November 2017

November 2017 • Cheshvan • Kislev 5778

NON-BOOK FAIR BOOK SECTION JCC’s Moved Their

CAMP MOUNTAIN CHAI

Prepares for Their B’nei Mitzvah

Book Fair to The Spring, But We’re Still Reading

President Trump Ended DACA,

Now JFS is Helping Dreamers Navigate What’s Next

Fact: Neuroscientists at BGU developed a diagnostic to predict brain disease in football players early enough to prevent it.

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John Steinbeck’s classic drama novella‑turned play OF MICE AND MEN electrified audiences in 1937. The story of George and Lenny remains just as relevant and continues to be part of our country’s collective imagination — a tale of friendship that is sustained by illusory dreams. This is must‑see theatre you cannot afford to miss.

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An evening of Broadway’s greatest songs by some of America’s most successful Jewish songwriters — songs by Irving Berlin, George & Ira Gershwin, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Mel Brooks; including some of the most enduring holiday songs of all time!

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Group Sales: (858) 481‑2155, ext. 202 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 3

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GET YOUR KID INTO COLLEGE! Prep4CollegeNow works with high school

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tis C abaret

Just Between Friends…Still Saturday, November 18th, 7:00 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of music and comedy featuring some of San Diego’s most sought after and talented performers: Phil Johnson, Omri Schein and Deb Wanger, with Patrick Marion at the piano.

The doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets!

Andrea (Andi) K. Frimmer, M. Ed. the “Get Your Kid into College” Lady andi@Prep4CollegeNow.com 760.877.7200 www.Prep4CollegeNow.com

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All tickets include beer, wine, and our show. Benefactors will also enjoy preferred seating as well as a dessert reception with the artists. General Admission tickets are $20 when purchased

by November 10th at 3:00 p.m. After this, tickets will be $25.

Benefactor tickets are $50 anytime.

Our Lineup…

Phil Johnson has just completed the first season for his new company “The Roustabouts Theatre Co.” and has received stellar reviews.

Omri Schein is a lyricist, book-writer, and performer. He recently finished his ‘Withering Heights’ for The Roustabouts Theatre Co. Deb Wanger has performed in regional theatres and cabaret clubs across the country, most frequently in Los Angeles, San Diego, Boston, and South Florida.

Patrick Marion is a Resident Artist and Music Director at both Cygnet and Lamb’s Players Theatres.

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Here are a four reasons why you and your family need to visit San Diego History Center!

THE LARGEST EXHIBITION ON SAN DIEGO’S JEWISH HISTORY EVER DISPLAYED!

Celebrate San Diego: The History & Heritage of San Diego’s Jewish Community chronicles the history of San Diego’s Jewish community beginning with pioneers who arrived in 1850 to the thriving community it is today.

Private exhibition tours available by reservation.

THROUGH MAY 2018

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77 MILES OF JEWISH STORIES WITH DON HARRISON

Local Jewish author Don Harrison’s book, “77 Miles of Jewish Stories: History, Anecdotes and Tales of Travel Along I-8!” fleshes out Jewish stories that can be found mile by mile along historic route Interstate 8.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 6-7:30PM

LET THERE BE LIGHT: CELEBRATING HANUKKAH AND KWANZAA

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Come celebrate brilliant holiday traditions at San Diego History Center! Musical performances (Jewish Men’s Choir 1 & 2 pm), community art making, make-and-take crafts, and more!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 11AM- 4PM

BUTTERFLY PROJECT FAMILY DAY:

Be a part of an inspiring and profound global experience in the city where the project began. View the moving documentary film “NOT The Last Butterfly” and join others in creating a lasting memorial of hope and remembrance of the 1.5 million Jewish children who perished in the Holocaust.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 11AM- 3PM

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For more information visit SANDIEGOHISTORY.ORG or call (619) 232-6203.

Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 5

6 SDJewishJournal.com November 2017

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Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 7

November 2017

Cover:

Cheshvan/Kislev 5778

32

The director of Camp Mountain Chai reflects on 12 summers of canoeing, campfires and focusing on faith.

Politics:

55

It’s been two months since President Trump decided to end DACA. Find out what Jewish Family Services has been doing to help Dreamers.

8 SDJewishJournal.com November 2017

Feature:

46

The next generation is in good hands with these seven Jewish teens who are putting in the time and hard work to help create a better world.

34/36

Non-Book Fair Book Reviews:

Just because the JCC has moved their book fair to the spring doesn’t mean we can’t send a little fall reading your way. We have two new releases – both political in nature – for your literary pleasure.

DIVORCE-FAMILY LAW Compassionate Yet Aggresive Family Law Experts

• Divorce • Child Custody • Mediation “Hire ThemSupport • Colla Spousal Support • Child Before Your SpousePartnership Does” tive Practice • Domestic •D solution • Divorce • Child Custody • M • Divorce • Child Custody diation • •Spousal • Child Suppo Mediation •Support Spousal Support • Child Support • Collaborative Practice Collaborative Practice • Domestic Partne • Domestic Partnership • Dissolution • Dissolution • Divorce • Child Custody Mediation • Spousal Support • Child Su

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MONTHLY COLUMNS 12 Editor's Letter 22 Parenting 24 Israeli Lifestyle 26 Examined Life 28 Religion

32 CAMPS

Around Town 18 Our Town 20 The Scene 60 What's Goin On 65 Synagogue Life

“As One” comes to the Opera for one weekend.

In Every Issue 14 Mailbag 16 What’s Up Online 62 News 64 Diversions ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: 30 FEATURE

StandWithUs Festival of Lights gala is Dec. 2.

Camp Mountain Chai is 12 years old.

36 BOOKS

858.720.1496 or 760.729.0941

2755 Jefferson Street, Suite 200 Carlsbad, CA 92008 www.frfamilylaw.com

Myra Fleischer

SDJJ speaks to Chemi Peres’ son about his father’s last book.

41 THEATER

46 FEATURE

7 Jewish teens in their own words.

53 THE BUTTERFLY PROJECT continues to soar.

55 JFS

is helping DACA recipients since the Trump administration decided to end the program.

56 FOOD

Jerusalem Artichoke Soup.

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Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 9

www.sdjewishjournal.com November 2017 • Cheshvan/Kislev 5778 PUBLISHERS • Mark Edelstein and Dr. Mark Moss EDITOR-IN-CHIEF • Brie Stimson CREATIVE DIRECTOR • Derek Berghaus ASSISTANT EDITOR • Jacqueline Bull ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR • Eileen Sondak OFFICE MANAGER • Jonathan Ableson 12531 High Bluff Dr, Suite 400

12531 High Bluff Suite 400 SanDr,Diego, CA 92130 12531 San HighDiego, Bluff Dr, Suite CA 92130400 858-523-7913 San Diego, CA 92130 858-523-7913

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858-523-7913 www.LiberLincoln WMG.com www.LiberLincoln WMG.com Don Lincoln, CFP®, CIMA® Don Lincoln, CFP®, CIMA® 12531 HighSenior Bluff Dr, Suite 400 Don Lincoln, CIMA® Vice President-Investments Senior Vice CFP®, President-Investments San Diego, CA 92130 Lic #0821851 CAPresident-Investments Insurance Senior Vice CA Insurance Lic #0821851 858-523-7913 don.lincoln@wfadvisors.com CAdon.lincoln@wfadvisors.com Insurance Lic #0821851 www.LiberLincoln WMG.com don.lincoln@wfadvisors.com

Jeffrey R Liber, CFP®

Jeffrey R Liber, CFP® Managin g CFP® Director-Inves tments Jeffrey R Liber, Managin g Director-Inves tments Insurance Lic #0C28496 Managin g Director-Inves tments CA CA Insurance Lic #0C28496 jeffrey.liber@wfadvisors.com CAjeffrey.liber@wfadvisors.com Insurance Lic #0C28496 jeffrey.liber@wfadvisors.com Gina Grimmer Gina Grimmer Jeffrey R Liber, CFP® Gina Grimmer Financial Consultant Financial Consultant Managin g Director-Inves tments Financial Consultant CA CA Insurance Lic #O178195 Insurance Lic #O178195 CA Insurance #0C28496 CAgina.grimmer@wfadvisors.com Insurance Lic Lic #O178195 gina.grimmer@wfadvisors.com jeffrey.liber@wfadvisors.com gina.grimmer@wfadvisors.com Yesenia Gil Gina Grimmer Yesenia Yesenia Gil Gil Client Associate Financial Consultant Client Associate Client Associate Fluent in Spanish CA Insurance #O178195 Fluent inLicSpanish Fluent in Spanish yesenia.gil@wfadvisors.com gina.grimmer@wfadvisors.com yesenia.gil@wfadvisors.com yesenia.gil@wfadvisors.com

Zeebah Aleshi Zeebah Don Lincoln, CFP®,Aleshi CIMA® Zeebah Senior Aleshi Registered Client Associate Senior Registered Client Associate Senior Vice President-Investments Senior Registered Associate CA Insurance Lic Client #0G75099 CA Insurance Lic #0G75099 CA Insurance #0821851 CAzeebah.aleshi@wfadvisors.com Insurance Lic Lic #0G75099 zeebah.aleshi@wfadvisors.com don.lincoln@wfadvisors.com zeebah.aleshi@wfadvisors.com Zeebah Aleshi Senior Registered Client Associate CA Insurance Lic #0G75099 zeebah.aleshi@wfadvisors.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tori Avey, Emily Bartell, Linda Bennett, Eva Beim, Judith Fein (Senior Travel Correspondent), Patricia Goldblatt, Pat Launer, Sharon Rosen Leib, Andrea Simantov, Marnie Macauley, Rabbi Jacob Rupp, Saul Levine ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Ronnie Weisberg – Senior Account Executive Jonathan Ableson – Senior Account Executive Alan Moss – Palm Springs SAN DIEGO JEWISH JOURNAL (858) 638-9818 • fax: (858) 638-9801 5665 Oberlin Drive, Suite 204 • San Diego, CA 92121 EDITORIAL: editor@sdjewishjournal.com ADVERTISING: marke@sdjewishjournal.com CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS: jableson@sdjewishjournal.com ART DEPARTMENT: art@sdjewishjournal.com LISTINGS & CALENDAR: assistant@sdjewishjournal.com

Yesenia Gil Client Associate Fluent in Spanish yesenia.gil@wfadvisors.com

Larry M. Katz Certified Public Accountant

• Income Tax Preparation • IRS and State Audit Representation • Litigation Support Services • Forensic Accounting Services • Business Consulting Services

SDJJ is published monthly by San Diego Jewish Journal, LLC. Subscription rate is $24 for one year (12 issues). Send subscription requests to SDJJ, 5665 Oberlin Drive, Suite 204, San Diego, CA 92121. The San Diego Jewish Journal is a free and open forum for the expression of opinions. The opinions expressed herein are solely the opinion of the author and in no way reflect the opinions of the publishers, staff or advertisers. The San Diego Jewish Journal is not responsible for the accuracy of any and all information within advertisements. The San Diego Jewish Journal reserves the right to edit all submitted materials, including press releases, letters to the editor, articles and calendar listings for brevity and clarity. The Journal is not legally responsible for the accuracy of calendar or directory listings, nor is it responsible for possible postponements, cancellations or changes in venue. Manuscripts, letters, documents and photographs sent to the Journal become the physical property of the publication, which is not responsible for the return or loss of such material. All contents ©2017 by San Diego Jewish Journal. The San Diego Jewish Journal is a member of the American Jewish Press Association and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

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Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 11

THE STARTING LINE by Brie Stimson

EDITOR’S LETTER editor@sdjewishjournal.com

Courage

I

n the news we often see the worst of mankind. Greed, hate, lust and ignorance all have recurring roles on the evening newscast. But I would argue there has also been a lot of courage. Courage isn’t as loud as hate, and it’s not as exciting as lust. It’s not as dramatic as greed, and it may not always be as newsworthy as ignorance. But sometimes it’s the one thing that can save a hurting world.

I’ve seen no end of courage in the news lately. From the mass shooting in Las Vegas to the wildfires in Northern California, there were people who ran toward the danger so that others might escape it.

Sometimes when I get down on my own life and wallow the petty self-pity of a bad day or a missed opportunity, a sweater that got shrunk in the wash or being overcharged for takeout, it does me good to watch these scenes on the news.

No one can ever truly know if they will have courage or if they will be petrified with fear in a crisis, but when I see people who risk their own lives to save others, their heroism and selflessness are almost unimaginable to me. It’s a mitzvah that these people exist among us.

In the mass shooting near the Mandalay Bay hotel on the Las Vegas Strip that killed 58 innocent people and injured hundreds more, there was no shortage of stories of courage. Police and first responders ran into an unknown situation with an unknown threat to mitigate the carnage, and there were also civilians, concertgoers, who put themselves in danger to help save other people they didn’t even know. I heard about a man who went to the Route 91 Festival with

12 SDJewishJournal.com November 2017

his wife, and when the gunfire started he used himself as a human shield to save her life at the expense of his own. During Hurricane Harvey in Texas there were countless stories of regular people taking out boats to rescue their neighbors and strangers. A man in Dominica lost his life futilely trying to save two young children caught in flooding caused by Hurricane Maria. Their parents survived, but the man and the children were swept downstream.

Courage is sometimes as dramatic as these stories, like the last scene of an epic movie, but it can also been subtler. Courage can also be a congressman who receives money from the NRA but speaks up about gun control anyway. It can be a climate change denier rethinking his beliefs after his house is destroyed in a flood. It can be a solider who returns home from war and gets help for his PTSD instead of pretending everything is fine.

Opportunities for courage are all around us. Sometimes they’re small and sometimes they involve the ultimate sacrifice, but there is an opportunity everyday to better yourself or to help someone around you.

I recently watched the interview that “60 Minutes” on CBS did with Senator John McCain. It was moving to hear the way he spoke about his own impending mortality.

“You just have to understand that it's not that you're leaving,” McCain told reporter Leslie Stahl. “It's that you ... stayed. I celebrate what a guy who stood fifth from the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy has been able to do. I am so grateful. I every night when I go to sleep, I am just filled

We are all human and capable of great selfishness – and great heroism. with gratitude.”

McCain was diagnosed last summer with a glioblastoma, which has a very low rate of survival.

Indeed, McCain has been through his fair share of strife, starting from when he was a POW in Vietnam. He turned down early release from the POW camp where he was tortured because he said he didn’t think it was the honorable thing to do as the son of an admiral.

And even today the “maverick” is still going his own way. He recently cast the deciding vote against repealing Obamacare, further complicating his relationship with critic President Trump.

Senator McCain is not a perfect man, as his critics will say. He has made mistakes – so have all the people who went into burning buildings or pulled a person from a house destroyed by an earthquake.

We are all human and capable of great selfishness – and great heroism. Seeing the flaws in a hero makes their noble act that much more inspiring.

I believe if a person like John McCain can face his own mortality with calmness and strength than the rest of us can find at least smaller ways to stand up for what is right. A

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we’re listening let us know what’s on your mind @SANDIEGOJEWISHJOURNAL

@SDJEWISHJOURNAL Send us your comments: editor@sdjewishjournal.com 5665 Oberlin Dr., Ste 204, San Diego, CA 92121

Please consider our guidelines for Letters to the Editor prior to submitting your comments: The San Diego Jewish Journal welcomes reader responses to articles. Due to space limitations, responses to articles cannot exceed 200 words and will be edited in coordination with the letter’s author and at the discretion of the editor and publishers.

For readers who wish to submit multiple letters, we require three issue months to pass between published letters so as to make space for more reader responses.

All readers can comment as often as they’d like in the comments section of our website, found at the bottom of every articleon sdjewishjournal.comMagazine articles are republished on the website at the beginning of each issue month.

14 SDJewishJournal.com November 2017

CORRECTIONS In the “One of San Diego’s First Jewish Families” article [Oct. 2017] A few of the details about the family were incorrect. Irvine Schulman came to San Diego with his first wife, Nellie, in search of sunshine, because Nellie had tuberculosis. (Irvine was not divorced and did not come to San Diego for the reasons stated in the article) In San Diego Irvine and Nellie had 2 sons, first Leon Schulman and then Victor Schulman. Nellie Schulman died of TB soon thereafter; and later Irvine Schulman remarried his second wife, Flora. With Flora as his wife, they had 2 children, a son, Norman Schulman, and a daughter, Avalon Schulman (Shannon). Jerry Freedman, was divorced in New York and came to San Diego to start a new life in the mid 1930's. (Jerry's story was incorrectly assigned to Irvine). Schulman is spelled with a "c" between the S and H (it is incorrectly spelled in the journal as Shulman, leaving out the "c"). The SDJJ regrets these errors.

