L'Chaim August 2015 by L'Chaim San Diego Magazine

AUGUST 2015

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8 August 2015

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Features 12 A Thousand Words NextGen on a Mission: Berlin & Israel

30 From Trauma to Trial: Mike’s Place 34 Staying Independent with ComforCare

Education 16 The Shepard of Soille 20 By Any Other Name: Defining Anti-Semitism 24 Discovering Selflessness on a Gap Year in Israel

Food 26 Islamic-Jewish Interfaith Dialogue in

a Bowl

Spicy Gazpacho with Cilantro

Synagogue 28 Etz Rimon: Home Away From Home Headlines 36 News to Know Now Columns

6 To Life 8 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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Copyright 2015 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 CONTRIBUTORS means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without Yigal Adato, Daniel Bortz, Stephanie Lewis, the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in Rita Mailheau, Salomon Maya, Sharon critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission Rapoport, Eva Trieger, Deborah Vietor requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator” to: publisher@ lchaimmagazine.com ©

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HELLO l BY ALANNA MAYA

to life.

Our first year in business has brought us more than we could ever imagine.

Thanks a Bunch!

OUR FIRST YEAR IN BUSINESS A little over one year ago, we got together to brainstorm ideas on what this magazine would mean to the San Diego Jewish community. L’CHAIM was born out of a need for something fresh, fun and unique that highlighted the shared interests of our readers and recognized that we were more than just our faith; we were people who enjoyed all that life had to offer. It’s no coincidence that we chose to call ourselves L’CHAIM either, as everything we have tried to do has been in the pursuit of a joyful, exuberant life experience. With a modern and unique guide to Jewish San Diego, we set out to change the way the community thought about a Jewish magazine. We published fresh and engaging 6

L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2015

content each month, highlighting members of the community and the organizations that our readers belong to. We successfully sponsored some community events this year, too. This year’s Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Fest, of which we were the sole media sponsor, was the most wellattended in the festival’s storied history. It is also not lost on any of us the amazing fact that L’CHAIM is a woman-owned business succeeding today. Our founders embody the strong and powerful women they were raised by and are now raising the next generation of community leaders themselves. Our position as women in the world gives us a unique and passionate perspective on life that we strive to include in everything that we do.

Our first year in business has brought us more than we could ever imagine. We made new friends, met new family members and grew closer to the community we already knew and loved. But we couldn’t have done it without the support of our readers. You all have been fantastic, telling us exactly what you wanted (and sometimes what you didn’t want) to see between the pages of our periodical. All of the community suggestions have made us work harder to bring you what you want, and we will continue to keep our ears to the ground so that we remain your source for everything about your community in the years to come. Looking ahead, we see great things for our future. We are already looking for new platforms and events that we can lend our name and expertise to in the coming year. We are bumping up our online offerings at lchaimmagazine.com and on our Facebook page, where we will host contests and highlight community events with even more gusto than before. And we will continue to take your advice and opinions about how we can best serve you, the reader. Our future looks bright, and we are excited for what is still yet to come. If you haven’t already, give us a shout at info@ lchaimmagazine.com. We’d love to hear from you!

Thanks!

A very heartfelt

Alanna, Diane, Laurie & the rest of the L’CHAIM team

RANDOM RANTS l BY SALOMON MAYA “I utilized the predictive text on my iPhone to create pseudolife advice.”

comic relief Life Advice with Predictive Text

he power that words have can sometimes be immeasurable. Words have ignited revolutions and ironically calmed tensions between squabbling countries as war loomed. Words have mended broken hearts only to break them once again. Words can cut and repair, soothe yet burn. Words are simply the fundamental difference between us humans and the rest of the animal kingdom. Yet in world surrounded by informal communication, status updates and tweets limited to 140 characters, I believe we have now cheapened the linking of words to make nonsensical phrases that truly mean nothing. Gone are the days of Shakespeare and Whitman, giving way to the quick rants of a blogger, follower or Facebook friend. We truly live in a world gone grey. Whereas authors used to paint magical worlds in full color, we now opt to paint in quick Pollacklike strokes composed of tic-tac-toes… hashtags…#GetToThePoint. As a writer I fear for the future. I fear for my son to grow up in a world without

L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2015

books, and I mean the ones you get at book stores (a few still exist). I knew I had to do something to show that words still have power. But I also knew that to avoid the advances in technology would be foolish, hence that tiny little light bulb which burned ever so dimly above my head one sunny summer day. I had an idea. It all began with a joke between friends but like most ideas, what seemed small and insignificant would lead to a startling social observation on the power of words. All I needed was a smartphone, its messaging app and social media. The rest played out like one of those “choose your own adventure” books I used to read as a kid. I utilized the predictive text on my iPhone to create pseudo life advice. I then posted the “advice” to social media to see who would like it and what response I would get. So if you don’t know how predictive text works, here’s the quick guide. A user opens a message (text or status update) and is given three options to start a sentence. Now I believe this predictive text “learns” a users

type so the predictions might be different for me as they would be for you. When I opened the Facebook app on my iPhone, I was offered three word choices for a status update: I, The and I’m. Hmmm, where should my adventure start? The only rule I had for this experiement is that I had to use the three options given to me by predictive text. So I chose “The.” The second three word options I was offered by predictive text were: only, fact and new. I decided on only since I was trying to sound smart and life-coachy. The next three: one, thing and way. I kept pounding away on my phone and wound up with the following sentence: “The only thing that could make a difference in your life is to be able to see what you think.” Basically, I was advising my Facebook friends with what Apple thought I should be verbally sewing together. The sentence made no sense! But it sounded deep and thoughtful. It sounded like something you’d see on a banner hanging on the wall of a Beverly Hills yoga studio. Thanks to Apple, I will continue to randomly advise people utilizing predictive text because to be honest it truly isn’t too far from the legitimate advice one would get from a parent, spouse or even therapist. The best thing about this advice though? Unlike my mom, wife or shrink, I can turn it off whenever I please. 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

“The month of Elul represents a time when the King Himself leaves His palace and ventures into the fields to visit His people.”

The Song of Songs

n August 16, we will mark the first day of Elul, the last Hebrew month of the year before Tishrei and the High Holidays. Jewish mystics have long lauded this month as having a unique spiritual power, different to all the others. They explain the letters of “Elul” as an acronym for a verse from the Song of Songs: Ani Le’dodi Ve’dodi Li—I am for my beloved, and my beloved is for me. While Rosh Hashanah is likened to a time when the commoners of a village are able to approach the palace and crown their King for another year of leadership, the month of Elul represents a time when the King himself leaves his palace and ventures into the fields to visit his people. In a spiritual sense this means that G-d makes His presence more accessible to us, drawing our hearts closer to Him during this month. Unlike in the palace where only those who are worthy are allowed to enter the innermost chambers, in Elul—in the field—any and all can connect with the King, regardless of spiritual standing.

