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Southeastern Virginia | Vol. 56 No. 9 | 6 Shevat 5778 | January 22, 2018
Super Sunday
9 Virginia Festival of Jewish Film
Sunday, Jan. 28 • 10 am – 1 pm
30 Steve Sandler hosts leadership kick-off event
—page 17
31 Second annual BSV Kahbid weekend Feb. 2–4
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33 Aaron David Miller on the Middle East, Monday, Feb. 12 Supplement to Jewish News January 22, 2018 jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2018 | Investments | Jewish News | 15
Art that Connects Heaven & Earth
“ I’ve reviewed about 4,000 shows. None can compare to what I saw tonight.” —Richard Connema, renowned Broadway critic
“Absolutely the No.1 show in the world. No other company or of any style can match this!” —Kenn Wells, former lead dancer of the English National Ballet
“Absolutely the greatest of the great!
It must be experienced.” —Christine Walevska, “goddess of the cello”, watched Shen Yun 5 times
“This is the highest and best of what humans can produce.” —Oleva Brown-Klahn, singer and musician
—
—Broadway World
“The 8th wonder of the world. People have no idea what they're missing until they come here and see the show.”
—Joe Heard, former White House photographer, watched Shen Yun 6 times
ER ! D OR DAY TO
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FEMA extends assistance to houses of worship Ron Kampeas
WASHINGTON ( JTA)—The Federal Emergency Management Agency will now extend assistance to houses of worship, reversing years of policy that excluded such aid. “Private nonprofit houses of worship will not be singled out for disfavored treatment within the ‘community centers’ subcategory of…nonprofit applicants,” FEMA said in guidance for 2018 issued earlier this month. Orthodox Jewish groups, which have been lobbying for legislation that would codify the inclusion of houses of worship for assistance, welcomed the change. “We at the Orthodox Union have been working for more than 15 years to have this policy changed,” Nathan Diament, the O.U.’s Washington director, said in a statement. “We thank the Trump Administration for righting this long-time wrong and treating disaster-damaged churches, synagogues and other houses of worship fairly – on the same terms as other nonprofits such as museums, community centers and libraries stricken by natural disasters.” Agudath Israel of America said the change is consistent with White House backing for legislation advancing through Congress. “Unfortunately, unnecessary and unfair limitations placed specifically on houses of worship by FEMA have
presented formidable challenges, precluding such relief,” it said in a statement. The U.S. House of Representatives last month approved a bill that allows federal disaster relief funds to go to houses of worship. The Senate is considering parallel legislation. Under rules in place until the end of 2017, relief funds from FEMA could not go to churches, synagogues, and other houses of worship due to concerns about separation of church and state. Other institutions, like community centers or zoos, received the funds. The money reimburses the institutions for aid they provide to victims of natural disasters. The new rule allowing houses of worship to receive FEMA assistance, like the one it replaced excluding such assistance, is a matter of executive branch policy and not a congressional mandate. A future president could reverse the allowance, which is why Orthodox groups will still continue to lobby for the bills in Congress, Diament told JTA. A bipartisan group of lawmakers has long pushed for the change. In September, amid a string of hurricanes ravaging the Gulf Coast and the Caribbean, President Donald Trump tweeted his support for churches receiving FEMA funds. “Churches in Texas should be entitled to reimbursement from FEMA Relief Funds for helping victims of Hurricane Harvey (just like others),” Trump said on Twitter.
Contents
“Unfortunately, unnecessary and unfair limitations placed specifically on houses of worship by FEMA havepresented formidable challenges, precluding such relief.”
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Advancing the bill in the House were Reps. Peter King and Grace Meng, respectively a Republican and Democrat, both from New York, and Chris Smith, R-N.J. The regions they represent were hard hit by Tropical Storm Sandy in 2012. Leading the Senate’s legislation are Sens. Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill, respectively a Republican and Democrat from Missouri, James Lankford, R-Okla., and Ted Cruz, R-Texas.
Quotable
Up Front. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Serving Christmas dinner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Briefs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Investments and Giving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Two-state solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Super Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
When Jews came from those countries. . . . . . . 6
Latkepalooza. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Delta sued for anti-Semitism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
HAT and Strelitz celebrate with grandparents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Kenny Morris shares memories of his friend, Stephen Furst. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
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HAT’s Hanukkah chefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Virginia Festival of Jewish Film . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Steve Sandler hosts leadership kickoff . . . . . . 30
Cantor Jen at Ohef Sholom Temple. . . . . . . . . 11
What’s Happening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
HAT grad returns to Tidewater to serve as a rabbi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
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jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2018 | Jewish News | 3
briefs New Orleans BDS activists claim city council resolution as a victory The City of New Orleans approved a resolution to boycott investments with human rights violators, which anti-Israel activists celebrated as an achievement. The resolution, which passed the council unanimously with all five members present voting in support, mentions neither Israel nor the Palestinian territories. Nevertheless, following its passage, the New Orleans Palestinian Solidarity Committee wrote on Facebook: “WE WON!!!” The resolution was drafted by the committee, according to the Intercept, and brought to a vote on Thursday, Jan.11. “Even though it doesn’t have all the teeth,” the passage of the resolution “proves the city recognizes what is happening in Israel,” Tabitha Mustafa, co-founder and core organizer of New Orleans Palestinian Solidarity Committee, told the Intercept. The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans opposed the measure, saying it was voted on “without the opportunity for dissenting voices to be heard for a broader discussion.” “While the Jewish Federation fully supports the values of human rights expressed in the resolution, we are deeply concerned about its unintended consequences relating to Israel and in bolstering the divisive BDS movement,” the federation said in a statement, referring to the movement to Boycott, Divest from and Sanction Israel. “The BDS movement, which has inherently anti-Semitic components, is designed to challenge Israel’s economic viability and very right to exist.” Five of seven city council members, including the mayor-elect, co-sponsored the resolution. “This resolution specifically recognizes the city’s social and ethical obligations to take steps to avoid contracting with or investing in certain corporations, namely those that consistently violate human rights, civil rights, or labor rights,” said City Council President Jason Williams. The human rights screening is meant
to be “consistent with its responsibilities to its residents,” the resolution states, because “the city has social and ethical obligations to take steps to avoid contracting with or investing in corporations whose practices consistently violate human rights.” At the start of the Jan. 11 City Council meeting, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans was honored with “a special proclamation for their tremendous philanthropic work and positive impact on the entire New Orleans community.” Twenty-one states have passed antiBDS legislation. In some states, governors have issued executive orders banning dealings with boycotters. (JTA)
Lebanese designer takes Gal Gadot photo off Instagram The fashion studio of the Lebanese designer Elie Saab deleted from Instagram a picture of Gal Gadot amid rebuke over its ties to the Israeli actress. The image of Gadot, who starred in last year’s action thriller Wonder Woman, in a blue sash dress by Saab was accompanied by a description of the former Israel Defense Forces combat trainer as “flawless,” the BBC reported. Saab’s Instagram post saw some people share their frustration that a former member of the Israeli army would be promoted by the designer. Gadot was wearing the dress to the National Board of Review awards in New York, where she and director Patty Jenkins received the Spotlight Award for their work on Wonder Woman. The deleting of Saab’s picture has drawn a mixed reaction on social media. While one user praised the decision to remove the post, another called the whole debacle “shameful.” “I love and respect Elie Saab, but is he really happy an Israeli actress wore a dress he designed?” asked Lebanese journalist Heba Bitar, on Twitter. In 2017, her superhero blockbuster was banned from cinemas in Lebanon, among several other Arab countries amid protests over her casting as the title character and complaints by Islamists that it featured immodest images of women generally. (JTA)
4 | Jewish News | January 22, 2018 | jewishnewsva.org
Trump administration freezes half its funding of UN’s Palestinian relief agency The Trump administration froze more than half its funding for the U.N. organization assisting Palestinian refugees and their descendants, citing what it depicted as the oversize U.S. role in the funding. The State Department said that it had put a hold on $65 million of the $125 million now due to UNRWA, which distributes its assistance in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, as well as to refugee camps in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. President Donald Trump and the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations had threatened to cut the funds after the Palestinian Authority walked away from an attempt to revive the peace talks, citing among other factors Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. However, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, announcing the cut to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, said the decision had more to do with what the Trump administration sees as an imbalance in the U.S. contributions. “Our main point today is asking other countries to step up to the plate, not asking the United States to be the single largest donor,” she said, briefing reporters. Asking other nations to increase funding for international endeavors is consistent with a number of other Trump administration initiatives, notably in demanding greater non-U.S. funding for the NATO alliance. Last year, the United States paid about 30 percent of UNRWA’s funding, $370 million—more than twice the second largest donor, the European Union. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that long term, UNRWA’s mission should be transferred to other agencies, but has stopped short of endorsing an immediate cut in funding. Israeli security officials see the agency’s role as critical in preventing a collapse of Palestinian society, particularly in the Gaza Strip. Nauert said administration officials rejected freezing the entire transfer because it would “have a negative impact.” (JTA)
Israeli ‘dreamer’ threatened with deportation after accidentally entering Mexico An Israeli citizen living in California under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA status was jailed for nearly a week and threatened with deportation after making a wrong turn at the U.S.-Mexico border. Orr Yakobi, 22, is a senior at the University of California, San Diego. He was brought to the U.S. by his parents at the age of 7 and is a so-called “dreamer,” named after the DREAM Act that instituted the DACA program. Under DACA, Yakobi is prohibited from travelling outside of the country. Yakobi and a friend left an outlet mall in San Ysidro on January 7 and made a wrong turn, accidentally getting on a ramp that led them straight to Mexico without the ability to turn around, NBC San Diego reported. Yakobi was detained at the San Ysidro Port of Entry and placed in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He spent several days at Otay Mesa Detention Center where he faced deportation. A math and computer science major, he is two classes from graduating and is working as a freelance programmer, according to NBC San Diego. President Donald Trump cancelled the program in September. Yakobi’s DACA status expires in March, though he may be able to renew it for two more years following a recent court decision temporarily reinstating the program. An online petition calling for Yakobi’s release had garnered more than 8,000 signatures. Several state and local lawmakers also had written letters on his behalf. Yakobi was unconditionally released on Friday, Jan. 12 with no change to his DACA status. President Barack Obama had launched DACA in 2011 after multiple attempts failed in Congress to pass an immigration bill that would settle the status of 11 million undocumented immigrants. The program protected those who arrived as children from deportation and granted them limited legal status. (JTA)
OP-ED
Don’t destroy the two-state solution Jonathan A. Greenblatt, CEO and national director of the Anti-Defamation League
NEW YORK ( JTA)—Several recent political measures in Israel—including announcements by Israel’s parliament, attorney general and ruling party—have significantly begun to undermine the possibility of achieving a two-state solution. Let me be clear: When discussing why the peace process has been stalled for so many years, one has to begin with the Palestinians. There is little evidence to suggest that the Palestinians have yet made the necessary qualitative leaps to accept the legitimacy of the Jewish state, to negotiate in good faith on the outstanding issues or to stop inciting its people to violence and instead prepare them for peace. In past decades there were several occasions—the 1993 Oslo Agreement, the 2000 Camp David summit, and the 2007– 08 Annapolis process—when it looked as though Palestinian leaders could be on the verge of accepting Israel in a serious and responsible way. Unfortunately, that hope foundered as former Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat and then Mahmoud Abbas refused to make serious, specific responses to significant Israeli peace proposals. In sum, principal responsibility for the absence of peace rests with the Palestinian side, even while they do have some legitimate grievances and aspirations. We at the Anti-Defamation League have long held that the two-state solution is important for the safety and survival of the Jewish people. And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated Israel’s commitment to such a solution. However, the central committee of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s ruling party voted on Jan. 2 to demand “free construction and application of Israeli law and sovereignty in all liberated areas of settlement.” Doing so could make any Palestinian state unviable by annexing far-flung settlements to Israel that separate Palestinian population centers from each other. This is something Israel, under both right- and left-wing governments for 50 years, has refrained from doing, in part for international legal reasons. Instead, Israel
has maintained judiciously that the difficult situation on the West Bank is only a temporary one, albeit long-lasting, because of the absence of peace. But that distinction was also blurred by a Dec. 31 directive from Israel’s attorney general, who under pressure from the country’s justice minister instructed government agencies to apply new civilian laws when possible to cover the West Bank as well as Israel proper. Finally, Israel’s parliament voted on Jan. 2 to make it well-nigh impossible for Israel to give up any part of Jerusalem in negotiations. It raised the bar for Knesset approval of any peace agreement to include ceding part of Jerusalem to a foreign entity from a majority to a supermajority of 80 of the body’s 120 votes. The law itself might be reversed by a simple majority vote at a later date, but it also sends worrying signals about Israel’s
long-term intentions. This was further exacerbated that same day by President Donald Trump’s ill-advised tweet stating “we have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table.” That telegraphs the wrong message to Israelis and Palestinians, and it stands in direct contradiction to the president’s own historic speech on the matter. On Dec. 6, Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and specified that “we are not taking a position on any final status issues, including the specific boundaries of the Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem.” ADL welcomed the president’s speech because Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel since its founding and the spiritual home of the Jewish people for millennia. But we also called on the parties to redouble their efforts to foster conditions necessary for an eventual two-state solution and to resume negotiations immediately.
Whatever one’s views on the particulars of any future peace agreement, three priorities for Israel should be respected by all: Israel’s fundamental right to security; its need to maintain a substantial Jewish majority; and the need to protect and strengthen Israel’s democratic values and institutions. At the same time, it is essential that a final resolution also address the concerns of the Palestinian people and allow them to control their own destiny through some form of statehood. And we continue to believe that such a mutually beneficial outcome, one that delivers on the needs of all people, will be determined only through direct negotiations between the two parties as both sides make the tough choices that are required to achieve peace. A two-state solution still offers the only hope to achieve all these goals. It is complicated and challenging, but it still must be the ultimate goal.
