Southern Jewish Life, Deep South, January 2021

Southern Jewish Life P.O. Box 130052 Birmingham, AL 35213

Volume 31 Issue 1

Jan./Feb. 2021

Southern Jewish Life

Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation Thanks our Generous Patrons and In-Kind Contributors * Blue Diamond

Louis A. & Lillian L. Glazer Family Foundation, Inc. Hugo & Lis Kahn Diamond

Israel & Sylvia Finger Drs. Leron & Julie Finger The Force Family Lupin Foundation Leopold & Karen Sher Ruby Goldring/Woldenberg Foundation Ronda & Sheldon Kottle Alvin & Madilyn Samuels Emerald Dr. Elliot & Lisa Finkelstein Ms. Ann Fishman Kurt & Alice Gitter Linda & Alan Jacobs Ken Klein & Beth Hershberg Billy Kullman Dashka & Larry Lehmann Carole & Dick Neff Lauren, Ellen & Daniel Singer Laurie & Paul Sterbcow Janice & Louis Stern Sapphire Howard & Donna Brown Joyce Ellis Leslie & Nathan Fischman Bobby Garon & Robin Levy Barbara & Mark Kaplinsky Stan & Ellen Kessler Steve & Pat Klein Sanford L. Pailet M.D. Debbie & Leon Pesses Sandy & Elliott Raisen Chuck and Jackie Stern Dr. Jeanie Tolmas Bruce & Miriam Waltzer Topaz Diane K. Africk Sheldon & Benay Bernstein Ken & Sue Rae Brown Bishop Elissa & Edward Bluth Danny & Melanie Bronfin Mr. Joel Brown from Kosher Cajun Charles & Natalie Cohen Jonathan & Jeanne Cohen Rochelle & Mark Effron Jana Lipman & Eli Feinstein Joshua Lichtman & Davida Finger

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January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

Dr. George & Laura Fuhrman Deena Gerber Sandy & Renee Goldstein Marc & Esther Hendler Shellie & Terry Jacobson Leo & Mona Juran Celia Katz Gary Lazarus Nathan & Robin Lew Jan & Henry Miller Janet & Harold Pesses Joe & Bebe Rabhan Dr. & Mrs. Gregory Rich Mr. & Mrs. Leon Rittenberg, III Mark & Andrea Rubin Michael & Lisa Sackett Rochelle Sackett Mark & Charisse Sands Reda & Charles Scher Mark & Diane Schleifstein Shirley & Ralph Seelig Natalie Seltzer Sheryl & Peter Title Ricardo & Marcela Totah Louis Trachtman Ellie and Bruce Wainer

Eileen Wallen Henry & Christina Weber Alan Yager, M.D. Moises & Martha Yoselevitz

Amethyst Andrew & Aleeza Adelman Sonya & Gary Batten Jane Berins Stuart & Gail Chalew Rose Cohen Congregation Anshe Sfard Rabbi Eric & Amy Cytryn Julie Finkelstein Barbara & Danny Fox Kitzi Goldman Sandra Chass Goldsmith Susan Hess Dorrie Kahn Sandy Lassen Mindy Levitt Steven Lew Jim & JoAnn Lewin Dr. Harvey Miller Herbert Miller New Orleans Jewish Community Day School

Kenneth & Barbara Pailet Mr. & Mrs. Joel A. Picker Renee Sabel & Kathy Rasner Dr. Lewis & Diane Reich Ms. Renee Sackett Briann Shear Ludmila Talley Rebecca Friedman & Aran Toshav Roger & Diane Tygier

In-Kind Contributors Efraim and Debbie Rothschild Diamonds Direct Stanley Jewelers Southern Jewish Life *as of 12/28/20

Please call 504-889-1144 or visit shirchadash.org if you would like to participate!

shalom y’all Southern Jewish Life magazine, now starting its 31st year, is headed for a great 2021 and we invite you to be part of it!

Among other things, we plan to: • Publish more human interest stories that reflect the array of personalities and trends that comprise the unique nature of Jewish life in the Deep South.

• Focus on challenging issues; such as the growth of antisemitism in our region and the political divisiveness that has taken hold which has the potential to weaken Jewish life across our region.

• Initiate new partnerships, such as Southern Jewish Life’s partnership with the Birmingham Times, Birmingham’s African-American newspaper, which runs Southern Jewish Life stories of interest to the Black community.

• Have our stories appear in major media outlets throughout the Deep South, such as two Southern Jewish Life stories that appeared recently in the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, Mississippi’s major newspaper. This allows us to acquaint broad swaths of the general population with stories important to us as a Jewish community.

• In addition, we will continue to launch Israel InSight, a new publication geared to Israel’s Christian supporters to enhance their knowledge and deepen their involvement.

(The Israel InSight website is up. We anticipate the printed version of the magazine being available in the next few months.)

These are just a few of our ideas!

Along with plans to expand our advertising, as of this month we will be fundraising to give donors the chance to support our journalistic efforts. We’ve already received contributions ranging from $25 to $250 to $1800.

The reason we are seeking reader supportis simple. More funding equals more pages equals more stories. We have plenty of stories, we don’t always have enough space.

We continue to mail our magazine monthly to every Jewish household we are aware

SJL Online: sjlmag.com Southern Jewish Life is an independent Jewish periodical. Articles and columns do not necessarily reflect the views of any Jewish institutions, agencies or congregations in our region.

To subscribe, email subscribe@sjlmag.com

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January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

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commentary

MESSAGES

Maccabi USA leader praises Birmingham Games

of in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and NW One long-time reader, a major Jewish volI have had the honor of attending many Maccabi competitions around the world. From Israel Florida, and we have heard interest from other unteer leader in our region, describes the to Australia to South America, Europe and the JCC Maccabi games around the United States areas of the South. importance of Southern Jewish Life this way: and Canada, I have logged many miles seeing how sports can be a vehicle to help build Jewish If you enjoy Southern Jewish Life, as we “Having a Jewish publication is a barometer identity, especially in our young. mail the magazine free in our region, we also of a healthy Jewish community. When Jewish I felt honored to come to Birmingham for the time fell in to lovemove with here not just welcome voluntary subscriptions as a way to first folks areand looking or the staycity here, but the people.

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There is also indicates a thriving Jewish community. ” I want to take this opportunity as executive director of Maccabi USA to say thank you on behalf aofform on page 16 if the envelope is missing.

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If you have a business, consider advertising help we can further serve Jewish communiI had returned the 20thadvertising, World Maccabiah games in Israel a U.S. delegation with us.just If you don’tfrom do regular ties throughout thewith Deep South — and of proover 1100,a who joined 10,000 Jewish athletes fromvide 80 countries. in for Julyindependent the eyes of theJewish entire consider tribute ad in our 30th anniversary a uniqueBack venue Jewishscheduled world werefor onApril.

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Many Jewish publications across the nation closely with one another, benefiting us all. have closed during theJewish last several years and, in community Thank you your consideration.

We hope Everyone from the community and the at for large, including a wonderful particular, in are theto last due to theThese economic to hear frominyou! police force, beyear commended. games will go down history as being a seminal disruption theJewish pandemic.

We areas proud thatto the(Note that are not such a 501(c)3 organization, moment forofthe community we build future by we providing wonderful Jewish Southern memories.Jewish Life not only has survived but so donations to Southern Jewish Life are not tax has continued to grow and thrive. deductible.)

Jed Margolis Executive Maccabi USA Editor’sDirector, Note about Postal Delivery: In 30 years of publishing, we have never seen the delays that readers have been experiencing recently, with three week delivery timeframes not unusual, and some readers getting their copies five or six weeks mailing. supremacists would likeafter to see pushedWe back On Charlottesville hope that with the holidays behind us, the Postal things back in order so intoService a cornercan andget made to feel lesser.

We stand you can receive the magazine on a more timely basis.

Meanwhile, get ourof This Week Heyer, in with and pray for the family Heather Editor’s Note:Jewish This reaction to the events Southern Life e-news, wherein we post the link tothere the online edition weofwrap. who was standing up towhen the face this Charlottesville, written by Jeremy Newman, hate.

Master of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Theta Colony at Auburn University, was shared by AEPi National, which called it “very eloquent” and praised “our brothers at AEPi Theta Colony at Auburn University and… the leadership they display on their campus.”

White supremacy has been a cancer on our country since its beginning, threatening its hopes, its values, and its better angels.

The events that took place in Charlottesville represented the worst of this nation. Those who marched onto the streets with tiki torches and swastikas did so to provoke violence and fear. Those who marched onto the streets did so to profess an ideology that harkens back to a bleaker, more wretched time in our history.

A time when men and women of many creeds, races, and religions were far from equal and far from safe in our own borders. A time where Americans lived under a constant cloud of racism, anti-Semitism and pervasive hate. The events that took place in Charlottesville served as a reminder of how painfully relevant these issues are today.

Auburn’s Alpha Epsilon Pi stands with the Jewish community of Charlottesville, and with the Jewish people around the country and around the world. We also stand with the minorities who are targeted by the hate that was on display in Charlottesville. We stand with the minorities of whom these white 4 January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

We recognize the essence of the American narrative as a two-century old struggle to rid ourselves of such corners, and allow those in them the seat at the table that they so deserve.

It is the struggle to fulfill the promise of the Declaration of Independence, that “all men are created equal… endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” We know our work is far from finished, but we know we will not move backwards.

When men and women, fully armed, take to the streets in droves with swastikas and other symbols of hate, it is a reminder of how relevant the issues of racism and anti-Semitism are today. It is a wake-up call to the work that needs to be done to ensure a better, more welcoming country. But it should not come without a reflection on how far we’ve come.

America was born a slave nation. A century into our history we engaged in a war in part to ensure we would not continue as one. We found ourselves confronted by the issue of civil rights, and embarked on a mission to ensure the fair treatment of all peoples no matter their skin color. Although we’ve made great strides, it is a mission we’re still grappling with today.

America was also born an immigrant country. As early as the pilgrims, many groups and families found in the country the opportunity to plant stakes, chase their future, and be themselves. Few were met with open

January January2021 2021

Southern Jewish Life PUBLISHER/EDITOR Lawrence M. Brook editor@sjlmag.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/ADVERTISING Lee J. Green lee@sjlmag.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Richard Friedman richard@sjlmag.com V.P. SALES/MARKETING, NEW ORLEANS Jeff Pizzo jeff@sjlmag.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ginger Brook ginger@sjlmag.com SOCIAL/WEB Emily Baldwein connect@sjlmag.com PHOTOGRAPHER-AT-LARGE Rabbi Barry C. Altmark deepsouthrabbi.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rivka Epstein, Louis Crawford, Tally Werthan, Stuart Derroff, Belle Freitag, Ted Gelber, E. Walter Katz, Doug Brook brookwrite.com BIRMINGHAM OFFICE P.O. Box 130052, Birmingham, AL 35213 2179 Highland Ave., Birmingham, AL 35205 205/870.7889 NEW ORLEANS OFFICE 3747 West Esplanade, 3rd Floor Metairie, LA 70002 504/249-6875 TOLL-FREE 888/613.YALL(9255) ADVERTISING Advertising inquiries to 205/870.7889 for Lee Green, lee@sjlmag.com Jeff Pizzo, jeff@sjlmag.com Media kit, rates available upon request SUBSCRIPTIONS It has always been our goal to provide a large-community quality publication to all communities of the South.

