SJL New Orleans, January 2015

Southern Jewish Life NEW ORLEANS EDITION

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JEWISH FILM FESTIVALS IN BATON ROUGE, MOBILE, JACKSON ISRAELI AMBASSADOR: STAY STRONG AND PROUD MISSISSIPPI STATE ARCHAEOLOGIST AND KING DAVID JEWISH LIFE ON CAMPUS TIME TO THINK ABOUT SUMMER CAMP PRE-K RETURNS TO JCDS

January 2015 Volume 25 Issue 1

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shalom y’all y’all shalom Look for

Do you read me?

You’re our community news magazine.

I know... But do you read me?

in the center of this issue of Southern Jewish Life

Do I read you?

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?

On the cover: Students taking part in Jewish Education Night at the New Orleans Pelicans Cover Image: Courtesy Haspel sing the National Anthem

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.

Cover Image: Courtesy Haspel

Read SJL Anywhere Read SJL Anywhere

Our digital editions Our digitalare always are available editions at sjlmag.com. always available may also atYou sjlmag.com. choose to go You may also paperless and choose to go have each month’s paperless and magazine delivered have each month’s to your inbox. magazine delivered to your inbox.

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 novelty 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.

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January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 3

commentary

Our digital editions are always availa at sjlmag.com January 2015 You may also choose to go paperless an have each m magazine de PUBLISHER/EDITOR to your inbo Lawrence M. Brook editor@sjlmag.com

Southern Jewish Life

Around that time, we went to New Orleans to cover the launch of a new organization, the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life, which sought to serve the small communities we were covering.

In 2009, during an industry shakeout, we chose to change our focus, becoming Southern Jewish Life magazine and eliminating national and international wire coverage in print, focusing entirely on stories dealing with our region. After all, it wasn’t 1990, when the only coverage of Israel or world Jewry was two or three lines in the daily paper and the Internet was in very few homes.

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ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/ADVERTISING Lee J. Green lee@sjlmag.com

In 2005, we made our way to Biloxi just after Hurricane Katrina came through, taking pictures of the ruined Beth Israel building. Those pictures made their way around the world. We also knew that with the community infrastrucWe love covering our region, as there are ture in New Orleans completely displaced — so many great stories to report. Join us as we not to mention the community itself — we look back over 25 years of Southern Jewish coordinated with the Jewish Federation of Life during the course of this year!

Greater New Orleans to serve as the community’s newspaper for as long as needed.

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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.

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To that end, our commitment includes mailing to every Jewish household in the region (AL, LA, MS, NW FL), without a subscription fee.

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4 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

agenda interesting bits & can’t miss events

Mark Rubin of Austin, a Jewish Children’s Regional Service “Success Story,” provides music during the JCRS Latkes with a Twist at Bellocq on Dec. 11

Jewish Community Day School reinstitutes pre-K program for 2015 The Jewish Community Day School in Metairie announced that it will re-open its pre-Kindergarten program next fall. With the addition, the school will range from pre-K to fifth grade.

The school introduced a pre-K class for the 2008-2009 school year but discontinued it in 2012.

Judy Fried, the JCDS first grade teacher, will serve as the lead for the re-instituted Pre-K Program. Her history at JCDS dates back to its beginning years in her role as a founding parent. She also created the JCDS kindergarten program and has mentored the majority of JCDS graduates.

Before teaching at JCDS, Fried taught Kindergarten for 12 years at Akiba Academy, a Day School in Dallas, which won a Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching.

According to JCDS Head of School Sharon Pollin, who started with the school in 2013, small classes, highly qualified teachers and Jewish values help children develop skills and outlooks that will serve them for their entire lives.

She said pre-K “provides an attractive pathway for families to engage in Jewish living and learning,” through “the happiness and fun of celebrating holidays with their young children, bringing to the home what children gain from the culture of the school.”

Pollin said the older students are excited at the prospect of being reading buddies “and actually participating with them in their classes.” This lets the older students develop leadership opportunities, and working with the younger students helps the older students with their literacy as well.

The pre-K class will use the Project Approach, which supports open-ended learning experiences and the development of self-confidence and self-regulation. A sense of wonder permeates all aspects of the JCDS pre-K program.”

The curriculum has three main inspirations. The Reggio Emelia approach is based on the principles of respect, responsibility and community through exploration and discovery in a supportive and enriching environment.

Maria Montessori’s work fosters independence, deep understanding and peaceful interpersonal relationships. Lev Vygotsky’s thinking promotes rich language and literacy environments, complex play to encourage critical thinking, and self-regulation. Joyful Jewish traditions guide the creation of a lifelong ethical framework.

There will be open houses for prospective parents on Jan. 13 at 6 p.m., Jan. 15 at 9 a.m. and Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. Private tours are always available.

National NCJW CEO visiting NOLA Nancy Kaufman, national CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, will visit the New Orleans Section for a Jan. 12 luncheon at the Goldring Center of Culinary Medicine.

Kaufman, who has led the organization for the last five years, will speak on “NCJW Women and Social Justice.”

The 11:30 a.m. luncheon is $15 per person, and reservations can be made to ncjwgno@gmail.com. The meeting is open to the entire community. There will also be an open board meeting with Kaufman at 7 p.m., at the home of Linda Friedman. There is no charge for the evening program.

The Goldring Center is a leader in nutritional training for future physicians, and director Leah Sarris will guide the group through the center’s programming.

NOLA

January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 5

agenda “Masters of Music” at Northshore The Northshore Jewish Congregation in Mandeville will present “Masters of Music: Rodgers, Hart and Hammerstein” on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m., featuring the congregation’s rabbi and her son.

Rabbi Deborah Zecher is the congregation’s visiting rabbi. For 22 years she was rabbi and leader of music at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire in Great Barrington, Mass. She is creator and principal performer of Broadway Bible, which links Bible stories with popular Broad- Rabbi Deborah Zecher way show tunes.

