Southern Jewish Life, New Orleans, July 2019

Southern Jewish Life NEW ORLEANS EDITION INSIDE:

July/August 2019 Volume 29 Issue 7

Southern Jewish Life 3747 West Esplanade Ave., 3rd Floor Metairie, LA 70002 Temple Beth Tefilloh, Brunswick, Ga.

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July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

shalom y’all

NED MARSHALL DESIGN

Cleaning out the notebook…

There have been several instances of people talking past each other in the news lately, thinking that there is a conversation going on but not grasping what is being said.

Far too much ink has been spilled on whether it is proper to call the detention centers on our Mexican border “concentration camps.” There has been some pushback, as one might wonder where the gas chambers and crematoria are, while others bristle at the assumption that an analogy to Nazi Germany is being made in labeling those facilities.

Critics of the president have spent close to three years lambasting him as the second coming of Hitler, comparing the U.S. to 1930s Germany, making all manner of Nazi analogies.

With all that, when the detention facilities along the border are called “concentration camps,” how can those same people protest when people assume it’s another Nazi allusion, and assert they are merely using the generic definition of concentration camp?

This is 2019. For at least 70 years, when people hear the term, the Holocaust immediately springs to mind, not some nebulous Funk and Wagnalls concept.

It’s like asking people in 2019 why they are so upset by a swastika when it’s really an ancient Sanskrit symbol of well-being.

Calling these facilities concentration camps may be true in the generic sense, but it is hard to believe assertions that there is no intent to make a Nazi comparison.

The border facilities have been thoroughly overwhelmed by unprecedented huge numbers of illegal immigrants because of our dysfunctional policies, and the country has been trying to catch up. Regardless, it’s a far cry from rounding up people for extermination, and overheated rhetoric only polarizes the situation, hardening positions and making it more difficult to gain widespread support to address the problem.

Tennessee has had several instances lately of public figures putting their feet in their

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July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

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>> Commentary

MESSAGES

Maccabi USA leader praisesonBirmingham Games mouths. Last month, we reported a Memphis judge who approvingly reposted a piece by a

Holocaust denier.

IThis have hadmonth, the honor of attending many Maccabi around thecalls world.

Israel past Coffee County District Attorneycompetitions Craig Northcott faced forFrom censure, for to Australia to South America, Europe and the JCC Maccabi games around the United States referring to Islam as “an evil belief system” and comparing it to Klan membership, and saying he and Canada, I have logged manyviolence miles seeing sports can be a vehicle to help build Jewish would not prosecute domestic caseshow involving same-sex couples, as he does not recidentity, especially in our young.aside that Tennessee law regarding domestic violence does not ognize their marriages (leaving require that the parties I felt honored to comeare to married).

Birmingham for the first time and fell in love with not just the city as we dayenu it is enough.

But some alsolevel accused claiming butFor thethat, people.

Yousay, have taken— Southern hospitality to a new with Northcott your kind of and caring that Constitutional rights apply only to Christians.

Since the vast majority in the media lean to the left, approach to the JCC Maccabi Games. and are often unfamiliar or hostile to religious views from the right, it is easy to make that leap.

Led Sokol and Helds, your hard-working volunteers were wonderful.

Herebyis the what he actually said: “There are no constitutional rights.

There areThey Godpartnered given rights with your outstanding staff, ledIfby Betzy toin make the 2017 JCC there Maccabi games atohuge hit. protected by the constitution. you don’tLynch, believe the one true God, is nothing protect.

INo want take than this opportunity as executive director of Maccabi USA to say thank you on behalf onetoother God has given us any rights. ” of This everyone involved. nation’s founders were Christian, though despite what many think, their theological views wouldn’t exactly be popular among today’sMaccabiah evangelical crowd.

I had just returned from the 20th World games in Israel with a U.S. delegation of But they did acknowledge in our founding documents that rights doJuly notthe come governover 1100, who joined 10,000 Jewish athletes from 80 countries.

Back in eyesfrom of the entire ment. Rights come from the divine and are inherent in each person, and the government’s role Jewish world were on Jerusalem and the Maccabiah. This past month with 1000 athletes and is to safeguard those rights everyone already has, though it has been far from perfect in doing coaches from around the world being in Birmingham, you became the focal point. so. If rights come from man, i.e. government, they can also be taken away by man. We know how Everyonethat fromcan thebe.

Jewish community and the community at large, including a wonderful dangerous Whatforce, Northcott saying was aThese simplegames acknowledgement ofhistory this. If there is noa God, where do police are to was be commended. will go down in as being seminal the God-given come from? If as thewe answer is man, what by is to keep man from changingJewish them? moment for therights Jewish community build to the future providing such wonderful A better case against him is made when focusing memories. on his offensive, disqualifying statements, rather Jed Margolis than misrepresenting an historical comment.

Executive Director, Maccabi USA

by Michael Weil

On Charlottesville

Lawrence Brook, Publisher/Editor

supremacists would like to see pushed back into a corner and made to feel lesser. We stand with and pray for the family of Heather Heyer, egos was and there delicate issues up of the community who standing to the face of thiswith aplomb and was able to unite the community to hate. speak and act with one voice at a time perhaps of recognize the essence of the American itsWe greatest fragmentation. narrative as a two-century old struggle to ridnow He described at that moment, saying “We ourselves of such corners,ourselves. and allow in the get the chance to reinvent ” asthose he led them at the that they deserve. chargethe to seat recruit andtable allocate someso$28 million It the struggle fulfill the promise of the of isfunds raised bytothe United Jewish Committees Declaration of Independence, “all men are (today the Jewish Federations ofthat North America) and established special finance that created equal… aendowed by theircommittee Creator with met quarterly to make distributions some certain unalienable rights. ” We knowtoour work19 agencies andfinished, synagogues overknow a three-year is far from but we we will period. not It was backwards. a momentous task requiring detailed exammove ination of budgets and accountings of the agencies When men and while women, fully each armed, and congregations, keeping nottake just satto the but streets in drovesand with andwhole isfied appreciative at swastikas one with the other symbols ofAllan hate, was it is meticulous a reminderin ofthe how community.

And task relevant the issues of racism and anti-Semitism of the details and the vision of the big picture. areMeetings today. It is a wake-up call to the work that or with Allan, whether one-on-one needs to be done to ensure a better, more in a large committee, were always quiet, cool and productive. country.

He had aBut keen sense of thecome pulse of welcoming it should not the community, knowing what possible without a reflection on how far was we’ve come. and when it wasn’t quite the time. If there was a disAmerica a slave nation.aAdiplomatic century pute, Allan was was born the one to fashion into our history we engaged in a war in part compromise that would actually please everyone. to After ensure we would not continue as one.

We those demanding and exhausting found ourselves confronted by the issue of civil post-Katrina days, Allan continued to volunteer rights, and embarked on aorganization mission to ensure leadership, giving to one after anthe fairand treatment of all peoples no matter other, always making the betterment of their comskin color. munity his Although mission. we’ve made great strides, it isAllan a mission we’re still grappling was indeed a true menschwith andtoday. will be missed.

America was also born an immigrant May his memory be a blessing. country. As early as the pilgrims, many Michael Weil was the Executive Director of the groups and families in New the country Jewish Federation of found Greater Orleansthe from opportunity plant stakes,lives chase future,He 2006 to 2017to and currently in their Jerusalem. and becontacted themselves.

Few were met with open can be at michaelweil66@gmail.com.

Allan Bissinger z”l – an Appreciation

Editor’s Note: This reaction to the events in ”it is difficult to be on the receiving end, when Charlottesville, written bythe Jeremy Newman, you have been so long on giving side.”

Master of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Theta Colony These were the words Allan Bissinger spoke at was shared

by AEPi as Auburn presidentUniversity, of the Jewish Federation of Greater National, which called it “very eloquent” and New Orleans at the annual meeting in September praised 2006. “our brothers at AEPi Theta Colony at Auburn University and… theman, leadership they Allan was a very generous generous of his display campus. money on andtheir generous of”his time. He was devoted to the city of New Orleans and especially to the Jewish community he loved and cherished. been a cancer on in HeWhite servedsupremacy in a varietyhas of leadership positions our country since its beginning, threatening many different agencies, as is traditional in this warm inter-woven community. its hopes, its values, Jewish and its better angels.He especially rose to took the occasion in the immediate The events that place in Charlottesville aftermath ofthe Hurricane that Those he himself represented worst ofKatrina this nation. personally floated who marched ontothrough. the streets with tiki torches Heswastikas stayed behind his family evacuated, and did so when to provoke violence and only Those to be rescued himself onto from the the streets rooftopdid of his fear. who marched house after saving a neighbor’s dog. A few so to profess an ideology that harkens backweeks to in a coffee in Baton was unalater bleaker, more shop wretched timeRouge in ourhe history. ceremoniously presented the gavel of president of A time when men and women of many creeds, Federation by outgoing president Bobby Garon. races, and religions were far from equal and far The leader in the right place and the right time, from our own borders. time where Allan safe was in instrumental in the A amazing swift reAmericans lived under a constant cloud recruitof covery of the community. As the recently racism, anti-Semitism and pervasive Theon ed director of the Federation, I heavilyhate. relied events tookand place in Charlottesville Allan’s that wisdom guidance and had theserved honor as reminder of how relevant these to aserve at Allan’s side.painfully He was an unusual leadissues arethoughtful today. er, quiet, and unassuming. We would meet on a regular at his office atwith 2500the L&A Auburn’s Alpha basis Epsilon Pi stands Road in Metairie. of His office was dark, Jewish community Charlottesville, and dingy and crowded with electrical equipment. There with the Jewish people around the country was barely a place to sit and the windows were and around the world. We also stand with the shaded. But the meetings were far from gloomy. minorities who are targeted the hate that Allan was an eternal optimistbywho had amazing was on display in Charlottesville.

We stand dipinsight, sensitivity coupled with sharpened with theskills. minorities of whom white lomatic He navigated thethese trouble spots, the 4

July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

July 2019 April 2019

Southern Jewish Life PUBLISHER/EDITOR Lawrence M. Brook editor@sjlmag.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/ADVERTISING Lee J. Green lee@sjlmag.com V.P. SALES/MARKETING, NEW ORLEANS Jeff Pizzo jeff@sjlmag.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ginger Brook ginger@sjlmag.com SOCIAL/WEB Emily Baldwein connect@sjlmag.com PHOTOGRAPHER-AT-LARGE Rabbi Barry C. Altmark deepsouthrabbi.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rivka Epstein, Louis Crawford, Tally Werthan, Stuart Derroff, Belle Freitag, Ted Gelber, E. Walter Katz, Doug Brook brookwrite.com BIRMINGHAM OFFICE P.O. Box 130052, Birmingham, AL 35213 14 Office Park Circle #104 Birmingham, AL 35223 205/870.7889 NEW ORLEANS OFFICE 3747 West Esplanade, 3rd Floor Metairie, LA 70002 504/432-2561 TOLL-FREE 866/446.5894 FAX 866/392.7750 ADVERTISING Advertising inquiries to 205/870.7889 for Lee Green, lee@sjlmag.com; Jeff Pizzo, jeff@sjlmag.com; or Annetta Dolowitz, annetta@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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Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without written permission from the publisher.

Views expressed in SJL are those of the respective contributors and are not necessarily shared by the magazine or its staff. SJL makes no claims as to the Kashrut of its advertisers, and retains the right to refuse any advertisement.

