SJL Deep South, January 2015

Southern Jewish Life JEWISH FILM FESTIVALS IN BATON ROUGE, MOBILE, JACKSON ISRAELI AMBASSADOR: STAY STRONG AND PROUD JEWISH LIFE ON CAMPUS MISSISSIPPI STATE ARCHAEOLOGIST AND KING DAVID RENEWING JEWISH FRATERNITIES MAKING PLANS FOR SUMMER CAMP “OUR MOCKINGBIRD” COMING TO PBS January 2015 Volume 25 Issue 1

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For 25 years you’ve written our news Celebrated with us, rebuilt with us Seen oddball things, unique events After 25 years, why talk about that right now?

Why indeed. As we started to put this issue together, we did what we do at the first of every year — change the volume number on the cover, under the issue date. This time, we changed it to 25.

On the cover: Russ and Daughters, which will be featured in the opening film for the Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festival. Cover Image, courtesy Cristina Bejarano, CC BY 2.0.

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It has certainly been an interesting 25 years, and we have had a front row seat in bringing you the news about our unique community. Over the course of the coming year, we will revisit some of the interesting stories and personalities we have come across in that time.

When our first issue came out in December 1990, we were a 16-page black-and-white tabloid called The Southern Shofar, and our aim was to fill a long-desired need for a quality Jewish publication in Birmingham, and to bring together the smaller Jewish communities across Alabama.

In the early years, we were somewhat of a oddity in the American Jewish Press Association.

Not only was I the youngest delegate at conventions for several years, but also somewhat of a novelty, as it was difficult for many to wrap their heads around the concept of Jews in Alabama.

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Nevertheless, we soon started winning national Jewish journalism awards and writing stories that ran in papers across the country.

In 1999, after a Mississippi Jewish newspaper lasted all of eight issues, we decided to change our name to Deep South Jewish Voice and cover the Magnolia State’s communities. Soon after, we added the Florida panhandle.

Around that time, we went to New Orleans to cover the launch of a new organization, the

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commentary

January 2015

Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern chose to change our focus, becoming SouthJewish Life, which sought to serve the small ern Jewish Life magazine and eliminating nacommunities we were covering. tional and international wire coverage in print, In 2005, we made our way to Biloxi just after focusing entirely on stories dealing with our Hurricane Katrina came through, taking pic- region. After all, it wasn’t 1990, when the only tures of the ruined Beth Israel building. Those other coverage of Israel or world Jewry was pictures made their way around the world. We two or three lines in the daily paper and the also knew that with the community infrastruc- Internet was in very few homes. ture in New Orleans completely displaced — We love covering our region, as there are not to mention the community itself — we so many great stories to report. Join us as we coordinated with the Jewish Federation of look back over 25 years of Southern Jewish Greater New Orleans to serve as the commu- Life during the course of this year! nity’s newspaper for as long as needed.

As the community came back and rebuilt, we became the newspaper for all of Louisiana and continued to tell the world about poststorm Jewish renewal.

In 2009, during an industry shakeout, we

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4 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

agenda interesting bits & can’t miss events

Rabbi Yossi Friedman lights the ice menorah at Bais Ariel Chabad Center’s annual Fire on Ice Chanukah program, Dec. 21.

CJFS launches CJFS Cares, for memory disorders Collat Jewish Family Services in Birmingham will launch CJFS Cares this month, a program designed to provide cognitive, social and physical stimulation to people with memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, or stroke.

Staffed by trained professionals and volunteers, CJFS Cares will offer life-enriching activities to the program participants. It will also give family caregivers a break to focus on their own needs, with the knowledge that their loved ones are being looked after.

The program is being offered on Tuesdays

and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Friedman Center for Jewish Life, which is also the home of Knesseth Israel, on Overton Road.

The fee is $40 per session, including lunch. A screening of participants is required.

The agency is recruiting volunteers to help staff the program. Volunteers can work anywhere from twice a week to once a month.

Training will be provided.

Enrollment is now open for program participants and volunteers. For information, contact CJFS Cares Program Director Pam Leonard at pam@cjfsbham.org or (205) 879-3438.

“Slippery Slope” performance at 16th Street Baptist The Birmingham Holocaust Education Center is presenting an encore performance of “A Slippery Slope: The Consequences of Hate” at the historic 16th Street Baptist Church, in partnership with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

The Jan. 25 event will be in recognition of United Nations International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The 3 p.m. program is open to the community.

Written by BHEC Development Vice President Deborah Layman, “A Slippery Slope” uses personal testimonies to chronicle the escalating restrictions Jews experienced in Germany in the

1930s. It culminates by highlighting the increasing incidents of antisemitism in Europe today.

The musical interludes, performed by Dr. Alan Goldspiel on guitar and Marilyn Pipkin on violin, will include original music by Dr. Goldspiel, African-American spirituals, and the traditional Klezmer melodies of Eastern European Jews. Gabriel Tajeu will be the featured vocalist.

“A Slippery Slope” was first performed by The Seasoned Performers at the BHEC’s annual L’Chaim fundraising event in August 2014. For the presentation at the church, music has been added. “Music always adds meaning and depth to a presentation such as this,” said Layman.

“The musical interludes we are planning pro

After Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant’s November 15-member trade mission to Israel, Israeli Consul General Opher Aviran visited him in Jackson on Dec. 9 and 10 to discuss future initiatives.

As a follow-up, a Mississippi-Israel Business Summit is being planned for the spring in the state.

Pictured here are Consul General Aviran, First Lady Deborah Bryant, Consulate Political Director Chay Yagel and Governor Bryant at the Governor’s Residence.

January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 5

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vide another emotional element to the spoken content.”

The program will be hosted by Priscilla Hancock Cooper, BCRI Interim President and CEO. Citing the relevance of the program, Cooper explained, “As we witness violent consequences of racial and ethnic divisions both in our country and abroad, International Holocaust Remembrance Day is a poignant reminder that we must be vigilant in our efforts to promote equality, understanding, and peaceful resolution of conflict.”

The program is free and open to the community.

Klein has solo show at Aldridge Artist Toby Klein has a one-person exhibition at the Aldridge Gardens art gallery south of Birmingham. “The Artist’s Kaleidoscopic World” opened on Dec. 8 and is up through Jan. 31. It shows representational and non-objective use of color, design and techniques as seen through the artist’s eyes. She creates color, depth and texture with hand-dyed and painted papers, textured and embossed metals, kiln formed glass and fibers, which are layered and built up into a three-dimensional collage. She sometimes uses other small items if it completes the overall design. Other pieces show dimension through the painting process, and some of her pieces have Judaic themes.

Emanu-El continues Israel celebration year Birmingham’s Temple Emanu-El continues its Year to Celebrate Israel with three upcoming events. On Jan. 11 at 10 a.m., the Israeli Film Series will screen “Sallah Shabati,” a 1964 comedy about Israeli immigration and resettlement.

On Jan. 20, Rabbi Laila Haas will lead a lunch and learn book club at noon, featuring “If a Place Can Make You Cry: Dispatches from an Anxious State” by Rabbi Daniel Gordis. The book details his family’s experiences adjusting to a new life when they moved to Israel from Los Angeles in 1998.

At the Jan. 23 Shabbat service at 5:40 p.m., Katherine Malmay-Bazemore will be the guest speaker. The president and CEO of Cocoon Industries in north Alabama, she will discuss “Why Would a Christian Business Woman From Alabama Do Business in Israel?” In October she was a speaker at a forum, held at Birmingham’s Innovation Depot, about Alabama companies doing business in Israel.

Birmingham native Brian Altman was honored upon his retirement after 31 years in the U.S. Navy. He currently lives in Lake Oswego, Ore., where he works as an attorney for the Bonneville Dam Authority.

Altman graduated from Mountain Brook High School, then went on to graduate from the University of Alabama, the U.S. Navy OCS, nuclear propulsion school and War College, then graduated from the Lewis and Clark Law School.

He served as a nuclear submarine officer and rose to the rank of captain. At the time of his retirement, he was vice commander of the nation’s Reserve Submarine Force.

6 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

agenda

You can relax…

AIPAC briefing at Birmingham’s Emanu-El The American Israel Public Affairs Committee will have a briefing at Birmingham’s Temple Emanu-El on Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. Carmiel Arbit, AIPAC Assistant Director of Policy and Government Affairs, will give an exclusive briefing on the instability raging through the Middle East and explain how AIPAC is working with Congress to keep the U.S.-Israel relationship strong and secure. There will also be a preview of the March 1 AIPAC Policy Conference, which brings 14,000 pro-Israel activists to Washington. The program is open and free to the community. A leadership reception at 5:30 p.m. will be for Emanu-El board members and AIPAC Club members who donate a minimum of $1800 to the 2015 AIPAC annual campaign.

A Truman National Security Fellow, Arbit has consulted for USAID and State Department-sponsored programs in Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Sudan and Sri Lanka. Prior to that, she worked in the American Jewish Committee’s Office of Government and International Affairs as the Project Manager for the Arabian Peninsula and Levant.

LJCC debuts dietician at “Live Up” day The Jan. 11 “Live Up In 2015” day at Birmingham’s Levite Jewish Community Center will be an opportunity to meet the LJCC’s new registered dietician.

Katelyn Crews will be introduced at all of the Group Fitness classes that day. A table will be set up with more information about one-on-one consultations as well as six-month weight loss packages.

A Mississippi State graduate, Crews was a varsity cheerleader for four years, including two years as co-captain. After receiving a Master’s in sports administration, she became a registered dietician, completing community and food service rotations in Jackson and Vicksburg.

In 2008 she moved to Birmingham to be a clinical dietician at Trinity Medical Center, and now works at the Center of Excellence for Advanced Surgical Weight Loss.

“Live Up” is the LJCC’s open house and launch for the season’s group fitness classes. There will also be a wide range of speakers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with three options for each 25-minute session.

The event is open to the entire community and is designed to encourage and inspire individuals and families to live up in 2015. “We’re hoping to engage our members and the community at large in important conversations about how we can be and feel our best in all areas of life — from health and wellness to family and community. Striving to be our healthiest of mind, body, and soul is what it means to us to ‘live up’,” said LJCC Executive Director Betzy Lynch.

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January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 3:10 7 PM 12/15/14

agenda FA M I LY

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CENTER Plans are underway for a joint Hillel camping trip for the weekend of Jan. 30 at Joe Wheeler State Park in north Alabama, with the Alabama Hillel, Mississippi State Hillel, Auburn Hillel, UAB Hillel and the Birmingham Southern Jewish Student Union.

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The Gulf Coast Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education will have an inaugural reception on Jan. 28 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the University of South Alabama’s Faculty Club. An offshoot of the Mobile Christian-Jewish Dialogue, te center offers continuing education, the Paul and Mary Filben Holocaust Teaching Trunk for area schools and the Agnes Tennenbaum Holocaust Library Collection at the Marx Library at USA. Birmingham’s Temple Beth-El is introducing a meditation and chanting service before the Shabbat morning service. Starting on Jan. 10, the congregation will hold the monthly service at 8:45 a.m., prior to the regular 9:30 a.m. service. The first service will be an introduction to the concept of mindful meditation.

Temple B’nai Israel Sisterhood in Panama City is having a fundraiser in conjunction with Pana Roma Pizza and Pasta. For those who dine between Jan. 26 and 31 and let the server know at the beginning of the order that they are taking part in this program, Pana Roma will donate 10 percent of the check to the Sisterhood.

(by the Cahaba Heights Post Office)

Knesseth Israel in Birmingham will have its annual tree planting on Jan. 19 at 10 a.m., for Tu B’Shevat.

Phone 205-977-2777

Agudath Israel-Etz Ahayem in Montgomery will hold its Torah Fund luncheon on Jan. 11 at 12:30 p.m. at the home of Rosie Smith. Lisa Raymon Besnoy, program director at the University of Alabama Hillel, will be the guest speaker.