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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Documenting this community, a community we are members of and active within, is our passion.

We love what we do, and who we do it for.

agenda interesting bits & can’t attend events

Chabad of Baton Rouge held its annual Chanukah at the State Capitol on Dec. 13, honoring “Pillars of Light During Covid-19.”

Birmingham Jewish Federation sets first events for 2021 Annual Campaign The Birmingham Jewish Federation will start its Annual Campaign season with a socially-distanced family campaign kickoff at the Grand River Drive-In in Leeds on Feb. 6.

The event will be a screening of “An American Tail,” the classic animated film about Fievel Mousekewitz, a Russian-Jewish mouse immigrant to the United States in 1885, and will include a volunteer appreciation.

There is no charge, and those attending are encouraged to come a bit early so parking can be done before the 6:30 p.m. start.

On March 10, there will be a community Campaign program on Zoom with Mosab Hassan Yousef. Known as the “son of Hamas,” Yousef is the son of Hamas co-founder Sheikh Hassan Yousef. During the Second Intifada, he was his father’s confidant and security chief — but he was also passing on information to Israel as an undercover agent referred to as “The Green Prince” from 1997 to 2007.

Yousef later sought asylum in the United Mosab Hassan Yousef States, converted to Christianity and wrote an autobiography in 2010. In 2019, his brother left Hamas and exposed the group’s corruption and inner working, but insisted that unlike his brother, he never worked for Israel.

The event will be at 7 p.m.

On April 17, there will be a Next Gen and You Belong in Birmingham campaign event at 7 p.m. Details had not been finalized at press time.

Registration for the first two events is available at bjf.org/campaign.

The 2021 Campaign is chaired by Robin and Clayton Bromberg, and Lauren and Drew Weil, with a goal of $2 million. Annual Campaign funds support the local Jewish agencies, as well as funding projects in Israel and supporting Jews in need worldwide.

The 2020 Campaign, chaired by Barbara and Jack Aland, reached its goal of $2 million despite getting off to a late start because of Covid and the March arrival of new Federation CEO Danny Cohn.

Three communities plan cross-cultural series The Jewish communities of Birmingham and New Orleans, along with Rosh Ha’Ayin, will hold a virtual cross-cultural series.

Rosh Ha’Ayin is Birmingham’s sister city in Israel, and the Partnership2Gether community for New Orleans.

The first stop will be Birmingham, for a discussion of “Jewish Birmingham and the Civil Rights Movement.” The Zoom presentation will be on Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. Registration is required by Jan. 27 and is available at bjf.org.

January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

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6 January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

One of the Birmingham Jewish community’s major philanthropists, Fred Friedman, died Dec. 2.

Friedman, a kind man with a giving heart, made an impact on thousands of lives through the generosity that he, his wife, Brenda, and their family provided through their family foundation, and his willingness to support a multitude of worthy Jewish community causes.

Friedman, who passed away at the age of 87, had a long and successful career in the jewelry business.

Friedman was involved in the Birmingham Jewish community for decades, both as a lay leader and benefactor. He and Brenda cochaired two of the Birmingham Jewish Federation’s most successful annual campaigns.

He loved the Jewish community locally and globally, was dedicated to Israel and also was committed to the welfare of all Birminghamians, not just the Jewish community.

Friedman was a man of genuine warmth, humility, humor and kindness. His family was both his anchor and inspiration and he was a model father and grandfather.

Writing about her father’s passing on Facebook, his daughter Leah wrote, “He lived a happy, caring life. He had a loving wife, loving grandkids and an adoring daughter. I’ll miss his humor and his intellect.”

Friedman cared deeply about people and people cared deeply about him.

Former Birmingham Jewish Federation executive director Richard Friedman (no relation), who worked closely with Brenda and Fred for years in their roles as Federation volunteer leaders, said this: “Fred was one of my favorites. He was kind, generous, funny and caring — a gracious gentleman at all times, never promoting himself but only motivated by striving to help others. He was a friend and I will miss him.”

Through their family foundation, the Friedmans supported numerous projects and causes. Among their flagship endeavors have been education initiatives through the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center, the annual Jewish Food Festival at the Levite Jewish Community Center, and the teen philanthropy program that the Friedmans helped initiate through the Birmingham Jewish Foundation. And these were just a few of the things that they lent their support to.

Friedman took his community and philanthropy seriously, but never took himself too seriously. He was known for his self-deprecating wit, and was quick to find humor — and the silver lining — in almost any circumstances.

He was widely respected by all those who knew him, as someone who “walked the walk” when it came to supporting the community and standing up for the things he believed in.

Friedman will be remembered as someone who cared deeply about every facet of the Jewish community, who befriended every Jewish community professional leader, and who understood the importance of a strong, creative and enduring Jewish community.

He was the beloved husband of Brenda, father of Leah (Jeremy) Cohen and Jordan, and grandfather of Wyatt, Hunter and Scarlett Cohen. A graveside service was held on Zoom on Dec. 6.

agenda YO UR UNR E LE NT IN G Design unveiled for Florida-Israel specialty license plate Pre-orders now being taken

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The new Florida Stands with Israel specialty license plate was unveiled on Dec. 15, with Daniel Ackerman, a graphic designer from Boca Raton, submitting the winning design.

The public design contest was sponsored by the Israeli-American Council. Over 100 designs were submitted, ranging from school children’s concepts in crayon to highly technical designs of professional artists.

Ackerman explained his use of Florida’s state flower, the orange blossom. ”The beauty of this flower contrasted against the Star of David in the form of a tropical leaf, represents the Florida-Israel relationship and the fruit this partnership bears, ultimately benefiting both states. The symbol interacts with the two waves on top and bottom giving nod to the Israeli flag, Florida’s sandy tourist destinations, and Israel’s deserts in bloom.”

On Sept. 18, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 1135, authorizing the creation of a “Florida Stands with Israel” specialty license plate.

The signing took place on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.

HB 1135 enjoyed bipartisan sponsorship and passed through both the Florida House and Senate unanimously. The “Florida Stands with Israel” auto tag included in HB 1135 was originally submitted to the House in a separate bill co-sponsored by Florida House Minority Leader Kionne L. McGhee (D) and Representative Scott Plakon (R).

The design of the specialty license plate was decided by a free 45-day contest open to submissions by the general public. The panel of judges consisted of the lead legislative sponsors of the bill — Sen. Aaron Bean, Sen. Lauren Book, Rep. JW Grant, Rep. Kionne McGhee and Rep. Scott Plakon — joined by Bal Harbour Mayor and community leader Gabe Groisman.

“The community came together to participate in this design contest, to celebrate the Florida-Israel relationship and to demonstrate their pride in their Israeli heritage,” said Israeli-American Council co-founder and CEO Shoham Nicolet and IAC Board Member and IAC for Action Board Chairman Shawn Evenhaim.

Over 120,000 Israeli-Americans are in Florida. There are many key cooperative agreements, including an updated version of the 2013 Florida-Israel Memorandum of Understanding, which promotes collaborative research, development and commercialization of projects related to space development and life-science projects. Florida’s exports to Israel in 2018 were $400 million.

Recent data shows that since the legislature’s passage of a 2016 law defending its businesses from anti-Israel commercial boycotts, trade with Israel has increased by over 30 percent.

The specialty license plate will go into production once 3,000 pre-sale vouchers have been sold. Pre-sale vouchers are available for purchase at floridastandswithisrael.com.

A portion of the revenue generated by sales of the new specialty license plate will benefit Hatzalah of Miami-Dade.

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January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

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agenda Abolafia stepping down at NEMJDS During the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School board meeting on Dec. 3, Debra Abolafia, who has been head of school for the last decade, said she would be resigning.

Abolafia will finish out the current school year, and the board plans to hire an interim head of school for the 2021-22 school year while the search committee, headed by Valerie Thompson and Carlie Somerville, looks for a permanent successor starting in 2022.

Day School co-president Sam Friedman said “we were so lucky to have Debra guiding us for over a decade, she has been a huge asset to the Birmingham Jewish community and NEMJDS, and we are so thankful for the time, love and amazing foundation she has built at the school.”

After an intense summer dealing with uncertainty surrounding Covid-19, the school “has given our kids a sense of community and stability the outside world couldn’t, and she has handled unprecedented challenges in a way that has made it so our school community can continue doing what it does best.” While going in-person, the school did not have to shut down any classes during the first half of the year, though the upper grades went virtual for the first two weeks following Winter Break.

“It really wasn’t easy,” Friedman said, “and she has handled it like a champ.”

While her announcement was a sad day for the school, Friedman said, it is also an opportunity to write the next chapter in the school’s history.

Abolafia “will continue to be a very valuable part of our school’s extended family and will always be part of the NEMJDS community,” he said.

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January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

Temple B’nai Sholom in Huntsville renewed the contract of Rabbi Eric Berk for three years, through June 2024. He arrived in Huntsville in 2018. The online meeting was held on Dec. 6.

Birmingham’s Levite Jewish Community Center opened an outdoor fitness area for members who may not feel comfortable working out inside due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Members will be able to work out in a socially-distant, safe outdoor environment, with portable heaters available on cold days. Featuring free weights, punching bags, battle ropes, climbing area and a monster-sized tire, this outdoor space allows for a functional and different type of workout than the LJCC’s indoor fitness area. Just like the indoor fitness floor, sign-ups will be required to use the new outdoor fitness area.

The Birmingham Jewish Community Relations Council is launching a monthly Lunch and Learn series, starting with “Welcoming the Stranger: Local Response to the Global Migration Crisis.” The series is co-sponsored by Collat Jewish Family Services, N.E. Miles Jewish Day School, Temple Emanu-El and Temple Beth-El. Lynda Wilson, president of the Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership, will discuss what they are doing to support refugees and asylum seekers locally and globally.

The online program will be Jan. 28 at noon.

For prospective campers entering grades 1 to 4, the Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Utica is holding an online Taste of Camp, Jan. 24 at 1:30 p.m. There will be activities for campers and an opportunity for parents to ask questions about the camp experience. Register at jacobscamp. org/tasteofcamp.