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jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2018 | Jewish News | 5
Nation
When Jews came from ‘shithole’ countries Ben Sales
NEW YORK ( JTA)—Jews were “undesirable.” They were “of low physical and mental standards.” They were “filthy.” They were “often dangerous in their habits.” They were “un-American.” So read a report submitted to the House Committee on Immigration in 1924, written by the director of the United Stated Consular Service and approved by the secretary of state. That year, Congress passed a bill that drastically slashed immigration from Eastern and Southern Europe, responding to xenophobic feelings across the country. The bill didn’t mention Jews, but they were affected. In 1921, according to JTA at the time, 120,000 Jews came to America. After the law was passed, that number fell to around 10,000. The headline on that article was blunt: “America shuts her doors to immigration.” The nativist rhetoric of a century ago found new expression in the reported words of President Donald Trump at a recent meeting of lawmakers, where attendees said he questioned why the United States should allow people from “shithole countries,” including those in Africa, to immigrate. He suggested the U.S. should admit more people from places like Norway. Trump tweeted a denial of the statement, but it’s been asserted by multiple people at the meeting, including Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin. While congressmen in the 1920s may not have used Trump’s language, they were also opposed to letting in people from so-called undesirable countries— like Italians, Slavs and Jews from Eastern Europe. Chinese immigrants were banned altogether. Senator David Reed, for whom the 1924 law was named, also wanted to let in more immigrants from “Nordic” countries. An amendment to the 1924 law that aimed to restrict immigration even further was “aimed chiefly at the Jews who, [a
senator] asserted, have been emigrating to American in disproportionately large numbers.” Disproportionate Jewish immigration from Russia, the senator told JTA, was “unfair to the predominating population of those countries.” The senator denied being anti-Semitic. His amendment failed. Reforms in the 1950s and 1960s did away with the quotas. This prejudice had been around for decades before the 1924 law. A report from 1891 prepared by Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge lumped Jews, Italians, Poles and others into “races most alien to the body of the American people.” “In the eyes of politicians in the 1920s, undesirable immigrants included Jews, Italians and Slavs,”says Jonathan Sarna, a professor of Jewish history at Brandeis University. “In the eyes of nativist politicians today, undesirable immigrants are Haitians and Africans, Latin Americans. Once it was us who were that way.” Jews at the time, Sarna says, would be quick to admit they came from difficult conditions that they were happy to escape. Emma Lazarus’ poem on the Statue of Liberty, “The New Colossus,” called some immigrants “wretched refuse.” The difference, Sarna says, is that the poem, and Jews, saw those difficult conditions as a reason to let immigrants into the country, not to refuse them. “For many Jews and for a great many Americans, when they think about their own roots, they came from places people would not describe particularly kindly,” he says. “They looked at America as a refuge from those places—the land of the free and the brave where they had great opportunities and achieved wonderful things.” But it bears noting that Jews were just a small portion of the immigrants who faced this bigotry after World War I, says Hasia Diner, director of the GoldsteinGoren Center for American Jewish History at New York University. Southern Italians, who were considered boors impossible to educate, had it far worse, she says.
6 | Jewish News | January 22, 2018 | jewishnewsva.org
“The view was they could not fit into the American orientation toward progress and doing better, and would be forever manual laborers stuck at the very bottom,” Diner says of attitudes toward Southern Italians. She said Jews, by contrast, were viewed as “a little too successful, a little too pushy, getting on that American track too fast. They were viewed as competitors.” Sarna and Diner both say that similar fears animated the nativisms of the 1920s and today. In both cases, they say, these derogatory comments were based in a fear of the other from a foreign culture, who will disrupt white American society. “There was a fear that these immigrants would change the country, which in fact they did, making it less Protestant, less Central European and Nordic and so on,” Sarna says. “Today it’s the same. Lo and behold, the president wants more immigration from Norway, so in that sense, from a historical perspective, nothing’s changed.” Salty language aside, some have suggested that the president’s comments can be understood as a blunt way of talking about a recurrent debate in American society: Does the United States accept immigrants as part of its duty to extend freedom and opportunity to those struggling around the world, or should its first consideration be what’s best for the United States? Other countries—including Australia, Canada, Great Britain and New Zealand—use a points system to favor immigrants with more education and experience, for example. Sarna rejects the idea that Trump was simply expressing a preference for highly skilled immigrants, saying that if that’s what he meant, he would have said that. “There are people from all sorts of countries who commit crimes, but when we ascribe those sins to the whole group, that’s the essence of racism,” Sarna says. “The problem here is that instead of using objective criteria, we’re utilizing racial and geographic criteria.
White supremacists committed more than half of extremistrelated killings in US in 2017, report says
M
urders committed by white supremacists in the United States more than doubled in 2017 over the previous year, and they were responsible for 18 of the total 34 extremist-related killings in the country, according to a new AntiDefamation League report. Nine of the deaths were linked to Islamic extremists, the report says. The report, “Murder and Extremism in the United States in 2017,” was released Wednesday, Jan. 17 by the ADL’s Center of Extremism. According to the numbers, 2017 was the fifth deadliest year on record for extremist violence since 1970. The single deadliest incident in 2017 was the New York City bike path vehicular homicide attack, which killed eight and was committed by an Islamic extremist. The report also noted that a majority of the murders last year were committed by right-wing extremists, primarily white supremacists, as has typically been the case most years. In addition, the 18 white supremacist murders included several killings linked to the “alt right” in that the perpetrators were inspired by the movement. Expanding its operations away from primarily the internet, the report noted, the movement featured notably the August march in Charlottesville, Virginia, where an alleged white supremacist rammed his car into counterdemonstrators, killing one. The most recent ADL data show that over the past decade, 71 percent of extremist-related fatalities have been linked to domestic right-wing extremists, while 26 percent were committed by Islamic extremists. Three percent of the fatalities did not fall into either category. “These findings are a stark reminder that domestic extremism is a serious threat to our safety and security,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, the ADL’s national director, said in a statement. (JTA)
Nation
Delta employees detail a pattern of anti-Semitic abuse at airline Ben Sales
NEW YORK (JTA)—It wasn’t long after Nahum Amir began working for Delta Airlines as a mechanic that he says his manager started calling him “the Jewish guy.” Then Amir says the manager accused him and other Jews of “killing kids in Gaza.” During the same period, Yaron Gilinsky was working as a Delta flight attendant on flights from New York to Tel Aviv. Except, he says, his non-Jewish co-workers would call it “Hell Aviv.” Gilinsky remembers some, including managers, making fun of haredi Orthodox Jews’ beards and sidecurls. One non-Jewish fellow attendant called them “ugly Jews.” “At some point, it makes me feel ashamed and it makes me feel this person doesn’t respect me,” Gilinsky, 38, says about his co-workers’ comments. “I was brought into this company because I speak Hebrew. I was brought into this company to take care of the clients that support that flight, and here this person is talking very derogatorily and putting down my faith, my people, everything that I grew up on.” Amir, an Israeli-American, and Gilinsky, who was born in Israel and lives in the United States, are each separately suing Delta in federal court for violating the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on ethnicity. Gilinsky is in the process of formally joining a suit filed by four other Delta employees who also allege anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli discrimination. Amir’s suit was filed earlier this month. “I have been subjected to a hostile and threatening environment based on my race and ethnicity,” Amir stated in a signed affidavit. The manager, whom Amir names as Azeem Narine, “continues to make jokes and comments about Jewish people, including about circumcision. He would go to the computer room talking about Jewish people chopping off part of his private areas.” Both suits were filed by Philadelphia
lawyer Brian Mildenberg. In a Jan. 3 statement, Delta says it “strongly condemns the allegations of discrimination described in this suit and will defend itself vigorously against them. As a global airline that brings people across the world together every day, Delta values diversity in all aspects of its business and has zero tolerance for discrimination.” After six years of hearing anti-Semitic comments, Gilinsky was fired in September because, he says, he made a Jewish friend his travel companion. Flight attendants are allowed to designate a friend or family member as their travel companion, which allows the companion to fly standby at a reduced rate. Gilinsky’s travel companion is a friend he had met on a flight to Israel in 2013. Although they live in different states— Gilinsky in California, the friend in New York—they stayed in touch and met up in Israel. But Gilinsky says that Delta management, after questioning him about his friend, suspended him without pay and fired him two weeks later. Gilinsky is set to join other plaintiffs, some non-Jewish, who also complain that Delta suspended or fired them because they shared their travel benefits with Jews and Israelis. One plaintiff, Cynthia Fukelman, alleges that Delta fired her because she was an Israeli Jew. The lawsuit says Delta employees derided Jews for praying in-flight and requesting kosher food. “Delta has encouraged and maintained an anti-Jewish, Hebrew and ethnic Israeli attitude among management,” the lawsuit says, adding that Delta managers “operate under an express assumption that ethnic Jews and Israelis, as employees and passengers, cannot be trusted, are aggressive and inappropriate, and engage in what are deemed to be ‘strange’ behaviors.” That Delta flight attendants would be anti-Semitic is surprising, says Paula Kraft, the managing partner of the DaVinci Inflight Training Institute, which trains flight staff. Kraft says Delta takes particular care to train its crews in how to handle kosher food and the sensitivities
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involved in keeping kosher. Amir won an award for his performance in 2014, and still works at Delta. He has complained to human resources about the anti-Semitic harassment. But he says management handled the incident inappropriately, asking Amir to recount the story in front of Narine, his manager, and suggest a punishment. He says Delta then refused to reprimand Narine for his statements, instead suggesting that Amir switch terminals. After a six-month break, Amir says Narine resumed the anti-Semitic slurs,
2/5/17 2:12 PM
suggesting that haredi men’s facial hair is fake and making derogatory comments about circumcision. Amir also claims Narine has subjected him to unsafe work conditions, in one instance demanding that Amir complete a 20-hour job in 90 minutes. Another time, Narine sent Amir to work alone in icy conditions. In another instance, Amir claims Narine sent him to clean up and repair an overflowed toilet on a 777 jet, and said, “You have to clean all of the Jewish shit off of these planes.”
jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2018 | Jewish News | 7
film festival
Kenny Morris shares memories of Stephen Furst Sunday, Jan. 28, 7:15 pm
Jewish News: How did you meet Stephen? Kenny Morris: We were 10 years old, in the third grade at Poplar Halls. Our parents FORCED us to meet. The first time I saw Stephen it was dead of summer…he was all sweaty with a huge lump on his forehead! We were fast lifelong friends from that moment on. We rode our bikes all through the neighborhood, around swampy ponds where more often than not I would fall in while Stephen laughed hilariously. JN: Were you in AZA? KM: I believe we were in Commonwealth AZA together. I remember him very well at the JCC at Wards Corner, where he would love to give me rides on those big moving platform carts and run them full speed into the walls just to watch me fly off the other end and, as always, howl with laughter.
the Lake Taylor senior musical, Wizard of Oz. I went to NYC for Theater and he to LA for film. It took a lot of humility to see your best friend on billboards in Times Square when you were still a starving actor—but before it was over, Stephen came again and again to see me on Broadway in Hairspray, at the Pantages in Los Angeles in Kinky Boots, etc., etc. We had a very healthy mutual admiration society. And no, nothing professional ever had the slightest effect on our famous and lifelong friendship. Gary-Ng
K
enny Morris and Stephen Furst grew up together in Norfolk and remained close friends until Furst’s death last year. Morris will share some of his memories and stories of their escapades at the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film’s screening of Animal House. Jewish News connected with Morris from his home in New York City.
2017, Bullets Over Broadway, Michele Ragusa, Kenny Morris.
JN: Did you go to temple together? KM: Yes, Temple Israel, also at Wards Corner. Steve’s mom, Aunt Lil, was a Hebrew school driver. We terrorized Hebrew school teachers mercilessly. Stephen was six months older than me, so his bar mitzvah was in May of 1967...didn’t see him at temple a whole lot after that! JN: How close was Stephen’s character in Animal House to his actual personality? KM: Believe it or not, I’ve only seen Animal House once. Stephen came to NYC for the premiere in 1978 and I was his plus one!!! It was an amazing event. I remember a young Bette Midler holding court at the opening night party because her boyfriend at the time was Peter Riegert, who was in the movie!! But Flounder, as I remember was super timid. There wasn’t an ounce of timidity in Stephen’s body. JN: After his fame and changing of his name, did your relationship change? KM: Not for a second. Each of us had various one-up’s on each other as we grew up. I tended to be more of the honor roll bookworm and Drama Club president, but Stephen got the coveted role of the Cowardly Lion in
8 | Jewish News | January 22, 2018 | jewishnewsva.org
Fiddler; 1972; K. Morris, Avrahm; S. Furst, Nuchum the Beggar.
JN: What is your favorite Kenny/Stephen memory? KM: Oh Lord—the list is endless. I plan to share one or two of the more shameless ones when I say a word or two on Stephen on January 29. But there are millions!!! JN: What motivated you to return to Tidewater for this screening? KM: Because of theater obligations, I’ve had to miss weddings, graduations, etc. But I think it was a practical joke that only Stephen could think up that my opening night for Bullets Over Broadway at Ogunquit Theater in Maine this summer coincided with the day of his funeral. It would
have been impossible to explain to anyone else missing your best friend’s funeral, but no one knew like Stephen that the show must go on. I made an 18 minute eulogy and sent it to Lorraine apologizing about the length…but she wrote back that the whole family was in tears with laughter and that it almost made her glad that I couldn’t attend so she could always have it to look back on, which was beyond a gift to hear from her at that time. But it has left a big hole in me not to have shared that closure with Lorraine and Griff and Nathan. Attending the screening is a way of honoring and mourning my best friend. JN: What about you? KM: Stephen and I both shared a love of theater from as far back as I can remember. We performed in the first production of Fiddler on the Roof in the state of Virginia at Cavalier Dinner Theater, the closest you could get to professional theater in Norfolk, while we were still in high school. I was accepted to VCU like Stephen was, but I had my sights set on the Ivy League of the South—UNC Chapel Hill, and got accepted there about two weeks before the school year began! I studied Dramatic Art and Radio, TV, Motion Pictures. I moved to NYC the second that school ended and my parents no longer could hold me back. There I studied for one year at Circle in the Square Theater School and Workshop, where I was in the same class with Kevin Bacon, who I did a lot of crazy assignments with. While I never starred on the silver screen like Stephen, I’ve had a somewhat accomplished career in the theater—was an original member of many First National Companies including Sunset Blvd., Kinky Boots, Joseph and the Amazing Dreamcoat (starring David Cassidy), as well as a few Broadway shows such as Les Miserables, Hairspray, 20th anniversary production of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, and a revival of The Tenth Man at Lincoln Center Theater. I also moved into a prime Sheridan Square studio apartment in the West Village a few months after I moved to NYC in 1976, which I still live in 41 years later! But my crowning achievement is the life I’ve made with my husband, Guy Efrat, who is an Israeli expat turned Yankee boy. He has a crazy and successful career as a location manager for feature films and TV. He was a great friend and admirer of Stephen, who often mentored him. We had the pleasure of many beautiful occasions with Stephen and Lorraine whether grabbing Stephen and wining and dining him for his birthday while visiting him in California, or hosting them at our lake house in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.
