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Kultur Dokumente
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Caryn Gold
Seattle Hebrew Academy student Asher Gold used the snow that more or less shut down the region as an entrepreneurial opportunity. Since he had some spare time on his hands on Wed., Jan. 18 with school being cancelled, he set up a hot chocolate stand outside his house on Capitol Hill. Three Northwest Yeshiva High School students, Laurel Aaronson, Kalman Clement, and Daniel Cohen gladly supported his business instead of taking finals.
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AA Meetings at JFS
Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. Contact (206) 461-3240 or ata@jfsseattle.org
m
Parenting Mindfully
The Middah of Truthfulness Drawing on Jewish Values through Musar m Sunday, February 26 11:15 a.m. 12:30 p.m.
Endless Opportunities
A community-wide program offered in partnership with Temple Bnai Torah & Temple De Hirsch Sinai. EO events are open to the public.
Parenting Mindfully
The Middah of Patience Drawing on Jewish Values through Musar m Sunday, March 25 11:15 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Contact Marjorie Schnyder, (206) 461-3240 or familylife@jfsseattle.org.
Jewish Humor
With Rabbi Robert Maslan m Tuesday, March 13 10:30 a.m. Noon RSVP Ellen Hendin, (206) 861-3183 or endlessopps@jfsseattle.org regarding all Endless Opportunities programs.
JFS services and programs are made possible through generous community support of
OpiniOn
You can trust this script because its so finely written. Seattle Repertory Theatre artistic director Jerry Manning, on the upcoming production of I Am My Own Wife.
opiNioN
The priest walked past the prostitutes every day. He had no choice. They were stationed along the narrow road across from his seminary in Italy. But it was the older woman who caused him the most agitation. These young guys went to see her and it really troubled me, he said. She could have been their mother. The priest confessed he never spoke with the women, studiously avoided eye contact, and did his best to never acknowledge their existence. But as is often the case, willed blindness only works for so long when proximity is coupled with repetition. And one day, while following his usual protocol of denial, the older prostitute dropped something as he was walking past. It bounced to a stop at his foot. Without thinking, the priests instinct toward kindness compelled him to pick up the thin wooden object, forcing the encounter he had so dutifully avoided for the past several months. It was a knitting needle, he said, still sounding surprised. And out of curiosity,
15-25 2 0 1 2
17th annual
march
inside
Ladino Lesson
by iSaac azoSe
The flower withers, the honor remains. When a person brings flowers to a friend after an illness, the flower will eventually be thrown in the trash, while the good will that caused the person to bring those flowers will always remain.
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Late last year a group of teens from Northwest Yeshiva High School learned about lobbying on behalf of the Jewish State.
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Charlotte von Mahlsdorf was a woman in a mans body, and the life she lived was worthy of a stage play. That production comes to the Seattle Rep next month.
Remember when
From the Jewish Transcript, January 23, 2004 These days its the girls who get most of the glory, but at this game against Grace Academy, Rafi Harel of the Northwest Yeshiva High Schools boys basketball team makes a break that helped secure victory for his team.
MORE M.O.T.: Exercises for the legs of a dancer Whats Your JQ?: The Oscars Midrash Community Calendar The Arts Lifecycles Jewish on Earth: Tu BShevat conservation The Shouk Classifieds
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What Jews and Christians can Making connections: learn from each other Happiness must come from within dikla tuchMan Special to JTnews
Do Christians really believe that the Jews are responsible for Jesus death? Do all Christians believe that Christianity is the one true faith and that the Old Testament is an invalid document that no longer applies? From Jan. 12 to 15, Amy-Jill Levine, a professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt University, came to Seattle to speak with audiences about assumptions and misconceptions perceived and repeated about Judaism and Christianity. To begin her whirlwind tour, Levine spoke with students and community memconceptions, and then listed off her top five. When we talk about what Christians believe and what Jews believe, were only talking about what some Christians believe and what some Jews believe, Levine said, making this important distinction for the audience. Not all Christians believe the same thing, even within particular denominations. The same holds true, she said, for Jews. Number one on Levines list was also number one for many of the audience members: Deep down all Christians are anti-Jewish, because Christianity replaces Judaism. She said that many Jews feel that Christians believe Christianity got it right, when Judaism didnt quite make it. Levine explained that this concept, often called replacement theology or supersessionism, claims that upon the coming of Jesus as the messiah, the promise of the land of Israel to the Jews no longer applies and a divine connection between Jews and Israel no longer exists. So do some Christians go in that direction? Yes, said Levine. But the vast majority do not. She pointed to The Epistle to the Romans by the apostle Paul, which says that the gifts given to the Jews are irrevocable, Levine said. Because if God goes back onto my promises then no one can trust God. So, according to Paul, the Jews are still under covenant with God. Also, she noted, the idea of replacement theology isnt all that uncommon. Pretty much every religion that comes after an earlier religion says, We got it better than you did. We can even see this happening within the Christian tradition, Levine said, citing the example of the Protestant Reformation emerging from Roman Catholicism, and then the Anglicans, United Methodists, and the many other Protestant denominations that have sprung up since. Levine also spoke extensively about how Christians and Jews can understand their different interpretations of the messiah. They dont necessarily have to agree. Instead, Jews can look at how Christianity moved forward with its interpretation of Jesus as its proclaimed messiah, and what that meant for all previous Jewish texts and keeping within the strictures of Jewish law. The major issue here, Levine pointed out, is not whos better and whos more right, but rather, How do I get along with my neighbor and respect that person regardless of that fact? Levine is most concerned with engaging her audiences with the history and the original texts to get real answers and gain deeper understanding, rather than placing blame, jumping to conclusions, and continuing to pass along assumptions.