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

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

agenda interesting bits & can’t miss events After the 2019 New Orleans Synagogue Softball League season almost did not happen, Temple Sinai (above) went undefeated through a shortened schedule and then shelled Gates of Prayer, 23-1, to win the title on June 23. This is Sinai’s sixth title since the league was founded in 1988. This year, Beth Israel, Shir Chadash, Northshore and Touro were unable to field teams, and Sinai gave a key player to Gates of Prayer to ensure they could field a team. Howard Weinstock, who heads the league, said the season happened only because “of our team captains: Josh Danzig and Jake Weinstock, Yochanan Rivkin, and Levi McDaniel and Jordan Lieberman.” He hopes more teams can be fielded next year. In the regular season, Sinai finished 3-0, Gates of Prayer 1-2 and Chabad 1-3, as one game was cancelled.

With huge deficits, American Hebrew Academy abruptly shuts down On June 11, an unexpected email shocked the American Jewish community as the American Hebrew Academy announced the “end of the Academy Era” after an “18-year dream.”

The email from the school’s chief executive officer, Glenn Drew, stated that “Due to insufficient growth in enrollment and our inability to secure adequate funding to cover future school expenses, the American Hebrew Academy is regretfully announcing that classes for the 2019-2020 academic year have been canceled.”

The school opened to much fanfare on Sept. 10, 2001, mortgage-free, as the only pluralist Jewish boarding high school in the country, the product of visionary Maurice “Chico” Sabbah and built on a 100-acre campus in Greensboro, N.C. Sabbah died in 2006.

Though it was announced that Sabbah was launching the school with $100 million in contributions, news of the closing focused attention on the school’s large budget deficits and inability to attract the numbers needed to sustain itself.

The closing came as a shock, as up until the end, the school was embarking on enhancements to its program.

In early May, the school announced “two new important academic initiatives for the 2019-2020 academic year which will expand the offerings available to new and returning students.” In August, the school was to become a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, “a natural progression in the Academy’s 18-year evolution as a college prep school.”

The school also announced that their collaboration with Guilford Col-

lege would be expanded this fall to increase the number of college courses available to Academy students, so “highly motivated students” could earn a year’s worth of college credits before graduating from the Academy.

Sabbah was born and raised in New York, with a Sephardic father and Eastern European mother. He was an irrigation specialist in the early days of Israel and served in the Israeli army, then served in the U.S. military in Korea.

He worked in the reinsurance industry, and in the early 1970s he moved to Greensboro and his business “grew beyond his wildest expectations.”

He started a legacy of quiet, behind-the-scenes philanthropy.

After his parents died and he said Kaddish daily, with students from the local Jewish Day School assisting with services, he set out to establish a Jewish high school to rival the prestigious northeastern prep schools, with facilities to match. One estimate had Sabbah spending $10 million on the land and $100 million on the buildings. The athletics complex was said to cost over $11 million.

The school was referred to as Sabbah’s dream, but in the June 11 email, Drew said “It has been a dream fulfilled for 18 years, and it is a dream that must unfortunately come to an end.” Drew is Sabbah’s nephew.

Though there was much fanfare at the school’s beginning, the second day the school was open would bring huge challenges to Sabbah. His reinsurance company, Fortress Re, was involved in reinsurance of airplanes, and each of the four airliners used in the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attack was reinsured by him through three Japanese companies.

When his company could not pay its share, the Japanese companies July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

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filed suit for over $1 billion. Fortress Re ultimately had to pay $400 million, and it took a while for the school to be separated from the legal proceedings, as there were accusations that funding which should have been in reserve for claims had instead gone to the school. That case was settled in 2005.

While the school was built for 400 students, the final year had an enrollment of 134. A few years ago, the school dropped the term “pluralistic,” as Drew said it was too easy to misinterpret. The school also started to emphasize attracting students from around the world to help boost the numbers.

With the closing, students enrolled for next year suddenly had nowhere to go, and faculty members found themselves unemployed at a time when most schools had already set their faculty for the coming year.

Ben Gamla Preparatory Academy in Hollywood, Fla., said it would take in students affected by the closure. Ben Gamla is not a boarding school but would work with students to find housing, and is the only Hebrew English charter high school in the U.S. As such, there is no tuition charge.

Salem Academy in Winston-Salem is opening its doors to female students from AHA. When the school opened, it was said that there was money in the bank to keep it running for at least 10 years. In the immediate aftermath of the closing, news coverage showed huge deficits in the school’s budget in recent years.

Comparing the Numbers

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July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

John Newsom of the Greensboro News and Record tweeted that on the higher-education beat, “I’ve seen some schools in financial distress.

This, tho, wow.”

The school’s Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2017, shows total revenue of just under $5 million, with almost $4.6 million from tuition.

Expenses were listed at $18 million.

In the previous year, contributions were listed at just under $3 million, for total revenue of $7.6 million against expenses of $17.3 million.

American Hebrew Academy listed 157 employees on its form, with total salaries at $5.5 million before benefits and payroll taxes.

The total package for Drew was just under $540,000.

For comparison, there are three Top-75 boarding schools in the region.

The niche.com ranking had American Hebrew Academy ranked 82nd.

Indian Springs School, just south of Birmingham, has 315 students, with one-fourth of them boarding. The school reports 121 employees, with revenue of $10.15 million, $9.6 million from tuition, and $11.75 million in expenses.

The compensation package for the head of school is just over $300,000, with total salaries at $3.9 million.

Asheville School in North Carolina has 294 students. The school lists 159 employees and expenses of just under $18 million in 2017, with revenue of $25.6 million, $14 million of which was from tuition.

The head of school’s compensation package is listed at $283,000, with total salaries just under $5.7 million.

McCallie School in Chattanooga, a Christian boys’ school, has 936 students in grades 6 to 12. They list 602 employees and revenue of $49.4 million, $32.8 million from tuition, with $44.1 million in expenses.

The head of school’s compensation package is around $640,000, with total salaries at $16.4 million.

Another prominent boarding school, Webb School near Knoxville, has about 300 students. Their filing shows 172 employees and revenue of $12.3 million, over $9.3 million from tuition. Expenses were $11.7 million, including salaries of $4.3 million and a headmaster package of $380,000.

OFFICE OF INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY

THIS IS AUBURN. “This wonderful country of ours allows us to gather together, to be Jewish and be free… I’m grateful I can be Jewish and a basketball coach in the SEC.”

— Auburn Head Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl, at the 2017 JCC Maccabi Games Opening Ceremony

Photo by Rachel Glazer, courtesy Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life

From left to right, Lt. Col. R. Robert Bartran III, Rabbi Aaron A. Rozovsky, Michele Schipper, Major Terry Adair.

Department of Defense honors Michele Schipper, ISJL On June 24, the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life’s annual education conference had an event unlike anything in previous conferences. Michele Schipper, ISJL chief executive officer, was honored with an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award.

The award was presented to her by Lieutenant Colonel R. Robert Bartran III, Battalion Commander of the 112th Military Police Battalion Mississippi Army National Guard and Full-Time Mobilization Readiness Officer for the Mississippi National Guard; and Major Terry Adair, Executive Officer and Full-Time Administrative Officer for the 112th Military Police Battalion Mississippi Army National Guard.

Schipper was given this award in recognition of extraordinary support of ISJL’s director of rabbinical services, Rabbi Aaron Rozovsky, who serves in the National Guard.

Schipper was nominated by Rozovsky, who serves as Battalion Chaplain of the 112th Military Police Battalion Mississippi Army National Guard.

Between ISJL and the Army National Guard, “I have two of the best jobs in the world,” Rozovsky said, as he introduced the award presentation. He spoke of the challenges of balancing civilian employment with deployment and service, adding: “If it wasn’t for our families, our communities, our employers… we could not do what we do.”

Bartran thanked Schipper for her support of the Guard, and of Rozovsky. Bartran also noted that “there are only five rabbis in the National Guard — and so to have (Rozovsky) assigned to me, and here in Mississippi, is such a thrill.”

Adair then read the text of the award presented to Schipper: “The Office of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recognizes Michele Schipper, Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life, as a Patriotic Employer, for contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America’s National Guard and Reserve force.”

The two Baton Rouge congregations will be “Celebrating Shabbat Together” on two weekends this summer, with each congregation’s rabbi diving the sermon at the other congregation. On July 12 at 6 p.m., services will be at Beth Shalom, with B’nai Israel Rabbi Jordon Goldson speaking. The other weekend will be Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. at B’nai Israel, with Beth Shalom Rabbi Natan Trief speaking. A potluck dinner follows each service.

WE ARE COMMUNITY. Hillel, Auburn University’s Jewish student organization, was the recipient of the 2015 AU Student Involvement Award for Overcoming Adversity. diversity@auburn.edu www.auburn.edu/diversity

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agenda There will be a Shabbat dinner welcoming Rabbi Joshua Pernick to Beth Israel in Metairie on July 26. Services will be at 7 p.m., with the dinner following. Reservations are required, and are $18 for adult members, $9 per child, or $25 for non-member adults and $18 for children. All children 5 and under are free.

A special meeting of the Ahavas Sholem Cemetery Association will be held at Anshe Sfard in New Orleans on Aug. 7 at 7 p.m., for the purpose of considering a proposal that the Articles of Incorporation (Charter) be amended to extend the life of the Corporation. Relatives of those buried in the cemetery are invited to attend.

On June 5 and 6, Slater Torah Academy in Metairie held a successful 36-hour online campaign, raising $60,000 in 36 hours from 270 donors. Since their new building was completed five years ago, the school’s enrollment has grown to 75 students, and the school expects enrollment to reach 100 in the next few years.

Chabad on Campus is holding its annual raffle through July 24, with a grand prize of $10,000, a second prize of a trip to Israel for two, and a few other prizes. Tickets are $36.

While the raffle is national, proceeds from tickets sold through Chabad at Tulane remain at Chabad at Tulane. They have a goal of 1,000 tickets.

The Shir Chadash, Metairie, Nearly New Sale will open on July 14 at 10 a.m. This annual event will run through July 22. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 14 and 15; 4 to 8 p.m. on July 16; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on “Half Price Day” July 21; and 6 to 8 p.m. on July 22 for the Final Clearance Bag Sale.

The Attic Sale at Temple Sinai in New Orleans will be on July 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and July 22 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is an Early Bird admittance at 8 a.m., with $10 entry tickets sold at the door.

PJ At the Pool will be on July 28 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Uptown Jewish Community Center in New Orleans. The afternoon is for PJ Library families, whether or not one is a JCC member.

Beth Israel, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and the New Orleans Jewish Community Center present a new class, “The Tribes of Israel: A Shared Homeland for a Divided People.” Developed by the Shalom Hartman Institute, the classes will be led by Rabbi Josh Pernick on Sundays at 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel, and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. at the Uptown JCC, starting July 28. The series will explore the challenges of creating a Jewish and a democratic public space in Israel.

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July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

The Temperature Isn’t The Only Thing That Spikes in Summer

Legislation would honor Rosenwald through National Parks designation Would be first to honor a Jewish American Jackson Davis Collection, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library

One of the first Rosenwald schools, in Chehaw, Ala. After years of building strong public support in communities across the nation, the National Parks Conservation Association celebrated the introduction of the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools Study Act, requiring the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resources study of the sites associated with the life and legacy of noted philanthropist and businessman Julius Rosenwald, with a special focus on the Rosenwald Schools.

Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, and Reps. Danny Davis of Illinois and Steve Cohen of Tennessee officially introduced the historic legislation on June 13. The bill is the first step toward creating a multi-site national park to preserve Rosenwald’s legacy, which would also be the first national

Rescuing remaining Rosenwalds There are several efforts in the region devoted to preserving Rosenwald Schools. Of the over 5,000 schools that were built, a very small number remain standing.

The River Road African American Museum in Donaldsonville acquired one of the few remaining Rosenwalds in Louisiana in 2001, moving the Central Agricultural School building from Convent, where it was slated for demolition. The building is a rare four-room school house, and is situated in downtown Donaldsonville, not far from the museum.

As part of the museum’s 25th anniversary celebration, there is an effort to raise $250,000 to finish the project, including adding electricity and plumbing to the building.