In the “Mr. President” article [Oct. 2017] it was misstated that Sol Lizerbram will be the first president of any major Jewish organization to live on the west coast. Amy Friedkin (San Francisco) was president of AIPAC. Julian Josephson (San Diego) was president of FIDF. And Richard Sandler (Los Angeles) is the current president of JFNA.

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WWW.JFSSD.ORG/TUESDAY Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 15

what’s up on sdjewishjournal.com Las Vegas Casino Owner Gives Back After Shooting After the horrific mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vegas last month, billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who owns the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, established a $4 million fund with his Sands Corp. to provide relief for the victims’ families. Fifty-eight innocent people were killed and more than 500 were injured in what now has the dubious distinction of being the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

Jewish Camp Destroyed by Northern California Wildfires Although no one was hurt, the Union for Reform Judaism’s Camp Newman in Santa Rosa was destroyed by the forest fires that wreaked havoc in wine country last month. The camp moved to the site in 1997 and dedicated a $4 million building just last year. Dozens of people have died in the fires and tens of thousands of people were evacuated. Camp organizers say they will rebuild. The camp’s iconic wooden Star of David that sits on a hillside was spared by the flames.

16 SDJewishJournal.com November 2017

Harvey Weinstein and Other Predators Show How They Pose as Victims A conservative rabbi weighs in on the Harvey Weinstein phenomenon of perpetrators putting the blame on their victims. She insightfully writes about the emotional pain many women struggle with when trying to deal with the aftermath of a sexual assault. Many predators also use their money and power to silence women who would speak out.

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The musical story of an immigrant boy who gave a country its voice.

“A B S OL U T E LY DA Z Z L ING!” THE HUFFINGTON POST

“F E L DE R A ND BE R L IN, A M AT CH M A DE IN HE AV E N!” TIMES OF SAN DIEGO

DECEMBER 20, 2017 - JANUARY 7, 2018 ON THE LYCEUM STAGE 619.544.1000 | SDREP.ORG | Lyceum Theatre | Horton Plaza s42_berlin_jewishjournal_halfpage.indd 1

10/25/17 10:27 AM

Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 17

our TOWN

BY EILEEN SONDAK, PHOTOS BY RYAN SONDAK

Society – City Ballet

It was City Ballet’s Silver Jubilee Gala – held at the magnificent Hotel Del Coronado – and balletomanes came out in force to celebrate the joyous occasion. The evening started with a cocktail reception in the garden area, where guests bid on silent auction items while they sampled hors d’oeuvres and toasted the troupe.

The crowd moved indoors to the hotel’s elegant Crown Room for dinner and wine pairing and a sneak preview of City Ballet’s 25th anniversary season – a milestone few dance companies ever achieve. The party moved into high gear after dinner, when The Mighty Untouchables performed music that had many in the audience on their feet dancing the night away.

Kudos to gala chairs Rita Steel and Lauren Steel and the hard-working Board of Directors for pulling off the successful event. Among the many supporters on hand for the gala were Barbie and Dan Spinazzola, Robert Kearney, Cathy and Doug Moore, Ann and Steve Hall, Brian Marsh, and Evelyn Heidelberg. Directors Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich had every reason to be proud of their accomplishments in the last quarter of a century.

Birthdays ...

Happy 89th Birthday to Hannah Marx….

Happy 95th Birthday to Mildred Ackerman….

Happy 75th Anniversary to Arline & Harvey Greenfield….

Happy 50th Anniversary to Karen & Bob Zeiger….

Mazel tovs...

Mazel Tov to Justin Samuel Maher on his recent Bar Mitzvah in Canada. Justin is the son of Jordan Katz, and…. a hearty Mazel Tov to Scarlet Page Fishkind, on also becoming a Bat Mitzvah. She is the daughter of daughter of Abby Katz. Both, Justin and Scarlett are the grandchildren of Richard & Berdele Katz.

Mazel Tov to Jacob Flohr on his becoming a Bar Mitzvah at Congregation Beth Am. Jacob is the son of Beth, and grandchild of Terry & Barbara Rakov.

We are excited to announce the birth of Lielle Miriam Spector, daughter of Rachel & Jeff Spector. Older brother, Rafael, is thrilled to welcome his new sister. Lielle, has been given the middle name, Miriam, in honor of her late Grandmother and Marla Ann Bennett’s Hebrew name. Proud Grandparents are Nancy & Alan Spector.

We are excited to announce the engagement of Marc Ponseggi, son of Larry and Marilyn Ponseggi, to Liora Schneider, daughter of Dr. Bruce Schneider and Ilene Schneider.

Jason Bercovitch is proud to announce his engagement to Naima Solomon, daughter of Bruce Solomon and Joelene Bergonzi, She is the granddaughter of Herb and the late Eleene Solomon.

On October 14, 2017, Erin Fink and David Levy walked down the aisle into married bliss. Erin is the daughter of Christina & Richard Fink, of Rancho Santa Fe. Christina is the Chair of the SDJFF.

18 SDJewishJournal.com November 2017

TOP: Lto R: Barbie Spinazzola, Hannah Potter & Dan Spinazzola. MIDDLE: Michelle Perry & Alma Fischer. BOTTOM LEFT: Elizabeth & Steven Wistrich.

T H A N K YO U !

Hillel of San Diego is honored to present its Luminary Award to The Melvin Garb Foundation for extraordinary support over the last decade of the Melvin Garb Center at SDSU and the future Beverly and Joseph Glickman Hillel Center at UC San Diego.

Presented to Michael Berlin President, The Melvin Garb Foundation October 22, 2017

Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 19

the

BY EILEEN SONDAK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOUGLAS GATES AND MELISSA JACOBS.

Society – Old Globe

This year’s Globe Gala – dubbed “Evening of Illusions” – featured a cabaret performance by Tony Award-winner Jane Krakowski, a cocktail reception on Copley Plaza that included hors d’oeuvres, feats of magic and other entertainment, and a post-performance alfresco dinner with live music and dancing under the stars.

Co-chairs Karen Cohn, Nina Doede, and Sheryl White deserve kudos for the successful fundraiser, which raised money to support the Globe’s artistic and arts engagement programs.

The glamorous black-tie event brought out more than 400 ardent supporters to celebrate the occasion.

Among the large enthusiastic crowd were Rusti Bartell, Barbara Bloom, Toni Bloomberg, Carol and Bob Caplan, Hilit and Barry Edelstein, Lee and Frank Goldberg, Jennifer and Richard Greenfield, Leonard Hirsch and Barbara Hoffer, Joan and Irwin Jacobs, Karen and Warren Kessler, Sheila and Jeff Lipinsky, Barbara and Howard Milstein, Steven Rosenberg, Hermeen Scharaga and Robert Penner, Darlene Shiley, the Viterbi family and Vicki and Carl Zeiger.

The delighted audience gave Krakowski a standing ovation after her generous performance, and artistic director Barry Edelstein was highly emotional when he thanked the audience for their unwavering support of the Globe’s widely acclaimed activities.

20 SDJewishJournal.com November 2017

TOP LEFT: 2017 Globe Gala Co-Chairs - Sheryl White, Nina Doede, and Karen Cohn. TOP RIGHT: Aaron Jones, Linda Jones, Megan Jones, Darlene Marcos Shiley, Lauren Jones, Linda Shoaff, Odie Gallop. BOTTOM RIGHT: Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Katherine Faulconer, Hilit Edelstein, Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein.

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Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 21

MUSINGS FROM MAMA by Sharon Rosen Leib

PARENTING srleib@me.com

Stepping Off the Planet and Into Bed

“I

need to get off the planet and unplug for awhile,” my late mother would tell us kids periodically. If this sounds New Age to you, you’d be correct. Imagine Southern California in the late 1960s-70s.

For Mom, getting off the planet meant yanking both phone lines off their hooks, diving into her California King bed, shutting the master suite’s double doors tight and warning us not to bug her. I rolled my young eyes at her for being so melodramatic about wanting to take a nap. Now I get it. When she said she needed to get off the planet, she meant much more than napping. She wanted to shut the world out so she didn’t lose her mind.

Then, like now, the United States was devolving into madness. Two of my mom’s favorite political figures, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, were assassinated. The Manson Family went on a killing spree in Los Angeles County – terrifying our region. The National Guard assaulted and tear-gassed college students protesting the Vietnam War at campuses around the country, particularly Mom’s alma mater Berkeley. She had a close friend whose brother dropped a strong dose of acid, thought he could fly and leapt off a five-story building to his death. I could go on but this thumbnail list establishes plenty of reasons why she wanted to hop off the world and into bed for a while. Between these

22 SDJewishJournal.com November 2017

troubling events and the demands of raising three kids, she understandably hit the wall with some frequency.

Lately, my extreme distress over our contemporary American nightmare makes me feel Mom’s urge to crawl into bed. How many mass shootings will it take before politicians beholden to the National Rifle Association stand up for gun control? Why can civilians still purchase military-grade assault weapons? How can it be that Congress may loosen restrictions on concealed carry laws and silencers? Why aren’t we all storming the streets of Washington, D.C. in protest? Maybe because we fear being gunned down by a crazed angry white male shooting from the Watergate Hotel’s penthouse.

Last month I received texts from friends asking if Youngest Daughter was okay at USC. Oh no!! What was going on? I checked the USC Parents’ Facebook group and read reports of an active shooter on campus. Thankfully, within minutes, the rumors of a gunman terrorizing USC had been dispelled and the campus lockdown was over. Turns out a professor, agitated by the prior night’s mass murder and mayhem in Las Vegas, told her class she heard shots being fired. Already on edge, the students panicked. After this scare, I needed a nap.

The resurgence of public displays of hateful anti-Semitism also makes we want to sleep the nightmare away. I was mortified

“How many mass shootings will it take before politicians beholden to the National Rifle Association stand up for gun control?” when my older daughters told me about anonymous Internet posts by fellow college students saying things like “Send the Jews back to the ovens.” Call me naïve, but I believed we were heading toward a more enlightened era. Instead, we’re living in a regressive age where ancient hatreds, like vampires, rise from the dead.

Much as my mother did decades ago, I’ve felt the need to get off the planet for a while. This made me feel awful until I realized she always bounced back up. She remained politically active throughout her life and taught me by example that it’s okay to take temporary respites in bed to gird for future battles. As mothers we must rest up, rise up and do what we can to protect our children’s future.A

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LIVING ON THE FRONT PAGE by Andrea Simantov

ISRAELI LIFESTYLE andreasimantov@gmail.com

SHOSHANNA

W

aiting for my assigned room, I sat in the sun-drenched solarium staring at the first of many inedible meals to be served over the next few days. I was intensely aware of the mingling of gag-inducing odors that are particular to medical facilities: barium enemas, disinfectants, greasy food-trays. The resulting pain of total knee replacement would be addressed with morphine, Percocet and other analgesics, but the ever-present queasiness would remain with me for days on end.

A large peroxide blonde sporting crimson talons, purple lip liner and wearing a leopard jumpsuit limped into the solarium and announced to nobody and everybody, “My surgery is tomorrow at 1:30!” She sounded as though she were a finalist in the Miss World competition.

That is how I came to know Shoshana.

Younger and faster, I grabbed the bed by the window, drew the curtains and set up camp. Books, computer, walker and cell phone within easy reach, I had no reason to socialize with her. Popping her white-blond locks through a slit in the striped partition, she informed me that she was divorced, had six adult daughters and a son. Hearing this, I presaged hordes of visitors speaking loudly on cell phones, cracking watermelon seeds 24 SDJewishJournal.com November 2017

between stained/capped teeth and a daily buffet of pungent ethnic dishes that would have Room #7 smelling like the Machane Yehuda shuk.

After surgery I was returned to my humble space. I was heavily drugged and did not see Shoshanna whisked away for her go at the knife. That night was peppered with the sounds of beeps, oxygen-bubbles, groans and shouts but no talk. When the fog cleared, however, friendship happened.

By design, I was mostly alone with only visits from my husband each night after his grueling workday. Shoshanna always had a daughter in attendance. All married with children they were lovely, refined and generous not only to their mom but also to her previously-snarky roommate. Needing nursing assistance only for medication, my every wish for a cup of tea or fluffed pillows was met by one of Shoshana’s girls. I taught my roommate a clever method of how to lift her injured leg onto the bed without pain and she taught me the secrets of making foolproof kubeh. In the middle of the night, we shared the uglier tales of too-similar first marriages and marvelled at how, in some manner, our histories mirrored one another's and how fate resulted in very different trajectories. As I’d already assumed,

she’d been married at sixteen to a man in his twenties, divorcing him 34 years later; I’d spent twenty years in that world with my first marriage and was familiar with the cultural vibe. It wasn’t a bad world; it merely was. But when she felt safe enough to cry in front of me, she bemoaned, “I did nothing with my life. Everyone became ‘something’ while I stayed a ‘nothing.’” Awash with shame, I was guilty of objectifying her as well.

My roommate’s children are not products of ‘Nothing’. The devotion, laughter and unconditional love surrounding the bed adjacent to mine encompassed that which remains unattainable for many. Few films, however, are made or glossy magazine articles penned in celebration of the Shoshanas among us. Instead, with chortles and guffaws aplenty, she is reduced to comedic-material for Israeli sitcoms. A Borscht-Belt equivalent.

I was discharged first, but not without exchanging phone numbers and setting a lunch date. We’ll probably hear the clickclick-click of our shiny new canes seeing the other – two sisters whom, without crippling knee pain, might never have discovered the magical existence of one another. A

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OUR EMOTIONAL FOOTPRINT by Saul Levine

EXAMINED LIFE slevine@ucsd.edu

Do We Humans "Need" Tragedies to Bring us Together?

E

very so often, amidst the frequent incivility and conflict in society, we notice reductions in the angry “noise” emanating from the media and politics. For a while at least, sounds of animosity diminish, and people are, well, "nicer" to each other. Ironically, these temporary respites occur during times of major tragedies.

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria are fresh in our minds, having wrought chaos and havoc. They and recent earthquakes, wildfires and flooding have left terrible physical devastation and human suffering in their wake, and will no doubt do so in the future.

(Mother Nature’s ferocity may now be abetted by our own role in global warming).

In addition to natural catastrophes, we have experienced major tragedies which were entirely planned and carried out by humans: Mass school shootings, assassinations and terrorist attacks always strike us to the core.

Both natural and human-engineered disasters have been increasing throughout the world. Whether serendipitous or intended, these cataclysmic events are marked by shock, bewilderment and pain experienced by the victims, and by millions of media watchers.

We witness the inflicted physical ravages and poignant human suffering, and we are riveted. We might wish to turn away from our screens, but we can't avert our gaze.

But it’s not prurience which keeps us captivated: We feel vulnerable and want to learn more to protect our loved ones from similar disasters. Repetitive viewing enables us to grasp the scope of the disasters and helps us cope. We shore up our own emotional defenses and we empathize with the victims and other viewers.

Natural human impulses of empathy and communality are aroused and intensified.

People of different ethnic groups, races, ages and socioeconomic levels feel just as we do, and we sense an implicit kinship. Even as

26 SDJewishJournal.com November 2017

mere spectators, we feel almost as if we are "there," sharing the pain of those most intimately affected.

We ask ourselves plaintively, "Why is this happening?” We try to make some sense of these events and to attach meaning to them, if indeed there is any to be revealed.

During these crises, however, our various media screens are “quieter.” We hear fewer antagonistic political and social conflicts, and more discussions about the needs of victims and how we can all help.

We also can't help but notice extraordinary acts of kindness, caring and courage done by a variety of individuals and groups.

We take for granted that the police, National Guard, military and other emergency workers will do the critical protective and rescue work they are being “paid to do.” But these first responders go above and beyond their calls of duty, and demonstrate tireless, brave and ennobling efforts to help those in need.

There are also volunteers from nearby neighborhoods, or other towns or states (even countries) working selflessly on behalf of the victims. They support, rescue, carry and feed to alleviate the burdens of those affected.

