Jlife 0615

June 2015 Sivan/Tammuz 5775

Fhe Wedding Issue Make Memories to Last a Lifetime

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Groomzilla A Guy’s Tell-All, Manly Perspective Breaking The Glass What Does it Really Mean?

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inside

JLIFE | Sivan/Tammuz 5775 | JUNE 2015

VIEWPOINT

LIFESTYLE

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31

Geezers On The Go

An open door and an open heart.

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43

Room With An Unflattering View

MostlyKosher’s “Nu” Twist on Tradition

Israel Scene

Kitchen Table Diplomacy

On The Lighter Side

19

Israeli Guy Life Without Father’s (or Mother’s) Day

Bringing Klezmer Back

44

A Guy’s Tell-All, Manly Perspective

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46

Walk Into Jewish Catholic Dialogue

O.C.’s Fresh Faces

FEATURES

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22

The Hunt is Over!

A Rabbi & The Pope

36

Groomzilla

Fresh Orange Jews

Rachel Goes Rogue

In Sickness, Health & Giggles A humorous look at tying the knot.

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48

History/Blogs Orange County’s Jewish History & The Blogosphere

Business Profile Storybook Mini Gardens

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25 Years Young

Smashing The Glass

Heritage Pointe Celebrates

What Does it Really Mean?

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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IN EVERY ISSUE

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First & Foremost

Crossword Character Actors

Laughter—The shortest distance between two people.

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With Judy Bart Kancigor

Words from our Readers

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42

A Guide to OC Fun

O.C. Jewish Scene

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52

“The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay”

by Michael Chabon

Fitness, Education & More

Cooking Jewish

Letters/Who Knew

Out & About

News & Jews

Book Review

Seniors Calendar

54

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Look inside for Kiddish, our insert publication, right after page 28.

Advertising Index

Page 30

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22 On the Cover

The Wedding Issue Make Memories to Last a Lifetime

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PUBLISHER | MODY GORSKY, LLM, MBA PUBLISHER | MARK EDELSTEIN PUBLISHER | MOTAN, LLC PUBLISHER EMERITUS | DR. MARK MOSS MANAGING EDITOR | TRACEY ARMSTRONG GORSKY EXECUTIVE EDITOR | LISA GRAJEWSKI, PSY.D. EXECUTIVE EDITOR | FLORENCE L DANN GEN Y EDITOR | RACHEL SCHIFF CONTRIBUTING EDITOR | TANYA SCHWIED FOOD EDITOR | JUDY BART KANCIGOR EDITORIAL INTERN | HANNAH SCHOENBAUM ART DIRECTOR | RACHEL BELLINSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS MARTIN BROWER, MERAV CEREN, ADAM CHESTER, FLORENCE L DANN, ROBIN DAVIS, PH. D., RABBI DAVID ELIEZRIE, HARRIETTE ELLIS, JUDY FLORMAN, STEFANEE FREEDMAN, LISA GRAJEWSKI, PSY.D., EVE GUMPEL, CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER, DVORAH LEWIS, CARINE NADEL, PAMELA PRICE, NAOMI RAGEN, MAYRAV SAAR, RACHEL SCHIFF, TANYA SCHWIED, ANDREA SIMANTOV, DALIA TAFT, TEDDY WEINBERGER COPYEDITOR JOSH NAMM CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS/ARTISTS RACHEL BELLINSKY, ALLEN BEREZOVSKY, PEPE FAINBERG, JANET LAWRENCE, CHARLES WEINBERG ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES DIANE BENAROYA (SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE) MARTIN STEIN (SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE) EDITORIAL (949) 230-0581 (TRACEY ARMSTRONG GORSKY) OR (949) 734-5074 EDITORJLIFE@GMAIL.COM ADVERTISING (949) 812-1891, MODY.GORSKY@GMAIL.COM CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS MODY.GORSKY@GMAIL.COM, (949) 734-5074 ART ART@OCJEWISHLIFE.COM JLIFE IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY ORANGE COUNTY JEWISH LIFE, LLC 1 FEDERATION WAY, IRVINE, CA 92603

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Jlife is published monthly by Orange County Jewish Life, LLC. Subscription rate is $24 for one year (12 issues). Send subscription requests to Jlife, 1 Federation Way, Irvine,CA 92603. Jlife is a free and open forum for the expression of opinions. The opinions expressed herein are solely the opinion of the author and in no way reflect the opinions of the publishers, staff or advertisers. Orange County Jewish Life, LLC is not responsible for the accuracy of any and all information within advertisements. Orange County Jewish Life, LLC reserves the right to edit all submitted materials, including press releases, letters, articles and calendar listings for brevity and clarity.

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FIRST & FOREMOST

LAUGHTER

The shortest distance between two people.

BY FLORENCE L. DANN

“AT ONE WEDDING where I officiated,” said Rabbi Dov Fisher, “a very prominent political person was among the assembled guests. At the bride and groom’s request, we called on him to come to the chupah and recite one of the seven blessings. I handed him the goblet, he recited the blessing and then, rather than give the goblet back to me, he started drinking from the goblet; the groom and I had to wrestle the goblet out of the guy’s hand.” The rest of the guests were at first embarrassed for the gentleman, and then started to giggle—quietly.

Humor sometimes happens at the most inopportune times. Like when you’re watching a seriA marriage ous play with your spouse or without a sense partner, in the middle of a of humor is serious service, or even durlike a wagon ing dinner at a quiet resyears,” Rachlis continued, without springs. taurant. Something triggers “I found that people want your giggles, and off you partners who can laugh at both go—after all, laughter themselves and at life.” is contagious! (I can’t help but think of an It is pretty well accepted that there are old Mary Tyler Moore episode when she several medical benefits to laughter. Our couldn’t contain herself at the funeral of cardiovascular and respiratory systems, for Chuckles the Clown). So while in some example, benefit more from twenty seconds instances it may be embarrassing and a little of robust laughter than from three minutes unfortunate—laughter is beneficial to life of exercise on a rowing machine. (And perand marriage. sonally I’d rather laugh than row).

“Whenever I meet with couples months Humor brings more than just physibefore the wedding, and I really want to get ological benefits to a couple: it helps them to know them,” said Rabbi Arnie Rachlis, cope. It relieves the tension that can build “one of the questions that I ask each couple up between people as well as bond them is: ‘What is it that you love so much about together. Learning to laugh a little more just each other?’” The answer that he gets most may save your life, not to mention your maroften is: “He/she makes me laugh. Over the riage. To paraphrase Henry Ward Beecher, 12 JUNE 2015 |

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Model synagogue Tzedakah boxes.

The Sarajevo haggadah

“A marriage without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs—jolted by every pebble in the road.” Laughter can snap us out of melancholy, put things back into perspective, and provide the momentum to make the best of life.

Perhaps Joanne Woodward, widow of Paul Newman, was particularly apt when she said, “Sexiness wears thin after a while and beauty fades, but to be married to a man who makes you laugh every day, ah, now that’s a real treat.”

So with all the drama in the world and in our lives, it just may help if we lighten up. A Florence L. Dann, a fourth year rabbinical student at the Academy for Jewish Religion in LA has been a contributing writer to Jlife since 2004.

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LETTERS

PHOTO BY ZACH DALIN

Kvetch & Kvell

Who Knew?

POLITICAL OUTRAGE I am disheartened by the clear bias shown by this magazine against President Barack Obama. In “Hello and Welcome” on page 16 of the April 2015 edition, you chose to print an opinion attacking the personal character of the President of the United States. The substantive part of the opinion could have been expressed without saying that President Obama is dishonest and does not love his country. Using his middle name “Hussein” is a shameful ploy to insinuate that Obama does not support the safety and autonomy of Israel. Unless Mr. Netanyahu’s record of honesty, forthrightness, and competence is above reproach, a stark, all-or-nothing comparison of the two leaders is tactless and incorrect. At a minimum, another letter expressing a counterbalancing opinion should have been included in the article.

In “No Peace In Our Time” on page 54, Mr. Krauthammer claims that Obama and his “media poodles” loathe Netanyahu more than any other foreign leader on the planet. Even when speaking hyperbolically, accusing the President of harboring personal vitriol against an entire nation simply because you disagree with his positions is uncalled for.

In “Blogosphere” on page 62, you direct your readers to Jon Voight’s blog, saying, “The President is an enemy of the Jewish state.” Again there are no counter-balancing references to blogs supporting the President, or even ones that respectfully disagree with him.

I expect more of a publication that claims to represent our local Jewry.

Sonia Silverstein Huntington Beach

We welcome your letters! Email editorjlife@gmail.com with your feedback.

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It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Jean Nidetch, the founder of Weight Watchers. She recently passed away in her Florida home at the age of 91.

Mrs. Nidetch was born Jewish and was an inspiration to millions of people struggling with weight gain.

She officially launched Weight Watchers in 1963 and took the company public five years later.

“Jean was an inspiration and an innovator who leaves behind a legacy and program that has positively impacted the health and well-being of millions of people around the world,” said Jim Chambers, president and CEO Weight Watchers International. “It is our honor and responsibility to carry on her legacy to help more people to transform their lives.”

— Source: CNN

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Israel Scene | BY ANDREA SIMANTOV

VIEWPOINT

Geezers On the Go

LAST WEEK, BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I FELL OFF OF OUR RESPECTIVE BICYCLES. 16 JUNE 2015 |

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MOST SENSITIVE PEOPLE, whether or not they are parents, have a natural instinct to protect children. It’s never fun to see a child hurt, even if it’s just a scratched knuckle. Still, children need to take on physical challenges in order to learn and grow, and childhood bumps and bruises teach them valuable lessons about their own limits.

In my youth I danced ballet, jazz and modern and over the years I have broken a few toes. As an equestrian-loving teen, I once fell off of a horse while crossing a stream. In 1972, I miscalculated the center of an amusement park trampoline and landed on the gravel. One and two-hand cartwheels were my specialty, but I stopped when pregnant with my fifth child. For the next two decades, I refrained from any physical activity that might cause me harm. I grew fat and developed osteoarthritis. Even dancing the hora at a wedding left me limping.

Quite unexpectedly, two years ago my husband and I became contestants on a reality television show that was physically demanding. We were ultimately disqualified, but not before I swung on a rope between several tower-high shipping containers and crash landed. He was gored by a bull in Madrid. We returned to Israel wrapped in gauze and relied on crutches and arm braces for a while. We’d do it again in a heartbeat.

The show rekindled a desire to engage in activities that were physical, challenging and age-defying. This did not mean that I would bungee-jump or enter the Iron-Man Triathlon. It simply meant that I’d leave the car at home more often and ride a bicycle. It meant that instead of lying on the rocks while vacationing on the Gulf of Aqaba, I’d learn to snorkel. It meant that I’d give up Yoga-for-Seniors and take up Zumba and enter spinning marathons in Israel.

Sometimes there are “oops” moments despite our newfound sportiness. Last week, both my husband and I fell off of our respective bicycles. In my case,

DRAWING BY PEPE FAINBERG

The bumps and scrapes that define us.

despite toppling over the handlebars on a busy city street, my ego hurt far worse than my scraped knee and broken sunglasses. My husband, however, tackled a stone ramp and lost the contest. We spent a few hours in the emergency medical center having his hand x-rayed, bones realigned without anesthetic and getting casted.

