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Here’s one way to celebrate Christmas Eve: Bring 450 young Jews to the Triple Door to celebrate Latkepalooza, the annual party sponsored this year by the Jewish Federation of
Greater Seattle’s Young Leadership Division and Hillel at the University of Washington’s Jconnect. This winter’s event brought in record numbers of revelers who might otherwise
have had little else to do aside from finding a table at a local Chinese restaurant.
a j e w i s h t r a n s c r i p t p u b l i c a t i o n n $ 1 . 5 0
2 jtnews n friday, january 15, 2010
viewpoints
Rabbi Moshe Kletenik and scrutinized — not just in Israel but in do “outside” conversions. The courts questions will be appropriately answered.
Rabbi Barry Freundel many Orthodox communities to which meet candidates several times during the
Special to JTNews they or their children had moved. It is process to monitor progress and suggest Non-GPS Conversions
significant that because of such inconsis- additional areas of study. While the RCA encourages its mem-
Recent allegations of impropriety on tencies, in the early 1990s the RCA estab- GPS is a not-for-profit system. There bers to use GPS, it recognizes that some
the part of the founder and head of Eternal lished regional conversion courts that are incidental expenses such as tutor- may choose not to in their role as the local
Jewish Family, an organization involved were not organized into a formal net- ing, mikvah, mohel, and operating costs. rabbinic authority. Such rabbis recognize
with potential converts to Judaism, have work. That action alone, however, did not None of the judges profit financially from that other rabbis are similarly free to not
again focused the attention of the Jewish sufficiently address the problems. their many hours of dedicated service. recognize conversions from outside GPS
community on the conversion process. To help solve this growing crisis, in their jurisdiction.
Rather than dwell on the failures of other therefore, the RCA, in partnership with Sponsoring Rabbis
organizations, the Rabbinical Council of the Bet Din of America, took the next step To ensure that each convert is shep- Conclusion
America prefers to use this opportunity and established the GPS network based herded through the process in a per- In less than two years, approximately
to highlight those aspects of the RCA’s on the following principles. sonalized fashion, each candidate is 300 fully accepted GPS conversions have
GPS (Geirus Policies and Standards) con- introduced to the court by a sponsor- taken place under the supervision of
version system established in February Courts and Judges ing rabbi. Because he is not a judge on scores of approved judges across North
2008 that prevent the kinds of problems Qualifying regional courts are estab- that case, that rabbi avoids the conflict of America, with hundreds more candi-
associated with EJF and other conversion lished, or if they already ex ist, are being an advocate who is also an objec- dates in process. For a new system, GPS is
programs in the Orthodox community. included. To ensure equal treatment, the tive judge. The sponsoring rabbi mentors working astonishingly well. There are, of
We would also like to discuss some of the courts follow transparent and published and guides the candidate, working with course, improvements to be made in some
positive aspects of the GPS structure that rules and procedures, fully disclosed to the bet din (rabbinical council). To be a areas, and the RCA is committed to a con-
serve the community beyond any con- every candidate. sponsoring rabbi one does not have to be stant review of all aspects of the program.
cerns about inappropriate activities. These procedures were formulated by a member of the RCA. We believe that GPS will continue to
GPS was established to aid potential the RCA, without being imposed by any help establish the credentials of those
converts to Judaism, while at the same outside rabbinate. Indeed in almost every Administration of GPS who choose, of their own free will, to
time diminishing thorny questions of respect the standards of GPS are consis- GPS has a centralized office at the join the Jewish people, while avoiding
personal status. For years, conversion tent with the voluntary conversion guide- RCA, reporting to a committee repre- problems that sometimes occur, as sadly
had been performed in an ad hoc fash- lines adopted by the RCA in 1989, even as senting the various regional courts. Com- becomes evident from time to time.
ion by local rabbis, but without detailed they allow for greater flexibility. plaints are handled jointly by the GPS GPS does not presume to claim, as
mutually agreed-upon standards and The courts function under the direc- administrator and the GPS committee, in others have, that its conversions will be
procedures. While the vast majority of tion and leadership of local rabbis from consultation with the bet din. “universally recognized,” insofar as we
conversions were handled appropriately, across the Orthodox ideological spec- A GPS Web site facilitates information believe that there can be no such thing
some were not. As a result, in recent years trum. The judges are approved by GPS sharing, education, and communications before the arrival of Mashiach. Yet we do
even those who had fulfilled the hala- leadership. They do not have to be mem- among the courts, candidates, and others. believe that our system goes a long way
chic requirements were finding their bers of the RCA, but to avoid confusion a A confidential database of all GPS con-
conversions unfairly questioned and rabbi who serves as a GPS judge cannot verts is maintained, ensuring that future u Page 3
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rabbi’s turn
3
ing the possibilities of today? us can sanctify God’s name in the world. many, many years we live in a free soci-
A few days ago, I visited with Alex- In Literature and Dogma, the great ety in which Jews have the opportunity
ander, a 9-year-old patient at Seattle poet and essayist Matthew Arnold writes: to participate in all political, ethical and
Children’s Hospital. Unfortunately, Alex- “As long as the world lasts, all who want cultural processes. This is a time when
ander has many medical complications to make progress in righteousness will Judaic virtues are admired by non-Jews.
Rabbi Elazar and is fighting with every fragile part of come to Israel for inspiration, as to the We are praised for our strong community
Bogomilsky his body just to stay alive. I was there to people who have had the sense for righ- life, the warmth of the Jewish family, our
Chai Center of give strength, love and support to him teousness most glowing and strongest.” passion for education, and our commit-
Greater Seattle and to his family. What actually hap- The Talmud tells us the story of how ment to philanthropy. This means that
pened was just the opposite. This amaz- in the study hall there was a custom that we have the chance to be an outstand-
Your list of wishes and hopes for the ing, precious child taught me a lesson of the Talmudic sage would teach in a soft ing voice in the moral conversations of
coming year are probably exactly the life that I will never forget. Watching him tone, after which one of his senior stu- mankind.
same as mine. No doubt high on that fight for every moment of living made me dents would repeat those teachings to God’s name becomes sanctified when
list are the important “big ones:” Peace appreciate the immense gift of life given the study hall in a louder voice. One day those who claim to have a relationship
in Israel and the world at large, finan- by God to each of us. the wife of the translator met the wife with Him use their faith to influence their
cial stability, safety in our communities, One of our great sages was Rabbi of the sage Rabbi Abahu, and said, “My lives. Our great sage Rabbi Abahu, the
and health and happiness in our per- David ben Solomon, known as Radvaz. husband does not need your husband to great Radvaz, and brave little Alexander
sonal lives. He was one of those exiled from Spain prompt him with the discourses, because show us that we too can live that way.
But security and stability are not all in 1492 during the period of the Span- he is just as learned, and for the fact that Our resolution for the coming year
that we wish for. It is only natural that we ish Inquisition. Radvaz was asked the he bends down to hear the whispered dis- should be to utilize every moment avail-
should want to keep growing, advanc- following question: A Jew had been cru- course and then relays it to the audience, able to us to live the fullest life possible,
ing beyond our current position. And so elly imprisoned by the local nobleman, he merely does this for respect.” by acting nobly and ethically, seizing
we also worry about such things as which and after much pleading, the nobleman Rabbi Abahu’s wife complained to every mitzvah moment possible. In this
school to choose for our children’s educa- agreed to release him from jail for one her husband, “You must fire this ingrate, way, we will bring honor to ourselves, to
tion and future possibilities; who should day each year. The Jew was now in a quan- since he is not giving you the honor you the Jewish people, and to God.
we include in our own circle of friends; dary. What day should he choose? Should deserve. One day he will yet claim that all May we all be blessed with health, suc-
are we where we need to be at this point he ask for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of your teachings came from him.” cess and happiness!
and stage in life; when will we have enough the year? Perhaps Passover should be the “What difference does it make?” Rabbi
to retire and finally relax, and so on. day, so that during the holiday of freedom Abahu replied. “Through me and through Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky is host of
For me, the answer to these weighty he could join with his family and commu- him let the One Above be praised!” Shmooze Radio and the Rabbi’s Message
questions is one word: Action. What are nity? Or maybe it should be Hanukkah, You see, the world is about action and on KKNW-AM 1150 and executive
we actually doing today that will enable the festival of lights? about getting the job done. Seldom in the director of The Friendship Circle and the
that growth to happen? Are we maximiz- Radvaz responded that he should past have the opportunities been greater Chai Center of Greater Seattle.
seize the first possible opportunity to or the stakes so high. For the first time in
leave prison and engage in a mitzvah that
could not be performed in jail, because
when one has that opportunit y one
should not put it off. The most important
day of the year is today!
