Jewish News Supplement - Israel @ 75

Israel @ 75

Israel at 75

Dear Readers, C

alling the current climate in Israel “complicated” could be the understatement of the century.

Never do I recall major Jewish organizations, donors, and celebrities making public statements against Israel’s domestic policy. Or tens of thousands of Israelis protesting practically daily (as of press time) against the government. The contrasting reporting of the news, depending on the news organization’s slant—Jewish as well as mainstream media—reflects the divisiveness now taking place in Israel and across the world as Jews, politicians, political analysts, and news junkies weigh in.

And it’s all happening as we prepare to celebrate Israel’s 75th year.

In addition to my near constant concern about Israel’s future, I’m thinking about the State of Israel’s national anthem, Ha Tikvah —The Hope.

This section, therefore, is filled with hope, memories, achievement, and perspective.

Tidewater’s own Avraham Ashkenazi, for example, is being honored by the Technion (sometimes referred to as Israel’s MIT) in June. Mazel Tov, Avraham! Page 17.

Barbara Dudley spent last month in Israel visiting her daughter’s young family on Kibbutz Yiftah. She writes about the impact of the protests on daily life, offering a unique perspective. Page 18.

Thoughts of Israel usually bring to mind its wonderful cuisine. Eitan Altshuler expresses his connection to Israel and Tidewater’s Jewish community through food on page 19.

Several people share their memories of trips to Israel in this section, as well as one about United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s recent mission on page 8.

An overview of Jewish Tidewater’s annual Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration on Sunday, April 30 is on page 26. It promises to be a terrific day of making memories and celebrating a nation of hope, tenacity, innovation, and ruach (spirit).

When we celebrate Israel@75, I’ll have Ha Tikvah on my mind, hoping for a positive and peaceful Eretz Yisrael as she enters her 76th year.

L’Shalom, Terri Denison Editor

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Israel at 75

Avraham Ashkenazi to receive prestigious award from Technion

Terri Denison

Thesupreme governing bodies of the Technion, the Council acting on behalf of the International Board of Governors, and with the approval of the Technion Senate, resolved to confer upon Avraham Ashkenazi the Technion Honorary Fellow Award. The ceremony is slated to take place in Israel on June 11 and Ashkenazi says he will be there with all his family—from the United States, Canada, and of course, Israel.

In a letter to Ashkenazi informing him of the honor, Professor Uri Sivan, president of the Technion, wrote: “The decision to confer this honorary award upon you in honor of your life-long connection and devotion to Israel and the Technion, from which you hold two degrees; for leading by example at the American Technion Society, and as a member of the Technion Board of Governors; with gratitude for your many contributions as a Technion Guardian and alumnus in support of graduate fellowships and defense research.”

Ashkenazi joined the intelligence division of the Israel Defense Forces in 1957. Following his service, Ashkenazi was accepted at the Technion in 1962 and graduated in 1966. “I caught my second degree (masters) in engineering when I was working for Koor Industries in 1972,” he says, explaining that it was common in Israel to “do a masters while working.” Working during the day and studying at night, professors were driving forces behind students, he says.

Established even before the State of Israel, next year is the Technion’s 100th anniversary. “Most of the original professors came from Germany as they fled Hitler,” says Ashkenazi, who recalls Albert Einstein serving as a director of the school.

The Technion couldn’t find a better advocate than Ashkenazi.

“Without the Technion, we would not have any industry or high-tech in Israel.

Period.” Ashkenazi calls the Technion the cornerstone of all the developments in the industrial, mechanical, and weapons arenas in Israel, and for the past 20 years since it created its medical school, in medical breakthroughs, as well.

“The Technion is a melting pot and a research hub for so many fields in the forefront of the world today, everything from engineering to medicine and nanotechnology.”

A Technion Guardian, the designation for those whose support reaches the highest level, Ashkenazi established the Avraham and Patricia Ashkenazi Endowed Graduate Fellowship and the Avraham Ashkenazi Space Defense Research Fund.

“When the award is bestowed upon Avraham in a couple of months, we will all be applauding,” says Betty Ann Levin, executive vice president/CEO, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater/Simon Family JCC. “We are so proud that Avraham now calls Tidewater his home and benefit from his wisdom, experience, and generosity. Mazel Tov Avraham on this well-deserved honor!”

In the United States, disaster relief, ambulance, and blood services are handled by an array of organizations. In Israel, there’s one organization that does it all — Magen David Adom. As Passover approaches, whatever crises Israelis face — including terror or rocket attacks — MDA will be there to save lives.

Support Magen David Adom by donating today at afmda.org/give. Or for further information about giving opportunities, contact 561.835.0510 or southeast@afmda.org.