Zecher performed with Cabaret-to-Go in the Berkshires, then performed at the National Cabaret Conference at Yale University. Working with three other women, she performed in “Dangerous Women,” a cabaret program at Shakespeare & Co. In 2009 she produced and performed in Warm Up the Winter, a benefit for fuel assistance in the Berkshires. The concert is now done annually.

Last March, she was invited to perform a concert featuring works from Jewish female composers in Berlin. She has also led services at the Union for Reform Judaism’s biennial and at the Central Conference of American Rabbis service that debuted “Mishkan Tefillah.”

Joshua Zecher-Ross is a music director, composer, accompanist and vocal coach in New York City. He has been musical director for over 80 productions, including “Avenue Q” and “A Night with Janis Joplin.” His musicals for young audiences have been produced across the country, including his most recent, “Rescue Rue,” which was featured in the New York Children’s Theatre Festival and the New York Musical Theatre Festival.

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein began their collaboration with the groundbreaking “Oklahoma!” in 1943, seen by many as the first “book musical.” But both of them had already achieved theatrical success — Rodgers had partnered with Lorenz Hart, and Hammerstein had pioneered the book musical with Jerome Kern, collaborating on “Showboat.”

Zecher and Zecher-Ross will share the music and stories of Rodgers, Hart and Hammerstein. The performance will be at the congregation and is open to the community at no charge.

New Orleans native Walter Isaacson returned to the New Orleans Jewish Community Center to discuss his new book, “The Innovators: How a Group of Inventors, Hackers, Geniuses and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution” on Dec. 1 as part of Jewish Cultural Arts Month. Isaacson is the CEO of the Aspen Institute and has been chairman of CNN and the managing editor of Time magazine.

JNOLA hosting “candid” talk on Israel JNOLA will have “A Candid Discussion about Israel” on Jan. 14 at Conola Grill and Sushi in Metairie. The 6:30 p.m. program will cover the media’s portrayal of the past summer’s Gaza conflict, America’s current relations with Israel and the upcoming Israeli elections.

There will be three facilitators sparking the conversations. Erga Atad is an Israeli professor of communications at Tel Aviv University, who is currently a visiting professor at Tulane. Mark Mintz is a partner at the Jones Walker law firm, active in pro-Israel politics, including a stint working for Senator Mary Landrieu as an advisor on issues related to Israel. Michael Weil is the executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, who was a policy research fellow at the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute in Jerusalem, and also was a community planning consultant in Israel for 20 years.

Free appetizers and a cocktail will be available.

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6 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

NOLA

agenda

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GoP scholar weekend to provide an introduction to Talmud Gates of Prayer in Metairie will have its Brotherhood/Sisterhood Shabbat and Landau Lecture weekend starting Jan. 23, with Rabbi Amy Scheinerman as guest lecturer.

Schneierman is a Hospice Chaplain in Howard County, Maryland, and a popular lecturer throughout the country. She is a trustee on the Board of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and serves as editor of the Torah commentary column of the CCAR newsletter. She is also the current president of the Greater Carolinas Association of Rabbis.

Rabbi Amy Schneierman At the 6:15 p.m. Shabbat service on Jan. 23, she will address “What is Talmud? (Come see!) What’s in it for me? (Everything!).” A dinner will follow the service.

On Jan. 24 there will be Torah study at 9:15 a.m., followed by the Shabbat morning service at 10:30 and lunch at noon. Schneierman will speak in three parts on “The Longing for Redemption and the Fear of Redemption,” looking at the surprising ambivalence that the Sages had for the messianic age after the destruction of the Second Temple.

On Jan. 25 at 9:15 a.m., the Brotherhood will host a breakfast where Schneierman will lead a session on “Gender, Sex and Sexuality: Did they really say that?” The discussion will center on teachings of the Sages and how they have shaped Jewish values to this day.

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French classes at JCC in Metairie The Alliance Francaise de la Nouvelle-Orleans is starting French classes at the Goldring/Woldenberg Jewish Community Campus in Metairie this month.

Classes begin the week of Jan. 12. Offerings include 101/Beginner French on Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m., and French for Travelers on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. or Saturdays at 1 p.m.

The Beginner French class meets from Jan. 12 to March 24, while the traveler classes have five weekly sessions. Tuition is $99 for the traveler course or $370 for the 101 class, plus membership in AFNO. Registration is available at af-neworleans.org.

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The Jewish Community Relations Council, the Rabbinic Council of Greater New Orleans, the Jewish Community Center and the Urban League will have a free, community screening of “Joachim Prinz: I Shall Not Be Silent” at the Uptown JCC on Jan. 11 at 3 p.m.

The film details the life of Rabbi Prinz, a World War II survivor who was able to leave Germany in 1937 and later became a leader in the American civil rights movement. He was president of the American Jewish Congress from 1958 to 1966, and gave a speech representing the Jewish community at the 1963 March on Washington, just before Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

He then was co-founder of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

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January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 7

agenda On Jan. 12, Mitchell Bard, executive director of the American Israel Cooperative Enterprise and author of “Myths and Facts: A Guide to the Arab-Israeli Conflict” will speak to the Tulane Department of Jewish Studies. The 7 p.m. lecture on “The Global Jihad” will be in the Jewish Studies conference room.

New Orleans congregations are discussing “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” this month. Touro Synagogue will have discussions of the book on Jan. 14 at noon and Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. Rabbi Robert Loewy will lead a Shabbat evening book review and discussion at Gates of Prayer in Metairie on Jan. 16 at the 6:15 p.m. service.

Touro Synagogue will have its Shabbati Gras celebrations on Feb. 6 and 13, with an abbreviated early Shabbat service followed by parade viewing and dinner in the Bowsky Garden. The annual Bacchus Bash will be on Feb. 15 at 3 p.m.

Ronna Burger, the Sizeler Professor of Jewish Philosophy at Tulane University, will be the next Shabbat morning speaker at Anshe Sfard in New Orleans. She will speak about “In the Wilderness of Sinai: Moses as Lawgiver and Founder of a People” on Jan. 24. The talk is after the 9:15 a.m. service, and a luncheon follows.

