SJL New Orleans, January 2014 by Southern Jewish Life

Jewish Film Festivals in region

A Wise ﬁrst gift

Columbus Museum’s Jewish history exhibit

Southern Jewish Life Israelis share emergency expertise in New Orleans

New Orleans Edition

January 2014 Volume 24 Issue 1

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Recently, the owner of a Colorado bakery was found guilty of discrimination by a court after he refused to bake a cake for a same-sex couple that was planning a wedding. Though he had reportedly once baked a cake for a “wedding” ceremony for two dogs, he said gay weddings were against his religious beliefs. Anti-discrimination laws have been put into place because generations ago, there was a widespread practice of denying service to whole classes of people. Jews and blacks often were excluded from hotels, and we all know about Jim Crow and “whites only” establishments throughout the South. Such discrimination is now illegal in a wide range of businesses. Now, the proliferation of same-sex marriage is testing the boundary between public accommodation and the rights of individual freedom. Some say that acknowledging same-sex marriage goes against their religious beliefs. A similar controversy involves certain mandates for business health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Are anti-discrimination laws needed in the current climate? Today, if a restaurant owner decided he didn’t want to serve blacks, that would swiftly be corrected by societal pressure. Just ask Cracker Barrel, Denny’s or Shoney’s about that. In the 21st century, not serving blacks at a restaurant seems extreme and bizarre. How things change. If an establishment did not want to accommodate Jews, I’d be more than happy to take my money elsewhere (Hobby Lobby, anyone?) Why any gay couple would want to support a bakery whose owner considered them an abomination is mystifying. Rather than force someone to go against their beliefs, whether or not you believe them to be misguided, just let it be known that a particular place has those views. The market will respond. Where should the boundary between competing rights be drawn? Nobody can force a Conservative or Orthodox synagogue to host an interfaith wedding in its sanctuary. Religious institutions have some level of doctrinal protection that a bakery does not have. Closer to home, and also involving a private business, this magazine reserves the right to reject advertisements. On rare occasion, “messianic” organizations have asked to run ads for their events, and of course we refuse based on religious grounds. In a free society, when a couple has the choice of where to do business, is it worth it for the government to mandate that a business owner go against his beliefs? Which is the greater societal good? And is there really a large percentage of establishments that would refuse to do business with a same-sex couple? What if a gay couple owned a bakery and they were approached to do catering for one of these “ministries” that claim they can “change” gay people “back” into heterosexuals? Should they be able to refuse? Perhaps one day that Colorado bakery owner will have an awakening and soften his stance toward those who are different. Lawsuits and forced accommodation are not likely to accomplish that.

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Publisher/Editor: Day School in Metairie Lawrence M. Brook, editor@sjlmag.com collected cans

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New Orleans Bureau: Chanukah. On Nov. Alan Smason, alan@dsjv.com 27, a representative of Cait Muldoon, Gail Naron Chalew Second Harvest Food

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and spoke with students about the hunger issue specific to the New Orleans area.

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Deep South, to tell you the fascinating stories of onecommunities another, andoftothe Deep South, to Philosophy: To link the Jewish document andofpreserve the news tell you the fascinating stories one another, andof to document and preserve theevents news and large all anda small, largeevents and small, part ofall a part of the rich culture ofthe Southern Jewry. rich culture of Southern Jewry.

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Carol Wise and family with author Cornell Landry (right). New book for Touro babies: On Dec. 16, the Touro Infirmary Foundation hosted the launch of “Oh, Touro Baby, All The Things You Will See” at Octavia Books, part of a literacy initiative for the community. Written by “Goodnight NOLA” author Cornell Landry and illustrated by Sean Gautreaux, the book was funded by the Richard Wise Memorial Fund. According to the New Orleans Public Library Foundation, the rate of functional illiteracy in New Orleans is 44 percent. For that reason, Carol Wise and Touro’s Richard Wise Memorial Fund wanted to ensure that each of the over 3,000 babies estimated to be delivered at Touro in 2014 will all receive a copy of the book, to encourage literacy. “This is a tremendous gift not only to Touro, but to our entire community,” Touro Infirmary Foundation Director Shon Baker said. “We are extremely grateful to the Wise family for their generosity and thoughtfulness.” For those who are not expecting this year, the book may also be purchased at Octavia Books, Maple Street Books, Garden District Books, and Barnes and Noble.

On Dec. 4, Uptown Chabad had a Celebrity Latke Cookoff, featuring Alon Shaya and Phillip Mariano of Domenica, Daniel Esses of Three Muses, and Zev Attias and Gershon Schreiber. The team of Zev and Gershon won by “a very narrow margin.” NOLA

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January 2014

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NCJW honoring Cowens: The New Orleans Section of the National Council of Jewish Women will honor Marjorie and Scott Cowen as the 2014 Hannah Solomon Award recipients. The luncheon will be held at the Hilton Riverside on Feb. 3 at noon. A reception with a cash bar will begin at 11:30 a.m. The Cowens arrived in New Orleans in 1998 as Scott Cowen became the 14th president of Tulane University. Marjorie Cowen is Tulane’s senior advisor for external affairs. Prior to coming to Tulane, she was executive director of external relations and administration at the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University. She has served on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, Touro Synagogue, New Orleans Museum of Art, the Sophie Newcomb Dean’s Advisory Board, Prospect 1, the School of Liberal Arts Dean’s Advisory Board, NCJW and the Cowen Institute at Tulane University. Scott Cowen, who plans to retire this summer, was named one of the nation’s top 10 best college presidents by Time magazine and in 2012 was named chair of the Association of American Universities. He is also the recipient of The TimesPicayune’s Loving Cup, which each year honors a New Orleanian who has worked unselfishly for the community without expectation of recognition or material reward. He has been honored by New Orleans CityBusiness as one of the 30 “Driving Forces” in New Orleans in the last 30 years and by Gambit as New Orleanian of the Year in 2011. Since his arrival, Tulane has more than quadrupled its undergraduate applications while experiencing all-time highs in student quality. In addition, Tulane has more than doubled the level of total private giving to the university and received a record level of research awards. He also navigated the challenge of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which wiped out the fall semester. Under his guidance, a recovery plan was put in place and the campus

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Front Porch opened in January 2006 with 87 percent of undergraduates returning. In June 2008, Cowen announced the successful completion of “Promise and Distinction: The Campaign for Tulane,” which exceeded its $700 million goal, making it the largest university fundraising effort in the

Celebrating Chanukah with Rosh Ha’Ayin: Students of Community Day School, the Jewish day school of Greater New Orleans, bridged time and distance with digital tools to celebrate Chanukah with school children in New Orleans’ Partnership2Gether city, Rosh Ha’ayin. “It was really cool,” said Penina Berman, a fourth grader. “We all lit the candles and sang together.” “I liked seeing all the kids,” said first grader Sam Shaya. “It was almost night there, but it was morning here,” observed Opal Radding. Opal’s class has also been Above: Tyler Kilburn lights the candles. Below: Hebrew taught geography by a teacher in teacher Mery Beit Halachmi, Rosh Ha’ayin delegate Avi Israel using digital technology to Kagen and New Orleans Partnership2Gether co-chair create a real-time distance learning Lis Kahn distribute gifts. experience. “Our school is committed to 21st century education,” said Head of School Sharon Pollin. “We use digital tools to communicate, collaborate and foster understanding. Celebrating together helped children in New Orleans and in Rosh Ha’ayin realize that though we may be physically far apart, we share many things in common, including the holiday of Chanukah.” Parents and board members were also in attendance, as were representatives of Rosh Ha’Ayin who were in town for the New Orleans/ Israel Partnership in Emergency Response and Medicine. “It was actually very that students of Community Day School emotional,” remarked Rosh Ha’ayin delegation will partner with a school for academic member Lt. Col. Danny Shani. “I’m not a big collaboration, and a youth center for sharing cryer, but this brought tears to my eyes.” holidays. Last year, the New Orleans City Council After each school had lit their menorah, formally recognized the special relationship children in New Orleans and in Rosh Ha’ayin between the Jewish Federation of Greater New sang Chanukah songs together, and gifts Orleans and the Israeli city of Rosh Ha’ayin and were exchanged. “We received special Israeli established the Partnership2Gether platform dreidels from them, and they got dreidels and as a model for sister city relationships. Lis drawings from us,” said Pollin. Kahn, co-chair of the local partnership, has “We are excited to continue our connection many exciting ideas for making meaningful with the children from Rosh Ha’ayin,” noted connections during the coming year, including CDS Hebrew teacher Mery Beit Halachmi. bringing teachers from Israel to learn with and “We’ll celebrate many holidays together and our children can’t wait to see their new friends from New Orleans educators. Avi Kagen of Partnership2Together is happy again.” NOLA

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history of Louisiana. Upon the completion of a comprehensive university-wide planning process in 2012, he launched a $1 billion campaign to support the university’s longterm future. Reservations for the lunch are $60 per person and are due by Jan. 24.

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Front Porch JNOLA will have its anniversary gala, celebrating one year since several Jewish young adult and newcomer groups in New Orleans merged. The party will be Jan. 11 at the Theatre at Harrah’s, starting at 7 p.m. There will be an open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $20 in advance. JNOLA is open to members of the New Orleans Jewish community ages 21 to 45.

and space is limited. A sliding fee scale, based on income, is available for this program. Contact Rachel Lazarus Eriksen, LCSW, for more information at (504) 831-8475.

Check-in begins at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person and include snacks and drinks throughout the afternoon. Prizes are awarded to the top three scorers. Additionally, Patron Jewish community organizations in New and Maven level sponsors will be entered into Orleans are teaming up to “repair the a drawing for a special prize. Registration world in 5774” with an initiative to benefit forms are available at nojcc.org. Touro Synagogue will have a musical Second Harvest Food Bank. The goal is to collect 5774 pounds of food before Passover. program following Shabbat services on Collection sites are being established at partner Jan. 10, “Come Rain or Shine: The institutions in the community, coordinated by Wonderful Songs of Harold Arlen.” the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans. There will be a presentation by music historian Canned and non-perishable food items should George Dansker. Guest musicians will be Taylor Miller, baritone; JeAnne Moniz Swinley, be brought to the “5774” boxes. The winter Harriet W. Kugler Memorial soprano and Jesse Reeks on piano. Services Mah Jongg Tournament will be held Jan. are at 6 p.m.

New Girl Power sessions are currently in formation. Girl Power is a self-esteem and social skills group coordinated through Jewish Family Service of New Orleans and is open to girls ages 8 to 14. Participants are taught how to deal with stress and anxiety, make positive choices, communicate their feelings, handle peer pressure and bullying and encourage 12 at the Uptown Jewish Community Center. Registration is now open for the second positive friendships. Pre-registration is required annual IBERIABANK Uptown Classic 5K and Family Fun Run, presented by the JCC on Feb. 16. The new race follows a scenic route along Prytania to Audubon Park and back to the Uptown JCC. A post-race party sponsored by Winn-Dixie features food, refreshments and entertainment for all ages. Aside from individual registration, there is now a family option. Anshe Sfard continues its series of Shabbat morning speakers this month. The talks follow the 9:15 a.m. service and precede a luncheon. On Jan. 4, Brian Horowitz, Sizeler Family Chair of Jewish Studies at Tulane University, will speak about, “Who was Vladimir Jabotinsky? The 15 Minute Story about Zionist Monism.” On Jan. 11, L.J. Goldstein will speak about the founding of Krewe du Jieux and Jewish Mardi Gras.