Perhaps more inspiring are the helpers who are themselves victims, who show remarkable sacrifice while dedicating themselves to helping their neighbors in even more duress.

All of these individuals are obviously fulfilling their “civic duties,” as dictated by explicit laws governing behaviors. They are also addressing their responsibilities to the implicit "social contract," which a civilized society depends upon.

But these truly heroic efforts are NOT dutifully performed because of adherence to "civic" codes of behavior or legal expectations.

What they ARE expressing are their deeply natural, "instinctual" human tendencies to

“civility," encompassing empathy, caring, altruism, morality and communality.

In addition to the noble souls on the front lines, the rest of us are also drawn to caring.

We too wish to help and contribute, to provide support and solace.

During these tragedies, the "social atmosphere" is seemingly transformed. For mere “moments in time,” polemical politicians and pundits are muted, disrespect and disparagement are reduced, anger and conflict are diminished.

What becomes most important is the safety of the victims, and in that temporary respite, Caring and Love vanquish Conflict and Hate.

If this state of comity is possible to achieve during times of turmoil and disaster, might there yet be hope for more permanent civility, and even for the viability of our species?

At the risk of sounding naïve, I believe there is nothing more important for our survival than how we treat each other. Rather than anger, animosity and armaments, we need kindness, caring and communality.

We need to put our impressive human brain power to work on the challenge of getting people to treat each other with respect and compassion.

Like the international impetus to control our carbon footprint, there needs to be an equivalent effort towards achieving a Positive Emotional Footprint. Our goal should be to engender respect, empathy and peace, and to diminish incivility, conflict and hostility.

We know that we’re capable of achieving temporary comity and peace. Our critical challenge is make this an overriding goal for humanity - without the “need” for tragic disasters.

If we can accomplish this, we indeed do have a chance to enhance our lives, and to survive as a species.

But if not...A

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Are We Burying Our Head in the Sand?

B

efore the blood dries, I rationalize why it couldn’t happen here. We are protected. It can’t happen again. For me the specter of terrorism is more luminous than anti-Semitism but the landscape could always change. But to be alive today, reading the news today requires one to build mental barriers to avoid the paranoia.

There is no question that the world is in a mode of tremendous volatility. The political situation at home and abroad is highly charged. Based on the wild natural disasters as of late it appears the physical planet is volatile. Long before climate change, the rabbis were clear that the nature of the world is deeply reactive to the state and action of humanity.

What should we do about it? What can we do about it?

Rather than being pessimistic and sensational, despite my natural inclination to do so, I choose to be optimistic. At times like this, and really at all times, I try to recall an important lesson the Torah imparts about the potential of a single person. At the end of Genesis, the Torah lists a single name per generation, from Adam to Noah. From here the rabbis deduce that it was only this single person that was righteous, and the rest of humanity was a failure. But this one righteous person upheld and sustained the entire generation.

Let’s go further; Jews invented the future.

Think about it. In the pagan worldview, the future didn’t really exist. The world was 28 SDJewishJournal.com November 2017

static and random; there was no progress to a better tomorrow. Enter Judaism and the Jews, who preached the eminent (even if it was 6,000 years away) messianic era. G-d created the world with a purpose! Shabbat was not only a weekly occurrence but a global one that would happen after 6,000 years, and that history was progressing towards a time when G-d reveal Himself to mankind and the world would finally be at peace.

The concept that “tomorrow will be better” is a revolutionary and life changing one. It is so easy to focus on the failures of our world, our nation, our government, our communities, and ourselves. And the constant and total flow of information from every part of the world makes us feel as if our lives are hanging by a string. One could look at that is terrifying. But our tradition has long been regarding this as the epitome of strength and happiness.

With Sukkot in our rearview, we shouldn’t forget the lesson of the holiday that the ultimate happiness the Jew can experience is when we go out of our homes, to our fragile huts, and recognize that we are completely at G-d’s mercy. The security of our homes, pension, 401k’s, investments, and militaries are but our ancient psychological mechanism to assign some kind of external source of security to our lives, when in reality we have none.

And perhaps we should stop seeking that stability. Our security can’t be guaranteed by the government, our happiness shouldn’t

The concept that “tomorrow will be better” is a revolutionary and life changing one. stem for Facebook or Netflix. Real security is knowing that life is short and that we must take advantage of every moment. The only thing for sure is the moment.

Each one of us carries within us a seed of potential to find our problem in the world to fix. The more problems, the more opportunities. Any investor or professional will tell you that the real art, the real test, comes when things go “wrong.” Anyone can sail a ship in smooth waters. The choppy waters test and reveal our inner greatness.

We have to develop the vision to see the world and its lack of security as evidence that we don’t have much to lose by trying to make the world a better place, or make our dreams come true. It is always easier to ring our hands, complain, and find fault. It’s a lot harder to turn inward, see our greatness, and attempt to reflect it onto the world. But the Torah says once we do that, we not only can justify our own existence, but we can create the change we want to see in ourselves and in humankind. A

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FEATURE

StandWithUs

New, Bold and Profound StandWithUs Prepares for Their Annual Gala and The Year Ahead

BY JENNIFER KUTNER From L to R: Trevor Lyons, Liz Brough and Karen Ptashek

S

tandWithUs San Diego (SWU) is entering its third year. Under the executive directorship of Sara Miller and an expanded board headed by Mitch Danzig, esq. from Mintz Levin, there will be additional programs for teens and college students, new sponsorship levels and an exciting evening planned for its Festival of Lights gala.

Tickets are selling fast for the December 2 event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis hotel.

Yahya Mahamid, 19, is an Israeli-Arab-Zionist and StandWithUs educator. Although indoctrinated from childhood to hate Jews and Israel, he will recount how his contacts with Israelis transformed his views. He decided to do what he can to combat the demonization of Israel. Today, Yahya bravely speaks out for Israel and against hatred.

Dore Gold, Israel's former ambassador to the U.N. and President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, is the keynote speaker.

An expert on foreign policy, Dore will provide an insider's view of U.S. - Israel relationship and the Iran deal.

The entertainment hails from Israel. KIPPALIVE, who stole the show as the most popular finalists in Israel's "X Factor," invite all to share their dynamic sound.

Dinner co-chairs are Natalie Josephson and Jaime Feder. Co-sponsors are Jenny and Ju-

30 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

lian Josephson and Shirley and Harold Pidgeon.

Natalie Josephson recalls that, "Everything changed when I went to UCSD during Israel Hate Week. I was horrified to see the "Apartheid Wall," BDS propaganda and hate speech against Israel. This is happening in our own backyard and we must not be silent.”

"When I think about the anti-Semitism occurring on campuses today, it makes me fear for when the first of my four kids will start college. We have to start providing them with the tools and information they will need so that they can be strong, confident and able to differentiate fact from falsehood," states Jaime Feder.

Guests will meet the local new StandWithUs High School Interns and college Emerson Fellows. Created in 2001, the Emerson Fellowship selects student leaders on campuses throughout North America and trains them to educate their peers about Israel and how to combat anti-Israel rhetoric.

Ariana Arakelian is from SDSU and Orr Toledano attends UCSD. Ariana recalls that she was not especially active in Israel education as a freshman; at least not until the "Apartheid Wall" was erected at SDSU and "I realized I could no longer be a bystander." As a SWU Emerson Fellow, she has already presented Israel 101 to her group Students Sup-

porting Israel (SSI).

Orr is using the "tools, goals and guidelines" of the Emerson Fellowship to create substantive change on his campus regarding Israel education, increase involvement of the pro-Israel students and in the creation of effective events that engage various campus groups.

One objective of the SWU High School Internship - created in 2012 - is to prepare students for the anti-Israel related challenges they may face as college students. The 201718 Interns are: Trevor Lyons of the San Diego Jewish Academy and Karen Ptashek of Canyon Crest Academy.

Trevor became an intern because "I believe in Israel’s right to exist as a secure and independent state. I love Israel, and I wanted to help promote its goodness to the world." Karen joined "to gain knowledge and expand my own knowledge base about Israel while making it a priority to teach others and influencing their points of views."

All four attended and credit their respective August training conferences for providing the history, education and tools to have constructive, fact-based dialogue about Israel with different audiences including anti-Israel ones. They also learned how to plan effective events and to reach out to various student organizations.

The third tier of education is SWU's newly

Run by the Islamic movement, Yahya says the city is filled with ISIS logos and swastikas where people are told that Israel is an evil, oppressive regime. "You could not be both - Israeli or Palestinian, it is one or the other.”

Yahya Mahamid StandWithUs educator

launched middle school curriculum, “LINK – Discovering Your Israel Connection.” The six-lesson unit allows students to explore the historic Jewish roots to Israel while discovering their own personal, modern connection.

LINK's pilot testing last year demonstrated measurable and impressive results. San Diego Jewish Academy was one of the schools.

Director of Jewish Life and Judaic Studies, Maimonides Upper School Jeremy Toren praises LINK. "We at SDJA were thrilled at the opportunity to participate in the LINK pilot program and are excited to continue using the rich curricula in a variety of classes this year to gear up for our annual Israel Education Week. We place high value on our partnership with StandWithUs, as they do a wonderful job of enhancing the quality of our Israel education programs."

The fourth tier emanates from SWU's Israel Education Center in Jerusalem. Yahya Mahamid grew up in Umm el-Fahm, the third largest Arab city in Israel. Run by the Islamic movement, Yahya says the city is filled with ISIS logos and swastikas where people are told that Israel is an evil, oppressive regime. "You could not be both - Israeli or Palestinian, it is one or the other," he explains.

Yahya learned the truth by working with Israelis. His first job in twelfth grade was as a busboy at a Tel Aviv hotel where he realized that he had been intentionally misled by his

leadership. When three Israeli teenagers, Gilad Shaar, Eyal Yifrach and Naftali Fraenkel were kidnapped and eventually murdered in 2014, Yahya posted a photo with the hashtag #bringbackourboys. The police told him his life was in danger.

The StandWithUs Israel office contacted him by Facebook and he met the team in Jerusalem. It wasn't long before he joined as an educator. Yahya traveled with the SWU delegation to South Africa in 2017 to combat the annual campus “Israeli Apartheid Week," which contends Israel has apartheid policies. He endured insults for his support of the Jewish state, yet held his ground.

The terrorists who killed the Israeli soldiers at the Temple Mount were from Umm elFahm, prompting Yahya to post a condemnation of the attack in Arabic on his Facebook page.

Although Arab citizens of Israel are not required to serve in the Israel Defense Forces, Yahya enlisted as a volunteer. He is on a U.S. speaking engagement prior to his entry into the service. Yahya is an extraordinarily courageous young man who, despite the difficult journey he has chosen, feels that he is doing the right thing.

Executive Director Sara Miller joined StandWithUs San Diego in 2014. Born in Hawaii, she married her husband Mark there last year. She holds an MA in Islamic Studies

from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem at the Rothberg Institute. Her dorm mate Hannah Johnson –now the executive assistant at SWU NY - suggested that Sara apply for the position at SWU SD. "The journey StandWithUs has taken me on has been nothing short of remarkable," Sara comments. "I interviewed from my bomb-shelter dorm room at Hebrew University, when rockets were flying through Tel Aviv airspace during Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza in 2014. That was when I knew that I wanted to become a permanent part of Israel's story. Israel is my mission and the San Diego Jewish Community is now my family.

We will continue to lay down roots, empower local students and educators, and be a stalwart support system for Israel wherever we go."

StandWithUs is a 16-year-old, international Israel education organization with chapters throughout the U.S., in Israel, Canada and the U.K. SWU believes that education is the road to peace.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit standwithus.com/iheartisrael17, email saram@standwithus.com or call the office at 858-598-8220. Jennifer Kutner is the director of media relations at StandWithUs.

Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 31

CAMPS

Camp Mountain Chai

The Stars Are Still The Same Reflecting on 12 years of Camp Mountain Chai

BY DAN BAER

S

everal years ago while working as the Associate Director of Camp Interlaken JCC in Eagle River, Wisconsin (a camp that has now operated for more than 50 years) we welcomed back a group of alumni for an avodah (volunteer work) weekend at camp. The camp was in the process of significant capital improvements including several new buildings that were changing the face of their beloved home. They returned home from their spring visit skeptical to say the least, especially about the new swimming pool – a first ever for Interlaken. At the end of the summer, as part of a project emphasizing the power of the six words of Shema, I collected some 6-word memoirs from staff and alumni. Responses included: “Summer of fun, lifetime of memories,” “Creating magic on four hours of sleep,” “My most challenging yet rewarding summer,” and a personal favorite from an Israeli Shaliach, “No, I don’t own a camel.” The responses, as one could imagine, included a myriad of funny, serious and cliché quotes, but this one from Sarah, a returning staff member and longtime camper, stuck out: “the stars are still the same.” It took a few minutes for me to process. Was it a complaint about change? Was it finding the silver lining? Was it pro-change? The statement was profound and layered in meaning.

Camp Mountain Chai recently completed its 12th summer, making it one of the youngest Jewish overnight camps in North America. As with most 12-year-olds, we are preparing for our own b’nei mitzvah and coming of age. We started as a camp in 2006 where the running joke was that we didn’t have enough campers to even make a circle around our flagpole. Most camp directors would agree that returning staff are the soul of camp, having the greatest impact on the campers as the keepers of our rituals and

32 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

traditions. Our maturation as a camp is showing through our growth in our Staff-In-Training programming, blossoming from just four participants two years ago to double digits each of the past two summers. This growth grounds our core and traditions, giving us a more stable identity, and allows us to add supporting layers to our onion.

In 2015, we were forced off of our property due to the Lake Fire, operating our first session at another facility. Moving into the next summer, we had returning campers attend CMC without having ever set foot on the property. As we watch camps around the country, including here in California, struggle with fires and other natural disasters, we hold comfort in the fact that camp is camp. Not a building, structure, event, or person will define or encapsulate the true meaning of a ruach-filled camp experience.

This past summer we reworked our Shabbat morning experience, rebuilt our teatron (amphitheater) added brand new mountain biking and martial arts programs and equipment, unveiled Hebrew-based signage around camp, and opened a sensory space for campers needing to calm themselves. We replanted 200 saplings to help replenish the forest after the Lake Fire and rejuvenated trails that had been closed for two years.

The 'new' has helped us stay centered and hold true to our mission of creating a community to inspire a love of Jewish living. We use this as a springboard, not a limit in building our community.

Home is where your family is and “the stars are still the same”. A Dan Baer is the Camp Director at Camp Mountain Chai. He can be reached at Dan@campmountainchai.com or 858-499-1330.

Celebrating Israel 6TH Annual

SATURDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 2, 2017 Register Online www.standwithus.com/iheartisrael17 Keynote Speaker

Dore Gold Foreign Policy Expert

Personal Journey

Yahya Mahamid Muslim Zionist

Entertainment

Kippalive

‘Israel X factor’ finalists

Dietary laws observed.

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Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 33

BOOKS

Young Jane Young

One Affair, Multiple Points of View A review of the novel "Young Jane Young"

BY JACQUELINE BULL

“Y

oung Jane Young” by Gabrielle Zevin follows protagonist Aviva Grossman who has an affair with a beloved congressman and the ensuing political scandal. The novel is told non-chronologically and in sections each from a different woman surrounding the incident. These different perspectives breathe life and intrigue into what would otherwise be a very straightforward plot line. Each section has a unique and distinct voice from the others.

The chapter from the point of view of the congressman’s wife is fresh and not all cliché. This section shines with her loneliness, dark humor and exhaustion. Zevin lets the character exist in a nuanced manner and subverts the shrill and ambitious or dumb and subservient political wife tropes. Another section is told by Aviva’s daughter’s emails to her pen pal; it is uncontrived and feels like a genuine person with thoughts and feelings separate from the main plot line.

The depiction of youth is not revolutionary, but feels real.

One section that drags the novel down is the first. It is told by the perspective of Aviva’s mother, Rachel. Functionally, her point of view eases us into the overall plot arc and is aiming to show Aviva through an equally sympathetic and judgmental lens. Out of the many colorful, vibrant and unique char34 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

acters that exist in this novel, the mother dulls. The character does not divert or complicate the expected trope of the ‘overbearing Jewish mother’. The novel lives within complex women to women relationships and Rachel is focused on her weight, her age and online dating. Rachel’s criticisms would have added more, perhaps, if her unflattering view of others were more humorous or if the reader was more invested in her own journey. One of the more satisfying elements of the story is the way the first person narration gives voice to overlooked or at worse dehumanized character types in familiar stories. The mother’s perspective misses that mark because the reader doesn’t discover any hidden gems in Rachel’s character beneath a judgmental and anxious exterior.

