SJL New Orleans, February 2016

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February 2016 Volume 26 Issue 2

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2 Southern Jewish Life • February 2016

On Jan. 14, a good-size interfaith crowd turned out in Birmingham for a program on a transgender employee at an Orthodox institution. Many synagogues in our region have been outspoken about their support for and welcome of the LGBT community.

What, then, is one to make of the following week’s events in Chicago? The National LGBTQ Task Force cancelled a Jewish group’s reception at its Creating Change conference in Chicago scheduled for Jan. 22 because of complaints that an Israeli group would be there, hurting the feelings of Palestinian activists.

After national protests, the task force reversed itself, but then a mob stormed the hotel where the reception was taking place (in Chicago!), and anti-Israel activists forced the program to shut down.

Three days after, the Task Force issued a condemnation of anti-Semitism, noting in 28 years they had never had a protest at a reception.

In the eyes of these activists, the tolerance shown in the Jewish world, as demonstrated

by Israel’s openness, is nothing more than “pinkwashing,” a scheme to distract everyone from their highly exaggerated narrative of Israel’s oppression of Palestinians. How insulting.

Today, tolerant people want safe spaces where they can be free of offensive ideas, but have no problem threatening Jews. The home of anti-Jewish sentiment has shifted from the right to the left, and this is particularly painful for a Jewish community that has historically aligned with the political left, seeking to be an ally with a wide range of marginalized groups.

The philosophy of intersectionality states that Black Lives Matter equals LGBT rights equals worker rights equals women’s rights equals Palestinian rights — they’re all the same struggle against the presumed white European patriarchal colonialist oppression.

Communist regimes demonized Jews as capitalist, in the capitalist West Jews were seen as Communists. Here, too, Jews are molded into what is being fought against.

It is a moral inversion that so many have swallowed an extremist Palestinian narrative and are eager to vilify the Middle East’s only bastion of tolerance for LGBT while advocat-

shalom y’all shalom y’all shalom y’all in the center of this issue of Southern Jewish Life

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February 2016 • Southern Jewish Life 3

February 2016

commentary ing for regimes that would just as soon throw them off tall buildings.

Unfortunately, for many of those activists, logic is also part of that oppressive construct and must be avoided, and freedom of expres-

sion is protected only for approved viewpoints. It remains for those of good will and true tolerance to marginalize the vitriol, to prevent all credibility — and real progress — from being lost.

What Does “Big Tent” Mean?

by Matt Rosenthal

the country and the world, each with their own ideas, customs and practices.

By being aware and considerate of all levels of religious observance, and respectfully celebrating both those things we have in common as well as those which make us unique, LimmudFest New Orleans seeks to offer a weekend of engaging programming that is, above all things, inclusive.

Great care is being taken to create a collective and communal event that is accessible and enriching for all participants no matter how they do (or do not) identify. We offer choice in the form, content and style of the learning sessions offered and believe in the power of a diverse community to create rich cross-cultural and cross-generational experiences.

We strive to open the doors to LimmudFest as wide as possible, help us make this year’s LimmudFest Tent as big as ever. Register today!

This year, we are billing LimmudFest as “a weekend festival of Big Tent Jewish learning, arts, culture and spirituality.” As we’ve brought this message around the New Orleans community as well as to congregations across the Gulf South, it has been greeted with excitement and enthusiasm. But some have asked “What does ‘Big Tent’ mean?” It’s a great question, and one we enjoy answering.

The term “Big Tent” has its origins in politics, as it is formally defined as a party’s strategy to “encourage a range of beliefs, opinions and views among its members.” But the idea itself is much larger than that, and perfectly aligns with many of Limmud’s values and principles such as diversity, respect, religious observance and enabling connections.

The modern practice of Judiasm is commonly divided into Reform, Conservative and Orthodox traditions, but the formal and informal divisions Matt Rosenthal is a LimmudFest 2016 volunof the faith do not stop there. This has created a teer and director of marketing and operations wonderful array of vibrant communities across with St. Charles Vision.

Southern Jewish Life PUBLISHER/EDITOR Lawrence M. Brook editor@sjlmag.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/ADVERTISING Lee J. Green lee@sjlmag.com NEW ORLEANS ADVERTISING Jessica Thomas jessica@sjlmag.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ginger Brook ginger@sjlmag.com SOCIAL/WEB Eugene Walter Katz eugene@sjlmag.com PHOTOGRAPHER-AT-LARGE Rabbi Barry C. Altmark deepsouthrabbi.com CONTRIBUTING WRITER Doug Brook brookwrite.com BIRMINGHAM OFFICE P.O. Box 130052, Birmingham, AL 35213 13 Office Park Circle #6 Birmingham, AL 35223 205/870.7889 NEW ORLEANS OFFICE 3747 West Esplanade, 3rd Floor Metairie, LA 70002 504/780.5615 TOLL-FREE 866/446.5894 FAX 866/392.7750 connect@sjlmag.com ADVERTISING Advertising inquiries to Lee Green, 205/870.7889 or lee@sjlmag.com or Jessica Thomas, jessica@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.

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4 Southern Jewish Life • February 2016

agenda interesting bits & can’t miss events

The B’nai B’rith Mardi Gras Mitzvah Makers paraded through Touro Infirmary on Jan. 17

Roster of Limmud NOLA speakers released, early-bird registration extended Limmud New Orleans early bird registration has been extended to Feb. 15, and the full roster of speakers has been announced — though the actual schedule will not be finalized until mid-February.

Limmud is a regional weekend festival of Big Tent Jewish learning, arts, culture and spirituality, bringing Jews from diverse background together to study everything from theology and texts to culture, social justice and history. It will be held March 18 to 20.

Limmud Co-Chairs Lynne Wasserman and Ann Kientz said programming is offered for all ages and levels of experience in Jewish learning, with over 80 sessions to choose from. There is also a children’s track.

National speakers include Joel Hoffman, author of the new “The Bible Doesn’t Say That: 40 Biblical Mistranslations, Misconceptions and Other Misunderstandings”; Montreal Jewish food historian Katherine Romanow; and “Mitzvah maven” and poet Danny Siegel.

Lila Kagedan, the first person ordained at the Orthodox women’s seminary Yeshivat Maharat to take the title of rabbi and be hired in that role by an Orthodox synagogue, will present two sessions — one on the Jewish position on organ donation, and one on Orthodox women and Jewish religious leadership.

Local rabbis from across the spectrum will

present, as will Rabbi Dana Kaplan, who is interim rabbi at Mobile’s Springhill Avenue Temple this year. Kaplan previously was rabbi of B’nai Israel in Albany, Ga., and United Congregation of Israelites in Jamaica.

Rabbi Mark Glickman, interim rabbi at Beth Shalom in Baton Rouge, will discuss his new book, “Stolen Words: The Nazi Plunder of Jewish Books” (see story, page 25). Barry Ripps of Pensacola, who has a private practice in fertility issues, will compare Biblical accounts of infertility with today’s responses.

Barry Ivker, formerly of New Orleans and now living in Birmingham, will discuss the art form of collage. In 2000, he published a Haggadah with 111 collage images, 13 of which were exhibited at the New Orleans Museum of Art in 2002.

Efraim Chalamish, a professor of international economic law in New York, will present on how financial markets shape political movements such as ISIS and BDS, and will discuss lawfare, the Israel-Palestinian conflict as it plays out in international courts.

Chicago Oak Park Temple Rabbi Emeritus Gary Gerson will speak about Kabbalah, and Hazzan Neil Schwartz, who serves Agudath Achim in Shreveport, will show how the musical notation of Torah reading conveys meaning.

Becci Jacobs, assistant director of the Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Utica, will lead a session on

cultivating Jewish identity in children outside the synagogue walls. There will also be several presentations demonstrating the racial diversity of the Jewish community.

Also scheduled are historian Stuart Rockoff, formerly director of the history department at the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life and now the executive director of the Mississippi Humanities Council; Randy Fertel, president of both the Fertel Foundation and the Ruth U. Fertel Foundation and author of “The Gorilla Man and the Empress of Steak”; and authors Rodger Kamenetz, Michael Rubin and Nechama Liss-Levenson. There will also be a presentation by Southern Jewish Life editor Larry Brook.

Registration begins at 5 p.m. on March 18 at Gates of Prayer in Metairie. There will be Kabbalat Shabbat and dinner that evening.

On March 19, there will be Shabbat services at Gates of Prayer in a variety of styles. Learning will continue through the day, with Havdalah and an evening program.

Most of the sessions will be on March 20 at the Lavin-Bernick Center on Tulane University’s campus, running from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The events will be kosher and Shabbat-observant, and home hospitality within walking distance of Gates of Prayer can be arranged for those who are Shabbat-observant.

NOLA

February 2016 • Southern Jewish Life 5

agenda The presentations will be in 10 tracks, including arts and culture, contemporary Jewish life and identity, family, history, Israel, social justice, Southern Jewish life, spirituality, text and thought, and food. There is no signing up for sessions, just dropping in on whatever sounds good.

Led entirely by volunteers, New Orleans Limmud began in 2010 and is held every other year.

With early-bird rates, three-day passes are $75 for adults, $40 for young adults ages 18 to 30 and $15 for children. The one-day pass for Saturday evening and Sunday are $50 for adults, $25 for young adults and $10 for children. Registration rates go up on Feb. 16.

More information, including the full list of presentations, is at limmudnola.org.

Parents and students from Metairie’s Jewish Community Day School paid tribute to Martin Luther King by marching in the Annual MLK Parade on Jan. 18. Pictured here, left to right, are JCDS student Harry Hart, Michele Allen-Hart, Shanee Holmes and JCDS student Miles Holmes.

NCJW joins youth justice coalition The Greater New Orleans Section of National Council of Jewish Women has joined the Louisiana Youth Justice Coalition.

The coalition, led by the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights and the Southern Poverty Law Center, is a network of over 50 organizations and individuals who support a legislative and policy agenda for common-sense juvenile justice reform that will curb crime, use taxpayer resources responsibly, and get better outcomes for children.

Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans and the Cowen Institute are among the other members.

Molly Kramer will be the NCJW representative to the coalition.

The coalition believes that Louisiana should adopt common-sense juvenile justice reforms to prepare vulnerable young people to be productive and successful adults, instead of pushing them out of school and into the criminal justice system.

The 2016 legislative agenda for the coalition includes pushing for inclusion of 17-year-olds in the juvenile system, ending confinement for youth with non-violent offenses and ending interventions that do not work, enhancing educational opportunities in juvenile justice facilities and ensuring legal advocates for youth in prison, as 98 percent had never been visited by a lawyer.

The coalition wants “a juvenile justice system that is fair to every young person – a system that holds kids accountable while embodying our deepest values about how all people should be treated.”

6 Southern Jewish Life • February 2016

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Michelle Erenberg of the National Council of Jewish Women’s Greater New Orleans Section, will receive the National NCJW’s Outstanding Advocate Award for Social Change.

Erenberg, NCJW GNO vice president of education and NCJW state policy advocate for Louisiana, will be honored at the NCJW Washington Institute on March 14 in Washington.

According to NCJW National Board Director and New Orleans resident Ina Davis, after a highly competitive review of applications reflecting the impact of social change accomplished nationwide, NCJW selected two deserving women in the Social Change category from around the country, including Erenberg.

“This honor is presented to an individual NCJW leader who has been instrumental in moving her Section forward toward accomplishing NCJW’s mission in a pioneering and identifiable way.” Davis said. “Michelle’s passion, commitment and leadership to the NCJW movement makes her a most deserving recipient of this award.”

Erenberg joined NCJW in 2009 and began serving on the New Orleans Section board a year later. She has served separate terms as vice president of public affairs, community services and sducation. Her role as state policy advocate is a nationally appointed position.

In her NCJW roles, Erenberg serves as a founding member of the Legislative Agenda for Women, a coalition that advocates for progressive policies to improve outcomes for women and children in Louisiana, including equal pay and fair wages, Medicaid expansion, sexual health education for young people in public schools and preventing violence against women.

Erenberg also represented NCJW in a variety of public events, including moderating a panel in partnership with Hadassah on sex trafficking for Hadassah’s regional meeting in 2014.

