22 minute read
Neighbors
Duty, honor, country- a tribute on Memorial Day
RABBI IRWIN WIENER
Columnist
There is no glory in war, only the gory mess of millions dead and millions more maimed-their lives forever destroyed. The only things to evolve out of all the horrific episodes in humanity’s quest to kill were seeds that contributed to other encounters with no end in sight.
And now we are witnessing the most blatant disregard for human life in Europe – a reminder of what was just 77 years ago. We have not learned from the past.
As Americans, we know very well the results of uncontrolled hate. We have visited the shadow of death in a Revolution, a Civil War, the Bataan Death March. We witnessed the Holocaust as we liberated the camps of evil.
Some of us have been victims of discrimination in the workplace, in schools, in the arts. Yet, Americans have contributed immeasurably to the betterment of society – the betterment of the human experience because of a secret ingredient called liberty.
Our ancestors found a haven on these shores. It was not an easy journey. We arrived here from distant lands where we felt the wrath of indifference and contempt. e have been tested repeatedly.
The immigrants who travelled great distances to enjoy the smell of freedom and contentment struggled, but through it all they understood, as we understand to this day that anything worth having is worth the sacrifice necessary to achieve it. Each generation has produced faithful and true guardians of democracy from the ranks of immigrants whose only hope was that they could live in freedom and fulfillment.
Each generation of Americans answered the call of their country because we knew as Jeremiah instructed us: “Seek the welfare of the land... and pray to the Lord on this land’s behalf; for in its welfare shall you find your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:7)
Yes, we even took up arms to ensure this freedom and security for all the people of this great land and beyond. We were not born soldiers – we were farmers or tailors or musicians or laborers trying to earn a living to support our families and bring those less fortunate to be with us as we began a new life in a new land.
We became soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines. We fought and some of us died and some of us were injured beyond repair – but we came to the aid of our America. We should be proud of our contribution to liberty and equality for all.
Every American fought side by side. We cheered when the brave came home from battle as we thanked God for our survival as well. We danced in the streets when wars ended because we loved our liberty. And we mourned those who did not return to their families and friends. Those around the world who hate us never understood that.
We honor all who served and continue to serve because it is the right thing to commemorate the sacrifices made guaranteeing freedom for the generations that follow as was done for us. Each generation takes that responsibility upon itself.
We should always pray that the dreams that brought us to this day is not lost. May those who continue to be in harm’s way find their way back in safety and may we never lose sight of the sacrifice for Duty, Honor and Country.
Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D., is the spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Community.
On this Memorial Day let us take a moment to remember and offer prayers for those who gave their lives for the promise of freedom. May they continue to receive the reward that only God can give: The reward of Eternal Life. That is what it means to be an American.
Our relationships are more important than beliefs
BY REV. MARVIN ARNPRIESTER
Guest Writer
We are living in the most interesting of times, aren’t we? Voices seem to grow more and more strident. Tensions escalate pain and frustration, which highlight differences in understanding and perspective. This gives way to anger, hostility, and accusations. It happens in homes, in churches, in government and in society at large. It sometimes evolves into violence which tears apart and destroys individuals, relationships, families, and organizations. Two quotations from John Wesley, our father in the faith, continue to ruminate in my mind, challenging me and my behaviors. I believe they can help us in the times in which we live.
In a sermon on Religious Bigotry and a Catholic Spirit he said, “But although a difference in opinions or modes of worship may prevent an entire external union, yet need it prevent our union in affection? Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences. These remaining as they are, they may forward one another in love and in good works.” In another sermon he said, “If your heart is as my heart, ...then give me your hand.” In both these statements I hear him calling us to remember our relationship with each other is more important than our beliefs. I believe people do not need or even want to know what I believe, as much as they want to know if I accept and love them as they are without trying to change them to conform to my beliefs and standards.
May God grant us all to be agents and examples of peace and goodwill to each other.
Is Sun Lakes a dementia friendly community?
Our congregation is committed to serving our community to the best of our ability. Join us as we host a one-hour information session on how to be a dementia friendly community at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. June 30 in Room 1.
