April 25, 2014

Volume XX, Issue XXIX | www.thejewishvoice.org Serving Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts

25 Nisan 5774 | April 25, 2014

SPRING CELEBRATIONS

JDC takes you behind the headlines of the crisis in Ukraine

BY OFER GLANZ

In order to maintain proper form, the scrolls must be rolled on a regular basis. Since that’s not easy to do with more than 1,500 Torahs, something had to be invented to save them from decay.

Chimen Abramsky, a historian and an expert on Judaica who examined the Torahs, burst into tears upon seeing the dying scrolls – ones lacking protective covering, wrapped in ripped shawls and tied with children’s belts. In 1963, Ralph C. Yablon purchased the 1,564 scrolls and arranged to transport them to London, where the Westminster Synagogue became the official trustee for the collection.

As we have all witnessed in the past two weeks, following the annexation of the Crimea, pro-Russian protests and activities has intensified in the eastern parts of Ukraine. Pro-Russian activists stormed and captured district and municipal administration buildings and state security offices.

The Jewish population is also concerned by increasing number of incidents which have anti-Semitic language and appearance, where some of the incidents are bringing back the memories of past times of terror and persecution.

In Donetsk, an official-looking document was circulated, calling on Jews to register with the Nationalities Commissioner and pay $50 or lose their citizenship and face deportation. We have talked with people in Donetsk who confirmed receiving this pamphlet, which was distributed by four people outside of the synagogue.

The leaflets were handed to the Jews going out of the synagogue after the service. The Donetsk rabbi has also confirmed it. The SBU [Security Service of Ukraine] was informed about this incident and they told the community not to take this seriously. However, in the state of general disorder in the region, the police also said they cannot do anything to prevent it. Quite a few members of the community believe it is a provocation aimed at

SCROLLS | 14

UKRAINE | 15

COURTESY OF HERCRI

The Torah scroll at the Holocaust Education and Resource Center of R.I., donated by Dr. Richard and Lynn Glick honors the Czech victims who saved it but lost their lives.

The Czech Torah scrolls Boston temple members honor the memory of Holocaust victims

BY IRINA MISSIURO imissiuro@jewishallianceri.org During World War II, the Nazis permitted Prague’s Jews to sort, classify and catalog the Jewish Museum’s Torah scrolls, which were part of a collection that contained numerous ceremonial objects. Sadly, before they could fi nish the task, the Jews were deported to death camps, where all but two died. Unlike the Jewish victims of the Holocaust, the Torah scrolls survived.

Moved from the (renamed) State Jewish Museum to Michele Synagogue, they remained there in danger of perishing akin to their prior caretakers.

PHOTOS | JDC

The Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) ensures the well-being of vulnerable Jews in Ukraine.

1065 Wordens Pond Road Wakefield, RI 02879 (401) 463-3170 WWW.CAMPJORI.COM

2 | April 25, 2014

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INSIDE Business 32-33 Calendar 8-9 Community 2-9, 14, 23-24 D’var Torah 13 Food 16 Israel 22-25, 27-28 Mother’s Day 17-19, 36-37 Nation 13, 27 Obituaries 34-35 Opinion 10-12 Seniors 30 Simchas | We Are Read 38-39 World 15, 35 Yom Hashoah 29, 31

THIS ISSUE’S QUOTABLE QUOTE “Chocolate really is the world’s perfect food.”

HIDDUR MITZVAH

Beth-El’s design remains a fine example of Modernism

BY GEORGE M. GOODWIN When dedicated 60 years ago, Temple Beth-El was one of the fi rst examples of modern synagogue architecture in New England. Lovingly preserved, it remains one of the fi nest.

During the early 1940s when planning began for the congregation’s third home, on Orchard Avenue, clergy and lay leaders were unsure whether to seek a traditional or more adventurous design.

Rabbi William G. Braude led an extensive search for both an appropriate style and an architect, which, with board approval, culminated in 1947 with the selection of Percival Goodman. A professor of architecture at Columbia University, he had recent synagoguebuilding experience and was eager for a similar commission (despite the fact that he was never an observant Jew).

Of course, Goodman and his clients considered the new Beth-El – its entire building and grounds – as a work of art.

Low-key and inviting, the design was intended to express tranquility, timelessness and majesty while harmonizing with nature and neighboring buildings. The sanctuary’s

PHOTOS JUDY MOSELEY

The temple’s outside foyer includes figurative mosaics by Walter Feldman. clerestory windows, whose calligraphy and symbols were designed by Ismar David, invited a dramatic interplay of bright light, shadow and darkness. Boldly colored textiles and marble memorial panels further enhanced the sanctuary’s contemplative yet joyful aura. Walter Feldman, a Brown University art professor, was commissioned to craft figurative mosaic pavements for the temple’s foyer.

Of course, music, the spoken word and silent prayer were

also integral to Goodman’s understated aesthetic. As were flowers!

Unfortunately, Goodman’s grandest decorative ideas, being too costly, never materialized. The fi rst consisted of two stone relief carvings by the great Jewish modernist Jacques Lipchitz that would have adorned the temple’s south façade (above the office entrance) and the eastern end of the sanctuary (facing Butler Avenue). AnMODERNISM | 6

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The Ner Tamid was sculpted

by David Hare.

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April 25, 2014 |

3

Boost the community with innovative new crowdfunding website Jboost.org to launch in May

BY ALEX GAINES againes@jewishallianceri.org The internet and social media have redefi ned our lives in many ways over the past few years. One of the great innovations to arise from these technologies is the process of crowdfunding.

Crowdfunding websites, like the popular Kickstarter.com and Indiegogo. com, feature individual projects looking to raise enough money to meet a predefi ned goal. Crowdfunding thrives on transparency and engagement by explaining to the funder how and why the listed project exists without requiring any minimum donation or giving to the organization. Instead, every funder–large and small–has the opportunity to support a specific cause and can learn about the team they’re supporting to produce their project.

In response to the Living on the Edge study, which explored the pervasiveness of economic vulnerability in our community, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island began developing a community crowdfunding platform called Jboost (Jboost. org). Crowdfunding was recommended as an opportunity to involve others in the fight

against economic insecurity and a way to bring the community together in contributing to a cause. Jboost will become a community platform that enables and supports a network of agencies and organizations as they develop ways to assist the economically vulnerable in our community. These projects

will align with one of the three central tenets of our Living on the Edge initiative – providing a safety net, promoting self-sufficiency or increasing access to Jewish life.

Leading nonprofits through-

out the community have begun to develop potential project ideas that support Jboost’s mission. Jewish Seniors Agency has already begun planning a project to deliver Shabbat dinners to families in need. It’s a new approach to providing food for the hungry and increasing access to Jewish life that

builds on the strengths and experience already at the agency.

While the Jboost team will assist with support services for our partners, each organization will lead the planning and implementation of its own

project. Community members and social entrepreneurs are encouraged to seek out their synagogue or an appropriate

“Find a project that resonates with you and share it with your social media network – this will boost the project’s visibility and its chances of reaching its fund raising goal.” organization for sponsorship of an idea they would like to arrange. Crowdfunding presents an exciting new way for these groups to showcase the supportive services they provide while increasing their impact within the community.

How can you get involved?

First, we encourage everyone to visit Jboost.org when it launches. Take a look at all of the different projects that support our community and help those in need; then donate anything

Save the Date

you can – any amount makes an impact. Find a project that resonates with you, and share it with your social media network – this will boost the project’s visibility and its chances of reaching its fundraising goal. Social media have played a huge role in transforming crowdfunding into the very successful model for fundraising that it is today.

When a project becomes viral, it doesn’t just help the project organizers reach their goals – it also raises awareness and engagement throughout the community. When showing support via your computer or mobile device isn’t enough, learn other ways to champion the cause.

Perhaps you can provide material assistance as a community sponsor or contact the project organizers about volunteering your time. Regardless of how you use Jboost, you will enjoy the opportunity to see the creative and diverse work in which the leaders of our community are engaged to address the needs of our most vulnerable and distressed.

ALEX GAINES is the Community Development Manager for the Living on the Edge Initiative.

Third Annual Meeting Monday, June 16 | 7pm

Board Installations: Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island Jewish Federation Foundation Alliance Realty, Inc. Presentation of Leadership and Community Service Awards Special Guest Speakers: Alan Gill, Executive Vice President and CEO Dov Ben-Shimon, Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) in celebration of JDC’s 100 years of service and impact Reception to follow Join us at 6pm as we honor Israeli Emissary Matan Graff

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4 | April 25, 2014

The Jewish Voice

R.I. Teens join March of the Living

BY JEWISH VOICE STAFF

MATAN GRAFF

RI delegates are (left to right): Candace Powning, Makenna Kobrin, Miriam Heath, Nili Levine, Alexis Kutenplon–Rayess, Ben Harpel, Julie Penn, Kevin Sock and Ariel Warren (from Sharon, Mass.). Not present: Jesse Brenman. singing of Hatikva, reaffirming am Yisrael chai – the Jewish people live. The participants will also visit Lublin, Zamosc and Warsaw. From Poland, the Rhode Island teens will fly to Israel to join thousands of Israelis in celebrating Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s 66th Independence Day on May 6. The teens’ week will include a march in Jerusalem, a visit to Providence’s sister

region of Afula/Gilboa and a climb up Masada.

Prior to the trip, the Rhode Island teens have been attending a weekly class taught by Rabbi Barry Dolinger of Beth Shalom along with Rabbi Wayne Franklin of Temple EmanuEl, May-Ronny Zeidman of the Holocaust Education and Resource Center of Rhode Island (HERCRI) and Matan Graff,

t s b J soon g n i h c laun

raising funds to raise the community 1. How does Jboost.org work?

Log on to jboost.org

3. Find ones you like and click “Fund this Project.”

Fund this Project Commit any dollar amount — every bit helps.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on the March of the Living or any other of the many teen programs at the Jewish Alliance offers, contact Jana Brenman at 401-421-4111, ext. 181.

Jboost.org—the crowdfunding website for Greater Rhode Island’s Jewish community.

Crowdfunding /kroud•f ndING/: The collective effort of a group of people who pool their resources, networks, and ideas to benefit the greater good.

Coming together to raise the community by growing safety net services, promoting self-sufficiency, and increasing access to Jewish life in Greater Rhode Island.

2. Browse projects created by local Jewish agencies and synagogues.

Project I

This is you.

our Israeli Shaliach (emissary}. The students have been learning about the rich Jewish life in Europe prior to the war, the specific locations in Poland they will visit and how Israel was established. They have read the book “The Search for Meaning,” written by psychiatrist survivor Viktor Frankl.

Participants are high school juniors and seniors from all

e

On April 28, thousands of Jewish teens, from 40 countries around the world, will share in a once-in-a-lifetime experience when they march 4.8 miles from Auschwitz to Birkenau, the largest concentration camp complex built by the Nazis during World War II. The greater Rhode Island community is sending nine teenagers on this trip. The New England delegation includes 41 people from Rhode Island, Hartford, New Haven, Stamford and Boston.

Survivor Siegmund Listwa, accompanied by his son and nephew, will be going on his second March of the Living trip prepared to educate and join in with the teens as they march to the camp where he once lived.

The march commemorates Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. The Rhode Island delegation will be there along with more than 10,000 participants marching shoulder to shoulder for this historic March of the Living. The teens’ experience will be in direct contrast to the tragic fate of hundreds of thousands of Jews and others who were forced by the Nazis to take part in the infamous “death marches” across vast expanses of European terrain under the harshest of conditions. At one of the gas chambers in Birkenau, the teens will participate in a memorial service that will conclude with the

over the state: Jesse Brenman, Nili Levine, Miriam Heath, Ben Harpel, Kevin Sock, Julie Penn, Makenna Kobrin, Alexis Kutenplon-Rayess and Candace Powning. The trip is supported by the Jewish Alliance and its synagogue partners, the Touro Fraternal Association and HERCRI. Jana Brenman, director of teen education and engagement at the Jewish Alliance, and the regional director for the New England delegation of the March of the Living International, said she is looking forward to providing this powerful transformative experience for these teens. “They will develop a deeper sense of Jewish identity by listening to stories of survivors and sharing this meaningful experience with Jewish teens from all over the world. The Israel part of the trip deepens their commitment to and love of the land of Israel, the homeland for the Jews.”

She said the New England region is fortunate to have experienced Jewish Alliance staff, including Matan Graff, Elanah Chassen and Erin Moseley, join the trip. Rabbi Barry Dolinger is the clergy and educator for the trip.

Project II

Project III

Click to learn more about the project and host organization.

4. Finally, share the project with your social media network.

Spread the word to help your project get funding...

It’s that easy!

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April 25, 2014 |

5

JCDSRI’s Professional Learning Community takes on Project-Based Learning (Part 1 of 2 parts)

BY JAMIE FAITH WOODS A Professional Learning Community (PLC) is a group of thoughtful educators who meet together regularly to deepen their educational practices through intentional and close examination and reflection, to work to improve the overall quality of teaching and learning in their classrooms, to examine problems of practice and teaching dilemmas and to strive to ensure their practices are demonstrative of their educational philosophies.

The Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island (JCDSRI) PLC chose Project-Based Learning (PBL) as this school year’s topic. Intuitively, project-based learning always feels worthwhile and educationally rich, and the PLC yearned to know more. The group began by reading Ron Berger’s “An Ethic of Excellence,” and they are using this book as a jumping off point, a back-drop and a lens for their work on project-based learning. Berger, a master teacher in his own right, uses formal critique sessions and multiple drafts to facilitate his students’ achievement of truly excellent work. Much of the work he does is project-based and authentic to an unusually high caliber. His students have checked lead levels of water in the homes of their community members. They have learned sign language to communicate with and visit friends at a deaf school. While conducting a census survey for the state, his students located frogs that herpetologists thought no longer existed in that region. The projects Berger’s students have done are about as real and important as they come.

JCDSRI chose PBL because of our collective pedagogical belief that true and deep learning best occurs with the integration of content and skills. Initially, our basic understanding of PBL was that students work collaboratively on a meaningful interdisciplinary project of substance and worth and that the project is the vehicle for the

learning, not merely the endproduct of a unit that is only introduced after the content. It is the project that kick-starts and drives the learning. The content and skills need to be learned to work on and complete the project successfully.

In true project-based learning, how important is it to distinguish between studentdriven, student-centered and student-initiated? Ron Berger’s projects are impressive in that his students are intrinsically motivated and that they do actual real-world work, not just work that mirrors the real world. Project-based learning can be an authentic and/ or engaging way for students to learn and construct meaning. The latter feels redundant, as it is arguable that one only learns when meaning is made.

The JCDSRI PLC began wrestling with questions that feel essential to getting passed a basic understanding of PBL. Is it true inquiry? Is it authentic? Is it student-driven?

The JCDSRI PLC is currently working on crafting its own working definition of PBL based on experts in the field.

The criteria for PBL is as follows: the project and task are initially defined clearly; it is authentic in that it might be a “real-life” problem, there is a “real-life” application and/or it is meaningful for the world; there is a high level of student engagement; collaboration is essential to the success of the project; it is student-centered and student-driven a la a constructivist learning approach; there is a driving (open-ended) question, using clear and compelling language, that captures the heart of the project and the students find this question so motivating that it inspires in them a need to know; the project requires the use of 21st century skills, inquiry and innovation, feedback and revision, and student voice and choice; there is both a launching event and a public presentation.

As the PLC moved on to redefine and apply PBL in their own terms, they found themselves wrestling with worthwhile questions. The current under-

Project-Based Learning is a growing trend in schools today.

standing is that in PBL, it is the project that drives the learning as opposed to creating a project at the end of a unit. These are the aspects the JCDSRI PLC saw in Berger’s work that they feel are essential elements of PBL: internal motivation for excellence, meaningful work, contributing to society, public presenting, students who feel like they have some stake in

DESIGN & LAYOUT` Leah Camara

EDITOR Fran Ostendorf CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Kara Marziali, Alliance Director of Communications Brian Sullivan, Alliance Director of Marketing

ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Tricia Stearly tstearly@jewishallianceri.org 401-421-4111, ext. 160 Karen Borger ksborger@gmail.com 401-529-2538

CONTRIBUTING WRITER Irina Missiuro

COLUMNISTS Dr. Stanley Aronson, Michael Fink, Rabbi James Rosenberg and Daniel Stieglitz

EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS Irina Missiuro | Judith Romney Wegner

MEMBER of the Rhode Island Press Association

it, connected to their lives, interdisciplinary, every project contains reading and research, brings in experts, high quality tools, high standards, clear rubrics, quality vs. quantity. The next steps for the PLC will be to help support members of the group as they plan their own

projects for their classes to do project-based learning.

JAMIE FAITH WOODS (jfwoods@jcdsri.org) serves as Teacher Leader for grades 2-5 at Jewish Community Day School.

COPY DEADLINES All news releases, THE JEWISH VOICE (ISSN number 1539- photographs, etc., must be received 2104, USPS #465-710) is published bi-week- on the Wednesday two weeks prior to ly, except in July, when it does not publish. publication. Submissions may be sent to: editor@jewishallianceri.org.

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All submitted content becomes the PUBLISHER The Jewish Alliance of property of The Voice. Announcements Greater Rhode Island, Chair Sharon and opinions contained in these pages Gaines, President/CEO Jeffrey K. Savit, are published as a service to the com401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906. munity and do not necessarily reprePhone: 401-421-4111 • Fax 401-331-7961 sent the views of The Voice or its publisher, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

6 | April 25, 2014 FROM PAGE 2

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MODERNISM

other extraordinary idea was for a pair of tapestry-like curtains, flanking the sanctuary, that would have been designed by another major Jewish modernist, Marc Chagall.

Fortunately, several prominent members of New York’s avant-garde, many associated with the Samuel Kootz Gallery, received commissions. David Hare sculpted the Ner Tamid and a seven-branched candelabra, which mysteriously resembles a nautical vessel. Herbert Ferber sculpted the bronze hanukkiah adjacent to the sanctuary’s front entrance.

Ibram Lassaw, an Egyptianborn Jew also associated with the Abstract Expressionist movement, created the spidery metal columns flanking the ark. Brilliant suggestions by Rabbi Braude, the “Pillar of Cloud” and the “Pillar of Fire” (Exodus 13:21-22) had protected and guided the wandering Israelites. One of Lassaw’s sculptures was actually missing during the temple’s dedication.

So highly regarded, it was borrowed by the Museum of Modern Art for exhibition at the Venice Biennale.

I am particularly fond of Lassaw’s columns. When illuminated from below, they convey a sense of everlasting space, time and divinity. Indeed, the recurring letter shin symbolizes Shaddai (The Almighty).

I was fortunate to interview Lassaw at his East Hampton

studio in 1988 when researching a lengthy article about Beth-El’s art and architecture.

Not surprisingly, he was a softspoken and humble man.

Remarkably, Goodman’s design did not include sculptures of the Ten Commandments.

Indeed, there was no place for them within the latticework of the arched roof. In 1960, when some congregants seemed unhappy with this oversight, Goodman recommended a sculptor, Martin Craig, to fill the so-called gap. Although Goodman thought that it was unnecessary to place Hebrew letters on the chapel’s small ark, he also submitted to some congregants’ objections.

When I interviewed him in 1989 shortly before his death, Goodman explained that he was particularly proud of Providence’s Beth-El. As the designer of more than 50 postwar American synagogues, however, he had no need to flatter my congregation or me. He strongly believed that the Orchard Avenue commission represented a wonderful opportunity: an ample budget and site, thoughtful clients and a fresh opportunity to reinterpret the past. Horrified by the threat of nuclear war, Goodman was also concerned that the pews were seldom filled to capacity. Thus, in a surprising sense, Beth-El’s gentle, graceful and gracious design was also illusory.

The spidery metal columns flanking the ark were created by Ibram Lassaw.