In 2015, Erenberg worked with NCJW members to launch a social justice happy hour series, Moving the Ball Forward, that celebrates New Orleans’ most dedicated advocates for social justice and features all-women panels sharing their experiences and expertise on issues facing the community.

These events attract and intersect people from across the community.

This month, she will launch and serve as director of Lift Louisiana, a project of the Tides Center, to educate and advocate for reproductive healthcare and to defend reproductive rights.

Erenberg has a B.A. in psychology from Loyola University and a M.P.A in non-profit management and leadership from the University of New Orleans. She is married to Max Erenberg and they have a 4 year old daughter named Nadia.

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agenda

Upcoming Events Tuesday, Feb. 9 Mardi Gras Saturday, Feb. 13 BARFTY Spaghetti supper fundraiser. B’nai Israel, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 16 JLI “Jewish Course of Why” begins. Chabad of Metairie.

Noon and 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 17 “The Book of Job” series with Temple Sinai, St. Charles Ave. Baptist and Presbyterian churches. 6 p.m. Also Feb. 24, March 2.

The Big Cheese. Beth Israel, Metarie. 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 19 In Our Own Voice. Touro Synagogue, follows 6 p.m. service.

Friday Night Live for Young Jewish Professionals.

Chabad Uptown. 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 20 Dining with the Stars. Touro Synagogue, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 21 Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans Super Sunday. Metairie JCC. 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 22 Art of Joy and Gratitude. Uptown Chabad. 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 24 Goldstein-Peled-Fiterstein Trio. Dixon Hall, Tulane. 8 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 26 BBYO Reunion. Gates of Prayer. 6:15 p.m.

Pitfalls and Problems in Interfaith Dialogue. Touro Synagogue, follows 6 p.m. service.

Striving for Secular Education Among the Russian Empire Jews. Inna Shtakser, speaker. Beth Israel, Metairie. Follows 6 p.m. service.

Jewish Babies Club. JCDS, Metairie. 1 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 27 BBYO Reunion Party. Southport Hall. 7:30 p.m.

JewCCY 6th anniversary. Sector6, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 28 BBYO Reunion Brunch. Morning Call at City Park.10 a.m.

Annual Meeting. Uptown JCC. 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, March 5 Jewish Children’s Regional Service Gala. Hyatt Regency.

Sunday, March 6 Gates of Prayer Nursery School Under the Big Top brunch and fair. 11 a.m.

Magical Mitzvah Day. B’nai Israel, Baton Rouge.

Uptown Classic 5K and Family Fun Run. Uptown JCC, 8:30 a.m.

8 Southern Jewish Life • February 2016

The Gates of Prayer Nursery School in Metairie will have its Under the Big Top fundraiser on March 6. There will be a brunch at 11 a.m., followed by a family fair from noon to 3 p.m.

The brunch is $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $10 for children, free for ages 5 and under. Fair tickets are $8 or four for $20, free for nursery school families. A raffle will feature a $1,000 grand prize. The fundraiser features a silent auction, pony rides, face painting, petting zoo, live dessert auction and more.

Beth Israel in Metairie will host “The Big Cheese,” Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. There will be fine kosher cheeses to sample, with a discussion of what makes cheese kosher, rennet, hard and soft cheese and the “Tablet K” debate.

Pianist Alon Goldstein, cellist Amit Peled and clarinetist Alex Fiterstein, bound by their Israeli roots, formed the Goldstein-Peled-Fiterstein Trio in 2005. The Trio has appeared in concerts in New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, and at numerous chamber music festivals. The Goldstein-Peled-Fiterstein Trio will perform at Tulane’s Dixon Hall on Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. in a New Orleans Friends of Music event.

Tickets are $35 for adults, $18 under age 35 and $5 for students.

On Feb. 26, Touro Synagogue will host “Pitfalls and Problems in Interfaith Dialogue: How to Have a Real Conversation.” Following the 6 p.m. service, there will be a discussion with Michael Cowan and Adil Hussain Khan. Cowan is director of Common Good, a network of civil After 10 years in the position, Deb Marsh society organizations he founded after Hurri- will retire as director of admissions and office cane Katrina. Khan is assistant professor of Is- coordinator at Jewish Community Day School lamic studies at Loyola University New Orleans. in Metairie at the end of the school year, as she Temple Sinai in New Orleans will join St. and husband Max are moving to Brooklyn.

Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church and St. The Chabad Jewish Kids Club in Baton Charles Avenue Baptist Church in a three-part Rouge will have a program about Shabbat on interfaith study, “The Book of Job: And You Feb. 14 at 3 p.m., and about Purim on March 13.

Think You’ve Got Problems?” The program will Touro Synagogue will offer Hebrew for Bebe on Wednesdays with dinner at 6 p.m. and the program at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $8 per session. ginners, Part II on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. from The Feb. 17 session will be at St. Charles Ave. Feb. 16 to March 29; and Hebrew of the Siddur Presbyterian, Feb. 24 will be at St. Charles Ave. and Rabbinic Texts on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., from Feb. 18 to March 31.

Baptist and March 2 at Temple Sinai.

Tulane Visiting Professor of Hebrew Inna Shtakser will speak at Beth Israel in Metairie at a dinner following the 6 p.m. Feb. 26 Shabbat service. The 7:30 p.m. dinner will be on the topic of “Striving for Secular Education Among the Russian Empire Jews.” Her book, “The Making of Jewish Revolutionaries in the Pale: Poverty, Work, Community and the Transformation of Identity during the 1905-1907 Russian Revolution” was published in 2014. Dinner reservations are required by Feb. 24.

Beth Israel in Metairie will have a three-part educational series on “Truth, History and Difficult Episodes in Jewish Thought,” discussing challenging morality stories in Biblical texts, and whether the emphasis is on truth or moral lessons. The class, held on Feb. 24, March 2 and 16 at 7:30 p.m., is for new and experienced learners.

Touro Synagogue will host “In Our Own Voice,” a presentation of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, during a 7 p.m. Shabbat dinner on Feb. 19. The dinner follows the 6 p.m. service. The program is two trained speakers sharing their stories of living with mental health challenges and achieving recovery.

Chabad of Louisiana will present The Art of Joy and Gratitude, a workshop with Rabbi Eliyohu Rivkin from Chabad of Northridge in California. The Feb. 22 event at Uptown Chabad will start at 7 p.m. with registration and a desGates of Prayer in Metairie will have Basic J, a sert buffet, followed by the 7:30 p.m. workshop. three-part series exploring birth to death beliefs There will be a celebration of JewCCY’s sixth and practices. The sessions will be Beginnings anniversary on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m., at Sector6 on Feb. 3, Maturity on Feb. 10 and Death and Extreme Air Sports in New Orleans. Open to Dying on Feb. 17. All sessions are at 7:30 p.m., grades 6 to 12, admission is $20 and includes led by Rabbi Robert Loewy. all Sector6 activities, dinner and birthday cake.

Baton Rouge Chabad’s Jewish Women Circle Advance registration is required. will have a Soups and Strokes artful expression Baton Rouge Federation of Temple Youth program on Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. will have a spaghetti supper and auction fundB’nai Israel in Baton Rouge will have its 17th raiser at B’nai Israel, Baton Rouge, on Feb. 13 annual Magical Mitzvah Day on March 6, with at 6 p.m. Proceeds will go toward the regional projects throughout the community. spring conclave, which will be held in Baton Rouge the weekend of April 8.

SJL file

Birmingham’s delegation at the Memphis opening ceremonies, 2012

Birmingham named as host of 2017 JCC Maccabi Games Four years before the city hosts the 2021 World Games, Birmingham will be one of the host cities for the international JCC Maccabi Games.

The Birmingham Maccabi Games will be held July 31 to Aug. 4, 2017, with Layne Held and Bruce Sokol co-chairing the effort, which will require a large amount of participation from the local Jewish community.

Levite Jewish Community Center President Alyssa Nadler said “This is a game-changer for Birmingham, for our JCC and for our Jewish community” by putting the Birmingham Jewish community on the international stage.

The JCC Maccabi Games is part of the Jewish Community Centers Association, and three communities across North America host the games each summer. Roughly 6,000 Jewish teens THIS “IS GOING TO BE from ages 13 to 16 participate each year in an Olympic-style sporting event. It is AN EXTRAORDINARY regarded as the second-largest organized EVENT AND sports program for Jewish teens in the world.

OPPORTUNITY TO The Games began in 1982 in Memphis, SHOWCASE HOW and an arts festival, held at one venue each WONDERFUL THIS summer, began in 2006 in Baltimore.

The 2015 games were held in Fort CITY IS” Lauderdale, Fla., Milwaukee, Wisc., and Dallas. The 2016 games will be in Columbus, Ohio, St. Louis and Stamford, Conn. As of press time, the other two host cities for 2017 had not been announced.

Birmingham is the second-smallest community to ever host the games.

Only Akron, which has a community of roughly 4,000 and hosted in 2008, is smaller.

Atlanta hosted the games in 2001. New Orleans was set to be a host in 2006 but the recovery from Hurricane Katrina made that impossible.

LJCC Executive Director Betzy Lynch was in charge of the 2012 games in Memphis, the games’ 30th anniversary, before she became the head of Birmingham’s JCC. “We’re so excited to be a host for the 2017 Maccabi Games,” Lynch said.

“We’re so proud to showcase our community to the world.”

The official announcement was made through a video presentation at the conclusion of the LJCC’s 109th annual meeting on Jan. 14. “Make sure you sign up to be a host family before you leave,” Lynch urged.

Athletes receive home hospitality with members of the host city’s Jewish community.

Lynch said there will be a need for 250 host families to house athletes.

February 2016 • Southern Jewish Life 9

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10 Southern Jewish Life • February 2016

community As for volunteers, there will be a need for “a minimum of 800, probably closer to 1,000, to make the Games work.” Volunteers do everything from serving lunch to keeping score at games to chaperoning evening activities.

Over the coming months, more details about volunteer opportunities will be announced.

Nadler said roughly 100 people came together when the Maccabi selection team came for a site visit, including representatives from Altamont School, located just up the hill from the LJCC, BirminghamSouthern College and the mayor’s office.

Altamont and Birmingham-Southern will be sites for the competitions, with the LJCC serving as the main hub. Other venues are also being examined and will be utilized as demand warrants.

“We are grateful for the organizers allowing us to ‘show off ’ our campus and facilities to the world,” said recently-retired Birmingham-Southern Head Soccer Coach Preston Goldfarb, who led Americans to their firstever gold medal at the 19th World Maccabiah Games in Israel in 2013.

“These games have been an important part of Jewish Community Centers all over our country and in other countries for the past 31 years; this is great for our city, our Jewish community, and our college.”

At least 700 teens will participate in the Birmingham games, which will include sports competitions and a day of community service. The games will also attract parents and chaperones for the week.

The delegates will compete in individual sports such as bowling, tennis, track, dance, golf and swimming as well as team sports like basketball, flag football, soccer, lacrosse, softball, volleyball and baseball.

“This is a great way for these kids to begin a journey that could perhaps lead to the World Maccabiah Games, every four years, or even the European and Pan American Maccabi Games,” Goldfarb said.

The games typically have an opening ceremony where each delegation parades in, and notable Jewish athletes and coaches often speak. The Memphis 2012 games’ opening ceremony at the FedEx Forum included Jewish athletes from the 1972 Olympics and relatives of some members of the Israeli team who were killed in the terror attack in Munich.

University of Memphis Basketball Coach Josh Pastner also spoke at the 2012 opening ceremony.

Lynch said the games provide an estimated economic impact of $2 million to the host city. Because Birmingham is within driving distance of so many possible delegations, it could be higher as a larger number of spectators take hotel rooms and visit restaurants. “It’s feasible for a lot of people to drive in” for the week, she said.

Held, who competed in the Maccabi Games as a teen, was coach of the Birmingham delegation’s basketball team during the 2011 games, which were held in Israel.

At those games, “I immediately knew I wanted Birmingham to be a host city for the games.”

“I cannot articulate how important and exciting this is for our entire community,” Held said. “It is going to be an extraordinary event and opportunity to showcase how wonderful this city is.”

Sokol, who has a “deep-seeded, long-time love for the JCC” said the games will be “beneficial to the greater Birmingham community and especially the Jewish community. Birmingham has grown in leaps and bounds and this will help put us on the map.”

