from around the world. nearly 300,000 young adults to Israel. These NEXT, recently hosted its first-ever NEXTwork individuals represent 54 countries, all 50 U.S. Launch at the Alpert JCC in Long Beach. Birthright States and Canadian Provinces, and close to 1,000 alumni along with 50 professionals joined together North American colleges and universities. Nearly to tackle the challenges facing their field—a 950 young adults who are in some way linked to main issue being how to continue to facilitate our local Long Beach community have had the the connection amongst alumni in the 25-35 opportunity to be part of the birthright experience. year old age range. The conference featured With the number of applicants growing with each interactive presentations that allowed for beneficial coming year, birthright and its partners are only idea sharing, which left the attendees with the able to grant half of those who apply with the gift knowledge that there would be great promise Michelle Terris enjoying a Challah of the trip. for the future. Birthright’s hands-on approach to dividuals from various walks of life. Birthright is by community development has proved to be a very no means a one size fits all trip; each trip organizer Jewish Community Helps Perpetuate successful way to facilitate the growth of the next develops their itinerary accordingly as they tailor Birthright generation of Jewish young adults. Each year the Jewish Federation of Greater it to the specific interests of their participants. This Birthright has and will continue to change the can be as simple as designing a trip that is age Long Beach & West Orange County plays a lives of many for generations to come. With this specific. For example birthright has a special trip pivotal role in the birthright partnership. Gifts to in mind, we as a community must recognize the the annual campaign and supplemental gifts to enormity of its message to ensure that its impact that is only for Jewish young adults ages 22-26. the Federation allow the partnership to provide a will be apparent long after our time. Our sense of broader scope of individuals with this wonderful Jewish Identity is only as strong as that of our last Birthright’s Roots Birthright’s original founders highly acclaimed service. “The beauty of the Federation system is generation. philanthropists, Charles Bronfman and Michael that because members of our community support Birthright runs trips to Israel twice a year Steinhardt developed a concept that they felt the Federation’s annual campaign, we are able during both the summer and winter. Registration would help to dissolve the readily apparent to send a portion of our campaign dollars to for summer 2012 is now closed. Registration disconnect between young adults in both their own Birthright each year and continue to perpetuate for winter 2012/2013 will open in September. Jewish identities and their personal connection this important program,” said Deborah Goldfarb, For more information about birthright, visit to the land of Israel. Little did they know that executive director of the Jewish Federation of www.birthrightisrael.com. their idea would emerge into a partnership that Greater Long Beach & West Orange County. For more information about other opportunities would change the lives of future generations for Long Beach Hillel has participated in two to connect to Israel, contact Sharon Kenigsberg at years to come. The organization is composed of birthright trips with the third this past June. Hillel the Federation at 562-426-7601 EXT 1008. three integral partners: the government of Israel, participant Allison LaKomski reflects on her
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Chronicle Contents Published since 1947 by the Jewish Federation of Long Beach and West Orange County www.jewishlongbeach.org
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Jewish Federation and Jewish Community Foundation President Remarks
Shabbat Candlelighting
Jim Breslauer President
Deborah Goldfarb Executive Director
Khatera Zubin
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Honoring Jewish Community Foundation Legacy Society Members
chronicle coordinator
Yolanda Placencio CHRONICLE ADVERTISING
Erin Bellinghausen graphic artist
1a-4a
Around the “J” July Events at the Alpert Jewish Community Center
Publication Office: 3801 E. Willow Street Long Beach, CA 90815-1791 562-426-7601, EXT 1006 FAX 562-424-3915
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All submissions should be submitted via e-mail: chronicle@jewishlongbeach.org
Book Review by Albert Tucher Principal Librarian, Newark Public Library
How to Survive Anything By David and Yetta Kane
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INSIDE THE CHRONICLE
The Jewish Community
2012 Combined Annual Meeting Jim Breslauer
Jewish Federation President Remarks
eeeLast year we talked about the building blocks that our Jewish community has utilized to construct our house of good deeds. This house has been under construction for sixty-five years and we have much to be proud of. We also discussed how to continue to grow and reach out to our community and make sure that we continue to expand the impact we make. Well, we have accomplished much. Our Women’s Philanthropy, Arlene Solomon VISIONS Event drew over 260 women, the first ever Leadership Head to Toe event had over 60 women in attendance, and we held two events engaging our Lion and Pomegranate Society women donors, including an evening with Shoshanna Bisawer, the first Ethiopian-Israeli dental student. We held our Opening Night kick-off for the 2012 Annual Campaign with over 125 people attending. We started our men’s group,
The Solomon Society, and have had two great events with over 100 men attending. We also had our first ever Young Adult Division Campaign Brunch, three Jewish Business Connections events with about 100 people benefiting, and completed the third year of our Alpert New Leader’s Forum that now has over fifty graduates. These activities and the great work of our Campaign Cabinet have resulted in over 200 new donors for our Annual Campaign. These are just a few of the Federation accomplishments for last year, on top of our ongoing annual campaign, collaborative work with the Foundation, and joint fund development planning with the Jewish Community Partnership Agencies to ensure sustainability of our Jewish community. This has been a busy year and without our Executive Director Deborah Goldfarb and her team this never would have happened. But we are not done. The world is changing around us; we have a choice. Do we just react to these changes or should we be proactive and embrace and plan for these new op-
Federation Board Member David Sacks helping Foundation Board Member Daryl Phillips enjoy the evening
portunities? We believe in being proactive not reactive. As the world becomes more volatile, security and communication within our community, and understanding potential threats, is important. So we have met with local police agencies and discussed preparedness with our partner agencies and synagogues through the Jewish Community Partnership, Kehillah Community Agency and Synagogue Leadership Council. We invited the FBI Special Agent for Long Beach and the head of the Anti-Terrorism Force for the LA Region to speak to our Community Relations and Kehillah committees. We have done much but there is still much more to do. The Jewish Federations of North America have adopted a new tagline, which describes our mission: The strength of a people, the power of community. This is the role of the Jewish Federation: to be a convener and coordinator, and to help strengthen our Jewish community for today and tomorrow. Thank you to all of you who volunteer and help make a difference. This is the real strength of our community.