Ramah Darom in Clayton, Ga., will have its first-ever Shabbat Unplugged, the weekend of March 7. The no-texting or Tweeting Shabbat experience will include programs and services, a Purimpalooza party on Saturday night, “five-star seasonal Kosher cuisine,” hotel accommodations and regular camp-style activities. The early bird discount is $75 per person through Feb. 7. Final registration is due March 3. The National Association for Temple Administration announced that it will hold its 2014 annual convention in New Orleans, Nov. 8 to 12. The 2013 conference was held in October in Dallas. Founded in 1941, NATA is the professional organization for those who serve Reform Synagogues as executives, administrators, or managers. The organization has more than 400 members from the United States, Australia, Canada and Great Britain.

January 2014

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Front Porch Notable start for Crayne baby: Just hours after the opening of the Ochsner Baptist Women’s Pavilion on Dec. 1, Scott Stafford Crayne became the first baby born at the new facility in New Orleans. The parents, Courtney and Randy Crayne, were thrilled at the designation, saying the “little guy was especially excited because now he has a claim to fame!” Born at 4:43 p.m., he weighed seven pounds and five ounces and was 20.5 inches long. To commemorate the first baby, Ochsner Baptist CEO Dawn Anuszkiewicz presented the Crayne family with a basket full of New Orleans gifts and gift certificates from local stores including donations from community partners Audubon Institute, Nola Baby & Family, Elmwood Fitness Center and Ochsner Baptist’s new baby store, O Baby!. A native of Metairie, Courtney Crayne is in the Tulane-Ochsner Pediatric Residency program after graduating from the University of Alabama School of Medicine. Randy Crayne is a Birmingham native who started RSC Properties, a real estate company. Women of Reform Judaism honor Metairie, Jackson congregations: Gates of Prayer in Metairie was recognized with a Gold Or Ami award from the Women of Reform Judaism at this year’s Reform movement biennial in San Diego. The Or Ami “Light of My People” Awards for Special Achievement honor sisterhoods and districts undertaking distinctive and significant social justice programs, community service, or educational projects. There were six gold winners selected from 66 applicants. Lynn Magid Lazar, immediate past WRJ president, said “these programs represent WRJ’s continued commitment to tikkun olam (repairing the world) for the past 100 years and they will ensure that commitment will continue for the next 100 years and beyond.” Gates of Prayer was recognized for “S.O.S. Saving Our Sisterhoods.” Chaired by Lisa Dayan, the Passover effort involved members in making special Passover foods that were sold in the community as a fundraiser. All funds raised were used to provide financial support to a WRJ women’s group that might not be able to maintain its WRJ affiliation for economic reasons and so that they can attend a WRJ conference to sustain a meaningful connection with WRJ. Beth Israel in Jackson received an honorable mention Epstein Communicate Award for programming, for Volunteer Appreciation Shabbat. As Rebecca Laskin noted, these Shabbat services honor two or three exceptional volunteers. Their volunteer service is detailed in the service brochure and they speak for about five minutes during the service. The services are scheduled with an eye toward Torah portions that have to do with service or volunteerism. Temple Israel in Memphis received an honorable mention Belin Outreach and Membership Award.

BUSINESS SMARTS. LIBERAL ARTS SAVVY.

A POWERFUL COMBINATION.

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January 2014

ADL honors former regional director Cathy Glaser In addition to presenting two Torch of Liberty Awards at this year’s A.I. Botnick Dinner on Dec. 5, the South-Central region of the Anti-Defamation League recognized Cathy Glaser for her service as regional director. Glaser stepped down last summer after serving as director since 2001. The region consists of Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. Judy Barrasso and Brent Barriere presented the award to Kim Boyle, and Ina and Richard Davis made the presentation to and Ana and Juan Gershanik. Joy Braun spoke about Glaser’s tenure, referring to the evening’s theme of “ADL 100: Imagine a World Without Hate.” “We in the South-Central region dare to imagine a world without hate because we have had Cathy Glaser as our regional director… and visionary for the last 12 years,” Braun said. At ADL, “she has shone as brightly as a fully lighted Chanukiah.” Since retiring, Glaser said she has had time

January 2014

to reflect on her tenure. She recalled the training session during her first week on the job, and about the work of the “legendary” A.I. Botnick, and then Jerry Himmelstein in the decades before her tenure. “I realized I had really big shoes to fill,” she observed. After the events of Sept. 11, 2011, she realized “the legacy of this office would be education.” Glaser observed, “Anti-Semites, racists and bigots are not born. They are made, and the antidote… is education.” A New Orleans native, Boyle returned to the city after graduating from the University of Virginia School of Law. She was the first African-American woman to serve as president of the Louisiana Bar Association, and the first African-American president of the New Orleans Bar Association. She has devoted thousands of hours to groups that fight discrimination, headed the

Cathy Glaser addresses the crowd

New Orleans Court Appointed Special Advocates for children who have been abused or neglected, and was co-chair of the NO/AIDS Task Force. She praised Botnick, who died in 1995, for continuing to fight hate. “Despite the threats to his life, he persisted,” she noted. Now, though, courts and legislatures are eradicating “many of the hard-fought gains” of the civil rights movement, she warned. The Gershaniks have served on dozens of boards in New Orleans. Natives of Argentina, they came to the United States in 1966 and New Orleans in 1979 after a time in Shreveport. He is medical director of newborn services at West Jefferson Medical Center and clinical professor of pediatrics at Tulane. She is an award-winning columnist for the TimesPicayune and a gifted pianist and singer. Ana Gershanik said “One of my best memories is celebrating Passover at my grandparents’ home. That’s when I made a promise to Left, Kim Boyle is presented with the Torch God that I would always work to ensure freeof Liberty Award. Above, Ana and Juan dom and peace for all mankind and try to help all who were suffering from bondage.” Gershanik are honored.

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Israelis help New Orleans prepare for the unthinkable Partnership seeks to expand ties with Rosh HaʼAyin, promote medical collaboration After four days of joint sessions between Israeli and New Orleans medical and emergency experts, Avi Rivkind had a confession. The head of the department of general surgery and the shock trauma unit at Hadassah Hospital said “I want to say we learned. For an Israeli to admit to learning something is difficult.” Nine experts from Israel came to New Orleans for the New Orleans/Israel Partnership on Emergency Response and Medicine, a week of meetings with counterparts from a wide range of hospitals and medical centers in the New Orleans area. Norman McSwain, who developed an emergency management system for New Orleans and is the only person in the history of the American College of Surgeons to receive all five of the major trauma awards, noted the difference in experiences between the two groups. “We have learned from our Israeli partners a lot about a fast disaster, and I hope we’ve  been able to share a little information about

a slow disaster,” McSwain said. A fast disaster, such as a terror attack, comes without warning, while a slow disaster like a hurricane generally comes with a few days of advance notice for preparation. The partnership grew out of discussions between the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and Bill Hines of the Jones Walker law ﬁrm. Michael Weil, executive director of the Federation, said “We started our conversations just over 2 years ago.” Hines was involved in nuAvi Rivkind and Norman McSwain reflect on the week’s merous initiatives to bring back events and discuss future collaboration. New Orleans post-Katrina and learned of the Federation’s eﬀorts to rebuild conference, “Bill immediately jumped up and the Jewish community and attract newcomers. said that’s something we’d like to do.” They met to have a “more formalized” partRosh Ha’Ayin is the New Orleans Federanership. Weil said “when we told him about tion’s Partnership2Gether community, and the partnership with Rosh Ha’Ayin and men- some of the Israelis who attended NIPERM tioned this idea” of an emergency response live there.

The amazing story of Golda Meir. 

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January 2014

Hines noted that as a member of neither the medical nor Jewish communities he was “here to basically facilitate.” “I’ve never seen a terror attack but I’ve seen a lot of bad things happen in New Orleans,” such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Howard Johnson’s sniper in 1973, Hines said. Part of the impetus for the partnership was to help New Or- The Israeli participants tour the LSU Health Sciences leans prepare for a sudden major Center’s student learning center. incident like the April 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Many emergency and blast injuries, held at Ochsner. The next professionals in Boston credited the training day was field management and first response, they got from counterparts in Israel with sav- held at Tulane University’s School of Medicine. Representatives of New Orleans EMS, ing lives and improving their response. Weil said the triage system at Massachusetts the fire and police departments, Homeland General Hospital in the bombing aftermath Security and the Superdome were presenters. The Israelis spoke about medical response and was based on training provided by Rivkind. As New Orleans has a wide range of huge field management following blasts. There were also two public lectures durinternational events, from Super Bowls, Final Fours and college football national champion- ing the week. Arnon Afek spoke on “Ethical ship games to the usual large-crowd Mardi Dilemmas in Disaster” on Dec. 3 at Ochsner, Gras, JazzFest, Sugar Bowl and countless large and Rivkind spoke about “Lessons Learned from Disaster” on Dec. 4 at the Lavin-Bernick conventions, being prepared is critical. Led by Hines, organizers pulled together Center at Tulane. Afek, a professor of medicine at Tel Aviv hospitals, medical and academic centers from across New Orleans in support of the initiative. University, was director of medical affairs for Noting the friendly trash-talk between rep- the Ministry of Health and chaired the resiresentatives of Hadassah and Sheba Medical dency program in the Israel Defense Forces Center among the Israelis, Hines said that was Medical Corps. On Dec. 5, there was a discussion of traunothing compared to getting all of New Ormatic psychological stress injuries. That afleans’ medical centers working together. “All these players, it’s like putting eight law ternoon, the delegation visited the Isidore firms in New York that compete with each Cohn, Jr., MD, Student Learning Center at the other together” and having them “bury their LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans. It is one of the most sophisticated simulationcompetition for at least a week.” The conference was sponsored by the based emergency training environments in Federation, Jones Walker, Tulane Univer- the country. As Cohn watched, the Israelis were put sity School of Medicine, Acadian Ambulance Service, Ochsner Health System, Touro Infir- through a simulation of casualties coming in mary, Children’s Hospital and Louisiana State after a runaway car plowed into a crowd. The LSU Center has a collaboration with University Health Sciences Center. About 200 registered for the week, which Israel going back over a decade. Howard began on Dec. 2 with a day of Hospital Pre- Osofsky, the center’s professor and chair of paredness sessions, hosted by Touro Infir- psychiatry, created a working group of intermary. Sessions included case studies from national experts in the psychological impact Hurricane Katrina and the Second Lebanon of a variety of emergencies on families and War, care of newborns and those with special children. The group included Professor Danneeds during disasters, and decontamination ny Brom from the Israel Center for the Treatment of Psychotrauma of Herzog Hospital in procedures. New Orleans has emergency drills, but Mc- Jerusalem, and Arieh Shalev from Hadassah, Swain noted that they go up to the hospital to improve response following disasters. Ironically, the planes carrying participants doors and not inside. “I think that’s a big misfor the first meeting of LSUHSC’s Internatake,” he said. He suggested having all the hospitals collab- tional Consortium on Meeting the Needs of orate on simulations, such as an incident at the Children and Families Following Disasters, Superdome. He also urged a collaboration ex- Terrorism, and Mass Destruction, landed just ploring violence from a medical point of view. ahead of Tropical Storm Isidore in 2002. The The second day’s focus was trauma, triage Consortium met in New Orleans annually un12