GEORGE GOODWIN, a BethEl member since 1987, was coeditor of “The Jews of Rhode Island” (Brandeis University Press, 2004) and has edited the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Notes for a decade.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is part of a series about Hiddur Mitzvah (enhancement or beautification of the divine commandment). In appreciation of Hiddur Mitzvah The Jewish Voice will highlight Judaica collections in our synagogues and museums throughout the state.

The sanctuary’s clerestory windows include calligraphy and symbols designed by Ismar David.

Community | Shabbat & Havdalah | High Holy Days | Religious/Hebrew School Next Dor (Young professionals group) | K’Tantan (young families) | Beth-Elders Life Long Learning | Hineinu Caring Community Chavurot and 8To the Table (Social gathering of small groups with common interests) | Sisterhood | Brotherhood Temple Beth-El is a caring Jewish Community that warmly welcomes and engages members by providing a rich variety of religious, spiritual, educational, and communal opportunities.

Temple Beth-El is committed to Jewish life and the evolving principles of Reform Judaism.

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JEWISH WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

From pawnbroker to banker, Lillian Kasindorf Kavey

BY TOBY ROSSNER Responding to the economic hard times of the European immigrants surging into New York in the early 1900s, Lillian Kavovitz opened a pawnshop in Port Chester, N.Y. Her business was highly successful in large part because she was fluent in Russian, Polish, German, Czech and several Italian dialects. After learning that many of her customers hoarded their savings under their mattresses until they had enough to bring over their next of kin, she transformed her business into a travel and loan agency.

Customers deposited money with her to gather interest.

When enough funds were available to purchase the ticket, she arranged passage with a steamship company. If newcomers had trouble with the immigration authorities, Lillian would travel on their behalf to Ellis Island, where she soon became a familiar figure.

In 1913, Lillian became the first woman to be granted a banking license in New York State. Her bank was named A.H. and L. Kavovitz. Her husband joined her as a partner; soon after, her two sons followed as partners. The family name was changed to Ka-

Lillian Kavey vey, and the bank’s name was changed to Kavey and Sons. Kavey and Sons merged with First Westchester National Bank of New Rochelle in 1955 and later with the still-prosperous Barclay’s Bank.

With thanks to Tania Colmant-Donabedian, reference librarian at the Port Chester Public Library.

TOBY ROSSNER (tobyross@ cox.net) was the Director of Media Services at the Bureau of Jewish Education from 1978 to 2002.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fifth article in a series on the history of Jewish women entrepreneurs.

April 25, 2014 |

7

Maxine Richman is a winner in our book Woman of the Year works on community issues

BY FRAN OSTENDORF fostendorf@jewishallianceri.org

It could be argued that each and every woman among our readership deserves an award as woman of the year. Our women readers, their friends and relatives, lead busy lives.

They spend their time doing good for their families and their community.

And you let us know about a dozen of them. Moms, wives, friends and trusted companions who enrich the lives of those around them. We take our hats off to everyone who took the time to send us an entry. Our readers are what make this paper work.

But Maxine Richman stood out to receive this year’s award. She is an admired leader and a devoted family member. She is a social worker and social justice and community advocate.

“There are several women who inspire me in our community. I believe that Maxine Richman is absolutely amazing,” said Barbara Horovitz Brown in nominating Richman. “Her work furthering legislation supported by NCJW (National Council of Jewish Women), working to better the lot of women, children and families is tireless.”

“Maxine is a most devoted and loving mother and grandmother,” said her cousin Diane Ducoff in nominating Richman. “Maxine is the true matriarch of her family and a loving sister, aunt, cousin and niece to our entire family.”

Richman’s sphere of influence reaches throughout our community. She works with interfaith leaders on poverty awareness issues as the cochair of the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty. And she’s active in the Alliance Community Relations Council.

“I’m so grateful and so blessed that the Jewish community has allowed me to represent them on so many issues,” she said. “But you don’t do this work to be recognized.”

But Ducoff and Brown believe that Richman deserves to be recognized.

“I admire Maxine because she is true to her word, true to her work and true to herself.

She shares her time and her talent with our community and she is a sincere advocate for the needy,” writes Ducoff.

So to Richman, we say: Congratulations Maxine.

Keep up the good works.

Maxine receives a number of lovely prizes, including two tickets to an upcoming perfor-

COURTESY | MAXINE RICHMAN

Maxine Richman mance at Providence Performing Arts Center, a six-month individual membership to the Dwares JCC Fitness Center including Women’s Health Club privileges, a gift certificate to City Grille in East Providence, a free session at The Providence Pilates Center, a gift certificate to Ruth’s Lingerie and a gift certificate to Reliable Gold Jewelers.

FRAN OSTENDORF is editor of The Jewish Voice.

8 | April 25, 2014

CALENDAR | NATION

CALENDAR Ongoing

Alliance Kosher Senior Café. Kosher lunch and program every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. 12:00 p.m. lunch; 12:45 p.m. program. $3 lunch donation from individuals 60+ or under 60 with disabilities. Neal or Elaine, 401-421-4111, ext. 107.

Am David Kosher Senior Café. Kosher lunch and program every weekday.

Temple Am David, 40 Gardiner St., Warwick. 11:15 a.m. program; 12:00 p.m. lunch. $3 lunch donation from individuals 60+ or under 60 with disabilities.

Elaine or Steve 401-732-0047.

Continuing through May 8

Lecture Series for cancer survivors and their families. Miriam Hospital: “Moving Forward When Cancer is the Diagnosis.” Thursdays from April 3, 2014 – May 8, 2014, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., The Miriam Hospital (unless otherwise noted). Hurvitz Board Room, 1st Floor, 164 Summit Ave., Providence.

This event is free and open to the public.

To register, please call 401-444-4800 or 800-927-1230, or visit miriamhospital.org. Different guest speakers will be featured each week: April 3 - “Ask the Doctor,” Rochelle Strenger, M.D., medical oncologist. April 10 -“Prescription for Hope: A Roadmap to Living without Fear of Dying,” Doriana Morar, M.D., staff psychiatrist. April 24 - “From a Survivor’s Perspective,” Panel of cancer survivors speaking about moving beyond the cancer diagnosis. May 1 “Food is Medicine,” “What about Olive Oil?” olive oil tasting. Mary Flynn, Ph.D., RD, chief research dietitian. Jennifer and Sal Fuccillo, owners, “Olive Del Mondo”, 815 Hope St., Providence. May 8 - “What Does “Organic” Mean”: Meet at Whole Foods on North Main St., Bonnie Coombs, marketing team leader, Whole Foods, N. Main St., Providence.

Continuing through May 29

Local Artists Exhibit. Highlighting art from the community. Gallery (401) Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, Erin Moseley, emoseley@ jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 108.

Friday | April 25

Yom HaShoah services at Temple Sinai.

Shireinu, the community chorus, will participate at 7:30 p.m. 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Dottie at Temple Sinai, 401942-8350.

Family First Friday Night: Early Kabbalat Shabbat Service, Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence. 5:45 p.m., ebabchuck@teprov.org Rescheduled “Dreams for the Future” Shabbat Service. 7 p.m., Temple BethEl, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence. info@ temple-beth-el.org

Shalom Friends. 10-11 a.m. Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island, 85 Taft Ave., Providence.

Sunday | April 27

Mitzvah Day. Temple Beth El’s 19th annual event, where congregants young and old participate in volunteer activities in the community. Contact info@templebeth-el.org.

“Memory, Music and Hope.” The 30th Annual Rhode Island Interfaith Commemoration of the Holocaust. 3 p.m.

Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence, featuring six Rhode Island choirs and guest speaker Martin Goldsmith of Sirius XM radio.

Yom HaShoah Annual Observance at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, New Bedford, Mass. Memorial service begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Holocaust Monument to pay tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and the soldiers who fought in World War II, followed by a program at 7:30 at the synagogue, Hawthorn and Brownell Streets, New Bedford. Dr. Sharon Delmendo, professor of English at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y., will speak on “An Open Door: Holocaust Rescue in the Philippines.”

Reception follows.

Monday | April 28

The Miriam Hospital Women’s Association April Open Meeting 10:45 a.m.

Hurvitz Board Room. Guest speaker is Lori Polacek, M.D., board-certified Providence cosmetic plastic surgeon.

Also, tour the newly completed emergency department. RSVP, 401-7932520 by April 21.

“A Somber and Durable Tapestry: Jewish World War II Service in Bataan and the Philippine Resistance,” a military lecture by Dr. Sharon Delmendo at the Low Tide Yacht Club next to the Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Military Museum, 7 p.m. The Filipino American Community of Southcoast will provide refreshments following the talk at the military museum. Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater New Bedford.

Tuesday | April 29

Brown RISD Hillel Annual Meeting. 7 p.m. Winnick Chapel, Brown RISD Hillel, 80 Brown St., Providence. Program includes student awards and a special performance by the Alef Beats, Brown RISD Hillel’s Jewish a cappella group.

A dessert reception follows. Marshall Einhorn, marshall_einhorn@brown.edu.

Thursday | May 1

Leisure Club Activities. 10-10:50 a.m.

Cathy Santaniello of the East Side YMCA leads a program on “Exercise for Better Health.” 11:10-noon, Norm Campbell, professor of Pharmacy at URI will speak on “Legalizing Marijuana.” Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence.

CALENDAR | 9

Calendar Submissions May 23 issue, FATHER’S DAY – must be received by May 7 June 6 issue, MAN OF THE YEAR – must be received by May 21 June 20 issue, HEALTH & WELLNESS – must be received by June 4

Send all calendar items to: editor@jewishallianceri.org with the subject line “CALENDAR.”

The Jewish Voice

Learn about the Ugandan model of ecumenism at Temple Habonim “Delicious Peace: Coffee, Music and Religious Harmony in Uganda,” a program on ecumenism with guest speaker Rabbi Jeffrey Summit of Tufts University, will be presented May 4 at 2:30 p.m. at Temple Habonim in Barrington.

This is the the story of JJ Keki, an Abayudayan, who traveled on foot, knocking on the doors of his Jewish, Christian and Muslim neighbors, asking them to put aside their differences and to join him to create an extraordinary partnership based on trust and emphasizing peace.

Thus, Delicious Peace (Mirembi Kawomera), a cooperative of small-scale farmers came together to grow Fair Trade coffee.

To promote their endeavor, they compose music, and encourage others to work alongside them.

The program will feature their songs and will tell their compelling story of interfaith peace.

Rabbi Summit, Tufts University Jewish Chaplain and Director of Tufts Hillel, is a renowned ethnomusicologist and a research professor in the Department of Music and the Judaic Studies Programs. He has

COURTESY | TEMPLE HABONIM

JJ Keki and his son. researched this music for the past 14 years and has recorded the rhythms and harmonies in a Grammy nominated CD. The Independent Music Awards also nominated it for “Best Traditional World Music” album.

Following the presentation, the Fair Trade coffee of Ugan-

da will be served. The program is free and open to the community at the temple, 165 New Meadow Road. It is sponsored by “Time for Me” adult education.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, go to www.templehabonim.org or call 401-245-6536

CALENDAR | COMMUNITY

thejewishvoice.org

FROM PAGE 8

CALENDAR The Honey Shop, Israeli wine tasting, snacks and drinks, raffles, door prizes and more. Open to the public.

Reservations are suggested but not required. Questions, contact Carmen at 401-419-2002.

Friday | May 2

Yom Ha’Atzmaut services at Temple Sinai. 7:30 p.m. Shireinu, the community chorus will participate at Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston, 401-942-8350.

Thursday | May 8

Wednesday | May 7

Leisure Club Activities. 10-10:50 a.m. Jacob Sydney, Temple Youth Coordinator, will present the “Jewish Presence in Morocco and South Africa.” 11:10-noon, Amy Schram, Community Outreach for the Better Business Bureau will speak on “Thefts, Scams and Fraud.” Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence.

Temple Sinai Sisterhood Ladies Night Out. 6-9 p.m. In the social hall at the temple, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. Admission is $10 and includes Mary Kay mini manicures/pedicures, makeovers, facials and summer bronzing. Samples from Sweet Streams Chocolate, The Olive Tap and

COURTESY | TEMPLE SINAI

Seth Finkle works with religious school students at Temple Sinai in Cranston.

Temple Sinai Religious School combines theater and Jewish studies

BY TOBY KORITSKY What happens when you combine theater activities and Jewish studies? That is a question that was raised in the Religious School at Temple Sinai in Cranston. Through a gift to the school, a connection was made with Seth Finkle, the Education Director and Production Manager at The Wilbury Theater Group.

Seth worked with students in grades 1-7 for several weeks in each grade. Students learned warm-up and breathing exercises. Then they made “frozen tableaus” based on a topic they chose that was related to their curriculum. Grade 3 students chose the parting of the sea from Passover with students on the floor holding their arms upright for the parting sea, “Moses” with an outstretched arm and “Pharaoh” behind Moses in pursuit.

Grade 7 students, studying the Holocaust, focused their tableau on the impact of bullying and prejudice. Students also had one-word clues to depict

their characters. At the end of their classes, parents came to see the students present their work.

Jennifer Stern, whose son Adam is in fifth grade, said that she was so pleased by the sense of community the students developed in working together, and it was great that the parents were involved on the day of the performance and not just watching. Gabe Cohen, a sixth grade student, liked the challenge of the warm-up activities.

Seth noted the power of theater as a teaching tool. He loved seeing how the students worked together as a class and used the activities to enhance their learning. Students saw how theater can help them in many aspects of their lives.

He enjoyed the welcome and involvement of the Temple Sinai community.

T O BY KO R I T S K Y (t kor itsky@templesi na i r i. org) is Director of Education at Temple Sinai.

Jeffrey G. Brier CLU, ChFC, CASL Licensed Insurance Agent of Genworth Life Insurance Company Brier & Brier 245 Waterman Street, #505 Providence, RI 02906 jbrier@brier-brier.com · www.Brier-Brier.com 401-751-2990 Long term care planning options for businesses and individuals

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April 25, 2014 |

9

Temple Emanu-El to honor Cantor Brian Mayer With a festive dinner and joyous concert on May 18, Temple Emanu-El in Providence is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Cantor Brian Mayer’s spiritual, musical, pastoral and educational contributions to Temple Emanu-El and to the larger Jewish community.

Cantor Mayer’s resume is diverse and rich. He conveys Jewish knowledge through his love of chanting, teaching, composing, conducting and performing Jewish music.

For the past quarter century, Cantor Mayer has led Shabbat and High Holy Day services, using wellloved cantorial melodies and teaching new tunes that have become familiar favorites. Cantor Mayer has incorporated beloved Yiddish standards and his own choral compositions into this eclectic mix.

Cantor Mayer is a respected scholar of Hazzanut (Jewish cantorial music) who is known nationally for his innovative, artistic and participatory music programming. He is loved for his commitment to the Temple’s youth through his extraordinary Torah Tutor program, his Religious School teaching and the development of the Kol Kesem/HaZamir teen choir. The music

tured musicians and performers from the larger community and the actor and artist Leonard Nimoy as narrator. Cantor Mayer has also brought an exuberant spirit of musical collaboration to annual community interfaith observances, including the Martin Luther King Day community event.

Nationally, Cantor Mayer has conducted adult choirs at the annual North American Jewish Choral Festival; and HaZamir, the international Jewish high school choir, at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.

Cantor Mayer is associate professor of Jewish Music and dean of the School of Jewish MuCOURTESY | TEMPLE EMANU-EL sic at Hebrew College in Cantor Brian Mayer Boston. He taught for 14 years at the Jewish Theoprogram he has built at Tem- logical Seminary in New York ple Emanu-El is diverse and as an assistant professor of unique: in addition to HaZa- Hazzanut. Cantor Mayer was mir, he has established Shir ordained at the Jewish TheoEmanu-El and developed the logical Seminary in New York, Temple Emanu-El choir, two where he later earned a Docaccomplished adult choirs, as tor of Sacred Music degree.

The community is invited to well as the Shabbat Chai and celebrate this milestone with Kol Klezmer bands.

In 2009, Cantor Mayer Temple Emanu-El. The schedwas the artistic director of ule for the evening includes the award-winning “Shin- hors d’oeuvres at 4:30 p.m., dining Through Broken Glass: ner at 5, and a concert at 7. A A Kristallnacht Concert,” reception follows the concert. a regional event which fea-

Temple Habonim “Time for Me” Adult Education presents

“Delicious Peace: Coffee, Music and Religious Harmony in Uganda” Sunday, May 4 at 2:30 pm Temple Habonim 165 New Meadow Road, Barrington “Use whatever you have to create peace. If you have music, use your music to create peace…. We are using coffee to bring peace to the world.”

J.J. Keki, founder of Peace Kawomera Guest Speaker: Rabbi Jeffrey Summit, Tufts University Jewish Chaplain, Director of Tufts Hillel and a renowned ethnomusicologist. He has conducted research with the Abayudya of Eastern Uganda and has recorded their rhythms and harmonies in a Grammy and “Best Traditional World Music” nominated CD. In Eastern Uganda an extraordinary partnership formed among Christians, Jews and Muslims.

Based on trust and emphasizing peace, they came together to grow Fair Trade coffee.

A byproduct is their wonderful music.

As we listen to their songs and hear their compelling story, we are introduced to a model of peace and harmony for us all.

Free and open to the community.

www.templehabonim.org 401-245-6536

10 | April 25, 2014

OPINION

The Jewish Voice

FROM THE EDITOR

The connections we make are so important As I sit down to introduce myself to you, I reflect on the past week and our Pesach gatherings.

Myfamily host s m a ny such holiday gatherings, both religious and secular.

But our extended family doesn’t just travel from other points EDITOR in Rhode Island or Boston or even HartFRAN ford. We are OSTENDORF schlepping to the airport to meet the plane from D.C. We’re waiting for those driving from New York. There’s a car coming from Vermont. If we’re lucky, the Pennsylvania contingent shows up. Even family from Chicago might come in.

Holidays, especially Pesach with all the cooking and cleaning, are a little chaotic. But isn’t that the case at your house also?

Once the family is gathered together, there’s a tremendous satisfaction in seeing everyone, hearing the chatter (or trying to sort out the conversations as each person tries to talk over the other one) and enjoying the celebration.

We’ve been following this same routine ever since we moved to greater Rhode Island.

I know I don’t qualify as a native yet. I’ve lived all over the country. Started in Pittsburgh.

Spent my school years in subur-

ban Virginia. Went to college in Chicago. Lived for a bit in Utah north of Salt Lake City. Spent some time in Cleveland (the West Side for those Clevelanders among us), worked in Elyria (yes, that’s right next to Lorain) and fi nally landed in Seekonk.

So I’ve seen a lot of the U.S. and experienced the Jewish communities wherever I’ve lived.

“Holidays, especially Pesach with all the cooking and cleaning, are a little chaotic. But isn’t that the case at your house also?”

And what’s impressed me about each place I have lived is that sense of community and welcome you get when you walk into a synagogue as a stranger in a community big or small.

There’s always a spot for a newcomer.

So, as the newcomer to The Jewish Voice, I appreciate the warm welcome I’ve received in my fi rst few weeks on the job.

And I look forward to covering our community. We have a unique opportunity here to tell the story of a community rich in diversity of tradition and people. I look forward to hearing from many of you, meeting still more of you and helping to tell your stories.

LETTERS Re: J Street Rhode Island (April 11)

The statement published by J Street in the April 11 edition of The Jewish Voice calls for the destruction of thriving Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, making it Judenrein; the division of Jerusalem, “symbolic reunification” of foreign born Arabs in Israel, placing the Temple Mount and Western Wall under international control, and return to 1967 borders that are in many places only 10 miles away from the Mediterranean Sea. American top military experts have repeatedly warned Israel that it must keep this high ground of the Judean mountain ridge and Jordan valley as its only natural, geo-

graphic defense line against attack from the east. One must live in Israel and vote in the national election to influence Israel’s policies. Yet you will not fi nd a policy statement in the organization that describes itself as pro-Israel calling on its members to make aliyah.

Instead J Street shows disdain for democracy by lobbying the American Congress to bully the democratically elected government of Israel to implement dangerous policies that have been tried before and utterly failed in the past.