Judith Lentzner Jewish Community Foundation President Remarks
eeeBarbara and Ray Alpert have made a difference in our community for 50+ years. Every day they continue to make a difference and through their generosity we were able to graduate the 2011-2012 Barbara and Ray Alpert New Leaders Forum participants. Barbara and Ray wanted to insure that the years they have invested in Long Beach will continue in perpetuity. Through the Jewish Community Foundation, Ethel and Joe Lessin, of blessed memory, made sure that their many years in our community were remembered by funding a PACE and LOJE gift. The Foundation also played an integral part in establishing, in memory of our beloved Jean, The Jean Blakey Jewish Studies Fund at CSULB. This is just a snap shot into the window of the Jewish Community Foundation. The Jewish Community Foundation continues to work on making the dreams come true for a strong Jewish community. The work of the
2011-2012 Alpert New Leaders Forum Graduates. (Back L-R) Co-Chair Laurie Raykoff, Gabriel Lopez, Yanki Greenspan, Karl Garman, Paul De Young, Joel Perler, Jay Grosflam, Co-Chair Sara Phillips. (Front L-R) Sarah Greenspan, Felice Adler-Shohet, Karen Calechman, Devorah Allen, Beth Sterling. Not Pictured: Sam Aborne, Alicia Friedman, Jamie Klein, Dan Lasker, Nicole Malina
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Jewish Federation is to help strengthen the Jewish community today and the Jewish Community Foundation takes that responsibility and insures that tomorrow our community will be able to provide the same needed services as it does today. The endowments and funds held by and promised to the Jewish Community Foundation are already making an impact in our community across all agencies. There are endowments that support all the upgrades of our security system, endowments for educational and cultural programs for the community, and endowments that provide the important services for the elderly, family and individual counseling, just to name a few. To reach our dreams of a strong tomorrow we need to educate and inspire others to leave their legacy. The Create a Jewish Legacy Committee have been very busy this past year presenting to JFCS, Alpert JCC, Hillel and Congregation Shir Chadash the importance of creating their own Legacy in our community. Please ask us how you can make a difference, your community will be so grateful.
(L-R) Executive Director Deborah Goldfarb with Robert Baldwin Community Service Award winners Barbara and Leon Shoag, and Fred Neuburger Young Leadership Award winner Emily Sukman
For more information: 3801 E. Willow Street Long Beach, CA 90815 WEB: www.jewishlongbeach.org PHONE: 562-426-7601
Jewish Federation Jewish Community Foundation OF GREATER LONG BEACH & WEST ORANGE COUNTY
Financial Report Allocations and Distributions Year Ended June 30, 2011
2011 Annual Campaign 2011 Supplemental Allocations Allocations
Foundation Grants and Distributions
TOTAL SUPPORT
LOCAL BENEFICIARY AGENCIES & SERVICES AJCC ‐ programs / facilities grants AJCC ‐ shared services JFCS ‐ programs / facilities grants Hebrew Academy Hillel ‐ programs / facilities grants OC Bureau of Jewish Education LB Senior Housing Federation Admin, Fundraising & Programs Federation Campus Long Term Maintenance Federation Program Support
OVERSEAS AGENCIES & SERVICES Jewish Federations of North America Direct support to Israel Other overseas grants NATIONAL AGENCIES Washington Institute for Near East Policy National Funding Council Birthright Israel Other national grants SYNAGOGUES AND OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES ADL CCEJ Hadassah JPAC CA Temple Israel Ronald McDonald House of Long Beach/Southern CA Long Beach Symphony Association International City Theatre Other Grants UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS TO RESERVES TOTAL
$ 181,586 $ 96,130 $ 87,305 $ 31,142 $ 25,654 $ 5,625
$ 23,752 $ 586,838 $ 122,262 $ 38,285 $ 199,180 $ 5,280 $ 62,612 $ 37,357 $ 91,101 $ 5,625 $ 10,738 $ 10,738 $ 466,500 $ 466,500 $ 33,585 $ 88,122 $ 121,707 $ 62,967 $ 10,950 $ 73,917
$ 236,000
$ 381,500 $ 26,132 $ 73,590 $ 26,190 $ 28,090
$ 236,000 $ 1,964 $ 1,964 $ 10,839 $ 5,000 $ 15,839
$ 1,000 $ 4,000 $ 1,000
$ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 1,000 $ 4,000 $ 7,149 $ 8,149
$ 500
$ 5,350 $ 5,850 $ 96,450 $ 96,450 $ 6,232 $ 6,232 $ 1,200 $ 1,200 $ 168,679 $ 168,679 $ 48,500 $ 48,500 $ 13,100 $ 13,100 $ 53,300 $ 53,300 $ 1,000 $ 60,169 $ 61,169 $ 1,448,357 $ 1,138,642 $ 644,858 $ 688,412 $ 3,920,268
Consolidated Statement of Activities: For Year End June 30, 2011 SUPPORT AND REVENUE Contributions Investment income Change in value in CRT Programs and events Jewish Community Chronicle Legacy of Leadership event Other income
2,708,826 1,278,049 39,862 15,184 55,200 110,417 385,845
TOTAL
4,593,383
EXPENSES Programs/Allocations Legacy of Leadership allocations General and administration Fundraising
2,427,528 88,160 303,622 288,541
TOTAL
3,107,851
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS
1,485,532
Consolidated Financial Position: For Year End June 30, 2011 ASSETS Current Assets Cash and equivalents Investments Campaign pledge receivables New campus pledge receivables Supplemental pledge receivables Other receivables Prepaid expenses
1,716,306 10,092,267 521,794 182,084 115,302 38,136 20,424
Noncurrent Assets Property and equipment Life Insurance Charitable remainder trust assets
7,653,048 208,262 1,320,508
TOTAL ASSETS
21,868,131
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Jewish Federations of North America/Overseas Grants payable Pension liability Managed agency funds CRT liability
87,686 154,711 201,126 330,000 744,960 1,195,964
Net Assets Unrestricted net assets Temporarily restricted net assets Permanently restricted net assets
10,237,916 2,665,514 6,250,254
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
21,868,131
The financial information summarized here was derived from the 2010/2011 consolidated financial statements which have been audited and have received an unqualified opinion. The complete audited 2010-2011 financial statements can be obtained from the Jewish Federation & Foundation office by contacting us at (562) 426-7601.
