Voices

Making Jewish Art Accessible

By Benj Pasek | JTA

Much of my work has not been explicitly Jewish, or Jewish at all in nature. Long before I helped to create “Dear Evan Hansen,” I adapted “The Christmas Story” for Broadway. But I’ve been trying to figure out how to make meaningful Jewish content for a long time. I’ve done two previous reinterpretations of Passover seders, and also a reinterpretation of Sukkot.

One of the issues I always had was how to bring that kind of work to more people beyond the 100 who could fit in the room. And then a broader question for Jewish artists — one that I’ve tried to tackle through my own work and by serving on the board of Reboot, a Jewish arts and culture innovation nonprofit — is how do you play with new forms to create content that’s meaningful and accessible?

This moment has forced us to come up with answers. It’s forced us to figure out scalability — and also helped us realize that meaningful Jewish content is interesting for way more than the 100 people we happened to know. The coronavirus has forced people to reevaluate how they make things, and it has forced people not to rely on the traditional ways of how they produce content. There’s also no reason not to think about making your work resonant for a broader audience right now, because with all performances online, you’re able to reach them.

For the Saturday Night Seder, we wanted to make something that was charitable — to center the event around tzedakah — but also fill a void created by the absence of a Jewish ritual people were missing.

We bootstrapped it; we got some financial support from Reboot, and for the most part people donated their time. We raised $3.1 million for the CDC Foundation so far, and millions of people watched it. It definitely showed me that there is a hunger for that kind of content in the Jewish world, about things that are related to ritual and Jewish tradition.

But I wonder if it would have been possible without the COVID-19 crisis: The access to talent and time right now is unique. So the question for the future is: How can we facilitate more Jewish artists doing this kind of work? What context can we create to help Jewish artists get the support they need, be connected to talent partners, get financing they require — basically, how do we help people get from point A to B to C to get projects out into the world? Reboot is investigating how to be a hub for content creation in the Jewish world, and there’s room for more innovation.

The more we think about how to support a vast array of Jewish artists, the more we will be able to meet the needs of what people are looking for in this world —whatever it looks like. JT

Benj Pasek is half of the American songwriting and composition duo Pasek and Paul, known for “A Christmas Story,” “Dogfight,” “Edges,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” and “James and the Giant Peach”. Letters » Alzheimer’s Doesn’t Only Affect the Elderly Alzheimer’s disease is not just a disease of old age (“Forget Me Not,” Feb. 28). Approximately 5% of the more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s have younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease. As a caregiver and advocate for my husband who passed away from the disease seven years ago at the age of 52, I understand firsthand the impact this disease has on loved ones.

Alzheimer’s is a devastating illness at any age, but it brings added difficulties when it strikes young. My husband — our household’s breadwinner — lost two jobs in the prime of his career as the result of his cognitive decline, resulting in lost income and health care coverage. Though we had saved wisely, we anticipated that costs for his care would derail our plans to pay for our daughters’ college educations. One university was responsive to our request for aid while the other did not consider it a reason to provide financial assistance. Many care facilities are ill-equipped or unwilling to manage difficult behaviors when they inevitably arise, and this can be especially so with younger-onset residents. Being otherwise physically healthy and active, my husband was not always treated as the ill person he truly was. One dementia care facility tried to prevent his return from the emergency room after an altercation with another resident; the nurse at that facility referred to the other party as “my patient” as though my husband was not also under her care.

Those with dementia under age 60 have not been eligible for benefits under the Older Americans Act, which since 1965 has provided support to seniors by organizing and delivering meals, in-home services, transportation, legal services, abuse prevention, and caregiver support. The Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 — the law that reauthorizes the OAA — includes the Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act, which addresses the gap in care and services for those with dementia under age 60, finally allowing them to access vital OAA. Miriam Lupien Baltimore

We Are Glad to Be a Part of This Story My name is Wayne Grooters, president of Sovereign Medical, Inc. Sovereign Medical is the medical sales distribution company referred to in this article (“Hagerstown Rabbi Helps Secure Ventilators,” May 1), and Michael Mendez is our clinical specialist that Rabbi Plost is working with, who will be providing the training education.