Knowing that the affair goes badly and considering the novel spans such a wide frame of time, you can sometimes get the feeling of anticipating a car wreck or reading a novel about someone aboard the Titanic; you can become anxious just waiting for the inevitable.

Even with a straightforward plot line and conversational diction, I would hesitate to throw it into the likes of a ‘beach read’. As the story progresses, picking up details from each character and how they show up and complicate the other narratives is reward-

Knowing that the affair goes badly and considering the novel spans such a wide frame of time, you can sometimes get the feeling of anticipating a car wreck or reading a novel about someone aboard the Titanic; you can become anxious just waiting for the inevitable. ing to the reader. The larger story and the character’s attitudes peek in through subtle details, so a closer read can be fruitful. The story tension follows the traditional narrative arc instead of chronology and the novel moves with excellent pacing.

It would be very easy to label this novel as simply about the double standard for women’s sexuality or a retelling of the Bill Clinton sex scandal. And it is not a tone-deaf story of female warfare or merely banging the drum against slut shaming. The novel brings a human element to headlines and news stories that we experience in our day-to-day. A

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Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 35

BOOKS

Shimon Peres

“No Room for Small Dreams” Shimon Peres’ Life’s Work Continues On

BY BRIE STIMSON

S

himon Peres, one of Israel’s founding fathers, served as prime minister, president and foreign minister among other roles during his more than 60 years in government. In 1994, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his part in the Oslo Accords, which promoted peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. He passed away in September 2016 at the age of 93, but his last work, a memoir called “No Room for Small Dreams” came out posthumously this fall. I spoke to his youngest son, Chemi Peres, who was promoting his father’s book in New York at the time. The interview has been edited for space.

SDJJ: Can you start by just telling me a little bit about your father?

Chemi Peres: He was an inspiring father; He was a very modern one. He always traveled to exciting places and met with modern people and he was a great storyteller. He always told us about his experiences, places he visited, people he met with and since he was a great storyteller it was inspiring to listen to him tell stories ... it’s a great honor and I’m honored to be his son.

He was also someone who used to recommend what books to read. He used to come and give you a book sometimes in the evening and he would call you at 7 o’clock in the morning to ask you what do you think about the book.

SDJJ: What do you think his greatest accomplishment was in his career?

Chemi Peres: Building the defense industry of Israel, he was the one who secured Israel militarily, and created a project of building the nuclear facilities because that created the deterrent that really saved Israel. And over the years we’ve gotten stronger and created a military force against our rivals from the sur-

36 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

rounding neighbors.

And I think the second thing he was very proud of was being recognized for his efforts to build peace between Israel ... and our neighbors. As you know he earned the Nobel Peace Prize and he also got the Medal of Freedom from President Obama.

SDJJ: Was he close with President Obama?

Chemi Peres: He was very close to President Obama. They had a very special bond and a very special relationship. He respected Obama and admired his integrity and his brilliance. He thought Obama was a brilliant president.

SDJJ: Why did he believe that peace was possible?

Chemi Peres: He believed what seems to be impossible is possible. Life, as he describes in the book, is a continued lesson ... and according to him the Israelis and Palestinians must have an agreement for peace ... because there is no other option.

He always said fighting for peace requires more courage than going to war And he was a very, very brave man.

SDJJ: Is it important for you to continue his legacy?

Chemi Peres: It is important for the world because his legacy is a worthy legacy for the whole world ... My father did not care about being remembered as a human being, but I think he showed us a great road ahead for the future. My father was a man of the future, he was not a man of the past. This is why he did not call his book “ a life’ or “a history of Israel” but he called it “No Room for Small Dreams” urging us to continue to dream ... and make the world better through science and technology and moral values.

SDJJ: Can you tell me one memory you have of your father?

Chemi Peres: When I started the flight course as a pilot in the Israeli Air Force ... my father used to send me letters and inspire me [to] never give up ... So those letters he wrote to me through two years at the flight course have served me ... when times were rough.

SDJJ: Did you keep the letters?

Chemi Peres: Of course.

SDJJ: Tell me another memory?

Chemi Peres: When we did the commemoration of the first year of his passing away ...

The guest of honor was Dr. [Henry] Kissinger ... who was a close friend of my father. And when Kissinger came he said, “You know, I have a letter from your father that was sent to me 14 years ago where your father wrote to me, 'today my son starts flying.'" And it was quite amazing and I told Dr. Kissinger I’m very happy to report that not only did I start flying I graduated the flight course and I became a pilot in in the Israeli air force.

SDJJ: What was his message with this book?

Chemi Peres: This book, my father wanted it to be his voice that would continue to echo around the world after he’s gone and share his life story as a reflection for the future how we can and should shape a better future for all of us. A

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FEATURE

Dating

Finding Mr. Right:

A Journey through Orthodox Jewish Dating

BY RACHEL EDEN

Part 2 of 3: Of Kissing Toads

“T

his scar,” he pointed to a small white mark above his right eyebrow and licked his dry lips, “isn’t normally there.” He tipped up his hat, wiped his sweaty forehead, swallowed loudly and continued, “and I don’t have to wear my glasses. I do own contacts.” Pale, lanky, and nervous, his self-conscious remarks would turn off most women, but not me. I found something oddly endearing about them.

First dates are tough. I could relate to that.

This one was no exception. Poor guy wasn’t a natural conversationalist. He insisted on inquiring every 15 minutes or so, “Penny for your thoughts?” Surely he didn’t want to know I was thinking about how intensely awkward our exchange was thus far.

He took me to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, sat us down on a nearby bench, and pulled out a stack of “Loaded Questions” cards to fill our loaded silence. After the museum, we went out for lunch. I laughed when he accidentally flung melted cheese onto my shirt. I snickered (and cringed) when he announced that this was our first date to the waiter. He drove quite a distance to meet me in Manhattan and I appreciated that he invested the time.

When our date was over, I told the shadchan (matchmaker) that his mother raised him well. I would go out again.

Our second date was similar to our first.

This time though, he repeated incessantly that even though I agreed to date him twice, I’d end up breaking things off. That was how all his dates ended. He smiled cynically, “Let me at least pick my poison. Don’t break 38 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

up to my face. Tell the shadchan.” He just shrugged when I warned him about self-fulfilling prophecies.

Still, I’m in the “date him ‘til you hate him” camp. I was highly conscious of his poor self-esteem, but I tend to root for the underdog and I wanted to see if things could go any further. For our third date, I agreed to drive to see him since he had traveled to me the first two times. I was a California transplant who moved to and worked in Manhattan. I hadn’t driven in ages and was nervous at the thought of navigating through unknown highways. I researched car rentals and found the directions that covered four states I had never so much as visited. Without a GPS or a clue, I realized it was time to call him and explain that I was lost, running late and needed help reorienting. “Okay,” he answered and then yelled nasally, “Maaaaa!” Now I know every Jewish boy has a mother, but at this delicate stage of courtship, I found myself turned off... and still lost. When I did finally arrive, I was four hours late. We took a walk, but I was looking at my watch the whole time since the car rental was expecting me to return by midnight. I explained that to him and we parted ways.

On the long drive home, I felt fairly certain we weren’t a good match. Later that night, I gratefully sank my head into my pillow and refused to think about the whole ordeal for at least a day or two. My cell phone rang early the next morning and I answered groggily. It was him and he wanted to talk.

“Is everything okay?” I asked trying to shake off sleep. No everything wasn’t okay. He was

upset. He was more than upset – he was angry. “Why were you late yesterday? We barely had a date.” I spent an hour with him on the phone as I apologized and tried to offer a “Gam Zu L’Tova” (everything is for the best). He responded, “You can only say Gam Zu L’Tova when you are the party wronged.

Otherwise, it’s just offensive.”

I was emotionally exhausted by the end of our conversation and called the shadchan to give her an update. She was disappointed that our relationship had soured and the phone exchange was negative. With the clarity of hindsight, it’s plain to me that our chemistry was totally wrong. Still, I don’t regret our dates or the time I spent for our third and worst date. All part of the process of finding Mr. Right. Right?

Postscript: Do I think this approach to dating is superior? I think it’s the most effective system I’ve encountered. Both parties are clear on marriage being an end goal.

Since Orthodox Jews don’t touch before marriage and don’t prolong the dating stage without cause, there is no physical or emotional attachment to color anyone’s judgment. Dating toads and kissing them are two different matters and avoiding touch keeps everyone at a safe distance until there is clarity and commitment that the relationship is forever. Orthodox Jewish dating is like the pasta primavera at an Italian restaurant: a substantial, at times surprising, and usually delicious way to dine. Best part is, you won’t hate yourself in the morning.A Next Month: Orthodox Jewish Guide to Dating Part 3: And they lived happily ever after?

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40 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

Coming together "As One"

THEATER

Coming Together “As One”:

A Provocative New Opera Breaks Unsung Ground

BY PAT LAUNER

I

t all began with an Aha! moment. Actually, two.

Laura Kaminsky, one of the hottest composers in America, is also an acclaimed presenter and social-political activist. All her compositions, primarily chamber and instrumental music, hew close to humanitarian and environmental themes, representing her deep connection to the natural world.

Among her many other grants, awards and fellowships, Laura has received six ASCAP-Chamber Music America Awards for Adventuresome Programming. The New York Times described her as “a composer with an ear for the new and interesting.”

So perhaps it’s not so surprising that she would venture into opera – though it was something of a surprise to her.

That was her first Aha! moment.

In 2008, she was reading a New York Times article about marriage equality. It concerned a heterosexual couple in New Jersey who were about to vote on same sex marriage.

“The issue was fascinating,” says Kaminsky, who’s pretty fascinating herself. “The husband was in the process of transitioning to a woman. They had been married for 20 years, had two kids and planned to stay together. But if the law didn’t pass [in 2013, it did], they would no longer be considered married.”

And that raised several questions for Kaminsky: What are you willing to sacrifice to be yourself? What does that do to those in your orbit? How does it affect your relationships?

“That question of ‘What is Self’ was huge,” says the affable composer. “And I thought, ‘Wow! That should be an opera!’

“I had always wanted to write something about transsexuals,” she says. “Then, as artistic director of Symphony Space in New York, I produced a festival of music of the Soviet era. The mezzo singer was Sasha Cooke, whose mother was Russian. She said there were duets among these Shostakovich piec-

es and Russian folk songs, and asked if her husband, baritone Kelly Markgraf, could join her.

“It was a wonderful experience, meeting two artists with a deep spiritual/intellectual connection.”

And that prompted her second Aha! moment.

“I could tell the story of this couple as the same person,” she thought.

But then, she realized, “I had a concept, but not a story.”

Kaminsky’s wife, artist Rebecca Allen, was helping Laura find books and articles on the subject, and she came across Kimberly Reed’s film, “Prodigal Son,” a personal reflection about going to her 20th high school reunion in Montana, only to find that Paul, the valedictorian and star quarterback, had transitioned to a woman.

“Kim’s film was so wonderful,” says Laura, “I knew I wanted to work with her. We started imagining this project. Then I met the Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 41

famous librettist Mark Campbell, while adjudicating a grant for Opera America.

I asked him to recommend someone for the lyrics. And he said, ‘I have to do this project.’ So I said, ‘If you and Kim click, we have a team.’"

The Ideal Collaboration “It was a mutual meeting of heart and mind,” says Laura. “We collaborated completely, about the kind of story we wanted to tell, the feel of the piece, where in the story a song belonged. Together, we found the touchstone moments. I love and trust them. We respect each other, and we’re also brutally honest with each other.

We gave birth to this together.”

Laura was commissioned by the American Opera Project in Brooklyn, which produced the first performance of ‘As One,’ at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), to unanimously positive reviews.

Opera News called it “a piece that haunts and challenges its audience with questions about identity, authenticity, compassion and the human desire for self-love and peace.” Operavore described it as “dramatically charged music.”

The San Diego Opera production will be the 11th for this acclaimed chamber opera. By the end of the year, says Laura, there will have been 21 productions.

“It’s a beautiful story about self-discovery, honesty and love,” she says. “It’s bigger than a transgender story. That’s a metaphor for the bigger issues of self and intimacy. It really touches people.”

The story is told in 15 short scenes that chronicle the life of ‘Hannah before’ and ‘Hannah after,’ from childhood as a boy, up until she finally realizes she can be who she is. A film complements the music, creating context for the action.

“We see Hannah riding her bike, inside her classroom, all from her point of view,” explains Laura. “There are multiple screens with different images, sometimes overlapping, sometimes replicating. It shows the environment, the landscape. It’s very fluid and really beautiful.”

In Laura’s view, “Hannah is one person, a woman, a unified being. We decided on a baritone and a mezzo. Throughout the one-act piece, different arias are shared, or presented in one voice. It’s not a male-to-female transition.”

In San Diego, the role of ‘Hannah before’ will be sung by baritone Kelly Markgraf (who was part of Laura’s second Aha! moment). ‘Hannah after’ is sung by mezzo soprano Blythe Gaissert, who created the role for the opera’s world premiere in Brooklyn. Both are new to the San Diego Opera.

They’ll be accompanied by The Hausmann Quartet, an award-winning ensemble that currently serves as faculty Artists-in-Residence at San Diego State University and Ensemble-in-Residence at San Diego’s Mainly Mozart.

“This piece is about somebody’s journey,” says Laura, in describing the score.

“So it had to have a sense of momentum, with propelling music. We decided that a viola would represent the soul of Hannah, neither male nor female. The leitmotif is really evocative of her core being. It’s lyrical music, and the propelling music of discovery and adventure. That’s the core of the musical language.”

Two of the duets comprise letters written for the holiday season. In one, Hannah realizes that, for the first time, she can’t go home for Christmas. It has a sorrowful tone. The second letter is her mother’s response, after Christmas.

“Mothers always know,” says Laura, knowingly.

In one scene, some musicians sing. There’s also a poem recitation, which the conductor leads.

“Every director handles it differently,” says Laura.

A detour to San Diego “As One” forms part of the San Diego Opera’s detour Series -- smaller productions in intimate spaces, a departure from the grand opera presentations at the Civic Theatre.

Bruce Stasyna, the Company’s current Chorus Master, conducts. Kyle Lang, long-time assistant director for SDO, is making his directing debut. Jonathan 42 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

Gilmer is credited with the scenic design and Christopher Rynne, the lighting.

Typically, the performance is followed by a talk-back. The San Diego Opera is calling theirs Act II, a conversation with the cast and creators of the opera, including filmmaker Kimberly Reed.

“I try to attend all the performances,” says Laura. “To honor those bringing the work to life. It’s a show of respect for the artists.”

The piece has been enthusiastically received, even in unexpected locations.

“When we presented the opera at Utah State University,” says Laura, “the dean said, ‘This is exactly the kind of project this college needs to embrace.’ In Pittsburgh, there was a pre-show for families with young trans kids, some as young as eight years old. There was a wonderful conversation about what it means to be yourself.”

“In June,” she continues, “We had an outreach to trans veterans. That was very moving. Now, with the current regulations, there’s a sense of urgency to all this.

Before, there was a sense of hopefulness.”

The Making of a Composer

In Laura’s view, “Hannah is one person, a woman, a unified being.

We decided on a baritone and a mezzo.”

Laura Kaminsky grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Her mother, who was born in London, had family from Russia and Poland, and also traced relatives back to Spain. Laura’s father was a first generation American; his parents were from Belarus.

She attended Rodelph Sholom nursery school, and grew up in a close, secular Jewish family. No one else in the family has musical talent or inclinations, though Laura notes that “Danny Kaye was a relative on my Dad’s side. But we never met him.”

She started playing piano at age 10.

“I was never going to be a musician,” she says. “I was always making things up, trying to figure out how to write music.”

She attended La Guardia High School of Music and Performing Arts in Manhattan, and graduated magna cum laude from Oberlin College. She obtained her Master’s degree from the City College of New York/CUNY, where she was a Tuch Foundation Fellow.

Over the years, she has lived and worked in Seattle, Ghana and Eastern Europe -- Poland in particular, after which the President of the country awarded her the Polish Gold Cross of Merit, an acknowledgment of exemplary public service or humanitarian activity.