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Thank you to our Legacy Society Members The Legacy Society is comprised of members of our community who have promised (by signing a Letter of Intent), to leave a bequest or other planned gift, of any size, to ensure a vibrant Jewish future for generations to come. Anonymous Reva & Seymour Alban Rhoda Alban* Esther & George* Albert Barbara & Ray Alpert Cheryl Avirom Evelyn Linden Baldwin* Robert Baldwin* Binnie & Jack Berro & Family Jean & Robert Blakey* John & Marcie Blumberg James & Elizabeth Breslauer Ruth & Alex Britton* Edie & Joel Brodsky Frances Brody* Jessie & Stanley* Butler Shelley & Tom Carl Sandy & Geoff Carr Madelyn & Benjamin Chudnow* Miriam* & Maurice Cohn Dr. I.W. Gittleman* & Thelma Conway Eva Cooper* Ruth & Louis Davis* Joan & Gary Einstein Shirley & Earl Feiwell Joyce & Hank Feldman
Lindsey Fenimore & Gary Fields Arlene & Richard Freeman Gloria & Phil* Furst Dennis & Lea Gerber Ellen Goldenberg Miriam & Stan* Goldin Linda & Stephen Gordon Diane & Ronald Guest Gerald & Jennifer Hirsch Rena & Jack Jacobs* Donald & Andrea Kaiser Sara & Milton Kaplan* Stefanie & Joshua Kaplan Vicki & Seth Kogan Ellen & John Kramer Ann & Gene Lentzner Judith & Gordon Lentzner Ethel & Joe Lessin* Dr. Jeffrey Levine Anne* & Jim Licht Nancy & Jim Linden Amy & Rich Lipeles Len & Tommye Lovett Henry Meyer Hedwig Meyerfield* Barbara & Arthur Miller
Shari & Lawrence Nemirow Fred Neuburger* Daryl & Sandy Phillips Karen & Jack Rabin Laurie & Robert Raykoff Teddie & Sam* Roska Shirley & Eugene Ross William Ross Eva & Eugene Schlesinger Joseph Schmerler* Minnie & Clarence Schulman* Sidney Schulman Linda Frankel & Alan Sherry Leon & Barbara Shoag Gloria & Martin Simon Linda & Sanford Simmons Arlene Solomon Mark & Nancy Speizer Susan & Mort Stuhlbarg Cynthia Telem-Silvers Romola & Eugene Temkin Tilly Weil* Howard & Ava Weiss Tess & Sol Wohlstattar* Rita & Barry Zamost
* of blessed memory
Everyone Can...Create A Jewish Legacy Every family and financial situation is unique and bequests of all amounts are needed. A Jewish Community Foundation planning professional is ready to help you start the conversation to find the right philanthropic path for you and your family. Please call 562-426-7601 EXT 1008 to get started today.
Your legacy lives on
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To learn more about how The Jewish Community Foundation can help your family Create it’s Legacy Call 562-426-7601 EXT 1009
3801 E. WILLOW STREET LONG BEACH, CA 90815 FOR MORE INFORMATION: Phone: (562)426-7601 www.alpertjcc.org
inside
Around the “J”
The Duende Kitsch Fiasco . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Summer Stock Performance Dates . . . . 2 Group Swim Lessons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Skirball Trip - Project Mah Jongg. . . . . . 3 Jazz at the “J” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Women’s Car Care Academy . . . . . . . . . 3
The Barbara & Ray Alpert Jewish Community Center
Girls Game Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 AJCC Personal Trainers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Senior 4th of July Celebration . . . . . . . . 4
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Around the “J”
Why Watch a Play When You Can Be a Part of the Action? You probably know that the Alpert JCC rents out our auditorium and other spaces in the building for special events and celebrations throughout the year. Now, imagine for a moment that a mistake has been made, and a Bar Mitzvah has been booked into the auditorium on the same evening and at the same time as a Quinceanera. And, finally, imagine that you are an invited guest to the insanity that is likely to ensue when these two events collide! That’s The Kitsch Duende Fiasco, with performances at the Alpert JCC’s Lipeles Auditorium. Audience members become invited guests to either the Kitsch Bar Mitzvah or the Duende Quinceanera. Cast members, from the Alpert JCC’s Community Theater program, are seated among the other “guests” and once the two “families” arrive, cast and audience begin interacting in what becomes a musical improvisational tour de force.
AQUATICS Sascha Bryan-Zwick, sbryanzwick@alpertjcc.org • (562)426-7601, ext. 1035
Prep-Swim Team Tue & Thur, 4:30-5:15pm
Group Swim Lessons
Ages 5-12
Mon & Wed or Tue & Thur Ages 3-8
Youth Swim Team Mon, Wed, Thur, 5-6:30pm Tue & Fri, 8-9:15am
July 16-August 9 (4 wks) August 13-August 23 (2 wks)
Ages 6-14
Youth Summer Water Polo
Masters Swim Mon & Wed, 6:30-7:30pm Sat, 9-10am Ages 14+
Mon & Wed Ages 5-8 & 7-12
July 23-August 16 Ask about our FREE Tryout Week
In keeping with all great Bar Mitzvahs and/or Quinceaneras, a delicious buffet dinner will actually be served during the performance. Come eat, drink, dance, laugh…and then, laugh some more! Consider this your invitation to The Kitsch Duende Fiasco. AJCC Community Dinner Theatre presents
The Duende Kitsch Fiasco Saturday, July 7, 7:30pm & Sunday, July 8, 2pm This show, like Tony & Tina’s Wedding, is an improvisational evening of songs & comedy, dining & dancing. Directed by Sean McMullan. AJCC Member Price: Adults: $18, Children 12 & under: $12 Public: Adults: $22, Children 12 & under: $15 Price includes a catered buffet dinner For info contact Eve Lunt at (562)426-7601, ext. 1067 or elunt@alpertjcc.org
TEENS Rachel Gordon, rgordon@alpertjcc.org • (562)426-7601, ext. 1023
Thursday Nights is Teen Night at the Pool 5-7pm... All Summer Long For Teens Grades 6 & up Enjoy swimming, dinner, dessert, beverages for only $7. Come on down with your friends & chill at the “J”.
NEW: THIS SUMMER
Teen Summer Stock Performance Dates: •Wednesday, July 25, 7:30pm •Thursday, July 26, 7:30pm •Saturday, July 28, 7:30pm •Sunday, July 29, 2pm
Young Ambassadors© Summer Language Class Each student will create a Young Ambassadors© Summer Language Class Scrapbook with colorful lesson-reminders and culture-based crafts. Curriculum includes commonly used phrases and commands, verb conjugation, sentence construction and vocabulary-building exercises.
Spanish: July 9-August 3, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8-9am Ages 5 to 7 years old $180 AJCC member/ $205 public
Mandarin Chinese: August 6-24, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8-9am Ages 8 -12 years $135 AJCC Member/$160 Public Contact Natalie Chernik for more info at (562)426-7601, ext. 1205
This year’s Teen Summer Stock production is 13: The Musical. With an unforgettable rock score from Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, 13 is a hilarious high-energy musical for all ages about discovering that cool is where you find it, and sometimes where you least expect it.
Reserve Your Tickets Today!
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Contact Rachel Gordon for more info at (562)426-7601, ext. 1023
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JULY 2012
Eve Lunt, elunt@alpertjcc.org • (562)426-7601, ext. 1067
Girls Game Night
Project Mah Jongg at the Skirball Cultural Center It’s a game that was reportedly invented by Confucius some 500 years before the birth of Christ. It was introduced to the United States in 1920 by American businessman Joseph P. Babcock after living in China for a number of years, and its National League numbers over 400,000 players across the United States today. In the 1950’s, mah jongg was as much a staple of Jewish-American life as seltzer and schmaltz. Today, it remains a popular pastime for grandmothers to hipsters.
Thursday, July 12, 7-9pm Bring your mothers, your daughters, and your BFF’s to this fabulous night of board games, fun, drinks and dessert. Bring your favorite game or play one of ours. $5/AJCC Member; $8/Public RSVP to Eve Lunt
Project Mah Jongg brings together dozens of artifacts — scorecards, aprons, packages, and the intricately designed tiles — chronicling both the commercial legacy and social history of the game. The exhibit even includes an audio component, so that visitors will never be far from the sound of the clicking and clacking of tiles. Project Mah Jongg is on view at the Skirball Cultural Center through September 2.