The museum plans to use it for community events, STEM camps, music and theater. A few events have already been staged there, with the help of generators and portable restrooms.

The museum will have its 25th anniversary gala on Oct. 6 at the Water Campus in Baton Rouge, with proceeds going toward the Rosenwald project.

Oak Grove School in Gallion, one of Alabama’s few remaining Rosenwald buildings, was placed on the 2019 Alabama Historical Commission Places in Peril list. The list highlighted Rosenwald Schools in general a few years ago, but this year noted that “there is a lack of organizational funding and deferred maintenance that has left the school with urgent repairs needing to be made.”

The Oak Grove school was built in 1925 and served the African American community in Hale County as a Two-Teacher School. The school relied on community investment when it was built and served the community until 1968. The building was listed to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. Now, the school is owned by the Oak Grove School Heritage Center, which needs help with planning and funding.

In Hineshaw, Ga., there is an effort to have the Liberty County School System protect the historical Hineshaw Shaw Rosenwald School that was built there in 1931. The building was used until the early 1990s and is now “in utter disrepair.” The Liberty County High School Museum held an exhibit about the school last fall.

For some reason, Summer can bring out the worst in people and they realize there might be a problem. Perhaps it’s the Summer parties with barbeque, hot dogs and alcohol. It can also be a dreaded time for those with addiction.

There’s an increased focus on drinking, even during the daytime.

Maybe there’s family get-togethers, stress or strain. And of course, there are plenty of nosy questions from well-meaning partygoers about why you’re not cracking a beer, too. Sometimes these events can feel less like a celebration and more like a minefield.

As you’re invited to pool parties and cookouts, plan ahead by knowing who is coming. What’s the food and drink situation going to be? The more you know in advance, the better prepared you’ll be to navigate the situation. Recovery doesn’t have to be the elephant in the room. There are many reasons for not drinking alcohol. Plan your answers before you go… health related are always acceptable.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, the best plan is to get professional help. Most people can’t do it alone.

Bayshore Retreat isn’t like the ‘big box’ rehabs. We limit our clientele to six for a reason. We focus on quality, not quantity.

Clients receive about 30 hours a week of counseling. This includes individual, group, and Life Skills. Our goal is to empower our clients within themselves. Sometimes this might include spiritual support, and always it’s to help them find the underlying reasons.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, give us a call.

July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

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community park honoring a Jewish American.

The son of German Jewish immigrants, Julius Rosenwald earned financial success after joining the leadership team at Sears Roebuck in 1895, transforming the small business into a retail powerhouse of the early 1900s. Rosenwald used his fame and fortune for the benefit of humankind, focusing his efforts towards the advancement of education for African Americans in the South, which at the time was deeply segregated.

Through a collaborative project, Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington, activist and leader of the Tuskegee Institute, changed the course of African American education in the United States. Over a 20-year period, Rosenwald partnered with African American communities from Washington to Texas, providing seed funding for the construction of 5,357 schoolhouses and other educational buildings in 15 states.

“The story of Julius Rosenwald, a philanthropist that changed the dynamics of education for African Americans in the early 20th century, and the thousands of schoolhouses he helped construct, is extraordinary. These schools are an important part of our country’s history, and must never be forgotten,” said Theresa Pierno, president and CEO for the National Parks Conservation Association. “Thanks to the leadership and tremendous political support of Senator Durbin and Congressmen Davis and Cohen, and the efforts of communities and partners organizations across the country, we are one step closer to preserving Rosenwald’s legacy for millions of people to experience now and for generations to come. NPCA will continue to work tirelessly until the Rosenwald Schools are part of our nation’s Park System.”

Rosenwald Schools — many of them basic, one or two-room structures — were a source of pride and affection in their communities. Local organizations have honored and preserved Rosenwald Schools for decades, and in 2016, NPCA, the National Trust and a group of committed advocates launched the nationwide Rosenwald Park Campaign to establish the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park as a unit of the National Park System.

“Julius Rosenwald’s legacy is inextricably linked to the advancement of African Americans in education, science and the arts,” said Alan Spears, NPCA’s Director of Cultural Resources. “His philanthropic activities enhanced opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive. It’s rare that the gifts of one man can touch and benefit so many and in ways so profound. We still have much to learn from and be inspired by in the story of Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools.”

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July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

community Tenn. student speaks out against Nazi salutes at her school Sent to principal but “not disciplined” after classmates take reenactments too far, program will be discontinued An 11-year-old girl in Murfreesboro, Tenn., is being commended for speaking out as classmates persisted in doing Nazi salutes in school, and the school has decided to discontinue a program that sparked the controversy.

When the girl told classmates to stop doing the Nazi salutes, she was sent to the hallway and then to the principal’s office to wait for her mother to pick her up, leading her father to post the account on Twitter on May 14.

Her father, Keith Gamble, chair of the Department of Economics and Finance at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreeboro, asked for expressions of support for his daughter’s actions, support that poured in from around the world.

The Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, along with the Southeast regional office of the Anti-Defamation League in Atlanta, has been working with the family and the school system.

As part of a fifth-grade Living History project at the McFadden School of Excellence, among

the historical figures assigned to students to portray was Adolf Hitler. Each student portraying an historical figure was to dress the part, and the student assigned to portray Hitler was instructed to perform the Nazi salute as part of the act.

In a series of tweets, the Gambles explained the timeline. The project began in early April, with students receiving their assignments. At the first rehearsal in mid-April, when the student portraying Hitler gave the salute, “10-20 classmates observing the performance return the salute.” After the Gambles’ daughter became upset by it, she was given “an open platform at that time to appropriately voice her concerns and share with her peers her feelings,” but then she was told “not to address it again” if classmates persisted.

Many students did persist, reportedly regularly doing the salute around campus. As she told the students that it was wrong, rumors started

that a group of the students planned a group Sieg Heil salute when she entered a classroom.

Concerned, she waited outside of the classroom until she could follow the teacher in, and the

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July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

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July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

teacher told the class that the Nazi salute is wrong and they should not make it any more.

The salutes subsided for a while, picking back up after more rehearsals.

At the final rehearsal on May 9, about 10 to 20 of the 75 students once again returned the Sieg Heil salute. After none of the teachers said anything, the Gambles’ daughter shouted for them to put their hands down.

She was removed from the classroom for being “disrespectful.”

Because of the bullying over this issue, “school feels lonely sometimes” for her, Gamble said.

In a hallway conversation with a teacher after she was removed from the rehearsal, she expressed that the salute is wrong and the teachers should have done something about it. Mrs. Gamble said that was interpreted as her being disrespectful to teachers, and she was brought to the principal’s office.

The teacher called Mrs. Gamble to tell her that her daughter was “disciplined and removed from the classroom” and they should discuss proper classroom etiquette.

In the timeline, Mrs. Gamble said the teacher told her at the end of the conversation that her daughter’s disruption was a response to other students “giving it back.” When Mrs. Gamble asked what “it” was, she was told “the Nazi salute,” which was the first time she had heard of the salutes happening at the school.

According to James Evans, communications director for Rutherford County Schools, the Gambles’ daughter was not disciplined or punished for her actions, but had been removed from the classroom so she could calm down. Furthermore, he said, the school agreed that the students’ actions were “completely inappropriate.”

The performance was that evening, and the next day was the school’s “McTonys” awards for Living History performances. When the World War II sketch won an award and the student playing Hitler went up to get the award, a few students gave the salute, but no higher than head level.

Mrs. Gamble was in the audience and noticed it.

When her daughter’s group won an award, she used her speech time to mention the salutes and urged parents to talk to their children about why the gesture is wrong.

The Gambles, who are not Jewish, are close friends with a family that belongs to Nashville’s Congregation Micah. Upon hearing about the problems at school, that family got them in touch with Micah Rabbi Laurie Rice, who referred them to the Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

Deborah Oleshansky, the Federation’s director of community relations, said “that’s what we’re here for,” whether an incident involves someone Jewish, a non-Jewish friend, anything related to anti-Semitism or anti-Israel bias, anything “even peripherally connected to the Jewish community.”

On May 17, David Hoffman, associate regional director of the Anti-Defamation League’s office in Atlanta, said they worked with the family and school system even before the issue became national news. “They recognize the problems with the assignment itself and the impact that ensued with other students who were seen giving the salute,” he said. There will no longer be portrayals of Hitler.

The principal spoke to the entire fifth grade “to clarify the issues and make it clear that giving the Nazi salute was unacceptable behavior.” An email went out to parents reiterating that “we do not condone any type of symbolism or actions that can be interpreted as hate-filled or insensitive.”

Further action included recommendations that the school have an educational program for students, utilizing expertise from the ADL’s No Place for Hate and A World of Difference Institute programs. “Going forward, the district indicated they plan to do district-wide staff training on the Holocaust and anti-bias,” Hoffman said.

Shelley Rose, ADL deputy regional director, said the ADL considers simulations to be a bad teaching tool. “It is completely irresponsible to have a student dress up as Hitler and do the Zeig Heil sign — no matter what the age.”

ANNUAL REPORT Our Kaleidoscope Year Of

ls

Empowering Academics | Jewish Values

ue

Inspired b y

a

rnold A i Sa tt m

P

2018/ 2019

| Community

One of the secrets of Jewish survival through 4,000 years is the fact that we’ve always tried to put children first. Thanks to you,

our generous donors, Jewish Community Day School has done just this. You understand that love of Judaism is achieved not by building pyramids or statues – but by engraving our values on the hearts of our children, and they on theirs, ensuring the myriad blessings of our heritage live on throughout the generations.

H a - N a s i $25,000+ The Franco Family Fund Lis and Hugo Kahn Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust D o r L ’ D o r $10,000-$24,999 Vivian and Richard Cahn Susan and Howard Green Carole and Richard Neff The Pollin Family James E. Pollin Jane and Harold Pollin Lynne and Michael Wasserman T z e d d a k a h $5,000-$9,999 Joan and Gerald Berenson, z”l The Cahn Family Foundation Esther Sinauer Scholarship Fund Susan and William Hess Heymann-Wolf Foundation Dashka Roth Lehmann and Larry Lehmann Sigrid Miller and Robert Pollin Barbara and Peter Newhouse Madilyn and Alvin Samuels Chesed

$2,500-$4,999 Anonymous Cathy and Morris Bart Rochelle Adler Effron and Mark Effron Ferber Family of Houma Foundation Linda and Richard Friedman Kim and Reggie Glass Michele Allen-Hart and Jody Hart Fran and Jonny Lake New Orleans Jewish Day School Scholarship Fund Karen and Bill Pinsky Sharon Pollin Debbie and Jon Schlackman Ashley and Michael Zabalaoui

Chai

$1,800-$2,499 The Berenson Family Rene Lehmann Lynn and Arthur Penn Sessions, Fishman, Nathan, & Israel LLP Karen and Leopold Sher The Stone Family

Mensch

$1,000-$1,799 Anonymous Susan and David Daube Abby Gaunt and Gabe Feldman Carole and Morton Katz 14

July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

Sanford Pailet Karen Weissbecker Remer Tracey and Henry Smith Karen and Edward Soll Joe M. Westerman

