FEBRUARY 2016
Seniors
Real Estate Tips Should you downsize your home?
Keeping Kosher Beyond your favorite and usual dishes
THANK YOU ISRAEL
SD JEWISH FILM FEST @ 26 THE ANNUAL EVENT IS BACK AND BIGGER THAN EVER
Musician Jonathan Valverde pays homage to the Holy Land
ANIMAL LOVERS
Two local women create pet safety through technology
1000 WORDS:
Holocaust To Hebrew: Cantor Elisa Waltzman’s Album Bridges Generations, Genres, Families
TOTAULT
KNOCKO male Israeli fe ing kick box champ
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L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2016
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February 2016 • www.lchaimmagazine.com
L’Chaim 12 A Thousand Words Holocaust to Hebrew: Eliza Waltzman’s Hebrew Album
Cover Story 16 San Diego Film Fest Turns 26!
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Seniors 20 Real Estate Tips for Seniors 22 Keeping Kosher as We Age
Food 24 New-Fangled Comfort Food of Old
Smoked Yellowtail Knish & Poached Eggs
Features 26 Total Knockout: The Israeli
Female Kick Boxing Champ
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30 Two Friends, Saving Dogs: The Animal Pad 34 Jonathan Valverde’s Miracle: The impossible becomes possible for the singer
Headlines 36 News to Know Now Columns
6 My Comic Relief 10 Of the Book 37 Mazel & Mishagoss
PUBLISHERS Diane Benaroya & Laurie Miller EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alanna Maya CREATIVE DIRECTOR Laurie Miller
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CONTRIBUTORS Yigal Adato, Daniel Bortz, Stephanie Lewis, Rita Mailheau, Mimi Pollack, Salomon Maya, Sharon Rapoport, Eva Trieger, Deborah Vietor
ADVERTISING & SALES Diane Benaroya (dianeb@lchaimmagazine. com), Sharon Rapoport (sharonbux@gmail. com)
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RANDOM RANTS l BY SALOMON MAYA
“It had everything a night at the theatre is supposed to have … humor, sentiment and visually stunning.”
my
comic relief If/Then
A
h, the wonderful question of “what if”? We’ve all asked it of ourselves at one point in our lives. On January 6, I had the honor of attending a performance of If/Then at the Civic Theatre in downtown San Diego, presented by Broadway San Diego. The touring company included several of the original Broadway cast members, including Idina Menzel (Rent, Wicked) and Anthony Rapp (Rent, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown). If/Then asks the age old question, what would happen if, for example, I turned right instead of left or left instead of right at a certain part of my life. If/Then introduces us to Elizabeth (played masterfully by Menzel) an urban planner as she moves back to New York from Arizona after her failed marriage. Sitting in a park at a cafe waiting for longtime friend Lucas (Rapp), Menzel meets Kate (played by the hilarious LaChanze) and is given two distinct choices. Open door A (which means ditching her friend community organizer Lucas) and follow Kate … meet Beth. Or open door B and go off with Lucas … meet Liz. From then on, If/Then allows us to see how things would turn out for Beth and Liz, taking us in a modern Alice in Wonderland-like tale of Sliding Doors. Confused yet? Well If/Then at times can be a tad confusing … but in a good way. You’re never truly asking what is going on
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but for some people following the two story lines might be a bit much … especially if you decide to go to the restroom during key scenes. Menzel floored me not only with her vocals but her strong acting performance. Broadway actors sometimes can get a bad rap for overacting but Menzel just plays both Liz and Beth perfectly. As the story unfolds you truly see two distinct characters with two distinct personalities. If/Then doesn’t offer many can’t get out of my mind musical numbers likes previous musicals such as Rent or Wicked (two plays where we can see Rapp and Menzel) but some of the songs were powerful and even humorous (please get on iTunes and listen to WTF). I left the theatre asking, does If/Then have to be a musical? It’s my opinion that its story arc is strong enough without the musical numbers. To be completely honest, I found myself so enthralled with the story that when a musical number started, I tended to yearn to be back in just the story. And I do not not like musical theatre, I actually do have a Broadway playlist on my Spotify account and will from time to time open it up and sing to my hearts content (only when alone and on the freeway to give no opportunity for someone to see me sing Music of the Night at a stoplight). The constantly moving set was a character in its own right. Set pieces doubled as a New
York subway car and an entire apartment. If I had to nit pick (and of course that’s what I’m doing) the director had a great bridge which was able to lower and rise, and unfortunately it was used extensively in the beginning of the play but then sort of became an afterthought post intermission. In conclusion, If/Then had everything a night at the theatre is supposed to have … humor, sentiment and visually stunning. Short of the rare San Diego downpour which greeted guests (so much so it flooded the Civic Theatre’s lobby and patrons had to enter from side doors) If/Then reminded me that every one of our decisions matters. And even though there may be many doors one could walk through, life has a funny ‘lil way of being cyclical and always making those decisions come full circle. Nowhere is it more evident than in If/Then. Coming soon to Broadway San Diego is The Realishhouse Wives of San Diego (Feb. 2 –7) and Book of Mormon (Feb. 26–Mar 6). Tickets and additional information is available at www.broadwaysd.com.
SALOMON MAYA IS A LOCAL ACTOR AND PLAYWRIGHT. FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @SALOMAYA.
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TORAH l BY RABBI DANIEL BORTZ
of the
book
“Whether we observe one hour or the full 25, Shabbat is like a short cruise.”
Cruisin’
O
ver the winter break, I had the good fortune of traveling on a cruise to Mexico with my family. As a Rabbi, opportunities to inspire—even on vacation—are a blessing, and I was asked to run the Shabbat service Friday night on the ship. I began by telling the 50 or so Jews assembled from around the world (some from as far as Australia) that from now on they could all associate their Synagogue experience with a luxury cruise, instead of fasting on Yom Kippur or an anxiety-filled Bar Mitzvah reading. But what lesson could we take from being on a ship? Where do we find the first cruise in the Torah? You guessed it: Noah’s ark. Before the raging floodwaters enveloped them (much like San Diego was enveloped by the waters of El Niño this past month), Noah and his family entered the ark, which provided
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L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2016
them with warmth and shelter against the waves. We know that every story in the Torah has a practical lesson for us today. Our Sages teach that the floodwaters that threatened to drown Noah signify the material stresses and burdens of everyday life that attempt to flood our minds, leaving us with little energy to pursue meaningful endeavors or achieve harmony and peace of mind. How do we confront this challenge? G-d says: Enter the ark. The word for ark, “Teivah,” is the same term used in Hebrew for “word.” To rise above the floodwaters of physical and financial stresses, we can enter the words of Jewish wisdom and prayer, guiding us forward as we navigate the challenging terrain of life’s tests. Prayer was instituted every day for this very reason, to take a moment and remember that there is a higher purpose in
our dealings with the world, and that we aren’t the only ones in control. But daily prayer wasn’t enough. To succeed in living a higher, purposeful life, we needed a longer period of time to refocus and connect to our mission and what’s really valuable in life; and this is Shabbat. Whether we observe one hour or the full 25, Shabbat is like a short cruise. On the cruise we had zero connection to Wi-Fi, just time to reflect and connect with our family, ourselves, and with G-d through nature. Imagine you are gazing at a beautiful painting, admiring its vast intricacies and amazing colors. You come to feel great respect for the artist’s painting skill. But what do you know and feel about the artist himself? On Shabbat, we are given a special opportunity to connect with who G-d is beyond His artwork. The same opportunity is given to us to get to know our family and ourselves on a deeper level. May we all enter whatever ark we find to help propel us over the floodwaters of life with great success. Like Noah who finally left his ark to build a better world, we leave our prayer, Torah study and Shabbat experience invigorated, ready to build a more pleasant, happy and meaningful world. RABBI DANIEL BORTZ IS THE DIRECTOR OF JTEEN SAN DIEGO, JTEENSD.COM. FOR INFORMATION ON CLASSES, CONTACT HIM AT DANIELBORTZ@GMAIL.COM.