Gates of Prayer in Metairie announced that it will be hiring an assistant rabbi to focus on younger members and be an “entrepreneurial rabbi” to reach out to unaffiliated young adults. The position is being created based on feedback from the Gates of Prayer 2020 focus groups.

A search committee is being formed and the congregation hopes to have the position filled this summer.

Proud to be part of the New Orleans Jewish Community Nobody does local coverage like

Southern Jewish Life

Beth Israel in Metairie will have a community Shabbat dinner on Jan. 23 with special guest Scott Cowan, former president of Tulane University.

The dinner will follow the 6 p.m. service. Reservations are $18 for members, $26 for non-members. Children 12 and under are free.

Touro Synagogue will have a “Seaside Second Night Seder” on April 4 in Biloxi. After the congregation hosts a typical first night Seder at Touro on April 3, the second Seder will be at the South Beach Biloxi Hotel and Suites. Rabbi Alexis Berk and Cantor David Mintz will lead the Seder on the hotel terrace overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Studio, one- and two-bedroom suites will be available, with group room rates available through March 9. More information is available from Touro.

Gates of Prayer in Metairie is altering the time of its Shabbat evening service to make it more accessible. Starting Jan. 2, the service will start at 6:15 p.m. every Friday, followed by an oneg.

The three Metairie congregations are holding a new continuing education series, “Meet the Zionists,” on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. On Jan. 7, Rabbi Ethan Linden will discuss Theodore Herzl, the “father of political Zionism,” at Shir Chadash. Rabbi Robert Loewy will discuss Ahad Ha’Am, the “father of cultural Zionism,” on Jan. 14 at Gates of Prayer.

The series concludes on Jan. 21 at Beth Israel with Rabbi Gabe Greenberg discussion Rav Kook, who championed religious Zionism. The sessions are open to the community.

Shir Chadash in Metairie will have its congregational meeting on Jan. 11 at 10 a.m., preceded by the return of the United Synagogue Youth pancake breakfast. The fundraiser will start at 9 a.m., and is $5 per person or $10 per family.

The Jewish Community Day School in Metairie is holding prospective parent open houses this month, on Jan. 13 at 6 p.m., and on Jan. 15 and Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. The school has classes from pre-Kindergarten to fifth grade. Private tours are always available.

8 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

NOLA

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.”

January 2015 • The Jewish Newsletter 1

2 The Jewish Newsletter • January 2015

From the New Orleans Jewish Community Center Make Those Resolutions Stick!

JCC Maccabi Games Recruiting

It’s easier than ever to start the year on the right track with the JCC’s 2015 Membership Special. Join today for $0 initiation fee and just $15 first month dues, for a savings of over $210. This offer ends February 14, and applies to all new, Gold memberships. Experience the difference certified trainers, top-of-the-line equipment and a supportive environment can make in achieving your fitness and wellness goals. This year, “Find your FIT” at the JCC!

Jewish teens ages 13 to 16 are invited to be part of the 2015 New Orleans JCC delegation at the Dallas Maccabi Games, held August 2 to 7. Come experience sports, social events, service and fun at the largest gathering of Jewish teens in the world.

Participants can compete in either individual or group sports. For the boys, team options include 14U baseball, basketball and soccer, and 16U basketball and soccer. Girls may participate in 16U basketball and soccer as well. Boys and girls of all ages may compete in the following individual sports: golf, tennis, swimming and table tennis.

iBERIABANK Uptown Classic 5K and Family Fun Run (below) Registration is now open for the third annual IBERIABANK Uptown Classic 5K and Family Fun Run, presented by the JCC on Sunday, February 1. The race follows a scenic route along Prytania to Audubon Park and back to the Uptown JCC. Prizes will be awarded in each age group. A postrace party features food, refreshments, and entertainment for all ages. In addition to the special family rate, registration options include a new team/corporate discount allowing groups of five or more people to sign up together at a reduced price.

The ‘early bird’ rate expires soon, so register today at www. nolarunning.com and be part of a great day combining all the things we love at the JCC — fitness, family, friends and fun!

For additional information about the Dallas Maccabi Games, visit www.dallasmaccabi.org. To register or to learn more about the New Orleans delegation, please contact J. Morgan, Director of Sports and Wellness, at (504) 897-0143 or jmorgan@nojcc.org.

Morris Bart Sr. Lecture Series at the J

On Monday, January 12, the Morris Bart Sr. Lecture Series at the J will feature Brooke Anderson, executive director of Prospect New Orleans/US Biennial presenting on “Prospect.3: Notes for Now,” the International Art Biennial currently on view in locations around New Orleans. She will Visit the JCC Nursery School, Pre-K discuss ideas and themes addressed by the artists in the exhiCome see what makes the JCC Nursery School and Pre-K so bition and give a behind-the-scenes account of the planning special at an Open House for prospective parents on Wednes- for such a big project.

Typically held on the second Monday of the month from day, January 14, at 9:30 a.m., at the Uptown JCC. The JCC offers an outstanding curriculum in a Jewish environment for 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., each one-hour lecture is preceded by children ages 13 months to 5 years. Call (504) 897-0143 or a catered kosher lunch. There is no charge for members to complete the online form to RSVP for the Open House. For attend. Non-members are asked to pay $10 for lunch. RSVP those who cannot attend the Open House, weekly tours are by Monday, January 5 to Rachel Ruth at (504) 897-0143 or rachel@nojcc.org offered almost every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.

January 2015 • The Jewish Newsletter 3

From Jewish Community Day School Jewish Community Day School is here to stay!

Recently, the Jewish Community Day School unveiled its new logo. More than that, the new logo marked a substantive shift in the direction of the school.

Peter Mayer Advertising, an independent New Orleans advertising, marketing and public relations agency that designed the first New Orleans Jewish Day School logo more than 18 years ago, did the pro bono work on the new logo.

Redesigning the logo to be more dynamic and memorable with books forming the outline of a Jewish star was more than symbolic, according to former Chairman of the Board Dashka Roth Lehmann.

