New Jacobs Camp director coming home
Who is kosher BBQ champion?
Revisiting a 1963 Birmingham visit
Southern Jewish Life Middle Feast battles in Mobile
July 2014
Volume 24 Issue 7
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During a recent discussion on WWL in New Orleans, the show host posed a question. Will there be a day when we and the Muslim world interact the same peaceful way that we now do with the Japanese and the Germans? He pointed out that to those who were not around in the mid-20th century, it is almost impossible to imagine the hatred that Americans had for the Japanese. Could a similar attitude change happen regarding the Muslim world? The short answer, of course, is that we hope so. The longer answer is a bit more complicated. Yes, there was a hatred of Japan and Germany in this country over 70 years ago. We were at war with them. Japan launched a surprise attack on us and Germany was trying to spread a genocidal ideology across the world through conquest. If there was a hatred, it was to those warped ideals. In truth, Americans had no interest in hating anyone — the hatred was toward their actions. It did manifest itself in hatred toward those of that background, which is regrettable but understandable on the battlefield. We were not at war for the conquest and acquisition of Germany or Japan. We were at war to liberate people and enable them to have a peaceful co-existence, and then return to our homes. What has changed in the last 70 years? The Japanese and the Germans changed. Through their catastrophic defeats they realized the bankruptcy of their blind loyalty to the Emperor and to the Nazi party. They made the choice to rejoin the family of nations. And we welcomed them back. If radical Islam decided to destroy their suicide belts and car bombs today and truly live in peace and harmony, it would not take long for us to wonder why there was such enmity “back then.” Unfortunately, the onus is on the Muslim world, we can’t change their attitudes for them. Once that happens, we will be quick to embrace them as friends, much as we do with Germany and Japan. There are bloody conquests in the Bible, but the Jewish people long ago began to regard war as a necessary evil only in selfdefense, and not something to glorify. Christianity also underwent a reformation and no longer spreads its message of love through the end of a sword, or justifies the physical torture of unbelievers by figuring it saves them an eternity of torment and hellfire. Aside from some bastions of moderation, Islam unfortunately has not undergone such a transformation, and voices of moderation are routinely suppressed or silenced in much of the Muslim world, and parents teach their children that killing infidels is their highest aspiration. Yes, the popular bumper sticker says “coexist.” But until those you want to coexist with decide they are no longer interested in subjugating or killing you, coexistence is but a pipe dream. We are ready, are they? Golda Meir summed it up by saying that there would be peace when the Arabs loved their children more than they hated us. May it be speedily in our day.
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Front Porch New director for ADL Southeast: Veteran Jewish community professional Mark J. Moskowitz has been named director of the Anti-Defamation League’s Southeast Regional Office in Atlanta. “Mark brings to ADL decades of relevant nonprofit experience in the Jewish community and has across the board experiences in development and strategic organizational work in this region,” said Miles J. Alexander, chair of ADL’s Southeast Region. “He is a proven leader who has a full grasp of the scope of ADL issues, and we are confident that his past experiences in this arena will be fitting in his role in carrying out the League’s mission.” Moskowitz joins ADL with extensive experience in the nonprofit sector. Most recently, he served as president of the Friends of ELNET — European Leadership Network, where he managed day-to-day operations. He previously was director of development for the Israel on Campus Coalition in Washington. From 1987 to 2007, he was regional director of the Southeast office of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. “We are thrilled to have Mark lead our Southeast Regional Office,” said ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman. “His remarkable professional background and passion for Jewish communal and Israel-related issues are tremendous assets.” The Southeast regional office serves Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Repairing Torahs in Monroe: Sofer Rabbi Levi Selwyn was in Monroe, La., refurbishing two of Torahs at Temple B’nai Israel. On June 11, the public came to watch the Sofer do his work and to ask questions about the Torahs. Since the Torahs are so old, they are glazed which adds to their weight. Newer Torahs are lighter in weight, as they are no longer glazed. Rabbi Selwyn also explained the different styles of writing in Torah scrolls, based on which group wrote them, or the country where the scribe was located. On June 13 the congregation held a special Shabbat service to rededicate the newly refurbished Torahs with Temple B’nai Israel’s rabbi, Barbara Metzinger.
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“The importance of the United States’ relationship with Israel cannot be overstated. Israel serves as an outpost of democracy and Western values in the Middle East. As conditions across the Middle East continue to deteriorate, maintaining the United States’ relationship with Israel has become absolutely necessary for the propagation of American interests in that part of the world.” — Gary Palmer “Gary Palmer is an impressive guy whose work has distinguished him as a reliable conservative leader.” — Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal www.PalmerforAlabama.com
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Mississippi-Israel Ties: Consul General Opher Aviran and Chay Yagel from the Israeli Consulate in Atlanta and Economic Consul Michal Nidam from Israel’s Houston Economic Mission spent two days in Mississippi in early June. They met with Governor Phil Bryant and his staff, and held multiple meetings with representatives from 17 different companies across numerous business sectors. Bryant is currently forming a large delegation to visit Israel, and said the meetings were to discuss Mississippi/Israel relations and possible economic opportunities. Over the last two months, Mississippi Attorney General led an America-Israel Friendship League mission for state attorneys general to Israel, and Lynn Fitch participated in an AIFL treasurers’ mission. Pictured here are Chay Yagel, Michal Nidam, Governor Bryant, and Opher Aviran. New management company takes over Pine Tree: Troon was selected to manage Pine Tree Country Club in Birmingham, with former PGA Tour player Don Shirey as the new general manager. Pine Tree was originally Birmingham’s Jewish country club, formed in 1968 with the merger of the Fairmont Club, which had been for the Conservative and Orthodox communities, and Hillcrest Club, which drew from the Reform community. Many country clubs in Birmingham were closed to the Jewish community. In 1992, Pine Tree opened to non-Jewish members, and a few years later was sold to private interests. Based in Scottsdale, Troon is the world’s largest golf management company, with operations in 33 states and 27 countries. Shirey is a Fort Payne native who was part of Auburn University’s first SEC championship golf team in 1976. In 1978 he won the Alabama Open at Pine Tree. He earned his Tour card in 1979 and played in two U.S. Opens. In 1989 he finished in the Top 10 twice and made the cut in 16 of 27 events. Pine Tree recently completed a $2.5 million renovation. “The golf course is in pristine condition and all of our Club’s other amenities along with the enhancements and improvements that were made provides everyone with an outstanding level of service,” Shirey said.
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Shabbatotes: Birmingham’s Levite Jewish Community Center is helping members celebrate Shabbat each week, with the Shabbatote. Each Friday starting Aug. 18, the tote will be available starting at 9 a.m., and comes filled with a variety of items needed for Shabbat evening. In addition to candles, wine or grape juice and flowers from Flowerbuds, there will be a challah from Ricki’s, a well-known kosher bakery in Memphis that is spreading through the region. Recipes and Jewish learning information will also be in the totes. The totes will also be available for holidays, with appropriate items for each holiday. Totes are $18 and can be ordered for one week or continuously.
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YBIB reinvents organization: You Belong in Birmingham will have a new structure as it holds its largest event of the year, the annual Happy Hour at Cantina, on July 30. With the departure of staffer Caren Page, an open forum was held on May 27 to discuss the future structure of the newcomers organization. A new board was created with five positions, overseen by a staffer from the Birmingham Jewish Federation. Social programming will be overseen by Julie Rosenthal. Carlie Stein will head up an Engagement team to assist newcomers in integrating with the community. Social action programs will be led by Anna Morris. Religious and cultural programming will be led by Isa Dorsky, and Savannah Bass will be in charge of marketing, publicity and branding. The Happy Hour will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be drink specials and free appetizers.
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Temple Beth Shalom in Fort Walton will have a community Kumzing on July 26 at 7 p.m. After a successful Havdalah Kumsitz, it was decided not to “sitz” any more, but to sing. Those attending the musical Havdalah are encouraged to bring a light snack to share, drinks will be provided. The Knesseth Israel Sisterhood in Birmingham is holding a Carnival of Love on Aug. 10 from 4 to 8 p.m. The public is invited to the fundraiser at the Friedman Center for Jewish Life on Overton Road. A rides and food combo is $25, rides only is $5. Rides will include a mechanical bull, pirate ship, an eight-horse carousel, a spider web climb with a slide, a swing ride and a ball pit for toddlers. There will also be a balloon sculptor, a face painter and a team of creative writers composing personal sonnets on the spot.
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Jeffrey Bayer will be the honoree at the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center’s annual L’Chaim event, Aug. 24 at 2:30 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El. Music will be performed by the Eric Essix Trio, Cantor Jessica Roskin and the Birmingham Community Mass Choir. There will also be a dramatic reading of “The Slippery Slope.”