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L’CHAIM l BY EITAN AARON l jns.org
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L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2016
L’CHAIM
A THOUSAND
WORDS
HOLOCAUST TO HEBREW: CANTOR ELISA WALTZMAN’S ALBUM BRIDGES GENERATIONS, GENRES, FAMILIES
T
hese are Israeli folk songs as you’ve never heard them before. And that’s exactly the point: Cantor Elisa Waltzman’s debut album seeks to bridge a gap between traditional Hebrew music sung by her grandfather, a Holocaust survivor, and the musical sensibilities of her kids growing up in the United States. Set to a jazz ensemble, it combines verses remembered by children of the Holocaust with a modern sound familiar to Jews in the English-speaking world. “For me, it’s the album I wish I had when I was a little kid as far as Jewish music,” said jazz artist Sammy Miller, who arranged the ensemble. But besides spanning generations, “Reinvented: Hebrew Songs for Families” is a family affair. Miller and Waltzman first encountered each other when Sammy’s brother Nate married Elisa’s cousin Emily Kane. “Marriage creates many beautiful things, but not many can say that theirs was the impetus for an album like this,” Emily and Nate wrote in an email. When the two musicians met at the wedding, Waltzman had had the idea for about a year and put it to Miler. What started as a half-serious suggestion rapidly evolved into a game plan. “When I met him I was like, ‘Oh he’s the one—he’s the one who can make the CD so amazing,’” Waltzman says.
Sammy is also quick to offer glowing praise of his new relation. “Emily was like, ‘I have a cousin, she’s an incredible singer,’” Miller said. “I was just like, ‘Okay, let’s see.’ And then she sang at the wedding and it was like the voice of an angel, she was so incredible.” Waltzman and Miller began their musical careers within a few miles of each other, attending, respectively, the Orange County High School of the Arts and the Los Angeles County High School of the Arts. Miller got his start as the percussionist for a band composed of him and his four siblings after first picking up the drumsticks at the age of five. One of the other members—his sister, Molly—can be heard on the album playing guitar and banjo. Now, he leads a band of local jazz musicians called “Sammy Miller and the Congregation.” “We’re all New York jazz musicians who are interested in uplifting people through our music, and in that sense it makes it a congregation,” he said. The origins of Waltzman’s musical career predate her childhood by decades. Her passion for music in general and Jewish music specifically was sparked by her grandfather Rabbi Cantor David Kane, born in Będzin, Poland, in 1928. For his part, Kane was a student of Poland’s concentration camps, singing in
a children’s choir drafted into service by a camp commandant to wake him up in the morning and serenade him at night. Despite the trauma he carried from that period—Waltzman remembers her grandfather telling her he hid under a pile of corpses to escape murder—his music nonetheless brought his family and community joy and a vibrant link to the past. “It was a survival tool for him and it was a way for him to connect with people and really express himself,” she said. She recounts how he would surprise audiences at Holocaust remembrance programs by performing “racy” songs taught to him by the Nazi commandant. “He was singing these songs that brought back these horrible memories of the Holocaust, but at the same time he found so much humor in it,” she said. But Jewish texts were no laughing matter for Kane, who grew up in a traditional household in a majority-Jewish town and went on to lead services at Temple Beth Shalom in Long Beach, Calif., for more than three decades before his death in 2012. Traditions notwithstanding, Kane loved Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, according to his granddaughter. And when Waltzman told him she wanted to be a cantor, he was thrilled. Her debut effort also included another generation of her family: her two daughters, WWW.LCHAIMMAGAZINE.COM
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L’CHAIM
Check it out
PHOTOS COURTESY ELISAWALTZMAN.COM
ElisaWaltzman.com
ages 3 and 5. Though her musical education includes cantorial training at the Academy for Jewish Religion and graduate work in opera at the University of Southern California, she used her kids as a sounding board, and “they prefer when I sing in a more natural, lower key with a soothing sound.” The songs they liked and sang back to her, she figured, stood a good chance of making the leap from the last generation to the next. Another person to whom she exposed verses like “Kol Dodi” and Zionist anthems like “Od Lo Ahavti Dai” was Sammy Miller. He, in turn, introduced those texts to modern melodies. For example, the album 14
L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2016
adds a horn section and saxophone solo to “Zum Gali Gali,” a laborer’s chant sung by early Israeli settlers that extols the kibbutzniks’ toil towards a shared future. “The melodics and the harmonics are pretty natural,” said Miller, who lacks Waltzman’s Hebrew training and acumen. “But I just wanted to understand the deeper meaning of these songs.” Waltzman hopes the album fills a void she experienced herself in trying to pass her grandfather’s musical inspiration onto her kids: a lack of Hebrew music that both parents and kids will agree to listen to. Her ardor for the classic texts is matched by Miller’s lifelong exploration of modern
American music and jazz. “I think it’s our job as artists to find those points of intersection—those are the most interesting parts of the arts,” he said. “It’s not what’s different between Jewish canon and American popular songs, but it’s actually so much that unifies them.” And perhaps, he says, had he been exposed to an album like this one during his early education, it might have piqued his interest earlier in Hebrew melodies. “It’s music that I would have been into it—the funky guitar and the raunchy saxophone,” Miller said. “It’s a record I would have loved to put on.”
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FILM FEST l BY ALANNA MAYA
ON THE
BIG SCREEN
Center for Jewish Culture’s Jewish Film Festival Opens 26th Year 16
L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2016
FILM FEST
T
he San Diego Center for Jewish Culture presents the 26th annual Jewish Film festival this month, and the lineup of acclaimed films just keeps getting better. From February 4-14, more than 60 films in will be screened in five theaters around San Diego. The films being presented touch on a wide array of themes, covering topics from human rights and freedom of expression to the celebration of life itself. As always, the films capture the essence of the Jewish experience from as many angles, through both a modern and historical lens. We spoke with Craig Prater, Director of the Jewish Film Festival about the festival’s history and what audiences can expect to see this year, including some of his top picks over the course of the screenings. L’CHAIM MAGAZINE: NOW THAT THIS IS YOUR THIRD YEAR WORKING ON THE FILM FESTIVAL, WHAT HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS? CRAIG PRATER: I think the film committee
has successfully locked in a collection of great films again this year and it seems as if so many people now have become aware of the quality of films we are able to show to an audience, therefore, filmmakers and distributors are really after us now to show and screen their films. So our lineup this year is probably every bit as at least the quality, if not more so than it did last year. L’CHAIM: IN TERMS OF THE JEWISH EXPERIENCE, WHAT IS IT ABOUT FILM THAT IS SO IMPORTANT, AND HOW DOES THE FILM FESTIVAL CAPTURE THAT? CP: Well, the interesting thing for us as a
film festival, is that I was at the international market in Toronto in September, and each year, all of the film festivals and distributors are there looking to see which country is going to surface to the top with their great films for that particular year. This year, luckily for us, Israeli films were at the top of the list. So, all film festivals were trying to secure the Israeli and Jewish films this year,
we were just lucky that that is our niche and our genre, so we were able to get our hands on some of the films internationally, that will be a part of out festival. L’CHAIM: ARE THERE ANY THEMES THAT HAVE EMERGED THIS YEAR IN THE FILMS CHOSEN FOR THE FESTIVAL? CP: I think there is a real cross-section
of everything from the dramas, to the comedies and even the documentaries. I think it’s a nice mixture of everything. We also have two programs that are short films from Jewish universities and high schools in Israel that will get a lot of attention and that we are very proud to secure. There is a program from a university in Jerusalem that is a series of short films, unaffiliated with the Joyce Forum, which happens to be from female filmmakers and its all about women’s subjects and issues that I think will be of real interest to a lot of people. That particular program is screening exclusively in North County, because one of our contributing and joint project universities is California State University San Marcos, and there are a number of film students from that university that will be in attendance at that screening, so from a geographical point of view, it was just convenient. L’CHAIM: HOW HAS THE AUDIENCE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AS THE FESTIVAL HAS GAINED CLOUT IN THE FILM FESTIVAL WORLD? CP: I think that our audience is one of the
most educated, sophisticated film viewing audiences that you would find anywhere. I would put them up against any audience, and they can be very critical about a film but at the same time, the discussions that they have after the film go to the top of the list. They know how to evaluate a film and have excellent opinions about the film beyond just the story line, so I think they will be pleased this year about what they see and will give them good subjects to talk about after they have seen the film.