25 | Annual Virginia Festival of Jewish Film presented by Alma & Howard Laderberg* and Patricia & Avraham Ashkenazi
continues through Sunday, Jan. 28
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ational and international films, classics, and dramas featuring award-winning Jewish writers, actors, and filmmakers, are being shown around Tidewater during the 25th Annual Virginia Festival of Jewish Film. Guest speakers accompany some films.
Cabaret Monday, Jan. 22, 7:15 pm
I
Simon Family JCC hile many films exist about the Holocaust, few detail its aftermath when Jewish residents returned home to find their belongings and family heirlooms had been taken by neighbors and Nazis. The international film, 1945, dives into a small Hungarian town and the paranoia surrounding the return of two Orthodox Jews.
Zeiders American Theater n Rachel Israel’s Tribeca Film Festival award winning romantic comedy Keep the Change, two strangers go to their local JCC to attend a support group for adults living with disabilities. The connection between David and Sarah embodies the joys and struggles of uniqueness and navigating the
I
difficulties of a relationship.
E
Harbor Club (Free for seniors on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 12 pm, Simon Family JCC. Lunch included.) he story of one of the most popular songs in the jazz repertoire, Body And Soul: An American Bridge illustrates the complex musical interplay between Jewish and African-American cultures. Following the film, a jazz trio from the Governor’s School for the Arts will entertain.
T
1945 Tuesday, Jan. 23, 7:15 pm
Keep the Change Wednesday, Jan. 24, 7:15 pm
Beach Cinema Alehouse njoy food and drinks while writer/producer Sheldon Cohn of The Pickle Recipe shares the comedic tale of what happens when the only way for a father to gain a favor from an uncle is to steal their family’s most prized possession, his grandmother’s top-secret kosher dill pickle recipe.
Body And Soul: An American Bridge Saturday, Jan. 27, 7:15 pm
Naro Expanded Cinema n his 9th annual pick, local movie critic Mal Vincent chooses the classic 1966 film, Cabaret. Prior to the film, Vincent will recount stories and juicy Hollywood gossip of the film and stars including award-winning actress Liza Minnelli.
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The Pickle Recipe Thursday, Jan. 25, 7:15 pm
Animal House Sunday, Jan 28, 7:15 pm Naro Expanded Cinema 1507 Colley Avenue, Norfolk Discussion before the film with Lorraine Wright, Kenny Morris, and Susan Katz, widow, friend, and sister of local born actor and comedian, Stephen Furst(stein). hen they arrive at college, socially inept freshmen Larry and Kent attempt to pledge the snooty Omega Theta Pi House, but are summarily rejected. Lowering their standards, they try the notoriously rowdy Delta Tau Chi House, and get in. The trouble is, the college dean has it in for the Deltas. He has put them on “Double Secret Probation” and secretly assigned Omega’s president the task of having their charter revoked.
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Purchase tickets (Saturday $15, all others are $10) and passes online at SimonFamilyJCC.org/FilmFestival, at the JCC customer service desk, or by calling 757-321-2338. *of blessed memory
FILM FESTIVAL SPONSORS Major support from
Palms Associates and Old Point National Bank • Additional support from Route 58 Delicatessen Presented by Simon Family JCC and United Jewish Federation of Tidewater jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2018 | Jewish News | 9
Nation
Dozens of Jewish activists arrested at protest urging Congress to protect ‘Dreamers’ WASHINGTON (JTA)—Police in the U.S. Capitol arrested some 100 Jewish activists, many of them clergy, who protested in a Senate office building on behalf of a bill that would protect illegal immigrants who arrived as children. Several dozen of the activists from the Reform movement, the Anti-Defamation League, Bend the Arc, T’ruah and other Jewish groups sat in concentric circles on Wednesday, Jan. 15 in the Rotunda of the Russell Senate Office Building until they were removed by police. They sang protest songs in Hebrew and English. The demonstrators demanded the passage of a bill that would protect the so-called “Dreamers.” President Donald Trump removed executive orders put in place by his predecessor, Barack Obama,
to protect the Dreamers from deportation. Trump said he is ready to endorse a measure that restores the protections as long as it includes new restrictions on legal immigration. Democrats are ready to countenance some restrictions, including money for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, but are resisting others—for instance, an end to “chain migration,” which allows new immigrants to sponsor immediate family for immigration. Senators who back the “Dreamers” who stopped by the protest included Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who posted film of the Jewish protesters on his Facebook page; Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the second-ranked Democrat, who is leading negotiations with Republicans and the White House on the issue; and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.
Photo courtesty of Bend the Arc Jewish Action.
Also greeting the protesters were Jewish Reps. Ted Deutch and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, both Florida Democrats. Deutch posted photos of the protesters on his Twitter feed. “For all of the activists today, this
is a matter of principle and a matter of core Jewish identity and core American identity,” Barbara Weinstein, the associate director of the Religious Action Center, said in an interview. “We shall not be moved.”
catch a sneak peak of camp jcc when registration opens on feb 1.
This year’s line up runs jun 18-aug 10
TV tune in for more camp program listings at
campjccvb.org
10 | Jewish News | January 22, 2018 | jewishnewsva.org
TIDEWATER
Cantor with a conscience: Cantor Jennifer Rueben
A
soaring new cantorial voice can be heard at Ohef Sholom Temple. Facilitating meaningful prayer and bringing festive and beautiful music to her congregation, however, are not the only talents Cantor Jennifer Rueben has revealed since her arrival in Norfolk five short months ago. Cantor Jen, as she is known to all, actively leads the congregation and community in the social justice advocacy that Judaism’s prophetic tradition has long espoused. She had barely arrived in Virginia when the horrors in Charlottesville occurred. Cantor Jen made it her mission to bring the community together in prayer and organized professionally directed dialogue to help everyone cope with feelings and need for action. When Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston, Cantor Jen actively sought ways to help victims by connecting Tidewater’s Jewish community with theirs. With firsthand experience from helping West End Temple of Neponsit, N. Y., through the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, she initiated and spearheaded the effort to gather financial support and gift cards, sending them to a colleague in the affected area to directly benefit those who needed critical help most. Her strong calling to social action prompted her to participate in the Ministers March for Justice in Washington and to inspire Ohef Sholom to sign the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism’s Brit Olam. By signing this Brit Olam, Ohef Sholom commits to take positive and specific steps for Tikkun Olam (repair of the world). When Ohef Sholom’s engagement committee decided to build a community sukkah, Cantor Jen was an essential part of every one of the eight nights of activity—each directed at a different segment of OST’s congregational family. Cantor Jen made sure that everyone was informed and her enthusiasm and excitement were contagious. The events were meaningful and joy-filled for all who attended, many
of whom had never been in a sukkah before. Similarly, through the medium of Facebook Live, she spread the light of Hanukkah through the temple’s nightly candlelighting to more than 10,000 homes during the eight day festival. Cantor Jen is clearly passionate about her work. Her warm and welcoming spirit brings out the best in children and adults alike. She inspires the joy of Judaism in the students whom she especially loves to teach and brings solace to those in need of healing as when, unsolicited, she comforted a congregant suffering from Alzheimer’s disease by singing with him in his home. A delighted and appreciative Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg says, “We are so blessed to have Jennifer Rueben as OST’s
cantor and as my clergy partner; her magnificent voice is matched equally by her compassionate heart, a rare deep well of spirituality, an incredible sharp mind, a lively sense of humor, and an infinite Cantor Jen Rubin with Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg. desire to serve sacred partnership that honors and supGod and our community. ports them as individuals while together “Cantor Jen’s growing and deepening they evoke something divinely inspired,” partnership with Rabbi Roz is evident to says Karen Fine, OST president. all. Their personalities and styles compliment each other in so many ways. It is a
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jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2018 | Jewish News | 11
HAT graduate moves home to serve community as rabbi There’s a new rabbi in town. Just before Hanukkah, Virginia Beach native Rabbi Zalman Margolin moved from Brooklyn with his wife Bracha and their two children to expand Chabad of Tidewater with a new presence near the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. “We are delighted to welcome the new Margolin family to town and to announce the exciting expansion of Chabad,” says Rabbi Aaron Margolin, Zalman’s father and Chabad’s executive director. “With the addition of Bracha, Zalmy, and their children—Mendel and Esther— Chabad looks forward to expanding it’s geographic reach by making our activities more accessible to the many Jews living near and visiting the Virginia Beach Oceanfront,” says Rabbi Aaron Margolin. The couple joins Zalman’s parents Rabbi Aaron and Rychel Margolin, as well as Zalman’s brother-in-law and sister, Rabbi Levi and Rashi Brashevitzky (also a HAT alumnus), as members of the Chabad team. Chabad of Tidewater was founded 1979 under the leadership of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, with the mission of helping Jewish people of all ages
and stages grow in their connection to Judaism. As an open home to all Jews regardless of affiliation or Jewish practice, Chabad of Tidewater is on the front lines helping community members and visitors with myriad needs ranging from spiritual to physical. The organization provides a variety of classes and Torah study opportunities, offers synagogue services in Ghent that are enjoyed by all affiliations, as well as holiday celebrations, and creative family programming. Chabad’s summer camp, “Gan Izzy” is another fun-filled way for Jewish children in the area to experience their Jewish heritage. Chabad also provides spiritual guidance and support to all segments of the Jewish community, including members of the military, hospital patients and their families, senior citizens, inmates, and anyone in need. Zalman and Bracha’s immediate goals are to help expand Chabad’s existing activities out of Chabad’s Ghent location, while branching out to be available for those living near the Beach. “We know there is a desire for Jewish education, for traditional Jewish practice, and for all the other social, communal, and religious services Chabad offers,” Zalman
says. “Obviously, it would be much easier to benefit from those services without having to get in the car and drive halfan-hour each way. Our goal is to bring the traditional Chabad warmth and spirit, present in Jewish communities all across the globe, to a location right here in Virginia Beach.” In time for the summer, Chabad plans to offer services and kosher food options for the estimated thousands of Jewish tourists visiting the area each year. “Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to see the Jewish community at the Beach grow steadily,” says Raymond Gottleib, a long-time Virginia Beach oceanfront resident and friend of Chabad. “There’s definitely a need for this, and I’m glad it’s happening now.” Prior to their move, Zalman worked as a writer for the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute—popularly known as JLI. With classes all over the world, including in Tidewater, JLI is a prominent provider of Jewish adult education. Bracha worked in Cedarhurst, N. Y. as program director for the Levi Yitzchak Library and Family Center. Not lost on Zalman is the fact that he is the first Tidewater-born-and-raised
Rabbi Zalman and Bracha Margolin with their children.
rabbi to serve locally. “As a Virginia Beach native, and as a graduate of Hebrew Academy of Tidewater, I couldn’t be more proud to move back home, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to serve my community,” he says. For more information, contact Rabbi Zalman at chabadVB@gmail.com. Chabad of Tidewater can be reached at rabbilevi@ chabadoftidewater.com.
Jewish volunteers serve Christmas dinner
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or almost a quarter-century, about 20 Jews in Tidewater have engaged in a beloved Christmas tradition: serving Christmas dinner at a homeless shelter in Norfolk. For at least 20 years, they ensured that residents of the Dwelling Place, an emergency shelter that has since closed, enjoyed a hearty Christmas meal. The recent Christmas was the fourth at which the group served dinner at Haven House, a facility operated by ForKids. The volunteers were: David Banyai and Jody Mazur; Wendy Brodsky; Barry and Lois Einhorn; Jane Popkin; Betsy and Madelyn Resnick; Dana and Adam Rosen; Nancy Tucker and Brandon Metheny; and Mary Ann, Phil, Jacob and Benjamin Walzer. Nancy Bangel and Beth Gross, as usual, contributed the desserts. The group served a bountiful meal to 13 adults and children at Haven House. The menu included turkey, green bean casserole, stuffing and sweet potatoes, and plenty of after-dinner goodies. “Project Ahavah began many years ago as a project of the Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater,” Barry and Lois Einhorn say. “At that time, we served Christmas dinners at churches as well as shelters.
12 | Jewish News | January 22, 2018 | jewishnewsva.org
Front row: Dana Rosen, Mary Ann Walzer, Lois Einhorn, Nancy Tucker, Madelyn Resnick, Betsy Resnick and Jody Mazur. Back row: Adam Rosen, Wendy Brodsky, Jacob Walzer, Benjamin Walzer, Phil Walzer, David Banyai, Brandon Metheny and Barry Einhorn. Not pictured: Nancy Bangel, Beth Gross and Jane Popkin.
