L'Chaim Magazine August 2023

OZ LANIADO

LEADS STANDWITHUS IN MISSION TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM

P lus: EDUCATION

PUBLISHERS

Diane

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Alanna Maya

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Laurie Miller

CONTRIBUTORS

Ariela Alush, Barbara Birenbaum, Franklin Felber, Donald H. Harrison, Stephanie Lewis, Salomon Maya, Jana

Mazurkiewicz Meisarosh, Terra Paley, Mimi Pollack, Rachel Stern, Eva Trieger, Deborah Vietor, Chana Jenny Weisberg, Cheri Weiss

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Diane Benaroya: dianeb@lchaimmagazine.com

prayers & passages The Cycle of Life

“The people of Israel compose a single soul. Only the bodies are separate.”

— Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi

In the past year, in my position as rabbicantor of Temple Emanu-El in Honolulu, I have had the privilege of officiating at a myriad of life cycle events. Some were joyful, such as weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and baby namings. As is the nature of the cycle of life, sadly there were also funerals, unveilings, memorial services, as well as many pastoral visits to the sick and dying.

Several weeks ago, I was delighted to officiate at the wedding of a lovely couple, who have been together for nearly two decades. It was a sweet and modest event held in the backyard of the home they share with their three beautiful children and two adorable dogs. A few close friends and family members gathered to celebrate this joyous occasion. As they stood under the chuppah held up by four of their friends, their joy was palpable as they exchanged vows and rings. Everyone said “Amen!” enthusiastically at the end of each of the Sheva Brachot ( Seven Blessings), which evoke themes such as creation, redemption, and paradise. In these blessings, we thank God for creating the

world, humanity, peace and harmony and the joy of the bride and groom.

The following day, our congregation celebrated the Bar and Bat Mitzvah of twins (brother and sister), rejoicing in their being called to the Torah as young Jewish adults. These thoughtful, intelligent siblings had eagerly embraced the life lessons that were offered to them during their preparation for this sacred celebration. It is my hope that they—as well as all of our B’nei Mitzvah students—view this moment in time not as an ending, but as the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, one in which they commit themselves to embodying the spirit of the Torah and living lives immersed in Jewish values.

Yet it is not solely in joy that we gather around those we cherish. Jewish tradition holds us responsible as a community to also comfort those facing times of grief. The day following the twins’ B’nei Mitzvah, we gathered in this same sanctuary for a memorial service to honor one of our temple’s long-time members. In the years before age began to take its toll, she had been a devoted and active member of the Temple’s Sisterhood, devoting hours upon hours to help ensure the congregation’s continued

existence for generations to come.

A few days later, I was called in to one of the local hospitals to recite the Viddui (Confessional) prayer for someone whose all-too-brief life was tragically coming to an end. This prayer serves symbolically as a final reconciliation with God while acknowledging a person’s imperfections. That same week, I also received calls from people whose loved ones were either facing serious illness or nearing end of life. Navigating these challenges is among life’s most difficult tasks. Supporting others who are experiencing such heartache is a mitzvah we must all perform when we have the opportunity to do so.

Regardless of our personal affiliation, being part of a Jewish community provides us with many opportunities to share in both the joys and sorrows of people who consider the synagogue to be their spiritual home. Supporting each other is both a blessing and an obligation. It is my hope that we will all continue to honor this sacred aspect of our Jewish heritage.

RABBI-CANTOR CHERI WEISS IS THE SPIRITUAL LEADER OF TEMPLE EMANUEL IN HONOLULU, HAWAII.

mazel & mishagoss

The Time the Security Guard Made Me Feel Insane!

Irecently moved to a gated community with a security guard who monitors my life. That’s right—he sees everything and judges! It started when my dog got loose as movers left doors ajar. Retrieving my pup from the entry shack, the gate guard admonished me, “Lucky I’m here—your little one almost crossed the busy street!” Oy! The Gate Guard thinks I’m a negligent pet owner now!

Pizza time! Who doesn’t order a large pie on moving day? When the front entrance phoned asking if I was expecting food, I guiltily granted permission to allow Dominos in. “Extra cheese, eh??” the Gate Guard asked me in an accusatory tone. Oy! The Gate Guard knows I have high cholesterol now! As restaurant deliveries occurred nightly, the gate guard (which I shortened to ‘GG’) formed an opinion that I can’t cook. “Broken oven!” I felt obliged to inform him. “Uh… sure,” GG nodded shrewdly. Oy! GG knows I tell white lies now!

GG also scrutinized which genders visited. “I wonder why so many men see Stephanie?” I imagined him contemplating luridly. “I have a clogged toilet and a hornet’s nest on my patio so that’s why “Buzz Hoff” and “John Flush” are here,” I explained feebly. “Not my business,” GG said glibly. Oy! GG thinks I’m running a house-of ill-repute now!

GG also familiarized himself with my mom, probably thinking it lame she dropped by 18 times in a week. “We’re Jewish!” I

shouted, driving past his shack, hoping that justified things. He only looked bewildered and yelled back, “Oh! Shalom?” Oy! GG thinks I’m a religious fanatic now.

As I jogged one afternoon, GG (who also rides around on a golf-cart patrolling our neighborhood) exclaimed, “Getting some much-needed exercise after all that pizza?” Oy! GG thinks I’m getting fat now. What Chutzpa! “I have two hungry teenagers,” I countered. “And I only eat veggie toppings, spitting out the cheese and crust!” Oy! GG thinks I have an eating disorder now! When he passed me by two hours later, he asked incredulously why I was still running? “I can’t stop until my cellphone says 5.5 miles or 5:55 p.m.” He sped off, nodding oddly. Oy! GG knows I have OCD now!

Last Thanksgiving, I noticed GG burning the midnight oil after my guests departed so I brought him a care-package because everyone deserves turkey and pumpkin pie. After he slid open his glass door I said, “You’re the same age as my son who moved to Tokyo. Please enjoy!” He thanked me, adding his own mother was keeping dinner warm for him. He emphasized the words, ‘OWN MOTHER.’ Oy! GG thinks I’m some sad empty-nester wanting to adopt him!

Soon a survey came, requesting feedback on the gate guards, of which there were several. I commented specifically about GG. “GG does his job okay, but he’s presumptuous and jumps to conclusions about my lifestyle.