January 2014

Southern Jewish Life

til the devastation of the city following Katrina brought the meetings to an end. On Dec. 6 there was one final presentation on the Israeli Medical Corps’ humanitarian missions. McSwain, who has written or revised over 25 textbooks, said the week was “an extremely unique opportunity.” “I certainly think this needs to be continued,” he said, and urged organizers to find a way to get the group together again. Hines said the plan is to make this a regular event, and there will be a discussion on whether it should be every 18 months, every 24 months or a different time-frame. Rivkind said the continued collaboration “should be from today.” There were discussions on further initiatives, especially ones that can be done as part of the partnership with Rosh Ha’Ayin. Hines said there was a discussion on whether to make this a regional event, especially including the large medical community in Birmingham, but the decision was to do just the New Orleans area this time “and get it right” for the first event. Zeev Rotstein, senior cardiologist and former director of Sheba’s Acute Care Hospital, called the week “a good beginning” and said “being a citizen of Rosh Ha’Ayin, I am very happy to be representing the city here and I look forward to more joint ventures.” He spoke about an initiative on dealing with road accidents, the number one killer of young adults. Through safe driving initiatives “we can share programs, exchange students, working together, because this is really bettering the world.” “There is a greater opportunity now that we know each other,” Rotstein said. “It’s time to walk together.” Afek mentioned several initiatives, including a national Israeli program on suicide prevention after a successful pilot program in the army. He also spoke about collaboration on operating medical systems during a lack of resources, and an Israeli “healthy cities” initiative promoting walking and outdoor exercise. McSwain spoke of a new system to promote teaching hemorrhage control and the use of tourniquets “to everyone in the country, the same way we teach CPR.” During events like the December 2012 school shooting in Newtown, Conn., medical personnel are not allowed on the scene until law enforcement has controlled the situation. Having law enforcement personnel and civilians trained in hemorrhage control will prevent greater loss of life from victims bleeding out. McSwain said in the next two years, they plan to train all law enforcement personnel in the state, and then use the model to start teaching citizens. One of the Israelis then proposed that a similar educational program start in Israel with Rosh Ha’Ayin as the pilot community. Danny Shani, Rosh Ha’Ayin chair of the partnership steering committee, said “We can and should collaborate in other subjects in the medical field.” McSwain said he and the Federation’s Allison Kushner have discussed assembling the week’s proceedings for distribution and possible submission to medical journals. Other Israelis visiting for the week included Nachman Ash, chief director of Maccabi Healthcare Services for the Sharon District; Guy Caspi, chief multi-casualty instructor and director of Hazmat, exercises and operational training at Magen David Adom headquarters; David Knaiz, deputy chief of surgery during the 2006 Second Lebanon War and now the head surgeon in the Western Galilee Medical Center’s new Emergency Department; Gila Margalit, Chief Nurse for Mass Casualty Planning at Sheba Medical Center; Gideon Shoval, a Rosh Ha’Ayin resident who is a mental health professional specializing in short-term dynamic therapy, behavioral therapy, hypnosis, combat stress disorders Southern Jewish Life

January 2014

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and crisis intervention; and Yossi Weiss, another Rosh Ha’Ayin resident who is head of Assuta Medical Centers Planning and Organization, and former commander of the IDF School of Military Medicine. Many admitted that when the idea was first floated, there was a lot of skepticism as to whether a conference like this could be At the closing reception, Gerald Berenson assembled. Avi Kagan, addresses the participants as Federation Partnership director Executive Director Michael Weil looks on for the Jewish Agency, noted that they were trying to attract “a lot of very busy people” to commit to a week in New Orleans, but “I’m thrilled to see things really happen.” Through this and other initiatives, “the connection between the Jewish Federation and the city of Rosh Ha’Ayin will grow.” Weil said that while the Federation is the starting point for the relationship, “Eventually the relationship takes on a life of its own.” During their visit, the Israelis were introduced to Bourbon Street and other local sites, then enjoyed home hospitality and visited area congregations over Shabbat after the conference. While in New Orleans, Shani and Kagan attended a Chanukah lighting at Community Day School in Metairie. Students from New Orleans and Rosh Ha’Ayin lit the candles simultaneously via video link, and sang together. Federation President Morton Katz said the week was “an extraordinary event.” Hines added that the conference “has far exceeded my expectations.” Afek said “to us (the partnership) is not something to be taken lightly. He concluded by saying “Next year in Jerusalem — and in Rosh Ha’Ayin.” At the closing reception, Gerald Berenson spoke to the delegates about his disaster experiences, calling himself “just a charity hospital doctor.” In reality, he is the principal investigator of the Bogalusa Heart Study, an internationally-renowned study that explored the early natural history of heart disease. He noted the Israelis have to prepare for disasters before they happen. In New Orleans, “we got a flood.” He remarked that he was at home when the levees broke, and the water eventually started rising through the floor. “Some sheriff deputies came up to our home with sidearms and AK-47s... to pack us up and take us to Baton Rouge.” There he went to the campus of LSU where he had the “privilege” of seeing cardiologists he had trained in action. “We had to read X-rays on white bed cloths,” he said. He spent six weeks there, then said “I got to get out of here and put my program back together,” which he did while shuttling among Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Bogalusa. He called the week “a remarkable meeting. It’s a remarkable group we’ve had come from Israel, and a remarkable group from New Orleans.” He added, “Israel and New Orleans are so very different, but as members of the medical community we share the same values. “We can help to repair the world.”

Southern Jewish Life 12/12/2012 11:22:58 AM

Columbus Museum featuring Chattahoochee Jewish history exhibit The Jewish history of the Chattahoochee Valley will be featured at the Columbus Museum in Georgia this year with “Shalom Y’all: The Valley’s Jewish Heritage.” Rebecca Bush, the museum’s history curator, said “of all the people, groups and organizations we have spotlighted throughout the years in the history gallery, we had not looked at” the region’s Jewish history. The idea to fea-

ture the Jewish community was already being discussed before she started with the museum two years ago. “A lot of people don’t realize” the amount of Jewish history in Columbus, Bush noted. Many have expressed surprise that there is “more than you or I would suspect.” “Just the fact of doing this show has opened some people’s eyes,” she added. The museum started with Columbus but soon added the smaller communities within an hour’s drive, to tell “the larger regional story through the local lens.” The exhibit explores the combination of Southernness and Jewishness, demonstrating that “being Jewish in the South is very different than being Jewish in other parts of the country.” The first Jewish settlers came to the area in the 1850s and continued to arrive in several waves, each of which had its own characteristics. “Families who came at different times had different experiences, including whether they stayed in the area,” Bush noted. The Jewish immigrants established stores Lazarus and Sara Straus in Talbotton, ca. 1856, and traveling businesses, conducted religious Courtesy of the Straus Historical Society

Handmade beaded child’s slipper used as a key holder at the Louis Coolik home in Poland and brought with the family to Talbotton in 1913, courtesy of the Cuba Archives of the Breman Museum services in homes and synagogues, and became integrated into their small Southern communities while maintaining distinctive cultural traditions. Other featured communities include LaGrange and Talbotton, Ga.; Auburn and Eufaula; and the combined border community of Lanett, Ala., and West Point, Ga. The exhibition will feature a number of his-

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January 2014

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toric images and three-dimensional artifacts, drawing from a wide range of public and private collections, including the William Breman Museum in Atlanta, the Cobb Memorial Archives in Valley, and the Straus Historical Society in New York. These are supplemented by items from private collectors and Jewish organizations in Columbus, Talbotton, Eufaula, and other communities. Many artifacts from the long-defunct Temple Beth-El in Lanett were available from the Cobb Memorial Archive. Talbotton was where the Straus family got its start in America, moving from Georgia to New York after the Civil War and eventually becoming owners of Macy’s. Isidor Straus was one of those killed in the sinking of the Titanic. Migration, businesses, religious and cultural institutions, and the growth, decline, and perseverance of Jewish communities in the region over time are spotlighted In conjunction with the exhibit there will be genealogy classes with the public library and several lectures related to the exhibit. Rabbi Beth Schwartz of Temple Israel in Columbus will be among the speakers. For the opening, Jeremy Katz, archivist for the Cuba Family Archives for Southern Jewish History at the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum in Atlanta, will speak. The 4th Ward Afro-Klezmer Orchestra will perform. The exhibit will run from Feb. 20 to July 13 in the museum’s history gallery.

Malina of “West Wing” to appear at TribeFest Joshua Malina was the first major speaker announced for this year’s TribeFest, which will be in New Orleans from March 16 to 18. A gathering of the Jewish Federations of North America’s National Young Leadership, TribeFest is an entertaining, interactive and educational celebration that will draw over 1,500 Jewish young adults ages 22-45 from across North America. This is the third TribeFest, the first two were held in Las Vegas in 2011 and 2012. The event has programming in five channels — justice and inclusion, faith and culture, Jewish life, innovation and entrepreneurship, and hot topics. Malina played Jeremy Goodwin on “Sports Night” and later was Will Bailey in “The West Wing.” He appeared in the Federations’ Live Generously campaign, and on “Celebrity Jeopardy” won $50,000 for Bet Tzedek in Los Angeles. More speakers and the programming lineup will be announced soon. The event’s home base will be the Sheraton New Orleans. 16

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Southern Jewish Life

“Balcony” in the Quarter: Le Petit Theatre does bio of Golda Meir “Golda’s Balcony,” the longest-running one-woman show in Broadway history, is coming to New Orleans this month. The story of Golda Meir, Israel’s fourth prime minister, the show opens during her most challenging time — the Yom Kippur War, when Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack against Israel in 1973 while she was prime minister. The show then diverges to Meir’s impoverished beginnings in Russia, childhood in Milwaukee, her fractured relationship with husband Morris who she insisted follow her to pre-state Palestine. There, she became a national leader. The play’s title comes from the nickname for an observation area in the Dimona nuclear facility. “Golda’s Balcony” was playwright William Gibson’s second attempt at Meir’s story. Author of “The Miracle Worker,” Gibson wrote “Golda” in 1977 with a much larger cast. It was not a success. In 2003, the current version debuted and ran for almost 500 performances with Tovah Feldshuh in the title role. In 2006, there was a ﬁlm version starring Valerie Harper. “Golda’s Balcony is one of the most beautiful scripts ever written and is a compelling story about an extraordinary woman who, through intelligence and passion, rose to become one of the most important women in the world. It is 90 minutes of history that everyone should

see,” said Cassie Steck Worley, executive director of Le Petit Theatre. Local Historian Howard Hunter described Meir as “the embodiment of the idealism of the West and the Jewish sense of destiny. While it may be fashionable to compare her to other female leaders of the 20th century — Margaret Thatcher, Benazir Bhutto, Corazon Aquino, and Indira Gandhi — Golda Meir was the only world leader of the 20th century who could lay claim to the encomium ‘Founding Mother.’ She was one of a small group of visionaries who turned Israel from an idea to a nation. And, without her drive and commitment, Israel could have remained a historical footnote from 3,000 years ago.” Directed by New Orleans native Carl Walker, this production stars local talent Clare Moncrief, a 25-year veteran of New Orleans theater who was last seen in Le Petit Theatre’s July production of “Love, Loss and What I Wore.” That show marked the theater’s reopening after being dark for three years. Founded in 1916, the theater faced financial difficulties in 2009. In 2011, the Dickie Brennan restaurant group purchased 60 percent of the building and opened Tableau in part of the building. With the building’s future secured, the theater announced its first season under the new arrangement last spring. The theater teams with local non-profits for their productions, and

Southern Jewish Life

January 2014

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the run of “Golda’s Balcony” will raise funds for Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans. The agency is “dedicated to preserving, strengthening and enhancing the well-being and self-sufficiency of individuals and families at every stage of life.” On Jan. 26, there will be a special performance that benefits the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana. The performance is in memory of Pauline and Leonard Prelutsky and is being underwritten by the Leonard E. Prelutsky Memorial Donor Advised Fund at JEF. All proceeds will go to JEF, and after the performance there will be a Skype interview with Dave Fishelson, who produced the original Broadway run. Ticket prices for the JEF benefit were not announced as of press time. The Baton Rouge chapter of Hadassah is doing a road trip to see the matinee on Feb. 2. The show opens Jan. 24 and closes Feb. 8 with 8 p.m. performances on Fridays and Saturdays, then on Thursdays starting Jan. 30, and on Wednesday Feb. 5. Sunday performances are at 3 p.m., with the JEF event on Jan. 26 and another matinee on Feb. 2. Tickets may be ordered online at lepetittheatre.com, or in person between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, or by calling (504) 522-2081.