The unique character of each host community is what gives the Maccabi Games its flavor, Lynch said. “You can play a basketball game anywhere.

It’s the uniqueness of the experience in each community.”

Birmingham, she said, is a “diverse city with a fascinating history.”

Having organized the games in Memphis, she said the Birmingham games “will feel completely different here. A they should.”

The JCC Maccabi Games is co-sponsored by the JCC Association of North America, Maccabi World Union, Maccabi Canada, and Maccabi USA/Sport for Israel.

community Shared experiences: Trestman writes bio of JCRS alumna Bessie Margolin The upcoming book “Fair Labor Lawyer: The Remarkable Life of New Deal Attorney and Supreme Court Advocate Bessie Margolin” tells the story of one of the New Orleans Jewish Children’s Home’s most prominent alumni.

For biographer Marlene Trestman, Margolin’s origins echo her own story.

Trestman will be honored at the Jewish Children’s Regional Service gala on March 5, along with the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust. JCRS is the successor agency to the Jewish Children’s Home, which operated from 1856 to 1946.

After her mother died, Margolin wound up at the Jewish Children’s Home, where she lived from 1913 to 1925, until she graduated from Isidore Newman School. The school had originally been established to educate residents of the home.

After her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Tulane, she received her doctorate in law from Yale in 1933.

Margolin was a U.S. Department of Labor attorney from 1939 to 1972, a champion of wage and hour rights for workers, who argued numerous cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. She was instrumental in many provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, drafted the original regulations under which the post-World War II Nuremberg trials took place, and was an attorney for the Tennessee Valley Authority.

She argued 27 cases before the Supreme Court, winning 25. She also was a co-founder of the National Organization for Women.

Two years after Margolin retired, Trestman graduated from Isidore Newman. As Trestman set off for Goucher College in Baltimore in 1974,

a school counselor suggested she meet fellow alumna Margolin.

Trestman grew up in New Orleans.

She and her brother were orphaned when she was 11, and they wound up as wards of the state. The home had been closed for over two decades, but JCRS “became our legal guardians and supervised our foster care.” The agency also invoked Isidore Newman’s history with the home’s orphans in getting her admitted. “It was life-changing for me,” she said.

Trestman contacted Margolin, who was expecting her call, and a friendship ensued. “I thought she was the most worldly and dignified woman I’d ever met,” Trestman said. Not only that, she was the first female lawyer Trestman had met, and she was a government lawyer. Trestman went on to be a special assistant to the Maryland attorney general for 30 years, so “she certainly made her impression on me.”

In 1993, Trestman worked on a speech for Isidore Newman’s 90th birthday, and found nobody had done a biography of Margolin.

As a full-time lawyer with children, Trestman said “for years I had no interest in being her biographer, and I kept trying to find people with the title ‘author’ to do it.”

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community After Margolin died in 1996, Trestman was often asked to give talks about Margolin, so each time she would do a little more research. Still, she approached archival and historical groups, asking if they would write a biography. Nobody had the staff to do it, but they expressed interest if Trestman would.

She finally realized “nobody was going to write about her except me,” so she started on the book.

A huge leap was when she was able to locate Margolin’s papers and received exclusive accesss. As Margolin never had children, the papers wound up with the son of Margolin’s sister, who had a different last name by marriage.

She started doing interviews in 2005, adding a day or two to business trips, with the idea of having something in conjunction with the JCRS 150th anniversary in the fall of 2005.

Katrina wrecked the anniversary plans, but she continued with the project.

She is now working on a second “long-term” book, a history of the Jewish Children’s Home. Having been through the foster system, she finds the idea of an orphanage like that to be “captivating.”

“I was thirsty to learn everything I could about Bessie’s 12 years in the orphanage,” she said. There wasn’t a lot of material about what life was like, so she started digging through the entire history.

She included a lot of it in an early draft of the biography, but was told to include only the parts relevant to Margolin’s experiences. “I had so much invested and was so emotionally captivated about the history of the home” that she is now working on that book.

She received a fellowship from the American Jewish Archives and gave a presentation at last year’s Southern Jewish Historical Society conference.

She wants anyone with information about the home, or descendants of alumni from the home, to contact her at marlenetrestman@gmail.com.

12 Southern Jewish Life • February 2016

She will have a talk and book signing at Isidore Newman School on March 6 at 11 a.m., and at Octavia Books in New Orleans on March 9 at 6 p.m.

JCRS auction has vacations, staycations In addition to Marlene Trestman, JCRS will be honoring the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust at the Jewish Roots of Celebration gala on March 5.

The event at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans will include a cocktail reception followed by a dinner created by some of New Orleans’ most celebrated and talented Jewish chefs, including James Beard Award winner Alon Shaya, Daniel Esses of Three Muses, David Slater of Emeril, Nathanial Zimet of Boucherie and a special dessert from Commander’s Palace.

The silent auction will include “once in a lifetime” trips, such as San Francisco wine country, Israel, Paris and the wine regions of France, the castles of Ireland, sailing the Inside Passage of Alaska, art and cooking in Tuscany and Florence, the Greek islands, golfing at St. Andrews in Scotland, Cape Town and the wild animal preserves of South Africa, and tropical Costa Rica.

There will also be local “staycation” packages at hotels including the Windsor Court, Loews and Westin Canal Place. Dinner packages include Ruth’s Chris, The Grill Room, Café Adelaide and more.

In April, the Tolmas Trust underwrote the JCRS Chanukah gift program, which provides gifts to Jewish children in need in the agency’s seven-state region. The program, which just completed its 18th year, serves about 200 Jewish minors and residents of state institutions.

The Trust also established named funds for the JCRS Special Needs and Education programs.

Tickets to the gala are $200, with numerous Patron levels available.

Reservations can be made through jcrs.org.

A REMODELED STORE? You’ve got to shop it to believe it. New floors, new lighting and newly improved Susan Frank BBG, 1981

departments like our bakery and café area with sushi. Plus, our produce section has been

Reunion aims to renew BBYO spark for next generation in New Orleans

expanded for more local and organic fruits and veggies. A better shopping experience?

Sam Laufer knew from a young age that he would eventually join BBYO. It was practically a given. His father, Jeff, was a member as were his cousin, uncle and grandfather. The old Harry Laufer AZA chapter in New Orleans was named after his great-great uncle.

“Before I joined BBYO, my father would tell me stories of experiences he had, conventions he attended and friends that he made from BBYO,” said Laufer, president of Big Easy BBYO, the current New Orleans chapter. “He told me about how I could make friends that would last my entire life. He never pressured me into joining, but because of him, I knew I wanted to be in BBYO.” Laufer knows that his father wasn’t exaggerating, because he can tell just how excited he and his BBYO friends are as they prepare for the upcoming New Orleans BBYO reunion, Feb. 26 to 28. The weekend features Friday night services at Congregation Gates of Prayer, a party Saturday night at Southport Hall and a meet-up Sunday morning at Morning Call in City Park.

The theme of the reunion is “Reconnect, Renew, Rebirth,” and Cathy Kanter Bart, one of the reunion organizers, along with Debbie Bressler, Melanie Blitz and Linda Heiman, said the weekend promises to be one filled with laughter and love as alumni from across the country gather to renew old friendships.

“I am thrilled with the response we are getting,” Bart said. “We are getting calls from people all over the country, people I haven’t spoken to in years. Everybody is excited and making plans to come in and reconnect with old friends. It comes at a great time for our current Big Easy chapter, which is working to grow and again become a strong presence for our local youth.”

BBYO is a youth-led, worldwide group that provides opportunities for teens to develop their leadership potential while cultivating their Jewish identity. Activities include out-of-town conventions, weekend programs, community activism and social gatherings.

Aleph Zadik Aleph was formed in 1923 in Omaha, Neb., as a Jewish high school fraternity. Two years later, AZA was adopted by B’nai B’rith and spread nationally. The Mother Chapter of the South was established in Birmingham in 1927, the year that B’nai B’rith Girls was organized in San Francisco.

In 1944, BBG was recognized by B’nai B’rith, and the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization was formed with both groups. The organization became independent in 2002 and is now known as BBYO, while chapters continue to be known as AZA and BBG. In communities without separate chapters, there are co-ed BBYO chapters.

At its peak in the 1970s, BBYO had three BBG chapters in New Orle-

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ans — Susan Frank, Ahavah and Robert Gervis — and three AZA chapters, Freed-Goldberg, Rodfay Shalom and Harry Laufer. Prior to that, Crescent City, Harry L. Ginsburg and Shoshanim chapters were a strong presence in New Orleans. Over time, largely due to a shrinking Jewish population, increasing demands from school and other obstacles, membership dwindled.

By the time New Orleans hosted its last Cotton States regional convention, in 1986 at the Landmark in Metairie, only Freed-Goldberg and Susan Frank existed.

Eventually, BBYO in New Orleans became a thing of the past. But in the early 2000s, with support from local BBYO alumni, B’nai B’rith and the Jewish Community Center, efforts to revive the program in New Orleans led to the birth of the Big Easy chapter. In addition, BBYO Connect was formed to provide middle school students with social and meaningful experiences aimed at serving as a gateway to continued involvement in Jewish life.

Garrett Moore, who as head of teen programming at the JCC serves as director of Big Easy BBYO, sees the reunion as an ideal opportunity to strengthen and invigorate BBYO in New Orleans.

“The event plays a pivotal role in displaying what BBYO has done for many generations of New Orleans teenagers,” Moore said. “It invokes a sense of family and tradition, and we’re looking to bring that back to Big Easy BBYO.” Moore need only look at the reunion Facebook page to understand the role BBYO played in the lives of so many New Orleans teens. The page features dozens of photos along with reminiscences about this impactful time in their lives.

Eddie Bronston, a member of Freed-Goldberg AZA in the 1970s, created the page, enabling alumni to renew friendships, share memories and make plans for the reunion.

He said being a member of FG, as it was known, was a life-changing experience. It not only introduced him to the concept of tikkun olam, but it led to friendships he still has today. Some of his fondest memories include conventions, athletic competitions, youth-led Shabbat services and socials, many of which culminated with late-night card games.

“Some of my best memories were from the conclaves and conventions where we met kids from all over the South, and we were able to show our spirit and pride for our chapter,” he said. “I also met kids from New Orleans I would not have met otherwise, because it transcended the divisions among Reform, Conservative and Orthodox synagogues.”

Amy Jacoves Kent was a member of Susan Frank BBG from 1975 to 1979. Prior to that, Judaism was merely something she shared with her family on holidays. “When I became involved in BBYO, a light turned on inside me,” she said. “I found a group of Jewish girls and goys who were active in the Jewish community. As I became more involved in Susan Frank, my confidence grew and eventually I became N’siah (president).”

She traveled to regional and district conventions along with national leadership programs and the international convention in Starlight, Pa., in 1978. “I literally met people from all over the world, and I have friendships that have lasted a lifetime,” she said. “Plus the leadership skills and religious lessons I learned are still with me today.”

Moore and Laufer say the reflections and experiences of BBYO alumni can and should serve as an impetus for strengthening the Big Easy chapter.

“We’re at a pivotal turning point into making New Orleans a hub for BBYO yet again,” Moore said.

Laufer added, “I believe it is important to keep BBYO in New Orleans alive because it belongs here, and I think our community needs to do everything in its power to make sure that it stays alive.”

For reunion registration and more details, go to www.nolabbyoreunion2016.com.

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community Inaugural class named for Alabama ZBT Hall of Fame A former president of the University of Alabama will be inducted as an honorary member of Zeta Beta Tau, and 11 prominent alumni will be the inaugural class to be inducted into the Alabama ZBT Hall of Fame.

The honors will be conveyed during a Hall of Fame event the evening of March 5, part of the Alabama Psi Chapter of ZBT centennial celebration weekend.

The weekend will celebrate “100 years of vibrant Jewish life on the University of Alabama campus,” including ZBT legacy organizations Kappa Nu and Phi Ep. Robert Witt, now chancellor of the University of Alabama system, will be recognized for his efforts in making recruitment of Jewish students a priority for the Tuscaloosa campus while he was president of the university. It was also during his tenure that ZBT completely renovated its house, Alabama Hillel built a new facility and Tuscaloosa’s Temple Emanu-El moved back to campus, with a new building next door to Hillel.