The Jewish Federation of Oxford and University of Mississippi Hillel are co-hosting “Pathways to Forgiveness,” a lecture by Richard Balkin.

A board member of the Federation, Balkin recently published “Practicing Forgiveness: A Path Toward Healing.” He is a professor and doctoral program coordinator at the Department of Leadership and Counselor continued on page 29

community Lou Ginsburg a beloved figure for a generation of Southern Jews Lou Ginsberg was “not a nurse.”

However, she is being remembered as a surrogate mother or grandmother for an entire generation of Southern Jews.

Lourachael Ginsberg passed away on Dec. 14 in Hattiesburg at the age of 90 following a brief illness. While her official position at the Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Utica was to be in charge of the infirmary, she became a towering figure and subject of camp lore in her almost three decades at the camp.

Born in Vicksburg, Ginsburg grew up in Bastrop, La. and attended services in Monroe, then attended Tulane University.

In a recent interview, she said a friend of her mother kept trying to set her up with guys her husband knew from the army. When she protested at yet another arranged meeting, she was told “this one is different, a lawyer in Hattiesburg.” When Herbert Ginsburg showed up in New Orleans, “I knew that was it… I don’t know how I knew. I knew even before I met him, when I saw him walking up the steps.”

A couple weeks later, they went to a football game at the University of Alabama, and three months later they were married.

She said her husband had been told that “a Jewish lawyer would never make it in Hattiesburg… but Herbert did.” When she was introduced to his law partner, future governor Paul Johnson, they stopped off at a bootlegger’s to pick up a present for him.

She explained, “Paul couldn’t go to the bootlegger, because he was always running for governor and somebody might see him.” And hav-

ing come from New Orleans, “where anybody could buy a bottle of whiskey,” this was a different world. “That was my first impression of Hattiesburg.”

In Hattiesburg, she was involved with Temple B’nai Israel, holding every office in Sisterhood and chairing every committee at some point. She also was the welcome committee for newcomers or visiting rabbis.

She was also in charge of the local Temple Youth Group, serving as a Sisterhood representative to the regional board.

Macy Hart, long-time director of Jacobs Camp, recalled that when he became director in the early 1970s, he was also the regional advisor for SOFTY. He appointed Ginsburg and Rhoda Herzog as Sisterhood SOFTY advisors, developing a relationship with them.

The relationship was also personal, as “the Ginsboys,” the Ginsburg sons, were grown but did not yet have children yet. The Ginsburgs, Hart said, “became like surrogate grandparents” to the Hart kids. “Our kids considered Lou and Herb as other members of their real family.”

In 1977, Hart invited Ginsburg to spend the summer at camp. “At that point, I’m approaching my mid-20s and I wanted an adult in the room,” Hart said. “She loved it, the kids loved her.”

Her initial job was to run the infirmary and canteen, and coordinate

January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

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community hospitality for visiting faculty, such as rabbis, doctors and nurses, and oversee other administrative issues.

Ginsburg’s “years at camp grew to 5 years, a decade, two decades, almost three decades,” Hart said. “She developed a reputation for ‘everyone loves Lou,’ they did skits with her in them, they did skits about her.”

Hart used to grill hamburgers or hot dogs on Saturday nights to give the kitchen staff some time off each week. Eventually, Herb would start coming to camp on weekends and Hart taught him the ways of the grill.

Before long, “Herbie burgers” would become legendary, and were part of the Saturday night banquet at the camp’s 50th anniversary celebration at the National World War II Museum in 2019.

At that weekend, Hart recalled, they were seen as “the royal couple” and when he pointed her out from the pulpit during the Shabbat evening service, there was a “roaring standing ovation.”

At her funeral, which due to Covid was attended only by her sons and Rabbi Edward Cohn, Cohn spoke of her “remarkable manner” in which she could perceive who needed an “oh come on, this is no big deal” and a band-aid, and when “there was before her a child or a grown child who was in need, perhaps physically, often emotionally, who for a while needed an emotional stand-in for mom.”

As the news broke, tributes and memories poured in online. Micah Streiffer said at NFTY events, “she was like mom, boss and the law all at once — and you always knew she loved you.”

Stuart Rubin recalled a summer where his bunk was called “lulav,” but instead of pronouncing the Sukkot implement, they immediately started calling “Lou-love.”

Rachel Shapiro Fink said Lou and Herb “are embedded in all of our collective memories of camp. In a place with so many special people she was just a cut above, touching so many people’s lives for so many years.”

For Micah Hart, there was a special fondness for how she always took part in skits, even when they were parodying her. “If you wanted something to be funny, you put Lou in your skit and let nature take its course.”

Jacobs alumni and friends of the family gathered on Zoom on Dec. 22 for a shiva service, led by Rabbi Michael Danziger, to remember “the unfiltered Lou.” Lou Ginsberg is survived by her sons, Perry Ginsberg and Michael Ginsberg, her son and daughter-in-law Jay Ginsberg and Eleanor Graham, and her grandchildren, Caroline Carbo and Benjamin Carbo. She is preceded in death by her husband of more than 50 years, Herbert Ginsberg.

JLI course explores the soul, afterlife Several years ago, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute introduced “Journey of the Soul,” a course discussing what Judaism says about life, death and the afterlife. Rabbi Mendel Ceitlin from Chabad in Metairie, who taught the course back then, said “it became the number one Jewish learning course ever taught,” with over 30,000 participants worldwide.

That course is returning and will be taught online and in person at several locations in the region.

The course will be offered at Beit Ariel Chabad in Birmingham, with virtual sessions on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. from Feb. 3 to March 17, led

by Rabbi Yossi Friedman. In Baton Rouge, the course will be available virtually or in person at the Richmond Inn and Suites, Mondays at 8 p.m. starting Feb. 8. Rabbi Peretz Kazen will lead the sessions.

Ceitlin will lead the classes at the Chabad Center in Metairie, Tuesdays starting Feb. 2 with a week off for Mardi Gras. The 10:30 a.m. classes will be done virtually, while the 7:30 p.m. series will be both in person and online. The course will also be at Chabad Uptown in New Orleans, led

by Rabbi Mendel Rivkin, on Wednesdays from Jan. 20 to Feb. 24. Zoom sessions will be at 3 p.m., while the in person classes are at 7 p.m.

Physicians, social workers and psychologists can earn CE or CME credits by taking the course. Registration is available at myjli.com.

10

January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

community Community loses Phyllis Weinstein two days after 100th birthday Involved in founding of numerous institutions

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On Jan. 4, tributes poured in as Phyllis Weinstein, a longtime visionary leader of Birmingham’s Jewish community, turned 100.

Two days later, just after midnight on the morning of Jan. 6, she passed peacefully in her sleep.

Known most recently as the founder of the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center, Weinstein was involved in the formation of many local Jewish institutions.

The BHEC issued a statement saying Weinstein “devoted her life to community service, and she leaves a lasting legacy of wise and forward-thinking leadership in our city and state. She was not only a force to be reckoned with, but was a kind and thoughtful friend and mentor to many, many individuals in our community.”

Richard Friedman, who directed the Birmingham Jewish Federation from the 1980s to 2019, said Weinstein “was one of the most extraordinary people I have met.” Referring to her as “the Golda Meir of the Birmingham Jewish community,” he said she “was a great and remarkable person, dogged and determined, passionate and persistent.… She will be missed and remembered for decades to come.”

Lisa Engel, president of the BJF, said “We are a stronger and more vibrant community because of Phyllis’ passion for Jewish life.”

On Weinstein’s 100th birthday, Temple Beth-El Sisterhood Coordinators Sue Lischkoff and Arlene Fisher visited with her to present a dedication stone in her honor for the congregation’s Tree of Life. After her passing, they said “while we are sad that we will no longer hear her pearls of wisdom and benefit from her leadership, her impact on our Sisterhood, Temple Beth-El, the Jewish community and beyond, will be felt for many, many years.”

Sally Friedman, executive director of the Birmingham Jewish Foundation, said “Phyllis was a towering figure in our community and no one has ever led by example more than Phyllis. Wherever you look in our community you can see her fingerprints.”

Weinstein was born in Evansville, Ind., to Jennye and Sam Grusin. Sam Grusin immigrated to the U.S. in 1906, getting his start in Jasper, before moving to Indiana in 1917. Phyllis attended the University of Alabama, where she renewed her acquaintance with Birmingham native Leon Weinstein, who she had met previously in Evansville.

They married in 1940, then his dental practice was put on hold as he enlisted Phyllis Weinstein with daughters Lynn and served in the 99th InRaviv and Janie Feldman, during a fantry Division. After the presentation of a Temple Beth-El Tree war, they settled permaof Life foundation stone in Weinstein’s nently in Birmingham, and honor on Jan. 4, her 100th birthday.

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January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

11

community she quickly became involved with numerous community organizations.

Weinstein said her involvement with Hadassah came from “osmosis,” as her father was part of the early Zionists in Birmingham. She was also very active with the Temple Beth-El Sisterhood, becoming president.

While attending Southeast Branch conferences, she felt that Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia were being overwhelmed by the Miami area, so she embarked on a push to have Women’s League separate those states into a different region. She became the first president of the Southern Branch, and in 1975 the region established the Phyllis Grusin Weinstein Leadership Award.

Around then, Yankee Marcus, former Hadassah Birmingham president, asked come over to chat. She showed up with a delegation of 30 to ask Weinstein to be chapter president, which she was reluctant to do because of her new Sisterhood commitment. She finally agreed, but only if she could serve one year instead of two.

During her year, in an effort started by predecessor Roselyn Cohen, the Hadassah Directory as it is known today evolved from the fundraising program books that accompanied plays the chapter put on.

In 1959, she was the first woman from Birmingham to go on a United Jewish Appeal Women’s Mission. She later chaired the local UJA Women’s Division and Israel Bonds, and served as Federation president.

In 1973, she was one of the founders of the Birmingham Jewish Day School, now known as the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School, and served for four years as president. Until this year, Weinstein had a tradition of bringing doughnuts for the students on the first day of school.

She was also president in the early days of Jewish Family Services, now Collat Jewish Family Services, and chaired the Birmingham Jewish Community Relations Committee from 1980 to 1982.

She also served as chair of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program of FEMA for Jefferson, Shelby and Walker counties, administered through the United Way of Central Alabama, for 17 years.

Weinstein was involved in Holocaust education since its beginnings in the state, starting with the annual state commemoration first held by Governor George Wallace in 1984. After attending a regional gathering a few years later and seeing how much more some other states were doing, she pushed for the establishment of a state Holocaust commission. After it failed to pass the first year, she was advised that it would have a better chance the next year if there wasn’t a funding request attached, and in 1999 the Alabama Holocaust Commission was established. Weinstein would be the commission’s chair for a decade.