Very nosy and invades privacy. Have him keep his opinions to himself or dismiss him because he makes residents uncomfortable.” I realized I didn’t know GG’s actual name so they wouldn’t know which guard I meant.

At 2 a.m., I knocked until GG opened the shack door. I leaned in closely to scrutinize his name badge—he instinctively took a few steps back. Oy! GG thinks I’m Mrs. Robinson trying to seduce him now! “Relax, I just need your name.”

“I’m Gregory Garrison, but my friends call me GG. By the way, your pumpkin pie was better than my mom’s, you’re an excellent cook, and the nicest, most interesting resident I’ve met working here. They said if I don’t get enough good reviews, I’ll be fired. You’ll be the one I’ll miss most.” I stood with my mouth agape, completely dumbfounded. Oy! GG knows I’m shy and at a loss for words now!

But I wasn’t. Rushing home, I deleted my comment on the survey form. In its place I typed these emphatic words. “Gregory Garrison, (GG) is an asset to our community and should be given a raise for his competency... but especially for his sweet, caring, personable behavior. We need more like him in this world!

1000 WORDS

RENOWNED FASHION DESIGNER ELIE TAHARI

The 71-year-old Israeli fashion designer Elie Tahari is famous for his pantsuits, including those in which he personally dressed Hillary Clinton in the 1990s. With his development of the more accessible label, Theory, and lines for discount clothing stores like TJ Maxx, the pantsuit eventually became a fashion staple for a wide range of working women. But it went temporarily obsolete during the two-plus years of the coronavirus pandemic, which left many women opting for sweatsuits.

“Fashion changed completely,” Tahari said from his N.J. home, alternating between Hebrew and English. “It became more casual, price-conscious.”

Tahari didn’t change his style to suit the post-pandemic trend, but he left the model that had produced his astounding success: storefronts and department stores.

“I made the collection online only,” he said.

Not only was the move profitable, he said, but the lockdowns presented him with the opportunity to share his personal story, almost literally rags to riches. The documentary “The United States of Elie Tahari” came out in 2021 and is now available on Amazon.

ARIA FOR A FASHION ARTIST

Two months before the pandemic, Tahari had met David Serero, an opera singer of Moroccan and Persian descent, at the Sephardic Film Festival that Serero produces.

Serero, too, found his business—live performances—upended by COVID-19, he said from his home in Paris.

“It was more about what was available to watch,” he said. “I said, ‘I have to go into movies.’”

In Tahari’s life story, Serero was fascinated by the way that a homeless, Persian-Israeli émigré to New York City had risen to become a fashion maestro.

The interviews that Serero conducted in Manhattan with Tahari form the centerpiece of what is essentially a tribute film, which also features movers and shakers of the fashion world. Those include

Melissa Rivers (an actress and daughter of Joan, who also appears in the film); the designers Nicole Miller and Dennis Basso; and Fern Mallis, the Sephardi Jew who founded New York Fashion Week. Journalist and television host Katie Couric is also featured.

The documentary, which Serero directed and produced, hit film festivals last year. It was screened publicly in July, coinciding with Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. (With the unrest in Paris, turnout was lower than expected, and Tahari appeared by live video feed.)

FROM PARK BENCH TO PARK AVENUE

Tahari was born in Jerusalem in 1952 to Iranian-born parents who found life too difficult in the ma’abarot—the tent cities set up around the periphery of the burgeoning country mainly for immigrant Jews from Middle Eastern countries.

He was just a year old when he, his parents and his six siblings moved back to Iran. Four years later, they returned to Israel, eventually settling in Sderot. His mother suffered from epilepsy, so Tahari was raised in an Israeli orphanage. Tailoring was one of the few professions open to Jews in Iran. Tahari’s father had worked as a fabric merchant, and his mother as a seamstress.

When Tahari moved to New York in 1971, he brought an inherited love for fabric and just $60. (That’s about $450 today accounting for inflation, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.) In the film, he described someone telling him: “New York is a Jewish city. I’m sure that there are many agencies that could help you.” Ultimately, he got ahead with that typical Israeli chutzpah.

The man, who slept on Central Park benches for several months when he could no longer afford a YMCA bed became a literal millionaire by transforming a simple piece of fabric—the “rag” that turned him into a rich man.

Working at an Israeli-owned clothing boutique in Manhattan and speaking with female customers about what they liked and needed, he invented the tube top—a fabric stylishly draped around a woman’s

torso. He snuck into a trunk show and received his first order for 250,000 pieces at $2 each.

The documentary portrays Tahari as a generally clean-cut, downto-earth and humble designer in an industry known for excess and hyper-glamour. Models often tower over Tahari at fashion shows in the film, but Serero attributes the designer’s success to listening to average women and what they were looking for.

The film portrays none of the industry’s dark side—cutthroat competition, drug abuse, even murder—the kind dramatized in recent films about Gucci, Halston and Versace. “At the end of the day, he never had a scandal,” Serero said.

He opted not to portray Tahari’s dispute with a former business partner in the film. And, Tahari admitted, there was partying along the way. After all, his first fashion show occurred at the infamous Studio 54. “There were periods when I was confused, and when I got swept away into the ego and the drugs,” Tahari said. “But I came back to myself.”

The Kabbalah Centre New York is no Studio 54 in the 1970s, but the center, whose most famous congregant was Madonna, has been no stranger to controversy. Tahari had a positive experience, which helped ground him.

“I was, for many years, a student of the Kabbalah Center,” he said. “It taught me to stand on my own two feet, to value people and to

treat people with respect.”

Tahari wasn’t religiously observant growing up, though he attended a religious high school for two years at Kfar Chabad in Israel.

“I think religion is wonderful, but I’m not connected to it,” he said.

The former Israeli Air Force mechanic remains an avowed Zionist. “Israel is the center of my life,” Tahari said.

Serero compares Tahari’s success to that of Ralph Lauren (also Jewish) and Giorgio Armani, who are among the few to remain at the helm of their fashion empires after more than 45 years.

At least for now, the Elie Tahari brand (which has a multibilliondollar value, per Serero) is not poised to become a family business. His college-aged son and daughter are interested in real estate and psychology, respectively.