“Aggressive action had been undertaken to address and restore the alignment of the Day School with its core mission as an academically excellent Jewish day school. A broadly experienced and energetic Jewish education professional was recruited as Head of School,” Roth Lehmann said. “The school was renamed ‘Jewish Community Day School’ and is now a direct reflection of its educational mission and vision, and vital role as a core institution in a healthy and strong New Orleans Jewish Community.”

According to current Chairman of the Board Lis Kahn, JCDS is undergoing a very positive transformation. “With new professional staff leadership, an excellent faculty, a robust curriculum, a rejuvenated and dedicated Board, positive outreach to prospective parents and a clear multi-year strategic plan, Jewish Community Day School is transforming itself and is making tremendous strides in marketing, recruitment, retention and fundraising.”

At its recent Fall Gala where JCDS honored the school’s founding parents and community leaders and celebrated its 18th full year, the event received great community support, raising $100,000 for Jewish student scholarships. According to Kahn “financial results like this are only one measure of the success JCDS is experiencing.”

The leader of the new JCDS is Sharon Pollin, who is in her second year as Head of School. Pollin holds a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a Master’s degree in education supervision and administration and certification in Jewish education leadership. She has engaged in advanced Jewish studies at the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem and is currently a doctoral candidate in education leadership.

Pollin has been instrumental in retaining longtime top quality teachers and recruiting new highly accredited and experienced Jewish faculty members dedicated to ensuring an ongoing continuum of learning for every student. She also is working hard to reinforce the established community partnerships with such organizations as the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Regional Children’s Services, PJ Library, Jewish Family Services and all area Synagogues.

JCDS has instituted many innovative community programs including: • The JCDS Jewish Babies Club • Wine & Wonder – Lively evenings of Jewish Conversation and Creativity • A major Book Event with award-wining Children’s Author Eric Kimmel.

There is also a new Kash-ROOT kitchen that serves hot and 4 The Jewish Newsletter • January 2015

healthy kosher meals to JCDS students and the community at large five days a week. A top quality Pre-K program that is unique in the New Orleans educational landscape is planned for fall 2015.

JCDS is intent on increasing enrollment and expanding additional services to current and future students and families. This year alone students are receiving: • 18% more instructional hours as compared with area schools • A seamless integration of digital tools such as keyboarding, research skills, student presentations and global learning connections • Weekly co-curriculars including Music, P.E., Art, Technology, Library, and Student Council • After schools clubs from chess to crochet to study hall.

New students are enrolling every week.

According to Pollin, “this blend of stellar academics in classrooms, strong teacher-student ratios and the focus on Jewish values, including spirituality (emunah), dedication to repair the world (tikkun olam) and commitment to the entire Jewish people (k’lal Yisrael) is working to develop current students into secular academic scholars and proud, knowledgeable Jews.”

One measure of the success of this philosophy is that JCDS students consistently score in the 90th percentiles and above on standardized tests.

Current parents extol the benefits of a JCDS education. According to Michele and Jody Hart who have second-grade twins Harry and Avery in the school, JCDS has given them an amazing education and Jewish identity.

“Once they were done with the JCC Nursery School, we knew that we wanted to continue that nurturing environment through their elementary school years,” Michele Allen-Hart said. “The Jewish Community Day School has exceeded our expectations. Our children are educated beyond their years, socially conscious, and have developed a firmly rooted Jewish identity.”

According to Ned and Wendy Goldberg, their two college level teens graduated from the day school and benefited tremendously from their wonderful secular and Judaic education at JCDS. ”It provided the foundation of Jewish history, language, ethics and philosophy that nurtured their unique Jewish knowledge, curiosity and passion,” Wendy Goldberg said.

JCDS benefits from the generosity of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and the Jewish Endowment Foundation while receiving great support from the Jewish community at large.

Michael Weil, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, believes that the Jewish Community Day School fills two key fundamentals for success — first class secular education and first class Judaic education.

“I know both from attending Jewish Day Schools in North West London and from global research I conducted on Jewish day school enrollment, that the answer to Jewish continuity is a strong and robust Jewish Day School,” Weil said. “JCDS is not only important for the parents and children but also for Federation and the whole community. JCDS is here to stay.”

From the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana Send your child to Jewish sleepaway camp for the first time Goldring Jewish Summer Camp Incentive Grant program funded for 2015 The Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana is de- important program.” lighted to announce that the Goldring Family Foundation The Goldring Jewish Summer Camp Experience Incentive will fund the Jewish Summer Camp Experience Incentive Grant Program is available to every Jewish child in LouisiGrant Program for 2015. ana, Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle. Each This program, which helps families provide a first-time eligible child receives a one-time-only grant of up to $1,000 camping experience at a Jewish sleepaway camp, was estab- to attend a nonprofit Jewish summer camp. Programs costing lished by JEF in 1999 and has been less than $1,000 will be funded up to the funded by the Goldring Family Founamount of camp tuition. dation since 2001. Since its inception, To meet the criteria for funding, chil1,139 children have received incentive dren must be first-time campers at a nongrants to attend Jewish summer camp. profit Jewish sleep-away camp, currently in

Experts agree that one of the most grades 1 through 9, and residents of Louieffective ways to develop children’s siana, Alabama, Mississippi or the Florida commitment to living Jewish lives is to Panhandle. expose them to a camp experience where Grants are not based on financial need. they will meet other Jewish boys and Both parents need not be Jewish. Neither girls and savor the precious heritage of temple nor synagogue affiliation is required.

Jewish traditions while enjoying wholeThe deadline for applications is March some summer fun and sports activities.

31, 2015. Award notification will be made Participating children enjoy all of the fun

by May 31. For more information and an and comradeship of summer camp while application form, contact Ellen Abrams at JEF at (504) 524developing positive feelings about their Jewish identity and 4559 or ellen@jefno.org.

The application can also be downmaking lifelong friends. loaded at www.jefno.org.