It may sound counterintuitive, at least compared to the standards set by todays popular culture, but journalist, author, and longtime American University professor Iris Krasnow believes that women can find renewed happiness and escape boredom both personally and in their roles as mothers and wives by learning to surrender. Detailing some of the fundamentals in her latest book, The Secret Lives Of Wives Women Share What It Really Takes to Stay Married (Penguin/Gotham Books,
this all there is? I have this marriage, I have these friends, is this all there is? That, said Krasnow, explains the premise of The Secret Lives of Wives. I study relationships like physicists study atoms, she said. Its been my life journey, as a journalist, to look at what sustains a womans most intimate relationships. The 57-year-old wife and mother of four boys, ages 22, 20, and 18-year-old twins, discussed her passion for family, revealed
If you go:
The annual Jewish Federation of Greater seattles Womens divisions Connection event, The Power of Passion, takes place sun., Jan. 29 at 11 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, 900 Bellevue Way ne, Bellevue. event cost is $65$650. Contact events@jewishinseattle.org or visit www.jewishinseattle.org/ Connections to register.
dIKla TuCHman
Amy-Jill Levine of Vanderbilt University talks about the differences and commonalities of Jews and Christians during her visit to Seattle.
bers at Hillel at the University of Washington on the topic of What Jews Get Wrong About Christianity. She spent the bulk of her visit as scholar-in-residence at HerzlNer Tamid Conservative Congregation. A self-described Yankee Jewish feminist who teaches in a predominantly Protestant divinity school in the buckle of the Bible Belt, Levine combines historical-critical rigor, literary-critical sensitivity, and a frequent dash of humor with a commitment to eliminating anti-Semitic, sexist, and homophobic theologies, according to her biography. Levine, an Orthodox Jew who lives in Nashville, Tenn., recently co-wrote, with Brandeis Universitys Marc Zvi Brettler, The Jewish Annotated New Testament, an edited version of the New Testament writings in the context of the authors and audiences at the time it was written. Although the New Testament is not subscribed to by Jews, Levine says theres much in that book that corresponds to early Jewish history. If Jews can look objectively at the text of the New Testament and accept though not necessarily believe Christianity as a historical development with its basis in Jewish tradition, rather than an attack on Judaism, maybe Jews can hope for the same acceptance and respect from Christianity. Rather than lecture, Levine opened the floor to the audiences most common mis-
Iris Krasnow, who is speaking at this years Jewish Federation Womens Divisions Connections event.
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2011), this years keynote speaker for the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattles Connections 2012 womens brunch on Jan. 29, said that women must know who they are before they ever say I do. Prior to her visit, Krasnow told JTNews from her home in Annapolis, Md., that she also counsels women not to expect their partners to make them happy, and to let go of impossible expectations of perfection that inevitably creep into even the best relationships over time. Ive spent two years crisscrossing the country interviewing more than 200 women about their long marriages, and the happiest wives had a sense of purpose and passion outside of their relationships, said Krasnow. They did not count on someone else to make them happy. That is a ticket to divorce. Very much the repentant Baby Boomer, Krasnow now advocates for devotion to family first and not career, particularly when children are young. She tries to give women of all ages tools and hope for staying in both new and maturing marriages, rather than divorcing for someone new. As we are approaching empty nest and a quarter of a century, Krasnow said of herself and her peers, the buzz I was hearing from my like-minded friends is, Is
the lessons she continues to learn from her nearly 24-year marriage, and shared the wisdom shes gleaned from speaking with women of all ages and backgrounds about their 15- to 70-year marriages. Take a break from each other, Krasnow said, identifying one of the core messages she took away from the wives she spoke to for the book. Find a childhood passion, go back to school, or go back to your faith. If we all knew that we are in charge of our own happiness, and that we are essentially alone in this universe, more marriages would last. The daughter of a Holocaust survivor, Krasnow said she learned her deepest values about time with family through her mothers experience during the war. Born in Warsaw, Poland, Krasnow recounted her mothers escape to Paris, where she identified as a Catholic in order to survive, while her mother and seven nieces, nephews and siblings were put to death in Nazi death camps. The Holocaust was not something I read about in history books, said Krasnow. I know the eggshell-thin line that separates life from death. It was something I saw in my mothers eyes every day. Along with these bittersweet lessons, however, Krasnow also incorporated a strong sense of identity and commitment from her mothers life. I grew up feeling profoundly Jewish and with a profound appreciation for