Yuri Japhet Chair, RI Chapter of AFSI Pawtucket

The miracle and the mystery of love Almost every Jew knows that we read the Megillah, the scroll of Esther, every year on Purim. However, while we c u s t o m a r i ly refer to Megillat Esther as THE Megillah, we read four additional megillot (scrolls) IT SEEMS during our liturgical year: TO ME Ruth on Shavuot, Lamentations on RABBI JIM ROSENBERG Tisha B’Av, Kohelet on Sukkot and Shir Ha-Shirim, the scroll of The Song of Songs, is traditionally chanted on the Shabbat of the Spring festival of Pesach, which ended just days ago.

“Kiss me, make me drunk with your kisses! Your sweet loving is better than wine.”

(Song of Songs 1.2).

Like Homer’s “Iliad,” the Hebrew Bible’s Shir Ha-Shirim, The Song of Songs, begins in medias res, in the middle of the action – in this case, in the middle of the story of two young lovers – a Shulamite teenager who lives in or near Jerusalem and her ardent shepherd. While some make the case that Shir Ha-Shirim is a collection of several disparate poems or even poetic fragments, I side with those who argue that the work’s unity of language and tone points toward a single inspired author.

While the poem is often frankly sexual in both language and situation, the poet creates an air of freshness and delicacy; in Shir Ha-Shirim what is not said speaks just as eloquently as what is.

The Shulamite and the shepherd, in the springtime of their lives, celebrate their exuberant love in the springtime of the year. A feast of sight and sound, of smell and taste and touch: apricots, pomegranates, cinnamon, aloe, sachets of myrrh, turtledoves, fauns, gazelles, two youthful bodies, male and female, tumbling, tumbling in a garden of earthly delights, a Garden of Eden that is at the same time fantasy and reality. As Robert Alter points out in a perceptive afterward to the brilliant English translation by Ariel Bloch and Chana Bloch, “In more explicit erotic literature, the body in the act of love of-

ten seems to displace the rest of the world. In the Song, by contrast, the world is constantly embraced in the process of imagining the body.

The natural landscape, the cycle of the seasons, the beauty of the animal and floral realm, the profusion of goods offered

“… we are profoundly indebted to both the rabbis and the church Fathers for finding a way to preserve The Song of Songs in our sacred cannon.” through trade, the inventive skill of the artisan, the grandeur of cities, are all joyfully affirmed as love is affirmed.”

Given the fact that Shir HaShirim explores in such frank terms the sexual awakening of two young lovers and the fact that the poet never refers directly to God in a work that spans eight chapters, the fi rst century rabbis’ decision to include The Song of Songs in the Hebrew Bible is puzzling. What led Rabbi Akiva, one of the most respected figures in all of Jewish history, to proclaim that “all the (Biblical) writings are holy, but The Song of Songs is the holiest of the holy”? There are, of course, different approaches

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COLUMNS | LETTERS POLICY

The mission of The Jewish Voice is to communicate Jewish news, ideas and ideals by connecting and giving voice to the diverse views of the Jewish community in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, while adhering to Jewish values and the professional standards of journalism.

The Jewish Voice publishes thoughtful and informative contributors’ columns (op-eds of 500 – 800 words) and letters to the editor (250 words, maximum) on issues of interest to our Jewish community. At our discretion, we may edit pieces for publication or refuse publication. Letters and columns, whether from our regular contributors or from guest columnists,

to this question. First of all, century after century of pious commentators, such as Rabbi Akiva, added a layer of allegory to the plain meaning of the text: The two lovers came to be seen as God, the husband, and the Jewish people, His wife. In a similar fashion, the Church Fathers viewed this amorous couple as Christ, the husband, and the Church, His bride.

For those who choose to experience the text of The Song of Songs freshly and directly, without the fi lter of centuries of interpretation, such allegorical interpretations seem to be quite a stretch. Nevertheless, it can be argued that the purity and innocence of emotion expressed by the Shulamite and her shepherd do point beyond the lovers themselves in the direction of the pure and innocent love of the faithful for their God. Whatever our own reading or misreading of the text, we are profoundly indebted to both the rabbis and the Church Fathers for fi nding a way to preserve The Song of Songs in our sacred cannon.

As we, Jews in New England, celebrate the greening of our world after an especially harsh winter, may the words of The Song of Songs rekindle in each of us a sense of the miracle and the mystery of love, of life reborn, renewed and refreshed!

JAMES B. ROSENBERG ( r a b b i e m e r i t u s @ templehabonim.org) is the rabbi emeritus of Temple Habonim in Barrington.

represent the views of the authors; they do not represent the views of The Jewish Voice or the Alliance.

Send letters and op-eds to The Jewish Voice, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906 or editor@jewishallianceri.org. Include name, city of residence and a contact phone number or email (not for publication).

OPINION

thejewishvoice.org

April 25, 2014 |

11

Why ‘Israeli’ is not a nationality

BY YEDIDIA Z. STERN and JAY RUDERMAN JTA – For Americans, the definition of national identity is straightforward: It goes hand in hand with citizenship. If you are an American citizen, you are also American by nationality. The same applies to the French, Germans and many others.

In Israel, however, there is a different but equally valid conception of the relationship between citizenship and nationality. Indeed, this understanding is central to Israel’s identity as a Jewish state.

The State of Israel maintains a national population registry in which every resident is classified by both “citizenship” and “nationality.” The citizenship of all Israelis is listed as “Israeli.” However, under “nationality,” Israelis are defined as belonging to different ethnic and religious groups, among them Jewish, Arab and Druze.

Several prominent Israelis – including a former education minister, a former Knesset member, a celebrated playwright and several Arab citizens – requested that the state recognize a new category of

“Israeli” nationality that could be applied to all citizens, Jews and Arabs alike.

In a petition to the Israeli Supreme Court, they argued that the current nationality categorization system, in distinguishing between Arabs and Jews, contributes to discrimination against Israel’s Arab citizens. In other words, in order to protect Arab civil rights, the petitioners want to create a new collective Israeli nationality to parallel the collective Israeli citizenship.

Israeli society, however, must differentiate between the necessary task of ensuring the equal rights of all citizens and needlessly abrogating the bond of peoplehood that ties together all Jews no matter their country of residence. Thankfully, Israel’s Supreme Court made this important distinction.

In a decision handed down in October 2013, the Supreme Court denied the request to recognize Israeli as a nationality. It gave several essential reasons for supporting a specific Jewish nationality over a general Israeli nationality.

First, since it is reasonable to assume that a person cannot have two nationalities, this change would compel Jewish

citizens of Israel to choose between being Israeli and Jewish. Most Israeli Jews would be forced into an impossible predicament. We see ourselves as both Jewish and Israeli, and one does not exclude the other.

Second, if the nationality of Jewish citizens of Israel were to be classified as Israeli, the implication would be that Judaism is not a nationality for

“The State of Israel maintains a national registry in which every resident is classified by both ‘citizenship’ and ‘nationality.’ ” them but is solely a religion.

This idea is antithetical to the fundamental doctrine of Zionism and its main thinkers, from Herzl to Ben-Gurion, who saw Zionism as the national movement of the Jewish people.

Third, if the nationality of Jewish Israelis is defined as Israeli rather than Jewish, then the national bond we be-

lieve binds together Jews in Israel and Jews in the Diaspora would be severed.

The court dealt with this last point extensively. It adopted the position that one of Israel’s essential characteristics as a Jewish state is its responsibility for the fate of the entire Jewish people – including the Jews of the Diaspora.

For example, the Israeli penal code applies to crimes that are committed against Jews because they are Jews even if those crimes are committed outside of Israel, and it applies to property of Jewish institutions that is vandalized as well. The State of Israel has thus taken upon itself the duty of protecting world Jewry as a profound expression of global Jewish solidarity.

The responsibility of the State of Israel for world Jewry is an important expression of the fact that Israel is more than just an ordinary democratic state; it is also a Jewish state. Though we may be divided by geography and citizenship, Israeli and American Jews – and our brothers and sisters around the world – are members of one nation.

Thus, it is imperative for the State of Israel to distinguish between citizenship and na-

tionality.

Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs share a common citizenship. They are all Israelis.

They are therefore entitled to and must be accorded the same civil rights.

But they are not members of the same nation. Nationality, according to the Israeli Supreme Court, is derived from traits such as religion, culture and collective historical memory. This is another manifestation of the puzzle of identities characterizing the Jewish nation-state.

As a country that defines itself as both a democracy and the homeland of the Jewish people, debates will continue as to who is a Jew and who is an Israeli. What matters most is that we approach these debates in a respectful and consistent manner. The future of Israel depends on it.

YEDIDIA Z. STERN is vice president of research at the Israel Democracy Institute and a professor of law at Bar-Ilan University. JAY RUDERMAN is president of the Ruderman Family Foundation.

American Jewry must reclaim Hebrew

BY ARI RUDOLPH JTA – A key component that unifies a people or nation is a common language. The Jewish people are no exception; the Hebrew language is an essential element of what constitutes the Jewish nation.

Hebrew often is the only common language in the room – the lingua franca – when Jews from different parts of the globe get together (native English-speaking Jews aside, for the most part). Conversely, the lack of a unifying language creates a great gulf between people. It leads to misunderstandings and frustrations on both sides, and ultimately lessens the fraternal bond.

So for the sake of the Jewish future, the American Jewish community needs to reclaim Hebrew.

Hebrew is more than simply a medium of communication. It is our heritage. It’s a Semitic language that has its roots in the Middle East, thus linking the Jewish people to the region. It’s the liturgical language of Judaism, thus connecting the Jewish people to their faith. And it’s the biblical language, thus binding the Jewish people to their history.

Unfortunately, however, Hebrew is lost on the American Jewish community as a whole.

Leon Wieseltier of the New

Republic writes, “The American Jewish community is the first great community in the history of our people that believes that it can receive, develop and perpetuate the Jewish tradition not in a Jewish language. By an overwhelming majority, American Jews cannot read or speak or write Hebrew, or Yiddish. This is genuinely shocking. American Jewry is quite literally unlettered.”

Indeed, many Jews are averse to learning Hebrew.

They are turned off when they hear it spoken or see it written in the public domain because they see it as elitist and exclusionary. This could simply be a result of not being accustomed to seeing a second language in public. Yet many societies around the world are bilingual, even trilingual.

The issue of Hebrew in the American Jewish orbit may cut to a far deeper question: If one’s Americanness is paramount to an American, and speaking English is the “American thing to do,” then is promoting another language, by definition, un-American?

By promoting Hebrew, does the Jewish community run the risk of undermining all it has done to achieve its place in general society, or is the American Jewish community finally secure enough to freely embrace its own heritage?

For those who are scared of Hebrew or its elevated status outside of Israel, they need not fear; Hebrew is not going to replace English as the everyday language of the Jewish community in North America anytime soon. It could, however, be the bulwark against assimilation.

A common misconception is that Hebrew is simply the Zionist language, i.e. the State of Israel’s language. In protest of Israel’s policies visa-vis the Palestinians, Alice Walker, an American writer, refuses to translate her Pulitzer Prize-winning book “The Color Purple” into Hebrew.

Walker’s is not an isolated case, as the Scottish author Iain Banks and the Swedish author Henning Mankell have similarly refused to allow their books to be translated into Hebrew.

Their hypocrisy and bigotry aside, one point does come through: The writers see Hebrew as the language of the State of Israel, not of the Jewish people. This view, unfortunately, is common around the world, including within the American Jewish community, where Hebrew is no longer defined as the Jewish language but is considered to be the Zionist language.

But Hebrew is not a Zionist language. It is the Jewish

language, the language of the Jewish Bible, also known as the Hebrew Bible, and the only language that has any formal standing in Judaism.

It also predates modern Zionism by about 3,500 years.

Zionists, and by extension the State of Israel, rightly chose to use Hebrew as their language precisely because it is the Jewish language. The causality flows from Judaism to Zionism, not the other way.

So how do we go about promoting Hebrew? Many will be relieved to learn that it doesn’t simply translate into mandatory, universal ulpan. It means appropriately encouraging Hebrew in a variety of formal and informal settings, supporting Hebrew literature, film and the like, and generally taking

pride in the unique place Hebrew should hold within all of our communal institutions, synagogues and schools. And yes, speaking Hebrew would help.

The time has come for a serious discussion of the place Hebrew should occupy in the Jewish world and, if we believe in the future of the Jewish people, how we can best leverage Hebrew as a common and unifying force. Bringing Hebrew to the Jews of North America will be no small task, but nothing compared to the miraculous revival of Hebrew itself.

ARI RUDOLPH is a planning executive for UJA-Federation’s Commission on the Jewish People.

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12 | April 25, 2014

OPINION

The Jewish Voice

Re: What makes Israel Jewish (March 28)

LETTERS Re: Soldiers getting first new siddur since WWII (April 11) Thank you for publishing the article about “United States soldiers getting fi rst new siddur since World War II” in the April 11 issue of the Jewish Voice.

I am a Vietnam era veteran. I was given my copy of the “old” siddur shortly after my arrival at Lackland Air Force Base in June 1967. The siddur is getting a little dogeared as it went through my entire enlistment which included tours in Michigan and Vietnam. It was used numerous times especially dur-

ing the High Holy Days, Passover and Hanukkah.

Believe it or not, I still refer to the siddur and use it, especially during Hanukkah. I hope that current members of the Armed Forces will use their siddur as much as I did and still do.

The siddur for me is a link to the past and to the future. A deep felt thank you to all other veterans and active duty personnel.

Gerald S. Sherman Cranston, R.I.

COURTESY |

GERALD SHER

MAN

Gerald Sherman’s original Army issue siddur.

Voices from the interfaith community Messages of support after the Kansas City tragedy

From: Mufti Ikram ul Haq, Resident Imam, Masjid AlIslam, N. Smithfield R.I. On behalf of Muslim community of R.I. and Muslims of North America, I offer our deepest condolence for the families of victims of hate-motivated shooting at Kansas Jewish center.

Our thoughts and prayers go out for the victims and families of this tragic shooting at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City. Extremism and hate-motivated actions have no place in our society. We stand in solidarity with Jewish brothers and sisters and people of other faith traditions in challenging hate and intolerance that feeds these acts of violence.

We pray that the perpetrator/s of this heinous act of violence is swiftly served justice.

From: Rev. Dr. Don Anderson, Executive Minister, R.I. State Council of Churches on April 14: While Jews around the world sit down to Seder meals tonight

to reflect on their liberation from 400 years of slavery, one more potent reminder that evil of anti-Semitism is alive will be in everyone’s thoughts. The shootings in Kansas on Sunday afternoon are an affront to all people of peace and goodwill. The Rhode Island State Council of Churches wishes to express our condolences to the families of the three people who died. We also join with the Jewish community in solidarity to continue to work towards greater understanding and peace here in Rhode Island. Just last week the Rhode State Council of Churches issued a statement in support of an op-ed in the Providence Journal entitled: “Drop anti-Semitism from public discourse.”

As we work together on increasing understanding and care in the Rhode Island Community let us do so remembering the words of St. Paul to the Christians in Rome: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21 – NRSV)

I found Rabbi Rosenberg’s article, “What makes Israel Jewish” interesting – and faulty on several counts.

First, we have his statement that it is “disingenuous of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to demand that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a “Jewish state.” The “Jewish state” preceded Netanyahu’s demand by at least 65 years. The U.N. partition resolution of 1947 calls for an Arab state and a “Jewish state.” In fact, it refers to the “Jewish state” at least 30 times!

I’m confident people were debating then – and maybe forever – “who is a Jew.” Nevertheless, the U.N. saw fit to call Israel a “Jewish state” at its creation.

Secondly, Israel – while a thoroughly democratic state – is not the U.S. How Jim feels about the U.S. requiring him to declare allegiance to a Christian state has nothing whatever to do with what Israel demands of its citizens. The U.S. has its own unique set of protections that Israel which in fact shares very little of a cultural/ historical heritage with the U.S. of course has no obligation to follow. Therefore, how Israel’s citizens may react to such a demand (allegiance to a Jewish state) has no relation in how an American reacts to such a demand (allegiance to a Christian state) in the U.S. Jerry Weinstein Rumford, R.I. I read with interest the article “What Makes Israel Jewish” published on March 28.

The author of the article quotes the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel and then accuses the Prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, of being “ disingenuous” in demanding “that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish State.”

The author further states: “[It] is a non-starter to demand that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declare Israel a Jewish state… History is NOT a wonderful tool if it is forgotten.

United Nations resolution 181, adopted on Nov. 29, 1947, partitioned Palestine. The specific language stated in part: Independent Arab and Jewish States and the Special International Regime for the City of Jerusalem, set forth in Part III of this Plan, shall

come into existence in Palestine two months after the evacuation of the armed forces of the mandatory power has been completed but in any case not later then 1 October 1948.

It is hardly “disingenuous of the Prime Minister of Israel to ask his “negotiating partner” to specifically acknowledge UN Resolution 181 the very Resolution that the Palestinians rely on for a “Palestinian State.

Thank you for your attention.

Howard I. Lipsey, Associate Justice (ret.)

Lincoln, R.I. I am writing to correct a significant misconception as promulgated by J Street. Rabbi Rosenberg writes, “...it is a non-starter to demand that President Mahmoud Abbas declare Israel a Jewish state...”

While it may be considered a non-starter by J Street, and while it’s correct that Israel doesn’t need Palestinian permission to be the nationstate of the Jewish people, the demand for recognition of a Jewish state is aimed at ending the fantasy of the “right of return” and bringing an end to the confl ict. If it is truly a non-starter, then the two-state solution is a non-starter.

Yehuda Ben-Meir, former member of the Knesset, recently wrote in Ha’aretz, “I understand that our right to the entire Land of Israel has to be adapted to the reality of a Palestinian nation living in this country. If the Palestinians want peace, they must adapt their narrative of Greater Palestine to the historical truth of the existence of a Jewish people with a profound connection to this country, and a solidlygrounded right to establish its state on at least part of it.”

At the end of the year 2000, it was Bill Clinton who presented parameters for a peace plan that included the words: “Palestine as the homeland of the Palestinian people and the State of Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people.” This basic demand can’t just be dismissed as politically impractical, as J Street has attempted to do.

Howard Brown Wickford, R.I.

Giving meaning to Holocaust remembrance

BY AVNER SHALEV JTA – Much ink has been spilled since the release of the Pew Research Center survey on Jewish identity in the United States. Many have addressed a number of the findings of the survey, with varying degrees of concern. But as we approach Yom HaShoah, I would like to address one issue that seems to unify Jews wherever they are along the affiliation spectrum, and that is the memory of the Holocaust.

An extraordinary 73 percent of Pew’s respondents said that remembering the Holocaust is an essential part of what it means to be Jewish. This figure closely resembles what we have seen here in Israel and in discussions and surveys with thousands of Jewish students and teachers, from America and elsewhere.

The Holocaust was a cataclysmic and seminal event in modern Jewish history. It cannot but be a part of our current identities. Jewish identity is a multidimensional mosaic. The Holocaust is an aspect of this mosaic, and we must strive to

provide it with depth. How do we ensure that the memory of the Holocaust motivates positively for our identity and heritage?

For the past two decades, the educators at Yad Vashem’s International School for Holocaust Studies have been grappling with this question. How do we meaningfully teach about the Holocaust? How do we connect a new generation with a world that was eradicated?

We start by understanding that we cannot teach about the Shoah without talking about the creative and diverse Jewish life that existed before the Second World War. We teach not only about death and destruction but also about life before and during the Holocaust and the attempts to retain human dignity. We educate about the return to life of the survivors of the Shoah and their courageous decision to rebuild. Thus, the study of the Shoah is contextualized within the study of Jewish history.

We need to relate the experiences of affected individuals, families and communities. We should make sure not to pass

judgment on the choices people made during the Shoah. We will never fully understand the circumstances and the “choiceless choices” faced by the Jews at that time, but we can strive to find a degree of empathy.