L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2015

But how do we tap in to the spiritual potential of this month? A student at Boston University enrolled in a Philosophy course. One class, as students were taking their seats, their professor stood at his podium in silence. Minutes ticked by, and the professor wasn’t saying a word! Everyone looked at each other confused, thinking their professor had lost his mind. Finally, after much uncomfortable silence, the professor asked the class: “Do you hear that?” Now, they were certain that he was crazy, for no one had said a word and thus there was nothing to hear. The professor repeated his question. This student began to wonder at what the teacher might be referring to. Come to think of it, I never heard the humming of the fan in this room before. The student spoke up: “I can hear the humming of the fan?” “Excellent,” said the professor. “It was always there, but when all of you were busy talking, you never noticed it. All of you are dismissed, have a great day.” Everyone jumped out of their seats, ecstatic to leave early. But this student remained seated, bewildered. He

approached his teacher, who explained: “We’re always so busy talking, moving and being distracted, that we never just take a second to stop and hear the sound of our own soul.” Judaism describes the spiritual essence we each possess—our soul—as an extremely powerful Divine energy. So how do we fail to feel this force within us? We need to take a moment out of our frenetic day and leave our phones, TV and the latest gossip to reflect on life’s meaning. This is why prayer was instituted, and why Shabbat is so important. We’re forced to transition from our immersion in materiality and triviality for a moment in time to instead spend time on reflecting on our purpose in life and on what’s truly important. It’s important to notice the subtleties in life. As one great Rabbi said, if you can’t stop and gaze at a painting, appreciating its intricacies and its message, then meditating on G-d will be a struggle. This month, we’re given a special opportunity to connect with our Judaism and spiritual side in a much easier fashion than usual. This experience is known as Teshuva. Improperly translated as “repentance,” it really means “return.” May we all take advantage of this auspicious time, returning to the natural state of our souls, one of appreciation, gratitude, reflection and sensitivity to the subtle wondrousness of the world around us. 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 SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2015

L’CHAIM

A THOUSAND

WORDS

NEXTGEN ON A MISSION: Berlin and Israel with Federation fascinating and frank conversations with three local Jewish young adults. Each had different backgrounds and represented the current composition of the Berlin Jewish community. These are their stories.

hat motivates local Jewish young adults to get involved in Jewish life? How can we raise awareness of the different Jewish organizations in our community and what they have to offer? What is the common purpose and the mission among the leadership of our Jewish young adult community? These and many more important questions were discussed among 30 local young adult leaders while exploring Jewish life in Berlin and Israel during the

NextGen Leadership Mission, powered by the Jewish Federation of San Diego County this summer. But haven’t these questions already been discussed by many others? Why was it important for us to ponder these questions during this mission? Are we any closer to finding the answers for our community? I believe we are, and the following experiences made me believe so. In Berlin, among our packed schedule filled with many activities, we had

ELANA, RENEE AND RAQUEL Renee was born in Berlin and is very involved in the politics of the Jewish community, which we learned is funded by the government with the help of those who proclaim themselves as Jewish and pay specific taxes to maintain it. She advocates for more participation from the Jewish young adults in the Jewish community. Misha’s family is from Russia, and although born in Berlin, he is still considered by others as a “Russian Jew.” He feels disenchanted by the politics of the Jewish community and particularly how funding decisions are made. As a result, he is not willing to contribute to it through taxes or by getting involved. Maya, who moved to Berlin a few years ago with her family is from Israel. She shared that many Israelis move to Berlin in search of a better quality of life, as Berlin offers a more affordable lifestyle. She firmly believes that there is no need for the Israeli community to get involved in the Jewish community as she feels it has religious goals, which is a turn off to her and the Israelis there. In fact, she even asked us why we would want to get others in involved in our community back home. These three very different perspectives opened our eyes and hearts to a community that is fragmented with a lack of a common WWW.LCHAIMMAGAZINE.COM

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purpose. Surprisingly, it shed light on our own community and the strength and independence of each of our local organizations. It became clear to me the incredible need to recognize our common purpose and work together to accomplish it. While in Israel, we visited our sister community, Sha’ar Hanegev. Our first stop was to kibbutz Nahal Oz where Yael Raz Lachyani, the Partnership Director, showed us the close proximity of the Gaza strip and shared the heartbreaking security challenges they face. Later, she invited a group of local young adults to join us in conversation about their efforts to engage others. It was fascinating to learn that while their community shares a sense of unity, they deal with many of the same questions on how to connect with more young adults and young families in order to create a tighter network, which will ultimately result in a stronger and more vibrant community. We witnessed the importance and relevance of these questions, not only for San Diego and the American Jewish community, but also for Jews around the globe. So, the real questions are: did we 14

L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2015

learn anything? Are we getting closer to finding the answers to these important questions after this mission? I believe that answer was given to us during our last day in Berlin by the people of the German-Israeli Future Forum Foundation (a government funded incubator which invests in bi-national collaborative projects between young people from Israel and Berlin that take on current social issues). Among the many questions our inquisitive group asked, someone inquired about evaluation methods and success rates. Miriam Daur, Office Manager of the Foundation, paused while she thought about the answer. She smiled and replied, “The best way to measure how effective we have been in accomplishing our collaborative goals is to know that these young people are actually getting to know each other and they are working intimately on a common purpose. It really is all about bringing them closer together.” We started this mission as 30 participants representing a dozen local Jewish organizations. As time passed, each of us became individuals with a wide array of talents and strengths. We had a lot of fun

together, made many new friendships and strengthened existing ones. We supported each other during difficult times such as our visit to a concentration camp and the train station where thousands of Jews were deported. We shared delicious meals, fascinating conversations and many unforgettable moments. Whether it was in Berlin, Israel or now back in San Diego, we are better positioned toward working together on finding the solutions to these questions, because it was really all about bringing us closer together, thousands of miles away from home. FEDERATION’S NEXTGEN INITIATIVE IS DEDICATED TO ENGAGING JEWISH YOUNG ADULTS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AT A LEVEL THAT SPEAKS TO THEM. NEXTGEN IS AN INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY COLLABORATION OF MORE THAN 15 YOUNG ADULT ORGANIZATIONS, DESIGNED TO INSPIRE THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PHILANTHROPISTS TO GET ENGAGED AND EMBRACE THEIR JEWISH HERITAGE. TO LEARN MORE, VISIT NEXTGENSANDIEGO.ORG.

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EDUCATION l BY EVA TRIEGER

THE SHEPHERD OF SOILLE RABBI SIMCHA WEISER

ike Moses who led b’nai Yisroel out of Egypt and into the desert, Rabbi Simcha Weiser has spent almost the same number of years shepherding San Diego’s youth through their foundational years at Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School. And just like Moshe, during his 35 years of leadership, he has encountered challenges and courageously risen to meet them head on. In this case, the resistance didn’t come from the tyrannical Egyptians or the flipflopping Pharaoh, but the struggle was even more insidious: The American Jewish identity; threatened by complacency or a lack of appreciation for our “unbelievable legacy.” Rabbi Weiser strives to give his students a broader base of knowledge, experience and understanding so that they will choose to be identified and affiliated as Jews. He wants them to have the “unbridled feeling that [they are] not going to be afraid of being proud to be Jewish.” His mission is to instill children with real values. To this end, Soille Hebrew Day school provides its 360 co-ed Kindergarten through 8th graders with a curriculum that is balanced. Every day is a blend of academics, Torah, and application. Students learn how to learn, how to question and analyze the texts and themselves. Rabbi Weiser described how student’s Judaism becomes an integral, meaningful part of who they are.