L’CHAIM: AS ALWAYS, THE FILM FESTIVAL HAS HOSTED SEVERAL SPECIAL GUESTS OVER THE YEARS. IS THERE A SPECIAL GUEST THIS YEAR THAT YOU EXPECT TO DRAW CROWDS? CP: On February 8, we will screen 22 short
films 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. at the ArcLight Theatres (UTC) La Jolla, as part of the Joyce Forum, a juried competitive program of short films with awards being presented the following day. One of the things that I think will be really colorful is the appearance of one of the film’s subjects. Bernice is a documentary short that tells the story of art world pioneer and art collector Bernice Steinbaum, who has spent her life supporting and empowering female artists as well as artists of color throughout their careers. Bernice herself will be in attendance at the screening, and I think that audiences will really enjoy both the film and Bernice, who is an art connoisseur and a very colorful art critic, so I think this will be one if the hits during those screenings. L’CHAIM: WHAT ELSE CAN AUDIENCES EXPECT THIS YEAR FROM THE FESTIVAL? CP: I think one of the things being added
this year that is exciting to us is the ability to be able to expose our festival to new audiences, and to that end, we are involved with two different OSHER programs, which are national educational programs at different universities that offer different kinds of education as outreach to the local communities; and in this case, we’ve latched onto the OSHER programs for film. So, different universities in town will bring their film programs to the festival this year in addition to the regular group of students from universities and high schools that would have attended the festival in years past. We are pulling in a lot of new people this year that will make a difference to expose the quality of our Jewish films to a wider audience.
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FILM FEST
CRAIG’S TOP PICKS FOR THE 2016 FESTIVAL
experiencing one bad event after another. The lady that helps him clean up at night says that she can get him some more help in the form of her son, who happens to be a Muslim young man. The film is the relationship between this orthodox Jewish baker and this young Muslim boy, and the development of their relationship, including an incident where some marijuana accidentally ends up in the dough one day, causing the business to thrive; but its all about the relationship between these men. It is a fabulous comedy and a great story.
ONCE IN A LIFETIME
Once in a Lifetime is a fabulous film about a history teacher who wants to express upon her students that there is another world out there beyond their classroom, and it will be popular with any teachers or students. This is a French film based on a true story about teacher Anne Gueguen who is determined to give the best education she can to her underprivileged inner-city pupils. It’s all about just the intercommunication among these students and their enlightenment that there are other things in the world beyond their classroom
SABENA HIJACKING
DOUGH
On February 9, the FlixMix young adult screening, Dough will be one of our audience favorites this year. The comedy, directed by John Goldschmidt, starring British actor Jonathan Pryce, is a film about a Jewish orthodox baker who is falling on hard times, 18
L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2016
The official closing night film will be Sabena Hijacking – My Version, based on a true story and a nominated film of the Israeli Academy Awards, directed by Rani Saar. This is a thriller that will grab you in the opening scene, and will not let go until the closing credits. It is a powerful, suspenseful docu-drama based on previously undiscovered audio recordings of the former pilot Captain Reginald Levy. Captain Levy (now deceased) was in command of Sabena Flight 571 from Brussels, Belgium, to Tel Aviv, Israel, on May 8, 1972, when it was hijacked by four members of “Black September” – the armed wing of Fatah, or the Palestine Liberation Organization. The film finally shares the untold story of what exactly took place on the flight throughout 30 hours of nerve-wracking captivity, told by one of the survivors of the event, who was only 17 years old during the hijacking. More information about the Jewish Film Festival, including ticket purchases can be found at www.lfjcc.org or by calling the JCC box office at (858) 362-1348.
BY RACHEL KRENTZMAN PT, ERYT l FEATURE STORY
YOGA THERAPY IN SAN DIEGO AND ISRAEL
Moving to Israel a little over two years ago was a decision of the heart. I had a nice home in North Park and a thriving business incorporating the two passions of my life, yoga and physical therapy. But there was a deeper calling that I could not ignore, both for my family and my own soul and so, I figured out a way to maintain my presence in San Diego while building a new home in Israel. After working as a physical therapist in the hospital system and traditional orthopedic clinics, I became frustrated with the lack of time we had to spend with each patient and also with the limited view of healing only the physical body. Yoga had helped me heal from a disc herniation and scoliosis, so I began to integrate it into my practice of physical therapy with excellent results. That is when, in 2002, I decided to open my own clinic, which now has eight staff members and two locations, one in North Park and a satellite office in Carlsbad, CA. The model is simple. Unlike traditional physical therapy clinics, which often spend half an hour or less, we spend one hour with each patient and incorporate both manual therapy and yoga for optimal results. Each client works one on one with their personal therapist who is thoroughly trained in both yoga therapy and advanced physical therapy techniques. Using our mind body
Embody Physical Therapy & Yoga is more than just a PT clinic, it is a place to come and to “know your body better.” Whether you are a triathlete, an occasional sportsman with an injury, or simply eager to heal we will work with you to get the best results possible and give you a program that you can incorporate into your daily life. We’re passionate about our blend of physical therapy and yoga at Embody, because after working successfully with thousands of patients, we know it works.
approach, the result is complete healing in less time as we get right to the source of your problem. I come back from Israel every summer for a month or two in order to teach and spend time in the clinic. I’m particularly excited about 2016 because I will be publishing two books: Yoga for a Happy Back – A Teacher’s Guide to Spinal Health through Yoga Therapy & Scoliosis, Yoga Therapy & the Art of Letting Go, and expanding a program teaching yoga and physical therapy to doctors which I pioneered with UCSD last year.
RACHEL KRENTZMAN PT, ERYT FOUNDED AND DIRECTS EMBODY PHYSICAL THERAPY AND YOGA IN SAN DIEGO AND ORGANIZES YOGA IN MEDICINE CONFERENCES FOR THE UCSD CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE. A GRADUATE OF MCGILL UNIVERSITY, RACHEL COMPLETED HER 2000-HOUR TEACHER TRAINING WITH AADIL PALKHIVALA AT THE COLLEGE OF PURNA YOGA AND HAS STUDIED INTENSIVELY WITH JUDITH HANSON LASATER. RACHEL HAS INTEGRATED YOGA INTO HER CLINICAL PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE SINCE 2002. SHE LIVES IN RA’ANANA, ISRAEL WITH HER TWO SONS.