Birmingham, AL 35243

The next Nite on the Town for Beth Shalom in Fort Walton Beach will be Jan. 17 at Caffe Italia One89.

L’Shanah Tovah On Jan. 20, Montgomery Shaliach Barak Levy will give a performance

of English and Hebrew songs in a L’Chaim League event that is open to the entire community. The performance will be at Temple Beth Or at 2 p.m.

Shreveport will be a host community for Chai Mitzvah this year. B’nai Zion will have a kickoff weekend for the year-long adult learning program on Jan. 9. The non-denominational initiative, founded in 2008, offers a core curriculum for learning how to lead an engaged and meaningful Jewish life. The class is in its second year at Birmingham’s N.E. Miles Jewish Day School, and was held at Jewish Community Day School in New Orleans last spring. The nine-session course uses Jewish texts to explore contemporary issues on a range of topics, and is accessible to all levels of Jewish background.

Dothan’s Temple Emanu-El will have its annual art exhibition and auction on Jan. 24. Admission to the 6 p.m. champagne preview and 7 p.m. auction is $10, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit local charities. A “Second Look Sunday” will be held on Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with bagels and coffee.

Alfred Uhry’s “Last Night of Ballyhoo” will be performed at the Pensacola Little Theater from Jan. 30 to Feb. 8, and the Jewish community has a group outing to see the Feb. 5 performance. The show is set in Atlanta in December 1939. “Gone with the Wind” is having its world premiere, and Hitler is invading Poland, but Atlanta’s elite German Jews are much more concerned with who is going to Ballyhoo, the social event of the season.

Events take several unexpected turns as the characters face where they come from and are forced to deal with who they really are today.

Birmingham’s Temple Beth-El will have a Disco and Diamonds gala on Feb. 21 at the Avon Theater, from 7 to 10 p.m. It features a Diamond Drop from Levy’s, live and silent auction, DJ, disco costume and dance contests, kosher dinner and drinks catered by Yellow Bicycle. The evening benefits Beth-El, Sisterhood, Men’s Club and Religious School. Tickets are $80 each and there is a limit of 275.

8 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

agenda Tickets now available for JCRS Jewish Roots of Music gala Patron tickets are now available for the March 7 Jewish Roots of Music grams in Israel. gala benefiting the Jewish Children’s Regional Service. The previous three The gala is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. on March 7. The agency’s annual “Jewish Roots” JCRS benefits have sold out weeks in advance.

The gala, which will celebrate the agency’s 160th anniversary, will be at the New Orleans Hyatt Regency, and will coincide with the agency’s annual meeting weekend.

The “Jewish Roots of Music” will be diThe Jewish Children’s Regional Service in New Orleans announced rected by renowned musician Harry Maythat the priority application deadline for 2015 summer camp scholarronne, who created this year’s JCRS “Jewish ship assistance is Feb. 15.

Roots of Broadway” production at the NaThe unique agency provided partial scholarship funding for over tional World War II Museum.

300 Jewish children to attend camp last year. The need-based funds The Woldenberg Foundation of New Orare available for children in a seven-state region that includes Alaleans has been added to the list of honorees. bama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee and OklaThe agency previously had announced that homa, and are for those entering grades 3 to 12 as of next fall. the Cahn and Goldring families of New The funds can be used for a non-profit sleep-away camp under JewOrleans, the Klein family of Louisville, Ky., ish auspices in the United States or Canada. and the Grinspoon family from Western Applications, which are available at jcrs.org, must be submitted Massachusetts would be honored for their electronically. All paperwork must be submitted before Feb. 15 for contributions and passion for Jewish youth.

Malcolm Woldenberg priority consideration.

Malcolm Woldenberg, a native of MonThe agency also has needs-based scholarship programs for college treal, with his friend Stephen Goldring, founded Magnolia Marketing aid and year-round special needs assistance. College aid applications Company in New Orleans in 1944. Magnolia became a leading distributare due by May 31. er of beer, wine and liquor.

Founded in 1855, JCRS is the oldest Jewish children’s agency in the Woldenberg, who died in 1982, dedicated his later years to philanthrocountry, and reached over 1,000 youth last year. The agency is also the py that continues today through the Woldenberg Foundation, which has regional coordinator for the PJ Library. made major contributions to JCRS, Touro Infirmary, Tulane University, the City of New Orleans, and many cultural, civic and health related pro-

JCRS sets Feb. 15 deadline for camp scholarship applications

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January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 9

agenda meeting will be held on March 8 at 10 a.m. at the Uptown Jewish Community Center, which is located in the spot where the Jewish Children’s Home was located. After the home closed following World War II, it became a social service agency serving Jewish youth in seven states.

Also on March 8, the agency is planning a 2 p.m. family celebration of eight years managing the PJ Library in New Orleans. The Grinspoon family initiative provides free Judaic books monthly to children from the ages of six months to eight years. JCRS coordinates PJ Library in New Orleans and other areas of its region that are not already covered by local groups.

Information on Gala tickets is available at jcrs.org.

Hadassah gets top charity rating Charity Navigator, which evaluates over 7,000 non-profits in the United States, ranked Hadassah as No. 3 on its list, “Ten of the Best Charities Everyone’s Heard Of.” The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee came in sixth. Direct Relief and the United Nations Foundation took the top two spots.

Charity Navigator based the list on a series of criteria that includes exceptional financial management, operational complexity and global reach.

“Charitable givers should feel confident that these national institutions put their donations to good use,” Charity Navigator stated.

Hadassah National President Marcie Natan said “We have been awarded Charity Navigator’s 4-star rating (the highest) many times, but this is a new and noteworthy validation of all our efforts.”

She noted that the Dec. 10 announcement came at a great time, as a year-end fundraising campaign for the Hospital Tower had just been launched, including a $1 million match for gifts made by Dec. 31.

10 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

“Our Mockingbird,” “Shell Shocked” to air on PBS World Two films with regional ties will air on the PBS documentary series “America Reframed” on the PBS World channel. The series airs on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.

Journalist Natasha Del Toro hosts the series, which presents 60 to 90 minute independent films and conversations about a range of social issues.

On Feb. 3, Sandra Jaffe’s “Our Mockingbird” will be broadcast. The film shows the collaboration of two Birmingham area schools in a production of “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Now living in Boston, Jaffe was already planning to film a documentary about Harper Lee’s novel when she heard that Fairfield High School, which is mostly black, and mostly white Mountain Brook High School were doing a joint production of the stage version. Jaffe is an alumna of Mountain Brook, where the vast majority of students in Birmingham’s Jewish community currently attend.

The film weaves commentary from an array of notables, including U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, journalist Katie Couric and others who reflect on the legacy of Lee’s novel and the timeless reflection of her central character, Atticus Fitch.

The documentary debuted in 2010 in Lee’s hometown of Monroeville, then was at Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham in 2012, and was screened as part of Birmingham’s 50th anniversary commemorations of the civil rights era.

On Feb. 17, “Shell Shocked” will air. The film explores the high murder rate among blacks, especially teens, in New Orleans, and what individuals and groups are trying to do about it. In October 2013, Touro Synagogue hosted a community screening with director John Richie.

community

Israel’s ambassador urges: Stay strong and proud While noting the challenges Israel faces, Ambassador Ron Dermer told a New Orleans audience to stand tall and be proud that Israel will overcome whatever happens.

Dermer spoke at an Israel Bonds event at the Uptown Jewish Community Center on Dec. 11. The previous day, he met with Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal in Baton Rouge, where Jindal hosted him and his wife for dinner and a three-hour meeting.

Jindal “is an incredible defender of Israel… with moral clarity,” Dermer said.

Before the public event, there was a private reception for Bonds supporters.

Among those in attendance were Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.

Louisiana Treasurer John Kennedy, who recently wrote an article on why Louisiana invests in Israel Bonds, told the crowd “my message is very simple.

Buy Israel Bonds.”

He continued, “You already own some as taxpayers, and you have already made money.”

In June, Kennedy visited Israel for five days and said the visit convinced him that Israel is a good investment.

Dermer noted that Louisiana has purchased $18 million in Israel Bonds, and that 18 is a number of great significance in Judaism. Other significant numbers are three patriarchs, four matriarchs, 10 commandments and 12 tribes.

“Once you get to 18 you pretty much have to double your investment,” Dermer said. “You get a small break at 40, but then have to go up in increments of 18.”

Senator A.G. Crowe and Rep. Valarie Hodges presented Dermer with resolutions from the Louisiana Legislature supporting Israel.

In 2012, Crowe and Hodges introduced bills that expressed support for Israel, and Crowe introduced a bill establishing the Louisiana Jobs Through Trade With Israel Task Force.

In 2013, Hodges and Crowe introduced bills commending Israel’s 65th birthday.

Dermer said the resolutions are important as “a message that Israel is not alone, and that message is heard loud and clear in Jerusalem.”

He said Israel is subjected to a triple standard — there is one set for dictatorships, one set for democracies and one set for democracies named Israel. He then observed that there might be a quadruple standard — for democracies named Israel that are led by Benjamin Netanyahu.

Louisiana Rep. Valarie Hodges presented Ambassador Ron Dermer with a pro-Israel resolution passed by the state legislature.

The different standard “manifests itself when Israel has to defend itself,” he noted. During the rain of missiles from Gaza this summer, Israel exhibited great restraint but was still castigated.

“I want one person in this room to tell me America would use less force if 200 million were in bomb shelters and missiles were flying into New York, Chicago.” Yet Israelis are labeled as war criminals for responding.

It isn’t difficult to find out what happens in war — all one has to do is sit around the dinner table and ask, since Israel has a citizen army.

“When you libel the soldiers of Israel, you libel the people of Israel,” he said.

During the summer, Dermer said he drove critics crazy by asserting that the Israel Defense Forces deserve the Nobel Peace Prize, so he stated it once again in his New Orleans talk.

Over two thirds of the resolutions by the United Nations Human Rights Commission — an oxymoron, he added — deal with Israel. He said that obsession keeps the commission from dealing with true international crises.

He spoke with a fellow ambassador from Burundi lately, who said his country had a conflict until 2004, with 300,000 killed.

Dermer said that the death toll on both sides during the entire span of the Israel-Palestinian conflict is 20,000. Yet conflicts like the one in Burundi are ignored while Israel is charged with genocide.

The Palestinian population in the territories has quadrupled since Israel captured the areas

January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 11

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in 1967, a far cry from genocide.

Another way to compare the death toll is to note that the Nazi regime killed 10,000 Jews per day at Auschwitz in May 1944, so in two days the Nazis killed as many Jews as have died on both sides of the Israel-Palestinian conflict in 70 years.

Dermer noted that Israel is uniquely challenged among all of the nations on Earth.

One can start by looking at all of the neighbors.

Syria, he said, has collapsed and is a collection of areas controlled by different groups. Lebanon is “effectively governed by Iran through its proxy, Hezbollah,” which has 100,000 rockets aimed at Israel.

Gaza has fired 20,000 rockets into Israel in recent years and is still run by Hamas. Sinai “has become a Wild West of terrorism,” though the current Egyptian government is cracking down “in ways even Mubarak didn’t.” After Mubarak was overthrown, Morsi saw the terrorists as allies, but the current ruler of Egypt sees them as an enemy.

In Judaea and Samaria, also known as the West Bank, “we are fortunate that in recent years we have not seen violence and terrorism en masse,” but it took hard work to achieve that. After Israel rooted out the terrorist infrastructure and built the security fence, terrorism was reduced dramatically.

He noted that Mahmoud Abbas, who runs the Palestinian Authority, is “not Hamas” in that he does not openly call for the destruction of Israel, but neither is he prepared to confront the killers.

Dermer mentioned last month’s attack at a synagogue in western Jerusalem. “As sick as it was to see Jews in prayer being murdered, it was no less sick to see people celebrating the attack.