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There will be a weekend retreat for young Jewish adults, age 21 to 40, at Camp Barney Medintz in Georgia the weekend of Aug. 15. Coordinated by the Atlanta Jewish Community Center, the retreat will include swimming, games, sports and entertainment. Rabbi Brian Glusman will conduct casual Shabbat services in the outdoor chapel. Cost is $199 including cabin accommodations. For information, contact Roey Shoshan, (678) 812-4055.
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The Atlanta JCC and the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival are sponsoring “Shabbat in the ATL” on July 18 at 7 p.m. The adult event will be a music-driven Shabbat celebration and concert at Park Bench in Buckhead. Hannah Zale, Rabbi Brian Glusman and other Atlanta area musicians will lead the service, which is free and open to the community. There will be food trucks, a cash bar and live music.
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Front Porch Operation Understanding will be traveling through the South again this summer. The group of Jewish and African-American teens from Philadelphia visits sites of mutual historical interest. From July 24 to 26 they will be hosted at Beth Israel in Jackson, the only congregation during the three-week tour that does home hospitality. They will attend the Shabbat service on July 25. The North Louisiana Jewish Federation will have its annual meeting and dinner on July 16 at 7 p.m. at B’nai Zion in Shreveport. Incoming executive director Kathy Plante will prepare a lasagna dinner. There is no charge, but reservations are requested to sgross@ jewishnla.org. A Community Education Series continues at Birmingham’s Levite Jewish Community Center, with a brown-bag lunch and learn on the fourth Tuesday of the month at noon. On July 22, the topic will be Senior Fraud and Scams, the top senior scams affecting the community, and on Aug. 26 it will be Stages of Senior Care, step-bystep guides to making the best decisions. The 10th grade campers and staff from Ramah Darom, the Conservative movement’s summer camp in north Georgia, will visit Agudath Israel-Etz Ahayem and have home hospitality in Montgomery on July 30. Camp Chai, the Jewish day camp for north Louisiana, will take place from July 21 to Aug. 1 at B’nai Zion in Shreveport. The camp is sponsored by the North Louisiana Jewish Federation. The Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festival will present a “Fiddler on the Roof” screening and sing-along on Aug. 17, honoring the 50th anniversary of its Broadway debut. The 2 p.m. screening will be at the Manship Theatre, and lyrics will be provided at the door.
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On July 8, the L’Chaim League in Montgomery will have a luncheon featuring author Dan Puckett. The associate professor of history at Troy University and author of “In The Shadow of Hitler: Alabama Jews, the Second World War and the Holocaust,” will discuss the resettlement of Jewish refugees in the state from 1938 to 1941, and how Alabama’s Jewish community responded to the influx. The luncheon will be at noon at Agudath Israel-Etz Ahayem. Ahavas Chesed in Mobile is embarking on a congregational trip to Israel on July 13, led by Rabbi Steven Silberman.
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Temple Beth Or in Montgomery will attend the Biscuits game against Chattanooga on Aug. 10. Tickets are available to men’s club members and they may bring one guest. The $15 tickets include appetizers, hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks, and are first come, first served at the Beth Or office. B’nai Zion in Shreveport will have Social Action Shabbat on July 11 at 6 p.m., discussing the congregation’s past and future involvement with the Valencia Center. A panel discussion on privilege and literacy will include the center’s Shalon Lewis, Curtis Joseph and Community Engagement Director Malkie Schwartz from the Institute of Southern Jewish Life in Jackson. The Jewish Federation of Greater Baton Rouge will have an end-of-summer party on Aug. 24 at noon. Lunch will be provided and bathing suits are encouraged. The party will be at the Bocage Racquet Club, and reservations are requested to the Federation office by Aug. 21. Birmingham’s Levite Jewish Community Center will have its Group Fitness Summer Launch on July 20. Free to members and guests, the day is designed to introduce new moves and choreography in the LJCC Les Mills programs. Each class will meet at the usual time.
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Front Porch Melanie Young, a native of Chattanooga’s Jewish community, won the 2014 International Book Award for Cancer Health for her book, “Getting Things Off My Chest: A Survivor’s Guide to Staying Fearless and Fabulous in the Face of Breast Cancer.” The award was announced on May 21 by the American Book Fest. A graduate of Sophie Newcomb College at Tulane, last fall she
spoke at Touro Synagogue and FestiGals in New Orleans. Her book is aimed at women who are navigating the strange new world of breast cancer after being diagnosed. She was diagnosed in 2009. “While my book is filled with survivor tips and expert insights and touches of humor for women facing early stage breast cancer, the takeaways I learned and apply to my life now to eat smarter, reduce stress and live healthier apply to all women,” she noted. Now living in New York, Young advises food and wine companies on building their brands. For more than a decade she developed and ran some of nation’s most influential food and beverage industry programs including The James Beard Foundation Awards and New York Restaurant Week. Her second book, “Fearless Fabulous You! Lessons on Living Life on Your Terms” will be released in November.
The River Road African American Museum in Donaldsonville was recognized as Louisiana Museum of the Year by the Louisiana Association of Museums. The conference was held on April 28 in Nachitoches. The award recognizes a museum that has demonstrated a commitment On May 17, students and parents from the Springhill Avenue Temple to its community through outstanding, professionally conceived, and religious school in Mobile embarked on their annual visit to New executed programming. The museum includes the Central Agricultural Orleans’ Jewish community, including a stop at Touro Synagogue Schoolhouse, one of just a couple of remaining Rosenwald School (above). buildings in the state.
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Chosen Weekend in Austin: Jewish young adults from throughout the region will converge on Austin the weekend of July 25 for The Chosen Weekend. Co-founder and co-chair Samantha Tugentman said “We founded The Chosen We e k e n d as a way for Jewish young professionals from all across the South and Southwest to meet, share ideas, and network. It is a completely unaffiliated event where you don’t have to be a specific “type” of Jew — just a place to have fun, socialize, and meet people.” Aimed at ages 22 to 40, the weekend begins with an all-you-can-eat fajita buffet, challah and margaritas to bring in Shabbat. An after-party continues at a Donn’s Depot Piano Bar and Saloon. A Saturday afternoon pool party will be followed by a “Party of 8 Dinner” where participants are matched with seven others who have similar interests. The Chosen Night Party begins at 9:30 p.m. at the Majestic Music Hall, with open bar, dancing and networking. A brunch concludes the weekend, starting at 11:30 a.m. on July 27 at the Cedar Door, home of the original Mexican martini. Travel and ticket information are available on the website, chosenweekend.splashthat. com. Planning representatives were organizing delegations from Austin, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, and New Orleans representatives were being recruited. Tugentman said they were proud of the inaugural weekend’s success last year. “I hope that The Chosen Weekend will become a great summer tradition for years to come that will allow our generation to mix and mingle while enjoying a few days in our wonderful city of Austin!”
Southern Jewish Life
New way to conexx: At the annual Eagle Star Awards Gala in Atlanta on June 11, the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce announced that it will now be called conexx: America Israel Business Connector. “We hope that our new branding adequately reflects our unique ability to connect U.S. companies with Israeli innovation and create the environment that supports communities of opportunity in both Israel and the Southeast” said Shai Robkin, president and CEO. “With our new branding, we look to more effectively communicate with the largest possible business audience that conexx is a smart, trusted, serious, compelling, multi-dimensional and results oriented organization.” Chairman Joel Neuman said the goal is to “establish a clearer message about who we are and what we do; expand awareness and engagement; build deeper relationships and attract strategic, sustaining partners and create a brand that reflects the goal of being the “go-to” address for Americans and Israelis looking to do business with each other.” Established in 1992, conexx builds business relationships between Israeli companies and Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Mississippi.