For more info visit: www.embodyphysicaltherapy.com
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SENIORS l BY CHERI WEISS
Creative Options NEWS FOR SENIOR HOMEOWNERS
H
omeowners over age 55 who are considering whether to downsize or remain in their current home may wish to consider the following options: DOWNSIZING YOUR HOME WITHOUT PAYING INCREASED PROPERTY TAXES If you want to sell your home and purchase a smaller, more manageable one but are worried about incurring increased property taxes, here is some good news: You may be eligible for a unique government program that allows you a one-time opportunity to sell your current home and downsize to a new home but pay the SAME PROPERTY TAX that you currently pay. Currently, homeowners purchasing a new home in San Diego typically pay between 1 and 1.25% of the purchase price in property taxes. However, under the rules of Propositions 60 and 90, qualifying ageeligible homeowners electing to downsize would not pay this tax rate; rather, they would pay their current base year value. Under the rules of Proposition 60, an age-eligible homeowner must sell and buy a home in the same county, with San Diego being one of 10 participating counties in California. Proposition 90 offers a qualifying homeowner the opportunity to sell his or her primary residence in one of the participating counties and transfer the current tax base to a new property in any of the other participating counties, which currently are: San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Mateo, Alameda, San Bernardino, Santa Clara, El Dorado, Riverside. (This list is subject to change; please check with the County Tax Assessor’s office for the most up-to-date information.) For more detailed information and to determine whether or not you qualify for these tax exemptions or programs, please consult with your tax preparer and/or attorney. 20
L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2016
STAYING IN YOUR PRESENT HOME AS YOU AGE Chronic illness or increasing physical limitations need not automatically force you to leave your home as you age. With thoughtful and careful planning, you may be able to “Age in Place”— which will help you to maintain the quality of life you desire in the home of your choice. The focus of “Aging in Place” should be on SAFETY and COMFORT. Modifications to your home may include installation of additional railings, increased lighting, non-skid flooring and grab bars in showers or tubs, walk-in showers etc., all designed to help reduce the risk of falling. Removing clutter and loose rugs that do not have non-skid backing, widening doorways, modifying door handles for easy gripping, installing kitchen cabinets with roll-out shelves, installing strobelit smoke detectors are just a few of the many recommended safety modifications. A home remodeler with a CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) designation will be trained in Universal Design principles and is therefore likely to have the expertise needed to retrofit your home to meet your future needs. “Aging in Place” also involves knowing
what community services are available to elderly and disabled people such as transportation, meal delivery services, home care, etc. Your financial circumstances will be a critical factor in determining your ability to “Age in Place.” Make certain to have plans in place that address all financial and legal issues that may arise, and consult with an attorney specializing in elder law as well as an estate or financial planner. There are many on-line resources that can assist you in planning for your future including the National Aging in Place Council: www.AgeInPlace.org. Planning ahead may allow you to have the option of remaining safely in your home for as long as you desire. CHERI WEISS IS THE BROKER/OWNER OF TOP COAST PROPERTIES IN LA JOLLA. SHE HOLDS THE SRES DESIGNATION (SENIORS REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST) FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS AND HAS ALSO COMPLETED A YEAR-LONG GRADUATE SCHOOL COURSE IN CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION. YOU MAY CONTACT HER AT (858) 829-8178 OR EMAIL CHERI@TOPCOASTPROPERTIES. VISIT LAJOLLAANDBEYOND.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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SENIORS l BY LISË STERN l jns.org
Keeping Kosher as We Age
T
raditional kosher favorites like slowroasted brisket, matzo ball soup, and lockshen kugel aren’t the healthiest choices as you get older, but these dishes and your portions can be modified. The challenge: get all the nutrients you need, without overeating. We all have our traditional kosher favorites—and for many this means Ashkenazic fare, like slow-roasted brisket, matzo ball soup, lockshen kugel, and perhaps cholent and blintzes. Unfortunately, such kosher classics aren’t the best choices for us as we get older. Toby Smithson, RD, CDE, is a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and founder of DiabetesEveryDay.com. She says, “Age 50 appears to be the time when some of our nutritional needs change.” Our metabolisms begin to slow down, so we need fewer calories—yet at the same time, we still need food that is high in nutrients. The challenge, then, is to get all the 22
L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2016
nutrients we need without overeating. If you are physically active, great—though most people are not scaling the same number of mountains at 60 or 70 that they were at 30. There are also specific vitamins and minerals we need more after we hit 50, Smithson says, notably potassium, calcium, and vitamins B12 and D. We also need fiber, but slightly less than we do when we’re younger. Sodium is a concern in the opposite direction—too much can contribute to high blood pressure, and we need to significantly reduce consumption as we get older, to about 3/4 teaspoon per day (1500 milligrams)—that includes both what we add to our plate and what occurs in foods naturally. Unless specifically made for seniors, prepared kosher foods can be high in sodium. Too much sodium is a concern regarding blood pressure, and potassium helps blunt sodium’s affect, Smithson says. Calcium,
coupled with vitamin D, helps with bone strength, and vitamin B12 protects against anemia. Fiber serves multiple purposes—it helps with digestion and heart health, and can help prevent certain kinds of cancer. Good sources include fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice. For many in their 50s and above, choosing meals and preparing theirown food may not be an issue. But as the Jewish population ages, more and more people are living on their own, with family far away. Jewish organizations in several cities around the country offer services to this group. Kosher Meals on Wheels is a federally subsidized program that supplies a daily meal to those 60 and older who cannot easily get out of the house. In Skoie, Ill., Ted Starcevich is the program manager of home-delivered meals and Kosher to Go for CJE SeniorLife, an organization that serves older adults in
SENIORS
a variety of ways. They deliver 300-400 kosher meals daily, often by volunteers who visit with their clients when bringing the food, which provides a third of their daily nutritional requirements. The menus, which are all taste-tested by Starcevish and his staff, are sent to a state dietitian for approval. “Sometimes the state dietician will come back and will tell us to switch the apple on Tuesday with the orange on Thursday, for nutritional balance,” he says. Neal Drobnis is Coordinator of the Kosher Nutrition Program of Jewish Family Service of Rhode Island. The program provides both home delivery and a Senior Café. “The Jewish Federation has been really supportive of this program,” Drobnis says. It offers kosher lunches daily for a $3 donation and provides transportation. Most guests are in their 80s. Café meals are all kosher, as are the delivered meals, and meet federal guidelines in terms of nutrition. “Seniors try to stay away from salt and use salt alternatives,” Drobnis observes. “Everything is low sodium. In general, they stay away from sugar as well. We try to have a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables. For carbs—grains, pasta, bread—we try to use whole grains when we can. It can be very difficult with the budgetary limits to have brown rice or whole wheat pasta.” Zan’s Kosher Delicatessen Restaurant runs a similar program in Lake Grove, NY, supplying delivered kosher meals for area townships. The Supper Club 60 is offered in the afternoon Mondays through Thursdays, according to Anthony Ruggiero, who owns the business with his brother Pat. The $4 donation offers a choice from a daily menu. For seniors, Ruggiero says, “We make everything with less salt.” The National Osteoporosis Foundation indicates that our vitamin D needs can almost double once we hit 50—those under a half century need 400 to 800 IU daily, while those over need 800 to 1000 IU. “Vitamin D is needed to help keep bones strong along with calcium,” Smithson says. The primary natural source of vitamin
D is sunlight, but how our skin absorbs it can depend on where we live, if we use sunblock, and how much time we spend inside, an issue for shut-ins. If you don’t spend much time in the sun, you may need vitamin D supplements; check with a health care provider for the best balance. Kashrut can be an issue for some vitamin D supplements. Smithson notes that there are two kinds, D2 and D3, and “D3 is derived from ultraviolet irradiation of a substance derived from sheep’s wool.” In general, the most efficient sources for the nutrients we need as we get older is food, rather than supplements; supplements should do just that—help with what we’re getting from food already. Food has the added advantage of being good for multiple nutrients. Dairy products, for example, contain both calcium and potassium. Other good sources for potassium include beans (think cholent) and fruit, including dried apricots, prunes, and raisins (tzimmes, anyone?). Dates are also a good source, along with pistachios and other nuts. (Nuts can be high in fat, so moderation is key.)
TOBY SMITHSON SUGGESTS THE FOLLOWING SAMPLE KOSHER MENUS:
Fortunately, it’s easy to fit a healthy diet into a kosher diet—for the most part. Brisket isn’t the leanest cut of meat, but it can be reserved for special occasions “Unfortunately the leanest cuts of beef are not kosher, so we need to have a stronger focus on cutting back on our sources of fats, especially saturated fat,” Smithson says.
Tuna fish salad with reduced fat mayonnaise; 1 slice low fat cheese; 2 slices whole grain bread, 1 cup baby bell peppers, 1 peach or nectarine.
“Many traditional dishes can be modified,” she advises. “Dishes like lockshen kugel can be made with a heatresistant sugar substitute and egg whites to make it more heart-healthy and diabetes friendly.” “The best advice is to modify recipes, watch portion size, and add more vegetables to your meals,” she adds. Good advice as we head into our 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. And if we make it to our 90s, that may be the time when we no longer have to worry about moderation, and we can have a second helping of brisket.