We live for a purpose, and we are truly
The JTNews is the Voice of Jewish alive when we fulfill that purpose. As
Washington. Our mission is to meet Jews, we are summoned by God to be a
the interests of our Jewish community
holy nation, partnering with the Creator
through fair and accurate coverage of local,
national and international news, opinion to perfect the world by doing one more
and information. We seek to expose our mitzvah today than we did yesterday,
readers to diverse viewpoints and vibrant because yesterday’s mitzvah was yester-
debate on many fronts, including the news
day’s mission, but today brings newer and
and events in Israel. We strive to contribute to
the continued growth of our local Jewish greater abilities.
community as we carry out our mission. By conducting ourselves with integ-
rity and with graciousness, by bringing
2041 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121
phone 206-441-4553 fax 206-441-2736 sensitivity to our relationships, by radi-
E-mail: editor@jtnews.net ating beauty from our homes, by using
www.jtnews.net words to heal and not to hurt, every one of
JTNews (ISSN0021-678X) is published biweekly by
The Seattle Jewish Transcript, a nonprofit corporation
owned by the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle,
2041 3rd Ave., Seattle, WA 98121. Subscriptions are Letters
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cals postage paid at Seattle, WA. POSTMASTER: Conversion Practices t Page 2 Conference update Unlisted
Send address changes to JTNews, 2041 Third Ave.,
Seattle, WA 98121.
I would like to correct two errors in As president of the board of Congrega-
toward establishing widely accepted out- Leyna Krow’s otherwise excellent report tion Beth Shalom, I was dismayed to see
Staff on the Iran-Israel conference I organized the recent heading in the JTNews “Meet
Reach us directly at 206-441-4553 + ext.
comes, given that GPS conversions have
Publisher *Karen Chachkes 267 been accepted across the ideological at Town Hall on December 16 (“Iran, the Synagogue” (Special section, Dec. 25).
Editor *Joel Magalnick 233 spectrum of Orthodoxy. from the left,” Dec. 25). First, there were Given the many choices of synagogues in
Assistant Editor Leyna Krow 240
Account Executive Lynn Feldhammer 264 Aside from all of the benefits to the over 100 people in attendance, not 40 as Seattle, I wondered how the synagogues
Account Executive David Stahl 235 converts themselves, GPS thus contrib- Krow reported. Second, she misstated J listed were chosen. I assume that only syn-
Account Executive Stacy Schill 292
Classifieds Manager Rebecca Minsky 238
utes to precious Jewish unity and coop- Street’s position on Iran sanctions. J Street agogues with budgets to pay for advertis-
Art Director Susan Beardsley 239 eration, among rabbis, laymen, and their supported the Berman sanctions bill. But ing were selected. In what way does this
Proofreader Mordecai Goldstein communities. it continues to state that it prefers the represent meeting Seattle’s synagogues?
Obama administration’s policy of diplo- It’s a shame that you missed an opportu-
Rabbi Moshe Kletenik is the president of matic engagement, while holding sanc- nity to introduce your readership to the
Board of Directors
Scott Michelson, Chair*; Robin Boehler; Don the Rabbinical Council of America and tions in abeyance as a last resort. plethora of exciting, vibrant and diverse
Edmond; Lisa Eggers; Cynthia Flash Hemphill*; rabbi of Bikur Cholim-Machzikay Hadath I should state that I personally oppose synagogue communities in our relatively
Allen Israel*; Stan Mark; Daniel Mayer; Cantor
David Serkin-Poole*; Sandy Sidell in Seattle. Rabbi Barry Freundel is the J Street on this matter (while I support small Seattle Jewish community.
Richard Fruchter, CEO and President, chairman of the GPS committee of the many of its other positions). But I wanted Susan Monas,
Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle
Rabbinical Council of America. to make clear just what J Street’s position President, Congregation Beth Shalom
Ron Leibsohn, Federation Board Chair
is regarding sanctions. Seattle
*Member, JTNews Editorial Board
Richard Silverstein
Seattle
We would love to hear from you! Our guide to writing a letter to the editor can be found on our Web site: www.jtnews.net/index.php?/letters_guidelines.html
The deadline for the next issue is january 19 n future deadlines may be found online
4 jtnews n friday, january 15, 2010
community news
Noa
stg presents
April 29 |
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0=>=?A>58C0ACB>A60=8I0C8>= 8=?4AB>=0CC74?0A0<>D=CC740CA41>G>558240=3!#7>DA:8>B:B @A4=?2@2;A@<?4
friday, january 15, 2010 n jtnews 5
community news
Dani Hemmat living; all the while new decrees, regu- and made it home, but it was enough to
Special to JTNews lations and laws handed down against make her parents take some action toward
Jews made life more unbearable. Friends self-preservation, even if it was only to
Marga Steinhardt Griesbach was 5-1/2 and playmates began to shun the Stein- secure their valuables with relatives in
when Hitler assumed power in Germany. ha rdt s, w it h Gr iesbach Frankfurt, away from Witzenhausen.
She would spend the next 12 years in once being thrown out of a While Therese Steinhardt traveled to
ghettos, concentration camps and even friend’s apartment by the Frankfurt, the Witzenhausen synagogue
the death marches, helping her injured girl’s angry father. burned to the ground. Marga’s father,
mother escape the executioner’s revolver Her educat ion was Max, the treasurer, was called to the
in the nick of time. derailed at age 10 — the town hall to discuss fire insurance, leav-
Talking about her life in Nazi Germany age that German school- ing Marga, her young brother and elderly
in front of a full house at Congregation Beth children would normally grandmother alone in the apartment. He
Hatikvah in Bremerton on Sun., Jan. 10, advance to high school did not come back. They spent several days
82-year-old Griesbach eschewed the P.A. — when Jewish children alone until her mother returned.
system to deliver her story in a clear, were forbidden to attend. Max returned a month later. An old
strong voice. Instead, she remained in friend who warned him that all Jewish
Standing before the largest crowd of the Volksschule (elemen- men would be arrested had implored Max
adults she’d ever spoken to, Griesbach tary school), studying basic subjects and to flee. Max had warned all the men on
told how her early life in the small town tolerating daily beatings at the hands of the arrest list as well, but only one other
of Witzenhausen was normal for her other students. Despite everything, her man heeded his warning; the rest were
parents, Therese and Max, and her little family struggled to continue their lives taken to Buchenwald.
brother Alfred. Her first memory of the in Witzenhausen, miserable as it was. Courtesy Marga Griesbach/Brian Liepe The Steinhardts were soon deported
outside world, however, was “of political They could not believe that things could Holocaust survivor Marga Griesbach, to Riga, Latvia, where they found streets
marches and demonstrations, often lead- get much worse. Then came November with her little brother in 1935, and in filled with frozen blood and deplorable
ing to bloody fights between the Nazis 8, 1938. Bremerton in 2010. living conditions. While many fami-
and Communists.” Kristallnacht, the November 9, 1938 lies took valuables and possessions from
When Hitler took power, she became pogrom touted as a spontaneous action the homes of the relocated Latvian Jews,
aware of an unusual tension among her against the Jews, would happen one school the next day, however, she encoun- Marga’s family refused.