According to the centennial steering committee, “Much of the recent success and growth of Psi Chapter, as well as the University of Alabama, can be attributed to Dr. Witt and his efforts.”

The inaugural Hall of Fame class includes Harold Blach, Fred Friedman, Karl Friedman, Jimmy Rotenstreich and Bruce Weinstein. Posthumous inductees are Mel Allen, Aaron Aronov, David Aresty, Morris Mayer, Fred Sington and Leonard Weil.

The Hall of Fame committee was co-chaired by Allen Halpern and Daniel Odrezin. The committee determined the criteria for the Hall, soliciting and reviewing nominations. Honorees were selected for having a

meaningful impact on their fraternity, whether Kappa Nu, Phi Epsilon Pi or Zeta Beta Tau, their community and/or their profession.

The weekend will kick off with a reunion reception at the Paul W. Bryant Museum on March 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. On March 5 there will be a memorial service for ZBT, Kappa Nu and Phi Ep brothers, hosted by Hillel. There will be a breakfast at 9:30 a.m. with services at 10 a.m.

A Founders and Leadership luncheon will follow at ZBT, honoring those who founded the three fraternities, served as officers or were in the Student Government Association.

There will also be a “behind the scenes” presentation on the university’s master campus plan with University planner and designer Dan Wolfe at 1:30 p.m. At 3 p.m. there will be a viewing party of the Alabama basketball game against Georgia in Athens.

The presentation and reception for the Hall of Fame will be at the Hotel Capstone ballroom at 6 p.m. Dinners for particular decades and legacy organizations are being organized for the evening.

The weekend will conclude with brunch on March 6 at 10 a.m. at the ZBT house.

The block of rooms at the Hotel Capstone has already filled, with overflow going to the Holiday Inn Express.

Registration for the weekend is $75 for adults, $40 for current Psi Chapter members and students age 12 and above. The weekend is being underwritten by the board to enable as much participation as possible.

For more information or to register, visit uazbtcentennial.com.

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16 Southern Jewish Life • February 2016

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February 2016 • The Jewish Newsletter 17

From Tulane Hillel This past December, Tulane Hillel sent a group of students to Israel on Birthright, and they all had the most amazing experience!

Highlights of the trip included bonding with Israeli soldiers, riding camels, nights out in Tel Aviv, an incredible desert double rainbow, and a sunrise at Masada. Below are some pictures and a letter written by a student that details the impact the trip had on his life.

Be With Me

By W.A. Davis, Class of 2017: “Barukh atah Adonai” was rarely at the start of the sentences in my household when I was growing up. Coming to the South for school, I had no expectation that I would end up wanting to say it more. Although the city I grew up in, Boulder, Col., is a hotspot for diversely minded people, it is not a hotspot for traditional Jewish culture. My family, though not religious, did emphasize the morals of Judaism in me. While I was never enrolled in Hebrew school, I never felt any different from the few Jewish friends I had until I got closer to 13. They were beginning to have their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, fully demonstrating their transition into the Jewish community and religion. I still felt and called myself a Jew, but I began to sense a separation that I hadn’t before.

My brother and many of my friends went in years past and told me I had to go. I knew that I would end up going one day but had no idea how much it would mean to me. The country was beautiful and the sights were awe-inspiring, but the people I went with were the highlight.

Right around the same time, my mother, my only Jewish parent, The first few days I wasn’t completely comfortable. Many people was diagnosed with lung cancer. Any and all other problems I was in the group had stronger Jewish backgrounds than I did. I began to dealing with seemed trivial when the news hit. The next six months feel some separation from them just as I did with my friends when I were the most difficult I’ve faced in my life. My was younger. The feeling, however, didn’t linger. mother slowly became frail and her impending Our group did an exercise where we chose what I finally felt as a death was more apparent as the days went by. in Judaism was most important to us. I realized part of the Jewish She taught as much as she could to a 12-year-old we all had the same core values. I began to feel boy. I forgot much of it, but not the sentiment. community because of welcome but still on the fringe because I had yet One of the last messages she gave to my brother have a Bar Mitzvah. Many in the group felt the people I was with to and me was her wish that we continue to explore that having a Bar Mitzvah wasn’t all that importJudaism. We had a rabbi come to our home (my ant, but I felt the opposite. mom was unable to leave the house by this point) to give us Hebrew To my delight, my guides, Inbal, Ali, and Sasha planned a Bar names as a symbol of beginning our journey. Mine is Adam, my Mitzvah for myself and seven others at the Western Wall the very brother’s is Asher. My mom eventually died at 9:47 a.m. after six next day. I was nervous the entire morning. I could barely talk to long months of being sick. My 13th birthday was just four days my closest friends on the trip. As we got closer to the Wall, my emolater. tions swelled to my eyes. I had to focus on breathing so I wouldn’t I grew up immensely in the years following her death. I had my be overwhelmed. I still had a speech to give. I choked through the first kiss, I graduated high school, and I left for college. I became speech summarizing my childhood and my mom’s death. The moa tour guide at Tulane and was frequently asked how I ended up ment gave me closure. I felt that I had finally begun to explore there. I still am not 100 percent sure. I had never visited, researched Judaism as my mom had hoped. I finally felt as a part of the Jewish or thought about the school but my brother convinced me to apply. community because of the people I was with. The entire group acI ended up committing and finally seeing New Orleans and Tulane cepted and empathized with my story. on move-in day. Choosing Tulane was risky but I don’t think I can While in Israel, I heard many of the Israelis say the phrase “Be put down in words how perfectly the whole situation ended up. I with me” when our group was having too much fun and getting fit. The people are amazing, the classes are amazing, and this past distracted (which was often). The phrase is simple and straightforwinter I learned that the Jewish community is also amazing. ward, but the message unintentionally deep. Truly being with someEven after my mom’s passing, I was never fully immersed in one is difficult and takes so much effort, yet, during that moment Jewish culture. I knew that I needed to finally commit. This past by the Wall, every member of my Birthright group was with me. winter, I was privileged enough to go on Birthright with Tulane.

February 2016 • The Jewish Newsletter 19

From the Jewish Community Center Early Childhood and General Day Campers must enroll in a minimum of four weeks, but those weeks do not need to be consecutive. For teens entering grades 6 to 8, weekly options focus on a specific topic or activity and include the following choices: Tennis, Photography, Adventure Trips, #Art, Culinary Creations, Strength and Conditioning, Color War, Stage Combat, Creatures Great and Small, Portraits, Caricatures and Masks, Archery and Acting for the Camera! Early morning and afternoon care are also available for campers. Applications and deposits will be accepted online. Register before April 22 to receive the “early bird discount.” Teens who register for four or more weeks receive $100 off their total tuition.

Win a JCC membership at the Uptown Classic Registration is now open for the fourth annual Uptown Classic 5K and Family Fun Run presented by the JCC on Sunday, March 6. The race follows a scenic route along Prytania to Audubon Park and back to the Uptown JCC, where a post-race party features food, refreshments and entertainment for all ages. Prizes will be awarded in each age group and the grand prize for the top male and female finisher is a one-year gold membership at the JCC In addition to the special family rate, registration options include a team/corporate discount allowing groups of five or more people to sign up together at a reduced price. The ‘early bird’ rate expires soon, so register today at www.nolarunning.com and be part of a great day combining all the things we love at the JCC — fitness, family, friends and fun!

JCC Summer Camp 2016 Registration for JCC Summer Day Camps opens to the community on Feb. 15. Located at both the Uptown and Metairie campuses, the JCC Summer Day Camps have enriched the lives of children and teens for decades, providing a chance to make memories that can last a lifetime as campers have fun, explore their interests and make new friends. Tailoring programs to match the changing needs of children from toddlers to preteens, the JCC packs summer days with a variety of games and activities including sports, art, drama, music, cooking, science, Israeli culture and swimming. Campers ages 3 and up receive swim instruction from American Red Cross certified swim instructors. Older campers enjoy weekly field trips, overnights at the JCC, and day trips to Blue Bayou and the institute for Marine Mammal Studies. A separate Sports Camp is offered to campers entering grades 3 to 5.

These campers focus on sports but also swim each day, participate in Oneg Shabbat performances, and join the main camp for the day trips and overnights.

The 2016 summer camp runs June 6 to July 29. So that camp fun can fit with family schedules, registration is now customizable, allowing families to sign up for the weeks that best fit their needs.

20 The Jewish Newsletter • February 2016

Visit www.nojcc.org to learn more about all of the fun that awaits campers during a summer at the J!

Celebrate at Adloyadah It’s almost carnival time at the JCC! The 47th annual community-wide Purim celebration will be held on Sunday, March 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Uptown JCC. Bring the entire family for a fun-filled afternoon of food, music, games and activities for all ages. Everyone’s favorite inflatables are back, along with some exciting new ones. So are the “Human Hamster Balls,” which proved to be a hysterically funny and very popular addition last year. Come enjoy delicious Middle Eastern delicacies and nosh on New Yorkstyle deli items. Grab a snowball or popcorn, and do not forget to take home a bag of the homemade hamantashen, generously baked by the Young Women of Hadassah in the tradition of the New American Social Club. Admission to the carnival is free and open to the community. A children’s All Day Play Pass is $12, or $10 with a donation of nonperishable items for the Broadmoor Food Pantry.

Compete in the JCC Maccabi Games Jewish teens ages 13 to 16 are invited to be part of the New Orleans JCC delegation at the St. Louis Maccabi Games, held July 31 to August 5, 2016. Come experience sports, social events, service and fun at the largest gathering of Jewish teens in the world. Participants can compete in either individual or group sports. For the boys, team options include 14U and 16U baseball, basketball and soccer, and 16U flag football. Girls may participate in 16U basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. Boys and girls of all ages may compete in the following individual activities: dance, golf, tennis, swimming, star reporter and table tennis. To register or to learn more about the New Orleans delegation, please visit www.nojcc. org or contact J. Morgan, Director of Sports and Wellness, at (504) 897-0143 or jmorgan@nojcc.org.

From Jewish Community Day School Young Baby Program launches The brand new Young Baby Program @ JCDS was launched in January with six babies, ages 3 months to 15 months. Supported by a grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, JCDS is providing high-quality, year-round, full-day care for babies in a nurturing Jewish environment.

According to JCDS Head of School Sharon Pollin, “Learning at the Jewish Baby Program takes place through our developmentally-based program that values the child’s innate curiosity, ability and creativity, as teachers help to shape the curriculum around the children’s needs, developmental stages, and ideas.”

Caring for two of the newest members of the JCDS Young Babies Program is Lead Teacher Michelle Nolet.

Jewish Babies Club

Currently, there is only one opening for the Young Jewish Babies Program. For more information, contact Sharon Pollin at spollin@jcdsnola.org.

This month’s Jewish Community Day School Jewish Babies Club is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 26, 1 to 2 p.m. in the 2nd floor Beit Midrash, at the school in Metairie. Occupational Therapist Ellie Streiffer will lead babies, 3 months to 15 months in play activities that encourage development. Ellie will also bring along ideas and toys babies may enjoy during their free time at home.

From the Jewish Endowment Foundation Worried Man David was a worried man. It’s not that he had any extraordinary David wrote a check, set up his charitable gift annuity for quarterly concerns; he’s pretty much like the rest of us. But David’s the type who payments, and worries no more about what it means for him. Every watches out the window to see if the postal carrier is on time today. quarter he receives his annuity check from JEF like clockwork.

He reconciles his checking account immediately once it arrives, and he Interested? If you would like an illustration of how a charitable gift spends an hour or more each month reading his brokerage statement. annuity could work for you, call Sandy Levy or Patti Lengsfield at (504) Then something came along that eased his worried mind. A friend 524-4559. told him about the charitable gift annuity at the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana that the friend had had for a couple of years.

David’s friend pointed out that the process was simple and the payments are like clockwork. David called Sandy Levy, JEF’s Director, and was pleasantly surprised to discover what a charitable gift annuity could do for him.

He learned that it would: • Give him satisfaction that his contribution would make a significant difference to his Jewish community.

• Provide partially tax-free payments during his life expectancy.

• Provide payments for the rest of his life, no matter how long.

• Be backed by all the assets of the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana.

• Offer stable payments, even if investment markets slump.