And they were celebrating not just in Gaza, but in Judaea and Samaria.”

In recent years there have been peace plans that call for Israel to give the Palestinians most of the West Bank, retaining Israeli towns in the territories and compensating for that by giving Palestinians territory from the pre-1967 lines in Israel as a “land swap.”

Dermer suggested that a good peace plan would be “mutually agreed neighbor swaps.”

Israel would take Canada and give Syria to the United States as a neighbor. “We’re taking Mexico and you can have your pick,” he said.

He quipped that the only places willing to take him up on that type of offer are the states that border New Jersey.

Despite challenges from the Palestinians, Israel has only one “existential threat,” a nuclear Iran. Iran already controls the governments in Sana, Baghdad, Damascus and Beirut, and the Iranian leadership doesn’t hide its desire to wipe Israel off the map.

But Dermer said that’s not the extent of it.

“They want Riyadh for breakfast, Jerusalem for lunch and New York for dinner.”

Under no circumstances should Iran be allowed to have any nuclear weapons capabilities. Despite Iranian insistence that its nuclear program is peaceful and for power generation, Dermer said that is a farce. One does not need centrifuges, enriched uranium and underground bunkers for a peaceful program.

Likewise, Iran is developing intercontinental ballistic missiles. The only use for those is to carry nuclear payloads. And they aren’t for Israel, as Iran already has missiles that can reach Israel.

Dermer was asked about the proposed Jewish nation bill before the Knesset. He said reaction to it has been “misplaced concern” and “no one in Israel will undermine Israel’s democracy.”

He invoked the saying about not watching sausage or legislation being made, saying there were several versions of the bill floating around, many with provisions that have raised alarm bells but which no Israeli government would allow to pass the Knesset.

He said Israel is a democratic state rooted in Jewish practice, and stating that Israel is a Jewish state would not alter individual rights of any citizen, regardless of religion or origin.

“Any law that will pass the Knesset will anchor the democratic character of Israel and Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people.”

He was also asked about how to counteract anti-Israel material online and in the media.

“The best antidote is the truth,” he said. “But you have to say it over and over again.”

Surveys have shown that those who follow Middle East events closely overwhelmingly back Israel. It is those who follow events superficially who are more prone to side with the Palestinians.

Despite everything, Dermer said one should step back and marvel at Israel’s accomplishments. “We defied the laws of history” by not disappearing.

Israel is a global technological power. “In cyber, Israel is China,” he said. “Israel is exporting gas to Arab countries. We also exported snow machines to Russia for the Winter Olympics.”

For 100 generations, the Jewish people dreamed about the land of Israel, now there have been three generations with “the privilege to live that dream.’

There is a responsibility to secure that dream for future generations, Dermer said, but “we will weather that storm, because we are a very strong people.”

The worst thing one can do is “bow our heads, be nervous… and refuse to walk into the arena because you might be attacked,” Dermer said.

“We have to stand proud.”

community Jewish Film Festivals hit the big screens in Mobile, Jackson, Baton Rouge The Jewish communities of Mobile, Jackson and Baton Rouge are hosting Jewish film festivals this month, with a wide range of films and guest speakers.

In Mobile and Baton Rouge, the festivals also hold student screenings of Holocaust-themed films for school groups.

The Mobile festival runs from Jan. 11 to 22, with several screenings at the Laidlaw Center for Performing Arts at the University of South Alabama. Other screenings will be at Springhill Avenue Temple, Ahavas Chesed, the Ben May Library and the USA campus in Fairhope.

Mobile’s festival is co-sponsored by the Mobile Area Jewish Federation and the University of South Alabama.

The Baton Rouge festival takes place from Jan. 14 to 18 at the Manship Theatre. Among the special guests will be Louisiana native Susan Rosenbaum, who founded Enthusiastic Gourmet Food Tours in New York FILM SCHEDULES, City. She will discuss “The Sturgeon Queens,” about the Lower East DESCRIPTIONS AND Side lox and herring emporium, “Russ and Daughters.”

TICKET PRICES Jackson’s festival, Jewish Cinema Mississippi, runs from Jan. 21 to AVAILABLE ON 25 at the Malco Grandview Theater. A highlight will be the MissisSJLMAG.COM sippi debut of “Wandering Rabbi” (see page 15).

Mobile goes “Above and Beyond” in Franco tribute With this year’s 14th annual Mobile Jewish Film Festival, a new feature is being introduced.

The Jan. 18 matinee, “Above and Beyond: The Birth of the Israeli Air Force” will be the first Reita Franco Memorial Film.

The film’s producer, Nancy Spielberg — whose brother is Steven Spielberg — will introduce the film and take questions afterward.

On April 22, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans will have a screening of the film and an appearance by Spielberg at the National World War II Museum. Alan Franco, son of Reita Franco, is the New Orleans Federation’s immediate past president.

Spielberg was inspired to produce this film after reading a 2011 obituary for Al Scwimmer, who was credited with being a founder of the Israeli Air Force. She researched the story of U.S. and Canadian pilots, World War II veterans, who were inspired to fight for Israel’s independence despite the risk of losing their U.S. citizenship because of an administration embargo.

The pilots — both Jews and non-Jews —

January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 13

community trained and coordinated in secret to stay ahead of the FBI and played a critical role in repelling five invading Arab armies in 1948 after Israel declared independence. Some of them wound up flying repurposed Nazi planes, which had been abandoned in Czechoslovakia, that they had tried to shoot down a few years earlier.

Many of the now-elderly Producer Nancy Spielberg and George pilots were interviewed for Lichter, Israel’s chief flight instructor the film, some have died since the filming.

Organizers of the Mobile festival credit Reita Franco, who died in April, with being “almost single-handedly responsible for the financial well-being” of the festival. Every year, one film will be designated in her memory, with the tribute underwritten by the Maisel and Bronstein families.

The Mobile screening will be at Ahavas Chesed on Jan. 18 at 3 p.m.

The New Orleans event will kick off with a 5:30 p.m. reception, a 6:30 p.m. talk by Spielberg and the movie will be screened at 7 p.m. Seating is extremely limited, and reservations are required. The cost to attend is $18, $10 for students and adults under age 30.

MOBILE Films are at the Laidlaw Center for Performing Arts at the University of South Alabama, unless otherwise noted.

Jan. 11, 3 p.m.: “Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love.” Springhill Avenue Temple.

Jan. 13, 7 p.m.: “Run Boy Run.” Jan. 14, 7 p.m.: “Body and Soul: The State of the Jewish Nation.”

Jan. 15, 7 p.m.: “Zaytoun.”

Jan. 18, 3 p.m.: “Above and Beyond: The Birth of the Israeli Air Force” at Ahavas Chesed.

Jan. 20, 7 p.m.: “Run Boy Run,” at the University of South Alabama Fairhope campus.

Jan. 21, 7 p.m.: “The Jewish Cardinal,” at the Ben May Library.

Jan. 22, 7 p.m.: “Aftermath” at Ahavas Chesed.

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BATON ROUGE Films are at the Manship Theatre, Shaw Center for the Arts, unless noted. Tickets $8.50 in advance, or at the door if space permits.

Jan. 14, 7 p.m.: “The Sturgeon Queens.”

Jan. 15, 7 p.m. “The Lady in Number 6” and “Hitler’s Children.”

Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m.: “The Wonders.”

Jan. 18, 1:30 p.m.: “Quality Balls” and “Under the Same Sun.” Student screening: “50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. and Mrs. Kraus.” Jan. 14 and 15, 9 a.m. to noon, BREC Independence Park Theater.

JACKSON Films are at the Malco Grandview Theater

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14 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

Jan. 21, 7 p.m.: “Sukkot in Warsaw” and “Dove Flyer.”

Jan. 22, 7 p.m.: “Under the Same Sun.” Jan. 24, 7 p.m.: “Wandering Rabbi” and “Hill Start.”

Jan. 25, 2 p.m.: “Broken Branches” and “Zig Zag Kid.”

“Wandering Rabbi” comes home to Mississippi One of the most visible services of the Jackson-based Goldring-Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life is the traveling rabbi program.

Rabbis on staff travel throughout the South on weekends, serving congregations that are too small to have a resident rabbi, and many of the congregations have just a handful of members remaining.

At the Jewish Cinema Mississippi, there will be the local debut of “Wandering Rabbi,” a 14-minute documentary about Rabbi Marshal Klaven, who until last summer was the ISJL Director of Rabbinic Services. He now serves Congregation B’nai Israel in Galveston, Tex. The film follows Klaven as he tours the South, leading Shabbat services and lifecycle events in communities with small and dwindling Jewish populations. Much of the film is set in the Mississippi Delta, and shows candid interactions between Klaven and congregants.

The film is by Jackson native Henry Wiener. After graduating from Columbia University, he worked in New York for five years before enrolling at Stanford University. His films “tell stories of people who pursue life with special passion and energy, across a spectrum of American culture.”

In June, “Traveling Rabbi” was screened as one of eight thesis films in the Masters of Fine Arts documentary film and video program at Stanford. The film won a 2013 Carole Fielding Grant from the University Film and Video Association.

“Traveling Rabbi” will be screened on Jan. 24 at 7 p.m., just before Israeli comedy “Hill Start.”

An improbable mission: Rescue 50 children The Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festival will be presenting “50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. and Mrs. Kraus” as the student presentation on Jan. 14 and 15, while Temple Beth Or in Montgomery will have “50 Children” author Steven Pressman at a Jan. 15 presentation.

The film and book detail the story of a Jewish couple from Philadelphia, Eleanor and Gilbert Kraus, who were not particularly religious or political. Moved by reports they saw from Europe, they decided in 1939 to go to Austria and Germany to try and rescue Jewish children.

Because of anti-Semitism and isolationism in the United States, and even resistance from leaders in the Jewish community, that was no easy task. They used careful readings of immigration law and visa loopholes to bring 50 children to the United States.

After they returned to the United States, they rarely spoke about what they had done. About 10 years ago, their granddaughter gave Pressman — her husband — the unpublished memoir Eleanor Kraus had written decades earlier, leading to this film.

The documentary includes interviews with nine of the children.

The film will be screened in Baton Rouge at the BREC Independence Theater for school groups on Jan. 14 and 15 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Pressman will speak at Beth Or in Montgomery on Jan. 15 at 7 p.m.

The program, sponsored by the Rothschild-Blachschleger Lecture and Culture Fund, is open to the community.

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January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 15

community Mississippi State team uncovers evidence of King David’s reign An archaeological team from Mississippi State University found six official clay seals at a small site in Israel, which team members say support the historical existence of Kings David and Solomon.

Many modern scholars dismiss David and Solomon as mythological figures and believe no kingdom could have existed in the region at the time the Bible recounted their activities.

The new finds provide evidence that some type of government activity was conducted there in that period.

Jimmy Hardin, associate professor in the MSU Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures, said these clay bullae were used to seal official correspondence in much the same way wax seals were used on official documents in later periods.

Hardin, co-director of the Hesi Regional Project, has been excavating each summer at Khirbet Summeily, a site east of Gaza in southern Israel, since 2011. Hardin’s findings were published in the December 2014 issue of Near Eastern Archaeology, a leading, peer-reviewed journal for this field.

“Our preliminary results indicated that this site is integrated into a political entity that is

16 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

typified by elite activities, suggesting that a state was already being formed in the 10th century B.C.,” Hardin said. “We are very positive that these bullae are associated with the Iron Age IIA, which we date to the 10th century B.C., and which lends general support to the historical veracity of David and Solomon as recorded in the Hebrew biblical texts.

“These appear to be the only known examples of bullae from the 10th century, making this discovery unique,” he said.

The finds contribute significantly to an ongoing debate in the archaeological community about whether governments or states existed in the early Iron Ages. The artifacts hold far-reaching implications for the growing number of scholars who maintain that such political organization occurred much later than biblical texts suggest.