As a Jew who, like the large majority of the Pew respondents, considers the memory of the Holocaust to be a part of my Jewish identity, I seek to channel that sense into learning about the diverse Jewish world that existed, about the Jews’ spiritual and physical heroism during the Shoah and about the extraordinary post-Shoah activities of the survivors.

The Holocaust’s implications are many, and each of us is affected and touched by it in different ways. If we all take responsibility to perpetuate Jewish life, traditions and creativity, our shared Holocaust history will have become a positive common basis for vibrant Jewish continuity.

AVNER SHALEV is chairman of Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Authority.

D’VAR TORAH | NATIONAL

thejewishvoice.org

D’var Torah

KEDOSHIM

BY LESLIE Y. GUTTERMAN

We read from the Torah tomorrow what is sometimes known as “The Heart of Scripture.” It is the portion that delineates holiness. Indeed, the parashah is referred to as the Holiness Code.

It has been said that “holy” and “holiness” are dead tired from being overworked in sermons and our prayers but almost unemployed in everyday speech. That is because we are not always certain what the words mean.

First let us say what holiness is not. It is not reserved to the few, to the select.

It is available and accessible to everyone. Nor in our translation does it entail w it hd raw i ng from the world.

Rather holiness is achieved in the midst of daily living. It is not apart from life – it is a part of life.

The Jewish conception of holiness is revealed most clearly in a verse from our Torah Portion: “Speak to the whole Israelite community and say to them – you shall be holy for I, Adonai, your God am holy.” Every Jew is summoned to holiness. The Torah then goes on to teach us that we are not talking about abstract ideas but rather ethical principles and behavior. How do we attain holiness? By honoring parents, performing kindnesses, being sensitive to the dispos-

sessed in society, refraining from tale bearing, dealing honestly in business. Holiness is the dimension that adds life to our years.

A poet once captured the Jewish conception of this ideal in these words: “There is holiness when we strive to be true to the best we know. There is holiness when we are kind to someone who cannot possibly be of service to us.

There is holiness when we promote family harmony. There is holiness when we forget what divides us and remember what unites us. There is holiness when we are willing to be laughed at for what we believe in.

There is holiness when we love – honestly, unselfishly. There is holiness when we remember the lonely and bring cheer into a dark corner. There is holiness when we share – our bread, our ideas, our enthusiasm.”

“In our time,” wrote Dag Hammarskjold, “the road to holiness necessarily passes through the world of action.”

Translating our best intentions into action is where the road to holiness has always been.

“It has been said that “holy” and “holiness” are dead tired from being overworked in sermons and our prayers… .”

LESLIE Y. GUTTERMAN is senior rabbi of Temple Beth-El in Providence.

April 25, 2014 |

13

ADL audit: Anti-Semitic incidents down in U.S., assaults up JTA – The number of antiSemitic incidents in the United States decreased by 19 percent in 2013, but physical assaults against Jews increased, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

In its Annual Audit of AntiSemitic Incidents, the ADL reported that there 751 incidents in 41 states and Washington, D.C. – among the lowest number since 1979, when the ADL began collecting data. The number of incidents has been steadily declining for the past decade.

The audit includes assault, vandalism and harassment targeting Jews and Jewish property and institutions reported to ADL’s 27 regional offices and the police.

“In the last decade we have witnessed a significant and encouraging decline in the number and intensity of anti-Semitic acts in America,” said Abraham Foxman, ADL’s national director, in a statement. “The falling number of incidents targeting Jews is another indication of just how far we have come in finding full acceptance in society, and it is a reflection of

how much progress our country has made in shunning bigotry and hatred.”

The audit attributed the declining number of anti-Semitic incidents to “a relatively quiet year for anti-Israel

“The falling number of incidents targeting Jews is another indication of just how far we have come in finding full acceptance in society.” activity in the public sphere.”

Despite the overall decline, the audit found a “significant” increase in “violent anti-Semitic assaults” – 31 assaults compared to 17 in 2012, although no assault was life threatening or required hospitalization.

“The high number of violent in-your-face assaults is a sobering reminder that,

despite the overall decline in anti-Semitic incidents, there is still a subset of Americans who are deeply infected with anti-Semitism and who feel emboldened enough to act out their bigotry,” Foxman said.

Despite the overall decrease of incidents, the ADL reported increases in several states, including Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Michigan, Ohio and Texas. The states with the highest number of incidents were those with the largest Jewish populations: New York, California, New Jersey, Florida, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

The ADL does not count critiques of Israel or Zionism as anti-Semitic incidents, unless such criticism invokes “classic anti-Jewish stereotypes or inappropriate Nazi imagery and/or analogies,” the organization said in a news release. It does, however, count “public expressions of anti-Israel sentiments that demonize Jews or create an atmosphere of fear or intimidation for U.S. Jews.”

BBYO New England region BBYO.org | 617-299-1925 | Ctopol@bbyo.org Casey Topol Pressburg, Program Director

BBYO's broad program menu enables teens to explore areas of leadership, service, civic engagement, Israel education and Jewish values.

14 | April 25, 2014 FROM PAGE 1

COMMUNITY

The Jewish Voice

SCROLLS

On Feb. 5, 1964, a newly organized Memorial Scrolls Committee received the scrolls in their new headquarters in the Kent House, the synagogue’s annex. Each one was numbered and placed into a corresponding compartment within specially built racks. Once the scrolls were registered, scribes performed a detailed assessment to classify each scroll into one of five categories that ranged from “best” to “unusable.”

The committee soon realized that part-time scribes were insufficient to repair the scrolls.

Just as a search for a devoted and competent full-time scribe was underway, David Brand – an Israeli looking for work – arrived at the synagogue and asked if it had any scrolls he could restore. The Czech Torah Network quotes Memorial Scrolls Committee Honorary Secretary Ruth Shaffer as saying, “I shall never forget the look of astonishment and awe on his [Brand’s] face when he saw those three rooms stacked to the ceiling with sifre Torah.”

Brand’s family joined him in London after he agreed to dedicate himself to the project.

Not only the scrolls themselves but also their accessories, such as wooden rollers and wimples (linen binding strips bearing the name of the original donor and the date of the scroll’s presentation to the synagogue), were repaired.

Hundreds of visitors viewed the scrolls, or “corpses in transparent shrouds,” as one visitor referred to the Torahs. However, these scrolls were far from dead

to Prague and London to com- records of the past remained. memorate the 50th anniversary Temple Israel’s members paid of the restoration of the Czech a tribute to these courageous scrolls. He shared that he, along Jews. As Cam Kerry shared with nearly 30 other Temple in a blog entry: former Temple Israel members, traveled to president Carol Michael said, Terezin, the site to which the “There’s something life-affirmBlatna Jews were transported, ing about this … that we can be and participated in the Czech here, remembering them.

Memorial Scrolls CommemoraYou, too, can remember. Visit tive Service at the Westminster the scroll at the Holocaust EduSynagogue. Kushner watched cation and Resource Center, the procession of more than whose mission is “to teach the 50 Torahs, whose rescue was history of the Holocaust in orcelebrated through song and der to promote human dignity prayer. and justice, and to serve as a The Temple Israel members memorial to its victims.” shared their experiences and feelings on a blog devoted to the IRINA MISSIURO is a writer trip. They wrote about unusual and editorial consultant for The undertakings, such as ensur- Jewish Voice. ing their scroll’s safety on a plane, and powerful moments, Holocaust Education and including watching the procesResource Center of R.I. sional of 54 scrolls from around the world. In one of the entries, Where: 401 Elmgrove Ave., ProviMichele Fishel quotes Kathy dence Weinman, president of Temple Who to contact: May-Ronny Zeidman, Israel, who felt that the service executive director, mzeidman@ One of the Czech scrolls is brought into HERCRI where it now resembled “a reunion of longhercri.org lost friends.” Fishel describes preserves the memory of it’s saviors – the Blatna Jews.

Mission: The Holocaust Education and the individuals carrying the Resource Center of R.I. serves to – they were living evidence synagogues around the world. sacred scrolls to the tune of bear witness to the Holocaust and of the power of endurance de- Among them was Temple Israel Mahler’s “5th Symphony”: to honor those who perished. HERC spite all odds. Many Holocaust of Boston, a synagogue that re- “With each step they took, you strives to reduce prejudice against all survivors grew emotional and ceived their Blatna (a village sensed a determination to keep minorities by teaching the community, wept upon seeing their tangible in the Czech Republic) scroll in moving, to honor these memoespecially its youth, about the expericounterparts.

1975. ries and the words of the Toence of the Jews, and of the suffering Countless synagogues, JewOne of the temple’s members, rah in the present and into the Secretary of State John Kerry issued a challenge to American Jews to rally a “great constituency fo of other peoples because of bigotry. ish organizations and indi- Russell Kushner, recently vis- future.” Ellen Rovner writes of behind the US-led initiative to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For the first tim What there is: Th e facility housesan a agreement c viduals contacted the commit- ited the Dwares JCC.years, While in andtrying not representatives to cry too loudly and Israeli Palestinian are negotiating behind closed doors to shape library, artifacts fr om the era, an tee to request a Torah scroll, the building, Kushner stopped shaking during the procession realizing the shared vision of two states for two peoples. audio-visual collection memo- most intra which prompted its members by the Holocaust Education becauseat of the overwhelming There are solutions hand to address the challenges long considered to be and the aconflict’s garden.

Materials are available to establish a procedure to of- and Resource Center from of Rhode “I feel Jerusalem emotion to borders,she and experienced: refugees to security.

Resolvingrial these issues will require both parties to mak forthrough. checkout by teachers, students fer the scrolls on a permanent Island to examine its scroll, joy andUSdeep love.”to make sure they follow choices, and sustained leadership and group the facility loan. The Westminster Syna- donated by Dr. RichardTo and The ceremony onlybehind hon- their doing show our political leaders thatnot we stand what leaders, it takes and to achieve a two-state solu is open to the public. Speakers are gogue and its Memorial Scrolls Lynn Glick. Kushner’s interest thepetition victims have signed theored following and who invite perished you to do the same. available to present to area schools, Trust distributed the scrolls to was spurred by his recent trip in Terezin but also reaffirmed and survivors of the Holocaust share theDear strength and the will of the Secretary of State Kerry: their personal experiences with Jewish people. The inmates I firmly support bold US leadership to reach a two-state agreement ending the Israelistudents. Workshops are offered for risked everything to make exPalestinian conflict that: educators. tra carbon copies while com• Bases borders on pre-1967 lines with agreed-upon land swaps and provides robust Information: To schedule an event, call piling inventories. Preservsecurity guarantees; us at 401-453-7860. ing memories for generations • Evacuates settlements outside Israel’s future borders while compensating the estimated to come, they made sure that one in five settlers who relocate to make peace possible;

• Establishes the Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and Palestinian neighborhoods as the capital of the future state of Palestine. Holy sites would be internationally protected and accessible to all; and • Resolves the Palestinian refugee issue through resettlement in the future Palestine or third countries, compensation and a symbolic level of family reunification in Israel itself.

The compromises necessary for peace will not be easy for either side, but this is the best Secretary of State John issued a challenge to American Jews to rally a people “great and constituency for way for IsraelKerry to secure its future as a democratic homeland for the Jewish for behind the US-led initiative to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For the first tim the Palestinians to realize their national aspirations. years, Israeli and Palestinian representatives are negotiating behind closed doors to shape an agreement ce realizing the shared vision of two states for two peoples.

The following names should have been included us. the Constituency forbePeace.

There are solutions atthe hand to Join address the Great challenges long considered the conflict’s inJoin list of persons who signed the topetition to most intrac from Jerusalem to borders, and refugees to security. Resolving these issues will require both parties to make Secretary State John choices, to make sureof they followEleanor through.

Governor and Lincolnsustained D. Chafee US leadership Heather Florence Lewis Kerry Marilyn Rueschemeye To show that we stand behind their doing what it takes to achieve a Mark two-state Roberta Aaronsonour political leadersRon Florence Ivy Marwil Schneider,solu Ph.D inRabbi support oftothe two-state solution. have signed the M.D. following petition and invite you do the same.

Stanley M. Aronson, Wayne Franklin Daniel Marwil, M.D. Steven Schwartz M. Charles Bakst Linda Barlow

Sandra Gandsman

Dear Secretary Suzanne of StateGilstein Kerry:

Cantor Brian Mayer

Samuel J. Shamoon

Senator Joshua Miller

Deborah Siegel, Ph.D.

Marilyn Malina, PhD Ann Moskol, PhD Barry Schiller Evacuates settlements outside Israel’s future borders while compensating the estimated Elizabeth F. Hollander Ruth Page Nina Tannenwald, Ph. one in five settlers who relocate to make peace possible; Sara Rapport Barbara Holtzman Robert Pelcovits, Ph.D. Gerry Tyler, Ph.D.

I firmly supportLouis boldGitlin US leadership to reach a two-state agreement ending the IsraeliRita Michaelson Paula Sigal Palestinian conflict that: Douglas Blum, Ph.D. Alice Goldstein Vincent Mor Mark Suchman, Ph.D. • Bases borders pre-1967 land swaps and provides robust Howard Boksenbaum SidneyonGoldstein, Ph.D.lines with agreed-upon Tom Padwa Beatrice Swift security guarantees; Rabbi Jonathan Brumberg-Kraus Ellen Goodman Lawrence Page, D.D.S. Robert Swift, M.D. Ruti Ben-Artzi, Ph.D.

•

Nurit Budinsky, Ph.D. Joanne DeVoe

• EstablishesCarl theKaestle, JewishPh.D. neighborhoods of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and Palestinian Marjorie Pelcovits Eli Upfal, Ph.D. neighborhoods as the capital of the future state of Palestine. Holy sites would be Judy Kaye Bruce Phillips, M.D. Danny Warshay internationally protected and accessible to all; and

Doris Stearn Donovan Adele Geffen Eil Charles Eil, M.D.

Audrey Kupchan, M.D.

Rabbi Alan Flam

Philip Rosen, Ph.D.

Rabbi Elyse Wechterm

Join us. Join the Great Constituency for Peace.

• Resolves the Palestinian refugee issue through resettlement in the future Palestine or third John Landry and a symbolic level of family Rabbi James B. Rosenberg countries, compensation reunification in Israel itself. Margaret Wool

Linda Fain

David Lewis, M.D. Dietrich Rueschemeyer, Ph.D. The compromises necessary for peace will not be easy for either side, but this is the best way for Israel to secure its future as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people and for the Palestinians to realize their national aspirations.

Learn more and add your name: www.2campaign.org Join us. Join the Great Constituency for Peace.

Governor Lincoln D. Chafee

Heather Florence

Eleanor Lewis

Marilyn Rueschemeyer,

Roberta Aaronson

Ron Florence

Ivy Marwil

Mark Schneider, Ph.D.

Stanley M. Aronson, M.D.

Rabbi Wayne Franklin

Daniel Marwil, M.D.

Steven Schwartz

M. Charles Bakst

Sandra Gandsman

Cantor Brian Mayer

Samuel J. Shamoon

WORLD

thejewishvoice.org

FROM PAGE 1

April 25, 2014 |

15

UKRAINE

starting inter-ethnic conflicts.

On March 27, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) adopted a bill aimed at preventing a financial catastrophe of Ukraine. One of the paragraphs of this bill sets a 7 percent VAT [Value Added Tax] for medicines and other medical products.

Ukrainians have not yet paid VAT while buying medicines. We are analysing the implication of this bill for our clients.

In the Crimea anxiety is present and increasing among elderly people who have started receiving pensions in Russian rubles at postal offices. The lines are long and the amount of cash is not sufficient in all the locations.

Many of the stores do not accept Russian currency yet. Neither Ukrainian banks nor ATM machines are working. In Simferopol there is only one bank that works but people start to get in line from 5 a.m.

Most grocery stores and supermarkets have enough food products in stock; the choice of imported goods is shrinking. Prices differ in different locations. In most locations prices have gone up by 25-30 percent as compared with Feb. 1.

Most pharmacies have a regular stock of Ukraine-produced medications but the prices for them are increasing steadily.

The choice of imported medications is getting smaller. At the same time, Simferopol notes increase in complaints associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases among Hesed clients due to general feeling of anxiety for the last several weeks. Sevastopol and Kherson note a 100 per-

cent increase in prices for some medications.

Our Netizigim [representatives] and employees in our four Ukraine offices and in more than 30 Hesed organizations are continuing to work night and day to ensure the contingency of our operations and the security of our clients and people. A situation room was organized in the JDC Dnepro office headed by Yoni Leifer. The situation room receives ongoing information on the situation in the region. The information and updates are being sent by the contact people JDC has in all of the local cities

and towns. With the help of this network of contact persons, JDC can easily reach every staff person or client.

Yoni Leifer and Mickey Katsif, our Netzigim in the Eastern part of Ukraine have also traveled extensively in the past few days to learn the situation firsthand and to ensure that all the needs of the clients and the Heseds are being met. Some of the roads are not safe for travel, with increasing number of armed people in the roads and streets. Some of the traveling was done by train service which is still operating in Ukraine and considered much

safer than using inter-city roads.

Israeli specialists (psychologists and social workers) who are members of the Coalition of Therapy and Trauma in Israel, traveled to Kiev to hold training and support sessions for Hesed caseworkers. Forty caseworkers from Kiev Hesed and 18 caseworkers from other Heseds took part in the sessions. There were also organized sessions for 18 homecare workers who continued to visit Hesed clients living in the center of Kiev even during the time of shootings. A special meeting was organized with the JDC Kiev office team to discuss

the latest events in the country and help employees to cope with the stress. It was decided to create a hotline for Hesed clients and for this purpose caseworkers were given communication tools and guidelines for answering clients’ phone calls and providing them with emotional support. This project is sponsored and coordinated by JDC through the emergency funds we received from our partners. We are expanding the project to support other regions in Ukraine.

The Israeli specialists also had a meeting with Ukrainian psychologists who worked on Maidan (Kiev City Center) in order to find out their own needs and monitor the situation in Ukraine.

When they return to Israel, they will share the information with their colleagues in the Coalition and together will devise a plan for potential future assistance as part of a nonsectarian IDP project.

I want to thank all of our partners who demonstrated excellent leadership and partnership and provided us with the additional funds and assistance in these uneasy times in Ukraine.

We are all grateful for our staff and employees in Ukraine and elsewhere who are doing their best to ensure the safety and well being of the Jewish individuals and communities throughout Ukraine. These people are the actual manifestation of Global Jewish Responsibility making sure that no Jew is left behind.

OFER GLANZ is the JDC FSU Regional Director

16 | April 25, 2014

FOOD

The Jewish Voice

Chocolate: a woman’s pleasure and prerogative Five recipes to help you celebrate your sweet tooth

BY KARA MARZIALI Man may not live by bread alone, but I think women could survive solely on chocolate.

Let’s face it, ladies, chocolate is our guilty pleasure. We crave it, and sometimes we cannot get enough of it. Eating chocolate can affect our disposition and makes us feel good (albeit temporarily). One reason, scientists believe, is that chocolate increases levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which stimulates feelings of well-being and improved mood in your brain.

As quoted by nutrition researcher Michael Levine in “The Emperors of Chocolate: Inside the Secret World of Hershey and Mars” by Joël Glenn Brenner, “Chemically speaking, chocolate really is the world’s perfect food.”

British neuroscientist Adrian Owen says, “Both smelling and eating chocolate activate areas of the brain that are known to be involved in creating feelings of pleasure. It seems chocolate has a unique blend of sensory qualities which make us feel good, activating pleasure cen-

the pomegranate syrup to taste.

When ready to serve, sprinkle the cocoa nibs and roasted pistachios over the fruit salad.

ters in the brain.”

If you’d like to test these scientific theories, here are a few chocolate-inspired recipes by Rabbi Deborah R. Prinz to help with your research. Prinz is the author of “On the Chocolate Trail: A Delicious Adventure Connecting Jews, Religions, History, Travel, Rituals and Recipes to the Magic of Cacao” (Jewish Lights).