• Give him a significant income tax charitable deduction on this year’s return.

• Provide a report (Form 1099R) from JEF every January for tax purposes.

February 2016 • The Jewish Newsletter 21

From Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans Contact JFS’s New Geriatric Family Board of Directors News JFS is pleased to welcome the following new members to its Consultation Program Board of Directors: Sophie Burka, Sue Daube, Michael Dodd, As of Jan. 1, 2016, our new Geriatric Family Consultation Pro- Dov Glazer, Julie Koppman, Sanford Pailet, Debbie Pesses, Louis gram is available to provide valuable information specific to your Shepard and Lynne Wasserman. The Board will also welcome three needs or the needs of your loved ones. Geriatric Katz-Phillips interns: Darrah Caplan, Julie Green Specialist Jennifer Schneider can help you and and Ben Swig. Special appreciation goes to Julie your family learn more about home-based serWiener and Lorraine Williams who are rotating vices, residential care options, financial planning, off after multiple terms on the board — we are health insurance and caregiver support and more. especially grateful for their years of dedication to Call today for an appointment: (504) 831-8475 x JFS. 138.

The Geriatric Family Consultation Program also includes a series of new programs and events which are free and open to the public. Reservations are recommended as space is limited:

JFS Welcomes New Interns

Jewish Family Service welcomes three new interns to the staff: Paula Burch-Celentano and Tamara Benchoam Rogers, both MSW candidates Older Adult Speaker Series: “The ‘Sandwich at Tulane University’s School of Social Work; Generation’: Finding a Balance,” March 28, 7 and Mary McIntyre, a Counseling-Masters canp.m. at the Goldring-Woldenberg Jewish Community Campus in didate at Our Lady of Holy Cross College. We also welcome CaroMetairie. Join Pat Harvey, ACSW, LCSW-C from Rockville, Md., line Steele, an undergraduate-level intern from Tulane University. who will speak about the juggling act of caring for children and aging parents simultaneously. Co-sponsored by the New Orleans Jewish Community Center.

Counseling Hours and Services Have Expanded

Caregiver Support Group: Every Tuesday from Feb. 16 to April 19, noon to 1 p.m. at the Goldring-Woldenberg Jewish Community To better serve our clients, the JFS office in Metairie is now Campus in Metairie. This group has been formed to offer a sup- open until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In addition, the portive environment to discuss the stresses, challenges and rewards Northshore office is receiving clients 4 days per week, Monday to of providing care for a loved one.

Thursday.

Become a Volunteer “Visiting Friend” “Bikur Chaverim” is a program which arranges home visits for homebound or partially-homebound seniors with a focus on creating lasting relationships built upon shared interests. Visitor-volunteers for Bikur Chaverim are paired with new Friends, with whom they facilitate conversation in order to share ideas and life experiences. The program is designed so that both parties feel purpose and meaning through being together. Many paired friends have remained friends for life. Please contact Fran Dinehart (504) 831-8475 ext. 134 if you are interested in participating in this fulfilling program.

Solutions to Senior Hunger Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans, in partnership with MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, is now offering SNAP Enrollment Assistance for seniors. Solutions to Senior Hunger is a year-long initiative between MAZON and the Association of Jewish Families and Children’s Agencies and is supported by generous funding from the Walmart Foundation. The purpose of the program is to alleviate food insecurity and improve nutrition among low-income seniors by reducing the barriers that keep them from enrolling in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as “food stamps”). JFS is one of 13 agencies nationwide that was chosen to participate in this program. If you or a loved one are age 50+ and would like to receive private, one– on-one assistance to better understand SNAP eligibility, please call (504) 831-8475 to schedule a free appointment today.

22 The Jewish Newsletter • February 2016

JFS is now accepting BCBS HMO and PPO insurance policies for counseling services.

Spring Continuing Education Workshops “PTSD: A Better Understanding of the Diagnosis and Treatment Options” Presented by Dana delaBretonn, LPC Friday, April 1, 8:45 a.m. to noon

“Dealing with Life Threatening Illness: Patient and Caregiver”

Presented by Edgar Guedry, LCSW-BACS, ACSW, ACHP-SW Friday, May 6, 8:45 a.m. to noon Location: Congregation Beth Israel, 4004 West Esplanade Ave. Attendees will receive Continuing Education credit for both the Louisiana Counseling Association (LCA) and the LABSWE (Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners).

Pre-registration (up to 24 hours before): $60 for 1 event, $110 for 2 events Day-of Registration: $70 per event For more information or to register, email jfs@jfsneworleans.org or call (504) 831-8475

February 2016 • The Jewish Newsletter 23

community The world’s largest collection of Jewish books Baton Rouge’s Glickman writes about little-known Nazi plunder A sticker in an eBay book purchase in 2004 launched Rabbi Mark Glickman on a path leading to his new book, “Stolen Words: The Nazi Plunder of Jewish Books.”

Glickman is interim rabbi at Beth Shalom in Baton Rouge this year; the congregation had a launch party for his book’s release on Jan. 30.

It is well known that the Nazis had collected hundreds of Torah scrolls they had plundered from synagogues across Europe for eventual museums chronicling what they planned to be the extinct Jewish people. Most people have seen images of Nazis holding book burnings and assume that was what the Germans did with Jewish books.

That is also what Glickman thought — until he received a copy of “Hilkhot Alfasi” from an antiquarian book seller in Jerusalem. The book, an explanation of Talmud, became popular when the Talmud was banned by the Pope in the 1500s, but this book escaped the ban. It was one of the first printed Jewish books, and Glickman had ordered a copy of the 10th edition, printed in Bavaria.

Inside the front cover of the 18th-century printing of the 11th-century North African work was a decal from a group he had never heard of, Jewish Cultural Reconstruction, which led him to the little-known story of how the Nazis, rather than burning Jewish books, were collecting millions of them and storing them in what became by far the largest library of Jewish books in history.

The Nazis “burned books for a short time” when they were coming to power in the early 1930s, Glickman said. Though the “spectacle” was meant as a way for Hitler to show his power, the burnings “got the Nazis really bad press” as they were trying to put on a good image to the world before the 1936 Olympics. Besides, he said, books really don’t burn well — the next day, people would go to the charred piles and retrieve relatively undamaged books from the middle.

“In the age of printing, you can’t really burn books” because there are so many copies, he said.

Instead, the Nazis started looting books, taking everything from valuable works to children’s activity books and “trashy novels — they just took everything.”

After the war, the Allies found many of the book stashes in castles, abandoned mine shafts and warehouses throughout Europe. About 3 million books were brought to Offenbach, Germany, and stored in a warehouse confiscated

from the chemical company that manufactured the poison gas used at concentration camps.

Efforts were made to reunite books with their owners, after which the rest went to Jewish Cultural Reconstruction.

Glickman said noted political thinker Hannah Arendt, who covered the Eichmann trial for the New Yorker, was executive secretary for the group but it is barely mentioned in her biography.

The group was little-known elsewhere, Glickman said. There was a dissertation here, a short piece there, but not much else.

In Seattle, where Glickman lives when he is not serving an interim pulpit, he met a Jewish studies professor who found a cache of the looted books in Salonica. “The more you talk to people, the more you learn.”

He researched people who were involved, and tracked down some people who were reunited with their books. One person he included in his book received a children’s book that he never remembered owning, but his name was written inside — he got the book back as an old man.

Glickman wrote about how the books were discovered, the process leading to decisions on how to get books back to their owners and who had the authority to do so, and what to do with volumes where the owners could not be identified.

He said writing the book was “daunting” because so much has been written about the Holocaust. It is a “challenge to say something new” about that era.

What happened to the books is “secondary, a tangential story to the central story, which is the murder” of millions in the Holocaust.

Nevertheless, he said, “it is a fascinating chapter that very few people know about.”

Gary Zola, executive director of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, said Glickman’s book is “A genuine page-turner, written with engaging prose and heartfelt passion.”

This is Glickman’s second book. “Sacred Treasure: The Cairo Genizah” came out in 2012, discussing the 1896 discovery of over 300,000 centuries-old Jewish documents at the Ben Ezra Synagogue.

Before coming to Baton Rouge for this year, he was interim rabbi at Har HaShem in Boulder, Colo. In Seattle, where he served Kol Ami in Woodinville and Kol Shalom on Bainbridge Island. While in rabbinical school, one of his student pulpits was Temple Emanu-El in Tuscaloosa.

Shop the Southern Jewish Bookshelf Find a wide range of books about the Jewish South — from current releases to hard-to-find historic works, at

www.sjlmag.com February 2016 • Southern Jewish Life 25

BOOKS

The Courage to Act

by Ben S. Bernanke

culture

Growing up in Dillon, S.C., the grandson of four immigrants, one a pharmacist who left New York City during the Great Depression for a better start down south, Ben Shalom Bernanke went on to help lead the country through the Great Recession as Chairman of the Federal Reserve.

This account gives a window into not only the Fed’s vigorous actions, but the myriad of intercessions underneath it all taken to keep the country from full-on disaster. Bernanke’s role, and the lasting the effects of his guidance on American monetary policy and goals, are insightful.

Abraham: The World’s First (But Certainly Not Last) Jewish Lawyer

by Alan M. Dershowitz

It’s all in the optics. Sure, Abraham is known as the first Jew, but consider for a moment that he was also the first in a very, very long line of Jewish lawyers. In his first trial, he not only made a case for the people of Sodom, he negotiated with the Judge of all the Earth from 50 innocent souls all the way down to 10. The sacrifice of Isaac was yet another test, though in these pages it takes on a whole new light (and here, Dershowitz includes not only the views of Immanuel Kant but Woody Allen and Bob Dylan) whereby Abraham transitions from defense lawyer for the Sodomites to fundamentalist. Other Biblical and contemporary figures are included, but the strongest element of the book are these musings on how we see... the world’s first Jewish lawyer.

COOKBOOKS

ZAHAV: A World of Israeli Cooking

by Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook

In New Orleans, we’re spoiled with Alon Shaya and his eponymous restaurant, Shaya, on Magazine. Philadelphians no doubt feel similarly about Michael Solomonov, who owns Zahav and has gone on, among other accolades, to become a James Beard winner for Best Chef, mid-Atlantic. Here, he’s authored a robust recipe book loaded with stories and photographs for the multi-faceted flavors that make up Israeli cuisine. Equal footing is given to traditional and more innovative flavors, with an entire chapter on tehina. Energetic instructions lend confidence on what may be newer concepts: on the twice cooked eggplant, “by taking the eggplant to the edge, you can develop rich, deep and almost chocolaty flavors that make this one of the punchiest bites there is” and direction to “salt the hell” out of the fried cauliflower. Let’s do this.

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

SHALOM EVERYBODEEE! Grover’s Adventures in Israel

by Tilda Balsley and Ellen Fischer, illustrated by Tom Leigh

Grover travels to Israel! He spends Shabbat with friends, writes a prayer and puts it in the Western Wall, works on a kibbutz, goes snorkeling in Eilat, and does much more. Sharing adventures with his friends via email, they’ll be excited to visit too. Sweetly, Grover leaves something behind in Israel for the future. Great fun for any Sesame Street / Shalom Sesame fan!

26 Southern Jewish Life • February 2016

Making Informed Decisions Doesn’t Have to be Overwhelming

senior life an annual SJL special section

Somerby residents discover their Spark

by Lee J. Green Somerby of Mobile’s seniors stay active with everything from Chanukah parties to educational field trips. Recent trips have included GulfQuest National Maritime Museum and the King Tut Exhibit at the Gulf Coast Exploreum.

In Birmingham, Somerby at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen is the premier senior living community in the area, providing independent living, assisted living and memory care residences and services. Located on the St. Vincent’s One Nineteen campus, residents also enjoy a full complimentary membership to Fitness One Nineteen and ready access to diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, and spa services.

The recently expanded services at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, completed in late 2015, now include urgent care, outpatient surgery, and additional physician offices. Residents benefit from Somerby’s partnership with St. Vincent’s and their commitment to not only diagnose and treat but also to provide overall health and wellness support.

Under the guidance of Dr. Jim Concotelli, MSW, PhD, Somerby has developed the “Discover Your Spark” Lifestyle and Wellness approach, which is used at both of these locations. Since health and wellness extend beyond the physical to the emotional, mental, spiritual and social aspects of life, this innovative methodology encourages all residents to nurture and strengthen their connections with their families, friends, and interests while enabling them to explore new relationships, new talents, and new experiences.