“Some text scholars and archaeologists have dismissed the historic reliability of the biblical text surrounding kings David and Solomon, such as recorded in the Bible in the books of Kings and Second Samuel, which scholars often date to the Iron Age IIA or 10th century B.C,” Hardin said.

“The fact that these bullae came off of sealed

Jimmy Hardin written documents shows that this site -- located out on the periphery of pretty much everything -- is integrated at a level far beyond subsistence,” he said. “You have either political or administrative activities going on at a level well beyond those typical of a rural farmstead.”

The journal article describes the dig site as a borderland area between the heartlands of Judah and Philistia. It was originally assumed to be a small Iron Age farmstead. However, the excavation of the bullae and other recent archaeological finds indicate a level of political organization previously thought not to exist at that time.

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Dr. Zoey Glick, a board-certified dermatologist at Birmingham’s Total Skin and Beauty Dermatology Center, offers tips on “Total” skin rejuvenation for 2015.

1 — Grow longer lashes. Latisse is a topical solution that has been shown to make your own lashes longer, fuller and darker.

2 — Firm up under-eye circles. Teamine eye complex has a combination of aloe and green tea extract as well as anti-aging peptides. These ingredients can help decrease under-eye circles, maintain a rested appearance and smooth fine lines as well as wrinkles. Neotensil is the first ever “invisible shapewear” for under the eyes. Neotensil can help re-contour fine lines and wrinkles.

3 — Get rid of unwanted hair. Winter is the perfect time to start laser hair removal to get ready for summer 2015 (can be used for neck, face, arms, legs, back, bikini area as well as other unwanted hair).

4 — Revamp your skin care regimen. Start using topical antioxidants, growth factors or retinoids. Antioxidants and growth factors can help rejuvenate aging and sun-damaged skin by helping with overall skin texture.

Retinoids are synthetic vitamin A that help internally regulate cell turnover to improve fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, photoaging and acne.

5 — Restore Facial Volume Loss. There are both short and long-lasting options to restore the volume loss that happens with the natural aging process. Whether the goal is to restore volume in cheeks, lips, smile lines or overall facial rejuvenation there are multiple options to help with your specific needs, such as Perlane, Restylane, Sculptra, Voluma, Juvederm, Belotero and Radiesse.

6 — Banish Facial Wrinkles. Neurotoxins such as Botox, Dysport and Xeomin can help smooth forehead lines, frown lines and crows’ feet to help give a more rested and relaxed appearance.

7 — Reduce unwanted sun damage. Through a series of IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments, patients can improve background redness, dilated blood vessels, photo-aging and brown pigmentation.

8 — Moisturize. Particularly during the winter, the body gets dehydrated through its largest organ, the skin. Using a fragrance-free moisturizer on a daily basis can help keep skin moisturized and prevent eczema or other rashes from flaring. Creams are better than lotions — ointments are even better if one doesn’t mind the grease.

9 — Wear Sunscreen and UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) clothing and hats. Sunscreen helps protect the skin barrier from external ultraviolet damage. Look for products with an SPF of 30 or higher, broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection and are water resistant for at least 80 minutes.

Physical blocking sunscreens containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are most likely to fit these qualifications.

10 — Get a Skin Exam by a Board Certified Dermatologist. Having a Board Certified Dermatologist who has completed a three-year residency specifically in the study of skin is imperative to help prevent and diagnose skin cancer. One in five Americans will get skin cancer. A Board Certified Dermatologist has the expertise and training to help differentiate between benign and cancerous growths on the skin.

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Stand-Up Open MRI offers alternative to minimal space, discomfort Patients needing an MRI now have an alternative to the minimal space and discomfort common with traditional technology. Stand-Up Open MRI in Metairie is the only MRI center in the New Orleans region that allows patients to be scanned in their position of symptoms.

The Stand-Up Open MRI system can accommodate patients who weigh up to 500 pounds, have shortness of breath, can’t lie down, or suffer from claustrophobia. Patients receiving MRIs do not have obstructed views and can even watch television while receiving a scan.

This multi-positional MRI system accommodates an unrestricted range of motion for flexion and extension. Previously uncomfortable scanning positions can be made more comfortable due to the open-front design of the scanner, allowing the patient to sit in his or her natural position without having to conform to the table. Most body parts can be scanned in weight-bearing positions.

Robotic pulmonary lobectomy introduced at Touro for cancer care

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Touro Infirmary is now offering the Robotic Pulmonary Lobectomy using da Vinci, an innovative robotic surgical tool, for lung cancer patients who must undergo surgery to remove cancerous lung tumors.

Bringing the Robotic Lobectomy to Touro was spearheaded by thoracic surgeon Eugene Kukuy. Touro is currently the only hospital in the New Orleans metro area utilizing this innovative technology.

Using a few small incisions and a 3-D high-definition visual system, da Vinci allows surgeons to access the problem area better, lending itself to a cleaner tumor dissection and more accurate technique. It can be utilized during any stage of lung cancer; however its efficacy is determined on a case-by-case basis.

It’s a minimally invasive alternative to thoracoscopy and open surgery, which often leaves a long, painful incision. Smaller incisions mean a shorter post-operation hospital stay, less pain and a healthier recovery.

“It’s the future and it’s proven itself to be a useful tool and I think it will eventually be involved in a lot of surgeries,” said Dr. Kukuy. “It’s an important development and innovative step for the hospital and our patients.”

Not only is it advantageous for patients, but it also alleviates the bodily stress on surgeons, who usually must stand for hours at a time while in surgery, he said. While the surgeon is 100 percent in control during the process, the robotic arms provide a broader range of motion and take away the shake and tremor naturally occurring in human hands.

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St. Vincent’s Health System is hosting Heart Day on Feb. 21 from 6 to 11 a.m. The annual event is part of St. Vincent’s ongoing efforts to fight heart disease, which is the number one killer of women.

St. Vincent’s is offering three heart tests at 11 convenient locations. For $30, participants will receive: a Lipid Profile, Blood Pressure Screening, a Basic Metabolic Profile, a T-shirt and educational information.

“We’re always looking for ways to serve our community, and our annual Heart Day gives us the opportunity to screen thousands of community members for heart disease,” said Neeysa Biddle, interim president and CEO at St. Vincent’s Health System. “The symptoms of heart disease often go undetected, which makes these heart screenings so important for early detection and treatment. At St. Vincent’s, we promote heart-healthy living year round and encourage community members to participate in screenings and to take the results to their physicians.”

St. Vincent’s is also the local sponsor for the American Heart Association’s national “Go Red for Women” campaign to raise awareness of heart disease. As part of this effort, St. Vincent’s will be participating in numerous events to share heart-healthy information with the community and to encourage early detection through heart screenings.

take care of yourself

How to protect children against sports injuries — as much as possible For a child, there’s nothing like the lessons learned from being on the field and having an opportunity to make a game winning run, or the sportsmanship gained from playing together as a team and coming up short with a loss.

Childhood sports are part of our lives. They bring joy to children and their families. Not only that, being involved in athletics can be beneficial to a child’s development. But as any parent knows, there is always the risk of injury.

By knowing the causes of sports injuries, and how to prevent them, parents can make involvement in sports a more positive experience for kids.

Drew Ferguson is UAB’s director of sports medicine at Children’s of Alabama. He points out that age can be a factor in many injuries.

“The younger kids don’t have the body control, the neck coordination to play a lot of these sports,” Ferguson said. “It’s important to try to teach the basics, the fundamentals because developing bodies and awkwardness can lead to injuries that you don’t see in older, more developed children.”

On the other hand, as a child grows and develops, injuries can take place due to the force of physical contact between bigger, stronger kids. However, there are things can be done to help prevent kids from being injured.

Use of Proper Equipment Children should always use the proper equipment and appropriate safety gear for each sport. That gear should always be the correct size and fit well.

Ask a child’s coach about the appropriate helmets, shoes, mouth guards, athletic cups and padding. Shatterproof goggles should be considered as well.

Protective equipment should be approved by the organizations that gov-

ern each of the sports. Protective gear should be properly maintained to ensure effectiveness.

Maintenance and Appropriateness of Playing Surfaces Coaches and parents should ensure that playing fields are in good condition. Holes or ruts could cause children to fall and get hurt. For sports like running and basketball, surfaces should be more forgiving, like a track and wooden courts versus concrete surfaces.

Adequate Adult Supervision and Commitment to Safety Any team sport or activity that kids participate in should be supervised by qualified adults. The team coach should have training in first aid and CPR. The coach’s philosophy should promote players’ well-being, not a ‘win at all costs’ approach. Additionally, make sure kids are matched for sports according to their skill level, size, as well as physical and emotional maturity.

Proper Preparation A child should always be taught how to play the sport before going out on the field. The child should be adequately prepared with warm-ups and training sessions before practices as well as before games. In addition, kids should drink plenty of fluids and be allowed to rest during practices as well as games.

Types of Sports Injuries Sports injuries are usually divided into three categories — acute injuries, overuse injuries and re-injury.

Acute: Acute injuries occur suddenly and are usually the result of some trauma. They could range from sprains or strains to the more serious concussions.

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January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 19

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Overuse: Another common source of injury is overuse. This is seen in sports with the same, repetitive motions. One example is “Little League Elbow,” which is pain and tenderness in the elbow due to repetitive throwing.

Re-injury: Re-injury often happens when a player returns to the game before he or she is properly healed from a previous injury. A player should wait for their doctor’s approval before re-entering the sport, and even still, should start back gradually to prevent getting hurt again.

If a child is injured, he or she should stop playing immediately. Ferguson says whether or not to call the doctor may depend on how much pain they are feeling.

“On a pain scale from one to ten, if they are below a five you may want to wait,” he said. “But if it gets more painful over time you may want to have them seen for treatment.”

For more information on this or other health and safety topics, visit www. childrensal.org.

Savvy Siblings Discussing Long-Term Care at Dinner Table

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In recent years, family dinners have become more than a time for getting together, showing appreciation and renewing family bonds. It has also become a time to talk about the long-term care needs of aging parents.

Milton Goldstein sees this more and more. “Savvy middle-aged children are seizing the occasion to handle aging issues in advance. For example, talking about who will care for Mom or Dad when they can no longer take care of themselves. And whether care needs are adequately protected by savings or insurance.”

Such discussions make sense, but why at family dinners? “It’s a time for looking back and looking ahead”, said Goldstein. “Also, family members of all ages may be present.”

Goldstein says middle-aged children get the discussion going in a number of ways: • If a family member already needs long-term care, they don’t hesitate to focus on that and go into the details. Is there money for a professional caregiver? Or does a family member act as unpaid caregiver; and if so, what personal price does that person pay?

• If the middle-aged children notice a family member who shows signs of requiring long-term care sometime soon, they bring that up as well.

“They look around and see who needs a little help getting out of a car or sitting at the table”, says Goldstein. “They notice if an elder is starting to forget things or have trouble finding the right words, and they call it to others’ attention. They also bring up the financial issue, such as whether the person is covered by long-term care insurance.”

• Savvy siblings, especially those in their 40s or 50s, also look at their own future needs. “They reflect on whether they themselves have suitable financial protection in place, or whether they’re letting the years go by, risking higher rates or disqualification when health problems arise.”

The new generation of savvy middle-aged children isn’t afraid to speak up, Goldstein asserts. “The issue is worth it to them. They know that lack of LTC planning is a broader problem than others that are sure to come up at these family discussions.” According to Federal estimates, about 70 percent of Americans over 65 will need some type of LTC at some point, affecting virtually all families.

Families that broach the LTC issue may explore a range of affordable long-term care planning options that include but are not limited to LTC insurance. These choices range from critical illness insurance and annuities to life insurance with LTC riders. Then, to learn more, families may meet with a specialist on the phone or face-to-face.