Chocolate Matzah Brickle

Don’t know what to do with all the extra matzah after Passover? Don’t fret.

2 pounds dark chocolate broken into pieces or chips 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/2-1 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract 1 box matzah sheets, broken into quarters 1 cup nuts, chopped 1 cup dried fruits, chopped

Chocolate Haroset Truffles

Passover may have ended, but the combination of chocolate and haroset is a delicious pairing long after the haggadah is put away.

3 pounds dark or bittersweet chocolate, broken into pieces 1/4 cup pistachios 1/4 cup pecans 1/8 cup almonds 1/8 cup pine nuts 1/2 tart apple 1/4 navel orange, with rind A few drops sweet white wine A few drops honey Pinch fresh or ground ginger (or to taste) Pinch ground cinnamon (or to taste) Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper. Grind the nuts, apples and orange separately in a food processor. The nuts should be as close to a powder as possible without becoming “butter.”

Combine the nuts, apple, orange, wine, honey, ginger and cinnamon in a bowl and mix well. The haroset fi lling should have a smooth, thick texture.

Roll the haroset into 1-inch balls. Melt the chocolate in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water; remove from the heat. Using 2 forks, dip the balls into the melted chocolate and place on the prepared baking sheet; refrigerate until the chocolate has set. Makes 24 truffles.

Chocolate Haroset Truffles

Forgotten Cookies

These delicacies stay in the oven overnight, but they are not easily forgotten when you taste them.

2 large egg whites 2/3 cup sugar 1 cup chocolate chips, cocoa nibs or both 1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped Pinch salt (optional) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 30-40 chocolate buds or kisses Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Line 2 or 3 baking sheets with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Beat the egg whites until foamy. Gradually add the sugar, and beat until stiff. Gently fold in the chocolate chips and/or cocoa nibs, and nuts. Add the salt and vanilla.

Drop teaspoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets. Cap each cookie with a chocolate bud or kiss. Place the pans in the oven; after about 1 minute turn off the heat. Leave in the oven for several hours or overnight. Carefully peel the cookies off the paper or foil using a spatula. Makes about 35 cookies.

Wake Up Chocolate Chunks

1 pound dark chocolate, chips or broken into pieces 1 cup almonds 1/2 cup raisins, dates or other dried fruit 1/8 cup coffee beans 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (to taste) 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder Matzah meal (optional) Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, aluminum foil or waxed paper. Melt the chocolate in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water; remove from the heat. In a food processor with the chop blade, combine the almonds, raisins, coffee beans and cayenne. Pulse until coarsely chopped. Stir the cocoa into the melted chocolate.

Once the mixture is even and getting stiff, add the chopped nuts and fruits; keep stirring.

Taste to check the spice level.

If the mixture is too moist and sticky, add more nuts or matzah meal, or wait until fi rm enough to handle. (Cooling in the refrigerator will fi rm the mixture faster.)

Roll the mixture into balls, and place on the prepared baking sheet. Cool completely. Remove from the baking sheet, and store in a covered container. Makes approximately 20 chunks.

Cocoa Nibs Citrus Salad

Cocoa nibs harken back to the most basic form of the cocoa bean and may be the healthiest form of eating chocolate. Nibble on this salad as a snack, part of the meal or a dessert.

1 grapefruit, peeled (membrane removed, optional) 2 navel oranges, peeled 3 blood oranges, peeled 4 clementines, peeled Pomegranate syrup (optional) Several tablespoons cocoa nibs (try your local health food store or online) Pistachios, roasted and chopped Cut the fruit into bite-size pieces and place in a large serving bowl, preferably glass. Add

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper. Melt the chocolate in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Once melted, thin the chocolate with the vegetable oil; stir in the vanilla or almond extract.

Coat the matzah, nuts and dried fruits with the chocolate, and spread coated matzah onto the prepared baking sheet.

Place the sheet in the refrigerator for at least half an hour to cool.

Once brickle is cool and hardened, remove from the pan and break into bite-size bits. Store in a closed container. Serves 10.

Top chocolate myths Dark chocolate contains fewer calories than milk chocolate Both dark and milk chocolate contain roughly the same amount of calories per 100g, which is about 550kcals. But dark chocolate contains more cocoa, which has health benefits.

Chocolate gives you acne Some people feel their skin is more sensitive to chocolate, and prefer to avoid it, but there is no evidence that the two are linked.

Chocolate causes migraines Chocolate does contain small amounts of tyramine and phenylethylamine – amino acids from the protein in chocolate – both of which can trigger a migraine. However, there is no evidence to suggest that chocolate alone can cause them.

Chocolate makes you fat It depends on how much you eat. Eating a large chocolate bar every day on top of your usual daily intake could lead to weight gain. However, as part of a healthy and balanced diet including 30 minutes of exercise five times a week, chocolate as a treat will not make you fat.

MOTHER’S DAY

thejewishvoice.org

April 25, 2014 |

17

‘Purple Leaves, Red Cherries’ – A wonderful gift for mothers

BY KARA MARZIALI kmarziali@jewishallianceri.org “Purple Leaves, Red Cherries: A Gift for Mothers with Short Stories, Journal & Toolkit,” co-authored by Tania Elfersy and Andrea Katzman and illustrated by Nomi Melul Ohad, is a must for every new mom or mother of young children. This beautifully illustrated, full-color book offers women tools to cope with the challenges of the early years of motherhood. It was designed “to embrace new mothers” and help them feel “they are not alone,” explains Elfersy in the book’s preface.

The title evokes a “world of journey and discovery” according to the authors.

Tania Elfersy and Andrea Katzman

P H OTO S

LE AVE | PUR PLE

S , R ED C

HERRIES

.COM

“We were looking for a name that would portray a healthy

world of journey and discovery, where in the end you get to enjoy the fruits of your exploration.” The purple leaves are the words of the contributors – other mothers – which, in turn, inspire new moms to reflect and create their own narrative. The red cherries are the moments in motherhood that enlighten or empower women.

Opening the book, one is immediately struck by the magnificence of the artwork. Soft, pastel hues are the backdrop for every page that includes illustrations of blossoms, birds and, of course, women.

The 48 short stories, some of which are authored by local community members, are inspiring. Every mom can relate to stories such as “Transformed,” “Getting it Right,”

get healthy | stay fit | live better

“The Power of Pee,” “Dirty Dishes” and “Want.” However, the book is meant to be “descriptive and not prescriptive,” meaning the authors did not want the stories to tell mothers how to mother but, rather, share the breadth of experiences as a mother. The journal pages encourage the user to reflect on the joys and complexities of motherhood. The format prompts one to create one’s own stories on subjects such as fi nding balance, difficult days, relationships, work and expectations.

In addition to the short stories and journal pages, this delightful book also includes a “toolkit.” This unique feature has pages dedicated to anecdotes, tips on reducing stress and a Declaration of Mothers’ Rights.

The Mothers’ Toolkit Supplies are located in a pocket at the back of the book. Complete with rice paper, stickers, quotes and a booklet called “Five-Minute Wonders,” the authors have thought of everything a woman needs to practice self-care during the early years of motherhood.

The best part is that reading this book is manageable for a busy mom. The stories are intentionally short (each one is 140 words or less), the writing prompts do not demand more than jotting down a few thoughts and the ideas in the toolkit can be completed in as

little as five minutes.

“Purple Leaves, Red Cherries” is also a book that gives back. The book’s publisher Flower Cap Press partnered with Every Mother Counts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for women by raising funds that support maternal health programs around the world. When you buy “Purple Leaves, Red Cherries” (purpleleavesredcherries. com), $5 will go directly to programs that improve maternal and child health.

KARA MARZIALI is the Director of Communications for the Jewish Alliance and mom to a terrific son.

Title: Purple Leaves, Red Cherries: A Gift for Mothers with Short Stories, Journal & Toolkit Authors: Tania Elfersy & Andrea Katzman Genre: Parenting & Families/ Self development ISBN: 978-0-9829759-2-3 Publication Date: May 2011 Pages: 176 Price: $28.95 Publisher: Flower Cap Press

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18 | April 25, 2014

MOTHER’S DAY

The Jewish Voice

Working toward balance for a busy life Remember to take care of yourself along the way

BY NICOLE JELLINEK, LICSW What does it mean to live a balanced life?

In general, balance is experienced as a relative lack of stress: not feeling pulled in too many directions, generally feeling calm, happy and well-organized and not feeling terribly overwhelmed. Perhaps a better judge of balance is one’s subjective experience: When you don’t have it, you know it!

Improving one’s experience of balance often involves behavior change, an intentional process that can feel very overwhelming. People who are trapped in feeling that their life is unbalanced often make the mistake of doing the same thing over and over again – and like the famous quote from Rita Mae Brown, they expect different results despite this. There are certainly exceptions to this rule, such as when the imbalance is due to an intractable life event such as intensive caretaking due to the decline of a parent or a health crisis. However, even in those instances, it is important to identify ways to maintain or introduce participation in other areas of life that bring pleasure or gratitude.

One way to feel more balanced is to start off with a brief self-analysis. Busy people juggle many obligations, which generally fall into the following specific areas: health, family, spirituality, friends, solitude, finance, work, leisure and householding. How do you divide your time between these key areas? Are there other areas that take significant time and energy? Jot down some notes and try to assess where your time is spent. Do you notice any areas that stand out, as either time/energy heavy or places you don’t spend enough time? Think about each of these elements and consider how important each is for you.

Certain areas demand significant attention: The primary breadwinner will spend more time and energy at work; the adult child of ailing parents will have more time with family. These responsibilities will ebb and flow over time and as life’s crises arise. However, even for those whose energy is strongly focused in one area by necessity, in which of the other categories do you have the opportunity to enhance? Does solitude ground you and provide means for reflection, and contemplation? Does seeing a friend allow for caring for another and feeling connected? Does attending to your own spiritual need increase the experience of wonder, appreciation for your surround-

ings and enable the feeling known as part of a community?

In a busy life, we don’t feel we have TIME to readjust and make change. However, no one else can do it for you! Sometimes a slight shift can feel markedly different. Think about your life and the key areas where you spend your time. If you could change something, what would it be? Is that change a reasonable goal for yourself? If it isn’t, try again.

We know that the process of setting goals is an important part of behavior change. Think about your goal not as something you SHOULD do, but something you want to do and something you are likely to follow through on. If you are having trouble identifying a reasonable goal, think through some questions: • How is my health? What can I do to improve it?

• Do I want to strengthen my relationships?

• How can I create (more) time for contemplation?

• Where do I want to be financially?

• What do I like to do that I don’t make time for?

• How can I enhance my spiritual practice?

• What will make me feel like a valued member of my community?

Look for the choices you have and take responsibility for the choices you make. If you choose to stay late at work and skip family dinner, own that. It may not feel like a choice, but often it is – and your dissatisfaction may be powerful enough to push you toward making a different choice the next time. When do you say yes? When do you say no? If you make a different choice the next time, will the outcome be different? Be aware how your sense of balance responds to taking on more.

Paulo Coehlo said, “When you say yes to others, make sure you aren’t saying no to yourself.” Identify where setting good limits with others is beneficial. Tell yourself that it’s okay to say “no”.

Making change is difficult, and it’s important to take care of yourself along the way. Some of the changes will result in decreased stress and improved self-care – but remember to be kind to yourself as you try to make changes and use whatever strategies you have to make your life simpler.

NICOLE JELLINEK (nicole@jfsri.org) is a licensed clinical social worker from Jewish Family Service’s Kesher program.

MOTHER’S DAY

thejewishvoice.org

April 25, 2014 |

Tips for celebrating Mother’s Day on a budget

BY STATEPOINT

GOOGLE IMAGES

is a great way to spend quality time while providing yummy treats to celebrate the big day!

Tell the Birds: Get Mom a themed birdhouse with bird seeds, or consider making a birdhouse together as an afternoon arts and crafts project.

Either way, you can help her find the best place in the yard to

enjoy the colorful and beautiful birds that will soon be frequent visitors. They’ll be singing all season!

This Mother’s Day, show Mom how much you care and make memories you can cherish for years to come.

©2013 Feld Entertainment

With Mother’s Day around the corner, you may be thinking of ways to show your appreciation for mom.

If you’re on a budget, you’re in luck.

Breakfast in Bed: Every mom deserves some time to relax. Why not begin Mother’s Day by pampering her with breakfast in bed? Don’t forget to make the meal complete with a card and a cup of coffee.

Watch it Grow: Spend Mother’s Day afternoon making memories with Mom and see your love grow all spring and summer. Pick out a beautiful new planter with gardening tools, soil and seeds. Work together to plant something beautiful. As the plants grow, she will be reminded of you!

Bake and Make: Update and brighten Mom’s kitchen without over-spending. At discount retailers, colorful new oven mitts and kitchen towels are often available for $1 each. Look for her favorite colors or the ones that best complement her kitchen. Give Mom an opportunity to use her new gifts by packaging them together with an easy cupcake or brownie mix and kitchen utensils. Baking together

“Saratov has the most beautiful women in Russia.”

Cosmonauts and women I was in Westport, Conn., the other day, giving a briefing to the Jewish Federation on Russia and Ukraine and the work we [the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and federations] do together. And a random factoid came up, which I want to bring up here. We were talking about Saratov, the unofficial second capital of the Volga region of Russia. I made a joke about Yuri Gagarin, Russia’s first cosmonaut, who not only came from Saratov but also landed his Soyuz capsule there.

(The joke was that he wanted to

go home to his mom and dad for dinner. It was funny; you had to be there.)

But the other point that lots of Russians have told me was that “Saratov has the most beautiful women in Russia.” So … I checked with some colleagues and research notes on this issue. And if you ever wanted “proof” (such as it is) for how long-lasting some impressions can be in these areas … here’s a good example.

The story that beautiful women are from Saratov comes from 1247, when the conquering Tartars (yes, the same ones we’re now talking about in Crimea)

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ordered all the beautiful women of Russia to go to Saratov.

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20 | April 25, 2014

The Jewish Voice

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April 25, 2014 |

thejewishvoice.org

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21

ISRAEL

22 | April 25, 2014

The Jewish Voice

Israel commemorates and celebrates Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut Memorial Day and Independence Day ignite remembrance and pride

BY KARA MARZIALI At sundown on May 4 (5th of Iyar, 5774), a siren will wail throughout the streets of Israel and everything will come to a halt. The siren signals the beginning of Yom HaZikaron, Israeli Memorial Day, which pays homage to those who lost their lives in the struggle that led to the establishment of the State of Israel as well as to all military personnel and terrorist victims.

If you’ve ever experienced Yom HaZikaron (or seen images of it on TV, as I have), you will recall that while the siren wails, the entire nation observes a two-minute pause from all activity. Cars and trucks come to a complete stop on roads and highways. Drivers get out of their cars and stand in solemn silence while their vehicles idle.

During routine hospital tasks, doctors and nurses freeze, their frenetic pace arrested while they pause to remember. Teachers in classrooms remain upright, and their students rise in respect to mourn the nation’s fallen. Families pause. Time simply seems to stand still.

Although the earnest reflection may remind us of the sanctity required during a religious ceremony, Yom HaZikaron has no spiritual roots; it is part of the civil culture. The siren stops, but for 24 hours, a somber mood pervades the country. Restaurants, theaters and nightclubs are closed in observance of the holiday, television

stations broadcast programs that memorialize the lives and deeds of soldiers, and radio stations play Israeli songs that express the sentiment of the day.

Many people visit cemeteries and leave little pebbles, as is the Jewish custom, on the gravestones of friends or relatives.

Then the following day, however, Israel erupts in joyous celebration over its independence.

Yom Ha’Atzmaut, scheduled

the day after Yom HaZikaron, commemorates Israel’s declaration of independence in 1948.

The two holidays, put side by side, remind Israeli citizens and Jews worldwide of the price paid for independence. On Yom Ha’Atzmaut, the mood changes significantly, spirits are high, and pride swells. Israeli flags can be seen everywhere – waving in front of Israeli homes and storefronts, and even fluttering

from car windows. There are parties, picnics and singing and dancing on the streets. Like the American custom during its Independence Day, fireworks are ignited, and people come together in celebration.

Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut. Even if you can’t pronounce them, you understand their significance. These holidays bring out Jewish and Israeli pride. DiscoverJCC.com

describes these national days as “when the sense of Israelihood is felt most keenly…when the collective language is the most uniting and embracing.”

KARA MARZIALI is the Director of Communications for the Jewish Alliance.

My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel Shavit’s patriotic, personal narrative of Israel

BY SHELLEY A. SACKETT Ari Shavit’s “My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel” is a literary magnetic force. It attracts with enchanting rhapsodies about the miracles of the land of Israel and the early Zionist years; it repels with tales of occupation,

“The book is much more than the sum of its parts.” corruption and cruelty. It navigates through the entirety of the Israeli experience, from 1897 to 2013, with 16 epochal pit stops.

It extols Israel’s greatness and censures her weakness. It is positive and negative, and every gradation in between.

Shavit is a distinguished Israeli journalist who has compiled a patriotic, personal and powerful narrative. His clear and engaging style makes the sometimes incomprehensible

complexities of Israeli politics understandable, even to one whose familiarity with the plays and the players is cursory. His interviews with key historical figures are intimate and raw, his scholarship exhaustive and praiseworthy. With a style that combines Studs Terkel, James Michener and Thomas Friedman, it is no wonder this book is a best-seller.

Shavit begins at his and Israel’s beginning, with his Zionist British great-grandfather’s 1897 trip to Palestine. Herbert Bentwich’s purpose was to evaluate the land as a potential national homeland for the Jews.

What he saw led to his conclusion that the land was physically suitable. What he chose not to see would underpin the triumph and tragedy of Israel.

While the 500,000 Palestinians living as nomads lacked cogent national identity, they were undeniably there in 1897.

Throughout his book, Shavit repeatedly links Israel’s current existential challenges to the single question, “How could they not have seen them?”

By personalizing the tales,

Ari Shavit and book cover of “My Promised Land” the reader feels what Shavit feels, and sees what he sees. We stand beside the early settlers as they clear the swamps, we smell the first orange blossoms in Rehovot and we tingle alongside early kibbutzniks with the thrill of “creating something from nothing.”

We also cringe at Lydda in 1948, where the War of Independence leads the Zionists to

“throw off the yoke of morality,” looting, torturing and expelling Palestinians into the desert.

“Lydda is our black box,” Shavit avers. “In it lies the dark secret of Zionism.”

There are chapters on the 1967 launch of Israel’s nuclear program, Tel Aviv’s frenzied culture, Israel’s religious zealots and, of course, the occupations and settlements. In “Up

the Galilee,” a Palestinian-Israeli attorney provides a penetrating alternative viewpoint.

“Existential Challenge” examines Iran.

“My Promised Land,” however, is much more than the sum of its parts. It is an exceptionally crafted valentine to Israel from her rebellious but unconditionally loving son. Shavit acknowledges her faults and wonders, but mostly he worries about her future.

“This start-up nation must restart itself,” he opines. “This immature political entity must grow up. Out of disintegration and despair we must rise to the challenge of the most ambitious project of all: nation rebuilding.

The resurrection of the Israeli people.”

Is Shavit optimistic that this can happen? There are as many who would say yes as no. And every gradation in between.

SHELLEY A. SACKETT (s h e l l e y a . s a c k e t t @ g m a i l . com). This article originally appeared in the Jewish Journal Mass. And is reprinted with permission.

COMMUNITY | ISRAEL

thejewishvoice.org

Heifetz on Tour appears at Touro Synagogue to celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut Congregation Jeshuat Israel of Touro Synagogue, in celebration of Israeli Independence Day, Yom Ha’Atzmaut, will sponsor a concert by “Heifetz on Tour” on May 6 at 7 p.m. at Touro Synagogue, 85 Touro St., Newport, R.I. This special concert is sponsored by the Jamestown Arts Center in partnership with the acclaimed Heifetz International Music Institute.

