Dads Supplement to Jewish News May 31, 2021
jewishnewsva.org | May 31, 2021 | Dads | JEWISH NEWS | 13
Dads In Faster, three unlikely heroes come together to beat the Nazis at their own game: racing Author Neal Bascomb will speak as part of the Jewish Book Festival Wednesday, June 9, 7:30 pm, Zoom, Free, pre-registration required
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they saw Germans using racing as a propaganda tool and they decided to take hen Neal Bascomb them on and beat them at heard the story of a their own game. I thought racecar called the Delahaye that was an inspiring mes145, which was built in the sage,” Bascomb says. 1930s and had been restored The story takes place in by an American millionaire Europe before World War and had a fascinating backII, at a time story, he was hooked. when people Three unlikely heroes: are trying to Rene Dreyfus, Jewish race Meryl Schenker take stock of car driver, Lucy Schell, Neal Bascomb. what’s happenthe adventurous daughter ing, trying to of an American millionaire, and Charles understand Weiffenbach, the head of down-on-its luck how their automaker Delahaye—team up to take world is changon the German Silver Arrows right before ing, and trying the start of World War II. They banded to adapt to it, trying to decide what to do together to challenge Hitler’s dominance at and what’s right, what’s wrong and how the apex of the motorsport: the Grand Prix. to resist, how to fight. “And that in and of The tale of this trio is told in Bascomb’s itself, I think is just kind of utterly fascinovel, Faster. How a Jewish Driver, an nating.” he says. American Heiress, and a Legendary Car Beat Bascomb spent years traveling to do Hitler’s Best. Bascomb will speak as part research in Europe, interviewing people, of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and doing detective work to gather all the and Simon Family JCC’s Lee & Bernard pieces. He says he enjoys that process— Family Jewish Book Festival. the “hunt and discovery” as much as the Bascomb calls it a David and Goliath writing. story about racing and says he wanted It took him about three years, from to tell the story because the people are first hearing the story to when it was fascinating. finished. Approximately two-thirds of the “Rene Dreyfus, his father was Jewish, time was spent researching, and the last his mother was Catholic. His only religion bit writing. really, was racing, and yet he was inspired What we can learn from this story, to become a symbol for the Jewish people. Bascomb says, is that not all of us can be So, that was interesting to me,” he says. world leaders or politicians or “Masters of Lucy Schelll was interesting to the Universe,” but we live in our communiBascomb because she was a very rich ties, we have our worlds—much like Lucy American only child, who became one of and Rene—they stood up in theirs and the first female racecar drivers and speed similarly, people can do the same in their queens who used almost half her fortune own communities, in their own worlds. to start a race team and build Formula One cars and take on the Germans. All of which, no woman had ever done. To purchase Faster: How a Jewish Driver, “It’s a story about people sort of taking an American Heiress and a Legendary Car the fight within their communities to Beat Hitler’s Best and register for the event, what they think is right. So, Lucy and visit JewishVa.org/BookFest or contact Jill Rene, their love was racing, their world Grossman, director, Arts+Ideas at jgrosswas racing, but they saw this injustice and man@ujft.org or 757-965-6137. Robyn Sidersky
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DadsJoseph This is the first in a series on generations of families in Jewish Tidewater.