Milton Goldstein is a leading long-term care solutions agent serving consumers as well as organizations. “We’re glad to help them find the best, most affordable solution for their situation,” Goldstein said. “In addition to longterm care insurance, today’s options range from critical illness insurance and annuities to life insurance with LTC riders.”

education an annual SJL special section Alpha Epsilon Pi’s Theta chapter at Auburn University achieved colony status on Oct. 26.

Many in Jewish community lead Springs Eternal effort at Indian Springs School As construction moves forward for Indian Springs School’s 18 new classrooms and planning continues on a new dining hall and arts center for the nationally recognized day and boarding school for grades 8 to 12, Jewish families in Birmingham and across the country have stepped forward to lead the effort and make major gifts to the $20 million Campaign for Springs Eternal as a sign of their deep, ongoing commitment to the school.

Lead gifts in 2014 from the Kayser, Abroms, Engel and Damsky families bring total contributions to the campaign — the largest capital campaign in the school’s history — to more than $18 million to date.

ical presence that matches its creative and forward-thinking learning environment. As the new state-of-the-art buildings emerge, and the excitement builds, we are proud to be part of Alabama’s premier college prep boarding and day school!”

In late November, Indian Springs received a $2 million gift in memory of former ISS parent, grandparent and board member Leo Kayser, Jr., from his family — alumnus Leo Kayser III of New York, alumnus parent Deborah K. Strauss of Birmingham, and alumnus Kayser Strauss of New York — for the completion of the new Leo Kayser, Jr., Academic Center, which will unite the school’s academic and college advising offices, technology center, library and research services at the heart Making Springs Eternal of campus and feature an open-air Working closely with honorary Leo Kayser, Jr. gathering porch overlooking the co-chairs Donald Hess and Board ISS lake. The gift is among top Chair Libby Pantazis and fellow co-chair Rusty Rushton, campaign co-chairs Lisa gifts in the school’s history.

Leo Kayser, Jr., who served on the ISS Board and Alan Engel of Birmingham have contributfrom 1970 to 1973, served his country during ed and spent countless volunteer hours inviting ISS alumni, families, and friends coast-to-coast World War II as an officer in the Army Air Corps. to join in the effort to make “Springs Eternal” by Known for his optimism and generosity, he headsupporting capital improvements designed to ac- ed investment banking at Kayser and Company commodate emerging technologies while main- for 60 years. He died in October 2013 at age 95.

“Indian Springs School has been important to taining the spirit of the 350-acre campus.

“We firmly consider Indian Springs as an ex- the Kayser family for more than 55 years,” said tension of our family, reflecting the values and Leo Kayser III. “Our father, who supported the priorities that are so important to us,” said Lisa school as an active parent, grandparent, and Engel. “Just as Alan’s experience at Springs was board member, held the school in extremely high pivotal in molding his identity, we experienced regard, and we are delighted to be able to honor the pleasure of seeing our daughters emerge as his memory with what we believe is a fitting tribpassionate learners and citizens during their time ute to the warm and generations-long relationat Springs. We chose to help lead the Springs ship between ISS and the Kayser family.”

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January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 21

education •

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parents Judy and Hal Abroms, who have contributed generously to the building project and are now considering naming opportunities; alumnus Bill Engel, whose gift will name a classroom in honor of former ISS faculty member R.J. Stegner; and the Damsky family, who will name a classroom to honor the parents of alumni Martin and Robert Damsky.

“These extraordinary gifts and volunteer efforts represent the deep commitment that our devoted alumni and alumni parents make to the school as Lisa and Alan Engel well as the lifelong love that ISS families carry with them long after graduation,” says ISS Director Gareth Vaughan.

“Their ongoing support enables us to continuously improve the educational opportunities that we offer and enhance our community in order to provide an excellent education that best meets the needs of our students in this ever-changing and complex world.”

Hess was chairman of the school’s board from 2007 to 2012. His family established the Springs for Life society for those who pledge to contribute to the annual fund every year. The Hess family also dedicated a dorm in honor of his parents, Jimmie and Emil Hess.

The Springs Eternal campaign continues through 2018. The new classrooms and Leo Kayser, Jr., Academic Center will open in August 2015.

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22 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

For more information about Indian Springs School, visit IndianSprings. org. To learn more about the Campaign for Springs Eternal, visit www.

ISSSpringsEternal.org.

One hundred and eleven years after Isidore Newman’s dream of a school came true, the school that bears his name in New Orleans celebrates a long legacy of academic excellence.

The co-educational independent school serves high-achieving and highly motivated students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

Located in Uptown near Tulane and Loyola Universities, Newman has an enrollment of 968 students. It is the only co-educational, non-sectarian, independent day school in New Orleans.

Its founder arrived in America from Germany with just one hand-sewn suit. He became the founder of the Maison Blanche department store chain.

Newman became wealthy and influential. Around 1900, he wanted the children of the Jewish Orphans’ Home to have a private school that would help equip them for useful and meaningful lives.

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 other children could also attend.

Isidore Newman School Communications Director Eric Eagan said in August 2015, the school will open Green Trees Early Childhood Village, a stateof-the-art facility providing education for children from six weeks to 4 years old. The program will prepare students for admission into Newman Pre-K. Eagan said this school year, Newman has broadened its curriculum to include an honors philosophy course for Upper School; an acting class for Middle and Upper School, and a full-time math coach in the Lower School.

Isidore Newman also instituted a program called Design Thinking, which originated at Stanford University’s prestigious “d.school.” This method stresses collaborative problem solving and its lessons are being integrated school-wide.

In 2014, 11 seniors were named National Merit or National Achievement Semifinalists.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Newman alumnus Walter Isaacson visited campus to discuss his new book “The Innovators.”

Also in November, Newman received a $3 million donation, its largest single gift in history. The gift will be dedicated solely to enhancing science education at the school.

education

Jewish fraternities mark comeback at Tulane, Auburn Two Jewish historic Jewish fraternity chapters made strides toward re-emerging on campus this past semester.

The Sigma chapter of Zeta Beta Tau at Tulane University regained its charter in a November 16 ceremony, while Alpha Epsilon Pi’s Theta chapter achieved colony status at Auburn University on Oct. 26.

Auburn University originally housed the 8th chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi, established in 1921. In recent years, Jewish enrollment at Auburn has tripled to about 125 and a Hillel has been established.

Delegations from the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State and Georgia Southern came to the October ceremony, held at Beth Shalom in Auburn. The ceremony marked the transition from interest group to colony status.

“We hope that within a year they will be recognized as a full-fledged fraternity with all voting rights. This is very exciting news and we’ve already gotten great support from the University,” said Auburn Hillel and AEPi advisor Rob Kulick, who is also the leader of the University’s aerospace engineering program.

Sam Bartlett, president of Auburn AEPi, said “It’s a shame that it’s taken so long to revive Theta at Auburn, but we are very excited to get the opportunity to bring it back for good on campus.”

This is the second AEPi to be revived in the state recently. The Iota Deuteron chapter, established in 1942, was re-founded at the University of Alabama in March 2013.

Tulane ZBT completed its return to campus with a chartering ceremony on Nov. 16 at Tulane Chabad, followed by a reception at the ZBT house, during Homecoming weekend.

Founded in 1898 as the nation’s first Jewish fraternity, ZBT became a national fraternity with the addition of Tulane in 1909. The 14th chapter, Tulane ZBT was the first located outside the Northeast.

In 2005, the ZBT house at Tulane was damaged

by Hurricane Katrina, but a bigger blow came in January 2007 when a Winter Break fire left the chapter homeless. The cause of the fire was never officially determined and was one of several fraternity house fires at Tulane in recent years.

In 2008 the chapter rebuilt and was able to move into its new home in March 2009 — but in 2010, ZBT was kicked off campus because of violations of hazing policy.

The chapter was told not to try and return until those involved had graduated. In January 2013, the process began for ZBT’s return.

The chapter now is “67 brothers strong” and won Colony of the Year at ZBT’s national convention in July.

Current ZBT International President Matt Rubins, right, presents Tulane ZBT President Max Shafron with the chapter’s charter.

Jacob Berkelhamer, chartering event chairman, said the fraternity is excited “to be back in the ZBT house with Chef Mike Alexis and Miss Deb Alexis employed and working hard to provide our brothers Tulane’s best Greek meal plan,” and is working to win the Brummer Cup, which goes to the best ZBT chapter nationally each year.

This semester, they will have a Get on the Ball event that they hope will top last year’s, which raised over $9,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network.

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January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 23

education

Jewish Life On Campus At Alabama, Hillel expands activities for growing community Happy Chanukah to our Camp Barney Medintz families

COME TO CAMP!

For more info visit www.mcwane.org 24 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

by Lee J. Green The Tide is high at the UniRosh Hashanah lunch at Bama Hillel versity of Alabama as it pertains to record numbers of Jewish student enrollment and involvement.

“It has been a really great fall semester. We’ve had some incredible programs and record attendance at our events,” said University of Alabama Bloom Hillel Director Lisa Besnoy. The number of Jewish students at the University also increased by approximately 16 percent.

“I have been here three years and we are adding anywhere from 20 to 60 a year,” she said. “As far as participation, our Hillel rivals other universities’ as far as participation and those universities have several times larger enrollments than we do. We estimate that we have more than 40 percent participation on average.”

She said what makes Hillel and Jewish student life activities so popular is that the program ideas come from the students themselves. “We are absolutely student-driven and student-led,” adds Besnoy.

Students have come up with some successful fundraising initiatives, such as a spaghetti dinner and three-on-three basketball tournament this past fall semester. A generous donation matches dollar-for-dollar what the students bring in for Hillel programs and activities.

“We’ve had several successful projects and initiatives that were not only enjoyed by our students, but have also helped those in need,” said Besnoy.

“Through those initiatives and inviting others to learn about as well as participate in some of the things we are doing, we are bringing Hillel into a positive spotlight campus-wide and community-wide.”

She said Hillel is averaging 90 people for Shabbat dinners. They got a grant this past fall and started a monthly home-style Shabbat in November.

For those, the juniors and seniors get a budget to plan the Shabbat dinners, menu and other aspects of the Shabbat get-togethers.

“This is a great way to prepare them for hosting Shabbat dinners and planning not just meals, but events after they graduate,” said Besnoy.

They are in the process of planning the spring schedule but know for sure they will do a Hoops for Havdalah event including an Alabama Crimson Tide basketball game and a Habitat for Humanity project.

Besnoy said a recent visit by a prospective student and his parents summed it up best. “The father said ‘I feel good knowing my son will have a Jewish family and Jewish home here’,” she said.

This past fall, Rabbi Stephen Jacobs finished teaching courses on “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament” and “Introduction to Judaism” using a textbook he wrote, “The Jewish Experience: An Introduction to Jewish History and Jewish Life.”

Jacobs also recently returned from lecturing in Toronto about the Holocaust. He will be on sabbatical during the spring semester working on a book project tentatively titled “Genocidal Religion: Changing the Conversation” and co-authoring a textbook tentatively titled “The Scriptures of Ancient Judaism.”

University of Alabama President Dr. Judy Bonner said, “Jewish students have been a vibrant part of the University of Alabama for many decades.

We welcome their contributions to the religious diversity of our campus community as well as to the academic and social aspects of campus life. The new Hillel facility, opened in 2011, plays a key role in the lives of our Jewish students and is a great asset for recruiting prospective students as well.”

Coach Pearl jumps into Auburn Jewish life Jewish student life at Auburn University continues to ascend like a War Eagle, or a basketball player to the hoop, coached by new basketball coach

January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 25

education

and already-very-involved Jewish community member Bruce Pearl.

The other big news is that Alpha Epsilon Pi has a fraternity chapter again at Auburn for the first time since the early 1980s.