“Our seniors take an active role not just in telling us some of the activities they would like to have at our community but also in taking leadership roles in organizing these activities,” said Birmingham Lifestyle Director Saralyn Millwee. “We’ll do anything we can to help them facilitate, whether it’s a trip to an Alabama Symphony Coffee Concert or bringing in musicians to perform.”

Mobile Lifestyle Director Marcy Matherne used to work at the University of South Alabama, so she uses those connections to bring in some special speakers as well as to plan some trips to the University.

“We know our community has seniors with a wide range of background and interests so we give them a lot of opportunities to get involved in things they are interested in,” said Matherne. Somerby of Mobile includes independent living, also with garden homes and villas, assisted living and memory care.

In December, Somerby of Mobile hosted a Chanukah party, which was well-attended by Jewish and non-Jewish residents. Somerby served latkes with applesauce and sour cream. Twice a month, Rabbi Steve Silberman comes to meet with the Jewish seniors and speaks on topics of interest.

Additionally, he leads a Shabbat Service on Friday afternoons. In January he and a Catholic colleague led a new program, “Interfaith Conversations.”

A few times a year, as a part of a partnership with Springhill Avenue Temple, a visitor from the Temple comes to meet with seniors as a part of

Geriatric Family Consultation Program Navigating the challenge of life transitions can be overwhelming and emotional for families with aging loved ones. At Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans (JFS), our geriatric specialists can help you determine the best resources and services to plan for your family’s future and care.

Learn more about New Orleans-area resources for: • Home-based Services • Residential Care Options • Financial Planning • Downsizing and Real Estate • Health Insurance • Alzheimer’s Resources • Mental Health Services • Caregiver Support Phone and Skype appointments are available for caregivers who reside outside of the Greater New Orleans area.

Contact JFS today to speak with a Geriatric Specialist.

February 2016 • Southern Jewish Life 27

senior life

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Somerby’s Cultural Awareness Series. The most recent visit was by Israel native Arad Lenor, who spoke about Jewish holidays and traditions.

“Those events are also well-attended by both Jewish and non-Jewish residents,” said Matherne. “We are pleased to see that cultural and religious diversity in our community. Our residents enjoy learning about their friends’ beliefs, culture, tradition and things that are important to them.”

Coming up at Somerby in Mobile will be a Wedding Vow Renewal in February and a Passover Seder in April.

“Discover Your Spark” focuses on five key objectives: to support positive life choices, to foster meaningful relationships, to honor history and traditions, to encourage exploration and growth, and to be champions of fun.

Events, outings, programs, and activities are designed to achieve these objectives and inspire purposeful engagement with people, places, and ideas both within the community and with the world outside its walls.

“Somerby Residents love to party and learn. They have a keen interest in geography, health-related topics… as well as learning more about how to use social networking to keep up with friends and family,” said Millwee.

“Our goal is to provide the setting and opportunities for every resident to ignite that spark that brings them joy.”

All-inclusive independent retirement living on the West Bank

by Lee J. Green Seniors at the all-inclusive independent retirement living community The Landing at Behrman Place in New Orleans can stay for free at any of the other 22 Sunshine Retirement Corporation communities in eight states across the U.S. while on vacation.

But with all the activities, amenities and services provided to residents at the West Bank community, seniors might feel like they are on vacation all of the time.

“Our residents here can enjoy independent living with the added benefits of three great meals a day; complete housekeeping service; plenty of activities to participate in and convenient transportation to anywhere they want or need to go,” said The Landing at Behrman Place Director Shawn Montgomery.

The community launched in 1998 and underwent a significant enhancement after Katrina. Montgomery said the residents at The Landing at Behrman Place have such a high level of satisfaction that they average staying there between six and nine years.

All-inclusive living at the community includes free common area Wi-Fi, front desk concierge service, weekly housekeeping and on-call apartment maintenance. The monthly rent includes all utilities except personal telephone.

As far as activities, Montgomery said residents can participate in exercise classes, regular happy hours, Saturday brunches, poker games, bingo, tai chi as well as classes on everything from gardening to computers to medicine.

They celebrate the Jewish holidays and recently had their big, annual Mardi Gras Ball.

The Landing at Behrman Place offers an onsite hair salon, library, gym and computer center. Pets are also welcome in the community.

Montgomery said the community’s expertly trained chefs specialize in Cajun/Creole cuisine such as red beans and rice, gumbo as well as fried fish. The kitchen is not kosher but some rooms have full-service kitchens if someone wants to keep their own kosher kitchen.

Residents can travel to any city with a Sunshine Retirement Living community and receive complimentary food and lodging for up to 14 days.

Montgomery also said that The Landing at Behrman Place also offers some guest rooms for loved ones of residents to stay for free on a temporary basis when visiting.

She said that after residents stay 90 days, they can go on a month-tomonth lease or if they know they will be staying at The Landing for a long time, they can opt to sign a “lifetime lease” that guarantees the monthly rates will never go up as long as they are living there. “We have options and opportunities to please everyone,” said Montgomery.

28 Southern Jewish Life • February 2016

senior life

Schonberg communities in La., Miss., built around individual needs

The cornerstone of the Schonberg community philosophy is that exceptional assisted living and memory care is personal. Personal care begins and ends with each unique individual, and the family, friends, and loved ones of each resident play an important role in shaping and strengthening each community.

Schonberg & Associates has revolutionized and set a new standard in assisted living by going above and beyond to provide unparalleled amenities and care tailored to fit each resident, creating customized activities and care plans based upon a thorough assessment of the individual residents’ abilities, likes, dislikes, passions, and preferences.

In order to make the transition into assisted living as easy and comfortable as possible, Schonberg & Associates has opened several locations throughout the Greater New Orleans and Mississippi area that provide high-quality amenities, programming, and care, including Vista Shores in New Orleans, Beau Provence in Mandeville, Park Provence in Slidell, and Ashton Manor in Luling, Beau Ridge in Ridgeland, and Alden Pointe in Hattiesburg.

With the help of full-time activities directors that cook up exciting and engaging events, activities, and social outings, Schonberg communities are fully dedicated to ensuring that every day is filled with unique options to satisfy each and every resident, from those with green thumbs or artistic talents to those that prefer singing or shopping. There is always something to do, Across from East Jefferson Hospital Emergency somewhere to go, and someone special to share a meal or a cup of coffee with.

Schonberg is also committed to honoring the sanctity and importance of providing each resident with the means to practice and celebrate their faith.

As a community that serves a large number of Jewish residents, Schonberg takes special care to meet the needs of this audience, holding bi-weekly reliAcross from East Jefferson Hospital Emergency gious services at the community, observing and celebrating Jewish holidays Across from East Jefferson Hospital Emergency throughout the year, and providing kosher menu options. Residents are Providing long-term care services services andshort-term short-termrehab rehab Providing Providinglong-term long-term care care services and and short-term rehab also encouraged and supported in organizing community clubs and events and therapy in an atmosphere of caring and compassion andtherapy therapyininan anatmosphere atmosphereofofcaring care and based upon shared interests that include religious views, such as a recent and and compassion compassion citywide synagogue tour taken by residents at the Vista Shores community METAIRIE’S PREMIER PREMIER in New Orleans.

Medicare Skilled Planned Activities METAIRIE’S Tours Offered Daily SKILLED NURSING FACILITY While the plethora of Schonberg communities within the Greater New SKILLED NURSING FACILITY Shortto Term Rehab Therapy Three Home-Cooked Meals Daily Orleans area enables residents to remain close the friends and&family Skilled Planned Activities ToursOffered OfferedDaily Daily members from their old neighborhood, thePrivate exclusivePay Schonberg Neighbor-SocialMedicare Medicare Skilled Planned Activities Tours Options Services Dept Short Term Rehab & Therapy Three Home-Cooked Meals Daily hood Design at each community makes it easy to make new ones as well.

Short Term Rehab & Therapy Three Home-Cooked Meals Daily Each neighborhood is occupied by residents with shared abilities, which Private Social ServicesDept Dept PrivatePay PayOptions Options Social Services fosters a comfortable environment ideal for socializing and maximizes team Across from East Jefferson Hospital Emergency members’ ability to provide each resident with the specialized attention and care that they need.

The Schonberg Neighborhood Design is just one aspect of Schonberg’s unique and innovative approach to Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Several of Schonberg’s communities in the Greater New Orleans area have been www.colonialoaksliving.com www.colonialoaksliving.com honored with the national Dementia Care Specialists’ Distinguished Provider Award, which recognizes assisted living communities that provide truly outstanding, resident-centered care. Schonberg communities pride themselves on setting an exceptional standard in memory care through Medicare Skilled Tours Offered Daily extensive training for all team members, the staffing of full-time memory Medicare Skilled Planned Activities Tours Offe Short-Term Rehab & Therapy All Meals Planned by care directors, and promoting continuous education through consultation Short Term Rehab & Therapy Three Home-Cooked M and courses with leading Alzheimer’s and dementia care researchers and exPrivate Pay Options Registered Dietitian Private Pay Options Social Social Services Dept perts. Schonberg’s individualized programs are custom-designed to enrich Planned Activities Services Department residents’ lives and enable them to function at their highest possible level.

Schonberg’s community philosophy revolves around giving residents the freedom to be as independent as possible, while providing the peace of mind that assistance and compassionate care is always available when it’s needed.

Founder David Schonberg sums up their award-winning operating philosophy with a single question: “Several times each day, we ask ourselves, ‘Is this in the best interest of this particular resident?’ If the answer is yes, then we can’t go wrong. This simple operating philosophy is the secret to our continued success.”

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February 2016 • Southern Jewish Life 29

senior life

JFS New Orleans expands geriatric family consultation services When Roselle Ungar became executive director of Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans, one of her first objectives was to create Centers of Excellence which could become areas of specialization for the agency. One of the first efforts in this endeavor was last month’s launch of a new Geriatric Family Consultation Program that will respond to the growing needs of both caregivers and older adults in the Greater New Orleans community.

“I know that when my mother’s health was starting to fail, my brother and I had so many things we had to resolve and settle in a very short period of time,” she said. “It would have been so helpful to have a service like this available to provide us with direction and advice.”

In fact, the concept for the Geriatric Family Consultation Program had been a subject of discussion for several years among the clinical and program staff at JFS who work closely with clients either coping with aging parents or who are, themselves, trying to plan for their own future care.

Though no single program addressed geriatric issues so comprehensively, the realization of how much relief could be provided through the addition of this service further necessitated its creation.

Thanks to a recent Block Grant from the Jewish Endowment Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, the Geriatric Family Consultation Program is now a reality. JFS has hired a Geriatric Specialist whose role is to help individuals and families with aging relatives to focus on the needs of that family member and determine what resources are available to address their specific issues.

Some families may be questioning whether living independently is still the best option for a loved one; others may be determining if their existing financial plans need to be adjusted; and others may be caring for family members with chronic or debilitating conditions and need support,

30 Southern Jewish Life • February 2016

resources or services. Phone and Skype appointments are also available for caregivers who live outside of the Greater New Orleans area.

The Geriatric Specialist can also serve a role as an objective facilitator, since decision making involving multiple generations can sometimes be complicated by family dynamics or charged emotions that can make difficult conversations even more challenging. The Geriatric Specialist can help family members negotiate potential points of impasse and may also help to focus the conversations so that the concerns of all family members involved are appreciated and understood.

A second component of the Geriatric Family Consultation Program features lectures, demonstrations and discussions which are free and open to the public, including an Older Adult Speaker Series, co-sponsored by the New Orleans Jewish Community Center, and a Caregiver Support Group.

The inaugural speaker, Registered Dietician Kerri Dotson from the Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine, spoke on Jan. 27 about “Cooking for Health.” She provided information about the changing dietary needs during the aging process, healthy adaptations to favorite recipes and how to stay active in the kitchen with arthritis and other physical challenges.

The next speaker in the series, Pat Harvey, ACSW, LCSW-C, will focus on “The ‘Sandwich Generation’: Finding a Balance,” on March 28 at 7 p.m. at the Goldring-Woldenberg Jewish Community Campus in Metairie. She will discuss the juggling act of caring for children and aging parents simultaneously.