Homecoming for new Jacobs Camp director Dothan native grew up and got married there Anna Blumenfeld Herman is heading to the Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Utica at the beginning of July to start her transition to becoming the new camp director. There won’t be any need for someone to show her around. The Dothan native is coming “home” to take the reins of the camp in Mississippi that she first attended as a rising sixth grader. Coming from such a small community, “I had never seen so many Jewish kids in one place.” She instantly fell in love with the camp, the programs and activities. Over the years, “the camp gave me so much. It gave me my best friend and ultimately it gave me my husband.” Herman knew Jacobs “would always be my home, my kids would go there, my friends’ kids would go there… I never imagined I’d be the director.” But when she looked back on her career path, it seemed to lead her to this point. The announcement of her hiring was made by the Jacobs Camp committee on May 19. Since the camp’s initial summer in 1970 under the leadership of Rabbi Sol Kaplan, there have been only two directors — Macy Hart, from Winona, Miss., and Jonathan Cohen, from Tupelo. Herman continues the trend of Jacobs directors coming from small Southern communities, and Cohen also grew up as a Jacobs camper. Herman was a camper, counselor and unit head, then became assistant director in 2000 after graduating from the University of Alabama. After three years she became a congregational youth director, then was assistant director of the Union for Reform Judaism’s meetings and conventions department. In 2010 she became assistant director of business operations for URJ Camps and Israel programs, which oversees the 14 Reform movement summer camps. Though she worked in New York, she remained committed to Jacobs Camp, serving as camp development committee chair. Also, she noted “it was never any great sacrifice visiting Jacobs” from the New York office. It was during one of those visits three years ago that she met Nadav Herman, an Israeli who had started working at Jacobs the summer after she left. That particular summer he was the adventure director. “When we got engaged we knew there was no other place than camp to get married,” she explained. Last Oct. 23, their wedding was held at the outdoor chapel by Lake Gary. She noted that her husband’s family in Israel had heard about
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of all 14 camps she has developed a network of contacts and best practices. She also noted the “incredible lay leadership” at Jacobs. Herman “will spend this summer learning from J.C. and our Senior Assistant Director Gary Brandt, who are both outstanding resources, examples, and role models for Jacobs’ future,” said Jacobs Camp Committee Chair Danny Mansberg of Memphis. “This will ensure a smooth transition for Anna, who is sure to bring her own energy and ideas to the camp community. We look forward to welcoming her home with open arms.” She spent June transitioning from her current position, starting at Jacobs on July 1. She is thrilled to spend a month and a half with Cohen, “my mentor and friend,” and with Brandt during this summer’s camp sessions. Cohen is retiring from the camp after 14 seasons. He and his wife, Rabbi Valerie Cohen, are moving to Worcester, Mass., where she will become rabbi of Temple Emanuel Sinai. Rabbi Rick Jacobs, URJ president, said “We are deeply grateful for J.C.’s vision and leadership and wish the Cohen family well on their journey. In the months ahead, we look forward to honoring and celebrating J.C. and his accomplishments as the director of Jacobs Camp.” On August 9 there will be farewell event at the camp. Herman hopes many members of the camp family attend to give thanks to Cohen. Upon her return to the South, Herman will reconnect with friends from the past and meet the newer camp families, and this fall plans a “real Southern road tour… so I can meet as many of our people as possible.” “I have a lot of listening to do,” she said, “and I want to get down there and get started.”
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New exhibit at Israel Museum has New Orleans origin
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The Israel Museum in Jerusalem just opened a major exhibit of Japanese screen art, and it’s a story from New Orleans. “Unfolding Worlds: Japanese Screens from the Gitter-Yelen Collection” opened on June 7 and will be displayed through the end of November. The 18 screens reflect the range of topics covered by Japanese artists, as well as the cultural attitudes and ideals from the 18th to 20th centuries. The screens come from the collection of Kurt Gitter, a New Orleans ophthalmologist and retinal surgeon, and his wife Alice Yelen Gitter. In 1997 they founded the Gitter-Yelen Foundation for the study and preservation of Japanese art and American self-taught art. Over 100 scholars from around the world have visited the Gitter-Yelen Study Center to conduct first-hand research on paintings, sculpture, and ceramics in the collection. Selections from the collection are displayed in quarterly rotating exhibitions at the New Orleans Museum of Art, and over the last 30 years works have been donated and displayed at museums world-wide. Gitter was born in Vienna in 1937. His first birthday was the Anschluss, when Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany. Nine months later, he and his parents left Vienna and made their way to the United States. Many close relatives did not leave and were lost in the Holocaust. Gitter’s interest in art developed at an early age. While in medical school in New York, “I didn’t have any money but I went to all the galleries” to exercise that passion. After graduating from medical school, he was drafted by the Air Force. Yelen explained that the military needed doctors, and Gitter was sent to Kyushu, Japan. If you lived off-base, she said, it was just a two year commitment. While in Japan, Gitter “fell in love with Japan, the country, the food, the environment.” He grew up on concrete streets, and now he was “in a rice village in the country.” Fifty years ago, when he started collecting the Japanese paintings, “things were not terribly expensive.” Now, he added, “they are very expensive — and I’m still collecting.” He started by focusing on Japanese Edo period painters from the 16th to 19th centuries, an area that was not widely collected. As the collection grew and he developed his successful medical practice in New Orleans, he started lending and then donating works to the New Orleans Museum of Art, helping develop its Asian art collection. Yelen, who is currently the senior curator of collections research at NOMA, said Gitter “got Japanese art on the map” at the New Orleans museum. By the mid-1980s, Gitter was a trustee of NOMA and on the board
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of other arts institutions across the country. He met Yelen, who at the time was assistant to the director at NOMA. She had studied Japanese art and history at Columbia University. They soon married and the collection continued to grow — and took an additional direction. In 1988 the museum had a show of works by New Orleans native Sister Gertrude Morgan. They were profoundly affected by the self-taught artist, and when the largest collection of her works — 50 pieces — became available, they bought it. From that start, they embarked on road trips to find other self-taught artists throughout the South, as most of them were still relatively unknown. They acquired works by Thornton Dial, Mose Tolliver, Charlie Lucas, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, Clementine Hunter and Mary T. Smith. Yelen wrote “Passionate Visions of the American South,” chronicling many of those artists. For them, a major attraction to collecting self-taught art is also the relationship and friendship they develop with the artists. Douglas Hyland, who was director of the Birmingham Museum of Art, approached them about doing an exhibit from their self-taught art collection. Gail Trechsel organized the 1996 exhibit, “Pictured in My Mind: Contemporary American Self-Taught Art.” Yelen noted that while the Gitter-Yelen Foundation promotes scholarship in the field, the individual museums organize the exhibitions and produce catalogs. The Japanese art has been displayed in Australia — and in Japan. Having an exhibition in Japan was “quite an honor, because they have plenty of Japanese art in Japan and they don’t need to bring it in” from another country, she said. On April 3, Gitter was given the Distinguished Service Award from the United States-Japan Foundation in Washington. The award was established in 2005 to honor American and Japanese individuals for their lifetime commitment to promoting friendship and understanding between the peoples of the United States and Japan. Gitter is the first recipient who was not a “major political or business figure.” Several past recipients were ambassadors, including Walter Mondale, or chairmen of major international corporations. The foundation recognized Gitter for “his extraordinary contributions to American appreciation of Japanese culture by facilitating exhibitions, publications, and scholarly research through his Japanese art collection.” Gitter has been a member of the board of directors of the New Orleans Museum of Art for the past three decades, and he has also served on the boards of Johns Hopkins University, the Freer and Sackler Galleries of Asian Art at the Smithsonian Institution, and the visiting committee of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Gitter and Yelen have always had an interest in Israel. Gitter has a sister in Jerusalem, and through the years they have given paintings to the Israel Museum. After organizers at the museum saw a publication from a previous exhibition of the Japanese screens, “they came to us and asked to do an exhibition.” They want to help develop the field of Japanese art in the Middle East. Yelen said “they do have some budding scholars there now,” and through this exhibit the museum will bring some major Japanese art scholars to meet with the young Israeli scholars. A major international symposium on Japanese art will be held in conjunction with the exhibit, on Oct. 20 and 21. The curator, Miriam Malachi, is writing a catalog for the exhibition. “The screens make sense to an Israeli audience,” Yelen said. The screens have a large-scale format that is “distinctive to Japanese art” and it resonates with Israeli audiences “that are familiar with largescale contemporary painting.” The opening reception was held on June 6. The exhibit will be displayed through Nov. 27 at the Ayala Zacks Abramov Pavilion for Israel Art.