“When you combine this AEPi presence with Hillel and having a guy like Bruce Pearl at the University, Jewish student life at Auburn certainly has become even more attractive to prospective students,” said Rob Kulick, who advises Hillel and AEPi while leading the university’s aerospace engineering program.

Kulick said that is especially true for students going into majors that Auburn has gained a top national reputation for, including engineering, agricultural, architecture and veterinary.

Late last year a scholarship fund was established as a partnership between Auburn, the Birmingham Jewish Federation and Birmingham Jewish Foundation. It comes with a $5,000 challenge grant that will be matched continually.

Last month was a festive month for Auburn Jewish students. For the third year in a row, they did a menorah lighting ceremony on campus to celebrate Chanukah. On Dec. 7, Coach Pearl and his wife hosted the students for a latkes-and-dessert Chanukah party.

“Bruce Pearl is so outgoing and he is so great at getting people engaged. We haven’t asked him for anything, he has just volunteered on his own since he is passionate about the Jewish community on campus and in the city,” said Kulick.

He also added that “the relationship between the students and those in the (Auburn-Opelika) Jewish community is unbelievable. The students pack Auburn coach Bruce Pearl held a Chanukah party for students out some of the services and

Don’t just sit

work on projects together” with the local congregation, Beth Shalom.

Elizabeth Zimmerman, from Daphne, currently serves as Hillel president in addition to teaching Sunday school at the synagogue. Sam Bartlett is the president of AEPi. Plans for the spring include a recruitment weekend including an Auburn basketball game, a community Seder featuring the Pearls and a Hillel/AEPi Purim party.

“We’re seeing some of the freshman and sophomores take more of an active role in leadership as the academic year moves on. This is preparing them for the leadership roles they will take once our junior and senior leaders graduate,” said Kulick.

Jewish Culture Organization gives students community at Millsaps Involvement continues to grow with Jewish student activities at Millsaps College, a liberal arts college in Jackson.

Dr. James Bowley, a chair of the Religious Studies program who has been at Millsaps for 13 years and started the Hillel there in 2005, said they have a committed core group this academic year.

“We have a vibrant group that meets every Friday, holidays and other important community events,” said Dr. Bowley. “The enrollment num-

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education

bers did not grow this year but we’ve had record participation, so that’s very encouraging to see.”

They recently had a Chanukah menorah lighting celebration and earlier in the fall built a Sukkah in the middle of The Bowl, the green at the center of campus.

Recently, Hattiesburg senior Melinda Solomon returned from her Birthright Israel trip and will share her experiences with her fellow Jewish Culture Organization members.

Bowley said the JCO is coordinating a Purim party as well as a biggest-ever campus-wide Seder for Passover this spring. They expect great attendance from many who are not Jewish as well.

“Not only does the JCO give Jewish students a sense of community but it also serves the greater university community by educating others,” said Bowley.

He said they appreciate their partnership with the Institute of Southern Jewish Life, and this year one Millsaps student will have an internship with the history department at ISJL. For this spring semester, Bowley is teaching a course on Classical Hebrew and a new class on Judaism, Christianity and Islam — focusing on enhancing understanding as well as areas of commonality.

Samford expands diversity, adult learning options Samford University in Birmingham, which has hosted many Holocaust remembrance events, continues toward “an intentional emphasis on global engagement, understanding and diversity.”

“That is something we are very proud of here,” said Samford Communications Director Philip Poole. “We want to make sure our students understand the importance of embracing all cultures, religions and being cognizant of how learning from current events can help to shape their careers as well as their tomorrows.”

Samford is already known as a premier arts school for the region and boasts partnerships with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the Alabama Ballet and Opera Birmingham.

The university also has gained a reputation for its many strong educational opportunities on campus for those who are not current university students in undergraduate or graduate programs.

Its Academy of the Arts is a year-round curriculum open to a wide range of ages. Those classes include many of Samford’s continuing education courses for adults ranging from photography to e-commerce to web building to current events.

“One of our most popular classes for adults is a course on antiques,” said Poole. “Those taking the course can learn about determining value for antiques and how to shop for rare gems.” A new round of classes started Jan. 5 but sign-up can be made even after the courses start and some courses don’t start until later in January as well as into the spring. Schedules can be found at www.samford.edu.

In the summer, in addition to the continued learning classes for adults, Samford offers many sports, arts and academic camps for kids of all ages, from pre-school through high school.

For high school students, Samford also offers vocational academic camps in which students get to live on campus for a week. Some of those camps include legal, medical and pharmaceutical learning.

Poole also noted that every summer Dr. James Strange takes some of his archeology students to Israel.

RAMAH DAROM IS AN EXPERIENCE THAT LASTS A LIFETIME. Give your child the gift of camp this summer.

Montevallo builds on reputation for excellence Located about 30 miles south of Birmingham and nationally known for its strong arts programs, the University of Montevallo continues to grow its Jewish presence along with its national reputation.

Currently, 2,620 students are enrolled in undergraduate programs and 446 in graduate programs at the university. Though it offers 70 academic areas, the College of Arts and Science is the largest academic unit for undergraduates and art is the most popular undergraduate major.

According to the 2014 rankings of “America’s Best Colleges,” published

ramahdarom.org (404) 531-0801

SJLad.indd 1

January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 27

12/12/2012 11:22:58 AM

education

by U.S. News and World Report, the University of Montevallo ranks as the number one public master’s-level university in Alabama, a title the university has held since 2008.

Proud graduate Barbara Bonfield, an involved member of the BirmingRam Gilad ham-area Jewish community, said Montevallo really helped shape her career and her life. She is still involved as the secretary for the Alumni Board of Directors and is on the committee that awards leadership scholarships every year.

“I had just a wonderful undergraduate experience there and I can’t say enough good things about the university, the professors and the students,” said Bonfield. “Montevallo offers a great environment and the education is such high-quality.” Bonfield graduated with a degree in social work but almost had a double major in journalism/writing.

She also did some theatre at Montevallo and the university has gained a reputation for its high-quality theatre and music programs.

Montevallo’s Jewish population is smaller but growing, thanks to its reputation for “excellent arts programs and being a liberal, progressive, institution,” added Bonfield.

“When I went to school and today, people are very open minded and the professors really value the opinions of the students,” she said.

Long-time Montevallo art and pottery professor Theodore Metz is Jewish and Ram Gilad, a native of Kfar Vradim, Israel, was just named to the Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Team. A senior, Gilad is an accounting major who plays on the Montevallo soccer team, starting every match this season.

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28 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

Birmingham-Southern College’s leader will be retiring in June, but “the General” is sure that his troops will continue to grow the school as well as its Jewish presence on campus.

General Charles C. Krulak and his wife will remain in Birmingham. He ensures they will continue to be very involved with the Jewish community here as they have been since Krulak took his current post as BSC president in 2011. He has become a generous donor to the Birmingham Jewish Federation/Foundation; has spoken at several Federation events, and worked to strengthen Jewish life as well as expand the number of Jewish students at Birmingham-Southern.

“Nothing pleases me more than the idea of BSC becoming known nationally not just as a top liberal arts college but also as a safe and nurturing home for Jewish students, faculty and staff,” said

Krulak. “On our campus, we strive to make sure everyone is treated with respect and I think Jewish students are able to thrive in that atmosphere of openness and fairness.”

“This community has always played such a critical role in leadership here in the state. It’s especially important that Jewish students from Birmingham, Alabama and from around the Deep South can stay right here in the region to get a world-class education,” he added.

One of those more recent successful graduates is Samantha Dubrinsky, who is currently serving in a leadership role with the BJF. In 2013, BSC Head Soccer Coach Preston Goldfarb coached the U.S. Men’s Soccer team to its first gold medal at the World Macabbi Games, an Olympics-style competition in Israel. Goldfarb is in his 32nd year of coaching at the University after starting the soccer program in 1983, and has coached more than 30 All-Americans.

New Hillel quickly giving UAB a vibrant Jewish student presence Known in past years more for having Jewish faculty members and medical students than undergraduate students, the University of Alabama at Birmingham has seen more Jewish student enrollment, and organizations to help promote Jewish life on campus.

UAB is one of the top universities in the nation for student diversity.

The Jewish Student Union was first established in April 2013. Last January, the organization officially became part of Hillel. The UAB Hillel was established to give the campus’ Jewish community a more visible presence, and to counter recent pro-Palestinian activity.

In October, the Hillel had an Israel Week, exposing students to Israeli culture, arts and diversity. In November, when a public panel was held that was slanted against Israel, Hillel students and supporters were there to provide a different perspective.

The chapter held a Chanukah party in November, and in October built a sukkah on UAB Green.

Ashley Goldsmith Sanders, president of UAB Hillel, said the chapter has a wide range of activities planned for next semester. They are planning pro-Israel advocacy training for area college student leaders, and on Jan. 14 they are planning a bake sale at Sterne Library for Operation Lifeshield, which provides rocket shelters in Southern Israel. The Hillel hosted a talk by Operation Lifeshield founder Rabbi Shmuel Bowman on campus in February.

UAB Hillel has free weekly Hebrew classes, a Shabbat dinner every third Friday, and there are plans to have an Israeli film on the first Tuesday of each month starting in February. A joint Shabbat dinner with Birmingham-Southern’s Jewish Student Union is in the works, as is a Purim masquerade and food drive scheduled for March 4.

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summer camp an annual SJL special section Henry S. Jacobs Camp

BunkConnect seeks to make summer camp more affordable In an effort to make Jewish summer camping more affordable for families, the Foundation for Jewish Camp has launched BunkConnect, a national program that matches eligible families with non-profit Jewish summer camps.

“BunkConnect marries best practices from the business world, new technologies and learnings from the hospitality industry, and takes a fresh approach to addressing affordability in Jewish life,” said Michael Leven, president and COO of the Las Vegas Sands Corp., former camper and counselor, and key program funder. “I am very excited to bring this program to a national stage and see how we can help more kids have a summer experience like those that were so meaningful to me many years ago.”

After applicants supply some basic, confidential information online, the BunkConnect website matches families with available summer camps at a 40 to 60 percent discount. Some camps offer the discounted rate for a second summer.

BunkConnect has 75 participating camps, representing various movements and denominations. Participating camps in the region include Adamah Adventures, Camp Barney Medintz, Camp Judaea, Ramah Darom, Camp Sabra in Missouri, Camp Young Judaea Texas, Camp Coleman and the Greene Family Camp.

The program is for first-time campers, basing eligibility on a family’s adjusted gross income, number of dependent children and place of legal residency. For example, through BunkConnect, a family with two children living in Illinois with a maximum adjusted gross income of $145,000 can realize the dream of Jewish camp.

The expense of Jewish day school enrollment is also taken into account to determine eligibility.

“Families want to send their children to Jewish camp. By matching their desire with available summer experiences, we are opening new avenues of access,” said Jeremy Fingerman, CEO of FJC. “BunkConnect is changing how we look at scholarship, affordability, and capacity for Jewish camp and beyond.”

BunkConnect is a program of Foundation for Jewish Camp with The Center for Entrepreneurial Jewish Philanthropy, made possible by funding from The AVI CHAI Foundation, The Leader Family Foundation, The Michael and Andrea Leven Family Foundation, and The Jack and Goldie Wolfe Miller Fund with additional support from Eileen and Jerry Lieberman.

“The philanthropists we advise challenged us to create an outcome-driven business approach that capitalizes on the enormous impact of Jewish camping,” said Joseph Hyman, president and founder of CEJP. “BunkConnect is a game-changing initiative that sets a standard for other philanthropists and organizations to follow.”

The initiative is modeled after the success of FJC’s One Happy Camper program, a need-blind grant initiative of up to $1,000 for first-time campers. A camper may participate in only one of the two programs.

In Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and the Florida panhandle, One Happy Camper is administered by the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana, sponsored by the Goldring Family Foundation.

The BunkConnect website is BunkConnect.org.

