SEPTEMBER 2021
USO SAN DIEGO
HONORING MILITARY HEROES
Plus:
ROSH HASHANAH ISRAEL'S RESPONSE TO A WORLD IN CRISIS
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L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2021
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contents September 2021 • www.lchaimmagazine.com
COVER STORY USO San Diego Stars and Stripes Gala Honors Military Heroes..................................................
FOOD
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Farro Salad with Fennel and Roasted Butternut Squash.......................................................
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ROSH HASHANAH Our Rosh Hashanah Baby...........................................................................................................................
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FEATURES IsraAid: Israel's Humanitarian Response to a World in Crisis...............................................
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Sharon Katz: Music and Mitzvahs......................................................................................................... East meets West: Jerusalem exhibit displays coffee
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FARRO SALAD
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culture through the ages...........................................................................................................................
COLUMNS
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Prayers & Passages..................................
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Mazel and Mishagoss............................
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COFFEE CULTURE PUBLISHERS Diane Benaroya & Laurie Miller
L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO, LLC (858) 776-0550 P.O. Box 27876, San Diego, CA 92198
CONTRIBUTORS
Ariela Alush, Barbara Birenbaum, Michael Gardiner, 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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L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2021
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ON THE COVER: L-R: Brianna Ahern, Keemiya Pourmonir, Coast Guard CO, Sherry Ahern SUBSCRIBE ONLINE: www.lchaimmagazine.com/shop Copyright ©2021 L’Chaim San Diego LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator” to: publisher@lchaimmagazine.com Published in San Diego, CA • www.lchaimmagazine.com
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TORAH l BY RABBI-CANTOR CHERI WEISS
prayers
& passages How We Pray
T
here are two primary modes of Jewish prayer. The first is known as Keva, which comes from the Hebrew word meaning “fixed.” In this structured and repetitive form of prayer, the liturgical guidelines set out by rabbis of previous generation are strictly followed. Prayer is said at specific times of the day using words written in the prayerbooks (sidurim) and precise choreography, such as bowing as we recite certain prayers. Prayer rooted in Keva allows a group of people to pray together as a community with a common liturgy. There may be power and comfort in the shared experience, in knowing that everyone else is chanting aloud (or quietly murmuring) the exact same words as you are. The downside is that formulaic praying (sometimes on auto-pilot) may lead to boredom and perhaps a feeling a lack of personal connection to God. The second mode of prayer is known as Kavanah, which in Hebrew means “intention.” This mode of prayer is rooted in spontaneity and individual expression and does not rely on a specific prayerbook. It encourages the individual to reach inward and speak to God using words that come from his or her own heart whenever the need or desire arises
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L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2021
Prayer based in Kavanah is completely personal and without rules. It may not even feel like prayer, rather more like a conversation with God. This can be done anywhere: at a park or beach, driving to work, in bed after a challenging day, anywhere! This mode of prayer is every bit as valid as that based in Keva. All of us can speak to God at any time. One drawback, however, is the lack of shared energy and inspiration that one can draw from reciting traditional prayers together in community. Prayer in the Kavanah mode has become much more prevalent in recent decades, especially as many Jews continue to move away from the strict liturgical guidelines that denominational Judaism emphasizes. Many innovative congregations write their own prayerbooks, which are rooted in traditional Jewish liturgy and may also include secular or Jewish poetry, essays and songs. Others offer creative approaches to prayer that incorporate some elements of traditional liturgy with personal meditation and reflection. Even traditional congregations will often encourage their congregants to look beyond the fixed liturgy to pray with words that feel more authentic, particularly during moments of silent or private prayer. As we approach the High Holy Days, my
hope is that you will take this opportunity to reach out in prayer to the Holy One, however you connect with the Divine. While the current pandemic still weighs on us so heavily, it would be easy to ignore our Jewish traditions this year and just go about our daily business. Yet our current health crisis also represents an opportunity for us to connect with God and one another, either in person or online. Our communal worship during these Days of Awe can provide us the opportunity to derive comfort and to bring comfort and a sense of belonging to others. Shana Tovah. RABBI-CANTOR CHERI WEISS IS THE FOUNDER AND SPIRITUAL LEADER OF THE SAN DIEGO OUTREACH SYNAGOGUE, A POST-DENOMINATIONAL CONGREGATION THAT WELCOMES PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS INTERESTED IN EXPLORING A UNIQUE MIXTURE OF TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY JEWISH MUSIC, PRAYER AND LEARNING. SHE IS ALSO THE FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE SAN DIEGO JEWISH COMMUNITY CHOIR, WHICH EXPLORES A WIDE VARIETY OF JEWISH MUSIC INCLUDING LITURGICAL PRAYERS, ISRAELI FAVORITES, MUSICAL THEATER AND OTHER POPULAR SONGS BY JEWISH COMPOSERS AND MUCH MORE.