We are very appreciative of the business, but more importantly, I was moved by Rabbi Plost’s story. Rabbi Plost’s research was the key. Percussionaire’s percussive ventilation technology is truly unique from any other. The TXP5 and VDR ventilators are ideally suited for patients suffering from this dreaded virus, as well as other diseased states. As Rabbi Plost and Michael pointed out, these ventilators break down the secretions, remove them while, at the same time, protecting the lung and providing additional ventilatory support. Wayne Grooters Hillsborough, N.C.

Let’s Show Our Appreciation for Frontline Workers as We Repair the World By Randi Weingarten | JTA

These past few months have surely tested our understanding of the Talmudic saying to save one life is to save the world. We must continue to live each day by caring for the people who have carried us through this crisis and caring for each other.

But individual acts cannot repair and reshape our world in the ways that the pandemic has made clear are needed. We must harness our collective power to make sure we emerge from this crisis stronger, more just, and more able to weather the next emergency.

As an engaged Jew, I am inspired by the values that have underpinned our people for millennia. And as the president of the American Federation of Teachers, a labor union representing more than 1.5 million educators and others, I have seen what is possible when we work together to change realities that might have seemed immutable. Last year, AFT members in Chicago and Los Angeles demanded and won raises, changes in working conditions, and improvements for students that city leaders had said would be impossible. This required short-term interruptions to routines in the form of teacher strikes.

Now we are facing greater disruption and a situation that could easily feel doubly impossible. This pandemic has exposed so many harsh inequities of our society: Before this, nearly 40% of Americans couldn’t put together $400 in an emergency. The lines at food pantries and applications for emergency benefits have made visible the dire straits of many hard-working Americans and the absence of a safety net to catch them in the case of an emergency. What’s more, the reality is that until a vaccine is discovered and widely distributed, and we fully implement testing, tracing, and other key public health measures, our society – including our public schools, places of worship, and the economy – will continue to operate in a fundamentally different way.

But we don’t need to feel defeated. Instead we have a chance to use this moment to change reality for American workers, and thus for all of our futures.

We have a new appreciation of the frontline workers, and can see the many ways that our society is not structured to support them. Going forward, Congress must act to protect these essential heroes — among them nurses, food service workers, teachers, postal workers, child and home care workers, and other public service workers who are risking their lives — both from the pandemic and the caprices of everyday life.

We also now have a visceral understanding of something many of us have long believed: Inequality and poverty must be eradicated as preexisting conditions in the richest nation on earth. We can now reimagine a world that values all people’s ability to access basic care, goods, and services. Support for the public good, the public sector, a commitment to public services that ensure health care, education, and welfare for everyone — especially the most vulnerable — should lead us on our journey.

And we also have new insights about the role that schools play in building a healthy society. Not only do they help children learn, they also facilitate parents’ work, provide essential services including food and therapies for children who need them, and create space for children just to enjoy themselves in the company of friends. States and districts may be tempted to cut budgets, but now is the time to commit the resources — emotional, intellectual, creative, and financial — to fund our schools so that when they resume, they can educate the next generation for a truly different world.

As a Jewish community and as a labor movement, we must be at the forefront of fighting for a better planet for all. Everything we do must reflect our values, particularly those that are inherently central to our Jewish tenets of justice and equality. We are the people of the book. Let’s not forfeit our children’s future; let’s fight for it. No more agreeing to the lowest common denominator — it’s time to shout our progressive values and fight to repair the world from which we are emerging. JT

Randi Weingarten is an American labor leader, attorney, and educator. She is president of the American Federation of Teachers and a member of the AFL-CIO. She is the former president of the United Federation of Teachers.