Auburn-area ministry rethinks billboard with Hitler quote The founder of Life-Savers Ministries said his intention was “entirely honorable” in putting up a billboard by Village Mall in Auburn that had a quote from Adolf Hitler. The billboard, which had a multi-racial photo of five smiling children on one side, had Hitler’s quote “He Alone, Who Owns The Youth, Gains The Future,” and it was attributed to Hitler in red letters. Below Hitler’s quote is a verse from Proverbs, “Train Up A Child In The Way He Should Go, Even When He Is Old He Will Not Depart From It.” There was no other identifier on the billboard. The billboard went up on May 30; it was covered by billboard company Lamar Advertising on June 3 at the ministry’s request after controversy erupted over the weekend. James Anderegg told the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer that the ministry “never intended to cause confusion… Herbert Hoover would have been a far better one to quote when he said ‘Children are our most valuable resource’.” Anderegg told Southern Jewish Life that he is “a quote fanatic” and “had an enormous amount of quotes to pull from.” The ministry’s website has such quotes — though not the Hitler one — on each page. He said that “through prayer and counsel it was decided that the Hitler quote would be used” on the billboard. He explained that “In all of the quotes I have collected there were many who were not ‘good’ in the eyes of many and of various religions and whom I certainly do not agree with; although there is truth as is the case with this quote.” His intent was “was to bring attention to the plight of our children and youth and it indeed did get attention. I could have used quotes from Mother Teresa and would have caused the same amount of curiosity I am sure.” The ministry was founded in October 1996 in Opelika’s Hardaway housing projects. Today the ministry runs six buses to a facility where hundreds of youth are brought from “20 different rough and tough locations throughout Opelika and Auburn.” Anderegg said “this is where I came from as a child.” His passion is “reaching children and youth for Christ, sharing of His great love for them and encouraging them of the greatness that our Lord has placed in each of them.” Phyllis Weinstein, who chairs the Alabama Holocaust Commission and the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center, wondered how it could be possible for a ministry to use a quote from Hitler. The incident “alerts us to the fact that there is much ignorance about World War II, the Holocaust and Adolf Hitler,” she said. “We have to be more diligent in our Holocaust education training.” Anderegg noted one of his “most favorite quotes” is from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” Bonhoeffer was an anti-Nazi Lutheran pastor who was executed in a Nazi concentration camp.
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NOLA area now has local mohel For those in New Orleans who like to “stay local,” there is now a local option for a major Jewish life cycle celebration. For the first time in decades, the community has a trained mohel. Rabbi Mendel Ceitlin recently returned from Israel where he achieved certification in ritual circumcision. Previously, those who wanted a religious circumcision for their sons had to bring in a mohel from Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Memphis or south Florida. Having someone local is a huge benefit, Ceitlin said. It can be complicated to bring someone in from out of town. “You’re paying for a ticket and you don’t have three months in advance” to plan for it because the ceremony is on the eighth day after birth, he noted. If the birth occurs leading up to an event like Jazzfest, “you’re paying $800 for a ticket, if you can find one.” Mohels generally prefer not to stay overnight, which is necessary if the bris falls on Shabbat or a holiday. A few years ago, a family had a very difficult time finding someone to do a Saturday bris when that Sunday and Monday were also the holy days of Shavuot. That necessitated a four-day commitment at a time when mohels prefer to be with family. Though most mohels are accessible by phone, there is also the peace of mind for parents that if something happens, the mohel is close by, he said. To achieve his dream and to fill the local void, Ceitlin and the Chabad Center in Metairie held a fundraising campaign to send him to Israel for formal training. For Ceitlin, being a mohel is a family tradition. His father is a practicing mohel in Toronto; his grandfather and great-grandfather were all mohels. On his mother’s side, another great-grandfather was a mohel in Stalinist Russia who became immortalized in song. Yom Tov Ehrlich composed a song that is performed by Avraham Fried, “Bris in Moscow,” about Rabbi Betzalel the Mohel. Late one night, Betzalel was arrested at his home by the KGB and the instruments used for a bris confiscated. He was blindfolded and led to a basement where, once his blindfold was removed, he saw a room full of Jews and a mezuzah on the door. The KGB agent was of Jewish origin, and his father had insisted that the grandson have a bris. A KGB agent could not be seen arranging that, so he staged the arrest for appearance sake, then when the bris was concluded Betzalel was released. From an early age, Ceitlin had an appreciation for the mitzvah of brit milah. He would accompany his father and at the age of 8 or 9 would hold the briefcase. “Then I got a little older and he was giving me the gauze and the wine.” His father would explain the procedure, what to do about certain complications. In all, he saw several hundred procedures while he was growing up. 16
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Since arriving in New Orleans three years ago, he would often tend to babies after a bris. Ceitlin could have undergone formal training from his father, but a mohel in Toronto generally does one or two per week. In Israel, a mohel performs perhaps half a dozen each day. Despite observing a thousand ceremonies, “you can’t compare a hands-on bris to watching,” he said. He studied with Rabbi Ya’akov Shechter, one of Israel’s premier mohels. In the one-on-one program he practiced “hundreds of times” on a dummy, cutting correctly and putting the bandages on properly. “There’s about eight steps in a bris,” he said. As he accompanied Shechter, he would be given a couple of steps at a time. Finally, at a bris in Ra’anana, Shechter told him he would be doing the ceremony and asked the parents for permission. “I didn’t think I would be so overwhelmed,” he said. “It was, wow, I just did my first bris.” A couple of hours later, he called his father, who asked him “are you back to yourself?” “It took me time,” he noted. Before coming back from Israel, he performed 40 to 50 ceremonies. They spent every day going from bris to bris. He said it was amazing to see the different communities in Israel, going from very religious communities to secular gatherings. “Pretty much everyone is doing a bris,” he said, and it’s the same ceremony whether in Tel Aviv or the ultra-religious B’nei Brak. “A bris is not just another mitzvah,” he said. “Putting on tefillin, either I do or I don’t. If I don’t, I haven’t done this mitzvah today. But a bris is my identity, who I am.” In addition to the New Orleans area, Ceitlin plans to make his services available in the rest of Louisiana, southern Mississippi and Alabama. “A mohel is always available,” he said. Two in the morning, call and don’t worry, he said. But his father advised him “they never call, there’s never issues. But if G-d forbid there is an issue, the mohel is there.” Rabbi Ceitlin can be reached at (347) 3516476 or mohelnola@gmail.com.
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Israeli-style truck stops in Mobile in reality show competition Mobile had an Israeli-style Middle Feast in June, then everyone will be able to watch it on television in a few months. Three food trucks arrived in the city in late May as part of Food Network’s reality competition “The Great Food Truck Race.” Eight trucks began the show’s fifth season in Los Angeles, and at each stop they have to determine the best location to set up. The truck with the lowest sales is eliminated. The winner receives $50,000 and a new food truck. Naturally, Tomy Marudi hopes his truck, The Middle Feast, is the last one standing. Marudi’s truck specializes in Israeli-American fusion cuisine. Joining him in the truck were his sister, Hila Marudi, and his best friend, Arkadi Kluger. On May 28, they traveled 15 hours from Saint Louis, their previous stop. There, they had set up outside a brewery and Ballpark Village, competing with the Lone Star Chuckwagon, Let There Be Bacon and the Beach Cruiser. Evidently the Beach Cruiser was eliminated, for they were nowhere to be found in Mobile. Marudi noted that it was a slow trip to Mobile, because the trucks really aren’t built to travel long distances, and they had to keep under 60 miles an hour. In Mobile, the trucks were scheduled to compete from about noon to 8 or 9 p.m. both days. They scouted out locations on May 30, then plastered their Facebook and Twitter accounts with the information. But, he said, “this game is crazy and it can change all the time.” That it did. Late in the afternoon on May 31, host Tyler Florence came by the truck to tell the competitors that Mobile is a big Sunday brunch town, they would be opening their trucks earlier the next day and coming up with brunch items to add to their menus. The Middle Feast announced its location will be on Dauphin Street downtown, between Joachim and Jackson Streets. That was a popular choice as all three trucks were within a block of each other. Born in Los Angeles, Marudi has been interested in cooking from a “very young” age. When he wanted to quit school, his uncle told him that if he did, he would have to go to work. He started as a dishwasher in his uncle’s Tel Aviv restaurant and “slowly worked up.” His culinary experience is “life experience, and I love it.” At age 21 he returned to Los Angeles and started working at Aroma Bakery and Café. He displayed a talent for reinventing dishes, and