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HUMOR | BY STEPHANIE LEWIS
mazel
& mishagoss Love Means Never Having to Say, 'I'm Sorry.' But, Yom Kippur Doesn't!
I
grew up in a household where nobody asked for forgiveness. The closest we came was challenging family members to play the classic board game, Sorry, whooping their tushies, and then refusing to apologize for that as well. Luckily on Yom Kippur, God mercifully erases all the sins we’ve committed “before God” — but not necessarily the transgressions against our fellow man. Therefore, if we want 100 percent purity, we must atone to every individual who’s suffered on our behalf. However nowhere in the Ten Commandments (or Hasbro’s/Parker Brothers’ rule book) does it forbid apologizing to be done in the form of a magazine humor column. So, brace yourselves — I’m about to publicly “write” all my wrongs. Here we go. To Marsha Grady in my 4th grade class: I’m sorry I kept throwing a football at your face in an effort to make you gasp and exclaim, “Oh, my nose!” To Charlie, the awkward boy who asked me out: Please forgive breaking my date with you by simply uttering, “Something suddenly came up,” after Doug (the groovy high school quarterback!) suddenly took an interest in me. To my brother, Randy: I’m sorry I recorded over the World Series with a weekend Brady Bunch marathon. I might’ve been slightly obsessed. Ya think?
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L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2021
To my father, Moe: I wasn’t honest with you in college when I claimed I ran off with a gentile because I needed to do research for my starring role of Chava in Fiddler on the Roof. The truth is, I couldn’t carry a note if it came inside a Marc Jacobs designer handbag, (Mind you, Mr. Jacobs IS Jewish, Dad!) so in reality the only part I was assigned to play in Fiddler on the Roof was that of Motel Kamzoil’s (the poor tailor’s) sewing machine. P.S. The gentile had empathy and compassion for this confusing tale of woe, so I hope you’ll find some deep in your heart as well? To Professor Norris at UCSD: I copied all the answers in your Cognitive Therapy class and then implemented what you taught us in Psych 101 to make you feel sufficiently guilty for suspecting me of cheating. To Gene, my first ex-husband: I’m sorry for saying, “No wonder you turned out like you did” after I caught your mashugana mother shaving our newborn’s head while swearing some old Russian custom proves a razor blade (a razor blade on my baby’s velvety head!?!) makes hair grow in thicker. She also snuck one of our twins off to a wet-nurse (Again with the Russian customs!) because she said I was an “insufficient producer” – but since this is an apology, not an indictment, I’ll stop here. To Ron, my second ex-husband: I’m sorry I submitted applications and headshots of you to audition for the reality show, The Bachelor (seasons 1-8) after we wed.
To Jeff, my new fiancé: I’m sorry the word “Fiancé” has that little accent mark over the letter “e” and I’m too lazy to figure out how to type it on my keyboard (Autocorrect keeps changing it to “finance”) so that’s how you’re referenced in my blogs. Oh! I’m also sorry you get referenced in my blogs so often. To Mitchell, my eldest son: Please forgive my ruining the S’mores making contest at your Boy Scout campfire by devouring all the Hershey’s chocolate bars, then announcing to everyone that the official recipe actually just calls for plain roasted marshmallows on graham crackers ... and these are called, “S’Less.” To Eliza, my youngest daughter: I shouldn’t have shaved your head when you had that lice infestation. However, look on the bright side … your Grandmother guarantees your hair will grow back thicker. To my readers: Please forgive this column. It will never happen again. That’s because next Yom Kippur, I’ll simply send out anonymous “I’m sorry!” notes with cute little rams’ horns on them, hand stamped, “From Your Secret Pal!” Trust me, God will pardon me for that little scam too ... after I explain. STEPHANIE D. LEWIS WILL CREATE YOUR DATING PROFILE OR ANYTHING ELSE YOU HIRE HER TO WRITE AT THEQUOTEGAL@YAHOO.COM.
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COVER STORY
USO
SAN DIEGO Stars and Stripes Gala Honors Military Heroes
L-R: Lorin Stewart: Vice President of Regional Board Relations – USO, Fernando Tatis Jr.: starting Shortstop/Center Fielder – San Diego Padres, Nancy Rohland: Vice Chancellor, Communications and Community Engagement – National University System PHOTOS COURTESY USO.