Neither one of us sports a tattoo. But if bruises and scars can be called body-art, we are side-show attractions. I’m satisfied that chances are meant to be taken and neither of us would exchange a bump or bruise for a single given experience. And, even when our children roll their eyes and tell us how embarrassed we make them feel, we say “pshaw, pshaw” and get down to business as usual. Our first aid kits are packed with bandages, antiseptic, love, experience and laughter.

You fall down and get up, brush yourself off and keep going. It’s called “living.” A New York-born Andrea Simantov is a mother of six who moved to Jerusalem in 1995. She frequently lectures on the complexity and magic of life in Jerusalem and can be contacted at andreasimantov@gmail.com.

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On the Lighter Side | BY MAYRAV SAAR

VIEWPOINT

Room With an Unflattering View When did I become “uncool?’

I CAN CONTINUE TO FOOL MYSELF INTO THINKING THAT I AM NOWHERE NEAR THE ERA OF READING GLASSES AND VARICOSE VEINS. 18 JUNE 2015 |

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I THOUGHT OF everything.

In preparing for my husband’s 19-year-old cousin to stay with us for the summer, I helped secure her an internship, find summer job possibilities, readied a room for her in my home and looked up public transportation schedules for my non-driving kin.

I thought of everything. Except for one thing: she’s going to think I’m old.

Not, like, decrepit old. But old enough to challenge my perception of myself in myriad painful and embarrassing ways. It’s inevitable. There is no way a 19-year-old can appraise someone who watched the first-run of “Seinfeld” and not think: adult.

I have long ago stopped saying that I don’t care what people think about me. People always say that they don’t care what people think about them. But if they didn’t care, they wouldn’t have to make such bold declarations. They would just silently spill Colorado River water on the carcass of the baby seal they had just beaten to death and go on reading “Mein Kampf ” in public.

I do care what people think. And one of the things I care a great deal about is that they not think I’m old. I listen to college radio. On purpose. I dye my hair, wear mascara even when I’m just stepping out to get the mail, and I refuse to buy Eileen Fisher clothes. (Even though I secretly really like Eileen Fisher clothes.)

I will not go gently into that good night of

middle-agedom. And surrounded by other likeminded people of a certain age, I can continue to fool myself into thinking that I am nowhere near the era of reading glasses and varicose veins. I still see live music. I wear jeans to work. I know the difference between Instagram and Snapchat and use Facebook as a means of communicating with my mom.

But my 19-year-old cousin isn’t likely to appreciate my incredible hipness. I have a house. And kids. You know who else has a house and kids? Her parents. In the unforgiving light of this summer sun, I fear I am going to be weighed and measured and found ancient.

My only defense for this is more planning. I have already thought of her living and working arrangements, and now I need to think of ways to keep myself young in her eyes.

I know! We could do stuff that I loved at her age, like getting a late brunch and going to the beach. I just need to figure out a way to squeeze those things in between the kids’ birthday parties, soccer, camp and work.

Or I could take her out dancing—if I knew where people go dancing. We could loiter outside a Vape room; that seems to be a thing now. But her parents might kill me. Forget it, I’ll just take her to a happening bar and … oh, yeah.

She’s too young to drink. A Mayrav Saar is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles.

Israeli Guy | BY TEDDY WEINBERGER

VIEWPOINT

Life Without Father’s (or Mother’s) Day Some traditions just don’t translate.

ISRAEL DID OBSERVE A MOTHER’S DAY FOR ABOUT FOUR DECADES, FROM THE 1950’S TO THE 1990’S.

ALL THROUGH GRADE school, when I was busy making those useful tie clips, paper weights, ink blotters, and pen holders for my dad for Father’s Day (which this year is on June 21), I always assumed that one day I would be the recipient of a similar bounty. I did get in a few good years of Father’s Days before we made aliyah, but I certainly would be justified in feeling short-changed. Though there is deep respect here for the 5th Commandment, there is no Father’s Day in Israel.

Unlike Father’s Day, which never made it onto the calendar here, Israel did observe a Mother’s Day for about four decades, from the 1950’s to the 1990’s. The date was tied to the Hebrew yahrzeit of Hadassah founder Henrietta Szold (sometime during February), who though childless herself helped thousands of children in Israel. By the time we immigrated in 1997, however, the day had been subsumed into something called Family Day. Theoretically, Family Day could provide even more opportunity for appreciating loved ones, but in practice it passes the country by without much notice.

Why haven’t Israelis taken to celebrating Father’s or Mother’s days? My theory is that the retail industry drives both Mother’s and Father’s Day and that during the formative years of the State there was a lack of “merchandising” in this country. In the United States, Father’s Day was founded in 1910, but it didn’t catch on until 1938, when a Father’s Day Council was formed—funded by the New York Associated Men’s Wear Retailers. (By the mid 1980’s the Father’s Day Council could note that Father’s Day “has become a Second Christmas for all the men’s gift-oriented industries.”) Also, Israelis have never taken much to a key American product that serves to mark Mother’s and Father’s Day as well as birthdays, graduations, weddings, bar mitzvahs, anniversaries, etc.: the greeting card. Even before the age of email, Israelis hardly used the greeting card (the exception was for Rosh Hashanah, but this has gone out of fashion thanks to contemporary media substitutes).

I would be okay with forgetting about the whole

thing in Israel, but the only fly in the ointment is that Sarah’s and my respective parents (may they live and be well) still appreciate it when their children remember them on Father’s and Mother’s Day. We have done our very best to convince our parents of the obvious: there are no advertisements in Israel reminding us about the approaching Father’s (or Mother’s) Day in America, and so if we should forget to call them on their respective day they should not be insulted. They understand completely. But do you want to be in the position where all your siblings pay homage to your parent on their special day and you don’t? Not if you can help it! But just in case I do forget, Dad: Happy Father’s Day! A Teddy Weinberger, Ph.D., is Director of Development for a consulting company called Meaningful. He made aliyah with his family in 1997 from Miami, where he was an assistant professor of religious studies. Teddy and his wife, Sarah Jane Ross, have five children.

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F E AT U R E S

L to R: Rabbi Randall Brown, Father Al Baca, Bishop Kevin Dann, Rabbi Abraham Skorka, Rabbi Stephen Einstein, Rabbi Linda Seidman, Rabbi Frank Stern, Rabbi Larry Seidman, Rabbi Joe Mendelsohn, LDS Bishop Thomas Thorkelson

A RABBI & THE POPE Walk Into Jewish Catholic Dialogue

BY RABBI LARRY SEIDMAN

ON HIS LAST day in Israel, Pope Francis prayed at the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism, before an emotional hug with two old friends—a Muslim leader and a rabbi.

The rabbi, Abraham Skorka of the Conservative Congregation Benei Tikvah in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the Pope, former Catholic Priest Jorge Mario Bergoglio met over twenty years ago when the rabbi represented the Jewish community at the anniversary of Argentina’s May Revolution.

The two became good friends and met every week as Bergoglio rose to be the Archbishop and then Cardinal. They coauthored a book on interfaith dialogue, 20 JUNE 2015 |

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titled “On Heaven and Earth” published in Spanish in 2010 and in English in 2013, which is based on over 30 TV shows they co-hosted in Argentina. However, on March 13, 2013, Bergoglio called his old friend Skorka and said he would no longer be able to meet every week in Buenos Aires. “They have captured me in Rome” he said. “They won’t let me return to Argentina,” said the now Pope Francis, the leader of 1.2 Billion Catholics. Nevertheless, they have remained close and have met on numerous occasions.

One of the most visible was the meeting in front of the Kotel in Jerusalem along with Muslim Imam Omar Abboud.

The interfaith dialogue, promoted by these two leaders, continues and this past January, Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove was host to one these meetings. Prior to a kosher dinner provided by the Diocese, Skorka met privately with a group of rabbis as part of the “Jewish Catholic Dialogue,” an ongoing discussion between religious leaders. Skorka then participated in a public dialogue with Bishop Kevin Dann of the Diocese of Orange County.

During the dialogue Skorka was asked, “How can Jews and Catholics find common ground? He pointed out that both religions share two basic principles: the Sh’ma, that there is one G-d, and the obligation to care for our fellow human beings. “Where Jews and Catholics differ is not in their principles but in their mysticism, said Skorka. “This must not prevent us from working in the world together.

Asked about the appropriate response to Islamic terrorism, Skorka remarked, “The best response is Jews, Christians, and responsible Muslims, working for peace.”

He added that “peace is the only way to worship G-d. And, the first responsibility of all religions is to care for your fellow man.”

We all parted wishing each other Shalom. A Rabbi Larry Seidman is a trans-denominational community rabbi in Orange County. He serves the Jewish and Interfaith Community in a variety of ways. He is a member of the Jewish-Catholic Dialogue, and has twice visited Turkey with the Hizmet (Moderate Islam) Movement.

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F E AT U R E S

We d d i n g s

In Sickness, Health & Giggles A humorous look at tying the knot.

Jlife Magazine reached out to our community and asked for memorable and funny moments during this blessed time. The results tickled our funny bones and we hope their stories do the same for you. Enjoy!

It’s a Wash I always wanted to do the mikvah before I got married so I set it up the week I got married. I heard about what I should expect, but it was an incredible experience and probably my favorite one with friends. I asked my best friend and mother-in-law to join me. They got to observe the ceremony. I got there and they have you shower, wash your body and hair, brush your teeth, brush your hair, clean your ears etc. I was then led into a room by myself with a towel wrapped around me. I handed the towel over and submerged into a spa-like jacuzzi. Then they brought in my guest who could not see anything from where they were sitting. I said a prayer and the lady who ran the service said a prayer and then she instructed me up go completely underwater without touching anything.

It’s said at this point the Jewish people are wrapping their arms around you and lifting you up.

This is the original baptism. We went through this process three times and then she asked if I would like to say something and if my friends wanted to. I said a little something and was very emotional. My best friend said a few things and then it was my mother-in-law’s turn. She said, “Thank G-d for Match.com.” It was hilarious! That’s where my beshert and I met! Going through the mikvah (such a serious thing) this was such a great moment that I will never forget!

—Lisa Grier (Greenberg)

22 JUNE 2015 |

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Let’s get ready to rumble!....um, get married.

It’s becoming more commonplace for interfaith couples to have interfaith weddings. Each partner, and their families, wants their religious needs, dreams and traditions present for one of the most important days in their lives. And while the betrothed may be more flexible with how the ceremony will be performed, somehow the final product doesn’t always execute without a couple of hiccups (or in this case a major malfunction).

So what do you get when you mix a very sarcastic rabbi with a verbally windy pastor?

Microphone mayhem!

Even with the rabbi taking the slightly higher road, the entire wedding became a religious battle royale, leaving the audience to enjoy an almighty awkwardness that left one stuck between being socially polite and wanting to flee from impending persecution.

Let’s use the tune of “Old McDonald” to recapture the chaotic magical masterpiece that was this wedding...