Suggested Kosher Menu for a Day
BREAKFAST: Oatmeal, a glass of skim or 1% milk; 1 cup of berries, and a slice of whole grain toast with tub margarine, almond butter, or peanut butter
LUNCH:
SNACK: 3 graham cracker squares, 6 ounces low fat vanilla yogurt sprinkled with cinnamon antd chopped almonds.
DINNER: 3 ounces baked skinless chicken breast with rosemary; 1 medium sweet potato; 1 cup green beans; an orange.
SUGGESTED SHABBAT MEAL: Chicken soup with whole grain noodles; Cholent with more beans than meat; a green leafy salad with bite sized raw vegetables; baked sliced apples with cinnamon and sugar substitute. WWW.LCHAIMMAGAZINE.COM
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BADASS KOSHER l BY MICHAEL GARDINER
New-Fangled Comfort Food of Old SMOKED YELLOWTAIL KNISH l POACHED EGGS About the time I finally realized I was not going to live forever I found myself exploring my Ashkenazi culinary roots. I’m not sure which was the chicken and which the egg. Somehow, though, the homey comfort foods of childhood play particularly well with uncomfortable realizations like that of mortality. And what Ashkenazi dish could be a 24
L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2016
greater comfort food than the knish, that Eastern European snack of a filling— classically ground meat and mashed potatoes—wrapped in dough and either deep fried or baked. But while meat and/ or potato fillings are most common for knishes, there’s no reason it could not be something else, something more creative. One of my Jewish deli favorites is smoked
whitefish. The simple, smoky flavor works perfectly on salads or bagels. If it isn’t a traditional knish filling I figured it might be time to start a new tradition. While whitefish (a fresh water fish) is not commonly found in Southern California waters, excellent fresh yellowtail is readily available. To smoke the fish I used one of my new favorite toys: a smoking gun. If there
BADASS KOSHER
isn’t one of those hanging around in your kitchen (or a trip to Sur La Table isn’t on your docket), there are other ways to go about it. You could brine the fish and smoke it for two hours in your smoker/BBQ. Or you could use any good quality smoked salmon or the wonderful smoked fish from, for example, Catalina Offshore Products.
SMOKED YELLOWTAIL KNISH l POACHED EGG INGREDIENTS:
For the Knish Dough: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon table salt 1 large egg ½ cup grapeseed (or other neutral) oil 1 teaspoon white vinegar ½ cup water
FOR THE SMOKED YELLOWTAIL: 1 carrot, roughly chopped 2 stalk celery, roughly chopped 1 small onion, roughly chopped 1 tablespoon Kosher salt 1 ½ cup white wine 1 ½ cup water 1 pound yellowtail fillet Smoker chips of choice
FOR THE FILLING:
3 cups peeled baking potato, cut into 1-inchthick slices (about 2 large potatoes) 1/3 cup chicken broth 1 tablespoon thyme off the stalk ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 4 ounces smoked yellowtail (or smoked whitefish or salmon), finely chopped 3 tablespoons grapeseed (or other neutral) oil 1 ½ cups finely chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium)
FOR THE POACHED EGG: 4 eggs Dash of vinegar 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
FOR THE GARNISH:
1 spirg of thyme off the stalks
Hot sauce of your choice Finishing salt (Maldon, for example) 1. MAKE THE KNISH DOUGH. Stir together
your dry ingredients in the bottom of a mixing bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the egg, oil, vinegar and water. Pour it over the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Once the mixture is a craggy, uneven mass, knead until smooth, about a minute. Place the dough back in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside for an hour (or in the fridge, up to 3 days). 2. POACH THE YELLOWTAIL. In a large,
deep, straight-sided skillet or heavy pot, combine carrots, celery, onion, wine and Kosher salt. Bring to a boil then reduce and simmer covered for 8 minutes. Season the fish with salt and gently lower into simmering liquid (which should just cover fish). Cover and cook until the fish is opaque throughout, about 5 minutes. Remove fish from the liquid and refrigerate. 3. SMOKE THE YELLOWTAIL. When the
fish is cool, shred it and place it in a metal bowl large enough to contain the fish with room to spare. Place the smoking chips of your choice (alder is a good option) in your smoking gun and operate according to the manufacturer’s instructions, covering the bowl with plastic wrap. Allow to sit for at least five minutes. 4. MAKE THE FILLING. Place the potatoes in
a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer 15 minutes or until tender. Drain the potatoes and combine with broth, thyme, kosher salt, pepper, and smoked yellowtail in a large bowl; mash until well combined. 5. BEGIN ASSEMBLING THE KNISHES. Line
a large baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit. If your dough has sweated some beads of oil while resting, knead it back into an even mass. Divide the dough in half. Working on a wellfloured surface, roll the first half into a very thin sheet (roughly a one foot square). For moderate size knish create a 2-inch thick log from half your potato/fish filling across the bottom of your dough. Roll the filling up in
the dough like you were rolling a cigarette but not too tight—a bit of slack keep the dough from opening in the oven—until the log has been wrapped twice in dough. Trim any unrolled length and add it to the second half of the dough. Repeat with the second half of the dough and filling. 6. FINISH ASSEMBLING THE KNISHES. Trim
the ends of the dough so they’re even with the potato filling. Make indentations on the log every 3 inches or so (about 3 for a foot long log) and twist the dough at these points, as if you making sausage links. Snip the dough at each twist, pinch one of the ends of each segment together to form a sealed knish base. Use the palm of your hand to flatten the knish a bit into a squat bun shape. Pinch together the tops as you did the bottom to seal them, indenting them with a small dimple to discourage them from opening in the oven. 7. BAKE THE KNISHES. Arrange the knishes
on a prepared baking sheet so that they don’t touch. Whisk egg yolk and water together to form a glaze and brush it over the knish dough. Bake the knishes for about 45 minutes, rotating the tray if needed for them to bake into an even golden brown color. 8. POACH THE EGGS. Add the vinegar and
salt to a pot of boiling water and reduce the heat to a simmer. Crack an egg into a custard cup or small ramekin. Use the handle of a spatula or spoon to quickly stir the water in one direction until it’s all smoothly spinning around. Carefully drop the egg into the center of the whirlpool. The swirling water will help prevent the white from “feathering,” or spreading out in the pan. Poach the egg in the gently simmering water for 3 minutes. Move the egg to an ice bath and refrigerate up to 8 hours. Reheat in warm water just before serving. 9. PLATE THE DISH. Place a knish in the
center of each plate. Top each knish with a poached egg. Sprinkle some hot sauce on the top of each egg and garnish with thyme leaves and finishing salt.
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PHOTOS COURTESY NILI BLOCK
FEATURE STORY l BY JOSH HASTEN l jns.org
KNOCKOUT! The uprising of Nili Block, Israel’s female kickboxing world champion 26
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T
he “cover photo” quote featured on 20-year-old Nili Block’s Facebook page says, “When My Body ‘Shouts’ Stop, My Mind ‘Screams’ Never.” The quote is on the mark. After a decade of blood, sweat, and tears, this daughter of immigrants who moved to Israel from Maryland when she was a young child is now a women’s world champion in the rough-and-tough sport of kickboxing. In October 2015, Block was crowned champion in the 60-kilogram (132-pound) senior division (ages 19 and up) after
FEATURE STORY
winning four grueling three-round matches at the Kickboxing World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. In recognition of her achievement, the Federation of Non-Olympic Competitive Sports in Israel, known as Ayelet, last week named Block as the Jewish state’s female athlete of the year for 2015. Block, who describes herself as a “traditional” Jew, was introduced to the kickboxing at the age of 10. Her mother, then an officer in Israel’s Border Police force, wanted her daughter to learn self-defense. “I always liked sports and would even call myself a ‘tomboy.’ But at first I saw kickboxing just as an after-school activity, as something fun. Then it became more. I developed a daily routine. I would go to school in Beit Shemesh (where the family lives), come home, and then take the bus to Jerusalem to train at the kickboxing academy at Teddy Stadium,” Block says. She has been in training ever since, whether it’s kickboxing or a similar discipline called Muay Thai, also known as Thai boxing. Block also excelled at American flag football, playing regularly in a women’s league at Kraft Family Stadium in Jerusalem, and she has represented Israel at international football competitions on Israel’s Women’s National Team. Yet her path to athletic success didn’t come without challenges. At the age of 17, Block had to make a serious life decision. She says that one of her dreams was to serve in a combat unit in the Israel Defense Forces, but how would she be able to continue her athletic training while also becoming a solider? “It was a real dilemma,” she says. “I had to choose either combat in the army as a soldier, or sports.” Thanks to a special IDF program, Block was able to find a middle ground. After proving her athletic prowess and showcasing her accomplishments to the IDF, including participating and even medaling in competitions in countries such as Thailand, Spain, Hungary, and Ukraine, she was accepted to join the army with a special designation as “an outstanding athlete.” While unable to join a combat unit, for a year and nine months she was still given the chance to serve her country in some capacity as a soldier, with the army giving her time to continue her kickboxing training. Football, however, had to take a back seat because the army would only allow her to focus on her main sport.