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L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2021
COVER STORY
T
he USO San Diego Stars and Stripes Gala promises to be a unique and intimate event hosted at the U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Diego, with an extraordinary view of the San Diego harbor and the downtown skyline. A USO show-style celebration of our military, community leaders, including a special line-up of entertainment, a performance by the iconic entertainer, Wayne Newton, comedians, and special guests will be an event you won’t want to miss. This year’s honorees will be recognized for their leadership and advocacy of our military and the San Diego community. The San Diego Padres will be presented with the American Eagle Award for their ongoing support, collaboration and their generous contributions that have boosted the morale of countless military service members with tickets to Padres games, meet and greets with their players and critical holiday programming for military families in the community. The USO’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented in memoriam to Neil Ash, for his commitment to our troops and their families. Since 2013, the USO San Diego Neil Ash Airport Center has served hundreds of thousands of troops and military families thanks to his initiative and generosity in expanding the center. USO San Diego will host his widow, June Ash, who has allowed the USO to continue to highlight her husband's legacy of support of his beloved USO San Diego. Additionally, Dr. Michael R. Cunningham, Chancellor of National
University System, will receive the Patriot Award for championing the educational needs of the military community. With the added challenge of deployments, relocations, and work schedules, Dr. Cunningham empowers military service members to achieve their goals while serving our nation at National University (NU). “The programs and services at NU are specifically designed to provide the flexibility and support needed for military personnel to successfully complete degree programs,” Cunningham, who joined the National University System (NUS) in 2013, said. “National University fills a vital need for our nation. The jobs of the future are changing with the rapid evolution of technology and the evolving workplace. Businesses need employees to fill the jobs of today, and the new jobs of tomorrow. As a country, we need places to prepare those workers of the future — as well as re-skill the people in the workforce now who will need to fill a different role as we evolve. With a focus on providing a workforcerelevant, cutting-edge education to students in the military, veterans, and other adult learners, National University is on the front lines of meeting that need.” As a true believer in the benefits that NU brings to the community, Chancellor Cunningham has dedicated himself to continuing to improve and expand the curriculum, services, scholarship opportunities, as well as education and career opportunities offered to servicemembers, veterans, and their families all over the world. It is his personal goal to make National University one of the best in the world at providing
"To repair the world you must first start with your own community," Brianna Ahern said. "And our community, San Diego, happens to have the largest military population in the United States. Terri Carne
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COVER STORY
The San Diego Padres will be presented with the American Eagle Award for their ongoing support, collaboration and their generous contributions to the San Diego military community at this year's USO Gala.
quality, flexible, and accessible education to help students reach their education and career goals. Since 1941, the USO has been the nation’s leading organization serving the men and women in the U.S. military and their families, throughout their time in uniform. USO San Diego has five USO Centers that include USO San Diego Neil Ash Airport Center, Liberty Station, San Diego Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), USO Camp Pendleton, and a warehouse facility. Through its centers and mobile outreach, USO San Diego serves as a ‘home away from home’ for military heroes and their families. The USO’s work through its centers, programs and services is America’s most powerful expression of gratitude to the men and women who secure our nation’s freedoms. Gala Chairs Sherry Ahern and Brianna
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L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2021
Ahern brought exceptional leadership to the USO Gala Committee this year. “My daughter Brianna and I are delighted to Chair this extraordinary gala honoring our men and women in uniform,” Sherry said. “It is very important that our community come together to show our appreciation for our heroes.” The Aherns join Fern Murphy, celebrating 50 years of gala committee support to the USO San Diego, National University’s Nancy Rohland, San Diego Gas Company’s Andrea Smith, Board Chair Joe Craver, and the San Diego USO Board in their commitment to raising funds. "My family believes to repair the world you must first start with your own community," Brianna Ahern said. "And our community, San Diego, happens to have the largest military population in the United States. So it is with deep gratitude and respect that we support the USO
San Diego in their mission to strengthen our military service members and their families." JOIN THE USO SAN DIEGO FOR ITS ANNUAL STARS & STRIPES GALA ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021, TO CELEBRATE 80 YEARS OF THE USO’S MISSION TO STRENGTHEN AMERICA’S MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS BY KEEPING THEM CONNECTED TO FAMILY, HOME AND COUNTRY, THROUGHOUT THEIR SERVICE TO THE NATION. FOR STARS & STRIPES GALA INFORMATION, SPONSORSHIP, TABLE AND TICKETS, VISIT SANDIEGO.USO.ORG OR EMAIL CHARISSA GONZALES AT CGONZALES@ USO.ORG.