Around the “J”
ADULTS
Rosh Chodesh at the JCC Rosh Chodesh at the JCC is on hiatus until October.
AJCC Poker Club
Skirball Cultural Center Day Trip for Lunch & Project Mah Jongg
Tuesday, July 24, 7-10:30pm $20/AJCC Member; $25/Public (Cash Only) Visit web for re-buys/add-ons info.
Friday, July 13, Bus departs the Alpert JCC at 9:30am $45/AJCC Member; $55/Public Includes transportation, lunch and museum admission.
Kabbalah Class Wednesdays, 12pm
Spaces are limited to first 30 paid registrants, register today!
Rabbi Abba Perelmuter teaches the class with a keen sense of wit and great knowledge of Judaism and its teachings. FREE
Register with Eve Lunt at (562)426-7601, ext. 1067 or elunt@alpertjcc.org
Jazz at the “J” Debuts Foxy & the Sound kicked off this year’s Jazz at the “J” program of poolside live jazz on June 9th. The band played two memorable sets featuring the Billie Holliday standard, God Bless the Child to their own original tune, Sex and Soul, featuring the brilliant, sultry vocals of Grace Finnigan-Fox.
Exhibits in the Zena and Pauline Gatov Gallery
Once Upon A Time: Paintings and Illustrations by Irina Alexandra Mirskaya July 20-September 5 Artist’s Reception: Thurs, August 9, 6:30pm
Our Jazz at the “J” series continues on Saturday, July 14th at 8pm, as we welcome The Aaron Blumenthal Quartet. Aaron has been featured at jazz clubs across Southern California, including the iconic Catalina’s Jazz Club in Hollywood. A local talent, Aaron now attends Harvard University. We’re just lucky that he’s decided to spend his summer months back home.
Irina Mirskaya, a native of Russia who now lives in Long Beach and is an AJCC member, evokes a fantasy world of fairy tales and childhood memories with her art. Irina’s designs and illustrations have appeared in children's books, the Los Angeles Times, on CD covers, and published greeting cards.
Join us poolside at the Alpert JCC on July 14, at 8pm and enjoy the straight-ahead jazz of The Aaron Blumenthal Quartet. $10 Cover Charge
Exhibition open to the public
Wine by the glass and small plate snacks will also be available for purchase. For more info contact Jon Strum, (562)426-7601, ext. 1207
Performance Plus Women’s Car Care Academy Thursday, July 19, 6:30-8pm This clinic, hosted by Performance Plus Tire and sponsored by Bridgestone, is a unique opportunity for women to get some great advice and hands on experience in a friendly, supportive environment. Topics include dashboard warnings, air & oil filters, fluids, wiper blades, drive belts & tire care. Prizes for everyone who attends; light refreshments will be served. This program is Free to community women and RSVP’s are advised.
Book Signing and Read Aloud: Wed, August 1, 1pm Please come meet Irina as she reads “We Love the Company,” a book about friendship and manners at the dinner table. Angela Russ-Ayon‘s lyrical rhyming verses work seamlessly with Irina’s vivid watercolor images and creative borders. This book will be available for purchase at the book signing and comes with a companion song, instrumental version and audio book on CD. Pre-school and Elementary children are encouraged to bring their moms and dads.
Event is FREE and open to the public
Register with Eve Lunt at (562)426-7601, ext. 1067 or elunt@alpertjcc.org
The Barbara & Ray Alpert Jewish Community Center
GESHERCITY YOUNG ADULTS Sponsored by the Alpert JCC & Jewish Federation of Greater Long Beach
Susanne Katz, skatz@alpertjcc.org • (562)426-7601, ext. 1625
GesherCity Shabbat Friday, July 6, 7:30pm We’ll celebrate with good friends, great music and tasty food.
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Around the “J”
Wellness & Fitness
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Cindi Massengale, cmassengale@alpertjcc.org (562)426-7601, ext. 1056 Alpert JCC P.E. Courtesy Desk, (562)426-7601, ext. 1051
Linda Keiles, lkeiles@alpertjcc.org (562)426-7601, ext. 1092
Benefits Of Hiring A Personal Trainer There’s a reason movie stars and financial moguls use personal trainers: the benefits of working with a personal trainer is one of the fastest, easiest, most successful ways to improve your health and fitness. In fact, the benefits of personal training have proven so effective that it has spread well beyond the realm of the rich and famous. Today, personal trainers are used by people of all fitness, age and economic levels--and from all over the world--to help make lifestyle changes those people couldn’t achieve by themselves. A Personal Trainer Can Help You... 1. Improve Your Overall Fitness. 2. Reach or Maintain a Healthy Weight. 3. Stick to Your Goal. 4. Focus on Your Unique Health Concerns. 5. Find the Right Way to Work Out. 6. Stop Wasting Time. 7. Learn New Fitness & Wellness Skills. 8. Enhance Your Mind, Body and Spirit. 9. Benefit From the Buddy System. 10. Take Charge of Your Program, and Do It Your Way. Here at the AJCC we have a variety of Personal Trainers to choose from, visit the PE Desk or the Fitness Center to find out more about our Personal Training program. Are you new to the Alpert JCC Fitness Center?
ECE Registration Open to all for Pre-School, Pre-Kindergarten, Parent Participation & Enrichment Classes Summer & Fall 2012 Contact Linda Keiles, Director, Early Childhood Education, at 562-426-7601 ext. 1092 or at lkeiles@alpertjcc.org for information or to set up a tour.
All programs close when full.
Sign up for your FREE 1 hour orientation today! Haven’t tried Personal Training here before?
Sign up for our Jumpstart Special Offer: 3 One-hour (or 6 half-hour) sessions for only $124* *Only offered to AJCC members who have not used personal training services here.
For more information contact Cindi Massengale, Fitness & Wellness Manager.
Looking for summer fun with your baby or toddler? Summer Parent/Child Participation Classes offer fun & learning for families with children from birth through toddler in a welcoming Jewish atmosphere. The “J” has three different classes; find the right one for you and your baby.
From the Beginning Wednesday Mornings, 9:30am Newborn through walking, with an adult Begin your new life with us at the AJCC; this class for new mothers and their infants will help you discover the joys and face the challenges that are part of transitioning your family when a new baby arrives, whether it’s your first or your fourth. Class is facilitated by a caring and experienced ECE staff member.
