OCTOBER 2014 l TISHREI•HESHVAN 5775
SENIORS SHARING STORIES
Discussion group brings new dimension to dinnertime
SUKKOT DELICIOUS SUKKOT
Decorating ideas and recipes to try for this year’s harvest festival
FEATURE JEWS AND IMMIGRATION An issue to watch in the November elections
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VOTE TO RE-ELECT SCOTT PETERS FOR CONGRESS ON NOV. 4 Scott Peters
U.S. Representative Former Chairman, San Diego Port Commission
While on the City Council, I was honored to work with you on La Jolla Hillel and the construction of eruvs in the College Area, La Jolla and University City. Our partnership with Israel is the foundation of United States security in the Middle East. I have and will continue to stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and for a continuing and strong relationship between our two democracies.
www.ScottPeters.com Paid for Scott Peters for Congress 4715 Viewridge Ave, Ste 150 San Diego, CA 92123. Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 3
CONTENTS
October 2014 Tishrei/Heshvan 5775
32
COVER STORY: Table 14 at Seacrest Village is about much more than dinner.
42
PLANNED GIVING: The Jewish Community Foundation will soon mark a major milestone with $1 billion granted.
49
SUKKOT: DIY decorating ideas for your sukkah.
53 4 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
POLITICS: Jews, a long immigrant history and what that means for politics today.
Merrill Lynch is proud to salute the San Diego Jewish Community James B. Lewis, CRPC® Senior Financial Advisor
IN THIS ISSUE:
76
Pelvic physical therapy and you
35 SENIORS:
Good Eats 76 Food
Jackie Gmach’s life story lends itself to a book. Doesn’t yours?
38 SENIORS:
Mr. Joe and JWF’s new opportunities for older adults
41 SENIORS:
200,000 rides and tips for longevity
46 SUKKOT:
Merrill Lynch 4365 Executive Drive Suite 650 San Diego, CA 92121
78 BUSINESS:
29 OP-ED:
An argument based on moral grounds isn’t necessarily a good argument
(858) 677-1314
The Bull Symbol, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and The Power of the Right Advisor are trademarks or registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. Merrill Lynch Wealth Management makes available products and services offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC, and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation. © 2012 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. AD-08-12-0334 ARP28644-07-12 Code 446200PM-0812
Around Town 10 Mailbag 12 Our Town 14 Event Recap 80 What’s Goin’ On 88 Calendar
Finding motivation
50 SUKKOT:
Fall recipes for outdoor dining
57 FEATURE:
A new generation of menches
59 FEATURE:
Connecting to Israeli culture
62 FEATURE:
Krav Maga could save you
66 FEATURE:
Music and global connections
69 TRAVEL:
In Every Issue 8 The Starting Line 18 Parenting 20 Israeli Lifestyle 22 Dating 24 Spirituality 26 Israel 83 News 87 Diversions 93 Desert Life
What do you do when you find out you might be a Jew? Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 5
Income Generation in Retirement Our conversation on retirement income can help you move from “Can I retire?” to “How can I make the most of my retirement?” While most people understand the importance of saving for retirement, the concept of retirement income planning may be less familiar. Retirement income planning is a holistic process to help address key retirement decisions, effectively manage risks, and efficiently provide ongoing income to meet both the clients’ current and long-term retirement needs. We can support you by providing the guidance needed to make better, more informed choices to help provide a retirement as flexible as you are. As experienced advisors, we take the time to understand your unique goals to help create a plan tailored for you – one that will modify and change over time.
www.sdjewishjournal.com October 2014 • Tishrei/Heshvan 5775 PUBLISHER • Dr. Mark S. Moss CO-PUBLISHER • Mark Edelstein EDITOR-IN-CHIEF • Natalie Jacobs CREATIVE DIRECTOR • Peter Talhamé ASSISTANT EDITOR • Tinamarie Bernard ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR • Eileen Sondak ADVERTISING DIRECTOR • Mark Edelstein CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tori Avey, Betsy Baranov, Linda Bennett, Abby Walker, Leah Singer, David Ebenbach, Judith Fein (Senior Travel Correspondent), Michael Fox, Jennifer Garstang, Amanda Kelly, Brie Stimson, Miki Lamm, Pat Launer, Curt Leviant, David Ogul, Pamela Price, Sharon Rosen Leib, Nikki Salvo, Andrea Simantov CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS/ARTISTS Vincent Andrunas, Ediz Benaroya, Leigh Castelli, Leetal Elmaleh, Pepe Fainberg, Steve Greenberg, Pat Krause, Paul Ross (Senior Travel Photographer), Angela Sissa, Daisy Varley, Nicholas Patton, Sheri Liebovich
Mitzvah events.qxd
12/1/04
2:10 PM
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THE STARTING LINE by Natalie Jacobs Editor of the San Diego Jewish Journal editor@sdjewishjournal.com
On Faith
W
e’re all familiar with the expression “A leap of faith.” In just the past month I’ve heard it bandied about in reference to new business ventures, falling in love, embarking on an artistic project and trusting that somewhere somehow there’s a plan for all of this (life, that is). The phrase is often used like the spiritual equivalent of “Just do it,” or “You only live once.” But taking a leap of faith presupposes that you’ve got faith in something in the first place. In many cases, the other phrases just serve as encouragement or excuses for bad behavior. So if you need faith to take a leap, what happens if your well’s all dried up? One night, when I was in need of cinematic inspiration, I was browsing through my favorite “Movies to Stream on Netflix” article from the Flavorwire blog. “The Believer,” Ryan Gosling’s feature film debut, was last on the list and it sounded heavy. In the movie, the article explained, the hopelessly hunky and unquestionably talented actor plays a Jewish neo-Nazi. Words like “difficult to take,” “walking contradiction,” and “truly revelatory” are some of my favorites when used to describe movies so I told my boyfriend that it would be great and clicked “play” before he could object. I suppose I could have asked him to take a leap of faith but he didn’t need that much convincing. The movie was quickly uncomfortable as the opening scene shows Gosling’s character, Danny, – with shaved head, red suspenders and combat boots – stalking a yarmulke-wearing young man off the train and beating him up in the middle of an empty New York City street. From there, the movie slowly strips back the layers of Danny’s troubled soul. Based on what we learn about Danny in flashbacks to heated Hebrew school arguments 8 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
about the power and privilege of G-d, Danny grew up observant but something kept him from ever fully having faith. He yearns for proof of an almighty ruler and he despises being told what to do. To Danny, Judaism feels empty and full of impossibilities. But he can also never truly let it go. He dies when he changes his mind about a bomb he rigs in a synagogue. A few weeks after I watched “The Believer,” its poignant themes still coming often to mind, I nabbed a free copy of the August issue of VICE Magazine. I quickly read my way through to their fiction section. “Excerpt from Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Autobiographical Novel, ‘Where the Bird Sings Best,’” begins with an angry Jewish woman, the narrator’s paternal grandmother, Teresa, in a synagogue in 1903. Her eldest son has just died. Indignant with a G-d she can no longer believe in, Teresa storms through the synagogue, throws her head into the Torah parchments and wails: “Your books lie!” in front of the congregation. She never regains her faith. Instead, she moves her family to the country and dedicates her life to training mosquitoes in a basement. If these two small, fictionalized accounts of what happens when faith is temporarily misplaced, or permanently lost, are of any guidance, then having faith is what keeps people going. Faith is what keeps us adventurous and thriving in a reality that will inevitably throw terrible things our way in order to keep us doubting ourselves and everything else. Whether it be in a human-like G-d or a nebulous universal power, having faith and using it to take leaps should always be a good thing. Without it, we may find ourselves precariously perched, indefinitely. A
Don’t Forget:
We’ve got great television, book and movie suggestions in our new Diversions section, found on page 87 of this issue.
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Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 9
>> mailbag
We’re Listening! Let us know what you’re thinking.
FEELING PLACE
OUT
OF
Dear Editor: Reading through this past issue from the photo of Israeli soldiers on the cover to the distraught letters to the editor, to the reflections from and about Israel, I feel a miserable sense of having no place in the Jewish world. I grew up in the Conservative movement, attended Hebrew High, went to Camp Ramah, belonged to HaShomer HaTzair, became a rabbi...but I am also an American who believes in equal rights and separation of church and state. It seems increasingly obvious to me that the occupation is illegal, unjust, and horrendously violent, backed by an increasing hatred of Arabs among Israeli Jews. I can no longer support the idea of a state that priveleges Jews above others; justice for some isn’t justice. I feel these are deeply Jewish perspectives. How could we oppress others? But these views make me a pariah, a target, an enemy, to those who feel Israel must be protected and supported no matter what it perpetrates on civilian refugees. I know that many Jews refrain from a closer connection with the organized Jewish world in part because they are offended by the pro-Israel, pro-AIPAC party line. It doesn’t welcome or represent them. So how does it help the Jews to shun and shut out so many in the effort to save and protect us? There is the echo of an ancient futility here. We need to calm down and really listen to each other. If some country had treated its Jews the way Israel has treated the Palestinians, the injustice would be so clear. There is no alternative to taking down the walls and finding a way to share. No one has anywhere else to go home. There is enough; enough
land, enough courage, enough good will. And if Israel doesn’t reflect Jewish values, what’s the point? Rabbi Alexis Pearce San Diego
HEARING DIFFERENT VOICES Dear Editor: I would like to add my thoughts regarding two articles that you recently published under “Wishful Thinking” and “In Response to Hillary” from a Mr. Gideon Rappaport and a Felicia Gipsman [“Mailbag,” Sept. 2014]. I wholeheartedly support their views and I hope others in our community will join them to make our voices heard. Jackie Niederman La Jolla
ON THE COVER For this month’s cover shoot, photographer Sheri Liebovich and SDJJ Creative Director Peter Talhamé spent an evening at Seacrest Village with the members of Table 14. Read the story and see more photos of the inspiring group on page 32.
CORRECTIONS In the Palm Springs column in our Sept. issue, the photo caption incorrectly noted that Sid Craig was at his home in Palm Springs. The photo was taken at Gallery 446 in Palm Springs, by Dimitri Halkidis. The SDJJ regrets this error.
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Send us your comments: editor@sdjewishjournal.com • 5665 Oberlin Dr., Ste 204 • San Diego, CA 92121 10 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
Music Brings Us Together
The San Diego Community Salutes the IDF
By popular demand, IDF Chief Cantor Lt. Col. Shai Abramson returns to San Diego accompanied by the IDF Choir, a highly-acclaimed orchestra as well as IDF soldiers.
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW AT: www.fidf.org/sandiego
Please join us in supporting the IDF soldiers who bravely served in Operation Protective Edge. The FIDF’s unique sole purpose is to support IDF soldiers and veterans by assisting wounded soldiers, caring for the families of fallen soldiers and easing the burden of soldiers in need. Tuesday, October 28 @ 7:00 p.m Balboa Theatre 868 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 For more information or sponsorship opportunities, Call the FIDF office 858-926-3210 or email sandiego@fidf.org
our
TOWN
BY LINDA BENNETT & BETSY BARANOV l BETSY1945@COX.NET PHOTOS BY SHERI LIEBOVICH
“Outrageous” Party at JCC
The San Diego premiere of “The Outrageous Sophie Tucker” was held Aug. 17 at the JCC, to launch the 25th anniversary season of the San Diego Jewish Film Festival. The kick-off film brought an accumulation of history, talent, comedy and Jewish culture from legendary Sophie Tucker. After a delicious buffet around the Friedenberg Olympic Pool, we watched the film and participated in a postscreening discussion with producers Lloyd and Susan Ecker. Among those attending the sold-out event were Larry Katz, Bonnie and Ellis Diamond, Marty Goldberg, Judy Feldman, Marlene Bellamy, Deborah and Daniel Carnick, Helen and Don Fleming, Sylvia and David Geffen, Warren Kessler, Joyce Axelrod, Diane and Elliot Feuerstein, Francine and Phil Ginsberg, Frances Lobman, Barbara and Mathew Loonin, Shari Schenk, Peri Silverman, Gayle and Bob Silverman and Jean Mayer.
Birthdays...
Happy 92nd birthday to Mildred Ackerman. Happy 93rd birthday to Loraine Stern. Happy 87th birthday to Burt Nestor.
Anniversaries...
Happy 50th anniversary to Sue and Mark Appelbaum.
Mazel Tov...
Gregory Brown married Julie Rot of Chicago on July 19. Gregory is the son of Michael Brown and the late Sherre Brown. Paul Segal married April Angeloni on Sept. 14 at Torrey Pines State Reserve. Cailey Koren, daughter of Bruce and Jessica Koren, celebrated her Bat Mitzvah at Congregation Beth El on July 9. Happy grandparents are Sharon and Nat Koren and Natan Bakcht. Her late grandmother was Raquel Bakcht. Allison Nicole Sondak, daughter of Brad and Beth Sondak (and granddaughter of Jewish Journal scribe Eileen Sondak and the late Norman Sondak) celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on Aug. 2 at Temple Adat Shalom. 12 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
Top: Carole Levy, Seth Krosner, and Gayle Silverman. Clockwise from middle right: Mark Lee, Alisa Feinswog, and Kevin Leap • Craig Prater, Susan Ecker, Sophie Tucker cut-out, and Lloyd Ecker • Holly Hazaan, Laurie Spiegler, and Joy Heitzmann.
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY Experience Excellence.
2014-2015 Season
O P U S 2 0 14
JACOBS MASTERWORKS
VAN CLIBURN GOLD October 17 & 18, 8pm October 19, 2pm Jahja Ling, conductor Vadym Kholodenko, piano (Van Cliburn gold medalist)
Underwritten by the Park Foundation
Saturday, October 25, Gala at 6pm, Concert at 8pm Jahja Ling, conductor Lola Astanova, piano, guest artist of the Park Foundation 2014-2016 Tour
Lola Astanova
Concert-only tickets: $80 / $60 / $40 / $30 Concert and after-party: $300 Full Gala packages: $5,000 / $2,500 / $1,250
H
EN ÉL
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OU LD
BEETHOVEN: Overture to Creatures of Prometheus BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 4 PROKOFIEV: Piano Concerto No. 2 TCHAIKOVSKY: “Waltz and Polonaise” from Eugene Onegin
GAL A CHAIRS
Vadym Kholodenko
To purchase Gala tickets call 619.236.5410 or e-mail opus@sandiegosymphony.org
JACOBS MASTERWORKS
ˇ ÁK CHOPIN AND DVOR
October 24, 8pm; October 26, 2pm Jahja Ling, conductor; Lola Astanova, piano Ryan DiLisi, timpani KRAFT: Timpani Concerto No. 1 CHOPIN: Piano Concerto No. 2 DVORˇ ÁK: Symphony No. 7
JACOBS MASTERWORKS
LORTIE PLAYS SAINT-SAENS
November 14 & 15, 8pm; November 16, 2pm Jahja Ling, conductor Louis Lortie, piano SIBELIUS: “March” from Karelia Suite SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 1 SAINT-SAENS: Piano Concerto No. 5: Egyptian RAVEL: La valse
Double your gift through the 2014 Maestro Challenge! 1 donation = 2 donations Online: sandiegosymphony.com/donations • Phone: 619.615.3908 A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SERIES SPONSORS:
Financial support is provided by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.
ALL SINGLE TICKET FULL PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UP UNTIL SHOWTIME WITHOUT ANY GIVEN NOTICE. All artists, programs, dates and times subject to change. All sales final, no refunds.
For complete season information: CALL 619.235.0804 or VISIT sandiegosymphony.com
Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 13
be SEEN BY MIKI LAMM l MIKISDJJ@GMAIL.COM PHOTOS BY SHERI LIEBOVICH
YAD Newcomer’s Brunch
In an effort to strengthen the local Jewish community and to welcome and engage those who’ve just moved to San Diego, Jewish Federation’s Young Adult Division (YAD) hosts a bi-annual Newcomer’s Brunch. For the most recent event on Sept. 7, more than 50 young adults gathered in La Jolla for the first brunch of the year. The event served as an opportunity for guests to converse and connect with other San Diego transplants and long-time members of the community here. Attendees discussed their newest gastronomic discoveries and favorite local finds, and shared advice for acclimating to San Diego culture. NextGen staff and YAD lay-leaders discussed opportunities for meaningful engagement in the San Diego Jewish community and encouraged participation in upcoming events. If you are new to San Diego, have not been involved with Jewish Federation’s YAD or would like to learn more about future events, contact the NextGen team at yad@jewishfederationsandiego.org. Want your event featured in the next “Be Seen” Column? Send details to: mikisdjj@gmail.com.
Top: Katie and Chris Lewis. Clockwise from middle: James Fulks and Jess Glasser • Simone Abelsohn, Ben Lavi and Emily Sears • Rachel Green, Emelia Pine, Leora Waiche, Dana Leviel and Irna Poliak • Melanie Silver, Becky Rudin, Liz Chase and Danielle Blum.
14 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
Plans Well Laid
USD Celebrates a Planned Gift That Will Keep Giving to its Students The University of San Diego honors Muriel Campbell for making a decision that would change the lives of students for generations to come. Her planned gift supported programs in USD’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences. She also gave the seed money to create a campus home for USD’s student veterans. The new Veteran’s Center opens this fall. Through that gift, her legacy will live on — in the lives of the many USD students who will be honored for serving our country and who will be hailed for teaching the future leaders of the world.
The University of San Diego. We are Changemakers.
www.sandiego.edu
the SCENE BY EILEEN SONDAK l NSONDAK@GMAIL.COM PHOTOS BY NICHOLAS PATTON
Lunch for Jerusalem Zoo
The San Diego Friends of the Tisch Zoological Gardens in Jerusalem honored Dr. Irving Taylor at its 13th Annual Luncheon at the Treetops Room of the San Diego Zoo recently. The festive event included Israeli songs and a delightful lunch. Judge Victor Bianchini welcomed the loyal supporters to “celebrate the Jerusalem Zoo Exchange.” He also praised Helena Galper for her efforts on behalf of the program. After lunch, he introduced Dan Hazard (a representative of Congresswoman Susan Davis) who read a proclamation and letter paying tribute to this year’s honoree, Dr. Irving Taylor, for all he and his family have done to support this exchange program throughout the years.
From top: Charlotte and Dr. Phillip Rand • Marion Reiger, Ellen Barnett, and Frances Villalobos.
MCA Gala
The Museum of Contemporary Art held its annual “Monte Carlo” fundraiser in La Jolla recently. The festive event was dubbed “Jet Set” and delighted guests included Melissa, Rusti, and others from the Bartell family, Barbara Bloom, Bob Caplan, Candace and Rob Cohen, Hugh Davies, Steve Ellenberg, Diane and Elliot Feuerstein, Karen Fox, Larry Friedman, Jennifer and Richard Greenfield, Jennifer Kagnoff, Annika and Gordon Kovtun, Jay and Jennifer Levitt, Gavin Mandelbaum, Viviana and Charles Polinsky, Arthur and Jeannie Rivkin, Steve and Susan Strauss, Gary Singer, and Howard and Jo Weiner.
Clockwise from bottom right: Viviana and Charles Polinsky • Paul Jacobs and Geneviéve Tremblay • Steve and Susan Strauss.