JWV POST 385 - NORTH COUNTY
“Boldest Post in the West” • Fight anti-semitism • Support our military overseas • Comradeship • Support Naval Hospital San Diego & Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton and much more... CDR Marc Poland, USN Ret (858) 232-1645
"As we close the book on a year full of challenges, let 5782 mark the beginning of a sweeter, brighter, and more prosperous future. Shana Tova"
Meet 2nd Sunday of the month 11am Veterans Association North County (VANC) 1617 Missions Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058 JWV is the oldest congressionally commissioned veterans organization in America
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L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2021
FOOD
FARRO SALAD WITH FENNEL AND ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH
B
ring the taste of the fall season into your home and Sukkah with this delicious recipe from Sharsheret in the Kitchen’s September chef, Pamela Salzman (@pamelasalzman). Salzman is not only a cooking instructor but a holistic health counselor and author of Quicker Than Quick: 140 Crave-Worthy Recipes for Healthy Comfort Foods in 30 Minutes or Less. She will lead a free, national “Sharsheret in the Kitchen” webinar titled “A Taste of Autumn” on Monday, Sept. 13 at 11 a.m PDT, where she will demonstrate delicious flavorful fall dishes that are perfect for your Sukkot table and beyond. This program is part of the “Sharsheret in the Kitchen” series, which brings nutritious kosher meal options to help empower all of us at risk for breast and ovarian cancer to make healthy diet choices. Register for the webinar at link.sharsheret.org/sitk-pamelasalzman. Farro Salad with Fennel and Roasted Butternut Squash Serves 6 INGREDIENTS 1 cup uncooked farro (you can sub whole oat groats or another grain but adjust liquid and cooking time. I like to use Bob’s Red Mill farro) 3/4 cup apple cider or apple juice (not apple cider vinegar) 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus additional 2 bay leaves 2 cups cubed butternut squash (or parsnips or carrots) 7 Tablespoons unrefined, cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil, divided 4 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice ½ cup shaved (done with a vegetable peeler) Parmesan or Manchego cheese (optional) 2 cups arugula leaves (or baby spinach leaves) 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, left whole or roughly chopped 1 cup fresh mint leaves, torn by hand or roughly chopped 1 small bulb fresh fennel, halved and thinly sliced crosswise 1/2 cup chopped toasted and salted pistachios or pumpkin seeds (whole) Flaky salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 2. In a medium saucepan, bring farro, apple juice, vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, bay leaves and 2 cups water to a boil over high heat. Lower heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until farro is tender and liquid has evaporated, about 30 minutes. (Please read cook time on the package to be sure). Remove from heat and allow to cool. Discard bay leaves. 3. Place butternut squash on a rimmed baking sheet lined with unbleached parchment paper. Drizzle with 1 Tablespoon of olive oil (or avocado oil or melted coconut oil), sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast in one layer until caramelized and tender, about 30 minutes. Set aside. Can be made one day ahead. 4. In a mixing bowl (or serving bowl), whisk together 6 tablespoons olive oil and 4 tablespoons lemon juice, plus a pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Add cooked farro and cheese, if using. This can be done one day ahead. 5. Bring salad to room temp and fold in arugula, herbs, fennel, butternut squash, and nuts or seeds. Taste for seasoning and add flaky salt and black pepper as needed. Note: This recipe was printed with permission from 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.
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ROSH HASHANAH
TRAVEL
OUR ROSH HASHANAH BABY BY CHANIE YELIN 16
L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2021
ROSH HASHANAH
"The baby would
L-R: Chaya Mussi YELIN and brothers
come when the time was right, by G-d’s schedule, not our own. To keep sane, I reminded myself that I am always
R
osh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, attracts the biggest crowd at our synagogue. For some reason, people we have not seen all year will make their appearance in the fall, for the High Holidays. I imagine they come to “rejewvenate” and start the year on the right foot. My wonderful husband leads the services. As a trained Rabbi and cantor, this is the highlight of the year for him. Seven years ago, we left bustling New York City and pioneered a Jewish community center in quiet suburban San Marcos, Calif. Together, we have run programs and provide comfort and a home for the local Jewish community. For the past three years we have been temporarily relocating High Holiday services from our home to the Lake San Marcos Resort to accommodate our expanded congregation. This move entails packing and transporting meals, prayer books, toys for the kids, clothes, and seemingly everything but the kitchen sink! Of course our two adorable energetic toddlers — with their constant offers of help — add to the hustle and bustle our home acquires at this time of year. We run a Hebrew school as well, which
kicks off each year in September. Hectic is an understatement. Well, this year the Almighty had decided that we could handle just a little bit more hustling and bustling; okay, maybe even a lot more. You see, we were expecting our third child, due to arrive a week before the big day of our much-anticipated High Holiday services. So much for family planning, I guess! However, as we awaited our new addition, our excitement overshadowed any anxiety we could have been having; that is, until we got closer to the finish line. With only a few weeks left, my husband and I discussed all possible dilemmas that could arise, should our baby decide to arrive precisely on Rosh Hashanah, the most important day for our congregation. We know how much the community was counting on us, and we looked forward to spending this important event with them. Finding a replacement Rabbi in this part of town was wishful thinking. Since I prefer that our children’s births happen without much intervention, I definitely didn’t want to interfere with my baby’s birth date. We had good reason to be stressed, but instead,