M e n o r a h $360-$999 Anonymous Scott Aertker Carol and Harold Asher Congregation Beth Israel Bourgeois Bennett |Ellen S. Yellin Caroline and Robert Brickman CALM |Ashley Weiss Pat and Troy Campbell Tiffany Cotlar and Tommy Furlow Michael Davidson Terrence Dugas and Carl DeAbate Joy and Jayanta Debnath Emily and Evan Dvorin Luksamee and Paul Dyer Entergy Corporation Sylvia and Israel Finger Lisa and Elliot Finkelstein Robert Force freeGULLIVER LLC |Ashley and Michael Kirschman Judy and David Fried Laura and George Fuhrman Ana and Juan Gershanik Gitter Vein Institute Cathy and Charles Glaser Margie and Dov Glazer Florence Goldin Jack Gross Lee and Jacob Kansas Barbara and Mark Kaplinsky Lisa and Brian Katz Richard Katz Ellen and Stanley Kessler Maria and Frank Larson Robin Levy and Bobby Garon Judy and Glenn Lieberman Josefina Mendez-Rosa and Troy Perez Jan and Henry Miller Melinda and Morris Mintz Barbara and Robert Namer Carol and Dale Newman Erika and Emory Nolan Doris and Bill Norman Elena and Ethan Penn Debbie and Leon Pesses Janet and Harold Pesses

Sandy and Elliott Raisen Libbie and David Reiss Ginger Rogers and Alvin Cotlar Susan and Henry Rosenblat Kara and Mark Samuels Reda and Charles Scher Shirley and Ralph Seelig Rose Sher and Jeremy Soso Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation Betty and Gregory Speyrer Laurie and Paul Sterbcow Janice and Louis Stern Sherri and Matthew Tarr Touro Infirmary Medical Staff Patty and Randy Ungar Roselle and Stanley Ungar Bernard Van Der Linden Heidi Vizelberg Ellie and Bruce Wainer Eileen Wallen Miriam and Bruce Waltzer Ginny Wise and Kevin Wilkins Rachel Van Voorhees and Arnold Kirschman Alice Yelen and Kurt Gitter Zuka Baby |Betsy and David Becker

Chaverim

$180-$359 Anonymous Liz and Mark Amoss Nancy and Danny Arana Jessica Bach Angela and Marc Beerman Marc Behar Mery Beit-Halachmi and Stephen Blitz Nancy and Allan Bissinger Sue Rae Brown and Ken Bishop Sandra Burstein, z”l Gail and Stuart Chalew Mia and Kenneth Charity Rita and Effie Clayton Klara B. Cvitanovich Ina and Richard Davis Melanie and Kenneth Ehrlich Leslie and Nathan Fischman David Freedman Fanya and Avi Gedalia Deena Gerber Wendy and Ned Goldberg Amy and Martin Goldin Harriet Handelman Pat and Brad Harvey

Maricris Izahola Pearl and Paul Kane Vicki and Jacob Karno Carole and David Kushner Betty and Harry Lazarus Bina and Harold Levkowitz Saundra Levy Garrett Lynch and James Ezrow Laurie and Dale Maas Maggie Madere and Ashley Nichols Linda Mauskopf and Robert Larsen Rebecca and Adam Miller Niki and Adam Newhouse Julie Wise Oreck and Marshall Oreck Susan and Paul Parter Sarah and Joe Pasternack Valerie and Alan Posner Lisa Pulitzer and Gary Zoller Anna Rosenblum and Rabbi Michael Cohen Ronald Rothschild Jennifer and Will Samuels Robert Shepard Rabbi Deborah Silver Rachelle Stein, Stacey Stein & Sandra, Cece, & Ronald Price Jackie and Charles Stern Eric Stillman Risa and David Streusand Sheryl and Peter Title Arlene Smason Wieder and Douglas Wieder Carol B. Wise

B’reisheet

up to $179 Anonymous Aleeza and Andy Adelman Sarah Allison and Daniel Mintz Nancy and Robert Asciutto Philip Bach Marwa Badr and Zack Beck Daniela and Bradley Bain Jennifer and Scott Balot Cynthia Becker Kenneth Berger Craig Bialy Elissa and Ed Bluth Crystal Bourgeois Jody and Gilbert Braunig Barri Marsh Bronston Ronna Burger and Robert Berman Sandy and Alan Burshell Joy Callais Lisa Callais Jessica and Victor Cerritos Sarah and Sandy Cohen Lisa and Robert Conescu Toby David Margaret Deane Sara and Robert Dvorin Rachel and Chad Eriksen Rachael Kansas Feder and Jason Feder Elissa Fenster and Bill Greenberg Carol and Rick Fine Julie Finkelstein and Allessandro Steinhaus Andrea and Steve Fradkin Lynette Fried

Lisa and Thomas Friedlander Marlene and Reuben Friedman Carol and Ronald Furlow Carol and Gilbert Garcia Lauren and Rabbi David Gerber Lauren and J.P. Gisclair N’Ann and Jan Glade Michelle and Jacob Goehring Ann and Richard Goldfarb Kitzi Goldman Sandra and William Goldsmith Seth Goldsmith Doris and Erick Gomez Blayne and Edward Gothard Kathleen Grabert Barbara Greenberg Joelle and Edward Halpern Cecile Hardy Chrissy Hardy Amy and John Haspel John Hazard Lisa and Michael Herman Wendy and Michael Herschman Beth Herstein Hemda and Jeffrey Hochman Donna and David Holmes Sheila and Stanley Horn IMPACT 100 Fund Janna Jackson Jennifer Jeanmard and Lee Sands Robert Jones Philip “PJ” Jones Aidi and Alan Kansas Eliza and Jaryd Kase Jane and Robert Kavanagh Patricia and Steven Klein Marilyn Kline Arthur Kotlen Laura and David Kulick Marilyn and Alan Levin Danielle and Vanessa Levine Phyllis and Richard Levy Joanne and Bruce Levy Rachel Zoller Lipsman and Jacob Lipsman Lynn and Rabbi Bob Loewy Mary Lopez Deb and Max Marsh Leslie Loeb Miller and Larry Miller Robin and David Mintz Celena Neal Joel Nitzkin Brianne and Nate Oxenrider Barbara and Ken Pailet Rochelle Pearl Terrance Perkins Gale and Randy Pick Thaia Pick Audrey and Arthur Pollin Jayne and Alan Pollin Jessica and Rabbi David Posternock Joyce and Sidney Pulitzer Sharon and Glenn Pullman Gary Reiss Becky Retz and Steve Himelfarb Moriah Richie and Jay Taffet Alvin Richman Jodie Robinson Leah Roeber and Jonathan Rovick Jamin Rothschild Naomi Samuels

Charisse and Mark Sands Jennifer and Neil Schneider Kelly and Alon Shaya Melanie Sheen and David Tucker Jana and David Siles Jessica and Steve Sintes Jayne Stillman Stephanie Stokes Mark Sulkes Joshua B. Tarr Hilton Title Betty and Louis Trachtman Max Vizelberg Lina and Idan Warshawski Eva Dossier Wellen and Kevin Wellen Rachel and Mark Wilson Margaret Winston

Grants

and D i s t r i b u t i o n s Vivian & Richard Cahn Mid-Winter’s Children’s Choice Diane & Alan Franco, Susan & Howard Green, Lis & Hugo Kahn, Carole & Richard Neff, and Lynne & Mike Wasserman Head of School Search Jane & Harold Pollin Early Childhood Classroom Entergy Corporation Connectors Program Maggie & Ashley Madere LUMCON Field Trip Richard Katz Louisiana Philharmonic Field Trip Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans 6th Grade Writing Curriculum Early Childhood Parent Enrichment Whitney Distribution Monthly Core Allocations Niederman Administrative Support Grant MPC4503 Color Laser Printer Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust Head of School Grant Kim & Reggie Glass, Michele Allen-Hart & Jody Hart, and The JCDS Parent Association Sound System Anonymous Orton-Gillingham Reading Approach Training

In-KindContributors Dorignac’s Food Center Susan and Howard Green Donna Holmes, NOLA Mosaics Face-to-Face Photography Donna Matherne Instar Farms Erika and Emory Nolan Niki Newhouse Ashley and Michael Zabalaoui

Thank you all so much!

Todah Rabah!

It’s carpool time, 7:45am. Ms. Chrissy smiles, greeting and helping children out of the car. Off they hurry to classrooms where teachers prepare them for the day ahead. Soon the sounds of an energetically sung “Hatikvah” spill from the Beit Midrash; the entire school has gathered to begin the day with Monday Morning Assembly and welcome the new week.

Pre.K and Kindergarten

It’s a beautiful day and Pre.K and Kindergarteners, science journals in one hand and gloves in the other, troop across Bart Field to their organic garden. Has anything happened to our plants?

Have butterflies emerged? Do we need to weed?

May I have a taste of kale and, by the way, how do you say “garden” in Hebrew?

First and Second Grade

First and second graders have just completed the final oral presentations – complete with handmade visual displays – of their People and Places research project. Travel brochures, cookbooks, maps and flags along with first-person historical interviews (thanks Grandpa!) serve to broaden students’ horizons and deepen their “I can do this!” attitudes. Before they know it, it’s time for Hebrew where Morah Hemda greets them with, “Shalom yeladim! Ma shlomchem hayom?” And they respond, “Shlomi tov!” “Gam shlomi tov!” “Hakol mitzuyan!”

Third and Fourth Grade

Third and Fourth graders are reflecting on the problems of the world and how they can solve them. Whittling down their list, they’ve honed in on microplastics in the ocean, inflammation in the human body, ADHD, and keeping birds from flying into windows. And so begins Exploravision!

An annual contest by Toshiba, students working in collaborative groups have 6 weeks to develop a future technology to address the current world problem they’ve selected. It’s off to the Berenson Learning Lab to begin their technology discovery research. Overheard in the hallway a few weeks later, “I think we’ve got this figured out. All we need is some start-up capital to make a prototype.” “Think of how many birds we can save! This will be awesome for nature!”

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July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

Fifth and Sixth Grade

Fifth and sixth graders clatter up the stairs to their classroom. Pirke Avot study awaits them, the Ethics of the Fathers. Lounging on bean bag chairs, deep discussion ensues. “OK, I really like this one: What is hateful to you, do not do unto your neighbor. The rest is commentary. Rabbi Hillel said that.” “Cool. Rabbi Eliezer said: Let the honor of your fellow be as dear to you as your own.” “And I really like this one: It is not incumbent upon you to finish the task. Yet, you are not free to desist from it.” “Does incumbent mean like you have to?” “Oh, guys! I just realized something!

All of these are like our No Place for Hate project!!”

Meanwhile...

In Hebrew

Morah Hemda has students gathered in the Berenson Learning Lab to watch a livestream of Beresheet, the Israeli spacecraft, attempting to land on the moon.

In P.E.

Coach PJ’s class is training for their Mile Run Challenge hoping to beat last year’s time.

In Art

Ms. Abby’s class is so inspired by the space mission that they create a collage representing the journey.

AND Ms. Lauren is busy busy n usic discussing the musical terms, staccato & legato, with Pre.K students.

I M

Back in carpool at pick-up time, that timeless conversation takes place in every car:

“Nothing!”

“What did you do in school today?”

July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

17

In Loving Memory of

Joan and Gerald Berenson

When Joan and Gerald learned of the opportunity to transform the 23-year-old Berenson Library in to a 21st-century Learning Lab for today’s children, they didn’t hesitate a moment. Spearheading funding with their own generous gifts, the Berenson Learning Lab was dedicated just over a year ago. Since then, it’s been a busy hub for children and their teachers. With cozy reading spaces, private work areas, a collaboration table, multiple PCs and iPads, and a giant monitor for presentations, students find the work environment that is “just right” for them. This innovative STEAM Lab is resourced with hardware, software, and digital experts that open the doors to Virtual Reality, Magic Glasses, Osmos, 3-D printing, UI Interfaces, Lego Robotics, Coding, and more. At the end of last year’s Grand Opening ceremony, Joan’s entire face was aglow with her beautiful smile, her eyes sparkling. With her adored husband, Gerald, sitting next to her, she gazed with love for the children and wonder at the array of technology before her. She said,

“ I will never understand what is going on here, but I know that these young children will.”

Thank you, Joan and Gerald, for the precious legacy you have shared with us. Your support, your wisdom, and your delight in learning are a blessing to the children of Jewish Community Day School for generations to come.