In funding this program, Bill Goldring stated, “These camp “We are grateful to the Goldring Family Foundation for grants are an investment in a Jewish future for each child their incredible generosity and their commitment to making sent. The Jewish summer camping experience has been deterthis Jewish camping experience available to so many children,” mined to be one of the most positive forces in both current and later Jewish identification. We are delighted to be able to said JEF President Richard Cahn. “This program benefits not provide the Goldring Family Foundation’s support for this only the individual campers, but our entire community.”

The Ultimate Bar/Bat Mitzvah Gift The B’nai Maimonides program at the Jewish Endowment nukah, confirmations, graduations and other special occasions.

Foundation of Louisiana offers a wonderful opportunity for In addition to the B’nai Maimonides program, which curteens celebrating their Bar or Bat Mitzvah to become philan- rently has 95 fundholders, JEF also offers Young Philanthrothropists and start a lifelong habit of giving to others. pist funds, which can be opened for young people from birth The B’nai Maimonides program invites teens in the Greater up to the age of 18. They are an ideal way to mark a special New Orleans area to open funds with their Bar/Bat Mitzvah occasion like the birth of a grandchild, a confirmation, or a gift money. A fund can be opened with a minimum of $250, special birthday. which is matched through generous gifts from an anonymous “As Jews, we are encouraged to give tzedakah and help those donor and from JEF’s General Fund. B’nai Maimonides in need,” said JEF Executive Director Sandy Levy. “The B’nai fundholders can make distributions annually to charitable Maimonides program provides a unique opportunity for us organizations of their choice and learn how their interests to transmit these values to the next generation.” and passions can make a real difference to those in need.

For more information about the B’nai Maimonides proOver the years, the fund will grow through interest earnings gram and other opportunities for youth philanthropy, conand additional donations. Making contributions to a B’nai Mai- tact Sheila Gold (sheila@jefno.org) or Patti Lengsfield (patti@ monides fund is an excellent way to celebrate birthdays, Cha- jefno.org) at (504) 524-4559.

January 2015 • The Jewish Newsletter 5

From Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans Board of Directors News Jewish Family Service is pleased to welcome the following new members to its Board of Directors: Lauren Bombet, Aviva Bowman, Vivian Cahn, Howard Green, Barbara Greenberg, Julie Schwartz, Michelle Karno Varon and Art Waterman. We thank outgoing members Casey Burka and Guy Voiron for their service and participation. Special appreciation goes to Barbara Hyman, Peter Sperling, Rob Steeg and Nancy Timm who are retiring after multiple terms on the board — we are especially grateful for their years of dedication to JFS.

Homemaker Services Available!

Homemaker is a light housekeeping and transportation service at JFS for older adults who need extra assistance to maintain their independence at home. It is particularly helpful for individuals who are going home after a hospitalization, who struggle with routine housekeeping, who are adjusting to a disability or who recently stopped driving. Each visit with one of our highly trained and experienced Homemaker staff is 2-¼ hours, and sliding scale fees are available. There is no long-term contract and you only pay for the visits you receive.

Each client receives a professional in-home assessment with a

social worker prior to starting services. Please contact us for more information.

Lifeline Announces New Service!

Now available through Jewish Family Service, GoSafe Mobile System is Philips Lifeline’s newest, most advanced personal emergency response system. If you are active and busy but risk needing assistance when you are outside of your home, GoSafe is an ideal service for you. Locating you via GPS technology, Lifeline responders will know exactly where to find you no matter where you are in the continental U.S.

JFS Offers Counseling Services Across the Metro Area Counseling for individuals, couples, families and groups is one JFS’s core programs. Services are provided by licensed behavioral health professionals and fees are assessed on a sliding scale basis. Appointments are available at all three offices — Metairie, Uptown and the Northshore.

Please call us to set up an appointment: (504) 831-8475, Metairie and Uptown; (985) 253-1619, Northshore.

From Tulane Hillel Looking back at a busy fall semester Tulane Hillel saw tons of new faces in the building this semester. Over 300 students filled the Mintz Center for a beautiful Rosh Hashanah dinner catered by Hillel’s Kitchen.

Reform and conservative services drew large crowds to the LBC for Rosh Hashanah and the Mintz Center for Yom Kippur in September, and hundreds of ravenous students broke their fast with Chef Harveen’s famous bagels and lox.

This year, an average of 200 students have attended each Shabbat as a result of partnerships with Tulane’s Health and also to participate in social activities. Whether it was a free Wellness Center, the Green Club, Tulane A Cappella, Teach yoga or krav maga workout session, or a much-needed break for America, Queer Straight Alliance, Green Wave Israel from studying for exams to toast marshmallows and watch Scholars, Sigma Delta Tau and Zeta Beta Tau. movies, Hillel offered something for everyone. Tulane Hillel The Tulane Jewish Leaders Initiative (TJL) carried out is excited to see student engagement continue to grow next many successful programs, including multiple Green Wave semester.

Community Markets. The market welcomes both students and community members to purchase local art, produce, Craving kosher king cake? clothing and more. With over 200 people in attendance Hillel’s Kitchen’s pastry chef, Jessica Brown, has got you each month and 15 to 20 vendors selling specialty goods and covered! Beginning in January, you can get your fill of kosher services, the market serves as the perfect vehicle to marry “King David” cakes without making a mess in your kitchen. students’ passion for local sustainability and their desire to These cakes come in regular cinnamon flavor as well as Zulu partner with New Orleans-based business. flavor (chocolate and coconut). Email chef@hknola.com to Students came to Hillel this semester to attend classes, but place an order!

6 The Jewish Newsletter • January 2015

January 2015 • The Jewish Newsletter 7

8 The Jewish Newsletter • January 2015

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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Eternal campaign because we want to see the Enduring Legacies beautiful Springs lakeside campus boast a physOther major gifts have come from alumni

January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 21

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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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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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www.ChildrensAL.org/concussion

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

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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

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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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January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 29

summer camp

Havdalah is a highlight of summers at Ramah Darom

Ramah Darom’s 18th anniversary

by Lee J. Green

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2222 5th Avenue South, Birmingham • 205.419.3300 30 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

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

community

Got Schmancy?