in good hands: I knew then, and know extra well now, that G-d has plans." we preferred to leave it in the hands of G-d. My husband and I conveniently decided that we were not in control anyway, so with little choice, we agreed to adhere to the wise words of our sages, “Everything that happens is for the best.” Little did we know how true this would prove to be! With a little over a week before the holiday, I prayed that I would give birth, ASAP. I visited my midwife, eager to get some assurance that our baby’s arrival was imminent, and that I would be able join our community fit as a fiddle by Rosh Hashanah. The instant I came face to face with the expert — who, in my desperation, seemingly would have the news WWW.LCHAIMMAGAZINE.COM
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ROSH HASHANAH
TRAVEL
I sought — I let out a sigh and explained our timing challenges. She was sympathetic, as she assured me, “Don’t worry, Chanie, we still have time. You can certainly have this baby before the New Year.” My due date passed and nothing was happening. I walked and jogged, ate spicy food and walked some more, and still — nothing! Finally, I felt contractions. Three days were left until we’d usher in the New Year. I could have this baby and still get home with plenty of time to spare. But my body and mind were playing games with me, and the contractions suddenly stopped. The following day, the contractions came and went again, making us a bit frantic. I was so desperate to give birth on time that I had to keep convincing myself that the baby would come when the time was right, by G-d’s schedule, not our own. After another sleepless night we got ready for the busy day ahead of us. To keep sane, I reminded myself that I am always in good hands: I knew then, and know extra well now, that G-d has plans. We arrived at the hotel with all of our paraphernalia, including a car seat for our yet-unborn baby (just in case). We were so rushed getting everything in order for the holiday, I hardly paid attention to the contractions I was experiencing. As I set up the candles and attended to the last-minute touches, all dressed up (yes, in my heels!), smiling, and welcoming our congregation, I attempted to count the minutes between the pains I seemed to be experiencing. Were they getting closer? The last thing I needed was to have services interrupted by my taking center stage. I breathed a sigh of relief as I heard my husband’s beautiful voice conclude a most inspiring service welcoming the New Year. As our guests left the hotel, my husband pulled one of our loyal and more experienced congregants aside. He let him know that he might just have to take over in the morning. He gave him a crash course, still hoping that he wouldn’t have to use it. Back in the privacy of our room, the contractions seemed to intensify. As dawn approached, I turned to my husband and desperately cried, “I don’t think I can hold out until after morning services!” We hurriedly prepared to dash out, first awakening my dear sister, who had graciously 18
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"The shofar’s sound always brings back memories for me as a child growing up in Brooklyn. This time it was coupled with the release of lots of hormones and the emotional pressures of the past weeks. I let it all go and said a silent prayer." traveled from New York to watch our precious boys. We gave her last minute instructions, and then we were off to the hospital. I was immediately admitted and waited for the midwife on call. It was still hard to believe that our fears — of this affecting our Chabad House congregation’s High Holiday worship — were actually playing out. As we started feeling guilty for leaving the community on their own, in walked Midwife Jane. She took one look at my husband — wrapped in his tallit, swaying back and forth — and broke out in a huge smile. “What happened?” She asked, “Your baby didn’t cooperate with your New Year plans, huh?!” She performed a quick exam. “Do you think you can deliver this baby within the hour, so I can make it back in time for my sermon?” my husband joked. “Not a chance. Sorry, Rabbi,” she laughed. “But, hey, are you going to blow the shofar here?” she asked, eyeing the one on the table nearby. “I definitely will! Maybe it will help get the baby moving!” He answered with a wink. The midwife was flabbergasted. “I have not heard the shofar in twelve years; I’m so excited to get to hear it on Rosh Hashanah!” My husband was praying with extra fervor, I could tell, and this gave me the strength to keep going as the labor intensified. It was 11:30 a.m. by now, and my husband was ready to blow the shofar. The midwife was at my side, squeezing my hand as the shofar
blasted. I breathed fast and deeply as another contraction passed, and a rush of emotions flooded over me. I couldn’t hold back the tears. The shofar’s sound always brings back memories for me as a child growing up in Brooklyn. This time it was coupled with the release of lots of hormones and the emotional pressures of the past weeks. I let it all go and said a silent prayer, and then I looked over at my midwife. Her facial expression told me this experience was touching her deeply as well. The long final blast was sounded. There was no waiting this time. Just a few minutes before noon, we had our Rosh Hashanah baby. I looked up at my husband, holding our beautiful baby girl, overwhelmed with joy and thanks to G-d. “You see,” I said to her, “It was all meant to be, so that you could hear the shofar! What are the chances that a Jewish midwife would be on call to deliver our baby, on Rosh Hashanah, in this part of town?!” She smiled back and said, “Actually, I am not usually in the hospital on Thursdays. I’m replacing another midwife, just for today!” As for the community, when they heard the wonderful news they were thrilled to be able to share in our celebration. The following day, my husband named our baby at the Torah reading, during the services for the second day of Rosh Hashanah. Chaya, meaning life, was the name we chose for our daughter born on Rosh Hashanah, the day when all life began.