L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2015

Though Rabbi Weiser has shepherded this flock since the school’s inception it seems, he shared that he has not always been on this trajectory. He hails from a family rife with CPAs and he earned a degree in that field as well, but as he became increasingly aware of the demographic trends in American Jewry, the rabbi saw a need to repair what he referred to as a “lack of viability.” “If American Jewry continues to negate or deny its ancestry, rich as it is, it will die out,” he says. This single fact drives the rabbi to devote himself to creating an environment where Jewish parents will clamor to get their kids registered at Soille, a school which focuses on the whole human, from their Jewish core to his preparedness for high school and beyond. An Orthodox school, Soille students must adhere to dress codes, dietary restrictions and are required to fulfill a number of community service hours. Rabbi Weiser stated that Soille has significant focus on Jewish values and ethics and that it is through this thorough understanding that mastery of many other subjects is possible. He reported that most students continue at area high schools, enrolling largely in advanced placement classes; and essentially all of those who apply to private schools meet all requirements. This points to the rigorous

academic program at Soille and the highly qualified faculty employed there. When I asked the rabbi about the students’ background and family affiliation, he told me that students come from homes of varying degrees of observance, represent 28 countries and span the cultural spectrum; including Mexican, Russian, Ethiopian and South African. “What is more exciting than where they come from is where they go,” he says, noting that former Soille students are now classical musicians, medical students and successful in business. As a special educator, I am always curious to know if a private school can accommodate children with learning differences. Rabbi Weiser explained that the school’s curriculum may be modified to some extent and he is always willing to make the best effort to work with students and their families. Soille is not an elitist day school, and is sincerely devoted to providing the best education possible to every Jewish student. “Every student has a right to be a proud member of the Jewish community,” he says. More than once during our interview, Rabbi Weiser reminded me that Jews are “people of the Book” and being educated

EDUCATION

has been our saving grace during every harrowing era. To this end, he and Soille staffers expend a great deal of effort to make sure that their population understands the social conscience that defines Judaism. We remember collectively that we were slaves in Egypt, and therefore as a people, we cannot abide oppression of any kind. This is why American Jews in the 1950s and 1960s embraced the civil rights movement. We understand how important it is to be liberated and free to choose a life of meaning and industry. This dedication to learning and application of knowledge has seen us through pogroms, the Holocaust, the Inquisition and modern day antiSemitism, and students are reminded of this during their time at Soille. Additionally, philanthropy and caring for those in need has long been not only a commandment but a hallmark of Judaism. Soille San Diego Hebrew Day collects tzedakah daily, but that is just a small portion of how they honor this commandment. Students work at a food pantry and participate in ACE community service projects to start. A newly adopted program allows students to pursue their passion weekly for the betterment of the community by choosing a project that may be anything that lights a fire in them, but one that will benefit their colleagues and community. The program has been quite successful and

provided unanticipated opportunities for self-expression and development. As an example, one student with attention deficit disorder wrote a book about her trials with her disability and published it so that others could understand and glean insight into her daily struggle and triumphs. In the final portion of our interview, Rabbi Weiser was visibly perturbed when discussing individuals who were Jews from birth but were denied knowledge of their identity. He cited a few important people, who, though they were Jews, went through their lives ignorant of this fact. The rabbi cited Cardinal Cushing, Sir Nicholas Winton and Madeleine Albright among others. Each of these individuals was compassionate and demonstrated menschlekeit, but was not clued into their Jewish roots or DNA. None of these individuals identified as a Jew, perhaps for different reasons, yet, it is it impressive and puzzling that they embodied a sense of justice, fairness and rachmonas even if they were oblivious to it. “In the next five years, I’d like to see every Jewish kid attend a Jewish day school and have it be totally affordable,” Rabbi Weiser says. He also shared that he’d love to see those Jewish individuals who are successful and philanthropic point to their legacy, not just their parental modeling. “[I’d like people to stand up and say] ‘I donated this library (hospital wing, piece

of medical equipment) because my Jewish ancestry and the Torah tell me this is what I need to do’ versus, ‘My parents were good people.’ “Our social conscience must be woven into the fabric of our Jewish neshamas to ensure the survival and vibrancy of American Jewry,” he says. Delivering a prime example of a former student-turned-Soille parent, Rabbi Weiser says the “enriching and ennobling” experience of what it means to be a Jew is something that stays with Soille students long into the future. This parent, Weiser says, recently enrolled his young daughter in the school because his experiences some 15 years ago filled his life with meaning, importance and purpose. He wants his daughter to reap the same rewards of being proud that she is a Jew that he had growing up, and Soille is just the place to give her that feeling. This is a prime example of why Rabbi Weiser is intent on imprinting an awareness of and lifelong commitment to Judaism in every Soille San Diego Hebrew Day student. Through them, and all future generations, our heritage will be sustained, as promised in the covenant with Moses. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT HEBREWDAY.ORG.

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L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2015

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EDUCATION l BY KENNETH L. MARCUS l jns.org

BY ANY OTHER NAME

WHY UNIVERSITIES NEED A DEFINITEION OF ANTI-SEMITISM

oes it matter how we define our words? Sometimes it does. The U.S. Department of Education understands this point, as do the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Universities need to learn it, too. Last year, the Department of Education paid the CDC to develop a uniform definition of the word “bullying.” Both agencies recognized that a uniform definition was needed to assist schools to understand what bullying is, when it occurs, and whether efforts to prevent it are successful. This is a basic point, and yet it is lost on many people, especially when the students involved are Jewish. In July, the Regents of the 10-campus University of California (UC) system was to decide whether to adopt a uniform definition of anti-Semitism. This

L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2015

was in response to requests from several organizations, including mine, to adopt the U.S. State Department’s well-regarded definition. On July 13, Tammi Rossman-Benjamin, AMCHA Initiative co-founder and director, issued the following statement in response to the unanimous passage of SCR-35 by the California State Assembly: “We commend the California Assembly and Senate for recognizing the alarming and frightening rise of anti-Semitism on campus and using the State Department definition to properly identify and address it. We especially applaud Senator Stone who has demonstrated tireless leadership and commitment to protecting Jewish students and all students at UC. “As the legislators and those of us who monitor it regularly know well, modern

day anti-Semitism has morphed beyond swastikas and what most recognize as traditional anti-Jewish discrimination. A critical step to fixing this on campus is for students and faculty to accurately comprehend contemporary antiSemitism. We need a school-wide standard, a universal tool, for understanding antiSemitism and preventing it. We look forward to working with the University of California to formally adopt the State Department definition of anti-Semitism across all 10 campuses. It captures a complete and accurate understanding of how contemporary Jew-hatred manifests itself today and is the key to preventing it in the future.” SCR-35 uses the U.S. State Department definition to define anti-Semitism and calls on educators to do more to protect Jewish