Her successor, Dan Puckett, spoke of her “dedication and commitment to social justice and education.”

Calling her “a tireless advocate for Holocaust education” whose efforts will be felt for generations to come, he said one of his most vivid memories “was when she confronted Governor Bentley at the Yom HaShoah Commemoration about the lack of state support for Holocaust education.

We were funded by his office the following year.”

While Weinstein’s paternal grandparents came to the United States in 1914 with one daughter, another daughter — who wound up having seven children — stayed in Europe, and much of the family was lost in the Holocaust.

In 2012, Weinstein was honored by BHEC on its 10th anniversary. She stepped down as president in 2016.

She is survived by her sister, Judy Rattner of Knoxville, two daughters, Janie Feldman, of Atlanta and Lynn Raviv (Arie), of Birmingham, seven grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

The Latest News… www.sjlmag.com 12

January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

community

Civil and Human Rights Mission takes virtual wheels Center for Jewish-Multicultural Affairs event explores multiple situations around the world

By Richard Friedman An imaginative, diverse and compelling program took place online on Dec. 21, highlighting facets of hate that racial, religious and ethnic groups face as American society continues to evolve.

The multi-locale virtual Civil and Human Rights Mission, sponsored by the Goldring Family Foundation Center for Jewish-Muticultural Affairs, a program of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, reached back to lessons from the modern American Civil Rights Movement and the Holocaust to Spencer Crew discusses frame contemporary issues, such as challeng- 1963 Birmingham es and bigotry facing the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants and the Muslim Uyghur community in China.

This initiative, done virtually this year due to Covid and in lieu of an annual visit to Alabama that Jewish and African-American students make each year to learn more about the Civil Rights movement, turned a problem into an opportunity by engaging a broadened array of speakers that could only be assembled through an online Zoom program.

In addition to those speakers who focused on racism, the lessons of the American Civil Rights movement, antisemitism and the lessons of Jewish powerlessness during the Holocaust, other speakers dealt with human rights in general.

“We hope you will gain an understanding of the consequences of hate and the tools that can be used to build a more just world,” said Federation CEO Arnie Fielkow, as he welcomed participants and set the backdrop for the program. He said that the gathering this year, since it was virtual, could provide a broader approach, and focus on other instances of groups facing identify challenges “based on bigotry, discrimination and violence.”

The program was constructed around the Center’s four “outreach areas,” African-American, multi-faith, Latin-American and LGBTQ. While it was constructed for middle and high school students, adults were invited to participate as well.

Antisemitism, Israel Two of the speakers dealt with Jewish challenges — including antisemitism and Israel. One was U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria of Virginia, a Democratic congresswoman just elected to her second term, who is Jewish and who grew up in Birmingham. The other was David Harris, long-time CEO of the American Jewish Committee, an important national organization.

Said Luria, “One can’t legislate away hate… I think our job (as Members of Congress) is to do our best to create an environment where people can succeed where there is equality and equity.” Her prior background was in the military and she offered some observations from that experience.

“There are times the military has led on issues...but there is much that needs to be done.”

In 2019, as a new Member of Congress, Luria spoke out against antisemitism as a leader in the response to comments by fellow freshman Ilhan Omar challenging the loyalty of Jewish Americans, a classic antisemitic canard. “I found it very surprising that the first time I spoke on the floor of the House was against antisemitism and claims of dual loyalty.”

Taking questions from the Zoom group, which contained many students, Luria was asked how young people could become involved in public service. She encouraged them to look for opportunities to become engaged in causes they care about, even in small ways, such as volunteering to assist

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She said those kinds of activities are one avenue, along with opportunities to become involved in assisting non-profit organizations or religious groups.

She recalled that, “I went down the path of service at an early age, attending the U.S. Naval Academy” — which resulted in a distinguished military career and her election to Congress.

Luria said there are other ways to serve the public good, such as entering the medical profession or becoming a teacher. “Pursue your passions, be good at it… and show up — opportunities will open,” she said.

Harris spoke about his own experiences as a student in the 1970s, which led to two awakenings. An opportunity to teach in the Soviet Union acquainted him first-hand with the oppression and antisemitism Jews were facing from the Soviet regime. Then in 1973, the Yom Kippur War, in which Israel was attacked and almost destroyed by Arab forces, awakened him to Israel’s vulnerability and the hatred that the country’s enemies had for the Jewish state.

Both were formative experiences which led to Harris’ desire to dedicate his life to what he calls “Jewish diplomacy” — and he has done that through becoming one of the most highly visible and effective leaders in the Jewish world through his work at the American Jewish Committee.

He also told his viewers that he is deeply worried about the resurgence in antisemitism, which is occurring not just in the U.S. but also in Europe and other parts of the world. Antisemitism is hostility and hatred toward Jews and combating it is a top priority of Harris’ organization. “There is no single answer for the resurgence of antisemitism… it has been called the world’s oldest social pathology.”

Antisemitism, Harris said, has existed for thousands of years. He said throughout history it has manifested itself religiously, racially, politically, culturally and economically — “all kinds of manifestations.” He noted horrid chapters of expulsions, forced conversions, ghettoes, inquisitions, Jews relegated to second or third class status, and discriminatory laws. It’s the cumulative weight of these behaviors, that began what he called the “slippery slope” that led to the Holocaust.

The veteran Jewish leader sees four factors triggering today’s upsurge in antisemitism.

“The world is always looking for easy explanations to difficult issues,” he said, and finding scapegoats — Jews and at times others — makes dealing with stressful times easier, rather than societies having to confront the reality of their situations.

The second issue, he said, “is what some call envy or jealousy.” When Jews have been given a fair chance, they have tended to be successful. They embrace such chances, work hard and value education, he said. Others, who have not been able to achieve that level of success, fail to examine their own failings and instead develop resentment toward Jews.

The third factor, which is a new phenomenon, is the Internet. “Any antisemite can create a website, a message of hate of any kind, of racism of any kind… and eventually have a worldwide audience,” lamented Harris.

“The Internet has become a launching pad for worldwide dissemination of antisemitism.”

The fourth point is what he called the “misunderstanding/demonization” of Israel which, he noted, is the only Jewish-majority country in the world.

He said that it is okay to criticize Israel for its policy decisions, but that such criticism becomes antisemitism when people of ill will attack “the right of a nation to exist or a peoples’ right to self determination… when it is an effort to dismantle the state, something else is usually going on.”

Finally, Harris stressed that “antisemitism should never be seen as a Jewish issue… of course, Jews are more focused on it for very personal reasons, but when antisemitism rears its head, be assured it is a threat to liberal democracy… because it is a challenge to the core values of our society.”

“Children’s Crusade” One of the other presentations likely resonated with those who live in the Deep South, where the Civil Rights saga and issues stemming from the movement still influence day to day life. Spencer R. Crew, interim director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African-American 14

January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

community History and Culture, gave a powerful analysis of the “Children’s Crusade,” a turning point in the Civil Rights demonstrations that took place in Birmingham in 1963. He illustrated the impact that young people can have when it comes to creating social change. Had it not been for younger African-Americans in Birmingham having the courage to mobilize and even face being jailed during those turbulent times, the Civil Rights demonstrations in Birmingham might not have had the impact that they did.

“It’s very important for you as students to recognize the impact you can have as young people in causing change.” he emphasized.

A powerful presentation was made by Dr. Timothy McCarthy, Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard University. His topic was “Does Hate Trump Love?: A Short(ish) History of Queer Struggle.” He traced the hate and challenges that gay people have faced over the decades, framing his talk within an overall human rights message.

He said President Barack Obama will “likely go down as the Lyndon Johnson of the LGBT movement” because of the changes that occurred under his presidency. But, “progress can be turned back, every time there is an advance… there are forces of reaction in response, waiting in the wings to push it back.” The Pulse Nightclub massacre is “one of those indications… we still have far more to go.”

Other speakers included Sarah Holewinski, Washington Director, Human Rights Watch, who spoke passionately about the importance of the human rights agenda overall.

She told the students that “we need you in the human rights movement,” because while America “helped create modern day human rights,” she said “Americans don’t necessarily know about human rights any more, some Americans don’t care about human rights any more, and we really need to change that.”

Though America is not perfect, Holewinski said “so many people around the world still look to America for inspiration,” so “let’s fix human rights at home and next be a force for human rights around the world.”

Also on the program was Omer Kanat, Uyghur Human Rights Project, to discuss Xinjiang, China, and the modern-day anti-Muslim hate being perpetrated against the Uyghurs.

He stated that China is working to culturally erase Uyghurs and turn the Muslims into Chinese citizens who are concerned only for the state.

Children may not be given Muslim names, over one-third of the region’s mosques have been destroyed in the last four years and native Chinese are placed in Muslim homes in a “becoming family” initiative that also monitors them to be sure Muslim prayers are not being uttered.

Hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs were also forced to the cotton fields in the last two years, to pick cotton by hand as forced laborers.

“We are a very small community and we need

the help of others to fight this genocide,” Kanat said.

Juan Escalante, Digital Campaigns Manager, Immigration at FWD.us, discussed the United States’ southern border and the violence being perpetrated against Central American immigrants.

The concluding speaker was Samantha Power, who served as President Obama’s ambassador to the United Nations and is a widely-known academic and author. “My feeling these days is of being small — that there are big problems out there… and we don’t think anything we do to make change is enough,” she said. “What can one little person do?” she asked in view of the enormity of the problems, as her question turned into a challenge to the group.

She alluded to a concept called “shrinking the

change,” which comes from a book she read entitled, “Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard.” In the book, she said the authors basically stress “not letting the big challenge and small solution get you down. Set your sights on something more modest… that can be achieved — that is within your power. Impact is fuel.”

Speaking to the students on the call, Power stressed, “There is always something we can do,” though acknowledging that “the changes we can make as mortals are small, but they can make big changes in someone’s life.”

The Zoom gathering was presented by the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, Jones Walker, ADL South Central, National Council of Jewish Women: Greater New Orleans Section, Karl Bernard Law, the YMCA and Xavier University of Louisiana.

January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

15

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January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

Summer 2020 at Camp Blue Star

Back to semi-normal?

Though details uncertain, region’s summer camps plan to welcome campers’ return If there is one thing that 2020 showed, planning several months ahead in the age of Covid is fraught with peril. However, after most Jewish summer camps cancelled their 2020 seasons because of the pandemic, the camps insist that even though the details may not be predictable at this point, there will be summer camp this year.

“We know that kids need camp now more than ever, and even in this new and challenging world, we will be ready,” said Anna Herman, director of the Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Utica.