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FEATURE STORY | BY DR. CURTIS J. OHL
Israel's Humanitarian Response to a World in Crisis I
n August, we watched the complete devastation caused by the 7.2 earthquake in Haiti. Tropical Storm Grace, which is expected to bring heavy rains and possible flooding and mudslides, now threatens the island. We felt the heartache, suffering and death of the Haitian people. Our hearts reached out to those in crisis. We asked what can we do for those who need help? In the midst of this tragedy, much-needed assistance arrived immediately on the ground from a humanitarian organization called IsraAID based in Israel with emergency supplies and care. IsraAID hears the cries in crises and immediately arrives on the ground with professional assistance from a staff of doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals to meet the needs of people. “Our hope is to accompany communities as they recover — because in a place where it seems like you don’t have control over your life, the little things make all the difference.” With the multiple threats from changing world climate, earthquakes, and hurricanes, to epidemics and forced displacement, IsraAID has been at the forefront of responding to major humanitarian crises worldwide. They have worked in more than 50 countries and have approximately 300 active staff members worldwide. As a motto IsraAID believes, “Wherever we’re needed. As long as it takes.” If this is the first time you’ve heard of IsraAID, it is because they do not seek media attention; they arrive on scene ready to help and take care of people in need.
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L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2021
IsraAID is an international nongovernmental humanitarian aid organization based in Israel. Since they were founded in 2001, their teams have worked in emergency and long-term development settings around the world. They come fully equipped with power generators and MASH mobile emergency operating rooms. Whether it’s their water engineers, social workers, public health specialists, or emergency medical responders, their global team is made up of experienced humanitarian professionals — people who dedicate their lives to working with disasteraffected communities, restoring their futures, together as one. All support is provided free of charge.
IsraAID has grown into an independent nongovernment organization (NGO). An NGO is a non-profit group that functions independently of any government. NGOs are organized on community, national and international levels to serve social goals such as humanitarian causes or the environment. IsraAID’s NGO is the largest humanitarian aid organization in Israel. IsraAID’s professionals design and implement high-quality, cost-effective, and innovative programming that reflects the immediate and long-term needs of communities affected by disasters worldwide. IsraAID is fixing the world, one disaster at a time. To learn more, visit www.israaid.org.
“Pray for the love of Jerusalem. Those who love her will find serenity.” May we be counted among those who pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and may serenity embrace Israel and all her people.
- Psalm 122:6
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manager from 2010 to 2016. Sasaki currently serves as a board officer for MAAC and Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties, and formerly sat on the Carmel Valley Community Planning Board. She is a LEAD San Diego graduate. Sasaki received her Bachelor of Arts in economics and organizational studies from the University of Michigan and her Master of Public Health from the University of California Los Angeles. For more information about Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s family and community programs, visit www.jfssd.org.
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
CELEBRATE THE HIGH HOLIDAYS WITH A PJ LIBRARY FAMILY GUIDE TO THE FALL HOLIDAYS
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE NAMES SHREYA SASAKI NEW SENIOR DIRECTOR OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) has appointed Shreya Sasaki as its new senior director of family and community services to oversee a breadth of JFS initiatives, including refugee resettlement, positive parenting training and other JFS programs that strengthen families. Sasaki will integrate her background in public health with the nonprofit’s social service programs, aiming to improve community health and client outcomes. “I am truly inspired by JFS’s mission to build a stronger, healthier and more resilient San Diego, as well as the commitment of its staff to serve those in need with dignity and compassion,” said Sasaki. “Addressing the social determinants of health has long been a passion of mine, and I look forward to tackling the critical issues affecting our community as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic — and beyond.” Prior to joining JFS, Sasaki served as chief operating officer at Mission Driven Finance, a startup impact investing firming focused on advancing economic opportunity. She has also held key roles with Kaiser Permanente, working as director of finance for health and hospital operations from 2016 to 2017 and senior community benefit 22
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Why do we blow a shofar? What should we do in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? When do we sit in the sukkah? The answers to these questions — and much, much more — can be found in A Time to Grow: A PJ Library Family Guide to the Fall Holidays, a beautiful, free resource to help Jewish families around North America celebrate the fall holidays in engaging fashion. PJ Library’s bigger refreshed guide for 2021 is available to download now at pjlibrary. org/fallholidays. Whether you’ll be at synagogue or celebrating at home, the beautifully-illustrated A Time to Grow offers families myriad creative ways to connect with the High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Sukkot (Festival of Small Huts” and Simchat Torah (Rejoicing with the Torah). In 2021, the colorful newly-expanded guide offers such engaging activities as “Make Your Own Shofar,” “Round Challah-braiding,” the story of Jonah for kids, instructions for shaking the lulav during sukkot, fillin-the-blank discussion questions, step-by-step celebrations, including blessings all aimed at making the High Holidays meaningful, memorable and fun, this year and in the future. Join a virtual PJ Library community of thousands of Jewish families celebrating the fall holidays by using the downloadable guide! In addition, PJ Library also offers an interactive online companion filled with helpful how-to videos, music, and audio versions of blessing and prayers.