PHOTO COURTESY JNS-UNIVERSITYANTISEMITISM

EDUCATION

“Israeli Apartheid Week” in May 2010 on the University of California, Irvine’s campus. Definitions are especially important for contemporary anti-Semitism because confusion surrounds the relationship between Jew-hatred and animosity toward Israel. Credit: AMCHA Initiative

students in California. The California Senate unanimously passed SCR-35 in May. The measure will now head back to the state Senate for a concurrence vote. This is a big issue for the UC schools, which have recently seen many highprofile anti-Semitic incidents. At UCLA, student government officials questioned a Jewish student’s ability to be impartial on the university’s Judicial Board due to her “strong Jewish identity.” At UC Davis, Jewish students were harassed during the occupation of a university administrative building by anti-Israel protesters. At UC Santa Barbara, a student wearing a Star of David necklace was spit on. And the problem is not limited to California. Earlier this year, the Louis D. Brandeis Center and Trinity College issued a report stating that 54% of Jewish college students reported experiencing or witnessing anti-Semitism during the 201314 academic year. To address this problem, universities must start with good definitions. As the CDC has explained, good definitions improve prevention by increasing

consistency, facilitating comparison across data collection systems, and enabling the comparison of research on intervention and prevention programs. Definitions are especially important for contemporary antiSemitism, because confusion surrounds the relationship between Jew-hatred and animosity towards Israel. Virtually all authorities agree that some, but not all, of the hate directed at Israel crosses the line into anti-Semitism. Good definitions not only educate us about how quickly discourse can slip, even unwittingly, into dark corners, but they also foster legitimate intellectual exchanges by increasing awareness about where lines are drawn. This serves the academic interest in robust debate that is central to a university’s mission. The State Department provides useful examples to understand when conduct is anti-Semitic. The Department uses the socalled “3D test.” Actions may generally be identified as anti-Semitic when they demonize Israel, delegitimize Israel, or subject Israel to double standards. When I was staff director at the U.S. Commission

on Civil Rights, the Commission held a watershed briefing on campus antiSemitism. After the briefing, the Commission announced that anti-Semitism had become a “serious problem” on many college campuses. The Commission adopted the so-called EUMC Working Definition of AntiSemitism to help universities identify the lines between hateful and non-hateful incidents. Later, the State Department adopted its own definition based closely on this model. As with any standard, the State Department definition should be used judiciously. One must consider context. Moreover, one must recognize that some incidents that meet the definition of antiSemitism (or of racism or sexism) may also be constitutionally protected free speech. To say that an incident is hateful is not necessarily to conclude that it must be banned. In some cases, the First Amendment requires public universities to permit bigoted speech. Even then, however, it is important to recognize this speech for what it is. Anti-Israel activists are wrong when they charge that such definitions threaten free speech. Freedom flourishes best when rules are clearly articulated and terms are well understood. Universities have many tools to ensure that their campuses remain safe and inclusive, while respecting everyone’s civil liberties. The correct response to bigotry is never to let it pass in silence. As the Civil Rights Commission correctly admonished, “Silence is an ally of hate.” KENNETH L. MARCUS IS PRESIDENT OF THE LOUIS D. BRANDEIS CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER LAW, (BRANDEISCENTER.COM) AND FORMER STAFF DIRECTOR OF THE U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS. THIS YEAR, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS WILL PUBLISH HIS NEXT BOOK, “THE DEFINITION OF ANTI-SEMITISM.”

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EDUCATION l BY CHANA DEVORAH LEVINE l jns.org

DISCOVERING SELFLESSNESS

ON A ‘SELFISH GAP YEAR’ IN ISRAEL

had looked forward to my year in seminary with great anticipation because I knew that living and learning in Israel would open up a whole new world to me. In fact, everyone I encountered informed me that my “gap year” would consist of one life-altering experience after another and that I needed to make the most of every opportunity that came my way. But I was a little anxious about my ability to truly maximize the year. After all, I had only a few short months to achieve so many important things. In addition to increasing my Torah knowledge and enhancing my spirituality, I wanted to volunteer, to give of myself, and to make an impact on others. Even though an incredible opportunity to volunteer with special-needs children fell into my lap, I 24

L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2015

wasn’t sure if I could juggle everything. To my great surprise, however, the volunteering opportunity was actually the best thing that could have happened to my year. It reframed and added structure to my seminary experience, and opened my eyes to the depth and beauty of life. So what was this transformative volunteering program? While serving as a counselor last summer at Camp Migdal, a camp for children and teenagers with special needs, I was approached by the assistant director, Perri Binet, with a request. During her gap year many years earlier, Binet had started a unique volunteering initiative with ALEH, Israel’s largest network of facilities for children with severe physical

and cognitive disabilities, whereby seminary students would visit ALEH’s Jerusalem facility every night to say the Shema prayer (like all other Jewish children do) with the kids and put them to bed. Binet was hoping that I would take over the “Sweet Dreams” program for the year. At first, I didn’t know what to say. I was concerned about how I could possibly fit this into my already packed schedule, and the added responsibility made me anxious. But the program touched my heart, and I happily agreed. Thanks to my friends in different schools around Jerusalem, it didn’t take too long to complete the weekly roster. Within just a few days, we solidified the rotation and began

EDUCATION

PHOTOS COURTESY ALEH

Left: A group picture of the seminary students who participated in the 2015 “Sweet Dreams” program for the benefit of specialneeds children at ALEH Jerusalem. Right: A seminary student (right) participates in the “Sweet Dreams” program for the benefit of special-needs children at ALEH Jerusalem.

visiting the kids. Every night, the designated group of girls would spend 45 minutes going from room to room singing Shema and other lullabies and dispensing countless hugs and kisses. I had slotted myself in for Thursday nights, and it quickly became the highlight of my week. Prior to my first visit to ALEH in Jerusalem, I wondered how responsive the children would be. As my relationships with the children grew from week to week, I reveled in their abilities to enjoy our time together—smiling, clapping, and giggling from the moment we arrived until the moment they faded off to sleep. Though our weekly visits were short, my interactions with the ALEH kids and staff impacted me tremendously. It was amazing to be surrounded by such warmth, to realize that every person who entered ALEH Jerusalem would be praised and appreciated both as individuals and for the great value that they added to the group, even if the value added was seemingly unconventional. It was inspiring

to see that every accomplishment, no matter how small, would be celebrated as a major milestone. It was this stunning new system for evaluating the world that transformed my year and, ultimately, my life. By design, there is a sense of “selfishness” that is built into the seminary experience. The year is all about the individual: her goals, her growth, and how much she hopes to gain from every experience. Thankfully, my time at ALEH kept me grounded, reminding me that while my personal growth was important, it would be flawed and incomplete if it wasn’t rooted in selflessness and receiving by way of giving as much of oneself as possible. I also reflect on how at the beginning of the year, I was so overwhelmed by my desire to achieve “everything” that I found myself paralyzed, with no idea of how or where to begin. But as I spent more and more time at ALEH, I learned that in order to achieve my goals, I would first need to redefine success and

celebrate every step of my journey toward that goal—even the small ones—as a major victory. All too often, it is the fear of failure that prevents us from accomplishing our goals. Yet if we only realized the value of a single action or experience, we would likely achieve a great deal more than we could ever imagine. Most of the time, all that stands between our greatest successes and our most dismal failures is the bravery to take (and celebrate) one step at a time. In my case, a step toward the unknown allowed me to impact the lives of so many beautiful Jewish children and, in turn, provided me with the tools to not only maximize my year, but to elevate my outlook on life. A cause for celebration, indeed. CHANA DEVORAH LEVINE IS A BALTIMORE, MD., NATIVE AND AN ALUMNUS OF THE YESHIVA OF GREATER WASHINGTON. SHE IS RETURNING FROM A YEAR OF STUDY AT THE BJJ SEMINARY IN JERUSALEM. WWW.LCHAIMMAGAZINE.COM

BADASS KOSHER l BY MICHAEL GARDINER

Islamic-Jewish Interfaith Dialogue in a Bowl SPICY GAZPACHO WITH CILANTRO

hose who are only generally familiar with Middle East politics and the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict might believe Arabs and Jews—or, more generally, Muslims and Jews—are ancient enemies. At times it feels like an old conflict, one not entirely unlike the Sunni-Shiite divide in many of the states neighboring issue. But it is and was not so. For the most part, interfaith relations 26