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eventually opened his own kosher establishment, Paprika Grill, which was recognized by Los Angeles Magazine as having the best Israeli breakfast in the city. Currently, he works at Toast Café, a kosher dairy restaurant in Sherman Oaks. Two years ago, his wife sent in an application for the show, and a couple of months ago “they called and said they were very interested, and asked us to send a bunch of information and video.” Marudi said the competitors are food truck rookies. With his background “I knew how to cook, but this is my first experience with food trucks.” At first “I just wanted to be on the show,” but he has discovered “how cool it is” to run a food truck, “and how profitable it is.” He noted that it is very hard “but very satisfying.” Now, “I’m bringing my flavors to the streets.” He serves authentic Israeli street food with regional twists, like spicy Moroccan fish tacos. The truck also serves chicken shwarma and “Israeli Nachos” with Israeli salsa and feta cheese. After starting in Santa Monica, the trucks traveled to Tucson, Austin, Oklahoma City and St. Louis. The teams are free to do their own publicity, and the eliminated trucks do not continue on as decoys. The only rule, Marudi said, is that he cannot say the name of the show, nor what network it is on — but everyone else can. Tyler Florence hosts the show. When Middle Feast left St. Louis, they did not know which of the other trucks had been eliminated, nor did they know their next destination until after finishing in the current city. The St. Louis Jewish Light reported that several synagogues there offered their parking lot for the team, but sustained foot traffic for the whole weekend is the key to success — and the truck isn’t kosher. It’s just as well, because the kosher chef ’s truck was next to the bacon truck in Mobile all weekend. On the way to town, Marudi checked with the Mobile Area Jewish Federation to get suggestions about where would be best to set up in the “other” L.A. — Lower Alabama. This was his first time in the Deep South, he said. Rita Whitlock and a group from the local Jewish community helped steer crowds toward the Middle Feast. Despite a late afternoon downpour on May 31, there was a huge line. At one point, the truck ran out of food and had to make a supply run. Marudi explained that the trucks are given a certain amount of money to start the day with, and that is part of the game. With only three trucks remaining in the competition, Marudi said “the game is on.” After Mobile, they headed to Tampa for the next round, but were told at the last minute that they would be competing in Naples, Fla., then finish in Key West on June 9. In past seasons, the show’s seven-episode run has premiered in mid-August on Food Network. Until then, Marudi can’t say who won. Rita Whitlock helps steer customers to the Middle Feast
Revisiting a controversial 1963 visit to Birmingham Editor’s Note: In May 2013, as part of our “Not Just Black and White” series on the 50th anniversary of civil rights events in Birmingham, we ran a piece about a surprise visit in May 1963 by 19 Conservative rabbis, eager to make a stand against segregation. We recently received this response from one of those rabbis, who was regarded as one of the leaders of the group. Rabbi Richard Rubenstein is the Robert Lawton Distinguished Professor of Religion Emeritus at Florida State University, and president emeritus of the University of Bridgeport. By Rabbi Richard Rubenstein Recently, I read with great interest the article “Bearing witness: A controversial 1963 trip to Birmingham by 19 rabbis.” I was one of the 19 rabbis. In the article, I was described as “the apparent leader” and “stubborn to the extent of being offensive. He talked down to us and challenged us and indicated that they came to make a change, with or without us.” A half a century later, I am embarrassed to read this description precisely because it is an accurate description of my initial reaction to Birmingham’s Jewish leadership at the time. My personal journey to Birmingham began in Berlin the week of Sunday, August 13, 1961, the week of the border closing between East and West Germany. I came to Berlin from Holland on Tuesday, August 15, 1961, as the guest of the Bundespresseamt, the Press and Information Office of the West German Federal Republic, and remained in Berlin for several days. In the very tense, near-wartime atmosphere of divided Berlin, I made several visits to East Berlin where I found the East German Volkspolizei genuinely frightening. While in Berlin, I interviewed a number of German political and religious leaders and was present when Willy Brandt, then mayor of West Berlin, addressed a crowd that may have numbered as many as 250,000. The people at that gathering were fearful that it could all end in a nuclear apocalypse. In May 1963, I mistakenly saw the troubled city of Birmingham as not unlike troubled Berlin. I also saw the Alabama State Highway Patrol and Commissioner of Public Safety Eugene “Bull” Connor as American counterparts of the East German Volkspolizei. When I preached, as our group’s representative, at Birmingham’s Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, I likened Birmingham to East Berlin. That sermon may have been oratorically effective but it was politically inaccurate and, I believe, hurtful. Birmingham was not East Berlin, although I believe it could have become somewhat like it had the civil rights movement been defeated. I had mixed motives for coming to Birmingham. I was genuinely convinced that segregation had to end and that Dr. Martin Luther King Photos courtesy Rabbi Richard Rubenstein deserved my support, but I Rev. Martin Luther King talks with the was also a writer who wanted rabbis in a motel room in 1963 a story. I had learned a great
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deal about contemporary Germany by being on the spot in a crisis area. I thought 19 rabbis coming to Birmingham would make a good story. As noted above, my initial response to Rabbi Grafman and the leaders of Birmingham’s Jewish community bordered on arrogance. In addition to rabbinic ordination, at the time, I was a recently-minted Harvard Ph.D. with a Master of Theology degree from the Harvard Divinity School. I mistakenly thought I knew more than the local leadership. In reality, the local Jewish leadership understood the situation far better than we. Moreover, we were entering a potentially dangerous situation with no strategic plan. I was deeply shocked recently to learn from the Southern Jewish Life article cited above that the A. G. Gaston Motel, the black motel where we lodged, was destroyed by a bomb on May 11, two days after our departure. I was 39 at the time. I am now 90. I shudder to think of what might have happened to me and my young children had we been in the motel when the bomb exploded. Truth to tell, we were acting on impulse and out of ignorance. Had we contacted Rabbi Grafman and the local leadership, I have no doubt that they would have told us not to come. That was a message we didn’t want to hear from the men and women who had to live with and manage a complex and inflammatory situation on a daily basis. In the Southern Jewish Life article, I am also described as apologizing when I gave a lecture in Birmingham in 1973. That is correct, but I knew almost immediately that, although many regarded us as heroes when we returned home, the real heroes were the local Jewish leadership and I said as much less than three weeks later in an article, “The Rabbis Visit Birmingham” (The Reconstructionist, May 31, 1963). I wrote: “Without revealing confidential information, I can honestly write that the leadership of the Jewish community proceeded to act with great dignity and in a way that no Jew could be ashamed of.” I was also in Montgomery with 600 northern university students in May 1965. The Alabama Highway Patrol beat up some of the students. All three national TV networks were there and LIFE published four pages of photos of the incident. When the 135 students from Pittsburgh returned home, I accused SNCC, the Student Non-Violence Coordinating Committee, of deliberately provoking the incident. Years later a black professor admitted as much. He said to me, “So what, if Suzy Creamcheese from Radcliffe gets killed in the struggle.” My public stand did not please liberals, either at the local universities or in the Jewish
Southern Jewish Life
Above, the rabbis en route to Birmingham in 1963. Below, a 1965 demonstration in Montgomery.
community. I would like to conclude on a romantic note. As a result of going to Birmingham, I met my bride of 46 years, Dr. Betty Rogers Rubenstein, a Smith College graduate and an art historian, who passed away in 2013. I was at the University of Chicago for a conference the weekend of Nov. 10, 1963. Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf invited me to come to suburban Winnetka for a benefit for the Congress of Racial Equality. When I arrived, I was asked to speak about my visit to Birmingham and Dr. Martin Luther King a few months earlier. Betty was the hostess and the benefit was at her home. Both she and I had recently been divorced. My talk disappointed some of the audience because I spoke of the complexities of the situation, but not Betty. She later told me that, as I spoke, she said to herself, “That’s the man for me!” She had been to Albany, Ga., in August 1962 with a group of black and white clergy from the greater Chicago area. Dr. King had met with them and she saw the same complexities as did I. She also wrote about her experience in The Reconstructionist, “Notes from the American Revolution — 1962.” After my talk, Rabbi Wolf invited us to dinner. Betty and I talked for hours. I was smitten. Three years later we were married. Had I not gone to Birmingham, there was almost no chance that Betty and I, living respectively in Winnetka and Pittsburgh, would ever have met.