“Since then, Temple Israel’s social action committee adopted first The Dwelling Place and now ForKids. Serving families who have become homeless has made us aware of how fortunate we are. Our most fervent wish is that in the near future, there will be no need for our services.”
cabaret
monday, january 22, 7:15 pm the naro theater tickets: $10
1945
tuesday, january 23, 7:15 pm simon family jcc tickets: $10
keep the change
wednesday, january 24, 7:15 pm zeider american dream theater tickets: $10
The pickle recipe
thursday, january 25, 7:15 pm beach cinema alehouse tickets: $10
Body & Soul
saturday, january 27, 7:15 pm harbor club jazz SoirEe and Film: $15
animal house
sunday, january 28, 7:15 pm the naro theater tickets: $10 jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2018 | Jewish News | 13
title sponsOrs
Alma & howard laderberg* and patricia & avraham ashkenazi
Major Support from
additional support from
Wilks, alper, harwoOd & mcintyre, pc celia krichman charitable trust christian broadcasting network tidewater jewish foundation route 58 delicatessen baker’s crust GoOdman, allen, and donnelly wandering petal group for women mini price storage coastal home mortage co., llc beskin-divers insurance group inc. S.l. nusbaum realty co. jaffe family fund southern bank helen g. gifford foundation
Thank you to Our generous patron of the j donOrs
Zahav| randy & james caplan • Renee & stephen caplan • ann & robert copeland • robin & todd copeland • jodi & jay klebanoff • renee & john strelitz • anne & lawrence fleder • mai-ellen & lawrence hecht • arnold leon • sandra & miles leon Sapphire| laura & fredric gross • terri & leon sarfan • lawrence steingold chai| anne & edward kramer • sharon & gene Ross • lynn schoenbaum • Sara & aaron trub Chaverim| barbara gelb & Kenneth weinstein • marcia hofheimer • mimi & warren karesh • cathy & steve lentz •lisa & david leon • caren & stephen leon • betty ann & scott levin • leyla sandler • laure & richard saunders • leslie & lawrence Siegel • jane & edward stein • arlene & ralph soussan • arlene strelitz Supporter| f.b. Amundson •babbi & brad bangel • rosalyn & michael barney • lisa ehrich & robert bernstein • betty & ken berklee • paula & michael blachman • wendy jo & ronald brodsky • sharon & jerry browne • marilyn & stuart buxbaum • stephanie calliott • lynn sher cohen & hugh cohen • minette & charles coOper • susan & james eilberg • lois & barry einhorn • alicia & robert friedman • rebecca zimmerman & eric friedman • bOotsie goldmeier • glenda & lewis greenhouse • jeri jo & william halprin • jeanie hearst & dan graf • catherine & ethan heben • muriel & gary hecht • brenda & abbey horwitz • connie & honorable marc jacobson • betsy & ed karotkin • ellen & larry katz • debra & donald keeling • brenda & larry klar • Ronnie-jane & stephen konikoff • pam & joel kossman • fern & larry leibowitz • amy & kevin lefcoe • bonita lidenberg • shelley & jeffrey loeb • joan london • robin & matthew mancoll • jerry meltsner • susie & joe mersel • jeanne & julius miller • marcia & burton moss • stacie & marc moss • alyssa muhlendorf • jonathan muhlendorf • andrew nusbaum • carole & aaron peck • jonathan preiser • elinore porter • rose & kurt rosenbach • annabel sacks • linda & stanley samuels • alfred schulwolf • miriam & robert seeherman • Sandy & norman sher • leslie & michael shroyer • edward soltz • linda & ronald spindel • Rebecca & jeffery tall • lisa & steven warsof • michelle waterman • alice & eric werner • megan & steven zuckerman
14 | Jewish News | January 22, 2018 | jewishnewsva.org
Investments & Giving
Supplement to Jewish News January 22, 2018 jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2018 | Investments | Jewish News | 15
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Investments & Giving
Super Sunday Sunday, Jan. 28 • 10 am – 1 pm
U
nited Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s biggest phone-a-thon fundraising day of the year— Super Sunday—raises money for the annual campaign. The annual event supports UJFT’s
work, which directly impacts the lives of Jews in Tidewater as well as around the world. The community’s generosity on that day helps provide scholarships for students to attend Jewish day schools, helps Jewish elderly receive food, medical, and transpor-
tation assistance, and protects and strengthens communities in Israel, among other endeavors.
This year’s Super Sunday will include:
Three ways to help make Super Sunday a success and to reach its fundraising goal:
• Activities for children in the gym until noon, • Marketplace for shopping, • Tzedakah box decorating project hosted by Nadiv YAD’s Men Giving Circle, and • O peration Hamantaschen—an opportunity to make hamantaschen and write cards for care packages for service
Volunteer to make phone calls 10 am–11:30 am or 11:30 am–1pm (babysitting services will be available for volunteers).
members who are deployed overseas so they will be able to celebrate Purim. Jeremy Krupnick, Super Sunday chair, says, “I am very excited about this year’s Super Sunday event. We really want the Jewish
Answer when one of the volunteers calls.
community to come out and participate this year—whether that be through volunteering, or coming to check out the new and exciting activities we have going on during the day. You won’t want to miss Super Sunday…it’s going to be amazing!”
Donate!
For more information or to volunteer, visit www.JewishVa.org/ SuperSunday or call 757-965-6138.
jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2018 | Investments | Jewish News | 17
Investments & Giving Life & Legacy
Portnoys agree on their legacy Barbara Gelb
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hen talking with Erinn and Dr. Felix Portnoy, the commitment and love they have for the Jewish community is obvious. As parents of very young children, they feel compelled to step up and provide for the Jewish future of the next generation, and are thrilled to be able to do so by leaving a gift through the Life & Legacy program. Erinn was born and raised in Wilmington, N. C. After her brother, Adam moved to Norfolk to start his dental practice, her parents made the move to Tidewater. Erinn and Felix followed a few years later. Felix was born in Moldova, USSR, and in 1978 moved to Israel. He speaks with emotion about the activism of Jews
and Jewish organizations in the United States that enabled him and many other Jews to leave the USSR. The Soviet Jewry movement was a long struggle, but Felix believes that in many ways it was what helped American Jewish communities form and strengthen Federations, Community Relations Councils, and other organizations. Felix’s family moved to Kiryat Yam, which coincidentally happens to be the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s sister city. In 2004, Felix moved to North Carolina as a student, and that is where he met Erinn. Erinn says that her parents shaped her Jewish identity and modelled how to be and how to live a Jewish life, emphasizing tzedakah and tikkun olam. “It was a small Jewish community, and we lived our lives around the synagogue. My mom made
ATTENTION STUDENTS: Do you want to go to Israel? TJF has funds ready to help you get there. Apply at www.jewishva.org by April 1st, 2018.
For more information contact Barb Gelb at bgelb@ujft.org or 965.6105.
Simon Family Passport to Israel 18 | Jewish News | Investments | January 22, 2018 | jewishnewsva.org
me a life member of Hadassah in elementary school. They really directed my life to becoming who I am Jewishly and as a person.” For Felix, who grew up in Israel, he says it was easy to be Jewish there. “Everyone went to a Jewish school,” he jokes. “But when I moved to the United States it was very different. Unless you actively seek Jewish involvement, you won’t have it. I learned a lot from Erinn’s family and they really reconnected me with my tradition.” Felix and Erin Portney amd their daughters. The Portnoys agree about how they want to be rememWhen they heard about the Legacy Match bered and the kind of legacy they hope Life Insurance program. However, they to leave. Felix says he would like to be realized that being younger was an advanremembered as a family person. “That is tage because they can get a lower rate and very important to me. I try to devote as be able to leave a more substantial gift to much as I can to my wife and children.” the community. Erinn agrees, and adds that she is so Through the Legacy Match program, glad that “Our kids will remember when TJF pays a portion of the premiums their dad went to a Hanukkah party at on policies of $100,000 for a single life their school, or when he dressed up as policy and $250,000 for a two-life policy. an Israeli soldier on Yom Ha’atzmaut and The donor saves money by paying only marched them around the gym. They’ll part of the premium, which is also tax know that the Jewish community was deductible. important to us.” As Felix says, “I appreciate the opporThe Portnoys’ hope is for the Jewish tunity the Tidewater Jewish Foundation community to, at the very least, maintain gave us to do this. It really amplified our the same level of services that are progift and made it possible for us and our vided today, and hopefully improve it. friends and other people in our commu“The generation before us did a great job nity to take an active role in the Life & of providing for us. That is why we are so Legacy program.” happy to be able to participate in the Life & Legacy program.” For more information on the Legacy Match As a younger couple, when the Life Insurance program, call Barb Gelb at Portnoys first heard about after-life giving, 757-965-6105. they didn’t expect to be able to participate.
Investments & Giving 3 reasons retirees should look both ways when crossing Wall Street
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ost Americans don’t trust Wall Street. Yet many will put the bulk of their retirement savings in the stock market’s hands. The increasing disappearance of company pensions and the growing popularity of the 401(k) shifted the retirement-planning paradigm from employer to employee over the last 30 years, pouring billions of dollars into the stock market. Now nearly half of the 127 million American workers who put in at least 35 hours per week participate in 401(k)s. On the other hand, less than a third of Americans in a recent Bloomberg National Poll said they had a favorable view of Wall Street. The low approval rating (31 percent) is unchanged since the 2008 financial crisis. Against this backdrop of cynicism are the vagaries of the stock market itself. Some financial experts think that, given market unpredictability and a less clear
financial path to retirement than it was decades ago, leaning on stocks primarily for retirement funds poses a heightened risk. “The ceiling always falls. And whereas pensions provided a measure of stability—set payouts based on a percentage of income—the 401(k) is a huge gamble,” says Mario Henry, a financial services professional and author of How to Hire Your House. “Meanwhile, according to Benefits Pro, about $5 trillion is invested in 401(k) accounts managed by Wall Street, but who’s really benefitting? An individual pays into a personal investment account with no guarantees. Everything points back to people investing in stocks that ultimately make Wall Street wealthier. Too many people who invest their retirement savings in the market aren’t able to retire and prosper.” Henry lists three reasons he thinks
taking a retirement road down Wall Street can be bumpy or worse: Retirement - pension = pressure to invest. Pensions brought certainty for generations of retirees. Then the economic model shifted dramatically, putting much more of the planning pressure on the employees. “We are living in the first generation that largely will be without a pension,” Henry says. “People who are in a quiet panic about having enough for retirement are vulnerable to bad investment advice and high fees. Often they get caught up in the idea of a long-term bull market and don’t know about or explore other investmentoptions.” Remember the recession? Many people haven’t recovered from the 2008 debacle, Henry points out. “It was more than a cautionary tale,” he says. “It had a huge impact on retirement savings. Going forward,
it’s important to note a 401(k) usually benefits the higher earners because the middle- and lower-income workers often don’t have the tools to manage their accounts successfully.” Fickle or under-funded 401(k)s. Many workers aren’t able to put enough into their retirement plans. The ante has gone up with people generally living longer and needing funds for 25 to 30 years or more. “Also, it’s impossible to be immune from the risk that the stock market can dive as you approach retirement,” Henry says. “And, some people will inevitably make bad investment choices.” “I do believe Wall Street has a part to play in someone’s investment portfolio,” Henry says, “but to be 100 percent dependent on a system for your retirement saving that isn’t proven to perpetuate your income is not a wise strategy.”
jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2018 | Investments | Jewish News | 19
Investments & Giving Five smart things to do before you start investing Hoboken, NJ ( January 2018)—You’re young, you’re eager, you’re out in the workforce earning money, and you’re ready to jump into investing full force. Or maybe you’ve been working for a few years but have been too busy getting yourself established (and yes, having a bit of fun) to get serious about preparing for the future. Either way, you’ve done a little homework and believe you’re ready to pick an investment and put your money into it. Not so fast, says financial expert and best-selling author Eric Tyson, MBA. Before you make any wealth-building investments, you first need to get your financial house in order. “Before you think about investing, you need to have a good financial foundation in place,” says Tyson, author of Investing in Your 20s & 30s For Dummies®, Second Edition(Wiley, 2017, ISBN:
978-1-119-43140-4, $19.99). “There’s a natural order to managing your money and setting yourself up for a secure future. If you don’t follow it, you can set yourself up for big headaches down the road—or at least fail to maximize your nest egg.” Tyson explains that most young people today have debts from lingering college loans or credit cards, and have little savings for unexpected expenses. Even though investing sounds like an exciting solution to financial wellness, you need to take care of a few other issues first. Here are the five things Tyson says you should do before you start investing. First things first: Set your financial goals. Do you have establish£ed financial goals that you’re working toward? If not—and frankly, too many young people simply don’t think this way— Tyson advises you to figure out your
financial goals before you begin investing. Otherwise, you won’t know how much to save or how much risk you need to take or are comfortable taking. Plus, there may be several goals you want to save for and that will affect your investing strategy. “When I was in my 20s, I put some money away toward retirement, but my bigger priority was to save money so I could hit the eject button from my management consulting job and start my own business,” says Tyson. “I kept the money I saved for the start-up of my small business, which was a shorter-term goal, safely invested in a money market fund that had a decent yield but didn’t fluctuate in value. “By contrast, my retirement was a longer-term goal, so I invested the bulk of my retirement money in stock funds,” he adds. “If these funds fluctuated and declined in value, that was okay in the
short-term, because I wouldn’t be tapping that money.” Pay off any high-cost debt. This might be a bit of a no-brainer, but paying off any consumer debt you have, such as on a credit card or auto loan, should be your first priority. Consumer debts are charged a high interest rate (many 18 percent or more per year), which keeps the debt growing and can cause your debt to quickly spiral out of control. Tyson recommends reducing and eventually eliminating this debt—otherwise, it can be a major obstacle to investing and achieving your future goals. “Paying down debts isn’t nearly as exciting as investing, but it can make your future investment decisions less difficult,” explains Tyson. “Rather than spending your time investigating specific investments, paying off your debts with money
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20 | Jewish News | Investments | January 22, 2018 | jewishnewsva.org
Investments… you’ve saved may indeed be your best investment.” Build an emergency reserve. No one knows for sure what life will bring, so having a reserve of cash on hand just makes good financial sense. Tyson generally recommends having at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses as an emergency reserve. Invest this money in a money market fund. Without a financial safety net in place, later on you may be forced to sell an investment at a lower price. “If you have generous parents or dear relatives, you can certainly consider using them as your emergency reserve,” says Tyson. “Just be sure you ask them in advance how they feel about that before you count on receiving funding from them. If you don’t have a financially flush family member, the onus is on you to establish a reserve.” Assess paying student loans. Many millennials are now starting out with student loan debt. If you’re one of them, you’re probably questioning whether you should focus on paying down that debt first or investing your extra money. Tyson says that your choice will likely depend on the interest rate on this debt (after factoring in any tax breaks) and how that compares with the expected return from investing. The question you need to consider is this: Can you reasonably expect to earn an average annual rate of return from your investments of more than the effective interest rate on your student loan? In addition, there are some other factors you should consider when deciding whether you should pay down student loans faster. Maybe paying off your student loans faster has no tax benefit or drains your emergency reserves. Or maybe you’re game to invest in growth-oriented, volatile investments like stocks and real estate. These are good reasons not to pay off your student loans any quicker than necessary. Now, find a way to commit to saving 10 percent of your salary. To accomplish your financial goals, you need to continually be saving money. Tyson recommends saving 10 percent of your annual income
“Paying down debts isn’t nearly as exciting as investing, but it can make your future investment decisions less difficult.
each year for the rest of your working life. Admittedly, this is no small task. Some people may be able to find a higher paying job or even get a second job, but for most, this 10 percent will have to come from spending cuts. “To reduce spending, sit down and figure out where your money goes,” says Tyson. “Examine your bill-paying records and credit card statements. Tally up how much you spend dining out, operating your car, paying taxes, and everything else. Then prioritize and determine where you can cut back on spending to boost your saving rate. This may require a lifestyle shift that may or may not be easy at first—but once you get started, it will quickly become your new normal and you will stop feeling deprived.” “Even if you’ve got a great job and a bright future on the horizon, it’s unwise to dive into investing without first carefully considering your long-term goals and getting your personal finances in order,” concludes Tyson. “When you’re young, you’ve still got plenty of time to invest, so don’t get ahead of yourself. Focus on getting your finances in order, and in the years to come, you’ll reap the benefits of the strong foundation you’ve built.”