parents and Jewish neighbors. day early in their town. While word had tered ripped pages of prayer books and “We weren’t too smart,” Griesbach
“People were worried, very nervous,” gotten to most of the Jewish people in unrolled, ripped Torah scrolls in the said. “We maybe could have traded those
Griesbach said. “People were argumen- Witzenhausen ahead of time, there was town square fountain. As she hurried to goods for food later on, but we could not
tative. People who would never fight were little anyone could do to stop it. school, she passed by the synagogue just imagine going through another’s pos-
suddenly fighting with each other.” Griesbach’s family barricaded them- as a piano was being heaved out a window sessions, even if they were never coming
The stress compounded quickly after selves in a bedroom. Although most while people vandalized the building. back. ”
April 1, 1933, with the declaration of a Jewish homes and businesses in the town Someone spied Griesbach and shout– Griesbach watched those who couldn’t
general boycott of Jewish businesses. It suffered greatly that night, they went ed, “Get the damn Jew girl!” she said.
became increasingly difficult to earn a untouched. When Griesbach went to She managed to outrun the angry mob u Page 7
REG
Join us at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue for the ISTE
TOD
Jewish Federation’s annual women’s brunch and... AY! R
Israel Unplugged
Alina Gerlovin Spaulding
Soviet Union.
Alina now works in the U.S. at the American Hebrew Academy, the only
pluralistic Jewish boarding school with students from all over the world. “This place Don’t miss out on this
has particular resonance for me,” Alina explains. “When my family and I were amazing Seattle Jewish
being relocated, no one ever asked, ‘What stream of Judaism are you?’ They simply
asked, ‘Are you Jewish? Are you in need?’ That is all they needed to know to help.”
community travel opportunity!
For more information:
Her story is our story. Our Jewish Federation and dozens of others across the
Email AnnaF@JewishInSeattle.org or visit
country helped Alina, her family and thousands of other Jews from the former Soviet
Union escape persecution and find homes in the U.S., in Israel and in Judaism. www.JewishInSeattle.org/IsraelUnplugged.
Chair: Jacquie Bayley
friday, january 15, 2010 n jtnews 7
community news
Scholar-In-
Residence Join us!
with for the Annual
Rabbi Steven Seattle Hebrew Academy
Greenberg
Gala Dinner and Auction
Rabbi Greenberg is an
Orthodox rabbi, gay
activist and passionate January 27 - 30, 2010
environmentalist.
A fellow at the pluralis-
SCHEDULE:
tic think tank, CLAL, he
Fag, Gay and Other The Creation Story
is the author of an
Three Letter Words on Steroids: Sex and
Wednesday, January 27, Planetary Consciousness
7-8pm, for teens Friday, January 29,
following Friday night
Including GLBT services and a
Jews: Policy, Tu B’shevat Dinner,
Pedagogy, Theology open to all,
Thursday, January 28, $20 per person
10am-12pm, for rabbis
Gayness and God
The Dignity of Difference: Saturday, January 30,
Constructing a at approx. 12:30pm
Welcoming Tent
Thursday, January 28, V’ahavta:
award-winning book 4:30-7pm, for Jewish Film & Reception
entitled, Wrestling with educators and teachers Saturday, January 30, Honoring Connie Kanter
God and Men: 7pm, open to all, and Chuck Broches
Homosexuality in Burnt Feet, A Snake geared toward the
Charm and Satanic GLBT community
the Jewish Tradition. Sunday, January 24, 2010
Lessons: Three
Join Rabbi Greenberg
Rabbinic Stories about 4:30 to 9:00 p.m.
during Tu B’shvat Tzedakah and its
for a variety of Transformative Powers
programs for our local Thursday, January 28, Fairmont Olympic Hotel
Jewish community. 7:30pm, open to all 411 University Street
Seattle, Washington
More information at: www.JewishInSeattle.org/RabbiGreenberg For more information, contact Rosemary Sixbey at
206-323-5750, ext. 301, or rsixbey@sha613.org
SPONSORS:
Alfred & Tillie Shemanski Fund
8 jtnews n friday, january 15, 2010
m.o.t.: member of the tribe
Kristin Maas is the Director of Public Affairs for QFC. She can be reached at kristin.maas@qfci.com or 425-990-6182.
friday, january 15, 2010 n jtnews 9
jewish on earth The Jerusalem Post
Crossword Puzzle
Mustering our resources Find the Hidden Letters
How to evolve ourselves out of environmental crisis By David Benkof
alism, theocracy, dictatorship, hierarchy
and patriarchy. We base our economies on
resource exploitation, market expansion,
and concentration and movement of capi-
tal. And even though most everything we
Martin value is not monetized, i.e., family, health,
Westerman community, faith, education, clean air,
JTNews water and soil — we use monetary mea-
Columnist sures, such as unemployment figures, stock
market indexes, and the Gross National
In my caricature view of humans, we Product, to express our general well-being.
run into the future facing backwards, We know this must change. The bad
focused on the past. Naturally, we crash news is, we’ve taken about 1.8 billion
into things we “didn’t see,” or whose signs years to evolve so far, from hunter-gath-
we ignored or denied along the way. We call erer homo ergaster into today’s planet-
these collisions “crises” — heart attacks, endangering homo sapiens. We spent our
job losses, divorces, economic meltdowns, most recent 25,000 years getting from
wars, climate change. Facing them now, we cave painting to written language; 5,000
muster all the resources we can to survive. years from Bronze Age to Space Age; and
Then we celebrate wildly, turn around, and 2,300 years from Greek democracy to
resume running back into the future. As American and French Revolutions. We’re
existentialist Soren Kierkegaard observed, still working on women’s equality.
“Life can only be understood backwards; The good news is it looks as if we’re get-
but it must be lived forward.” ting smarter, faster. We have also devel-
The future looks unknown, unsettling oped the ability to radically change our
and exciting; the past known, lived, and behavior and direction, through catalytic
reassuring. Curiously, Torah and Talmud events and flashes of insight — ranging
stories give us some indirect advice about from epiphany, falling in love and partici-
how to live on this warming planet, pres- pating in childbirth, to scientific discovery Across Down
sured by billions of people and global and catastrophe. In Stumbling on Happi- 1 Sephardi society to help the poor 1 He defended the Jews on
commerce: Don’t generate poisonous ness, Daniel Gilbert writes that humans 6 ___ Yar (site of a Holocaust economic grounds
wastes, create localized economies, and are distinguished from other species by massacre) 2 Reed in a pit
conduct your affairs ethically. imagination — their ability “to experience 10 South Park animator Stone 3 Physical characteristic requested
It looks easy — but it’s a long haul to the world as it isn’t and has never been, but 14 U.S. President with many Jewish by a woman on JDate
achieve. We still organize most of our reli- as it might be.” But human memories can advisers 4 Friend of Cardinal Lustiger
gions, political systems, corporations and 15 Speak lashon hara 5 16th-century chief rabbi of Egypt
crime syndicates around pyramids of trib- u Page 15 16 One of the oldest continuously 6 Popular youth grp.
inhabited cities in the world 7 “Are you calling me ___?”
17 “White Christmas” setting 8 African language group
Holidays!
Happy New Year!