16 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
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parenting
MUSINGS FROM MAMA by Sharon Rosen Leib srleib@roadrunner.com
An Education Abroad
“M
om, you were right!” Oldest Daughter exclaimed. I swoon when I hear one of my kids utter those four magical words (an exceedingly rare occurrence). What, wonder of wonders, prompted Oldest Daughter to utter them? Here’s the backstory. On her own initiative, she landed a summer job as an au pair in Valencia, Spain (via the well-established website aupair-world.net). She also made plans, with parental encouragement, to spend the first semester of her junior year studying abroad in Bristol, England. The au pair gig ended in early August and the University of Bristol’s fall semester didn’t begin until mid-September. I encouraged her to get herself a Eurail pass and travel the European continent during the four-week gap between Valencia and Bristol. “But Mom, I don’t know anyone over there. I don’t want to travel alone.” “You’ll meet people and make friends to travel with. This is a once-in-a-lifetime month when you don’t have work, school or family to tie you down,” I said. “Don’t you want me to come home? Won’t you miss me?” she said, sounding hurt. “Of course I will, but I don’t want you to regret blowing this amazing opportunity!” My husband lobbied me behind the scenes not to pressure her to stay in Europe. Yet I desperately wanted her to see the light – the freedom and joy of unencumbered travel. Professional lobbyist that he is, my husband convinced me to zip my lips – a struggle for me when I believe I’m right. Fast forward to August. “Mom, I’ve met great people from all over Europe in my Spanish class in Valencia and they’ve invited me to visit them. Maybe I should stay.” She hemmed and hawed, still worried about 18 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
traveling on her own in between visiting her newfound friends. My sister, an inveterate traveler, and I, a former world traveler (something about getting married and having three kids altered my freewheeling lifestyle), encouraged Oldest Daughter to go for it. Her experiences navigating Valencia and its environs increased her confidence to the point where she decided to take the travel plunge. Yippee! She madly texted her new friends across Europe – in Denmark, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, all of whom invited her into their homes. She poured over a map of Europe and devised an itinerary. Then, she worked out a plan where she’d only have to spend a few nights alone in a hostel in Prague – a place she wanted to visit but didn’t know anyone. At the 11th hour, she secured a Eurail pass. And, with some natural trepidation, off she went. During her first long train ride from Paris to Copenhagen, she texted us that she felt lonely and overwhelmed. My husband shot me an accusatory look as in, “This is your fault.” But since then she’s been texting photos posing with old and new friends on Copenhagen’s quaint shoreline; the forested hills surrounding Mannheim; in front of the colorfully graffitied Berlin wall; and standing on a picturesque bridge atop Prague’s Vltava River. She called and said, “I’m having the time of my life and learning so much!” While staying at the hostel in Prague, she met two nice British girls who attend the University of Bristol, where she’d soon be studying.They invited her to travel to Budapest with them. “Now I have friends at Bristol!!” she texted with glee. I’m overjoyed at her newfound confidence, independence and ever-expanding worldview. I’m also reveling in the recognition that sometimes Mom really does know best! A
Did you know?
More than half of students who study abroad go to Europe (53.3 percent in 2011). Latin America (15. 8 percent) and Asia (12.4 percent) are second and third most popular study destinations.
Jacquelyne Silver, that sparkling and witty mistress of piano, will make your special event PERSONALIZED and MEMORABLE.
BIRTHDAY BIOGRAPHIES ANNIVERSARY FESTIVITIES CORPORATE EVENTS A Juilliard graduate, Jacqui worked with Leonard Bernstein, Luciano Pavarotti, at Carnegie Hall, and on Broadway! Jacqui also has a teaching studio for both piano and voice, and is an award-winning professor of music, who welcomes her students, both children and adults, with her special teaching techniques.
CALL OR EMAIL JACQUI FOR YOUR NEXT HAPPENING! 858-412-5858 • jsilver@san.rr.com
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israeli lifestyle
LIVING ON THE FRONT PAGE by Andrea Simantov
andreasimantov@gmail.com
House swapping, anyone?
I
t was an early springtime Shabbat morning when I had an epiphany: Let’s sub-let our Jerusalem apartment for Pesach and visit my children in South Africa! Waiting for my husband to return from synagogue, the perfect plan gelled and took form. After a kiddush replete with scotch and pickled herring, he’d be putty in my hands. Two l’chaims later, he was all ears and by the third jigger, he was waxing emotional about his childhood in the now uninhabitable Johannesburg neighborhoods of Hillbrow and Yeoville. I felt teary and self-important, being the facilitator of a waltz down Memory Lane with the man I love. That night I called our travel agent, Heshie, who promised the best deal imaginable. Amazingly, he found an unbelievable bargain:Two
20 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
round-trip tickets for the cost of one ticket on a preferred airline. The only caveat was a seven hour stopover in Cairo. No problem! We have peace with Egypt, don’t we??? That week I posted digital photos of our home on several Yahoo! Groups and Facebook. Initially thinking my home possessed an “earthy-charm,” it became evident that it was downright shabby. Jutting electrical outlets, painted an institutional white, a kitchen that was not modern enough for Golda Meir to cook in, exposed cords beneath the flat-screen tv and a hastily-mounted sound system. The two bathrooms are a tad more modern than outhouses because they boast taps and occasionally running water. While the place is a dump, it’s our dump and we hoped that someone would feel excited by the prospect of spending a month living among
the amcha a.k.a. common folks. Still, except for being only a 40 minute walk from the Western Wall, my neighborhood is off the beaten-path. The bus runs in front of our home but tourists occasionally have a bad attitude toward public transportation, ever since a few motor-coaches exploded in recent decades. We live between two Arab villages which makes for a beautiful view but, again, the gun-shots and frequent Boarder Patrol clashes with stone-throwing teens might concern potential renters. We did not give up. Someone-oh-someone would want to experience living like a real Israeli. Less than a week before the departure date, the apartment still not rented, I’d gone into overdraft for the airfare and we received unexpected news from Heshie-the-Horrible. The bargain flight to Johannesburg via Cairo was canceled but we could take a connecting flight 24 hours later. After acquiring visas. And spending a night in Cairo. Two days traveling for a typically ninehour flight. Between discussions of canceling and considering taking second and third jobs each, the children called to tell us how excited they were about our visit. In the end, we flew Ethiopian Air. By Rosh HaShanah we’ve paid off the trip and were able to pray, unencumbered by financial obstacles in our spiritual paths. And lo-andbehold, by Yom Kippur we received a call from Johannesburg explaining that we’re again expected at the Seder table. Without missing a beat, we both shouted “Yes!” Suppressing additional epiphanies, we have placed an old tzedakah box on the window sill for the express purpose of covering the expenses of the now-annual excursion, placing more faith in God and our day jobs than in either Heshie or the internet. A
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dating
PLAYING WITH MATCHES by Jennifer Garstang jenscy@gmail.com
Planning for the Future, Living in the Now
A
couple months ago, my boyfriend and I were in one of the lowest points of our relationship. The main source of conflict: I felt perpetually on edge when he played computer games. This in turn, made him more stressed, and computer games are his favorite way to relax. Vicious cycle? Yep. Negative reinforcement loop? Oh yeah. Our final argument boiled down to two basic concerns: I didn’t know if I could tolerate that many hours of computer games for the rest of my life, and he feared I’d never be okay with him pursuing the activities that let him unwind. In that moment, our future sprawled out in front of us in a clear, linear path. It was a future of tension and arguments; of him never feeling free to enjoy his hobbies, and me always feeling like the nagging spouse. It was not a future that either of us wanted. So we decided to take a break. Our relationship almost instantly improved. We were both happy, supportive of each other’s activities, and closer than we’d ever been. Wait...but didn’t we take a break? Indeed we did, but not from each other. We took a break from the stifling certainty that we’d spend the rest of our lives together. We took a break from being on the monorail to marriage. In short, we took a break from worrying about the future. But what about computer games, the original source of conflict? The funny thing is, once we stopped fretting 22 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
about the future, I discovered I didn’t have a problem with the amount of time he spent on games. Rather, I had a problem with the amount of time he spent on games if we were to add on the responsibilities of maintaining a home and raising children. But those time commitments aren’t a factor in our current lives, and by trying to force ourselves to prepare for future roles, we (or, more accurately, I) wound up creating problems that didn’t even exist. Now, I’m not saying “don’t think about the future.” After all, my guy and I would run into some serious problems down the road if he couldn’t adjust his schedule when necessary. But he has already demonstrated a willingness to make adjustments for the good of our relationship. Once I took a step back and let that fact sink in, my concerns evaporated. And so, Dear Readers, as we begin this new Jewish year, keep in mind that preparing for the future should not come at the expense of the present. If you find yourself worrying about your future with your special someone, be sure to temper that worry with this question: “Is my relationship, as it is right now, bringing me happiness?” If the answer is “no,” then that’s an issue you need to explore with your partner. But if the answer is “yes,” then take a break from the worries and celebrate the time you have right now. A
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Project SARAH Education Event In Support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month
One Man’s Journey from Survivor to Advocate FEATURING
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Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 23
spirituality
THE ARTIST’S TORAH by David Ebenbach ebenbach@netzero.com
Adding Rest
T
his October is an unusual month for Torah readings; only half are regular Torah readings, and the other two are instead special holiday readings for Yom Kippur and Sukkot. They come from the Torah, too, of course, but they come out of the normal sequence, almost as if to say: Pay special attention to this! So what do they say? Taken together, the two holiday readings offer instructions on how to observe all of the main Biblical holy days (Shabbat, Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). The instructions vary a little by holiday, but one thing is common to them all: we are commanded to stop work, to rest. And you’d think that commandment would be pretty straightforward, but in fact these readings remind us that there’s a lot we could – and should – say about rest. First, and most obviously, taking time to rest – including once each and every week for Shabbat – is a radical idea in the context of a society (like ours) that values industry, productivity, and accomplishment above most other things. Of course, the Torah demands that we do the radical thing. We are told repeatedly of this commandment that it is a statute forever (Lev 16:29, 16:31, 16:34, 23:14, 23:21, 23:31, 23:41), with no exceptions made for people who might be living in a busy, Type A society. Second, the stakes are pretty high. In these chapters we learn that, if a person works on Yom Kippur, God will destroy that soul from among the people (23:30). And though many of us no longer experience God as a force that throws thunderbolts when we do wrong, it’s easy enough to see how relentless, unceasing work could be very hard on a person’s soul.
24 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
That said, the Torah’s idea of rest isn’t necessarily about lounging around. For one thing, most of the holidays require people to come together to make dramatic sacrifices, which seems pretty active. Yom Kippur in particular seems to demand almost mutually impossible things; in one breath we hear “It is a sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls (16:31).” It’s hard to think of self-affliction as being particularly restful, but the Torah sees no contradiction there. The point seems to be that, when you stop working, you don’t stop doing anything and everything that requires effort. Rather, you stop worldly work – the daily bread and butter – and instead turn yourself toward doing sacred work. This is why some people who are not strictly shomer Shabbes will do things like paint or write poetry on Shabbat – for those folks, it’s a turn from the worldly to the sacred. (For the same reason, some painters and poets are sure to do anything but paint and write on Shabbat; they, too, need time away from their daily work.) Others will hike deep into nature, or drive to see family that they don’t get to see often enough. Certainly it’s why some people come to synagogue on Shabbat and other holy days when they could instead be stretched out on the couch at home. Now, for the record: there’s usually enough time on these special days to do both. There are surely times when we do need to stop everything. And there are times when the imperative is not to stop everything but to broaden one’s focus beyond the everyday to-do list to encompass something larger. In those moments, rest is about adding rather than subtracting. It’s about actively doing something that we really need to do. A
This
month’s Torah portions Oct. 4: Yom Kippur (Leviticus 16) Oct. 11: Chol HaMo’ed Sukkot (Exodus 33:13-34:26) Oct. 18: B’reisheet (Genesis 1:1-6:8) Oct. 25: Noach (Genesis 6:9-17:27)
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www.hebrewday.org Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 25
israel
Two friends lead the growth of an industry with handmade products By Natalie Jacobs
Dasilva Skateboards founders Ben Kaufman (FRONT LEFT) and Alon Meiri (FRONT RIGHT) show off their boards in Israel.
S
kateboarding has been an integral part of life for young Americans, primarily boys with a bit of rebellion in their blood, for decades. Once the action sport took off, sometime in the early ’80s, apparel and gear brands started to form and the hobby turned into a lifestyle. Skate culture has permeated youth culture ever since, with big companies like Vans, DC Shoes and Converse defining what it means to be cool in the skate world and beyond. While the big name brands maintain a hold on this $4.8 billion industry, skateboarding has always been fertile ground for enthusiastic entrepreneurs looking to turn their love of skateboarding into a business. In Israel, skateboarding and the culture that surrounds it is just starting to take off but locals Ben Kaufman and Alon Meiri aren’t waiting for the established names to come in and offer them the gear that they need. “Until quite recently,” Kaufman says, “good boards were pretty hard to come by in Israel.” Kaufman and Meiri have been riding boards for as long as they can remember. When they couldn’t get the skateboards they wanted in Israel, they started making boards for themselves and their friends. The developed a techique
26 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
for handmade boards with a wooden core and composites of carbon, glass fiber and natural wood veneers. When they started making the boards, the pair were studying industrial design at Holon Institute of Technology, working odd jobs and traveling in search of “waves and roads and new experiences.” Demand grew slowly but surely and eventually they quit school and formed Dasilva Skateboards, where they’ve been working full time for about three years. “We took a leap of faith,” Kaufman says. “Skateboarding is pretty big in Israel, and it has been growing fast in the last few years. Skate parks are popping up everywhere. Downhill skateboarding is still pretty small, but we’ve been getting more and more people joining us and it’s slowly growing and getting attention.” While the skateboarding industry grows in Israel, most of Dasilva’s sales come from outside the small country. They sell through their website as well as in stores in Israel, England, Germany, Spain and South Korea. They’re looking to expand into the U.S. soon, but they’re not in a hurry. “We’re not exactly the ‘businessmen’ type,”
Kaufman says. “We’re a couple of traveling nomads, and we’re still learning how to run a business. We’ve been doing everything ourselves, from branding to doing our own accounting. We like to take the scenic route.” Doing business in Israel also slows down the whole process, he explains. “Having no open land borders, living in Israel is kind of like living on an island. Everything has to be imported by sea or sky, which drives prices up significantly. Everything takes longer and [requires] more middle-men. This goes the other way too, exporting goods out of the country is a complicated process.” Ultimately, although business is tough sometimes, “we are living our dream,” Kaufman says. Like the now iconic American companies before them, Dasilva is on the forefront of a cultural movement and their creativity will keep them growing along with the industry. “We get to travel, experience remote places, meet interesting people, work with our hands and watch what we love grow and evolve. We couldn’t be more sure we made the right decision.” Check out Dasilva’s current collection at dasilvaboards.com. A
PHOTO COURTESY DASILVA SKATEBOARDS
I
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OP-ED
MORAL IDIOTS
A closer look at the fallacy of genocide claims and other inaccuracies from the Middle East BY MICHA DANZIG
O
n Aug. 23, 327 alleged Holocaust survivors and descendants of Holocaust survivors, on behalf of the mendacious International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN), placed an ad in the New York Times attacking Eli Wiesel for his “manipulation of the Nazi genocide” and then went on to express their alleged alarm at the “extreme, racist, dehumanization of Palestinians in Israel” and called for an end to the “ongoing genocide of Palestinian people.” In addition to being an outrageous attack on one of the great heroes of our time, this letter demonstrates that surviving the Holocaust or being related to someone who survived the Holocaust grants you no moral wisdom and certainly does not make you a moral authority. What it should mean is that you were blessed to
have survived or to have your ancestors survive one of the greatest crimes in history and that you should live a life of moral clarity. In that respect, these 327 people have failed, despicably. With their attack ad, what the 327 moral idiots objected to was Wiesel’s ad decrying Hamas’s use of children as human shields and children being taught their greatest calling is to be suicide bombers or human shields. In Wiesel’s ad he provided: “Palestinian parents want a hopeful future for their children, just like Israeli parents do. And both should be joining together in peace. But before sleepless mothers in both Gaza City and Tel Aviv can rest, the Hamas death cult must be confronted for what it is.” Rather than applaud Wiesel’s words, the morally obtuse at IJAN took issue with Wiesel’s ad and instead want people to believe there is
“extreme, racist dehumanization of Palestinians in Israel.” In Gaza, Jews are regularly described and depicted as the “sons and daughters of apes and pigs.” Even though both Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) committed in the Oslo Accords in 1993 to “foster mutual understanding and tolerance” and “abstain from incitement, including hostile propaganda, the PA and Hamas in Gaza have gone out of their way to depict Jews in the vilest fashion. There are so many examples of racist propaganda directed at Jews in the Arab world and in particular by the PA and Hamas, it would take a book to list them all. Some examples include a tv ad for a camp in Gaza where a camper sings “‘I came to you with my sword in hand. We will drive the Jews into the sea. Your day is coming, conqueror, then we will settle accounts. Our accounts are unending Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 29
OP-ED
in stones and bullets.” Despite the fact that Israel has won every war it has fought against the much larger Arab countries that attacked it, in the PA newspaper, (Al-Hayat Al-Jadeeda), an article claimed “that the Israelis are not adventuresome because the Jewish brain is cowardly.” While IJAN tries to gain for itself moral authority by using the Holocaust, the PA and Hamas regularly deny that the Holocaust happened or that it was that bad. One gem from PA tv was the assertion that “it is well-known that every year the Jews exaggerate what the Nazis did to them. They claim there were six million killed, but precise scientific research demonstrates that there were no more than 400,000.” As for Hamas, its Charter is replete with antiSemitism. Article 7 of the Charter provides: “The time will not come until Muslims will fight the Jews; until the Jews hide behind rocks and trees, which will cry: O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, come on and kill him…” Article 22 provides: “[Jews’] control of the world media [and use their] wealth to stir revolutions … They stood behind the French and the Communist Revolutions.” Article 22 also provides: “There was no war that broke out anywhere without their [Jews] fingerprints on it.” And it does not stop with the Charter. Hamas Cleric Muhsen Abu ‘Ita, on Al-Aqsa tv told his audience “the annihilation of the Jews here in Palestine is one of the most splendid blessings for Palestine.” Jew hatred is also regularly taught by Hamas to young children. One children’s show on Al-Aqsa tv featured a cute mouse called “Farfur.” In one episode, Farfur asks kids: “what do you want to do to help the Al-Aqsa Mosque?” The response: 30 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
“We want to fight.” Not satisfied, Farfur asks “And what else?” The response: “Wipe out the Jews.” This July, a Hamas spokesperson explained on a Lebanese tv that Israelis like to kill children because “the Jews used to slaughter Christians, in order to mix their blood in their holy matzos.” With all of this racism from Israel’s enemies, IJAN pays for an ad about alleged “extreme, racist, dehumanization of Palestinians in Israel.” IJAN ignores that, as a democracy, Israel cannot control what its citizens publish or say about Arabs, Jews, or anyone else. Nevertheless, Israel is one of the more free and least racist countries on Earth. Arabs in Israel certainly have more freedom and rights than anywhere else in the Middle East, and you have to search long and hard to find anything in Israeli media that encourages racism. Israeli media in fact plainly encourages tolerance and acceptance. IJAN, however, is worried about Israeli racism and not Hamas or the PA. But the IJAN’s moral idiocy does not stop there. No, they double-down on their idiocy by repeating the big lie – the supposed “ongoing genocide of Palestinian people.” In the Holocaust, six million of Europe’s 9.5 million Jews were killed. They were killed simply because they were Jewish. That is genocide. Notably, the Jews of Europe never attacked Germany or blew themselves up in German cafés or fired rockets at Germany. In Rwanda, in 1994 an estimated 700,000 to one million Tutsis, approximately 70 percent of the Tutsi population in Rwanda, were massacred. That is genocide. During WWI, the Ottoman Empire slaughtered around one million (out of three
million) Armenians. That is genocide. Given the history of actual genocide, the IJAN ad accusing Israel of genocide is as big a lie as any told against the Jewish people. This is despicable. When the State of Israel declared its independence in 1948 there were approximately one million Arabs living in the Palestine Mandate. Today, there are more than 11 million Palestinians worldwide. When Israel took over Gaza from Egypt in 1967, Gaza’s population was 280,000. Today it is 1.8 million. This is genocide? Population growth of more than six times in less than 50 years!? The reality is that approximately 11,000 Palestinian Arabs have been killed in armed conflicts with Israel since 1947. Notably, approximately 4,000 Israelis have been killed since 1948 by Palestinian terrorism alone, and more than 2,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Palestinian dictators in the PA and Hamas. This is not genocide, it is war; and it is a war that has been caused by the Arab rejection of the Jewish right to an independent state anywhere in the land of Israel. To call it genocide is reprehensible. IJAN should be ashamed, but given their ad, it is clear that they have no shame. A
Micha Danzig is an attorney in San Diego and board member of T.E.A.M. He is also active with StandWithUs and a former soldier in the IDF. A longer version of this article was originally published on a blog hosted by the Times of Israel. It was reprinted with permission.