You will learn what dementia is, what it is like to live with the disease, the most common types of dementia and tips for communicating with people who have dementia. Everyone who attends is asked to turn their understanding of dementia into action - either big or small - to help fellow community members living with dementia.
Dementia Friends is a global movement developed in the United Kingdom and is now underway in the United States, changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. The goal is to help members in a community understand the five key messages about dementia, how it affects people, and how we each can make a difference in the lives of people living with the disease.
Our staff will have the opportunity to become Dementia Friends so we can help to foster awareness and understanding about this disease, as well as provide resources and support to all in our community. Whether you are a part of our congregation, a Sun Lakes visitor, or a neighborhood resident, we invite you to join us to learn more about this important mission.
RSVPs are required. Call 480-895-8766 or email polly@sunlakesumc.org.
Rev. Arvin Arnpriester is senior pastor of Sun Lakes United Methodist Church
BY LYNNE HARTKE
Guest Writer
“Follow the water up the mountain,” my neighbor said when I asked him the location of Mayflower Spring, one of three natural springs near our cabin in northern Arizona. “The spring is one and a half miles from here,” he added, “down the Arizona Trail.”
Whenever our neighbor talks about the Arizona Trail, I pay attention. He just completed the 800-mile trek that traverses the entire north-to-south length of our state, from the border of Mexico to the border of Utah. He hiked the trail in segments, keeping careful record of his distances.
“Mayflower Spring” is mentioned on several Arizona Trail websites, with specific GPS coordinates and detailed instructions, since discovering natural water for people hiking 800 miles is something that should not be left to chance.
My neighbor was more casual.
“Head north until you see water crossing the trail and then follow the water up the mountain to the spring. You can’t miss it.”
I hoped he was right. As someone who is directionally challenged and addicted to Google Maps, I would miss the voice on my phone telling me to turn left in 800 feet. Feeling adventurous, my dog Mollie and I headed out down the trail lined with the first wildflowers of spring. Pink showy phlox. Franciscan bluebells. Delicate spring beauties.
Two mule deer bounded out of the underbrush in front of us, disturbed by our presence. About the time I was beginning to wonder if we had taken a wrong turn, I noticed water in a normally dry wash in front of us. Could this be it?
“Follow the water up the mountain,” my neighbor had said.
The water was little more than a trickle as it dribbled its way over small stones and fallen pine needles. Last year’s oak leaves blocked the flow, detouring the water past a tiny woodland garden of pink mayflowers. We followed the tracks of elk, mule deer, and the footprints of other hikers on a path that wasn’t linear but curved to a destination we could not yet see.
Isn’t that the usual way of faith walks up mountains? Life is so rarely a straight line, but that doesn’t mean we walk alone. Jesus walks with us through all the curves and valleys.
While I prefer a neon arrow pointing me to the obvious route, God’s Word has left us instructions for the path to all that is good.
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 ESV says “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?”
Eventually Mollie and I came to a crumbling concrete reservoir that had been cut into the hillside where an old, galvanized pipe flowed from the collected, snow-melt water, before splashing onto a large boulder.
While Mollie lapped a long drink from Mayflower Spring, I sat down to remove an irritating pebble from my hiking boots.
I wanted to be ready for the next leg of our journey. It might not include a voice telling me when to turn left, but I knew there would be small signs to follow to the Source of all good things.
Writer’s note: Always purify water in the wilderness before drinking.
Lynne Hartke is the author of Under a Desert Sky and the wife of pastor and Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. She writes at lynnehartke.com.
Chandler girls’ culinary interests saluted
They took different paths but the two Chandler teens ended up exploring the science around culinary arts and it helped them get noticed.
For one, it was trying to do something for her family. For the other, it was simple curiosity.
Hamilton High School’s Jessica Burke and Arizona College Prep’s Mihira Karnick were both named to Junior Achievement of Arizona’s 18 under-18 list – an honor that recognizes the entrepreneurial efforts of the state’s youth.
Both students earned their recognition applying science to food.
Mihira became interested in the subject because her family sometimes struggles after eating vegetables and she wanted to help. Jessica wanted to understand why marinating meat made it taste better.