Twas the year the Christmas lights went out for good Joseph “Buddy” and Leonard Strelitz
trying to establish a Jewish homeland after the Holocaust. That epiphany led to oseph “Buddy” Strelitz honored his an affinity for Israel and a sense of permother’s single dying wish and became sonal obligation to enlist others to raise a trailblazer for the Jewish tribe in her funds along with them.” memory. John’s cousin, Brian Strelitz, is the son Buddy’s son, John Strelitz, says that of Joyce and Leonard, and brother of EJ his grandmother’s only regret in life was Strelitz and Bonnie Brand. “I would have that she never went to Israel. Spending loved being at dinner with my parents time with Buddy in Switzerland before after hearing of Buddy and Arlene’s trip,” her death in 1956, Minnie Strelitz looked says Brian. “Not sure how the dinner far into the future, and put her heart on went, so for future generations, I am callthe line. ‘Promise me you will go to Israel ing their plan to follow Buddy and Arlene for me.’ on that first trip to Israel, a joint decision. 1961 was the year of the Eichmann As kids, Bonnie and I still talk about how trial, also the year Buddy fulfilled that the Christmas tree (lights, tinsel and a promise. 5 point star on top—and the wonderful “My dad took my mother to Israel pine smell with presents on the floor) in kicking and screaming. At that time, our family room got smaller the December Israel was a third-world country and my after their trip, then the next year was mother wanted to get out on day one. By a plastic table top tree, and then, the the end of the trip, both of my parents next December, and despite our strongest had fallen in love and couldn’t wait to lobbying and opposition, the tree disaptell everyone at home about this special peared. POOF, forever. place,” says John. Going to Israel changed the arc of In a short time, ‘How do I get out of Buddy and Leonard’s lives in many more here’ upgraded to ‘what can we do to get ways and shaped them as future leaders. everyone we love to come here?’ The brothers became national figures who As new Zionists, Arlene and Buddy’s left their jobs at Haynes Furniture, where first move was tagging Buddy’s brother they were business partners who made Leonard, and his wife, Joyce. “My parents significant cash contributions and travsaw what the Jewish immigrants faced elled around the world to raise funds for Israel, eventually kicking off what became the United J e w i s h Appeal and United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. Other Jews jumped on board, while some resisted. “Leonard and Buddy Strelitz, along with men like Joseph “Buddy” Strelitz, Yitzhak Rabin, and Leonard Strelitz in September 1968. Sam Sandler, Lisa Richmon
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Mickey Kramer, Marvin Simon, Arnold Leon, Ron Dozoretz, and many more were men of action,” says Annie Sandler, JDC vice-president. “They knew that they
must make support of a fledging, isolated, poor, and new nation whose existence was threatened—an imperative. ‘Give until continued on page 16
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Joseph, Jacqueline, Julia, Renee, and John Strelitz.
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it hurts,’ ‘deny pleasures for yourself in order to do more for the Jewish people.’ By those words and their deeds, they demanded support from themselves and strongly encouraged the community to follow their lead.” The Strelitz name has been associated with Haynes Furniture for four generations. It triggers images of signature television ads and a presence at the intersection of philanthropy and innovation. Leonard Strelitz was an influencer before there was Instagram, or a word for people who leverage their brand identity to raise awareness for good causes or sell products. Nathan Strelitz is Leonard’s grandson, and EJ and Randi Strelitz’s son. “’Pa’ was a larger-than-life character and stellar businessman who also had a knack for inspiring friends and strangers to campaign for important causes. His benevolence coupled with his influence helped build the Strelitz Diabetes Center in Norfolk, the first single source of diabetes-related care in Hampton Roads.” Jewish parents in particular pray to see their sense of charitable purpose and passion carried out by their children and grandchildren. Younger generations might not show their philanthropic side until later in life, if at all, but when it does stick, there is no more potent form of parental pride and bliss.
“My father EJ demonstrates the same devotion to his community, family, friends, and business as his father. He has kept up the promise of my grandfather’s legacy through his support of Jewish causes and organizations, including United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, The Strelitz International Academy, and The Holocaust Memorial Museum. And through his leadership, EJ has grown his family’s furniture business into a national chain, while employing over 1,200 people.” Nathan left law school in 2012 and joined the family business the next year. “I put aside the disagreements or ups and downs of working in a family business and focus on how much my father, EJ cares about the business and carrying on his family’s legacy.” When children are given a road map and encouraged to express themselves as individuals, a new breed of Jewish heroics is free to emerge. “There are many paths and many options we have to express, fulfill and live our Judaism and our love of Israel. As an adult, I had to find the path that was best for me. Israel-related organizations have been a part of my activities as an adult for years. Hebrew University, AIPAC, Jewish Federation(s), and others less well known, but each personally fulfilling. Those activities over the years have become part of
Dads my DNA,” says Brian. “My childhood was filled with memories related to Israel and Am Yisrael that followed a timeline beginning with the 1967 war. I clearly remember, even at 11 years old, a significant transition that year in my attitude and feelings about being a Jew,” says Brian. “My identity as a Jew had always been clear, and was always “there,” almost taken for granted. But the whirlwind of June ’67 brought a higher level of pride in that Judaism, allowing me to willingly and confidently “wear it” more publicly. That personal growth as a Jew in ’67 repeated itself, albeit in different ways, over and over with the parade of events of the next 20 years. This process was a direct result of my father’s (and mother’s) activities and leadership in our Jewish world that stretched from Tidewater across the USA and to Israel, of course. The significant relationships that they formed are etched in my mind: Golda, Rabin, Peres, Begin,
Motta Gur. As I watched and experienced his involvement, passion, and leadership in action, it all trickled down to our household, and I became the beneficiary in so many ways that helped make me become the Jew I am today.”