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Havdalah is a highlight of summers at Ramah Darom

Ramah Darom’s 18th anniversary

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Next month there will be a Chai celebration for a special Camp Ramah Darom anniversary high in the north Georgia mountains.

In February, Ramah will host its first large-scale alumni reunion to celebrate its 18th birthday.

The Conservative movement’s camp will have the reunion from Feb. 20 to 22, with a Darom-style Shabbat and Havdalah in the amphitheater. Registration is $99 for cabin accommodations and $150 for hotel-style.

“We’re really excited about not just growth in our summer camps, but year-round camp events for families,” said Camp Ramah Darom Director Geoff Menkowitz.

For the summer of 2015, Ramah will launch its Tivkah program to accommodate campers with autism spectrum disorders on a broader scale.

Leading the program will be Dr. Audra Kaplan, a clinical psychologist and Ramah alumni.

Menkowitz said that also for the summer of 2015, a new activity pavilion currently under construction at the camp will be completed as will a new half-court basketball structure.

“We had a hugely successful 2014 summer and we’re building upon that,” he said. The improvements for 2014 — better food, new additions to the aquatics programs including a lake house, rope swing, slide, water trampoline, stand-up paddling – were very well-received.

Last summer, Ramah employed 40 counselors from Israel. The campers learned about Israel from them, including the difficult challenges it must deal with regularly and what people here can do to help those over there.

Menkowitz said they have also seen growth in Ramah Darom’s yearround camps, both in participants and quantity. They recently concluded a winter break family camp; host regular women’s getaway camps; sell out almost a year in advance for the highly-popular Passover camp and this past fall hosted a PJ Library weekend.

“Our goal is to create a Jewish learning, fun and warm environment for kids as well as adults throughout the year,” he said.

Jacobs Camp serves the South Each summer, the URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp strives to send its campers home with more independence, confidence, friends and stronger Jewish identities. They stand taller and more empowered as young Jews.

Camp Director Anna Herman said “I am proud of Jacobs Camp because of the community we create every summer. We build a really special family. A family who empowers each other, challenges each other, and inspires each other all while learning new skills and having new adventures creating Jacobs magic.”

Jacobs Camp attributes its success to its camp staff, which comes from across the country and around the world. Last summer they had 12 staff members from Israel. Counselors and staff leaders are responsible for leading activities, planning and executing programs as well as keeping campers inspired and safe.

January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 31

summer camp

“Jacob’s Camp is a lot like home because everybody is like family and everyone treats me well,” said Zachary Kenyon, an 8-year-old camper from Nashville who enjoyed his first Jacobs experience in 2014. “My counselors make sure that I am safe and that I have a good time every day! When I got there, I didn’t know anybody, but through my camp I became friends with everybody.”

Campers spend each day moving to activity to activity; developing new skills; taking part in events they can choose, and making new friends.

Campers love the 18-hole professionally designed Disk Golf course, two 100-foot water slides that plunge into Lake Gary, 50-foot climbing tower and Israeli Dodge Ball, said Herman. Jacobs Camp also offers specialty areas including Adventure, Creative Arts, Digital Media and Sports.

Jacobs Camp has a long history of serving Jewish children in the Deep South, but plenty of campers come from beyond the South and around the world. In 2014, the Jacobs community came from 23 states and five countries.

Jacobs Camp is proud of its diverse recreational and cultural programming; its modern 267-acre facility, and the support it receives from families as well as communities across the South. What it is most proud of is how the campers who come to Jacobs have the chance to build life-long friendships and spark a love of Judaism. Registration is now open for summer 2015.

Camp Shane promotes healthier life Kids at Camp Shane in the north Georgia mountains can have fun, lose weight and gain self-esteem. Since 1968, more than 20,000 children who are dealing with their weight have attended Camp Shane, which originally started in upstate New York.

“We meet and speak with many parents of our campers and have observed that very often the parents are also overweight. This is a challenging example for the kids and we encourage parents to also address their own weight so as to model good habits,” said Camp Shane Director David Ettenberg. “Many of our parents attend Shane Diet and Fitness Resort. They lose weight, get fit and learn what they need to do to help themselves and their child.”

Ettenberg said many factors are involved in obesity, including “factors out of our control” such as genetics and metabolism. He said some children are predisposed to be large. But parents buy the food and select serving sizes.

Breaking bad eating habits is a challenge. “If parents and kids have the desire as well as the intention to change, we can help them and their children to lead a healthier lifestyle,” he said.

At Camp Shane there is a big focus on making strong friendships and having campers support each other. Kids learn through cooking and nutrition classes things such as proper portion sizes, how to read food labels, what constitutes healthy snacks, why breakfast is so important and more.

Campers participate in sports and fitness activities as well.

Camp Shane is held on the grounds of the Rabun Gap School. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the climate is comfortable and the facilities are top-notch, Ettenberg said.

Camp Barney continues to build Camp Barney Medintz, the overnight summer camp of the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, continues to upgrade its facilities through the Framework for our Future capital campaign.

The camp’s second swimming pool was completed for last summer, overlooking Lake Louis and next to the existing pool. The new pool includes over 3,000 square feet of swimming areas, waterslides, “sun shelf ” and a waterfall. Many buildings have been renovated, and work continues on just about all cabins, the kitchen and dining hall, and Zaban Chapel.

This summer, Barney Medintz debuts CBM Live, a two-week specialty camp in music and theater.

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.

32 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

summer camp

“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.

In funding this program, Bill Goldring stated, “These camp grants are an investment in a Jewish future for each child sent. The Jewish summer camping experience has been determined to be one of the most positive forces in both current and later Jewish identification. We are delighted to be able to provide the Goldring Family Foundation’s support for this important program.”

“We are grateful to the Goldring Family Foundation for their incredible generosity and their commitment to making this Jewish camping experience available to so many children,” said JEF President Richard Cahn. “This program benefits not only the individual campers, but our entire community.”

The deadline for applications is March 31, 2015. Award notification will The Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana announced that the be made by May 31.

Goldring Family Foundation will fund the Jewish Summer Camp ExperiFor more information and an application form, contact Ellen Abrams ence Incentive Grant Program for 2015. at JEF at (504) 524-4559 or ellen@jefno.org. The application can also be This program, which helps families provide a first-time camping expe- downloaded at www.jefno.org. rience at a Jewish sleepaway camp, was established by JEF in 1999 and has been funded by the Goldring Family Foundation since 2001. Since its inception, 1,139 children have received incentive grants to attend Jewish summer The McWane Science Center in Birmingham offers summer camps that camp. make learning fun.

The Goldring Jewish Summer Camp Experience Incentive Grant ProThe week-long camps cover a wide range of themes and adventures, gram is available to every Jewish child in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle. Each eligible child receives a one-time-only from the world of robots to exploring the ocean floor to rocket science. grant of up to $1,000 to attend a nonprofit Jewish summer camp. Programs The camps are available in half-day or full-day sessions from Kindergarten to ninth grade, with before and after care available. costing less than $1,000 will be funded up to the amount of camp tuition.

To meet the criteria for funding, children must be first-time campers at Camps are designed to cover one topic per week, meaning families can a nonprofit Jewish sleep-away camp, currently in grades 1 through 9, and choose which weeks they want to participate. Full-day camps are $300 residents of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi or the Florida Panhandle. per week, half-day camps are $150 per week, with discounts for McWane Grants are not based on financial need. Both parents need not be Jewish. Center members.

Neither temple nor synagogue affiliation is required.

For a list of camps, go to mcwane.org.

Goldrings fund first-time camper grants in region

McWane camps offer summer of science

January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 33

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With the decision by University of Alabama at Birmingham President Ray Watts to close down the university’s football program still drawing controversy, a leading booster is calling the decision-making process and justification into question.

Jimmy Filler said the president’s assertion on ESPN’s Dec. 6 edition of College Gameday that nobody came forward with commitments for additional resources for the program “is not telling the truth.” Watts has said that discontinuing the program was purely a financial decision.

Filler is a long-time leader in Birmingham’s Jewish community. A past president of the Birmingham Jewish Federation, Filler currently heads the Federation’s Next 100 Years long-term Photo by Rabbi Barry Altmark endowment initiative that has secured Jimmy Filler over $40 million in commitments, and he has been the local chair for Israel Bonds for many years.

After weeks of speculation and a couple of days that saw demonstrations on campus, Watts met with the football team on Dec. 2 to inform them that this had been the program’s final season. The rifle and bowling teams were also terminated.

Filler responded by saying it was a “sad day for UAB, its students and the city of Birmingham. The university will never be the same. The asterisk has been moved to UAB from Pacific,” the last school at that level to drop football. Pacific ended its program in 1995.

On Oct. 28, Filler had announced the establishment of the UAB Football Foundation to support the team. In the announcement, he said the foundation would work with the administration, business leaders, the city government and the University of Alabama Board of Trustees to raise the program’s profile.

The foundation would ensure UAB students “have a comprehensive college experience which includes a football program that builds tradition and pride in our University and Community.”

The initial announcement pledged to raise funds to build an on-campus practice facility, and was seen as another step toward the program’s rising fortunes. This year, attendance more than doubled to rank fifth among 14 Conference USA teams, and the team became bowl eligible for only the fourth time ever, though they did not receive a bowl bid. The team’s only bowl appearance was in 2004.

On Nov. 4, a group of former players called the B Club released a letter to Watts noting the program’s success this year and what football means to other universities, but raised an alarm over a study “being conducted to determine whether to discontinue the UAB Football Program.”

They noted that first-year coach Bill Clark’s contract had not been extended beyond 2016, nor had any non-conference games been scheduled past that time-frame. It is common for teams to commit to non-conference games up to 10 years in advance, and for coaches to receive at least a four-year commitment.

“UAB Football is poised to become Birmingham’s team,” the former players stated, but the program “has never enjoyed the unconditional support from some in powerful positions,” which has affected the program over the years.

Not mentioned in the letter but noted later, when UAB renewed its contract to play at Legion Field this past summer, UAB insisted on a one-

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year deal instead of the usual four years.

The university’s team began on the club level in 1991, working its way up to Division I-A, now known as the Football Bowl Subdivision.

UAB is governed by the University of Alabama Board of Trustees, which also oversees the Tuscaloosa and Huntsville campuses. For years there have been suspicions that the board has been trying to kill off UAB football, or at least make it difficult for it to survive.

In 2006, UAB was poised to hire Jimbo Fisher, who is currently pursuing national titles as the head coach of Florida State. The system board blocked the hire, though Fisher’s contract would have been for $600,000 per year, subsidized by UAB boosters. Clark’s contract is $500,000 per year. At Florida State, Fisher now has a base salary of $4.1 million.

In 2011, the board killed a plan for an on-campus stadium. The team played at Legion Field, which with well over 70,000 seats was deemed too large, and because it was not on-campus it was not conducive to pre-game activities. Filler said he was half-way to a goal of $30 million in pledges for a new stadium when it was cancelled.

After the former players openly raised questions about what was seen as a “plot to kill UAB football,” neither Watts nor Athletic Director Brian Mackin would say whether the team would play beyond 2016, further fueling speculation. On Nov. 6, Watts said there was a year-long strategic planning study that included a full review of athletic department programs.

Many observers have charged that the study wasn’t about whether the football program could succeed, but how best to shut it down.

Watts insists that the Alabama Board of Trustees had no role in shutting down the program and it was his decision.

An analysis by John Archibald in the Birmingham News showed that UAB’s athletic program is subsidized by about $18 million per year.

Student fees are part of the subsidy. Without subsidies, 36 universities have a larger athletics deficit in terms of percentage, with schools like Rutgers and UNLV losing money at twice the rate of UAB. The UAB department’s finances rank in the middle of Conference USA’s schools, according to Archibald, and South Alabama, Troy and Alabama State all lost over $10 million on athletics last year. The only university in the state to turn a profit was Alabama’s athletic program, which had expenditures of $112 million.