The Caregiver Support Group was recently formed to offer a supportive environment to discuss the stresses, challenges and rewards of providing care for a loved one. The first meetings will take place every Tuesday from Feb. 16 to April 19, noon to 1 p.m. at the Goldring-Woldenberg Jewish

senior life

Community Campus in Metairie.

The Geriatric Family Consultation Program is a complement to existing programs at JFS that have been serving older adults for decades. These include: Homemaker, a weekly or bi-monthly light housekeeping and transportation service; Lifeline, an electronic personal emergency response system; Catch-A-Cab, which provides transportation assistance to Jewish seniors through taxi vouchers, and Counseling, which serves individuals, couples, families and groups.

More speakers, groups and programs are planned in future months. Contact Jewish Family Service’s office (504) 831-8475 or visit the website (www. jfsneworleans.org) for updated information on the Geriatric Family Consultation Program or for any other JFS services.

Helping veterans and seniors maintain health and independence

Alabama’s Best In Class

by Lee J. Green

SOMERBY OF MOBILE • Independent living, assisted living and memory care • Short-term respite and trial stays available • No buy-in • Comprehensive pricing • Nurse on duty 24/7 • Valuable health care benefit • Veteran’s Aid & Attendance

Helping seniors and older veterans to maintain their health as well as independence in their homes or home-like environments is one of the main goals for the Tulane University School of Medicine Section of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics and the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System.

“With geriatrics, we want older adults to maintain as much independence as possible. Just because you get older, it doesn’t mean your quality of life has to diminish significantly,” said Dr. Lumie Kawasaki, associate professor of medicine with the Tulane University School of Medicine and the chief of geriatrics and extended care for the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System.

Kawasaki is also the medical director for SLVHCS Home Based Primary Care Services and St. Margaret’s Daughters nursing home.

“St. Margaret’s was one of the first in the area to focus on the creation of a home-like environment within an institutional setting,” she said, adding that Tulane University School of Medicine students in internal medicine go to the community on a regular basis to provide medical care and gain valuable learning experience.

“Once older veterans are stable enough to get out the hospital we want them to be able to get all of the rehabilitation and continuing health care needs either in their homes or a home-like environment,” added Kawasaki.

“I believe we may be one of the only VA medical centers, if not the only one, in the United States delivering a fairly broad continuum of home-based services, offering veterans more choice in how and where they receive their care.”

She said a trend for the VA is on non-institutional care. The SLVHCS provides home-based community services such as primary care, respite care and community adult day care. It was the second VA in the country to form a Hospital at Home Program; providing care to veterans in their homes who may otherwise be in the hospital; shortening or preventing hospital stays and increasing patient comfort.

Kawasaki said that St. Margaret’s has partnered with the Steve Gleason Foundation to best serve residents there who have ALS. Gleason is a former New Orleans Saints player who currently is waging his own battle against ALS. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans VAMC was devastated. SLVHCS reorganized to meet the needs of veterans and now consists of eight community-based clinics located in New Orleans, Slidell, Hammond, St. John Parish, Houma, Franklin, Bogalusa and Baton Rouge.

Ninety percent of patients live within 30 minutes of primary and mental health services.

“As we get older there is an increasing concern about loss of independence and loss in quality of life,” said Kawasaki. “But there are plenty of resources available to older adults to help them maintain their quality of living.”

SOMERBY AT ST. VINCENT’S • Independent living, assisted living and memory care • Short-term respite and trial stays available • On-site wellness clinic • No buy-in • All-inclusive pricing • Valuable health care benefit • Veteran’s Aid & Attendance

All our Somerby communities offer maintenance-free living, resort-style services and amenities, and a wide variety of activities to engage and inspire our residents.

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8:51 PM February 2016 • Southern Jewish6/11/15 Life 31

senior life

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The Touro Neuro Rehab Center in New Orleans offers the comprehensive LSVT Loud and LSVT Big program for treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The LSVT certified staff at Touro includes speech, physical and occupational therapists.

LSVT therapy uses innovative and clinically-proven methods for improving communication and movement in individuals with Parkinson’s diseases. The program can also be applied to other neurological conditions, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. Internationally, the LSVT programs have been developed and scientifically researched over the past 20 years with funding from the National Institutes of Health.

LSVT Loud is a Parkinson’s-specific speech therapy designed to improve vocal loudness, speech intelligibility and facial expression through intensity and repetition. LSVT Loud is one month of intense treatment including one hour of patient practice per day and four days of therapy per week.

Each patient identifies 10 phrases that they want to be able to say on a daily basis, and works toward those goals throughout the training. Therapy includes increasing intensity, breath support, pitch range and improving vocal quality. Additional improvements that have been noted include improvement in swallowing and the masked facial expression which often accompanies Parkinson’s disease.

Certified Physical or Occupational Therapists use the LSVT Big technique to drive intense and high effort practice and teach the amount of effort required to produce normal movements.

LSVT Big includes four therapy sessions per week for 4 weeks plus daily exercises. LSVT Big patients are also given personalized and specific “functional exercises” depending on what limitations they may have, which may include difficulty buttoning buttons, getting in and out of the car, and reaching for objects.

Research on LSVT Big has documented improved ratings on tests of motor functioning in persons with Parkinson’s disease following treatment including faster walking with bigger steps, improved balance and increased trunk rotation.

Touro offers a free Parkinson’s Support Group for all individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. To learn more, contact the Touro Neuro Rehab Center at (504) 897-8135 or visit www.touro.com/LSVT.

Peristyle offers assisted living in more personal settings

by Lee J. Green

Instead of home-like, how about a true family home?

Peristyle Residences in the New Orleans area fills a niche for seniors in need of care by providing room, board and care much like larger assisted-living facilities but in a smaller, more personal setting.

“It’s a true home experience. These are actual homes anywhere from four to eight seniors live in together with around-the-clock care. Thus we can provide all the care, companionship and socialization a senior wants and needs,” said co-owner Sean Arrillaga. “We serve those who can no longer safely live at home but who do not need or do not prefer more institutional settings such as large assisted living facilities and nursing homes.”

Because each home has at most a one-to-four caregiver to resident ratio, seniors and caregivers living in the homes develop strong companionships. “The residents and the caregivers become like family,” added Arrillaga.

He and co-owner Jason Hemel together have more than 30 years of healthcare and living experience including nursing home and assisted living administration, home health and hospice management, nursing care and nurse education. Both are from and went to school in New Orleans.

In 2011, they started Peristyle Residences. There are now four residenc32 Southern Jewish Life • February 2016

senior life

es in Metairie, one in the West Bank and one in Lakeview, with more planned in the near-term.

“We purchased these homes in nice communities and in each one put at least $100,000 in enhancements to meet all ADA requirements as well as the needs of our senior residents,” said Arrillaga.

The homes were also selected for the flow of the house — no laundry room next to a kitchen; no bathrooms in which someone would have to go through another bedroom to access, and so forth.

Peristyle Residences offers family-style meals geared toward specific nutrition requirements and likes of residents, social activities such as bingo, gardening, cooking, arts and crafts, play-

ing cards, cognitive activities and assistance with all Activities of Daily Living.

“The beauty of it is that this is all resident-directed care. There are no set meal times and they can choose the activities that interest them the most. The care and service is customized.

Residents can also decorate their rooms any way they want to,” said Arrillaga.

He said there is a current market demand for senior living services and within 10 years many of the 76 million Baby Boomers will require or seek senior living services.

“We feel we are reaching the most underserved market,” said Arrillaga. “This is a great niche and we plan to grow this model as much as demand and resources allow.”

New Orleans area seniors can feel right at home

by Lee J. Green ComeForCare in the New Orleans area wants to make seniors feel right at home and advises those seeking non-medical home care to make sure the provider is licensed, bonded and insured, along with its caregivers being well-trained, certified and screened.

“We’re there for whatever they need. It could be a few hours a week for errands and in-home assistance or many hours a day every day for more advanced care such as for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients,” said ComForCare Owner Lori Franzo.

The company can provide care all across the New Orleans metro area as far as Picayune, Miss., and Hammond, La. Franzo said ComForCare has been providing care for those in need for about 15 years. The company is licensed, bonded and carries all insurances, including workman’s comp. ComForCare carefully screens its employees and makes sure all are trained to meet the needs of the patients they are matched up with.

“We offer a free assessment and know all we can about someone we will be providing care to.

We have the resources to not just match someone with a caregiver that is trained to do everything they need of them but also someone who provides a good personality match,” said Franzo.

“That is so important to have someone that seniors not just know they can count on, but also enjoy their caregiver’s company and friendship.”

ComForCare’s services range from bathing, dressing, hygiene, medication management, meal preparation, transportation, housekeeping and running errands. The company also has caregivers who are training in nursing assistance for those who need more advanced memory care help.

They also provide care for anyone 18 years old and up who might be disabled or needs regular ongoing care in their home.

Franzo also advises to not “wait until the need is so great” if possible. “It’s best to get someone matched with a caregiver even if they might only need help with a few things a few hours a week.

Then if the need increases, they know they have someone coming to their home they trust and like,” she said.

Active seniors have fun at Colonial Oaks

by Lee J. Green Active seniors at Colonial Oaks Living Center enjoy having fun with Myra Ungar Dunn — a long-time, involved member of the New Orleans area Jewish community and Activities Director for Colonial Oaks.

Ungar Dunn has been in her position for more than 15 years and previously spent 15 years as activities director for Woldenberg Village.

“I have the best job in the world. Every day we get to have fun with friends,” she said. “We want to make sure all of our residents have a happy, home-like environment every day along with activities and social interactions that are life-enriching.”

Of course Colonial Oaks celebrates several of the Jewish holidays. The Chanukah party last year

General Dentistry

included music and latkes. They also will have hamentashen for Purim and a Seder for Passover again.

“We get really good turnout not just from our Jewish residents but from their non-Jewish friends who want to learn more about the holidays and enjoy the traditions,” said Ungar Dunn, who added that kids from area synagogues also come to visit for intergenerational learning, sharing and fun.

The day before Mardi Gras, Colonial Oaks will have a big Mardi Gras Ball that is open to residents and their families. The Glitter and Gold band will provide musical entertainment. More than 200 people enjoyed last year’s Mardi Gras Ball.

Unger Dunn said every day seniors can do ex

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community ercise, brain games, sing-a-longs, card games, arts and crafts, daily bingo, birthday celebrations and a social at 2 p.m. Other activities seniors at Colonial Oaks enjoy include pet therapy with cats and dogs that are brought into the community; entertainment by piano players and DJs along with trips to the casinos.

Colonial Oaks Marketing Director Michele Varon said the same local ownership that started the Metairie senior community, located behind East Jefferson Hospital, in 1970 is still there today.

Its staff of close to 80 healthcare professionals includes many who have had long tenures at Colonial Oaks. The 98-bed facility features comfortable, semi-private rooms — all with a 24-hour call light system.

Varon said Colonial Oaks also offers short-term rehabilitative care with its STAR unit, Short-Term Accelerated Rehabilitation. That facility at Colonial Oaks can hold up to 91 residents for an average time of 30 days per resident.

The STAR unit features private, dine-in rooms with flat-screen televisions and an abundance of amenities. There are equipped rehab rooms for professionals to work with seniors.

“It’s a very nice, state-of-the-art facility,” said Varon. “Mostly we have those here who are rehabbing from knee and hip replacements, but all with short-term rehabilitation needs are welcome.”

New JLI course to answer common questions about Jews, Judaism The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute will present “The Jewish Course of Why,” the institute’s new six-session winter 2016 course, with classes starting in Birmingham and Metairie this month.

“No religion is known for its rational basis and it’s welcoming of questions and intellectual debate quite like Judaism” explained Rabbi Zalman Abraham of JLI’s headquarters in Brooklyn.

“In preparing for the course, we turned to over 30,000 people who each submitted their biggest questions about Judaism. We then selected the most popular among them and addressed each one with resonant insights from the greatest minds in Jewish history.”

“The Jewish Course of Why” spans a diverse range of topics, from fun, light, and off-the-beaten-track questions, to more complex and controversial issues. Some of the course’s 50 questions include: Why are there so many Jews in Hollywood? Why do Jews eat gefilte fish and cholent and wish each other mazal tov and l’chaim? Why does the Bible sanctions slavery and animal sacrifices? What is the cause of anti-Semitism? What does Judaism say about Christianity and about the role of women in Jewish life?