19 Act like a wandering Jew, 9 Solomon ___ Gabirol
perhaps 10 With 32-Across, “I and Thou”
20 Blanc Bugs Bunny voice theologian
21 Puff up 11 Future oak
22 Adelson’s Venetian location 12 Tay-Sachs gene, e.g.
A Variety of Financial 23 It means “like” at the start of a
word
13 Speed, to Isaac Stern
18 Sports car, briefly
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arts & entertainment
www.TempleBnaiTorah.org
12 jtnews n friday, january 15, 2010
arts & entertainment
B’nai B’Rith Camp offers a wide variety of Joel Magalnick end of the Holocaust, but nearly two
activities, including arts and crafts, Jewish enrichment, Editor, JTNews decades after, at the capture and sub- If you go:
athletics, waterskiing, sailing, canoeing, hydro-tubing, sequent execution of Adolf Eichmann.
swimming in an outdoor heated pool, dancing, nature, The Stroum Jewish Community Cen- Alpern ended the performance there Auditions for Voices of Hope take
singing, high- and low-ropes challenge courses, ter’s Center Stage theater program has because he said it shows that despite the place through Jan. 23 for kids ages
leadership, community service, drama, creative writing, recently been revived within its halls. Now devastation to the Jewish people, Hitler 8–18. Contact Daniel Alpern at
Shabbat celebrations, overnights and trips. Licensed by its director wants to take his next show out did not succeed. 206-232-7115, ext. 221 to set up a
the state of Oregon and accredited by the American of the building. The gravity of the newest “The theme is, ‘There’s hope, we sur- time. Institutions interested in having
Camp Association (ACA). upcoming production, Voices of Hope, vived,’” he said. Still, Alpern said, the per- the play performed may also contact
503-452-3444 • www.bbcamp.org an adaptation by Center Stage director formance brings the issue of genocide to Alpern.
Daniel Alpern on writings from preteens today, and notes that it is still going on.
JWest campership Program provides and teens who lived through the Holo- “This is not something that can never
up to $2,500 over two or three years for first-time caust, is one that should be available to the happen again,” he said, “it is happening Center Stage production to synagogues
campers entering 6–8th grades to attend one of more greater community wherever they gather, right now, too.” and Jewish schools between late March
than 20 nonprofit Jewish overnight camps throughout he believes. So that’s where it’s going. He titled the play Voices of Hope and into April. Ultimately, he feels this
Western North America. Local camps include Camp Private auditions are still taking place because hope was what got the children message should reach the greater com-
Solomon Schechter, Sephardic Adventure Camp and URJ for what Alpern calls “an unusual new- through those terrible years. munity and hopes it could be taken to
Camp Kalsman. JWest is an initiative through the form play,” in which the actors, all of “How did they survive emotionally public schools and churches to teach
Foundation for Jewish Camp. whom will be kids between the ages of 8 while incarcerated? They did it by writing them lessons that can be learned from
Visit www.onehappycamper.org to learn more. their feelings,” Alpern said. “Their hearts the Holocaust.
and 18, read actual passages from such
works as I Never Saw Another Butterfly removed themselves from where they were Voices of Hope is funded by a $5,000
URJ Camp KaLsman
and The Diary of Anne Frank. and put themselves outside the fences, Small and Simple Grant provided by the
Situated on 300 acres, our state-of-the-art facility is
“This material is performed by actors emotionally. That’s just amazing to me.” Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. Amy
just over an hour north of downtown Seattle in the
as if they had actually written it, per- Alpern did a similar piece with Youth Wasser-Simpson, vice president of Plan-
foothills of the Cascades. Sessions range in length from
formed in costumes of concentration Theater Northwest, and found rehearsals ning and Community Services, said the
one to three weeks and are staffed by mature college
camps,” Alpern said. to be emotionally draining for many of Federation’s special initiatives commit-
students under the guidance of experienced senior staff
members and faculty from across the country. Camp Between the readings will be creative the kids acting in the play. To lighten tee funded the play because it fit the crite-
Kalsman is proud of its commitment to providing performances set to music with small, lit- things up, they would end each rehearsal ria of being new, creative and innovative.
campers with strong and encouraging Jewish role tle-known factoids about the Holocaust to with a few minutes of improvisational “To take something and to craft it into
models. With activities that include archery, climbing be presented chronologically. One factoid, comedy so the kids could return home a play that would be able to be seen by a
tower, giant swing, arts and crafts, hiking, mountain taken author Edwin Black’s 2001 book IBM energized. He’ll likely do something sim- broad community with a Jewish theme,
biking, a heated swimming pool, camp outs, singing, and the Holocaust, explains how the com- ilar with this version. [and] the fact that the [JCC] is trying to
dancing and so much more, it will definitely be the pany supplied the statistical equipment One performance is scheduled to take bring back its arts and culture program, I
adventure of a lifetime for your child! the Nazis used to compile the data on all place at the Stroum JCC on April 11, Holo- think the committee felt it would be a good
Financial aid is available. the people that died at their hands. caust Remembrance Day. Beyond that, use of its dollars,” Wasser-Simpson said.
206-443-8340 • www.kalsman.urjcamps.org The performance will end not at the Alpern is actively seeking to take the
Give your rising 6th-8th grader the summer of a lifetime at Jewish summer camp,
and save yourself up to $2500 over the next few summers! Jewish summer camp
offers sports, music, nature and dozens of fun activities in a beautiful outdoor
environment. More importantly, campers become part of a thriving community,
develop self-confidence and make lifelong friends. If your child has never been
to Jewish summer camp, they may qualify. Local camps include:
www.onehappycamper.org/jtnews
The Foundation for Jewish Camp’s JWest Campership Program is funded by the Jim Joseph Foundation.
friday, january 15, 2010 n jtnews 13
arts & entertainment
Janis Siegel imprisoned and was called a Zionist spy Due to the per- been raised in Iran studying English and
JTNews Correspondent because of his high-ranking position secution of Jews Farsi in a secular bilingual school, most
during the Shah’s reign,” Nazarian said. by t he Isla m ic of her schoolmates were Muslim, Baha’i,
When Jewish Iranian Angella Nazar- “Thankfully he was fully acquitted. Most reg ime, Nazar- or Zoroastrian. First and foremost, she
ian fled the violent revolutionary upris- Iranian Jews fled because of the danger- ian would not see considers herself a Jew.
ing of 1979 in her country and arrived in ous political situation and left behind her mother again “I keep a kosher home,” said Nazarian.
a predominately Jewish neighborhood in most of their assets, as we did.” for more than five “My husband is Jewish and both my kids
Beverly Hills at the age of 11, her father In Life as a Visitor, Nazarian recalls years. have had their Bar Mitzvahs in Israel,
assured her it would only be a two-week what would be her last memories of her I n stead, for which is our spiritual home….I took
vacation, long enough to let the political birth country. Iranian immigrant her, it w as a n Hebrew and Judaic classes as an adult
chaos subside. “It was 5:30 in the morning, at the first and author Angella unexpected and gave myself the gift that I always
But after the overthrow of the Shah in light of dawn, when we left home for the Nazarian. and melancholy wanted to give myself — a Bat Mitzvah.”
Iran and the installment of the Ayatol- forty-minute drive to the airport,” she t ra nsfor mat ion Nazarian became an adult Bat Mitz-
lah Khomeini’s Islamic government, the writes in a chapter titled “The Crossing.” from a simpler life as a family-centered, vah at the age of 37, which she called
political strife did not end as quickly as “As I sat in the back seat of my father’s sheltered youth in Iran into a fashion- “such a profound experience.”
they had had hoped. Nazarian could not car, I watched the shifting colors that focused, roller-skating, ’80s-era teen. For her, being Jewish is really about
have imagined that she would not return played in the sky before the rising of the “While my American friends would being a good human being, and that is
to Iran. sun. By six, the sun’s rays peered from think about walking down Beverly Drive what a global citizen should be.