After a year off, Jacobs Camp, Ramah Darom, Barney Medintz and Camp Judaea are looking forward to welcoming campers back to their facilities this summer.

While the camps want to operate as close to normal as possible, Covid protocols will call for numerous changes in camp structure, from fullcamp activities to field trips and keeping every-one in the camp “bubble” all summer.

The camps are relying on the American Camp Association, Foundation for Jewish Camp, medical experts and their own movements to collaborate on best practices to make sure the sum-mer can proceed. The experience of Camp Blue Star in Hendersonville, N.C., which successfully had one limited-enrollment session last summer, is also being scrutinized, along with schools that have been able to hold in-person classes this year.

Ramah Darom, which is also a year-round retreat facility, had a few brief Family Camp week-ends during the fall, with a very low capacity.

Those experiences, however, were also test runs for the camp in preparing for this summer.

Last year, it was figured that Covid immunizations would be widespread by Summer 2021, but when the immunizations were approved, they were for ages 16 and up, with no announcement as to when a children’s version would be available.

While specifics are sketchy, it looks like camps will be forming bubbles at their facilities, quar-antining staff and testing them for Covid before campers arrive. Last year, Blue Star tested all arriving campers by mail the week before camp, asked them to quarantine at home, then test-ed off-site upon arrival, with parents dropping off the campers at the entrance after testing negative.

Blue Star Director Seth Herschthal said a couple campers had positive tests that were verified by a second test and were unable to attend, but by having testing off-site, nobody with a posi-tive test ever entered the camp.

The camps would likely ban late arrival or early departure, and Ramah Darom is planning to not have parents drop off campers at the camp, which is usually a popular option each summer. Instead, campers will travel by camp-arranged bus, group flights to Atlanta or to a drop-off

summer camp ONE STOP

location near camp.

One vision for camp is that campers will start off by staying in their pods, consisting of one or two bunks in their age group, with staggered activities and meal times to enable distancing.

After 10 to 12 days, there would be widespread testing, and assuming everyone in the bubble is negative, the restrictions could be relaxed and the summer could resemble a more normal camp experience. However, to maintain the bubble, nobody from outside — whether parents or other visitors — would be allowed to enter camp, staff days off would have to be on campus and there would be no excursions off camp grounds.

To help with a pod structure and facilitate distancing, camps are planning to have a summer that Herschthal called “close to capacity” but not quite the enrollment of a typical summer.

Having pods at the beginning would mean that if a camper did test positive, that pod could be quarantined while the positive camper would be in an isolated area.

Camp infirmaries would be divided to handle any positive cases, with technology enabling the camper to stay connected. Instead of campwide infirmary call, well campers needing daily medications or allergy shots would instead come to the other part of the infirmary by appoint-ment.

Because of changing conditions, camps are emphasizing communication with parents.

Herman said they are “constantly adapting our plans,” and “rapid and transparent communication is our utmost priority… as we get closer to the summer, we will share more specifics with ample time for all parents to be fully informed and have all of their questions answered.”

The camps are all planning to have two sessions, and are formulating plans on how to handle full-summer campers during the transition between sessions.

The camps that did not meet last summer held online gatherings to keep campers connected, but Ramah Darom Communications Director Robyn Diamond said the emphasis this year is get-ting everyone back together, “in one space, away from technology, playing outside and having fun.”

Ramah is continuing to offer virtual experiences for campers during the year, Diamond said. “We recognize that a summer away from Camp with a 22-month gap, as opposed to a 10-month gap between summers, requires a greater need for connectedness and support.”

While camps in the region took major financial hits in 2020, fundraising and other support have enabled the camps to make it through to 2021. With continued financial uncertainty, though, the camps are expecting a greater demand for scholarship assistance.

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Education an annual special section

Learning and Creativity at Alabama School of Fine Arts Alabama School of Fine Arts Student Body President Ella Rosenthal embraced the challenges of staying in-step with her classmates and teachers while advancing their learning during the pandemic.

“I’ve really been inspired by the school leadership, teachers and our fellow students,” said Rosenthal, a senior at ASFA. “We’ve stayed engaged and motivated. I think in some ways it has actually brought us closer together.”

Located in downtown Birmingham, the Alabama School of Fine Arts admits students through application and audition, providing tuition-free instruction in six specialty areas: creative writing, dance, math and science, music, theatre and visual arts, plus a full college preparatory curriculum.

ASFA Marketing Director Katie Roach Dudley said the school anticipates offering a hybrid program for the spring semester where students can choose to attend their specialty in-person, while doing core academics online.

The daughter of Jennifer and Rich Rosenthal, she attended the Levite Jewish Community Center’s Cohn Early Childhood Learning Center as well as the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School and has been involved with BBYO. She started dancing when she was five years old, getting involved in an afterschool program at the LJCC. “I’ve been dancing most of my life and I wanted the opportunity to continue to pursue something I am so passionate about,” said Rosenthal, who is additionally working on a concentration in psychology at ASFA. When she was in the fifth grade, she decided she wanted to attend ASFA, so she entered a prep program. Rosenthal was accepted as a sixth grader. “I knew ASFA was the place for me academically and artistically.”

Early on in her career at the school, Rosenthal became involved in student leadership. She started as a class representative for the 7th grade and was elected vice president for the student body in May 2019.

Rosenthal has been student body president since May 2020. “I’ve always been a very passionate advocate for the school,” she said.

Dudley said ASFA is accepting applications until Jan. 27 for the 2021-22 academic year. Students currently in grades 6 to 10 are eligible to apply and ASFA offers a virtual Open House available for prospective students and families on its website at www.asfaschool.org/open-house.

“Many people don’t realize we are a public school (therefore tuition-free) and that we have a dorm so students from across the state can attend,” she said.

Dudley said ASFA’s music department has partnered with Alabama Symphony’s conductor Carlos Izcaray to write and produce an original work that will be available online.

The school also had three YoungArts winners this year. “YoungArts is probably the preeminent competition for young artists in the nation,” she added.

Rosenthal said that she is “most grateful for being with such a diverse group of people. That’s my favorite part of the school. I’ve gained so much from broadening my horizons and being around such wonderful people.”

18

January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

education

Tulane Judaic Studies receives $1 million gift and $1 million challenge Tulane University has received a $1 million gift — and an additional matching challenge grant of up to $1 million — from the TAWANI Foundation, led by Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired).

The gift will establish the Audrey G. Ratner Excellence Endowed Fund for American Jewry and Jewish Culture in the School of Liberal Arts, moving the Department of Jewish Studies significantly closer to its goal of creating a world-class hub of Jewish learning dedicated to the innovative and holistic study of American Jews.

Named in honor of the prominent Chicago philanthropist’s mother, the fund will support action-oriented programming, innovative student engagement activities and cutting-edge research, primarily through the Audrey G. Ratner Jewish Leadership Course and the Audrey G. Ratner Speaker Series. The fund will significantly grow American Jewish studies at Tulane and provide transformative opportunities to build forward-thinking leaders of the future.

“Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, Tulane University continues to do impressive work and prioritizes focusing on its students,” Pritzker said. “Education is such an important tool, and I’m proud to know this contribution will help others grow their understanding of American Jewish history and culture.”

Tulane President Michael Fitts hailed the gift as “inspiring and impactful.”

“This gift greatly enhances Tulane’s capacity in a vital area of scholarship, allowing us to engage in a deeper and broader study of the Jewish experience and how it has shaped the history of our nation and world. We are most grateful to the TAWANI Foundation and Col. Pritzker for this generous support of our academic mission and students,” he said.

The Ratner Jewish Leadership Course will combine academic coursework on Jewish culture and life with experiential learning opportunities and community service projects. The goal is to develop critical leadership and management skills in both Jewish and non-Jewish students, with a focus on the American Jewish experience.

The Ratner Speaker Series will bring renowned scholars, artists, and Jewish leaders to campus to lead robust conversations about American Jewish culture, history and ideas, as well as present roundtables, films and other events in conjunction with the Stuart and Suzanne Grant Center for the American Jewish Experience.

“Tulane’s Department of Jewish Studies has emerged as a national leader through its unique focus on the history and experience of American Jews,” said Brian Edwards, dean of the School of Liberal Arts. “The generosity of the TAWANI Foundation builds on the transformative gift that allowed us to establish the Grant Center last year and seeds a range of curricular innovations and programs that forge important connections between the classroom and communities beyond our campus.”

The initial $1 million gift will establish the Ratner Jewish Leadership Course, support an annual lecture within the Ratner Speaker Series, and enable the hiring of a program manager to oversee activities and develop synergies with Hillel, the Grant Center, the Center for Public Service and other entities.

“This gift will allow us to unlock something truly extraordinary,” said Michael Cohen, department chair, Stuart and Suzanne Grant Chair in the American Jewish Experience, Director of the Grant Center for the American Jewish Experience and the Sizeler Professor of Jewish Studies. “We are poised to create tomorrow’s leaders, and this challenge will take us to the next level.”

The $1 million matching challenge aims to inspire other donors to step up as stakeholders in the department. The challenge will maximize the impact of every new gift, dollar for dollar, and encourage the creation of named endowments, whether toward individual lectures within the Ratner Speaker Series or other initiatives that support the purpose of the Audrey G. Ratner Excellence Endowed Fund for American Jewry and Jewish Culture.

The match challenge will bolster the American Jewish Studies Excellence Endowed Fund by establishing flexible programming that supports the De-

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education

Children born into all kinds of circumstances have dreams and dreams are powerful.

WE DO WHAT WE DO BECAUSE CHILDREN HAVE DREAMS.

partment of Jewish Studies’ core mission. It also will provide meaningful academic connections between students and faculty.

Audrey Ratner, a longtime champion of education and literacy, is the wife of Cleveland businessman Albert Ratner. As a special-education teacher at the Francis W. Parker School in Chicago, she became particularly interested in dyslexia and other learning-style differences and has focused much of her philanthropy toward the teaching of reading. Ratner has three children including Jennifer Pritzker; two stepchildren; and numerous grandchildren, two of whom are Tulane alumni: Andrew A. Pritzker (LA ’14) and Emily F. Ratner (LA ’07).

A decorated paratrooper who retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel, Pritzker also served in the U.S. Army Reserve and the Illinois Army National Guard, which named her an honorary colonel. In 1994, Pritzker founded TAWANI Enterprises, a visionary umbrella organization with a private equity portfolio consisting of startup and mature innovative companies in various industries, as well as nonprofit interests through foundation work and military history and education organizations.

Bama Hillel continues to serve during Covid

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January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

Jewish student enrollment and involvement continue to be high like the Crimson Tide football team at the University of Alabama, a tremendous victory considering the challenges Covid presented.