Commitment to Community:

Carol B.Wise

Carol Wise’s commitment to a flourishing New Orleans community is constantly demonstrated by the way she lives her life. She formed the first group of New Orleans Jewish Federation’s professional women in the 1980’s and hasn’t stopped thinking about how she can help ever since. More than twenty years ago, Carol established the Carol B. Wise Donor Advised Fund at the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana.

“My JEF Fund is an asset I consider to be invaluable,” she notes. Wise understands that this gift will remind future generations of her values and priorities, funding organizations like Jewish Community Day School.

“I know that my Fund makes a difference now, and my hope is that it serves as a guiding touchstone for future generations.”

Susan and Howard Green Preschool@JCDS

Planting our Legacy: The

The moment Susan Green learned of the JCDS dream to create an early childhood program, her mental wheels began to whirl. How could she help, she wondered, from the ground up? Susan and Howard initially became involved with JCDS because they observed first hand the benefits of a Jewish day school education - their grandchildren attend one in New York. “We have seen the impact on the whole family,” said Susan. “We are constantly awed by the kids’ joy and knowledge. We are passionate about this!” Susan continued, “Howard and I want to make sure the same high-quality Jewish education is available for the children and families of New Orleans.”

Susan Green connected with Jewish Community Day School after being wowed by the children’s Annual Chanukah Extravaganza.

“The beauty of the children’s singing, the astounding confidence they displayed; I just knew that this education would lay the groundwork for their connection toJudaism for a lifetime.”

Jewish Community Day School is thrilled to announce our new early childhood program will henceforth be known as the SUSAN AND HOWARD GREEN PRESCHOOL @JCDS! “We are absolutely over the moon about this,” said outgoing Oscar J. Tolmas Head of School, Sharon Pollin. “Susan and Howard are genuine caretakers of this community, and we could not be more grateful to them for this major gift to our school.”

The SUSAN AND HOWARD GREEN PRESCHOOL@JCDS honors two individuals who truly, as our sages teach, wear the crowns of a good name. From the earliest days of Judaism, the value of names has been understood. Names provide us with the opportunity to bring honor to the names we bear, and to ensure that those for whom we are named live on. Jewish Community Day School is privileged to honor the names of two such exemplary individuals as Susan and Howard Green.

We invite the entire community to join JCDS as we honor Susan and Howard Green for...

The GreenCarpet Gala

on

Sunday, November 17!

GreenPreschool Susan and Howard

@

3 Months to 3 Years Full Day Program|Monday - Friday

WHERE YOUR CHILD’S JEWISH EDUCATION BEGINS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2019-2020

Let’s Talk Numbers!

Jewish Community Day School donors know that their gifts have genuine impact. It is thanks to the many generous organizations and individuals who have partnered with us that we have achieved fundraising beyond any previous record.

Total Revenue 53% Tuition JCDS

25% Annual Campaign 5% Jewish Federation Allocations

17% Local &

National Grants

2 0 1 8 $1,061,485

-

2 0 1 9

Total Expenses

$1,001,551

88% Curriculum & Faculty

3% Administration 3% Marketing & Development

6% Occupancy

With increased enrollment, oustanding leadership, strategic fundraising practices, and the generosity of our JCDS Board, families, and community, we are thrilled to report that we exceeded our fundraising goals and ended 2018-2019 beyond expectations.

C h a rl es Zu ck er D onor A d vi sed Fund The Charles Zucker Donor Advised Fund of the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana (JEF) awarded JCDS a grant in the amount of $250,000 to establish a permanent endowment for the benefit of the school. Annual distributions from the fund will be used to support scholarships for those who otherwise would be unable to attend JCDS. Gi ve NO LA During this year’s city-wide annual day of philanthropy, JCDS received 130 gifts totaling almost $25,000.

GiveNOLA’s impact helped push JCDS beyond the top of our fundraising goal. Special thanks to donors who matched $10,000!

J e w i sh Feder at io n o f Grea te r Ne w Orlea ns and J ewi s h End owm ent F ound a ti on of L o u i s i a n a It is thanks to the ongoing commitment of these two generous community agencies, and the many individuals who comprise them, that Jewish Community Day School celebrates its 24th year. You have supported us through all circumstances, and we are deeply grateful.

A n n u al G ala This year’s Gala, the Butterfly Ball, honoring Dr. Sharon Pollin was the most successful to date! Co-Chaired

by Susan and Howard Green and Fran and Jonny Lake, the Butterfly Ball welcomed the most attendees, the greatest number of Patron Sponsors, and raised more dollars than ever before. Special thanks to the amazing Gala Committee and The Pollin Family who donated an entire Preschool classroom!

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July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

L eg a c y Her it age Jewi sh Pre school Project C ha l l eng e Gr a nt Jewish Community Day School (JCDS) is grateful to announce that it has been selected to receive a generous Legacy Heritage Preschool grant made possible by the Legacy Heritage Fund to develop our growing early childhood program. Structured as a matching grant over the course of three years, this significant act of philanthropy will support Jewish Community Day School’s goal of introducing more New Orleans area children and their families to the richness and beauty of Jewish life, living, and education.

Expanding on our tradition of Jewish educational excellence, the new Susan and Howard Green Preschool at JCDS is delighted that Rabbi Michael Cohen will enrich our staff as School Rabbi. Rabbi Cohen will teach Jewish education workshops for teachers, lead Kabbalat Shabbat and Jewish holiday celebrations, conduct Jewish Family Education programs, and serve as a key Jewish resource for the Preschool.

Avery Loss joins JCDS as its first Early Childhood Director. Committed to Reggio-Emilia inspired early childhood practice, Ms. Loss brings her skills, experience, and inspiring vision of a vibrant, child-centered preschool to JCDS. The Susan and Howard Green Preschool at JCDS approach to educational excellence and Jewish engagement draws power from its unique blend of Jewish values, customs, and ideas. The preschool curriculum is influenced by a combination of Reggio-Emilia, modern Hebrew language learning, and an infusion of Peace/Shalom education. The JCDS board, faculty, teachers, and families are deeply appreciative of the Legacy Heritage Preschool Project for their generous support.

J C D S B o ar d of Tr ustees JCDS Board volunteers are just that - volunteers! Sometimes it is hard to remember that their roles in the school are “add-ons” to the rest of their lives. Each has shared unique passion, intellect, wisdom, experience, time, and financial resources to create an extraordinarily accomplished whole. Their generosity has enabled us to reach the high goals of this important year. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

J C DS P ar en t Assoc i a ti o n The JCDS Parent Association, with volunteers and Leadership Team members Emily Dvorin (President), Kim Glass (Vice President), Adam Miller (Treasurer), Josefina Mendez-Rosa and Jenn Schneider (Events Coordinators), and Elena Penn (Secretary), has had a record year of involvement. Activities designed to enhance the school community and support teachers included Recruitment and Retention support, Craft Night and Dance-A-Thon fundraisers, teacher appreciation, and beautiful gifts for our 6th-grade graduates. Thank you for all you do to provide this warm network of support during the very busy school year!

I n no v a tion & C om muni ty:

The Richard and Vivian Cahn Mid-Winter Children’s Choice Week

Take two Jewish day schools and 100 kids and bring them together for five days of experiential learning and lunch, and what do you get? Richard and Vivian Cahn’s Mid-Winter Children’s Choice Week! The Cahn’s interest in STEM education and creating connections between Jewish Community Day School and Slater Torah Academy students inspired this innovative collaboration. Eleven exciting workshop choices were offered this year. They were designed to foster the two schools’ shared focus on critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and STEM. Bonus: everyone made new friends! Thanks to the generosity of Richard and Vivian, the second year of Mid-Winter Children’s Choice Week was successful on every level.

We are so thankful to the Cahns for their incredibly generous support and cannot wait for next year!

Dr. Sharon Pollin arrived at Jewish Community Day School six years ago. It was

a time of disequilibrium, and a time of opportunity. A national day school consultant identified twelve challenges that would need to be met for the school to thrive.

Today, thanks to the leadership of Dr. Pollin, the JCDS Board of Trustees, and a diverse and devoted community of donors and volunteers, many of these goals have been realized. Milestones include:

• • • • • • •

Award of a 5-year grant from the Oscar J Tolmas Trust establishing the Oscar J Tolmas Head of School Chair Blooming enrollment Record-breaking fundraising Establishment of the Charles D Zucker JCDS Permanent Endowment Fund of the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana Opening of the Young Baby Program Development of the Susan and Howard Green Preschool @JCDS Recipient of two Legacy Heritage Fund Challenge grants

• • • • • •

Participation in Prizmah Atidenu Recruitment and Retention Academy (15-month selective program) Establishment of the Joan and Gerald Berenson Learning Lab Vivian and Richard Cahn Mid-Winter Children’s Choice collaboration with Slater Torah Academy School counselor collaboration with Jewish Family Service ADL No Place for Hate school Recipient of JEF Helen A. Mervis Jewish Community Professional Award

The fulfillment of any goal is necessarily a stepping-stone to the next. It is with special satisfaction that we welcome Dr. Bradley Philipson to JCDS as the next Oscar J. Tolmas Head of School.

“The Head of School Search Committee worked tirelessly for more than a year to select Dr. Philipson,” said Committee Chair, Dr. Mike Wasserman. Committee members included, Carole Neff, Lis and Hugo Kahn, Susan Green, Jody Hart, Emily Dvorin, Aleeza Adelman, Debbie Schlackman, Jeremy Soso, and Alan Franco.

A New Orleans native, Dr. Philipson has an impressive background as a teacher and education leader.

He has held positions as Upper and Middle School Principal of Young Audiences Charter School, Assistant Head of School for Academics, and Curriculum and Communications Specialist for Country Day School in Fort Worth, Texas, and teacher and Assistant Principal at Metairie Park Country Day School. “The team and structure that Dr. Pollin and the JCDS Board of Trustees have assembled is the dream of any incoming head of school,” said Dr. Philipson. “

“The symphony these players will perform - the students, teachers, families and all who have dedicated themselves to this precious mission-is the future of JewishCommunity Day School. I am thrilled to accept the baton from Sharon Pollin, and together dream of the next movement in this beautiful community symphony.”

Transition Committee Chair, Susan Green, and committee members, Tiffany Cotlar, Emily Dvorin, Rochelle Adler Effron, Dashka Roth Lehmann, and Carole Neff are on hand to ensure a smooth shift from one leader to the next. Brad has been accepted to the prestigious Day School Leadership Training Institute (DSLTI) under the auspices of the Jewish Theological Seminary with the support of AVI CHAI. The 15-month program, designed for new heads of Jewish day schools, focuses on Judaism, Education, and Leadership with ongoing mentoring and the development of an ongoing cohort peer network. Dr. Philipson officially assumed his role as Oscar J. Tolmas Head of School on July 1, 2019.

News Focus: 2019-2020

Faculty We are thrilled that faculty and staff retention is at an all-time high, with 100% returning for 2019-2020.

Joining the JCDS team: • Rabbi Michael Cohen will serve as School Rabbi, upper grades teacher, and Jewish program enrichment for the ECE program. Rabbi Cohen earned his Rabbinic ordination from Jewish Theological Seminary in New York and his Master’s in Jewish Education from The Davidson Graduate School. He received his Bachelor’s degree in History from Columbia University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, and a second Bachelor’s degree from List College for Jewish Studies in Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages, also Magna Cum Laude. Most recently Rabbi Cohen served as Education Director of Beth Hill Congregation Bnai Emunah for 6 years in Wilmette, IL. • Avery Loss will serve as the first Susan and Howard Green Preschool Division Head. Ms. Loss is a New Orleanian who earned a B.A. from Hendrix College with a focus on Holocaust Literature and Jewish Studies. She has taught in the Early Childhood and Elementary programs at both McGehee’s Little Gate and St. Andrew’s schools. Passionate and hands-on about Reggio-inspired early childhood education, Avery is also a multi-talented artist and athlete.