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Why is this EMS organization different than all other EMS organizations?

Avraham Ashkenazi.

Forever Helping Others

Israel at 75

A personal perspective on Israel during the recent political crisis—March 2023

Barbara Dudley

During my formative years, the 1960s, my parents instilled in me a love of both Judaism and Israel. As a college student, I volunteered on a kibbutz one summer, working in the fields and hitch-hiking around Israel. I married a non-Jew, who later converted to Judaism and together we raised a Jewish family. As an adult, I have served as a lay leader at my temples and for my local federation. My youngest daughter made Aliyah after college and is now raising her family in northern Israel. Israel has always been and will be a part of my life and a part of my soul.

I now travel to Israel once or twice a year to be with my Israeli family and so that my three grandchildren can know their grandmother (safta). I stay one to two months on the kibbutz where my family lives and enjoy the kibbutz lifestyle and the Israeli ruach (spirit).

This trip to Israel during March 2023, however, feels different and the reason why saddens my heart.

Why? Netanyahu’s proposed judicial reforms pose a serious threat to Israeli democracy by concentrating all power into the executive branch of the government. Since January, Israelis have been protesting weekly against these proposed

judicial reforms. Grassroots organizations such as No Dictatorship organize these protests and disseminate information via WhatsApp groups. Netanyahu’s refusal to consider the concerns of the protesters and his firing of the defense minister, Yoav Gallant, for warning about the negative and de-stabilizing impact of the judicial reform on the army culminated in a national political crisis from Sunday, March 26, 2023, through Monday, March 27, 2023. Protesters across the country poured into the streets, universities and the worker’s union (the Histadrut) went on strike, and the airport closed. These actions forced Netanyahu to pause his proposed judicial reforms.

From my perspective, these protests have and are impacting daily lives. Examples of the impact on life that affected both my family and I include changing the time and day groceries are ordered so they can be delivered before local protests, changing times of work meetings with students, leaving for work early to avoid protesters, not being able to get to a protest because the roads are

blocked, and having to cancel an anticipated lunch with a friend because the roads may be blocked by protests. It’s the day-to-day unknown that wears on the individual and the family. The ruach that defines the Israeli spirit is diminished. For now, it has been replaced by anger, frustration, tension, a growing mistrust of government, and a loss of spontaneity that even this visitor can feel and see.

What will happen to Netanyahu’s proposed reforms? I do not know, and I will not speculate. What I do know is that Israelis are a strong, proud, vibrant, and intelligent people. They fully understand what is at risk with these proposed judicial reforms and will fight for their democracy—the only democracy in the Middle East. I separate the country of Israel from the current Israeli government. I believe in the Israel I know and love. The Israeli ruach will return.

Barbara Dudley serves as chair of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Women’s Cabinet.

Photograph by Barbara Dudley

A home in the Kibbutz Yiftah. The sign says, “Free in our Country.”

Barbara Dudley with her granddaughters Lia and Nofar Dovrat.

Israel at 75 Connecting Jewish community with Middle Eastern food

my Jewishness. I felt that was something I needed to explore and refine, and I’ll be honest, at the time, considering I wasn’t affiliated with a synagogue, nor did I have many Jewish people in my personal life, I really wondered if being Jewish was a side of myself that had much place in my future.

EitanAltshuler is with the Cardo Café/ Humusiya at the Sandler Family Campus, where he has created a popular Israeli menu. Passionate about Jewish community, here he discusses his time in Israel and how he evolved…and the importance food played in his growth.

Terri Denison

Jewish News: When and how long did you spend in Israel?

Eitan Altshuler: I made aliyah on Israel’s 60th birthday and stayed until the end of 2015. I went to a foreign country, inexperienced and alone. It was quite a step. I thought that if I could make it a year or even two that would be a “success.”

Fortunately, I was able to make it there for almost eight years. During that time, I got to spend a year on Kibbutz Lotan in the Negev where I worked in permaculture design, but most of my years were spent in Tel Aviv, where I worked in a bakery and then as an English teacher. I ultimately, came back to be closer to family and pursue career plans. Now, I’ve been back as long as I was there.

JN: Why did you go?

EA: I always felt, being Jewish and growing up outside the mainstream of America, somewhat out of place. I grew up religious, but perhaps my cultural grounding was wanting. In America, the wider culture did not reflect to me anything about

The attraction of moving to Israel was that I could just be a regular guy. I was truly delighted when I checked into my El Al flight, and the attendant could read my name correctly without hesitation. Also, in Israel, I enjoyed how being secular and Jewish was not a contradiction. In the beginning of my time there, I actually hoped that I would become more religious or “da’ti”, but living in Israel I learned it’s not so simple. Instead, I gained a wider perspective of what practicing Judaism means.