The Birmingham classes will be at the Bais Ariel Chabad Center on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., starting Feb. 10, or Thursdays at 11:30 a.m., starting Feb. 11.

Rabbi Mendel Ceitlin of the Chabad Jewish Center in Metairie will conduct the six course sessions at noon and 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays beginning Feb. 16.

Ceitlin said “The Jewish Course of Why gives our participants the opportunity to expand their Jewish knowledge and intellectualize their Judaism by exploring rational insights into the most intriguing questions that Jews have today.”

The course is designed to appeal to people at all levels of Jewish knowledge, including those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning. All JLI courses are open to the public, and attendees need not be affiliated with a particular synagogue, temple, or other house of worship.

Registration in Birmingham is $89, or $133 for couples. In Metairie, registration is $70. One may sign up at myjli.com.

34 Southern Jewish Life • February 2016

community

JCC Book Club

Pelicans’ Shuman talks about Jewish history of basketball

presents author

Claudette E. Sutton

Lew Shuman, long-time director of broadcasting for the New Orleans Pelicans and its predecessor, the New Orleans Hornets, did not know much about the Jewish War Veterans of America until the Pelicans hosted a Nathan Lew, David Wesley, Lew Shuman and Jewish Education Judge Sol Gothard.

Night on the first night of Chanukah in 2014.

The night featured the student body of the New Orleans Jewish Community Day School singing the national anthem and, at halftime, performing a Chanukiah lighting ceremony. The event had been promoted by the school, the New Orleans Jewish Community Center and JWV New Orleans Post 580, which also participated in the lighting ceremony.

After learning about the local JWV Post, Shuman immediately joined, since he is a veteran who spent the majority of his enlistment in Iran as a member of the ARMISH/MAAG providing Signal Corps support to the Shah and his army.

Judge Sol Gothard, commander of the Post and a season ticket holder for the Pelican games, learned about Shuman’s extensive knowledge of basketball in all its facets. Shuman has been a producer and director for the Celtics, Sixers and the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans, and the author of two books, one about basketball, “Hoop Junkie,” and another based on his father-in-law’s diary of the battle for Peleliu, “15 Days of Hell.”

Shortly before this year’s NBA season began, Gothard approached Shuman about making a PowerPoint presentation for JWV on Jews and Basketball, which took place at the Metairie JCC. The first slide in Shuman’s program read “If you ask a Jewish millionaire what he wanted to own, he’d probably say ‘the Knicks’.” Shuman then proceeded with slides about Jewish American college basketball players such Adolph “Dolph” Schayes and coaches such as Nat Holman, Larry Brown and “Red” Holtzman, as well as Jewish owners of NBA teams, broadcasters, and even commissioners, including the current one, Adam Silver.

Shuman pointed out the incredible fact that when the NBA started in 1946 with 11 teams, the starting five for the first-ever NBA team, the New York Knicks, were all Jewish, with Ossie Schechtman scoring the first basket in league history.

David Wesley, former starting guard for the Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets and current television broadcaster for the Pelicans, with playby-play announcer Joel Meyers, who is also Jewish, was a surprise guest at the meeting. Wesley brings extensive knowledge of basketball to his analysis of the team, its players and coaches. After speaking at the JCC, he stayed until everyone who wanted to speak with him had a chance.

Established in 1896, the Jewish War Veterans of America is the first and oldest veterans organization in the U.S. To be eligible for membership, one must be Jewish on active duty in any of the armed forces, Coast Guard or Reserves of the U.S.or a veteran thereof; or Jewish, currently residing in the U.S. and a veteran of any allied country, such as Canada, Great Britain or Israel.

Anyone can become a patron of the organization, even if one is not Jewish nor a veteran. The Post has over 30 non-Jewish patrons, including African Americans and a Muslim Kurd from Turkey.

Tuesday, March 15 Uptown JCC 12:45 PM Luncheon 1:30 PM Book Discussion with the author RSVP to liba@nojcc.org Free and open to the community New Orleans JCC 5342 St. Charles Ave 504.897.0143 | www.nojcc.org

February 2016 • Southern Jewish Life 35

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Hymel returns to NOLA for Sinai benefit concert New Orleans native Bryan Hymel returns to Temple Sinai for a benefit concert, “Love Infinite,” on March 13 at 6 p.m.

Temple Sinai Cantor Joel Colman said Hymel has burst onto the international opera scene and is “one of the leading tenors in the world now.” While he attended Loyola University, he sang in Sinai’s High Holy Days choir and has maintained a friendship with Rabbi Edward Cohn.

Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Edward P. Cohn Rabbi Emeritus Chair and the Temple Sinai Cantor’s Music Fund.

He began this season at the Metropolitan Opera as Rodolfo in “La Bohème” before making his debut at Deutsche Oper Berlin for performances of “Rigoletto” in March. He finishes the season by returning to the Opéra National de Paris for performances of “La Traviata.”

On the concert stage, Hymel appears with the PKF – Prague Philharmonia for concerts in Prague’s Smetana Hall and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, as well as for a special recital in London’s Wigmore Hall.

Hymel is the winner of the 2013 Olivier

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera for his trio of performances in “Les Troyens,” “Robert le diable” and “Rusalka” at London’s Royal Opera House.

An exclusive recording artist for Warner Classics, his first solo album “Héroïque” debuted at number 3 on the Billboard Classical Music chart, and earned Hymel the coveted Georges Thill Prize by the Académie Nationale du Disque Lyrique and the Newcomer of the Year Award from ECHO Klassik.

Also appearing in the Temple Sinai concert will be acclaimed soprano Irini Kyriakidou, Hymel’s wife. Marcus St. Julien will be the accompanist, and Colman will sing a duet from “Carmen” with Hymel.

Tickets are $35 for general admission, $30 in advance. Student tickets are $10. Patron level is $150, and sponsor level is $250. Patrons and sponsors get preferred seating and a post-concert reception with the artists. Doors and willcall will open at 5 p.m.

Above: La Bohème at the Metropolitan Opera (Cory Weaver/The Metropolitan Opera)

Touro Dines with the Stars on Feb. 20 Touro Synagogue will have its annual gala, “Dining with the Stars,” on Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m.

The dinner and specialty cocktails will be served by a selection of New Orleans personalities, with the celebrities competing with each other to earn the most tips to benefit the congregation.

Some of those scheduled to serve are Jim Henderson, Spud McConnell, Jim Letten, Jim Bernazzani, Morris Bart, Angela Hill, Travers

Mackel, David Bernard, Clancy DuBos, Sally Shushan, John Snell, Donny Markowitz, Lance Africk, Helena Moreno, Bruce Katz, Fletcher Mackel, Jason Williams, Kim Holden, David Hammer, Neal Bodenheimer and more.

The dinner is being catered by Alon Shaya.

Tickets are $125 per person, $90 for those under age 35. Patron tickets are $225, underwriters are $500. Reservations are requested by Feb. 12.

On Jan. 23, B’nai Israel in Baton Rouge held its annual New York Nosh Night fundraiser, featuring Houston landmark Kenny & Ziggy’s deli

36 Southern Jewish Life • February 2016

Continued from page 38

From out of none came one, but like a single shoe This pair is not complete without its volume two.

One commandment says I am God to you; It didn’t say what else to do, and then there was two.

Second command says no gods before me; Make for you no idols, and then there was three.

Third commandment says take names in vain no more; Not only when in Chancery, and then there was four.

Fourth commandment says that you cannot drive; Or work at all on Sabbath, and then there was five.

Fifth commandment says honor both parents; They are why you are alive, and then there was six.

Sixth commandment says don’t send to heaven; Any one I still want there, and then there was seven.

Seventh command says do not spurn your mate; If with you slept another, and then there was eight.

Eighth commandment says don’t take what isn’t thine; Keep hands to your little self, and then there was nine.

Ninth commandment says the truth must be your ken; Whene’er you bear witness, and then there was ten.

Tenth commandment says that all under the sun; Is not for you to covet, and then there was none.

Doug Brook is a writer in Silicon Valley who is currently in Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None.” No spoilers. For past columns, other writings, and more, visit http://brookwrite.com/. For exclusive online content, follow facebook.com/the.beholders.eye.

JFS to honor Julanne Isaacson at gala Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans is stepping back into its history for the 2016 Rhythm & Soul gala, announcing that Julanne Isaacson will be the honoree for the May 22 event.

The fundraiser will be at 5 p.m. the Audubon Tea Room, and will include a patron hour followed by a seated dinner and program.

From 1973 to 1994, Isaacson served as the executive director of JFS. During her tenure, the agency began several of the programs that remain cornerstones of the agency today: Homemaker, light housekeeping and transportation for older or disabled adults; Teen Life Counts, suicide prevention and education in area public, private, parochial and charter schools; Lifeline, (=electronic personal emergency response system; and Passover Food Distribution, kosher-for-Passover food for members of the Jewish community in need.

Isaacson said “It is a privilege to be honored by an agency which I led for 21 years and that has continued to make me proud by remaining on the cutting edge of high-quality innovative services for children and families.”

Before becoming director of JFS, Isaacson was the executive director of Traveler’s Aid, which provided crisis-intervention counseling and services for the homeless. She has a long history of service, advocacy and education with groups as varied as the National Council of Jewish Women, LSU School of Medicine, Tulane University School of Social Work, the Jefferson Parish League of Women Voters and the Woldenberg Village Architectural Committee, among many others.

Board President Julie Wise Oreck praised Isaacson’s four decades of connection and commitment to JFS. “When I think about how the Agency has grown — particularly recently — it is only fitting that we honor Julanne as the executive director who built the foundation for its present-day successes.”

As long as you can

do watcha wanna, Touro will be a part of New Orleans.

www.touro.com 1401 Foucher Street | New Orleans | Louisiana 70115

(504) 897-7011 February 2016 • Southern Jewish Life 37

Jennifer

RIVERA

Michael

MAYES

Margaret

LATTIMORE

Adrienne

DANRICH

rear pew mirror • doug brook

New Orleans Opera presents Ten little exodus

Once upon a time, there was a well-known rhyme…

Today it’s about soldier boys, called “And Then There’s None.”

Before that it was often called “Ten Little Indians.”

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What its name was first, or second as some reckon, Is something that repeating would PC Police beckon.

Ten little soldier boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were nine.

Nine little soldier boys sat up very late; One overslept himself and then there were eight.

Eight little soldier boys traveling in Devon; One said he’d stay there and then there were seven.

Seven little soldier boys chopping up sticks; One chopped himself in half and then there were six.

Six little soldier boys playing with a hive; A bumblebee stung one of them and then there were five.

Five little soldier boys going in for law; One got in Chancery and then there were four.

Four little soldier boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.

Three little soldier boys walking in the zoo; A big bear hugged one and then there were two.

Two little soldier boys playing in the sun; One got all frizzled up and then there was one.

One little soldier boy left all alone; He went out and hanged himself and then there were none.

Where we’re at in Torah puts us in the mood, To share the rhyme’s real origin, straight from the Talmud.

One’s about the plagues, with commandments added then, Each contained in their own list, adding up to ten.

Now, wait no more to read them, for here they all are, Hopefully you will not think they have gone too far.

One plague of blood turned the Nile to goo; The main seer did it too, and then there was two.

Second plague of frogs hopping out of sea; A red herring swallowed them, and then there was three.

Third plague of vermin sent them to the floor; Still little chance to free, and then there was four.

Fourth plague of beasts storming from their hive; Pharaoh’s heart was stung, and then there was five.

Fifth plague of disease making cattle sick; The herd was chopped in half, and then there was six.

Sixth plague of boils raining down from heaven; Many days they stayed there, and then there was seven.

Seventh plague of hail pouring very late; Pharaoh overslept his heart, and then there was eight.

Eighth plague of locusts swarming in to dine; Pharaoh choked his latest “no,” and then there was nine.

Ninth plague of darkness blinding girls and men; His heart still lost in the dark, and then there was ten.

Tenth plague on firstborns slain til there were none; All to free the Israelites and then they were gone.

continued on previous page

38 Southern Jewish Life • February 2016