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Even though her performance career in ballet didnt last very long, Marjorie Thompson still feels the influence of her early years dancing with the New York City Ballet, when George Balanchine was artistic director, she says. I was there at the right time, reflects the Pacific Northwest Ballets conditioning program director and faculty member. I got to work with Stravinsky, tooIt was wonderful, a privilege. Marjorie grew up on Long Island, studied at the School of American Ballet and joined Balanchines corps when she was 15. Professionals that young are rare these days. Its not good for the body [or] for education, Marjorie says. She completed high school at the Professional Childrens School in Manhattan, counting Marvin Hamlisch and Liza Minnelli among her classmates. After six years of performing, however,
tribe
an injury compelled her to turn to teaching. To aid in her recovery, she started a form of exercise called the Lotte Berk method. I loved doing the exercises, and she left dance instruction and started teaching exercise instead. Eventually, she became the director of the studio, learning how to run a business and work with clientele, she says, which included influential New Yorkers and movie stars. After giving birth to her daughter, she says she found that method didnt feel as healthy to me anymore, and she returned to the Pilates exercises she had done as a dancer, and began to teach that too. Most dancers do Pilates, she explained, and did so long before its current popularity with the general public. It strengthens without creating bulk, and helps injuries heal, Marjorie says. Some of the dancers at PNB who I work
we offered the dancers in the company, she says. Then it was offered to students, then opened up to board members. Now anyone can take the classes. Except for a short stint in Pittsburgh, Marjorie has been at PNB since then, teaching ballet, conditioning and Pilates. As a National Merit Comm e n d e d PNBConditioning program director Marjorie Thompson, standing, works Scholar, Dena Philwith a Pilates student. lips is one of 50,000. with are super strong because of Pilates. It doesnt sound like much, but since They may look fragile, she adds, but 1.5 million students take the PSAT college theyre not. readiness test upon which the commendaMarjorie returned to teaching dance, tion is based, it puts her in the top 3 pertoo, and in 1995 she was offered a teachcent of college-bound students. ing job at the ballet. For extra income she This math-loving senior at Northwould teach Pilates at a studio across the west Yeshiva High School hopes to attend street. Stern College at Yeshiva University in the I would run back and forth between fall (Stern is the womens college). She the two facilities! she says. was hard-pressed, when asked, to think So many PNB dancers attended her of a school subject she didnt like, finally Pilates classes that she was invited to teach in-house. It started out in 96 as something X PAGe 25
anGEla STErlInG
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in St. Marks, including many Jews. In fact, they may welcome it. Barghouti is a founder of a movement calling for a worldwide cultural and academic boycott of Israel. In speaking of his successes, he reported that Snoop Dogg refuses to perform in Israel. He seeks to deny Israeli scientists, intellectuals and university faculty opportunities to speak or have papers published anywhere in the world. So how does Israel, the nation he so despises, treat him? Here Barghoutis hypocrisy reaches its zenith. Barghouti has recently completed graduate studies in ethics at you guessed it Tel Aviv University. His education was very likely subsidized by the taxpayers of Israel. At TAU his anti-Israel activities
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were so obvious and infamous, his fellow students circulated a petition to expel him. Yet, the administration of this apartheidsoaked institution refused to do so. There is an au courant expression that applies to many of the people there that night: Oikophobia. It usually means fear or loathing of ones own home, but writers today find it apt for a fear and loathing of ones own people. For the Christians in the room, I wish for them sufficient love of country to resist Barghoutis loony, conspiratorial trashing of America. For the Jews in the room, and there were dozens, the passionate intensity of their oikophobia is thoroughly mystifying.
Robert Wilkes is a Bellevue-based political columnist who writes from a conservative viewpoint.