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FEATURE STORY
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MUSIC AND MITZVAHS THE MUSIC OF SHARON KATZ | BY MIMI POLLACK
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t is unusual when a person combines great talent with compassion for others, but from personal and perhaps biased experience, I can attest that South African musician, Sharon Katz, has both in spades. Music can soothe and heal the soul, no matter where you are from. Imagine growing up in South Africa during the time of Apartheid as a discretely rebellious Jew. For Sharon Katz, music was a salvation and a door to a world she wasn’t supposed to be a part of, but later thrived in and found her voice to speak up.. Today, Katz is a musician and music therapist, and Director of The Peace Train Project. Born in Port Elizabeth, now known as Nelson Mandela Bay in 1955, Katz's life was changed at 15 when she saw an anti-apartheid play, and her eyes were opened. The Jews of that area were in an enclave of their own in a way, and people lived separate lives and did not mingle much. Katz took refuge in music and taught herself to play the guitar at the age of 11 by listening to the music of Simon
and Garfunkel; Peter, Paul, and Mary; and Pete Seeger. That led to a life in music and making a difference, and the formation of the life changing Peace Train Project, where a mingling of music and compassionate activism was encouraged and grew. In her later teen years, she formed friendships with anti-apartheid actors John Kani [of Black Panther fame] and Winston Ntshona. She would visit them in their homes in New Brighton Township. However, she was highly secretive about this as she knew if she told others about it, they would try to stop her as it wasn’t considered safe. In a way, she led a double life. She was also active in the Jewish community and had a very strong communal life within her family, school, and various bands and singing groups. Music became her way to try and bring together a torn nation. The Peace Train Project was formed in 1992 as a way to honor Nelson Mandela, who would become president in 1994, and help heal a divided country. By then, Katz had her master’s degree
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in music therapy and along with her Zulu singing partner, Nonhlanhla Wanda, formed a 500-voice multiracial and multicultural youth choir. They hired a train, dubbed “The Peace Train,” and they traveled to various and still separated communities all over South Africa. The goal was to rehearse and build trust as they stopped and performed in different towns. Katz likes to say that the Peace Train was a moving billboard for Mandela's message of peaceful coexistence. In 2013, they celebrated 20 years of that original ride through South Africa. A 2015 documentary, When Voices Meet, chronicles this time and the 20 years that follow. The documentary can be found on Amazon Prime. Later on, Katz moved to Philadelphia and it became her home base where she taught classes and from where she traveled to concerts all over the U.S. and the world spreading her message of humanitarianism. In 2018, she and her life and business partner, Marilyn Cohen, made another
FEATURE STORY
life changing plan by moving to Tijuana, continuing a life of adventure and giving back. This move was inspired after Katz met someone from The San Diego PeaceMakers Fund who asked her if she would be willing to do cross border work. Katz then connected with Alida Guajardo de Cervantes and Promotora Bellas Artes in Tijuana. Promotora Bellas Artes is an organization that works with the school children that come from poorer neighborhoods, bringing music into their schools. The synergy between Katz and Guajardo de Cervantes was so great that together, they devised the Transcending Barriers Project as well as Katz becoming Promotora’s guest artist. Together with the Promotora, Katz worked with 1,500 children, going from school to school in Tijuana teaching them South
African songs, etc. Later those children, along with Katz and her band and an orchestra, performed a concert together. The musical director of Promotora Bellas Artes, DariaAbreu Feraud, a Cuban woman, invited Katz to visit and perform in Santiago de Cuba in Cuba in 2019. In addition, for the last five years, Katz has been working under a grant given to her by the San Diego PeaceMakers fund. She works as a music therapist with Survivors of Torture International in San Diego and she also works with migrant shelters in Tijuana. I saw the joy she brought to the families staying at one of the shelters the day I went to take down donations. She played her guitar and sang to them for an hour. Katz has bands in Tijuana, Philadelphia, San Diego, Berkeley, and in South Africa.
Besides all her humanitarian work and traveling around, I can attest that she also puts on a great show! On Saturday, August 21, some friends and I went to her show at the Del Mar Plaza on the third level with a lovely ocean view. Everyone was enjoying the lively music and there were children and adults dancing together. Her San Diego band is international with Nomsa Burkhardt from South Africa, Ignacio Arango from Cuba, and Ronnie Stewart as well as Robert Fletcher. All gave good performances. I hope the Del Mar Plaza invites them for an encore. Finally, in October, the Peace Train has a trip planned to Mexico. On October 21, around 20 people from different parts of the U.S. will converge in San Diego and will cross into Tijuana. They will make a music video at Playas de Tijuana near the border wall. They will visit a shelter, and there will be other events. On October 23, a train will depart Tijuana with the visitors as well as 150 children and families. They will travel to Tecate where they will have rehearsals and friendship building workshops with local children. There will be a big concert at CEART in Tecate. The following day, they will depart for Mexico City, Puebla, and Oaxaca for an additional ten days, but children will not participate on this leg of the tour. Children will be included in the upcoming 2022 cultural exchange program with Oaxaca which will be part of a collaboration between the Peace Train and Promotora Bellas Artes. FOR MORE DETAILS AND INFORMATION, VISIT SHARONKATZ.COM.