With a little over talking here, a religious one-upmanship there, here a microphone grab, there a microphone grab, the Jewish groom receives a benediction and the interfaith audience was blessed by the Trinity....Old McDonald had a farm but this wedding made you go EEK, AY, UH-OH, NOOOOOO!!

—Amy Richards (Whitman)

FEATURES

Bride Before the Bachelor We were living in Manhattan Beach while our families were in New York and Pittsburgh. My favorite Rabbi was in New Orleans. He was not legal to marry us in New York, so my mother suggested that we do the legal marriage in Las Vegas two weeks prior to our spiritual wedding with our rabbi, family and friends. That is what we did. My brother came to Vegas, but only our parents and immediate family knew.

I attended my bachelor party already married. I had a great night with my friends, my father’s buddies and family. I came back to the hotel afterwards and who was in my bed? Cheryl. Cheryl and I are married for 32 years.

—Andy Mars

Other Wedding Funnies My grandmother now of loving memory, was in her 90’s. She went alone to see a Broadway show. Then when we were going to the rehearsal dinner, we could not find her. Remember, no cell phones back then. Right when we were leaving she showed up because she decided to go see an additional show, again on her own. She was about 4ft 10 inches tall, but a real tiger.

My cousins had never been to a New York wedding. The amazing amounts of food. After the appetizer stations, they had filled up…and then came the sit down dinner.

—Andy Mars

Wine and Dive My friends were saying the kiddush over the wine goblet and on video the camera guy captured a fly circling then committing harikari in the goblet right at that point in the wedding ceremony.

—Jackie Menter

Culturally Not So Different I once played (string quartet) at a Hindu wedding. The ceremony was under a ceremonial canopy and there was a lot of food all around. During the ceremony guests were standing all around and casually chatting the entire time. It felt a lot like a Jewish service.

—Jackie Menter

If it Ain’t Borodin…

My wedding: really long processional—large wedding party. The string quartet kept playing the same introduction over and over and over and never continued on to the second section of the movement. To this day I can no longer listen to Borodin’s “String Quartet No. 2.”

Years later, during a concert intermission I was talking with a violinist sharing wedding stories. He told me about a wedding in LA where the wedding party never ended and they kept playing the first few measures of Borodin endlessly. I told him “that was my wedding!”

—Jackie Menter

What do you get when you mix a very sarcastic rabbi with a verbally windy pastor?

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Add some fun to your big day with a personal touch.

Happily Ever After Storybook Mini Gardens HOW ABOUT A sweet little slice of “Happily Ever After” right in your own backyard?

Well look no further, because Storybook Mini Gardens may have exactly what you’re looking for. Created by owner and designer, Naomi Stein, this company is spearheaded by Stein who not only single-handedly runs the company, but is also totally immersed in the creative process of making each garden.

That’s right, every garden is created by hand with lots of love. Stein has many years of experience as a crafter, scrapbooker, gardener, knitter and dollhouse lover and she brings many of those hobbies together in her work and attention to detail.

There are gardens for every occasion as well. You can order a Zen garden, a garden to celebrate birthdays, holidays or other special events and many more. Naomi is 24 JUNE 2015 |

Jlife

able to create just about anything your heart desires really. And not every garden needs to be watered. In fact, Naomi actually makes gardens with artificial plants as well as ones with ones that need a little TLC. “I have people that are intimidated by the upkeep they think a Storybook Mini Garden might entail, but they are so easy to maintain really,” says Stein. “You actually only have to give them about 1-2 cups of water once a week and you only water the parts of the garden that have plants.”

And for people who still find that to be too much, “well we can just swap out the foliage for something that is artificial and needs no water at all,” says Stein. Easy peasy.You can also order mini gardens that are totally indoor as well. So whatever your hankering is, Stein can find a garden to suit your tastes.

Established in 2014, Storybook Mini Gardens is actually brand-spanking new and is navigating the growing pains of a new business quite adeptly. When family and friends began to compliment her creations, the idea to sell them began and the first show was during the winter holidays. Completely sold out before the new year, Naomi knew she had hit upon something and the company was established.

“I feel like I could make these mini gardens all day long,” says Stein. “It never feels like work when you enjoy doing something so much.”

So check out Storybook Mini Gardens for yourself and find the perfect fit for your home at storybookminigardens.com. If you don’t see something online right away you can contact Stein directly. She is more than happy to create a custom garden to meet your needs! A

A Wedding Fairytale Not only does Storybook Mini Gardens cover just about any theme you can think of, but they can also create a wonderful story that you can share with your guests. “One of the great things you can do is customize a Storybook Mini Garden for each table at a wedding reception,” says Stein. At each table, you can have a different and custom mini garden that represents a significant time or event in a couple’s life. Thus telling the story of “How They Met” and guests can go from table to table and see the couple’s very own “fairytale” unfold before their own eyes.

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| JUNE 2015 25

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Smashing the Glass What Does it Really Mean?

By Florence L. Dann

26 JUNE 2015 |

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F E AT U R E S

T

THE MOTHER OF a bride was adamant that their rabbi perform a traditional Jewish wedding. When the rabbi asked what she meant by “traditional,” she replied, “The groom must break the glass.” While there are many other beautiful aspects to a traditional wedding service, the breaking of the glass has become the universal symbol of a Jewish wedding. But what exactly does it mean?

Well, there is no one answer. One common explanation is that breaking the glass is a symbol of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Others say that breaking the glass can remind a marrying couple that life holds sorrow as well as joy.

The custom of breaking a glass at the chupah is based on an event mentioned in the Talmud (Berachot 30b) where Mar, the son of Ravina, was making a wedding for his son. When he saw that the guests were becoming overly joyful, he took an expensive glass and broke it in front of them, thereby tempering their joy.

But if this is simcha what’s wrong with being happy at a wedding?

There are two basic reasons given for Ravina’s desire to dampen their joy. One is based on the verse “rejoice in trembling” which reveals that a Jew, even at a time of joy, should not be carried away to the extreme, which might cause one to forget “oneself ” and come to sin (Ran, Berachot). The other reason, to recall the destruction of the Temple, is based on the verse, “I shall elevate Jerusalem above my greatest of joys” (Kol Bo, Rema Ev. HaEz. 65).

If the breaking of the glass is intended to temper the joy and recall the destruction, why is it followed by such an outbreak of joy? It certainly seems inappropriate to rejoice in memory of the temple’s destruction. Rabbis, also expressing that concern, concluded that people have become confused, thinking that the breaking of the glass is itself a joyous custom (Chupat Chatanim 6:3). There are even those who assert that the custom of saying mazal tov at the breaking is a mistake in the first place (Siddur Beit Oved). But like so many customs—the tradition continues as an integral and expected part of every Jewish wedding ceremony.

The tradition of breaking the glass has other meanings as well—some more modern, some more mystical. A broken glass can symbolize what is broken in society especially for those couples involved in social action.

One mystical explanation is that the glass represents the couple and that just as the broken glass “enters a state from which it will never emerge”—the community hopes that this couple will never emerge from their married state. This custom can also remind the couple of the fragility of relationships, implying that they need to treat their marriage with special care.

Even the shards of glass themselves are symbolic. As the shards are plentiful, they represent the hope for abundance in life or abundant children. However, another mystical reason for the breaking of

If this is simcha what’s wrong with being happy at a wedding?

Continued on page 29

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| JUNE 2015 27

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For subscription or advertising info, call Mody at 949.734.5074 or visit ocjewishlife.com.

28 JUNE 2015 |

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F E AT U R E S

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Continued from page 27

Modern Takes On An Ancient Tradition Traditionally, the act of breaking the glass at a wedding ceremony symbolizes the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE (and all subsequent sufferings of the Jewish people).

However, today many new interpretations have been attributed to this dramatic “step.” Here are a few interesting ones to consider. the glass is directly related to the ensuing outbreak of “mazal tov!”

When a couple is married they become spiritually elevated. The breaking of the glass deflects this “judgment” and sends it towards the glass. Now that the couple has emerged “unscathed” the couple is blessed with “mazal tov!” However, the idea of the “evil eye” that resonates within that explanation isn’t something that most people find appealing.

But my favorite mystical explanation is the one that says before you were born, you and your soulmate were one, a single soul.

Then, as your time to enter this world approached, G-d shattered that single soul into two parts. These two half-souls were then born into the world with a mission to try to find each other and reunite.

With marriage, the two halves are reunited. And as if to further signify that, today’s couples can use the shards of the broken glass to create a lasting piece of art as beautiful as they hope their marriage will be. And that’s something to celebrate! A Florence L. Dann, a fourth year rabbinical student at the Academy for Jewish Religion in LA has been a contributing writer to JLife since 2004

● It is thought by some that this is the last time the groom ever gets to put his foot down. ● It symbolizes the breaking down of barriers between people of different cultures and faiths.

After the glass is broken everyone yells "Mazel Tov," which means good luck. ● The sound of the breaking glass is said to frighten away evil spirits who might spoil this joyous occasion with their mischief. ● The fragility of the glass suggests the frailty of human relationships. The glass is broken to protect this marriage with the implied prayer: "As this glass shatters, so may your marriage never break." ● At the conclusion of the ceremony, we are breaking the glass together—as a reminder that working through the challenges and celebrating the successes of life is best done together.

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949-502-4400 www.ocdivorce.net

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| JUNE 2015 29

CROSSWORD First Ladies

BY: ALAN OLSCHWANG } EDITOR: DAVIDBENKOF@GMAIL.COM } DIFFICULTY LEVEL: MANAGEABLE

HINT: 26 ACROSS

5 Slow down the first plague, perhaps

37 Key component at the Wise Observatory in the Negev

6 See 24A 7 Sen. Ron Wyden’s state

39 Burton’s character opposite Taylor’s Cleopatra

8 Word with archaeological or Web

40 He’s at your service

9 ___ Kwon Do (Sport in which Israel won gold in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games)

42 Some Brandeis grads

10 “One ___ Jump”: Jazz standard frequently played

by Benny Goodman

45 Like a devout person’s work during the Shabbat

11 Toast served with chopped chicken livers

47 Ryan of “Love Story”

12 “___-eyed” (kind of priest disqualified by Leviticus)

ACROSS

28 First female American astronaut

1 Complied with a request from 40D during services 4 It’s well known in what might be called Silicon Wadi 9 Cave of Machpelah contents 14 Bk. before Esther 15 Jack Tramiel bought it from Warner Communications in 1984 16 Chuck Schumer might take it to work

33 Map close-up of central Jerusalem, say

18 First female to chair the US Federal Reserve

41 Bond girl player Green 42 When Tu BiSh’vat sometimes occurs in Madrid

20 Haifa, e.g.

44 First American female cantor

22 Beersheba’s place

46 Optimistic comment by girl receiving well wishes before her bat mitzvah service

24 With 6D, one of Jennifer Aniston’s costars in “Marley & Me” 26 Luise Rainer’s 1936 and 1937 acquisitions

30 JUNE 2015 |

49 Mount from which Moses saw Canaan 50 Judah’s second son

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48 Kugel ingredient, perhaps 52 Start of a decision as to who gets to eat the last hamantash 53 Israel’s is just slightly larger than New Jersey’s