The Great Virtual Camporee of 2020 By Dan Dinkin

“Be Prepared” is the scouting motto. It guides youth and adult leadership training in teaching us to “have a Plan B.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a reality not seen by the Boy Scouts of America, or World Scouting, since their early days and the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1919. The vast majority of states in the U.S. and most countries around the world have invoked some form of stay-at-home directive and/or social distancing requirement. All voluntary group activities — including scouting — have stopped under these restrictions. Youth stopped holding their weekly meetings and camping trips. However, if there is anyone who has been taught to find a way to persevere in these global tough times, it will be a scout.

The scouts of 2020 have something that the scouts of 1918 did not — the internet. Using online tools, the youth were able to keep in touch with each other, and adult leaders were able to work with them to get virtual meetings and merit badge classes up and running. One thing was missing — the ability to go camping.

As scoutmaster of Troop 97, a troop sponsored by Temple Oheb Shalom in Pikesville, my scouts were conducting meetings but they were missing out on the key feature of scouting. They needed to find a way to go camping — without getting together. But then I started thinking …

As committee chair of the Arrowhead District, I wanted to provide the same opportunity to everyone in the district. Our annual Camporee had been scheduled for April 24-26 and was postponed to November. Those dates seemed like a perfect time for the virtual event. But then I thought …

If we were going to do a virtual event for the district, there was no reason it could not be extended to the entire Baltimore Area Council. And, if it could be extended to the council, why not the whole world?

Scouts and their families have been sitting in their homes for two months with few outlets for activity or positivity. We wanted to create an event as close to a Camporee as possible. We did not want attendees attached to the computer screen all weekend just watching videos that we posted. We wanted them go outside and participate. Working with the other leaders of the district, we quickly assembled a team of people that had the skill sets we needed to support the social media or create or acquire the content that we would need. We created a Facebook group page. Several intro videos showing attendees that this was going to be more than just a Facebook Live presentation were prepared. While many virtual events simply ask the participant to sit in front of the computer and watch videos and streams, The Great Virtual Camporee required that the “campers” actually get up and do something. Set up a tent and sleep in it. Start a campfire and cook on it. Go for a hike. And post pictures while doing it.

The intro videos were cross-shared to council, national, and international Facebook groups to raise interest. An Instagram group was also created (@Camporee2020) to keep the interest of older scouts who do not use Facebook.

A schedule of events was posted. We decided that we would not do any live broadcasts. The time zones across the country, and around the world, were too disparate and the risks of technology failure were too high.

Opening videos for each activity were created. At the appropriate time in Baltimore, the video related to that activity was posted to Facebook. Participants would then post comments showing their own actions related to that activity — in their own time zone.

This method also had the advantage of allowing religious units (such as Orthodox Jewish troops) to participate at a later date rather than having to log on during Shabbat.

Scouts were also asked to create their own content. We provided an opening ceremony but asked the scouts to post their own openings and greetings — one such greeting came from an Israeli scout who had been a madricha in Baltimore until the pandemic hit. We provided campfire programs and asked the scouts to post their own skits and songs.

On Sunday morning, we held an interfaith service to recognize the 12th point of the Scout Law (“A scout is reverent”). Clergy and scouts of many faiths provided videos, greeting the attendees and offering a prayer. One such video was provided by Rabbi Ariel Platt, director of education and engagement at Beth Israel Congregation in Owings Mills, home of Cub Scout Pack 971. Another was provided by Rabbi Art Vernon from Congregation Shaaray Shalom of West Hempstead, New York, who serves as the national chaplain of the National Jewish Committee on Scouting.

Just under 3,000 registrants had subscribed when the zero-cost event started. By the time the event was over, there were more than 3,500. It is believed that entire units were active behind many of the registrants — so the actual participation is believed to be 10,000 or more. At least 403 distinct units participated in the U.S., including some Lone Scouts and Girl Scouts. Outside of the U.S., countries from every continent were represented – including Antarctica. Given that a NASA astronaut (Col. Mike Fossum) also participated, we are claiming that the event was solar system-wide.

Over the course of the weekend, there were over 43,000 posts, likes, and comments from over 3,300 unique members of the group. People are still asking to join the group. As of this writing, there are 3,760 members.