Whether for designers, real estate agents or psychologists, Tahari believes in the American dream, he said.

“It’s more difficult now,” he said. “But there is still more opportunity in the United States than any country in the world.”

STANDWITHUS THE RIGHT ORGANIZATION AT THE RIGHT TIME

s we know all too well, antisemitism is on the rise, especially in our high schools and colleges. At UCSD, a dorm bathroom was vandalized with a swastika made from fecal matter and the Menorah was vandalized at SDSU Chabad House.

What fuels antisemitism? According to StandWithUs (SWU) CEO Roz Rothstein, “Ignorance is one of the greatest threats to the Jewish people, because it makes people vulnerable to lies and misinformation.” This leads to anger at Israel and resentment against anyone who support Israel. AntiIsrael groups promote falsehoods and taint Zionism. At SWU, we feel strongly that anti-Zionism is the modern manifestation of antisemitism.

STANDWITHUS IS HERE TO HELP

SWU was founded in 2001 during the terrorist war against Israel, by Roz (CEO) and Jerry (COO) Rothstein together with President Esther Renzer and other community leaders. Recognizing the lack of available solid information coupled with the promotion of misinformation, the founders of StandWithUs realized that a key to winning the war for hearts and minds, is education. I am excited to carry on this vital work in our region.

In 2006, SWU opened the Israel office and created the prestigious Israel Fellowship on Israeli universities. In 2007, SWU created the Emerson Fellowship on North American campuses, and in 2012, the Kenneth Leventhal High School Internship was born. Each year, these programs select, train and empower hundreds of student leaders at hundreds of schools throughout North America as well as Israel, the UK, Brazil and South Africa to educate their peers about Israel and combat antisemitism. I am proud to say that I was a SWU Israel Fellow after my army service in Israel, while I was studying at the IDC in Herzilya!

StandWithUs also has departments and resources ready to help students, parents, teachers and community members respond to antisemitic actions and to bring education to schools, synagogues and institutions. The StandWithUs Saidoff Legal Department empowers people through a legal response and the Holocaust Education Center (HEC) brings interactive programs and curriculums to schools and communities. We offer a middle school curriculum, IsraelLINK, to enhance the connection between young teens and Israel. We also offer print and online materials on a variety of topics and in different languages.

The StandWithUs Center for Combating Antisemitism (CCA) addresses the continued rise of antisemitism through education and responsive action, including new strategies through legal means. Antisemitic incidents can be reported by going to https://standuptohatred.com/report

Getting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism adopted by universities and other institutions is a significant agenda of the CCA.

STANDWITHUS RESPONDS TO ANTISEMITIC INCIDENTS IN SAN DIEGO

This year, SWU SD responded to antisemitic incidents in the community and schools. Students who faced challenges and worked with StandWithUs were infused with confidence knowing that SWU supported them as they dealt with the challenges they were facing.

Leventhal Intern Noa from Urban Discovery School, was the only Jewish student at her school. She was targeted with finger gun points and “Heil Hitler” salutes at her school. With the support of SWU, she opened communication with the principal. It resulted in Noa and the StandWithUs Southern California HS manager bringing a program about antisemitism to the entire school. They also provided the administration with the tools needed to help make Jewish students like Noa feel protected. We are delighted to honor Noa at the upcoming Gala.

When a student at Bonita Vista High School renamed a document, “Hitler Did Nothing Wrong” on Holocaust Remembrance Day, Kenneth Leventhal Intern, Anna, requested that the school administration condemn antisemitism and hold a program to teach the students about antisemitism in the 21st century. They issued a statement strongly condemning the incident. The administration also invited Anna to present to the 10th grade (300 students) on Holocaust denial, how to identify antisemitism and how to combat this age-old hate.

Shani, SWU Emerson Fellow and board member of UCSD Tritons for Israel, together with Hillel, organized a dynamic Israel week, involving hundreds of students in a campus-wide rally to show solidarity with Israel and the Jewish community.

Tali, who is a StandWithUs Emerson Fellow and also serves as a Board member of SDSU Students Supporting Israel (SSI), joined with SDSU Hillel for a campus-wide “Fighting Antisemitism” mega event with more than one thousand student and community attendees.

Integral to combating antisemitism is instilling and reinforcing people’s love for and connection to Israel and the Jewish people. SWU San Diego offers programs that accomplish this in so many different ways, including working closely to support the work of the House of Israel in Balboa Park, where thousands of international tourists visit each weekend. SWU sponsors a community educator every week, SWU materials, and security to make sure that our local efforts to educate are safe from vandalism and/or intimidation. Yael Steinberg reminds us all that volunteers are always welcome and anyone interested should contact HOI directly.

TAKE ACTION, CONTACT US

In the battle against antisemitism and anti-Israel propaganda,

we must unite with unwavering determination to educate broadly and break down the walls of ignorance. Together, we will build a future rooted in pride, understanding and respect.

I am so proud to join StandWithUs (SWU) as the Executive Director of the Southwest region. This new position encompasses San Diego County, Rancho Mirage, Orange County, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado. San Diego will be the hub. Together with my associate director Yael Steinberg, I look forward to building and strengthening our community to meet StandWithUs’ mission of supporting Israel and fighting antisemitism.

Many of you already know me from my positions at FIDF (Friends of the IDF) and IAC (Israel-American Council). I look forward to seeing my friends and creating new relationships at my first StandWithUs San Diego “Leaders of Tomorrow” gala which will be held on October 15 at the Marriott Marquis SD Marina. Our keynote speaker is retired British army commander, Colonel Richard Kemp, a tireless defender of Israel who deeply appreciates the work of SWU.

We are delighted to be giving a well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award to long-time board chairman Emeritus Micha Danzig. As in previous years, StandWithUs student leaders will share their inspiring stories at our memorable and uplifting event. For more information, visit standwithus.com/ sdgala2023 or email events@standwithus.com.

OZ LANIADO IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE STANDWITHUS SOUTHWEST REGION. HE HELD POSITIONS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF A NASDAQ COMPANY AND SERVED AS THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR THE ISRAELI AMERICAN COUNCIL (THE IAC) AND THE FIDF. HE SERVED IN THE IDF AND WAS A STANDWITHUS ISRAEL FELLOW WHILE ATTENDING THE IDC IN HERZILYIA. HE IS MARRIED WITH THREE CHILDREN.