They were not the only Chandler teens to make the list. Others are Jenna Lee of BASIS Chandler; Prisha Shroff of Hamilton; and Sripriya Srinivas of Horizon Honors Secondary.
Mihira said her interest in the science of food began around the sixth grade.
“My family has just kind of had a history of stomach problems,” she said. “So I was actually more focused on how it was impacting my family and our health. And I was really like, confused as to why because I know we eat healthy usually.”
Her research led her to discover that vegetables have strong cell structures that is difficult for some people to break down, especially if they have weak stomachs like her family.
That could be a problem, Mihira explained, because they try to eat healthy and they want all proteins and enzymes that are also in the vegetables. She said if you steam the vegetables too long, they may be easier to digest but then you lose all the nutritional value of eating vegetables.
“And then I just kept working on this,” she said. “I worked with a professor at ASU, just looking more into nutritional health and nutritional research.”
Mihira said that she discovered that the ideal time to steam vegetables to make them easier to eat and still retain the nutrients is four minutes. The research led to her creating a cooking pot that will notify you when the vegetables are ready.
She is currently marketing that device and has turned it into a business.
Jessica said she was in a culinary class and they were making marinade for chicken.
“I asked the instructor, ‘how does the marinade work?’” she recalled. “How does the chicken get the taste of the marinade?’ And, she didn’t know.”
The teacher told her it’s a great question to search on the Internet. She learned a marinade has three base elements: An acid, oil, and flavor. The search for that answer led to an interest in food science, and the creation of a blog dedicated to the subject.
She said her Otium Food Science Blog has had about three million visits and become a thriving business.
“People from all around the world started asking questions,” Jessica said. “So people from Indonesia asking me … ‘How does like how does hot chocolate work?’ Or, ‘What is an instant pot?’”
Jessica and Mihira had taken a tutoring class together and said they knew of each other, but they didn’t really converse about their similar interest until being named to the 18 under-18 list.
They said it was a great experience meeting all the other students on the list.
“It’s good to be surrounded by people that are hardworking and ambitious,” Mihira said.
Anne Landers, the vice president for strategic impact, said it was difficult choosing the 18 under 18. She said a couple hundred apply each year. From that, they narrow the pool down to 36 to interview before selecting the final 18.
“It is one of the hardest things I do all year, as you can imagine,” Landers said. “They’re all doing things that are so, so advanced for what you would expect somebody that might be a young teen. They’re launching businesses, they’re looking at solving really big problems in our world.
“They’re taking things that are interests and aligning them with strengths that they already have, and figuring out how they can get solutions to marginalized communities, or how they can make navigating healthcare as somebody who is maybe an immigrant, or new to our community.”
Mihira Karnik and Jessica Burke are among the 18 under-18 winners selected by Junior
Achievement. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)
Chandler ASU grad takes on fashion industry career
BY MORGAN HARRISON
Guest Writer
Her study abroad session may have been cut short due to the pandemic, but Macey Sierka of Chandler will never forget the four weeks she spent in Paris and how it further fueled her passion to start her own clothing business upon graduation.
Sierka graduated with a degree in supply chain management from the W. P. Carey School of Business with a minor in fashion from the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
During her study abroad, she took a course called “Business and Fashion in France” where she learned about the business aspect of the fashion industry from the perspective of luxury fashion brands. She gained several perspectives about fashion from her professors who were knowledgeable in areas including design, marketing and forecasting. “I spent countless hours window shopping and visiting fashion museums in Paris to try and absorb as much knowledge and inspiration as possible," she said. “What I loved about ASU was that I could experience all of the opportunities that came with attending a large Barrett, The Honors College,” said Sierka. ISierka started at W. P. Carey as a business entrepreneurship major envisioning that would give her holistic business knowledge. However, after her first course, she found it wasn’t exactly what she was expecting. In January 2020, she changed her major to supply chain management as it is a highly ranked program. Sierka acknowledges that she has been fortunate to have many amazing professors throughout her time at ASU, but one course she will not forget was her first supply chain course taught by Professor Craig Carter. “Prior to his course, I admittedly thought of sustainability to be the antithesis of capitalism,” Sierka said. “I always believed efforts to protect people and the planet to be at the sake of profit. His expertise in sustainability and the concept of the triple bottom line completely changed my perspective, and made me realize that firms can actually improve their profitability by acting ethically.”