In her latest book and memoir, Life as behind the rim of the Alborz Mountains on weekends, or roller skating to the Bee “I realized one interesting thing about
a Visitor (Assouline, 2009), the award- and glimmered through the mist ahead. Gee’s ‘Staying Alive,’ I worried if my par- myself while writing the book,” she said.
winning poet uses prose, poetry, and per- As we passed through the fog, I felt myself ents were actually alive,” Nazarian wrote “I am incredibly proud of my roots and
sonal narrative to form an account of her moving through a luminous halo. A good in a More.com profile. feel even more blessed and lucky that I
displaced but redeemed life. She mingles omen, I thought.” Nazarian has come a long way since ended up living in the U.S.”
pictures of provocative exotic art and his- Once in the U.S., she stayed with her then. She earned her master’s degree in Nazarian is a member of the Los Ange-
torical photographs of Iran with family brothers, who were students in Los Ange- Industrial and Organizational Psychol- les Writers Collective and the Ameri-
photographs from her former life in Iran les at the time, and vividly recalls her ogy. She is a former psychology professor can Iranian Writers Association, where
and current images of her life today. astonishment at their heated, kidney- who now offers workshops and seminars she reads the work of other Iranians who
While in Seattle recently, Nazarian shaped swimming pool and the stun- on personal development. have moved to the U.S. and shares her
read to a packed room of young and the old ning, panoramic, floor–to-ceiling views She is also the mother of two boys and own writing.
from ages 12 to 82 at Elliott Bay Books. of the Pacific Ocean that were unlike any- wife of Sam Nazarian, a real estate devel- Although there are no definite plans
Nazarian writes that her family decided thing she could have imagined as a child oper in Los Angeles. Their family is one of for another book, Nazarian is looking for
to leave Iran when it was apparent to them in Iran. the most affluent and prominent Iranian her next great idea.
that there was no future for Jews in an Although her mother and sister came families in America today. “I will continue to write because the
extremist Islamic government. with her to the U.S., her mother would Nazarian considers herself a global act of writing fills me up with life and
“My uncle, during the revolution, was return to Iran to help her husband. citizen and a “permanent tourist.” Having enthusiasm,” she said.
camps
14 jtnews n friday, january 15, 2010
community calendar
The JTNews calendar presents a selection of Lunch and a discussion led by Rabbi Jacob info@seattlekollel.org or leslie@h-nt.org
ongoing events in the Jewish community. For Fine. RSVP requested. At Microsoft, Building This shiur will look at some examples and $7 per person includes the movie and
a complete listing of events, or to add your 9, Room 2569, Redmond. sources of Jewish courage and the nobility of homemade lunch. This month’s film is The
event to the JTNews calendar, visit www. ■■7 p.m. – University Lecture Series with the human endeavor. Free. At the Seattle Counterfeiters. At Herzl-Ner Tamid Conserva-
jtnews.net. Calendar events must be Scott Noegel Kollel, 5305 52nd Ave. S, Seattle. tive Congregation, 3700 E Mercer Way, Mercer
submitted no later than 10 days before pub- Alysa Rosen at 206-525-0915 or ■■11 a.m. – Blood Drive Island.
lication. alysa@templebetham.org or Robert Isgur at risgur@broadstripe.net or
Looking for the ongoing section? Find www.templebetham.org www.psbc.org/programs/drives_schedule.asp ■■7 p.m. – Fag, Gay and Other Three Letter
recurring events online at www.jtnews.net. Professor Scott B. Noegel will conduct a series Make an appointment to donate blood. Vol- Words
of lectures on the topic “From Slavery to Sinai: unteers needed to hand out refreshments for Blair Feehan at 206-774-2251 or
New Findings from Ancient Egypt and the hour-long shifts. At Congregation Beth Shalom, blairf@jewishinseattle.org
Candle Lighting Times
Story of our Exodus.” Cost is $35 for the series. 6800 35th Ave. NE, Seattle. Interactive program with Rabbi Steve
1/15/10 4:26 p.m. At Temple Beth Am, 2632 NE 80th St., ■■1 p.m. – Mock Jewish Wedding Greenberg and teens exploring Judaism and
1/22/10 4:36 p.m. Seattle. Josh at joshf@hilleluw.org homosexuality. All students in grades 9-12
1/29/10 4:47 p.m. This event will demonstrate what a traditional are invited whether or not they are currently
2/5/10 4:58 p.m. Thursday 21 Jewish wedding is all about. At UW Hillel, enrolled in Hebrew High. At the Stroum JCC,
■■5 p.m. – Birthright Info Session 4745 17th Ave. NE, Seattle. 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.
January Lauren at lauren@hilleluw.org ■■4 p.m. – Gala Dinner and Auction 2010 ■■7 p.m. – University Lecture Series with
Information about how to apply for a free Sasha Mail at 206-323-5750 or Scott Noegel
Friday 15 summer trip with Taglit-Birthright Israel. At smail@sha613.org Alysa Rosen at 206-525-0915 or
■■5:30 p.m. – Synaplex Shabbat with Noam Hillel UW, 4745 17th Ave. NE, Seattle. Silent and live auction to benefit the Seattle alysa@templebetham.org or
Katz ■■6 - 8 p.m. – Downtowners Happy Hour Hebrew Academy. At the Fairmont Olympic www.templebetham.org
Petra Masellas at 253-564-7101 or Josh at joshf@hilleluw.org Hotel, 411 University St., Seattle. “From Slavery to Sinai: New Findings from
pmasellas@templebethel18.org Join fellow Jewish professionals for happy hour. Ancient Egypt and the Story of our Exodus”
Temple Beth El will host Jewish musician At the Columbia Tower Club, 701 5th Ave., Monday 25 with Professor Scott B. Noegel. Cost is $35
Noam Katz for its Synaplex Shabbat program. Seattle. ■■10 a.m. – SJCC Early Childhood School for the series. At Temple Beth Am, 2632 NE
This event will also include a wine and cheese ■■7:15 p.m. – Passion Party Open House 80th St., Seattle.
reception, catered dinner, musical meditation Diana Brement at 206-412-9132 or Peter Blair at 206-388-1994 or
service, an art-through-music session, and seattle@hadassah.org peterb@sjcc.org Thursday 28
song rewriting for kids. Cost is $18 for adults, A party for women looking to spice up their The SJCC invites families interested in enrolling ■■10 a.m. – Including GLBT Jews: Policy,
$10 for kids 10 and under. At Temple Beth love lives. Hosted by Hadassah. At a private in its early childhood education programs to Pedagogy, Theology
El, 5975 S 12th St., Tacoma. home, address provided upon RSVP. meet staff members and visit classrooms. At Hannah Zommick at 206-774-2243 or
the Stroum JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer hannahz@jewishinseattle.org
Saturday 16 Friday 22 Island. An interactive discussion with Rabbi Steve
■■10:30 a.m. – Learner’s Minyan with Ron ■■10 a.m. – SJCC Early Childhood School ■■6:30 p.m. – BBYO Annual New Member/ Greenberg and the community’s rabbis. All
Schneeweiss Open House Parent Night are welcome. At Herzl-Ner Tamid Conserva-
Carol Benedick at 206-524-0075 or Peter Blair at 206-388-1994 or www.bbyo.org tive Congregation, 3700 E Mercer Way, Mercer
carolbenedick@bethshalomseattle.org or peterb@sjcc.org An opportunity for parents and new or Island.
www.bethshalomseattle.org The Stroum Jewish Community Center invites returning members to come and learn about ■■10 a.m. – SJCC Early Childhood School
Ron Schneeweiss provides an in-depth look families interested in enrolling in its early the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization. At the Open House
at part of the Shabbat morning service. Free. childhood education programs to meet staff Stroum JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Peter Blair at 206-388-1994 or
At Congregation Beth Shalom, 6800 35th Ave. members and visit classrooms. At the Stroum Island. peterb@sjcc.org
NE, Seattle. JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island. The SJCC invites families interested in enrolling
Wednesday 27 in its early childhood education programs to
Wednesday 20 Sunday 24 ■■11:30 a.m. – Daytimers Lunch & Film meet staff members and visit classrooms. At
■■12 - 1 p.m. – Eastside Lox ‘n’ Learn ■■10:30 a.m. –Inspirational Shiur Series the Stroum JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer
Jacob at jacob@hilleluw.org Marilyn Leibert at 206-722-8289 or Leslie Reibman at 206-232-8555, ext. 207 Island.
camps
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February 28th
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■■3 p.m. – Exile Reconsidered: Anti-Semitism legal responses offered by the Conservative
Send submissions to: JTNews — Lifecycles, 2041 Third Ave., Seattle, WA 98121
in 1940s movement’s law committee. Free. All are
Jennifer Cohen at 206-543-0138 or welcome. At Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative
lifecycles@jtnews.net Phone: 206-441-4553 Submissions for the January 29, 2010
jencohen@u.washington.edu Congregation, 3700 E Mercer Way, Mercer issue are due by January 19.