L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2015

between Jews and Muslims throughout history—at least up until the early parts of the 20th Century—have been as warm as could have been expected in the context of the times. In both cases it was certainly warmer than either religion’s relationship with Christianity. There were, generally, neither Crusades nor Pogroms (albeit no equality either). While we often remember—with a

mixture of pride and sadness—that one of the greatest flowerings of Jewish culture occurred in Spain, we sometimes forget that it happened in the parts of the Iberian Peninsula controlled by Muslims following the Conquest in 711. Prior to that time, the Aryan Visigoths proclaimed that only Catholics could live in Spain. Under Muslim Moorish rule things were different. While Muslims were, no doubt, the primary

BADASS KOSHER citizens of Al Andalus—Jews and Christians had fewer rights and responsibilities—Jews enjoyed religious tolerance, the right to practice their religion and a generally high level of autonomy. Long periods of this tolerance, of course, were interrupted by occasional periods of oppression. The Golden Age of Sephardim began with the reign of Abd al-Rahman III (912– 961) the Caliph of Córdoba and his closest (and Jewish) advisor, Hasdai ibn Shaprut (915–970). This Golden Age attracted Jewish scholars, artists and writers. Within the limits of the age some of the greatest cultural contributions grew out of Jewish-Muslim collaborations such as the translation center in Toledo and advances in medicine throughout the region as Córdoba became a center for Jewish knowledge and culture. One catalyst to the collaboration between Jews and Muslims was similarities and shared history of Jewish and Islamic traditions and culture. Nowhere, perhaps was that more evident than in food. While all halal food is not kosher, much could be. And all kosher food is halal. This facilitated a significant culinary cultural interchange that affected both cuisines. Sephardic Jewish mezé helped inform the growth of a tapas tradition, boquerones en vinagre (anchovies in vinegar) being but one example. Similarly, much of Sephardic cuisine began its life as Moorish dishes filtered through the laws of kashrut. One dish of disputed pedigree is gazpacho, that familiar cold soup that is so perfect for hot Southern California evenings at the height of summer. The name itself gives clues—albeit potentially conflicting ones—as to the origin of the dish. The most frequently cited source for the origin of the word “gazpacho” is the Mozarab word caspa—meaning “fragments” or “residue,” possibly alluding to bits of chopped vegetables and small chunks of bread in the soup. Others—including food writer José Briz (author of Libro Del Gazpacho y de Gos Gazpachos) assert it comes from the Hebrew word gazaz (zzG) meaning “to shear” or, again, “to break into pieces.” What is clear is that while we almost indelibly associate gazpacho with tomatoes the dish was originally made without them. Gazpacho is surely pre-Columbian in origin and may well be of Roman descent. At its core gazpacho incorporates—as the name suggests—bits of bread (often stale bread

soaked in water) and olive oil, sometimes incorporating garlic and vinegar. Indeed, in Spain today there are many varieties of gazpacho that do not include tomatoes. White gazpacho based on garlic and almonds is common, as are pepper-based versions and many more. But the gazpacho familiar to most Americans is, essentially, a garden salad in a soup form. The Andalucían classic is based on brilliantly fresh tomatoes together with cucumbers and sweet peppers. Often, finely chopped versions of those same ingredients are passed tableside as garnishes. The traditional Andalucían version— true to the origin of the dish—includes stale bread soaked in water. Aside from history and tradition, the incorporation of the bread thickens the soup effectively, so much so that water is often added to adjust the texture. I have made that version many times and enjoyed it greatly. But I could not help wonder about the culinary value of the bread. Its historical value I could understand; its culinary value less so. For me, the bread and water dull the flavor of a dish that is all about how the freshest of ingredients crash against each other melding into a crystalline clear and different flavor that is entirely its own thing. There is no need for bread, no need for water, the dictates of two millennia of history and tradition notwithstanding. Gazpacho is all about the freshest possible ingredients at their height; nothing less, nothing more. And now, at the height of summer, I like to add a spicy chile pepper to the mix. Maybe it is just another hint, if not hit, of summer heat. For this version I took the dish in a slightly Mexican direction adding a jalapeño pepper and garnishing with some cilantro (either a purée or an oil) garnish.

¼ cup sherry vinegar (balsamic is a barelyacceptable substitute) ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

Spicy Gazpacho with Cilantro

6. Strain and Plate the Soup. Strain the soup through a fine-mesh sieve or strainer. Indeed do so more than once until you achieve a silky texture with which you are happy. Garnish with the cilantro purée or oil.

INGREDIENTS For the Gazpacho 1 fresh Persian cucumber 1 red bell pepper 1-2 jalapeño peppers 4 incredibly, supremely flavorful tomatoes ½ teaspoon kosher salt

For the Cilantro Purée 1 bunch fresh cilantro 2 cups extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare the Cilantro Purée. Bring a pot of water to a boil and plunge the cilantro into the water to blanch. Rinse the cilantro in cold water and squeeze dry. Place the cilantro in the bowl of a food processor and process on high drizzling in the oil. Transfer the resulting purée to a bowl. If desired, strain the purée into an oil. 2. Purée the Cucumber. Coarsely chop the cucumber and add to a Vitamix or other high speed blender (or a food processer). Starting on the lowest setting possible, begin pureeing the cucumber, gradually raising the setting until the cucumber is completely liquidized. 3. Purée the Bell Pepper. Return the Vitamix to its lowest setting. Coarsely chop the bell pepper and repeat the previous step with the pepper. Do the same with one of the jalapeño peppers. 4. Add the Tomato. Quarter the tomatoes and add the quarters to the Vitamix one at a time. 5. Season the Soup. Add the sherry vinegar and olive oil and taste the soup adjusting the salt, pepper and vinegar balance. Also test for heat. If you want more, add the remaining ½ jalapeño chile pepper. Refrigerate the soup for at least half an hour.

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FEATURE STORY l BY DEBORAH VIETOR

SYNAGOGUE

HOME AWAY FROM HOME ETZ RIMON SYNAGOGUE

tz Rimon means pomegranate tree in Hebrew. There are many mentions of the pomegranate tree in the Bible which reference the Promised Land, peace, harmony and fruitfulness. This embodies the philosophy and soul of Carlsbad’s Etz Rimon synagogue, along with their mission statement: “A Reform, forward-thinking congregation living Jewish values in a warm, engaging community … embrace Torah through prayer, lifelong learning and tikkun olam,” but there is much more to this North County synagogue. “The religious school is like its own little community within our larger congregation,” Rabbi Karen Sherman says of the environment where students in Kindergarten through 7th grades can explore their Jewish identities in a warm, safe environment. Small classes encourage questions, with critical thinking about Jewish history, Torah, Hebrew, prayer, life cycle and values. Through the love of Judaism, teachers share their passion with students. Connections between teachers, students and parents create an environment where parents provide support and commitment to ensure a quality Jewish education for all.