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jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2018 | Investments | Jewish News | 21
Investments & Giving The new tax law lets you use college savings for Jewish day school. Is that a good thing? Ron Kampeas
WASHINGTON (JTA)—When the new tax bill was signed into U.S. law by President Donald Trump on Dec. 22, an unexpected constituency benefited: parents who send their kids to Jewish day schools. Until now, the college savings plans known by their tax codes, 529s, could only be used for college tuition. But effective as of Jan. 1, up to $10,000 may be withdrawn annually from the tax-free plans to help pay for private school. “For private school parents, it’s another reason to consider investing using a 529 plan,” Roger Young, a senior financial planner at T. Rowe Price, says. Parochial schools have celebrated the change. While Catholic school advocates led the lobbying for the tax break for private schools, Orthodox Jewish umbrella bodies also were involved in advocating for the move. At the same time, however, proponents of church-state separation have decried the provision as chipping away at support for public schools. Experts are still not sure whether the new provision will have much of an impact. On the one hand, day school parents in some states now have an opportunity to save hundreds of dollars a year in tax breaks. On the other hand, the 529 system was designed for long-term savings and may not be the best vehicle for frequent withdrawals. This is what we know so far. Who benefits? Anyone who is paying or contributing to a private school education. “It will assist people in the middle class of the Orthodox community who are already struggling with their economics generally and paying for education as part of that,” says Nathan Diament, the Washington director of the Orthodox Union, which lobbied for the change. The way 529s are set up, contributions are not tax deductible from federal taxes, but the earnings are. In addition, 35 states offer state income tax exemptions on
contributions—generally between $2,000 and $10,000 a year, and depending on whether the contributor is an individual or a couple. This means that in some states, private school parents (and grandparents) score twice: a state income tax exemption on up to $10,000 being put into the plan and a $10,000 exemption on the withdrawal. The state income tax exemption, when applicable, creates an immediate tax break for contributors, even if they don’t keep the money in long enough to benefit from the federal tax break on accrued earnings. Jewish day schools are heavily concentrated in the Northeast and states there vary widely in their tax policies. New York, for instance, offers the $10,000 tax deduction; New Jersey offers none. State chapters of the Orthodox Union and Agudath Israel of America, umbrella bodies for Orthodox groups, are lobbying for more generous state-level 529 benefits. This is a windfall for day school parents, right? Not quite—it’s more like a gentle breeze. The state savings typically amount to hundreds of dollars. Say a state taxes income at 8 percent and allows tax exemptions on up to $10,000–that’s $800 in savings per child. The federal tax savings on revenue depend on the parents and their personal circumstances. “These are the kind of questions parents have to discuss with personal financial advisers and accountants,” Diament says. With tuitions at private colleges reaching as high as $70,000 a year, there may not be enough of an incentive to divert money to day school tuition. Money for a university accrues interest for 18 years if parents open a 529 when a baby is born. A New York Times projection says parents dumping $200,000 into an account when a baby is born and doing nothing would have more than $370,000 to spend come college time. Accordingly, day school investments
22 | Jewish News | January 22, 2018 | jewishnewsva.org
inherently will accrue less interest: If you open a 529 when a child is born, you’ll be making withdrawals when she is five or six years old. Parents with kids already in the day school system—and who have opened 529s, carefully planning to cover college tuition—may be less inclined to divert funds to day school tuitions. Parents of newborns may have a greater incentive to open a 529 now and accrue some tax-free interest in the next five years or so. Additionally, parents planning for an 18-year haul can afford riskier investments—and potentially greater returns—than parents who will want to start cashing in their investments within five or six years. “If you’re putting money into a 529 for elementary or high school expenses you need to carefully consider your time horizon,” Young says. “If you have a longer time horizon, you can be more aggressive.” Noam Neusner, a communications adviser who worked on tax policy for the George W. Bush administration, suggests grandparents could use the new break as a means of encouraging their children to go the day school way. “If you’re a grandparent contributing to a child’s day school tuition, this provides a way to ensure you can continue to support that investment into the future, regardless of if you’re alive,” he says. “You designate funds for the 529, and ensure that your grandchild has funds for future years in day schools.” Won’t day schools seize the opportunity and raise tuitions? Tax experts have speculated that in much the same way that universities have tailored tuitions to gobble up tax breaks, the same could happen at the day school level. But Jewish day school officials say that’s unlikely among their schools, which are striving to persuade more parents to make the day school commitment. They would rather use the new rule as an enticement to parents to sign up their kids rather than a new avenue for revenue,
officials say. “Schools are already under pressure since the recession started [in late December 2007] to hold the line on tuition,” says Dan Perla, the director of financial vitality for Prizmah, a new umbrella body for Jewish day schools. If this is a victory for those who believe in “school choice,” does this mean it’s a loss for public education advocates? The groups that lobbied for the change made no secret of a broader agenda: to chip away at American civil traditions that balk at funding religious institutions. In an online statement, Agudah calls the provision “a significant, symbolic, national school-choice victory” even if its benefits do not immediately accrue day school families who choose not to open 529s. Orthodox groups have welcomed the emphasis by the Trump administration and its education secretary, Betsy DeVos, on funneling more federal funds to private schools, including religious schools. That’s why the the fight isn’t over. Having lost the battle on the federal level, secularists and public education advocates are likely to push back on the state level—meaning they may fight to adjust local laws in order to counteract the new provision. “It would provide tax breaks for families to send their children to private religious schools,” Americans United for Separation of Church and State said before the bill passed. “Congress should be finding ways to fund our public schools, not finding new ways to send money to private religious schools.” Perla of Prizmah says he did not anticipate too much pushback from state legislatures, which will be under pressure to preserve deductions after the federal tax law did away with so many of them. “States are already going to be under pressure to hold the line on state and municipal tax increases,” he says. “The political environment won’t be conducive.”
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Three ways to avoid toxic financial advice and rash decisions
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nvestors hear so much conflicting information and advice in the media these days that it’s perhaps easier than ever to become confused and make decisions based on emotion rather than on sound financial advice with a well-structured financial plan. “With the growth of the internet, social media and TV, investors are constantly tempted to lose focus on what they can control and instead focus on things out of their control,” says Jason Labrum, founder and president of Labrum Wealth Management (www.labrumwealth. com) and author of the upcoming book Financial Detox: How to Steer Clear of Toxic Advice, Achieve Financial Independence and Manage Your Wealth for Maximum Impact. High-strung investors fret over every dip in the stock market. They wonder who will win the next election and what that will mean to their investments. They hear about a crisis overseas or one here at home and ponder whether to abandon their carefully planned investment strategy based on the fear and uncertainty they feel as a result of the latest news reports. Take a deep breath, Labrum says. “You shouldn’t change what you’re doing just because of current events,” he says. “I often tell my clients, ‘I forbid you to freak out and stress out about the market. Turn off the news, turn off the TV and go enjoy the aspects of your life you work so hard for; family, friends, and your passions.’ ” To getting caught up in the toxic atmosphere and advice created by a 24-hour news cycle, Labrum says the savvy investor needs to: • Stay disciplined. The investment returns that the market delivers can be phenomenal if you stay focused, Labrum says. The problem: Investors react to media hype and make behavioral blunders based on emotional decisions rather
than fact-based reality. “One key factor in investment success is learning how to maintain discipline and stick to the goal oriented financial and investment plan that is created for them,” he says. • Know your volatility tolerance. It’s important to understand your tolerance for volatility when you’re building your portfolio. “Volatility is not necessarily risk; it’s an expected part of investing,” Labrum says. “However, your behavior can turn volatility into risk if you make decisions based on fear or panic.” If your goal is simply to save for retirement, and you would rather avoid the stress of watching market swings, then a strategy with a 5 percent volatility portfolio may be perfect, he says. If you have more ambitious goals (such as leaving money to heirs or giving to charity), and volatility doesn’t give you the jitters, then a higher percentage of volatility may be appropriate. The key is to find a balance that allows you to achieve your financial goals, but at a level of volatility you’re comfortable with.
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• Listen to your advisor. People are prone to make emotional decisions with their investments. A good advisor, preferably a fiduciary advisor, should be able to help you avoid acting rashly and maintain the discipline you need to be a successful investor, Labrum says. The fiduciary advisor should be able to look at the situation without the impassioned bias you bring to it, and help you make sure you don’t panic and that you stick to your financial plan. “Perhaps the most important thing is to educate yourself about finances and investing,” Labrum says. “You don’t have to know everything and you don’t have to do this all on your own, but you do have to know enough about the financial system to not get taken advantage of. That’s the only way to make smart choices that will make a real difference in your life.”
jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2018 | Investments | Jewish News | 23
Investments & Giving These philanthropists want to find the next big Jewish idea through angel investing Debra Nussbaum Cohen
NEW YORK—Are you an open-minded person who cares about Jewish life and has at least $50,000 a year to spare? If so, a group of elite philanthropists may want you to join their quest for the next big Jewish idea. Guided by a philosophy that champions collaboration and experimentation, they are looking to help transform Jewish life in North America by making early-stage investments in promising Jewish endeavors. Led in part by retired hedge fund manager Michael Steinhardt, the Areivim Philanthropic Group is open to individual philanthropists and foundations who each commit a minimum of $50,000 per year; many end up investing significantly more in projects they believe in. The goal is to leverage the power of the collective and make it possible for philanthropists to make a bigger impact jointly than they can on their own. “Areivim is not a mega group, but the closest there is,” Steinhart says. “Areivim is intended to really achieve things that are not being achieved in the Jewish community.” The name Areivim comes from the Hebrew phrase “Kol Yisrael areivim zeh bazar”—“all Jews are responsible for one another.” The group isn’t exactly new. Steinhardt launched Areivim in 2005 with the late Jewish philanthropist and Detroit billionaire William Davidson with the hope of it becoming a $100 million fund comprised of 20 philanthropists each investing $5 million. But it wasn’t easy getting mega donors to coordinate and compromise and work as a team, Steinhardt says. “Affluent philanthropists generally like to work individually,” he says. So after a few years Areivim changed its approach. Now the group, which has seven members and is looking for more, focuses on funding early-stage research and development of programming to advance Jewish life.
The members are the Avi Chai Foundation, the David S. and Karen A. Shapira Foundation, the Paul E. Singer Foundation, the Julie and Martin Franklin Charitable Foundation, the RecanatiKaplan Foundation, the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life, and the William Davidson Foundation. “We grow very carefully and slowly,” says Iryna Gubenko, Areivim’s manager of strategic partnerships and sole staffer. “They have to be really passionate about the growth of the Jewish community and in investing in new things. We don’t fund existing things. It’s all experimental in nature.” The focus is on Jewish, Hebrew and Israel education. Areivim helped create and promotes Hebrew Public, a network of Hebrew-language public charter schools; started a Hebrew-immersion summer camp program called Kayitz Kef; and launched an English-language version of Israeli Scouts called Israeli Scouts Atid. Areivim also offers formal endorsements of projects begun by others that meet Areivim’s criteria for best practices. David Shapira, a supermarket mogul from Pittsburgh, was one of Areivim’s early members. When he first started giving big through his family foundation, he realized he had much to learn. “Seeing other experienced philanthropists at work helped us develop our own philosophy and approach,” says Shapira, now Areivim’s co-chair. Today the Shapira Foundation’s biggest project is Onward Israel, an internship program for Birthright and other teen trip alumni that aims to impart a long-lasting connection with Israel. The project is officially endorsed by Areivim. The Areivim group meets every three or four months. The hope is that successful initiatives piloted by Areivim will attract major funding down the line. Rabbi David Gedzelman, president d CEO of the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life, believes that Hebrew fluency, connection to Israel and positive Jewish experiences are excellent ways to achieve
24 | Jewish News | Investments | January 22, 2018 | jewishnewsva.org
that. “The vast majority of American Jews don’t see themselves as religious people. Yet we believe that they have an interest in connecting to Jewishness somehow,” Gedzelman says. “How do we create opportunities for Jewish content that don’t necessarily require theological commitment? Learning and internalizing modern Hebrew language is such an opportunity.” One of Areivim’s most successful endeavors has been Hebrew Public, formerly known as the Hebrew Charter School Center. Led by Steinhardt’s daughter Sara Bloom, the network manages four schools in New York City and has another six affiliates across the country. The publicly funded charter schools are prohibited from teaching religion, but they can teach about Israel and Hebrew language. On a recent visit to Harlem Hebrew in Manhattan, about 25 kindergartners, including non-Jewish African-American and Hispanic children, comfortably responded in Hebrew to a teacher’s questions. None of the children had ever spoken Hebrew until they started school just a few months earlier. Another Hebrew-focused Areivim effort, Kayitz Kef (also known as Hebrew at Camp), brings the charter schools’ approach to language immersion to Jewish summer day camps. Areivim partners have invested over $1.3 million in Kayitz Kef since 2013. This summer, Kayitz Kef’s fifth, the program ran at 10 day camps, and its backers want to expand it further. Areivim is also taking another successful program, Israeli Scouts (called Tzofim in Hebrew), and translating its approach for English-speaking American Jews. The United States has 22 Hebrewlanguage chapters of Israeli Scouts, with most of the 3,500 participants the children of Israelis who want their kids connected to the language and culture of their home country. Last September, after a year of planning and Areivim’s backing, Israeli Scouts opened its first two Englishlanguage chapters, in Manhattan and on Long Island.
Another area of Areivim focus is food. The group endorses OneTable, an initiative launched in 2014—with the help of two Areivim members, the Steinhardt Foundation and the Singer Foundation— that has underwritten thousands of Shabbat meals hosted in locations ranging from Brooklyn to San Francisco. The idea is to support 20-and 30-somethings to engage and host other millennials for Shabbat dinner, coach them when needed and make sure the approach is fun. The dinners vary wildly, from a Chabad-organized dressy cocktail party for young professionals on Manhattan’s Upper East Side to a Shabbat dinner in Philadelphia themed “Christmukkah.” A newer Areivim-endorsed program, the Jewish Food Society, founded with help from the Singer Foundation and support from several of the Areivim partners, is using events, an online recipe archive and storytelling to revitalize Jewish culinary traditions, including recipes from Tehran to Teaneck. Culinary events “attract people who are completely unaffiliated and maybe are more interested in cooking,” says Areivim’s Gubenko. “It’s very young, hip.” Up next for Areivim: how to make a lasting impact on Jewish identity through early childhood education. “We’ve got to get it to work,” Steinhardt says. “It’s good to get kids when they’re young.” Five funders—two of them Areivim members—have committed to funding a planning grant to explore the best direction for investment in early childhood education. “To date, Jewish early childhood education has not attracted large-scale philanthropic investment,” Gedzelman says. “But we’re trying to significantly change that.” This article was sponsored by and produced in partnership with the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life. This article was produced by JTA’s native content team.)