The important thing is to recognize that all this stuff makes some sense in an early Jewish context. If we look at the fact that theres mishugas in all religions, theres a little bit of I cant possiW KrASNOW PAGe 7
bly believe that! All religions have that, she said. The point of interfaith that I like is that its not for everyone to agree with each other, hold hands and sing Kumbaya. Its to be able to understand where others are coming from, see what we hold in common, see where and why we differ. Mothers Daughter: Making Peace with Mom Before Its Too Late, New York Times bestseller Surrendering To Marriage Husbands, Wives and Other Imperfections, and Surrendering to Yourself: You Are Your Own Soul Mate. Krasnow began her career as a fashion reporter for the Dallas Times-Herald before moving to the Washington, D.C. desk of United Press International as a national features writer where she spent several years interviewing some of the foremost celebrities in the world. Krasnow has also written for several national publications throughout her career.
family because of this heritage, she added. In an uncertain and chaotic world, family is the rock of our lives. I know also that we have to nurture, appreciate and savor our loved ones while we have them within reach. Her first book, Surrendering To Motherhood Losing Your Mind, Finding Your Soul, published in 1998, documented her choice to leave her successful high-profile career to commit to the loving chaos she found in her family kitchen with her kids. Her other books include I Am My
Mourning can be a painful process. The Jewish religion attempts to accelerate this process by intensifying it, in a tradition called sitting shiva. For a full week, relatives of a lost loved one observe several practices, each of which has a purpose. This puzzle shows some of the practices, and why you may want to do them during a difficult time.
ACROSS 1 JFKs successor 4 Stick somewhere 9 Use for ones own purposes 14 Be the first to perform (a role) 16 Rapper who cofounded N.W.A. 17 Do this to put aside vanity 19 Midnight in Paris actor Wilson 20 Critters such as 48-Down 21 ___ even close 22 What : means in an analogy 26 Roof overhang 28 Do this to hold the loved ones divine spark 34 35 36 37 39 40 41 42 44 45 49 50 51 53 56 60 65 66 67 68 69 DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 18 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 38 40 43 46 47 48 51 52 54 55 57 58 59 61 62 63 64 Answers on page 18 2011 Eltana Wood-Fired Bagel Cafe, 1538 12th Avenue, Seattle. All rights reserved. Puzzle created by Lone Shark Games, Inc. Edited by Mike Selinker and Mark L. Gottlieb.
DR.
Judaism and Science: the Interface of Torah, Healing and the Human Condition
WILLIAM CUTTER
Dr.William Cutter is the director of the Kalsman Institute on Judaism and Health at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.
Feb. 10 -12
Jo Join us for this ex exciting and en engaging weekend. D Dr. Cutter is a vi vibrant and lively sp speaker who will ca captivate you!
close by ___ tai NL Central ballplayer So long! Has an obligation It may be abstract or kinetic Gardner McKay novel about a lunatic who psychologically tortures his victims Punchline response Announcers pride and joy Multicolored museum near the Space Needle Do this to show that you are struck down by grief Vicinity The ___ Side (where Bellevue is) EMT specialty Yukon law enforcement org. Applaud Do this to show you are humbled by your loss Singer of the 2011 hit Someone Like You They measure angles with theodolites ___ ones time (waits patiently) Have as a confidante Vessel for marinara or marigolds
This weekend of learning is free to the community thanks to a generous bequest from Dr. Charles and Lilian Kaplan, zl. RSVP is required at www.templebetham.org or call 206.525.0915. Temple Beth Am is located in Seattles Jewishly Happening North End. We are a Reform synagogue committed to helping Jews and their loved ones build a joyful, spiritual, caring and egalitarian community.
Nutty as a fruitcake Forehead Malarkey Knightly address Leverage network Ooh and ___ Piece of a piece of glassware Powerful pickup truck engine Trix or Kix Rowers need Its up in the air? Firebug, slangily Examination Lamp occupant With 40-Down, beverages suitable for summertime sipping Hocked a loogie Profs aides Book size abbreviated as 8 Put the kibosh on Hawaiis Garden Isle Like an octopus Shape on a one way sign Pick up on Equipment Its rolled out during a rain delay Mineralogist who developed a hardness scale Strands on ones head See 18-Down Dont ___ (Pussycat Dolls single) Anxiety Lingerie shop material Cartoon foe of Scratchy Sourpuss Mani-___ Classic CD-ROM puzzle game Use a decanter Roller coaster feature Prefix with space Attention-getting sound Bullfight cry An Olympian from here might have rivalries with Olympians from BRA and ARG Campers, for short Where one films films
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Your favorites:
Joel Magalnick Editor, JTnews
What more can we say than thanks? We got hundreds of responses on your favorites in our Jewish community, from pizza to ketubot to diamond rings. so to all of you tastemakers out there, heres what you picked: Party time! Best Place for a Bar or Bat mitzvah Party Woodmark Hotel, with its adjoining yacht club and spa, is located on the edge of the world, more or less, at Carillon Point in Kirkland. Best Place for a Wedding reception You cant get any grander in this town than the downtown Seattle Fairmount Olympic. Best Local Party Band or DJ Whether its hip hop, swing, polka or the inescapable 80s, Premier Entertainment, starring DJ Kevin Howard spins or is it clicks? em like no other.