21 What Leona Helmsley was in 1989

56 Forbidden fruit holder

64 Israeli hill

25 Cousin ___: Character along with Carolyn Jones’s Morticia in a 60’s TV series

59 A star of Joel Schumacher’s “D.C. Cab”

65 It’s apparent in some sermons

27 Leah to Rachel, briefly

66 Where some sukkahs are built

28 Ghetto language other than Yiddush

62 Ulan ___: Capital city nearly 5,000 miles NNE of Jerusalem

39 It might relieve you after listening to a yenta

46 Bernard Malamud’s “Natural” Roy

54 Nicholas who introduced the Cantonist Decrees, e.g.

35 Max Fleischer frame 38 Jacob and the angel did it in the break of dawn

13 Hotel known for the performances of Joey Bishop, Sammy Davis, Jr., etc.

44 First sitcom for Seinfeld

19 De Carlo who performed with Al Lewis in “The Munsters”

58 First Jewish Miss America

43 Maker of the golden calf

23 Bk. after Amos

55 Followers of Zion?

34 Chris who starred with Ari Graynor in “What’s Your Number?”

40 Deuteronomy directive

17 Reaction of Moses upon seeing the golden calf

51 Tel Aviv vis-a-vis Haifa on a map, poetically

43 Vigoda of “Barney Miller”

61 George’s lyricist brother

63 Herbie Flam contemporary Fraser

67 “Not ___” (Franz Rosenzweig’s answer whether he wears tefillin)

DOWN

29 Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, briefly 30 Keep the tenement rented

1 Sound heard eight days after many births

31 2010 Liev Schreiber movie “___ Day”

2 ___ Sol: Israeli electronics company

32 Enjoy some schnapps

3 Body known for its parting

35 Feeling that motivated Eve to bite into the forbidden fruit

4 ___ Gen: Sharon’s rank during the Six Day War

36 Musk who succeeded Ze’ev Drori as CEO of Tesla Motors

57 The Dead Sea: Sea of ___

60 Super ___: game console featured on an episode of “The Goldbergs”

May Answers

LIFESTYLE

The dining table becomes benevolent territory in this writer’s kitchen.

KITCHEN TABLE DIPLOMACY An open door and an open heart.

BY DAVIDA GREGORY

THE OPENING NOTES of the Battle Hymn of the Republic announced the new arrival. The Battle Hymn of the Republic announces everyone’s arrival and until I figure out how to re-program the damn doorbell, it will continue to do so. The canine dervish, Matilda the Demented, barks a welcome drowning out the military march.

I open the front door to a swarthy man

in his early twenties inquiring in heavily accented English, if I was, “the Yudi who rents rooms?”

I look out and take note of his four companions waiting in the curb-side parked taxi.

“My cousin” he continued, “told me your address.”

Providence delivered the first one and Allah continues to provide the interminable

parade of cousins (they are all cousins). The entire country is related; all of the 200,000 Saudis sent by his Royal Highness King Abdullah to the United States to receive an education. And there are 7,000 princes (they do not count the princesses). And somehow, with astounding regularity, they find their way to my house in paradise. Any place where the temperature is not over 110 degrees and water costs less than oil is paradise, by the way.

The young Saudi men arrive with a suitcase in hand, a prayer rug tucked under their arms, and sometimes a hookah pipe, ready to enter the land of the infidel. And since the Yudi does not eat pork, they continue to come.

“Salaam Alacheim. Come in.”

My daughter once told me, “Ma, someday a burglar is going to show up and you will ask if there are any dietary restrictions that you should be aware of and whether or not they would prefer an upstairs or downstairs room.”

At least the burglar would not have break in. We lost the keys years ago, so the doors are usually open.

From thirty-five nations over the course of forty years there has been world peace— in my kitchen. Koreans who hated the Japanese became friends. Christians did not proselytize. Muslims were curious about the Yudi. The common bond of homesickness and loneliness forged lasting friendships. Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, and Shintoists all manage to live together peacefully under one roof… At least for the time being. A Davida Gregory provides lives in Irvine and provides room and board for international students. She lives with her therapy dog, Matilda the Demented.

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| JUNE 2015 31

PHOTO BY MICHAEL BENNETT KRESS

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32 JUNE 2015 |

Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries with Whipped Cream

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Roasted Salmon with Lemon-Almond Pesto

PHOTO BY BOB HODSON

I wrote this book so people could do weddings at home and avoid all the high costs.

BIG DAY BLISS The wedding of your dreams on a budget.

BY JUDY BART KANCIGOR

DIY is a phrase you usually associate with decorating, crafts or home repair, but do you have the guts to take on a do-ityourself wedding? With Denise Vivaldo’s comprehensive guide “Do it for Less!

Weddings: How to Create your Dream Wedding without Breaking the Bank” (Sellers Publishing, $19.95) you’ll have the confidence and know-how to pull it off.

“If you have the resources to get trained white doves to coo Barry Manilow hits for your ceremony, it can be arranged,” Vivaldo said. “But not if you’re on a budget and would still like to have the wedding of your dreams– and have money left over for a fabulous honeymoon.”

Vivaldo covers every aspect of your big day, from choosing the location to saving money on invitations, flowers, gifts, music and photography. And yes, even moneysaving ideas for your wedding cake, recipes included.

“People make themselves crazy when they plan a wedding,” said Vivaldo, a classically trained chef and caterer, whose

company, the Denise Vivaldo Group, specializes in recipe development, consulting, and food styling for photography and television. With “DoIt For Less! Weddings” this seasoned professional, who has catered 10,000 parties (serving the likes of the George H.W. Bushes, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bette Midler and Prince Charles), reveals her tricks of the trade for everything from planning the menu to napkin folding.

“I wrote this book so people could do weddings at home and avoid all the high costs,” she explained. “All the recipes are written in quantities, so that even your sister, mom, cousin or friend could cook. And I’m happy to report many brides have written me to say they successfully catered their own wedding and saved a bundle.”

Using a caterer? See Vivaldo’s ten tips for a successful relationship with your caterer, including how to work with a caterer and stay within your budget. Can you supply some of the food items to bring costs down? Do

they provide a tasting of their menu or recommendations? Professional caterers still too expensive? Try to enlist the help of students at the local culinary schools, she suggests. Determined to supply the food yourself with the help of friends or relatives? Throw a food preparation party instead of a shower or bachelorette party.

The recipe section includes eight original seasonal weddings: Sunrise Brunch, In Full Bloom, Waterside Jewels, Sunset Cocktail Party, French Countryside Dinner, Amber Nights, Winter Wonderland and Island Spice–including do-it-yourself themed decorating ideas and complete menus and recipes as well as shopping lists and menu countdowns for budgeting your time.

“People are not used to cooking in quantities,” she added “It freaks them out to see how much food they’ve got.

Is it enough? It is too much?” This book eliminates the guesswork with recipes given in chart form for 12, 25, 50 or 75 guests. “Remember, the more things you have on the menu, the smaller the portions you need to serve,” she said.

There is even a beverage chapter that takes all the guesswork out of choosing wine and offers serving quantities for a full or partial bar.

Another real cost saver, she suggests, is renting the wedding gown. “It’s only one day, and if you buy a dress, you will lug it around forever but never wear it again. By renting it you’ll have pictures of yourself in a gorgeous dress. Do you have to own it?”

“I tell brides and grooms, put your best energy into making a memorable day with each other. I see young couples spending too much money and not enough time really appreciating each other. Flowers, a fancy cake and a full bar do not make for a long-term marriage, but love and understanding do.”

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It’s only one day, and if you buy a dress, you will lug it around forever but never wear it again.

Roasted Salmon with Lemon-Almond Pesto Chicken breasts make an inexpensive substitute for the salmon and work well with the pesto, suggests Vivaldo.

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2-3 medium lemons), plus more to taste

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

See salt to taste

1 Line baking sheets with waxed paper.

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Serves 12

Lemon zest from 1 lemon

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided 4 pounds salmon, whole sides with skin on Sea salt to taste Freshly ground black pepper to taste 4 lemons, cut into wedges for garnish Lemon-Almond pesto (recipe follows) 1. Preheat oven to 450°.

2. Line large baking dishes (or baking sheets with shallow sides) with heavy-duty aluminum foil and liberally coat with half the oil.

3. Place salmon, skin side down, on baking dishes, and drizzle with remaining oil. Generously season salmon with salt and pepper.

4. Place in oven and roast until salmon has just cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness. To test doneness, insert fork in thickest part and twist; if flesh flakes easily with just a little resistance, it is done.

5. Serve salmon hot, at room temperature, or chilled, with pesto on the side or spooned on top. Garnish with lemon wedges.

LEMON-ALMOND PESTO 1 tablespoon + 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1 head garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped 3/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped

34 JUNE 2015 |

12 ounces unsalted roasted whole almonds

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1 Heat smaller amount of olive oil in sauté pan over medium-low heat.

2 Add garlic and cook, stirring

occasionally, until garlic is lightly golden but not browned, about five minutes. Place garlic in work bowl of food processor.

3 Working in batches if necessary, add

parsley, almonds, lemon juice, and remaining olive oil to work bowl of food processor. Pulse until mixture is finally chopped, scraping down sides of work bowl from time to time, until mixture resembles a chunky paste. Add more olive oil if necessary.

4 Taste pesto and adjust seasoning by

adding salt and pepper. Stir in lemon zest.

5 Place in airtight container and

refrigerate up to two days. Bring to room temperature and stir before serving.

Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries with Whipped Cream A quality white or milk chocolate can be substituted for the dark.

Serves 12 24 large fresh strawberries, preferably with stems, rinsed and dried completely 12 ounces good-quality dark chocolate 2 teaspoons vegetable shortening

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Place chocolate and shortening in heavy saucepan over very low heat or in double boiler. Stir frequently until chocolate has melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.

2 Holding each strawberry by the stem

end, dip into melted chocolate. Place on prepared baking sheets and allow to cool at room temperature for 25 minutes. Keep cool or chilled until ready to serve.

3 Less than an hour before serving, place

whipping cream, sugar, and almond extract in large bowl and beat with electric mixer until soft but firm peaks form. Cream will double in volume, so work in batches if necessary. Cover with plastic wrap, and keep chilled until ready to use. Serve strawberries with dollop of whipped cream on the side for dipping.

Source: “Do it For Less! Weddings” by Denise Vivaldo Jlife food Editor Judy Bart Kancigor is the author of “Cooking Jewish” (Workman) and “The Perfect Passover Cookbook” (an e-book short from Workman), a columnist and feature writer for the Orange County Register and other publications and can be found on the web at www.cookingjewish.com.

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Jlife

| JUNE 2015 35

out&about MOTOWN THE MUSICAL MOTOWN THE MUSICAL comes to the Segerstrom Center of the Arts with performances June 16 through 28. This true American dream story showcases the life of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more.

Motown shattered barriers; shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat.

EIFMAN BALLET LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg returns to Segerstrom Center I WORE for the Arts with the West Coast premiere of Up and Down on June 5, 6 and 7.

A turbulent love story of a young woman struggling to overcome mental illness and a self-destructive man who winds up betraying his soul and talent in the dazzling, decadent 1920s.