SWU AND THE JUDICIAL DEBATE IN ISRAEL

In recent months, we have seen tensions in Israel rise to alarming levels. Although the current debate is focused on Israel’s judicial system, it cuts deeper into divisions over what it means for different groups to coexist in a Jewish and democratic state. This has been very painful to watch from the outside and even more painful for many Israelis to experience.

Recently, the Israeli government passed the “reasonableness standard” bill, the first law in its push to decrease the power of the judicial branch. Supporters say this will stop abuses of power where the judiciary blocks government actions for political reasons, rather than legal ones. Critics say this will enable abuses of power by the government, such as appointing ministers who were previously convicted on corruption charges. The opposition has already filed lawsuits against the bill and promised to overturn it after the next election. Although there will be no further legislative moves until the next Knesset session in the Fall, intense protests are set to continue.

In his recent speech to Congress, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog said, “I know our democracy is strong and resilient. Israel has democracy in its DNA.” Recent months have shown the deep commitment that countless Israelis have to their country and its democratic values. There have also been displays of understanding and respect between those who strongly disagree, which inspire hope.

Efforts to bring about a compromise between the government and opposition are expected to take place in the coming months, but in the meantime serious tensions remain. Now more than ever, we believe it is crucial that even deep disagreements do not prevent us from remaining united around our love for Israel and the Jewish people. Unfortunately, those who seek to eliminate Israel are exploiting the current situation to spread more misinformation, amplify divisions, and further harm the world’s only Jewish state.

With that in mind, we are continuing to update our educational materials to help the public stay informed and better understand different perspectives in Israel. We encourage you to read our explainer on the judicial debate, and share it with your friends and family.

Additionally, we welcome your feedback about how we, as a non-partisan organization, can help you educate others and have productive conversations about these difficult issues.

We reaffirm our support of Israel, our pride in its Jewish and democratic values, and our hope that Israelis will find a way to resolve their differences and agree on a path forward.

— Roz Rothstein, CEO and Co-Founder, StandWithUs

"In the battle against antisemitism and antiIsrael propaganda, we must unite with unwavering determination to educate broadly and break down the walls of ignorance."

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TEST YOUR JEWISH IQTM

1. Which Jew, falsely accused of sexual assault, was imprisoned in an Egyptian dungeon for 12 years, and upon his release turned Egypt into the world’s first international superpower before he was 40 years old?

a. Judah

b. Joseph

c. Jonah

d. Joshua

2. Which Jew in 2022 rallied the small nation he led, gathered international support, and repulsed an attack by the army and navy of a much larger neighboring nuclear superpower?

a. Lech Walesa

b. Boris Johnson

c. Volodymyr

Zelensky

d. Benjamin Netanyahu

3. What are the four quarters of the Old City of Jerusalem?

a. Armenian, Christian, Jewish, Muslim

b. Roman, Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Arab

c. Jewish, Russian Orthodox, Muslim, Roman

d. Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Greek Orthodox

4. Which Jew achieved international renown as one consequence of a total eclipse of the Sun?

a. Johannes Kepler

b. Edwin Hubble

c. Neil Diamond

d. Albert Einstein

SINGING & SHARING a variety of traditional Jewish music

We welcome new members!

Email Rita for more info: rheller8@gmail.com

a. Be, be very kind, to those who are dear.

b. Do, do what is right, and to yourself too.

c. Eat, eat my child, it’s good for you.

d. Say, say the truth, and you won’t go wrong.

7. According to the Torah, Methuselah lived 969 years, which is how many years longer than the lifetime of Adam, the first man?

a. 39

b. 339

c. 639

d. 939

8. About when did King David capture Jerusalem from the Canaanite tribe of Jebusites and move his capital there?

a. 1000 years ago

b. 2000 years ago

c. 3000 years ago

d. 4000 years ago

9. Which work by Rabbi Yosef Karo, with its commentaries, is the most widely accepted compilation of Jewish law ever written?

a. Mishnah

b. Shulchan Aruch

c. Kabbalah

d. Zohar

5. According to the Torah, Moses died on which mountain?

a. Mount Sinai

b. Mount Nebo

c. Mountains of Ararat

d. Hor the Mountain

6. “Ess, ess mein kint, siz git var dir” is closest in meaning to which piece of advice?

10. Which Jew was a chess prodigy, a Soviet dissident, refusenik, and human-rights activist sentenced to 13 years of forced labor, taught himself Hebrew in the gulag, was awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, and became a popular Member of Knesset after making aliyah?

a. Natan Sharansky

b. Garry Kasparov

c. Andrei Sakharov

d. Yuri Andropov

Answers on page 25.

©2023 Felber, Starmark, Inc., all rights reserved.

CAULIFLOWER CHICKPEA LETTUCE CUP TACOS

BY RACHEL BELLER, MS, RDN, CEO BELLER NUTRITIONAL INSTITUTE

Your Taco Tuesday’s just got a major upgrade in flavor, function, and ease! These Cauliflower Chickpea Lettuce Cup Tacos are the perfect solution when you’re in need of something quick after a long day and are a great alternative to ordering takeout. My patients and masterclass participants often let me know this recipe is one of their favorites and how often they eat these tacos on repeat.

Cauliflower contains a compound called indole-3-carbinol, which makes this dish a cancer-fighting cruciferous superhero. Paired with fiber & protein-fueled chickpeas and my Tex Mex Spice Blend (which brings a South-of-the-Border, antioxidant-rich flare), you easily have a meal that will go to great lengths to protect your health. Viva tacos!

CAULIFLOWER CHICKPEA LETTUCE CUP TACOS

Active Prep Time: 15 mins ∙ Cook Time: 30 mins ∙ Serves: 2

Ingredients

1 medium cauliflower, cut into florets

1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 tablespoon avocado oil

1 tablespoon Beller Nutrition Tex Mex Power

Taco Tuesday gets a major upgrade!

Spice Blend* (Available on Amazon)

Juice of 1 small lime

8 large lettuce leaves

4 tablespoons salsa

1/4 cup plant-based sour cream or plantbased plain yogurt, optional

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

2. In a mixing bowl, toss cauliflower florets and chickpeas in the olive oil, spicing blend, and lime juice. Transfer to the prepared sheet pan.