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SENIORS
PLEASE PASS THE SALT...AND THE STORIES Dinnertime discussions keep memories active and create lasting relationships
Members of Table 14. L-R: Edna Rosenthal, Dee Rudolf, Joan Frosh, Sybil Brown, Alice Morawetz, David Alpert, and Renee Levine.
F
ive years ago, Table 14 at Seacrest Village group. It works similar to a book club, but instead plane and brought them both down to safety. Retirement Communities was just like any of having everyone read the same book, everyone After the story, one of the Table 14 members, other table in the dining hall. There were thinks about the same topic. On Tuesday nights, amazed, said: “You never told me that!” “You never asked,” Marvin said flatly. seven chairs sitting around a circular table and one person announces the topic (the person in At our lunch, all of the current members of the residents assigned to that table would gather charge of the topic changes each week). Table 14 around leisurely for dinner each night. They’d members then have 24 hours to think about that Table 14 said the discussions have proved very order their food from the daily menu, talk briefly topic. On Wednesdays, they go around the table revealing over the years. They talk about things you’d never think to ask about a person. amongst themselves if the mood struck, finish sharing their responses. “There’s a lot of interesting people here [at Since starting the group, dinner is no longer their meals and be on their way. It was mostly an eat-and-run situation but on Jan. 19, 2010, just about eating. At least one night a week, it’s Seacrest],” Sybil says. “You don’t know their Sybil Brown decided she’d had enough of the about sharing childhood memories, thinking and backgrounds until you ask.” While it’s impossible to remember everything talking about what it is to age, meditating on impersonal mealtime meetings. “I came to the table that evening and I said: a long life well lived, and, sparingly, expressing that has been discussed at Table 14, Brown has kept a running list of all the topics in the table’s ‘Table 14, I don’t come here just to eat and run, opinions about politics. The second topic the group tackled back in nearly five years of group talks. I come here for socializing as well. So I’m going “I’m the keeper of the books,” she says with a to introduce a topic,’” Brown explains as we’re 2010 was “courage.” Marvin, an original member gathered around another table in the Seacrest of Table 14 who has since passed away, shared a matter-of-fact tone as she rifles through pages of dining hall for lunch. “The first topic I tried was story from when he was 16. He had been taking half-sized yellow legal sheets. The topic is written travel. I felt everyone traveled somewhere. So flying lessons with an older gentleman. During on the left, the name of the person who assigned we went around the table and everybody talked the third week of lessons, the man had a heart it is written on the right. The topics range from factual to philosophical attack. Marvin, young and very inexperienced in about their travels.” with and questions “What was the most both Faulconer, flying and cardiology, took control of the From there, 14 began a and weeklyMayor discussionKevin L-R: Table Katherine Michael Bolton, Doreen Dr. like Myron Schonbrun.
32 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
PHOTOS BY SHERI LIEBOVICH
BY NATALIE JACOBS
SENIORS
Table 14 original members, L-R: Alice, Sybil and Edna. INSET: Topics discussed from the last five years.
important event of the last 100 years?”, “Which president did you like best and why?”, “What’s your favorite quote?”, “Do you think of your age as a positive or a negative?”, and “At what age do we become old?” There are a few topics that require the Table 14 members to look at the phenomenon of aging from different angles. They are likely questions that everyone has on their mind at a certain point, but this discussion group forces these eight Seacrest residents to reflect on their thoughts and then offers them a forum to share with their peers. It’s not an opportunity that presents itself often. Originally, Table 14 consisted of three couples – Sybil Brown and her husband, Alice Morawetz and her husband, Edna Rosenthal and her husband. The men have since passed away but the three original women remain, and others have since been added. There is one man and six women at Table 14 right now. Everyone has become familiar with each other’s children and grandchildren who sit at Table 14 when they come to visit. The table has even become familiar with family members who are long passed away
through topics like “Mothers,” and “Fathers.” “It’s like a family,” Joan Frosh, the newest member of the group, says. “We’ve learned a lot about each other as a result of the topics,” David Alpert says. “It’s very revealing. If you want to talk honestly,” Alice Morawetz says. No matter what the topic is that week, a lot of thought goes into the responses. It requires digging into the memory banks, or looking things up. It even encourages discussions beyond the group. “Sometimes I have to call my daughter and ask her ‘What do you think about this?’” Frosh says with a laugh. Discussions occasionally carry over into subsequent dinners, because thoughts will come to Table 14 members as the days go by, and they’ll want to share them with the group even after the Wednesday deadline has passed. “That’s what it’s all about,” Brown says, “conversation at dinner. That’s what it is.” The camaraderie between the members of Table 14 is obvious – it really is like a second family for these residents. Years of sharing
thoughts, ideas and personal stories has led to inside jokes and deep connections that may have been difficult to form without a prompt. “Should we tell about Alice’s file cabinet that goes back to her high school years?” Renee Levine asks from across our lunch table. Morawetz, a Holocaust survivor, has lived at Seacrest for 12 years – the community’s longest-running resident – and she has a reputation at Table 14. “What was the question that brought that on?” Morawetz asks, the wheels turning in her mind. “Something brought it on that I found my high school graduation commencement paper and when I opened it up it had my corsage in there. I don’t know what prompted that. Anyway, I tend to be a keeper. And some of them at the table tease me about that.” They all laugh. Table 14 has yet to be replicated by other Seacrest residents. Some have tried to get it started but have not been able to keep it up. For now, Table 14 remains a unique place where new bonds are formed through old memories. It’s an idea that we all might consider bringing into our lives, at any age. A Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 33
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SENIORS
SPOTLIGHT ON JACKIE GMACH Tunisian turned San Diegan shares her life story BY TINAMARIE BERNARD
PHOTOS COURTESY JACQUELINE GMACH
Jacqueline Semha Gmach with ghostwriter and friend Hillary Selese Liber
E
ven the ordinary life is filled with extraordinary moments. Dreams and goals accomplished or abandoned. Travels and tribulations across time and space, favorite foods and distant places, lovers lost and friends made and the people that stay with us in memory as life moves on. Imagine what insights we might acquire about one another if we each wrote a memoir – the things we chose to write down would shape how people understood us. A lifetime adds up to a lot of stories. “From Bomboloni to Bagel: A story of
two worlds” is Jacqueline Semha Gmach’s story. Gmach, the now retired former cultural programming director for the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center and the force behind the success of San Diego’s long-standing Jewish book fair, has recently published a book of her own, chronicling her life in two very different places. Now semi-retired – like many active seniors these days – Gmach sits on the San Diego chapter boards for Friends of the Israel Defence Force, The American Technion Society and Magen David Adom. Her energy, enthusiasm
and dedication to the Jewish community are as palpable as is her lilting French accent and piercing gaze. Her book, published by Geffen Publishing House, is a personal story set against an historical backdrop of Tunisian high society in the mid20th century. She attended private schools and dealt with the expectations of her family during the precarious years when being a Jew meant fearing danger, if not death, at every corner (no matter how much wealth or prestige a family commanded). Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 35
SENIORS
The story initially revolves around Gmach’s father, a well-respected dental surgeon. “I adore my father,” Gmach begins from her living room one afternoon. He is, in many ways, her inspiration for writing “Bomboloni.” In one part of the book, Gmach retells a story about her father carefully extracting a tooth from a Nazi officer, knowing that if his patient died, so would his family. From an early age, Gmach says in our interview, she idolized him. He was, a “Kadosh man, a saint and someone I based by life on,” she says. He’s the one who taught her that if she wanted to do something, she could do it, or, in his French words, “si tu vuex, tu peux.” He wrote notes to himself daily. And if he wrote, Gmach too would write. She would also follow his intellectual footsteps and become fluent in multiple languages – French, English, Italian and Hebrew – and study at some of the finest institutes of higher education, including the Sorbonne in France at age 18. A French citizen by birth, Gmach followed her heart to Israel for six months at age 22. After that, she migrated to Montreal for five years and eventually settled in San Diego. Through all of her wanderings, family was paramount. “I was raised with the concept that family was very important,” she says, before going on
36 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
to describe Shabbat dinners in Tunisia where it wasn’t unusual for 50-60 people to gather together on Friday nights. “When I moved to France, it was similar,” she says. Later, when Gmach shows me around her San Diego home, I notice the very large formal dining table that could easily serve a feast to a substantial gathering of friends and loved ones. One can almost hear the blessings said above the candles, the sounds of Sephardic Jewry carrying on ancient traditions. The expansiveness of her dining table is a metaphor for her life. Gmach exudes a strong sense of personal responsibility and survival, values she shares with her husband, David. “By working hard,” she says, “I could protect my children and my husband feels the same way.” Together, Jackie and David emphasized education and culture in their home, much like Jackie’s father did in her family home. The Gmach home in San Diego is an eclectic array of exquisite artwork collected throughout the years. Unique pieces hang floor to ceiling. Despite her travels around the world, Gmach maintains a deep personal connection to her homeland Tunisia, but also a sentimental one, as she sleeps on the 100-year-old, hand-carved bedroom set that used to belong to her parents. Gmach embarked on the journey of writing down her family stories when she recognized a sense of responsibilty to pass on the wisdom and family values that she learned during her childhood. She enlisted the help of her good friend, Hillary Selese Liber, to actually get the stories out on paper. The two met at the San Diego Jewish Book Fair when Gmach was the program director and Liber was a volunteer who often wrote the brochures. “We developed a lot of respect for one another and Jackie liked my writing,” Liber says. “Jackie used to say to me, ‘when I’m ready to write my book, you’re going to write it for me.’ “When she retired,” Liber continues, “we started working together and it was very fun. She had pages and excerpts of things that she wrote. We’d work with these stories and blend with information I garnered from interviewing her.” When asked what her book is really about, Gmach explains that it’s a tribute to her family. She also hopes it serves as inspiration for others, that they may also believe in themselves and in education to “provide wellbeing, respect of self and others.” Liber says that capturing Gmach’s distinctive voice was easy. “It came to the point where I wrote what I heard. I wrote the book with her talking. She was in my ear, in my head, so much so that even
"I was raised with the concept that family was very important,” she says, before going on to describe Shabbat dinners in Tunisia where it wasn’t unusual for 50-60 people to gather together on Friday nights. though the publisher wanted to change things to be more grammatically correct, it was what Jackie said and how Jackie talked.” There’s no mistaking how Gmach speaks and it’s not just the accent or the words she refuses to utter because they are too difficult to pronounce. Being an immigrant, highly educated or not, comes with language challenges and for Gmach, this meant working hard toward success, another legacy gleaned from her father. “I dedicated myself to work,” she says. “I don’t play at work.” Many supported her along the way to assimilation, she says, acknowledging that her stringent work ethic also earned her the title of taskmaster. “Because I wanted things done right, I got the reputation of being impossible.” And opinionated. Her voice is uncensored when she proffers her assessment of what’s missing in American culture. Her greatest difficulty with America is that “kids leave early to go to college. They move away. Kids don’t want to stay close to family nowadays. The economy and the size of the United States is such that they want to spread their wings and fly away, wandering Jew or not.” And yet, those who know her well, including Liber, speak of enduring friendship. Gmach is generous and the consummate connector. Many are surprised by some of the big reveals in her book. “Those who know me will say, ‘I didn’t know you went through all that,’” Gmach explains, testament that within each of us is a story worth telling. A Jackie Gmach will be discussing her book, “From Bomboloni to Bagel: A story of two worlds,” on Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. at the JCC as part of the San Diego Jewish Book Fair. Get more information about the book at frombombolonitobagel.com. For more coverage on the books and authors presenting at this year’s Book Fair, check out next month’s Jewish Journal.
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Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 37
SENIORS
JWF REACHES OUT FOR OLDER WOMEN
PHOTO COURTESY JCC
BY NATALIE JACOBS
T
Seniors programming at the JCC makes sure women are able to get out and about town.
he Jewish Women’s Foundation (JWF), a division of Jewish Community Foundation, recently added a third major initiative to their granting efforts. Across the next three years, JWF will grant a total of $210,000 to the Jewish Community Center and Jewish Family Service for programs that reach out and connect with Jewish older adult women to prevent loneliness and isolation. To start with, both programs will identify women older than 75 who lack adequate family support and are financially vulnerable. The JCC plans to host a variety of social, cultural, recreational and educational activities on top of their existing programming for seniors. Those already involved in the JCC’s senior activities will welcome the newcomers for afternoon teas and Shabbat dinners around the county. The JCC will also add tutoring programs, taught by teens, to help the women stay in touch with family and friends. Melanie Rubin will lead this charge for the JCC. She can be contacted at (858) 362-1141 or melanier@lfjcc.com. With their portion of the grant money, JFS will expand its Bikkur Holim Friendly Visitor Program, increase Sunday transportation, offer more lunches and entertainment at its College Avenue Center, and also provide technology education through The Friendship Circle. Katya Teplitsky will manage this expansion. She can be reached at (858) 6373982 or katrinet@jfssd.org. For more information on the Jewish Women’s Foundation, visit jcfsandiego.org. A
COMMUNITY REMEMBERS “MR. JOE” BY NATALIE JACOBS
38 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
Mr. Joe sits with Temple Adat Shalom preschool kids in August, 2014.
PHOTO COURTESY HARRIET FLEISHER
J
oseph Fleisher z”l was known throughout San Diego for his incredible volunteer efforts. When he and his wife Anita z”l retired here from New York in their 60s, they immediately began looking for “opportunities to be of service,” Fleisher’s daughter Harriet wrote in a eulogy for her father. Joe served as a Staff Sargent in the Army and as Military Officer at Los Alamos. After the army, he spent 27 years working nights in the pressroom at the New York Daily News. Once they settled in San Diego, Joe and Anita kept a rigorous schedule of volunteer stops around town. On Mondays, the couple spent time at the VA Hospital. On Wednesdays, they were off to brighten up the days of kids hospitalized at Kaiser and on Fridays they visited psychiatric patients at Mesa Vista. After Anita passed away in 2002, Joe took time to heal but was eventually able to get back to his volunteer efforts. Up until three years before his death in August, 2014, Joe spent almost every Shabbat at the Temple Adat Shalom preschool with a bag full of stickers and plenty of smiles to go around. He stopped volunteering after suffering a heart attack and congestive heart failure but his contributions to the community will not be easily forgotten. A
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SENIORS
TIPS FOR LONGEVITY BY JON SCHWARTZ
NO STOPPING SAN DIEGO SENIORS BY TINAMARIE BERNARD
O
1. Move Naturally The world’s longest-lived people reside in environments that constantly nudge them into moving without thinking about it. Try gardening. 2. Purpose Knowing your sense of purpose is worth up to seven years of extra life expectancy. 3. Down Shift Take a few moments each day to reduce stress by remembering ancestors, praying, taking a nap or going to happy hour with friends. 4. 80 Percent Rule People in the “Blue Zones” eat until they’re 80 percent full. 5. Eat plants A diet rich in fruits and vegetables as well as beans were a commonality in these longevity hotspots. 6. Wine @ 5 The trick is to drink 1-2 glasses per day with friends and/or with food. 7. Belong All but five of the 263 centenarians in the book belonged to some faithbased community. Research shows that attending faith-based services four times per month will add 4-14 years of life expectancy. 8. Loved Ones First This means keeping aging parents and grandparents nearby or in their home. (It lowers disease and mortality rates of children in the home too.) 9. Right Tribe Research shows that when you surround yourself with positive people that demonstrate healthy living habits, you are more likely to follow those same healthy life prolonging habits. A
On the Go users celebrate the 200,000th ride in La Jolla.
PHOTO COURTESY ON THE GO
M
y work with Seacrest at Home has allowed me to meet many remarkable seniors in San Diego. Many are in their 80’s, 90’s, even 100 and older. What’s their secret? When I came across “The Blue Zones,” by Dan Buettner, it illuminated a few things for me. In it, the writer and explorer shares stories of five communities where people have longer-than-normal life spans. Each has their own secrets, but here are nine overarching tips to try:
n Thursday, Aug. 28, On the Go, a program of Jewish Family Service of San Diego, delivered its 200,000th ride. The celebrating passengers were more than 50 older adults heading to enjoy front-row seats to the Festival of Sail’s Tall Ship Parade. Funded by Charitable Adult Rides & Services, SANDAG and the Jewish Federation of San Diego County, On the Go began a decade ago in a single zip code with five riders and 12 volunteers. Today, it has proudly grown to 23 zip codes with nearly 300 volunteers. More than 3,500 older adults have enrolled in On the Go and have subsequently accessed a host of transportation options including shuttles, excursions, and, most importantly, the largest volunteer driving program in San Diego. Nurgesh Surti, age 81, an On the Go rider, is very thankful for the program. “This is the best thing that has happened to seniors,” she said. “I really depend on On the Go. They take care of me when I am going somewhere, take me on trips with my friends, and take me to get better when I’m not feeling well.” It doesn’t matter if it’s a ride to a medical appointment, wellness center, religious service, shopping center, or social event, On the Go is there for San Diego seniors. Their 200,000th ride is a celebration of JFS’s commitment to helping seniors age with dignity. A
Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 41
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Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 43
PLANNED GIVING
TO $1 BILLION AND BEYOND Jewish Community Foundation celebrates a major milestone
BY TINAMARIE BERNARD
W
ith 47 years of grantmaking under its belt, the Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) makes a big a difference in San Diego. Recently, the established organization celebrated a major accomplishment – soon they will reach $1 billion worth of funds granted since 1967. “The Foundation is the largest and oldest grantmaker in San Diego,” says Jessica Kort, JCF’s Marketing and Communications Officer. In recent history, the amount of dollars granted by Foundation has increased annually – for example, in 2004, $56 million was granted, 2008 saw $61 million in grants from the Foundation and the 2014 fiscal year was the first time the organization granted more than $100 44 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
million in a single year. This $1 billion milestone will mark the culmination of JCF’s many large granting years. “Surpassing the mark of $1 billion is a historic milestone representative of our 47 years of grantmaking and tens of thousands of stories about philanthropy strengthening our community,” Kort says. Slightly more than half of JCF grant recipients are in the broad, non-Jewish community, with 48 percent going to Jewish-specific organizations. “In recent years, 60 percent of our grants made range between $100-$1,000. Philanthropy is very meaningful at any level,” she notes. So who has received a part of this $1 billion pie, and how were they chosen?
“We facilitate grants on behalf of donors and manage more than 700 donor advised funds,” Kort says of the JCF grantmaking process. “A donor advised fund allows donors to direct all of their charitable contributions through one personal philanthropic account. Upon giving to the fund, donors receive immediate tax benefits and may support nonprofits of their choice anytime in the future.” The Jewish Community Foundation was started by local Jewish leaders who recognized the importance of a sustained future for our local organizations, and also the need for a safe and secure place for community members to make charitable gifts that are mutually beneficial to everyone.