The inspiration for her thesis stemmed from Carter’s lesson on sustainability. She plans to make the concept of the triple bottom line a focus in building her sustainable business.
As she begins taking this next step to launching her brand, she looks back at her time at ASU and believes she would not be prepared for this next venture if it weren’t for her experiences learning about business and fashion and the people she met.
“Starting a business can be scary, but all of the professors I have worked with on my business plan, particularly professors Katy Keane and Cindie Blackmer, have encouraged me to follow my dream,” said Sierka. “I feel so proud to be graduating from a university which values entrepreneurship and has encouraged me to pursue my passion, despite my postgraduate plans being somewhat unique.”
In her time at ASU, Sierka received the New American University Scholar – President’s Award, Steve Brabec Scholarship, William Feldhorn Family Scholarship and the Study Abroad Office Scholarship.
Ahwatukee man seeks help to rescue more Ukranians
BY GERI KOEPPEL
Contributor
An Ahwatukee Foothills man who already helped two relatives flee their war-torn homeland is raising money to bring more Ukrainians to the United States.
It’s unclear exactly how many have been displaced, but sources say the total may exceed seven million out of a population of 44 million, with many missing and more leaving daily.
Dima Tretyak, who moved here from Ukraine in 2011, set up a GoFundMe with friend Holly Whiteside under the title “Help me save more Ukrainian lives.” It provides an extensive background about him and his family, which includes his successful effort to bring his sister’s daughter-in-law and her son to Phoenix.
Now, he’s asking for donations to help a childhood friend and her 2-yearold son as well as another friend with two children under 12.
“I can’t ignore them, because what if something happens to them?” Tretyak asked. “The rest of my life I’m thinking I could’ve done something.”
Dima Tretyak, his wife, Katya, their son, Darian, and their daughter, Demi, were already sharing their home with Tretyak’s sister, Tanya Bukharova, and her husband, Ivan Bukharov, who came over in September 2021.
“They got lucky a year ago,” he said. “They won [the] green card lottery.”
Then, when Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, the Bukharovs’ son, Volodymor Bukharov, his wife, Katya Bukharova, and their son, Dima Bukharov, age 6, immediately left their hometown of Melitopol. Russian troops occupied the city the following day.
“You don’t know where is a safe place to go because they start[ed] attacking the entire country,” Tretyak said.
Volodymor Bukharov wasn’t allowed to leave Ukraine because he’s of military age, but he dropped off his wife and son at the Polish border on Feb. 27. Katya Bukharova said via translation that she didn’t even have time to think. They grabbed important documents, stuffed a few things in plastic bags and got in the car. It’s difficult and stressful, she said, and she misses her house. The Tretyaks began laying plans to bring Katya Bukharova and Dima Bukharov to the U.S. They initially applied for a tourist visa for her, but federal emergency programs that began April 11 now give them temporary protected status. Once Katya Bukharova and her son made it safely to Ahwatukee, Tretyak felt he needed to help others. However, the logistics and costs are daunting. First, just getting out of Ukraine is expensive and highly dangerous. One friend who recently left, Tretyak said, told him an 80mile trip that used to cost $10 by bus now takes 10 hours and costs $200 to $600 per person.
They have to go through several checkpoints, and people have to claim they’re going to visit relatives or get medicine. After that, they generally
Dima Tretyak of Ahwatukee started a GoFundMe to help other Ukrainians obtain safe passage to the United States. Front row, left to right: Darian Tretyak and Dima Bukharov; back row, left to right: Katya Bukharova, Tanya Bukharova, Ivan Bukharov, Katya Tretyak, Demi Tretyak and Dima Tretyak. (Geri Koeppel/Contributor)
See UKRANIAN on page 43
Plan your route
Chandler aims to develop streets that are designed to provide safe and efficient movement for a multitude of users (e.g., motorized vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit for all ages and abilities). Sometimes this requires road construction projects. Stay informed by visiting chandleraz.gov/TrafficRestrictions for an interactive map to learn about projects that are currently taking place.