Pensacola’s B’nai Israel embarks on writing a new Torah On Jan. 26 at noon, B’nai Israel Synagogue in Pensacola will kick off a new Torah project. Representatives from Sofer on Site in Miami have been commissioned to write a new Torah for the Conservative congregation, which has been in need of a new scroll. As part of the writing, there will be 250 letters made available for members, alumni and special guests to write. Sofer On Site has done restoration projects for Temple Emanu-El in Dothan, Beth Shalom in Baton Rouge and Temple Beth-El in Birmingham. Fundraising for the project kicked off in February during a Shabbaton featuring retired Israeli Ambassador Yoram Ettinger, who spoke at several venues in the city during the weekend. Each of the 250 letters will be made available for a $300 donation to the project. Photographs will be taken of donors as they take the quill, and they will receive certificates to mark the occasion. In addition to current B’nai Israel members, the congregation is looking to invite past members to participate. They are also inviting members of Temple Beth El and other Jewish residents of the panhandle and southern Alabama, and some local civic leaders and proIsrael churches. Between January and May there will be five Sunday programs where members and guests can write their letters under the guidance of Rabbi Moshe Druin. The event is open to all, regardless of whether they purchase a letter. B’nai Israel Rabbi Jordan Gerson said “This Torah will be ours, not because we paid for it, but because we, as a community came together to learn about it and help in its creation.” “Never in the history of Pensacola has a congregation had the exciting opportunity of participating in the writing of a Torah,” said B’nai Israel President Samuel Berman. Ironically, though, a Pensacola “messianic” congregation is also currently raising funds to commission the writing of a Torah.

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Education Millsaps College continues to grow Jewish student life in Jackson By Lee J. Green Millsaps, a liberal arts college in Jackson whose sports teams are nicknamed the Majors, has made some major strides in growing Jewish student enrollment, increasing Jewish student life participation and enhancing its Jewish Studies program. Dr. James Bowley, a chair in the Religious Studies program who has been at Millsaps College for 12 years and started the Hillel there in 2005, said today’s Jewish Culture Organization is very vibrant. “We have some excellent support and the JCO (student organization) is very active,” said Dr. Bowley. “We’ve also gotten some impressive participation for those who are not Jewish but want to learn and celebrate with us. We named it the Jewish Culture Organization so that anyone who is interested in Jewish culture is welcome to participate with us. Most of the students are Jewish but we certainly get friends who are not Jewish who get involved.” He said the JCO also partners with other student, cultural and religious organizations for everything from movie nights to community service projects. The JCO has often participated in a big Chanukah party at Temple Beth Israel. Fridays are “Challah Fridays” for some tasty challah and Shabbat candle lighting. The JCO also built a Sukkah on “The Bowl,” the center commons area on the Millsaps campus, and celebrate together with a Passover Seder along with other holidays. Bowley said they are grateful for the endowments they get from the Cristal Family for program development and scholarships along with the partnerships with the Institute for Southern Jewish Life and the Jackson Jewish Federation. “With the financial support and personal involvement we have gotten from some generous individuals, Jewish organizations and Millsaps, we’ve certainly been able to continually add new opportunities for our students,” he said. Several years ago, Bowley also started the Jewish Studies concentration at Millsaps and started teaching a Classical Hebrew course that can fulfill a foreign language requirement. The ISJL and Millsaps’ Jewish Studies program have partnered for programming, lectures and internships throughout the years. Some students have participated in internships with Beth Israel and a recent intern who is a Millsaps graduate made great strides in “reworking” the Beth Israel library. Bowley teaches a class on the Holocaust and the Jackson Jewish Federation helps to financially support the class’s trip to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. He has also led class-learning trips to Israel a few times during his tenure at Millsaps. “It is my goal to make this the best Jewish Studies program around and to foster a very welcoming environment for incoming Jewish students,” he said.

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As the Alabama Crimson Tide continues to set new standards for excellence, Alabama Hillel and Jewish student life scored a record number for involvement in 2013. Alabama Hillel Director Lisa Besnoy said they estimate that more than 40 percent of the roughly 800 Jewish students at the University of Alabama participated in some of Hillel’s programs and holiday celebrations. “We are very pleased that the participation numbers continue to grow,” said Besnoy, who was involved with Hillel when she went to school at the Capstone in the mid-1990s and came home to serve as Hillel director before the start of the 2012-13 academic year. “We make it a very student-centered environment. They come to us with program ideas and we make it happen.” Some of those events this past fall included an “Ask the Rabbi” brunch, featuring Rabbi Stephen Jacobs, and a movie event about the 1963 integration of the University’s campus. Alabama Hillel also launched “Just Jew It!” the second Monday of every month. Those programs featured interactive lectures, learning, community projects and social engagement. The September program was about the anniversary of Sept. 11; the October program tied in Cain and Abel with the topic of Halloween. In November the students cooked meals for the West Alabama Food Bank since it was Hunger Awareness Month, and December’s event was actually on the ﬁrst Wednesday — a big Chanukah party at Hillel and lighting of the menorah on the lawn. Of course football plays a big role in student life and recruiting new Jewish students who are

burgeoning Crimson Tide supports. Hillel hosted an open house for the Nov. 23 game against Tennessee-Chattanooga and also plans a Jewish student recruitment weekend in the spring to coincide with an Alabama basketball game. In addition to the usual Passover Seder, Purim celebration and other holiday celebrations at Alabama this semester, Hillel has some more fun planned including a “Tzedekah and Strokes” painting and giving program with Temple Emanu-El; networking and career-learning opportunities with the Overton Group of Birmingham Jewish business leaders, and even a mini Maccabi Games featuring paintball-related activities. “Our goal is to have events that are fun, help others and enrich our Jewish learning… as well as opportunities for students to learn from their peers in the disciplines they want to have careers in,” said Besnoy. She said everything goes together in creating that most inviting, vibrant environment for Jewish student life at Alabama. “We want to oﬀer the best Jewish home away from home we can.”

Jewish Studies carries strong national reputation

The University of Alabama oﬀers the only fulltime department of religious studies in the state, according to Jacobs. “The University is committed to growing the Judaic Studies program and oﬀering more opportunities for those who want to go into this line of study,” he said. Jacobs continues to teach a couple of classes each semester and has been doing a great deal of writing, research as well as conference travel. “We want to look at other universities to get some best practices ideas and determine ways we can expand our resources here,” added Jacobs.

Wide range of speakers at Tulane’s Jewish Studies Department this semester The Tulane Jewish Studies department continues to support a wide range of activities and classes, with a continuing lecture series at the new Jewish Studies building on Freret. The semester will start with a Jewish Studies student celebration of Tu B’Shevat on Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. It is open to all students interested in taking Judaic Studies classes, as well as current majors and minors. Free Jewish Studies T-shirts will be available. The semester’s presentations will be highlighted by “Not in Our Town: Christians, Jews and Skinheads in Billings, Montana 1993-94,” with guest speaker Robert Abzug. He is the Audre and Bernard Rapoport Regents Chair of Jewish Studies and Professor of History and American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. He is also the founding director of the University’s Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies. The presentation on the famous communitywide stance against anti-Jewish hate in Montana will be on March 21 at noon. It is this year’s 20

January 2014

Southern Jewish Life

Strug Lecture. On March 23 at 2 p.m., there will be a miniconference on Jewish languages, featuring David Goldstein, Michael Cohen, Yehuda Halper, Galen Marquis and Brian Horowitz. Tulane Sizeler Professor of Jewish Philosophy Ronna Burger will present “The Androgynous Adam” on Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. On Feb. 10 at 7 p.m., visiting Political Science Professor Jennifer Richard will present “Passover and Politics: Remembering the Jewishness of Hannah Arendt.” Arendt was one of the most inﬂuential political theorists of the 20th century. English department Assistant Professor Thomas Beller will present “J.D. Salinger’s Late Bar Mitzvah” on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. On April 7 at 7 p.m., Laura Heins, a Tulane visiting assistant professor of German from the University of Virginia, will speak on “Nazi Film Melodrama,” how ﬁlms produced in Nazi Germany promoted the regime’s racial theories and militarism.

Participation in Jewish student life rising at Auburn By Lee J. Green A War Eagle on the rise to great heights would aptly describe Auburn’s football resurgence this season as well as the growth in Jewish student life participation. “We have for sure more than 100 Jewish students at Auburn, and 2013 was one of our best years as far as participation and the students coming up with engaging new programs,” said Rob Kulick, coordinator of Auburn Hillel as well as student services for Aerospace Engineering. In September, Auburn Hillel organized a “Jews in Canoes” trip on the Chattahoochee River. In October they built a hut for Sukkot and had a holiday celebration. The ﬁrst week of December they lit the nine-foot-tall menorah on Samford Lawn and hosted a Chanukah party. Kulick said that Auburn Hillel partners with Beth Shalom in Auburn for community sharing and holiday observance events such as Seders, as well as philanthropy. They also worked with other student groups on campus to carry out community service and philanthropy projects and enjoyed fun social opportunities with other groups at Auburn such as at the “Progressive Prom” around Halloween. “Facebook and other social media are really helping us to ﬁnd more Jewish students and get them involved in activities,” said Kulick. “Our Hillel leaders come up with just about all of the programming and I help to facilitate things. I give them all the credit for our successes.” Kulick said he would like to see growth in the Auburn Jewish students’ parents’ organization as another way to “build the community. The more support we get from parents and alumni, the stronger we will be.” He said there has been some interest in re-establishing the Alpha Epsilon Pi Jewish fraternity at Auburn, which had been around until the early 1980s. “If we can just continue to build upon our numbers, it can happen,” added Kulick. Auburn has Jewish students who come from as far away as California and Massachusetts. The university has gained national recognition as a top school for various types of engineering, agriculture, veterinary medicine and architecture. “We understand that students primarily come here for superior academic opportunities,” said Kulick. “We want to give them every opportunity to be involved in leadership and growing our Jewish community while they are here.”

Indiana University has diverse, renowned Jewish Studies program There are few places that offer the range of intellectual, cultural, social, and professional opportunities in Jewish studies that Indiana University does, according to Borns Jewish Studies Program Assistant Director (and Tuscaloosa native) Dr. Carolyn Lipson-Walker. “Over the past 41 years, Indiana University has developed one of the leading and most vibrant Jewish Studies programs in the country, the Robert A. and Sandra S. Borns Jewish Studies Program. It is a national model routinely emulated by other universities,” said Dr. Lipson-Walker. With more Jewish Studies majors than most universities in the U.S., Indiana University’s Jewish Studies program also offers a one-of-a-kind Jewish sacred music curriculum that prepares undergraduates for the cantorate; an undergraduate Jewish Studies certificate program; an undergraduate minor in Hebrew; an M.A. program in Jewish Studies; a dual M.A. in Jewish Studies and History; an M.A. combined with a certificate in nonprofit management, and a doctoral minor. More than 1,600 IU students enroll in over 55 Jewish Studies courses offered each year. For the current academic year, the Borns Jewish Studies Program awarded outstanding incoming freshmen more than $73,000 in scholarships, and more than $43,000 in scholarships, an administrative internship and conference funding to continuing IU Jewish Studies undergraduates.

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“The interaction of our 24 distinguished faculty, six holding Jewish Studies-endowed chairs, makes for an enormously enriching and stimulating atmosphere. These leading experts in Biblical studies and ancient Judaism, Jewish history, Jewish music, art and culture, Holocaust studies, Israel studies, Hebrew and Yiddish languages, and other subﬁelds of Jewish studies establish close and enduring connections with their students,” said Lipson-Walker.