PLANNED GIVING According to the JCF website, 60,000 grants have been awarded to more than 5,000 organizations in the arts, health and human services, education and religious organizations. For those wishing to get involved on the giving side, it doesn’t take as much as you might think. A minimum gift of $1,800 allows you to open a donor advised fund, extend your impact and reach the “organizations that mean the most to you,” according to their website. Many options are available to any community member who wishes to leave a legacy of giving. Within the broad JCF umbrella, there are myriad “funds” through which to distribute gifts. For example, the Jewish Women’s Foundation, a
JCF fund with more than 80 female members, has granted more than $800,000 since 2002 to address critical issues facing Jewish women and girls locally, nationally and globally. One noteworthy grantee of this fund is Jewish Family Services’ “Girls Give Back” program which helps young Jewish women develop social mindfulness, self esteem, empathy and resilience. How does the JCF fulfill and plan to safeguard its noteworthy accomplishments? Three years ago, the Foundation conducted in-depth surveys and community interviews across nine months in order to have a more contemporary outlook on the future. The result was their “Strategies for 2011-2016 Summary” document which
plotted the course for continued prosperity. This upcoming $1 billion grantmaking milestone is squarely in line with the goals laid out in the planning document. “Our mission is to promote excellence in philanthropy through meaningful partnerships with donors and community organizations,” Kort confirms. With this $1 billion milestone on the horizon, it is clear they are doing just that. For more information on the Jewish Community Foundation and grant opportunities, visit jcfsandiego.org. A
FOUR WAYS TO PROVIDE FOR CHARITY Attorney and philanthropic adviser shares ideas BY NATALIE JACOBS
T
he American Friends of the Hebrew University provides ample ways to give back to Israel and support scientific research while making smart monetary decisions. Their philanthropic expert, Neal Myerberg, Principal Attorney for Myerberg Philanthropic Advisors, offers an easy-to-understand explanation of the four different types of charitable gifts and how they might be mutually beneficial to you and any other organization you choose to support. Bequests: “A bequest is both good tax planning and a way to provide for charity,” Myerberg says. You can do this in a will, a trust or through a retirement plan.
Charitable Remainder Trust: Charitable remainder trusts are for those who have assets that are difficult to plan in the estate. “If one has a piece of real estate and has a big gain and doesn’t want to pay tax on that gain, one could transfer that property to this type of trust. [By doing that] and having the trust sell the property...the rate is fixed,” Myerberg explains. Deferred Gift Annuities: These programs are for younger people wishing to make charitable contributions early in life. “People like that because...this is a way of assuring that some of what you have will pay a specific amount to you so you can plan ahead,” Myerberg says.
One- and Two-Life Gift Annuities: “A charitable gift annuity is a tax-wise decision because it enables an individual to have secure income, create economic advantages and also provide for the future of an institute like HU.” One- and two-life gift annuities take life expectancy into account when calculating rates of return. To learn more about these four types of charitable giving, watch video interviews with Neal Myerberg at afhu.org/ways-to-help/plannedgiving. A
Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 45
SUKKOT
Turning “Oy” Into “Joy” How one devout sukkah-builder overcame his fatigue this year By Edmon J. Rodmon, JTA
I
n open opposition to Kohelet (Ecclesiastes), which tells us on Sukkot “there is nothing new under the sun,” I decided to build a solar sukkah this year. To energize my plan, I went to the 99 Cent Store to buy some solar yard lights to adapt for use on the roof. I had put up our sukkah umpteen years in a row, and this year I was thinking about giving the shack-building a rest. The solar idea was nice, but in the end it wasn’t enough – just an artificial way of rekindling my interest in what had become an annual chore. Couldn’t we just manage an invite from a couple of the families we had invited into our sukkah in previous years? Not an option: Among our friends there was a sukkah shortage. Over time, it seems, people get so used to visiting your sukkah that they lose touch with building their own. Sukkot is supposed to be “the season of our joy,” but after the chest pounding, shofar blowing and pleading for my life during the holidays, the joy this year was hard to find. Was there a way to reset my spiritual clock and get my sukkah built? Psychology tells us that motivation comes in two forms: “intrinsic,” an internal desire to perform a particular task that gives us pleasure, like knowing that putting up a sukkah is a mitzvah; and “extrinsic,” factors external and unrelated to a particular task, but a kind of reward, like praise from friends for putting up a sukkah. Searching for motivation, I read about a college rabbi at Duke who had run a program called “Sex and the Sukkah.” It certainly piqued my interest (though I was confused as to whether the motivation was extrinsic or intrinsic). Apparently, sex is part of the mitzvah of dwelling in the sukkah. But we don’t even sleep out there, and my wife wondered nervously about the neighbors. With our children in their 20s, the incentive of putting up the sukkah for them was missing, too. Balancing on a ladder in our shaky shack just so we could hang the decorations they made in school was no longer a starter. Hanging signs of their more recent achievements – term papers, pay stubs and
46 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
renderings (one of them is studying to be an architect) – was an interesting updating of the tradition, but I didn’t think the public display would be appreciated. Since with each day the pile of weathered boards and rolls of bamboo seemed to be receding farther and farther into the depths of my garage, and wondering if others might be having a similar problem, I sat down to interview a psychologist.
The author's receding pile of Sukkah supplies “A lack of motivation and apathy could be a sign of depression,” said Rae Freed, a clinical social worker in private practice in Los Angeles who sees patients of all ages. Depression could show itself through “a lack of energy, fatigue, in difficulty in making a decision or lack of focus.” As we talked about the social component of the sukkah – inviting over guests – Freed suggested that potential sukkah builders might think the effort requires “too much energy to participate in a social interaction.”
That sounded about right, I thought, remembering the effort it took in past years to call people to negotiate the “right” night. Freed also spoke about seasonal depression that comes with the shortening of days from a Jewish point of view. “You build up to the High Holy Days, spending time with family, and afterwards feel the loss,” she said. Especially when they live on the other side of the county or have passed away, I thought. Over time, “age and strength” become factors as well, Freed said. Yeah, that too, I thought, then asked, “How do you get over it?” For Freed, simply pretending and putting on a “mask of joy” was not going to cover it. She countered my question with questions: “Ask yourself, how did you feel in the past when you did that? Was it positive?” Having guests over did make me feel good, I thought. Explaining further, Freed suggested that even if you don’t feel like doing something, it might be motivating to remember the pleasure the activity brought, especially the communal associations. Recall the “memories of earlier Sukkots,” said Freed, who pleasantly recalled that she had spent her teen years living in an art deco hotel run by her father that catered to vacationing Jews in south Miami Beach, Fla. I remembered hosting several groups of people the previous year. It was kind of like running a sukkah hotel – tons of work, yet they sang, played instruments and filled our evenings with camaraderie. “People feel alone and isolated if they are not surrounded by family,” Freed said. She suggested the sukkah is a way of “bringing together a temporary family.” A temporary structure for a temporary family, I thought. Later, thinking back on Freed’s words, my low energy thoughts dissipated. Going into the recesses of my garage, I found what it would take to build my sukkah. A
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Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 47
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Hello San Diego, We are JCo (pronounced "Jay-Co"), a new synagogue here in North County San Diego! As a cooperative-inspired synagogue community, we’re here to provide opportunities for personal and spiritual fulfillment through learning, support, and action, using Judaism as an anchor and guide. We take time to get to know you. We work hard to help you find your place and purpose in our community. We are highly democratic and post-denominational. We welcome everyone interested in contributing to our community. If you are interested in learning more about us, please feel free to reach out! You can e-mail one or both of our founding organizers: Rabbi Josh Burrows (rabbijoshburrows@gmail.com) and Cantor Gabi Arad (cantorgabiarad@gmail.com).
Support our dog’s Hebrew education! Students Give the Gift of Sight to Israeli Blind Students are urged to help sponsor a puppy, either as a class Tzedakah Project, or as a Mitzvah Project for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, to assist blind Israeli veterans and civilians in regaining their lives.
For information call
267-927-0205
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We hope to hear from you soon and we hope that your High Holidays are both fruitful and meaningful!
www.JCoSD.com 48 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
www.israelguidedog.org
SUKKOT
Pumpkin and Flower Centerpiece Nothing symbolizes the harvest like a bright orange pumpkin. Hollowed out, the vegetable makes a great vase for a bouquet of bright orange poppies and lilies, green and burgundy hydrangeas, and red Matsumoto asters.
Leaf Collage Make a leaf collage using crayon rubbings by putting a leaf underneath a piece of paper and then rub across the paper with crayon. Or, use the leaf as a stamp by painting it and then pressing it onto paper several times to get the texture of the leaf. These make for easy, beautiful and natural decorations. Kids can use different colors and patterns for a variety of vibrant collages.
Decorating the Sukkah BY BRIE STIMSON Just as the leaves begin to change color, (in some places in San Diego) and with life returning to normal after the High Holidays, it’s time to start building the sukkah – and to decorate it. Sukkot is a time for remembering shared heritage, 40 years of wandering the desert, and celebrating the fall harvest. The sukkah should represent a family’s creativity and style but it should also incorporate humble earthy colors representative of the harvest with natural elements emblematic of autumn. Here are a few ideas to take to the craft store:
Succulent Wreath Pinecone wreaths are popular in the fall, but this year, try decorating with succulents. These drought-tolerant plants are easy to grow and they come in so many different varieties. Grab a wire frame and some moss from your local plant store. Assemble the foundation and then attach the cuttings with fishing wire and pins (bobby pins work great). Spritz it with water once a week and you’ll have it long after your sukkah is gone.
Light Bulb Flower Vase: For a more elegant sukkah, gut a clear light bulb, fill it with bright flowers and hang it upsidedown from the ceiling with wire. To start, first remove the metal piece from the bottom of the bulb using pliers. Then, using a screw break away the glass insulator. Remove the innards of the bulb and wrap the wire around the neck of the bulb. Hang from the top of the sukkah, place flowers inside, and tie on a ribbon for decoration.
Festive Lighting Set up a mix of tea lights inside of pumpkins, gourds, and other vegetables along with twinkle lights to turn your sukkah into a magical place. Grab the veggies at the grocery store then hollow them out and place tea lights inside (battery-powered lights are available if you’d prefer to avoid candles). Next, string twinkle lights around the sides and over the top of the structure for some mood lighting. If you’re feeling fancy, try stringing lights around a hula-hoop and hang it from the ceiling to mimic a chandelier. Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 49
SUKKOT
Take it Outside: Seasonal recipes make dining in the sukkah a treat By Shannon Sarna, myjewishlearning.com
D
uring the summer we all relish al fresco dining. The moment we can bring our meals outside is always a happy one, and we schedule the summer months with picnics, barbecues and rooftop cocktails as much as possible. Then autumn arrives and we box up our plasticware and move indoors. But Sukkot offers such a beautiful moment to extend our time outside and enjoy the tastes of early fall. Here I’ve developed three recipes that take advantage of seasonal ingredients and offer alternatives to the traditional summer eat-outside dishes. The Chopped Kale Salad recipe with Apples and Beets is satisfying and sweet with crunch from walnuts and a hint of tartness from dried cranberries. The kale is hearty and will hold up well if you need to transport it to someone else’s sukkah for lunch or dinner. Apple Cider Beef Stew uses one of my favorite fall treats, apple cider, to make a rich stew that is perfect to serve on a chilly fall day atop some egg noodles or rice. It’s also a great alternative to cholent for a hearty Shabbat lunch in the sukkah. The Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting will top of the meal and have your guests asking incredulously: “Are you sure these are nondairy?” And yes, they are. The sweet potato ensures a super moist cake even without milk or butter, and the slight spice sings of fall flavors. The marshmallow frosting is
50 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
super easy to make and even more fun to toast using the oven broiler or a small hand torch if you have one. Chopped Kale Salad with Apple and Roasted Beets Ingredients: 3 cups chopped fresh kale 2 medium beets ½ apple, diced ¼ cup chopped candied walnuts ¼ cup dried cherries or cranberries Olive oil Balsamic vinegar Salt and pepper Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Wash and dry the beets. Place in tin foil and roast in oven for 45-60 minutes, or until soft. Allow to cool. Remove the outer peel of beets using hands or a vegetable peeler. Cut beets into bite-sized pieces. Do the same with the apples. Place chopped kale in a large salad bowl. Add beets, apple, candied walnuts and dried cherries or cranberries. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar or salad dressing of your choosing. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Yield: 4 servings
Apple Cider Beef Stew Ingredients: 3 pounds beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes Salt and pepper All-purpose flour 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, diced 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced 3-4 garlic cloves 2 bay leaves 1 teaspoon cinnamon Pinch crushed red pepper 2 cups apple cider 1 cup red wine 1 cup vegetable or beef stock 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 4-5 medium yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces Salt and pepper to taste Preparation: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Sprinkle salt and
SUKKOT
until smooth. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add puréed sweet potatoes, sugar and oil to a large bowl. Beat on medium-high with electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Add vanilla. Add flour mixture in batches; beat until blended. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line and grease muffin tins. Fill muffin trays until ¾ full. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out cool. Allow to cool. Make frosting (see recipe below). Pipe frosting in a swirl on top of each cupcake. Yield: 12 cupcakes Marshmallow Frosting (half recipe) Ingredients: 8 large egg whites 2 cups sugar ½ teaspoon cream of tartar 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
freshly ground pepper liberally across beef. Cover beef in light coating of flour. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a Dutch oven or other large oven-safe pot. Brown meat on all sides and then remove from pot and set aside on a dish. Add another tablespoon olive oil and sauté onions, carrots and garlic cloves, scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add cinnamon, bay leaves and pinch of red pepper flakes, continuing to stir. Sauté vegetables until transluscent. Add apple cider, red wine, stock and balsamic vinegar and let come to simmer. Add salt and pepper. Place beef back into the pot, stir and cover cooking for 2 hours in preheated oven. At the 2-hour mark, add the potatoes. Taste the stew, and add more salt and pepper if necessary. Put stew back into the oven for another 45 minutes. Serve with rice or noodles. Yield: 6 servings
Sweet Potato Cupcakes Marshmallow Frosting Ingredients: 2 medium sweet potatoes 1 ½ cups flour 1 teaspoon cinnamon ¾ teaspoon ginger ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt 1 cup sugar ½ cup vegetable oil 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
with
Toasted
Preparation: Place egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in electric mixer. Set on top of a saucepan with simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are warm to the touch, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer bowl to electric mixer and beat, on low speed, gradually increasing to high, until stiff, glossy peaks form, 5 to 7 minutes. Add vanilla, and mix until combined. Use immediately. Yield: enough for 2 dozen cupcakes A These recipes originally appeared on Nosher.
Preparation: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pierce sweet potatoes with a fork and wrap in tin foil. Roast for 40-50 minutes or until soft. Let cool. Cut potatoes in half and scoop out flesh. Place in a food processor fitted with a blade and pulse Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 51
52 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
POLITICS
IS IMMIGRATION A JEWISH ISSUE?
A long history of displacement makes Jews more connected to this hotbed issue than most BY BRIE STIMSON Protesters march in front of the White House in July, 2014, to ask President Obama to stop deporting Latinos.
W
ith mid-term elections upon us in November, and President Obama saying he will delay his action on immigration reform, the issues of the displaced and the homeless are top of mind – even if they’re not top of the political agenda. These issues are especially relevant here in San Diego, where our proximity to the border makes immigration an evergreen issue. For Jews, immigration has always been something close to the heart. The Torah teaches to “love the stranger.” According to Leviticus 19: 33-34, “When a stranger resides with you in your land you shall not wrong him.” As illegal immigration and immigration reform continue to dominate Southern California and national politics, Jews will undoubtedly look to their faith for guidance. According to Monica Bauer, Associate Regional Director for Latino Relations for the California Anti-Defamation League, one cannot talk about Jewish history without talking about immigration.
“The Jewish people have been immigrants and refugees for centuries and across all continents,” Bauer tells the Jewish Journal. Much of the controversy about immigration issues, she says, is due to miscommunication and misinformation. “This can probably be attributed to the fact that immigration has become a highly politicized issue. We need to understand that immigration is a phenomenon that is always evolving. In 2012, the Pew Hispanic Center reported that the net migration from Mexico to the United States was zero. This was a sharp decrease from the high number of immigrants that came [from Mexico] to the U.S. from 1995 to 2000.” But that seems to have changed in 2014. This year, we’ve watched as 57,000 children fleeing the violence of the “Northern Triangle” of El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala have been apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol. It has been reported that the children are seeking asylum to escape gang violence and drug cartels in their home countries, and that the U.S. has a set of complicated laws that require trials to be held
before they can be deported. According to ADL, protests have taken place in the last several months across the U.S. as a result of the federal government’s attempts to process children who are stuck in overcrowded holding cells. Protesters claim they “want a wall not reform,” and focus much of their animosity on “portraying immigrants as a public health hazard,” according to an ADL press release. In an email to authorities, one protest organizer stated that his group condemns what they perceive as criminal behavior by U.S. officials for “importing illegal aliens, disease, and crime.” Amidst this humanitarian crisis, in early September, President Obama announced he will delay executive action on immigration reform. In a statement, a White House official explained: “Because of the Republicans’ extreme politicization of this issue, the President believes it would be harmful to the policy itself and to the long-term prospects for comprehensive immigration reform to announce administrative Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 53
POLITICS
action before the elections.” Obama has been criticized for this delay, and some pro-immigration activists see it as undermining the D.R.E.A.M Act, his 2012 campaign promise for amnesty to undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. This recent mass exodus of the Central American children and the President’s subsequent delay in action has affected the elections themselves. Some believe his reversal on policy is giving in to pressure by fellow Democrats who feared action would ruin the party’s election chances. In a statement last month, Speaker John Boehner said Obama’s delay “smacked of raw politics … The American people deserve honesty, transparency, and accountability – and any unilateral action will only further strain the bonds of trust between the White House and the people they are supposed to serve.” Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called it “Washington at its worst.” While the issue continues to fan flames across the aisle, several national and international Jewish 54 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
organizations are intimately involved in working with refugees and advocating for immigration reform. The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society is an international Jewish organization working to protect refugees around the world. Its website states: “Guided by our Jewish values and history, we help refugees build their lives in safety and advocate to ensure all displaced people are treated with dignity, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or place of birth.” HIAS has united with the Union of Reform Judaism to create an immigration reform campaign called “We were strangers, too.” The American Jewish Council, founded in 1906, strives for comprehensive immigration reform, and in the last year the “immigration campaign generated more than 10,000 petitions, letters, and meetings with congressional offices to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform legislation,” according to their Capitol Impact report. The AJC’s Bridging America Project seeks to promote ties between Jews and Latinos by holding workshops that bolster understanding
between the two cultures as well as awareness of issues important to both groups. The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, the lobbying arm of the Reform Judaism movement, says: “As Jews we must remember our ancestors who were cast out of their homes and became strangers in a strange land. We must extend hands of compassion and friendship to those who have need of them in order to hold up the ideal that America is the land of opportunity and acceptance of which it has always claimed to be.” Bend the Arc, a Jewish action group dedicated to passing comprehensive immigration reform, expressed disappointment last month following the President’s decision to delay executive action on immigration reform. Hadar Susskind, Jewish Action Director for the group, said in a statement last month: “We are deeply disappointed with this Administration’s decision to put politics over people and delay their promised executive action on immigration reform. While Congress bears the greatest blame for continued obstruction
POLITICS
A girl and her family stand with some 200,000 immigrants' rights activists on the National Mall in August, 2010.
of reform, their inaction created a moment for President Obama to display real leadership, and he has failed to do so.” Jews and Latinos have much in common, most profoundly a history of migration. As recently as the 1940s, thousands of Jewish refugees were turned away at U.S. borders and sent back to war-torn Europe. Still recovering from the Great Depression, Americans were concerned then, just as now, that immigrants would take jobs away from Americans. The government had quotas for visas, only allowing a certain number from each country. Many thousands of Jewish victims of Nazi Germany applied and were turned away because the government had reached their quota. In addition to the quota system, U.S. policy also allowed for denial of prospective immigrants
on assumptions that they would become public charge – Holocaust victims had lost everything and would likely need government assistance. The ship Saint Louis in 1939 sailed from Germany to Cuba carrying 937 passengers, nearly all victims of the Nazis. Cuba and the U.S. both denied the refugees entry, forcing the ship to return to Europe. Belgium, Holland, France, and the U.K. finally accepted them. Unfortunately, the Nazi occupation of Holland, France, and Belgium forced many of the refugees to once again endure Nazi rule and many did not survive. In the late 1940s, the American Jewish community lobbied to increase quotas for Jewish immigrants, and in 1950 the law, which President Truman referred to as “flagrantly discriminatory to Jews,” was amended. By 1952, nearly 140,000
Jewish refugees had settled in the United States. In the Northern Triangle gang violence of today, high homicide rates, drug trafficking, forced recruitment, and displacement have led to a humanitarian crisis on the scale of an armed conflict. With Obama delaying any such action on immigration reform, however, the fate of the children remains up in the air until after the elections. Politicians in San Diego fall on different sides of this issue. Just after Obama announced his delay in action, California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, District 80, sent a joint resolution with the State Legislature asking the President to give temporary status to all legalization-eligible immigrants with a “deferred action” legalization process that would temporarily stop deportations of all eligible immigrants with no serious criminal history. Deportations have risen to 400,000 per year, with 1,000 immigrants removed from the country each day. “The financial and social cost to California due to family separations and the loss of children is enormous and inhumane,” Gonzalez said in a news release in September. In the contentious race for the House of Representative’s seat in San Diego’s 52nd Congressional District, immigration is also an issue. Democratic incumbent Scott Peters supports the S.T.A.P.L.E. act, which would make it easier for foreign nationals with advanced degrees in science, technology, and engineering to establish residency. He supports the D.R.E.A.M. Act, and is an advocate for immigration reform. “Immigration affects our entire region, but we’ve seen that the current leadership in the House is so beholden to far-right Tea Party forces that these leaders are unwilling to even let us vote on the issues,” Peters says on his campaign website. Republican challenger Carl DeMaio believes reform must start with completely securing the border. “If we do not fully secure the border today, we will continue to have crises like the flood of refugees we recently witnessed,” DeMaio told KPBS in July. Jews have a special perspective on and connection to immigration issues and many believe that reform of the current system is necessary. Jewish San Diegans are in a particularly interesting position with a deep connection to their ancestors’ struggles and a close proximity to a reality that looks quite similar for immigrants today. Perhaps Jews remain so connected to this issue because, as the Spanish philosopher George Santayana wrote, “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” A
Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 55
REACH OUT FOR ISRAEL THANK YOU FOR REACHING OUT FOR ISRAEL!