Women’s Health
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New research may explain shorter fertility window Clearly, couples struggling with infertility have benefited dramatically from the many great advances in fertility care. The proportion of couples with a variety of causes that will ultimately bear a healthy child has increased steadily. Yet, reproductive longevity for women remains poorly understood and a frustratingly common cause of infertility. Like most fields of science, progress comes from many directions. Barry Ripps and a team of researchers may have discovered a new link to help couples avoid such anguish. Ripps is a reproductive endocrinologist, the subspecialty of OB-GYN that addresses infertility. In an additional role, he is a professor with Florida State University College of Medicine as well as director of the OB-GYN Residency Research Program. Working with a physician training in OB-GYN and other specialists, a study revealed a previously unrecognized relationship between the common disorder endometriosis and early decline in a woman’s fertility. The findings were published as an abstract at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine annual conference in Boston last October. Fertility does not remain steady for women throughout their lives. Instead, women are most fertile as teenagers and progressively less so until menopause around age 50. This phenomenon occurs as the quality and number of remaining eggs gradually declines. This concept is called “Ovarian Reserve” and can be measured indirectly by hormone levels and ultrasound. Accordingly, what is obvious to most people is that younger women conceive faster than older women. All things being equal, age increases the time required to conceive. This latest research was newsworthy because women who were having trouble conceiving were found to have prematurely low ovarian reserve if they also suffered from endometriosis. While endometriosis itself was known to lengthen the time required to conceive, the mechanism was not well understood. The conclusions from Ripps’ presentation were clear — for women who are suspected or known to have endometriosis, their biological clocks may be running faster, thus leaving less time than usual for conception. From the perspective of the fertility specialist, these patients may need to move more quickly than others to the most effective treatment options. Future research might find the link and offer a way to prevent the decline. Ripps is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, and director of New Leaders In Fertility and Endocrinology, a practice located along the Florida and Alabama Coasts. He is also a member of the area Jewish communities. Learn more at: www.FertilityLeaders.com
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Tips to take care of your skin in the Summer Heat By Dr. Zoey Glick Total Skin and Beauty Dermatology Summer is upon us again and rising temperatures can make “Total” skin care more difficult. Here are a few suggestions from the Total Skin and Beauty team to keep your skin healthy during the summer heat. The first and most important thing is to protect your skin from sun damage. The best sunscreens are broad spectrum and provide UVA and UVB coverage. It is important to get in the habit of putting on sunscreen every morning. A few examples of cosmetically elegant face sunscreen are ELTA MD UV Facial, ELTA MD UV Clear, ELTA MD UV Daily, Obagi Sun Shield, Revision Intellishade and La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid. A few examples of body sunscreens are ELTA MD UV Sport,
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Women’s Health ELTA MD UV Shield, ELTA MD UV Aero and La Roche-Posay Cooling Water Lotion. Throughout the day it can be difficult to reapply face sunscreen without running your makeup. One helpful solution is La Bella Donna Translucent Sun Protection powder, available for both women and men, so that you can keep your makeup flawless and your skin protected all day long. ELTA MD also has a UV Lip Balm that will shield your lips from sun damage and keep them moisturized. Another part of summer heat is dealing with sweat. OC8 Professional Mattifying gel can help decrease redness and oil on the face for up to eight hours. For underarm sweating, Hydrosal gel can help decrease sweat and odor for multiple days. Neurotoxins (i.e. Botox) can also help with excessive sweating on the armpits, palms, soles and scalp. Finally, La Roche-Posay Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water Spray can help keep you refreshed and cool while you are out and about. These are just a few tips to care for your skin during the summer heat. Feel free to contact the Total Skin and Beauty main office (205) 9330987 or the Total Skin and Beauty Cosmetic Center at (205) 380-6123 with any additional questions.
New options for skin anti-aging, hair growth, fat removal By Lee J. Green
Gifts For All Your Simchas
3168 Heights Village, Cahaba Heights Between Sexton Seafood and Regions Bank
205-970-2077 • www.alittlesomethingbham.com 22
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New procedures and products have enabled Birmingham’s Rousso Facial Plastic Surgery Clinic and Aesthetic Medical Spa to help women reverse the signs of aging — thicken hair on the scalp, promote healthier, smoother skin, and soon, remove unwanted fat without surgery. Daniel Rousso said one of the new treatments is Ulthera. This technique employs a similar technology to the ultrasound used during pregnancy. The difference is that this ultrasound is focused into a fine point under the skin, causing a coagulation effect building collagen under the skin. “It does a great job at tightening the skin. There is no surgery involved with this and just one treatment in one visit is all that is needed. The full effects can take three to six months to appear, but can last for years,” said Rousso. Another new procedure available at Rousso is Dermapen. A motorized device employs small needles that move in a rapid fashion up and down similar to a sewing machine, with those needles gently and barely going into the skin. It requires a few treatments. “It stimulates collagen production. It is ideal for wrinkles and the early signs of sun damage,” said Rousso. “It is minimally invasive and there is no bruising. Like with Ulthera, women can put make-up on immediately after the procedure(s) are finished.” For those who want to build more skin volume in the face, Voluma is a newer product to the market. It builds up the cheeks better than most fillers and can last up to two years. Though more men than women come to see Rousso for the new, effective Neograft hair treatment — hair grafts are harvested and placed where someone wants more hair to grow — he still sees his share of female patients getting the procedure done. “Many women experience at least some level of female pattern hair loss when they get older. Sometimes it starts after pregnancy, sometimes it might be hereditary,” he said. “It is more prevalent than people might realize, but there is an easy solution.” On the horizon, Rousso said that a new medicine will be available that eliminates fat pads under the chin and “heavy neck.” It takes two or three treatments. “Up until now, the only way to remove that unwanted fat in hard-to-lose places would be through surgery,” he said. “It will be between six to 12 months until this is out, but it will be something totally new that will offer an effective, non-surgical option.”
Is Your Infant a Safe Sleeper? By Jill Serpas In Louisiana, approximately 80 babies die each year from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which is the broad medical term for sudden, unexplained deaths of infants before their first birthdays. SIDS occurs when otherwise healthy babies die in their sleep for no apparent reason. These deaths are often related to an unsafe sleep environment, and all new mothers as well as their families need to understand the importance of placing infants in a safe sleeping environment to reduce the risk of SIDS. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals’ Bureau of Family Health has launched a Safe Sleep Champion Initiative to encourage hospitals to play an active role in educating families about safe infant sleep. Touro Infirmary recently completed the requirements, making the hospital a “Safe Sleep Champion.” As a Safe Sleep Champion, Touro is prioritizing educating all new mothers and families on recommendations made by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2011 regarding Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, along with other sleep related infant deaths. What is a Safe Sleep Environment? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends several actions related to creating a safe sleep environment for infants. AAP’s Recommendations include: • Placing the baby on his or her back to sleep for every sleep • Using a firm sleep surface • Sharing the room, but not the bed • Keeping soft objects and loose objects out of the crib
Named “Best Fertility Practice in Florida” and Top 5% Nationwide by FindTheBest.com
Sleeping Position: The supine sleep position (sleeping on back or face-up) is recommended for infants to reduce the risk of SIDS. Side sleeping is not safe and is not advised. Once an infant can roll from the supine to prone (face down) and from the prone to supine position, the infant can be allowed to remain in the sleep position that he or she assumes. Supervised, awake tummy time on a daily basis can promote motor development and minimize the risk of positional plagiocephaly, or the development of a flat spot on the back of the head.
“…go forth and multiply”
Bedding: Avoid placing loose and potentially hazardous items such as pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins or other soft surfaces under the infant or loose in the sleep environment. Wedges and positioning devices, as well as bumper pads and similar products, are not recommended. Jill Serpas, RNC-OB, BS, is a Clinical Nurse Educator in Touro’s Family Birthing Center. She earned her RN certification in Inpatient Obstetrics in 1993 and has practiced nursing for more than 25 years.
But if performing this mitzvah is taking too long, call the baby mavens at NewLIFE
Hadassah promotes heart awareness On June 22, New Orleans Hadassah had a panel discussion as part of the national Every Beat Counts initiative. Hadassah’s Heart Health program seeks to raise awareness that heart disease is the number one killer of women, and a woman is 10 times more likely to die of a heart attack than breast cancer. Also, 24 percent of men who have heart attacks die within a year, but 42 percent of women do. Often, women do not experience the chest pressure associated with a heart attack. Instead, symptoms include shortness of breath, pressure or pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, upper back pressure or extreme fatigue.
Since 1994, providing lower-cost and patient-friendly fertility care while relaxing at the beach Barry A. Ripps, MD Board Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
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Trust
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Osteoarthritis affects millions of people every year. It is a progressive, degenerative disease that leads to loss of function and lowers quality of life. It affects men and women nearly equally; however men are more likely to seek treatment than women. Additionally, women also tend to delay surgical intervention longer than men. Joint surgeons continue to look at novel approaches to knee surgery to expedite recovery, minimize complications and improve long term patient satisfaction. Outpatient partial knee replacement surgery continues to gain popularity. The concept of replacing just the inner compartment while leaving the other two compartments untouched dates back to the 1970s. However, it took nearly three decades for the science and technology to catch up in making this concept a reality. Today inner (medial) compartment replacement is a highly successful procedure done for thousands of patients across the globe, provided it is done for the properly selected patient. “This procedure is ideal for the active patient with pain mostly involving the medial (inner) part of the knee joint. It allows the patient to return rapidly to activities of daily living often without the need for extensive physical therapy,” said Herrick J. Siegel, a total joint specialist at the
University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center. One of the most advanced partial knee replacement implants is the Oxford unicompartmental knee microplasty. Following strict adherence to the clinical indications, this mobile-bearing Oxford microplasty device has shown 90 percent survivorship at 20 years and good-to-excellent clinical results after 10 years. The addition of small incision surgery to the Oxford technique along with rapid recovery protocols has resulted in quicker functional recovery with less morbidity and mortality, thus making the procedure truly minimally invasive compared with total knee replacement. The advantages of partial knee microplasty compared to total knee replacement includes: preservation of bone stock, more-normal joint motion, better sensory feedback with preservation of all of the knee ligaments, smaller incisions, less pain and less scarring. “Most of our patients are able to go home the same day as the surgical procedure, or the next day,” said Siegel. Patients can return to driving almost immediately and return to work in 2 to 3 weeks. “This more rapid recovery option is appealing to women who are unable to have a prolonged recovery and live a very active lifestyle.” For more information regarding the procedure, patients may call UAB Orthopedics at (205) 930 8339 for a consultation.