SENIORS
This is a FREE class
Dr. Susan Mathieu,smathieu@alpertjcc.org (562)426-7601, ext. 1721
Yad b’ Yad (Hand in Hand)
Senior Adult 4th of July BBQ Party Featuring Bob Kissel: Music & Comedy Wednesday, July 4, 12pm Come celebrate Independence Day with us at the “J” and enjoy a BBQ luncheon that includes burgers, sweet potato fries, watermelon, and apple pie. Everyone wearing red, white and blue will receive a special gift. Our entertainment will be singer, songwriter and comedian, Bob Kissel, who has performed to standing room only audiences; his songs will leave you laughing in the aisles. $4/AJCC Member; $5/Public
4
Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:15-10:45am For children 9-23 months, with an adult Your child will experience development and discovery through hands-on learning, including music, arts & crafts, manipulatives, table and playground time. This class is a great way to make friends you and your family will keep for a lifetime.
Moving On Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:30am-12:30pm 18-28 months with an adult Parents enjoy playing with their child for the first hour, and then leave them in the nurturing care of experienced ECE staff. The children will learn through guided group play, participating in music, rhythm, stories and dramatic play and other hands-on activities. The emphasis of this class is on social skills and development which will provide a great transition into pre-school.
RSVP to Susan Mathieu
Tammuz-Av, 5772
JULY 2012
JFCS
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
JFCS’s New Director of Older Adult Services JFCS is pleased to announce a new Director of Older Adult Services, Christina Goldman. Christina, fondly referred to as Chris, has a Master’s Degree in Social Work, with an emphasis in Older Adults and Families, from CSULB. She also has a BA in Sociology with a minor in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton. Chris has spent the last ten years working in the health care industry in a wide range
of capacities including: Risk Management, Patient Representation, as well as program management for high school and college volunteers. Most recently, she has been working as a social worker for Cal Optima, providing direct services to older adults helping them stay safely in their homes instead of being prematurely placed in skilled nursing facilities. We were fortunate to have Chris as a JFCS intern
Every Day is a Mitzvah at JFCS
“Whenever two people sit together and exchange words of Torah, the Divine Presence hovers between them.” (Pirkei Avot, Ethics of the Ancestors, 3:3) Each and every day, people in need walk through the doors of JFCS. Some are without hope, some in deep despair, others just seek guidance – but all crave the same thing, a compassionate ear. We wanted to share with you a recent letter from a JFCS client as a reminder of how we work every day to heal the world, one person and one family at a time:
“I want to express my gratitude and appreciation in working with my JFCS therapist. I don’t know where to start. My therapist has such a professional and good work ethic and is both reliable and loyal. He is also easy to talk to. I never opened up to anyone the way I have opened up to him. He creates a safe, comfortable, and trusting environment. I have made leaps and bounds since working with him. I have relinquished old unhealthy and maladaptive behaviors and thoughts and have developed new healthy replacements. I am amazed
while she was earning her MSW and were delighted with her work at Temple Beth David where she facilitated a greatly revered bereavement group. On her new assignment as JFCS’s Director of Older Adult Services Chris says, “I appreciated the rich experiences I had while interning with this wonderful agency. It is both an honor and a privilege to return as an employee.” Please join us in welcoming her to the team.
at how much growth I have experienced working with him in such a short time. I have a severe mental health issue and I am functioning at a level I never thought possible for me. When I first walked through the door, I was convinced that counseling did very little in terms of my overall health and that I did not really need it. Looking back now I was so wrong. Thanks to my therapist I feel like I can make it through anything, with help of course. My family sees the growth in me and they too are so grateful. I feel like my therapist has really been a Godsend!”
OUR MISSION: Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Long Beach/West Orange County is a nonprofit agency that provides a wide range of professional counseling and support services to assist all individuals regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation in facing life’s challenges.
www.jewishlongbeach.org | JULY 2012 | 7
congregations
r a b b inic
reflections
The Importance of Tzedakah By Rabbi Howard Laibson
Today I write as a rabbi who has served the Long Beach/Lakewood Jewish community for over twenty years. It is the rabbi’s responsibility to represent Jewish values as well as to teach them, to celebrate Jewish holidays and holy days along with her or his community, and to attend to their life-cycle needs in moments of joy as well as sorrow. This I consider to be a profound privilege, one for which I am very grateful. Among the Jewish values a rabbi represents is tzedakah - righteous charitable giving. As rabbis, we - along with other Jewish community members - should give tzedakah as well as encourage others to donate tzedakah. Some people shy away from this activity. It embarrasses them to ask others for money. It makes them anxious. Still others avoid the topic because, frankly, they are hesitant to relin-
quish much of their financial resources and feel it would be inappropriate for them to ask others to relinquish theirs (in this regard, they’re quite right). Nonetheless, Judaism teaches that tzedakah outweighs all of the other mitzvot combined, for one simple reason: tzedakah saves lives! Allow me to put on my other kippah (or yarmulke, if you prefer). I am the Jewish Federation’s Vice-President of Allocations. I have the responsibility of chairing the committee that proposes (involving a complicated set of formulas) where the money goes that we raise each year in our annual campaign. At a recent meeting of the Federation Board of Governors we learned that, due to the compressed economy in which we all live, we’re not going to have as much money to provide our local and overseas recipients as we’ve had in
Upcoming Events at Our Area Synagogues
Below you will find many of the exciting events happening at our local synagogues. Be sure to contact them directly if you have any questions. Their contact information is available in the Synagogue Directory on the right sidebar of this page.
Temple Beth Shalom 562-594-8817 or Seena Wednesday, July 25 Friedland 562-598-1845. at 10:00 am, TBS hosts another Pan Tournament. If your synagogue would like to $40.00 donation request- be a part of this listing, please ed. For more information submit your events to chronicle@ please contact Clara Asch jewishlongbeach.org.
Hebrew Teachers Needed Tuesdays 4:15-6:15 p.m. Sundays 9a.m. - noon Also need substitutes for those days Contact rketzela@verizon.net
the last two or three years. While this is distressing, it’s certainly not surprising. Everyone is straining under the current economic situation. Many of us in our community will make it through this economic downturn, by cutting back our expenses here and there, in some cases significantly, in others, less so. But we’ll get by alright. However, there are also some in our Jewish community here and elsewhere who are or will be truly suffering. There are people you and I know about who will need to move out of their homes because they lost a job. There are others who are down to only one or two meals a day. There are still others who have to withdraw from their participation in Jewish life because they feel they just can’t afford it. Some seniors have to decide whether to eat, or pay for their medications. The suffering of these people,
and others like them, is real. And it is only going Rabbi Howard O. Laibson to increase in the coming year. Will our community be able to respond to their growing needs? Help us help them. I’m going to pledge to increase my donation to the Federation campaign by at least 10%. It’s not the only way I give tzedakah, just as I know the campaign isn’t the only way most of you do. It may mean that I’ll have to give some things up in order to do so. But I’ll survive. So will you. So please, join me in raising your campaign donation this year by at least 10%. And remember: tzedakah saves lives. It really does.
Rabbi Howard Laibson is Rabbi at Congregation Shir Chadash in Lakewood.