During their residency in Jamestown from May 4 to 11, they will present “in-school” educational sessions as well as “musicales” in private homes, the public concert at Touro Synagogue and a public concert at the Jamestown Arts Center on May 10 at 7:30 p.m. (Tickets at www.jamestownartcenter.org).

The Heifetz International Music Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the artistic growth and career development of some of the most talented and promising young musician in the world.

The Heifetz Institute is held on the campus of Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Va., for six weeks each summer. The founder and artistic director of the Institute is violinist, Daniel Heifetz, acclaimed on five continents for his extraordinary virtuosity, profound artistry and charismatic stage presence who has appeared with many of the world’s leading orchestras.

This program is a unique opportunity to experience world-class musicians in a meaningful way and in an intimate and beautiful setting at Touro Synagogue. The “Heifetz on Tour” musicians are Katharina Kang, violin, Andrew Gonzalez, viola, and Coleman Itzkoff, cello.

These programs are funded in part by the Newport County Fund of the Rhode Island Foundation and individual donors.

The “Heifetz on Tour” concert at Touro Synagogue is free and open to the public. A reception will follow the concert in the Levi Gale House across the street from Touro Synagogue. For more information about the concert or for res-

Sandra Laub Golda’s Balcony

A play by William Gibson

May 7, 2014 7:00 PM Sandra Laub’s restrained but shattering portrayal of Golda Meir, takes place on the eve of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, when the survival of Israel hung on the Prime Minister’s decisions .

The rise of Golda Meir from impoverished Russian school girl to prime minister of Israel is one of the most amazing stories of our time. Now her life has been transformed into a play of overwhelming power and inspirational triumph.

“Powerful and undeniably moving!” - Newsday “Everyone should see this play!” - Elie Wiesel Performance will be in the Silverstein Meeting Hall at Temple Beth-El RESERVE YOUR TICKETS TODAY: Checks made payable to Temple Beth-El 70 Orchard Ave., Providence, RI 02906 Name: _________________________________________________Phone #:_______________________ Email:___________________________________________________ Number of Tickets:______ x $10 per tickets Total amount enclosed: _______________________

Violinist Daniel Heifetz ervations please call Susan Woythaler at 401846-2125 or email at: susanlark@cox.net or visit www.tourosynagogue.org.

Israel reissues construction plans in eastern Jerusalem as peace talks falter JTA – Israel reissued tenders for the construction of residential units in eastern Jerusalem.

The Israel Lands Authority recently published tenders for 708 homes in the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo.

The tenders were reissued

April 25, 2014 |

as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in order to secure an agreement to keep peace negotiations with the Palestinians going.

The tenders were published six months ago but got no bid-

ders from contractors due to a high minimum price, according to the Times of Israel.

A plan to build nearly 900 apartments in Gilo was approved on the eve of the restarted peace talks in August.

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24 | April 25, 2014

COMMUNITY | ISRAEL

The Jewish Voice

URI Hillel’s Annual Matzah Brei Dinner

AMY OLSON

University of Rhode Island AEPi Fraternity brothers Alex Goldman, Ben Richter, Ben Nachtigal and Reuven Hoffman ready to eat at URI Hillel’s Annual Matzah Brei Dinner.

Alpha Epsilon Pi at URI to be rechartered

BY NOAH LEVY Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi), [a Jewish college fraternity] at the University of Rhode Island, is nearing the close of a banner year, one that’s seen it grow in size and achieve what all fraternities strive for: a charter.

All of AEPi’s successes this year have been building up to one event – rechartering. On April 19 the Alpha Epsilon Pi

Rho Colony was rechartered and once again became the Rho Chapter. This begins a new chapter for AEPi, a fraternity with a long presence at URI, beginning with the original chartering on April 1, 1928, and including rechartering on Oct. 21, 1978. Members of the fraternity, which was restarted in 2009, eagerly anticipated this event.

The brothers of Rho are looking for historically significant

items, including those that were in the chapter house at 6 Fraternity Circle prior to the closure of the house. Items that are desired include plaques, awards, composite pictures and coat of arms as well as any ritual items. If any such items are available, contact either Josh Plotkin or Alumni Advisor Richard Wilkes at njarachis@ gmail.com.

Spring Means New Beginnings.

Seniors blossom year-round at EPOCH Assisted Living of Providence. Schedule your visit today.

This winter was harsh – especially for New England seniors who live alone.

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Infographic reprinted with permission from aish.com

ISRAEL

thejewishvoice.org

April 25, 2014 |

25

My Israeli Army Experience This really is an army like no other

BY YESHIA BRAVERMAN

where the enemy hides, you get the drill. There were the 3 a.m. wake-up calls, especially torturous after not being allowed to go to sleep until 1:30 a.m. There was the tear gas tent where you were forced to run half a kilometer, do 30 pushups while wearing a mask, then enter a tent filled with tear gas and remove the mask to see how long you could last, while being detained inside by the officer inside (who is wearing a mask).

We had many, many hikes.

We covered many, many kilometers. But they weren’t just simple hikes; we would walk 20 kilometers over mountainous terrain before pulling out three or four stretchers, loading the lucky few on top (somehow it

It’s been a just over a year since I joined the Israeli army and I never thought I would enjoy anything as much as this. The thrills, and excitement, the ups and downs, everyday is nothing like the previous.

Throughout high school I wanted to join the American army. I was a patriot; the Star Spangled Banner always brought a tear to my eye. My parents were not too excited about the idea.

“With the support of fellow soldiers you can do a lot. With the support of commanding officers you can do almost anything .”

After many talks, I had an epiphany. I’m a Jew and by joining the Israeli army, I’d be defending my people in our homeland. No matter what type of Jew you are, we are all part of the great Jewish nation. We are family, brothers in arms, and this is truly the land of the free and the home of the brave.

So I joined the IDF in March 2007, and I was completely un-

ARMY | 28 PHOTOS |AISH.COM

Yeshia Braverman is in the center, holding the stretcher prepared. How could I be? All the movies and TV shows I’ve seen about what happens in the American army portray a very intense and abusive lifestyle, so that’s what I was expecting.

Luckily my experience was far from that.

Our commanders and officers sat us down on the first day and told us all that the only way we would succeed was to love and respect one another. With the

support of your fellow soldier you could do a lot; hop the wall, crawl under barbed wire, and climb up and down roofs. But with the support of your commanders and officers you could do anything; bust smugglers, capture escapees, and arrest terrorists.

Training was hell. There was the obstacle course, the weeks spent in the field, learning how to shoot, where to hide,

You are invited to our celebration honoring Cantor Brian Mayer’s 25 years at Temple Emanu-El! Please join us for dinner, a lively concert of contemporary and classical Jewish music, and a festive and fun reception to follow.

Sunday, May 18, 2014 4:30 p.m. u Hors d’oeuvres, Meeting House foyer 5:00 p.m. u Dinner, Alperin Meeting House 7:00 p.m. u Celebratory Concert, Main Sanctuary Dessert reception follows the concert rsvp by

April 30 Temple Emanu-El 99 Taft Avenue Providence, Rhode Island

Dinner, concert, and reception: $118 per person.

Concert and reception only: $36 per person $18, 12 and under For on-line dinner/concert registration and payment, go to www.teprov.org. Or you may call the Temple office at 401 331-1616.

Dinner reservations are required, but tickets for the concert and reception will be available at the door.

26 | April 25, 2014

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NATION | ISRAEL

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More Jewish groups embracing paid parental leave

BY JULIE WIENER JTA – The United States is the only industrialized country in the world not to mandate paid maternity leave, and only 11 percent of privatesector American employees have access to it.

But a growing list of Jewish nonprofits are now offering or expanding paid maternity leave, the result of a push by Advancing Women Professionals, a communal advocacy group.

Persuading scores of Jewish organizations to add paid benefits during a recession was no easy feat. Leaders of many organizations debated the matter for years before opting in.

“Almost no one said, ‘Let me sign up right away, what a great opportunity,’” said Shifra Bronznick, AWP’s founder and president. “They all felt ‘we can’t afford this.’

America has taught us we can’t afford it.”

Through its Better Work/ Better Life campaign, launched in 2010, AWP aims to “enlist 100 Jewish organizations as a catalyst for making healthy work-life policy the norm in our community,” according to the group’s website.

An AWP survey conducted shortly before the campaign’s launch found that 65 percent of responding Jewish organizations – a mix of 227 groups that included national and religious institutions, local federations, JCCs and service agencies offered no paid maternity leave and that only 7 percent provided 12 weeks or more. Ten percent did not provide even unpaid maternity leave; the Family Medical Leave Act requires employers provide 12 weeks unpaid, but organizations with fewer than 50 employees are exempt from the requirement.

So far 82 groups ranging from large national organizations such as the Union for Reform Judaism and Birthright Israel to foundations, local federations and a handful of large synagogues have earned a place on the AWP’s Better Work/Better Life list.

To qualify for the list, an organization must offer at least four weeks of paid maternity leave or have formal flexiblescheduling policies to enable caring for children. Another 17 groups are “in the pipeline,” according to AWP. Twenty of the groups on the list including the Jewish Federations of North America and American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee earned AWP’s “gold standard” by offering at least 12 weeks of paid maternity leave, six weeks of paid parental leave (for fathers, partners and adoptive parents) and prorated parental leave

for part-time employees.

Organizations aiming to make the Better Work/Better Life list must provide their written employment policies to AWP, but the group doesn’t police them.

“It is kind of an honor code, but it has teeth in it because the Jewish community is essentially a small world,» Bronznick said, noting that if an organization were not complying with its own policies, word would get out relatively quickly.

Founded in 2001, AWP, through a combination of research, advocacy and leadership development and mentoring programs, has worked to get more women into top professional positions at Jewish organizations and have more women represented on conference panels.

“We basically felt that with the concept of Jewish continuity and family being at the heart of Jewish values, we as an organization wanted to walk the talk and set a bar.”

The group announced last fall in an eJewishPhilanthropy article co-authored by Bronznick and Barbara Dobkin, AWP’s co-founder and a board member, that it plans to cease being a “formal organization” in 2015 because “we believe that our impact will be more sustained if we give our growing network the responsibility for carrying the work of gender equity into the next decade and beyond.”

While many large and high-profile national Jewish groups are on the AWP list, it still represents a small fraction of the Jewish nonprofit sector nationally. No Jewish day school has signed on, although Manhattan’s Rodeph Sholom School, affiliated with the Reform movement, is “in the pipeline,” and RAVSAK, which serves as a network for 130 North American nondenominational Jewish day schools, meets AWP’s “gold standard.”

Leaders of several organizations that have signed onto the list have shared written testimonials vouching for its success, and those interviewed by JTA say they recommend their expanded policies to others. (Most tie the amount of paid leave to an employee’s length of service an employee who becomes pregnant only a year or two after starting the job may not

be eligible for any paid leave.)

Robin Salsberg, the human resources director at the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, said employees literally applauded when the new worklife policies, which include up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new fathers as well as mothers, were announced. Before revising its policies, JDC had offered 12 weeks of unpaid leave, the minimum required under the Family Medical Leave Act. So far, 16 employees including seven men have availed themselves of the paid parental leave, Salsberg said.

Asked how much it has cost, she said, “When you take a look at improved staff productivity and the rise in morale, that people feel good working for a progressive organization, you can’t set a dollar value on that. The people who go on leave and see we’ve invested in them come back. There’s an allegiance, and that only adds to our retention of talent and institutional knowledge.”

Jewish Federations of North America, the umbrella for Jewish federations, also signed on in 2010 and meets the gold standard. It offers up to 12 weeks of paid maternity leave, depending on length of service, and four weeks of paid paternity leave.

“We basically felt that with the concept of Jewish continuity and family being at the heart of Jewish values, we as an organization wanted to walk the talk and set a bar,” said Jerry Silverman, JFNA’s president and CEO. “We also felt it could create an even more productive environment.”

Before adopting paid parental leave and flexibility policies, the organization’s maternity leave policy “had been an area of discontent,” said Gloria Nilsen, JFNA’s human resources director.

JFNA currently is researching all human resources policies at its member federations and plans to release findings and recommendations in the fall.

Nine JFNA employees have taken paid leaves (three took multiple leaves), and JFNA had to hire temporary replacements for only two. The other jobs were covered by other employees, many of whom viewed the situation as an opportunity to learn new skills and advance in their careers, Silverman said. He noted that two were later promoted.

“People don’t abuse it; people really embrace it,” Silverman said. “It’s really enhanced the culture and the work environment.”

JULIE WIENER writes for the JTA.

April 25, 2014 |

27

Birthright Israel to train educators as Taglit Fellows JTA – Taglit-Birthright Israel will train Jewish educators from across the United States as Israel trip leaders.

The program will train 200 trip leaders each year through a partnership with the iCenter, a North American organization dedicated to Israel education.

The application deadline for the first cohort of Taglit Fellows is May 15.

The program includes a fourday seminar with Jewish and Israel studies and skill-building workshops, online learning and a networking framework for the trip leaders. Graduates of the program must commit to staffing three Taglit-Birthright Israel trips over the three years following the completion of training.

The Taglit Fellows program

is funded by the Maimonides Fund through a $4 million grant over six years “This initiative provides us with a terrific opportunity to simultaneously improve the educational quality of the trips as well as dramatically increasing our capacity for effective follow-up,” said Maimonides Fund President Mark Charendoff. “It is strong evidence that Birthright is committed not just to increasing numbers but to constantly rethinking how to best engage the young people who participate on both sides of the ocean.”

The Birthright program takes Jewish 18- to 26-year-olds on free 10-day trips to Israel.

PASSOVER

28 | April 25, 2014 FROM PAGE 25

The Jewish Voice

ARMY

was always the same people), hoisting a couple more upon our shoulders and continuing on. All the time getting yelled at by our commanders – about how we were weak, and have to continue and no giving up.

But back to that support and love. Everyone was working as a team although every once in a while we had races and competitions to see who was better and where everyone was health wise.

One of the races was to complete 86 sit ups followed by 75 pushups, after which you had to run two kilometers in under nine minutes. If you didn’t pass, you were embarrassed and would have to take it again until you succeeded.

During one of the runs I witnessed one of the most beautiful, unselfish acts. We had just fi nished the fi rst circle and were coming around for the second when I noticed a couple of people falling back, exhausted. I thought to myself, What a shame.

They’re going to have to do it again. Then I saw the lead runner and his best friend stop, turn around, and start running in the opposite direction. They had gone back for the laggers and started running alongside them, cheering them on and basically luring them back into the race.

They didn’t end up passing, but they didn’t mind – they had achieved something else: they had showed everyone else what’s truly important. That’s

when we started creating a loving friendship between all of us.

And that’s what got us through all the training.

The day before we were released for a short vacation for the High Holidays, one of our main officers called the entire company together for a talk.

This was in middle of training and there is this sort of distance between you and your commander. You are not allowed to talk to him without his permission, and even then only with great respect, you have to always remember that you are just a private and he is a fi rst or second lieutenant. He told us to have a good holiday and then he said something which no one could believe.

On behalf of all the officers and commanders, he asked us for forgiveness.

He told us that all the times they had yelled at us or talked down was just for our benefit and was never anything personal. If any of us had been insulted he just wanted to say sorry and to clarify that it came from the heart, for our own good. He made it clear that we were all in this together – as Jews, as brothers, as part of Klal Yisrael, the Jewish people. And then he wished us “Good Yom Tov.” I was beginning to realize this really is an army like no other.

THIS ARTICLE FIRST appeared on aish.com and was reprinted with permission.

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Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut … from memory to life

BY MATAN GRAFF The consecutive days of Yom HaZikaron (Israel Memorial Day), which is observed on the 4th of Iyar, and Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day), observed on the 5th of Iyar, are a time of extraordinary importance in Israel and in Jewish communities all over the world.

During the fi rst day, we commemorate and remember the people who have fallen fighting and defending the State of Israel both before and after the establishment of the State on May 14, 1948, as well as people who died in terror attacks.

The second day, we celebrate the independence of Israel as well as its people and achievements. We remember the past while we look toward the future.

In 1951, three years after the establishment of the State, David Ben Gurion, the prime minister and minister of defense, decided that Yom HaZikaron would be observed a day before Yom Ha’Atzmaut.

Until then, it was observed on Yom HaAtzmaut. Understanding that families who had lost loved ones while defending Israel would not celebrate Israel’s independence while mourning, Ben Gurion, with the approval of the government, made the decision to change the date.

It wasn’t an easy decision, but there is a reason behind it.

By observing these two impor-

tant days one after the other, we emphasize the fact that those people who fought to defend Israel died so others could live so that Israel could exist as a state for the Jewish people.

This powerful transition from commemoration to celebration is a transition from memory to life. It is such a powerful, emotional transition, and the fact that only a few hours separate the two only makes one’s feelings stronger.

Yom Ha’Atzmaut is about celebrating the miracle that is the State of Israel. We affi rm the central Jewish value of love of Israel and take this time to recommit ourselves to supporting all of our sisters and brothers in Israel on their quest to forge a modern state that lives up to the grand aspirations of the Israeli Declaration of Independence. We can’t do that without commemorating our past.

It was and still is very important to me to be in Israel during Yom Ha’Atzmaut and Yom HaZikaron. It is some sort of unwritten obligation. Everyone leaves work for a few hours to go to their city, kibbutz or moshav to be a part of his or her community.

Since 1923, the year my moshav (Tel-Adashim) was founded, my community has lost 16 of its members who died defending Israel. The moshav is now home to around 1,500 people. When I walk by the memorial for these 16 people, I always know that they, and too

many others, are the reason we have this beautiful country and the reason we are able to celebrate it with our families.

I would like to invite you to remember Israel’s fallen soldiers, in our Yom HaZikaron ceremony on May 5, at 8 p.m. at the Dwares JCC and to celebrate Israel’s independence day on May 6, from 5-8 p.m. with a special program: “Israel – The Soundtrack” by Mercado Sound, an initiative dedicated to creating experiences that work to shine a spotlight on the interface between music, people and places. Mijal Ben Dori, the founder, designs inspirational talks, readings, workshops, educational material and adventures that allow the audience to discover sounds, sights and artists, and empowers the audience to detect and identify reasons for being and creating. A native Israeli, Mijal is the creator and teacher of “Israel – The Soundtrack.” During her dynamic and interactive 90-minute workshop, participants gain an in-depth knowledge, understanding and appreciation of Israel, including its history, politics, people, culture, norms, values and more in a fun, effective, intellectual and creative way – through the power of Israeli music!

MATAN GRAFF is the Israeli Shaliach (Emissary) for the Jewish Alliance.

YOM HASHOAH

thejewishvoice.org

April 25, 2014 |

29

Review of ‘Teaching, Learning and the Holocaust’

BY CYNTHIA YOKEN Two professors at Bristol Community College have developed a unique approach to teaching the Holocaust that they detail in their new book “Teaching, Learning, and the Holocaust: An Integrative Approach.” The authors, Howard Tinberg and Ron Weisberger, have written this classroom study of the Holocaust after teaching the Shoah at the college for over 10 years. Their book cites the challenges and outlines approaches to teaching the Shoah through history and literature together. They apply methods and insights of teaching and learning with the intent of examining issues in their interdisciplinary teaching at the community college level.

The authors approach their subject on a personal level by telling their own stories about how they came to teach the course and their own personal experience with the Shoah.

One of the professors, a child of

Authors Howard Tinberg and Ron Weisberger with their new book.

Holocaust survivors, teaches the literature with the realization that his own parents were there. The other professor, an

assimilated American Jew and an educated historian, provides the students with an accurate, historical approach of

the period. The two professors explain that, over the years, their methods have changed from teaching in each’s own way, separately, to now integrating their methods and successfully discussing the Shoah together with their students.

The book includes an introduction and seven chapters that deal with Contexts, Discipline, What We Knew and When We Knew It, Bystanders and Agents, Witnesses, Trauma and finally, Reclaiming Faith. In these chapters, several of their former students give testimony about how they felt during the course and give their own responses to the Shoah. It is probably not a coincidence that the titles of the chapters reflect the subjects that teachers deal with in teaching the Shoah, and Tinberg and Weisberger have done a superb job in bringing their students’ responses and the themes of the course together smoothly. In addition, they engage the reader to understand this unique course

lege. At the end of the book, the authors provide the reader with a course syllabus, a template for the reading journals the students must write each week, the critical research project the students are asked to design and examples of the midterm and final exams.