3. Bake 30 minutes, using a spatula to flip the cauliflower and chickpeas halfway through.

4. Assemble the lettuce cup tacos by spooning the cauliflower and chickpea filling into large lettuce leaves. Top with salsa and a dollop of plant-based sour cream or yogurt, if desired, before serving.

RACHEL BELLER IS A REGISTERED DIETITIAN NUTRITIONIST (RDN), CEO OF BELLER NUTRITIONAL INSTITUTE AND CREATOR OF THE BELLER NUTRITION MASTERCLASS. SHE SPECIALIZES IN ONCOLOGY AND WEIGHT MANAGEMENT. VISIT BELLERNUTRITION.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

This recipe was submitted by the non-profit organization, Sharsheret, The Jewish Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Community. If you or someone you love has been impacted by breast or ovarian cancer or has elevated genetic risk, contact Sharsheret for free support and resources. For more information, visit sharsheret.org or call (866) 474-2774.

Preparing for College

San Diego native gears up after year in Israel

completing two internships. Her internships helped to nurture her artistic abilities and passion for fashion.

“During my time here, I spent four months in Tel Aviv interning for a fashion designer, and the last four months interning for a contemporary artist in Jerusalem,” she said.

Not only does Masa place fellows like Donner in internships, but the program also offers advisors and counselors to support fellows in answering questions about daily internship tasks. In fact, according to the Masa website, fellows are encouraged to choose an internship outside of their comfort zone so they can learn new skills from the experience.

This year, Masa also offered three events that helped participants to discover opportunities for life after their gap year.

One event was the Masa Career Fair. This event provided fellows with a view of possible career options and gave them tools to help market themselves for future careers. According to Masa staff, fellows were offered numerous interviews by the 30 or so companies that participated.

Masa also hosted a leadership summit where, according to Masa officials, approximately 120 fellows were taught long-lasting professional and leaderships skills to be used in support of their Jewish communities at home. The summit was five days long and was taught by faculty from across the globe.

The college transition can be extremely difficult as a first-year student. Questions about classes, majors, career paths and even roommates can bring up intimidating fears regarding the future.

But for Masa Israel Journey fellows, the shift into college life is more exciting and less frightening.

Masa Israel Journey is a gap year program where graduating high school students spend a year in Israel interning or volunteering before entering universities or the professional world.

Priva Donner is finishing her gap year with Masa. Originally from San Diego, Donner has decided she will move to the east coast and study at Northeastern University at the end of her gap year.

She said, “Next year I plan on attending Northeastern University, located in Boston, where I will major in entrepreneurship and social innovation.”

Donner spent her year exploring Tel Aviv and Jerusalem while

Fellows like Donner, additionally attended the “Next Step Event.” This event prepared students for life at college and aided fellows in finding Jewish clubs and organizations on their campus. The event featured various presentations from leaders like Lirone Glikman, an international speaker and consultant who gave advice on business communication and personal branding.

Donner’s favorite part of the Masa experience, she said, was being fully immersed in the Israeli culture. She celebrated Jewish holidays with other fellows, and quickly developed an admiration for the vast social events and traditions Israel has to offer. She said she will continue to see the benefits from her gap year throughout her life.

“During this year I have cultivated lifelong relationships, gained work experience, and found a sense of community that I had never felt.”

Write Out Loud Educational

programming for all grades

for competition. Participation begins in schools, classrooms, libraries, youth organizations or for individual students before advancing to the San Diego Regional Competition. The Regional winner advances to the State Finals in Sacramento and the state winner competes in Washington D.C.

Poetry for all students grades K–12 is promoted through LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD. Poetry workshops are designed to inspire a love of poetry and to help students explore multiple poetic forms and elements through their own lived experience. Student poetry is published in a digital magazine and displayed in libraries and businesses throughout the county.

WRITE OUT LOUD, committed to inspire, challenge and entertain by reading literature aloud for a live audience, has a thriving education program serving thousands of students each year. Working with educators and young people across the county, Write Out Loud provides free opportunities for students to find their own voice through the arts while building confidence, empathy and communication skills.

READ IMAGINE CREATE has been inspiring area teens to READ and CREATE a personal expression of select literature since 2011. Each year, Middle and High School Students READ a specifically chosen book, RE-IMAGINE the images, themes, etc. and CREATE a project in a medium important to them (visual, literary, media, performance art). Workshops and study guides are provided. Student entries are adjudicated, presented to the public each Spring in branch libraries, and cash prizes are awarded.

POETRY OUT LOUD is a National Poetry Recitation initiative for High School students to memorize, interpret, and recite poems

Write Out Loud educational performances include: KAMISHIBAI (STORYBOX) bringing international folk tales and other stories to life for toddlers to teens and beyond. In this Japanese storytelling tradition, a storyteller reveals a series of illustrations as the narrative unfolds in classrooms and libraries across San Diego. Stories rely on lively dialogue and highly dramatic situations that engage youngsters both emotionally and intellectually; and, RIPPLES FROM WALDEN POND. This one-man play, a dramatic distillation of Henry David Thoreau’s life, writings, and philosophy, is highly accessible, relevant to young people, and immensely entertaining. Experiencing “Ripples from Walden Pond” not only brings Thoreau to life for the students, but also enhances their understanding of civil society, a person’s obligation to the society and the importance of personal contemplation for development into a whole person. A Study Guide and post-performance talk back are included. Appropriate for middle school through adults.

To learn more about scheduling any of these free programs in your school, or with your children, or to support the continuation of this programming – go to https://writeoutloudsd.com, email wolrachael@ gmail.com or call 619-297-8953.

Be sure to bring your family to the 14th Annual TwainFest on Saturday, August 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at SD County Heritage Park in Old Town. This unique 19th Century Literary Festival is great fun for all ages with literary games, performances, interactive activities, puppets, music, and books, FREE though registration is required.Visit https:// writeoutloudsd.com/twainfest/ to register.