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ohn Strelitz and wife Renee Dozoretz Strelitz have three children. Julia, Jacqueline, and Joseph Strelitz were blessed with two entrepreneurial grandfathers who both blazed new trails on behalf of the Jewish and medical communities. “I definitely see my father’s leadership ability as a core trait he got from his dad,” says Julia Strelitz. “He’s the first to step up in a time of crisis, like when the JCC was moving its campus and he became president.” Julia and sister Jacqueline both admire their father’s compassion as a business owner who treats his employees with deep respect. “He has employees who have been with him for 20 years. That loyalty
is a testament to his understanding of their needs and willingness to help. He’s loyal to them and they are loyal back.” Joseph Strelitz inherited more than a name from his father’s father. “Everyone loves Joseph. He was elected to several leadership roles, not just BBYO, for Joyce and Leonard Strelitz with Golda Meir (center). a reason. He got his composure from gene from his father. Buddy,” says Jacqueline Strelitz. “He’s just “Joseph reminds me of my dad,” says like Buddy, even-keeled. He’s a calming John. “He has his personality. My father force in every situation.” was introspective and an intellect. He John says he’s the reactive one, which could sit down and read a 400-page book explains why he’s been taking yoga classes by Abba Eban. Joseph is also very kind for 20 years. He didn’t inherit the calm continued on page 18
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Dads continued from page 17
and sensitive in a way I’m not.” Julia and Jacqueline see their dad through a loving father filter. “He’s the best father and has always been there for us. He never missed a game or event and is so young at heart. Because he’s outspoken and very high-energy, people might not know that he’s also very sensitive. He sees the best in everyone.”
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f a younger generation is guided by the strong character and deeds of parents— and grandparents they never met—when they get that gift is not as important as how they get it. “My children are very aware of and have heard many of the countless stories of their grandfather’s passion and involvement,” says Brian. “And they have grown up with parents that wear their Jewish/Israel “flags” high and proud—at home and in their communities. I could say that it has all already been baked into their DNA as well. Now will come the exciting part for me—and that is watching how they (Sasha, Matthew, Talia, Joshua, and Aryeh) chart their way and find their own special path to express themselves as Jews and to live as Jews, and moreover as Jews that are passionate about the miracle of modern day Israel.”
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oseph and Leonard Strelitz were founding ‘brothers’ who made their mark on the mid-size Tidewater Jewish community. Based on impact across the world, Tidewater’s community size is deceiving. “The Strelitz brothers, along with men of their generation through our Federation, made support of Israel and overseas Jewish needs preeminent in our annual campaign,” says Sandler. “Their early support of Israel drove our community to be a leader in the national organized Jewish community. Anytime I attend national or international meetings and identify myself as being from “Tidewater” it immediately draws respect and admiration.” The future of the Jewish tribe and this community is in the hands and hearts of altruistic late bloomers and never-toolate bloomers. “My kids still need to learn about philanthropy and involvement,” says John. “The best thing I can do is lead by example. Right now I’m happy to see both of my girls headed into careers that serve others. Jacqueline is a speech pathologist who always wanted to do something meaningful. Julia just left a big sales job to become a registered dietician, because she realized she wanted to help people. Joseph is still in college, but he has a very strong connection to Israel and is currently saving money to take his girlfriend there. “My kids will have to create their own philanthropic paths. We’ll just have to see what’s next for them. I think the best is yet to come,” says John. Brian Strelitz takes pride in his family’s transition. “Some ask if we are embarrassed that we even had Christmas trees. NO,” he says. “We are proud of how our family found its way, and of course, we love the destination.”
Leonard Strelitz with Moshe Dayan.