Laura married Rebecca in 2005, in Canada. They had a commitment ceremony for family and friends in New York, then when same-sex marriage was legalized there, they completed all the paperwork.

“So we have three anniversaries,” Laura exclaims, with amusement. “But really, every day is an anniversary for us.”

Currently a professor of music composition at Purchase College/SUNY, Laura has been a featured composer at universities and festivals around the world. She’s also a renowned presenter and producer.

“I like making an opportunity for young people,” she says. “I have been mentored, and I like to mentor and encourage. My aim is always to make art that’s meaningful.

“By default, I became an artist/activist. The work you do is a reflection of the world around you. The things I keep coming back to are the environment and human rights and peace.”

She lives Tikkun Olam, musically.

“As One” runs one weekend only, November 10-12 (Friday and Saturday at 7pm, Sunday at 1pm), at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre, 6611 University Ave. The production will be televised live on Saturday, November 11 at 7pm on KPBS 2 (Cox 811, Spectrum 1277). After the live broadcast, the production can be watched online at kpbs.org. Tickets are available at 619-533-7000; sdopera.org. A

Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 43

CAMPS

JTA

Why Jewish Day Schools Are Trying to be More Like Summer Camp

BY IRA STOLL VIA JTA

B

OSTON – When the Jewish Community Day School in Watertown, Massachusetts, decided several years ago to hire a former MTV producer to bring a “fresh voice of Jewish spirit” to the school, it was part of a broader goal: to bring the joys of summer camp to the school year.

The institution already was on its way. A tradition had begun on Yom Kippur eve wherein the whole school dresses in white and heads to a bridge over the Charles River, where they sing, listen to stories and throw birdseed into the water as part of the traditional tashlich ritual of casting away sins.

After hiring the producer, Oren Kaunfer, as a spiritual educator, he began leading the service.

“Everyone is sitting on the ground. It’s got a camp feel to it,” Kaunfer said. “It’s taking Jewish experiences and making them more memorable and exciting and deepening them.”

Kaunfer also accompanies students on two camp-like overnight nature trips for sixth and seventh-graders as part of the pluralistic school’s Jewish environmental education curriculum.

“When trying to describe my job, I do often say, ‘I bring camp to school,’” he said.

What that means, Kaunfer explained, is connecting students with “joyful Jewish experiences.”

44 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

“There’s definitely a lot of guitar involved, or mandolin, or whatever instrument I am holding at the time,” he said.

The annual transition from summer camp’s informal and highly spirited atmosphere to the more regimented, high-pressure and maybe even occasionally boring environment of school long has been one of the jarring changes of fall, right up there with cooler nights and earlier sunsets.

Yet increasingly, the differences between school and camp aren’t as stark as they used to be.

In Toronto, a delegation of 24 young Israelis who spent their summer serving as camp counselors and waterfront staff are staying on for the school year to teach about Israel in the city’s Jewish day schools.

At Lander-Grinspoon Academy in Northampton, Massachusetts, students spend some of their time picking crops at Abundance Farm, an adjacent Jewish farm. At Krieger Schechter Day School in Baltimore, students who miss participating in their camp musical get a chance each year to participate in one English-language play and another Hebrew-language play.

The trend of Jewish schools trying to integrate more of the positive elements of camp into the school year — without sacrificing academic rigor — mirrors what’s going on in American education overall.

Schools increasingly are emphasizing informal, experiential and proj-

ect-based learning rather than lectures, worksheets and drills. This approach, the thinking goes, will better prepare students to be lifelong learners in the global economy and the internet age.

With Jewish education, there is particular interest because research has found that the Jewish identity-building benefits of summer camp are particularly strong.

“Adults who had a Jewish overnight camp experience as children are significantly more likely to exhibit Jewish behaviors as adults,” said University of Miami demographer Ira Sheskin, one of the co-authors of a 2012 study called “Camp Works: The Long-Term Impact of Jewish Overnight Camp.”

“They are more likely to marry other Jews, to join synagogues, to light Shabbat candles, etc. The more Jewish day schools can bring into the classroom the elements that have made camp so successful in building Jewish identity – those immersive, informal interactions with other Jews in a ‘soft’ Jewish environment — the more likely schools are to increase their already positive effects on students’ Jewish lives.”

The key, of course, is not just to bring elements of camp into the classroom, but to do so in a way that enhances day schools’ Judaic and academic rigor.

Schools are adopting a variety of camp-like tactics and strategies, including mentor relationships between older and younger students, character education and field trips, noted Rabbi Avi Orlow, vice president for program and innovation at the Foundation for Jewish Camp.

MetroWest Jewish Day School in Framingham, Massachusetts, has instituted several camp-like elements. Teachers are called by their first names to make them more accessible. The school day begins with an outdoor meeting of the whole school featuring announcements and the singing of “Hatikvah,” the Israeli national anthem. Preparation for the school science fair — which at other schools often means extensive parental involvement in everything from shopping for supplies to choosing an experiment — is entirely school-based, meaning “students get a chance to explore what they are actually interested in,” said Beth Null, the school’s director of community advancement, crediting the changes to head of school Scott Sokol, an alumnus of Ramah New England. “‘What can we do to make school feel more like camp’ is very prevalent,” said Bil Zarch, director of Camp Yavneh, a Jewish overnight camp in New Hampshire. Having also served as head of school at Jewish day schools in Baltimore and Massachusetts, Zarch has seen both sides of the issue.

When his own child attended Lander-Grinspoon Academy, Zarch said, the school marked the Jewish harvest festival of Sukkot by having students harvest crops on the adjacent farm, learning about the biblical commandments of pe’ah and leket, and then delivering the harvest to a food pantry that helps low-income families and individuals.

“The kids got so much out of that lesson,” Zarch recalled.

At American Hebrew Academy, a Jewish boarding school in Greensboro, North Carolina, the school is situated on a 100-acre wooded campus with a lake — intentionally designed with “camp-esque components,” according to the academy’s CEO, Glenn Drew. The school facility also is used during the summer as a Jewish athletic camp.

The Jewish camping component “always has been central” to the 16-year-old boarding school, Drew said.

“It makes 100 percent sense to me,” he said. “It’s a completely immersive experience.”

Of course, summer camps and residential schools can give youths something that day schools, even the ones trying hardest to be camplike, may have a tough time replicating: distance from home.

“Being away from parents allows children to explore,” Drew said, and exposes them more to “peer-to-peer education — the influence of a large group of peers that are engaged in similar activities.”

Wendy Grinberg, director of Jewish education at the Reform movement’s URJ Eisner Camp and a doctoral candidate in the field of education, said schools should consider what specific things about camp they want to emulate.

She suggested the benefits of social-emotional learning, strong camper-counselor relationships, project-based learning, cultivating students who are more independent and less stressed out, natural lived Judaism, real-life experiences, younger role models, leadership roles for kids and the freedom to try things. Those are elements that can enhance what schools already do without compromising deep and engaging learning.

Day schools have to contend with many constraints absent from camp, including state mandates, grades and report cards. Increasingly, though, educators are realizing that the team building, leadership and energy of a summer camp-like experience may be critical to preparing students for college — and for life.

“Jewish day schools have made capacity building their central mission, and indeed they do a terrific job in imparting Jewish literacy. But they realized they also need to do a great job of identity building,” said sociologist Steven M. Cohen, a research professor at Hebrew Union College and co-author of the 2012 “Camp Works” study.

“Building relationships, emotionally laden experiences and lifelong memories are the ways camps have built identity, and now day schools are finding ways to fit that into what they do, too.”

(This article was sponsored by and produced in partnership with the Avi Chai Foundation, which is committed to the perpetuation of the Jewish people, Judaism and the centrality of the State of Israel to the Jewish people. In North America, the foundation works to advance the Jewish day school and overnight summer camp fields. This article was produced by JTA’s native content team.) A Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 45

FEATURE

My Jewish Is...

Teen

Opportunities:

7 Jewish Teenagers Show What’s Possible

INTRODUCTION BY DARREN SCHWARTZ INTERVIEWS BY BRIE STIMSON AND JACQUELINE BULL

B

eing a Jewish teen in San Diego means having unprecedented opportunities to connect to Jewish life. The challenge is knowing how to find the ones that connects to each teens' unique interest. Whether you like surfing, entrepreneurship, science, or just hanging out with friends, our community offers unique opportunities for teens to explore their Judaism - you just need to know where to look.

In 2015, the Jewish Federation and Jim Joseph Foundation came together to invest in "increasing the number of Jewish teens doing Jewish things." In partnership with the Lawrence Family JCC, the San Diego Jewish Teen Initiative was established to serve as a communal hub for understanding the landscape of Jewish teen engagement, supporting existing teen organizations and helping to identify under-engaged Jewish teens.

The San Diego Jewish Teen Initiative just launched a brand new website to help high school teens find the right experience for them.

This website has local, national and international programs that will allow them to explore their Judaism in his or her area of interest.

SDJewishTeens.org also features college scholarships, internships, college bound resources and a calendar of upcoming events from over 25 different local organizations.

The San Diego Jewish community has a lot to offer our teens.

In this article you will meet seven teens who connect to the Jewish 46 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

community in very different ways.

Addie found her connection through sports, competing as an athlete with JCC Maccabi.

Baila is able to demonstrate her talents in leadership and philanthropy by becoming a program officer for the Jewish Teen Foundation, granting over $40,000 to people in need.

Julia has found her spot in the Jewish community through service -volunteering, interning and advocating for change through Motiv.

Noah was looking for a new way to hang out with his Jewish friends so he reached out to BBYO and started a chapter of this international organization in Carmel Valley.

Maya from Tifereth Israel and Rachel from Temple Emanu El became great friends as they advance their knowledge of Jewish wisdom and tradition at East County’s Community Jewish High, a partnership between both synagogues.

Nathan is able to connect to his religious identity through CTeen through Shabbat experiences, everything from local dinners to traveling to New York and joining teens from around the world to celebrate on Times Square.

These are just a few examples of how Jewish teens can get involved. The opportunities are out there. How will your teen get connected? A

PHOTOS COURTESY SDJJ

Addie Stewart, Senior, Torrey Pines High School

Maccabi Games, JCC Teen Leadership Council

The coolest thing for me was there [were] people from Israel, London and Mexico, and some of the people, using social media, I still keep in touch with today.

“The way I really got really involved (Now it seems every aspect of my life is through the JCC I feel like) was through the Maccabi Games. It is a miniature Olympic-style sporting event with people and teams from all around the world ... The teams compete in every different sport.

I was a little apprehensive. I had never done sleep away camp, never been away from home or anything like that and it was all the way across the country, but some of my really good friends who are also Jewish really encouraged me to do it. Honestly it was one of the best experiences of my life...You compete all day against all the teams from different places and then at night there is always an event.

The coolest thing for me was there [were] people from Israel, London and Mexico and some of the people, using social media, I still keep in touch with today. That is the coolest part. I think that is so cool. I would have never been associated with these people in anyway. Now I have a connection with someone like in London that I would never would have. There are very different cultures ... I came back with so many stories to tell friends and family. [I’ve] never met so many Jewish teens in one place. And we all had the same thing in common, but we were so different at the same time.

And while you are at Maccabi, they teach you a lot about tikkun olam, doing good deeds. We do activities there focused around being good people, doing the right thing. The sport is really about being good teammates and being good to the other team: it is not really about winning. My team we didn’t win, but it didn’t even matter.

That year the teen director [for the Maccabi games] was also the teen director for the Teen Leadership Council, too and she was like ‘You should totally join it. A lot of people from here do it’. It’s a really good way to get involved and I decided to join it and it was really, really cool. This year I’m one of the vice presidents. Basically a group of teens meet once a week and plan events – so many different events – through the Jewish community. Trying to get people involved. At my school, there are not that many Jewish people, and so when I come to TLC, everyone is Jewish, it’s cool. You have the same holidays – everything is the same.

Some of my best friends are through there.”

Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 47

PHOTOS COURTESY SDJJ

Baila Ertel, Senior,

Torah High School of San Diego Jewish Teen Foundation “We were at 8th grade graduation and Darren Schwartz, who started the original Jewish Teen Foundation, came and he gave a little presentation about a new program he was running and how it was a very innovative, very exciting, great opportunity. My eyes immediately popped open and I was like ‘I want to do this!’ I ran up to Darren and was like ‘How do I sign up? How do I do this?’

I grew up surrounded by non-profit organizations, my father started a non-profit organization. He works as an out-reach Rabbi at UCSD. As soon as I heard that I had a chance to be involved with a nonprofit organization, I was like ‘that is exactly what I want to do’.

We go to these different organizations. We are able to talk to people that they have influenced. Being able to look at people and say ‘this is what my money is going to do for other people’.

Last year we focused on mental health and teenagers.

We focused on going around the community and finding organizations that help teenagers with mental illness or involved with substance abuse. Actually we found one in Israel. It was called Outside In. It’s a program that takes a group of about 20 high schoolers that are struggling with depression and mental illness that got involved with crime and were going to be sent to prison. It was going to be their last chance before being sent to prison. And these doctors and psychologists took them into the desert for six weeks as a camping trip and it was a way for them to be diagnosed and treated without sitting in a white box and being asked all these questions. It was a way for them to open up in an environment where they felt safe.

Motiv did a census and found there are 7,000 Jewish teenagers in San Diego and only 700 are involved in these programs. I’m trying to channel my inner Darren here and really reach out to everybody. There is so much potential that we just don’t see yet.”

48 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

"My eyes immediately popped open and I was like ‘I want to do this!’ I ran up to Darren and was like ‘How do I sign up?

How do I do this?’”

PHOTOS COURTESY JULIA BERNICKER

Julia Bernicker, Senior,

Francis Parker High School, Motiv Social Justice “I really found over the last couple of years that serving my community through Motiv and helping other Jewish teens and other individuals in San Diego has really provided me with the connection that I was missing and that’s really how I connect to my religion, I take Tikkun Olam very literally and I tend to do all I can to do my part in the community so I think that’s kind of where my connection is to my religion.

I started working at Motiv when I was an intern in their very first internship program and in that program we evaluated lots of different community service opportunities out in San Diego ... That internship led into their fellowship that also started last spring where each fellow was placed with a different nonprofit organization ... There are a lot of different community service opportunities ... based on our different issue areas that we are passionate about ... This fall, I’m also part of their ... peer leaders fellowship where I get to act as kind of a concierge for 25 different uninvolved Jewish teens that I know , but I’m responsible for calling, texting, talking to my 25 teens on my list every week and getting them involved in Jewish programs in San Diego that I think they would be interested in.

There’s really something for everyone in the San Diego Jewish community and if there isn’t something for everyone that’s where Motiv comes in and Motiv is really looking to connect Jewish teens and find Jewish teens and find out what’s missing so I think definitely get involved however you can. Sign up for Motiv, ask your friends what they want to do and get involved.”

“There’s really something for everyone in the San Diego Jewish community and if there isn’t something for everyone that’s where Motiv comes in."

Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 49

PHOTOS COURTESY SDJJ

Community Jewish High, I tell everyone it’s like my Shabbat because it’s my day of rest and like a day to focus on being Jewish.”

Maya Klareich and Rachel Rosenzweig, seniors, Patrick Henry High School Community Jewish High Maya: Community Jewish High is a once a week program for eighth through 12th graders and we meet, we have an hour of dinner, an hour of class with our grade and then an hour of an elective and each grade has a different topic that they focus on.

As 12th graders ours is like an individual development personal leadership kind of class ... and the electives vary. Right now I’m taking a mind and body class, which is kind of like yoga and meditation class.

Rachel: We got introduced to this idea of Community Jewish High, and it was kind of an extension of Torah school. And it’s just another way to be involved.

Sophomore year ... we had just gotten a new rabbi at my synagogue and that was the year that I really felt Jewish and I realized how important it is, how special it is to be Jewish ... It was a class like nothing you take in high school. The class focused on yourself and bettering yourself and experiencing the world and Judaism came along with it ... I think the most memorable part was being surrounded by people who are so like-minded. Every50 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

one just really cares about being there.

“I think this has really taught me the value of being surrounded by Jewish students ... Community Jewish High, I tell everyone it’s like my Shabbat because it’s my day of rest and like a day to focus on being Jewish.