NCJW Discovery Group Dinner and Auction
Synagogue Directory
Congregation Shir Chadash (I) 6440 Del Amo Blvd. Lakewood, CA 90713 Contact Rabbi Howard Laibson Phone: 562-429-0715 Email:csclakewood@dslextreme.com Website: www.CongregationShirChadash.org Shul By The Shore (O) Seaport Marina Hotel 6400 Pacific Coast Highway Long Beach, California 90803 Contact: Rabbi Abba Perelmuter Phone: 562-621-9828 Email: rabbi@shulbytheshore.org Website: www.shulbytheshore.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 Shalom (C) 3635 Elm Ave. Long Beach, CA 90807 Contact: Rabbi David Klatzker Phone: 562-426-6413 Email: rabbi@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 (R) 10629 Lakewood Boulevard Downey, CA 90241 Contact: President David Salzman Phone: 562-861-9276 Website: www.downeytemplenertamid.org P’nai Or (I) Long Beach, CA Contact: Cantor Steven Puzarne Spiritual Director Email: cantor@pnaior.org Website: www.PnaiOr.org Phone 562-364-5154 Congregation Lubavitch (O) 3981 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach, CA 90807 Contact: Rabbi Newman Phone: 562-426-5480 Email: yitzyg@aol.com Chabad of Cypress (O) 4454 Cerritos Ave. Los Alamitos, CA 90720 Contact: Rabbi Shmuel Marcus Phone: 714-828-1851 Email: smarcus@jewishcypress.com Website: www.jewishcypress.com Congregation Sholom Leisure World, Seal Beach (C) P. O. Box 2901 Seal Beach, CA 90740 Contact: Cantor Galit Levy-Slater Spiritual Leader Membership: 562-431-0113 Temple Beth Ohr (R) 15721 Rosecrans Ave. La Mirada, CA 90638 Contact: Rabbi Mark Goldfarb Phone: 562-691-2551 E-Mail-Tmplbthohr@AOL.com Website: www.TempleBethOhr.com
Join the fun as the Discovery Group holds its annual dinner and auction. Bid against your friends and neighbors for one-of-a-kind items, described by auctioneer, Bill Millman. The event will be held on July 8 at The Grand from 4:00-9:30 pm. Bring an auction item with a minimum value of $30.00. This event is not limited to members of the Discovery
8 | JEWISH COMMUNITY CHRONICLE | TAMMUZ-AV | 5772
Group. All NCJW members, families, friends and neighbors are invited. RSVP by Tuesday, July 3 to Jean Feldman at 714-840-7467.
Chabad of West Orange County/ Congregation Adat Israel (O) 5052 Warner Ave. Huntington Beach Contact: Rabbi Aron David Berkowitz Phone: 714-846-2285 Email: info@chabadhb.com Website: www.chabadhb.com 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 Congregation Ahavas Yisroel (O) 10433 Los Alamitos Boulevard Los Alamitos, CA 90720 Contact: Rabbi Yitzchok Marcus Website: Under Construction E-mail: CongAhavas@aol.com Phone: 562-493-4570 (R)=Reform (O)=Orthodox
(C)=Conservative (I)=Independent
HEBREW ACADEMY
Award Winning Academics in a Genuine Jewish Environment 14401 Willow Lane Huntington beach, ca 92647 WEB: www.hebrewacademyhb.com PHONE: 714-898-0051 CAMP SILVER GAN ISRAEL: www.campsgi.com
Experiential Learning at its Height for Students
The fourth grade students from Hebrew Academy got a chance to see, first-hand, what goes on in the capitol in Sacramento, what it was like to be a gold miner and how Jelly Bellies are made. Throughout this year, the fourth graders have been learning about how California government works as well as the history of the state. Therefore, when they boarded the JetBlue flight to scurry up to our state’s capitol, they were prepared to truly learn more about their state. Rabbi Mendy Cohen of Chabad of Sacramento met our curious students at the Capitol and took us around, commentating as we went. He brought the edifice to life through his stories, descrip-
tions and explanations. The students learned numerous facts and left the building with a further appreciation of those who help make laws for California. Rabbi Cohen actually explained how he has helped lobby for certain laws and how expressing your opinion, in a rational and well-informed manner, really makes a difference in how people listen to you. The students and chaperones then traveled to the Chabad of Sacramento to enjoy a wonderful kosher meal, reflect on their day, leave a message for their parents and work on their Sacramento journals. In the morning, the students woke up early to get to their Coloma Outdoor Education experience. At the Coloma Outdoor Education experience the students were able to see what life was like for those who came to Coloma during the Gold Rush. Students learned that people went there with
hopes and dreams of striking it rich and worked hard, often times with very little rewards. The Outdoor Education instructors were second to none in their ability to help our students truly understand the history of our state. Finally before heading home, our students got the chance to go to the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield, about 45 minutes away from Sacramento. The travel was worth the experience for the students. They were able to hear about the various “bloopers” (mistakes) the factory made, as well as the quality control mechanisms that a factory has to have in place to succeed. This trip truly solidified the learning that had gone on in class. The students will never forget this trip, or much of the history of the state of California. Based on research related to learning and memory, this type of trip is worth the cost for its long term educational value.
Summer Night Festival at Silver Gan Israel
Silver Gan Israel invites the entire community to its grand Summer Night Festival on Wednesday, July 18 at 5 pm at the Silver Gan Israel/Hebrew Academy campus. This annual event attracted almost a thousand adults and children last year and this year’s program looks to increase that number. The event is open to the entire community. The evening will
entertain children and parents alike in a friendly Jewish environment. The community will have an opportunity to meet their friends, sit and schmooze, and enjoy a light meal. At the same time, the families will be able to enjoy an extreme pogo show that will keep kids glued to their seats. Our game room will be open, and the life size games and hamster balls will be available for all to enjoy. Silver Gan Israel imbues campers with an exciting summer experience and love for Judaism while surrounded by a nurturing atmosphere. By offering many day options,
transportation, hot lunches, extended care, and more, the SGI experience is one that will fit any family’s lifestyle and schedule. The ACA accredited camp program runs through August 24. New this summer is an aerial arts program that includes instruction and performances in aerial arts, trapeze, cube, inventive apparatus and dance. Your children will literally soar high at SGI. To learn more about the camp and this community event, go to www.SilverGanIsrael.com or call 562-5961681.
Creating Student Authors
Through a structured system of developing interesting topics and learning the conventions of writing, our students, from very young children to young adults, have gained skill and confidence in writing in all genres. By using Lucy Calkin’s Writers’ Workshop curriculum, we are able to help students better perfect their writing skills. This program is a well-researched and wellarticulated one that instills in students the habits necessary to become top-notch writers and presenters. Students learn writing skills such as hooking the reader into the “small moments” of a story, planning an essay that is complete and focused, adding interesting and high-level details, editing and producing high quality work that is grammatically correct. As one example, our fifth graders become engrossed in a unit about overcoming challenges. As a culmina-
tion, our well-prepared and enthused authors and actors read and presented their various essays and skits on their chosen challenges and strategies for overcoming those trials. Using a different genre, that of alliteration, the sixth grade students created a binder filled with various poems that, in total, very clearly describe the wonderful middle school experience they have the privilege of participating in. An unexpected result of this writing program was an increase in our standardized test scores. Although we moved to a more analytical test, the ERBs, our reading test scores increased, in some cases by 2 standard deviations. This increase is certainly significant, but more importantly, the students’ confidence in writing is clearly visible and has made them better scholars.