We fervently hope that a Camporee like this will never be needed again. But, if it is, we will be prepared. JT

Dan Dinkin is Scoutmaster of Boy Scouts Troop 97 and Committee Chair of the Arrowhead District of the Baltimore Area Council.

Jewish Women’s Giving raise their handkerchiefs in last year’s meeting to determine grant allocations.

Jewish Women’s Giving Foundation Allocates Grants in Democratic Process

By Carolyn Conte

ON THE MORNING of April 30, 80 women gathered on Zoom. They shared what time they changed out of their pajamas, talked about how they were all doing, and made some announcements.

Then, the work began.

This was a meeting of the Jewish Women’s Giving Foundation, a 125-member program of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, and they were there to determine grant allocations for the upcoming year.

JWGF is a collective of donors that funds nonprofits and hosts education programming. Since 2003, JWGF has awarded more than $1.5 million in grants to 58 nonprofit organizations. While the entire organization doesn’t have to be comprised of women, their funds go toward helping women and girls.

In December, a group vetted and narrowed potential recipients to 12 finalists.

During the Zoom meeting, a reporter for each of the finalist nonprofits explained to members how their charity is responding to COVID-19, how it represents Jewish values, and what it accomplishes.

An open discussion in Zoom’s chat feature followed, where members typed 848 messages, including “I wave my hanky” to show agreement. This was a reference to how the members usually wave a white handkerchief in meetings, according to Diane Israel, JWGF’s grant chair.

Director Jennifer Millman said that the virtual format may have contributed to greater participation among the women.

“There was so [much] more participation,” she said. “As an introvert myself, I can see there were so many women who would not have spoken up otherwise.”

Three hours later, the meeting concluded, and members voted through SurveyMonkey for their top eight picks.

“Leading the voting session

was a little stressful in that we had not done it before,” said Cindi Topolski, grant chair. “However, through many meetings, all via Zoom, the executive committee were able to plan for and strategize how to proceed.”

The votes were weighted to determine the amounts of money. The recipients are Asylee Women Enterprise (Baltimore); Hillel – the Right to Choose (Israel); Sisters Circle (Baltimore); Itach-Maaki, Women Lawyers for Social Justice (Israel); JDC (Tunisia); Helping Up Mission (Baltimore); Center for Women’s Justice (Israel); Jewish Agency for Israel (Israel); Intercultural Counseling Connection (Baltimore); and the Edward A. Myerberg Center (Baltimore).

The funds ranged from $6,000 to $20,000 and totaled more than $163,000.

Millman said the chosen organizations could be put into “three buckets.” One is of familiar organizations like JDC; a second is of those in advocacy; and a third group is of organizations that responded immediately to COVID-19 disaster relief.

“JWGF gives me the opportunity to [not only] be connected to the Jewish community, but also be part of a group of women who really make a difference,” Israel said.

She also appreciates the ability to be “up close and personal” with the community.

According to business magazine Fast Company, collective philanthropy has grown over the past decade, and much of it is being driven by women.

“To be in a room with 80 women discussing where to put your money to help people

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“JWGF gives me the opportunity to [not only] be connected to the Jewish community, but also be part of a group of women who really make a difference.”

– Diane Israel best, talking thoughtfully, and listening about charity ... you can sign me up for that any day of the week,” Millman said.

Topolski agreed that she enjoys the democratic process.

“Everyone has a vote and sometimes the proposals I like are not chosen, but I’m very confident that each one is important and worthy of our funds,” said Topolski. “The grants do so much good within the Jewish community both here and in Israel and in our local Baltimore home.”

“It’s pretty spectacular to have all these women in the office,” Millman said. “Our democratic process gets a bad rep because people can disagree, but everyone has one vote. And so you can pipe up, but you still have to listen to everyone and everyone has a vote. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? It’s how democracy should be.” JT

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A Spring StoryBy Carolyn Conte

How Two Girls Started a Nonprofit to Deliver Flowers to Hospitals

A BREAST CANCER

SURVIVOR came in for her first day of chemotherapy, scared of the unknown. Two little girls walked in with flowers and gave her a warm hug, telling her it would be OK.