IU Jewish students come from around the U.S., and many current Jewish Studies students and alumni come from across the South. The IU Jewish Studies Program is recognized as a leader in training professionals to work in the Jewish community. The program provides personalized advising and career support to better prepare students for a seamless transition from the academic environment of the university to the professional world. Many of the IU Jewish Studies Program’s 800 The Borns Jewish Studies Program oﬀers an alumni can be found working at Jewish Commuintimate learning environment nestled within a major research university. Through an array of nity Centers, synagogues, camps, day schools, extracurricular and academic activities spon- Federations, foundations and other Jewish comsored by the program, “a warm community is munal organizations across the nation. created.” For more information about the Borns With 4,500 Jewish students on the Indiana Jewish Studies Program, contact Walker at University Bloomington campus, the Helene clipsonw@indiana.edu or see the IU Jewish StudG. Simon Hillel Center, directed by Rabbi Sue ies website at: http://www.indiana.edu/~jsp/inSilberberg, is one of the busiest in the country. dex.shtml.

Altamont School boasts involved Jewish scholars and athletes By Lee J. Green

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Education

The Altamont School, a coeducational college preparatory independent day school in Birmingham enrolling students in grades 5 to 12, takes pride in its diversity and the achievements of its Jewish students. “The mission of The Altamont School is to improve the fabric of society by graduating compassionate, well-educated individuals capable of independent thinking and innovative ideas. To this end, the school attracts, nurtures and challenges students whose commitment to truth, knowledge and honor will prepare them not only for the most rigorous college programs, but also for productive lives,” said Altamont Director of Communications Margaret Whiteside. Altamont was established in 1975 through the merger of the Birmingham University School for boys, founded in 1922, and the girls’ Brooke Hill School, founded in 1940. It is located on 28 acres at the crest of Red Mountain. “Altamont is a small family with socio-economic, ethnic and religious diversity,” said Whiteside. “We have an intensive college preparatory academic program with a personalized college search program, including an annual college tour. And we oﬀer many opportunities for students to develop multiple talents by participating in the arts, foreign language, community service, clubs, class projects, science competitions and sports — all at the same time.” The school is one of few nationally to have a student-governed Honor Code. It is accredited by the Southern Association of College and Schools. Some of Altamont’s top students and scholarathletes are Jewish. Four Altamont students participated in Austin, Texas, at the Jewish Community Center Association’s annual Maccabi

Southern Jewish Life

Games last summer — Seth Cohen (tennis), Emily Nomberg (basketball), Gabe Ivker and Ethan Elgavish (soccer). Nomberg is also the captain of the Altamont basketball team as a freshman. Also, sophomore Olivia Mannon was named to the all-state first team in lacrosse. Eighth grader Zander Kazzie celebrated the first anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah recently by collecting several carts of food items at his celebratory party, which he donated to the food closet of Collat Jewish Family Services. According to one of her teachers, ninth grader “Ellie Vance is a fine student and excellent creative writer.” Jonathan Hurowitz, a 12th-grader, is the founder of the Altamont Robotics Club and a National Merit semifinalist. He will lead Altamont’s Scholars Bowl team in the National Academic Quiz Tournaments National Championship this spring. Sidney Nomberg serves as an officer of Altamont’s tutoring and spirit clubs. The 12thgrader serves as an Altamont ambassador with Heart Gallery Alabama and the Komen Race for the Cure. She also is one of the tops in the state in the high jump and she will be playing Snoopy in the Altamont Production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” running Feb. 27 to March 1. Fellow 12th grader Ginny Gresham-Jacobs is a National Merit Semifinalist. She earned four consecutive gold medals on the National Latin Exam to capture the American Classical League’s O’Donnell Award and is always happy to tutor other students in Latin. And while a lot of attention has been focused on recent Heisman Trophy winners with Alabama ties, a Jewish student won the High School Heisman in 1995 while at Altamont — Jeremy Royal.

Indian Springs celebrates diversity, accomplishment ��

By Lee J. Green

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Diversity stands strong as one of Indian Springs School’s greatest strengths and echoes loudly in its 2013-14 school theme — “Seneca Falls, Selma, Stonewall and Springs: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.” Timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement, the theme is highlighted in classes, field trips, independent studies and talks by faculty as well as guest speakers. “We continue to take our responsibility to serve our local community, state and region very seriously,” said Indian Springs Director Gareth Vaughan. “We believe that one of the ways in which we do this is by exploring what it means to be an intentionally diverse, intentionally inclusive educational community.” ISS launched the 2013-14 academic year with a diverse student body. The school’s 279 students — 198 day students and 81 boarders — hail from 13 states and 12 countries, with a wide variety of skills, interests and backgrounds. Indian Springs receives approximately 200 applicaSeth Perlman and Mack Krell tions each year for openings in grades 8 to 12. Ranked as one of the nation’s top college preparatory schools, the school teaches students to think creatively and independently, while using their abilities to better their community. “To succeed in our complex, globalized world, students need to learn how to think flexibly; how to manage their time well and how to find creative solutions to multi-layer problems,” said Vaughan. Indian Springs exemplary student and senior Seth Perlman is very involved in numerous groups and is co-president of the Jewish Heritage Club with fellow senior Mack Krell. “One of the benefits of being Jewish at Indian Springs is that other students are all so curious about each other’s culture. At Jewish Heritage Club meetings, or ‘Jew Crew’ as we refer to it, we often have non-Jewish peers sit in to ask Rabbi Friedman questions; listen to our discussions, or just enjoy some Jewish snacks. Instead of the club being a way to separate ourselves from the community, it is a way to involve the community in Judaism,” said Perlman. He is a member of the ISS Scholars Bowl Team and Mock Trial Team. Perlman was named a Commended Student in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program. He also plays on the school’s soccer team. “To me, Indian Springs’ greatest quality is its diversity, I have found that only in a place with so much diversity, such as Indian Springs, can I truly express my own identity. I’m grateful for the opportunity the school has given me to express my interests and be embraced by the entire community for those interests,” added Perlman. Krell also participates on the Scholars Bowl and Mock Trial Teams, while also playing soccer and basketball. “I think the part of Springs that has inspired me to get involved is the acceptance here of each person. Springs gives you the opportunity to get involved in what you care about. Springs allows you to feel proud of who you are and not change yourself for others,” he said. Students interested in attending Indian Springs in 2014-15 are encouraged to begin the admission process as soon as possible to enroll in grades 8 or 9. Limited spots will also be available in grades 10 to 12. Indian Springs will host an Admissions Open House for prospective families at 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 17.

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Southern Jewish Life

January 2014

Education Birmingham-Southern enjoys banner 2013

30 Years of House Painting Experience

It was a great year for Jewish life at Birmingham-Southern College, with more accolades and activities than ever before. This fall, BSC hosted Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president emeritus of the Union for Reform Judaism and a well-known speaker and writer who appears regularly on Fox News, CNN, and other news outlets. For his main talk, Yoffie spoke on “Righteousness vs. Self-Righteousness: Some Thoughts on Political and Religious Leadership” as part of BSC’s “Leadership Matters” series. He also visited with students in classes and participated in a campus panel titled “Faith Matters: Spiritual Views on Death and the Afterlife.” Yoffie’s visit was supported by BSC’s Seymour Gitenstein Endowment in Judaic Studies. The year was also a high point for Birmingham-Southern Head Soccer Coach Preston Goldfarb, who was honored for his 31 years of service to the college as the field at the BSC Soccer Park was officially named Preston Goldfarb Field. Goldfarb, who started BSC’s men’s soccer program in 1983, has coached 30 All-Americans, 41 Academic All-Americans, and 11 soccer players who were members of Phi Beta Kappa. The naming came on the heels of his history-making win this summer in Jerusalem, where he coached the U.S. Men’s Soccer team to its first gold medal at the World Maccabi Games.

On campus, faculty and staﬀ continued to support Jewish students, hosting Shabbat dinners and building a Sukkah and hosting meals in it. Dr. Louanne Jacobs, associate professor of education, hosted an Israeli-food themed Passover Seder at her home that was attended by 35 professors and students. Dr. Matt Levey, professor of history, led the Seder. The event will be re-created this year, led by Dr. Amy Cottrill, associate professor of religion, and BSC student Alex Levinson. BSC also continued to enrich its partnership with the city’s Jewish community, with help from BSC liaison Caren Page, founder of the group You Belong in Birmingham and now director of membership, outreach, retention and engagement at the Levite Jewish Community Center. Samantha Dubrinsky, a BSC graduate who has joined the staﬀ at the Birmingham Jewish Federation, has also served as an involved liaison. “We’re looking forward to continued growth in our Jewish student population and to a real blossoming of Jewish culture on campus,” said BSC’s president Gen. Charles C. Krulak. “The support that Birmingham-Southern has received over the years from the community has been invaluable and we want the college to be a warm, welcoming place for Jewish students.”

Record enrollment at American Hebrew Academy

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Enrollment at the American Hebrew Academy has again reached record levels following several years of relatively ﬂat growth after the worldwide recession in 2009. During that period, many schools retreated and hunkered down hoping for more prosperous times ahead, but the Academy “sharpened its pencil” and charted a course for growth that it felt certain could be achieved as the economy improved. While budget cutting was inevitable and enrollment at Jewish schools declined worldwide, the Academy continued to commit resources and energy to growing enrollment and today they are happy to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Located on a 100-acre campus in Greensboro, N.C., the Academy is a coeducational, pluralistic Jewish boarding school for students in grades 9 to 12. Overall enrollment at the Academy has grown 6.5 percent over last year and international enrollment has grown 5 percent. International growth has also reached a record high with 27 percent of the student body now coming to the Academy from abroad. The surge in international enrollment over the past four years has beneﬁtted the Academy tremendously by expanding the diversity of the student body. Enhancing students’ educational experiences through their learning of international cultures and the multiplicity of worldwide Jewish customs and practices that they would otherwise

Southern Jewish Life

likely never have the opportunity to explore, has served to attract even more students. Domestically, the unique international model the Academy has created has enabled the Academy to truly distinguish itself among all other Jewish high schools in the United States. The Academy oﬀers not only a boarding experience to cultivate independence and college prep but also provides an international atmosphere unmatched by any other Jewish high school. This year, the Academy is focusing on growing the student body domestically and abroad so that it can continue to oﬀer innovative curriculum and state of the art facilities to an even larger number of Jewish youth from around the world.

Blazing a path toward a Hillel at UAB? at Emanu-El in late March of last year for Passover. Jewish students also celebrated Sukkot by The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s building a campus sukkah for Jewish students, sports teams’ nickname is the Blazers, and some staff and faculty to have their meals during the involved Jewish students at UAB, along with the holiday. It was loaned to the JSA by Fran and help of the Birmingham Jewish community, have Barry Ivker. Jewish students, with the help of the commublazed some new trails with what they hope will nity, also led some “Buy Israel” campaign events. result in a Hillel on campus. UAB’s Jewish Student Life Organization and Jewish Student Association have begun efforts aimed at bringing the Hillel to the Birmingham campus of almost 19,000 students. One hundred and ten years after Isidore NewHarlan Sands, Vice President for Administra- man’s dream of a school came true, the school tion and Quality Improvement as well as an in- that bears his name celebrates a long legacy of volved member of the Birmingham area Jewish academic excellence. community, said that diversity is an important The co-educational independent school serves focus at UAB. high achieving and highly motivated students in “At UAB, diversity of thought is a core value pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. There is that relies upon our ever-increasing mix of also Greenie House, an Early Childhood prostudents from different backgrounds and expe- gram for ages six weeks to four years. riences. Strong partnerships with our vibrant Located in the heart of Uptown New Orleans Birmingham Jewish community provides UAB near Tulane and Loyola Universities, Newman students with a unique engagement opportuni- has an enrollment of just over 900 students. ty,” said Sands. “An active Jewish student popula- Newman is the only co-educational, non-sectartion has been — and will continue to be — a key ian, independent day school in the city of New element of our success.” Orleans. Temples Emanu-El and Beth-El partner with The school’s founder arrived in America from UAB to invite students to take part in various Germany with just one hand-sewn suit. He holidays. Students were invited to a free Seder became the founder of the Maison Blanche de-

By Lee J. Green

The JSLO and JSA are not limited to Jewish students and welcome anyone who is interested in sharing knowledge, customs and traditions. UAB is among the top 12 universities nationally for diversity, according to The Princeton Review. The University is ﬁrst in the nation among public universities for federal research funding per incoming freshman.