L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2015

The religious school calendar includes Sunday afternoons and occasional Fridays. Shabbat services are enjoyed after school, and on a monthly basis families bring dinner to share. Etz Rimon creates an environment where children and teens feel at home. Lasting friendships are built at the temple with a junior group (7th and 8th grades) and senior youth group (9th through 12th grades), with each essentially becoming their own community within the congregation. Here, they learn leadership skills, plan and participate in events and community service activities. Additionally, Etz Rimon’s high school students participate in North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY), where they meet and build friendships with teens from all over Southern California. Opportunities for community service include working in the religious school as madrikhim (guides or teaching assistants) or working within the temple Etz Rimon partnership with Pilgrim Church along with other churches and synagogues in San Diego in the Interfaith Homeless Shelter Project. “Our families help out at the shelter by setting up, cleaning up, providing meals and offering other support to the homeless

FEATURE STORY

individuals and families who stay at the shelter,” Rabbi Sherman says. “Each year, our youth group teens make and serve dinner to the residents of the shelter. This is a wonderful opportunity to fulfill the Jewish value of tikkun olam, starting right here in our own community.” Students prepare for Bar/Bat mitzvah by meeting with a tutor and a teacher for the synagogue. Students meet with the rabbi to explore their Torah portion, focus on learning prayers and chanting Torah. A mitzvah project which involves community service is performed by the Bar and Bat mitzvah students, enabling them to live Judaic values learned at home and school. A Confirmation program is offered for continuing education following the Bar/Bat Mitzvah study program, where students explore ways to make Jewish choices and learn how to be a Jewish adult through the guidance of the Rabbi, then lead a Shavuot/ Confirmation service in the spring. In addition to opportunities at the religious school for youth, Etz Rimon’s membership structure is unique. The temple has 130 members who enjoy celebrating Shabbat, High Holidays, holiday celebrations, temple events, sisterhood and Havurot programs. An adult life-long learning series is held throughout the year. The temple offers single and family memberships, young adult/family memberships and senior memberships. “Our temple is small enough for most people to know each other but large enough to offer something for everyone,” President of the Board, Lori Hellman says. On Sunday, August 30, The temple will host their annual Open House from 1:30-4:30 p.m., complete with children’s activities, music and refreshments. Hellman says it’s a perfect time to come and visit the facility and speak with the Rabbi, education director, board members and current members about what makes the Temple Etz Rimon experience so great and why joining the community is so fulfilling. “Rabbi Karen Sherman is the heart of the Temple Etz Rimon community and has been leading our congregation for the past six years,” Hellman says. “As a scholar of Torah she engages our congregation in prayer with a sense of warmth and caring. In addition to leading worship services, Rabbi Sherman officiates

at life-cycle events, teaches adult education classes, directs the religious school, and provides pastoral counseling to our congregants and families.” Hellman says that the congregation is a close-knit community with individuals of all ages representing a diversity of Jewish backgrounds, beliefs and practices. Member backgrounds run the gamut, from highly traditional to classical Reform. Interfaith couples are welcome and the temple honors diversity. “We pride ourselves on being a warm and welcoming community,” Hellman says. Holidays are an exciting time at Etz Rimon. Purim features a talent show along with the reading of the Megillah. The religious School children build the sukkah, filling it with hand-made decorations. “Pizza In the Hut” is a special treat where the congregation gathers for a treat during the holiday festivities, and is a great event for the members to unite. Channukah is special as the members and children bring their Chanukkiot to the celebration to place on the bimah. The candles are lit together, creating warmth and filling the sanctuary with light. Freshly made latkes complete the evening. Temple Etz Rimon joins with other URJ congregations in inviting and welcoming all who are interested in living a Jewish life – individuals, couples, families, Jewish families, interfaith couples and families, LGBTQ individuals, and anyone seeking a Jewish journey. “The URJ supports congregations as they work to meet the needs of their congregants. They help communities remain relevant and effective, thriving as centers of Jewish life today and for future generations,” Hellman says. “[Outside of the High Holidays,] we invite the community to attend our Shabbat services and meet our Rabbi and members any time. “Our congregation gets its strength and sense of community from inclusion, and as the URJ says; ‘audacious hospitality.’ We’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for all members to pray, celebrate, study and learn together. We have a very strong sisterhood group that supports temple functions, celebrations, our families and each other with a sense of camaraderie that embraces Judaism.” In May, Rabbi Sherman led the first temple trip to Israel. The memories created, Hellman says, were only surpassed by the rich history and magic you can only experience in Israel. The popular life-long learning series begins again in October with a topic to be chosen by the Rabbi and ideas shared by the members. Participants’ knowledge and experience of Judaism is enhanced through the program, I in addition to building connections with other congregants. If you are interested in a congregation embracing the values of Reform Judaism with many programs, events, religious school, Jewish holiday celebrations and trips and are looking for an allinclusive environment, Etz Rimon may be the place for you. “Our services are very inclusive and maintain that warm and friendly environment we’re known for,” Hellman says. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT TEMPLEETZRIMON.ORG OR CALL (760) 929-9503. ETZ RIMON IS LOCATED AT 2020 CHESTNUT AVE., CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA.

WWW.LCHAIMMAGAZINE.COM

FEATURE STORY l BY JUDY BACHMAN

FROM

TRAUMA TO

TRIAL

It would take a Brooklyn jury to determine that a financial institution was responsible for allowing the funding of terrorism

L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2015

FEATURE STORY

PHOTO COURTESY PAX AMERICANA PRODUCTIONS

WHEN A TRAGEDY HAPPENS, SOMEONE IS ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL OF THIS SUFFERING. AND

SOMEONE IS NOT JUST ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE UNSPEAKABLE ACTS CARRIED OUT—SOMEONE IS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE BANK ACCOUNTS.

terrorist attack on the Kehilat Bnei Torah synagogue in Jerusalem’s Har Nof neighborhood in November, 2014 killed four rabbis, including three American citizens and wounded at least eight other Jewish worshippers. A group of innocent lives were savagely taken. The terrorists in this case, obviously copycatting ISIS, used axes and simple weapons and it appears that these seemingly spontaneous savage attacks are ongoing and continue to shock us in their barbarity. So what would differentiate this terrorist attack from the attacks carried out during the Second Intifada from 2000–2004? It would appear that the terrorists have now sunk to new lows as they are willing to carry out attacks which require little or no advance planning and certainly not much backing or money. It is frightening, and although the perpetrators in this case have been caught, there is no consolation to the families. Israel does not render vengeance in itself a goal when dealing with such horrific events; so ultimately, can any type of justice be achieved? In such cases, what would constitute justice? Let us go back to that period for a moment—when 24 well-funded terrorist attacks were carried out by Hamas.

OUR CASE April 30, 2003, 12:45 a.m., Tel Aviv, Israel. Right next door to the American Embassy, the weekly blues jam session at Mike’s Place was underway. A birthday celebration was going on. Suddenly, the loud music and celebration turned to silence. The pub had now become a battlefield. This attack was very well planned and had been coordinated with political activists who had the freedom of movement within Israel. Two Hamas terrorists who had grown up in England approached the pub and were forbidden to enter by the security guard. One detonated his bomb—his remains scattered in the pub and viewed by the survivors upon exiting. The other’s body washed up in the sea three weeks later (After his bomb failed to detonate, and he ran away from the scene). I am a singer (among other things). Before the attack, I had gotten off the stage, remained inside, and was hoping to go on again, as is the routine with jam sessions. Two musicians who had accompanied me on stage had gone out for some fresh air. Yanai Weiss, a music teacher, guitarist and father of two young sons led this jam every Tuesday. Ran Baron, a 21-year-old keyboard player and entertainer had come for the first time to Mike’s Place. Both died that night. A lovely young French waitress, Dominique Hess, who had dreams of opening a French bakery in Tel Aviv was also killed. Many

were wounded. It was a difficult duty to visit these families as they sat Shiva. Weiss’s sons and wife asked what his last song had been. It was a blues song that I sung, so I sang it for them. Baron’s brother asked if his brother was having a good time that night. I said yes; he had smiled while onstage. It was all very sad and very difficult. After such horrific events, how do families move on? How do the wounded heal, once the physical is treated—once the trauma therapists (in my case, Dr. David Grand to whom I am very thankful) and grief counselors see progress amongst the survivors, the bereaved families, the wounded and the traumatized? Needless to say, to those who lost loved ones, there is no real healing, but rather coping. To those who have lost limbs, or remained physically or psychologically disabled; or in the least have severe post-traumatic stress disorder—there is no reconciliation but rather some sort of suppression of one’s inner turmoil in order to function from day to day. In this case, someone decided to undertake the mission of “moving on” to a new level. When a tragedy happens, someone is accountable for all of this suffering. And someone is not just accountable for the unspeakable acts carried out—someone is accountable for the bank accounts. A WWW.LCHAIMMAGAZINE.COM