36

Coming to the Laguna Beach Playhouse June 3 through 7, Love, Loss and What I Wore is a funny and often poignant collection of anecdotes that use clothing, accessories and the memories they trigger to tell stories relating to matters of the heart and matters of the closet. A different cast each week tells the stories in this play written by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron.

ROBIN TROWER Blues legend Robin Trower will be performing at the Grove of Anaheim on Wednesday, June 17 supporting his latest recording, “Something’s About to Change.” He became an arena headliner on the strength of such hit albums as 1975’s “For Earth Below,” 1976’s “Robin Trower Live!” A brief union with ex-Cream bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce also spawned a pair of charttopping releases.

ALKALINE TRIO This American punk rock band will be playing four shows at the Observatory in Santa Ana on June 4, 5, 6 and 7. Alkaline Trio released its debut single, “Sundials,” in 1997. The group’s single “Good Mourning” (2003), charted highly on the Billboard 200. In 2010, the band released “This Addiction” on its own label Heart & Skull and Epitaph. The band’s eighth studio album, “My Shame Is True” was released on April 2, 2013.

ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE | June 2015

Tim Weisberg Widely considered one of the pioneers in rock/ jazz fusion, horn player and flutist Tim Weisberg spent his early days performing in many a concert venue across the United States. It was the 1970 Monterey Jazz Festival that firmly established Weisberg as a unique voice in both the jazz and rock genres.

Catch this talented horn player from the golden age of rock-n-roll playing at the Coach House on Sunday, June 14.

Somewhere between “jazz and rock,” Tim’s distinctive style of playing began to gain recognition. He garnered the attention of trumpet player, bandleader and A&M Records label owner Herb Alpert, and in 1971, his debut album “Tim Weisberg” was released.

The release of this album quickly pushed Tim to the forefront, and the music industry took note. His definitive artistry was soon heard on a diverse range of albums including The Carpenters, Kim Carnes, Lani Hall, Paul Horn, Gino Vannelli and Dave Mason.

Sharing the concert stage with such artists as Duke Ellington, The

Modern Jazz Quintet, Jean-Luc Ponty, John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, as well as opening for many acts such as Jefferson Starship, Loggins and Messina, James Taylor and Crosby, Stills and Nash, further propelled Tim into the public eye.

It was his performance on “Give Me Some Time,” from the album “Nether Lands” by Dan Fogelberg, which resulted in

a friendship and collaboration on the 1978 album “Twin Sons of Different Mothers.” The LP went on to become a pop/rock mainstay of the late ‘70s and is considered one of the most iconic instrumental albums of the time.

Weisberg’s laudable career includes 20 albums on some of the biggest record labels in the business including A&M, Columbia, Warner Brothers and MCA. His

recording of “A Hard Way to Go” was used in the Oscar-winning Woody Allen movie Annie Hall. He has sold over five million albums and played some of the largest venues in the world, and his legendary bands, long heralded as the forerunners of Jam Bands, have been known as a proving ground for well-known artists including David Benoit, Art Johnson and Chuck Alvarez.

Tim Weisberg

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BOOK REVIEW

THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER & CLAY REVIEWED BY PERRY FEIN

IT IS OFTEN said that great works are not appreciated until after the artist’s time.

Michael Chabon, the Jewish-American author–and winner of the Hugo, Nebula and Pulitzer Prize for Fiction–might beg to differ. His ability to blur genre lines and blend popular science fiction with highbrow literature has earned him the status of “one of the most celebrated writers of his generation.” “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay”—a fast-paced, coming-of-age tale of two boys in New York City at the dawn of World War II—is considered by many to be his “magnum opus.”

The story revolves around Sammy Klayman, a native New Yorker, and his recently emigrated, Czech-cousin, Joseph Kavalier. Growing up in Czechoslovakia, Joe studied magic and was always fascinated with 38 JUNE 2015 |

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the art of escape. Upon arriving in the city, Sammy immediately introduces Joe to his “gang” of likeminded, Jewish comic book “nerds” who, like Sammy, all aspire to be comic book writers and illustrators. Joe takes an immediate liking to the exciting, colorful artwork and reveals a hidden, astounding talent for illustration.

The cousins team up on a character called “The Escapist,” and Joe’s passion for magic and illusions is embedded throughout the series. Soon the up-and-coming Empire Comics takes notice of the rising stars and hires the pair. All the while, Joe is doing anything in his power to help his family escape Europe. He vigorously

writes letters and meets with government bureaucrats who all sympathize with the young, foreign boy but end up being of no help. As the drums of war begin to sound, and the fate of Joe’s family becomes less clear, the artwork in “The Escapist” takes a darker and more sinister turn.

Chabon brilliantly situates his characters in a significant moment in both American and literary history. While Sammy and Joe are entirely fictional, the blooming of the comic book industry in concurrence with the onset of World War II was very real. It also left a plethora of easily accessible, and entertaining literature on nationalism and patriotism as reflected in popular art and fiction. Joe has a personal agenda when he carefully crafts explosive, gory scenes depicting “The Escapist” taking on Hitler and the entire Third Reich. Likewise, the creators of Superman and Captain America were fighting a war of ideas in addition to putting out fast-paced, action-packed stories for children.

The novel traces the lives of the two cousins over decades, covering all of their love interests, accomplishments and travels. The story has a beautiful symmetry that leaves no loose end untied and yet the reader is still yearning for more. Chabon audaciously intertwines Jewish folklore, magic, and history, and what is produced in that eclectic blender is both utterly unique and truly a masterpiece. A Perry Fein is a contributing writer to Jlife Magazine and lives in Santa Cruz.

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Jlife

| JUNE 2015 39

News&Jews OC JEWISH SCENE | JUNE 2015

TVT Hires New Director of Middle School Tarbut V’ Torah Community Day School (TVT) is proud to introduce R. Dustin Wood as the incoming Director of Middle School. Wood, who has a unique background that spans both managerial and educational experience, looks forward to immersing himself in the culture and traditions of TVT as well as exploring new possibilities. Wood said that he is “excited to be working with a faculty that is progressive, caring and dedicated. It’s a new and exciting world that awaits our Middle School students, and I am thrilled to be a part of preparing them for it.”

For more information on TVT, contact (949) 509-9500 or visit www.tarbut.com.

WWII Hero Honored Recently, Assemblyman Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) honored Susanne Weiss Goldsmith as part of the Assembly’s annual observance of California Holocaust Remembrance Week. Goldsmith was part of the Kindertransport, a mission that rescued 10,000 predominantly Jewish children and placed them in foster homes in Great Britain.

“Susanne’s inspiring journey exemplifies the resiliency of the human spirit and what we can achieve when banding together,” Rendon said. “We have a duty to remember the Holocaust and renew our commitment to stand up against injustice in any form.”

Treasure Under the Bridge The Movie, Treasure Under the Bridge recently premiered for North American audiences at Congregation B’nai Israel under the auspices of the synagogue and the Community Scholar Program. Rabbi Marc Soloway invited the community to join him on his personal journey to the modern day Ukraine to visit the graves of Hasidic Masters who occupy such a strong place in the Jewish imagination. Treasure Under the Bridge is dedicated to Reb Zalman. He appears throughout the film, having taken the initial trip that inspired Rabbi Soloway’s film.

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LIFESTYLE

Get groovin’ with some klezmer diddies.

BRINGING KLEZMER BACK MostlyKosher’s “Nu” Twist on Tradition

BY DVORAH LEWIS

MY KNOWLEDGE OF Yiddish consists of only a handful of words. A new one to add to my vocabulary is klezmer, which is Yiddish for “musician.” It comes from the hebrew kele zemer meaning “instruments of music.” This traditional form of music was brought to America from Eastern Europe.

Today there is a revival in the Jewish

traditional music klezmer, especially here within California. You may have heard Mostly Kosher perform last month at the Orange County Yom Hatzmaut celebration.

Mostly Kosher is a Jewish cultural revival band based in Southern California. The band is composed of eight multi-talented musicians and directed by Leeav Sofer. Last

Fall, they released a self-titled album and performed an album release concert with Craig Taubman and the Pico Union Project.

While the band’s mission is to preserve Jewish musical traditions, influences from other cultures are evident in their songs, from Afro-Cuban and Jazz to Yiddish theatre. Being able to watch these songs as they are performed live is sure to provide a different experience than simply listening to the album at home. No matter who you are, some of the songs will get you on your feet. One of my favorites is the first track Ikh Hob Dikh Tsufil Lib (I Love You Much Too Much). It’s impossible not to dance to this song. The music definitely moves your body. As a tanguera (someone who dances tango) I can’t wait to dance to this song at my next practica!

Other songs on the album will take you back in time as they stay true to another Jewish tradition—storytelling. I can feel the struggle conveyed in Papirosn (“Cigarettes”) and the celebration in Shivchei Ma’oz Ma’oz Tsur. A yiddish lullaby that most of us may be familiar with in some fashion is Ofyn Pripetshik (On the Hearth). The song tells the short story of a rabbi teaching his students the alphabet. Even though the album jacket translates each song, the beautifully arranged music provides the meaning all on its own.

The band will be performing next on June 6th at Temple Beth Torah in Ventura and August 9th at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Visit the band’s website at www. mostlykosher.com to purchase the album and get to know the band some more. A Dvorah Lewis is pursuing her Master’s degree in Library and Information Science with a specialization in Archival Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles.

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LIFESTYLE

Guys can be “stressers” too.

Did it help going through it a second time, to “really know?” “It allowed me to understand who I was, and what I wanted in a partner. In my first marriage, I was somewhat naive, and didn’t know who I was. This time around, I was certain,” said Andrew.

Is it necessary to share similar interests? “Before Sarah, I couldn’t date some-

GROOMZILLA A Guy’s Tell-All, Manly Perspective

BY ADAM CHESTER

FROM TELEVISION shows like Bridezilla, to Martha Stewart Weddings magazines, we’re surrounded by media chronicling the frustrations and fairytale endings of planning a wedding. In our “bigger is better” culture, where “no dress or ring under a 6-month salary is acceptable,” it’s argued that we’re losing sight of the bigger picture behind the ultimate goal of an engagement and wedding, which is the union of two people in love.

Although media recounts numerous factors which go into a wedding, they bypass many of the fundamental components leading to an engagement. Also, the majority of wedding programs, aside from the occasional “Groomzilla” episode, cater to women.

These observations may open a can of worms.

In this issue of “Jlife, Guys Tell All,” we’ll 44 JUNE 2015 |

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explore the age-old question of “What do men think?”

On a quest to appease suspicion, three Orange County Jewish men from very different backgrounds were interviewed, each recently engaged or married to an OC Jewish woman.

Any suggestions for knowing your partner’s “The One”? “Right away, I knew Lisa was special. We spoke for four hours over the phone, something I hadn’t done since elementary school,” said Andrew Grier. “Being in my second marriage, I’ve learned a lot. Ensure your partner accepts you as much for your faults as they do your strengths. Little things will change throughout life and you can adapt, but you won’t completely change. The essence of a person, that’s what you have to accept them for.”

body without getting bored, but with her, there’s always something new,” said Eitan Nudel, who proposed to Sarah with a surprise 3 a.m. hot-air balloon ride. “People say your partner should share the same hobbies, but we’re opposites, and we complement each other. Some couples do everything together, but they risk losing their individuality. Alone time’s important.”