Isidore Newman’s illustrious history partment store chain. According to the school’s centennial history, Newman “became wealthy and inﬂuential throughout the South. One of the last causes he championed was this school. He and other members of the Jewish community living in New Orleans around 1900 wanted the children of the Jewish Orphans’ Home to have a private school that would equip them for useful and meaningful lives. He oﬀered as much money as it would take to make it so.” The home was located at the site of the current Uptown Jewish Community Center. While the school was built for the Home’s residents, Newman stipulated that neighborhood children could also attend. The school enjoys a national reputation for excellence and achievement in academics, athletics and the arts, with a long list of notable alumni.

Southern Jewish Life

January 2014

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Summer Camp Second pool part of new Barney Medintz projects for 2014 After celebrating Camp Barney Medintz’s 50th anniversary, this summer will feature the debut of a major new project, the first under the Framework for our Future capital campaign. The camp’s second swimming pool is being constructed overlooking Lake Louis and next to the existing pool. The new pool will include over 3,000 square feet of swimming areas, waterslides, “sun shelf ” and a waterfall. The gift is from Lynne and Howard Halpern, grandparents of three current campers and staff members. Barney Medintz is the overnight summer camp of the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. It is located 75 miles northeast of Atlanta on 516 wooded acres surrounding two lakes. “Our summer place” welcomes over 1200 campers from around the South each year. Every imaginable activity is offered, including water skiing, mountain biking, horseback riding, swimming, scuba diving, karate, yoga, whitewater rafting, sailing, canoeing, zip-lines, film festivals, videography, radio shows, tennis and roller hockey tournaments, music, dance, theatre, backpacking, Israeli cultural programs as well as various guest entertainers.

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Enhancing the connection with Israel at Camp Judaea After adding ﬁve beautiful new eco-friendly cabins last year, Camp Judaea is gearing up for another successful summer. One of ﬁve regional U.S. camps sponsored by Hadassah, Judaea is seeing enrollment rise 25 percent over where it was this time last year. As of press time, some age groups are already almost full. A new Israel curriculum was introduced last summer, as was Kibbutz Judaea, an interactive Israeli farming experience complete with vegetables, chickens, and goats. Campers even made goat cheese, goat milk and shakshuka. This summer, the dining hall experience will be enhanced, and more Ga-Ga pits are on the way. The camp is located on 188 acres in the western North Carolina mountains.

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The Jewish Children’s Regional Service in New Orleans announced that the priority application deadline for 2014 summer camp scholarship assistance is Feb. 15. The unique agency provided partial scholarship funding for over 300 Jewish children to attend camp last year. The need-based funds are available for children in a seven-state region that includes Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee and Oklahoma, and are for those entering grades 3 to 12 as of next fall. The funds can be used for a non-proﬁt sleep-away camp under Jewish auspices in the United States or Canada. Applications, which are available at jcrs.org, must be submitted electronically. All paperwork must be submitted before Feb. 15 for priority consideration. The agency also has needs-based scholarship programs for college aid and year-round special needs assistance. Founded in 1855, JCRS is the oldest Jewish children’s agency in the country, and reached over 1,000 youth last year. The agency is also the regional coordinator for the PJ Library.

The Havdalah celebration is a highlight of summers at Ramah Darom

Ramah Darom celebrating 18th summer The newest Jewish overnight camp in the Southeast will celebrate its 18th year this summer, with a slew of activities and celebrations. Located on 122 acres in the picturesque north Georgia mountains, Ramah Darom features memorable Shabbats, a musical Havdalah celebration viewed the world over, regional celebrations and alumni activities. This summer, the camp will be modifying its program to allow for even more elective choices for the campers, in hopes that they will explore their passions and work toward their personal goals for the summer. Last summer, two professional basketball players from Israel joined the sports staff for a full week. This summer, Ramah Darom will be expanding upon the coach in residence program to include professional-level ultimate Frisbee and football coaches from Israel. The signature fine arts program will expand with a glass-blowing class. Campers can experience the Conservative movement’s summer camp in many different forms, not just the traditional month-long program. Year-round programs include a Winter Break Family Camp over New Year’s Eve, Open Shabbat programs throughout the year, Camp Yofi, the family camp for families with children with autism spectrum disorder, and a Summer Family Camp program that enables kids to come to camp for a week during the summer with their whole family. Summer Family Camp in particular is a great opportunity to have a lifechanging summer vacation with kids while experiencing camp together, and getting a taste of camp life. Families stay in the camp’s retreat center and find out why the camp is referred to as “spa Ramah.” For those who don’t want to mess with the kitchen that week, there is also a Passover retreat which sells out almost immediately every year.

Camper growth is key at Jacobs Camp Over the course of a summer at the Henry S. Jacobs Camp, campers experience tremendous growth. “I’m not talking about getting taller, although sometimes that happens,” quipped Camp Director Jonathan “J.C.” Cohen. “I’m talking about the personal and spiritual growth that happens while they are here.” Each summer, the camp strives to send its campers home a little more independent, a little stronger as individuals, and with improved relational and communication skills. As Jews, Jacobs strives to gird them for the challenges that come with being a religious minority in the Deep South — by strengthening their Jewish identity and empowering them to stand taller in their beliefs. “Parents deﬁnitely see this growth even after just one summer at camp, because they tell us about it all year long. And, for those families who keep sending their children back, they see the cumulative eﬀect.” Jacobs Camp attributes its success, summer

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January 2014

Summer Camp

From our family to yours, Camp Judaea wishes you a Happy New Year!

after summer, to its camp staff, which hails from across the country and around the world, including 15 staff members from Israel. Counselors and staff members do so much every day — leading activities, planning and leading programs, keeping their campers (and fellow staff members) inspired and moving through the day, being enthusiastic about everything that happens at camp, giving and receiving feedback with the goal of improving themselves and the camp experience, and more. More significant, though, is the way they are “in the lives” of campers as direct, counsel, coach, support, comfort, befriend, and role model for their campers. Already, so many of last summer’s staff members have already signed on to be back at Jacobs in Summer 2014. Campers spend each day moving from activity to activity, developing new skills, taking part in activities they love, and making great friends along the way. In 2013, the Camp’s newest activity was Disc Golf, and it was very popular; the Camp now features an 18-hole professionally-designed course that weaves throughout the property. It was also only the second summer the Camp had the Wet Willie Waterslides, the two 100-foot slides that dominate the view of the lake’s shoreline. The slides, along with the Blob, continued to be very popular activities. The camp also has recreational offerings in Adventure, Aquatics, Creative Arts, Digital Media, Performing Arts, and Sports. Plans for 2014 have been kept quiet, as there will be some surprises revealed as the summer approaches. Senior Assistant Director Gary Brandt did share that the camp has already purchased stand-up paddleboards for use on the lake this summer. He noted, “If you thought last summer was great, then you can be certain that 2014 is going to be even better!” Jacobs Camp is well known for being a “Jewish Place at a Southern Pace” as its slogan notes, each year serving non-Orthodox families from across the Deep South; but plenty from beyond the South continue to flock to Jacobs. In 2013, the camp population was made up of people from 24 states and six countries. The bulk of those from beyond the South are the children and relatives of camp alumni, who want to give their kids a Southern Jewish experience as a way to maintain their connection to their own Southern roots. While the camp is incredibly proud of its diverse recreational and cultural programming, its modern 267-acre facility, and the wonderful support it receives from families and communities across the South, what it is most proud of is how those who come to Jacobs have the chance to grow. “The absolute best part of my job,” Cohen stated enthusiastically, “is getting to witness and be part of the growth trajectory of so many young people. At the Henry S. Jacobs Camp, growth is what it’s all about.” Registration is now open for Summer 2014 at the URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp. For more information, and to register, go to http://jacobs.urjcamps. org

Metairie’s Klein takes over LJCC camp program Jessica Klein, who has been the youth and camp director at the Metairie Jewish Community Center for the last ﬁve years, has moved up Interstate 59 to become the camp director at Birmingham’s Levite Jewish Community Center. Her hiring was announced in Birmingham at the end of October. LJCC Executive Director Betzy Lynch said “I am conﬁdent that she will lead our camp and youth & family programming to a whole new level.” Klein, who started at the LJCC in mid-December, said “Even though I will truly miss all of the families and friends that I will be leaving behind, I can’t wait to make new connections within the Levite JCC community. “ Having lived in New Orleans most of her life, the move “will be a brand new adventure for me and of course my dog, Mia. I’m delighted to be moving to such a beautiful area and am eager to bring new ideas to the JCC summer camp.” Registration at the LJCC opens on Jan. 12 for this summer’s traditional and specialty camps, which run from May 26 to Aug. 15. In Metairie, Katie Dunn has become the new camp director. Camp there and at the Uptown JCC will be from June 9 to Aug. 1.

For more information about Camp Judaea, please visit us at CampJudaea.org 28

January 2014

Southern Jewish Life

Starting in Mobile

The Mobile festival opens on Jan. 9 at the Mobile Museum of Art with “Portrait of Wally.” The painting by Egon Schiele of his mistress, Walburga Neuzil, became the focus of a 13-year battle that exposed Nazi art theft. The painting was taken by the Nazis in 1939 from Vienna art dealer Lea Bondi when she fled for her life. It resurfaced on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 1997. The museum refused to entertain claims by Bondi’s heirs — even the museum chairman, Ronald Lauder, who was founder of the Commission for Art Recovery. The case set a precedent leading museums to examine their collections for art stolen by the Nazis. The film will be screened at 2 and 7 p.m. without charge. Reservations are required for the 7 p.m. screening. On Jan. 12, “BESA — The Promise” will be screened at Springhill Avenue Temple at 3 p.m. Photographer Norman Gershman decided to focus on Albania while doing a photo essay on Righteous Gentiles that saved Jews during the Holocaust. The film focuses on Gershman and Rexhep Hoxha, a Muslim Albanian toy shop owner who has three

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Three communities in the region are having their annual Jewish Film Festivals this month. The Mobile Jewish Film Festival will screen seven films in eight venues in Mobile and Baldwin counties from Jan. 9 to 22. The Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festival will be at the Manship Theatre from Jan. 15 to 19, and Jewish Cinema Mississippi will be at Jackson’s Malco Grandview Theatre from Jan. 22 to 26. The Mississippi and Mobile festivals have films with local ties. Mobile will screen “We Remember,” a Holocaust documentary done by teens from Springhill Avenue Temple, and Mississippi will have “Road to Eden: Rock and Roll Sukkot,” about Dan Nichols’ Sukkot tour through the Deep South in 2011. The Mobile and Baton Rouge festivals share two films, while neither venue will be featuring any of the films on Mississippi’s schedule. “The Other Son” opens the Baton Rouge festival on Jan. 15, while it screens in Mobile on Jan. 16. It is the story of Joseph, who is preparing to join the Israeli army for his national service. During the process he discovers that he is not his parents’ biological son, but that he was inadvertently switched at birth with Yassin, the son of a Palestinian family from the West Bank. This revelation turns the lives of these families upsidedown, forcing them to reassess their respective identities, their values and their beliefs. On Jan. 18, Baton Rouge screens “Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy,” and Mobile shows it on Jan. 19. Narrated by Joel Grey, the film features interview and conversations with some of the greatest composers and writers of the Broadway stage in an exploration of the unique role of Jewish composers and lyricists in creating the modern American musical. Performances include David Hyde Pierce, Matthew Broderick, Zero Mostel, Nathan Lane, Fanny Brice and many more.