“We prepared all summer for a safe opening,” said University of Alabama Hillel Director Lisa Besnoy. “Having an expanded Hillel facility helped and we spaced out all of the furniture to promote social distancing. We gave Bama Hillel masks to all students and added several hand sanitizer stations.”

The expanded Hillel was dedicated at the start of the 2018 fall semester, and additional outdoor seating was purchased to help with distancing during the pandemic.

“I give so much credit to our student board and students involved with Hillel for making everything work so well and being respectful of the changes we had to make. We worked together to come up with creative ways to (come up with) and enjoy programming when we couldn’t gather in the ways we had previously,” said Besnoy.

Hillel remained open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. She said more than 100 students would attend most Shabbats, which along with the Sunday bagel brunches were divided into three different sessions to allow for safe distancing.

“I was pleasantly surprised by and thrilled at the level of participation,” said Besnoy, adding that they also organized some Zoom social hours and Shabbat candle-lighting sessions. “We still served more than 400 students and more than 1,600 meals.”

They also reached out to students who were sick or had to quarantine.

Their matzah ball soup campaign, through contactless delivery, delivered more than 100 care packages.

Besnoy and student board members also worked with the admissions department to development virtual recruiting sessions to reach out to prospective Jewish students.

“For all of us, Hillel is a home away from home,” she said. “We wanted to give these prospective students an opportunity to learn about Jewish life and to understand what a great community we have here.” It is estimated that more than 1,000 Jewish students are enrolled at Alabama.

Besnoy said they are planning spring programming with the assumption that the similar Covid safety guidelines would be in place.

Though there will not be the usual Birthright Israel trip in the spring, Besnoy said have been in discussions with Birthright about some educational programming and a possible Israel travel virtual experience.

She added that Dan Levine, the Chair of Judaic Studies at the University of Alabama, plans to continue speaking to students who want to learn more about Israel. Levine lived in Israel and served with the Israel Defense Force.

“We’re planning a few Zoom program events to further (Jewish, Israel learning) and we’re connected with the international Hillel community to share ideas for programming,” said Besnoy. “There are some great resources out there that we will be exploring.”

education

Levy, Berman hit the hoops for Auburn

ExtErior DEsigns, inc.

By Beverly Katz

By Lee J. Green It isn’t just Auburn Head Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl — both the Auburn men’s and women’s teams have a Jewish player presence.

Israeli freshman forward Romi Levy has already made an impact on the Tigers’ women’s team. On the men’s team, sophomore guard Lior Berman’s scout team practice work continues to earn praise and more game minutes.

“Both Romi and Lior have bright futures. They are dedicated to learning and achieving on the basketball court and in the classroom,” said Pearl, whose son Stephen is an Auburn assistant coach.

“We’ve been very welcoming to them and want to give them a family away from home.”

Levy, who is from Tel Aviv but her family now lives in Herzliya, developed a love for basketball at a young age. When she turned 12, she left home to attend the Wingate Basketball Academy.

“Not only did it help me to become a better player, but I learned how to manage my time and my life,” she said. “That was 20 minutes from home versus the bigger move from Israel to Auburn, but it made me more mature and ready for more challenges.”

She would go on to star at Hof Hasharon High School and she would lead the Israeli national team to the bronze medal in the Under 18 Women’s European Championships in 2018, scoring 14 points in a win over Lithuania and 13 points against Albania.

After serving her time with the Israel Defense Force, Levy and her dad, Alon, started charting a path for her to continue her basketball career in the United States.

“I love Israel and do miss it, but I felt I had achieved as much as I could in basketball there,” she said. Levy was recruited by several colleges, but Auburn Women’s Head Basketball Coach Terri Williams-Flourney was the first to send a handwritten letter inviting her to join the program.

“Romi is a passionate competitor who is coming to the States to play with and against the best,” Williams-Flournoy said.

Lior Berman

Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Auburn Athletics

Romi Levy Levy has dual citizenship with Israel and the U.S., and she has some family in New York as well as Miami. She had visited the U.S. several times, but this was her first time in Alabama.

The 6-foot-2 forward has averaged 5.3 points and four rebounds per game, playing around 20 minutes per game. She has started three games, including the first two conference games before press time.

This is all while adjusting to a new country; continuing to learn more English, including some new words such as “y’all” and “War Eagle,” and working toward a pre-med degree, mostly via Zoom classes.

“It has been an adjustment but I really feel at home here,” said Levy, whose parents came over from Israel to visit her for three weeks during winter break.

She said she liked Coach Pearl “from the first day I met him. He is very warm, inviting, honest.

And Lior Berman is one of my best friends here.”

Berman’s grandfather on his father’s side, Floyd, is from Israel and Lior has visited the country several times.

In 2017, he helped lead Team USA to a gold medal at the World Maccabiah Games.

“Israel is a very special place to me,” he said. “I have great memories of visiting family there… and it was such an incredible experience to be a part of the Games.”

Berman’s father, Elan, played basketball in high school and introduced Lior to the game. Floyd ran track and played lacrosse at Virginia, but would always shoot hoops with Lior on trips to Israel.

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January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

BUSINESS LEADERS MENTOR STUDENTS

Mountain Brook High School and helped lead the Spartans to three state championships his sophomore, junior and senior years.

“I knew I wanted to play basketball at the next level,” said Berman. “Some Division II and Division III teams made some scholarship offers but I really wanted to earn an opportunity to play at the top level, so I walked on at Auburn.

“I love Coach Pearl. He really motivates us to be the best that we can be and he is always there for whatever we need,” added Berman. “It’s great having a Jewish coach. He’s had us over to celebrate holidays and we attend services together (pre-Covid).”

In practice, Berman is usually tasked with studying the next opponent’s top shooting guard and replicating his play to help the team prepare for what they will face.

Auburn won the SEC Championship and made it to the Final Four in 2018-19, losing to the eventual national champion Virginia. In Berman’s first year, 2019-20, Covid-19 halted the season before the conference championships and NCAA tournament.

Several Tigers were either drafted or graduated from those teams and Pearl calls this “a rebuilding year.” That means a player such as Berman can earn more playing time.

“As a team, we’re continuing to get better,” he said. “I want to do anything I can to contribute.”

Berman has excelled balancing basketball with his studies. He is an honors student majoring in industrial design. “I’m focused on putting in the work, learning and achieving” both on and off the court, he said.

Pearl credits Berman and his other players for their dedication to the team, academics and adjusting to a new normal with Covid-19 safety protocols.

“They’ve been a great example of how we can push forward, work hard, stay safe and still live the dream,” said Pearl, adding that they haven’t had one positive Covid-19 test since July 4. “They have stayed motivated and dedicated to doing everything they need to.”

He, Stephen and his wife, Nana Rose, weren’t able to host their famous Chanukah party at their house as usual. But he said Berman, Levy and some other Jewish students picked up care packages including her famous latkes. The Pearls also Zoomed some candle-lighting services.

Coach and Co-author Pearl also recently added co-author to his impressive resume. This month marks the release of “The Casualty of Contempt: The Alarming Rise of Anti-Semitism And What Can Be Done To Stop It.” The book is a collection of essays and stories edited by Aaron David Fruh of Mobile. Pearl contributes the book’s foreword, along with LSU Head Basketball Coach Dale Brown, and one of the essays.

Pearl also said he was named to join the board for the Birmingham-based JH Israel organization, and he hopes to take his team on a trip to Israel as early as this summer if it is safe to do so.

education

Birmingham-Southern Jewish community grows through Abroms Scholars Birmingham-Southern College’s Jewish student population and participation continue to climb on The Hilltop, ever since the establishment of the campus Hillel in the fall of 2017.

There are an estimated 25 or so Jewish students and involvement with Hillel programming — some of it virtual, some in person with social distancing — was strong during the fall semester, according to BSC Marketing Director Amy Abeyta.

Also in 2017, philanthropists Hal and Judy Abroms started the Abroms Scholarship in an effort to increase the Jewish student population, as well as provide a more meaningful campus experience for all students.

Current Abroms Scholars at BSC include Madison Taylor Brook, a sophomore from Los Altos, CA, majoring in Elementary and Collaborative Education; Halley Adina Cooper, a junior from Atlanta majoring in Psychology; Ella Lucinda Rockoff, a freshman from Jackson, and Maxwell Ryan Sager, a sophomore star soccer player from Baton Rouge.

One of BSC’s most well-known Jewish alumni is Samantha Dubrinsky.

The former executive director of the Levite Jewish Community Center, Dubrinsky was named CEO of the Springfield, Mass., JCC and will begin there on Feb. 1.

US News & World Report named BSC one of the top National Liberal Arts Colleges in the U.S. for 2021. The college was also selected as a 2021 Hidden Gem by a leading college planning platform, for colleges in the Southeast with tuition under $25,000.

Special Section articles by Lee J. Green

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Gwendolyn, The Pie Lady “After my knee replacement, Touro got me back to doing what I do best, baking pies.”

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January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

23

Drug and Alcohol Treatment Home Once we had a client who thanked me for allowing her to come to our “Treatment Home.” I thought this was unusual until I realized that Bayshore Retreat is exactly that. The home environment with the small number of clients (no more than 6 at a time), the individual attention and the aroma of wonderful meals coming from the kitchen all contribute to health and wellness from addiction.

We prove everyday that life can be good without drugs and/or alcohol. Before going to one of the big box drug treatment centers with vending machines, cafeteria food and 12-step meetings consider the difference. Our “treatment home” is different and can make a difference.

Most importantly, the home environment adds a touch of selfesteem for our clients. Likewise, we allow clients to bring their cell phone and laptop and stay in touch with family, friends and business. Our holistic approach to health includes dry sauna and massage therapy, as well as vitamins and gourmet prepared food.

Our 30 hours of counseling include at least two individual sessions weekly, group counseling, and Life Skills coaching. Clients love it at Bayshore Retreat as is proven by the client thanking me for allowing her to come to my treatment home.

If you or someone you love needs help with addiction, compare everything when looking for a rehab. No one compares to Bayshore Retreat. Its difference can make a difference.

take care of yourself an annual SJL special section

COVID-19 and School-Aged Kids How Parents Can Prepare for Cold and Flu Season As cold and flu season ramps up, parents may be wondering what to expect this year — given that Covid-19 has introduced a new element of concern. In any case, it’s important for parents or other caregivers to help mitigate the spread of illness. Per Dr. Gigi Youngblood, pediatrician at Pediatrics East in the Birmingham metro area, screening starts at home.

“There’s just not a practical way for schools to screen every single child every single day. So, we are really depending on our parents to think about those symptoms at home and give it a second thought before sending your child to school.”