Dr. Eva-Maria Ziege, DAAD acting associate Island. Download forms or submit online at www.jtnews.net/index.php?/lifecycle
professor of Jewish Studies at the University ■■7 p.m. –Havdalah and Israeli Movie
of Washington, presents a talk about Jewish Melanie Berman at melanie@h-nt.org
refugees who fled from Europe before World Havdalah followed by an Israeli film and Mara. Her grandparents are Martin and
War II, only to face anti-Semitism in the U.S. discussion. This program is geared to the GLBT Joan Brashem of Gig Harbor, Grace Zweig
Contact the organizers for room at the UW community. Free. At Herzl-Ner Tamid Con- of Phoenix, Ariz. and the late David
campus. servative Congregation, 3700 E Mercer Way,
Zweig.
■■4:30 p.m. – The Dignity of Difference Mercer Island.
Blair Feehan at 206-774-2251 or ■■8 - 11:30 p.m. – Kibbutz Benefit Party
Sari is in the 7th grade at Beaver Lake
blairf@jewishinseattle.org A dance party fundraiser for the Ravenna Middle School. Her hobbies include
Interactive workshop on the laws of welcoming Kibbutz. Food and drinks provided. Donations spending summers at Camp Solomon
guests using case studies to explore how to accepted at the door. At Ravenna Kibbutz Schechter, dancing, traveling, shopping,
respond to racial or homophobic bullying. At House Gimmel, 6211 23rd Ave. NE, Bat Mitzvah watching movies and spending time with
Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation, Seattle. Sari Gwynne Brashem her family and friends. For her mitzvah
3700 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.
project, Sari worked with Teen Feed,
■■7:30 p.m. – Three Stories about the Powers Sunday 31
of Tzedakah
Sari will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah cooking and serving meals to homeless
■■10 a.m. - 2 p.m. – Habitat Restoration
Melanie Berman at meleanieb@h-nt.org Jacob at jacob@hilleluw.org January 16, 2010 at Herzl-Ner Tamid Con- teens at Seattle’s University Street Ministry.
Using three Talmudic legends, participants Jconnect, Kavana, and the Ravenna Kibbutz servative Congregation on Mercer Island. Also, in honor of her Grandma Grace, Sari
will discover the roots of their moral thinking. will partner with EarthCorps for a habitat Sari is the daughter of Marvin and Lisa will make a donation to the Alzheimer’s
All are welcome. At Herzl-Ner Tamid Con- restoration project at the Northeast Queen Brashem of Sammamish and the sister of Association.
servative Congregation, 3700 E Mercer Way, Anne Greenbelt in honor of Tu B’Shevat. RSVP
Mercer Island. for exact location.
■■10:30 a.m. – Dare to Dream: Connections
Friday 29 2010
■■6 p.m. – Community Tu B’Shevat Seder Rebecca at 206-774-2272
Kristine Ganes at 206-528-1944 or The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle will
info@secularjewishcircle.org host its annual Connections brunch fundrais-
Our family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude
Celebrate Tu B’Shevat with the Secular Jewish ing event for women. $60. At Hyatt Regency for the prayers, love, and support we received from
Circle of Puget Sound. Location TBA. Bellevue, 900 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue.
■■7 p.m. – The Creation Story on Steroids ■■11 a.m. – Parenting Mindfully the Jewish community of Seattle during our son Sam’s
Melanie Berman at melanie@h-nt.org Marjorie Schnyder at 206-861-3146 or
Exploration of the Creation narratives with an familylife@jfsseattle.org illness and after he passed away.
eye toward sexuality and the use and care of Jewish Family Service presents a four-session
the planet. The event will begin following class aimed at exploring how parents can
Friday night services and a Tu B’Shevat dinner. express their emotions and beliefs in balanced The many donations made in his honor and in his
Services are free. Tu B’Shevat seder and dinner: and healthy ways. At Temple B’nai Torah,
$20 per person, maximum of $50 per family. 15727 NE 4th St., Bellevue. memory are so meaningful to us. We feel blessed to
At Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congrega- ■■5 p.m. – Temple Beth Am Fundraiser
tion, 3700 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island. Alysa Rosen at 206-525-0915 or
live in such a warm and gracious community.
temple@templebetham.org or
Saturday 30 www.templebetham.org
■■11 a.m. – Gayness and God Temple Beth Am’s Annual Congregational With Love and Gratitude,
Melanie Berman at melanie@h-nt.org Fundraiser. Theme: “The Black and White
Rabbi Greenberg will share his solutions to Ball.” At Temple Beth Am, 2632 NE 80th St., Rabbi Benjy, Jodilyn, Julia, and Jeffrey Owen
the conflict between traditional Judaism and Seattle.
homosexuality and touch upon the recent
Jewish on Earth t Page 9 That’s an ironic question. For nearly analysis, and whole systems design. • Olam habah (the world to come),
2,000 years, Christianity and Islam have But changing what we do also changes where body and soul will be fully inte-
also misrepresent the past — by empha- made the imaginary Hell and Paradise so who we are. Our actions often cause us to grated, and physical needs, materialism
sizing the most recent and positive tangible that their adherents change their shift our attitudes in support. Individuals, and desire will no longer affect us.
moments — and thereby “misimagine the behaviors to avoid one and achieve the businesses, and governments are building The closer humans grow to resemble
future.” This bit of “human nature” sets up other. And environmentalists appear to be momentum with their climate change evi- beings of olam habah, the less we’ll rec-
the endless arguments between scientists doing the same — selling the paradise of dence, warnings and corrective actions. ognize them, as Cro-Magnons would
and deniers of climate change. living “green” against the “hell” of dying We’re also being moved by events and hardly recognize us. But, the more likely
Today, Americans are suffering from on an overheated planet. Today, millions insights: Who hasn’t instantly grasped they’ll be to create a healthy planet where
“Apocalypse Fatigue,” write Ted Nordhaus of people worldwide are feverishly work- Earth’s finite nature after seeing photos of their children can live. And yihiyeh tov —
and Michael Shellenberger. We’re so weary ing to change how we use resources, how our planet taken from space? it will be for the best.
of catastrophic environmental scenarios we make policy, how we do business. Most The Torah and Talmud divide our
that don’t appear to come true, we’ve con- of their “fixes” are technical, based on world into two parts: Author and teacher Martin Westerman
cluded that the problem is with the science, bibles of procedure and policy like ISO • Olam hazeh (this world), where we cur- writes and consults on sustainable living.
not our lifestyles. That’s human nature: If we 14000, Six Sigma, The Natural Step, carbon rently live and work, and where, if we all do good He can be contacted with questions at
can’t see it, then how do we know it exists? and ecological footprinting, life cycle deeds, repent, and live holy lives, we’ll enter . artartart@seanet.com.