Did Judaism play a role? “Absolutely,” said Amit Hirshberg, engaged to marry Brittany on June 7. “I knew I was looking for somebody to grow with Jewishly, who shared similar Jewish values and morals, and who wanted to raise a family in a similar fashion as myself. Then I found Brittany, and had no doubt she was perfect for me.”

“It’s important to my family she’s Jewish, maintaining tradition and not assimilating,” said Eitan. “I’m marrying the girl, not the religion.”

Did you follow tradition, asking the father for his blessing? “I asked her mother, father, brother and sister-in-law. I didn’t feel that just asking her father was what needed to be done,” said Andrew. “You marry the family.” A Adam Chester graduated from UCSD with a degree in Clinical Psychology and is the NextGen Outreach & Engagement Coordinator at JFFS.

CONCIERGE PODIATRY NEWPORT BEACH: Proudly announces the acquisition of the newest laser technology for treating nail fungus.

With summer approaching, bring back the toes you remember.

Concierge Podiatry’s Dr. Ivar Roth

Fungus lives under the nail surface, which makes getting rid of it very difficult.

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The FDA-approved Noveon Nail Laser TM uses patented photobiology and computer controlled operation to quickly and completely destroy fungus. The Nail Laser is fully automatic, able to treat multiple toes simultaneously, bathing each toenail with a computer controlled mix of light wavelengths specifically selected to destroy fungus while controlling heat.

Fungus nail care is now available for the low price of $399 for the first visit, $299 for follow-up visits and $150 for follow up visits without laser.

LIFESTYLE

JewGlue BBQ was a hit! Dressed in blue & white, over 65 Jewish young adults enjoyed delicious BBQ, relaxed under the sun, and played lawn games at an Irvine park on Sunday, April 26 to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day! Shalom Family has also been keeping extra busy with a Passover Story Hour at Barnes and Noble, a Yom Ha’atzmaut Israel Fun Day, and Mommy’s Night Out at Taco Rosa! JewGlue and Shalom Family are programs of the NextGen department of Jewish Federation & Family Services (JFFS). For more information about NextGen, please contact us at NextGen@jffs.org, or visit www.JewishOC. org/NextGen to learn about upcoming events.

TOP LEFT: Terri Samuels, Daniella Drobis and Rebecca Robinson TOP RIGHT: Robin Shulman, Heather Rosenthal and Sharon Barnett MIDDLE LEFT: Gal Kohav, Ben Halperin, Jamie Steinman and Kylie Shahar MIDDLE RIGHT: Alexandra and Hunter Noyes BOTTOM RIGHT: Richelle Farber, Terri Samuels, Rebecca Robinson, Aaron Horowitz, Daniella Drobis and Benjamin Yerushalmi

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF JACKIE MENTER OF JEWISH FEDERATION & FAMILY SERVICES

Orange Jews

LIFESTYLE

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J e w is h M ille n nial

The Hunt is Over!

I feel like Sacagawea would have had trouble finding a Jewish mate. Yes, they say she was able to navigate even the most treacherous of areas in the United States, but she wasn’t in search of a nice Jewish man. The search, as you have read, has taken many of us years. Then, sometime last week, I was sitting at my desk when I got a text. It read “Call me when you can.” For any normal individual this is not an alarming text, but for my friend Natalie, using text versus a phone call is the equivalent to getting a man on the moon. It’s clearly possible, but it’s also ground breaking.

“Hey Rachel! You sitting? I’m engaged!” (radio silence). I nearly died of shock and happiness. My friend Natalie is now someone’s fiancé. I should give Daniel more credit than that. This someone’s name is Daniel.

He has been incredibly good to Natalie, her family and her friends. So, what does this mean? It means we are planning a Jewish wedding. After the huge inner-monologue calmed down, I was able to show my excitement and joy for this simcha.

However, it wouldn’t be like me to miss

have sat at every Shabbat table. I’m almost positive every grandmother has tried to set Natalie up with their grandson. She really is the salt of the earth. And yet, she found her mate at a happy hour in Palo Alto. I knew he was the one (for me) when I found out he loved “Star Wars” and engineered air conditioners.

This is the end of her dreary journey as a single Jewish woman. I am lucky, I have been able to watch one of my best friends fall in love. The new diamond on her finger is just a fraction of the gem she found in Daniel.

The wedding won’t be for a while, but the story will continue as they navigate through life together. I should thank Daniel for a couple things. The first, for loving Natalie as she should be loved, but also… thank you for sparing me another singles event when I make a trip up to the Silicon Valley.

Mazel tov!

Natalie and I have been to every Jewish singles event from San Diego to San Francisco

an opportunity to summarize this journey (Sorry Natalie).

See, from college and on, Natalie and I would take weekend trips. On these outings, we would bring books about dating and the inner workings of a man ready to marry. I would drive while Natalie would read a chapter. Since she’s from Northern California, she’s not allowed to drive unless I want to double the time it takes to get anywhere. Then, she’d read a chapter before we went to bed. Once we read a book called “The Rules.” I was positive this book was created to incite me to break every one of them (and I have).

Natalie has taken them to heart, but she too has broken them from time to time.

Natalie and I have been to every Jewish singles event from San Diego to San Francisco searching for our knights in well pressed suits. We have looked in every synagogue and Chabad learning center. We

RACHEL SCHIFF

is an English teacher who graduated from Cal State Fullerton.

She was president of Hillel, a representative of World Union of Jewish Students and a YLD intern. She is a master’s degree student in American Studies with emphasis on Jews in America.

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| JUNE 2015 47

LIFESTYLE

ORANGE COUNTY’S JEWISH HISTORY Happy 50th Federation!

BY DALIA TAFT

BLOGOSPHERE Jlife wants to acknowledge some of the interesting blogs related to the Jewish community. Enjoy!

JEWISH ART EDUCATION (JAE) JAE is dedicated to educating the wider world on the contributions of the Jewish visual arts to Jewish civilization. JAE continues to explore innovative uses of media to tell the story of Jewish civilization to a wider audience. jaefilmcorp.org/J-Art-Blog/

June 17 marks the official 50th anniversary of the founding of Jewish Federation & Family Services Orange County. On that date in 1965, Federation was incorporated in the state of California, under the name “Jewish Community Council of Orange County.” Prior to that, community fund raising was done mostly through the United Jewish Welfare Fund, which was founded by Sam Hurwitz in 1939. By the early 60s, however, the Jewish population had increased significantly, and Rabbi Aaron Tofield of Temple Beth Emet suggested it was time to create a local Federation. Dr. Stanley Kegel and Martin Roston served as co-chairmen of the organizing committee, and the community responded quickly. In March of 1964, more than 200 residents representing all Orange County synagogues and organizations met at the Cal Fed building in Anaheim to set priorities, and by October of that same year the initial meeting of the board of directors was held and the first officers were elected. The rest, as they say, is history.

Dalia Taft, archivist of the Orange County Jewish Historical Society, a Connect 2 People Initiative of Jewish Federation & Family Services, highlights images from the archives every month. For more information, please visit www.jewishorangecounty.org/historical. You can also contact Dalia at historical@jffs.org or at (949) 435-3484, ext. 167.

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SMASHING THE GLASS Smashing The Glass is a euphemism for shattering the “Jewish wedding by numbers” norm and with this in mind, this blog aims to bring couples who are keen to make their Jewish wedding stand out from the cookie cutter crowd, lots of ideas and inspiration.

smashingtheglass.com THE MODERN JEWISH WEDDING The Modern Jewish Wedding is the premier resource for those planning a traditional Jewish wedding, or a wedding simply including Jewish touches.

themodernjewishwedding.com

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| JUNE 2015 49

LIFESTYLE

25 YEARS YOUNG Heritage Pointe Celebrates

BY TRACEY ARMSTRONG GORSKY

Back to the beginning.

THE JEWISH COMMUNITY is known for looking after one another and, taking care of our elders is no exception. So when a study conducted by the Jewish Federation revealed that Orange County was sorely in need of a “retirement home” the tribe sprung into action. After an inspired capital campaign was spearheaded by Meryl Schrimmer 50 JUNE 2015 |

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and Loretta Modelevsky (and the power of the community was pooled) Heritage Pointe (HP) was born.

It seems like only yesterday, but fast forward a bit and here we are celebrating twenty five years of living the Heritage Pointe Dream. This place is not your typical retirement home. For one, it is a unique environment that allows people to stay connected to their faith and community well into their golden years.

“Heritage Pointe is a way to live not just a place to live; it’s more of a philosophy than a building (gorgeous as it),” says Ellen Weiss, Director of Community Engagement & Philanthropy. “Every stage of life is to be treasured, valued and experienced.”

This honored anniversary gives the home a chance to show off all it’s wonderful amenities as well as unveil several new developments. “The 25th year brings a renewed focus to our ‘home’ and the lives of our residents as we enhance and revitalize Heritage Pointe’s facility,” says Bonnie Jeannette, a past Board Chair and current Vice-President of Facilities.

Heritage Pointe has expanded and remodeled its Health Center and is remodeling and upgrading all the apartments and public bathrooms. New carpet and flooring has also been installed throughout the public areas with updated furnishings and new art. The cafe’ will become a “lounge” with a bar and buffet, TV and outdoor patio access with lounge seating, and the synagogue has a

LIFESTYLE

Heritage Pointe Heroines Meryl Schrimmer and Loretta Modelevsky.

new audio/video capability to accommodate larger and more varied purposes.

“We are truly excited about our plans to rejuvenate Heritage Pointe so that all of our seniors’ lives are further enriched,” says Jeannette. “Strategic plans looking into the next several decades are exciting and invite wonderful opportunities to expand the way we serve our senior community.”

New digs aren’t the only new things going on at HP. Activities abound at Heritage Pointe and there are mitzvah groups, a safety committee and even their own newsletter “Pointe of View” for residents to take part in.

“At our June celebration, you’ll see our residents’ art on display, but you don’t have to wait until then to see our residents in action,” says Jodi Greenbaum, Board Chair.

“You’re welcome to come by anytime to see the holocaust survivor who holds a workshop

on his balcony, the great-grandmother who tutors b’nai mitzvah students, the 90-yearolds gardening or the women helping knit blankets for new residents.”

“Over 25 years of experience have taught us that today’s seniors want to lead lives that are meaningful,” says Greenbaum. “That’s why at Heritage Pointe our residents have helped us to create a vibrant community in a Jewish setting. A setting that values learning and offers great kosher cuisine, world-class care and a lifestyle centered on friendships, fun and activities.”

So come check out all the wonderful new things going on at Heritage Pointe. You’re sure to make a few friends that you’ll do doubt have trouble keeping up with. A Tracey Armstrong Gorsky is a contributing writer to Jlife Magazine.

Every stage of life is to be treasured, valued and experienced.