FEATURE STORY

terrorist could not have carried out all of this without being funded. So “someone”, i.e., several concerned and enlightened attorneys, decided that the best way to enforce accountability was simply to go to great lengths to follow the money trail, stop the bankrolling of terrorists and hope that the terrorists wouldn’t be able to continue their journey of destruction. Someone paid them, so someone’s gotta pay. It would take a jury in Brooklyn to decide whether the Arab Bank—originating in the “Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,” and in which the Jordanian government owns a small percentage was liable for enabling the transfer of funds to finance terrorist activities. Some 300 American citizens, who either survived the attacks between 2000 and 2004 or lost family members hence became Plaintiffs in this ongoing lawsuit. Initially, I spoke to one of the attorneys taking on the case, who stated that all of the victims and/or the families of those who perished deserved compensation for what they had gone through—their lives had been turned upside down and these lawyers were going to fight on behalf of the victims. The case is known as Linde et al. v. Arab Bank, PLC. Motley Rice attorneys Michael Elsner and John Eubanks were joined on the trial team by Osen LLC, Sayles Werbner PC and Turner & Associates PA. Motley Rice’s human rights lawyers represent both American citizens and international individuals who have suffered crimes against humanity and unjust infringement upon basic human rights through civil actions. Additional lawsuits have been filed over the years including those against National Westminster Bank (UK) and Credit Lyonnais Bank, (FR), as well as by other victims/survivors as Plaintiffs. The first part of the trial took place over the summer of 2014 after some nine years of discovery (i.e., interviews, bank records and various testimonies). Compelling opening arguments began with a videotaped clip of the deposition of Steven Averbach, who confronted a suicide bomber aboard a bus in French Hill in Jerusalem in 2003 and subsequently became paralyzed. His sister was present in the courtroom. Next up was a responding police officer from the Dolphinarium bombing from June 32

L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2015

2001, who testified about the investigation, followed by various witnesses, including Evan Kohlmann, an expert on Internet communications by terrorist groups. Kohlmann testified about Hamas’ official websites and information including calls for donations to an Arab Bank account that was held by Hamas’ spokesperson in Beirut. Matthew Levitt, an expert on Hamas who previously worked for the FBI provided “Hamas 101” for the jury in addition to testifying about the various charitable fundraising groups for Hamas in the West Bank, Gaza, Europe, and the U.S. Then, Joshua Faudem, director of the film, “Blues by the Beach,” which was being filmed at Mike’s Place the night of the attack and subsequently one of the most important eyewitnesses to the attack, took the stand.

SOMEONE PAID THEM, SO SOMEONE’S

GOTTA PAY Faudem provided testimony about seeing the bomber before the attack and then recognizing him on the TV the following day, when the pre-suicide bombing video tape, typical of Hamas’ terrorists prior to carrying out attacks, was screened. Other witnesses on behalf of Plaintiffs included economic expert Wayne Geisser, who presented to the jury an example of how funds flowed through Arab Bank; Ronni Shaked of the Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot and formerly of the Israeli General Security Service testified on Hamas’ claims of responsibility for 24 attacks and Arye Spitzen, former chief of the Israeli military’s Palestinian Affairs Department, who cited Hamas bank accounts with Arab Bank. Substantiated evidence and testimonies

regarding money flowing through the Saudi Committee to Hamas terrorists and families of suicide bombers and the holding of accounts at Arab Bank by Hamas “superstars,” including Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, were exhibited. The bank offered quite a few witnesses of its own, mostly current and former Bank employees. The bank was adamant about their claim that certain information was not revealed during discovery over the years, as revealing clients’ account information violated their bank-secrecy regulations. I sat in on several days of the trial. It was my intention to see this through. We, the survivors, in addition to expressing our gratitude to the lawyers’ unconditional dedication, prayed every day that justice would be served. The jury took only a few days to reach a decision: the bank was liable for allowing the funds to be transferred for a total of 24 attacks. The bank was liable for knowing to whom the money was being transferred. But it is not over. The bank has sought leave to appeal, damages hearings only will begin this summer, and it won’t be easy. I will be there as much as I can. As a survivor, I owe it to my lost friends to see this through to the end. Ironically, I’ve recently read that the The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is getting some strong support for their case by yet another prominent lawyer—someone named Goldstein. Editor’s note: Since the jury decision of last year, it is possible that not all 24 cases will be granted damages hearings for the purposes of this litigation. JUDY BUCHMAN-ZIV IS ORIGINALLY FROM NEW YORK AND LIVED IN ISRAEL FOR 30 YEARS. SHE HOLDS A B.F.A. FROM TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY IN THEATER ARTS AND IS A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN IN ADDITION TO WORKING AS A PATENT PROSECUTION SECRETARY. BUCHMAN IS VERY ACTIVE IN SYNAGOGUERELATED ACTIVITIES AND HAS SPOKEN ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS OVER THE YEARS INCLUDING AT SCREENINGS OF THE FILM BLUES BY THE BEACH. SHE HAS ALSO WRITTEN SEVERAL ARTICLES ABOUT THE TERRORIST ATTACK ON MIKE’S PLACE. SHE CURRENTLY LIVES IN NEW YORK CITY.

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SENIORS l BY SCOTT SMITH, COMFORCARE HOME CARE

HOW CAN I STAY INDEPENDENT AT HOME?

n the 2014 American Association of Retired Persons’ article What Is Livable? Community Preferences of Older Adults, a survey found “A clear majority of people ages 50 and older say they want to age in place.” Yes, but how do they do it? First, you really need to have a realistic look at your own situation. There are definitely obstacles, but many of them can be handled with just a little help. Here are just a few community resources: • Transportation: FactSD.org • Meals: Meals-On-Wheels.org • Foodstuffs - Vons home delivery: Shop. Safeway.com • Home repairs - JFS Fix-It Program: JFS.com Ok, so I can find transportation, stock my pantry and get that squeaky door fixed, but what about bathing, dressing, and other personal issues? Also, what about laundry, cleaning and other household chores? Unfortunately, for this sort of help neither 34

L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2015

Medicare nor private medical insurance provides assistance. That’s where a home care agency comes in. Companies like ComForcare have trained caregivers who are background-checked, drug tested, insured and sympathetic to your needs. Typically, people just starting with home care will receive 1-2 days per week of 4 hours per day costing around $360-720 per month at $21 per hour. They then make the most of the caregiver’s time by putting off tasks until the caregiver arrives and have them do it … now that’s what I call division of labor! So, as an example, say you have a caregiver in the morning, you could have them tidy up after breakfast and maybe make lunch for later, help get you ready and in their car (or yours) and escort you to a doctors visit, pop into a grocery store for some of those heavier items on your way home and get you setup for the afternoon in your favorite chair. Compare this to a taxi service on waiting time, which will undoubtedly be more

costly, but more importantly, they are not going to escort you anywhere except maybe to an ATM. As for hiring a house cleaner, you’d better go back to that ATM. Of course all these concerns would disappear in an assisted living community, but at a significant loss of personal freedom. More importantly though, these communities are increasingly getting pickier about their residents. Need a special diet, showing memory loss, or having mobility issues? Depending on which community, the chances are they could reject you—or worse—eject you once you’re living there! Aging in place may be a new buzz-phrase but it makes a lot of sense with the right help from friends, family and reputable professionals. COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, OPINIONS? EMAIL ME AT SSMITH@COMFORCARE. COM.