Yiddish volunteers balanced and healthy ways. The class Jewish in Vancouver t Page 20
Volunteers with fluency in Yid- will draw from Mussar, traditional Jewish Dare to Dream:
dish are needed to facilitate a writings focused on improving one’s Connections 2010 program for children aged 2–7. For some-
group of elders at The Summit at cha racter, a nd f rom contempora r y The Jewish Federation of Greater thing different, visit Beit Hamidrash, the
First Hill, 1200 University St., Seattle. Par- research and literature. Facilitated by Seattle will host its annual Con- Orthodox Sephardic synagogue of Van-
ticipants have varying levels of Yiddish Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg and Marjorie nections brunch fundraising couver, to hear Sephardic melodies and
knowledge. Group meets weekly, but a Schnyder, M.S.W. Suitable for parents of event for women. This year’s speaker, prayers on Shabbat. Beit Hamidrash has
once-a-month commitment is all that’s children up to 12 years old. Free. For more Alina Gerlovin Spaulding, will share her a children’s Shabbat class after Shacharit,
asked of volunteers. Those interested information, or to register, contact Mar- tale of triumph as a young Soviet émigré as well as adult classes during the week
should contact Charlene Kahn at 206-652- jor ie Sch nyder at 206 -861-3146 or now living in the U.S. The cost to attend such as Meisilat Yesharim and parshat
4444 or charlenek@summitatfirsthill.org. familylife@jfsseattle.org. Class meets Connections is $60. RSVP to Rebecca at hashavuah for women.
Sundays from Jan. 31–May 16 at 11 a.m. 206-774-2272. Sun., Jan. 31 at 10:30 a.m. At Va ncouver’s Refor m s y nagog ue,
Scholar in Residence At Temple B’nai Torah, 15727 NE 4th St., the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, 900 Bellevue Temple Shalom, has a program where
Rabbi Steven Greenberg is the Bellevue. Way NE Bellevue. families learn about Shabbat traditions
2010 Alfred and Tillie Shemanski from around the world while enjoying a
Scholar in Residence for Herzl- Habitat restoration Portraits in Leadership catered Shabbat dinner. Also unique to
Ner Tamid. He will offer a series of lectures Jcon nec t, K av a na, a nd t he This February, the Rohr Jewish Temple Shalom is their Men’s Club, where
from Jan. 27–30 on Jewish perspective of Ravenna Kibbutz will partner Learning Institute will launch its men get together and learn, schmooze,
morality, gender, and gay rights. Rabbi with EarthCorps for a habitat res- winter course, “Portraits in Lead- volunteer, race go karts, and participate
Greenberg is an Orthodox rabbi, environ- toration project at the Northeast Queen ership: Timeless Tales for Inspired in other exciting activities.
mentalist, gay rights activist, and the Anne Greenbelt in honor of Tu B’Shevat. Living.” Portraits in Leadership is a study If you’re looking for some Olympics-
author of the book Wrestling with God and Participants will learn a brief history of of the life story of six figures whose cour- inspired affairs, come to Vancouver’s
Men. For times and costs of lectures, visit the Northeast Queen Anne Greenbelt and age and determination helped Judaism Conservative synagogue, Beth Israel,
www.h-nt.org. At Herzl-Ner Tamid Con- an overview of Seattle’s urban forests. weather its darkest hours. Lessons will for two events in particular. The first is a
servative Congregation, 3700 E Mercer Restoration tasks may include removing examine a range of classic Jewish sources, Shabbat dinner, on February 19, in honor
Way, Mercer Island. English ivy and other invasive plants as drawing extensively from the stories of of the Olympics, which will be a welcome
well as slope stabilization and planting the Talmud and modern commentaries. dinner to anyone in town for the Olym-
Parenting Mindfully site preparation. Sun., Jan. 31 from 10 Led by Rabbi Sholom Ber Elishevitz of the pics. The Olympic Purim Extravaganza
Jewish Family Service presents a a.m.–2 p.m. Contact Rabbi Jacob Fine at Eastside Torah Center. Class begins Feb. 2. on February 27 is an all-ages Purim event
fou r-session class a i med at jacob@jconnectseattle.com for more Call 425-957-7860 for more information where Rabbi Jonathan Infeld and Cantor
ex plor i ng how pa rent s c a n information or to sign up. Meeting loca- or to register. At the Eastside Torah Michael Zoosman will dress up as Olym-
express their emotions and beliefs in tion provided upon RSVP. Center, 1837 156th Ave. NE, Bellevue. pic athletes, something that the con-
gregants are quite excited to see.
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Olympia Session t Page 1 could make that a possibility. Magen David Adom t Page 4 Torczyner agrees.
“Fortunately, we have been able to work “If you work from a position of shared
whether in the form of taxation or the the revenue side and increase our reliance and decided he would like to see aspiring values and commonalities, you discover
elimination of what he called “tax prefer- on short-term [rehabilitation], where there paramedics from his country train at the that people prefer to work together than
ences” that may once have benefited busi- have not been cuts,” Cohen said. university’s advanced facilities. apart, and they develop all kinds of rela-
nesses but are no longer relevant today. Carstensen and Cohen said they both “Magen David Adom, they are the best tionships,” he said. “And that’s what hap-
While recognizing the harshness of have heard rumblings of a reintroduction in the region when it comes to first aid pened here.”
hitting people up for more money while of a bed tax, which could be disastrous for and paramedics,” al-Hadid said. “They Al-Hadid in particular has received
the economy is still reeling, Carstensen Kline Galland’s budget. Nothing yet has have been involved in so many incidents criticism from the Arab media for visiting
said, “I don’t see how I’d be fulfilling my happened on that front, however. [and] emergencies, so I thought it would Israel to accept an honorary doctorate
duty and my obligation to the Jewish com- Carstensen is also working with the be good to get some of this experience from Ben Gurion for his humanitarian
munity and its organizations if we weren’t Anti-Defamation League to amend two and give it to our Jordanian students.” work. A member of the Muslim Brother-
at least talking about and participating in words, “immediate or,” to the state’s mali- Al-Hadid joined with Torczyner and hood said on TV that doing so brought
conversations about additional revenue.” cious harassment statute. Weinblatt to get the program started, and shame upon his family,
Compounding the shortfall problem is “The law, as it’s written now, doesn’t included Palestinian students as well. “Fine. So what? I went, I accepted it, I
that fully 70 percent of the state’s $31 bil- cover the fact that many times — most “Never before has a cohort from an Arab got back. If you’re going to be discouraged
lion budget is constitutionally protected, of the time — the threats are immedi- country enrolled in a program at an Israeli by every person, you might as well just
meaning that the remaining 30 percent, ate,” said Hilary Bernstein, director of university. That’s a real first, and…their stay at home,” al-Hadid said. “We have a
more than half of which is in the form of the ADL’s Pacific Northwest region. “We degrees will be recognized,” Torczyner said. treaty with Israelis, so what’s the differ-
human services, is the only place where learned from prosecutors that this was a But they don’t want to stop at just ence with working with them?”
cuts or program elimination can be made. problem for them. They’d want to prose- Jordan and the Palestinians.
Responsibility for covering the costs cute a case, and because it was an imme- “The next step in our ambition is to For more information about the McGill
of axed government programs falls onto diate threat and not a future threat, they make it an international program where University Partnerships to Peace
social service organizations like Jewish couldn’t prosecute it.” other Arab countries could also be join- program, visit www.mcgill.ca/mmep. For
Family Service, which at the same time Bernstein said the ADL supports the ing the program and send their students,” more information about the joint
has seen precipitous drops in donations bill because it gives prosecutors the tools al-Hadid said. emergency training program, contact
even as need for its services goes up. to prosecute hate crimes that occur in the Torczyner said Morocco and Tunisia jim.torczyner@mcgill.ca.