18 | JEWISH NEWS | Dads | May 31, 2021 | jewishnewsva.org
The Jewish history of Bazooka bubble gum Joanna O’Leary
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hew on this: One of America’s most iconic gum brands was originally a Jewish-owned tobacco business. In 1891, Morris Chigorinsky emigrated from Russia to the United States, where in the early 1900s he assumed control of the American Leaf Tobacco Company. But by 1938—by then Chigorinsky had changed his surname to Shorin—the business was flailing. His four sons decided to save the family from certain penury by starting a new penny candy business, Topps Chewing Gum Inc., with the name borrowed from an eponymous Chattanooga candy company they purchased. Following the end of World War II, the Shorin brothers—Abram, Ira, Joseph and Philip—aggressively set about supplanting their then-dominant competitor, Dubble Bubble, manufactured by Fleer, through the launch of Bazooka Bubble Gum. The gum cleverly capitalized on the nation’s postwar patriotic pride in the wake of their recent victory, not only via its name (derived from the rocket-propelled weapon invented and deployed by American troops) but also through its red, white and blue packaging. The product sold well, but in 1953, Topps made an alteration to the design that proved to be a game changer: the inclusion of small comic strips starring Bazooka Joe, a swashbuckling kid who donned a black eyepatch and got into scrapes and adventures with his crew of streetwise companions. The wrappers— ultimately there were more than 1,500 manufactured—also featured fortunes and immediately became collector’s items among consumers and candy enthusiasts, who still vigorously buy and sell vintage strips on online auction websites. While the original flavor continues to be the bestseller, Topps has also introduced variations, such as Grape Rage, Cherry Berry, and Watermelon Whirl. In 2012, Bazooka discontinued the inclusion of comics in favor of “brainteaser” wrappers and subsequently found itself in a sticky situation. Loyalists
were displeased and chewed out corporate honchos for the most unwelcome change. In 2019, Topps responded to the call to adhere to the original look by issuing a Throwback Pack intended to be “inspired by the brand’s iconic original packaging” with “nostalgic 1980s graphics and Original flavor Bazooka Bubble Gum wrapped in classic comics.” Testaments to Bazooka’s enduring popularity have bubbled up over the years in sitcoms such as How I Met Your Mother, Seinfeld, and King of Queens. The candy made a particularly sweet cameo in an episode of 30 Rock, in which NBC exec Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) erroneously and hilariously claimed Bazooka’s founder inherited a quarry of pink rocks, then baked them to transform them into gum. While Bazooka continues to be cherished in many countries, the gum has amassed a particularly unique cult following in Israel. In the 1960s, Islico Ltd. began making Bazooka in Tel Aviv, which was taken over by Lieber Co. in the 1970s, then assumed in the 1980s by the food conglomerate Strauss-Elite, which continues to manufacture the candy today, in addition to snack mashups like Bazookaflavored marshmallows and even milk. “So culturally iconic are the strips in Israel,” The Jerusalem Post reported in 2017, “that they even inspired one local artist to assume “Bazooka Joe” as his pseudonym because “he naturally connected with the colors and simplicity of the comics.’” Chomping at the bit to get a glimpse of some of these crazy toons but still hesitant to travel because of COVID-19? Those interested in Israeli Bazooka historiography can visit a virtual museum dedicated to displaying the cartoons over the decades. This article originally appeared on The Nosher.
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y son, Niv, knows the layout of the Simon Family JCC like the back of his hand. He’s only five, but can already point out the best kickballs on the whitetop behind the building, the dogleg on the 6th hole of the mini-golf course, and how to reach max speed on the Noah’s Ark water slide next to the outdoor pool. And, not far behind, Niv, Shikma, Shai, and Danny Rubin. you will often spot Niv’s two-year-old brother, Shai, as he waddles I think back on my formative years and along and does his best to keep up. all the memories intertwined with Jewish I tell you these minute details to life. To name a few, I learned to swim at express what the JCC—and by extension, the “old J,” rode my bike in the social hall our Jewish community—means to our behind the chapel at Beth Sholom as my family. Our kids roam the halls with ease dad read the Torah, bounded between the because, for them, the JCC is a place of sanctuary, Brody Auditorium, and Sandler comfort—much like my experience with Hall at Temple Israel, goofed off with the “old J” on Newport Avenue. And I friends in BBYO (many I still goof off with believe a life immersed in Jewishness cretoday), pledged AEPi with my soon-to-be ates a bond that never breaks. fraternity brothers, traversed Israel on a It’s hard to imagine a reality where Birthright trip, and the list goes on. mainstays like a JCC, synagogue, day I took advantage of so much Jewish school, and cultural programming don’t programming simply because the orgaexist. But I also know the future is not nizations had the financial wherewithal guaranteed and that we must safeguard to operate. And I doubt I would have what we hold dear. That’s why my wife, the same connection to Jewish life had I Shikma, and I are proud to sign the spent all those years exclusively in secular Jewish Future Pledge, which states that 50 spaces. percent or more of our assets left for charThat’s why we must ensure similar itable purposes will be directed to efforts Jewish experiences for the coming gento strengthen and serve the Jewish people erations. I hope my contemporaries will and/or the State of Israel. join the Jewish Future Pledge initiative We hope other young couples follow and also demonstrate their commitment. behind and recognize it’s not just the role It’s a pledge we owe our kids. of senior lay leaders to “sign the pledge” and preserve the future. The initiative For more information about how to help requires young adults to step up, too. secure a Jewish future in Tidewater, conMany of us have children who have begun tact Naomi Limor Sedek, Tidewater Jewish their own relationships with the Jewish Foundation president and CEO, at nsedek@ community, so the time to act is now. ujft.org or 757-965-6109.