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| JUNE 2015 51

LIFESTYLE

WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS 8:45 AM Gentle Yoga Merage JCC

THURSDAYS 9:30 AM Keeping Fit/ Mel Grossman Ezra AAFC

SENIORS

CALENDAR JUNE 2015

MONDAYS 9:00 AM Gentle Yogalates & Meditation Merage JCC 10:00 AM News & Views Merage JCC 10:00 – 11:00 AM What’s Up Bob & Ruth Wilkoff Ezra AAFC 10:00 AM Tai Chi/ Jack Finkelstein Ezra AAFC 10:15 AM Stretching/Al Talberg Ezra AAFC

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11:00 AM Various Lecture Topics Ezra AAFC 11:30 AM Drop-in Bridge Merage JCC 7:00 PM Drop-in Mah Jongg Merage JCC 7:00 PM Refresher Mah Jongg Merage JCC TUESDAYS 10:30 AM The View for Women of All Ages Merage JCC

10:30 AM Various Lecture Topics Ezra AAFC FRIDAYS 10:00 AM Men’s Club at the JCC Merage JCC WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 11:00 AM–NOON Aging & Your Memory Pam Berkson, UCI Medical Center Merage JCC SUNDAY, JUNE 14 10:00 AM–3:30 PM Mitzvah Mah Jongg Tournament & Lunch Beginner Table by request.

Mitzvah: bring donations of gently used clothing for children and adults, toys, and non-perishable food.

Merage JCC SUNDAY, JUNE 14 1:00 - 4:00 PM Poker League 2014 Individual Game Registration Merage JCC TUESDAY, JUNE 16 7:00 PM Men’s Wine Tasting Merage JCC THURSDAY, JUNE 18 7:00–8:15 PM Our Jewish World: The Story and Saga of the Jews of South Africa Presented by Leora Raikin Merage JCC

SUNDAY, JUNE 28 1:30 PM Joel Weintraub Presents a Beginners Workshop Temple Bat Yahm SUNDAY, JUNE 28 4:00–5:30 PM Great Jewish Americans 101 From Shtetl to 5th Ave: The Rise of Fashion Designers and Department Store Moguls Presented by Ariela Shani Merage JCC SUNDAY, JUNE 28 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Bonnie Barchichat’s Senior Comedy Afternoons at The Grand in Long Beach 4101 E. Willow St. The Merage Jewish Community Center is located at 1 Federation Way Suite 200, Irvine, (949) 435-3400 x 303. For reservations please contact Geri Dorman, Prime Time Adult Director at: gerid@jccoc.org.

The Ezra Center is located at Temple Beth Emet on Monday & Thursday 1770 W. Cerritos, Anaheim, (714) 776-1103 and Temple Beth Tikvah on Wednesday 1600 N. Acacia, (714) 871-3535 Temple Bat Yahm is located at 1011 Camelback St., Newport Beach.

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| JUNE 2015 53

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29 Burch, Coulston & Shepard, LLP 39 Callahan & Blaine 6 Congregation B’nai Tzedek 56 Crews for Kids 49 Discount Quality Dentures

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9 Heritage Pointe 7 Heritage Pointe 3 Hoag 21 Jason Novak Realtor 53 Jason Starkman State Farm

25 949 Fitness 10 Renaissance Club Sports

39 UCI University Club 17 VITAS 21 W.R. Willis

25 Sherri Primes

28 XS Medical

21 Soul Mates Unlimited

49 Zounds Audio

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| JUNE 2015 55

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Summer Family Fun California Vacations to Remember JUNE 2015

G IN LL W LL RO O FA EN NOR F PRESCHOOL FOR CHILDREN AGES 26 Olam Programs • Ages 2-6 years old • Choice of two, three or five day classes • Half-day program: 8:30 to 12:00 • Full-day program: 8:30 to 2:30 • Full-day Plus: 8:30 to 5:30 • Early Care: 7:30-8:30 am

Extra-Curricular Activities These activities are available in addition to our Montessori curriculum. The instructors come to Olam once a week for families who are interested in additional programming.

• Gymnastics with Mr. Dean • Webby Dance • Play Ball • Summer Camp

“The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.”

— Maria Montessori www.olamjewishmontessori.com info@olamjewishmontessori.com 3900 Michelson Drive · Irvine, CA 92612

Call for a tour! (949) 786-5230

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a peek inside june 2015

also inside!

Editor’s Note 06 Super Shabbos 07 For June Calendar Events please visit: www.ocjewishlife.com

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FAMILY SUMMER VACATIONS

EXPLORING THE WORLD

There are so many fun things to do and sights to see in California. It’s time for some California Family Fun!

Developing your child’s senses with fun, tactile activities.

14 RAISING A MENSCH The “goodness” in kids never fails to inspire.

Psychotherapist for Children, Teens, Parents & Families

Inspiring your family to live a happy and healthy life!

Make your occasion unforgettable with the thrill of air combat action!

MITZVAH AT THE SPEED OF SOUND! 714-937-1511 | www.flightdeck.com 1650 S. Sinclair St., Anaheim, CA

Hilary Buff, Psy.D 858.705.1450

drhilarybuff@me.com www.drhilarybuff.com

• Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Weddings, Meetings & More • Eight different teambuilding activities available • See and hear all the action in the Officers Club • Rooms available for off-site meetings • Food & beverage included • Personalized dog tags and award certificates • The only facility like it in the world!

• Groups up to 90 people

GET IN TOUcH wITH yOUr INNEr TOP GUN!

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EDITOR’S NOTE

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PUBLISHER ORANGE COUNTY JEWISH LIFE EDITOR IN CHIEF TRACEY ARMSTRONG GORSKY, MBA CREATIVE DIRECTOR RACHEL BELLINSKY COPYEDITOR JOSH NAMM CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AUDRA MARTIN, LISA MONETTE, SUE PENN, M. ED., HANNAH SCHOENBAUM ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES DIANE BENAROYA (SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE) MARTIN STEIN (SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE) EDITORIAL (949) 230-0581

TARMSTRONG24@GMAIL.COM

H

ello and welcome to the latest issue of Kiddish.

Well it’s June and summer is officially here! The kids are LOOSE (or at least off their regular school schedule leashes) and finding ways to occupy

ADVERTISING (949) 812-1891

SALES@OCJEWISHLIFE.COM

their time will soon feel like a full-time job. Why not plan

ART

a fun, family vacation together? There are so many media

ART@OCJEWISHLIFE.COM

outlets these days and kids are more web-savy than we want to admit. Why not harness some of that cyber curiosity and engage them in the trip planning process? Working together as a family to plan all the fun you’ll have is a great way to build up the excitement of the trip. It is also a perfect opportunity

ORANGE COUNTY JEWISH LIFE AND KIDDISH IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY ORANGE COUNTY JEWISH LIFE, LLC 1 FEDERATION WAY, IRVINE, CA 92603

to provide your child with a “grown-up” task they can adopt as their own. Big Sis can be the “Ambassador of Ocean Activities” or Lil’ Bro can help with dining options by being the “Deputy of Delicious Stops.” Dad, of course, can be the “Minister of Never Stopping for Directions.” You get the idea. So what are you waiting for… explore!

— Tracey Armstrong Gorsky, Editor in Chief

Editor Tracey Armstrong Gorsky is the managing editor for JLife and former editor and writer for Making Waves, Pet Product News, Veterinary Practice News and Surfing Magazine. She brings over ten years of writing and editing experience to Kiddish magazine and holds a Masters in Business Administration.

OCJL is published monthly by Orange County Jewish Life, LLC. Subscription rate is $24 for one year (12 issues).

Send subscription requests to OCJL, 5665 Oberlin Dr., Ste. 204, San Diego, CA 92121. Orange County Jewish Life is a free and open forum for the expression of opinions. The opinions expressed herein are solely the opinion of the author and in no way reflect the opinions of the publishers, staff or advertisers. Orange County Jewish Life is not responsible for the accuracy of any and all information within advertisements.

Orange County Jewish Life reserves the right to edit all submitted materials, including press releases, letters, articles and calendar listings for brevity and clarity. OCJL is not legally responsible for the accuracy of calendar or directory listings, nor is it responsible for possible postponements, cancellations or changes in venue. Manuscripts, letters, documents and photographs sent to OCJL become the physical property of the publication, which is not responsible for the return of such material. Orange County Jewish Life is a member of the American Jewish Press Association and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

All contents © 2014 Orange County Jewish Life.

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• The grace after meals?

• The Shemoneh Esrei?

How many blessings are there in:

BLESSINGS

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DOWN 1. ‫( סמך‬8:10) 3. ‫( חלום‬12:6) 5. ‫( אזן‬11:1) 7. ‫( פר‬8:8)

CANDLELIGHTING IN JERUSALEM: 7:02 P.M.

___ Noah built the ark ___ The Torah was given ___ The exodus from Egypt ___ Man was creat-

Number the events in the order in which they occured:

historical timeline

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ACROSS 2. ‫( שלוש‬10:33) 4. ‫( שמע‬9:8) 6. ‫( ענן‬9:15) 7. ‫( דגל‬10:25)

Complete the crossword by translating each Hebrew word into English. Use the parsha reference for help.

CROSSWORD

• Yitro appears and turns down Moshe's offer to come to the land of Israel with the Jewish people (10:29).

• The Jewish people complain about food and HaShem in return brings much quail to show His might (11:18).

Act out these scenes with friends and family:

PARSHA SKIT ideas

Taking Care of One’s Body: Sleep is important plan each night to get to bed on time!

GOOD TRAIT OF THE MONTH

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WORD FIND

Find the bold italic words on this sheet.

The unused letters spell a secret message!

HaShem says that Aharon should light the menorah. The Levi'im are purified and HaShem states they are now in place of the firstborn to perform the service in Tent of Meeting. Certain men, who were spiritually impure and not permitted to bring the Passover offering approached Moshe.

Moshe asked HaShem what can be done and He said to bring a Passover offering on the 14th day of Iyar and to eat it with matzah and maror. HaShem covered the Tabernacle with a cloud by day and with fire at night. When the cloud lifted, the Jews would journey. HaShem commanded Moshe to have the trumpets blast when it was time to journey or go to war. Yitro appears and turns down Moshe’s offer to come to land of Israel with the Jewish people. The people begin to complain to Moshe about the manna. Moshe complained to HaShem so HaShem commands Moshe to gather 70 elders to share his duties. In response to the complaint of the people about food, HaShem brought much quail to show His might and then punished the people for not being happy with the manna. Miriam and Aharon spoke gossip about Moshe. Miriam was punished and had to leave the camp for 7 days.

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Visit www.thefamousabba.com/chinuch-podcasts for this week’s Chinuch Podcast! Hear from a new speaker each week.

400 300 200 100 90

‫א ב ג ד ה ו ז ח ט י כ ל מ נ ס ע פ צ ק ר ש ת‬

‫עב ט‬ –‫ ד‬+‫ח‬

How did HaShem speak to Moshe?

GEMATRIA

The prohibition of grinding is called tochen. Do the following situations qualify as tochen?

• Mashing potatoes with a grinder.

• Dicing a cucumber into very tiny pieces.

MAROR

19 IYAR

shabbAT

MATZAH

DISTANT SECOND

Which one is different?

(Hint: Passover Sheni - this week's parsha Ch. 9)

spot the difference

• A friend showed up really late to the baseball game.