JFNA allocation to date: $16.8 mil. economic recovery for businesses
Through Federation’s Reach Out for Israel Campaign the San Diego Jewish community raised more than $3.5 million in humanitarian aid for Israel in her time of need. As the rockets cease, the people of Israel are trying to rebuild their lives and return to peace. The work is not over - we will continue to support them, as we always have.
= $767,500 trauma support
= $4,896,696 assistance to 22 communitiies hit hardest
In the aftermath of an entire summer at war, there is an increased need to establish trust and security, particularly in the south of Israel, and in our sister city, Sha’ar HaNegev. Families are wary, children are suffering from post-traumatic stress, and communities are struggling to repopulate. Many have fled north to safer areas, away from the tunnels and rockets.
= $2,823,545 relief and support for first responders
= $409,900 helping to meet israelis’ basic needs
Your ongoing support is still needed as we move into the next chapter of Israel’s history. Together, we will continue to be vigilant, supportive, and caring for our families, friends, and fellow Jews in Israel.
= $2,654,427 relief for 80,000+ children
Thank you, for all that you have done. Together, WE do extraordinary things.
= $5,274,844
our local impact
$3.5
$200k+ milLION 1000+ 750+ 500+ donations sent to our sister community
sha’ar Hanegev
raised in san diego
people attended our israel rally
letters of solidarity
ISRAEL STILL NEEDS YOUR HELP! JEWISHINSANDIEGO.ORG/ISRAELAID
56 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
FEATURE
RAISING KIDS TO BE MENSCHES New program aims to make mitzvah a part of every Jewish child’s life
PHOTOS BY PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHIANNE
BY AMANDA KELLY
Local kids participate in the inaugural "Little Menches" event on Sept. 7 at the JCC.
I
f you have young kids, you’re likely familiar with the Shalom Baby/PJ Library program of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center. Recently, the joint program expanded its offerings to include a new activity called Little Mensches. Its aptly coined tagline is “Making the world better, one mitzvah at a time.” Little Mensches provides hands-on, ageappropriate activities for children ages 4-8 once a month at the JCC. These activities, which last about an hour, aim to make mitzvot and “giving back to the community” a normal part of children’s lives. Several months ago, Jessica Fink, a Shalom Baby/PJ Library mom, began the search for a program that she and her 5-year-old could participate in together. “I really wanted to find something that was constant that we could do all the time. I called several organizations and there wasn’t anything that was age appropriate.” Social conscience is not necessarily intrinsic to the fabric of modern society and consequently many Jewish families struggle with the task of
making philanthropy a consistent part of their young childrens’ lives. “In my peer group,” Fink says, “we talk to one another and we say our kids are either so fortunate or so spoiled. We want to be able to provide them with all these wonderful things, but how can we make them appreciate it?” Fink eventually contacted Judy Nemzer, the Shalom Baby/PJ Library coordinator at JCC in La Jolla. Together they decided to organize a program for an underserved age group that focused on doing good deeds. Neither imagined that the community would respond the way it has to Little Mensches. “It has really turned into this amazing thing where I think we’ve tapped into a need that was in the community,” Fink says. The first mitzvah project, completed on Sept. 7, was the making of “mitzvah bags” for the homeless. Children filled Ziploc bags with personal items such as socks, toothpaste, toothbrushes and non-perishable snacks. Nemzer, along with her North County colleague, Vivien Dean, read selected PJ Library books focused on
mitzvah-making to complement the activity. “[The children] have the capacity to understand…and at that age all a child wants to do is help people, so it just takes a little push,” Fink explains. At the first event, the children also created “mitzvah capes” that they can wear to future gatherings. The children play superhero for the day, while also doing their good deeds. Little Mensches empowers children to do the mitzvot on their own, too. This is a part of why the community has responded with such enthusiasm. The next Little Mensches gathering is Oct. 5 and includes Sukkot-related activities with residents from Seacrest Village. Nemzer and Dean have special books selected for the event that discuss doing a mitzvah for older people. “It’s going to be great,” Fink says. “To be starting with this level of excitement is just mindblowing. It is way beyond what any of us ever expected.” To get involved in future programs, visit lfjcc. org/shalombaby/littlemenches.A
Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 57
OPEN HOUSE
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Registration is required. Space is limited. RSVP to admissions@sdja.com or 866-765-7516 Learning for life. | sdja.com 58 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
The pluralistic community day school
FEATURE
THE TIMELINESS OF TARBUTON Nonprofit organization brings Israeli culture to San Diego BY TINAMARIE BERNARD
PHOTOS COURTESY TARBUTON
Tarbuton brought "My Oz," a Hebrew-language play inspired by "The Wizard of Oz," to San Diego audiences in March. The event was sponsored by The Israeli House in Los Angeles.
A
t the time of this writing, a fragile, openended truce, brokered by Egypt, is in effect between Israel and Gaza. What that means for long term peace is anyone’s guess. While Israel’s citizens and leaders repair homes and hearts after Operation Protective Edge, many Jews and supporters of Israel around the world are worrying about how to handle an age-old hatred that continues to be spewed in their direction. Anti-Semitism undoubtedly is flourishing, leaving many to question if the 1930s are again upon us. But through determination and a desire to make a difference, we can continue to fend off rising tides of caustic criticism. The story of Tarbuton is the story of a homegrown nonprofit that has, for the past eight years, strengthened San Diego and the global Jewish community through Israeli cultural experiences and Hebrew language classes. It is a story about a program that, if replicated around the country, could play an important part in strengthening the U.S. diaspora’s relationship with Israel, especially
among children and young adults. Jennie Starr founded Tarbuton in 2006 and since then, she has been hard at work creating authentic (and fun) Israeli arts, culture and athletic events, immersive Hebrew language classes for all ages, summer camps and more for our San Diego community. Each week, 200300 San Diegans across the county from all denominations connect mind and soul to Israel through Tarbuton programming, and those numbers are increasing each year. “I founded Tarbuton originally so my childrens’ Jewish experiences throughout their youth would be immersed with Israeli music, dance, Hebrew, Israelis and Jewish friends who are passionate about Israel,” Starr explains. Starr is first-generation American, born to Israeli parents. As the programming began to grow, it turned out it wasn’t just the children who benefited from Starr’s desire to embrace a multinational lifestyle. Tarbuton enriches lives by getting families together to sing and dance or eat and laugh
or learn and teach. These connections make a difference because they provide beautiful ways to build community outside the boundaries of religion and levels of observance. Through these programs, Tarbuton has created “a little Israel in our San Diego neighborhood,” that serves anyone and everyone passionate for Israel from afar. “We cook, bake, sing, worry, celebrate and share our lives in San Diego and we support Israel from here together,” Starr says. “We often go together to AIPAC or JNF events, enjoy the Israeli plays we bring or volunteer together to enrich the Yom Ha’atzmaut, Zikaron Shoah or House of Israel lawn events.” More importantly, she continues, “our children learn not to be bystanders but active participants sharing their passion for Israel with friends in their public schools and performing at ceremonies and festivals too.” These are experiences that Starr cherishes, as do those who enjoy Tarbuton programming wherever it happens. Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 59
FEATURE
At a Tarbuton end-of-school event, kids made signs that read "You can do everything on summer vacation," a line from a popular Israeli song.
“Tarbuton enriches my life in regards to Israel,” Galit Urich, board member and sevenyear participant, says. “It gives me what I miss about Israel. It lets me recreate Israel here. “It fills up the void,” she continues, “connecting families with the Jewish community at large and raising children in an Israeli environment learning Hebrew. I believe that language is the door that opens up to the culture.” Thanks to the efforts of Tarbuton leadership, Hebrew language learning opportunities are popping up all over San Diego. For example, Tarbuton offers Hebrew story times in public libraries in Carmel Valley and Encinitas. Preschoolers can enjoy after-school enrichment programs at Temple Emanu-El in Del Cerro and elementary school-aged kids can enroll in Hebrew classes thanks to Kesher, another after school program built with Kavod, the Hebrew Charter School. The Del Mar and Solana Beach School Districts now offer Hebrew language courses, and plans are underway to bring Hebrew into more San Diego public school districts. Starr is quick to praise Tarbuton’s growing community advocates for their part in the group’s growth. “We have new partners in North County; the Aleph Center in San Marcos and B’nai Tikvah in Carlsbad who have offered us space and we hope 60 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
to build a program this fall for those living North of the 56,” she says. Tarbuton recently moved its headquarters to The Ranch in Encinitas, from their original home at Congregation Beth El in UTC. More growth opportunities came for Tarbuton recently when they received a NextGen grant from Federation to create programming for young adults based on their successful children’s programs. “As we’ve done for years with our youth and families program,” Starr explains of the grant, “we now work on bridging the young adult community through Israeli culture with our new Young Adult Israeli Cultural Collaborative.” Founding partners include the Ken Jewish Community and Congregations Emanu-El and Beth El. “We’re excited about the possibilities and working with some of our most closely aligned partners who have supported our efforts to bring Israeli culture to San Diego for years.” While excellent programming has garnered recognition, support and funding for Tarbuton, as with any nonprofit, raising money is essential for continued programming. Participant fees cover about 40 percent of costs with taxdeductible donations covering the rest. Currently, Tarbuton operates in part through a three-year matching grant from The Leichtag Foundation
and is actively seeking financial support from local donors as they reach the end of that grant. “I’m grateful to partner organizations and some dedicated participants and staff who understand why it’s so important to continue these programs and instill a passion for Israel in our next generation. “Recently,” she continues, “a donor of ours pointed out that the work we do is privileged. We live in a time where we are lucky to have the State of Israel. When she was born, they did not. We have the privilege to share Modern Israel with our youth in a culturally rich, proud, emotional way that builds a thirst, a passion and support for our amazing Israel. We are lucky to be able to do this work and we never take it for granted.” If ever we needed to bridge divergent Jewish communities and let the world at large know the importance of Israel, it’s now. And Tarbuton is offering an innovative and fun way to do it. For more information on upcoming Israeli cultural programs in San Diego, visit tarbuton.wordpress. com. A
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FEATURE
PLANNING FOR THE WORST CASE SCENARIO Krav Maga empowers women to defend themselves
Rob Weinberg of Temple Adat Shalom serves up some blintzes at their Jewish Food Festival last spring.
BY NATALIE JACOBS
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f you’re at a party and a drunk guy tries to get fresh by wrapping you in a bear hug and refusing to let go, what would you do? If you’re trained in Israeli self defense, or Krav Maga, you’d pinch the guy on his inner thigh, knee him in the groin three times and then elbow him in the face. Sounds empowering, doesn’t it? It also sounds a little intimidating. I can actually do that? What if the guy is twice my height? What if he’s really strong? In Dana Kaplan’s Krav Maga San Diego, Women’s Self Defense Seminar, we learned that all those advantages men likely have on women don’t really matter if you know the right moves. Kaplan has been running Krav Maga San Diego since the late ’90s. He has a blackbelt and trained under the practice’s founder, Imi Lichtenfeld, when the master came to San Diego in 1992. Lichtenfeld was an athlete in Czechoslovakia and when the Nazis were coming to power, his Jewish community in Bratislava was under constant attack from fascist gangs. Though Lichtenfeld was trained in martial arts, boxing and wrestling, these were street fights and the rules of traditional fighting sports didn’t apply. The goal wasn’t to win, it wasn’t even to kill your opponent, it was to get away from danger alive and unhurt. Given the tenuous situation in his hometown and his prowess as a fighter, Lichtenfeld traveled
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to pre-state Israel and joined the underground army, the Haganah. From there, he trained soldiers in the techniques he had developed on the streets of Bratislava. When the State of Israel was formed in 1948, the Haganah was absorbed by the Israel Defense Forces and with it, Lichtenfeld and his Krav Maga. “When Imi was teaching krav maga during his military career,” Kaplan says before our seminar begins, “it was essentially a secret system, only the IDF had this system. They cut out all the non-traditional stuff in martial arts so it was a fighting system [specifically for hand-to-hand combat] in the military.” Today, Kaplan explains, Krav Maga self defense training has three tracks: military, civilian and law enforcement. Soldiers in the IDF still get basic krav maga training, and more if they’re in special forces. Instructors like Kaplan get hired to host workshops for other militaries and law enforcement groups around the world. Since most adult civilians in Israel are former soldiers, practicing Krav Maga outside of the military isn’t as appealing. But here in the United States, there are plenty of regular people who are interested in the Israeli form of self defense just like they would be in Muay Thai (Thailand kickboxing) or Brazilian Jui-Jitsu. As its founder was well versed in those ancient and exotic forms of fighting, many Krav Maga
moves may seem similar to practitioners who are familiar with those sports. But Krav Maga is always about street fighting – it’s about how to defend yourself against things like choking, kidnapping, or a knife to the throat. “The system will take things from other martial arts and adapt them for real life,” Kaplan says. At this point, I’m wondering what to expect from this three-hour seminar. “In other words, we have a kick from Muay Thai that we use but in Thailand kickboxing, you’re not allowed to kick the groin. The groin is our number one target in Krav Maga. So we have to do a little bit of modification.” Kicking the groin? I think I can do that. There are about 30 women and young girls in my self defense seminar. It’s open to any female older than age 13, and there are a handful of mother-daughter duos in the group. Most of us are between the ages of 22 and about 35 if my estimates can be trusted. There are also a handful of middle-aged women, a few who have taken multiple seminars. Kaplan introduces us to his assistant, Ariel, an 18-year old “second generation” Krav Maga student who will be teaching her own class later this year. There is also a team of young women Kaplan calls AFTA, or his All Female Team of Assistants. These young women are small but we will soon find out that size is no indicator of
ILLUSTRATIONS COURTESY OF GUSTAVO FARIA
FEATURE
Krav Maga moves strength when it comes to Israeli self defense. We start with a warm-up of running in place and stretching. Then we pick a partner for an initially uncomfortable exercise of trying to slap her on the shoulder while she tries to block the attempts, all without looking each other in the eyes. One of my partners giggles the entire time. She says she has five brothers and three sisters so she’s used to this. After those first initial exercises, things heat up quickly. We cover about four total moves in the three-hour seminar. There was, as promised, a groin-kicking maneuver, a simulated choking exercise, a scenario for if we’re attacked and held onto from behind, and one for if we’re laying down and the attacker jumps on top of us. “You’re going to leave here walking a little different,” Kaplan tells the class at about the halfway point. Because our legs will be swollen? I wondered. “You’re going to stand a little taller because you will feel confident that you can defend yourself against attack.” Oh, right, that. It’s hard in three hours to learn and retain all the information you might need in a lifethreatening situation, but he was kind of right. All that kicking and punching and elbowing did make me feel like a pretty powerful little lady and I did leave the gym with my head held a little
higher. I talked with a few of the other students about why they came to the seminar. Some said they had a close female friend who was attacked and it made them realize they wouldn’t know what to do if it happened to them. It’s an important reminder that attacks happen all the time – women can easily find themselves in all kinds of unexpected and compromising situations. Just this summer, there was a string of five attacks on women walking alone at night in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood. It took law enforcement months to find a suspect. In many cases, women aren’t able to avoid walking alone at night so knowing some basic self defense maneuvers can make a big difference. But it’s an easy thing to put in the itwon’t-happen-to-me category. For the women of San Diego, these Krav Maga self defense seminars are an inexpensive way to get the basics down quickly. They run $50 for first-time attendees and $25 for return students. Kaplan runs a series of 8-week seminars for students interested in studying Krav Maga in more detail. The next session will begin in October and registration is expected to fill within a week of opening. For more information, visit kravmagasd.com. A
The author's Women's Self Defence Class at the JCC in August.
Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 63
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American Friends of Magen David Adom invites you to join us for a very special evening to help save lives in Israel.
Sunday, October 26, 2014 4:00 p.m. Congregation Beth Israel, 9001 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego open Free and blic to the pu
Featuring
Briefing From the Front Lines by MDA’s Wartime Medics About their experiences saving lives under fire during Operation Protective Edge Dessert reception to follow presentation. R.S.V.P. to AFMDA at western@afmda.org or 800.323.2371
www.afmda.org Magen David Adom is Israel’s ambulance, blood-services, and disaster relief organization, serving as emergency medical first responders for the state’s 8 million people. MDA is the only organization mandated by the Israeli government to serve in this role, but it’s not a government agency, so it relies on people like you for funding. Through your gift, you’re saving lives.
Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 65
FEATURE
CONNECTING PEOPLE THROUGH MUSIC Annual fundraiser implores us to remember our “Common Chords”
PHOTO BY CHRIS SAENZ
BY SARA APPEL-LENNON
T
he violent beheading of journalists at the hands of political extremists is, quite unfortunately, nothing new. In 2002, al Qaeda militants beheaded Daniel Pearl, London Bureau Chief for the Wall Street Journal, on camera in Pakistan. Within one week of his tragic death, his parents, Judea and Ruth Pearl, and sisters Tamara and Michelle created a foundation in his honor, because there was still work to be done. “Everywhere Danny went,” his father Judea says, “he brought his violin, or the mandolin, and he would join the local orchestra or music organization. I think he opened doors and hearts that way. I believe, along with everything else we do, that music, because it is universal, is one of the most effective tools to open eyes, ears and change attitudes.” The Daniel Pearl Foundation has been promoting “mutual respect and understanding among diverse cultures through journalism, music and dialogue,” for the past 12 years in an effort to turn his death into positive change. “Danny was killed not only for being an American journalist, but also for his religion,” his mother Ruth says, “and that presented us with the mission of promoting tolerance and EastWest understanding.” Rather than dwelling in hatred, each year,
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the Foundation invites Muslim journalists from the Middle East and South Asia to work in newsrooms in America, including one week at Los Angeles Jewish Journal. “Our fellows come from a culture of seeking revenge and are deeply impressed by our inviting them to join us in tikkun olam, not revenge,” Ruth says. The international music event “Daniel Pearl World Music Days” accomplishes on a global scale what Danny achieved in his travels – it connects people to their common humanity using the power of music. During this year’s “World Music Days” in San Diego, Yale Strom, co-leader of the group Common Chords, will share a stage at SDSU with Muslim, Hindu, Jain, and Christian musicians in honor of Daniel Pearl’s life and dedication. But here’s how it all began: Daniel Pearl was born, on Oct. 10, 1963 in Princeton, N.J., with “a unique biological phenomenon” that Judea and Ruth say they noticed immiediately. “He had not one shred of malice in his bones … ‘zero-malice affliction,’” Judea says. His head readjusted if someone moved his pillow while he slept. When his parents required him to wear corrective shoes, he never once complained. If he was bullied, he did not cry or
fight back. Instead he looked the person in the eye, silently. His nursery school teacher called him “a born leader.” “His kindergarten teacher later explained Danny’s secret,” Judea says. “He is like a sponge, she said to us. Nothing escapes his eyes; he simply sees no reason to show it. And that was the secret of his subtle leadership. Kids sought his company not because he was outgoing – he wasn’t – but because he was secure, unassuming and unintimidated. He was not intimidated by bullies, or by rules, or by teachers – not even his parents.” Daniel once brought home from school a list of safety rules which included: Do not talk to strangers. “Little did we know then that ‘talking to strangers’ would become Danny’s hobby,” Judea says, “then his profession and, eventually, his mission and ideology.” In 1976, Daniel celebrated his bar-mitzvah in Jerusalem. He graduated as a National Merit Scholar from Birmingham High School in Van Nuys, Calif., in 1981. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University, a semester early, with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. He co-founded the non-partisan political newspaper, The Stanford Commentary. Throughout his tragically too-short career,
FEATURE
Conductor David Amos, Concert Master, Bryce Newall, and Members of the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra "playing in harmony" during their weekly recital. Daniel worked as a journalist at The North Adams Transcript in Massachusetts, The Berkshire Eagle, The Boston Phoenix, The San Francisco Business Times, and The Wall Street Journal. In 1993, the Washington D.C. Bureau for the Wall Street Journal recruited Daniel. The London Bureau followed suit in 1995. Amidst a budding journalism career, he was lead violinist for a band, The Ottoman Empire, opening for The Kinks at a night-club in Atlanta, Ga. In 1996, Daniel became Foreign Correspondent in London, then Paris, then finally for the South Asia Bureau Chief in Bombay. At a party in Paris in 1998, Daniel met Mariane, a journalist born in France, of Cuban and Dutch descent. Their mutual attraction drew them together, blossoming into marriage a year later. “I could tell he was a fast thinker, constantly synthesizing new ideas,” Mariane Pearl says. “He was a man who was going to illuminate my life. Sharing his existence would be like turning the pages of a comic book, packed with lots of fun unexpected turns of events, and plenty of plane rides. Most important, I felt I had met the man who shared my approach toward the world and stood committed to change the world for the better.”
Mariane, who was Buddhist, remembers once asking Daniel: “If you had to choose a religion, which religion would you choose?” Daniel said: “Ethics.” Then he said: “Truth.” Although he was Jewish, he did not practice. He valued objectivity in journalism all the way to the end. “On Jan. 23, 2002, Danny was abducted in Karachi, Pakistan,” Mariane says. “He’d been on his way to an interview for a story that would possibly link the would-be shoe bomber, Richard C. Reid, with a radical Muslim cleric.” She knew something was wrong when she didn’t hear from him for three straight days. They used to call each other every 30 minutes when they were out on dangerous assignments. Adding to the anxiety of the situation, the couple discovered they were pregnant a few months before the abduction. A few days prior, they discovered their baby would be a boy. From Pakistan, Daniel immediately named him son Adam. Less than a month later, on Feb. 1, Daniel Pearl, age 38, was killed. Inspired by Daniel’s lifetime commitment to change the world, the committee World Harmony Days formed in San Diego to find funding for The Daniel Pearl Foundation’s World Music Days in San Diego. The committee was a
The late Daniel Pearl success and the multicultural concert will be held in conjunction with the SDSU Jewish Studies Department on Oct. 23 at the Smith Recital Hall. It is supported by the Jewish Federation, Temple Emanu-El and Tifereth Israel. This free event runs from 7-9 p.m. with open seating beginning at 6:30 p.m. Find more information about the concert at jewishstudies.sdsu.edu. Read more about Daniel Pearl and the foundation in his name at danielpearl.org. A Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 67
SDCJC_JewishEdJJadFINAL14_Layout 1 9/23/14 9:30 AM Page 1
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TRAVEL Last year's retreat group connects, physicially and spiritually, in a pristine natural setting.
TO BE [A JEW] OR NOT TO BE A Catholic Hungarian man finds clues to a Jewish heritage
The famous Chain Bridge illuminates the night in Budapest.
I
have always wondered about Moses killing an abusive slave driver in Egypt because the latter was beating an Israelite. How did the future lawgiver know that he, himself, was an Israelite? Raised by Egyptian royals, did he somehow have knowledge in his bones about his true origins? The same question arose during a port stop on a recent Viking River Grand European Cruise. My husband Paul and I were in Budapest, relishing our free time, when we walked across the Chain Bridge to see Carolyn, an American colleague of mine who is married to Gabor Banfalvi, a Hungarian. The duo’s expertise is in Hungarian food and wine; Carolyn writes cookbooks and Gabor takes people on wine and culture tours. It was a cold, cloudless night, and the city dazzled with multicolored lights illuminating the evocative, romantic, historic buildings on the Buda side. Carolyn buzzed us in to their walk-up apartment, and greeted us with her newborn son Levi. Hmm, I thought. That’s an odd name for a
Catholic child. We yakked for a while in the living room, and then Gabor asked if we wanted to see something very special. We followed him into an adjacent room and he pointed to several rows of books on a huge, built-in bookshelf. Surprisingly, they were all Jewish books: Torah, Talmud, Midrash, and history. I raised a quizzical eyebrow. “Gabor, why all the Jewish books?” “I don’t know. I studied Spanish medieval literature, but I keep gravitating to Jewish things. I take people on tours to Jewish sites now. And my brother converted to Judaism and joined a synagogue.” “Why is your baby named Levi?” Gabor shrugged. He had no answers. The following day, I decided to go to an old Jewish cemetery on the outskirts of the city and, on a whim, invited Gabor and Carolyn to come with me. It was a dreary, rainy, cold day, and we opened our umbrellas, turned up our collars, and walked down row after row of headstones,
admiring the unusual art nouveau tombs. The rain intensified, and we accelerated our pace, heading toward the exit. Suddenly Gabor stopped, and his mouth fell open. “I can’t believe it!” he exclaimed. He was staring at two tombstones that bore the name “Kaszab.” “I am a guide. I have been all over my country. But I have never seen my mother’s maiden name on a tomb before. And here it is…in a Jewish cemetery. How can that be?” said a stunned Gabor. “Perhaps this is why you are always drawn to Jewish things,” I postulated. “Maybe it’s… knowledge in your bones. I mean, how did Moses know he was an Israelite?” Gabor dialed a number on his cellphone and spoke in Hungarian. When he got off, he said: “That was my brother. He said it was time for me to join a synagogue. But I’m not convinced. I’m not sure at all.” We walked in silence and boarded a trolley that was heading back to town. I suddenly Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 69
PHOTOS BY PAUL ROSS
BY JUDITH FEIN
TRAVEL "I talked to my mom. Surprisingly, she doesn't seem to mind my questions. She has no clue about the family, though. She would know about the Jewish background if there was one and she'd be the biggest Jew if she found out."
Gabor Benfalvi poses in front of the tombstone inscribed with the rare maiden name of his mother. remembered that Katsav – which I thought was the equivalent of Kaszab – was the last name of the last President of Israel, and I told Carolyn and Gabor. She immediately pulled out her smartphone and googled Katsav. “Wow,” she said. “His family came from Persia. And the only thing we know for sure about his mother’s origins is that they, too, came from Persia a long time ago.” Gabor was not convinced. “Two tombstones and a name. But that doesn’t prove anything. I need to go to the synagogue. I need to find family records,” he said, and sat pensively for the rest of the ride. When we reached Budapest, I said goodbye, since our ship was sailing that night. “I will ask my mother, but I have to do it at the right time,” Gabor offered. “She is a religious Catholic. I don’t know how she’ll respond.” Several weeks went by, and I heard nothing from Gabor, so I wrote to him. This was his reply: “I talked to my mom. Surprisingly, she doesn’t seem to mind my questions. She has no clue 70 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
about the family, though. She would know about the Jewish background if there was one and she’d be the biggest Jew if she found out. She was raised by her mom (one of the Kaszab girls) alone in the middle of WWII and then during the worst days of Communism, so it was not an environment for encouraging anybody to talk about something like this. She does remember that her uncle was named Emanuél Kaszab. Not the most Catholic name, right?” I read slowly, wanting to absorb every word of the email. “On the other hand, we did find a bunch of Kaszab or Cassab or Quassabs who are Jewish, Gabor continued. “For example, Aladár Kaszab, the rabbi of a nearby town to my mom’s city. But there are a bunch of other ones that don’t seem to have anything to do with Judaism. I’ll keep looking, but this is really frustrating...” I wrote back, giving Gabor links to sites where he could find out more about his ancestry and, if he desired, do genetic testing. Weeks went by.
Then, finally, this cryptic email: “Thanks for this great offer. I have mixed feelings about it though. I haven’t really followed up on the story and my mom does not seem to be able to help my case. She thinks it’s out of the question...no progress in my research has been made. So my mom’s last name Kaszab might just be a coincidence and not evidence, unfortunately.” I wrote back impulsively: “This is just an opinion based on experiences with people finding out that they are Jewish around the world, but the fact that you are fascinated by Judaism and have acquired books about it; your brother’s conversion; naming your son Levi; taking people to Jewish sites; your mother’s maiden name having a Jewish link; the family name on the tombstones at the Jewish cemetery are as real as anything else. Is it possible the Jewish link was hidden, for obvious reasons?” Gabor replied right away: “I’ll definitely get to the bottom of this. I’ll start with the DNA search you suggested. I do understand your thoughts
TRAVEL
On the trolley outside the old cemetery, Benfalvi ponders the possible meaning of what he's just discovered. about all the details in my life pointing toward the Jewish direction being as real as anything else. The fact that my brother and I don’t always get along very well doesn’t make things any easier.” Chuckling at my keyboard, I wrote back: “That is further proof, LOL. Cain killed Abel, and Jewish siblings have been at each others’ throats ever since.” Time passed. I contacted Gabor again, to tell him I wanted to write an article about his process of elucidating his religious and cultural origins, but I needed some more information. Also, I asked how he felt about things now. The reply came quickly: “How do I feel? Reluctant, probably. Here are my reasons. I do have a passion for Jewish books, stories, history and Judaism in general. I have been reading and studying this for at least a decade now. So I have a living interest and connection there no matter what. When I saw that grave with my mom’s family name in the cemetery, that was really the first time I realized there might be a family
connection and things clicked for an hour or two. I was very happy and excited for a while. Then I didn’t actually follow up. For one thing, it takes time and I have very little of that. Then there is the risk of getting a more or less definite answer about my background. If I don’t find the Jewish connection in the family, then I’ll probably be disappointed. If I do have a Jewish background then everything will change and I will have to reevaluate my position and life. I was and still am fascinated by medieval Spanish writers, philosophers, religious thinkers, mystics and that includes Jews, Arabs and Christians (many of them conversos of course) as well. “Nevertheless,” he continued in the email, “I only developed a long-lasting passion for literature and Judaism as opposed to let’s say Islamic studies or Christian writers. I actually came to the conclusion that when it comes to religious questions, the only straightforward source is Judaism; this clean water is the backbone and inspiration for so many other religions. I also
had to realize that those religions, to me, are just mazes that are there to swallow you and make you get lost forever in the end. This is a personal opinion and not a judgment on anybody. “So if you go through understanding this, does it really matter where you come from? Today, religion, literature, and philosophy are not reserved by birth for anyone. The material is available in public libraries and anybody can open and study these books. You don’t have to be Jewish or even religious. (I read this from Elie Wiesel once.) “Am I going to have a stronger interest in Judaism if I find out that I really have Jewish roots? Well, probably yes, but maybe that’s not right. Why can’t someone be interested in this without having the background? So, in this case, it would probably be better to just keep pursuing my personal interest and passion instead of looking into whether there is a family link or not. It really shouldn’t matter. I mean people study all kinds of stuff from Native American history to Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 71
TRAVEL Carolyn and Gabor depart the cemetery, discussing his possible Jewish connections.
ancient Egyptian architecture. “Ok,” he conceded eventually, “I admit that it would still be really cool to find the missing link. I’d be probably very happy, but what I wrote before is also true. I guess I am really afraid of being disappointed by not finding the link. So you see, it’s really confusing. But that’s the way I like it. Thanks for these great email exchanges and for making me go through this. “P.S. I did hear rumors from my father’s side once that the family came from Spain at some point. They didn’t say they were Jews, though.” I decided not to press Gabor further. Shortly thereafter, I posted several articles on Facebook about crypto Jews, a subject I have researched and written about for decades. I noticed that Gabor “liked” the articles, and wrote several comments. I “liked” his comments in return. A few days ago, unexpectedly, this email came from Gabor: “We just applied to one of the Budapest Jewish private schools for the kids. The school is open to all kinds of people, but they will be taught Jewish religion, traditions and even Hebrew. We’re hoping that they’ll accept the kids and they will be exposed to Judaism. I’m not able to personally teach them this, but Carolyn and I think it is important for them. Then they can decide when they grow up. This is a big step for us. “By the way, we are visiting Germany. We were in the Moselle valley and I was reading a book by Jorge Semprún about the concentration camps. And guess what? In the book, they were transported by train from France to a German camp across the valley of the Moselle. The train actually stopped just a few villages form where we were staying.” With that, you, the reader, may be the end to California's state legislature in Sacramento. the story. Perhaps you will go to Hungary and take one of Gabor’s Jewish or wine tours. And you will know the final chapter before I do. A
IF YOU GO: Gabor’s Jewish tours: • tastehungary.com/tour/tokaj-jewish-heritageand-wine-tour/ • tastehungary.com/tour/jewish-hungariandinner-at-home/ • Gabor and Carolyn’s website: tastehungary. com/ Judith Fein is an award-winning travel journalist, speaker, workshop leader, and the author of the much-acclaimed new book, “The Spoon from Minkowitz:: A Bittersweet Roots Journey to Ancestral Lands.” She will be in San Diego as part of the Jewish Book Fair on Nov. 11. Her website is: globaladventure.us.
72 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
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1980 La Costa Avenue • Carlsbad, CA 92009 760-943-8891 Info@ChabadatLaCosta.com www.ChabadatLaCosta.com 74 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
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Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 75
in the kitchen WITH
TORI AVEY
SWEET POPCORN BALLS
Tori Avey is an awardwinning food writer, recipe developer, and the creator of the popular cooking website toriavey.com. She writes about food history for PBS Food and Parade. com. Follow Tori on Facebook by searching for “Tori Avey” and on Twitter: @toriavey.
Ever wondered what makes popcorn “pop”? The secret is in the kernel. Popcorn comes from a certain variety of maize that produces small kernels with a hard outer shell. These kernels cannot be chewed without a good chance of cracking your tooth. To get to the fluffy edible part, you have to heat the kernel, which turns the moisture contained inside the kernel into steam. When the outer shell has reached its pressure point, it bursts, releasing the soft inner flake and creating what we recognize as popcorn. The popcorn variety of maize was domesticated by pre-Columbian indigenous peoples by 5000 B.C.E. It is a small and harder form of flint corn, most commonly found in white or yellow kernels. The stalks produce several ears at a time, though they are smaller and yield less corn than other maize varieties. The “pop” is not limited exclusively to this type of maize, but the flake of other types is smaller by comparison. Popcorn likely arrived in the American Southwest more than 2,500 years ago but was not found growing east of the Mississippi until the early 1800s due to botanical and environmental factors. Today, the Midwest is famous for its “Corn Belt,” but prior to the introduction of the steel plow during the 19th century, soil conditions in that region were not suitable for growing corn. Evidence of popcorn’s first “pop” did not appear until the 1820s, when it was sold throughout the eastern United States under the names Pearl or Nonpareil. Its popularity quickly began to spread throughout the South and by the 1840s popcorn had started to gain a foothold in America. Prestigious literary magazines like New York’s Knickerbocker and the Yale Literary Magazine began referencing popcorn. By 1848, the word “popcorn” was included in John Russell Bartlett’s Dictionary of Americanisms. One of the earliest recipes for popping corn came from Daniel Browne during the 1840s. His method required one to “Take a grill, a half pint, or more of Valparaiso or Pop Corn, and put in a frying-pan, slightly
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buttered, or rubbed with lard. Hold the pan over a fire so as to constantly stir or shake the corn within, and in a few minutes each kernel will pop, or turn inside out.” He adds that salt or sugar can be added while the popcorn is still hot. The problem with this method was that butter tended to burn before reaching a high enough temperature and lard produced popcorn that was soaked with grease. It wasn’t until the second half of the 19th century that an efficient method for popping corn was developed. These newly invented “poppers” were made from boxes of tight wire gauze attached to a long handle; they were meant to be held above an open flame. Poppers offered several benefits, including the ability to contain the popped kernels while also keeping hands away from an exposed flame. Throughout the years, many improvements were made to the original popper prototype, which made the snack even more accessible to the masses. With Halloween just around the corner, it seemed fitting to share a vintage popcorn treat. Popcorn balls were a fixture at Halloween parties during the 1950s, a time when trick-or-treaters regularly enjoyed homemade treats rather than packaged, store-bought candies. The first recipe for popcorn balls was published in 1861 in E.F. Haskell’s “Housekeeper’s Encyclopedia;” by the turn of the century many cookbooks included popcorn ball recipes. The following Sweet Popcorn Balls recipe is adapted from an adorable vintage 1940s cookbook called the “Children’s Picture Cook Book” by Margaret Gossett and Elizabeth Dauber. It’s written for kids in the kitchen, with every recipe and cooking step illustrated. I’ve provided the old-fashioned stovetop method for popping the corn, but you can feel free to use an air popper or another popping device if you have one. Make sure you have a candy thermometer on hand, the syrup temperature is very important here. Otherwise it’s a really straightforward recipe. It’s also a fun one, especially at this time of year. Kids will enjoy helping
PHOTOS BY TORI AVEY
you to form the sticky popcorn into round balls. The smell takes me back to my childhood. Enjoy!
SWEET POPCORN BALLS
½ cup popcorn kernels ¾ tbsp oil, choose one with a high smoke point like grapeseed or peanut oil 2 cups sugar 1 ½ cups water ½ cup molasses or corn syrup 1 tsp vinegar 1 tsp vanilla 1/3 tsp salt You will also need: large pot with a lid, very large mixing bowl, heavy saucepot, oven mitt, candy thermometer, rubber spatula, non-stick cooking spray, wax paper or parchment. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. You’ll want to use enough oil to just cover the bottom of the pan, so adjust the amount accordingly. You can test your oil by tossing in a few kernels and covering the pot. Once they pop, you’ll know your oil is hot enough to add in the rest of the kernels. Add the kernels in an even layer across the bottom of your pot. Remove the pot from the heat for 20 seconds to allow all of the kernels to come to the same temperature. Once 20 seconds have passed, return the pot to the heat and cover. Once the kernels are really popping, carefully move the pot back and forth across the burner. When the popping slows down and there are long pauses between pops, remove the popcorn from the heat and immediately transfer to a large bowl. Set aside.