Best Hotel for a Simcha Seattle Sheraton is big, kosher (if need be) and right downtown if you like your events to be big, kosher, downtown, and provided with service with just the right touch. Best extreme Party Space While the sky Church isnt exactly a synagogue, the Experience Music Project provides venue space thats nothing if not extreme. thanks, Jimi! Best Caterer theyre attentive, tasty, friendly and kosher. Nosh Away provides
noSH away
Best Wedding Cake Baker and, just in case that kosher catered event happens to involve the recitation of some seven blessings, you can enlist those same folks at Nosh Away to make the cake since, after all, they take the cake.
Our COmmunity Best youth Organization United Synagogue Youth takes the prize for a safe, fun place for teens to gather and learn about themselves and their history, with the National federation of temple Youth nipping at the teenagers heels. Best Jewish Camp one word: Matisyahu. any camp that can get the world-famous beat
Best event Photographer Year in and year out, veteran shutterbug Dani Weiss keeps snap, snap, snapping her way to best lens in the land.
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boxer to come back year after year, not to mention the hundreds of kids who come home each summer with life skills such as lanyard-making, is tops in our book. Camp Solomon Schechter takes it! Best Local Jewish Organization, School or agency this years repeat winner, Jewish Family Service, has been there through thick and thin, and whatever
the state of the economy, they will offer emergency help, food, counseling, parenting classes, senior services, and so much more now from their newly completed headquarters! Best Jewish website the one that provides the information to provide crucial community services, Jewish Family Services jfsseattle.org, takes it.
JoEl maGalnICK
Best Place to Volunteer, Best Local Food Bank, Best Counseling Services in the interest of space and our fingers getting numb from continually typing Jewish Family Service, well reiterate that the important work this organization does for our community wouldnt be possible without its army of volunteers.
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Jewish Family Service CeO Ken Weinberg, in his agencys newly opened building.
See why Camp Solomon Schechter was voted Best Jewish Camp 2 years in a row!
Register now!
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Best Congregation Congregation Beth Shaloms member are proud, active and overwhelmingly in favor of going the distance to be labeled Number one. they also, incidentally, took the prize for Best Jewish Supplemental School and Best Adult Education Program. Best mohel for a practice under fire of late, longtime mohel Rabbi Simon Benzaquen proudly pushes the naysayers aside and circumcises our regions little boys with a steady hand and a light touch. Best Local Jewish Hero as one respondent said of seattle Hebrew academys head of school and JTNews columnist Rivy Poupko Kletenik, Her spirit and education are unparalleled. DeLi-CiOuS! Best Corned Beef Sandwich Heres an interesting tidbit: Corned beef doesnt contain any actual corn. Who knew? factoria
mainstay Goldbergs Delicatessens piles up best on the light rye. Newcomer stopskys takes a close second with its own interpretation. Best Smoked Fish surprise, surprise! Great things came in small packages. in this case, thats Port Chathams smoked seafood. Best rugelach Get em while theyre hot! or at least fresh out of the oven, cause Nosh Aways got em hot and yummy.
the Build-your-Own, Post-modern Deli Sandwich (whatever that is) Heres one: Pastrami, egg salad, chopped liver, slaw and russian dressing on dark rye, a.k.a. the Joel feldman. What does it taste like? a magical kosher unicorn. and for your resident vegetarian: field roast, half-sour dill pickle slices, fresh cole slaw, Baconnaise, stone-ground mustard, and thinly sliced swiss cheese. on dark rye. Yum!
Best Challah there must be some magic in that oven, because Nosh Away takes this prize too. But we want to give a shout out to Challahs for Justice, a program from Hillel at the university of Washington and repair the World that sells $1 challahs on campus to give to different social justice projects; and Challahs for Hunger, a Whitman College project that sells challahs to help out a local homeless-aid organization. Dining Out Best Burger Despite the proliferation of fancy burger joints, this one goes to an old standby. those of you who want to maintain the illusion of kashrut should ignore the mountain of bacon on the grill at Red Mill Burgers. Dont forget the onion rings. Best Pizza once again, the kosher italian vibes of Mercer islands Island Crust Caf take the pie.
Best Sunday Brunch My father-in-law makes a point of taking the family to Portage Bay Caf whenever he comes to visit. Just thinking about the berry bar is making my mouth water. Best new Foodie-Style restaurant that Knocked your Socks Off Cant argue with this one, either. id recommend the dessert thali on your next trip to Jerry traunfelds Poppy on Capitol Hill. Best asian or Sushi We had a tie! symphony-goers love the varied countries highlighted by Wild Ginger while anyone in search of the freshest, most innovative sushi heads to Madison Parks much-loved Nishino. Best romantic Dinner that shining beacon atop the aurora Bridge, Canlis, has not been satisfied to be the place your grand-
JoEl maGalnICK
Best Bagel theyve only been around for a year, but Capitol Hills Montreal-style Eltana Bagels rolled up to the front.