Diverse offerings at three regional Jewish Film Festivals

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January 2014

Judaic books that belonged to a family his father had sheltered 60 years earlier. Hoxha’s mission is to track down members of that family so he can return the books. Jason Williams, one of the film’s producers, will speak. An exhibit about BESA was at Birmingham’s Civil Rights Institute last spring. “BESA” will also be screened on Jan. 21 at the South Alabama Baldwin County campus’ performance center in Fairhope. William Pencak, visiting professor of history and Jewish studies at USA, will introduce the film. The Jan. 14 to 16 films will be at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center at the University of South Alabama, at 7 p.m. “Suskind” will be on Jan. 14. It tells the gripping story of a Jewish industrialist who saved hundreds of Dutch children from the death camps during World War II. Joining the Jewish Council charged with the devil’s work of overseeing the orderly transfer of fellow Jews, Süskind exploits his position to protect his family and maneuver some 600 children to safety. But the Nazis exact revenge when they discover his efforts. The film was voted Best Feature Film at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, and Roy Hoffman will lead a discussion after the screening. On Jan. 15, “Fill The Void” is the story of Shira, the youngest daughter of a Hassidic family. About to be married to a promising young man, the wedding is put on hold when her sister dies in childbirth. Talk of the son-in-law leaving the country with the baby prompts the mother to propose a match between Shira and the widower. Rabbi Steven Silberman of Ahavas Chesed will introduce the film. “The Other Son” will be screened on Jan. 16, with a dessert reception following. The festival moves to Ahavas Chesed on Jan. 19 for “Broadway Musicals,” which will be followed by dessert and a Broadway sing-a-long with Terry Maddox. The final public film will be “Orchestra of Exiles,” Jan. 22 at the Ben May Library’s Bernhaim Hall. Featuring Itzhak Perlman, Zubin Mehta, Pinkas Zukerman and others, this film is the suspenseful chronicle of how one man helped save Europe’s premiere Jewish musicians from obliteration by the Nazis. Violinist Bronislaw Huberman saved close to 1000 Jews, along with the musical heritage of Europe. Scott Speck, musical director and conductor of the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, will introduce the film. “We Remember” will be the Julien E. Marx Student Holocaust Film Series presentation at UMS-Wright, St. Paul’s, Davidson High and Bayside Academy. Over 2,000 students will view the documentary that features local residents whose lives were affected by the Holocaust, from a wide range of perspectives. Fran Sterling, senior associate of Research and Development from Facing History and Ourselves, will speak to the students and conduct a workshop for Holocaust educators. Festival tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and students. They may be purchased at mobilejewishfederation.org or at the venue subject to availability.

Baton Rouge Festival

Baton Rouge’s festival starts Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. with “The Other Son.” Tickets for all shows are $8.50 and are available from the Manship Theatre box office. Same-day tickets will be sold on a space available basis. The festival continues with “In The Shadow” on Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. The Czech entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar, the film takes a film noir approach to the 1950s Czech secret police. A group of Jewish immigrants are suspected in a jewel theft, supposedly to finance a Zionist operation. They confess and are subjected to a show trial, but one criminologist knows the truth is quite different and tries to unravel things against a powerful government. “Broadway Musicals” will be screened on Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. 30

January 2014

Southern Jewish Life

Two films finish the festival on Jan. 19. At 1 p.m., “Six Million and wedge in his family. “Footnote” follows on Jan. 23. A 2011 Israeli film, it depicts acaOne” explores the ways children of Holocaust survivors cope with their parents’ mysteries and traumatic memories. Filmmaker David Fisher demic competition gone mad, between a father and son who both convinces three very reluctant siblings to go on a journey to retrace teach Talmud at Hebrew University. In 2012, it was in the Best Foreign Film category at the Oscars, and won Best their father’s experiences during the HoloScreenplay at Cannes. The father’s lifecaust as described in a journal discovered long ambition was to win the Israel Prize. only after his death. The story goes to a gap One day he gets the call congratulating in the final couple of weeks before liberahim on his selection — but later the comtion, which is filled by soldiers who found mittee realizes they meant to call the son, the camp and are still traumatized by what who they really intended to honor. they witnessed. “Wonders,” on Jan. 25, is described by Fisher said “For me, this isn’t a film about Variety as a “stylish and amusing riff on the Holocaust, because we spent most of ‘Chinatown’ by way of ‘Alice in Wonderour time laughing and there is nothing land’.” Israel’s premier film critic called funny about the Holocaust; It’s about a rare it the country’s best movie of the year. kind of intimacy and brotherly bond that The film tracks the complex relationship replaced pain with bitter-sweet humor.” The final film, at 3 p.m., is the 1966 clas- The families receive the news: Alon (Pascal Elbe), between a Jerusalem graffiti artist and a sic “Cast a Giant Shadow,” with Kirk Doug- Orith (Emmanuelle Devos), Leila (Areen Omari), mysterious modern day prophet who is las as Mickey Marcus, an American soldier Said (Khalifa Natour) star in “The Other Son.” imprisoned in an abandoned apartment who served as an advisor in the fight to esacross from the artist’s window. tablish Israel in 1948. Also featured are Senta Berger, Angie Dickinson, The festival ends on Jan. 26 with “Road to Eden,” followed by a preYul Brynner, John Wayne, Topol and Frank Sinatra. sentation by filmmaker Doug Passon and a performance by Nichols. The documentary was filmed in several communities throughout the Jewish Cinema Mississippi The Mississippi festival starts on Jan. 22 with “David: One Boy, Two South, including Pensacola, Dothan, Birmingham, Montgomery, JackFaiths.” Set in Brooklyn, 11-year-old Daud, son of an imam, is mis- son, New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The films will be at the Malco Grandview Theatre, starting at 7 p.m., taken for a Jew. He befriends Jewish peers and becomes conflicted in his identity. The more he plays out his double life, the more he risks a except for the Jan. 26 matinee at 2 p.m.

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Dr. Jon Silberstein, Associate Professor of Urology and Chief of the Urologic Oncology section at Tulane University Medical School, said Tulane takes a progressive approach to the treatment of aggressive prostate cancer. But on the other end of the spectrum, he said the focus is also on a greater understanding of screening results so that individuals aren’t “over-treated” when someone is low-risk and doesn’t have strong signs or evidence of prostate cancer. “It’s a broad spectrum,” said Silberstein. “On one end you had people getting radical treatment with some significant side-effects when the cancer is so non-aggressive or almost non-existent. Some low risk categories may not need treatment at all. On the opposite end we have those with aggressive prostate cancer in higher risk categories who need more aggressive approaches to treatment. The key is determining where a patient falls within the parameters.” Prostate cancer affects 250,000 men in the United States but only 30,000 die from prostate cancer each year. Of all the cancers, that is the biggest disparity between the numbers of those with the cancer and the mortality rate. If the cancer is more aggressive, surgery is usually the preferred method — removal of the prostate. “At Tulane we are pioneers in advanced robotic surgery,” said Silberstein. He also said one of the fellow leading doctors and researchers that Silberstein works with at Tulane came up with three of the seven drugs used today in an effective prostate cancer treatment protocol. All have been developed since 2004. In 1990, a new advanced screening test was created called the PSA. It measures protein mostly found in the blood specific to the prostate. Silberstein said in recent years there has been some debate about the testing and screening processes. “Tulane feels that men should be screened with PSA, but in different ways. Based on different ages and risk factors, we can determine how often the tests should be given or if they should be given at all. It’s a good test but we need to be smart about how we use it,” he said. Silberstein said it can be hard for a man to read warning signs. Difficulties with urination including flow interruption, pain and getting up several times in the middle of the night can be signs of the onset or presence of prostate cancer. But as men age, changes in the prostate/bladder are normal. Having to urinate more frequently could just be a natural byproduct of aging and not a warning sign. Those who are obese, or who are in a genetic high-risk category and race-related high-risk category such as African-American men, should get screened more regularly starting in their early-to-mid 40s — even if there aren’t warning signs, he said. Silberstein advised living a healthy lifestyle, including proper diet, exercise and not smoking, to all men but especially those in their 40s and older. “People ask me, what should I eat to prevent me from getting prostate cancer? I tell them about a few foods to avoid or at least just have in moderation. But mostly I tell them to eat what is good for your heart. I recommend a diet with low saturated fats and green leafy vegetables,” he said. “People are much more likely to die of a heart attack than they are from prostate cancer. Plus smoking is more associated with bladder cancer than it is with lung cancer.” Silberstein is the author of more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and several book chapters. He is also the winner of numerous awards from national and international meetings along with serving as a reviewer for several prominent urologic journals.

Southern Jewish Life 12/13/13 4:12 PM

Tips for kids and parents on dealing with bullies A bully can turn something like going to the bus stop or recess into a nightmare for children. Bullying can leave deep emotional scars that last for life. And, in extreme situations, it can culminate in violent threats, property damage or someone getting seriously hurt. The CHIPS Center at Children’s Hospital of Alabama is prepared to fight back against this problem. The CHIPS Center staff is a team of specially trained clinical counselors, doctors, social workers and nurses who work with law enforcement, the Department of Human Resources, and Child Advocacy Center representatives to provide education, counseling or referrals to children and families affected by abuse, which includes the various forms of bullying. “If your child is being bullied, there are ways to help him or her cope with it on a day-to-day basis and lessen its lasting impact,” said Amy Ray, a clinical counselor at the CHIPS Center. “Even if bullying isn’t an issue right in your house right now, it’s important to discuss it so your kids will be prepared if it does happen.”

What Is Bullying?

Most kids have been teased by a sibling or a friend at some point. And it’s not usually harmful when done in a playful, friendly, and mutual way, and both kids find it funny. But when teasing becomes hurtful, unkind, and constant, it crosses the line into bullying and needs to stop. Bullying is intentional tormenting in physical, verbal, or psychological ways. It can range from hitting, shoving, name-calling, threats, and mocking to extorting money and treasured possessions. Some kids bully by shunning others and spreading rumors about them. Others use email, chat rooms, instant messages, social networking websites, and text messages to taunt others or hurt their feelings. It’s important to take bullying seriously and not just brush it off as something that kids have to “tough out.” The effects can be serious and affect kids’ sense of self-worth and future relationships. In severe cases, bullying has contributed to tragedies, such as school shootings. Why Kids Bully Kids bully for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they pick on kids because they need a victim — someone who seems emotionally or physically weaker, or just acts or appears different in some way — to feel more important, popular, or in control. Although some bullies are bigger or stronger than their victims, that’s not always the case. Sometimes kids torment others because that’s the way they’ve been treated. They may think their behavior is normal because they come from families or other settings where everyone regularly gets angry, shouts or calls names. Some popular TV shows even seem to promote meanness — people are “voted off,” shunned, or ridiculed for their appearance or lack of talent. Signs of Bullying Unless your child tells you about bullying — or has visible bruises or injuries — it can be difficult to figure out if it’s happening. But there are some warning signs. Parents might notice kids acting differently or seeming anxious, or not eating, sleeping well, or doing the things they usually enjoy. When kids seem moodier or more easily upset than usual, or when they start avoiding certain situations, like taking the bus to school, it might be because of a bully. Let your kids know that if they’re being bullied, or see it happening to someone else, it’s important to talk to someone about it, whether it’s you, another adult or a sibling. NOLA

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Advice for Kids The key to helping kids is providing strategies that deal with bullying on an everyday basis and also help restore their self-esteem and regain a sense of dignity. Here are some other strategies to discuss with kids that can help improve the situation and make them feel better: • Avoid the bully and use the buddy system. • Hold the anger. • Act brave, walk away, and ignore the bully. • Tell an adult and talk about it. • Remove the incentives.