In a saucepot with a heavy bottom, boil sugar, water and molasses or corn syrup over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Heat syrup until it reaches 260 degrees F. This should take about 5-7 minutes. The syrup will be extremely hot and sticky so be sure to cover your hand with an oven mitt when you take the temperature. Add in vinegar, sugar and salt. Stir just enough to mix well. Immediately pour syrup on top of the popcorn and turn with a rubber spatula to be sure it is all coated evenly. Allow the popcorn mixture to cool for a few minutes, then spray your hands lightly with cooking spray and gently shape the popcorn into balls about the size of an apple. Place on a sheet tray lined with wax paper or parchment and allow to cool until hardened. Once cool, wrap balls in plastic wrap or place in plastic zipper bags to keep them fresh. A
IKWTA Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 77
business
By Natalie Jacobs
Debbie Cohen Cohenworks workswith witha pelvic a pelvic model to show Debbie model to show patients where her Jacquelyne Silver patients where she focuses her therapy. International Bath and Tile's showroom floor leaves customers with a lot of choices. work is targeted.
W
hen you think about physical therapy, you probably think: chronic back pain or car accident. If you’re dealing with incontinence or sexual dysfunction, you either think: urologist, gynecologist, or Google. Here’s something you likely haven’t considered: There’s an emerging physical therapy practice that examines the roots of these problems through the muscles in the pelvic floor, and it’s one that many medical doctors and their patients are just starting to understand. Pelvic physical therapy focuses treatment on the musculoskeletal region between the hips, groin and spine to offer relief from a variety of symptoms. “This is a group of muscles that forms a sling or a hammock in the bottom of the pelvis,” says Debbie Cohen, a pelvic physical therapist operating her practice in partnership with San Diego Sexual Medicine near SDSU. “[These muscles are] responsible for a lot, including sexual function and bowel and bladder function. It has a chemical component to what goes on in the pelvis and the low back and the hips as well.” This sub-specialty of physical therapy is closely related to orthopedic physical therapy, in that it 78 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
focuses on pain in the bones, joints or nerves, but rarely does anyone pay specific attention the pelvic muscles in this way. “Just like anywhere in your body,” Cohen explains, “you can get knots or tender points or trigger points in muscles. The pelvic floor can develop the same and produce all kinds of strange symptoms that are related to muscles that you didn’t even know you had.” Kegels are the traditional remedy that everyone from your doctor to your mother will toss your way if you complain of urinary leakage during a sneeze or muscle rehabilitation after giving birth. Put simply, kegels are an exercise that expand and contract the muscles in the pelvic floor. But that’s not all that can be done, and in some cases, Cohen says, doing kegels can actually do more harm than good. “A proper examination of pelvic floor function needs to be made before you can make a prescription of exercise or anything else,” she says. “Most people are not doing [kegels] well and in many cases they are doing something that would make their situation worse. ... It’s not as easy as saying your biceps are weak and I can just
give you a dumbbell and say lift this 20 times.” For her part, Cohen dedicates an hour to each patient for each meeting, with hands-on treatment that first examines how the patient’s pelvic muscles are currently operating. Once she diagnoses the problem, she can use a combination of hands-on techniques to relieve pain, release restricted tissue and queue muscles to understand how to better function on their own. Pelvic physical therapy is not just for women, Cohen says. Men who are experiencing pain in the pelvis region, or urinary and bowel problems, can also be suffering from pelvic floor muscle dysfunction and may benefit from consulting a pelvic physical therapist. A ______________________
FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICAL THERAPY AND PELVIC WELLNESS 5555 Reservoir Drive, Suite 300 San Diego, CA 92120 (619) 265-8865 pelvicwellnesspt.com
PHOTO BY NICHOLAS PATTON
B
NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY
Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 79
D
WHAT’S
GOIN’
ON?
Falling Into Step
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PHOTO BY JEREMY DANIEL
by eileen sondak • nsondak@gmail.com
Broadway-San Diego brings "Jersey Boys" back to San Diego Oct. 21-26.
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he Fall season is in full swing! The San Diego Symphony returns, “Jersey Boys,” a show with roots in San Diego, is coming to the Civic Theatre, and Lamb’s has a fascinating world premiere on the boards. Keeping the good times rolling, The La Jolla Playhouse is unveiling “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” with its Oscar-nominated score, North Coast Rep is
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exploring “Freud’s Last Session,” and The Old Globe is tackling “The Royale” on its intimate White Stage. The San Diego Symphony will kick off its season on Oct. 10 with “Scottish Fantasy,” starring violinist Hilary Hahn. The concert, conducted by the Symphony’s Jahja Ling, will feature works by Mendelssohn, Bruch, and
Maxwell Davies through Oct. 12. The Smetana Trio will perform on Oct. 16. Then, “Van Cliburn Gold” is slated for Oct. 17-19, with gold medalist Vadym Kholodenko on the keyboard for a four-piece program that includes Tchaikovsky’s Waltz and Poloanaise from “Eugene Onegin.” “Chopin and Dvorak” are next on the roster, Oct. 24-26, with Lola Astanova on piano and
PHOTO BY MICHAEL PATRICK O'LEARY
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Violinist Hilary Hahn kicks off the Symphony's season Oct. 10. entertaining the writer and former atheist C.S. Lewis. The result is a lively debate touching on love, politics, religion, and life itself. You have from Oct. 15 to Nov. 9 to listen in on this interesting last session. The Lamb’s found a great way to follow up the megahit, “Les Miserables.” The troupe is staging the world premiere of “Dinner with Marlene,” a new work centered around the fascinating world of Marlene Dietrich. The play invites us to a magical dinner in Paris with the sultry singer/actress and a group of artists, writers, and socialites, just before the outbreak of World War II. The show is slated to remain at the Lamb’s Coronado home Oct. 10-Nov. 16. San Diego’s kids will perform two delightful musicals this month. San Diego Junior Theatre is unveiling “The Addams Family,” a musical featuring the lovable Addams clan as they face the reality of their own princess of darkness falling in love with a boy from a respectable family. The show will take over the Casa Del Prado Oct. 24Nov. 9. J*Company is gearing up for their production of “Peter Pan.” The beloved story of a little boy who just won’t grow up is based on the Disney film and includes classic Disney songs and the usual mix of pirates, fairies, and youngsters. “Peter Pan” will charm audiences at the La Jolla JCC Oct. 24-Nov. 9. Welk Theatre is reviving the classic musical, “Oklahoma,” through Nov. 16. This Rodgers and Hammerstein masterpiece, with its magnificent music and delightful dance numbers, is a great choice for the whole family. You can enjoy a
buffet dinner before each performance. Poway Center for the Performing Arts will present two one-night stands this month. Barkley Hart Selis Twang, fresh from their European tour, will perform Oct. 11, followed on Oct. 25 by Charlie Musselwhite, the revered blues harmonica player. Moxie just launched its 10th season with “A Discourse on the Wonders of the Invisible World.” This drama about a young girl whose visions of demons and witches initiated the Salem Witch Trials, will run through Oct. 12. The Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla is showcasing “Jack Whitten: Five Decades of Painting,” through Jan. 4, 2015. This survey of works by the enduring artist includes 60 canvasses from the mid-1960s to the present. The museum’s downtown facility will feature “Rita McBride: Public Tilt” on Oct. 10. This set of three installations by the celebrated artist will remain on view through Feb. 8, 2015. Also on display downtown during that time period is “This is How We Walk on the Moon,” Colter Jacobsen’s first solo exhibition. The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is hosting the West Coast premiere of “Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code,” a new exhibition highlighting developments in genomic research. This fascinating show will be on display through Jan. 4, 2015. The Center’s IMAX film, “Hidden Universe,” takes audiences on an adventure deep in space. “Journey to the South Pacific,” narrated by Cate Blanchett, provides an exotic tour of the locale that is home to more than 2,000 species. A
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Ryan DiLisi on timpani. The Symphony will celebrate with a black-tie ball on Saturday evening, Oct. 25. “Opus Gala,” which includes the concert and after-party, along with a sit-down dinner at the University Club, will highlight pianist Lola Astanova for a program that features works by Rachmaninoff, Bizet, and Bernstein. Maestro Ling will conduct this “Rachmaninoff Rhapsody.” Finally, you can usher in Halloween with the Symphony Oct. 31-Nov. 1 when they screen the eerie “Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.” Russ Peck will accompany the horror film on the organ. Broadway-San Diego is bringing “Blue Man Group” back to San Diego much to the delight of its staunch local fan base. The “Group,” known for wildly theatrical shows combining comedy, music, and technology, will inhabit the Civic Theatre for five rafter-raising performances, Oct. 3-5. Broadway-San Diego also snared “Jersey Boys” (a musical sensation that was launched by The La Jolla Playhouse before taking Broadway by storm) for a week-long run at the Civic Theatre, Oct. 21-26. This show about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons was a sell-out on its last visit, and it promises to be just as hot this time around. The Old Globe’s “Bright Star” continues to light up the theatrical landscape. This exciting world premiere, accompanied by a book written by comedian/musician/movie-star extraordinaire Steve Martin, will run through Nov. 2. The show is set in the mountains of North Carolina in the years between the ’20s and the ’40s and features 25 new songs. “The Royale,” directed by Rachel Chavkin, is ready to make its mark on San Diego audiences. The show (about boxing in the segregated world of 1905) is loosely based on real events and should pack a punch with mature audiences. “Royale” has found a perfect venue in the theater-in-theround atmosphere of the White Theatre. Catch it between Oct. 4 and Nov. 2. The La Jolla Playhouse will be featuring the highly-anticipated musical, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” from Oct. 26 to Dec. 7. With songs by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, book by Peter Parnell, and direction by Scott Schwartz, this sounds like a must-see show for local theater-buffs. The story is based on the novel by Victor Hugo, of course. The Playhouse’s production of “Kingdom City” continues at the Potiker Theatre until Oct. 5. This play is set in a small Missouri town. North Coast Repertory Theatre will intrigue audiences with the San Diego premiere of an off Broadway hit, “Freud’s Last Session.” The play finds Sigmund Freud at the end of his life
Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 81
S sports
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CHARGERS LOSING BACKS BUT WINNING GAMES By Peter Talhamé
s the Arizona Cardinals drove down the field late in the Chargers' first game of the season, fans hit message boards across the internet, echoing a worrying sentiment, "Here we go again." A blocked punt and a forced fumble by rookie Jeremiah Attaochu seemed to have the Bolts in a great position to win, but after a bad snap from backup center Rich Ohrnberger pushed the Chargers out of field goal range, the Cardinals mounted what turned out to be the game's final scoring drive, overcoming an 11-point fourth quarter deficit to win 18-17. With the Superbowl champion Seattle Seahawks and their spirit-crushing defense heading to town, things seemed bleek, but as the thermometers at field level were breaking into triple digits, there was something other than the heat in the air. Rivers started the game with a drive that ended in a field goal, ending a streak of 20 games in which the Seahawks held opponents to scoreless opening drives. That, however, was not the end of scoring for the Chargers as Rivers hooked up with fan favorite Antonio Gates for three
touchdowns. At home in the heat the Chargers were in their element, but the game was not without toll as Ryan Mathews was carted off early in the fourth quarter with a sprained MCL. The Chargers defense put the team on their back shutting out the Seahawks in the fourth quarter for a 30-21 win. With Mathews out for 4-5 weeks, the Chargers coaching staff put together a running-game plan centering around the newly signed former Colt, Donald Brown, and the always electric, changeof-pace back, Danny Woodhead as they headed on the road to face the 2-0 Buffalo Bills. Then the unthinkable happened. On his first carry of the game, just over three minutes into the first quarter, Woodhead suffered a gruesome looking ankle injury that will certainly force him to miss several weeks. With a depleted running back core, Rivers took to the air, throwing for 238 yards with two touchdowns to Eddie Royal and completing 18 of his 25 pass attempts. The Chargers defense once again took the reigns in the fourth as the offense simmered down, this time not only shutting out
Philip Rivers looking confident for 2014 the Bills offense but also sacking QB EJ Manual twice and forcing a safety and eventually ending the game with a 22-10 victory. At the time of writing, the Chargers had yet to face the 0-3 Jacksonville Jauguars. They will enter week four with Donald Brown and rookie Branden Oliver as the only healthy running backs on their roster. Hopefully the Bolts can weather the injuries through the next few weeks so that the next time fans say, 'Here we go again,' they will be referring to the playoffs.
RAR Hotels Unique and Diverse Neighborhood Venues Throughout San Diego San Diego’s diverse culture, award winning beaches, renowned attractions and 72-degree average temperatures can spark the interest of any traveler. R.A. Rauch & Associates (RAR) hotels allow traveler to step out of the norm and experience San Diego in a new, diverse and exciting way. Geographically situated throughout the Greater San Diego area, we cater to travelers with interest as unique as San Diego itself.
If it’s an award-winning and well-respected brand hotel you seek, RAR offers Homewood Suites by Hilton, conveniently located in Del Mar. Guests enjoy suites that include a full kitchen, free daily breakfast and free dinner (including beer, wine, lemonade and ice tea), Monday through Thursdays. Adjacent to Homewood Suites is Hilton Garden Inn San Diego/Del Mar, the only Hilton Garden Inn in the world to sport a deli (NY Garden Deli), spa (Serenity Spa and Salon) and Bistro 39, a trend-setting restaurant and bar.
Each of RAR’s boutique properties offers a unique experience. The newest addition is The Keating Hotel located in the heart of San Diego’s famous Gaslamp Quarter. With a Personal Concierge Assistant to help plan an unforgettable trip, upscale amenities and a design that defines modern California, there is no other hotel in San Diego with as much appeal as The Keating. The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows in vibrant North Park, captures the 1940s and adds a modern flare to provide the perfect balance of yesterday and today. The property sports an Olympic-sized pool, restaurants and bars, and a great atmosphere as unique as the historic hotel. Pantai Inn is the gem of La Jolla. It is a stunning Balinese-themed and appointed luxury oceanfront boutique that offers elegant sophistication with stunning views. The property’s collection of luxury villas and suites are surrounded by nature’s spectacular beauty, sensational ocean views and pristine beaches inviting passion and excitement.
In the heart of Coronado Island and steps away from San Diego’s award winning beach is the warm and inviting El Cordova Hotel. Reminiscent of a quaint Spanish village, El Cordova boasts spacious rooms, suites and an attentive staff, four restaurants and 12 boutique shops on site. RAR invites you to step away from a traditional hotel experience and dive into culture, luxury and relaxation. We know you will want to stay with us time and time again to enjoy the diversity of San Diego and our properties. advertorial
Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Del Mar | www.hiltongardeninndelmar.com | 858-720-9500
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Local Philanthropist Wins Award
Theresa Dupuis has been selected by the Jewish Federations of North America as a recipient of the 2014 Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award. The award recognizes one extraordinary woman who has set a high standard for philanthropy and volunteerism in her community each year. “I am honored and deeply touched … I look forward to being actively involved with the Jewish community for years to come, and continuing to fulfill the responsibilities this award embodies,” Dupuis said in a news release.
Beth Israel Hires New Assistant Rabbi
Beth Israel of San Diego has named Jordana “Jordie” Gerson its new assistant rabbi. Gerson will liaison with children as well as teach the confirmation class. She will also work on social action and caring in the community, and provide pastoral care to congregants, as well as officiate lifecycle events. She is looking forward to developing new education and contemplative opportunities, including Jewish meditation and hikes. “She will provide the necessary support our current clergy needs,” said senior Rabbi Michael Berk.
Israel to Supply Jordan with $15 Billion of Natural Gas
According to The Times of Israel, the Jewish State has “signed a memorandum of understanding with Jordan … under which it will supply the Hashemite Kingdom with $15 billion worth of natural gas from its Leviathan energy field over 15 years.” Israel discovered natural gas in 2009 from the Tamar deposit located west of Haifa. The Leviathan energy field was discovered a year later and is expected to become operational in 2016. Combined, these fields are expected to supply an estimated 8.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Energy and Water Minister Silvan Shalom is expected to confirm the agreement. “Shalom [has] referred to it as ‘a historic act that will strengthen the economic and diplomatic ties between Israel and Jordan,” writes The Times. “Israel is becoming an energy superpower, which will supply the energy needs of its neighbors and strengthen its standing as a central source of energy supply in the region, and I welcome it.’” In 2013, Israel decided to export 40 percent of its offshore gas.
Professors Sign Petition to Boycott Israel
In August, Jadaliyya, a website produced by the Arab Studies Institute, circulated a petition calling for the boycott of Israeli academic institutions. The letter, which targeted scholars and librarians within Middle East studies on campuses throughout the United States, got 218 signatures from American professors and associate professors. The AMCHA Initiative, a watchdog group combating antiSemitism on college campuses started by a UC Santa Cruz professor, gathered the names and institutions of those who signed the petition. All 10 of the University of California schools were represented on the list, by a total of 28 professors, including one from UC San Diego. To view the full list, visit amchainitiative.org/middle-east-scholars-boycott-israel/.
Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 83
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Local Brandeis Committee Wins Chapter of the Year
The San Dieguito Chapter of the Brandeis National Committee – an organization dedicated to providing philanthropic support to Brandeis University – has been named Chapter of the Year. This prestiges national award is given to five of the 47 chapters throughout the United States annually. The local chapter is also celebrating 40 years of service to the only Jewish-sponsored and top ranking university in the Western Hemisphere. Members of the chapter reside from Coronado to Oceanside. Phyllis Perkal
JFS Names New CAO
Jewish Family Service recently named Debora Rodriguez as their Chief Advancement Officer, the agency’s first. In this newly created position, Rodriguez will oversee fundraising, institutional giving, marketing and volunteer engagement. Rodriguez comes to JFS with more than 25 years in nonprofit management. Before joining Jewish Family Service in San Diego, Rodriguez served as CEO of Recovery Resources and Director of Community Planning at Jewish Federation of Cleveland.
Giant Shabbat Dinner in San Diego
Launched in South Africa in 2013, The Shabbat Project is a grassroots Jewish identity movement dedicated to uniting Jews around the globe by celebrating the Sabbath together. The goal is to rejuvenate family and community life, restore Jewish pride and identity, and build unity. “This year, 120 local Jewish organizations including most congregations, day schools, preschools and Torah schools are particpitating,” said Clair Ellman, chair of community liaison committee of the Oct. 24-25 Shabbat Project. There’s a special push to involve the 80,000 non-affiliated Jews in San Diego county as well. San Diego joins more than 200 cities in 30 countries. Local events include Shabbat dinner and lunch, and a Havdalah service Saturday night at the San Diego Jewish Academy as well as dinner and other events at most synagogues. All are invited to participate in a community-making Challah event on Thursday, Oct. 23. Those who are interested in the full Shabbat experience may make reservations at the Doubletree Hotel in Carmel Valley. More information for all Shabbat Project activities, meals and celebrations can be found at ShabbatSanDiego.org or by contacting Robyn at Robyn@ ShabbatSanDiego.org.
Radys Honored with Philanthropy Day Award
Nine outstanding community leaders have been chosen as honorees at the upcoming National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon. The short list included Ernest and Evelyn Rady. The Radys were nominated by Jewish Community Foundation, Jewish Family Service (JFS) of San Diego, Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego Zoo Global, and UC San Diego for their dedication to the community. The event, presented by Sharp Healthcare, will take place on Oct. 28 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel. National Philanthropy Day is in its 42nd year and is organized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, San Diego Chapter (AFPSD). It recognizes the critical role philanthropy plays in our community and honors those who do it best. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Philanthropy: Gifts of Time, Talent and Treasure.”