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HEADLINES

NEWS

TO KNOW

NOW WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

UNITED WAY GRANTS $450,000 TO JFS TO COORDINATE KINDERGARTEN READINESS NETWORK

United Way of San Diego County has awarded Jewish Family Service of San Diego a $450,000 grant to support the launch and implementation of the Linda Vista Kindergarten Readiness Network. The grant is part of a nearly $2 million funding package that United Way has awarded to four community partnerships working to help the youngest San Diegans and their families succeed. In addition to Jewish Family Service, awardees include the Military Family & School Success Impact Network, led by SAY San Diego; the Tiered Quality and Rating Improvement System Network, led by the San Diego County tOffice of Education; and the Santee Primary Success Impact Network, led by the Santee School District. The project will incorporate a two-pronged approach. First, the pilot project will provide a hub for family support to increase the utilization of support services required to improve rates of kindergarten readiness in Linda Vista. A Community and Family Liaison will work with families and community partners full-time, five days a week, at each of the two EES full-day early learning centers, which serve low-income working families. Second, the Kindergarten Readiness Network will bring together a cross-section of stakeholders to identify and leverage existing resources and services in Linda Vista, identify and address gaps in services via a baseline report and pilot project, and identify and take action around systemic issues that reduce kindergarten readiness and/or can be remedied through policy change. To learn more, visit JFSSD.org. 36

L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2015

NORTH COUNTY SENIORS

The North County Jewish Seniors Club meets regularly and provides social, recreational and informative activites for its members. The club meets Thursdays in August with the following programs: Thursday, Aug. 20, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Speaker Jodi Rudick, Jewish Family Services, Program Coordinator. North County Programs for seniors; Thursday, Aug. 27, 1 p.m., lunch get-together, TBD; Thursday, Sept. 3, 10:30 a.m., current events program followed by optional lunch at Oceanside Senior Center for $3 (or bring sack lunch). All meetings are held at the Oceanside Senior Center, 455 Country Club Lane in Oceanside. For membership information, call Josephine Stoff at (760) 2952564.

TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY STUDY FINDS NEW TREATMENT FOR FIBROMYALGIA

A new study published in PLoS ONE by Tel Aviv University researchers may turn the tide for patients with fibromyalgia. The research found that women with fibromyalgia were able to drastically reduce or even eliminate their use of pain medication following hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The clinical trial, which exposed participants to two months of hyberbaric oxygen therapy, found significant changes in the brain activity and symptoms of 70 percent of participants. The trial involved 60 women who had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia at least two years earlier. Half of the 48 patients who completed the therapy received 40 hyperbaric oxygen treatments—90-minute treatments exposing patients to pure oxygen at twice the atmospheric pressure, five days a week over the course of two months. The successful treatment enabled patients to drastically reduce or even eliminate their use of pain medications. The researchers are continuing to conduct comprehensive studies on the renewal of brain tissue under hyperbaric conditions. To learn more, visit AFTAU.org.

BY STEPHANIE LEWIS l HUMOR

mazel &

mishagoss How NOT to Plan a Bar/Bat Mitzvah in 13 Easy Steps

hen our fifth child turned 12, we searched for a more meaningful and less materialistic experience than our other children had. You know— the synagogue ceremony followed by the huge dining/dancing affair in a social hall. So, if an alternate idea sounds intriguing, simply follow these 13 easy steps. 1. Announce that Israel is a great place to celebrate and get the whole family excited about traveling. Research tour guides and find a Rabbi to officiate at this far away, exotic simcha. 2. Suddenly realize that some friends and close family won’t attend due to travel costs, time constraints, and health concerns. Begin to imagine Grandma Ethel’s phone call. “What’s this? Just because I’m afraid to fly, I should miss out on my little Jakeala’s big day? Not having a great-grandmother there? Whoever heard of such a thing?!” 3. Brainstorm an additional uncomplicated, fun and affordable way to commemorate the actual day your child turns 13. Decide on a lovely (but free!) get together in a local park because you won’t have much money due to your Israel trip. 4. Realize the summer date will be hot and you’ll need to provide shade. Rent canopies. 5. Do you expect Grandma Ethel to sit on a swing in the sandbox? What kind of person are you? Rent folding chairs.

6. Since this is a casual gathering, handwrite “please bring a dish to share” on your invitations. Become aware of how tacky this is after you hang up from Grandma Ethel. Change to “please bring a canned item to donate to the homeless shelter, which is our child’s mitzvah project.” Hire a caterer. 7. Conclude that cellphones don’t take the best quality photos. Uncle Gary, the family photography buff, offers to take pictures for you, but honestly (according to Grandma Ethel) shouldn’t her son who works so hard all week be allowed to enjoy himself as a regular guest? Consider hiring a college student (earning a degree in filmography) but worry that not being Jewish, he’ll overlook all the traditional shots. Hire a professional photographer who has done many Bar Mitzvahs and knows how to pose your child with the Torah. 8. A Torah! You need one. Your local Rabbi states under no circumstances will he bring the holy scroll to a park. Switch the entire simple gathering to your synagogue. 9. Synagogues are serious places and friends who thought they were coming to a park anticipate their young children playing on slides and teeter-totters. Hire a magician to keep them occupied. 10. Do you want bored teenagers kvetching? Rent a wax hands booth and caricature artist. And then because teen girls usually reveal lots of bare skin, rent a Henna Tattoo booth.

11. Recall how Grandma Ethel has been saying for years, “My biggest joy will be to live until I’m 90 so I can dance the Hora at my grandson’s Bar Mitzvah.” Since you have no music, she insists Aunt Ida should sing. Hire a band. 12. Because your gathering will no longer be held outside, chocolate won’t melt. Therefore you have no excuses for saying “No” to your child’s request for a candy bar. Order a half-pound per person (guidelines from party planner’s website) of sugarladen confections to be set up buffet-style with cute little boxes to take them home in. Make a mental note if Grandma Ethel complains about a lack of Bar Mitzvah cake (with traditional candle-lighting ceremony) to remind her that this is NOT a Bar Mitzvah, it’s just a get-together. 13. As the day draws closer, cross off “videographer, DJ, prizes, dresses, suit, hair appointment, party favors, centerpieces, seating cards and thank-you notes from your To-Do List. Finally, cross off the most important thing of all, “Planning a meaningful and non-materialistic Bar Mitzvah!” STEPHANIE D. LEWIS IS A REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR TO THE HUFFINGTON POST. SHE WRITES A POPULAR HUMOR BLOG AT ONCEUPONYOURPRIME.COM. FOLLOW HER ON TWITTER @MISSMENOPAUSE.

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TIME FOR A KOSHER KITCHEN UPGRADE Kosher design for kitchen furniture All cabinets are directly from Italy

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