Nili Block raises her arms and trophy in victory at the October 2015 Kickboxing World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.
With army service under her belt, it was time for last fall’s Kickboxing World Championships. Featuring top athletes from 16 countries in her weight class, Block had her work cut out for her. She started the tournament strong, winning her first two matches by dominating each round on points, which are awarded by four ringside judges. But in the semifinals, Block was pitted against Elana Moratova, the reigning and six-time women’s world kickboxing champion from Belarus. After dropping
the first round, Block came back to even the match in the second round, and took the third round for a decisive victory to become the new champion. “That was the hardest match I’ve ever had, both physically and mentally,” she says. “I had lost to [Moratova] twice before in other competitions.” Despite her clear semifinal win, the match ended with controversy as world politics reared its head. The in-ring referee was at the tournament as part of a delegation from “Palestine,” and when Block was victorious, WWW.LCHAIMMAGAZINE.COM
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FEATURE STORY
“It is such a good feeling [being champion],” she says. “I see this as an uprising, and it’s so special to become a symbol in the world as a Jew and as an Israeli. They (observers of the world championships) didn’t expect me to win, coming from such a small country. Who would have expected it?” he refused to raise her arm as the victor. “I noticed in the match he was a bit off,” says Block, “and I wasn’t sure why. He was issuing me various warnings unnecessarily.” After the match, Block became nervous when a group of competition officials huddled in the ring before proclaiming her the winner. “I didn’t know what was going on,” she says. Following their deliberation, another referee stepped in and was tasked with raising her arm in victory, as the in-ring referee adamantly refused to acknowledge the Israeli competitor’s achievement. Block says that until then she had never personally experienced any anti-Semitism or anti-Israel sentiments throughout her competitions around the world. Block’s victory in the finals was far less dramatic. She won all three rounds and ascended the podium draped in an Israeli flag, becoming the new kickboxing champion of the world. “It is such a good feeling [being champion],” she says. “I see this as an uprising, and it’s so special to become a symbol in the world as a Jew and as an Israeli. They (observers of the world championships) didn’t expect me to win, 28
L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2016
coming from such a small country. Who would have expected it?” Someone who did expect it is Block’s longtime coach, Beny Cogan, who serves as Israel’s national kickboxing and Muay Thai coach and has been turning Israeli athletes into champions for the past 15 years. Cogan has been working with Block since she began her journey a decade ago. “I was not surprised [that Nili won],” Cogan says. “I could see in her a gifted and talented athlete, with a strong mind and one who likes to work hard. She is an excellent worker and a winner. This is what we aim for.” Cogan says he has worked with Israeli kickboxing and Muay Thai fighters over the years who have won a total of six first-place finishes in international tournaments. “For me, [Block] was never the underdog,” he says. With her gigantic championship trophy as her carry-on luggage, Block came home to Israel. Without skipping a beat, she swiftly began training to compete in the Muay Thai World Championships. That competition takes place this June in Sweden. Her short reprise? A night off to attend
the Ayelet ceremony and receive her award as Israel’s female athlete of the year. When asked what’s more meaningful—being world champion or being named Israel’s top female athlete—she hesitates. On the one hand, she recalls her epic triumph in Belgrade, but on the other hand she says the local recognition might be even more fulfilling. “It’s a good feeling winning [the Israeli award], I dedicated so much to it. I feel blessed. It also gives me the motivation to come back and train, seeking more,” she says, adding that being on the podium in Israel, in the presence of friends and family, “is even more uplifting.” She also notes the importance of being recognized as a top female athlete, hoping to inspire young girls so that they too can succeed in athletics. Block is hopeful that her world championship will help attract potential sponsorship deals that would allow her to travel and compete on a professional level in kickboxing tournaments in the U.S. and elsewhere. One day she hopes to go to college and study sports psychology, but right now it’s all about the training. At the same time, Block is trying not to let the current wave of terror in Israel get in the way of her routine. She is confident that her experience as a multidisciplinary fighter would kick in should she be the victim of an attempted stabbing, with such attacks plaguing Israel regularly over the past few months. In fact, Block is giving back to the community, holding a Krav Maga selfdefense course this week for the girls in her high school alma mater so that they too can defend themselves. “The main goal of self-defense is to get out alive,” she says. “I’m confident that I would able to neutralize an attacker. The main thing is knowing that you have the tools to do it. It’s all in your head. And I feel that I can, as this is what I do for a living.” A terrorist who starts up with Block on the Israeli street would likely be in for an unpleasant surprise. Indeed, that’s why Block’s mother first enrolled her in selfdefense classes a decade ago.
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FEATURE STORY l BY MIMI POLLACK
A DYNAMIC DUO AND A DOG’S BEST FRIEND 30
L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2016
FEATURE STORY
M
aking a difference in the world seems to be the motto Rebecca Weinrib and Stephanie Nisan live by, especially in the world of homeless dogs. Together, they founded The Animal Pad in 2010, a rescue organization for dogs, with their own unique vision. Weinrib, 30, and Nisan, 31, have started a forward thinking rescue organization that not only focuses on rescuing and fostering dogs, but also one that provides a better connection to the public through training and education to help reduce the number of homeless dogs in the future. They want to reach all ages, but especially their peers and motivate them to join the cause. It hasn’t been easy, but their plan covers several aspects, such as education, reaching out to encourage people to adopt a dog rather than pay a breeder, spaying and neutering, and helping people find the right dog for their needs. For example, The Professor, a sweet, low key and calm mutt, likes to sit on people’s laps and went to live at a center for seniors who will love him. They have also arranged for classroom visits at several local schools as educating
future dog owners is important. Next, they are in the process of developing the Pet Spy Collar attachment, which will attach to any collar/harness and will include a camera, 2 way radio, training functionality, and health monitoring, all of which can be controlled by an app they will be creating in conjunction with the attachment. The app will also have a feature to share directly to social media. This attachment grew out of a need that they saw for owners to have a better connection to their dogs. It is still in the developmental stage, but they hope to have it launched soon. Finally, they work with various high kill shelters in Southern California, animal control organizations, and dogs from Mexico. They are constantly on the go, picking up dogs, finding fosters, screening potential applicants, recruiting others to become fosters, fundraising, and reaching out to the public. They have a great need for additional fosters as the more that help out, the more dogs they can rescue. Weinrib and Nisan also have careers. Weinrib is a lawyer and the legal counsel for
her family’s business. Her father invented the EDDY pump, a pump and equipment engineering and manufacturing company. Nisan is a successful realtor. Both juggle their personal and professional lives as well as running their organization with endless energy. That endless energy also comes in play when it comes to their Jewish faith. Weinrib and Nisan, along with Weinrib’s brother, Ben, started the FIDFYLSD or Friends of the Israeli Defense Force Young Leadership of San Diego. They are on the board and help to run this section of FIDF, an international, non-profit organization which supports the Israeli Defense Forces. For the San Diego chapter, they head up the Young Leadership Division, which focuses on getting more participants/supporters in the young adult community. They hold events for fundraising and educational purposes and all proceeds go to support IDF soldiers. Additionally, they handle the December Nights event for the House of Israel in Balboa Park, where they staff and run the bar in The Beer Garden and also help staff the main house, where they serve food. These very busy women also started, “Pop Up Shabbats.” They saw a need to have a Shabbat dinner for those who may want to celebrate, but don’t want to go the traditional route and go to a Synagogue, etc. The goal is to create an evening where Jews come together (who may not do so otherwise) and enjoy Shabbat dinner together with a short, informal service while enjoying the company of others in the community. These dinners are led by Rabbi Ian Adler. As I was interviewing these long time friends, they reminded me of an old, married couple who finished each other’s sentences, but at the same time had youthful and altruistic aspirations mixed in with social media savvy. Their families must be proud and the rescued dogs grateful for their constant dedication. As they joked, “We are always hustling. Every birthday or celebration is a fundraiser!” For more information or to learn more about The Animal Pad, visit www.theanimalpad. org.