Symptoms to Watch Out For Covid-19 symptoms differ from classic flu symptoms. With Covid-19, up to 50 percent of kids will not necessarily have a fever. They may present with a sore throat, mild cough, or runny nose — symptoms that can mimic allergies.

“We need parents to be really diligent in checking those symptoms each day and not necessarily sending their child to school thinking, ‘Oh, it is fine.

I think it’s just a little allergy.’ We just want them to be really diligent with it,” states Youngblood.

The three major signs of potential Covid-19 are a new onset cough, loss of sense of taste or smell, and shortness of breath. Breakfast is the perfect time to check in, particularly in regard to the loss of senses. If your child has any of these symptoms, they should not go to school. In fact, parents should contact their child’s physician right away.

“Historically, I have lots of parents who would not call me when their child has a scratchy throat, runny nose, or a slight cough. They would give them some Zyrtec and send them to school. But, this year is just very different and we need to embrace the fact that it’s different,” urges Youngblood. “That’s how we’re going to keep our schools open and safe. If your child has those symptoms, we’re going to need to evaluate the child, probably test the child for Covid, maybe strep, maybe flu also, depending on the season and what they’ve been exposed to. But, most of these kids are going to need that test.”

Don’t Wait, Vaccinate The best way to prepare for the upcoming flu season hasn’t changed in light of Covid-19: get the flu vaccine, whether in shot or mist form. The flu vaccine is the number-one way to prevent flu-related deaths.

“Please get protected against the flu, because it’s going to be even more complicated this year than it typically is. I always tell my parents, you don’t necessarily vaccinate your kid to keep them from getting the flu; you give them the vaccine to keep them from dying from the flu. We lose children every year in the state of Alabama to flu. Especially this season, because we have no idea what Covid and flu together is going to look like. That worries me as a pediatrician, because flu is really hard on kids, even more so than healthy adults. This could be a nasty flu season,” warns Youngblood.

Holiday Season Precautions It’s crucial for families to keep up with their safety measures, such as masking, social distancing, and proper and frequent hand-washing. In some instances, where family members are especially immune-compromised, it may be best to avoid holiday gatherings altogether.

“I know everybody’s tired of this. I’m tired of it too. But just stay diligent.

Approach your holiday gatherings with pandemic precautions in mind…

We really need to go into it knowing that things need to be a bit different this year so we can get out of this together. If you have even mild symptoms, do not go to those holiday gatherings; do not go. And, if you think you are a little bit sick and feel like you really need to go, get a test before you interact with your family.”

To listen to an in-depth conversation on this topic with Dr. Gigi Youngblood, Pediatrician at Pediatrics East in the Birmingham metro area, go to: https://radiomd.com/childrensalabama/item/43452 24

January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

take care of yourself

Respiratory, immune system, skin healing through salt therapy Those who have traveled to Israel have experienced the healing power of the Dead Sea and its salt.

Mountain Brook’s Spiro Salt Room and Massage Therapy has helped many with respiratory issues, allergies, immune deficiencies and skin conditions through this natural approach to wellness.

“There are numerous benefits to salt therapy,” said Spiro Salt Room and Massage Therapy Owner Lee John Bruno, the first to bring the concept to Birmingham when he opened in 2014. Also called halotherapy, “it’s proven, (100 percent) natural healing that has been around for many years, even though it’s a newer concept here.” It is especially popular in Europe.

How does it work? Bruno said sessions are usually 45 minutes. Clients relax in the salt room to soothing video and music while they absorb the combination of air and scientifically micronized salt particles — produced by a halogenerator — alleviating symptoms and boosting wellness.

Bruno said while one visit can bring temporary relief and a deep sense of calm, it is the repeated exposure to dry salt aerosol that brings more permanent healing.

“We can design a therapy plan based on someone’s conditions and healing needs,” he said.

“We’ve had a lot of health care practitioners come

to see us to help them build up their immunity and for other proactive wellness benefits.”

Bruno said he was seeking to get into a therapy-related business. He found out about salt therapy and visited a salt cave in Virginia.

“I’ve always had issues with allergies as many of us do here in the Deep South and I thought I would give it a try,” he said. “I experienced some immediate benefits. I then spent about nine months researching the technology before designing and building Spiro…which is Greek for ‘breathe’.”

Halotherapy is safe for people of all ages, including pregnant women as well as children ages one and up. According to Spiro’s website and research, aerosolized salt has natural decongestive and cleansing properties that help maintain breathing comfort and health. The skin benefits from dry salt therapy’s natural anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.

Spiro also offers massage therapy, salt scrubs and CBD oil products. If a client is doing salt therapy and massage, it is recommended that the massage be done first so the salt can stay in the body longer.

“We have several modalities for healing,” said Bruno. “What makes this so rewarding is when can see the difference this can make for clients.”

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Gunn Dermatology reverses the aging process Gunn Dermatology, which opened this past fall in Mountain Brook’s Crestline Village, helps patients look and feel younger.

Dr. Stephanie Gunn, a south Alabama native who has also recently served as assistant professor of dermatology and director of the UAB Dermatology Cosmetic and Laser Clinic, said she treats all skin diseases, but she has a special interest in skin cancers, scar treatments, eczema, acne as well as all facial cosmetic treatments.

She said in recent years she has seen great advancements with fillers. “The fillers available in the U.S. have become much more natural, allowing for major changes and anti-aging success without anyone knowing you’ve had a filler,” said Dr. Gunn. “We use all fillers currently available in the U.S. at our practice, so we can pick the best one for a person’s individual needs.”

They can also recommend some longer-lasting procedures such as Vivace and ablative laser resurfacing. “Those are our two favorite treatments for smoothening and tightening the skin,” she

said. “Doing both can make you look 10 years younger.”

During winter, to repair dry and cracked skin, Gunn recommends Neocutis’ Firm line, which includes both growth factors and peptides that produce collagen as well as elastic fibers.

“The Riche line is great if you need extra moisture in the winter months,” said Gunn. “If you already have a moisturizer you love, you can also add the Gunn Dermatology Skin Drink Serum under a moisturizer for extra plumping and hydrating.”

Gunn Dermatology also specializes in pediatric dermatology. Gunn said they regularly treat eczema, warts, molluscum and other skin conditions. “We’ve also become the place to go for ear piercing. I wanted a safe place for our girls to get both ears pierced at the same time after cleansing and numbing with an easy system.”

For adults, they also offer vampire facials and PRP that grows hair. For more information, go to www.gunndermatology.com.

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The Joint Chiropractic comes to Birmingham The Joint Chiropractic offers a positive adjustment for seeking a natural approach to performance enhancement, injury prevention and healing.

The Birmingham area’s first location opened last month in Mountain Brook’s Cahaba Village Plaza and the Lee Branch location comes onboard in late January. Co-owner Raveen Patel said three more locations are planned for the Birmingham area in 2021.

“There is a niche for this model that provides expert chiropractic care that is affordable and convenient,” said Patel. “This is especially ideal for people who need routine chiropractic care that works with their schedules and active lifestyles.”

The Joint Chiropractic is the largest network of chiropractic clinics in the nation. Patel said they have accessible locations with evening and weekend hours. “Plus if someone is a member and they are traveling, they can go to any location across the U.S. for an adjustment,” he said.

What is an adjustment? Joint restrictions, also known as “subluxations,” can cause irritation of the central nervous system, often resulting in pain and discomfort. Chiropractors locate and correct these joint restrictions by applying a gentle, targeted movement to the spine and extremities.

The Joint Chiropractic Birmingham’s Dr. Eric Parker said chiropractic care could help with back pain, neck pain, leg pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia and carpal tunnel syndrome.

“People might not be as aware that chiropractic care can help to alleviate headaches as well as with digestive and reproductive issues,” said Dr. Parker.

“It has also proven effective for kids with chronic ear infections, colic and growth/development issues.”

He said The Joint Chiropractic offers a free initial consultation and offers several different visit and plan options. Each adjustment visit takes less than 30 minutes.

“Regular chiropractic care helps the body to continually function well,” said Parker. “It is a good approach to healing and a proactive, preventative way of caring for your health.”

Crestline Pharmacy offers winter wellness advice The best prescription Crestline Pharmacy owner Matt Leach can write is one for proactive wellness in the winter months.

“The winter is going to be a difficult time to differentiate between flu and Covid symptoms, but you can best protect yourself from both through social distancing, mask-wearing, maintaining good personal hygiene, taking immune boosters and a good diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables,” said Leach.

He said the number of flu cases this winter had dropped dramatically due to mask wearing, social distancing and people getting flu shots. Crestline Pharmacy offers flu, pneumonia and shingles shots that are almost always covered by private insurance as well as Medicare.

Leach said they also have over-the-counter medications such as vitamins, supplements and probiotics. “We recommend Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and other immune boosters,” he said. “We also offer B12 shots, which can help with boosting immune system and energy.”

Crestline Pharmacy sells several types of thermometers and pulse oximeters to keep track of one’s oxygen levels, for those who have Covid-19.

For those who can’t make it into the pharmacy, Crestline makes more than 80 deliveries every day to costumers in Mountain Brook, Vestavia, Homewood, Irondale and the southside of Birmingham.

“We’re also happy to bring everything out to someone’s car,” said Leach.

“We can even do curbside flu shots.”

Crestline Pharmacy opened in 1950 and 15 years ago, Leach came on board as a pharmacist. Last June, he and his wife, Amanda, acquired the Crestline Village pharmacy.

“What we love most about this is making connections with our customers and we are happy to offer them any wellness advice they need,” said Leach. “That personal touch and reaching out to them is what makes an independently owned neighborhood pharmacy so special.”

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January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

counselor’s corner a monthly feature from Collat Jewish Family Services

How to Safely “Hug” an Older Loved One

By LaBrena Friend, LMSW If you are concerned about the impact of isolation on an older relative or friend, you are not alone. During the COVID-19 crisis, I’ve seen a decline in the general well-being of some older clients, and research has confirmed that social distancing is negatively impacting both the mental and physical health of many older adults.

The good news is, there are several ways you can safely help an older adult feel connected and cared for. Here are a few practices I’ve found useful while providing support for my clients at CJFS: Replace a hug with a “hug” and a smile with a “smile.” Pre-pandemic, an embrace was sometimes the best way to show an older adult you cared. Now, with hugs off the table and masks covering our mouths, your loved ones can’t even see your smile. Since we can’t show the way we feel right now, consider saying, “I’m really happy to see you, and you can’t see it, but I’m smiling.” Sometimes, just reaching out and sending a big “air hug” can help them feel loved.

Bring a visual aid. If your older friend or loved one is hard of hearing, you may find that when you’re masked, they can’t understand what you’re saying because they’re used to reading your lips. Writing messages on a notepad or small whiteboard can help bridge the communication divide.