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JEWISH WAR VETS JEWISH WAR VETERANS OF THE USA OF THE USA
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The exhibit, spread over three halls at the Museum for Islamic Art, included items from more than 30 countries that illustrate how the rich and the poor prepared and served coffee over the ages. PHOTO BY JUDY LASH BALINT.
COFFEEE CULTURE THROUGH THE AGES EXHIBIT IN JERUSALEM | BY JUDY LASH BALINT | JNS
C
offee culture in Israel is as varied as the population. Bedouin hospitality dictates finely ground dark coffee served in tiny cups; Arabs will serve strong Turkish coffee often spiked with a dash of cardamom and brewed in a raliya, or finjan as it’s known in Israel; Israelis with a European or American background favor espresso drinks; and many Jews with Ethiopian roots still revere and practice the traditional Buna coffee ceremony. In a temporary exhibit, “Coffee: East and West,” the Museum for Islamic Art in Jerusalem pulled all those strands together to tell a compelling story of economic, social, religious and cultural significance. The exhibit, spread over three of the museum’s halls, included items from more than 30 countries that illustrate how the rich and the poor prepared and served coffee over the ages. Many items are on loan from Turkish collections since the Ottoman Empire was at the center of the economic and cultural coffee enterprise.
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Tiny, delicate, ornately decorated cups without handles that were used for Turkish coffee are on display next to larger china cups used by the French elite. One features a mustache-shaped bar in the cup opening designed to protect the facial hair of the coffee drinker. In a preview visit, a senior guide told visitors that until the 16th century, tea was the traditional beverage of the Middle East, introduced by those who plied the Silk Road trade route. Coffee originally developed in Ethiopia and spread to Yemen. With the spread of the Ottoman Empire over large swaths of the Arabian Peninsula, coffee and coffeehouses became popular in places where alcohol was prohibited, despite the unsuccessful efforts of Muslim religious authorities to outlaw the gatherings they felt were taking people away from the mosques. “Coffee replaced wine in Islam,” said exhibit curator Yahel Shefer. Jews have also engaged in religious disputations over where and how coffee
should be served. One section of the exhibit displayed a Hebrew text that deals with various opinions on whether coffee could be consumed on Shabbat and whether Jews could visit a coffee house owned by Christians. The arguments spanned continents but, according to the museum guide, actually led to cooperation between rabbis from the West and their peers from the East, who had encountered coffee at an earlier stage. The exhibit also illustrated how coffee was sometimes used as a means of separation between women and men, but also as a means of creating female solidarity and empowerment. The illustration used as the banner for the exhibit is a portrayal of a French woman drinking coffee dressed in traditional male Turkish dress. The mingling of men and women in coffeehouses was frowned upon in most places in the world during the 16th and 17th centuries, so some women who desperately wanted to be part of the coffee culture, dressed in men’s clothing. A petition
FEATURE STORY
Several ceramics factories were founded during this period that produced a distinctive “Eretz Israel” style of coffee pots and cups. Many of these are on display and form the premiere of the “Israeliana” collection at the Museum for Islamic Art. PHOTO BY JUDY LASH BALINT.
from women in 17th-century London who protested their exclusion from coffee houses hangs in another part of the exhibit. Generally, women of 17th- and 18th-century Europe gathered to drink coffee together at home — the origin of the kaffeeklatsch. THE ANTITHESIS OF INSTANT COFFEE
Fast-forward a few centuries to pre-state Palestine of the 1930s under the British Mandate. European Jews who fled their turbulent continent when Hitler came to power brought a sophisticated cafe culture with them. Several ceramics factories were founded during this period that produced a distinctive
“Eretz Israel” style of coffee pots and cups. Many of these are on display and formed the premiere of the “Israeliana” collection at the Museum. Among the items are founding father and first Israel Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion’s coffee cup, the “President” coffee set created for the President’s House and Israeli embassies abroad during the term of office of the longest-serving Israeli President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi. Also an impressive array of vintage Italian espresso machines that used to grace the best Israeli cafes. One is a model of the world’s first espresso machine manufactured in 1884. Simpler coffee-making gear in use by Bedouin today, as well as the utensils used in
the Ethiopian Buna coffee ceremony, make a significant appearance at the exhibit. Jews of Ethiopian origin brought the tradition with them to Israel, with the home preparation for the ceremony, roasting and grinding the beans, three stages of preparing the builder, blessings and more are the antithesis of the instant coffee that some Israelis still enjoy.
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