FDA approves new incontinence products By Lee J. Green Margie Kahn, the Section Head of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at Tulane Medical Center, notes several recent advances in treating incontinence. Kahn said one of the most recent FDA approvals was for Interstim, a Medtronic pacemaker-like device that was previously only approved for urinary incontinence and retention. Now approved for fecal incontinence (accidental bowel leakage), the device is implanted over the sacrum to stimulate the nerves controlling bowel function. Solesta, an anal bulking agent, was also approved last year for the same indication. Botox gained FDA approval for treatment of overactive bladder. “It relaxes the muscles of the bladder thereby increasing its capacity. Previously, Botox was approved only for treatment of overactive bladder associated with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis,” said Kahn. She said for those experiencing more minor incontinence issues or who want to be proactive, Kegel exercises and pelvic floor physical therapy are recommended. Since obesity is related to urinary incontinence, she also recommends that patients maintain a healthy weight. Kahn said some patients have come in asking about the television commercials promoting at24
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torneys who are attempting litigation for those whose “malfunctioning” pelvic and vaginal meshes that have led to other medical conditions. “We can educate patients on what is best for them and clear up any misconceptions that might be out there,” she said. “I was trained and operated during the pre-mesh era. For the most part, the incontinence operations, although very successful, were more invasive with longer recovery times. I still perform them for specific indications. Synthetic meshes used to treat pelvic organ prolapse have a higher incidence of serious complications as compared with those used for urinary incontinence.” “We have an experienced and sensitive team that understands most women are embarrassed to bring up these problems, and because of that, many might have ignored the problems unnecessarily,” said Kahn, who is also Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics, Gynecology and Urology at Tulane’s School of Medicine. “We offer a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Most importantly, we listen and respect patients’ wishes.” Kahn has spoken to the New Orleans Hadassah chapter and this fall will present to Sisters Chaverot, an initiative that unites Jewish and African-American women through medical, social and community learning.
Fly Through History Blue light more common but not special for eyes, sleep
at the Southern Museum of Flight
By Lee J. Green When some think about blue light, thoughts turn to a certain retailer and their specials. But as it pertains to the eyes, too much blue light can lead to difficulty in sleeping or possibly something worse — an earlier-in-life onset of macular degeneration. Thankfully there are some lens solutions for filtering out the excess blue light that is emitted from computers, mobile phones, florescent and LED lighting. That’s according to Irwin Fingerman of Birmingham’s Dr. Optical. “This has come as a result of the ‘Greening of America’ and with the rise in the number of computers along with mobile phones people use regularly today,” said Dr. Fingerman. “Much of the lighting has gone to florescent and LED, which lasts longer and saves energy. But the downside is that those bulbs emit light in the blue spectrum, part of which can actually be toxic to the eye.” Computers, laptops and mobile phones, also emit light in the blue spectrum. Too much blue light getting into the eyes knocks down melatonin levels and alters one’s Circadian rhythms, making it more difficult to fall asleep or go back to sleep, he said. “Some blue light is good, since it helps us to wake up in the morning when we need to get going,” said Fingerman. “Ironically, many people who can’t sleep will go on their computer, and letting in even more blue light only makes the problem worse.” Studies have shown that women, on average, have a harder time getting to sleep as well as staying asleep. Fingerman said there are no conclusive studies yet on the eye health damage excessive blue light has already done. But there are warnings out there and getting the education out there is important, he said. “It’s a chronic exposure issue, so it could be years until someone might notice a health problem resulting from it. Kids and young adults today are on computers and cell phones more than any other generation. Over time, the excessive blue light getting into the eye could cause an earlier onset of macular degeneration,” said Fingerman. Thankfully, there are some solutions. Companies such as Hoya make a selective blue light wavelength-blocking eye glass lens coating. A blue-light filtering contact lens that can let just the needed amount of blue light in has just been introduced to the market. For computers, phones and lights, “the technology isn’t there for designers to put filters on devices. So these lenses are the best solution, and even those who don’t need corrective lenses can use them,” he said.
Flight Simulators and Scavenger Hunts Available
Iverson Anderson, Great Grandson to “Chief” Anderson, “The Father of Black Aviation” at the Southern Museum of Flight’s Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit. “Chief” Anderson is pictured with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt before their famous flight.
Admission: Adults $7, Seniors/Students $6. Three and under, Active Military FREE.
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St. Vincent’s to open cancer center
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St. Vincent’s hospital in Birmingham will be able to expand women’s cancer treatment and the care it offers with its new Bruno Cancer Center facility. The public opening event will be Aug. 6. The 71,000 square feet of new space in the cancer center, which originally opened in 1989, will allow for more hands-on, one-to-one care as well as more space to utilize advanced new radiation technology. The TrueBeam STX will enable image-guided radiotherapy technology to address the treatment possibilities for the most challenging cancer cases — breast, lung, abdomen, head and neck. Other available capabilities will include a Calypso device that improves prostate cancer detection and the ability to do more high-dose radiation. The new four-story cancer center facility will also be home to a host of specialized assistance services including registered dieticians, pet therapy and art therapy.
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NEMJDS schools other teams in Kosher BBQ Birmingham’s N.E. Miles Jewish Day School held a barbecuing class on May 18, taking home a lot of hardware at the fifth annual When Pigs Fly Kosher BBQ Contest (above left). Presented by Temple Beth-El and the Brenda and Fred Friedman Family Foundation, the festival moved to a new venue, the Levite Jewish Community Center, due to a proposed apartment complex at the previous space behind BethEl. The Day School team, “Jew Hungry Yet?” handily won the title of Grand Champion, placing in four of five competitive categories out of a field of 21 teams. They won best brisket and best beans, and placed second in team name and booth décor. Second place overall was Jimmy Krell’s team, “Zayde Back Ribs,” which won best chicken. Burning Bush BBQ, the LJCC’s team, placed third overall, with second place in brisket and third place in beans, and first place in team name. Jew B Leev Café, Temple Beth-El’s religious school, took third in brisket. Megillah Grillahs from the Hebrew Order of David in Atlanta took second place in chicken, with HogWarts of Birmingham’s Community Youth Group taking third in chicken. Brisket at Tiffany’s, the You Belong in Birmingham team, took second in beans and third in booth décor. Third place in team name was Temple Emanu-El Brotherhood’s Meatballs the Team Starring Bill Murray. Holy Smokers from the Jewish Federation of Central Alabama in Montgomery won first place in booth décor. The entries were judged by a celebrity panel that included Kansas City Barbecue certified master judges. Taking the People’s Choice Award for brisket, chicken and beans was Joseph’s Pit BBQ, Knesseth Israel’s team.
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Ilan Goldfarb presents Hal and Judy Abroms with a donation to the Abroms Fund.
Students receive hands-on experience with philanthropy Upper School students at Birmingham’s N.E. Miles Jewish Day School participated in a year-long project to actively learn about philanthropy, fostering an understanding of how charitable institutions operate and allowing the students to participate meaningfully and knowledgeably in charitable giving. Students hosted several fund raising activities, including a pancake breakfast, and raised just over $2,400. The Abroms Center added additional monies to this fund. Students researched charitable institutions with offices in Birmingham, met with personnel from these institutions to ask questions regarding their operations and use of charitable dollars and finally held an allocations meeting to decide which charities would receive donations and how much money would be donated. Students held an event before the end of the school year and invited representatives from the various charitable organizations and presented them with their donations. Joyce Spielberger, executive director of Magic Moments, said “the gift from the students is one I know is given from the heart which makes it even more meaningful to our mission.” Also receiving donations from the students were the Friendship Circle of Alabama, Triumph Services, the Alabama Children’s Hospital Foundation, Ruffner Mountain, United Way, the Abroms Center for Excellence and the Birmingham Jewish Foundation.