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jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2018 | Investments | Jewish News | 25
it’s a wrap Latkepalooza: A festive evening of music, crafts, programs, and food
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n the second night of Hanukkah, December 13, more than 150 children and adults gathered at the Sandler Family Campus to celebrate the Festival of Lights. The 5th annual Latkepalooza, co-sponsored by the Simon Family Jewish Community Center and PJ Library, included live entertainment by Latin Grammy award winner Mr. G. His musical performance—which included catchy tunes, bilingual lyrics, and interactive participation—had both children and parents dancing and singing along with him during the entire show. Crafts, Hanukkah treats such as latkes and sufganiyot, and Sababa Beach Camps added to the evening. Sababa helped celebrate Hanukkah in its new home of Virginia Beach. “It was wonderful to meet kids who will be participating in our summer camp and to introduce ourselves to parents who will help our community grow!” says Lynn Lancaster one of Sababa’s directors. The Sababa Hanukkah program with the fourth–12th graders was about the most basic element of the festival, lighting another candle. Participants sat in a circle, each with an unlit candle in their hand. Lancaster lit her candle, then lit the person to her right’s candle. The ritual continued until each person’s was lit. Danny Mishkin, the other director of Sababa, asked, “What do we learn from this ritual if we really pay attention as to why we do this?” One child said that it took a long time to light another’s candle, so he realized if you want to help another person you need to be patient. Another participant said that the more she looked at the candle, the more beautiful it got. She thinks that is true of people, too—the more you get to know, the more you see their light. This simple Sababa Beachaway has Hanukkah fun with older kids. exercise helped all of the
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Dancing with the stars.
children find meaningful lessons in one of the most basic rituals of Jewish tradition… lighting candles. To learn more about Sababa Beach Camps, visit www. sabababeachaway.org. The camp is hosting three sessions this summer in Virginia Beach. Each session is two weeks long. Rising fifth–12th graders will learn to surf, sail, scuba, or take the perfect picture in their chosen specialty, while also gaining a new perspective on how Judaism can help teach some of the most important lessons in life.
Talia Revivo, Shailee Grundman, Ella Trompeter, Hanna Weiss, Omree Horev, and Layla Dorsk.
jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2018 | Jewish News | 27
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Patti Seeman
hile many people were busy preparing turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater Konikoff Center of Learning and the Strelitz Early Childhood Education Center celebrated the time-honored tradition of Grandparents’ Day on Wednesday, Nov. 22. More than 200 grandparents and special friends, hailing from Virginia Beach all the way to Russia and Israel, convened in the Fleder Multipurpose room for the students’ musical performances and songs about peace and thankfulness. This year, HAT’s fifth grade class treated everyone to moving renditions played on the chime bells of both the United States ‘and Israeli National Anthems. Following the presentations, all of the classrooms hummed with conversation, laughter, and activity. The youngest students baked special treats with fall’s favorite ingredient (pumpkin) for guests to share at snack time. The children and special visitors participated in activities from making traditional fall-themed Thanksgiving crafts and playing Thanksgivingthemed word games to decorating family (mishpacha) plates to use at home. The fifth graders and their guests held a serious debate about the mirEsther Barkan with grandparents Judy and Ray Goldman. acles of Hanukkah to determine which miracle was more important, the winning of the war or the oil lasting eight days. The experience epitomized the theme of L’Dor VaDor (from generation to generation). Overall, it was wonderful to see grandparents and friends working together, learning together, and growing together on Jack Poorman with Cooper Poorman and the favorite day of Debra Poorman. the school year for many.
www.leaveabequest.org. (757) 622-7951
28 | Jewish News | January 22, 2018 | jewishnewsva.org
Welcoming bulletin board for Grandparents’ Day.
Eden Kaplan with Mervyn and Melanie Hurwitz and Arnie and Bunny Kaplan.
Sanford Simon, Hilde Deutsch, Joan Joffe, and Nancy Simon.
it’s a wrap serving of ice cream, and a juice box. The students were excited to fill 30 orders. Fifth grader Aaron Alofer notes that it was hard work, “but worth it!” Rabbi Menda, director of Judaic Studies, oversaw the program and was pleased with the results, saying, “I was surprised with the student’s ambition. Our goal was to cook for our little group
Josh Rivera and Aaron Alofer serve the soup.
and try one recipe per week. However, Project Based Learning (PBL) gives the reigns to the students who decided to expand on the cooking class by selling their product to others and make money. Our next steps are to do some accounting, assess our expenses, determine our profit, and decide what to do with it.”
Shimon Menda, Gabriel Matilsky, Jonah Kass and David Ohana enjoy their lunch made by the HAT chefs.
HAT students create Hanukkah Café Carin Simon, HAT admissions director
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atch out Food Network, HAT’s Hanukkah Cooking Club has made their debut. This year, Holiday Cooking was offered as a Judaic elective for third through fifth grades. Not content with just cooking and eating Hanukkah foods, the students wanted to make a Hanukkah
Café. The budding entrepreneurs worked together to find and try various recipes and received feedback from faculty members to improve their product. During Hanukkah, the students marketed a Hanukkah menu that was offered during lunch. The menu was parve and included one Jelly Doughnut (with choice of jelly), one cup of lentil soup, one small
Daniella Matilsky, Eden Kaplan and Reyna Menda take latke orders.
jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2018 | Jewish News | 29
it’s a wrap Steve Sandler hosts NextGen leadership kickoff
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Stephanie Steerman
how up, give of yourself, and take your place in the story of our community’s future. That was Steve Sandler’s message, delivered in rousing fashion to a packed house of young leaders at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Ben-Gurion Society and National Young Leadership Cabinet kickoff held at Bayville Golf Club earlier this month. Fifty members of the Federation’s top young and senior leadership heard host Steve Sandler’s remarks on the community’s past and future. A moving address followed by Arielle DiPorto of the Jewish Agency for Israel. DiPorto discussed her covert work—made possible through
the financial support of UJFT’s Annual Campaign—to monitor and rescue Jews who are in danger in countries such as Iran, Syria, Turkey, Yemen, and other North African and Middle Eastern nations. DiPorto’s work saving Jews reminded the group of the reach and impact of UJFT’s Annual Campaign dollars. Since DiPorto’s work in these countries is sensitive—with lives at risk—the details of her rescue efforts are never made public. It was a unique opportunity to have her in Virginia Beach at a closed-door event, where she shared details about the Jewish lives she is saving, and the important role Israel plays as a safe haven for Jews from around the world. DiPorto also thanked everyone at the event, as well as
Ariella Di Porto speaking to the crowd.
all of Tidewater’s Jewish community who support the UJFT Annual Campaign, for making her work possible. The evening energized the young leadership for the year ahead.
Young Adult Division’s Ben-Gurion Society Leadership Group. For more information or to get involved in the Young Adult Division and Ben-Gurion Society, contact Jasmine Amitay, director, at jamitay@ujft.org or 757-965-6138.
Stephanie Steerman is chair of the UJFT
Miles Leon, John Strelitz, Andy Cornelius, and Steve Sandler.
Steve Zuckerman and Erica Kaplan.
Jonathan and Alyssa Muhlendorf.
Bill Miller, Eric Miller, Andrew Nusbaum, and Wes Sandler.
Jennifer Groves and Danny Rubin.
Jason Hoffman and Laura Gross.
30 | Jewish News | January 22, 2018 | jewishnewsva.org
what’s happening Beth Sholom Village, local schools, and synagogues partner to honor fathers and mothers
AJC Global Forum in Israel open to undergraduates
Second Annual Kahbaid weekend includes spiritual, interactive, educational, and entertaining salutes to parents
June 10–13
February 2–4
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onor Your Father and Mother. Number five of the Top 10 Commandments, it is read and studied first each year in the Torah in the Sedrah Yitro (Chapter 20 of Exodus). This year, the reading will be on the weekend of February 2–4. Across Hampton Roads, synagogues and schools will emphasize that dictate, with Beth Sholom Village, the area’s only Jewish senior care campus, adding a unique event of its own that Sunday. Here’s the lineup: Friday, Feb. 2 Temple Sinai, Newport News Marcia Brodie, Beth Sholom Village marketing director, will speak about how Beth Sholom cared for her parents, Ralph and Mindy Futterman, both founders and past presidents of the organization. Services begin at 7:30 pm with Oneg and program to follow. Ohef Sholom Temple, Norfolk Chris Kraus, education director will deliver a sermon entitled “Vayishma Yitro —And Jethro Listened.” Jethro was Moses’ father in law, says Kraus, “and the idea that we can be, and are indeed, related to elders who did not birth us is noteworthy.” The synagogue will also recognize teens that have participated in the Better Together project with Beth Sholom Village, and one of the students will speak. Services begin at 6:30 pm. Saturday, Feb. 3 Temple Israel, Norfolk Joel Rubin, past president, will lead an interactive discussion during services called “Wisdom of the Ageless.” The goal, says Rubin, is to have congregants talk about what they learned from their parents and grandparents and what they passed on to their own children. B’nai Israel, Norfolk Rabbi Alexander Haber will speak about the older generation during his sermon. Also B’nai will feature the topic in the
weekly handout and in a flyer to students. Congregation Beth El, Norfolk Rabbi Jeffrey Arnowitz will share a light look at aging with a presentation entitled, “Old Jews Telling Jokes (the web series) —Not Just Hysterical, but Priceless,” and the synagogue will recognize many of its more veteran members with honors in the service. Temple Emmanuel, Virginia Beach Rabbi Marc Kraus will focus on “Moral Dilemmas in Elder Care,” based on a Midrash that states, “At Mount Sinai, God appeared to the Israelites as a mirror, and each face that looked saw itself reflected back.” KBH (Kempsville Conservative Synagogue), Virginia Beach David Proser will talk about rabbinic teachings derived from the 5th Commandment. Rodef Shalom, Newport News Rabbi Gilah Dror will talk about Beth Sholom Village’s unique contributions to the care of the elderly in Tidewater. Sunday, Feb. 4 Beth Sholom Village As the finale to Kahbaid Weekend, Beth Sholom Village will give the community a glimpse of what to expect when The A’Bisl Theater (“Music, Comedy and Stageplays with a Jewish Twist!”) debuts in the fall. Under the direction of Madi Rossettini, a veteran producer and director, and a member of Temple Israel, more than a dozen local performers from both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities will present a one hour musical and comedy performance called “De Mommas and De Poppas,” a tribute to parents. The show begins at 2 pm in the Pincus Paul room and will be followed by a dessert reception. Highlights will be several Tevyes (Andrew Fink, Richard Yanku, David Cardon, David Proser, Larry Tiger, and Elihu Flax) singing If I Were a Rich Man and Tradition from Fiddler on the Roof as well as performances of Cole Porter’s My Heart Belongs
The A’Bisl Theater at Beth Sholom Village Presents “De Mommas and De Poppas” A Musical and Comedy Salute to the 5th Commandment Featuring talented local performers
Sunday, Feb. 4 2–3 pm (with dessert reception to follow) Free admission, no RSVP required Beth Sholom Village 6401 Auburn Drive, Virginia Beach Call 757-420-2512 for more information.
to Daddy and If Momma Were Married from Gypsy. Others in the cast include Susan Sussman, Dylan Cohen, Beverlee Tiger, Jennifer Peters, Cheryl Bernath, Rona Hyman, Tommy and Abbie McGuinness, and Alexa Rossettini. Admission is free. Saturday, Feb. 10 Adath Jeshrun, Newport News During his monthly visit to AJ, Rabbi Gershon Litt will speak on the topic. Local Jewish Schools Hebrew Academy of Tidewater and Strelitz Early Childhood Education Center will stage Tu B’ Shevat Sederim on Wednesday, Jan. 31, just before Kahbaid Shabbat, and will incorporate the message of honoring parents. Toras Chaim’s middle school students will pay a visit to Beth Sholom as part of its Better Together program, an interactive initiative with the senior care facility’s residents. BINA High School will send a letter to all parents and grandparents, expressing its appreciation for their involvement in their offspring’s education and tying that into the 5th Commandment.
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ach year AJC holds an annual conference—The Global Forum. The program brings Jews and political leaders from around the world together for three days of consultations, plenaries, and in-depth learning opportunities. Heads of state, foreign ministers, and senior government officials regularly address the attendees. This year, Global Forum will be held for the first time in Jerusalem. Students who will be undergraduates in the fall of 2018 are invited to Jerusalem to participate. For the nominal cost of $500, students will be provided with airfare, Global Forum registration, lodging, and all meals for the duration of the conference. The students will take part in special student programming, receive advocacy training, and participate fully in Global Forum. For information, go to www.ajc.org.