The UAB athletic department’s expenses last year were $27.5 million.

On Nov. 25, Filler said the foundation would raise about $5 million this year and much more over the next decade, but only if Clark’s contract was extended, opponents were scheduled beyond 2016 and the administration expressed a commitment to support the program at a level that would enable it to compete for conference championships.

Filler said the foundation would be able to raise tens of millions of dollars for capital improvements. “If UAB’s administration makes a genuine commitment to UAB Football, they will have an opportunity like never before to create public-private partnerships,” he said.

But the day before the announcement came that the program was ending, Filler told al.com that in the weeks since he announced the foundation’s formation the university’s administration had not reached out to him once.

“It’s a done deal,” he said. “They don’t want me to raise money.”

Harold Ripps, who was honored at this year’s Israel Bonds event in Birmingham, was on board with Filler in committing to the foundation.

Echoing Filler’s charge was Justin Craft, former UAB Letterman Club president, who said Watts never approached any donors regarding funds for the program. Major UAB donor Don Hire also said he was never asked but would have contributed to help keep the football program going. The student-athlete academic center is named for him and his wife.

In terminating the program, Watts said it would cost an additional $49 million to fund UAB football over the next five years, money he said the school does not have. He also said that nobody had “come forward with a commitment of any additional resources.”

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January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 35

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Already serving a Mediterranean menu with several items unique to Alabama, Cedar’s Grille in Hoover is branching out this month with a menu that fuses Mediterranean cuisine with Cajun, American, deli, barbecue, Italian and Mexican food.

The fresh new ideas and restaurant are the vision of Gus Dib, chef and owner. He said he wants to share tastes of his native Middle East, and with the new menu hopes to attract those more familiar with the aforementioned cuisines being done with a Mediterranean flair.

“We have our regulars who know the food and love it. But we want to open it up to more people who might feel comfortable ordering a hamburger, pizza or po-boy done our special way,” said Dib. “Then when they come back, maybe they will want to try some Mediterranean foods they have never had before.”

For those in the Jewish community who feel a connection to Israel and love Israeli food, they will recognize several menu items at Cedar’s Grille — falafel, shwarma, hummus, pita bread and kibbe. Dib said the countries in the region share the cuisine and all put their own stamp on the shared dishes.

“In the Middle East, the countries are geographically close and share some cuisine, tastes and spaces. We don’t know who started falafel or hummus,” he said. “We make everything fresh here from scratch and make it unique to the Cedar’s Grille.”

Dib came to Birmingham from Kuwait.

He went to the University of Alabama at 36 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

Birmingham and majored in mechanical engineering. While in school, he worked as a cook at the old Hilton Hotel in downtown Birmingham.

He showed such an aptitude for the culinary arts, he was promoted to sous chef then offered the executive chef position upon graduation.

“It was better pay than engineering at the time and something I was more passionate about. They paid for my training and career advancement. It was a great opportunity,” said Dib. He was at the hotel for seven years, doing many kosher meals for events. Then he would go on to become executive chef at the Montgomery Country Club. He then opened up a small restaurant in Montgomery called Aladdin’s.

After that, he opened an automobile wholesale business in Montgomery. “But I always felt something was missing and I wanted to get back to Birmingham. So I started planning for Cedar’s Grille,” he said. After two years of planning, the restaurant opened last summer.

Much time and thought was put into the restaurant décor, which includes art and décor from the Middle East, including much stained glass. “The goal was to look like an authentic villa over there,” said Dib. Cedar’s Grille seats 200 people and can host an event for up to 120 people. It is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday and is closed Mondays.

Dib said just about every item on its Mediterranean menu is kosher-style as well as made fresh in-house every day.

The expanded menu includes deli sandwiches on pita bread, Cajun pita bread po boys, pita pizzas, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, BBQ lamb, Reuben sandwiches on pita and even gumbo.

Continued from page 38

supposed to believe in it as legitimate?

In chat rooms throughout the Internet, and coffee shops and conference rooms worldwide, many argued these points, and still do. They eagerly await The Next Revelation (i.e. trailer).

Aren’t these people having these debates, trying to solve the great mystery, just like scholars trying to interpret the Torah, or to interpret the interpretations of the Torah in the Talmud?

Perhaps there is a human need to have something to believe in, or follow, or at least to scrutinize for greater understanding.

Perhaps in the absence of religion providing a compelling exploration for them, they find it in other media. Perhaps there’s a lesson in that for religion… and for those other media, and the power they can hold.

Doug Brook is a writer in Silicon Valley who hopes Natalie Portman will marry him despite his comment about the prequels… Because that’s the only thing preventing it. He also wonders if use of The Force is a violation of Shabbat. For past columns, other writings, and more, visit http:// brookwrite.com/. For exclusive online content, follow facebook.com/the.beholders.eye.

>> UAB FOOTBALL A summary released by UAB said philanthropic support to cover that amount would be “unrealistic.” The $49 million that was cited includes capital improvements, such as an indoor practice facility.

Those facilities were the wish list of what coaches said months ago that they would like in order to be competitive. CBS Sports reported that UAB is one of very few schools that have no debt service on facilities.

Despite the elimination of football, UAB will not cut its athletic budget, but will redirect funds to other sports to make them more competitive, the statement said.

On Dec. 8, members of the UAB Champions Club, including Filler and Ripps, issued a letter stating none of them were ever contacted during this process, despite Watts’ statement that “we met with our biggest donors before we made this decision.”

They also noted the recent successful opening of Yulman Stadium on-campus at Tulane. “If Tulane University, who mirrors UAB in so many ways, could work to galvanize and unite their community in saving its football program, surely UAB could have made an authentic attempt to do the same.”

Despite everything, Filler told the Birmingham Business Journal that he is willing to move forward with Watts and raise funds to support the football program — if Watts reverses his decision.

January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 37

the beholder’s eye • doug brook

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18

A young hero is raised from infancy in a home not of his parents. Alone in the desert, he encounters a much In the beginning, there was a older being — about whom he’s only ever heard fleeting stories — with powers and wisdom beyond his ken. question.

The the young hero a strange, unnaturally It waspowerful a warm, being sunny,shows summer burning and guideswhen him toward Shabbat fire, morning, an a long journey to bring his oppressed people to freedom.woman unsuspecting was Along the in waya he is taughtparking to use special powers, the approached synagogue lot, and asked and the thanks questionto that seemingly impossible, miraculous would launch a thousand quips. navigation of a narrow trench he leads his“Do people salvation. youtothink you know four rabbis who would prefer people sleeping His story is recorded multiple Countless have” through the sermon, ratherinthan talkingvolumes. during it?”

She said,more “probably. scrutinized everythe word and detail, and prefer createdsleeping stories to fill insermon. the gaps” or From that came headline, “Rabbis during to In explain seeming inconsistencies.

Someago, haveher explored, at length, how that first fateful column, 18 years innocuous “probably” these events happen.

For that as long theoftale beenprefer told, was the basiscould of theactually scientific assertion fourasout fivehas rabbis some people haveadevoted lives to these scholarly pursuits. sleeping during sermon.their From where came the fifth rabbi? Simple: Yes, this is the of rabbis Luke Skywalker his guide, When was the lastjourney time five agreed on and anything?

Thus,Obi-Wan four out Kenobi. of five.

How can one compare Luke to Moses?

Easily: Mosesthere was The journalistic integrity andSkywalker investigative skills demonstrated taller. frankly, had their moments of whining earlythe on.)Middle could (Also, have easily ledboth to a prestigious career today in covering Butforthis is major not tonews say that Moses lightsaber or that every Luke East most outlets.

But carried instead, athis column labored operated under divine month (except for theprovidence. ones that were missed), and sometimes twice This is not to say that Moses ThetoForce to part the Sea of Reeds monthly, to bring almost severalused laughs its almost several readers.

— It though prettyofawesome.

(Disclaimer: of this writing, rode that the would sound bewaves The Southern ShofarAsthough, despite this columniststipulation, has not yet never seen “Exodus: ”) a Southern contractual rode inGods the and seat Kings. behind This is not of in Sciencefictiontology.

John Travolta tookbefore care Chauffeur.

It the thenbirth spoke its own Deep South Jewish Voice, of that birth not-immediate-enough death ” settling in toand Southern Jewish Life‘s hind endwith — “Battlefield unless you Earth. read the to most say that thenews Big today G is really magazine right to left, which This does is notnot make of the make midi-chlorians, or that the midi-chlorians more, or less, sense.

DISCUSSING AND which presented (unfortunately) explainofThe are Over the years, this column the wisdom the Force recentlyARGUING OVER the Big G. (Though there are those who do discovered, long-lost Mishnah tractate Bava Gump which, among other EVERY LETTER — argue thekosher. point.) things, teaches how shrimp can be JEWS STUDYING This is to adventures say that theofmyriad followings of The column retold the legendary the beloved young TALMUD, OR various Potters, Hobbits, Federations kabbalist, Harry Plotzer, and his adventures with The Jedis, Sanhedrin’s Stone, SCIENCE FICTION (of Planets, not of The Jews), GamesofofAshkenaz Thrones through The Chamber of Shpielkis, and with Prisoner FANS DISSECTING (or Hunger), and to many others, Challahs. takes on and The Gabbai of Fire, though not yet getting The Deadly “STAR WARS”?there were characteristics very similar Occasionally guests, such as the recurring oneto due Talmudic to a harethought.

Certainly, it’s just as true baseball brained rabbinical typo, Ask the Rabbit, as well as Gurb theofCaveman or football Alabama fan already knows that crimsonness is next Rabbi, and— every the occasional special report from The Oynion. to godliness.

Explored were calendar anomalies and events, real and surreal, such as <paragraph Mezuzapalooza, of silence for the — counterThanksnukah, KolUAB Nidrefootball the 13th,program Purover, Chrisnukah, balanced a deafening for the deaf behind its Yomtober,byand the piratedparagraph Rosh Hashaarrrnah andears Dayofofthose Aarrrtonement. verkakte demise> The chorus of “Bubbe’s Been Run Over By a Reindeer” was sung, the Eachatofthe these heroes, villains, rituals, paraphernalia, mythos Rebbe Bathas gottheir his bell rung, and the Grinch who hated Jew-ville and The unstrung.

Bible might be the best-selling book of all time, but how had ethos. his hatred does relative to thethis $2.8 in anniversary worldwide box office for In that case equate it wasn’t apparent, is billion the 18th of this space “Avatar?” not being for rent. In honor of this Chai anniversary, it would seem Consider the recent release of the appropriate to toast it with some chaifirst tea.trailer for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Episode VII:baffled Apology for the Prequels).

Except (a.k.a. that chai tea has rabbinic scholars for hundreds of Many thousands of have people crowdedIs the and movie theatres seconds. (“Should we seconds? oneInternet cup enough?

Let’s drink on just see itall, thechai day is it was Everylike frame wasthough scrutinized it.”) to After not released. pronounced Chai, a cupfor ofclues chai and meaning. when some names were later via makes it easierMoreso to pronounce Chai.character And some say that chai hasrevealed properties retro trading cards. one’s life, one’s Chai. that help to extend Controversy erupted. Atoblack Sacrilege.

And what is immediately chai tea’s relationship Thai stormtrooper?!?

Iced Tea? Is there such a Or racism.

OrChai both.Tea? Or Ifneither.

Orare inexplicable because stormtroopers thing as Thai there is, its effects best described as tai chi are of some Australian guy. for all theclones digestive system?

A three-pointed lightsaber?

Some thought was cool, gave it These are questions to ponder during thisitHigh Holy some Day season, an equally icy reception. it even feasible?

Practical?

How arecolumn people though perhaps not lateIs afternoon on Yom Kippur.

This continued on on theprevious previous page page continued

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