Tulane University’s Hillel celebrated their first annual fundraiser, “Schmancy” on Nov. 20 at the Goldie and Morris Mintz Center for Jewish Life. Guests strolled into the event on a red carpet, dressed to impress in their “Schmancy” attire.

The décor was inspired by a 1920’s New York delicatessen, with gingham table cloths and deli menu style programs.

Schmancy kicked off with signature cocktails and a performance by the Camel-Toe Lady

Upcoming Events Sunday, Jan. 11 “Joachim Prinz: I Shall Not Be Silent.”

Uptown JCC, 3 p.m.

USY Pancake Breakfast Shir Chadash, 9 a.m.

Monday, Jan. 12 NCJW Women and Social Justice, with Nancy Kaufman Goldring Center of Culinary Medicine, 11:30 a.m.

“The Global Jihad” with Mitchell Bard.

Tulane Jewish Studies Conference Room, 7 p.m.

Steppers. Guests danced the night away to music played by The Messy Cookers Jazz Band, and took pictures at the Schmancy Selfie Station.

Food by Chef Harveen Khera of Hillel’s Kitchen included a latke bar, chicken liver pate, and pastrami sandwiches, in keeping with the deli theme.

Leading up to the event, individuals and organizations were given the opportunity to send or purchase a pastrami-gram, an initiative that met with great success according to the organizers.

The guest of honor was Sarah Mack, a Tulane alumna and leader in the movement to monetize wetland carbon offsets, who received the first Big Pastrami Award.

In addition, six Leading Forward awards were presented to Michael Cohen, Michelle Erenberg, Jordan Friedman, Stephanie Grace, Jonathan Lake and Scott Ruff.

Leading Forward awards recognized individuals who exemplify leadership and community involvement, providing an excellent example for the student participants in the Leading Forward: Tulane Jewish Leaders initiative.

Over 200 attended the event, which raised $75,000.

Top: Honoree Sarah Mack is raised on a chair during the Hora finale. Upper left: Schmancy Committee members Lee Rudin, Diane Franco, Corey Rittvo, Matthew Deitch, Kevin Wilkins. Middle left: Jonathan Lake, Rabbi Yonah Schiller, Scott Ruff, Stephanie Grace. Bottom left: Trying out the Schmancy Selfie spot

“Prospect.3” with Brooke Anderson Uptown JCC, 11:45 a.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 13 JCDS Open House, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 14 JNOLA Candid Discussion on Israel Conola Grill, Metairie. 6:30 p.m.

Nursery School Open House Uptown JCC, 9:30 a.m.

Thursday, Jan. 15 JCDS Open House, 9 a.m.

Friday, Jan. 16 Jewish Composer Lecture Series with George Dansker Touro Synagogue, 7 p.m. following services Monday, Jan. 19 Martin Luther King Day Friday, Jan. 23 Scholar in Residence Weekend with Rabbi Amy Schneierman Gates of Prayer, Metairie, through Jan. 25 Shabbat dinner with Scott Cowan Beth Israel, Metairie. 6 p.m. service.

Saturday, Jan. 24 “In the Wilderness of Sinai” with Ronna Burger Anshe Sfard, follows 9:15 a.m. service Sunday, Jan. 25 Super Sunday JCC Metairie, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Touro Synagogue L’Chayim Award Dinner 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 31 “Masters of Music” with Rabbi Deborah Zecher, Joshua Zecher-Ross Northshore Jewish Congregation, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 1 iBERIABANK Uptown Classic 5k Uptown JCC Monday, Feb. 2 NCJW Hannah Solomon Awards Luncheon Westin Canal Place, 11:30 a.m.

January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 33

community Anshe Sfard plans interfaith weekend of MLK events

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Anshe Sfard in New Orleans is doing a weekend of programming in observance of Martin Luther King Day. The weekend will start with Shabbat services on Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m., followed by a dinner for young Jewish professionals. The 20s and 30s congregants of First Street Peck Wesley United Methodist Church will join the young professionals for dinner.

At the 9:15 a.m. Shabbat service on Jan. 17, instead of Rabbi David Polsky giving a sermon, Rev. Martha Orphe, pastor of First Street Peck Wesley United Methodist Church, will be the guest speaker after the conclusion of services.

She will speak about how the Psalms have been used in her community’s spirituality. After her presentation, there will be a buffet lunch. Some of the church’s congregants and Imam Wayne Ali Nuriddin of Masjid Bilal are also expected to attend.

On Jan. 18 there will be two panels at First Street Peck Wesley United Methodist Church.

After the conclusion of First Street’s Sunday morning worship, around 12:30 p.m., the groups will assemble for lunch. Because most of the food will not be kosher, Anshe Sfard will

provide some kosher selections.

Around 1 p.m., the first panel will consist of presentations by Orphe, Nuridin and Polsky about the sanctity of all human life in their respective faiths.

The second panel, “Combating Injustice Today” will start after the first presentations. The Jewish representative on the panel will be Simone Levine, Deputy Police Monitor for New Orleans Independent Police Monitor. The Christian and Muslim representatives on the panel, as well as its moderator, were not finalized as of press time. There will be a period of questions and answers afterward.

On Jan. 19, after the Martin Luther King Day Parade, the communities will work together from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Central City for a service project supervised by United Saints Recovery Project. The project will be sanding, caulking, scraping and painting the double house located on 2219/2221 Baronne Street. All necessary materials and refreshments will be provided. Parking will be available at the corner of Baronne and Jackson. Everyone 13 and up is welcome and invited to participate in this project.

Students meet a fleeting Israeli Pelican

For the second time this season, an Israeli player was signed by the New Orleans Pelicans, but had a very short tenure.