How did we get voted No. 1? By making our clients No. 1! The Kent Swigard Team
Kent & Bracha Swigard
Your Community Realtors 206-722-9002 www.kentswigard.com
Keeping Healthy Play Alive ou Thank y us g Best Independent Toy Shop for votin
Little independent shop that stands out MondayFriday 9am9pm Saturday & Sunday 9am7pm 104 North 85th Street, Seattle 206-782-0098 www.toptentoys.com
Thank you to JTNews readers for your vote of confidence. Louis Treiger, Attorney www.treigerlaw.com
(206) 313-1569 louis@treigerlaw.com
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parents take you while the valet parks the Caddy. for generations this family-owned landmark has maintained its impeccable service while keeping its mouth-watering menu updated with the times. Best Kid-Friendly restaurant Make sure you dont step on any of those little kids while you head to the counter for another slice at Island Crust Caf. Best mobile Lunch truck another tie, but local mobile pioneers Marination Mobile and Skillet roll on up for the ribbon. Best middle eastern its just like the real thing, because Cedars is a trip to the Middle east, u District-style. tHe LOCaL Buzz Best Wine List or Wine Bar With three locations, in both seattle and the eastside, Purple and its column of wine cant be beat. Best Happy Hour after a show at the Paramount or the seattle rep, or maybe for a pickme-up after work, Dragonfish Asian Caf has great specials. Best Cocktail in town if you sneak out of line while you
wait for your red Mill burger, head two blocks north to Olivers Twist in Phinney ridge. i hear they do amazing things with gin. Best Place to meet Friends or to Watch a game the Montlake Ale House was a nice destination to drown your sorrows after a Huskies loss, but with the stadium in pieces youll just have to meet your friends there all the time for a tall one. SaVe rOOm FOr DeSSert Best ice Cream, gelato or Froyo shes been expanding faster than
an ice cream lovers waistline, and molly moon shows no sign of stopping with her sophisticated flavors and delicate (not to mention delicious) frozen yumminess. Best Chocolatier Oh! Chocolate, in Bellevue, Mercer island and Madison Park, are the sweetest in town. Best Pie Nice Jewish girl Dani Cone started her pie empire with her mini-chain of fuel coffee shops, and, using her grandmothers delicious recipe, expanded her High 5 Pie to its own
JoEl maGalnICK
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Beth Shalom
you, Thank ders s Rea JTNew ing for vot lom eth Sha ation B g Congre : n a row d year i ation Thir ngreg Best Co a row: year in Second Jewish Best School mental Supple Best n ducatio Adult E am Progr
Congregation
Best of 2011
Thank you JTNews readers for Thank you JTNews readers for voting us Best Place Have a a Wedding voting us Best Place to to Have Wedding
411 University Street 411 University Street . 206 287 4058 . www.fairmontolympiccatering.com 4058 www.fairmontolympiccatering.com
www.noshaway.com Our goal is to provide the best service every day and were excited that JTNews readers confirmed it.
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BMW of Bellevue
13617 Northup Way, Bellevue www.bmwbellevue.com
425-643-4544
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ning, volleyball, carnivals, fairs and even concerts. Best Destination When im Shopping for Clothes for myself if for no other reason than you can make a stop for salted caramels at oh! Chocolate, Bellevue Square is the destination. Best Kidswear fashion and simplicity rule the day with locally owned and made goods from Cotton Caboodle. Best independent Shoes & accessories Shop if you want to support your local economy, check out Strut in seattles Greenwood neighborhood. they even carry israeli brands. Best Consignment or Secondhand Clothing rather than give their mink stoles
Best Bakery Located right in West seattles alaskan Junction, Bakery Nouveau makes the most amazing pastries in a town that specializes in amazing pastries. SHOPPin anD reLaxin Best Fitness Club You cant do better than the Bellevue Club, where the towels and the ellipticals always smell like roses. Best Spa experience sorry guys, but youll have to stay home and build birdhouses while the ladies head to Lynnwood or tacoma for a day of absolute relaxation at Olympus Spa. Best gym The Stroum Jewish Community Centers gym is great for hoops, run-
and rolls royces to the help, the rocks most fashionable pass them on to Mercer Island Thrift Shop. thank you, dahling. Best independent toy Shop if youre looking for electronics, guns, or Barbie, go elsewhere. Top Ten Toys in Greenwood and Pacific Place is picky about what it lets your kids play with. Best Outdoor / neighborhood Shopping indeed, University Village is outdoors. But a neighborhood? if its well-known, upscale shopping you need, the village is the place. Best Little, Local, independent Shop Located on Pine street at the bottom of Capitol Hill, Cake Spy has fun, original paintings, tchotchkes, its own cake cookbook, and more whimsy than should be legal in 600 square feet.
Whats the most memorable dining experience you had this year? i had lunch at Bamboo Garden with Matisyahu! Definitely our small belated holiday dinner, where the two of us cooked an all-out tofurkey feast once the chaos of the holidays had died down. oven baked with freshly squeezed orange juice, garlic, soy sauce and basil marinade. Delicious, healthy, romantic home cookin!