JN: How important do you feel Israel is to American Jews?

EA: Great question! To me, it will always be the Jewish people’s true home…a place where the wider culture reflects the personalities, values, and history of our people. I love America, too. This area, in particular, I feel in my veins. However, from Israel, I believe Jews gain a sense of independence and pride. I know my personality changed a lot during my time in Israel. I learned how to be a much stronger, proud Jew as a result.

JN: Do you view Judaism as more than a religion?

EA: Absolutely…well kind-of. It’s complicated. This is my interpretation…. When someone moves to Israel, it is called “making aliyah,” which means to go up, but when you leave Israel, it is called “yo’red ma’aretz” or going down. In America, your primary connection to Judaism is through the Torah, and given that we have a lot of mitzvot (613), one can feel like they are constantly falling short or even a failure. However, in Israel, where the primary connection is with the society, keeping the mitzvot feels like there is only one direction and that is up.

So, I don’t think you can separate the

Torah from the land or the people. Without the others, they are out of context.

JN: What was your impetus for bringing Israeli food to the Sandler Family Campus, and therefore to Jewish Tidewater?

EA: Well, first of all, the food is awesome and healthy, and I think Middle Eastern food is much more compatible with a kosher diet. You know, even if kashrut is not the most important thing about Judaism, it’s these little things that bring us closer to who we are.

I also think that when we talk about building a strong Jewish community, we need to think “outside the box,” meaning outside the confines of the synagogue. Hummus is a great meal to commune with. Perhaps, sharing a meal with Jewish and non-Jewish friends at the JCC can be a way of extending our Jewish selves into our day-to-day lives.

Finally, Israel has an amazing culture. It’s very busy, fruitful, and industrial. I know it gets criticized, but they’ve got something going right there. Maybe, some of its attitude might be needed here.

JN: How did you learn to cook Israeli cuisine?

EA: By eating a lot of it. Before you start cooking, you need to know how to aim. It’s a different flavor profile than what we’re accustomed to in the West, and I think my palate developed a lot there. I’m a self-taught cook, partly out of necessity, but also partly out of encouragement. For a few years in Israel, every Friday, I would work a 15-hour, non-stop shift in my bakery from 9 pm to 1 pm the next day, so I needed to be ready to eat when I got home. So, on Thursdays I went to the shuk and did my cooking in advance. Taking on a different salad/appetizer, main, and dessert every weekenddid a lot to advance my repertoire.

JN: If you could impact Jewish Tidewater in one way, what would that be?

EA: My goal is: 1) bring great, healthy, affordable food to people, 2) bring the Jewish community closer to together and help them develop a stronger connection with their heritage, and 3) raise awareness about the Jewish community within the wider culture, something I feel is very necessary in these times.

To check out the Cardo Café menu, go to simonfamilyjcc.org.

Eitan Altshuler.

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If your name is in blue, you have formalized your LIFE & LEGACY gift with the Foundation and helped our cherished organizations reach their goals. By putting your gift in writing, you’ve made a lasting commitment to Jewish futures in Tidewater and around the world. Thank you.

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Israel at 75 It’s all about the People

Naomi Limor Sedek

Celebrating Israel at 75 for me always comes down to the people…and fortunately for me, many memories. Between my family’s experiences and my own, I’ve

chosen a few to share here.

• My father, Victor, and his parents, Irvin and Elizabeth with his brother, Alex, in utero, landing in British Mandate

Palestine in 1947. My Great Uncle, Menachem, a Holocaust survivor, served the fledgling state as a soldier in the war of Independence where he lost an eye and part of his thumb. There was nothing he wouldn’t have sacrificed for the freedom of being a free nation in our land, l’hiot am chofshi B’artzenue

1917

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• While I learned about Israel in day school and yearned to be reunited with Jerusalem through my prayers in synagogue or through Israeli folk songs shared by the Caravan at JCC summer camp, my personal relationship with Israel developed when I spent eight weeks at the Alexander Muss High School in Israel program with hundreds of kids from around the United States digging deep into the history, culture, language, and geology of Israel. That was the summer Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, and it was also the summer where I told my parents there was no other place I wanted to be, and I would not get on a plane home.

• During the Gulf war, right after, where scud missiles were falling on the land, I thought about my teacher, Bob, and friends, Gila and Dube and their three young kids, Ben, Aviv, and Hadar and wanted to return to help.

• When I went back with my family the next summer, we explored the neighborhood of what was once the Caravanim in Haifa around the block from the school for the blind where by mother, Susan, lived until age eight.