Maya: I think that Judaism is a very personal idea, like you can kind of create your own Judaism and I think you’re not really taught that when you’re younger ... Just the past five years of going has really made me aware of who I am as a Jew. And I think that taking all these different classes that vary from ... personal identity classes to classes on the Holocaust to classes on Jewish tradition on Jewish theology all things like that, I think it’s just helped me become more open to what Judaism can be and to really define my own Judaism.

Rachel: The thing that I connect with most in Judaism is the sense of community and the sense of how important it is to be educated ... every part of Community Jewish High is teaching us how special it is to be Jewish ... You have thousands of ... people that were just like you that have gone through completely different parts of history that are somehow connected to you and you get to experience that through community Jewish High ... Here you figure out being Jewish is being different for a really good reason.

Note: Rosenzweig also interned for the Anti-Defamation League, managing their social media platforms for the past eight months.

PHOTOS COURTESY SDJJ

Nathan Nasseri, Sophomore, Poway High School

CTeen, Teen Community Chabad “With [Rabbi] Zevi, I have a foot in everything with Zevi...It kind of just turns into something. I’m doing this Holocaust project for my school getting Holocaust speakers to speak at my school. Basically whatever he asks me to do, I do. Out of his programs I do CTeen the most.

CTeen is a giant program across the nation and ours is the San Diego chapter. And ... you use social events to bring Jewish teens together. I’m just kind of an open guy so whenever he asks me to do something I just shrug my shoulders and say ‘Yeah’.

I think that instead of it shoved down your throat I feel like it is exposing you to Judaism without having it seem like it is too much. Everything is in moderation. We took a road trip with Zevi. It was blatantly Jewish; you knew it was Jewish the second you stepped on the van, but he did a really good job of making it seem like a trip that just happened to be Jewish.

I think you need to put a lot more into the social aspect of it or meeting more Jewish teens and slightly introduce it, expose them to the Judaism and slowly but surely bring it back in. That is probably the best way to do it. In Hebrew school it was everyday all day. This is more like once a month, once a week where you can kind of ease into it kind of thing.

Every month [Rabbi Zevi] has a Chabad dinner at his house ... It started off with 10 kids and now there are 3040 kids each month. It is a lot of fun. Everyone – even if they don’t observe, they respect it ... Even if it is a Chabad dinner, he still does a really good job of sneaking in the Judaism a little bit, a little bit while still keeping it a social event. And that is why I really like it. They’ve grown to a point where I really look forward to it. Instead of spending Friday night with my family, I spend Friday night with my friends. Friday night dinner is Friday night dinner wherever you are, but I’d rather spend it with friends.”

“We took a road trip with [Rabbi] Zevi. It was blatantly Jewish; you knew it was Jewish the second you stepped on the van, but he did a really good job of making it seem like a trip that just happened to be Jewish.”

Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 51

PHOTOS COURTESY NOAH HYTKEN

“Being in BBYO has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

Building a chapter here, making an impact on the community [has] woke my eyes up to the opportunity that comes from being inside the Jewish community.”

Noah Hytken, Senior,

Torrey Pines High School BBYO “BBYO is a Jewish organization where we essentially have Jewish programs and activities and stuff for Jewish teens in San Diego and all over the world. What I do ... is manage the chapter we have here in San Diego. I ... organize community service events and social events.

So we didn’t really have a prominent Jewish group out in San Diego for some reason and my cousin ... is out in Dallas, Texas and he was really into BBYO out there, so I called him last year and he put me in touch with some of the higher people in BBYO where I got the resources to start a chapter out here.

My favorite thing honestly is bringing Jews together in a place where they can feel proud to be Jewish ... and using that as culture more instead of religion. We focus a lot on the culture aspect of being Jewish and a lot of people lost that over the years because they think being Jewish is you go to temple, you pray, Hanukkah, but there’s a lot more culture ... I like to teach the new members ...We use as much Hebrew as possible, all of our traditions are based around Judaism ...but not so much the religion as the culture ... Being in BBYO has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life, building a chapter here, making an impact on the community, going to the international convention and seeing Jews from all over the world has really made an impact on my life and woke my eyes up to the opportunity that comes from being inside the Jewish community and the connections that you have and how beautiful it is to be Jewish.”

52 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

Butterfly Project

FEATURE

Reborn, Shiny and Beautiful: The

BUTTERFLY PROJECT Comes Home to San Diego

BY JACQUELINE BULL

T

he Butterfly Project has come a long way from the collaboration of a teacher and a ceramic artist setting out to create one butterfly for each child killed in the Holocaust (1.5 million).

Ceramic artist Cheryl Rattner Price began chronicling their journey and turned their story into an award-winning documentary that has touched people, classrooms, even concerts all over the world.

The project began in San Diego and is coming back home for the next wave of impact. “We were in a lot of other places and then recently we’re doing so much more here. It’s pretty thrilling for me actually. It feels like a full circle,” Cheryl said.

She invited me to their first ever screening at a university, which they held at the University of San Diego. After the screening, the guests were invited to join the movement and paint their own butterflies that would later be displayed on campus. “I think our most important work is the work on college campuses. It’s a scary time on college campuses. I’m really excited to do this here and have it be a model,” Cheryl said.

Something special about the project and watching the film is there is an immediate step an individual can take to participate. “I think people feel a natural desire to help us reach our goal,” Cheryl said. She adds that the simple thing of painting a butterfly has connected with people of all ages in a fairly profound way. “I feel like what happens with the Butterfly Project is that people need to slow down enough to take a beat and think and connect. They are painting a butterfly, they’re reading a short biography of a child and the butterfly is being made for that child. And each one is so unique – an individual. We really say the power of one person to make a difference is the center of everything that we want to convey. And so my butterfly has a different mood or feeling [from someone else’s].

It doesn’t matter if one butterfly is prettier than another. Every one of them belongs as a community,” she said.

Cheryl was first approached as the artist to make the butterflies and is still involved in making and firing them in the kiln. She ex-

FROM L to R: Bridget Burke, Margaret Elizondo painting butterflies

The simple thing of painting a butterfly has connected with people of all ages in a fairly profound way. plained that the experience is metaphorically significant. “The butterfly has gone thru fire. It is a painful metaphor. As we did the project over the years, I was responsible mainly for most of the firing. I would be walking around with this cart of all these butterflies stacked on top of each other and it felt awful. And I was like ‘I’m going to get to the kiln. I’m going to put these in and they are going to come out and they are going to be reborn, shiny and beautiful’.

Each one of them was made for some intention of a better world.

And that happens when I open the kiln and I see these finished butterflies,” she said.

The project is going strong with its involvement in classrooms, and the team hopes to one day have a communal installation. “We want very much to have a public installation in San Diego. We are very aware that we don’t have a Holocaust museum. We don’t have a Jewish museum. We would love to see Balboa Park or Liberty Station have something that could be public, not just Jewish people, and be exciting and an art magnet for visitors.”

At the event, the screening filled up the theater; students, professors and people from the community got to work painting butterflies. I was able to snag Cheryl for a quick word at the end of the evening. I took out my camera and showed her the butterfly that I painted and she smiled and told me my butterfly was one of the few left that were designed by Ela Weissberger, the Holocaust survivor that was interviewed for the film. Slightly stunned, I said goodbye to Cheryl, and as I was leaving, I overheard a woman very quietly say to Cheryl, “Now is the time for this. Now is the time.” A Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 53

POLITICS

An Evening With Carl Bernstein

I

An Evening With Carl

Bernstein

A Journalistic Icon Comes to JCC

BY BRIE STIMSON

54 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

t all started in the smoke-filled newsrooms stacked end to end with paper-cluttered, coffee-stained desks. Carl Bernstein, a young, talented writer for the Washington Post, was assigned along with Bob Woodward to cover the Watergate break-in in 1972. While the break-in originally looked like a page eight or nine story, Woodward and Bernstein connected the burglars to the CIA, the White House and eventually Nixon himself.

With their groundbreaking reporting, the two men ended a presidency, solidified their places in journalistic and political history and changed the way Americans trust their government.

More than 40 years later, Watergate nostalgia (maybe that’s no quite the right word) is running high and comparisons between then and now are everywhere you look.

And now The Lawrence Family JCC, which has educational programs yearround, is getting in on the conversation.

“We’ve had a successful film festival, a successful book fair here and we’re trying to raise the profile of our year-round programs,” Brian Garrick, the JCC festivals program director, told SDJJ over the phone. “So in that context somebody like Carl Bernstein made sense. We want to be a place that has community dialogue and community conversation, and Carl Bernstein is a person who has done that and has done that at the highest level in terms of national politics.”

Garrick agrees that current events are driving the renewed interest in the old scandal.

“Given Trump’s election, given the investigation into meddling in the election, given questions about the status of the presidency itself in this country, there’s nobody better to reflect on that than Carl Bernstein,” he explained. “He’s someone who has [a] strong Jewish background and comes from a strong Jewish place. In fact,

I believe he was head of B’nai B’rith from BBYO when he was young and so [he’s] someone who espouses those values, but has his pulse on the national scene.”

Bernstein, who has never spoken at the JCC before, will talk to a packed audience on Veterans Day (Nov. 11) on the use and abuse of presidential power, specifically from Nixon to Trump. Garrick believes that despite the piqued interest in past scandals due to our present climate, that Bernstein is simply compelling on his own.

“This is somebody who changed the face of journalism and showed what the possibilities are for speaking truth to power,” Garrick told me. “That in combination with Trump’s election, I think, no matter who the president would be, I think people would be interested in hearing what Carl Bernstein had to say because of his role in history.”

Garrick, who said he will “unquestionably” be in the audience, explained that he wants to hear Bernstein reflect on how politics and journalism have changed from when he started to today. “We obviously have Twitter, news breaks a lot faster now than it ever did. So journalists have the capacity, given the changes in the business to do deep ... investigative journalism, which is what he’s most known for with Watergate – so touching on that would be what I’m most looking forward to hearing from him.”

And maybe another young reporter from the Twitter generation will be inspired by the lecture to go out and become the next Carl Bernstein. A An Evening With Carl Bernstein: The Use and Abuse of Power: The Presidency From Nixon to Trump will be held at the David &Dorothea Garfield Theater at the Lawrence Family JCC on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. At press time tickets were sold out. Call the box office at 858-362-1348 to check.

DACA

POLITICS

California Dreamers How Jewish Family Services is helping DACA recipients navigate the unknown

BY BRIE STIMSON

P

resident Trump decided to end DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) on Sept. 5, and since then there has been a lot of confusion and apprehension in the Dreamer community.

“It was presented on June 15, 2012 as an executive action from the administration of Obama,” immigration specialist for Jewish Family Services (JFS) Linda Feldman, told me. “For those people that qualify it provides them protection from deportation, and it also provides them a work authorization.

That way they can get a social security card, pay taxes, work legally and, depending on the state, that’s the way for them to get a driver’s license.”

Jewish Family Services, a nonprofit that among its many services helps refugees, has been working with Dreamers for years, and when Trump made the announcement at the beginning of September, they held renewal workshops and counseled Dreamers on their various options.

“I think it’s been almost three years if not longer,” JFS CEO Micheal Hopkins said of their work with Dreamers. “We got some funding from donors in our community who thought it was a very important piece of work to do. We, like the donors, viewed the dreamers as part of our community.”

A Dreamer I spoke to (who preferred to remain anonymous) said DACA has given him a sense of security.

“DACA has helped me by taking away certain limitations I had before like allowing me to get a driver’s license with a social security number and the appointment authorization card. I was able to look for a job ... which opens up a lot of other possibilities as well.”

Feldman explained that only a specific set of people qualify for DACA in the first place. “They must have arrived and started living in the US by June 15, 2007,” she said.

“They have to have been under 15, they have to have been physically present in the United States by June 15, 2012 and they can’t have

any exits of the country after August 15, 2012. If somebody has one felony, one significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors they’re barred from DACA.” The Dreamer I spoke to came to the United States from Mexico when he was six and said he barely remembers his home country. “[Before DACA] I felt ‘lesser than’ in a way like I didn’t really belong here. I didn’t have the same rights as everyone else. That there were too many limitations on me like why couldn’t I just be like everyone else?”

He said Trump’s Sept. 5 revocation left a lot of room for uncertainty and anxiety for Dreamers.

“It was stressful. It made me freak out in a way like ‘oh no, what’s going to happen?”

Hopkins understands. “We were helping [Dreamers] apply in general [before] and looking at all their paperwork and making sure that they were doing it correctly,” he said. “There were many folks who were concerned about whether applying would have negative implications for their parents who were here as undocumented citizens, so beyond just filling out a form for some it was just helping them walk thorough the process and the pros and cons.”

Our Dreamer said he sent his application in after the deadline and thinks he’s not qualified to renew anymore, but he sent it in anyway.

“It doesn’t hurt in trying, more than likely it would be rejected, but just in case it doesn’t, I attempted it,” he told me. “If it’s rejected more than likely I have to seek legal counsel to see what other options are available to me.

Worst comes to worst I would probably be moving back to my home country.”

Feldman said she believes Dreamers are not the only beneficiaries of the program. “It has pumped up the economy,” she explained.

“People have been doing their taxes, and it has created a higher educated and harder working youth. In general, I believe pretty much everybody benefits from DACA.”

Still, both she and our Dreamer see it as a temporary solution. “The administration ... said that during these six months they expect Congress to either offer an alternative to DACA or change the law because Congress is the one who is supposed to change or make immigration law,” she explained.

Our Dreamer agreed DACA opened opportunities for him, “but ultimately it would be a better solution [for] new legislation to pass in favor of people like myself,” he said.

But he does worry about the “worst case scenario.” He said he hasn’t traveled back to Mexico in years. “I don’t really know what to expect over there,” he told me. “I don’t even really have any idea what it’s like over there, you know?”

For Hopkins, JFS’s mission is clear. “For most of our refugee work we really are moved by the notion of just welcoming the stranger,” he said. “We were once strangers. But with DACA actually – in Leviticus it says when a stranger resides with you in your land you shall not wrong him, and it actually goes on and says the stranger that resides with you shall be as one of your citizens and you shall love him for yourself ... So the [Dreamers] are really strangers who reside within our land, and they need to be treated like they’re one of us.”

For now the Dreamers must wait. Wait to see what Congress will do. Wait to see if their application is renewed.

And, if he had the chance, this is what our Dreamer would say to Trump: “I would say if there are others like me where they grew up here since they were children they basically are a part of this society and they’ve tried to make the most of it,” he said. “I’m sure a lot of them work here. I’m sure a lot of them study here, and they’re just trying to lead a normal life ... like the other people that they know ... who don’t have to deal with not having any legal permanence here in the United States. They just want to be included in the society, you know...completely.” A Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 55

FOOD

Jerusalem Artichoke Soup from Tori Avey

in the kitchen WITH TORI AVEY Tori Avey is an award-winning food writer, recipe developer, and the creator of the popular cooking website toriavey.com.

IKWTA

PHOTOS BY TORI AVEY

She writes about food history for PBS Food and Parade.com. Follow Tori on Facebook by searching for “Tori Avey” and on Twitter: @toriavey.

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE SOUP

D

uring a visit to Israel last autumn, I had dinner with our good friends Ido Aharoni and his wife, Julie Goodman Aharoni. For several years Ido was the Consulate General of Israel in New York. When he moved on from his ambassador post, the Aharoni family found a beautiful home just outside of Jerusalem. While visiting, my husband and I had the pleasure of enjoying a wonderful meal prepared by Julie and their daughter, Sharon. They began the meal with an amazing Jerusalem Artichoke soup. It had such a unique flavor that I knew immediately I wanted to share it with all of you. Julie generously sent me her deceptively simple method that delivers a rich, layered flavor.

Jerusalem artichokes, sometimes called sunchokes, have no connection to Jerusalem or to artichokes despite their name. They have an odd

56 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

shape that bears a slight resemblance to fresh ginger and are actually part of the sunflower family. Jerusalem artichokes are native to North America and were once a staple in Native American gardens. French explorer Samuel de Champlain happened upon them growing in a Native American garden during the early 1600s. When he tasted them, he noticed they had a flavor reminiscent of artichokes. When they first arrived in France, street vendors in Paris referred to them as topinambours, the French word for tubers.

They arrived in Italy sometime before 1633, and became known there as girasole, which translates to “turning toward the sun.” It is believed that the word girasole eventually evolved into “Jerusalem,” resulting in the name Jerusalem artichoke.