Best Judaica Bellevue Judaica shoppers with a discerning eye are (challah) covered at the Temple Bnai Torah Sisterhood Judaica Shop. Best independent gift Shop Whether its holiday-related Judaica or just a gift for a friend or loved one, Fireworks is a whimsical and creative resource. Best independent Bookshop i spend a ton of time at Third Place Books, and judging from the number of people in our community i run into there, they too love the great selection of new and used books. Best theater Company the 5th Avenue Theater is a seattle institution by any measure. But we do want to give a shout out to the small theater company rosenstock Productions, those nice Jewish boys who had us rolling in the aisles during their December production of Wisemen. tHe PrOFeSSiOnaL LiFe Best Dentist smile big! a visit to Dr. David Isenbergs practice in renton will certainly help that grin. Best Dermatologist Dr. Elie Levy, with offices in south seattle, is known for helping you have the smoothest skin.
Best Lawyer if you need general business, real estate, trademark or employment representation, Louis Treiger is your man. Best accountant Bellevues Dennis Goldstein keeps your books immaculate and your household tax documents in order, all with a smile on his face. Best real estate agent You cant trip in seward Park without falling into a sign featuring John L. scott broker Kent Swigard.
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maserati Granturismo s base msrP $123,000, not includinG Gas Guzzler tax, dealer PreP and transPortation. dealer Price may vary. taxes, title and reGistration fees not included. 2012 maserati north america, inc. all riGhts reserved. maserati and the trident loGo are reGistered trademarks of maserati sPa. maserati urGes you to obey all Posted sPeed limits.
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Best Car Dealership if you want sleek, fast, and sculpted, BMW Bellevue is the place to go. ask for eric and tell him JTNews sent you. WHereVer yOu gO tHereS aLWayS SOmeOne JeWiSH Best Jewish-themed or israeli Film of 2011 The Debt, about a trio of Mossad agents whose tracking of a Nazi war criminal has unfortunate repercussions, didnt get an oscar nod, but it got ours. Best Jewish actor/Comedian of 2011 okay. We admit it. the entire section that these questions are based on was named for a song by Adam Sandler. But the best of 2011? really? What about Natalie Portman? Jon stewart? topol? Best Jewish Book of 2011 No doubt about it. To the End of the Land, David Grossmans sprawling, soul-tearing story of two emotionally battered ex-lovers who heal from their hike through an israeli springtime is one
of the most beautiful stories ive read in years. Best Jewish author of 2011 and, no surprise, Grossman gets the honor, but he shares it with Daniel Sharfstein, author of The Invisible Line: Three American Families and the Secret Journey from Black to White, a chronicle of 18th- and 19thcentury light-skinned african-american families. Out in tHe COmmunity
JoEl maGalnICK
Best Place to Hang Out and meet Other Fun Jews Latkepalooza, yoga class, shabbat dinner you name it Jconnect is the place to go to meet your fellow members of the tribe. Best Place to meet a nice Jewish Boy or girl the best thing about these Jconnect events is that theres always the chance youll find the man or woman of your dreams. Weve seen it. Best Local Sports team the seattle superwho? theyre old news. the team to watch is the
one with the boys in green: Seattle Sounders FC. Best Online Dating Site J-Date is no, ahem, match for any other online dating site to help you find a nice Jewish match. Best (or Worst) Political antic of 2011 Youd think theyd run out of things to bicker about, given that weve had more Republican candidate debates than episodes in the entire run of the West Wing. Were not sure which have been more entertaining.
most important Political issue of 2011 its here, and its not going away. What were talking about, of course, is the economy. Yay, economy! Get better! Please! Please. name the most stunning, amusing, thrilling, or otherwise superlative local news of 2011. and tell us how it relates Jewishly, if you can. of course it relates Jewishly. the ads critical of Israel that didnt run on the sides of Seattle Metro buses resulted in anger, lawsuits, and more lawsuits. and it aint over yet. But, finally, this years JTNews readers Choice awards are.
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Glatt Kosher Cuisine by Levana Orthodox Supervision All the Traditions of Passover Stimulating Lectures Activities for All Ages Fun-Filled Childrens Programs Beautiful Beaches and/or Glorious Pools Great Golf Terrific Tennis Willow Stream Spas Sightseeing and Shopping Options
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Participants in the Shusterman Advocacy Institute high school summit, from right to left: rabbi Benjy Owen, Grace Almo, Jessica Schwartz, Talia etsekson, Halle Friedland and Joshua Appelbaum.