• I spent my junior year Israeli dancing around Jerusalem with my best friend, Tamar, while learning Hebrew and Arabic at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, connecting with my Israeli family, the branches of families that survived the Holocaust with my grandparents, Ariyeh, Chana, Nira, and Yaakov and their children. This was the year following the Oslo Accords, where I was able to hear Yitzchak Rabin, a hawk turned dove share his hope, tikvah, with us on Yom Haatzmaut,

Israel Independence Day. Later that same year, I wept on the couch in the common room in my dorm at Brandeis, mourning at his funeral.

• Meeting Hibuki, while visiting Sderot and not sharing this site visit with my family until after so they would not worry if they heard a red alert siren in the area.

• Sending each of our children, Tali, Itzik, and Ilanit, to the same summer program I attended and seeing their own relationship with and understanding of the complexity of our homeland flourish. Leaving my eldest while she was there to plan a rally for Israel back home during a situation when rockets were falling because she, too, felt there was no other place for her to be and would not have left with me (nor would I have asked her to).

• Last month, at 1:45 am via zoom, I attended my great nephew, Michael Adir’s bris in a shul in Tel Aviv.

• Also last month, my friend, Yaara, an artist, had her first art opening in her gallery in Jaffa, showcasing the amazing stories of women and families in Israel, Jewish and Arab, who open their hearts and provide warm and loving homes to kids in need of foster families.

My Israel is made of the people. May they continue to go from strength to strength. Am Yisrael Chai

Naomi Limor Sedek is president and CEO, Tidewater Jewish Foundation. She may be reached at nsedek@ujft.org.

Naomo Limor Sedek (left) with her daughter, Tali Sedek on her summer experiience in 2015.

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Israel at 75 Forever changed

Ellen Rostov Hundley

Thesummer of 1977 changed my life forever.

My parents, of blessed memory, provided me with the opportunity to travel to Israel through the American Zionist Youth Foundation. Along with 27 other college-aged students from across the United States, we embarked on a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity.

We spent six weeks exploring the State of Israel. We began our journey on a Kibbutz up north, from there we went to Yad Vashem, Haifa, Tel Aviv, the dessert, Masada, and of course, Jerusalem. Seeing the Wailing Wall for the first time at night brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat. I tried so hard to express my feelings in my journal, but I just couldn’t find the words to truly

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Survey the history of the land through art objects, beginning with the building of King Solomon’s Temple, and continue with the Jewish catacombs, the synagogue mosaics, and the establishment of the modern State of Israel.

grasp my emotions. It was so overwhelming, magnificent, plus inspiring. A night I will never forget!

Say Hello to Dr. Falsetta-Gilbert

Dr. Falsetta-Gilbert graduated from Nova Southeastern University in 2002 and worked in the Tidewater area since 2003. She also spent a year completing a residency in Philadelphia, focusing on vision disorders that affect children and adults.

In addition to treating and diagnosing medical conditions, Dr. Falsetta also fits and prescribes contact lenses and glasses. She is one of the few Optometrists in our area who fits contact lenses for pediatric patients.

When Dr. Falsetta-Gilbert is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

Israel at 75

Journey’s Trip to Israel 2023

Iraninto my dear friend Amy Lefcoe last spring at the Simon Family JCC and asked her, “So, when are we going back to Israel?”

“Hmmm, let me think about that,” Amy replied.

As always, Amy worked her magic and created what would fast become one of my most memorable adventures. Amy gathered an eclectic group of 18 (Chai) Jewish ladies—some had been to Israel before and for others this would be their first trip to the Holy Land. The “Journey’s Trip to Israel” group consisted of a mix of Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Jewish women from Tidewater as well as six Russian American women from Baltimore. I knew this diversity would bring a special richness to our group.

The Itinerary was a gem consisting of visits to some of Israel’s most holy locations, as well as popular historic areas. The trip would entail a balance between

many scholarly sessions, historic sightseeing events, as well as an immersion into the local communities and people with many shared activities, and meals among the Israel people. As an added blessing, we had perfect weather every day! What a hug from G-d!

We hit the ground running as soon as we landed in Tel Aviv. Our bus followed the Mediterranean Sea north to sunny Caesarea, then due west to the Setai Kineret Spa Hotel in Tiberias where we spent the night. We were in awe of the gorgeous sunset over Lake Kinneret and excited about the special spa treatments some of us signed up for. The next day we enjoyed the scenic view as we made our way to the Old City of Tzfat. In Tzfat we shopped in the beautiful galleries and made our own mezuzah using a fused glass technique, under the direction of Kathleen Wasserman, a local artist/teacher.