Over the Edge Reality Changers help underserved youth

On Sunday, August 6, fifty people conquered their fears and rappelled 29 stories down the side of the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. The event, called Over The Edge, was a fundraiser for Reality Changers, a local nonprofit that prepares youth from underserved communities to become first-generation college graduates and agents of change in their communities.

Rappellers included Fox 5 Reporter Julian Del Gaudio, Reality Changers graduate and social media influencer Stephanie Bueno, and community members who came together to support a good cause. An estimated 150 spectators showed up cheer on the rappellers as they descended down the side of the building, using a special 5-point safety harness and climbing-certified ropes.

Funds raised as part of Over The Edge will support tutoring, mentorship, and college application assistance programs for local youth who want to be the first in their families to graduate from college. With support from these programs, Reality Changers participants are seven times more likely to graduate than their similar peers.

Tamara Craver, Reality Changers President & CEO said, “We know that college degrees can make a huge difference for our students. On average, a Bachelor’s degree increases an individual’s lifetime earnings by 84%.”

Reality Changers has had more than 3,300 graduates since 2001. The program has worked with students to overcome serious challenges, such as homelessness, gang-involvement, and refugee status. Hard-working program participants have become doctors, lawyers, engineers, business owners, and more.

Jennifer Coburn, a long time Reality Changers volunteer and local author, fundraised as part of the event. She said, “Reality Changers is the single greatest investment a person can make in the San Diego community because these amazing young students use their advanced degrees to improve the social and economic wellbeing of our city. Participating in Reality Changers is my way of living the principle of Tikkun Olam because supporting Reality Changers students helps them repair the world.”

Reality Changers will host Over The Edge again in 2024. Anyone can join the 2024 Interest List to stay updated on that event and receive a code for discounted registration.

REALITY CHANGERS PREPARES YOUTH TO BECOME FIRSTGENERATION COLLEGE GRADUATES AND AGENTS OF CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. REALITY CHANGERS IS A DONOR AND VOLUNTEER-SUPPORTED 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION. LEARN MORE AT REALITYCHANGERS.ORG

ANIMAL LOVERS UNITE!

LAB GROWN 'MEAT' IS A HUMANITARIAN ALTERNATIVE

BY FRANKLIN FELBER

It sounds too good to be true. Real meat. It tastes like meat. It looks like meat. It smells like meat. It cooks like meat. It is meat. But no animals are killed or even harmed in its making.

If there is one group that might welcome this marvel of modern technology as much as animal lovers and vegetarians who secretly crave meat, it is Jews who keep kosher. For thousands of years the Torah has prohibited dairy foods from being eaten together with meat. Now, at last, Jews may soon be permitted to enjoy cheeseburgers made with real cheese and real (lab-grown) meat.

And it’s happening faster than you think. In June, for the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the sale of lab-grown chicken meat, allowing two companies, both in California, to offer this product to the nation’s restaurants and supermarkets.

These two companies, Upside Foods and Good Meat, are the winners of just the first leg of the race in the U.S. by more than 150 companies globally, feverishly competing to bring lab-grown meats to market economically. Good Meat already sells lab-grown chicken nuggets, cutlets and shredded meat in Singapore.

Variously called lab-grown meat, cultivated meat, cultured meat, and synthetic meat, the names mean the same thing — meat grown from the cells of animals that are not slaughtered. The companies working to produce these meats seem to prefer the name “cultivated meats” for their products. So that is probably the name that will stick.

The potential benefits of cultivated meats are enormous. Ultimately, vast herds of animals will become unnecessary, mitigating their adverse environmental and climate effects and freeing up huge tracts of land for other productive uses. Although cultivated meat at this

early stage of development is costly, there is no reason why this product, manufactured at large scale, should not some day become significantly cheaper than meat from slaughtered animals. Pasture lands, animal feed and care, and years-long growth cycles will no longer be necessary. When that happens, great strides can be made in resilience of food systems and in addressing worldwide hunger.

In January, the Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel, David Lau, made the determination that cultivated meat is kosher, so long as the production process remains the same as what he inspected in a Rehovot lab. And in more good news, Rabbi Lau determined that cultivated meat is pareve, a category of kosher food, like fruit, that is neither meat nor dairy, and can be eaten with dairy or meat dishes without restriction. But, and it’s a big but, Rabbi Lau wrote that if the product is marketed as meat, rather than meat-like, or if it is cooked in the form of a meat dish, or if it tastes or smells like meat during cooking, then it should be treated as meat, rather than pareve.

Before cultivated meat can be certified as kosher pareve, such as with an OU symbol, or even as kosher meat, the kosher certifying authorities must address a host of sticky halachic issues. For example, are the cells drawn from the animal substantial enough to violate the prohibition against eating meat that was severed from a living animal? Since the product of non-kosher is itself not kosher, according to Talmud Berachos 5b, must the cells come from a kosher slaughtered animal? And perhaps most importantly, what restrictions must be observed to treat cultivated meat as pareve?

Ultimately, these issues will get worked out by the kosher certifying authorities, and some day, mirabile dictu, kosher cultivated meat might cost not much more than non-kosher.

ANSWERS TO TEST YOUR JEWISH IQTM

1. b. Joseph was made viceroy to Pharaoh on the same day he was released from prison. After seven years of plenty and two years of famine, the grain that Joseph had amassed allowed him to gain possession for Pharaoh of virtually all the land and much of the wealth in Egypt, and much of the wealth of neighboring lands. Egypt was a world superpower only while Jews lived there and lost its superpower status two centuries later when the Jews left Egypt following the ten plagues.

2. c. Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, survived several assassination attempts launched against him by Russian President Vladimir Putin and declined offers made to him to escape from Ukraine to the West, in order to stay and lead the military and popular resistance to Russia’s invasion.

3. a. The four quarters of the Old City of Jerusalem – Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim – represent the different religious and ethnic groups that have lived in the walled-in city for centuries.

4. d. Astronomical observations made during the total solar eclipse of 1919 confirmed Einstein’s predictions in his general theory of relativity of the gravitational deflection of starlight near the Sun and propelled him to international fame.

5. b. Mount Nebo was across the Jordan River from the land of Israel, which Moses could never enter. Moses’s brother Aaron died on Hor the Mountain. Noah’s ark came to rest on the Mountains of Ararat. And the Torah was given to Moses on Mount Sinai.