These tasty little tubers have experienced

times of popularity and decline throughout the years. They were once favored over potatoes in early 17th century France, until a rumor spread, blaming them as a cause of leprosy, possibly due to the texture of their outer skin resembling the effects of the disease. During times of famine, Jerusalem artichokes were often turned to for sustenance. The famous explorers Lewis and Clark ate them during their long expeditions.

A slight word of caution - Jerusalem artichokes contain inulin, a substance that can cause stomach sensitivity in some people. If you are inulin sensitive, or you just want to be safe, make sure you take a digestive enzyme before indulging in any Jerusalem artichoke recipe.

Julie garnished her soup with a sprinkle of chopped chestnuts and a drizzle of truffle oil, which was lovely. Chopped pistachios and a bit of chili-infused oil would also work well. Of course the soup is fantastic all on its own, without any additions. It’s a healthy, warming, nutritious and creamy soup without dairy. Enjoy!

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE SOUP INGREDIENTS 2 lbs Jerusalem artichokes (also known as sunchokes) 2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, minced 1 tsp minced garlic 2 1/2 cups vegetable stock (if not vegan or vegetarian, you may substitute chicken stock) 1 can full-fat coconut milk Salt and black pepper Pinch of cayenne Chopped chestnuts or chopped pistachios for garnish (optional) Flavored oil for garnish (optional - my friend Julie uses truffle oil) You will also need: vegetable peeler, soup pot, immersion blender Total Time: 30 min Servings: 4 Kosher Key: Pareve Peel the Jerusalem artichokes, then chop them into quarter-sized pieces. In a soup pot, heat up olive oil over medium heat. Saute minced onion until soft. Add the garlic and saute for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Add the chopped Jerusalem artichokes to the pot and cover with vegetable or chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Let the artichokes cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and tender.

Stir in the coconut milk and bring back to a low simmer. Stir in a pinch of cayenne, salt and pepper to taste (I use about 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper) Remove soup from heat. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup.

Garnish with chopped chestnuts or pistachios and a drizzle of truffle oil, if desired.

Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 57

ASK MARNIE

by Marnie Macauley

ADVICE asksadie@aol.com

Politically Speaking

S

halom, San Diegans: Among other similarities in our DNA, debate has a strand all by itself. (YMMm! for “You’re Making Me Meshuggeh!”). Show me one Jew who can’t do two hours on Hydrox vs. Oreos, Latke vs. Hamantash, never mind Israeli policy on everything from “When is steam kosher?” to a two-State solution to the Middle East conflict. Not only are we biologically programmed to open a “pisk” (mouth off ), We Jews have a lot to “pisk” about. And this past year, given the flagrantly peculiar players on the world stage, particularly our President, “pisking” has graduated to plotzing and punching. Our first query looks at political yin and yang. The second is what to do about fear-overload in children with a world in crisis.

MARNIE SAYS: For you, Blue, I thought. I questioned, I pondered. I role-played (with myself ) and, as a last resort, ate an entire cheesecake. And finally, thanks to my years of education and experience, not to mention the five extra pounds, I came up with the definitive answer. And, that definitive answer is ... it depends.

gest –“Sha!” Simply declare the whole topic off-limits. But with two intelligent Jews, “sha” would require a third person to apply enough super glue and masking tape on your mouths to build that wall around Mexico. Not only is it messy, but chances are you’d learn to mime your fury.

With all compatibility issues, there are two fundamental questions that can redlight, green-light or yes, yellow light a politically torn love connection.

1. Can a passionate Liberal and Conservative (whatever), or a candidate hater and lover co-exist and at what cost?

2. Ah, but there’s a more subtle issue: What does this passion mean about your deeply held, varying values?

“Politics” is more than lever-pulling. We need to ask ourselves, “What are our basic principles and how do they translate into living together!”

For example, does your Trumpeting love: think all that %(&*% talk about women is just alpha-male-speak? If so, and you fly into attack mode, your relationship will erode.

Other compatibility deal-breakers could include: right to life, stem-cell research, gender equality, crime, fiscal policy, health reform and immigration. *On the other hand, if you share basic principles, and he’s Trumpeting because he loathed the opposition and/or is committed to change – any change – you may find a basis for agreement.

If his terrific-ness outweighs his Trumpeting (and what it means) … compromise.

If, despite his terrific-ness, compromise would require bending so far backward you could touch your tailbone, say “Shalom” and hop a space shuttle. After all, how many times, can you or a partner hear “You’re a yutz!” and still feel that sizzle at the sound of your mate’s voice?

Getting It! Your Personal Political Relationship Strategy: Now, many an advice maven would sug-

Sane Strategies For Children During Tense Times Marnie: We have two children, age 10 and

The “Politics of Dating” “Marnie. I’ve been dating a man I thought was a terrific guy and we were headed toward a chassenah. When politics did come up, he said he was an Independent. Then came the presidential campaign and election. My bf suddenly became a Trumpnik.

I was raised as a strict Liberal Democrat.

Any other point of view was considered not only “un-American” but “un-Jewish.” Our arguments have gone beyond debates! On this, it’s war, and it’s affecting our relationship. He has so many great qualities, but I don’t know if I can get past this. What do you say?”

– Deeply Blue in San Diego

58 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

eight. Recently, with all the media talk of nuclear war, our 10-year-old in particular has expressed anxiety, especially as images of victims explode around them. How do we best handle this? – Anxious Parent of Anxious Children.

MARNIE SAYS: Picture it. Five-year-olds in kindergarten. When an alarm sounded our pretty sweet teacher, took on a purple hue, and yelled,z “Under your desks! Now!” At least one little girl, terrified, thought, “This pre-war desk is going to protect me if a bomb hits P.S. 158 in Queens?!” That was the drill during a similar time. To this day, instead of counting sheep to sleep, I count how many meals I could make with what I have in my closets during fall-out. I hope your children have better ways to sleep when they’re my age. Let’s look.

Getting It: Strategies ... of Hope Very young children: As adults, we can’t process what’s real and what’s not. One photo is worth a 1000 nightmares. Block out the mega-explosion of 24/7 news and images about war.

Older children: Remember that paper thingy that smelled of ink smudged at the touch and was handy when making French fries? How we miss them. Older children are better served by reading newspapers, which are generally less sensational and more fact-driven. More, you can monitor the source in advance.

Deal with news together. Be there to explain, ask and answer questions, and reassure your child.

Finally, in the wake of natural disasters, teach them empathy and ways they can help.

Rachmones is not only a requirement, but a positive way we can teach that, yes, we humans can exercise some control even in the worst of times. A

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? GOIN '?ON ??

WHAT'S

BY EILEEN SONDAK PHOTO COURTESY CITY BALLET

co from her Boston roots to international stardom. This moving tribute to the singer-songwriter will be ensconced at the Playhouse from Nov 7 through Dec. 17.

Lamb’s Players

The Lamb’s Players is reviving the down-home musical, “Smoke on the Mountain” through Nov. 19. The show abounds with blue grass, gospel and traditional songs.

PHOTO BY AARON RUMLEY

City Ballet Nutcracker

City Ballet

City Ballet will launch its 25th season Nov. 3 – 5 with a concert that features “The Firebird,” set to the stunning music of Igor Stravinsky. Also on the program is “Serenade,” a masterwork by the great Balanchine, “Ash,” choreographed by Peter Martins, and “Barber Adagio,” designed by Elizabeth Wistrich along the musical lines of a piece by Samuel Barber. The weekend concerts will be danced at the Spreckels Theatre.

North Coast Rep Of Mice and Men, From Lto R: Nicholas Mongiardo Cooper, Jacob Sidney

Coronado Playhouse

Coronado Playhouse will perform the San Diego premiere of “Fly by Night,” a show described as a “metaphysical musical.” This production opens on Nov. 10 and will remain on stage through Dec. 10.

Cygnet Theater

Cygnet Theater is featuring the San Diego premiere of “The Legend of Georgia McBride, a musical play about an unemployed Elvis impersonator who takes on another flamboyant character as a drag queen. The crowd-pleasing comedy, written by Matthew Lopez and directed by Sean Murray, will continue its run at the Old Town Theater through Nov. 12.

JCompany

JCompany Youth Theater will wind down its production of “The Lion King” on Nov. 5 at the JCC in La Jolla. This musical gem, directed by Joey Landwehr, should be a hit with the whole family – if you can still snare some seats.

La Jolla Music Society

La Jolla Music Society will be presenting pianist Yekwon Sunwoo at TSRI on Nov. 5, performing works by Mozart, Schubert, and Ravel.

On Nov. 11, pianist Richard Goode will perform a program that includes Bach, Schoenberg, Beethoven, and Chopin at Jacobs Qualcomm Hall.

La Jolla Playhouse

The La Jolla Playhouse is ready to unveil the world premiere of “The Donna Summer Musical,” directed by former artistic director Des McAnuff. This vibrant show chronicles the life of the Queen of Dis60 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

North Coast Rep

North Coast Repertory Theater is staging John Steinbeck’s masterpiece, “Of Mice and Men.” The seething drama about an unlikely friendship and the illusionary nature of dreams will stay on at NCR’s Solana Beach home through Nov. 12.

The Old Globe

The Globe’s Main Stage will greet the Grinch and his Who friends again on Nov. 4. Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” has been a family favorite for 20 years, and this production continues that wonderful holiday tradition. Take the kids to this musical delight through Dec. 24, and see the stage transformed into the snow-covered Whoville of the beloved fairytale. The Tree Lighting ceremony on the Plaza is slated for Nov. 12, and some of the cast of the “Grinch” appear for a free mini-performance.

The Old Globe and the University of San Diego Graduate Theater Program will be presenting Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” Nov. 11 – 19 at the White Theater.

San Diego Junior Theater

San Diego Junior Theater is presenting “Tuck Everlasting” through Nov. 12. This musical tale of an 11-year-old free spirit will be performed at the Casa del Prado in Balboa Park.

The newest exhibition at the Art Museum is “Modern Masters from Latin America: The Perez Simon Collection.” This show (opening Oct. 21) features 100 works by seminal figures, including Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Fernando Botero. These artworks will be on view through March 11, 2018.

PHOTO BY MATTHEW STAVER

Ride research vessel. It includes a 33-foot long projected triptych and hands-on learning opportunities.

The newest exhibition at the Birch is “Research in Action: 100 Island Challenge,” an exhibit that explores the way reefs are adapting to our rapidly changing planet.

Mingei

The San Diego Opera will perform at the Joan Kroc Theater for the first time on Nov. 11. “As One,” a piece composed by Laura Kaminsky, stars baritone Kelly Markgraf and mezzo-soprano Blythe Gaissert in a tale of discovery.

Mingei International Museum is showcasing “Homage to the Horse and Other Steeds,” an exhibition of objects celebrating the nobility and power of horses from all over the world. This exhibition will be on view through Nov. 12. Mingei’s newest exhibition, “Kantha --Recycled and Embroidered Textiles of Bengal,” will be ensconced through March 25, 2018. “Arline Fisch: One of a Kind,” a retrospective view of jewelry and other artforms designed by this San Diego resident, will be on display through Jan. 7, 2018. Also on exhibit is “Art of the Americas – Meso-American, Pre-Columbian Art from Mingei’s Permanent Collection.” That show will stick around through Feb. 18, 2018.

San Diego Rep

Museum of Contemporary Art

San Diego Opera

San Diego Repertory Theater continues to showcase Robert Askins’ “Hand to God” through Nov. 12. An innocent-looking puppet in an angst-ridden church youth group forms the basis of this black comedy, directed by Sam Woodhouse. It was a smash on Broadway, but be prepared for explicit language. The Lyceum Space is featuring “Black Pearl Sings,” a soulful play with music. It boasts a collection of rare folk songs and a storyline about two women tied together by their personal search for love and respect. You can see “Pearl” Nov. 22 through Dec. 17.

The Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla is closed for renovation and expansion, but the downtown facility is featuring “Dimensions of Black: A Collaboration with the San Diego African American Museum of Art.” The show is ensconced through next January.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SDMA

As One, L to R:Kelly Markgraf and Blythe Gaissert

San Diego Symphony

The San Diego Symphony will continue on Nov. 3 with Patti Austin singing a program of soul, pop and jazz classics. “Day of the Dead Concert” with Mexican singing icon Eugenia Leon is slated for Nov. 4, followed on Nov. 11 – 12 by “Fabulous France,” a concert conducted by Johannes Debus. Pianist Louis Lortie is guest artist, performing Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major.

Mark Stenz conducts a program that highlights Mozart’s Requiem and a Haydn Symphony Nov. 17 – 19. Four guest singers will perform. Jazz at the Jacobs is coming up on Nov. 25, featuring “The First Lady of Song: An Ella Fitzgerald Tribute.” On Nov. 28, the Chamber Music Series turns the spotlight on pianist Christopher O’Riley at TSRI to round out the month.

Birch Aquarium

Birch Aquarium is featuring “Hall of Fishes,” which is unlike any other exhibition in the history of the aquarium. It also serves as a working laboratory. Birch also has an installation on light by scientist Michael Latz, and an exhibition that helps you understand Scripps’ expeditions to discover and protect the planet. “Expedition at Sea” immerses you in the experience of life and work aboard the Sally

Perez Simon Collection exhibit SDMA. Kids learn about the lives of the artists in the Perez Simon Collection exhibit.

San Diego Museum of Art

The San Diego Museum of Art has opened its vaults to show off a treasure trove of artwork usually kept under lock and key. “Visible Vaults,” a collection of 300 pieces, including works by Andy Warhol, Rodin, Toulouse-Lautrec and other great artists, will be on view through Nov. 12 of next year.

Also on display at the Art Museum is “Brenda Biondo: Play,” an exhibition of 25 photographs focusing on children’s playgrounds.

The show will run through Jan. 10, 2018. “Reflections on Monet,” a small-scale exhibition that includes the famous Water Lily painting and one piece on loan from the Bloomberg Collection, will stay put through Jan. 21.

Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 61

news

The depiction of the Holocaust varies across media platforms and times with varying degrees of success at getting close to the truth.

In the lecture and discussion event “Tales Retold: Holocaust Survivors on Schindler’s Listwith Jeffrey Shandler,” Holocaust survivors discuss the actual rescue list, the depiction represented in the Steven Spielberg film and their own experiences. The event is lead by Jeffrey Shandler, a professor of Jewish Studies at Rutgers University, has written several books on Jewish history and religion and how it is and was represented by the media.

The event will take place on Nov. 15. At 5 p.m. in UC San Diego’s Geisel Library.

SAJAC honors four outstanding achievement winners at 30th Anniversary Gala SAJAC, the South African Jewish American Community celebrated its 30th Anniversary recently by honoring four outstanding members who have served local and global communities with excellence, devotion and un-matched commitment.

PHOTO BY ERNIE TYLER

Holocaust Survivors discuss Schindler’s List

SAJAC Achievement Awards winners from L to

The winners of the first ever SAJAC Out- R: Claire Ellman, Pam Nathan, Jeffrey Essakow’s standing Achievement Awards were daughter Nicole Ludwig, and Sharleen Claire Ellman, Jeffrey Essakow, Shar- Wollach. leen Wollach and Pam Nathan.

SAJAC honored these four worthy winners at their 30th Anniversary Gala, which was held in the atrium of the San Diego History Center as part of the yearlong exhibition of the History of Jews in San Diego. The evening was emceed by South African stand up comedian Gary Wolf and featured a welcome by SAJAC President Brian Marks.

The ceremony, which followed an outstanding kosher dinner, had a set format. Each awards winner was introduced by someone close to them who knew of their achievements.

Claire Ellman was introduced by her son Daniel; Jeffrey Essakow, who unfortunately could not attend the event, was introduced by his daughter Nicole Ludwig; Diane Marks Schachat introduced her sister Sharlene Wollach; and Pam Nathan was introduced by her grandson, Sky Frank.

As part of the celebration, the four recipients were also the first class to be enshrined in the SAJAC Circle of Fame.

The Winners! Claire Ellman’s selfless contribution to both San Diego and South African Jewry is legendary. Her quiet energy and dedication is felt by communities around the world.

