Mazel and Mishagoss

mazel & mishagoss

An Interview with the Author

Einahpets: Thank you for agreeing to let us get to know you a little better, Stephanie. How did you first get started with writing?

Stephanie: I had a feeling you’d ask me that. I kept a diary from the 5th grade on. It had Snoopy (fittingly!) from the Peanuts comic strip on the front cover and this tiny silver key. I always assumed that because I was a nosy person, (who’d never pass up the opportunity to check out someone else’s diary) that other people would read mine. So, I’d make up these really entertaining fictional anecdotes and weave them into my daily journal entries. It turns out my entire family respected my right to privacy and my words just withered away on the pages. I swore after that, my stories would always have an audience.

Einahpets: Fascinating! My next question – how do you manage to combine Judaism with humor but not offend anyone?

Stephanie: I run my writing past local synagogue clergy before I submit it for publication. In all my years doing this, they’ve only found one article displeasing. It was a hilarious piece contrasting the differences between a Rabbi and a Rabbit. It’s not just about the letter “t” at the end, you know. For instance, nobody ever carried a lucky Rabbi’s foot on a keychain in the 70’s. And no Rabbi had a movie called, “Who Framed Roger Rabbi?” Some other key distinctions are . . .

Einahpets: That’s fine! Let’s switch to the subject of family. Is it true you have six children? And are they okay with you writing about them?

Stephanie: I am the mother of half a dozen kids, that’s correct. I never mention them in this column because I’m always extremely discreet. I have a daughter who doesn’t want anyone to know she’s painfully shy, and twin sons who are both working on two top-secret inventions. One designed an umbrella for dogs, which fastens onto the end of a leash. And the other conceived of a sleeping bag with built-in sleeves and pants for your arms and legs. My other children don’t really do anything worth mentioning. But they would never want that publicly disclosed, so shhhh.

Einahpets: Again, new topic! I’m sure you get asked this a lot – but if you weren’t a funny columnist in a magazine, what other kind of job would you have?

Stephanie: I would definitely be an annoying interviewer who asks funny columnists lots of lame and intrusive questions. Einahpets: Well! There’s no need to get nasty.

Stephanie: Oh, c’mon now. Aren’t we both getting nasty? Don’t you think it’s about time to let readers in on the truth? You’re really me. In other words, I’m just asking myself all these questions. Because I’m not important enough for a professional to actually conduct an official interview. We’re big enough to admit that now, aren’t we?

Einahpets: Now you listen here… you’re not going to turn this thing around and put me on the spot answering your ridiculous questions. Awkward!

Stephanie: It’s even more awkward when you think about the fact that everyone figured out that ‘Einahpets’ is just ‘Stephanie’ backwards. So, the jig is up! Hello? Are you there?

STEPHANIE D. LEWIS CAN BE FOUND IN THE COMEDY SECTION OF THE HUFFINGTON POST AND AT HER HUMOR SITE ONCEUPONYOURPRIME.COM

SD COMMUNITY DRIVES RECORDHIGH JNF-USA 2020 CAMPAIGN

Jewish National Fund-USA’s (JNF-USA) San Diego leadership are pleased to announce the organization has surpassed its annual fundraising target, contributing a record $2 million towards a total of $100 million in funds raised nationally as the campaign prepares for an even bigger 2021.

“This year has tested us all, yet it has also strengthened our resolve to support the land and people of Israel,” said Immediate Past President of the JNF-USA San Diego Board, Shari Schenk, whose two-year presidential term ended with record-breaking success on September 30, 2020. “Every day, JNF-USA is on the ground in Israel ensuring that Israelis in the Negev and Galilee have what they need not only to survive, but to thrive. During these challenging times, what has become clearer than ever is that the people of Israel are here for us and we in San Diego are here for them. Thanks to our local San Diego community, we can do even more to help Israelis with disabilities, young families in need of affordable housing, critical environmental research & development, and so much more.”

News of JNF-USA’s record fundraising year follows a previous announcement that it had surpassed the $704 million mark of its One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade Initiative – a figure that now stands at over $722 million.

JNF-USA continues to develop Israel’s Negev Desert and Galilee with dozens of major projects underway including:

$300 million JNF Israel Education and Technology Campus – A narrative-changing initiative that will revolutionize global Jewish education; place Israel at the center of Jewish learning; and inspire a new generation to engage with their Jewish and Zionist past, present, and future connection to Israel and the Jewish people. $20 million Galilee Culinary Institute by JNF – With the Rosenfield School of Culinary Arts on the Marvin Sukonik Campus, GCI by JNF will become the number one culinary school in the world, leveraging Israel’s 80+ unique cultures to create a truly world class institution 1,700 housing development sites – Enabling thousands of families to pursue the Zionist dream in the Negev and Galilee by creating the infrastructure needed to enable new housing development Supporting Israel’s firefighters – Providing critical firefighting equipment and Rapid Action Fire Vehicles to Israel’s volunteer firefighters, enabling them to protect lives and property more effectively than ever before.

Debbie Kornberg, JNF-USA San Diego board president who began her presidency on October 1 added: “I am honored to be assuming the role of Board President here in San Diego, a region that has seen unprecedented growth in philanthropic support for Israel over the past years. More and more San Diegans understand that when you give to JNF-USA, you’re not just making a donation, rather, you’re playing an active role in ensuring a bright future for Israel. People from all walks of life are drawn to support JNF-USA because they want to be part of the work to build the modern State of Israel. I am excited to capitalize on the success of our 2020 campaign year and take the 2021 campaign to new heights here in America’s Finest City.”

San Diego-based JNF-USA National President, Dr. Sol Lizerbram remarked: “When people give to JNF-USA, they are contributing to a comprehensive vision for Israel, and raising their hand to say: ‘I want to be part of the greatest philanthropic movement in the history of the Jewish People.”

JNF-USA has supported the people of Israel throughout the global COVID-19 pandemic. Just days after the first cases were recorded in Israel, JNF-USA was already working with its affiliates to address their immediate needs. Examples of support included: • Providing laptops to children with disabilities so they could continue to receive therapy online at home • Food and medicine for elderly residents and Holocaust Survivors who were unable to travel to local supermarkets and pharmacies • Supporting out-of-work Israeli tour guides through a virtual tours initiative (jnf.org/virtualtours) • Helping small businesses that relied on tourist traffic in the Negev and Galilee by establishing an Online Mitzvah Market Place, enabling American consumers to purchase Israeli products (jnf.org/shopping)

To support JNF-USA’s work in Israel, contact JNF-USA Director, San Diego, Monica Edelman at medelman@jnf.org or call 858.824.9178 x988. Donations can also be made at www.jnf.org/donate.