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For more information about bullying or to seek help please call the CHIPS Center at Children’s of Alabama at (205) 558-2751 or visit www.childrensal.org.

Touro dietician helps individuals rethink resolutions By Julie Fortenberry, RD, LDN/LD

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Do you recall the last five Januarys (or more) that you have resolved to lose 30 pounds, never eat sugar again, or exercise 60 minutes each day, only to experience frustration and defeat when February comes along and you decide thrown in the towel? Perhaps you set unrealistic goals; didn’t feel motivated, or simply didn’t care enough about your resolution to follow through with it after the initial phase. Instead of swearing off certain foods completely or vowing to lose a certain amount of weight, make a promise this year to take better care of yourself in general. This could include a variety of things. Whatever you decide to be your cup of tea, do it for you and your future years not just because it is January 2014. Try these few easy (and lasting) changes you can make to better yourself — not just on the scale. Be aware of the foods you consume. Are you eating a variety? How does the food make you feel? When are you eating? Pay attention and see what naturally evolves. This is a step everyone must take before making beneficial changes in their lifestyle. Eat real food at least once a day. This means fresh food instead of food from a box or package. Try to incorporate more fresh fruits, vegetables and salads into your daily meals. Don’t underestimate the value of quality sleep, which is as important as eating well and exercising. If you are not sleeping, consult your physician to find out why. Sleep is essential. Wellness is more than just exercise and eating healthy. Mental and emotional health are important aspects of our well-being that often get overlooked. Do something just for you every day. Between work, family and other commitments, the majority of our time is spent taking care of others. Resolve to set aside “recharge” time for yourself every day to exercise, relax, reflect, cook a gourmet dinner, write in a journal, garden, walk your pet or do an activity that you enjoy. Julie Fortenberry is a registered dietitian at Touro Infirmary. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Southern Mississippi. She believes that lifestyle changes and wholesome nutrition are obtainable, and brings real-life understanding to wellness and nutritional counseling. Learn more about making healthy food choices at one of Touro’s free monthly grocery store tours. To view upcoming dates and topics, visit www.touro.com/ events. NOLA

LimmudFest New Orleans also has programming for children While the LimmudFest celebration of Jewish learning and community has high-caliber programming, that doesn’t mean the little ones are left out. About 500 participants from across the region are expected to take part in the over 90 sessions that will be offered in New Orleans from March 7 to 9. For children, there will be presentations by Amy Meltzer, a wellknown children’s author and creator of the blog “Homeshuling,” a social justice workshop for children and parents, and a children’s music program presented by Meryl Zimmerman. A multi-denominational Shabbat service will be held for children ages 5 to 10 and babysitting will be available throughout the weekend. Additional programming is being planned and will be announced shortly. Organizers announced more of the national and international presenters who will be on hand this year: Mark Schleifstein, Rachel Luft and Mark Wagner. Schleifstein is a journalist and author who has worked at NOLA. com and The Times-Picayune since 1984. In his journalistic and publishing career he has addressed a variety of important topics, including the recent B.P. Oil spill, Hurricane Katrina, the threat of Louisiana’s eroding coastlines, the destructive impact of Formosan termites on the city of New Orleans, as well as the devastating impact of overfishing on the world food supply and the world’s fisheries. Luft is an associate professor of Sociology at Seattle University. For nearly a decade prior she taught at the University of New Orleans. Her areas of research specialization and social activism are race, gender, social movements and disaster. Before becoming a sociologist Rachel was a Jewish educator in Berkeley, Calif., where she created curricula for Jewish youth and families on Jewish identity, gender, and race. Wagner is an associate professor of foreign languages and literature at LSU. His areas of interest include Arabic Literature, Islamic law, and Muslim Jewish relations. His session will focus on how Jews living in the Islamic world were able to adapt to Islamic law, and even learn to manipulate it to their advantage. To encourage regional participation, many people have volunteered to open their homes to Limmud participants from outside New Orleans.

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LimmudFest is also accepting donations of frequent-ﬂyer miles to bring in national presenters. Based on Limmud’s principles that everyone can be a teacher and that everyone is a volunteer, no presenter receives an honorarium, but the travel costs of invited national presenters are reimbursed. According to Ann Zivitz Kientz, Temple Sinai educator and member of the LimmudFest Steering Committee, “I love Limmud because I enjoy shared communal Jewish experiences, and the opportunity to learn side by side with and from Jews of all denominations in New Orleans.” She noted that this year, LimmudFest will be held over Shabbat, with the entire community able to spend Shabbat together under one roof “with many varied worship, learning, and social experiences.” There are numerous simultaneous tracks of programming: Israel, Spirituality, Contemporary Jewish Life and Identity, Arts and Culture, Social Justice, Text and Thought, History, and Family.

Eighth candle, second line: The Krewe du Jieux paraded through the French Quarter on the final night of Chanukah.

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January 2014

JWV visited the World War II Museum recently to see the PT305’s progress: Pictured are the late Fred Glassman, George Haas, Elaine Haas, Gerd Oppenheim, Henrik Pontoppidan, Major Carol Berman, Judge Sol Gothard and Elliot Raisen.

JWV marks Veterans Day The Jules Lazard Post 580 of Jewish War Veterans in New Orleans observed Veterans Day with services at Beth Israel and a program on the history and restoration of the PT305. Henrik Pontoppidan spoke about the restoration. Born in Copenhagen after the war, Pontoppidan recalled that his mother was among those who protested the Nazi order for Jews to wear the Star of David by also wearing one, as did King Christian. A charter member of the D-Day Museum, Pontoppidan is a volunteer boat restorer and tour guide for the PT305 project. He helped restore the original Higgins Landing Craft at the museum. The PT305 was built by Higgins Industries in New Orleans and went into service in December 1943. It was assigned to PT Squadron 22, which was in the Mediterranean. It remained there, ﬁghting the Nazi regime until the end of the war. The boat and crew are credited with sinking three ships and launched numerous commando raids. After the war, the boat was surplussed. It was a tour boat in New York for 35 years, then an oyster boat in the Chesapeake Bay. It was acquired by a group of veterans in the 1990s who hoped to restore it, but they were unable to do so. The museum acquired the boat in 2006 and is being made operational, with the hopes that it will be in Lake Pontchartrain by 2015. It would be the only operational combat PT boat in the world. Though the JWV Post has programs at all local congregations, the Veterans Day program is traditionally held at Beth Israel because the former commander for 25 years, the late Ben Katz, was a member there, as is current commander Judge Sol Gothard. Non-Jews and non-veterans are invited to join the Post as patrons.

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Szyller a Peoples Health Champion At the New Orleans Saints game against the Carolina Panthers on Dec. 8, Abraham Szyller was honored as a Peoples Health Champion. Szyller made a name for himself in New Orleans through LAS Enterprises, a home improvement company that advertised heavily with the taglines “Put This Man to Work” and “Fight the Uglies.” After selling the business in 1989, he went back to school at age 64 and earned a Ph.D. in psychotherapy. After developing a strategy to prevent relapses among patients struggling with alcohol and drug addiction, he founded New Horizons Institute to administer his innovative program, which teaches meditation and relaxation techniques to overcome stress. But until two years ago, there was a part of him that was not widely known. At age 84, he spoke at the Stennis Space Center in May 2011 about his escape from the Gestapo as a 15-year-old boy in Nazi-occupied France. He and his younger brother made it to Spain, Portugal and then the United States. During the trek they slept in the woods and in farmhouses, and were allowed to escape by a German soldier they encountered. After making his way to America, he became a soldier and returned to Europe during the Allied occupation. He hadn’t shared those experiences because he wanted to live his life focusing on the positive. But concerned with the idea that his story could be lost, he recognized that he could not remain silent. A video of his talk was contributed by Stennis to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Oral History Branch. Every year, Peoples Health recognizes 10 individuals as Peoples Health Champions. The program recognizes the “unique capability of seniors to accomplish things now that they would not have been able to accomplish in their youth” and those who embody the idea that “we become better as we age.” Recipients are from the New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Mississippi Gulf Coast. The award is presented on the field at the Superdome during a first-quarter time-out. A brief video details the honoree’s accomplishments. “Life experience gave Abraham the wisdom and confidence to transform the evil and horror he faced in youth into a positive force of knowledge and understanding. By telling his story, he has reminded us of the power and resilience we all possess to take control of our lives and make this world a better place,” the announcer said. Earlier this season, Judge Sol Gothard was recognized for re-energizing the Jewish War Veterans Post in New Orleans. NOLA

disappointment. On November 20, the UNESCO condemned Israel for its archaeological digging in Jerusalem, acting on concerns that they might uncover stuff that further undermines claims that Israel doesn’t belong there. Jumping ahead, on October 17, 1994, Israeli and Jordanian negotiators initialed a peace treaty, agreeing that if things went well for a few days they might come back and sign their full names. This was almost as significant to the future of the Jewish people for years to come as the previous month’s premiere of “Friends” on NBC. Jumping even farther ahead, on April 30, 2004, a U.S. court ruled that John Demjanjuk was, in fact, a Nazi guard. He remained in the news for several more years, as multiple judicial appeals sought to overturn the lower court’s ruling of how to pronounce “Demjanjuk.” Later that summer, in Athens, Gal Fridman became the first Israeli athlete to win an Olympic gold medal, opening the eyes of Jews around the world to the heretofore inconceivable reality that windsurfing was an Olympic sport. Finally, in January, 2014, both readers of this column decided once again that, despite their experience reading this column, they’d still look at the rest of the magazine. Doug Brook is a writer in Silicon Valley who read the novel “Nineteen Eighty Four” in 1984, just for the irony. For past columns, other writings, and more, visit http://brookwrite.com/. For exclusive online content, like facebook.com/the.beholders.eye.

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Home is where you hang your houndstooth hat. Great distances, and even smaller ones, from home are often filled only by tiny mementos, brief reflections, and old habits that die harder than drawling an extra syllable into every word in the English language except “orange,” which is reduced to just one. For example, to this day at any Saturday morning service, when the rabbi announces the page for the full kaddish, the voice of Uncle Max Sarasohn channels through mine, as if still in the row in front of us, muttering “kaddish shalem, not kaddish shalem.” Nobody knows why I do it. That’s their loss. As we begin a new year, and recover from the requisite hangover, it’s time to reminisce on years past with solemnity, humility, and perhaps a fleeting tinge of regret. But when you get sick of doing Many notable that, read these highlights of recent years that also ended in four. For exevents happened ample… in years that On June 20, 1984, the United States ended with “4” and Israel held unprecedented joint military exercises. This disturbed many of Israel’s neighbors, until representatives of the eighty-fourth battalion, based in California, assured them that the joint exercises were purely medicinal. One month later, on July 20, the U.N. Security Council demanded a cease-fire in the years-long Iran-Iraq War and, while they were at it, took the opportunity to condemn Israel again, this time for not resolving the conflict by then. That was just before the July 23 election of the Eleventh Knesset in Israel, an event which showed that even though people don’t understand how or why people get elected to Parliament, somehow they still do. A senior Israeli election official said, “at least it’s not the Electoral College.” The same official later admitted that he first became involved in Israeli government because he heard that they “have a lot more parties than the Americans.” This election led to the formation of a National Unity government as quickly as possible, two months later. It was co-headed by Shimon Peres as the Vice Premier, Yitzchak Shamir as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Jerry Mathers as The Beaver. After the success of June’s joint military exercises, on December 11 the U.S. and Israeli navies held joint exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean. At first they were stymied by new smoking prohibitions aboard naval vessels, but things got better when they realized their ships had so many water pipes. Looking back another 10 years, on September 10, 1974, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin started a four-day visit to Washington, holding extensive talks with President Gerald Ford and senior administration officials, trying to clarify once and for all where the Washington Senators had moved this time. Once Rabin learned that it was a baseball team that left Washington and not the U.S. Senate, he flew home in

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