6. c. “Eat, eat my child” is familiar advice from Yiddishe mamas to their kinder.

7. a. Methuselah’s life was 39 years longer than the life of Adam, who died at the age of 930. Many believe that Adam sacrificed 70 years from his ordained life of 1000 years to enable the life of King David, who lived 70 years.

8. c. King David captured Jerusalem from the Canaanite tribe of Jebusites and moved his capital there about 1004 B.C.E.

9. b. The Shulchan Aruch, literally Set Table, sometimes called in English the “Code of Jewish Law,” was completed by Rabbi Karo in 1563 in the city of Safed, which is in what is now the Upper Galilee region of Israel.

10. a. Natan Sharansky was charged in 1977 with high treason by the KGB, then headed by Yuri Andropov. Sharansky had worked as a translator for Soviet dissident, father of the Soviet hydrogen bomb, and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Andrei Sakharov, and had once beaten world-chess-champion Garry Kasparov in an exhibition match.

US-BASED ISRAELI 'UNICORNS'

A MIXED BAG OF COMPANIES

BY MIKE WAGENHEIM | JNS.ORG

The United States is home to a record 88 Israeli-founded unicorns—privately held companies that have at one point been valued at $1 billion or above. That’s according to the United States-Israel Business Alliance (USIBA), which notes a 10% jump, from 80, in Israeli unicorn companies stateside since last May.

To qualify for the list, a unicorn must have at least one Israeli founder, and its global or regional headquarters must be in the United States.

A record 11 states now serve as headquarters for Israeli unicorns, including a growing number outside the traditional hubs of New York and Silicon Valley.

“The rising number of Israeli-founded unicorns in the United States is a testament to the strategic value that this market continues to offer Israeli entrepreneurs,” stated Aaron Kaplowitz, president of the USIBA. “In recent years, there’s been a better product-market fit between Israeli technological solutions and American enterprise challenges.”

This data reflects both promising and concerning trends. The number of U.S.-based Israeli unicorns is increasing, but some are seeing their evaluations drop or are even having to file for bankruptcy.

Cybereason, a Boston-based, Israeli-founded cyber detection and response company, recently took in a $100 million investment from SoftBank, based on an estimated $400 million valuation. The company remains on the unicorn list based on its $2.8 billion valuation in 2021.

And in July, New Jersey-based cryptocurrency lender Celsius

Network, co-founded by an Israeli, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

“This is a complicated year, particularly. The market is insane,” Kaplowitz said. “We had to reassess our understanding of valuations a little bit better.”

Israeli-founded unicorns have not been immune to the decreased valuations across the global tech economy. USIBA research indicates only about 55% of U.S.-based Israeli-founded unicorns could raise funding at a $1 billion or greater valuation at this moment.

“I don’t see the investments as dwindling. I just see them as getting more personal, smarter and even safer,” Jonathan Weiss, vice president of strategic innovation for the Florida-based medical-device unicorn Insightec, said.

“When the markets were doing better and [were] more stable, folks were tolerant of taking on more risk and there may even have been an additional element of excitement for people to be part of the Israeli startup investing ecosystem altogether,” he said. “That was part of the drive.”

Weiss said investors were willing to take on some extra risk, especially in earlier-stage startups, which were not commercial or selling yet.

“There was extra cash around to take riskier bets. Now ideally you want to see sales, cash flow, and even better, cash-flow positive companies,” said Weiss. “More than ever, it’s about relationships and trust in the team that they will deliver on their projections.”

Liquidity Group, headquartered in Manhattan, is the only Israelifounded unicorn in the country to cross the $1 billion valuation threshold so far in 2023. Twenty-one companies hit the mark last

year, with 38 reaching unicorn status in 2021 and 14 in 2002. Current market conditions are keeping the number of unicorns artificially high, because late-stage companies that would have otherwise gone public by now are holding off with the IPOs, waiting for the market to improve.

Since last May, only two Israeli-founded unicorns with U.S. headquarters—Selina and Pagaya—have gone public.

Kaplowitz also said that he senses some Israeli-headquartered companies are holding back from setting up shop in the United States as they await more certainty in the market.

“Anecdotally, we’ve seen companies over the last six to 12 months put their expansions on hold. A lot of Israeli companies that inevitably have plans to expand in the U.S. are just optimizing their operations and waiting this out a little bit,” he said.

Conventional wisdom might hold that domestic Israeli strife and instability might scare off some potential investors, but Weiss hasn’t seen that play out.

“When it comes to investing in Israeli companies, we’re talking about things that are, in a way, above politics,” he said. “When we talk about healthcare, it’s above politics. When we’re talking about advancing technologies that create value for people, it’s above politics.”

“Politics has the ability to infuriate people on different sides. So, if you don’t see eye to eye on politics, you just don’t talk about it,” he said. “Focus on what you have in common and the mission at hand.”

Insightec, whose global headquarters is located in Israel’s Tirat Carmel, is one of two Israeli-founded unicorns with Florida offices.

In 2022, Israeli-founded unicorns were headquartered in nine states. This year, Landa, a 3D-printing innovator, set up its U.S. headquarters in Atlanta, while NextSilicon, a semiconductor processing company, relocated from Texas to Minneapolis. The moves put Georgia and Minnesota on the Israeli unicorn map for the first time.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting state-level regulations had a significant impact on the Israeli unicorn scene. While California (35 Israeli-founded unicorns) and New York (30) remain leaders, other states with more favorable business environments became active in recruiting new companies.

Israeli-founded unicorns have tended to set up their own supportive ecosystem structures, but Weiss said that Israeli companies exploring new frontiers in the United States can become viable on their own, opening the door for more to join.

“Because of what the world as a collective just went through, the previously established hubs for innovation were broken down,” Weiss said. “Politics aside, the lockdowns sent talent and intellect to new areas as the work-from-home concept became a way of business survival. It ultimately didn’t matter where you lived.”

As regions have opened up, Weiss has observed a “dramatic buildup of need and yearning for community, to see people, to interact

and as people emerged from their quarantine place of choice, the new hubs were born.”

“I don’t think we’ll ever be able to remove community from the picture,” he said. “I think community is the source of people’s motivation, of excitement to create value for the world.”