“When you have GA-U clients that rely heat of a moment. have already expressed interest.
on Jewish Family Service for assistance “Most of the time when these kinds What makes Ben Gurion’s EMS pro-
and you eliminate the program that these of threats…happen, they’re between gram unique in general is that Israel is one Partnership t Page 4
clients depend on, that extra burden falls people that don’t know each other, so it’s of only three countries to offer a bachelor’s
on Jewish Family Service, it falls on the more likely it’s going to be an immediate degree in emergency medical technology. peace, but after 50 years of, how can
nonprofits,” Carstensen said. “Who’s threat,” Bernstein said. The U.S. and Australia are the two others. we call it, tension, hatred, fear, anger,
going to bridge the gap between what the The ADL is split on a bill introduced by While Jordan offers EMS certificates, pain, we can’ t just jump into this,’”
government is able to provide and what is Rep. Scott White (D–N. Seattle) to provide fewer training hours are required to Torczyner recalled of the university
provided by the private sector?” additional penalties to anyone convicted obtain the certification and the graduates president’s response. “‘You’re doing
JFS’s Berman said her agency is wait- of a crime against a person who is home- are not qualified to perform intubations, something for Israel? Do something
ing to see what happens during the ses- less or appears to be homeless. injections or defibrillation. The addi- for us in the same field and then we’ll
sion, but she expects it to be painful. “We support the part about creat- tional training could save more lives, al- come together.’”
“After that level of cut [last year], cut- ing additional sentence enhancements Hadid said. Since then, Torczyner has made
ting again is catastrophic,” she said. because we think crimes against the While training is classroom-based, al- more than 150 visits to Jordan, and
Jeff Cohen, CEO of the Caroline Kline homeless are very serious crimes and we Hadid said, much of it is based upon real- with the start of his program through
Galland Home and Affiliates, said his nurs- feel they should be prosecuted to the full- world simulations, “like in a war zone.” McGill, brought Jordanian students
ing care facility is playing defense for this est extent of the law,” Bernstein said. The program’s organizers hope that back to Montreal to train in recon-
legislative session. A lawsuit against the However, ADL will not get behind the bringing the three nationalities of students ciliation. An early incident in which
governor last year left a 7.5 percent long- section of the bill that would add home- together will provide more than an educa- one of the Jordanian students expe-
term-care funding cut in a holding pattern. lessness as a protected class in the mali- tion in emergency medicine, however. Like rienced double kidney failure led to
“We certainly don’t believe that we’re cious harassment statute. the program from which it descended, the coordination between Jordan, Israel
going to get any increases, but we cer- “We don’t support the idea of adding trainees spend many hours together and and Canada, in which the man’s
tainly don’t want to withstand, either as homelessness as a category because the most commit to sharing the same values as brother crossed the border into Israel
an entity or an industry, any more sig- other characteristics — race, religion, the McGill program. to give a blood sample that was then
nificant cuts because that would affect sexual orientation, disability, gender — “In the program that we have at McGill flown directly from Israel to Mon-
patient care,” Cohen said. those things are immutable,” Bernstein University, there [are] very good relations treal to check the match.
The status of the suit could change at said. between the Palestinians and the Israelis That event led to further interest
any moment, Cohen said, putting those Bernstein said protections should be working together, even in the West Bank,” in medical training, which turned
cuts into effect right away. Up to this set under a different section of the penal al-Hadid said, even in the aftermath of into a new board that included Ben
point, Kline Galland has not had to lay off code that protects vulnerable classes last year’s Gaza war. “You don’t find this Gurion University and Jordan’s Red
staff, though any more hits to its budget such as children and the elderly. anywhere because we were like a family.” Crescent, of which Dr. Mohammed
al-Hadid was a leader.
It took several years, but this past
October saw the results of al-Hadid’s
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20 jtnews
the back page
n friday, january 15, 2010
Elizabeth Nider Nava Creative Kosher Cuisine is a founded in 1910 by Louis Omnitsky in only one bridge away from Vancouver.
Special to JTNews dairy café located inside the Vancouver Manitoba, but in 1997 it reopened in Van- The Young Israel of Richmond is an
Jewish Community Centre. The major- couver and has since been the only kosher Orthodox synagogue that started out
It’s perpetually an essential consider- ity of the menu items are more lunch-ori- deli restaurant in the area. Omnitsky quite small, but is now working on plans
ation for the Jewish traveler: Where can I ented, such as sushi, pizza, soups, salads, Kosher is known for its homemade deli for a larger building in the near future
travel without neglecting my Jewish life- sandwiches and wraps; but the restau- meats, which are made into enormous to accommodate the growing number of
style? Fortunately, for those considering the families who attend services. Rabbi Yer-
short trip north to Vancouver, British achmiel Strausberg, who recently moved
Columbia for the 2010 Olympic Games, to Richmond from Japan, has been offer-
there is plenty of Jewish life north of the ing many classes on topics including
border. There are secular and religious kashrut, medical ethics and parshat
Jewish high schools, Jewish day schools, hashavuah, the weekly Torah portion.
two mikvot, an eruv, a diverse selection of The Conservative synagogue in Rich-
synagogues that each attracts different mond, Beth Tikvah, has been around
streams of Jewish practice, even a kosher since 1972. There is something for all ages
bed and breakfast in central Vancouver. at Beth Tikvah: Rabbi Claudio Kaiser-
Vancouver has in recent years become an Blueth currently gives a Book of Psalms
appealing place for families to settle down. class for adults and offers many children’s
Usually the first question travelers ask programs, the most popular being the
is, where can I eat? When visiting Van- child-friendly Shabbat evening services,
couver, there is an assortment of kosher which is geared toward toddlers, with a
restaurants to choose from, depending Shabbat dinner following the service. The
on your mood. child-friendly Shabbat service closest to
Sabra Restaurant and Bakery offers the Elizabeth Nider the Olympics is on Feb. 19.
community a place to sit and order any- Pini’s Pizzeria serves kosher fare in Vancouver and sells a selection of kosher Israeli While in Richmond, stop in at the
thing from breakfast, salads, dips, falafel, grocery items as well. Garden City Bakery before heading into
shawarma, sandwiches and soups, to fish Vancouver. The parve bakery’s best seller
and meat entrees. Feel free to stay for des- rant also has pasta and salmon dinners deli sandwiches. Not in the mood for is their poppy-seed roll, and they also
sert, as Sabra has a bakery section, which available. Nava offers Shabbat meals and a sandwich? Omnitsky serves salads, have a diverse selection of challahs.
makes desserts and challah. The restau- delivery. soups, hot dogs and roasted chicken. The Schara Tzedeck Synagogue is the
rant also provides takeout, delivery and For those into natural and organic There is a seating area in the front and the oldest and largest Orthodox synagogue
catering services. foods, Falafel Plus offers falafel made from whole back section is devoted to kosher in Vancouver and gives classes about phi-
Hungry for pizza? Pini’s Pizzeria makes organic chickpeas, herbs and onions. They groceries, cheeses and fresh meats. losophy, halachah, Kabbalah, Talmud
cholov Yisrael pizzas and lasagnas, boure- also serve Israeli salads, knishes, soups For the traveler looking to save on and parshat hashavuah. Schara Tzedeck
kas, soups, Israeli salads, and other Israeli- and breakfast options. This is a dairy res- accommodation expenses, staying in has a Tykes and Tefillah Shabbat morning
inspired foods. Pini’s carries a few grocery taurant that also provides catering. Richmond (where the airport is located) is
items as well, mostly imported from Israel. The original Omnitsky Kosher was a pleasant alternative, especially since it’s u Page 16
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