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Jacobs Center Performance Series in Full Swing
The Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation has unveiled the Cultural Celebrations and Performances series at The Village at Market Creek in southeastern San Diego. The yearlong program will showcase the diverse cultural activities that are available to San Diego residents. More than a dozen events are scheduled in partnership with wellknown local area cultural outlets with funding provided in part from the Jacobs Family Foundation. Visit jacobspresents.com for more information.
Upcoming Holocaust Living History Workshop at UCSD
FIDF Launches “Day After” Campaign
Operation Protective Edge may be done, but the Israel Defense Force still needs help. In order to provide immediate wellness services, FIDF has shifted from emergency support to providing comprehensive programming for soldiers who served in Gaza, and their families. Post Operation Protective Edge, Israel’s soldiers must now deal with personal losses and the physical and emotional challenges of battle. FIDF will work through its 15 chapters in the United States and Panama to provide soldiers with well-deserved rest and relaxation as well as monetary assistance as needed. FIDF will also sponsor flights for Lone Soldiers so that they can reconnect with their families and friends abroad. Finally, FIDF will grant IMPACT! Scholarships to combat soldiers, as they work to further contribute to Israeli society through their education and volunteerism. FIDF is the only official organization raising funds in the United States in coordination with the IDF. Annually, they raise approximately $85 million.
Once again, community members are invited to attend a series of free workshops about The Shoah at UC San Diego. Cosponsored by the 2014 Jewish Book Fair, all events are open to the public and focus on lesserknown aspects of the Holocaust and survival. Presenters include Christopher Browning of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Jacqueline Gmach, former programming director at the JCC. The series begins Oct. 22. For more information, call 858-534-7661.
Costco to Pay Penalties for Clear Air Act Violations
Costco Wholesale Corporation, one of the nation’s largest retailers, has agreed to cut its emissions of ozone-depleting and greenhouse gases from leaking refrigeration equipment at more than half of its stores nationwide. In the settlement announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Justice, Costco will pay $335,000 in penalties for federal Clean Air Act violations and will fix refrigerant leaks and make other improvements at 274 of its stores, which will cost about $2 million through the next three years, according to EPA estimates. Costco, headquartered in Issaquah, Wash., operates 466 stores in the U.S. and additional stores worldwide, including 67 stores in California. The company reported 2013 revenues at $105.2 billion. Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 85
FEATURING MICHAEL SANTO AND
BRUCE TURK
e Author will b t the a s ie p co signing ir wish Book Fa San Diego Je th r 16 on Novembe om on Amazon.c se a h rc u p r fo Available ndNoble.com and Barnesa
Directed by Joey Landwehr
October 24 – November 9, 2014 JCC Box Office: (858) 362-1348 www.jcompanysd.org Follow JHCompany Artistic Director, Joey Landwehr@JoeyArtisticDir David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre • Potiker Family Arts & Culture Complex Viterbi Family Galleria • Foster-Ratner Performing Arts Education Center
Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center • JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037-1348
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DIVERSIONS By Natalie Jacobs “Not That Kind of Girl” We’re a little heavy on the written word for Diversion this month, but that’s because Lena Dunham’s highly anticipated book “Not That Kind of Girl” comes out on Oct. 7 and we just had to make sure your calendar was marked for the occasion. The young and prolific writer/actor/director/ editor/producer rocketed to stardom with her critically acclaimed HBO series “Girls,” and she hasn’t slowed down since. “Not That Kind of Girl” is an advice book/ memoir that publishers Random House describe as “in the tradition of Helen Gurley Brown, David Sedaris, and Nora Ephron,” rife with “frank and funny advice on everything from sex to eating to traveling to work.” The book draws on her personal experience, like much of her work up to this point. But, in an interview with Vogue Magazine earlier this year, Dunham said after this, she will have “exhausted [her] personal life as a subject.” That means “Girls” won’t be around forever either. So get the goods while you can, we’re sure it will leave you with plenty to talk about.
““The Mathematician's Shiva” This is a book about math written by a geophysicist, but trust us it comes highly recommended.
“Burning Man: Art on Fire” In case you haven’t made it to Black Rock, you can still see the incredible art installations in this new coffee table book.
“Fury” Yes, this is another movie about World War II but there’s so many stories to tell from this era. This one takes on a relatively new subject matter, taking place at the tail end of the war, following a diminishing division as they find the strength to battle through an assignment that they know will kill them. It stars an incredible number of Jewish actors – Logan Lerman, Jon Bernthal, Shia LaBeouf, and Jason Isaacs – and, thankfully, Brad Pitt. Hits screens Oct. 17.
“The Marx Brothers TV Collection” Hollywood’s seminal German-Jewish siblings are known for their film roles but they have an interesting tv history too. The Shout! Factory recently released a three-DVD collection featuring the tv segments, programs, guest appearances, commercials and even home movies. It’s a nice little time capsule for those to whom the Marx Brothers played a special role in their lives. Order at shoutfactory.com.
“Her Promised Road” This new novel is inspired by Golda Meir’s early life and mission to the U.S. in the 1930s.
Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 87
TAKE NOTE OCT. 1-31
by tinamarie bernard
BEST BETS
Mark your calendar.
A
s the air gets crisp, the community events are heating up so here are just a few of our favorite fun times on deck. Do beware: The first three events are all on the same weekend! All ages are invited to enjoy Sukkot at The Ranch on Oct. 12 from noon to 6 p.m. Hosted by The Leichtag Foundation, this free event features kosher catering by several local area chefs as well as music by DeLeon, a duo known for their global fusion renditions of Sephardic folk music. Connect with other foodies, nutritionists, chefs, farmers, rabbis and more in celebration of the values of the Jewish Food Movement through Hazon, the Jewish Food Festival: the intersection of food, sustainability and Jewish life. Visit leichtag. org for more info. After Sukkot at the Ranch, you may still have time to head to Little Italy for FESTA!, the 20th annual Little Italy San Diego Italian festival. Also on Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., this day-long festival will be filled with live entertainment on three stages, delicious food with live cooking demonstrations from celebrated chefs and plenty of Italian culture. The highlight of the day is the Gesso Italiano, also known as Italian Chalk art, one of the largest sidewalk chalk art displays in the country. For more information check out littleitalyfestasd.com. Rounding out this action-packed weekend, wine and art lovers will have a chance to enjoy the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival. This one happens all weekend, Oct. 11-12, so that should help with the planning. It’s free and open to the public in the heart of La Jolla village. Featured at the festival will be a juried art show and fundraiser, a silent auction, live entertainment, a gourmet marketplace, a family art center and a wine and beer garden. Get the skinny on the artsy times at ljawf.com. Next on the long this of things to do this month, it’s time to think about Halloween. The fair may be long gone but the Del Mar Fairgrounds are still full of fun. They’ll host the 17th annual Scream Zone, San Diego County’s largest and scariest haunted experience, running until Nov. 1. For those who prefer shopping instead of screaming, plan your trip to the Fairgrounds on Oct. 17-19 for the Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show. You will find more than 300 artists and craftspeople displaying their wares like handcrafted jewelry, clothing, specialty foods, photography, handturned wood, ceramics, and more. Tickets for either event can be purchased at delmarfairgrounds.com. A
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LA JOLLA ART AND WINE FESTIVAL Oct. 11-12 Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Girard Ave.
SUKKOT AT THE RANCH Oct. 12 noon-6 p.m. 441 Saxony Rd. Encinitas, CA 92024
FESTA! LITTLE ITALY SAN DIEGO ITALIAN FESTIVAL Oct. 12 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Little Italy, near India St. and W. Ash St.
HARVEST FESTIVAL ORIGINAL ART AND CRAFT SHOW Oct. 17-19 Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Del Mar Fairgrounds 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Del Mar, CA 92014
SAN DIEGO JEWISH
SENIOR EVENTS OCT. 1-31
Lawrence Family JCC 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla Contact Melanie Rubin to R.S.V.P. (858) 362-1141 Annual Senior Lunch and Concert in the Sukkah Tuesday, Oct. 14, noon Celebrate Sukkot with your friends at the JCC. Lunch sponsored by The Patrician, entertainment by Klezmer Del Cerro Band. Cost is $11 for members, $13 for nonmembers. R.S.V.P. by Oct. 7. Luxury Bus Trip to the Skirball Cultural Center Sunday, Nov. 2, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. See Light & Noir: Exiles and Émigrés in Hollywood, 1933-1950. This exhibit tells the story of the émigré actors, directors, writers, and composers who were refugees from Nazi persecution in Europe. Cost is $72 for members, $88 for non-members, and includes admission, docent tours, lunch and bus. R.S.V.P. by Oct. 13. Oceanside Senior Center 455 Country Club Lane, Oceanside Call Josephine at (760) 295-2564 North County Jewish Seniors Club Third Thursday of each month, 12:30 p.m. Join us to hear speakers and/or entertainment at our monthly meetings. Light refreshments served. Visitors welcome. Joslyn Senior Center 210 Park Ave./Broadway, Escondido Call (760) 436-4005 Jewish War Veterans meetings Second Sunday of each month, 11 a.m. Preceded by a bagel/lox breakfast at 10:45 a.m. San Diego North County Post 385. JFS University City Older Adult Center 9001 Towne Centre Drive, La Jolla Call Aviva Saad for details or to R.S.V.P. (858) 550-5998 Sukkot Program and Celebration Wednesday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. Shake the four kinds in the Sukkah! Lunch available at noon with resesrvations and entertainment by Raymond at 1 p.m. Simchat Torah Celebration Wednesday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m. Dance with the Torah! Lunch available at noon with reservations. On the Go excursions A program of Jewish Family Service, On the Go provides transportation to events throughout the county for homebound seniors. For information on any of these excursions, please call (858) 637-7320. Little Italy Festa! Sunday, Oct. 12, bus leaves at 9:30 a.m., returns at 2 p.m. Cost: $28 due by Oct. 6. San Diego Botanic Garden 31st Annual Fall Plant Sale Sunday, Oct. 19, bus leaves at 11 a.m., returns at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $38 due by Oct. 10.
FALL PLANT SALE WITH ON THE GO Sunday, Oct. 19, bus leaves at 11 a.m., returns at 4:30 p.m. Plants from more than 100 local growers, wholesalers and retail nurseries make this one of the most interesting and diverse plant sales in San Diego County. Cost: $38 due by Oct. 10. JFS No. County Inland Center 15905 Pomerado Road, Poway Call (858) 674-1123 for details. Nosh and Knowledge Focus on Finances Wednesday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m. Enjoy bagels, fresh fruit and other snacks as you take part in this interactive workshop that explores the Four Cornerstones of Retirement and Beyond with Hazel Tamano of Bankers Life and Casualty. Flu Shot Clinic with Palomar Health Wednesday, Oct. 29, noon Cost is $20 in cash or check. Please bring your Medicare Card. JFS Coastal Club at Temple Solel 3575 Manchester Ave., Cardiff by the Sea Call Melinda Wynar at (858) 674-1123 for details. R.S.V.P. for lunch by Monday at 12:30 p.m. Sukkot Celebration: Kinder, Cooking and Crafts Tuesday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m. We’ll join our pre-school neighbors and special guests for a festive celebration in the Temple Solel Sukkah. Your Story, Your Legacy with Marni Freedman Monday, Oct. 14, 11 a.m. Whether you like to write, talk, create or share, this workshop is a great way to explore ideas to create a legacy that will live on for many generations. BOOtiful Music with Peter Seltser Tuesday, Oct. 28, 11 a.m. Enjoy favorite songs along with special selections in time for Halloween. JFS College Avenue Center 4855 College Ave., San Diego Call (858) 637-3270 for details or to R.S.V.P. Walk at Mission Trails Regional Park Monday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. Meet at the Visitor Center at 10 a.m. Guided walk with Linda Hawley, Education Specialist. The walk will be on a paved road, easy with no hills or uneven trails. The Kabbalah Suite: Meditations on the Ten Sefirot, music by Dr. Yochanan Winston Monday, Oct. 13, noon Lunch outside in the sukkah followed by musical presentation with Yochanan Winston and Tommy Gannon at 12:30 p.m. In his studies of the writings of the Kabbalah, Winston was inspired to write this musical piece which was debuted at Congregation Beth El in La Jolla in 2010. Job Search for the Seasoned Worker with Camille Harris Tuesday, Oct. 14, noon Learn specific skills to launch the job search process. Reduce stress, develop a plan, hone the skills to get your job search moving. Cost is $10.
Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 89
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SAN DIEGO JEWISH COMMUNITY OBITUARIES Arrangements by Am Israel Mortuary
ALL SERVICES ALREADY HELD Nathan Artenstein – Chula Vista 10/3/1928-6/30/2014 Survivors: wife, Sara Artenstein; daughters, Rebecca and Helen Artenstein; sons Abraham, Isaac, David and Reuben Artenstein; and 15 grandchildren. Marian Silverman - Encinitas 3/24/1927-7/2/2014 Survivors: husband, Sidney Silverman; daughters, Marsi GarDiner and Stacy Halberg; and son, Scott Silverman. Anna Diener – San Diego 8/7/1922-7/3/2014 Survivors: sons, Sig and Fred Diener. Marilyn Glaser – San Diego 2/8/1930-7/4/2014 Survivors: daughter, Debra Herz; and son, Scott Glaser. 92 SDJewishJournal.com l October 2014
Benjamin Yancon - Encinitas 5/26/1926-7/4/2014 Survivor: daughter, Lauri Sampson. Floris Pittler – Mission Viejo 10/10/1937-7/5/2014 Survivors: husband, Carl Pittler; daughter, Jean Gallenson; and son, Steven Pittler. Ruth Raden – San Diego 11/11/1922-7/7/-2014 Survivors: daughter, Rita MacDonald; son, Joseph Raden; and four grandchildren. Samuel Haywood – San Bernardino 3/5/1936-7/10/2014 Survivors: daughters, Chara Haywood and Jolie Vogliarod; and son, Jordan Haywood. Liliane Algazi – La Jolla 5/26/1936-7/10/2014 Survivors: husband, Albert Algazi;
daughter, Mimmie Algazi; sons, Maurice and Michel Algazi; and six grandchildren.
11/27/1951-7/25/2014 Survivor: sister, Trudy Hamburg.
Dan Ashel – San Diego 2/5/1932-7/13/2014 Survivors: daughters, Aviva Saad, Dahlia and Leora Ashel; and seven grandchildren.
Deborah Ahrenstein – Chula Vista 7/20/1937-7/26/2014 Survivors: daughters, Stacy and Deborah Ahrenstein; and son, Ryhs Ahrenstein.
Marcia Roth – San Diego 7/22/1937-7/13/2014 Survivors: daughter, Rhonda Lieberman; son, Lee Lieberman; and one grandchild.
Harvey Hayutin – Encinitas 10/30/1918-7/26/2014 Survivors: daughter, Cynthia Furst; son, Michael Hayutin; and two grandchildren.
Valerie Golikova – Santee 9/21/1991-7/17/2014 Survivors: parents, Irina Golikova and Gregory Novak.
Richard Kornhauser – San Diego 11/10/1922-7/26/2014 Survivor: son, Jon Kornhauser.
Sheldon Shapiro – San Diego 4/2/1966-7/17/2014 Survivors: sister, Sarah Shapiro; and brother, Tom Shapiro.
Ruth Rubin – San Diego 7/7/1931-7/26/2014 Survivors: husband, Stanley Rubin; sons, Stuart, Michael and Mark Rubin; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Harry Rom – San Diego
desert life
PALM SPRINGS by Pamela Price
pamprice57@gmail.com
The Sound of [Jewish] Music in Idyllwild
PHOTO BY BARRY ZANDER
Junior rabbi brings peace to the mountains
Temple Har Shalom's Board of Trustees shows off the luscious landscape found near their new Idyllwild home.
R
abbi-in-Training Julian King is “moving mountains” in the quiet community of Idyllwild, Calif. He’s a rabbinical student at the Academy for Jewish Religion, California, in Los Angeles. King will serve as the Spiritual Leader for the town’s first synagogue, Temple Har Shalom. The new organization holds services on the second Friday evening of every month at the Caine Learning Center. Services are flush with music from locals and other contributors. The congregation was formed through the efforts of Trudy Levy, Pat Schnetzer, Pam Goldwasser and Jeffrey Cohen and, given its proximity to Palm Springs, in collaboration with the Jewish Federation of the Desert. Rabbi King explains that Har Shalom means “mountain of peace” – an appropriate name for this budding synagogue in Idyllwild, a secluded community with a population of about 6,000 people. It’s a haven for tourists from the nearby desert cities but also for visitors from Los Angeles and San Diego who wish to take some time to retreat in a beautiful wooded area with
a small town center that features art galleries, home-style cafés, an annual Jazz Festival, and the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts. Many people are also drawn to the area for the hiking and rock climbing opportunities. Temple Har Shalom was established to unite the Jewish population in this mountain village by appealing to a diverse community, Rabbi King says. “Har Shalom is a vibrant, engaging, diverse and welcoming congregation for everyone from the youth to the senior, the observant to the unaffiliated, to those seekers, cynics, activists and the passive, to those seeking to explore and renew their connection to Judaism. “Our community is known for its diversity and we will work towards igniting sparks of life and creating a sense of belonging, community, and a life of purpose here without any judgment,” he continues. He goes on to say that “this will be the first year that Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will be held on “our mountain of peace.”
“Our Guest Cantorial Soloist for Rosh Hashanah service is Ms. Bryce Medgal joined by other members of our community. We are expecting a great turnout based on the wonderful feedback we are getting. Our doors are open to those who would like to experience this our first High Holiday service. “Our being here is bashert – meant to be,” he says. “Truly a special thanks to the Jewish Federation of the Desert for their guidance and support in bringing this to fruition. We see this as a beginning of an amazing and promising future for the emerging Jewish community in the greater Idyllwild area.” Rabbi King also extends special thanks to Carlos King, Palm Springs Designer and owner of Gallery24 at the Shops at Galleria downtown, and collaborator of E-centriK with owner, Edwin Robles. For further information about the budding Jewish community in Idyllwild and for details on upcoming services, contact Rabbi King at rabbijuleskingharshalom@gmail.com. A Tishrei • Heshvan 5775 l SDJewishJournal.com 93
alli V ie k n a r f f o y r o T s e h T & The foUr seasons
THE ROYALE Marco Ramirez
Directed by
Rachel Chavkin
Jay “The Sport” Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But it’s 1905, and in the segregated world of boxing, his chances are as good as knocked out. But when a crooked boxing promoter hatches a plan for “the fight of the century,” The Sport just might land a place in the ring with the reigning white heavyweight champion. Loosely based on real events, Marco Ramirez’s (“Orange is the New Black”) wildly theatrical new play brings to explosive life the sights and sounds of the early-20th-century boxing circuit, and the ultimate fight for a place in history.
Photos (Broadway cast): Joan Marcus
By
Contains strong language.
October 4 - November 2
October 21-26 • Civic Theatre Civic Theatre Ticket Office (3rd & B Street) BroadwaySD.com (619) 570-1100 OR (800) 982-ARTS • Groups of 20+ (619) 564-3001
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20th Annual
San Diego Jewish Book Fair November 8–10, 2014: Temple Solel, Cardiff-by-the-Sea November 13–16, 2014: JCC, La Jolla OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOUNDING BENEFACTORS, VITERBI FAMILY FOUNDATION NORTH COUNTY PRESENTATIONS SPONSORED BY LEICHTAG FOUNDATION
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Sunday, November 16, 2014 10:00 am–1:00 pm
Children’s Authors * Music • Books A Whole LOT OF FUN!
Concert! Family Day 1:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. –
SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR JEWISH CULTURE Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center • JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS
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