Adopt a Family Foundation hosts a Holiday Boutique Check out a wide array of vendors selling clothing, jewelry, home decor, handbags, cosmetics, etc. while supporting families that are victims of terror in Israel. Shoppers can donate an item from the vendors as well as Channukah gifts for your own or adopted families. There will also be a book signing with Jake Heilbrunn and his memoir “Off the Beaten Trail.” The event will be held on Nov 30, 10 a.m. at the Morgan Run Club and Resort in Rancho Santa Fe. 62 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

As the co-founder of the Challenged Athletes Foundation, Jeff Essakow has dedicated his life to building a global organization that heals physically challenged people through sports.

His influence is felt in San Diego, Israel and the world.

Sharleen Wollach is one of those tireless workers that everyone wishes was part of their organization. Apart from her work with the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, she is the strength and backbone of multiple causes.

Finally, Pam Nathan has kept SAJAC alive for over 30 years. Often single-handedly, her tireless dedication has overcome overwhelming odds, helped the organization to thrive and become the model for community organizations throughout the country.

Each winner received a beautiful customized hand-crafted glass Hamsa, designed and made by renowned Israeli glass artist Ilanit Shalev.

SAJAC hopes to make this awards gala a regular event in the community schedule. Our publisher Mark Edelstein and creative director Derek Berghaus represented the San Diego Jewish Journal at the event.

MEETINGS AND EVENTS FOR JEWISH SENIORS On the Go Excursions Contact Jo Kessler (858) 637-7320 Nov. 5, 10:30 am. Enjoy a day out at the Carlsbad Village Faire. The Faire has over 850 vendors selling clothes, plants, household products, art, antiques and home decor. The Fair will also feature more than 50 booths in the food court.

Bus returns at 2:30 p.m.

College Singing Competition to Benefit Hillel is Seeking Audition Tapes Campus SuperStar, a singing competition for college students in San Diego County, is now open for online auditions. The competition benefits Hillel of San Diego and has contestants sing with a live band in front of a live audience. Judges will determine the top three finalists, but fans vote online for the 1 st prize winner who takes home $5,000. The finale is on March 18 at the Auditorium at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla. For more information on auditions or tickets, visit campussuperstarsd.org.

Tikkun Olam Awards Seeking Nominations for Exceptional Jewish Teens The Tikkun Olam Awards are entering their 12th year of recognizing up to 15 Jewish teens with $36,000 towards their project or education. Past awardees have taken on projects to address homelessness, rare diseases, food insecurity, and social and economic inequalities. Teachers, Rabbis or anyone interested in nominating a teen for their humanitarian efforts are encouraged to apply. To learn more or to start the application process, visit dillerteenawards.org. The deadline for nominations is Dec 18.

Learn About Genetic Diseases in People of Jewish Heritage with Seymour Packman, MD* Did you know that nearly one out of every two persons of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage is a carrier of at least one of 38 genetic diseases? To learn more, attend an educational program on November 28, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, where Dr. Seymour Packman will discuss the most common genetic diseases affecting people of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, how the diseases are inherited, and the role of genetic screening.

There is no charge for this event but an R.S.V.P. is required. A Kosher meal will be served. Please call 877-761-7927 to register. This program is sponsored by Shire and is not intended for health care professionals. * Speaker is a paid consultant of Shire.

Lawrence Family JCC Contact Melanie Rubin (858) 362-1141 Nov. 10, 10:30 a.m.

Middle East Update with Dan Schwimmer, $6.

Jewish War Veterans of San Diego, Post-185 Contact Jerome Klein at (858) 521-8694 Nov. 11, 10 a.m.

Veterans Association of North County, Post-385 Contact Marsha Schjolberg (760) 492-7443 Jewish War Veterans meetings Nov. 11, 11 a.m.

JFS College Avenue Center at Temple Emanu-El Contact Elissa Landsman (858) 637-3273 Nov. 16, 10:30.

Art Show and Craft Fair will feature works from the watercolor, drawing, photography and crafts class as well as the knitting group. The artists and craftsmen will be selling their work.

North County Jewish Seniors Club at theOceanside Senior Center Contact Josephine at (760) 295-2564 Nov. 18, 12:30 p.m.

JFS Balboa Ave. Older Adult Center Contact Aviva Saad (858) 550-5998 Nov. 22, 10 a.m. The Jewish Family Service of Balboa Avenue is celebrating Thanksgiving with entertainment from Michael Sinatra.

Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 63

Gal Gadot Returns in “Justice League” ‘

W

onder Woman is back. Gal Gadot, the former Israeli beauty queen, has been having a banner year. Gadot introduced her Wonder Woman character in 2016’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” a part for which she received high marks.

Her movie “Wonder Woman,” which came out in June, further introduced her to American audiences. The blockbuster was the hit of the summer and since then she has been on an upswing, doing everything from “The Tonight Show” to hosting “Saturday Night Live” to attending the United Nations to mark Wonder Woman’s status as an “Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment for Women and Girls.”

While hosting “Saturday Night Live” the first weekend in October, Gadot talked about coming from Israel and joked about her Israeli accent, saying, “obviously I’m not from here – I’m from Albuquerque.” Gadot, who is actually from Petah Tikva, then turned to the camera to speak to her family back in Israel in Hebrew – with English subtitles.

“Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know that this might be a big mistake,” she said in Hebrew. “The writers here clearly know nothing about Israel. In every sketch they have me eating hummus. I mean, I like hummus, but come on. They’re nice, but they’re not very sophisticated. I think they believe that I’m the actual Wonder Woman. So in short, wish me luck.” It was the first time “Saturday Night Live” was actually broadcast live in Israel.

This November, Gadot will costar in her third Marvel superhe-

64 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

ro movie: “Justice League” alongside Ben Affleck, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher and Ezra Miller. Batman (played by Affleck) brings together a team of superheroes that includes Wonder Woman, The Flash, Cyborg and Aquaman against Steppenwolf, the leader of the parademons.

Gadot, a former model, won the Miss Israel competition at the age of 18. The granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, the 32-year-old has said she was brought up in a “very Jewish, Israeli family environment.”

She later starred in the Israeli TV drama “Bubot” about the intrigue of the modeling world. She then landed a part in “Fast &Furious,” the fourth film in the muscle car racing franchise.

She also reprised the role in the next three installments of the series. After landing roles in “Date Night,” “Knight and Day” and the Israeli film “Kicking Out Shoshana,” she got the part of Wonder Woman, solidifying her place on the American cultural landscape. After “Justice League” opens on November 17, Gadot is slated to star in “Wonder Woman 2,” set to come out in 2020 and “Justice League Part 2.” A

SYNAGOGUE LIFE

EVENTS JLI: Great Debates in Jewish History with Chabad of East County Nov 1, 10am, 7pm., 7624 Rowena St, San Diego, CA, 92119 Explore six fundamental conflicts that Jewish minds have debated for thousands of years. This six week course follows the history, and political and ethical components of the debates. The first class is free, each following class is $89. Go to www.jewishec.com for more information.

Reset, Reboot, Renew with Beth Israel Nov 3, 6:15 p.m., 9001 Towne Centre Dr, San Diego, CA 92122 Rabbi Laura Geller will share her insights on how Jewish tradition and new forms of Jewish community can enrich healthy active adults in the 50-70 age range. Go to www.cbisd.org for more information.

Wine & Wisdom Series with Temple Adat Shalom Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m., 15905 Pomerado Rd, Poway, CA 92064 Enjoy some nice wines with friends and Jewish topics of conversation. The first gathering will feature “Wines of Napa Valley with a Jewish Connection.”

Go to www.adatshalom.com for more information.

Beth Am Cafe Nov 4, 7 p.m., 5050 Del Mar Heights Road, San Diego, CA, 92130. Beth Am is kicking off the movies for the year with “This Is Where I Leave You”, a comedy drama about four grown siblings reuniting to sit shiva for their father who passed away. Tina Fey, Jason Bateman and Jane Fonda star. Go to betham.com for more information.

Women of TEE Artisan Festival with Temple Emanu-El Nov 5, 9am. 6299 Capri Drive, San Diego, CA, 92120 This festival will feature wares ranging from pottery,

mosaics, jewelry, glass and wood. There will be an opportunity drawing of donated works and a silent auction. Go to www.teesd.org for more information.

Foodies at the Farm with Kahal Am Nov 5, 10am. 441 Saxony Road, Encinitas, CA, 92024 Joing the Kahal Am congregation as they make a trip out to Coastal Roots Farm in Encinitas. Enjoy some good food and fresh air. Go to www.kahalam.org for more information. *Interested in having your event featured?

Contact assistant@sdjewishjournal.com. Submissions are due by 15th of the month for the next issue.

Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 65

Cantor Deborah Davis

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619 981 4704

raulontiveros68@gmail.com www.coldwellbankerroyalrealty.com

Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 67

TAKE BACK YOUR LIFE AM ISRAEL MORTUARY We Are San Diego’s ONLY All-Jewish Mortuary Serving the community for over 38 years.

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Proudly Serving Jewish Families For Over 38 Years.

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Family Owned and Operated for Three Generations.

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Serving all Jewish Families, Orthodox, Conservative, Reform.

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Affiliated or Unaffiliated with a Synagogue.

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We can assist with At-need or Pre-need funeral planning. Purchasing cemetery plots or burial arrangements anywhere.

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We are here to help, call or email with any questions.

(619) 583-8850

6316 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego

Michael S. Duffy, D.O.Medical Director 858-263-9700 At Pacific Bay Recovery, we specialize in compassionate treatment and personalized rehabilitation for individuals struggling from substance abuse disorders and/or chronic pain. With our assistance, you can take back your life!

For a list of currents services and additional info:

www.amisraelmortuary.com Members of the JFDA- Jewish funeral directors of America, KAVOD - (Independent/Family owned Jewish funeral directors) Consumer Affairs Funeral and Cemetery division CA, Lic. #FD-1320

www.pacificbayrecovery.com Serving Southern California

1501 Fifth Ave., Ste. 201, San Diego, Ca. 92101

Lic # 370136AP.

SAN DIEGO JEWISH COMMUNITY OBITUARIES Pacific Bay Recovery_0417_.25.indd 1 Arrangements

by Am Israel Mortuary

ALL SERVICES ALREADY HELD

Evelyn Saichek - La Jolla , CA 11/25/1924 - 08/01/2017 Survivors: Daughter - Bonnie Saicheck, & Sons- Thomas & Brad Saicheck Deborah Pomeranz - Cardiff By The Sea, CA 03/29/1961 - 08/04/2017 Survivors: Husband - Gary Cohn & Daughter - Rachel Pomeranz Jacobo Bemaras - Chula Vista, CA 02/10/1942 - 08/04/2017 Survivors: Wife - Heda Bemaras, & Sons - Jaime & Eli Bemaras Blossom Berger - Santee, CA 06/22/1925 - 08/04/2017 Survivors: Daughter- Barbara Guild John Ward - Encinitas, CA 11/05/1947 - 08/06/2017 Survivors: Wife - Monica LoebelWard & Son - Eric Ward Bernard Cohen - San Diego, CA 10/06/1913 - 08/07/2017 Survivors: Daughters - Cathy & Rona Cohen

Sergey Zamd - Oceanside, CA 09/16/1961 - 08/07/2017 Survivors: Wife - Marina Zamd, & Daughter - Victoria Zamd

Leonard Jacobson - Santa Ana, CA 08/08/1919 - 08/12/2017 Survivors: Sons- Frank, Bob, Steven & David Jacobson

George Benedict - San Diego, CA 01/06/1922 - 08/08/2017 Survivors: Wife - Rainey Benedict, Daughters - Cheyann & Elizabeth Benedict & Sons - Laurel, Jon & William Benedict

Alan Green - San Diego, CA 01/29/1923 - 08/15/2017 Survivors: Daughters - Judy Crippen & Amy Seropian

Yuriy Neytman - San Diego, CA 01/10/1947 - 08/09/2017 Survivors: Wife - Svetlana Neytman & Daughters - Marina & Lena Neytman Marilyn Moss - San Diego, CA 10/30/1926 - 08/10/2017 Survivors: Sons- Howard & Ron Moss

Lewis Rubin - Encinitas, CA 03/15/1924 - 08/15/2017 Survivors: Daughters- Karen Rubin & Cindy Murro, Son Harvey Rubin & 2 Grandchildren Phyllis Bender - La Mesa, CA 11/14/1949 - 08/17/2017 Survivors: Mother - Marian Maisel & Brother - Mark Maisel

Stefanie Lauer - New Paltz, NY 04/28/1928 - 08/10/2017 Survivors: Son - Michael Lauer

Etta Schankerman - San Diego, CA 01/05/1918 - 08/19/2017 Survivors: Sons - Mark & Michael Schankerman, 3 Grandchildren & 3 Great-Grandchildren

Elaine Wadler - Escondido, CA 11/28/1943 - 08/11/2017 Survivors: Nephew - Howard Rubin

Marjorie Stein - San Diego, CA 12/17/1935 - 08/22/2017 Survivors: Daughter - Laura, Their Sons - Dave Sykes, Dale & Mark

68 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

5/24/17 8:53 A

Stein , 6 Grandchildren & 1 GreatGrandchild Harvey Hersh - Carlsbad, CA 02/14/1916 - 08/22/2017 Survivors: Son - Jeffrey Hersh Khaya Kagan - La Mesa, CA 04/19/1923 - 08/25/2017 Survivors: Sons - Iosif Kogan, Boris & Ilya Kagan, 5 Grandchildren & 5 GreatGrandchildren Richard Rosenberg - San Diego, CA 11/22/1926 - 08/26/2017 Survivors: Wife - Esther Rosenberg, Daughters - Dr. Dianne Moores , Anne Celeste & Trisanne Berger & 4 Grandchildren Adelaide Guzick - La Mesa, CA 09/19/1916 - 08/29/2017 Survivors: Daughters - Jan Landau & Elizabeth Goldstein, Son Michael Guizick, 7 Grandchildren & 8 Great-Grandchildren

ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH CARING FOR A LOVED ONE WITH DEMENTIA?

WE CAN HELP.

ADULT DAY PROGRAMS Consider a specialized adult day program in a safe, family-like environment with highly-trained staff.

SUPPORT GROUPS Attend one of our professionallyfacilitated support groups with free respite care provided.

CHULA VISTA 619-420-1703

ENCINITAS 760-635-1895

HILLCREST 619-543-4704

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Coming in 2018…

www.glenner.org

SUPPORT OFFICE 619-543-4700

A one-of-a-kind experience featuring a replica 1950s San Diego-themed indoor immersive city environment offering adult day programs featuring Reminiscence Therapy.

COMMUNITY RESOURCE HOTLINE:

800-736-6674

George G. Glenner Azheimer’s Family Centers, Inc.® is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.

Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 69

70 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017

Cheshvan • Kislev 5778 | SDJewishJournal.com 71

Join us at the Shalom Institute 2017 Gala as we Honor San Diego’s Finest

Linda and Michael Bennett

Adam Weiss

Marla Bennett Inspiration Award

Rae and David Finegood Leadership Award

Arthur Pinchev

Also Honoring

Director, Sherut L’Olam: Teen Leadership and Advocacy Program

Vision Award

Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 6:30 pm Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles Sponsors

Thank you to our Gala 2017 Sponsors*

Silver Sponsors

Cornerstone OnDemand Art Friedman Gosia Szymanska Weiss & Adam Weiss Andrea Spatz & Robert Wunderlich

Lara Alexander Abell & David Abell Gayle Goldman & Jason Barkham Jennifer & Gil Breakman Laura & Larry Cohen Kena & Ben Efraim

Bronze Sponsors

Andrea Sherman & Douglas B. Adler Lisa Bennett Nies, Linda & Michael Bennett The Gill Family Annette & Alan Leve Jody & Dennis Moss

Table Sponsors

Fisher & Phillips, LLP & Galpin Ford Natalie & Jonathan Gerber Sonia Kallen & Mick Horwitz Lurie, Zepeda, Schmalz, Hogan & Martin

Simonne & Ari Moss Larraine & Clive Segil Sylvia Martin Stone & Daniel Stone Alejandra & David Thorpe Bari & Art Verity

gala@shalominstitute.com • 818.889.5500 • www.shalominstitute.com 34342 Mulholland Highway, Malibu, CA 90265 Shalom Institute is an independent 501(c)3 organization.

Federal tax ID 84-1652923, and is a beneficiary of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. *as of October 9, 2017 72 SDJewishJournal.com l November 2017