Remember the phone still works. Call your loved one frequently. Share some interesting, upbeat or humorous tidbits from your day. Show interest in what they are doing and thinking. And if poor hearing makes phone

conversations challenging, investigate phones with amplified speakers or caption translation.

Encourage engagement. If your loved one’s synagogue or church is offering online services, you may be able to help them master the technology to attend. Offer to pick up prayer books or Sunday School materials that will make the online offerings more meaningful. Remind them that their friends may be feeling down, and that they can cheer someone up by making a call. Encourage them to exercise, go for a walk or just spend time in nature if they are able.

Deliver a small gift. If you just prepared a favorite recipe, drop off a serving for your friend or loved one. Don’t cook? A piece of fruit, a store-bought treat, a few flowers or another small gift may also help them smile. Now is also a perfect time to send handwritten notes or greeting cards. Receiving something personal from a loved one or friend is always a treat!

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community Sirote & Permutt to become first global law firm in Alabama Combining with world’s largest law firm, Dentons

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What started in 1946 as a small, Birmingham, Jewish-owned law firm will soon become Alabama’s first global law firm.

Sirote & Permutt announced in late December it will be combining with Dentons — the world’s largest law firm — to launch Dentons Sirote.

“It’s the best of both worlds for our clients and us. We will continue serving our clients using a trusted advisor model that builds upon personal relationships,” said Brad Sklar, a Sirote & Permutt Board Member, Shareholder and attorney who has been with the firm ever since graduating from New York University School of Law in 1988. “With this combination, we can offer our clients access to additional talent, resources, and solutions from professionals across the country and the world.”

At the launch of the combination — expected in the coming months — Dentons will extend its reach to 198 locations worldwide, with 44 of those offices in the United States. The firm will have more than 11,000 attorneys in 24 business sectors with experience in 40 practice areas of expertise.

Sklar said Dentons, which also has an office in New Orleans, approached them in the middle of 2019. Interestingly, Dentons has similar beginnings, with roots to the Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal powerhouse firm in Chicago, another office with Jewish founders.

“Denton’s evolution started similarly to ours. There are a lot of synergies between our firms and the way we value our clients,” said Sklar. “Together we’re capable of helping clients navigate the New Dynamic.”

He said, “if a client needs expertise in the ASEAN region, we will now be able to easily provide that. We can support our clients wherever they do business. Similarly, if a client in the Dentons office in New York needs something from Alabama, we can be their resource.”

Sirote and Permutt started 75 years ago with the partnership of Morris Sirote, Edward Friend, Jr. and James Permutt. Karl Friedman would join on as a partner shortly afterward. Today the full-service law firm has 86 lawyers, and offices in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, Mobile and The Shoals.

Sklar credited Sirote & Permutt President Todd Carlisle and Joe Andrew, Global Chairman of Dentons, with their leadership and foresight.

“They worked really hard to bring this together and make sure it’s a success for everyone.”

World War II Museum offering Holocaust commemoration webinars

In observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27, the National WWII Museum in New Orleans will present “Survival Against All Odds,” a virtual webinar with Steven Hess. He and his twin, Marion Lewin, were born 45 minutes apart in 1938 in Amsterdam. Their parents were German refugees fleeing the Nazis, but after the Nazis invaded, the family was sent to Bergen Belsen, where they survived for over a year.

By the end of the war, only 5 percent of the Jews who had been deported from Holland were still alive. It was rare for twins to survive, and they may be the last remaining twins who survived the camps.

Hess served in the U.S. Navy for four years and currently resides in Rochester, N.Y. His sister lives in Chevy Chase, Md. The free webinar will be at 6 p.m., and registration is available on the museum website.

Sponsored by Taube Philanthropies, the event is part of the museum’s Taube Family Holocaust Education Program.

On Jan. 28, the museum will also host a student and teacher program, with young adult author Sharon Cameron speaking about her new book, “The Light in Hidden Places.” It is based on the true story of Stefania Podgorska, who hid 13 Jews in her attic. The noon webinar is for grades six and up.

community

When It Comes To Your Health

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rates the creation of Adam and Eve, as well as the High Holy Day sermon.

Rosh Hashanah tried to one-up Chanukah by having as many names as Hannukah has spellings. But it ended up with only four and, due to the first recorded instance of name sponsorship, is named for Shauna (Rosh Hashanah), Dean (Yom HaDin), Zeek Aaron (Yom HaZikaron), and Truman Capote (Yom T‘ruah).

Who these four people were is lost to history, though the recently discovered Mishnah tractate Bava Gump hints that they collectively threw great New Years parties; as it is written, “they threw great New Years parties.”

Experience Matters...

Doug Brook has a lot of New Years parties to plan, though the shopping list should be pretty short. To read past columns, visit http://brookwrite. com/. For exclusive online content, follow facebook.com/rearpewmirror

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Education at the university. The program will be Jan. 27 at 7 p.m., and the Zoom link will be available from both organizations.

On Feb. 8, the Adult Education Committee at Springhill Avenue Temple in Mobile presents photographer Michael Palmer for a presentation on the American, German-Jewish architect Eric Mendelsohn and the four synagogues that he built between the years 1946 and 1953.

As a foundation for discussion about Mendelsohn, his Jewish identity and his architectural mission, Palmer will include photographs from his book, “Eric Mendelsohn’s Synagogues in America.” Zoom information will be distributed for the 5:30 p.m. program.

Rabbi Judy Caplan Ginsburgh of B’nai Israel in Monroe will join Rabbi Jana De Benedetti of B’nai Zion in Shreveport and other musicians to celebrate the Shabbat of Song, Jan. 29 during the 6 p.m. service. Ginsburgh will also give the sermon. The musical service will be streamed on the B’nai Zion YouTube channel, BnaiZionCongregationShreveportLA, which can also be accessed through the B’nai Zion website.

Adath Jeshurun in Louisville, Ky., will host a Sunday Night Live event with Michael Saag of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. A world-renowned researcher, Saag has been an outspoken expert on Covid-19, and came down with it very early in the pandemic. The Jan. 31 event will be at 6 p.m. on the congregation’s Zoom and Facebook page.

Birmingham’s Temple Emanu-El will have a Shabbat Shirah night of music commemorating the redemption from the hands of Pharoah, during its online Shabbat service on Jan. 29 at 5:45 p.m.

Shir Shabbat returns at Mobile’s Ahavas Chesed, with Danielle and Josh Isen sharing their nigunim and melodies on Jan. 29 at the 6 p.m. service, which is broadcast on YouTube.

Dothan’s Temple Emanu-El has suspended in-person services. Hybrid events will be held for life cycle and other special events. With the hope that things will be getting back to normal, the congregation announced its next Kallah is planned for Oct. 15 to 17 at the Laguna Beach Retreat Center in Panama City.

Temple Beth El in Pensacola will hold a community cleanup near Wahoo Stadium at Bruce Beach on Jan. 31 at 11 a.m., helping the local Ocean Hour organization who regularly conducts beach cleanups for areas around the community. They will be supplying bags for the cleanup. Because of Covid, food will not be served this year, but participants are free to bring their own. Masks are recommended.

If you suffer from allergies or other ear, nose, throat or hearing problems, we don’t want you to treat your healthcare lightly or ignore symptoms that could lead to more serious issues.

For a thorough checkup, make sure you see one of the 14 doctors at Alabama’s largest and most experienced ear, nose and throat specialists… ENT Associates of Alabama, P.C. At our practice, your health comes first; and we strive to treat each patient as a person, not just another case. Our goal is to deliver a positive personal experience along with a positive outcome. Call or contact us on our website for an appointment.

To make your visit even more convenient, we have 9 Alabama offices with same day appointments available.

Birmingham - Hoover - Cullman - Gardendale Alabaster - Jasper - Pell City - Trussville - Princeton

www.entalabama.com or call toll free 888-368-5020

Ahavas Chesed in Mobile will have the next Krispy Kreme Roundups at the overhang on Jan. 31 at 10:30 a.m.

January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

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rear pew mirror • doug brook

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January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

It’s finally not 2020 anymore. Bask in that for a moment. Have another moment. No matter what, don’t indulge a single thought recalling that many people felt similar angst toward 2019 as it ended, looking ahead to 2020 with high hopes that even someone who is high realizes were never realized.

But fear not for 2021. The Talmud has come to the rescue, saving our savior 2021, praised be its number. As if anticipating that everyone would need a New Year’s Day as over-the-top badly as January 1 just provided, Jewish tradition provides a bonus. In fact, four bonuses.

Jews around the world have four more New Year celebrations in store for 2021, and there’s enough to share. Of course, these four exist every year, but if 2020 taught anything it’s that a sizable minority of the populace isn’t interested in diminishing a wild story with facts. And the more separations from 2020, the better.

The first Jewish New Year celebration of 2021 is coming up fast. Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for Trees, is Jan. 28. The rabbis in the Talmud — the Talmud is big enough that you can fit several rabbis in it — decided that trees experience the start of their annual cycle when the rainy season ends.

Why they thought the rainy season ends this early is unclear, but they lumbered along until they figured on a date for the trees.

The second New Year is really the first, since it was the first one ever mentioned. The Torah refers to the new year as starting on the first day of Nisan, the day that kicked off the spring Nissan Sales Event which originally came 15 days before the start of Passover.

This New Year’s Day in Nisan was also used in the kingdoms of Israel and Judah to measure each king’s reign. But because Tu B’Shevat previously marked the end of the rainy season, everyone became so confused that this ultimately led to the end of both Get ready monarchies.

Even more well known to far fewer to celebrate people is the third New Year’s Day. On the first of Elul, exactly one month prithe New Year or to The One People Actually Know, is several times… the New Year for animals. Mentioned in the Mishnah and unobserved since, this day honoring animals was largely forgotten for thousands of years until someone decided there wasn’t quite enough obscure information on the Internet.

In the Days of Yore (Yiddish for “I can’t count that low”), on this day shepherds would shepherd their most mature animals to be tithed. If a shepherd’s schlepper couldn’t decide which animals to schlep, they’d race the animals which, among other things, originated the baseball rule that the tithe always goes to the runner.

This day is also Talmudically credited as when many herd animals are born, after conception early in the spring. Of course, the Talmud features disagreement about exactly when most animals conceive though, thankfully, a resolution through exhaustive empirical observation was not indulged.

Today, almost several Jews have started the tradition of honoring animals on this day. It might seem unrelated, because it is, but this new tradition is mostly manifested two months later when numerous synagogues hold a parade of animals coinciding with the Torah reading of Noah.

Wedged in between the New Year for animals and the animal parade is the New Year event with the best press agent. Rosh Hashanah commemo-

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January 2021 • Southern Jewish Life