• Sara Bellick joins JCDS to teach our second classroom of first and second graders. Ms. Bellick completed her undergraduate studies at Tulane University where she majored in Elementary Education and Psychology with a minor in Jewish Studies. She interned this past year in a 2nd grade Lusher Charter Elementary School classroom, where she honed her skills while earning her teaching certification. Sara grew up in Jewish day school, attending Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School in Chicago from Kindergarten through 8th grade graduation.

• Paula Apffel is excited to assume her role as STEAM teacher. Ms. Apffel joins JCDS following 11 years at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School and is a dear colleague and friend of our own Ms. Liz Amoss. Ms. Apffel has initiated collaborative programs with Ben Franklin High School for Robotics, and Tulane University for architecture for our JCDS students.

• Toby David, recently awarded the Steeg-Grinspoon Award for Excellence in Jewish education, adds the title of JCDS Librarian to his JCDS role as Jewish Studies teacher for the lower grades.

• Camille Greenberg joins JCDS as Early Childhood Advisor. Ms. Greenberg earned her B.A. from UNO and has been a member of McGehee’s Little Gate team since 2004 where she served as Director for many years.

A thriving Jewish day school is a vital cornerstone of a flourishing Jewish community.

Year Total Students

Enrollment Report: Watch us Grow!

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

2018/19

2019/20

27

30

36

38

52

66

75

May 2019: Seven 6th graders graduated August 2019: 10 entering Pre.K students (100% Jewish), 23 Preschool children (80% Jewish) and opening second 1st/2nd grade classroom

Aleeza Adelman

our

Shabbat Party

Liz Amoss

Executive Committee

3rd and 4th Grade Teacher

Carole Cukell Neff

Tiffany Cotlar

Board President

Director of Institutional Advancement

Dr. Sharon Pollin

Toby David

Oscar J. Tolmas Head of School Chair

Jewish Studies

Susan Green Vice President

Judy Fried

Pre.K and Kindergarten Teacher

Jody Hart Treasurer

Carol Garcia

Pre.K and Kindergarten Asst. Teacher

Debbie Schlackman Recruitment and Retention

Lauren Gisclair

Music Teacher and Admin. Support

Carol Newman Secretary

Chrissy Hardy

Lis and Hugo Kahn

Director of Admissions

Members at Large

Hemda Hochman

Dr. Michael Wasserman

Hebrew Teacher

Janna Jackson

F Business Manager Jones “Coach PJ” A Philip Physical Education

C Eliza Kase U 5th and 6th Grade Teacher L Maggie Madere 1st and 2nd Grade Teacher T Y

Dr. Sharon Pollin

Oscar J. Tolmas Head of School Chair

Immediate Past President

B O A R D o f

Rabbi David Posternock a n d

Torah Teacher

Debbie Schlackman

Library and Techology Specialist

Abby Wetsman Art Teacher

S Margaret Winston, LPC T JFS School Counselor A Early Childhood Program F Tal Bavli Leylah Cagle F Malka Danieli Molly Garcia Rainey Haggerty Kei’yaira Patterson

T R U S T E E S

Members

Jessica Bach Joan Berenson, z’l Emily Dvorin Rochelle Adler Effron William Hess William Norman Valerie Posner Karen Weissbecker Remer Madilyn Samuels Naomi Samuels Jennifer Schneider Jeremy Soso Eileen Wallen

Past Presidents

Dr. George Fuhrman Edward Gothard Hugo Kahn Lis Kahn Marilyn Kullman Dashka Roth Lehmann Rabbi Bob Loewy Karen Weissbecker Remer Charles Stern

Remembering JCDS...

Jodie Goldberg

“The New Orleans Jewish Day School laid the foundation for what is now a career in Jewish Education. The day school is where I gained skills to be proficient in text, prayer and Jewish History, and a place that connected me to a people with thousands of years of tradition and history. My passion for Jewish living, and drive for continued Jewish learning would not have been possible without the Jewish education that I received at the New Orleans Jewish Day School.”

Jodie graduated with her Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and received a dual Masters in Jewish Education and Hebrew Bible from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She now works as the Teen Engagement Consultant and Project Manager for the Jewish Education Project in NYC.

Joshua Tarr

“My experiences at the Day School have inspired me throughout my scholastic career. From reading Harry Potter in Kindergarten to wiring a cardboard house with lightbulbs and switches in 4th grade, the drive that I learned during day school-to be curious, work hard, and find the joys in learning-have been invaluable to my successes in high school, college, and law school.”

Josh graduated Law School from University of Virginia. After taking the bar, he will begin working at Goodwin Procter in Boston with a focus on tech, life science, and start-up companies. Mazel tov on his recent engagement! He plans to marry in October 2020.

MaxVizelberg

“I am very grateful for having attended JCDS. It was there that I cultivated friendships that last to this very day and a joy for learning, which I carry with me in all aspects of life.”

Max attended Harvard College and graduated from Vet School at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in May of 2018. He now practices in Cambridge, MA.

Jewish day schools are the gold standard in Jewish education. No other form of Jewish education provides the robust training in Jewish values, imparts the level of knowledge, or instills the same level of Jewish commitment. Nearly a quarter-century of studies have time and again demonstrated the profound impact of a day school education on students’ Jewish knowledge and identity.

2018/

2019

With Very Special Thanks Joan and Dr. Gerald Berenson, z”l Vivian and Richard Cahn Diane and Alan Franco Susan and Howard Green Lis and Hugo Kahn JCC Metairie and JCC Uptown The Entire JCDS Board and Faculty Team JCDS Parent Association Jewish Endowment Foundation of LA Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans Legacy Heritage Fund Carole and Richard Neff PJ Library The Pollin Family Dashka Roth Lehmann Madilyn and Alvin Samuels Debbie and Jon Schlackman The Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust Linda Waknin, D’Vash Catering Lynne and Michael Wasserman

Ways toGive

Online Giving Matching Gifts Tribute Gifts Planned Gifts Outright Gifts For more information contact: Tiffany Cotlar Director of Institutional Advancement tcotlar@jcdsnola.org or 504.887.4091

JCDS

Mission Statement

The mission of Jewish Community Day School (JCDS) is to instill a love of learning invigorated by empowering academics. JCDS is rooted in Jewish tradition, fostering spirituality (emunah), dedication to repair our world (tikkun olam) and commitment to the entire Jewish people (k’lal Yisrael). JCDS is a nurturing school where families of all backgrounds are welcomed and children are prepared for their futures. At JCDS we ensure that: • • • • • •

Students become inquiring, capable youth who are passionate lifelong learners Teachers are dedicated to best educational practices Families are engaged in their children’s academic achievement and holistic development Ethics and morals of our students are actualized through commitment to Jewish values Positive connections to the language, land, culture and people of the State of Israel are created Children are primed for full participation in our global society

Jewish Community Day School | 3747 West Esplanade Avenue Metairie, Louisiana 70002 | 504.887.4091 | jcdsnola.org 2

July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

health/wellness an annual SJL special section

Avoid Heat Related Illnesses With temperatures on the rise, there is a greater risk for heat related illnesses, especially for those who have a chronic health condition or take certain medications that interfere with normal body response to heat. It’s important to know the warning signs for heat related illnesses and how to stay cool and healthy this summer.

Exposure to abnormal or prolonged amounts of heat and humidity without relief or adequate fluid intake can cause various types of heat-related illness. Heat related illness can occur in two ways, exertional What are the signs or and non-exertional. symptoms of heat stroke?

Exertional heat illness occurs when an individual exerts them- Confusion selves in a hot environment, such Fainting as practicing football on a hot Body temperature of 104°F or higher day without any breaks. Non-ex- Hot, dry skin ertional heat stroke occurs when Nausea and vomiting an individual is trapped in a hot Rapid heartbeat environment. Examples of this Quick, shallow breathing would be an infant left in a car Loss of balance and coordination Seizures on a summer day.

Heat exhaustion results from a loss of water and salt in the body. It occurs in conditions of extreme heat and excessive sweating without adequate fluid and salt replacement. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body is unable to cool itself properly and, if left untreated, can progress to heat stroke. Heat stroke, the most severe form of heat illness, occurs when the body’s heat-regulating system is overwhelmed by excessive heat. It is a life-threatening emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

Heatstroke is an extreme medical emergency, for which one should call 911 right away. Until help arrives, move the affected person into the shade or at least away from the heat source. Remove the person’s clothing, fan the person, and apply cool water or wet towels or sheets. If available, apply covered ice to armpits and groin. Change the towels and sheets when they are no longer cool. Continue these activities until help arrives.

Heat related illnesses can be prevented. It’s important to drink plenty of fluids during vigorous or outdoor activities. Stay away from alcohol or fluids with caffeine, such as tea, coffee and cola, as these can lead to dehydration. Make sure to dress in light colored, lightweight, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing on hot days. Schedule vigorous activity and sports for cooler times of the day and take frequent breaks to rest in shady or cool areas. Stay protected from the sun by using sunscreen, wearing a hat and sunglasses, and using an umbrella.

If possible, try to spend as much time indoors on very hot and humid days. Never leave a child or animal in an unattended car, even if the windows are cracked open. If you or someone you know exhibits signs or symptoms of heat stroke, seek emergency help immediately.

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July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

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health/wellness

Your CBD Store opens in Mountain Brook CBD oil can cure ails such as joint and muscle pain, anxiety, sleep deprivation, headaches as well as prevent the onset of epileptic seizures.

Last month, Your CBD Store opened in Mountain Brook, and owner Joe Tanko said he is excited to be able to help people with products made from industrial hemp.

“The reason I got into this was to help other people,” said Tanko. “I am an avid golfer and CBD oil has helped me to heal so I can play more. It has helped people feel better in a number of ways.”

The THC level in the CBD oil is “non-traceable.” The 2018 Agriculture and Nutrition Act also changed the legal status of hemp from a controlled substance to an agricultural commodity, paving the way for the widespread sale of CBD oil.

Your CBD Store Mountain Brook offers tinctures — liquid drops placed under the tongue — topical creams, water-soluble pills and bath bombs. They even have products made for dogs and cats that help pets with anxiety, joint pain as well as other ailments.

“We’re not doctors and we suggest people consult with their physician (or veterinarian as pertaining to their pets) before starting on CBD oil products,” said Tanko. “It’s not one size fits all, but we listen to what our customers say and can recommend based on our personal experiences; research on what has worked, as well as what other customers have told us works for them.”

People can start feeling the positive effects of water-soluble products within 5 to 10 minutes, so those are recommended more for acute pain.

CBD tinctures can take one to two hours to start working, so those are more for chronic conditions.

Manager Conner Hodgkins said the tinctures come in a variety of flavors and doses. “We even have flavors that dogs like in our dog treats,” he said.

Saturdays 9:30am sundays 1pm 30

July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

Conner said Your CBD Store corporate has researchers on staff responsible for the development and testing of products, led by Dr. Anthony Ferrari, who has a doctorate in analytical chemistry.

Nationally Funded by: L.E. Phillips Family Foundation

“Just about every day we learn more about what’s working and advancements,” said Hodgkins. “Plus there are many testimonials out there from people who said how CBD oil worked for them when other things they tried didn’t.”

health/wellness

Integrated solutions for pain management in New Orleans Integrated Pain and Neuroscience pioneered several pain management treatments in the New Orleans area, including medical acupuncture, bone marrow aspirate concentrate and deep tissue laser therapy.

But IPN prides itself on the education its team of professionals provides to patients, with a focus on holistic wellness.