Jewish Museum and Cultural Center to celebrate 10th anniversary Saturday, Mar. 25, 4–7 pm Uno’s Pizzeria, 5900 East Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk
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ave the date for the Jewish Museum and Cultural Center’s 10th anniversary celebration. Each ticket includes an all you can eat Italian buffet and one alcoholic beverage. Silent and live auctions feature prizes such as a home security package, flat screen televisions, race track tickets at the Poconos, an overnight stay at the Courtyard Marriott, gift certificates to local restaurants, jewelry, paintings, and more. Tickets are $25 in advance and $36 at the door. For more information, call 757-391-9266.
jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2018 | Jewish News | 31
First Person
State Legislators are listening Date with the State Tuesday, Jan. 30, 7 am–4 pm Alyssa Muhlendorf
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hile national political news bombards us at every turn, it is important to realize that state politics make direct impacts on our daily lives. Still, do you know who your state legislator is, and have you had the chance to have a conversation with them about issues that are important to you? United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Community Relations Council is ready to connect you with state delegates and senators when the Tidewater Jewish community travels to Richmond for Date with the State to advocate about issues important to our community. We will ask for support for our local institutions serving the elderly and impoverished, social services, and health care. We will also ask for continued support of the Virginia-Israel Advisory Board—a unique state government agency that facilitates relationships between Israeli businesses and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Tidewater is one delegation of a larger coordinated group—representatives of all of Virginia’s Jewish communities—who travel to Richmond on the same day. This is my fourth time participating in Date with the State, and it is a highlight of my year. Attendees are a rich and diverse representation of our community: men and women; teens to seniors; every denomination of Judaism;, lay leaders, staff, and clergy. On the bus to Richmond, excitement and enthusiasm fills the air as we plan our day, meet our team members, and learn which delegates and senators we are scheduled to meet. The CRC does an incredible job of clearly outlining the issues and positions we will discuss, and makes every effort to have a constituent of each legislator’s in each meeting. Although a little anxiety before appointments with law makers is
not unusual, once you meet with them, you realize how important your voice and presence can be in shaping their votes. These face-to-face meetings send strong signals to law makers about the engagement and motivation levels of the Jewish community. They also allow participants to develop personal relationships with representatives. In addition, Tidewater joins with all the Virginian Jewish delegations to hear from the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General (while it is possible that a crisis might divert them from their scheduled appearance, it hasn’t happened to me yet). Hearing directly from our elected politicians about their priorities, strategies, and passion for making Virginia a great place to live, has given me powerful, first-hand voting information. I participate in Date with the State because I, like all of us, have a personal stake in our state legislative process. Date with the State provides me a well-organized opportunity to interact with our state law makers, and to demonstrate that the Jewish community is an important and visible group to be taken seriously. The more of us who attend, the stronger the message to our politicians. If you have ever wanted to meet your state representatives, to advocate for issues of importance to the Jewish community, or experience an exciting day of pluralistic unity and camaraderie, I hope you will participate in Date with the State. The $36 fee includes a kosher lunch and helps defray the cost of transportation. Checks made out to the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (mail to UJFT, 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, ATT: CRC DWTS) will reserve a space. For information, contact Wendy Weissman, assistant CRC director at 757965-6107 or WWeissman@ujft.org.
Simon Family JCC’s Leon Family Gallery
Repairing the World January
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roduced by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Repairing the World is comprised of work by Israeli and American photographers known as JDOCU who come together to learn, travel, and document the JDC’s work around the world. Photographs from JDC’s Archives are also included. JDC is the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian organization, operating in more than 70 countries and helping Two Room School, Ethiopia 2008. Jews and others in need to survive and strengthen community. With local community support, the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater works to meet the challenges facing today’s Jewish community at home and around the world, through a network of local Jewish agencies and overseas service partners, including the JDC. Proceeds from the sales of the Repairing the World exhibit will go to the JDC’s Campaign for the World’s Neediest Jews, above and beyond UJFT’s annual Israel and Overseas allocation.
Erin Zimmerman — Scenes from Israel February
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writer and director for CBN Documentaries, Erin Zimmerman earned an M.A. in Broadcast Journalism from Regent University, then spent four years at CBN News, where she served as a segment producer and line producer for The 700 Club newscast. She has also worked as a line Jerusalem March, Sukkot. producer and writer for The 700 Club program and a producer, historical consultant, and scriptwriter for CBN’s animated program Superbook. For the past seven years, Zimmerman has written, produced, and directed CBN documentaries about history and biblical archaeology in Israel, Jordan, Turkey, and Europe. Zimmerman is a two-time Emmy nominee for Outstanding Special Class Writing, for the documentary Made in Israel in 2014 and for the docudrama The Hope: The Rebirth of Israel in 2016. Her latest film is In Our Hands: The Battle for Jerusalem, released in theaters in May 2017. She currently lives in Jerusalem, Israel, and is working on CBN’s new documentary To Life, which highlights Israeli humanitarian work around the world. Proceeds from sales of Zimmerman’s work will go to the cultural arts department of the Simon Family JCC.
32 | Jewish News | January 22, 2018 | jewishnewsva.org
Annie Sandler
what’s happening
what’s happening Norfolk Chamber Consort continues 49th season with: Lenny and His Friends
February 1 & 3, 2018 | Newport News & Norfolk
Monday, Jan. 29, 7:30 pm, ODU Chandler Recital Hall
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Marion S. Trikosko
his Norfolk Chamber Consort perforLutsyshyn. mance celebrates the birth centennial of The Invencia Duo opens the second Leonard Bernstein, a great American comhalf with two pieces by Copland: Danzón poser, conductor, and music personality. Cubano and Danza de Jalisco. Cailin Crane, Bernstein’s works are featured in the runner-up of the 2015 Lisa Relaford Coston context of his rich cultural surroundings. Voice Competition, continues the program The concert begins with Bernstein’s with two of Bernstein’s art songs—Piccola Sonata for Clarinet and Piano performed Serenata and Silhouette (Galilee)—as well by clarinetist Kevin Clasen and pianist as My New Friends, a song from the musical Andrey Kasparov, NCC’s artistic co-direcThe Madwoman of Central Park West. The tor. Composed in 1942, this Sonata is program concludes with Bernstein’s the composer’s first published composiHalil: Nocturne for Flute, Percussion and tion. While the initial critical reception was Piano. Composed in 1981, this work is mixed, the Sonata is now a popular piece dedicated to flutist Yadin Tanenbaum who, in the clarinet repertoire. in the composer’s words, “at the height of The program continues with a selechis musical powers was killed in his tank in tion of piano pieces that includes those by Sinai” in 1973. Wayla Chambo, NCC’s assoBernstein dedicated to his friends, Aaron ciate artistic director and host of WHRO Copland and Paul Bowles. Performed by 90.3 FM’s Afternoon Delights, will be a Oksana Lutsyshyn, NCC’s artistic co-direcflute soloist, joined by David Walker, Sarah tor, this part also includes pieces by Virgil Leonard Bernstein in rehearsal of his Mass, 1971. Williams, and Jon Wudijono on percussion, Thomson, Bernstein’s friend and mentor. as well as Oksana Lutsyshyn and Nichole Composed as tributes to Copland and Bowles, these characteristic Dorobanov on piano under the baton of Andrey Kasparov. miniatures are followed by the brilliant and virtuosic Cunegonde’s A pre-concert discussion by Wayla Chambo will take place at Aria Glitter and Be Gay from Bernstein’s operetta Candide as per7:15 pm. A free reception after the concert will be provided by The formed by dramatic coloratura Elizabeth Hogue, accompanied by Green Onion, a Ghent restaurant. Kasparov. The first half concludes with three pieces by Bowles for two pianos—Night Waltz, Nocturne and Turkey Trot—performened Tickets are $25; $10 student. For more information, go to www. by the award-winning Invencia Piano Duo, formed by Kasparov and ncconsort.org or call 757-785-7086.
Michael Krajewski, conductor The multi-instrumentalist Dave Bennett joins us to take you through the decades, from the swing era to rock ‘n’ roll. Featuring the greatest hits from Benny Goodman, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and more, you’ll be “In the Mood” to “Sing, Sing, Sing!”
Prisca Benoît
CLASSICS FROM CHOPIN AND BRAHMS Feb. 23-25, 2018 | Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach
JoAnn Falletta, conductor Mendelssohn: Fingal’s Cave Prisca Benoît, piano Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 Brahms: Symphony No. 1 The concert begins with Mendelssohn’s poetic work, Fingal’s Cave before French pianist Prisca Benoît takes the stage with the VSO. Known for her intense, powerful sound, and for a refined pianistic touch with countless range of colors, Benoît performs Chopin’s moving Piano Concerto No. 2. Twenty-one years after its conception, Brahms wrote his first symphony after hearing Beethoven’s Ninth, both pieces in D minor. Concert Sponser
Israel Today
Gulliver’s Troubles Revisited: The Future of the Middle East Monday, Feb. 12, 7:30 pm Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus, Free
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ice president for New Initiatives and Distinguished Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Aaron David Miller is a well-known expert on U.S. foreign policy, who served for two decades as a State Department analyst, negotiator, and adviser on Middle East issues. The Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and community partners, with special cooperation with AIPAC, continue the 2017-2018 Israel Today series with Miller. He will discuss the future of the U.S. involvement in a volatile Middle East as uncertainty plagues the new administration. “Henry Kissinger negotiated a 1974 disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria which, until very recently, made that border one of the quietest on the confrontation line. It was Jimmy
Carter who brokered the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty; and Bill Clinton who played an important supportive role in helping Israelis and Jordanians Aaron David Miller to do the same in 1994,” Miller wrote in a CNN op-ed in June 2017. “But when it comes to IsraeliPalestinian peace, America hasn’t even come close,” he continued. Miller has traveled the country giving his perspective on the future of the Middle East. For more information or to RSVP (required), visit JewishVA.org/ IsraelToday or contact 757-965-6107.
Reserve the best seats VirginiaSymphony.org 757.892.6366
Norfolk Classics Series Sponsor
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Newport News POPS Series Sponsor
Norfolk POPS Series Sponsor
jewishnewsva.org | January 22, 2018 | Jewish News | 33
what’s happening Israel Today with Gil Troy Tuesday, March 13, 7:30 pm Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd. Virginia Beach
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he Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC, along with community partners, present: Israel Today featuring author, historian, and political commentator Gil Troy to discuss Gil Troy his latest book, The Zionist Ideas: Visions for the Jewish Homeland. Free and open to the community. For more information, contact Melissa Eichelbaum at meichelbaum@ujft.org or visit JewishVA.org/ IsraelToday.
Body and Soul screening for Seniors Club
Tidewater Learning Connection: How to Raise an Adult
Wednesday, Jan. 24, 12 pm, Simon Family JCC, free
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he JCC Seniors Club is looking forward to another year filled with entertaining meetings and exciting trips. In partnership with the 25th Annual Virginia Festival of Jewish Film, a free screening of Body and Soul will take place at the Simon Family JCC, and will include lunch. February’s meeting will bring the club together for lunch and will feature music from local accordion player, Sidney Sward. The Seniors Club meets every third Wednesday of the month, 12–2 pm at the Simon Family JCC, and is open to JCC members. $15 per year. For more information on how to join the JCC Seniors Club, contact Debbie Moore at 757-486-3478.
February 15, 7 pm, Keynote address VIP cocktail reception, 6 pm TCC Roper Performing Arts Center February 16, 8:30 am–1 pm Simon Family JCC
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idewater Learning Connection, an initiative of the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater, presents “How to Raise an Adult.” This two-day education conference for parents and educators will include a keynote address by former Stanford University dean and author of How to Raise an Adult—which focuses on breaking the habits of helicopter parenting. The second day will feature workshops led by psychiatrists Erin Walsh and Michelle Tryon, CHKD Community Outreach Coordinator. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.tidewaterlearningconnection.org.
Tidewater Learning Connection A Hebrew Academy of Tidewater Initiative
How to Raise an Adult Keynote Address by Julie Lythcott-Haims, Former Stanford University Dean
Thursday, February 15, 2018 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Cocktail reception before the keynote, 6:00pm TCC Roper Performing Arts Center
Friday, February 16, 2018 8:30am - 1:00pm
Workshop tracks for parents and teachers Sandler Family Campus
TidewaterLearningConnection.org
34 | Jewish News | January 22, 2018 | jewishnewsva.org
what’s happening
Calendar
The art of healing Sunday, Feb. 4, 10:30 am Congregation Beth El, free
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inding strength and understanding in the midst of a medical crisis is not easy, according to Israela Meyerstein, who offers insights in what to say and do as a patient or supporter of a family member or friend who is ill. Although it is hard to find the words to let someone know you care, Meyerstein provides the necessary tools. As part of Congregation Beth El’s Celebrating Judaism Through The Arts, a special champagne brunch focusing on the art of healing will feature Meyerstein, who will share knowledge and insights from her book, Bridge to Healing: Finding Strength to Cope with Illness. Meyerstein is a licensed clinical social worker and family therapist who has had a private therapy practice in Baltimore for almost 40 years. She is the co-founder of the Baltimore Jewish Healing Network, and her book highlights the role that spirituality
can play when individuals and families confront a serious medical challenge. A cancer survivor, Meyerstein’s book is, in part, a chronicle of her experience with her disease, as well as observations about the emotional component of being a patient. The morning brunch and presentation will be followed by an additional workshop for professional and lay caregivers, 12:30–1:30 pm. Both programs are free and open to the public. Attendees will leave with a spiritual toolbox of how to lift their spirits and strive for wholeness. To RSVP, call Beth El at 757-625-7821. These programs are made possible by the Tidewater Jewish Foundation and The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. The additional workshop is also in partnership with Jewish Family Service.
Dr. Bernd Wollschläeger Sunday, Jan. 28, 10:30 am–12 pm Ohef Sholom Temple
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r. Bernd Wollschläeger, the son of a decorated Nazi tank commander, and author of A German Life: Against All Odds, Change is Possible (2007) will tell the story of his struggle of being torn between faith, family, and religion. Wollschlaeger discovered that his father was a decorated Nazi WWII German tank commander who received Germany’s highest military honor, the Iron Cross, which was pinned on his uniform by Adolf Hitler himself. His father kept the past hidden from his children. Wollschlaeger rebelled, converted to Judaism, emigrated to Israel, and served with distinction in the Israel Defense Forces. The community is invited to join Sunday learning with religious school students from Ohef Sholom Temple, Congregation Beth El, and Temple Israel at Ohef Sholom Temple’s Sinai Chapel to hear Wollschläeger’s talk. Wollschlaeger was a speaker at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission’s 2017 Educators’ Conference. Those who missed him, can hear his message at the event, which is, “Don’t live in the shadow of history.”