• Your friend's car window was broken overnight.

Can you judge these situations favorably?

YOU BE THE JUDGE

(Hint: Shabbat prohibitions - they all end in "ING")

IWGTINR

(scramble)

IGNNNSKI

ATGPIRNP

WORD CMRLESAB

SUPER SHABBAT SHEET 19 SIVAN 5775 PARSHA BEHAALOTECHA

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JUNE 2015

kiddish

Family Summer Vacations Soak up summer with the ones you love.

options and fun to be had on nearby

Get ready for some active fun at Legoland ?

mountain lakes. The bottomline is that California hosts such a wide variety of things to do, you’ll be making “bucket lists” forever in an attempt to see them all. Here are some Kiddish magazine favorites to help give you a hand.

Legoland We’re going to Legoooooo-LAND!!!

What kid doesn’t like to hear those words? Legoland California Resort

W

is a children’s theme park located in

California offers an impressive range

resort houses the first Legoland Water

of things to see and do. Visit museums,

Park in the world, the Lego Legends

have fun at a theme park or go on an

Chima Water Park and the Sea Life

adventure—there are many excellent

Aquarium. You’ll have so much fun, you’ll

options year-round. And speaking of

need lego strollers to wheel the whole

“year-round”… the mountains aren’t just

family to the car.

hether you want to

Carlsbad (just half an hour north of San

play by the pool, have

Diego). With over 60 rides, performance

fun on the beach, or try

shows and attractions, the resort is a fun

new exciting activities,

destination for families of all sizes. The

for skiing you know. Our local mountain ranges offer great summertime hiking

For more information call (760) 918-5346 or visit california.legoland.com.

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JUNE 2015

There are Garibaldi fish sightings galore in Catalina.

Catalina Leave all the hustle and bustle

Glamping!

Want to experience nature without

behind and return to a slower pace of life,

having your creature comforts stripped

the island life. Santa Catalina Island is

away. Why not try “glamping”? El Capitan

located 22 miles south southwest of Los

Canyon provides an easy way for families

Angeles and is the southernmost island

to experience nature in upscale cabins

of the Channel Islands of California. The

surrounded by a beautiful forest. This

island is made up of two towns, the “big”

getaway is only a two-hour drive from Los

town of Avalon to the east end and the

Angeles. Cabins and tents are surrounded

“small” town of Two Harbors to the west

by 3,500 acres of hiking trails and a state

end. The island is just 22 miles long and 8

beach. During the summer months, try

miles across. Outside of the two towns is a

ocean kayaking or take a surfing lesson.

rugged wilderness with 360 degree views

All cabins have outdoor picnic tables,

of the mighty Pacific.

wireless Internet access and direct dial

To get to Santa Catalina Island,

telephones in case you need to keep in

you can take a passenger ferry from

touch with the “outside world.” Upgrades

Newport Beach, Dana Point, Long Beach

such as fireplaces, Jacuzzi tubs and

or San Pedro. You could also fly in via

sleeping lofts are also available. Cabin

helicopter, private plane or sail over on a

rates start at $225 in the summer, and

private boat.

tents are $145.

For more information call Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau at (310) 510-1520 or visit www.catalinachamber.com.

Call (866) 352-2729 for reservations or visit www.elcapitancanyon.com.

DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, TRY OCEAN KAYAKING OR TAKE A SURFING LESSON.

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JUNE 2015

kiddish

Big Bear Lake

Harvest Time The Anderson Valley (just north

THE KIDS CAN HAVE A BALL COLLECTING BEAUTIFUL PALE BLUE CHICKEN EGGS OR LEARNING HOW TO MILK A COW.

farm-related subjects. The weekend includes three hands-on meals and

of San Fransisco) is home to many

two nights in a cottage or room with a

wonderful sites and activities. One such

view. Guests help prepare and enjoy

place to visit is the Philo Apple Farm.

Saturday Lunch and Dinner and Sunday

The farm is family run and aside from

Brunch. And while you are enjoying the

being a spectacular apple orchard, they

local delights, the kids can have a ball

host weekday and weekend cooking

collecting beautiful pale blue chicken

classes and farm stays. From February

eggs or learning how to milk a cow.

to November the Philo Apple Farm offers special “Stay and Cook Farm

For more information call (707) 895-2333 or visit www.philoapplefarm.com.

Weekends.” Over the course of the weekend, the farm provides many different ingredients, techniques, and

Big Bear The San Bernadino Mountains are

flavors, and there is plenty of time to

just around the corner and you don’t

answer questions and delve into all the

need snow to enjoy them. Summertime

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JUNE 2015

is actually a great time to go explore this

Big Bear Lake is a gem, and a

Beach—is known for it’s family-friendly

backyard frontier. Big Bear Lake—a city

fantastic destination for families to enjoy

environment. The beach offers calm,

named after its signature body of water—

activities like swimming, boating, fishing,

typically warm water that’s perfect for

provides pretty space aplenty for play

hiking, biking, mini-golf and then some.

youngsters. Coronado’s biggest claim

and relaxation.

The city, ranging in altitude from

For more information please visit

www.citybigbearlake.com.

public parks, and sites for tourists and

del Coronado. Take a tour of the “The Del,” and you’ll discover its interesting

nearly 6,750 feet to 9,000 feet, is often abuzz with activity due to resorts,

to fame, however, is the stately Hotel

Coronado Island Coronado is to San Diego as Sausalito

beginnings (which include haunted happenings) or splurge with an overnight

locals—at least on the lake’s southern

is to San Francisco; both towns are just

stay. It’s the central focus point of the

shores. The lake’s north shore is a good

across the water from their big-sister

island, and one you don’t want to (and

deal quieter. The manmade lake, as

cities. And what is hiding just around

really, can’t) miss.

a whole, has more than 22 miles of

the corner from the hustle and bustle?

shoreline.

Paradise. Coronado, has two outstanding

For more information please visit

www.coronado.ca.us. ✿

beaches and one of them—Coronado

Coronado Beach

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JUNE 2015

kiddish

Exploring the World Developing your child’s senses.

BY LISA MONETTE

Imagination is a beautiful sight to behold.

I

t is no coincidence that babies first

Below is a list of Merage JCC

put everything in their mouths,

early childhood educators’ favorite

since mouthing, tasting and sucking

sensory activities. Get creative, touch

take in an extraordinary amount of

and explore with your little one—the

information. As they gain motor control,

possibilities are endless!

toddlers are notorious for touching everything in sight. Given this propensity toward physical engagement with the

Chocolate Play Dough Many homemade recipes are

world, young children learn best when

available online. Look for one made with

they are given freedom to explore with all

margarine or vegetable oil and you won’t

of their senses.

have to worry if the dough goes into

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JUNE 2015

mouths. Chocolate play dough smells

in water infused with lots of food coloring.

sweet and yummy, feels soft, is moldable,

Rinse and cool and mix with a splash of

and with some bowls, cups and sand toys

olive oil to prevent sticking. More slimy

makes for a fun and creative activity.

fun for you and your child to investigate.

Floral Hydro Beads

Mix it Up

For a fun, supervised activity with

Exchanging materials, liquids,

your child, check out the local 99 Cents

spaghetti, hydro beads, etc‌, from

Only store for floral beads. When soaked

container to container is fascinating to

in water they become slippery. Gel beads

young children. Have lots of containers

that engage even adults. You can keep

on hand, whether they are recycled

various bowls and vessels filled with

plastic food containers, measuring cups,

water and beads. Children can spend

buckets, molds, etc. Funnels are always a

hours playing and transferring the beads

favorite. âœż

AS THEY GAIN MOTOR CONTROL, TODDLERS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR TOUCHING EVERYTHING IN SIGHT.

amongst containers. Nothing is better than a slimy mess for sensory fun!

Colorful Spaghetti

Lisa Monette has worked with children for over 15 years, she is the Director of the Sheila and Eric Samson Family Early Childhood Center at the Merage JCC. Contact Lisa at lisam@jccoc.org.

Who knew spaghetti could take on such vivid hues? Cook spaghetti noodles

Get wild and crazy with colored spaghetti.

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JUNE 2015

kiddish

Raising a Mensch The wonderful things our kids can do.

BY SUE PENN

Raising a “Little Angel” is no easy feat.

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ach one of us tries to raise a mensch. We work hard at it, modeling behavior and setting expectations. As parents we

aim to hold our children accountable, analyze and discuss situations with them, role-play if we think it will help and make the most of any teachable moment. Character building is one of the toughest tasks we face as parents—even with lots of effort and making the most of all opportunities, we can only guide and teach them. We can’t always be next to them when the tough situations occur.

Part of my job involves meeting with each bar or bat mitzvah student to discuss their mitzvah project 6-18 months before the event. Recently, I had the honor of meeting with Max Goldenberg, the mensch that we all aspire to raise. As we were discussing the various tikkun olam and social action opportunities that would fulfill the Mitzvah Project requirement, Max shared something incredible with me.

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JUNE 2015

Max attends a local public middle

Befriending the “weird” kid is the true sign of a mensch.

school. He noticed that there is one student who no one wanted to befriend— the “weird” child. Max decided that he would befriend this classmate. He sits with him at lunch, looks for him at recess and finds opportunities during the day to connect with him. In fact, not only does Max seek him out, he makes him turn around and removes the nasty yellow sticky notes on the child’s back that fellow students put there—“kick me,” “punch me,” etc. Not only is Max reaching out to the marginalized student,

not angels. But we can aspire to raising

he is making a friend and taking a stand

menschen, we can hope to fill the world

against bullying.

with Max’s and make it a better place, one

Max makes us proud. He represents

Max at a time. ✿

the best of us and leads by example. It is a true tribute to his parents, family and community that he behaves this way in public, even when no one is watching.

None of us have perfect kids, my kids are

Sue Penn is the mother of three, Director of Congregational Learning at University Synagogue, president of Jewish Reconstructionist Educators of North America and a member of the Jewish Educators Assembly.

How to Talk About Bullying Parents, school staff and other caring adults have a role to play in preventing bullying. They can: •

Help kids understand bullying. Talk about what bullying is and how to stand up to it safely. Tell kids bullying is unacceptable. Make sure kids know how to get help.

•

Keep the lines of communication open. Check in with kids often. Listen to them. Know their friends, ask about school, and understand their concerns.

•

Encourage kids to do what they love. Special activities, interests, and hobbies can boost confidence, help kids make friends, and protect them from bullying behavior.

•

Model how to treat others with kindness and respect.

Source—stopybullying.gov

NOT ONLY IS MAX REACHING OUT TO THE MARGINALIZED STUDENT, HE IS MAKING A FRIEND AND TAKING A STAND AGAINST BULLYING.

World Class Care Just Around the Corner!

Pediatric Dentistry Child, Teen & Adult Orthodontics

Irvine Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics 949.559.0674 SHAUL YEHEZKEL, DMD, BOARD CERTIFIED 4902 Irvine Center Dr., Ste. 111 • Irvine, CA 92604 ipdodry@yahoo.com • www.irvinepdo.com

GET NOTICED BY THE JEWISH COMMUNITY.

For subscription or advertising info call Mody at 949.734.5074 or visit www.ocjewishlife.com

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