“The single most important thing is helping our patients to maintain a healthy, pain-free life,” said Integrated Pain and Neuroscience’s Michael Francis, a New Orleans native who ran the Pain Clinic at Tulane for 10 years. “We’re here not just to help them improve their quality of life, but to also provide them with the knowledge on what they can do for themselves.”

Francis studied Tai Chi for years and continues to teach it. He also advises patients on a diet rich in foods that can help their body, including fish oil and anti-inflammatories such as turmeric.

“Tai Chi, yoga and meditation are all important pieces of the wellness picture,” he said. “The key is to do things that are good for our mind and body. The less we concentrate on the pain, the less pain we have.”

Eric Royster founded Integrated Pain and Neuroscience with a mission to solve the puz-

zle of debilitating pain. IPN’s board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians combine both interventional and integrative pain management techniques to relieve chronic and acute pain.

Interventional pain management uses more traditional medical treatments to address pain, such as minimally invasive medical or surgical procedures that interrupt the nervous system’s transmission of pain messages from the nerve endings to the brain.

Integrative pain management integrates complementary and alternative medicine into a treatment plan with techniques including deep tissue laser therapy, acupuncture, psychiatry, nutrition and physical therapy.

IPN also offers headache therapy through occipital nerve blocks and other alternatives to pharmacologic therapy, to help patients achieve pain relief and decrease both intensity as well as frequency of headaches.

They recently expanded their services to include Ketamine infusion therapy, which is being used to treat chronic and acute pain — especially those suffering from chronic pain, chronic migraines, treatment-resistant depression and post-traumatic stress disorder — on an outpatient basis.

The number of infusion therapies needed varies based on one’s diagnosis, symptoms and body’s response to the treatment, but results typically last for three to six months.

“Ketamine is an anesthetic agent that has been in use for more than 40 years and plays an integral part in blocking pain receptor loops,” said Francis. “It’s more effective than other agents for the control neuropathic pain.”

Integrative Pain and Neuroscience also has begun offering an investigative treatment for pain using one’s own cells, autologous stem cells. The patient is the donor and the recipient, preventing any risk of rejection or allergic reaction.

The cell therapy procedure Royster offers uses Bone Marrow Aspiration taken from the back of a patient’s hipbone to treat the targeted area. They offer the treatment to patients with conditions including osteoarthritis of the joints, chronic partial rotator cuff tears, pinched nerves, muscular tears and disc-related back pain. The procedure is fast, comes with very few risks, and is performed in an office setting.

IPN has locations in Uptown, Metairie and Slidell. For more information, go to www.painisapuzzle.com.

MY TOURO DOC keeps my heart beating strong.

At Touro, our docs go above and beyond to meet patients’ needs, because we know we‘re not just treating an illness, we’re treating a person. Whether it’s a broken bone, a bad cold, or something more serious, there’s a Touro doc nearby who is ready to listen, comfort and care for you.

Find your own Touro Doc at touro.com/findadoc or 504.897.7777 and start building a lasting relationship with a doctor you can trust.

Touro Radiation Oncologist Elly Zakris, MD, pictured above with patient Carl Lowe. Read about Carl’s infectious spirit that carried him throughout his cancer treatment at touro.com/carlscourage.

July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

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health/wellness

Craig Rousso building better smiles at Diamond Smiles Craig Rousso, a dentist with Diamond Smiles Dentistry in Homewood, smiles when recalling how much of an inspiration his father — Daniel Rousso of Rousso Facial Plastic Surgery and Day Spa — was to him when making a decision about his career.

“I loved the fact that dad always played an important part in making people feel and look better,” said Rousso. His older sister, Emily, is also in the dental field, in pediatric practice in the Birmingham area. “We all work on the face. My sister and I work on the inside and our dad works on the outside. We are always referring patients to each other.”

Rousso recognizes that the knowledge he has learned in the medical field from his dad, even before choosing the dental profession, has helped him tremendously in his career.

Rousso graduated from dental school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, then attended residency in advanced general dentistry in Santa Barbara, Calif., before coming back home to Birmingham. He then joined Diamond Smiles Dentistry after Edgar Luna believed it would be a great partnership in the Homewood location, especially since Rousso also had a keen interest in high-end cosmetic dentistry.

Rousso credits his residency in keeping him up to date in the most recent advancements in dentistry. Patients can replace old amalgam fillings with a new resin-composite, and can even have the option to do inlays or onlays with a ceramic porcelain that gives better quality than even newer composite fillings.

For many years, silver fillings have been made from amalgams containing mercury. Over time, the silver turns into grey and black spots, which can indicate a failure in the filling, and will leak mercury. Rousso says, “for those who have had the fillings for multiple years, there is a very high likelihood

that the seals have worn off and decay has come back. Sometimes we don’t see the damage until we take out the filling.”

Rousso also provides cosmetic crowns and veneers. “These newer materials allow our office to provide you with beautiful, but natural looking teeth,” said Rousso. He works hand in hand with their elite labs to provide the perfect design to match the patients’ facial features and smile desires.

For those who want straighter teeth but don’t want the hassle or look of conventional braces, Rousso offers Invisalign, a clear removable retainer that is molded to the shape of one’s mouth. Patients can wear the clear retainers for a determined length of time and can see a significant improvement, without a mouth full of metal.

At Diamond Smiles Dentistry, Rousso utilizes digital scanners and x-rays to help gain an enhanced attention to cancer screening and overall oral health, often eliminating the need for traditional impression materials, while greatly reducing exposure to radiation.

Rousso provides a customized treatment plan to match a patient’s oral history and treatment goals. This helps decide frequency of visits and helps educate patients to impact their overall systemic health.

“These days, the electric toothbrush is relatively inexpensive. You can get an entry level model for a few dollars and just change the brush out as needed,” he said. “The electric toothbrush gives a more thorough cleaning of the teeth.” They are especially great for anyone that may have physical mobility problems and are great for young children.

Rousso said his favorite dental procedure is “anything to make the patient feel better. Relieving someone of pain or doing a complete smile makeover, having the patient smile at the end of the day is what I love.”

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LIFE without pain IS BEAUTIFUL! THE LEADER IN PAIN INTERVENTION

PainIsAPuzzle.com | 504.300.9020 New Orleans & Metairie 32

July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

health/wellness

Tulane opening Sports Medicine Plus in Lakeview Weekend warriors and young athletes can avoid the ER (Emergency Room) and spend less time on the IR (Injured Reserve), thanks to a winning idea by Tulane University’s School of Medicine.

On July 15, they will open Tulane Doctors — Sports Medicine Plus, Lakeview. The clinic, located in the pre-Katrina Beth Israel building, will always have a board-certified orthopedic surgeon on staff and full x-ray and ultrasound equipment, along with a physical therapist most of the time. It will be open 3 to 8 p.m. during the week, as well as Saturday mornings, and they will take walk-ins.

“The goal is to provide patients with the care they need during the times when sports-related injuries usually occur,” said Felix Savoie, chairman of orthopaedics for the Tulane University School of Medicine and head of the new Sports Medicine Plus clinic.

“We chose a residential area where we know a lot of organized sports are going on,” said Savoie. “This way patients can avoid the several-hour waits in emergency rooms. For a walk-in to be able to see some of the best orthopedic surgeons in the nation immediately in some cases is extraordinary.”

With extended hours, the Tulane Doctors — Sports Medicine Plus, Lakeview location can address and treat injuries such as strains, sprains, lacerations, dislocated shoulders as well as broken bones. “In many cases, if the injury is addressed as soon as possible, it could be the difference between being out two to three weeks versus being out two to three months,” he said.

For just about any type of injury, the first 72 hours are very important.

Savoie recommends ice, compression and elevation immediately after the injury.

Savoie said they have much experience working with Tulane University athletes and numerous high schools across the area. “Our clinic on campus is open pretty late,” he said. “Our medical professionals feel really good about being in a position to help people when they need it.”

The Tulane Sports Med Plus Lakeview is the “first step” in what could be several other related clinics across the greater New Orleans area. “This is an experiment. But if it works well, as we think it will, we will expand the model to other areas where the clinics will be very much in need,” said Savoie.

Having five kids of his own who were involved in high school and college athletics, Savoie knows first hand that injuries happen often, but they can be treated effectively and immediately.

“Injuries can’t be avoided, but they can be treated quickly and properly to get a patient on the road to recovery as soon as possible,” he said.

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health/wellness

by Daniel H. March

Personhood in Dementia, a la Martin Buber’s I-Thou

METAIRIE 605 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA 70005 504.309.8778 | @hemlinemetairie

Martin Buber, the Jewish German philosopher, published in 1923 his “Ich und Du,” “I and Thou,” describing the all-important way that we relate to one another and to God. Buber recognized that every relationship that a person forms with anyone or anything in existence is based on one of two perspectives — I-It or I-Thou (You).

These two views of living in the world describe us either as being separate from things or in relationship with others. Applied to human relationships, we either live in relationship with others or we treat them as things, separate from ourselves, a means to an end, or objects to be manipulated. This has far-reaching implications on how we live life, either apart and disconnected, or in relationships, intimate and rich.

Buber’s concepts have direct application to healthcare. We are created to live in relationship with the other for whom we care. Relationships are the basis of the personhood we accord to others as a Thou (You). Relating to people as a Thou requires emotional investment, risk, commitment and intimacy. This is in contrast to treating persons as an It, a task to be completed instead of a person to be served and loved.

Buber said that “All real living is meeting,” being present, aware, open without hidden agendas or pretense. Too often, we don’t allow ourselves to get close to the people around us, the people we serve or sometimes even our own family members. Emotionally, we keep them at an arm’s length because we don’t feel we can trust the other person or we don’t want to reveal our true selves out of fear of getting hurt.

When we grant others the personhood of the Thou, we treat them with grace, allow them and ourselves the freedom to let down our guard. At the same time, we cease trying to manipulate other people or use them as a means to an end or see them as a task to complete. When we allow this to happen, just maybe, we will begin to discover the gift of the people around us, as we enrich each other’s lives.

Whether in a healthcare setting or at home around the dinner table, we were created to live in relation with one another, in community. When we treat others as a Thou, we glimpse the Holy. Our relationships transcend the daily grind and allow us to see the higher ethical and moral purpose for which we are created.

Daniel H. March is executive director of the Fair Haven Retirement Community in Birmingham.

Advancements in fertility offer new hope The world of fertility continues to be fertile ground for innovation in recent years, and has allowed New LIFE Fertility Leaders to offers new hope to its patients.

“It is a constantly changing medical field. Fertility thrives on innovation,” said Barry A. Ripps, who earned his medical degrees from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, opened his practice in 1994 and created New Leaders In Fertility & Endocrinology, aka “New LIFE,” in 2000. The practice has grown and now has offices in Pensacola, Panama City, Destin, Mobile, Dothan, Tallahassee and Biloxi.

Ripps said female fertility declines with age, with measurable changes as soon as the late 20s. Some women are choosing cryo-preservation of their eggs earlier in their 20s.

“Then, if they are ready to have a baby when they are in their 30s, for example, there would be a higher rate of successful pregnancy, since a healthy egg is the prime factor in a successful conception,” he said. “This technology just came about in recent years.”

Another new technology can also help to identify the causes of a miscar-

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July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

health/wellness Stand Out This Summer with a New Head of Hair!

riage. “We can now perform genetic testing on the embryo itself. And when there is a loss, it is something patients can even do at home,” said Ripps.

“If the miscarriage was due to a genetic issue, it offers couples new hope to keep trying.”

Fertility specialists can also conduct tests to ascertain how receptive the uterus would be to an implantation of an embryo. Whereas previously a 40 percent implantation rate might have been favorable, those numbers can be improved to the range of 60 to 70 percent.

Some health factors haven’t changed when it comes to increasing chances of fertility. Ripps recommends a healthy diet and cutting out smoking.