This program is made possible by the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
Through JANUARY 28, sunday 25th Virginia Festival of Jewish Film presented by Alma* and Howard Laderberg and Patricia and Avraham Ashkenazi. See page 9, visit SimonFamilyJCC.org/FilmFestival, or call 321-2304. January 28, Sunday Super Sunday at Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus. United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s annual phone-a-thon. 10 am–1 pm. Contact Jasmine Amitay at 757-965-6138 or jamitay@ujft.org. www.jewishva.org/SuperSunday. See page 17. January 30, Tuesday The Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater travels to Richmond for the annual Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day. 7 am–4 pm; leave from the Sandler Family Campus. $36 includes kosher lunch and helps defray the cost of transportation. For more information about how to join this year’s delegation, or to RSVP (required) by January 25, visit www.JewishVa.org/CRCDateWiththeState or WWeissman@ujft.org. See page 32. February 9, Friday Tidewater Chavurah’s Second Friday Shabbat Service. At the home of Hal and Elaine in the Great Neck Meadows area of Virginia Beach. 7 pm. Rabbi Ellen Jaffe-Gill will lead the service. An Oneg will follow. For event information and location address, email carita@verizon.net or dlqt@cox.net or call 499-3660 or 468-2675. Check out www.tidewaterchavurah. org or Tidewater Chavurah Face book page for upcoming events. FEBRUARY 12, MONDAY CRC, aipac, Simon Family JCC, and community partners present Israel Today with policy expert Aaron David Miller at the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus. 7:30 pm. Free. For more information or to RSVP, visit JewishVA.org/IsraelToday, contact Melissa Eichelbaum at 321-2304, or meichelbaum@ujft.org. March 13, Tuesday The Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC, along with community partners present: Israel Today featuring author, historian, and political commentator Gil Troy to discuss his latest book, The Zionist Ideas: Visions for the Jewish Homeland at the Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach. Free and open to the community. 7:30 pm. For more information, contact Melissa Eichelbaum at meichelbaum@ujft.org or visit JewishVA.org/IsraelToday. Send submissions for calendar to news@ujft.org. Be sure to note “calendar” in the subject. Include date, event name, sponsor, address, time, cost and phone.
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obituaries Joan Rothenberg Griff Richmond, Va.—Joan passed away on Tuesday, December 19, 2017. Joan was a resident of Richmond at the time of passing. Joanie graduated from John Marshall High School and attended R.P.I. Memorial donations to Keneseth Beth Israel, 6300 Patterson Ave., Richmond, Va. 23226. Rosalia Kaplan Virginia Beach—Rosalia Kaplan, 83, of Richmond, formerly of Virginia Beach, passed away Monday, December 18, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband, Abraham Kaplan. She was the beloved mother of her children, Andy Kaplan (Toni) and Lisa Fantasia; beloved grandmother of Tommy Kaplan. Rosalia was born in Holland and was a Holocaust survivor at the age of 11. She came to the United States in 1956, where she met and married her husband of 54 years. She was retired from Thalhimer’s with 15 years of service. Rosalia was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed art, was an active volunteer in her community and was generous to a fault. A graveside ceremony was held in Forest Lawn Cemetery with Rabbi Israel Zoberman officiating. Donations to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes.org. Jeanette Weiner Bardy Levy Greensboro, NC—Jeanette Weiner Bardy Levy, 98, passed away Saturday, December 9, 2017 in Greensboro. “Jan,” as she was known, was the
thoughtful matriarch of an adoring family that includes four children, nine grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. Jan was born on November 27, 1919 in Elizabeth, N.J. She married Edward Bardy (z’’l) in 1936 and they raised their three children on a N.J. farm. Following Edward’s death in 1961, Jan moved to Greensboro where she married Ralph Levy (z’’l) and began the southern chapter of her life. Jan never knew a stranger, was graceful and sophisticated, wise, and had an inner strength that carried her and others through life’s rough patches. She was passionate about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren – all of whom jokingly claimed to be her favorite, but all of whom truly felt that way because of the depth of her relationships with each of them. Her phone rang constantly as her wide network of family and friends reached out to check in, share their lives, and benefit from her wisdom and love. She thought constantly of others, knitting hats for babies, visiting the ill, and providing encouragement and support to those around her. She lived a full life, traveling all over the world during her 40 years with Ralph, living for times in Virginia Beach and Florida, and spending time with her family and friends. Jan is preceded in death by her husbands Edward and Ralph, and grandson Edward Martin (z’’l). She is survived by a brother, Harold Weiner; children Carole Krusch, Eileen Silver, Rosalyn August, Alan and Arlene Bardy, and “extended” children Irene and Irv Cohen; special niece and nephew Ellen and Allan Ross; grandchildren Pam
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and Michael Charen, Philip Martin, Leah and Alan Biller, Michael Krusch, Eddie and Elizabeth Krusch, Adam and Brooke August, Meredith and Steve Cheifetz, Michelle and Joel Bigelman, and Kim and Drew Langsam. She is also survived by eldest great-grandchild Rachel Budow (Fritz Seig), and great-grandchildren Ashley (Elan), Ali (Jeremy), Skyler, Reilly, Carson, Cooper, Ryan, Sydney, Matthew, Mason, Blake, Casey, Lauren, Ben, Jessica, Ava, Maya, Alex, Alyssa, Jacob, Sophie, Leo, and Maya. Rabbi Joshua Ben-Gideon officiated the gravesite funeral at the Hebrew Cemetery on Gate City Boulevard. Sherman Lichty Virginia Beach—Sherman “Sherm” Lichty, 87, loving husband, father and Poppa, passed away January 1, 2018. Sherm was born in Norfolk, Va. He graduated from Maury High School in 1948 and served in the US Army during the Korean War. Sherm spent his time between Florida and Virginia with his beloved wife, Elaine. They enjoyed many trips together, especially taking cruises around the world. Sherm cherished all the wonderful memories that they shared. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing courses all over the country with his boys. Sherm also enjoyed spending quality time with his six grandchildren. Sherm worked daily in the businesses he owned until he was 86. He was loved and adored by everyone he met and no matter the challenges, he always kept a smile. Sherm also enjoyed his Wednesday lunches with the “ROMEOS” (Retired Old Men Eating Out). Sherm was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ida Lichty and brother Bernard Lichty. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Elaine Dobken Lichty; children, Michael Lichty and his wife Kerri and their children Jamie and Ryan of Weston Fla.; Jeffrey Lichty and his wife Stephanie and their children Jacob, Abby, Molly and Joshua of Virginia Beach. He will be greatly missed by all his extended family and friends who loved him dearly. A funeral service was held at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments in Norfolk with Rabbi Israel Zoberman officiating. A
graveside service was conducted at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Donations may be made to Beth Sholom Village. Online condolences through www.hdoliver.com. Dorene Zilber Sarfan NEWPORT NEWS—Dorene Zilber Sarfan, 88, passed away December 22, 2017. She was a native and lifelong resident of Newport News. She graduated from Newport News High School in February 1946 and attended Mary Washington College. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Irvin E. Nachman, who died while serving in the Korean War, her husband of over 60 years, Mayer A. Sarfan, and her parents, William M. Zilber and Gertrude Morewitz Zilber. Dorene is survived by her five sons, Gary Nachman (Janet), William Nachman (Rhoda), Lonny Sarfan (Terri), Randall Sarfan and Edward Sarfan (Jody). She is also survived by her sister, Jayne Zilber and her sister-in-law, Edythe Lichtenstein. Dorene has nine grandchildren: Meredith, Michael (Amber) and their mother, Barbara; Joel; Alexandra (Brad), Stephanie; Ryan, Austin; Sydney, Matthew; and two great-grandchildren, Zoey and Zack; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Dorene worked for many years for Moore Realty, and for 40 years as office manager for her family law firm, Sarfan and Nachman. Her love for education was reflected in her being instrumental in establishing the Preschool for the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula (UJCVP). She was a lifetime member and supporter of Rodef Sholom Temple, its Sisterhood and Hadassah. Dorene was also a generous supporter of numerous museums and charities on the Peninsula. A funeral service was held at Peninsula Funeral Home. Burial followed at the Jewish Cemetery of the Virginia Peninsula. Robin Rogoff Star Columbus, Ohio—Robin Rogoff Star, 65, of Rockville Md., passed away on Friday, Jan. 5, in Columbus, Ohio. She was the daughter of Rena and Jerry Rogoff of Virginia Beach. Robin was the beloved wife of 44 years of Michael; loving mother of Matthew (Sarai) of
obituaries Columbus and Drew of Jessup, Md.; adored big sister of Marty ( Julie) of Harrisburg, Pa.; and treasured aunt of Andrea (Garret) and Corey. Robin was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and went on to earn a Masters in Communications from American University in Washington, D.C. The funeral took place at Judean Memorial Gardens in Olney, Md. Contributions to the American Diabetes Association, the Barker Adoption Foundation, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Kazimierz Piechowski, leader of daring escape from Auschwitz BERLIN (JTA)—Kazimierz Piechowski, a non-Jewish political prisoner who led a daring escape from the Auschwitz death camp using the stolen car of a Nazi official, has died at 98. Piechowski died last month in Gdansk, Poland. He was one of four men in the escape plan involving stolen SS uniforms and weapons, and, according to the Auschwitz Memorial, a car used by SS-Hauptsturmführer Paul Kreutzmann. Piechowski denied rumors that the men later sent a postcard to Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss thanking him for the vehicle. Driving toward the gate of the camp, Piechowski recalled to the Guardian in an interview several years ago that he yelled in German, “Wake up, you buggers. Open the gate or I’ll open you up.” Piechowski, who was among Polish Boy Scouts sent to the camp as a political prisoner in 1940, would join the resistance following his escape. One of the other escapees smuggled out of the camp what allegedly was the first detailed document about the crimes being carried out at Auschwitz, where 1.1 million people were killed, most of them Jews. It was given to the resistance. According to a report in the Guardian, the policy of tattooing prisoners was introduced after the spectacular escape. After the war, Piechowski was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the communist authorities, who did not trust members of the former Polish Home Army resistance. He reportedly served seven years.
The famous escape was documented in a 2007 film by Polish director Marek Pawlowski. Piechowski played a small supporting role as a narrator. Piechowski later became an engineer, and when the communist regime fell in 1989, he traveled the world with his wife. He has written two books about his experiences.
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WHIPPANY, New Jersey (New Jersey Jewish News via JTA)—Alan Sagner, a former chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and a major benefactor of Jewish and liberal causes and the Democratic Party, died Jan. 3 at his home in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. He was 97 years old. A real estate developer and builder by profession, Sagner served as chairman of the Port Authority beginning in 1977, in an era when the regional transportation agency expanded rail service and modernized highways in the New York metropolitan area. It also facilitated the revitalization of New York’s Times Square. Sagner was a major donor to what is now the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, which serves the area, a former chair of its UJA Campaign, a key funder of JCC MetroWest in West Orange and a patron to several local Jewish agencies. He was also an early supporter of J Street, the liberal “pro-Israel, pro-peace” group. A former chairman of the board of Newark Beth Israel Hospital, now Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, he stood firm in opposing an unsuccessful plan to relocate the city’s premier hospital to the suburbs after the 1967 Newark riots. Sagner and Martin Levin, his brotherin-law and partner, are credited with the development of the New Jersey suburb of Livingston, acquiring farmland and building homes to convert it into a bedroom community designed to entice Jews in Newark and East Orange to move to the suburbs. “Alan had a vision that you could take Livingston, which at the time had no real Jewish population, and build subdivisions continued on page 38
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obituaries continued from page 37
and houses,” said David Mallach, a former executive director of the Community Relations Committee (CRC) of what was then United Jewish Communities of MetroWest New Jersey. “They marketed it very successfully,” said Mallach who is now executive vice chairman of the United Israel Appeal, a branch of The Jewish Federations of North America. Beyond his deep concern for Jewish causes, Sagner was a strong advocate for progressive groups and Democratic political campaigns. His involvement began in 1960, when he joined the abortive campaign of Adlai Stevenson, who ran for his party’s presidential nomination against Sen. John F. Kennedy. But Sagner later found success in his efforts to elect Democrat Brendan Byrne, an underdog candidate, for New Jersey’s governorship in 1973. Sagner was the campaign’s finance chairman, and after
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Byrne’s victory, he served as the new governor’s commissioner of transportation, and was later his nominee to be chairman of the Port Authority. Sagner was an investor in the left-ofcenter magazine, the Nation, and a founder of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee in 1960. Sagner’s strong opposition to America’s boycott of Cuba caused friction between him and some of his colleagues in his local Jewish community. After CubanAmerican Robert Menendez was elected to the House of Representatives in 1992 and appointed to its Foreign Affairs Committee in 2006, the federation’s CRC backed the future N.J. senator’s denunciation of Castro. “Sagner saw that and went ballistic,” recalled Mallach. “It was definitely one of the more uncomfortable conversations I had during my period as the CRC director.” Sagner was born on Sept. 13, 1920 in Baltimore, where he attended public schools before graduating from the University of Maryland and obtaining a master’s degree in history from Columbia University. In 1945 he married Ruth Levin, the daughter of New Jersey real estate developer Maurice Levin. She died in 1995, and a year later he married Lenore Green Schottenstein. They divorced in 2006. Sagner also lived in South Orange before moving to Florida. He is survived by his daughters, Deborah Sagner Buurma and Amy Sagner Pouliot; his son, John; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
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Hundreds of mourners attended a funeral service for Blaze Bernstein, 19, a Jewish college student found dead in a park near his parents’ Southern California home after he went missing for nearly a week. The funeral was held Monday, Jan. 15 at University Synagogue in Irvine, California. Hours later, the Orange County Register, citing a search warrant affidavit obtained by the newspaper, reported that Bernstein had been stabbed more than 20 times,
leading authorities to investigate whether the teen was killed in an act of rage. Samuel Woodward, 20, a former classmate of Bernstein’s at the Orange County School of the Arts, was taken into custody as a possible suspect in the killing and could be charged with murder, according to the newspaper. Woodward was arrested after crime lab technicians determined that blood found on a sleeping bag in his possession belonged to Bernstein, the Register reported. The murder weapon has not been found, according to reports. It is believed that Bernstein was pursuing a romantic relationship with Woodward, and that Bernstein kissed Woodward in the hours before the murder, which Woodward rebuffed, the Register reported, citing the affidavit. Bernstein had been visiting his parents’ home in Lake Forest in southern California while on winter break from the University of Pennsylvania. His body was discovered in a shallow grave in Borrego Park on Jan. 9, a week after he went missing from the park. Hundreds attended a candlelight vigil in his memory after the discovery was announced. Ahead of the funeral, Bernstein’s parents posted a message on a website set up to memorialize their son, saying they “won’t succumb to hate.” “On this day of true sadness, we want to thank the media and people around the world for your support. We are heartbroken,” Gideon and Jeanne Pepper Bernstein wrote. “As we lay Blaze to rest, we ask that communities around the world that were touched by Blaze’s life, help us keep his memory and loving spirit alive. “Blaze was on a path to repair our World and it is a moral imperative that we all take steps now to make sure that his dream is realized. We won’t succumb to hate, bitterness, or disillusionment; we will use wisely the time we have left together.” The parents called on the public to “work towards something good. Stop being complacent. Do something now,” adding “In the months to come, as part of our healing process, we too will act to heal the world. That is what Blaze would want.” (JTA)
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40 | Jewish News | January 22, 2018 | jewishnewsva.org