On Dec. 5, the Pelicans signed former Dallas Mavericks guard Gal Mekel. He had averaged 2.4 points and two assists in 31 games last year, but was released after playing in all of Dallas’ exhibition games this year. A two-time MVP in Israel’s Super League, Mekel played in four games for New Orleans, averaging 1.5 points and 3.3 assists in 10.8 minutes per game before being waived on Dec. 19.

As part of the Dec. 16 Chanukah celebration and basketball benefit for Jewish education in New Orleans, students from local Jewish schools met with Mekel, who did not see action that night.

In July, the Pelicans acquired Israeli Omri Casspi from the Houston Rockets, but waived him a week later. He then returned to the Sacramento Kings.

34 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

NOLA

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Jewish Cultural Arts Month at the Uptown Jewish Community Center concluded on Dec. 14 with a concert by David Broza, one of Israel’s best-known musicians. The free concert was the annual community Chanukah celebration.

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NCJW announces honorees for Solomon luncheon, upcoming gala The National Council of Jewish Women’s Greater New Orleans Section announced two major upcoming events.

On Feb. 2, Julie Schwam Harris will be this year’s recipient of the Hannah G. Solomon Award, and the Section will recognize its honorary vice presidents at “Puttin’ On The Glitz… A Gem of a Party” on March 15.

The Solomon Award luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 2 at the Westin Canal Place. The award is given annually to a volunteer community leader who exemplifies the qualities of Hannah G. Solomon, founder of the National Council of Jewish Women.

Recipients have created important programs and services through their volunteer leadership, been a catalyst for social change or are known for their activity on issues that NCJW champions.

The March 15 gala will feature the Big Easy Buddies from “Under the Boardwalk,” which was presented at Le Petit Theater. The musical tribute to the great quartets of the 1950s to 1970s routinely sells out.

Honorary Vice Presidents Joan Berenson, Celia Katz, Flo Schornstein and Sara Stone will be recognized for their past leadership in supporting challenging and responsible projects for the Section.

Chaired by Loel Samuel and Betty Kohn, the NCJW Gala will be held at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside with a seated dinner, a silent auction and entertainment. Proceeds from the fundraiser underwrite many NCJW community projects.

Send in your Simchas!

Email photos and information to editor@sjlmag.com, or mail to P.O. Box 130052, Birmingham, AL 35213.

NOLA

January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 35

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Fish marinade ¼ cup vegetable oil 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon dry white wine 3 drops Tabasco Sauce 3 drops Worcestershire Sauce Pinch of kosher salt Heat the trout filet in a skillet for a few minutes on each side. Mix all the ingredients together except for the butter, which should be melted (on high) in a skillet before pouring in the sauce to be heated at medium heat. When blended/heated, pour the sauce over the trout and enjoy.

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Andrea’s Restaurant

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Many Jewish patrons have celebrated their simchas at Andrea’s Restaurant in Metairie over the years, enjoying kosher, kosher-style and some of the freshest, most unique Northern Italian/global cuisine.

In January, Andrea’s will be celebrated as the restaurant marks its 30th anniversary with special events, including the week of Jan. 15 to 21 as prices are rolled back to where they were when Andrea’s first opened on Jan. 21, 1985.

“We take pride in sharing with New Orleans some of the freshest delicacies from northern Italy and from around the world that they can’t get anywhere else but here,” said ChefProprietor Andrea Apuzzo. “I love my native Italy and want people to visit. But instead of flying 5,000 miles across the world to get this authentic cuisine, they can get it right in their backyard here in New Orleans.”

Apuzzo was born and raised on the Isle of Capri in Italy. At the young age of seven, he began working in his family’s bakery and restaurants. “It started with baking breads and brioche then pizza dough then more complicated recipes. I grew up on a family farm and everything was farm fresh to table,” he said.

At 14, he left Capri to travel to Germany, Switzerland, England and South America to further his culinary training in some of the best hotels in Europe.

In 1975, Apuzzo came to the United States 36 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

to be the executive sous-chef at the Omni International Hotel in Atlanta. Two years later he moved to New Orleans to become executive chef of the Royal Orleans Hotel.

He stayed there until January 1985, when he left to fulfill his lifelong dream and open his own restaurant. “I put a little bit of my experiences from all the places I have been into Andrea’s Restaurant,” said Apuzzo, who added that he was the first to bring northern Italian cuisine to New Orleans with the restaurant.

Andrea’s has hosted many kosher and kosher-style events over the years, including their annual Italian-style Passover Seder. “I have always had many friends in the Jewish community and we understand everything about kosher. We can customize a menu for any special event and we’ve worked with most of the rabbis here in town,” said Apuzzo. “We even have fine china for kosher.”

Some of the kosher-style selections on the regular menu include Porcini Mushroom Ravioli, Salmon Fiorentina, Red Snapper Aqua Pazza, Roasted Chicken Grande, Chicken Breast Limone, Grilled Lamb Chop Sherman and the Trout with Brown Butter.

The restaurant can seat 275 people for sitdown and 450 for a stand-up reception. It is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 3 to 9 p.m. for dinner Monday through Thursday; 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner.

NOLA

Continued from page 38

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.

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Now Offering Same Day Access and Saturday Appointments!

Touro Synagogue will present “Look for the Silver Lining: The Exquisite Music of Jerome Kern” on Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Main Sanctuary immediately following services.

The Jewish Composer Lecture Series, presented by George Dansker, salutes the great Jewish-American composers of Broadway and Hollywood. This presentation will focus on Jerome Kern, the Academy Award winning composer of “Show Boat,” among many other musicals for the stage and screen.

Joining Dansker will be Cantor David Mintz, Cantor Joel Colman, Deborah Mintz, and Jesse Reeks.

On Dec. 13, Touro Synagogue had a workshop on artistic papercutting, led by Judaic artist Kim Phillips of Nashville.

NOLA

January 2015 • Southern Jewish Life 37

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38 Southern Jewish Life • January 2015

18

This is Your Chai A young hero is raised from infancy in a home not of his parents. Alone

in the desert, he encounters a much older being — about whom he’s only Inheard the beginning, there—was a powers and wisdom beyond his ken. ever fleeting stories with question.