Weiss thinks that Israeli companies spreading stateside will lead to greater business opportunities.

“The locations that are harboring young innovation hubs are adapting. Local governments are realizing they’ve got a really great garden growing and [are] focused on how to water it,” he said. “New policies and support systems are being put in place to sustain and cultivate the new ecosystems, and I think these are the natural next steps where these new communities are established.”

NEWS TO KNOW NOW

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

programming, as well as its Cozy Café coffee and tea cart, are free to all adults 60 years or older. Lunch is a suggested donation of $4 for those over 60 and $8 for all others. To reserve lunch, please call 858-637-3230. Complimentary transportation to and from the center is available, with donations welcome. College Avenue Center programming is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with lunch served at 12 p.m.

EAST COUNTY COLLEGE AVENUE CENTER FOR SENIORS RECEIVES GRANT FOR CLASS INSTRUCTORS

The San Diego Seniors Community Foundation (SDSCF) has awarded the Jewish Family Service (JFS) College Avenue Center $10,000 as part of SDSCF’s Empower San Diego Senior Center grant program. College Avenue Center, along with 10 other local senior centers and nonprofits, received the grants to help implement SDSCF’s “San Diego Master Plan for Senior Centers,” a countywide plan aimed to enhance modern senior centers across local communities.

The 2023 Empower Grant allows JFS to expand program offerings at College Avenue Center by compensating instructors, in addition to volunteer-led classes. Current offerings for the East County community include tai chi and yoga. The College Avenue Center furthers the goals of the San Diego Master Plan for Senior Centers, by providing inclusive spaces where all seniors can gain valuable knowledge and have trusted community resources they can rely on.

“Our mission is to provide a strong and healthy community in which older San Diegans can thrive,” said Kristine Stensberg, senior director of Nutrition and Aging Care Services at JFS. “With the help of this grant, we will continue to make connections and provide the help and assistance seniors in our community need.”

For more information on the College Avenue Center or to register, visit jfssd.org/cac or call 858-637-3270. College Avenue Center’s

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF SAN DIEGO ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD CHAIR

At Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS)’s 2023 Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon, held June 27 at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego Jacobs Hall, the nonprofit announced its next board chair, Deborah Bucksbaum, along with new board members, while honoring key staff for their contributions in the past year.

Bucksbaum has served as a JFS board member for nearly a decade. She fills the position of outgoing board chair Emily Jennewein whose guidance over the past two years has been essential to the organization’s success. Bucksbaum’s background includes 28 years of business litigation. During her tenure as a JFS board member, she has advocated for affordable housing in the community and formed a

Mary College Avenue Center_Courtesy Jewish Family Service. Courtesy Jewish Family Service.

JFS New Board Chair

JFS housing committee, which will be further developed during her term as chair.

New board members sworn in include: Nadia Farjood, litigation associate, O’Melveny & Myers; Seth Krosner, trauma and critical care surgeon, Scripps Mercy Hospital; Adam Rosenthal, partner and employment attorney, Sheppard Mullin.

To get help, volunteer or support JFS, visit jfssd.org or call 858637-3000.

HOLOCAUST EXHIBIT ON DISPLAY AT SAN DIEGO LIBRARY

From Oceanside to San Ysidro, from the young to our golden aged numerous schools, retirement facilities, and temples have had the pleasure of strolling among lifesize likenesses of Holocaust survivors featured in the Rancho San Diego Library.

Sandra Scheller, creator of RUTH Remember Us The Holocaust is at the library every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. giving personal tours to schools, organizations, and individuals who wish to learn about the Holocaust and those that made a difference in San Diego. To meet with Sandra for a personal tour or to donate Holocaust memorabilia, contact Sandra directly at 619-422-3429 or email rememberustheholocaust@gmail.com.

RONIT RONYERUSHALMI EARNS AWARDS FOR KAVOD CHARTER SCHOOL

Ronit Ron-Yerushalmi was born to make a difference. At a young age, Ronit dreamed of changing the world for the better through her love for language and culture. As Director of Language & Global Studies at Kavod Charter School, Ronit is fulfilling her mission by creating a community where children from all cultures can learn modern Hebrew in a non-religious public school. Leading with a joyful, passionate and authentic approach, she encourages innovative teaching techniques at Kavod, an International Baccalaureate Tk-8 school that brings together children from diverse backgrounds to appreciate Israel and the Hebrew language. Her impact on biliteracy education is immeasurable. Ronit earned Kavod the honor of being named a State of California Pathway to the Seal of Biliteracy school. She was recently awarded a Charter Stars Award as an Outstanding Innovator and recognized by San Diego County Office of Education for her contribution in biliteracy education. Kol HaKavod!

BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY AND BNC CELEBRATE 75 YEARS!

Both the University and the Brandeis National Committee, which has supported Brandeis since its inception, turn 75 years old this year. Join the celebrations, and learn with San Dieguito Chapter’s informal study groups, enjoy their social groups and special events, participate in community service, and make friends; all while supporting Brandeis University.

This year’s Opening Meeting Luncheon and Study & Social Group Presentations will be held at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club in Solana Beach on Wednesday, August 30, at 10:30 a.m. For further information, to RSVP (by August 14 please), or to receive a brochure describing the Study & Social Groups, email or call: rebeccathien2@ gmail.com or 760-580-6034.

programs to Hebrew studies, and lots of music enrichment with some of the best musicians and cantors in the business.

Between cohort lunches, panel presentations, certificate tracks, dynamic evening programs and late night kumzits, there was something for everyone including a special program (LEEP) supporting educators emerging into their first or second careers in Jewish education.

Rabbi Cherie Koller-Fox has been leading the conference for close to five decades and continues with the help of dedicated volunteers to encourage us despite budget cuts and conflicting priorities. The conference will be hosted in San Diego next summer. Learn more at www.newcaje.org.

NEWCAJE IS BACK IN PERSON AND IT FEELS SO GOOD!

Jewish educators across the country returned from the 14th NewCAJE (Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education) conference last month rejuvenated, inspired, fulfilled, and excited. Adjectives such as these were shared at the joyful closing circle. Finally back together in person after three years online, participants presented and enjoyed hundreds of sessions on everything from storytelling to history, classroom management to Torah comics and prayer enrichment