Enthusiastic Student Readers
The research is clear. The more reading students do, and the more they push themselves to read books they are able to read as well as those at a more challenging reading level, the more fluent they become in all academic subjects. We also know that some students tend to shy away from reading if not dared to do their very best. Therefore, we gave our middle and upper school students a challenge. We announced that we would be focusing our last quarter on reading so that they grow into the habit of reading as they move into their summer activities. We announced a contest among them, Reading Counts, a program that many students already have experience with. They read
books and take online quizzes to get credit for their reading. We rewarded two students, Ben Gelb, a 6th grader, and Mushka Kantor, an 8th grader, for the many pages of complex reading they did. For their achievements, they each received a Kindle Fire. The winners were very excited and proud for earning such a significant and logical prize for their hard work.
July Upcoming Events
OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY n Summer Night Festival Wednesday, July 18 5:00 pm n Camp SGI Sessions June 25-August 24
www.jewishlongbeach.org | JULY 2012 | 9
Tributes & announcements
Professional Directory Attorneys
Pediatrics
Alban & Alban, A Law Corporation
Robert A. Kaplan, M.D. Joel J. Widelitz, M.D.
Robert D. Alban & Jon K. Alban Estate Planning and Estate Administration Living Trusts, Wills, Powers of Attorney Serving the Long Beach community for over 40 years
(562) 594-0222
Lawrence H. Nemirow, ESQ Business Law, Insurance Law, Trusts and Estates 5242 Katella Ave., Suite 104 Los Alamitos, CA 90720
(562) 799-1379
Web Site: www.nemlawyer.com
C.P.A.’s Shari D. Nemirow, C.P.A.
Small Business accounting & income taxes for Corporations, Partnerships, Individuals 5242 Katella, #104 Los. Al.
(562) 430-8231
Pamela Schulman-Flores, C.P.A.
Master of Science-Taxation, Tax Returns-all types, tax planning & audits Downey
(562) 803-5324
Electrical H & H ELECTRICAL
Quality Without Compromise Residential & Commercial Lic. # 309934 Since 1975
(562) 494-3057
Orthodontics Brodsky Orthodontics Braces & Invisilign™ for all ages 5920 Del Amo Blvd., Lakewood
(562) 496-2000
www.drbrodskysmile.com
A Professional Corporation Infants-Children-Adolescents Robert A. Kaplan, M.D. F.A.A.P. Joel J. Widelitz, M.D., F.A.A.P. Rei Tosu, M.D., F.A.A.P. Barbara Bennett, R.N., C.P.N.P. 10861 Cherry St., Suite 305 Los Alamitos, CA 90720
(562) 598-4848
Podiatry Eric R. Hubbard, D.PM, F.A.C.F.S.
Board Certified-Foot & Ankle Surgery Adult’s and Children’s Foot Disorders Athletic Injuries-Custom Orthotics 2333 Pacific Ave., Long Beach
(562) 426-5151 (562) 427-7443
Psychology Bernard F. Natelson, PSY.D. Certified, American Board of Medical Psychotherapists, Stress Management-Relationship Expertise 3551 Florista St. Suite 1 D, Los Alamitos
(562) 431-1033
Call Today to Add your listing to our Professional Directory Call Yolanda 562-426-7601 EXT 1314 for more information
Tributes
Tribute & memorial contributions are special gifts to honor, memorialize, or congratulate friends & family for all occasions. We will be delighted to send a card on your behalf.
Jewish Federation
General Fund • To Dr. & Mrs. Joel Brodsky, in memory of your mother, Ida Brodsky, from Michelle & Bruce Baral •To Barbara & Leon Shoag, in honor of receiving the Baldwin Community Service Award, from Doris Kagin Building & Grounds Fund •To Joan, Paula & Ron Davis, in memory of your beloved sister & aunt, from Judi & Gordon Lentzner •To Arlene & Rick Freeman, mazel tov on your grandson’s Bar Mitzvah, from Judi & Gordon Lentzner Israel/Overseas Fund •To Inge Johnson, in memory of your daughter Evelyn, from Harriet Danufsky •To Inge Johnson, in memory of your daughter Evelyn, from Elaine Porzucki
Jewish Community Foundation
Gerda Seifer Yom HaShoah Fund •To Inge Johnson, in memory of your daughter Evelyn, from Gerda & Harold Seifer
B’nai Mitzvah
For tributes to the Jewish Federation and Jewish Community Foundation please call 562-426-7601 EXT 1314
AJCC
general Fund •To Rita and Barry Zamost, in honor of the birth of your granddaughters, from Sue and Murray Taubman •To Michael Weinberg and family, in memory of Bette Weinberg, from Sue and Murray Taubman •To the Brodsky family, in memory of Ida Brodsky, from Sue and Murray Taubman •To Joel Brodsky and family, in memory of Ida Brodsky, from Rita and Barry Zamost •To Michael Weinberg and family, in memory of Bette Weinberg, from Rita and Barry Zamost
Inge, Millie, Marel, Phyllis, Ruth & Sylvia For tributes to AJCC please call 562-426-7601 ext 1414
JFCS
General JFCS Fund •To Edie & Joel Brodsky, in memory of your mother Ida, from JFCS Staff and Board •To Ron Vicky & Charles Brodsky, in memory of your grandmother Ida, from JFCS Staff and Board •To Mr. & Mrs. Norman Slomann, in memory of your sister, from Paula & Myron Bloom •To Mary Lowen Santiago, in gratitude for your twenty years of exceptional service to JFCS and the seniors they serve, from Judy Schultz •To Mary Lowen Santiago, in gratitude for your twenty Michael Segal years of exceptional service Maimonides Fund to JFCS and the seniors they •To Joel Brodsky and family, serve, from JFCS Staff and in memory of Ida Brodsky, Board from Jessie Butler •To Michael Weinberg and Weiss Fund family, in memory of Bette •In memory of Sophie Weinberg, from Jessie Butler Tessler, from Tessie Edlen •To Cathy Moran-Aboulafia, For tributes to JFCS please call in memory of her mother, 562-426-7601 ext 235 or from Jessie Butler 562-427-7916 •To Ron Botwin, for a speedy recovery, from Jessie Butler Paula Blum Senior Adult Fund •To Morris Wickman, from your Wednesday lunch tablemates Bea, Benita,
Donate a Vehicle
to The Jewish Federation of Greater Long Beach
Call 1-800-240-0160
dresses, reading and playing Emma enjoys with her pets. She participates artistic temple beth david in charitable projects such pursuits such Natalie Egherman as helping at the Ronald as singing e e N a t a l i e McDonald House, Centro and making Egherman, Shalom food bank and fashion daughter of sketches. Jerry & Linda being a ‘tent angel’ at breast cancer walks. She looks She is a past ECE graduate Egherman, forward to more community from the Alpert JCC and was called to continued her Judaic studies the Torah for Tikkun Olam projects. at TBS. Her Dad John, Mom her Bat Mitzvah on June 30. Emma Williams Tabi and younger brother Natalie is a 7th grade honor Emma Williams will be Wyatt are proud of the student in the accelerated called to the Torah for her outstanding young woman program at Stanford Middle Bat Mitzvah on July 7. Emma, she has become. Thank you School. She enjoys singing in whose Hebrew name is Ora to everyone in the community Chorus and participating in Yael, is an honor student at that helped Emma along the Girl Scouts. Natalie spends Stanford Middle School. way. her time drawing, designing