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TRIPLETS IN UNIFORM, ONE DISABLED: A story of hope and determination
F
ebruary is Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month, an initiative to foster inclusion in Jewish communities worldwide. As part of its focus on improving quality of life in Israel, Jewish National Fund (JNF) is dedicated to ensuring that no member of Israeli society is left behind through various initiatives. One of these initiatives is Special in Uniform and last year, Tzippy Avni of Eilat shared this personal story. Nineteen years ago, we had our beautiful triplets. May and Chen were born first, weighing over 2 kilos. Shir was born last at 1.360 kilos and within four hours, her weight plunged to just 900 grams. She was so tiny that I would stroke her gently with my pinkie. From the first moment, I had a magnetic pull to her, a real telepathic connection. I feel her all the time, and she sees things in me that nobody else sees. It’s a bond that is hard to explain. After a long hospital stay, with innumerable tests and evaluations, we
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L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2016
received the news: “Your daughter is severely brain damaged. She has cerebral palsy and retardation. She will never walk and will be very handicapped her entire life. That’s the way it is.” “’Listen well,’” I said. “’This girl will run. This girl will sing. This girl will flourish and this girl will even go to the army.’ They looked at me skeptically and said, ‘Don’t be too optimistic.’ I replied, ‘I am her mother. I have no choice but to be optimistic. Wait and see what will come of this little girl.’” Two years ago, May and Chen began their IDF service in the same combat unit troop on the Egyptian border. As fighters in the combat force, they serve three years, as opposed to the usual two year service reserved for most female soldiers. They would jokingly say that they are each serving an extra year for Shir, who naturally could not enlist in the IDF. For Shir, their departure from home was not the least bit funny and led to the great fall and struggle of her life.
Shir, who was inseparable from her sisters since the womb, couldn’t take the new situation, the loneliness, the empty house, and the stark proof that she was different. She experienced extreme emotional distress. She became frightened, restless, spaced out. She started tearing out her hair in anguish and her once thick, black curls, turned into baldness. Shir was ashamed, so she wore a hat or wrapped her head in a bandana. The moderate, steady improvement in her situation that we worked to maintain since birth crashed all at once. She experienced terrible regression and her condition kept deteriorating. She would say to me, “It’s so hard for me, Ima, it’s so hard. Do you understand how hard it is for me?” My heart would break. In the middle of the night, she came to my bed and curled up with me, assailed by fears and loneliness. They are triplets; she is a part of them. I understood exactly what she was going through. This was the hardest time of our lives. Then we heard about JNF-supported Yad Layeled Hameyuchad’s Special in Uniform program, which integrates young people with disabilities into the IDF. Shir was one of the first to be accepted to the army prep course in the Eilat unit and now serves proudly in Israel’s navy. To me, seeing her in uniform for the first time was a magical moment. The morning following her enlistment, after covering her head for two years, Shir took off her bandana. She now comes home from the base relaxed and proud of herself. To learn more about this meaningful and inclusive program, as well as other work JNF does in the field of disabilities and special needs, please visit jnf.org/jdam.
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FEATURE STORY l BY SHARON RAPOPORT
JONATHAN VALVERDE’S MIRACLE The impossible becomes possible for the amazing singer
“When I heard the words ‘Welcome to Tel Aviv!’ as we landed at Ben Gurion Airport,” says Jonathan Valverde, “I thought to myself ‘Ok, this is really happening! This is not a dream!’” It was December 18, and Valverde, along with his parents, had finally arrived at HaAretz. Valverde is the Director of Latinos for Israel, a non-Jewish Zionist group that works to unite non-Jewish Latino communities and Jewish communities and celebrate each other’s cultures and traditions through music, arts and education. His father is the remarkable Pastor Efraim Valverde II, who has actively fostered Zionism amongst his Christian congregation. “If last summer you told me I´d be in Israel in December, with my parents, singing in a concert with David D’Or, on an all-expensepaid trip, I would have laughed! I mean, how could that be possible?” Valverde 34
L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2016
remarked, with his usual candor. “It just goes to show, that when Israel is in the picture, the impossible becomes possible and what is called a miracle in any other part of the world is a common occurrence in the Land of Miracles.” So how did this all come to be? It all started with an invitation to sing the Hatikvah and the Star Spangled Banner at the Unity Havdalah Service and concert with David D’Or at Shabbat San Diego on October 24. “I’ve volunteered to perform both anthems at many events before and it’s always been a fulfilling experience, but nothing out of the ordinary happens afterwards. I didn’t expect this time to be any different,” Valverde recalls. But it would be very different. As Valverde sat in the green room waiting to be called on stage, David D’Or and his band
walked in and sat at the table next to him. “They were just talking and munching on snacks,” Jonathan recalls. “But then someone pointed at me and said, ‘David, this guy is a good guy’ and started telling him about my work with Latinos for Israel. So David and I start talking and he asked to see my videos online. I’m thinking, ‘Wow, this is cool!’ “After he saw the videos he said, ‘Wow you need to come to Israel! Are you coming anytime soon?’ and I just said, ‘Well, my mom has been wanting to go, but I don’t think it’s possible.’” What David said next took Jonathan by surprise: “Well, if you come in December you can be my guest at one of my concerts. So take down my number and let me know when.” Just then, someone called Valverde to the stage: “The electricity in the room was
FEATURE STORY
palpable. I’ve been to many events here in San Diego, but that night something was different. The event really was living up to its name: Unity… and you could feel that power.” After he performed, Jonathan was invited by Rashel Cohen and Selwin Isakow to sit on the front row and watch David´s performance. “So I am sitting there enjoying the show,” he recalls. “Suddenly, David looks straight at me from the stage and says, ‘Jonathan do you know Yerushalayim Shel Sahav?’ I went blank for a second but quickly recovered and nodded. So David says, ‘Come up and sing with me!’ I knew the song but I took out my phone frantically looking up the words in case my nerves betrayed me, since this was so unexpected!” They sang together “and though it was unplanned, it came together like magic. It was like we were brothers singing to our huge united family with everyone holding hands and singing along. It was an incredible moment.” After Valverde got off the stage, the first person to greet him was his friend, Audrey Jacobs. She congratulated him and said, “This is incredible! Did you talk to him?” referring to David D’or. Valverde gave her a quick summary of the talk and invitation from the green room. When Valverde said that he didn’t think a trip to Israel was going to be possible, Jacobs was determined. She said she would start a campaign to get him to Israel right away, and she meant it. “My jaw dropped,” Jonathan says, “I didn’t think the night could get any better after being invited onstage with David!” What followed in the next few weeks was “nothing short of a miracle and an outpouring of love and giving,” as he “just watched as people began donating from my own Latino community, but mainly from the Jewish community in San Diego. It was just overwhelming and very moving.” The Jewish Federation then took over the campaign, and started raising money to send Jonathan and his parents to Israel. By
the end of November, Jonathan had a date for the concert with David D’Or in a town near Haifa, and plane tickets for his parents and himself in hand. “It was a whirlwind up to the point when we boarded the plane,” Jonathan shares, “and when we finally landed in Tel Aviv we practically danced into the airport terminal!”