This is just one of the memories that makes Sherri Sibel Thomas proud of her daughter, Lexi Thomas, 16, for co-founding a nonprofit called Flowers for Powers with her friend Abby Levin, 17 — before the two were even in middle school.

Almost a decade ago, Abby and Lexi were two fourth-grade neighborhood friends. One spring morning, they were jumping on Thomas’ trampoline. As they bounced high and got a good view of the neighborhood, they spotted someone’s colorful flowers.

“I don’t think they realized they shouldn’t be picking people’s flowers from their yards,” Sibel Thomas said.

The girls brought the flowers inside, where Sibel Thomas gave them coffee mugs and old vases to hold them. But the girls didn’t want the flowers to just sit and die, so Sibel Thomas suggested they deliver the flowers to the nursing home around the corner.

“I said they should come up

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Left: From left: Lexi Thomas and Abby Levin as children. Top: From left: Lexi Thomas, Zipora Schorr, and Abby Levin

with a name and make deliveries like this often. So I put on Facebook what they were doing, that they named themselves Flowers for Powers,” Sibel Thomas said.

She reached out to GBMC Healthcare - Greater Baltimore Medical Center to find more places for them to deliver flowers. Neil Meltzer, president and CEO of LifeBridge Health, called and asked for the girls to bring their flowers to his

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hospital patients.

Hospitals were a particularly emotional place for Abby. Her paternal grandmother had died of breast cancer in 2008, and her maternal grandmother of Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2009.

“Looking back, I was so young, and there was so much I wish I could do,” Abby said.

Their deliveries made her feel like she was doing something to help other patients.

Now, markets donate flowers to Flowers for Powers, and others give them gift cards. They buy Ikea vases for 90 cents, and then make lively arrangements to hand out. The deliveries don’t end there; they also appreciate a good conversation with the patients.

Flowers for Powers registered as a nonprofit in 2013, and the founders have continued their acts of goodwill even while balancing high school schedules.

They go to GBMC’s chemotherapy unit a couple times a month, make sporadic visits to the sick, participate in ALS walks, volunteer with Ronald McDonald House Charities Maryland, hand out flowers at charity parties, and visit schools to educate others on how to start a nonprofit, and so much more.

“Corona made our plans fall apart,” Lexi said. So, they evolved.

Flowers for Powers sends videos to people who are sick or need cheering up, and gives flowers indirectly by having hospital staff hand them out. “It’s not the norm, but it’s the best we can do right now,” Lexi said.

“Abby and I are both the type of people where, when we’re having a bad day, uplifting others people makes us happy,” she continued. She pointed out that they both live comfortable lives. “We want to bring that back into people’s lives.”

Their kindness has impacted thousands, Sibel Thomas estimates. The breast cancer survivor (mentioned earlier) was so taken aback that she created her own fundraiser for Flowers for Powers, according to Sibel Thomas, and donated $45,000 a few months ago.

“It takes a person with a big heart to think to do this, but to continue to do this for eight years,” Sibel Thomas said. “To be involved in all these different activities — Lexi had a job and was babysitting, Abby was in other events — but they were able to navigate through all of their other normal challenges.”

The two are narrowing down their list of possible colleges, but they won’t let those plans hinder the nonprofit. Lexi predicts they will continue when they come home for breaks, and Abby said they could bring the program to college.

“We are family friends, our sisters are friends, and even now Abby has so many activities but we still find time, so I think we will continue,” said Lexi.

Abby wants others to know that it’s never too late to get involved. “It doesn’t involve a ton of work if you don’t want to put in a ton of work,” she said. “But it is so easy to just ask someone how they’re doing.”

Lexi credits their parents in large part, and added that “It wasn’t difficult, but it went such a long way. You’re never too young to support others.” JT

cconte@midatlanticmedia.com

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