“A woman who is in good shape and leads a healthy lifestyle increases her chance of conception,” he said. “We are there every step of the way to help couples in any way we can.”

Children’s Hospital of Alabama clears the air about asthma Asthma can be a scary diagnosis for a child and their parents. It’s a disease that makes it hard to breathe. This happens because airways in the lungs get swollen, smaller and filled with mucus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 13 people has asthma.

Molly Bolton, Asthma Program Nurse Practitioner at Children’s Hospital of Alabama, says the common symptoms of asthma include coughing — especially at nighttime — as well as chest pain or chest tightness, and difficulty breathing or a wheezing, whistling sound when breathing.

There’s no cure for asthma, but it can be managed to prevent flare-ups.

“Our goal is that children with asthma can run and play and do the things any other child can do,” said Bolton.

There are multiple treatment measures Asthma Symptoms that can be used in the management of Cough asthma. These include quick relief medi- Chest pain cines that help relieve asthma symptoms Wheezing within minutes, and controller medicines that manage asthma by preventing flareTreatment of Asthma ups. Controller medicine is taken every Quick relief medicine day, even when a child feels well.

If you’re concerned your child might Controller medicine have asthma, make a note of the symptoms and any “triggers” that are causing the symptoms and share with your child’s pediatrician. Notice if flare-ups occur inside or outside, or are they exercise-induced? “Talk to your pediatrician about the symptoms that are concerning to you. Try to let them know what makes the symptoms worse or better,” said Bolton.

She said if one’s child is diagnosed with asthma, a pediatrician will probably recommend seeing your child every three to six months. “Asthma is chronic, long-term and may change over time,” Bolton added. By partnering with a child’s pediatrician and following their recommendations for management of asthma and avoiding triggers, that child should be able to stay healthy and breathe well.

Moishe House awarded Jerusalem prize Moishe House was awarded the Jerusalem Unity Prize in the international category, during a ceremony at the residence of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. Moishe House received the prize for its worldwide success in engaging Jewish young adults in meaningful ways and empowering them to create their own vibrant communities.

Through a global ecosystem of interconnected programs, the Moishe House model ensures that Jewish young adults are equipped and inspired to create Jewish homes and access Jewish events every day of the week.

Established in 2006 in Oakland, Calif., Moishe House rapidly expanded, with New Orleans becoming one of the earlier communities to establish a house.

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July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

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Lorraine LeBlanc and Curtis Billings in “Freedom”

“Freedom” play opens at WWII Museum

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July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

“Freedom,” which opens at the National World War II Museum on July 5, has been in development for over two decades. Playwright Joyce Pulitzer said when they started writing the play, the theme about immigrants dealing with their pasts while becoming Americans “wasn’t that poignant, but today the story is really hot.”

“We’re excited” about this month’s run at the New Orleans institution.

“It’s been a long journey.”

Set in 1998, “Freedom” is the story of a Holocaust survivor and an Irish immigrant who meet just hours before their U.S. naturalization ceremony.

Both have deep wounds from their pasts, and through that forge a connection through learning about their commonalities.

The story isn’t just about finding the freedom that comes with being an American, but also the freedom to face the truth about one’s self.

In America, she said, there are so many opportunities to be free. “Here you can be who you are.”

Over the years, Pulitzer said, four writers collaborated on the project.

She recalled being at Disney World with her grandchildren, when a sea of humanity sprang up and she lost track of her family momentarily. She said that moment of fright gave her a taste of the emotions when families were suddenly separated in the 1940s in Europe.

The experience stayed with her, and she started contemplating what she would have done if she had been in a concentration camp. “I would have done pretty much anything,” she said.

Pulitzer has also written “Cherries Jubilee,” which won the Big Easy Best New Play award in 1999, and “Life, Liberty, and Social Security.”

In 1998, she started working on “Freedom” with “history buff ” David Seelig, contrasting the experience of a Holocaust survivor with that of a former member of the Irish Republican Army, who had lived in a ghetto because he was Catholic. Seelig was not well for much of the time that they collaborated, and he died before it the play was completed.

Pulitzer also approached Kitty Greenberg, who headed the drama department at Isidore Newman School. Greenberg was skeptical, but Pulitzer said she had a “degree in chutzpah,” and convinced Greenberg to read the draft. She was also skeptical on how three people could write a play, but joined the effort.

Pulitzer said their philosophy during the writing was “it doesn’t matter whose line it is as long as it makes the play better.”

During the writing, Pulitzer and Greenberg met with local Holocaust survivor Anne Levy, and they spent time at the home of Felicia Fuksman, who had spent four years in the Lodz Ghetto, then was sent to Ravensbruck.

She immigrated to New Orleans in 1950.

Pulitzer said the Holocaust survivors in New Orleans were called the New Americans, because they wanted to be assimilated. “They weren’t the Polish-Americans or the Russian-Americans.”

Pulitzer invited Sean Patterson, who teaches drama at Metairie Park Country Day School, to read the script. He then signed on as the fourth writer. Greenberg also died before the show made its debut.

In July 2013, the play’s first run was at the Contemporary Arts Center, where she said “it did very well” despite not being part of a season ticket package — so every ticket sold had to be someone specifically wanting to see that show. continued on next page

community Rachel Stern named MSJE Judaic advisor >> Freedom Rachel Stern is returning to the area on a part-time basis as the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience’s Senior Judaic Advisor.

Stern was the first full-time director of education for the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life in Jackson, an organization that grew out of the original MSJE in Utica, Miss. She recently became the inaugural director of the Rapoport Center and the chief learning and engagement officer for Shalom Austin.

Stern will provide expertise and guidance in the presentation of Jewish beliefs and practices throughout the museum’s exhibits. The museum is slated for a 2020 opening in New Orleans.

“I can think of no better person to help us interpret the religious aspects of exhibits,” said Museum Executive Director Kenneth Hoffman. “Rachel has such wonderful experience creating educational curricula that is not only informative, but accessible and engaging.”

“As a Jewish educator I’m always looking for new ways to connect people to Judaism,” said Stern. “I’m thrilled to be part of this project and utilizing the museum as a platform to teach and celebrate Judaism.”

Many of the museum’s exhibits will be historical in nature, tracing Southern Jewish involvement in local, regional and national events. The museum is also planning a unique gallery where visitors can explore Judaism — its fundamental beliefs, branches, life cycle events, and holidays — using a rich collection of artifacts that were used by Southern Jews over the past 200 years.

FATHER & HUSBAND

continued from page 36

Through some connections, she was able to approach the National World War II Museum, a venue she really wanted to host the show, because the museum “has been so significant to our city.” And, she added, they have a Freedom pavilion.

The play will be directed by Maxwell Williams of Le Petit Theatre. Curtis Billings will play the role of Danny, the Irish immigrant, while Lorraine LeBlanc, who played Holocaust survivor Yetta in the 2013 production, returns in the role.

The show will be at BB’s Stage Door Canteen, July 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 27.

>> Rear Pew Mirror

“I mean, you can take a two-week Caribbean cruise, but who can put a time limit on freedom?”

Expense was another hurdle to clear in enticing tourists, especially considering it’s 40 years. Sheliach explained their rationale, “who can put a price on freedom?”

The Sheliach brothers might make a comeback, though, with a different biblical experience that would be even more immersive. “With climate change,” says Aaron, “the oceans are rising at a significant rate. Some day soon, people will thank us for building a real ark. Even those officials that grant maritime permits and the animal rights groups who’ve already sent us their opinions.”

Doug Brook is growing his hair long to re-enact the story of Samson. And taking more vitamins. To read past columns, visit http://brookwrite.com/.

For exclusive online content, like facebook.com/rearpewmirror.

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vote williamson July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

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rear pew mirror • doug brook DINE AT AN “AMERICAN CLASSIC” AS RECOGNIZED BY

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SOMEWHERE IN THE SINAI DESERT — The boldest tourist attraction in the history of Israel, the Middle East, and perhaps the world is shutting down before welcoming a single guest.

“Let Your People Go” promised to be the most comprehensive, realistic re-enactment of the exodus from Egypt since the Bible itself. The brainchild of the Sheliach brothers, it was intended to provide an immersive experience for those who don’t get enough from the Passover Seder, Shavuot celebration of the giving of the Torah, and eating in a Sukkah.

“At seder a few years ago,” says Moshe Sheliach, co-founder of Let Your People Go, “my daughter asked what it was really like to be in the desert during this historic event. My father told her to just Google it, which I wouldn’t let her do until after yuntov, and I thought there should be a way to experience it beyond the limits of a search engine.

“So, this whole enterprise started out for her, even though she did just Google it later that night.”

Moshe and his brother Aaron decided it was kismet to run the business together. Their sister Miriam wanted nothing to do with it. According to Aaron, “she told us that we’re both nuts.”

The brothers faced various challenges from the onset. Not only is the beginning of the journey within Egypt, but so is the Sinai desert itself now. Egyptian officials were less than thrilled with supporting an attraction that portrays them as adversaries. “We’re less than thrilled,” said one Egyptian official in an official statement, on the condition of anonymity.

The mechanics of rigging the Red Sea to part proved formidable as well. “Cecil B. DeMille and the Almighty both did it,” says Aaron Sheliach, “and technology has come a long way since then.”

Acquiring enough chariots to chase tourists from Egypt to the Red Sea was expensive, especially considering many would be destroyed every time the waters unparted. Harder to resolve was that the people hired to portray Egyptian soldiers and Pharaoh quickly formed a union to protect themselves from the frequent drowning to death their jobs would entail.

Another factor to consider was the tourists themselves. Would they make the same choices as the Israelites? Would they run to the sea when they’re supposed to? What if they can’t Ready for the handle the run? The Sheliach brothers had a simple plan. “People will be here most authentic to re-enact what really happened,” says experience of the Aaron. “When Moses told them what to do, they did it. If they’re serious Exodus? Didn’t enough about re-enacting to come here and do it, they’ll do what they’re think so… told.”

Similarly, people will not be allowed any modern technology. No cell phones or other devices and, much like Moses himself, no GPS or other map resources. “We thought it sounded like a wonderful retreat from the burdens of modern society,” says Moshe, “but it seems that some people aren’t interested in giving up their gadgets for too long. Even Shabbat is a struggle for many of them.”

In truth, one of the most fundamental flaws in their plan was how comprehensive the experience would be. It was planned to be a full 40 years.

According to Moshe, “we eventually learned that most people don’t have that many vacation days from their jobs, and people who are retired don’t generally have that much time, either. continued on previous page

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July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

community JCRS has record number of camp scholarship applicants Jewish Children’s Regional Service announced that the education committee, as of late June, had funded over $180,000 in college scholarship awards to 70 Jewish students from its seven-state region, with another 15 to 20 applications still in the works.

The New Orleans-based agency also said they had a post-Katrina record of 435 applications for summer camp aid, granting scholarship assistance to 391 students to attend 51 different non-profit Jewish sleepaway camps this summer.

Chanukah Gifts Applications Due

For over 20 years, JCRS has been providing Chanukah gifts to Jewish children and youth whose families have been struggling economically .

The program has developed into one that annually assists over 300 Jewish youth and institutionalized Jewish adults. Thousands of small gifts are shipped to families with children, and children from the neediest families also receive Chanukah department store gift cards each year, if they apply

by July 15.

To receive maximum gift consideration, electronic applications to the Oscar J. Tolmas Hanukkah Gift Program must be filled out at jcrs.org by July 15. Gift cards are not guaranteed for applications filled out after July 15.

Each child in the program receives at least 8 small gifts, one for each night of Chanukah, and a child’s interests can be included in the application. Since thousands of gifts must be secured, sorted, wrapped and shipped, the agency requests that families register early for maximum consideration.

July 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

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