UKRANIAN from page 42
have to stay in Poland for some length of time, and need money for food and necessities.
But there’s no guarantee they’ll even make it to their destination. “It can be a one-way trip,” Tretyak said. “You go through actual battlefields. They’re driving under active artillery fire.”
Also, COVID restrictions make it difficult. Ivan Bukharov, who had only been on a plane once in his life, had to fly to Poland and sign an attestation that his daughter-in-law would get vaccinated upon arrival in the U.S.
And the biggest hurdle: The airfare for the three of them added up to thousands of dollars. Tretyak estimates it costs about $5,000 to bring one person from Ukraine to the U.S.
“They don’t have financial support to do this,” Tretyak said. “I’m not reaching out to people who have places to go to, like [staying with] relatives or friends. It’s those few I know of who don’t have anywhere to go.”
Add to that, the Tretyaks purchased a condo for the Bukharovs in anticipation of having potentially five more
people coming to stay. A plea on social media helped them furnish the home, but now, with more people coming, they need more support.
Tretyak and his wife are a working middle-class family, and the typical Ukrainian earns less than $200 a month, he explained.
“It’s a joke what they pay there,” he noted.
Still, he’s optimistic his friends will make it. The friend with two children
left on April 24 and made it to Poland.
He and his wife are busy getting paperwork ready for their arrival. “We need to go through [a] background check; prove we have enough money to support them,” he said. They’ll have to get health screenings and prove they have several vaccinations, and eventually they’ll need a car and jobs where they don’t need to speak English.
The other friend with a two-year-old daughter is moving from place to place and keeping a low profile because her ex-husband was in the military, and the Russian troops are looking for anyone with ties to the military, Tretyak explained.
They even look through people’s homes and strip-search them at checkpoints looking for tattoos or scars, he said.
“If you have any relation past or present to military, that’s about as far as you can go,” he stated.
“There’s a good reason to run,” Tretyak added. “Civilians are not being spared.”
– Dima Tretyak
To donate, go to GoFundMe.com and search for Dima Tretyak or call him at 602 434-3460.
Jewish War Vets Post 619 needs volunteers for cookout
SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF
Jewish War Veterans Post 619 will host a Bar-B-Que for 60 to 70 veterans experiencing homelessness at 3:30 p.m. June 2 at MANA (Marine, Army, Navy, Air Force) House, a transitional facility in Phoenix. and need some help.
MANA House is a peer-support organization of homeless and formerly homeless veterans. The Home helps support veterans to rebuild their lives by providing support from its staff and partners.
“Volunteers are needed to flip burgers and talk to the veterans to show them we care,” a spokeswoman for the JWV post said. “More help is always needed. You don’t have to be a renowned chef to flip burgers. Just sit and listen. All the vets really want is a sympathetic ear.”
Sixteen members from Post 619 are currently signed up to attend.
“The most important part of this is the time we will spend just talking to the veterans,” notes Commande, Chuck Wolin.” I’ve always come home with a feeling of satisfaction.”
Carpools will meet at 2:30 pm in Ace Hardware parking lot, 9666 E Riggs Rd. in Sun Lakes. To volunteer, contact Elliott Reiss 480-802-3281, elliottbarb@q.com
JWV Post 619 members represent a wide range of religious affiliations and participate in philanthropic activities to help Jewish and non-Jewish veterans.
Money raised from its poppy drive and fundraising activities enables the Post to fund events such as the MANA House Bar-B-Que. JWV’s mission to support hospitalized, homeless, and atrisk veterans is further accomplished by donating all profits to 501 (C)(3) veterans’ organizations.
For more information, visit CopperstatePost619.com. Meetings feature speakers focused on supporting veterans. To learn about JWV activities or membership, please contact Jr. Vice Commander, Elliott Reiss, (480) 8023281, ElliottBarb@q.com.
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