“It just goes to show, that when Israel is in the picture, the impossible becomes possible and what is called a miracle in any other part of the world is a common occurrence in the Land of Miracles.” “We traveled to Masada, Ein Gedi, Galilee, Haifa and Tzfat,” Jonathan recounts, “I had a rehearsal in Tel Aviv with David the day before the concert and to my surprise his family welcomed me to stay at their home the night before the show.” Jonathan says
smiling. “David, his wife and children were so welcoming. It was Israeli hospitality at its best.” The night of the concert was electrifying. They had decided to sing Hatishma Koli and Inside My Mind, from The Phantom of the Opera. “David was so gracious and welcomed me onstage like a friend. When we finished our performance people kept clapping and showing their appreciation. It was a beautiful moment.” The rest of the trip was like a dream for Jonathan. He was able to have an intimate recital at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance with pianist Orian Shukran and later meet up with Israeli Army Chief Cantor, Shai Abramson, whom he had performed with in San Diego for concerts in support of Friends of the IDF in 2013 and 2014. “One of the last things my parents and I did together was pray at our favorite spot in Jerusalem, the Kotel. It was a great way to end our time in Israel and be thankful for this wonderful gift given to my family on behalf of the Jewish Community,” Jonathan says. “How can I express the gratitude I feel to everyone who sent us to Israel? The only way I know is by continuing the work I feel called to do in supporting Israel through Latinos for Israel and through singing and sharing my love for Israeli music. So next time you hear me singing, I hope you can hear the love and gratitude. Thanks to my adopted family -- the Jewish Community of San Diego -- 2015 was the year “Next Year in Jerusalem” became “This Year in Jerusalem!”
Valverde will perform a thank you concert at the end of this month that is free and open to the public, at 7:30 p.m., February 28 at Restoration Church, 960 Fifth Ave., Chula Vista. CA WWW.LCHAIMMAGAZINE.COM
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HEADLINES
NEWS
TO KNOW
NOW
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SD JEWISH MEN’S CHOIR NEWS
The San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir truly has something to kvell about. Their latest album, KOCHI, debuted at #3 on the Billboard Music Charts in June, and is now being played on 119 radio stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. The album, which is a musical celebration of the history of Jews in India, received two Global Music Award medals, in addition to winning the Akademia Music Award for Best World Beat album. “I am happy the choir can fulfill its mission of preserving and promoting Jewish music while giving back to the country that has always welcomed the Jewish people,” Choir Director Ruth Weber said, referencing the history of India’s Jews. In the spirit of Tikkun Olam, the choir donates part of the proceeds from the sale of the KOCHI album to the Gabriel Project Mumbai. This is a JDC Entwine project providing nutrition, literacy support, and basic health care needs to thousands of children in the slums of Mumbai. Learn more at www.sdjmc.org.
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CAL-ISRAEL INNOVATION EXPO & CONFERENCE
The Cal-Israel Innovation Expo connects business leaders, investors, faculty and students with Israeli companies across multiple fields and industries. The Expo fosters global innovation, commerce, cross-cultural education, and professional development; while enhancing vitality of global economies and empowering businesses, students and communities around the world. The event will be held March 8-9, 2016 at the University of San Diego’s Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering. Programming is sponsored by Mintz Levin. Register today at www. CalisraelInnovationExpo.com.
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CHAI NIGHT AT THE REP
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JEWISH WAR VETS
Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. Posts 185 and 385 from San Diego County participated in the annual “Gift for a Yank” Program this year at Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD) and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in La Jolla. Over 350 gift bags were hand delivered on Christmas Eve at VVSD and on Christmas Day at the VA Hospital. The signature undertaking of the Department of California is the long established “A Gift for a Yank” program. The Jewish War Veterans, in partnership founded a Gift for a Yank in 1946 with the late great entertainer, Eddie Cantor. Every Christmas for over 68 years, members of the Jewish War Veterans go to the VA hospitals and other Veteran activities to distribute gifts to all hospitalized Veterans and those in need who might not receive gifts.
San Diego REPertory Theatre (San Diego REP) presents John Patrick Shanley’s new romantic comedy Outside Mullingar as the fourth production of its 40th Anniversary Season. REP Associate Artistic Director Todd Salovey directs his first production of the season, tackling Pulitzer, Tony and Oscar®-winner Shanley’s not-so-average romantic comedy set in Ireland. The show’s run began in January and runs through Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, 2016 in the Lyceum Space Theatre at San Diego REP. Chai Night at The REP, a benefit night for the Jewish Family Service Foodmobile will be held Wednesday, Feb. 10 after the 7 p.m. show, with 25% of ticket sales supporting JFS Foodmobile. L’Chaim Magazine will sponsor this event, which invites theatregoers to mingle with the REP team for kosher wine and snacks after the show. Tickets and info are at www.SDRep.org. 36
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BY STEPHANIE LEWIS l HUMOR
mazel &
mishagoss When Yiddish Goes a Rye!
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e’ve all heard that Yiddish is quickly and quietly dying off, which is just such “a shandeh un a charpeh” (a shame and a disgrace) and I for one am not ready to give this colorful descriptive language any sort of burial. That’s right, I think we should all band together and make one large, collaborative attempt to work more of this unique terminology into our everyday language until it becomes as commonplace to say “Nu?” as it is to say, “S’up?” My problem is every single time I’ve tried to casually (but confidently!) weave a colorful vocabulary word from my grandparent’s native tongue into conversations, something goes strangely awry. It even happens with the Yiddish names of food, like Kugel. At the gynecologist’s office, the doctor asked if I managed daily kegels? Taken aback by her inquiry about my Jewish cooking, I awkwardly responded it was too rich to do them more than once a month. I shyly added that last time I dropped one and everything spattered all over my nice, shiny floor. She threw me an odd sideways
glance, remarking, “Nothing’s worse than a dirty pelvic floor.” The other problem besetting me when experimenting with Yiddish is mixing up the numerous words that begin with “Sch.” Ever notice that nearly every one of these words has a negative connotation? I can’t keep them straight; all I know is that when I want to insult someone, I’ll use something that starts with th is specific consonant blend; i.e. Schlemiel, Schlub, Schmo, Schlump, Schnook, Schnorrer, Schlimazel, Schmendrik, and of course Schmuk. Oh c’mon, do you think I can call everyone a scholar?! And now may I present my recent journal documenting what happened when I tried to use more Yiddish. Jan. 30: At the snack stand in Target, I asked the lady behind the counter if I could have a “bissel” butter on my popcorn and before I knew it, a clerk brought me a vacuum cleaner from the housewares department. Yep, this trial language thing is going to turn out great! Feb. 2: I mentioned to my neighbor that I would “plotz” if my son were to get
engaged. She advised me that picking out a burial plot at a young age could bring bad luck. Seriously? Feb. 4: After joking around with the cashier in the pet store, I said, “I’d love to “kibbitz” with you, but it’s time to “schlep” this heavy bag of dry food home to my dog.” He said “What a coincidence, I also have a dog named Shep who loves Kibble.” Hmmm. Feb. 5: I took this same dog (a spaniel) to the veterinarian clinic and because he’s 12 years old, I asked if he would be considered an “Alter Kocker?” The doctor admonished me that they don’t alter cockers (or any type of spaniels) at this advanced age and that he should’ve been neutered years ago. Oy! Feb. 6: In the theater, I asked the person next to me to please stop “schmoozing” because I couldn’t concentrate on the movie. He looked startled and asked if he’d been snoring? That’s right; “you schmooze, you lose, buddy!” Feb. 7: When my girlfriend introduced me to the man she is dating, I asked if that was her “beshert?” She shook her head and scoffed, “That old blue striped thing is something he bought himself. But I picked out the tie.” Well? I may be ready for more Yiddish in the world, but clearly the world is not yet ready for mine. STEPHANIE D. LEWIS IS A REGULAR WRITER FOR THE HUFFINGTON POST AND PENS A HUMOR BLOG AT ONCEUPONYOURPRIME.COM. FOLLOW HER ON TWITTER @MISSMENOPAUSE. WWW.LCHAIMMAGAZINE.COM
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