The group shared a most impactful morning as we prayed at the Tomb

Dr. Deena Falsetta-Gilbert and Dr. David Gilbert.

Marilyn G. Johns

The entire group.

Israel at 75

of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai on the mountaintop in Meron. Their scholarly and spiritual contributions to mystical Judaism are world renown, as well as extremely uplifting. I was grateful to be able to honor these great sages.

The next morning began with a tour of the Old City in Jerusalem, on our way to author Sara Yoheved Rigler’s beautiful home. The narrow streets of the Old City never change, and the warmth of the yellow Jerusalem buildings and stone roads always envelop me with awe and wonder of a city that has sustained a culture and people for millennia. We read her book, G-d Winked, and it was a rare opportunity to listen to her talk about the Jewish Soul and her most recent book, I’ve Been Here Before

From Jerusalem, we took several jaunts. We visited Shiloh, the site of the tabernacle prior to the building of the 1st temple in Jerusalem. The ancient mountaintop fortress of Masada, which is filled with amazing history and gorgeous views of the Judean Desert, was another

destination. We also had fun floating and swimming in the Dead Sea. The laughter and smiles were infectious. Of course, we had a riot of a time riding camels!

One of the most moving experiences for me occurred at our visit to our matriarch Rachel’s tomb. The high security walls and barbed wire on both sides of the road made this Jewish American traveler a bit nervous, but our Israeli Security was tight, and I felt safe. After finding just the right spot in the women’s section, we poured out our hearts in prayer. I was taken by surprise by how many women were uncontrollably crying, as well as myself.

Bringing in Shabbat by lighting the Shabbos candles together in the Aish haTorah building, which overlooks the Kotel, was a happy and special moment for all of us. Watching the setting sun reflect off the gold dome seemed surreal as we ate another delicious meal and shared many stories.

We made our way to the Kotel. Hearing the chanting of Hebrew prayers by the Western Wall and having the opportunity to place our own prayers into the wall, reminded us of who we are and our special relationship with Hashem. Throughout the week, we heard from so many wonderful and inspiring rabbis, rebbetzins, historians, and tour guides. They taught us valuable Talmudic concepts that we can assimilate back into our lives to help us become better Jewish women and thereby be a blessing to our communities. The sisterhood we shared is truly a solid foundation

that I know we will continue to build upon. I know that I speak for the group thanking Amy Lefcoe for being our shining star, lighting the way as we navigate our personal relationship with

Hashem and providing opportunities for spiritual growth and an amazing trip to Israel!

“So, I have to ask again, when are we going back to Israel?” Am Yisrael Chai!!

A chilly day for the group on an Israeli hillside.

The Journeys Trip is welcomed to Israel.

Israel at 75

Five reasons to celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut in Tidewater Sunday, April 30, 12–4 pm, Sandler Family Campus

Sierra Lautman

Celebrate Israel as she turns 75 at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s and Simon Family JCC’s annual Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration at the Sandler Family Campus this month.

Right here in Tidewater, it’ll be possible to experience some of the exciting tastes, smells, and attractions that make Israel the country she is today. Here are five reasons to attend Israel Fest.

1. Israel is known for its bright, flavorful food Have a taste of shawarma, falafel, middle eastern salads, sfenj (a Moroccan donut-fritter), hummus, pita, and more.

2. Visit the shuk, an open-air market bustling with activity. Shop locally-made and Israeli-sourced artwork, jewelry, Israeli snacks, and more.

3. Israel Fest offers activities for everyone. Gardening in the kibbutzim, a boardwalk carnival in Eilat, camel rides in the Negev Desert, and rock climbing in the Golan Heights—Tidewater’s celebration of Israel offers the opportunity to enjoy these activities and more.

4. Exploring a new country is an educational experience. Families will have the chance to get their “Israel Passport” stamped as they explore everything at Israel Fest. Throughout the day, participants will be able to collect facts about multiple Israeli cities, the landscape, and the people of Israel, and track their “travel” in a colorful, collectible booklet.

5. Israel is only complete with her people. A community celebration needs community involvement! Volunteer to help at the event or get involved as the community celebrates Israel at 75 by participating in the Israel@75 Challenge (which begins on April 2),

attending the celebration on April 30, and inviting family and friends. Purchase tickets online in advance of Israel Fest for a discounted rate.

To purchase tickets or to find more information about the celebration on April 30, the Israel@75 Challenge, or to sign up to volunteer, visit JewishVA.org/IsraelFest.

Israeli food in the Shuk at Israel Fest 2022.

Camel rides at Israel Fest.

Shopping in the Shuk at Israel Fest 2022.