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Food and Dining
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Kosher-Style Recipe: Healthy Connections
By Lee J. Green
2409 Acton Road • Birmingham 205.822-3266 healthy-connections.com
Healthy Connections believes there can be a strong connection by eating healthy as well as tasty meals. Started in 2005 by Mark and Paige Pinson, day, Wednesday and Friday, then 10:30 a.m. to Birmingham’s Healthy Connections provides 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. fresh, take-home meal plans for its customers. “There are a lot of families that have both parents working and it can be hard to find the time to cook. Plus, it’s important for people to eat healthy and live a healthy lifestyle,” said director Regenia Lauderdale. A lot of people on Healthy Connections’ meal plans “don’t have time to cook but want healthy, home-cooked, tasty meals. It’s about the convenience.” In 2007, the Acton Road-located Healthy Connections in Vestavia started partnering with the UAB EatRight programs. Nutritionists and dieticians with UAB derived the meal plans. The menus are set on a six-week Serves 20 rotation, so the same week of breakfast, lunch, Per Serving: snack and dinner meal options comes up once 358 Calories every six weeks. All menus can be viewed at 11.5g Protein www.healthymealsbirmingham.com. 24g Carbohydrate Healthy Connections offers two separate 24g Fat plans — an 1,800-calorie-a-day meal plan 8mg Cholesterol and a 1,200-calorie-a-day meal plan. Men are 263mg Sodium recommended an 1,800-calorie daily diet and 9.5g Fiber women 1,200 a day, but those can be adjusted and lowered for those who are seeking to lose For Salad: weight. 40 oz Free range boneless skinless “Everything we have is heart-friendly and chicken breast meets all the requirements for those who have 240 oz Fresh, local lettuce mix diabetes,” said Lauderdale. “We can customize 20 oz Dry roasted walnuts a menu somewhat for customers with special 10 oz Fresh mandarin orange segments dietary requests” based on the regular menus. 5 oz Fresh, local carrots; shredded New at Healthy Connections is its summer Caribbean jerk dry rub menu rotation that focuses more on seasonal For dressing: fresh fruits, sandwiches and salads. Some of 15 Tbs mango chutney those items on the six-week rotation currently 5 oz rice vinegar, or red wine vinegar include grilled turkey sandwich with cranber2.5 oz fresh garlic, minced ry mayo, whole wheat apple pecan pancakes, 0.5 tsp fresh cracked black pepper honey chipotle barbecue chicken, Greek sal2.5 oz extra virgin olive oil. ad, eggs ranchero, baked whole wheat macaPreheat oven to 350 degrees. Sprinkle roni with tofu and veggies, tuna nicoise salad, chicken breast with any Caribbean jerk dry Thai beef salad, black bean burger with spicy rub and bake until internal temperature mayo, herb-roasted beef and potatoes and reaches 165 degrees. Remove from oven chicken pot pie. and let cool. Also new is Chef Daniel Jeffreys, who came to Healthy Connections from Ocean restauPlace salad mix, walnuts, mandarin rant and has had experience with cooking oranges and shredded carrot in a bowl tasty, healthy, portioned meals. and mix thoroughly. Place chutney, vinegar, Prices per meal are based on the volume garlic, pepper, and olive oil in a blender and go down when the total number of meals and blend for 30 seconds. in a week increase. Items must be ordered at Pour dressing over salad mix and toss to least 48 hours in advance. For larger mealcoat lettuce. Place salad in desired serving plan orders, Healthy Connections delivers bowl and place sliced chicken breast on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The picktop. up kitchen is open 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-
Jerk Chicken Summer Salad
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Let us host your parties at The Edge - Birmingham
Continued from page 30
We serve beer and wine
Jacob: What does that mean? Rachel: Everything you say is written in a scroll with no vowels or punctuation and you’re on my case about an acronym? Jacob: OMG, you’re right. Rachel: This is no time for prayer. Jacob: So… what do I have to do to win your heart? Rachel: Work for my father for seven years. Jacob: Excuse me? Was that a typo? Rachel: Which part? Jacob: Any of it being a typo will help. Rachel: No typos. Jacob: Seven years, huh? Rachel: I’m worth it. Trust me. Jacob: Your humility makes you so hot. Rachel: No, living in the desert does. Jacob: LOL. After seven years of labor, Laban secretly replaced Rachel the bride with her sister, Leah. Let’s see what happened, since he did notice. Rachel: Why are we talking on this thing again? Aren’t we long past dating? Jacob: I don’t know. Let me ask my wife. Rachel: Oh. Yeah. Sorry about that. But when my father sets his mind about something, he sets his mind about something. Jacob: I wasn’t trying to marry your father. Though at this rate, he might be next for all I know. Rachel: I’m sorry. She’s older, she had to go first. But, look, you can marry me next. Jacob: I just have to work another seven years for it? Rachel: Well, yeah… Jacob: And I’ll be married to both you and your sister. Rachel: Yup… You know… There are a few other websites where that kind of thing is pretty popular… Jacob: You’re going to get into a lot of trouble for saying that.
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Doug Brook is a writer in Silicon Valley who is going to get into a lot of trouble for saying that. For past columns, other writings, and more, visit http://brookwrite.com/. For exclusive online content, follow facebook. com/the.beholders.eye.
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Celebrate Your Financial Health
The Beholder’s Eye by Doug Brook
Staying up to date We’ve secretly replaced the Biblical setting of these ancestral assignations with 21st-century online dating. Let’s see if they notice.
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Eliezer: Hey. Rebecca: Hey. Eliezer: New on JDate? Rebecca: Yes. You? Eliezer: Yes. Well, no. I mean, I’m not on JDate for me. Rebecca: Excuse me? Eliezer: Well, I work for this guy named Abraham… Rebecca: Look, I don’t think… Eliezer: Let me explain. He’s got this son, Isaac. He’s a good guy. But he’s stuck at home, and Abraham, his father, wants him to have a wife from his birthplace — which is where you’re from. Rebecca: A wife? Jesus, buy a girl dinner first, at least. Eliezer: Who’s Jesus? Rebecca: Some Jewish carpenter. But he’s a little too young for me. Eliezer: Anyway, before I left, Abraham made me swear that I would not bring a wife for his son Isaac from the daughters of the Canaanites, so I put my hand under his thigh and vowed… Rebecca: You put what where? Eliezer: Never mind. You’re right. I If some of our can’t do this. I told him that a woman might not want to return with me. I asked foremothers and him if I could bring Isaac with me, and threefathers met he made me swear that wouldn’t happen, online… too. Sorry to have wasted your time. Rebecca: Wait, wait. It’s okay… Is he a good match? Eliezer: As your years go by with him, you’ll find him only more blinded by love for you. Rebecca: Easy, killer. Tell you what, let’s meet at the local watering hole. The one in Aram Naharaim? Eliezer: Sure! I’ll meet you there! I’ll be the one with 10 camels. Rebecca: Thank you, I don’t smoke. By the way, is he young? Eliezer: Who, Isaac? Sure. He’s… His life so far has been as short as a stroll your descendants might take through the desert. Speaking of Isaac and Rebecca’s descendants…
WorkPlay’s unique vibe will make your event the talk of the town. We can host anything — “just because” parties, birthdays, charity events, silent auctions, fundraisers, weddings, wedding receptions, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, corporate events, meetings, luncheons, dinners, art shows…
For Our Upcoming Concerts Calendar, Visit www.workplay.com events@workplay.com • (205) 879-4773 500 23rd Street South • Birmingham 30
July 2014
Southern Jewish Life
Jacob: Hey. Rachel: That’s how you say hello to a lady? Jacob: Sorry. I’m glad I found you on here. Rachel: Me, too. Jacob: It was nice meeting you at the local watering hole. It’s turning into a family tradition. Rachel: Your family hangs out at bars? Jacob: No. I mean my father met his wife at a local watering hole. Well, actually, my grandfather’s servant met her there, and he brought her home to him. Rachel: Servant? Your family can afford servants... Interesting… It was nice meeting you, too! You come around here often? Jacob: I only needed to once to meet you. Rachel: LOL.
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WHATEVER YOUR STYLE We add variety to senior living.
No matter what lifestyle you’re looking for in a senior community, Noland Health Services offers several exciting views on living. From city life to country dwelling, we create a senior lifestyle to look forward to with new opportunities and friendships. Just one look at our communities, and you’ll know why more seniors choose Noland Health Services.
• Independent Living • Assisted Living • Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care • Short Term Rehabilitation
Greenbriar at the Altamont
• Skilled Nursing
Charming City Life on Birmingham’s Historic Highland Ave.
(205) 323-2724
East Glen
Center for Nursing and Rehab, across from St. Vincent’s East
(205) 836-4231
Village at Cook Springs
The Oaks on Parkwood
Convenient Suburban Living just minutes from the Galleria
(205) 497-4560
Sylacauga Health and Rehab
Serene Country Living just down the road, off I-20 East
Conveniently located on West Fort Williams Street
(205) 822-0405
(256) 245-7402
Call Today. We’ll be happy to arrange a tour. www.nolandhealth.com Southern Jewish Life
July 2014
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July 2014
Southern Jewish Life