The powerful being shows the young hero a strange, unnaturally It wasfire, a warm, sunny,him summer burning and guides toward a long journey to bring his oppressed Shabbatto freedom. morning, when an people unsuspecting Along the way woman he is taughtwas to use special powers, and thanks to the approached in a synagogue parking lot, and thetrench question that seemingly impossible, miraculous navigation of asked a narrow he leads would launch a thousand quips. his people to salvation.

“Do story you think you knowinfour rabbis who wouldCountless prefer people sleeping His is recorded multiple volumes. more have through theevery sermon, rather than talking during it?” She said, “probably. scrutinized word and detail, and created stories to fill in the gaps or” From that seeming came theinconsistencies. headline, “Rabbis prefer sleeping during sermon.how ” to explain Some have explored, at length, In that first fateful column, 18 years these events could actually happen.

For asago, longher as innocuous the tale has“probably” been told, was the basishave of the scientific assertion out ofpursuits. five rabbis prefer some people devoted their lives to that thesefour scholarly sleeping during sermon.ofFrom cameand the his fifthguide, rabbi?Obi-Wan Simple: Yes, this is thea journey Lukewhere Skywalker When was the last time five rabbis agreed on anything? Thus, four out Kenobi. of How five. can one compare Luke Skywalker to Moses? Easily: Moses was The(Also, journalistic investigative demonstrated taller. frankly,integrity both hadand their moments ofskills whining early on.) there could today in covering But have this easily is notled to to saya prestigious that Mosescareer carried a lightsaber orthe thatMiddle Luke East for most major news outlets. But instead, this column labored every operated under divine providence. month the ones were twice This is(except not to for say that Mosesthat used Themissed), Force to and part sometimes the Sea of Reeds monthly, bring almost severalawesome. laughs to(Disclaimer: its almost several readers.

— thoughtothat would be pretty As of this writing, rode the has sound waves The Southern Shofar despite thisIt columnist not yet seenof“Exodus: Gods and Kings.though, ”) contractual rode in the seat a took Southern This is notstipulation, the birth ofnever Sciencefictiontology.

Johnbehind Travolta care Chauffeur. It then spoke of in that its own South Jewish Voice, before birth Deep and not-immediate-enough death settling in to Southern Life‘s hindEarth. end — DISCUSSING AND Jewish with “Battlefield ” unless you read the magazine right to left, which This does is notnot make of the make to most say that thenews Big today G is really ARGUING OVER more, orLETTER less, sense.— midi-chlorians, or that the midi-chlorians EVERY OverSTUDYING the years, this column the wisdom the Force recentlywhich presented (unfortunately) explainofThe are JEWS discovered, long-lost Mishnah tractate Bava Gump which, among other the Big G. (Though there are those who do TALMUD, OR things, teaches how shrimpargue can be kosher. the point.)

SCIENCE FICTION The column retold the legendary the beloved young This is to adventures say that theofmyriad followings of FANS DISSECTING kabbalist, Harry Plotzer, and his adventures with The Jedis, Sanhedrin’s Stone, various Potters, Hobbits, Federations “STAR throughWARS”?

The Chamber of Shpielkis, and with Prisoner (of Planets, not of The Jews), GamesofofAshkenaz Thrones and The Gabbai of Fire, though not yet getting The Deadly (or Hunger), and to many others, Challahs. takes on Occasionallyvery theresimilar were guests, such as the recurring one dueit’s to ajust harecharacteristics to Talmudic thought.

Certainly, as brained rabbinical Ask— theevery Rabbit, as wellfan as already Gurb theknows Caveman true of baseball or typo, football Alabama that Rabbi, and the occasional special report from The Oynion. crimsonness is next to godliness.

Explored were anomalies and football events, real and surreal, such as <paragraph of calendar silence for the UAB program — counterThanksnukah, Mezuzapalooza, Kol Nidre 13th, Purover, Chrisnukah, balanced by a deafening paragraph for thethe deaf ears of those behind its Yomtober, and the pirated Rosh Hashaarrrnah and Day of Aarrrtonement. verkakte demise> The chorus “Bubbe’s Been Run Overrituals, By a Reindeer” was sung, the Each of theseofhas their heroes, villains, paraphernalia, mythos Rebbe at the got might his bell and the Grinch and ethos.

TheBat Bible berung, the best-selling book who of allhated time, Jew-ville but how had his unstrung. does thathatred equate relative to the $2.8 billion in worldwide box office for In case it wasn’t apparent, this is the 18th anniversary of this space “Avatar?” not being for Inrelease honorofofthe this Chai anniversary, it would seem Consider therent. recent first trailer for “Star Wars: The Force appropriate to toast it with some chai tea.

Awakens” (a.k.a.

Episode VII: Apology for the Prequels).

Exceptthousands that chai ofteapeople has baffled rabbinic scholars hundreds of Many crowded the Internet andfor movie theatres seconds. havereleased. seconds?

Is one cupwas enough?

Let’s drink on just to see(“Should it the daywe it was Every frame scrutinized for clues it.”) meaning.

After all, Moreso chai is when not pronounced like names Chai, were though a revealed cup of chai and some character later via makestrading it easier to pronounce Chai. And some say that chai has properties retro cards. that help to extend one’s life, erupted. one’s Chai.

Controversy immediately A black stormtrooper?!? Sacrilege. whatOrisboth. chai tea’s relationship to Thai Iced Tea? Isstormtroopers there such a OrAnd racism.

Or neither.

Or inexplicable because thing Thai of Chai Tea? If there is, are its effects best described as tai chi are all as clones some Australian guy. forAthe digestive system? three-pointed lightsaber? Some thought it was cool, some gave it this High Holy an These equallyareicyquestions reception.toIsponder it evenduring feasible?

Practical?

HowDay are season, people though perhaps afternoon on Yom Kippur. This column supposed to believenot in itlate as legitimate? continued on on theprevious previous page continued NOLA