After carefully reading this book, I have come to appreciate the process that Drs. Tinberg and Weisberger took to initiate this honors course at the community college level and to understand how their course evolved over ten years of successfully teaching students about the Shoah. It is indeed a pleasure to recommend this book to professors who want to learn how to initiate and design a Holocaust course at the community college level.

CYNTHIA YOKEN (myoken@ comcast.net) is a retired language teacher and the co-chair of the Holocaust Education and Memorial Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Bedford.

U.S. lawmakers back creating fund for needy Holocaust survivors JTA – The USC Shoah Foundation will recognize President Barack Obama with its highest honor.

Film producer Steven Spielberg, the institute’s founder and a trustee at the University of Southern California, will present Obama with the Ambassador for Humanity Award “for his global efforts to protect

USC Shoah Foundation to honor Obama JTA – Dozens of Congress members have signed on to a bipartisan letter calling for the creation of a fund to aid needy Holocaust survivors.

The letter, authored by Reps.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz (DFla.) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), calls for $5 million to be included in the 2015 fiscal-year budget to create the Holocaust Survivor Assistance Fund for survivors in the United States who are living in poverty. As of April 1, three days before its formal submission to a House Appropriations subcommittee, the letter had 36 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives.

The fund would address the urgent needs of both the survivors and the nonprofit organizations that support them, according to the letter.

“Without immediate action on behalf of these survivors, we risk losing them to the very things they should never have to face again – eviction, hunger, inadequate medical care, loneliness, social isolation and despair,” the letter said.

human rights, his commitment to education and expanding educational technology and his work advancing opportunities for all people,” the foundation announced in a statement.

Obama will serve as the featured speaker at the foundation’s 20th anniversary gala on May 7.

In the statement, Spielberg noted the president’s recent appointment of the first special envoy for Holocaust survivor services in the United States and said it “demonstrates his staunch commitment to honor-

ing the past while building a better future.”

Spielberg established the USC Shoah Foundation The Institute for Visual History and Education after completing the Academy Award-winning film “Schindler’s List” to collect and preserve the video testimonies of survivors and other witnesses of the Holocaust. The nearly 52,000 eyewitness testimonies in 34 languages and from 58 countries make the foundation’s archive one of the largest digital collections of its kind in the world.

Hillel Annual Meeting Please join us for our annual meeting featuring: n n

n

Student awards Special performance by the Alef Beats, Brown RISD Hillel’s Jewish a capella group Dessert reception to follow

taught at the community col-

Brown RISD Hillel Winnick Chapel Tuesday, April 29 7: 00 pm

30 | April 25, 2014

SENIORS

The Jewish Voice

Isidore and Jacob Gershwin: Who could ask for anything more?

Morris Gershovitz left St. Petersburg, Russia, in the early 1890s to seek a new life in America. He married Rose Bruskin in 1895, and they were blessed w i t h four children. The first son, Isidore, was born in DecemOF SCIENCE ber 1896.

Another & SOCIETY son, Jacob, was born STANLEY M. in 1898.

Isidore ARONSON, M.D. (ca l led Ira by his friends) and Jacob (called George by the family) were vastly different in appearance, talents and aspirations; but nonetheless, they maintained a close friendship during their entire lives. Ira was reflective, shy, bookish; while George was gregarious, adventuresome and immensely self-assured. Ira drifted toward books while George, at age 10, developed a passion for the piano. In 1910, the family purchased an upright piano, and the destinies of both Gershwin boys were then irreversibly determined.

Ira, the erudite brother, entered City College, majoring in English literature and poetry.

George, impatient, dropped out of high school and took em-

ployment as a pianist for a music publisher on Manhattan’s East 28th St. This street was known then as Tin Pan Alley because of the cacophony issuing from the windows of the many music publishers on the block.

The two brothers roamed the streets of Manhattan each evening, absorbing the vernacular voices of vaudeville, Yiddish musical comedies and black jazz. Before the age of 18, George’s unique keyboard skills earned him a job traveling as an accompanist to such singers as Nora Bayes. Ira worked as a clerk while writing poetry and lyrics in the evenings.

In 1919 George wrote a song called “Swanee,” popularized then by Al Jolson. It became the most popular new song of the year on both sides of the Atlantic. Its success moved the producer George White to ask Gershwin to write songs for his annual Follies. These songs included such unforgettable melodies as “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise” and “I Found a Four-Leaf Clover.”

In the next few years the brothers created an authentic American musical voice – brash, incisive, irreverent, spirited, intensely rhythmic and memorable. Their melodies and lyrics dominated the Broadway theaters for more than a decade. They refashioned the musical comedy from its stereotyped Lehar-

Foggy Day in London Town.”

The two brothers composed the songs for many of the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers films, those improbable mid-depression tales with glorious songs, no failed mortgages and happy endings. Increasingly, George sought the companionship of the many established composers residing in California, persons such as Copland, Schoenberg and Stravinsky. He now began to write another opera.

George, a bachelor, was fanatical about few things in life; one was his music and the other – his health. He exercised each day, maintained a prudent diet and morbidly brooded over any symptom. While giving a concert in late spring of 1937, friends noted that he uncharacteristically stumbled over a few piano passages and complained of dizziness and headache.

LARRY FUCHSBERG, STAR TRIBUNE

BING.COM

Shown in this UPI file photo (undated, probably 1930s) are George Gershwin (left), and Ira Gershwin (at right), songwriters extraordinaire. style middle European format to a lively, indisputably American musical idiom.

Since popular music was regarded as frivolous and fleet-

ing, George felt obliged to establish himself as a serious composer, to create enduring music for the concert hall.

His opportunity came with a commission from Paul Whitman, the orchestra leader. His efforts culminated in a piece called “Rhapsody in Blue;” its first performance was in Aeolian Hall with such musical luminaries as John Philip Souza, Fritz Kreisler and Sergei Rachmaninoff in the audience.

Gershwin’s was now a career with two parallel courses, each immensely productive.

His Broadway activities were hugely successful with memorable songs such as “The Man I Love,” “Someone to Watch over Me,” “Embraceable You,” “Fascinating Rhythm,” “I Got Rhythm,” and “ ‘S Wonderful.”

Gershwin’s more serious efforts yielded the Concerto in F, “American in Paris,” and his masterpiece, the opera “Porgy and Bess.”

By the 1930s, the dual skills of the Gershwin brothers were now authoring satiric operettas which explored social issues substantially more complex than their earlier love songs. A succession of three shows, “Strike Up the Band,” “Of Thee I Sing” and “Let ‘Em Eat Cake” probed such sensitive subjects as pacifism and the hypocrisy of political campaigns.

Hollywood beckoned them in 1936, and the West Coast climate in no way diminished their productivity. The songs poured out, including such melodies as “Shall We Dance?”

“Love is Here to Stay” and “A

“…the brothers created an authentic American musical voice – brash, incisive, irreverent, spirited, intensely rhythmic and memorable. Their melodies and lyrics dominated the Broadway theaters for more than a decade.”

During the next month, his headaches increased. His behavior also was altered; he became less demonstrative, tending to sit mutely, staring at the lawns. On July 9 he suddenly lapsed into coma. Emergency surgery was undertaken, and a very large brain tumor, said to be the size of “a grapefruit,” was resected. He never regained consciousness and died on July 11, 1937. His brother Ira survived for another 46 years, continuing as this country’s outstanding lyricist.

It is idle, if not impertinent, to speculate on what might have been and what singular masterpieces George Gershwin might have created had he lived another few decades just as it is pointless to wonder what Mozart, Schubert or Mendelssohn might have composed had their tragically abbreviated lives been lengthened.

Perhaps, as Edna St. Vincent Millay had once suggested, candles that burn too brightly may not last the night.

STANLEY M. ARONSON, M.D. (smamd@cox.net) is dean of medicine emeritus at Brown University.

YOM HASHOAH

thejewishvoice.org

April 25, 2014 |

31

Providence Yom HaShoah tradition continues

BY JUDITH JAMIESON Inspired by a suggestion from the minister of Providence Presbyterian Church, the first Rhode Island Interfaith commemoration of the Holocaust, featuring Rabbi Irving Greenberg, took place in 1984.

The program was held at Temple Emanu-El in Providence.

Thirty years later, the tradition continues on April 27 as six area choirs join together to present “Memory, Music and Hope,” with guest speaker Martin Goldsmith of Sirius XM Radio. Once again, this year’s event will be held at Temple Emanu-El. It is co-sponsored by the Rhode Island Holocaust Education and Resource Center and the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island along with Temple Emanu-El.

“The Shoah was a unique event.

Genocide has proven to be less so.”

Certain content has remained unchanged. As witness to the Shoah, the program begins with a survivors’ procession and the lighting of memorial candles. An equally somber moment occurs at the conclusion with the reading of the names of those who were lost who have families who remain an integral part of the greater Rhode Island community. Initially, this emotional event began with a recessional to the Holocaust Memorial Garden in which audience members carried their Yahrzeit candles down Sessions Street from the synagogue. Noting the often difficult weather conditions plus the physical discomfort for many, this central feature of the program now takes place at the synagogue’s sanctuary.

The commemoration often includes the song of faith “Ani Ma’amin,” readings from the Psalms and a congregational singing of “Song of the Partisans.” The Mourners’ Kaddish is recited.

Program creativity has allowed each year’s event to illustrate a dramatic variation.

Among the presenters, several have been local: Al Silverstein described his experience as a Kindertransport youth with the joyful conclusion of both parents reuniting with

him at war’s end. The daughter and grandson of a remarkable Providence couple, Martha and Waitstill Sharp, recalled their parents’/grandparents’ success in gaining freedom for hundreds in central Europe. Rabbi Eli Bohnen at Temple Emanu-El was recognized for his chaplaincy work in the Displaced Persons camps. And, of course, there was the remarkable Lea Eliash, who not only survived but then shared with so many her story, her wisdom and her love of life.

Poetry has been integral to many themes. These poems include heart-wrenching pieces from the children of Theresienstadt, works in the original with translation by Walter Mehring and Andre Breton, plus poems of Nellie Sachs and Hayim Nahmen Bialek. The reflections of a martyred Dietrich Bonhoffer have offered solace. Inspiration also came from Sheila Eisenberg in her book, “A Hero of Our Own,” in which she described the rescue efforts of Varian Fry, including many at the forefront of Europe’s cultural center. One program featured an original student play based on the Munich brother and sister resistance team of White Rose fame.

Unique to this year’s commemoration is the inclusion of six area choruses – HaZimir Providence, Sophia Academy, the Gay Men’s Chorus, Beneficent and Central Congregational choirs and Shir Emanu-El. The musical theme continues with noted classical music expert Martin Goldsmith, who reflects on his parents’ Jewish orchestra experience in Hitler’s Reich and the experience of other relatives caught on the refugee ship “St. Louis.” Goldsmith, who has written two books, will be available for book-signing during a reception following the program.

The program begins at 3:00 p.m. at 99 Taft Ave., Providence.

The Shoah was a unique event. Genocide has proven to be less so. Recognizing both elements has been the commitment of this Rhode Island interfaith community for 30 years, always in the hope that within the next 30, the signature statement “Never Again” can become the reality.

JUDITH JAMIESON is Board President of the Holocaust Education and Resource Center of Rhode Island.

Your Only Rhode Island Online Jewish Newspaper

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COURTESY | THE GHETTO FIGHTER’S HOUSE

One of the Jewish orchestras in Nazi Germany.

Too young to learn about the Holocaust?

BY MELISSA KRANOWITZ My fourth grade class at The Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island (JCDSRI) just fi nished reading the historical fiction “Number the Stars”

by Lois Lowry. This book provides a gentle introduction to the Holocaust as it tells the courageous story of a friendship between a Jewish girl and her non-Jewish friend in war-torn Denmark. In the past few years as I have read this book with my class, we had some thought-provoking discussions and writing assignments, and then the unit wrapped up. This year was different.

“… we are never too young to learn the lessons from our past.”

My inquisitive fourth graders were not ready to end the unit. They had more questions, and they wanted to learn more about the time period and the people involved in their Jewish history. As a teacher, this is an area where I have always treaded lightly. While it is so important to teach them the truths and lessons of the past, I didn’t want to frighten or traumatize them with any of the unimaginable and horrific details of the concentration camps and how so many Jews were killed and tortured. Were they ready to hear more Holocaust stories or were they just too young?

I fi nally decided to take this unit a step further, and I showed the class the documentary fi lm “Paper Clips.” This movie tells the story of a middle school in Tennessee that decided to study

the Holocaust even though there was not a single Jew living in that town. The school ended up collecting over 6 million paper clips to represent the lives lost during the Holocaust. They even constructed a memorial museum right on their school campus.

I thought we would stop there, but my students still yearned for more knowledge and a personal connection to their past. One of my students has a grandfather from Poland who escaped the war as a child.

Through a conference call, he shared his powerful story with the class. After that interaction, the students wanted to meet an actual survivor face to face so that they could ask some questions directly and form a relationship and personal connection with a living piece of history.

Alice Goldstein visited JCD-

SRI on March 31. She shared her Holocaust survival story with the children, and they were captivated by her strength and courage. She was able to retell her story without providing some of the graphic details of death and suffering. I can honestly say that I don’t think this is an experience the fourth graders will ever forget. I realized that as their teacher, I needed to follow their lead about how much they were ready to hear and learn about the Holocaust.

I also realized that the opportunity for them to hear these powerful stories directly from an actual survivor was fading.

This will not be available to them in the n e a r future.

T h e children who survived the Holocaust are now g ra ndpa rents well into their eighties.

When Alice was leaving the classroom, s h e thanked the children for being so polite, for asking so many amazing questions and for simply carrying on the Jewish tradition.

I thanked Alice for teaching us all that we are never too young to learn the lessons from our past.

MELISSA KRANOWITZ is a fourth-grade teacher at JCDSRI.

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BUSINESS

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April 25, 2014 |

33

Attorney General and Director of Health warn consumers of possible medical phone scam

Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin and Director of Health, Michael Fine, M.D., are warning the public of a possible scam in which individuals, primarily women, are being called by a “medical compensation company” or “the state department of health” asking about recent surgeries and other personal information.

The targets of the calls appear primarily to be women, some, but not all of whom, may have had a recent surgery. Based on the information provided to the Rhode Island Department of

Health (HEALTH) by individuals who have been contacted, the caller will often hang up when asked why they are calling, and the caller refuses to provide an official company name or contact information, two red flags that lend belief that this is a scam and not a legitimate phone call.

The phone calls that have been reported to HEALTH and the Attorney General’s Office appear to originate from a 201 area code in New Jersey, although the phone number is not in service when the phone num-

ber is dialed. This is another red flag it is a scam and may not be based in the United States at all.

“My office regularly educates consumers on how to identify scams, how to avoid being scammed and to alert the appropriate authorities when contacted by a scam artist. The many phone calls from concerned consumers made to my office and HEALTH help us inform all consumers of the possible scam,” said Kilmartin.

“The Health Department regularly conducts telephone

surveys to help us track our progress in promoting healthy behaviors, such as eliminating smoking, reducing binge drinking, getting kids vaccinated and promoting healthy weight and physical activity,” said Fine.

“However, our surveys are always anonymous, and we never collect information that would identify you or others in your household.”

It appears Rhode Island consumers are not the only group being targeted. New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph Foster has also received multiple

What every small business needs to know

BY STATEPOINT Adapting to the changing times is crucial for success.

That’s why it’s important for small businesses to periodically review what’s working and where there’s room for transformation.

“Take the time to step back and examine everything, from connecting with customers to cash flow management,” says Tim Carroll, vice president of small business engagement at Deluxe Corporation.

With this in mind, here are tips for small businesses to improve their chances for success.

Connect with customers

Nothing beats word-ofmouth recommendations.

Thanks to new digital technologies and social media, it’s easier than ever to share these kudos.

“In today’s digital world, you

can reach millions of eyes simultaneously. The key is to also get customers to engage with you and share your story with others,” points out Carroll.

You don’t have to be a social media maven to make the most of your digital presence.

Take a look at other websites and incorporate appealing aspects of these on your website. Use the space to highlight successes. But don’t overlook more “traditional” communications. A recent survey found that 86 percent of consumers preferred receiving customer appreciation gifts – including thank you cards – through traditional rather than online methods.

Get noticed online

A website can be a powerful marketing and sales tool. But if nobody visits, it’s a virtual ghost town.

Your website needs to be in-

dexed properly to show up high in search engine results. According to researchers, more than half of online shoppers don’t go past the fi rst two pages of search results.

This is why Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is critical. Optimize your website for keywords and phrases your customers are searching for online. To accomplish this and improve search engine rankings, small businesses increasingly turn to marketing services fi rms.

Think ahead

Don’t get caught off guard by annual events that matter to your business. For example, it’s never too early to think about holiday marketing. Plan now to maximize sales when it matters.

Streamline payments

New payment technologies can streamline logistics and keep you in complete control of

the payment process. The ability to send checks electronically makes a lot of sense and saves dollars for a business focused on reducing costs.

For example,you can create a check in a few keystrokes on a computer or tablet and pay your vendors in seconds – whenever and wherever you want.

Preventi identity theft

Identity theft and fraud are increasing, and businesses – like individuals – are at risk.

Before giving out confidential information, confi rm how it will be used or shared.

Ensure password protection on your accounts, and don’t use easily available information as a password or authentication. It is crucial to have a contingency plan in place prior to ID theft or fraud.

Make changes to help set you up for success.

phone calls from consumers who report a similar scam.

If you receive such a call, do not provide the caller with any personal information such as your address, date of birth, social security number, any banking or credit card information, health insurance or Medicaid numbers, or any health-related information. Simply hang up.

You may report the calls by contacting the Office of Attorney General Consumer Protection Unit at 401-274-4400 or email at contactus@riag.ri.gov.

The Voice Classified MAJOR GIFTS ASSOCIATE Part time, responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gifts for Jewish Family Service of R.I. Reports to the CEO. Requires BA with 5 years of experience in development and experience with fundraising software.

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34 | April 25, 2014 Lorraine Rose Allen, 86

BOYNTON BEACH, FLA. – Lorraine Rose Allen died on March 6 at The Pointe at Newport Place. A long-time resident of Providence and Pawtucket, she was the wife of the late David Allen, and the daughter of the late Edward I. Rose and Beatrice (Nathanson) Rose Michaelson.

She was a former member of Temple Emanu-El and its Sisterhood, a lifelong supporter of B’Nai Brith, and was a leader of her local B’Nai Brith branch in early adulthood. She was later active for many years in the Sisterhood garden club. During her children’s school years, she served on the PTA at East Ave. Elementary School and was scout leader for her son’s boy scout troop.

She met her husband David at a bridge night sponsored by B’Nai Brith at Temple EmanuEl. They were married for more than 50 years.

Together with her husband, she was an active member of Ledgemont Country Club. She was a dedicated student at the Bob Starr Bridge Club in Providence, and achieved Life Master status with the American Contract Bridge League. She later became a Florida State Champion and went on to play in the national contract bridge championships.

She is survived by children Jeffrey of Cranston, Elizabeth of Delray Beach, Fla., and Carol-Ann of Melbourne, Australia; grandchildren Joshua, Bethanie and Jessica; and great-grandchildren Zachary and Sienna.

Philip Feldman, 87

WARWICK, R.I. – Philip Feldman died April 22 at Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center, Providence. He was the beloved husband of Cynthia (Wolf) Feldman for 41 years. Born in Fall

OBITUARIES River, Mass., a son of the late Louis and Bessie (Newman) Feldman, he had lived in Warwick for 36 years.

He was the co-owner with his brother George of the former Feldman Furniture Store in Pawtucket for over 60 years, retiring in 1993. He was a World War II Army veteran serving in the Pacific Theater.