10 | JEWISH COMMUNITY CHRONICLE | TAMMUZ-AV | 5772
community
How to Survive Anything by David and Yetta Kane Review by: Albert Tucher, Principal Librarian, Newark Public Library
David and Yetta Kane with advance copy of book
I believe that we can never have enough documentation of the Holocaust. As survivors depart at an accelerated rate, and Holocaust deniers undoubtedly gear up for another round of lies, it is more important than ever to capture what remains of the collective memory. How to
Survive Anything, by David and Yetta Kane and edited by Elaine Ash, is a harrowing and stirring addition to the literature. Full disclosure: Elaine Ash is a friend and writing colleague, but reviewing this book, which could have been an obligation, is in fact a privilege and a pleasure. The book’s organization seems strange at first. It starts with early childhood memories of each of the authors and then leaps over the war years to their lives in the United States. As Mrs. Kane explains, she and her husband want to emphasize the astonishing fact that they survived. More than that, they prospered. In other words, the Nazi extermination plan failed. Once that miracle, as it can only be called, is established, the narrative turns to the war years. Mr. Kane’s narrative is the more aware of the two. He was a few crucial years older and his
survival depended on his own shrewdness, endurance and courage. But Yetta Kane’s story is even more fascinating in its way, because everything, large or small, seems equally important to a child. The reader comes to realize that a child could be murdered or starved or driven to die of disease, but she could also simply wander off and perish accidentally, as many children do even in the best of times, and as young Yetta nearly did. Both authors bring the minutiae of persecution into focus, along with the horrifying randomness of life and death in the ghettos and camps. There are also stunning moments of kindness and mercy from unexpected sources. The narrative then returns to the new life in America, with children, grandchildren, and everything the Nazis tried to prevent. Unlike many survivors the Kanes have managed to preserve a legacy of pre-war
Additional Chronicle Subscribers Thank you to:
Yetta and David Kane, in love, 1950 at Santa Monica Beach
photographs. The illustrations in this volume alone would be worth the reader’s attention, but there is so much more here. Beautifully bound and presented, the book lies flat for reading thanks to its Smyth-sewn binding. Printed on acid-free art paper, there is a book-mark ribbon attached, matching the peacock-blue hard cover with silver-foil stamping and tipped-in artwork. At $25 the price is a bargain.
Albert Tucher is Principal Librarian at Newark Public Library. Educated at Princeton and Rutgers University, Mr. Tucher performed as a professional tenor soloist in the choir of Congregation B’nai Israel in Elizabeth, New Jersey. His short stories are widely published and his bestknown work was featured in The Best American Mystery Stories 2010, edited by Lee Child and Otto Penzler.
Benefactor Mona & Jeffrey Morris
Sponsor Ronald J. Philipp
Century Circle Linda & Sanford Simmons
Subscriber Elizabeth & Samuel Salzberg List updated 6-4-12
BUILDING FOR OUR FUTURE!
Join us for Shabbat Services being held at the Alpert Jewish Community Center during construction PRESERVICE ONEG Join us Fridays at 5:30 p.m. for appetizers and socializing before our Shabbat Services SHABBAT SERVICES Fridays ~ 6:00 p.m. Saturdays ~ 10:30 a.m.
SHABBAT IN THE PARK Friday, July 13 ~ 5:30 p.m. Join us a t El Dorado Park as we joyfully welcome Shabbat. Bring your own dinner, drinks, chairs and blankets
TORAH STUDY Saturdays ~ 8:45 a.m. Each week we examine the weekly Torah portion and discuss its meaning and relevance
Temple Israel ~ 562.434.0996 ~ www.tilb.org
www.jewishlongbeach.org | JULY 2012 | 11
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HIGH HOLY DAY GREETINGS
Send a High Holy Day greeting to your friends, family and our community. Placing your greeting in the Chronicle assures that you won’t forget anyone. Here are samples of greetings in five sizes and various prices.
Your greeting MUST be in by Wednesday, August 1, 2012
A
L’Shanah Tovah
FILL OUT AND MAIL THIS COUPON WITH YOUR PAYMENT TO: Jewish Community Chronicle 3801 E. Willow St., Long Beach, CA 90815 by e-mail: chronicle@jewishlongbeach.org or by fax: 562-424-3915
Mr. & Mrs. Joe Feinstein
ALL ADS MUST BE PAID FOR IN ADVANCE BY CHECK OR CREDIT CARD 1. Select the size of your greeting (Circle one) A. 2” x 2” @ $25 (message A or B only) B. 4” x 1” @ $25 C. 4” x 2” @ $50 D. 4” x 3” @ $75 E. 4” x 5” @ $100 2. Choose a message or compose your own (Circle one) V. L’Shanah Tovah W.Happy New Year X. Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year Y. Wishing You a New Year of Health, Happiness & Peace (Only available for 4 X 5 greeting) Z. Compose your own greeting maximum of 50 characters (Only available for 4 X 5 greeting)
B
C
Happy New Year Mr. & Mrs. Joe Feinstein
BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR Mr. & Mrs. Joe Feinstein
D
3. The name(s) on my greeting should read:
Wishing You a New Year of Health, Happiness & Peace The Abraham Family
(Please print) _________________________________________________________________________
Moses, Sara and Rachel
4. Payment
■ CHECk ENCLoSED MAKE YOUR CHECK PAYABLE TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CHRONICLE ■ PLEASE CHArgE mY VISA/mASTErCArD/AmEX Card #_____________________________________ Exp. Date ________________________________ Signature ____________________________________________________________________________ Name_______________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________ City_______________________ Zip_________ Phone________________________________________
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E
Wishing You a New Year of Health, Happiness & Peace The Abraham Family Moses, Sara and Rachel
PUBLISHED SINCE 1947 BY THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER LONG BEACH AND WEST ORANGE COUNTY 3801 E. WILLOW STREET | LONG BEACH, CA 90815- 1791 | 562-426- 7601, EXT. 1006 | FAX 562-424-3915
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