He was a member of Temple Am David and attended the Universioty of Rhode Island. He was a founding member of Crestwood Country Club and a member of Metacomb Country Club.

He was the devoted father of Linda Solomon and her husband Marc of Boca Raton, Fla., and Donna Feldman of Denver, Co. Dear brother of George Feldman of Cranston and the late Sydney and Saul Feldman.

Loving grandfather of Ilana Solomon. Cherished son-in-law of Charlotte (Wolf) Gorodetsky of Boca Raton, Fla. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Temple Am David, 40 Gardiner St., Warwick, R.I. 02888 or Home & Hospice Care of RI, 1085 North Main St., Providence, R.I. 02904.

Semion Gershenzvaig, 84

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Semion Gershenzvaig died on April 16.

He was the husband of the late Galina (Hudorkovskaya) Gershenzvaig.

Born in Ukraine, he was the son of the late Isaac and Tsiral Gershenzvaig. He is survived by his daughter Irit Gambuto and her husband Wayne and his granddaughter Sabrina. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his memory to the charity of your choice.

Rochelle Goldman, 92

WARWICK, R.I. – Rochelle Goldman died April 11, in Waterview Villa, East Providence.

She was the beloved wife of the

The Jewish Voice

late Hyman Goldman. Born in Fall River, Mass., a daughter of the late Samuel and Rebecca (Feldman) Kroll, she lived in Warwick for more than 7 years, previously residing in Providence.

She was a member of the Hope Link. Devoted mother of David Goldman of Warwick and Cheryl Goldman of Leominster, Mass. Dear sister of the late Saul Kroll and Lillian Segal.

Loving grandmother of Kalica.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Association.

Ephraim Horvitz, 85

FALL RIVER, Mass. – Ephraim Horvitz died April 15. He was the husband of Frances (Bieler) Horvitz.

Born in Fall River, a son of the late Milton and Sophie (Butler) Horvitz, and a lifelong resident of Fall River, he was a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law. During the Korean War, after infantry training and officer’s candidate school, he received a direct commission to the Judge Advocate General Corp where he served as a trial attorney. In civilian life, he was an active trial lawyer in state and federal courts. He was active in community and charitable projects. He was an active member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Fall River Bar Association.

He also served as a director of the Lafayette Cooperative Bank and was a 32nd Degree Mason.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Sharon Horvitz Popovsky of Fall River and Shelah Horvitz and her husband, Olav Grinde, of North Andover; and his brother Meir Horvitz of California. He was the brother of the late Naomi Taub.

In lieu of flowers, contribu-

tions in his memory may be made to Forever Paws Animal Shelter, 300 Lynwood St., Fall River, Mass. 02721.

Leo Kalin, 85

WEST WARWICK, R.I. – Leo Kalin died April 11 at home surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of Arlene (Popovsky) Kalin. They were married for 47 years.

Born in Oak Bluffs, Mass., a son of the late David and Tillie (Cronig) Kalin, he had lived in West Warwick since 1970.

He was an outside salesman in the floor covering industry for more than 60 years until his retirement in January, 2014. He was a member of Temple Sinai and an avid Red Sox and Celtics fan.

He was the devoted father of Donna Kaufman of Coventry.

Dear brother of Irvin Kalin of San Antonio, Texas. Loving grandfather of Joshua and Samuel.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 245 Waterman St., Providence, R.I. 02906 or Hospice VMA, 475 Kilvert St., Warwick, R.I. 02886.

Samuel L. Torman, 80

CRANSTON, R.I. – Samuel L. Torman died April 12, at Rhode Island Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Lois Barbara (Weiss) Torman. They were married for 55 years.

Born in Providence, a son of the late David and Lena (Bander) Torman, he had lived in Cranston for 51 years.

He was the Insurance Commissioner for the State of Rhode Island for more than 35 years, retiring in 1989. He was a member of Temple Am David, South Providence Hebrew Free Loan Association and the Southeastern New England Antique Dealer Association. He volunteered as a driver for Kosher Meals On Wheels.

He was the devoted father of Hal Torman and his wife, Tina, of Reading, Mass., Bruce Torman and his wife, Elaine, of Cranston, and Roberta Torman of Mandeville, La. Dear brother of the late Herman Torman and Evelyn Fine. The loving grandfather of Rachel, Susan, Emily, Jennifer and Elena.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Louis & Goldie Chester Full Plate Kosher Food Pantry, 100 Niantic Ave., Providence, R.I. 02907.

Howard Werchadlo, 89

DELRAY BEACH, FLA. – Howard Werchadlo, formerly of Cranston, died April 5 at Delray Medical Center. He was the beloved husband of the late Ida (Canetti) Werchadlo, Josephine (Regine) Werchadlo and Ruth Cherry.

Born in Bronx, N.Y., a son of the late Charles and Sylvia (Niedzwiecki) Werchadlo, he had lived in Florida for 30 years. He was a traffic manager for American Tourister Luggage Co. for 27 years, retiring 24 years ago. He was a World War II Army Air Corps veteran serving stateside. He was a member of Touro Fraternal Association.

He was the devoted father of Charles Werchadlo and his wife, Deborah, of North Scituate, Bruce Werchadlo and Larry Werchadlo and his wife, Patricia, all of Cranston and Carol Hall and her husband, Frank, of Smithfield. He was the dear brother of Jack Werchadlo of Norwalk, Conn., and the late Zelda Dickert. He was the loving grandfather of 11 and the cherished great-grandfather of two.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Fla. 32256.

WORLD | OBITUARY

thejewishvoice.org

News Briefs

Ukrainian synagogue reportedly firebombed

JTA – The main synagogue in the Ukrainian city of Nikolayev reportedly was firebombed. The synagogue was empty of worshippers when it was firebombed on April 19, according to the Chabad-affiliated Shturem.org website.

A passer-by put out the fires with a fire extinguisher, according to the report. The attack was recorded by the synagogue’s closed circuit television security camera and uploaded to YouTube.

New $1 million initiative will address Jewish executive recruitment, training

JTA – The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation is spearheading an initiative to cultivate new professional leaders for the American Jewish community.

Called the Leadership Pipelines Alliance, the effort has secured more than $1 million from several funders for its first two years and is being endorsed by the Jewish Federations of North America, several individual Jewish federations and the Jewish Funders Network.

The Leadership Pipelines Alliance follows the release of a report conducted by the Bridgespan Group estimating that between 75 to 90 percent of Jewish nonprofits will need to hire new executives in the next 5-7 years.

The report suggests the Jewish community lacks enough fieldwide professional development programs and mid-level career options, and that the bureaucratic and hierarchical culture of many Jewish organizations makes it difficult to attract and retain talented professionals.

Scientists: Romanian troops behind 1941 massacre of Jews

JTA – Forensic scientists from Bucharest concluded that 36 bodies found at a mass grave near Iasi belonged to Jews who were murdered by Romanian troops.

The investigation into the mass grave at Vulturi Forest determined that soldiers of the Romanian army’s Regiment 6 perpetrated the murders in June 1941, the Elie Wiesel National Institute for Studying the Holocaust in Romania announced April 16.

The institute’s director, Alexandru Florian, said the finding was “a legal document proving the Holocaust in Romania.”

The probe, which began after the grave’s discovery in 2010, revealed that 12 of the people buried there were children. Nine women and 15 men were also buried, a researcher for the Elie Wiesel institute said at a news conference in Bucharest. Military prosecutors conducted the probe.

Approximately 380,000 Jews were murdered in Romaniacontrolled areas during the Holocaust, according to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem.

In 2003, Romania officially recognized the complicity of its pro-Nazi government during the Holocaust. Romania set up the Elie Wiesel National Institute in 2004, and proceeded to teach the Holocaust in over 100 schools.

It also erected several national monuments in memory of the Holocaust and designated a national memorial day.

35

APPRECIATION

K.C. suspect said world should be rid of Jews

JTA – The Missouri white supremacist charged in the Kansas Cityarea killings told a Manhattan rabbi that “we have to get rid” of every Jew. Frazier Glenn Miller, who also goes by Frazier Glenn Cross, called the American Friends of Kiev hotline on March 30 and spoke with Rabbi Menachem Siegal, director of the United Jewish Communities of Eastern Europe and Asia, the New York Post reported.

Miller attacked Siegal for raising money for Jews who he said “cause all of the problems” and “destroyed the whole economy in the United States and the world,” Siegal told the Post. He also said, according to Siegal, that “Hitler should have finished off the job in Europe by coming to the U.S. and getting rid of every Jew.” He did not indicate that he planned to actually attack and kill Jews.

Siegal provided a copy of the call log and caller ID of the 10-minute conversation for the U.S. Justice Department.

Miller was indicted for the April 13 shooting spree that killed three people at Jewish community buildings in suburban Kansas City, Kan.

April 25, 2014 |

Jacob Birnbaum was the unsung father of Jewish freedom

BY RABBI AVI WEISS JTA – May 1 will mark the 50th anniversary of the first Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry (SSSJ) demonstration on behalf of Soviet Jews. The man who inspired the demonstration and became the father of the movement, Jacob (Yaakov) Birnbaum, died April 9 at the age of 87.

Birnbaum founded the SSSJ and, together with others including Glenn Richter, developed the first national grassroots Soviet Jewry organization. But Birnbaum’s legacy was much greater than any organizational affiliation. He was a heroic, legendary figure.

In certain ways, his life paralleled the biblical story of Jacob, about whom the Passover Haggadah declares “arami oved avi,” “my father was a wandering Aramean.”

Jacob Birnbaum was a wanderer, too. Born in Germany, his family escaped to England when he was a young boy. After World War II he became involved in resettling the remnants of Eastern European Jewry. Having seen firsthand the horrors of the Shoah, Birnbaum resolved to do all he could to save Soviet Jewry.

So in the early 1960s, after coming to New York, he roamed from room to room in Yeshiva University dormitories and in the halls of Columbia University searching for students who would join him in a campaign to free the millions of Jews trapped behind the Iron Curtain. He was unyielding, uncompromising, relentless, stubborn, steadfast and tenacious and persevering no matter the obstacles.

After wandering for years, the biblical Jacob had pro-

Jacob Birnbaum claimed, “I crossed the Jordan with my staff, and now I’m accompanied by two large camps.”

This, too, was the story of Jacob Birnbaum. He had little when he arrived on these shores. But with his departure from this world, one could proclaim loudly and clearly that the camps he accompanied were large, numbering well over a million Soviet Jews.

American Jews are part of his camp, too, as Birnbaum inspired us in the West to stand up for our brethren in the East, and identify ourselves proudly and clearly as Jews.

Birnbaum was the first to sound the alarm in America, having been inspired by his grandfather, Nathan Birnbaum, who is known to have coined the term “Zionism.”

Jacob Birnbaum was the first to insist that we must cry out collectively to save Soviet Jewry; the first to lead the masses onto the streets in front of Soviet missions and embassies around the world; the first to

understand the spiritual power of the movement and incorporate it with religious slogans and songs.

Indeed, Birnbaum was the first to recognize that not only did we have a responsibility to direct our protests against the Soviet Union, but we also had the obligation to insist that our own U.S. government do more, much more, to press the Soviets to let our people go.

Sadly, Birnbaum often would be peremptorily cut off by establishment figures who understood far less than he about the issue at hand. They eventually co-opted many of his original ideas but accorded him virtually no credit for his pioneering work.

In the early ’60s, Birnbaum asked Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach to compose a Soviet Jewry theme song. The words go back to the biblical narrative, when Joseph, after 22 years of separation from his father, Jacob, asks his brothers “ha’od avi chai?” – “Is my father still alive?”

And today, the Jews from the Soviet Union and their descendants can declare, yes, Jacob Birnbaum, our father, the father of the Soviet Jewry movement, lives on. On his shoulders we, his sons and daughters from the former Soviet Union and from the free world sing out as one, “Am Yisrael Chai,” “the people of Israel live.”

RABBI AVI WEISS, senior rabbi at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale-The Bayit, served as national chairman of the Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry from 1983 to 1991. His memoir on the Soviet Jewry movement, “Open Up the Iron Door,” is scheduled for publication this summer.

MOTHER’S DAY

36 | April 25, 2014

The Jewish Voice

A mother’s perspective

BY KARA MARZIALI kmarziali@jewishallianceri.org Four years into our marriage, my husband Adrien and I anticipated the birth of our fi rst child. This was both terrifying and thrilling. While pregnant, I poured over every “what-toexpect-when” type of book I could get my hands on. I avoided raw foods, luncheon meats and caffeine. I took my prenatal vitamins and ate foods rich in folic acid. I kept stretch marks away with cocoa butter. When water retention was an issue, I elevated my swollen ankles. I did everything my ob/gyn told me to do. And yet, there would be no guarantees for that baby of mine.

When Adrien and I chose not to fi nd out the gender of our child, well-intended individuals would say, “It doesn’t matter if it’s a girl or a boy, as long as it’s healthy.” Perhaps because I was overly hormonal, that comment made me uneasy. I’d often wished I had the chutzpah to rebuff, “Let’s just say for the sake of argument this baby is not healthy. What would you like me to do? Return it to the baby store and ask for a new model?”

I simply knew in my heart that I would love my child regardless of gender or condition.

Nearly 16 years ago, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.

He had a shock of dark tresses, rosebud lips and large grayblue eyes. He seemed perfect.

At least to me. However, we discovered early on in Edward’s young life that all was not the “textbook” child I initially ex-

COURTESY | KARA MARZIALI

pected. He was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder, and I wondered if this was God’s sense of humor.

As a young mom struggling with parenting issues, a dear friend reminded me that this child of mine is merely “on loan” from God. This philosophy has helped me during both the joys and the trials of motherhood. Knowing Edward is just mine to “borrow,” I understand my role more fully, and I see his presence in my life as a true gift. God has blessed me with Edward for two reasons – to teach him how to get along in this world and, for me, to learn something equally as valuable.

Asperger’s kids are characterized by communication deficits, fi xated interests and repetitive behaviors, and Edward is no exception. He is socially awkward, idiosyncratic and often immature. But he is also authentic, amusing, sensitive and reflective. His candor and sincerity remind me to be honest in all my affairs and see the good in all people.

Although many stages in Edward’s life have been a challenge (for both him and me!), I would not trade him for the world. In my experience, life with a child on the autism spectrum is always entertaining.

Last Mother’s Day, Edward decided to serve me breakfast

in bed. He woke up early and poured cereal with milk in a bowl. Realizing it was only 4 a.m., he waited patiently to wake me. Three hours later, with a bowl of soggy cereal in hand, he greeted me with a cheerful “Happy Mother’s Day, Mommy!” Although the mush that I ate for breakfast was less than appetizing, it was the most enjoyable bowl of cereal I can remember. The sentiment was affectionate and heartfelt. Sodden cereal aside, the gesture speaks to the kind of person Edward is.

During the most recent substantial snowfall, Edward spent hours amusing himself outside. Alone and in his own little

world, he played as if no one were watching when, in truth, his audience included me, my husband and several neighbors peering out of windows.

There are so many more stories I could share about my son – someday I’ll tell you the one about the chicken scarves – but the ones that are truly worth telling are not what he does but, rather, who he is.

Edward’s spirit, although often solitary, is always sincere.

He seems to be in this world but is not of this world. Thus, my son has taught me to view things from a different perspective. He has taught me to be a better person. He makes me look at myself in a completely new light. He teaches me about the kind of woman I want to be.

I, too, want to “play” as if no one were watching. I want to be less concerned with what others think and more involved in spreading joy. I want my intentions to be pure even if the outcome is “soggy.”

So this Mother’s Day, if Edward’s impractical or socially inept gestures seem to fall short by society’s standards, I’ll revel in the simplicity of his efforts and praise him for the success of making me smile. To paraphrase Frederick Douglass, it is easier to build up a child than repair an adult.

KARA MARZIALI is the Director of Communications for the Jewish Alliance.

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MOTHER’S DAY

thejewishvoice.org

Out of the mouth of babes Reflections on the role mothers play in the lives of their children

BY KARA MARZIALI Marguerite Duras is famous for her quote that mothers are the strangest people their children will ever meet.

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, The Jewish Voice thought it would be fun to interview a few of the Alliance JCC Early Childhood Center preschoolers about their moms.

What is your mother’s name?

Billy: Mommy.

Jacob: My mom’s name is Kate and my dad’s name is Daddy.

What do you like most about your mom?

Nathan: Her phone.

Grady: I love her.

What kind of things do you like to do with your mom?

Serafina: Making cupcakes with my mom.

Jacob: Get ice cream, but she never eats any.

What’s your mom’s favorite thing?

Caroline: Playing with me.

Ryan: Work.

Saoirse: Playing family.

How do you know your mom loves you?

Harrison: Because she does.

Nathan: Because she does everything.

If you could give your mom anything, what would it be?

Grady: A stuffed animal monkey – a baby one and a mommy one.

Serafina: A necklace.

Harrison: A new phone.

Gregory: One of her new games.

Jaxson: A drawing.

Ryan: A present.

April 25, 2014 |

37

38 | April 25, 2014

WE ARE READ

The Jewish Voice

CRUISING – The Voice went along on Rick and Jani Rosen’s recent trip to Costa Rica where they cruised looking for wildlife on the Los Chiles River. The couple, formerly of Providence, now lives in Blue Bell, Pa.

VISITING IN GERMANY – Linda and Richard Bloom traveled to Germany where son Alexander now lives. With The Voice is (left to right) Mihai Hanzel, Alexander’s childhood friend who was visiting from South Africa where he is doing volunteer work, Linda and Richard Bloom, and Alexander who moved to Berlin about seven months ago where he is now a kindergarten teacher.

to our ADVERTISERS!

CELEBRATING 23 YEARS – Ida and Tom Brown (center) of Hopatcong, N.J., celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary on board Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Sea to Bermuda. Sailing with them are longtime friends, Bob Craig and Lois Czajkowski (left) and Karen Gajewski and Tony Calcaterra (right). The Jewish Voice is close by since Ida grew up in Rhode Island.

SIMCHAS

thejewishvoice.org

April 25, 2014 |

39

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT GRADUATION?

It’s graduation season, and we’re interested in your thoughts as you watch your children or grandchildren achieve the milestone of graduating from college.

What does it mean to you and your family?

Send us your comments, no more than a paragraph, along with your name and contact information, to editor@ jewishallianceri.org.

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Standing (left to right) in the front: Lois Cohen, Estelle Gold, Arlene Landesberg. Back row: John Samolyk, Michael Steinfeld (great-grandson), Karen Steinfeld (granddaughter), Ilise Samolyk (granddaughter), Bryanna Samolyk (great-granddaughter), Mel Landesberg (son), Sanford Gold.

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"Helping to better the lives of others is the greatest of all achievements" – Alan Shawn Feinstein

40 | April 25, 2014

The Jewish Voice

Caring and Social Responsibility: Helping our Local Community in Need

with your help, we can do more.

People of all ages need help these days – including seniors, many of whom are living alone and struggling quietly to manage life’s logistics and make ends meet.

Our Caring and Social Responsibility initiative is there for home-bound seniors – making it possible for volunteers to deliver more than 10,000 kosher Meals on Wheels, and some very welcome conversation and critical social support, to people who may not have other visitors or social support. We also partner with the Jewish Seniors Agency to send volunteers to nursing homes, assisted living residences, hospitals, and private homes – making 4,000 visits annually to keep elders company and help them celebrate Shabbat and continue other Jewish traditions.

Please support our 2014 Annual Campaign.

THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE. THE POWER OF COMMUNITY. 401 Elmgrove Avenue Providence, RI 02906 401.421.4111 www.jewishallianceri.org

Senior Café, a program of Jewish Family Service

Last year’s Annual Campaign $408,000 donor dollars helped support our local community including 10,000 Kosher Meals 4,000 Annual Visits

offering critical social support to those that need it most

more than 160 people received food and a sense of community from Kosher Nutrition/ Meals-on-Wheels

with your help, we can do more.