These three issues are vital to the safety and security of Israel, and also to America. Iran is a huge threat due to the fact that
it is acquiring nuclear weapons. America can help prevent Iran from obtaining these weapons by imposing and enforcing
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which helps our economy grow. Once we understood these main issues, we learned how to effectively publicize them. Jonathan Kessler, the leadership development director of AIPAC, taught that the most effective way to get the message across is through retail engagement. AIPAC, he said, believes that one person can make a difference, and it is therefore up to individuals to make a difference by advocating for Israel. The most effective way to do so is through engagement, or lobbying. By talking to people one-on-one, you can get more people to become interested and educated than any other way possible.
It is within AIPACs methodology that relationships are important, and it is vital to create relationships with people so you can customize your engagement per their personalities. This methodology must be applied to AIPACs main form of engagement, which is lobbying members of Congress. Congress makes the majority of decisions within our government. Our representatives are very busy people, and need help to be informed about all of the issues. It is the role of the people to do so. AIPAC trains individuals on how to effectively and respectfully lobby a Congressional representative, so we learned the five steps to lobbying: Know your audience, know what you want to accomplish, know what they want
to accomplish, know your time frame, and know your exit strategy of saying thank you. These steps allow the AIPAC-trained lobbyist to understand and customize their engagement strategies to work well. The Schusterman Summit was a fantastic learning experience on how to advocate for our countries Israel and America. I am greatly honored to have participated in the summit. I have learned a lot and I look forward to being involved in AIPAC and using my knowledge and experience to effectively educate and engage others in support of Israel.
Grace Almo is a junior at Northwest Yeshiva High School.
JIm STEvEnSon
rabbi Seth Goldstein of Olympias Temple Beth Hatfiloh chats with Jean Mandeberg at a tribute event for Goldstein earlier this month to launch him on his six-month sabbatical.
Sandra Levin
n n n
Jody Epstein
Follow, friend, link & like @JodyintheHouse Living on Mercer Island. Working on Mercer Island. Selling on Mercer Island.
Life-long resident of Mercer Island and the Eastside Active community leader and volunteer Understands the needs of home buyers and real estate investors Award winner for Client Satisfaction and Sales Volume Committed to providing the highest level of customer service and satisfaction
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its focus to a graphic tale of plagues, epidemics and disease moving from one outbreak to the next. Though an entire nations well-being is at stake, this is, at its heart, a tale of one Pharaohs family. Stubborn and unmoved, Pharaohs tormented persona keeps this film mesmerizing till the last scene. War Horse: A cinematic masterpiece telling the compelling chronicle of both the evils of war and of the redemptive quality of relationships between man and creature. The Prophet Isaiah is the powerful leading man, calling for an end to war, to beat swords into plowshares, and to the wolves who lie down with lambs and the little boy who leads them. A must see. The Artist: This silent film follows
Bezalels detailed instructions for the creation of the Tabernacle. The tension of moving the people Israel from the abomination of the Age of the Golden Calf to the Age of Monotheism brings with it inherent tensions of change and creativity. With great attention to detail, watch as the menorah, altars and many vessels are fashioned. The production is a masterpiece that truly captures an art long gone. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: A complicated, sordid tale of murder and mystery. In what way does the commandment, You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves of Leviticus 19:28 play in? Watch to find out. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol:
King Saul, succumbing to severe melancholia and a diabolical gripping jealousy of David, the man who will be king, teams up with Endor the witch and summons the prophet Samuel from the beyond. What sort of fate will be his at the hands of the Philistines? Dont be divining, O King of Israel. The Lord is no longer with you. Crazy Stupid Love: In this heartwrenching epic drama of the greatest love story ever told, between the often-stupid people Israel and the anything-but-crazy
love the Almighty has for His people, the filmmaker has captured hundreds of years of devotion and dalliances, adding up to one heck of an eternal betrothal. Not to be missed!
Rivy Poupko Kletenik is an internationally renowned educator and Head of School at the Seattle Hebrew Academy. If you have a question thats been tickling your brain, send Rivy an e-mail at rivy.poupko.kletenik@gmail.com.
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You read about it nearly every day young girls bullying each other, in person and using the many electronic tools now at their fingertips. It can be cruel, and it can have a negative impact on girls selfesteem and life choices for years to come. Stroum Jewish Community Center, with support from the Womens Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, is tackling the issue of girl-ongirl bullying via a breakthrough national movement called Finding Kind. Finding Kind, the riveting documentary focused on girls in middle and high school, sets the stage for group discussion to learn how to recognize bullying when it happens, and how girls can combat it for themselves, classmates and friends. The program works toward finding a common ground of kindness and mutual respect.
This is such an important issue for girls in our community today, said Dan Lowen, Chair of the Special Initiatives Fund for the Jewish Federation. We are very pleased to be able to provide some of the funding needed to ensure our daughters and granddaughters have a chance to grow up happy and healthy. The SJCC is a powerful steward in our community for providing programs to build confidence and strength in our young girls. Finding Kind will happen in late April so look for details soon at www.sjcc.org. This is just one of seven grants made this year by the Womens Endowment Fund. For information on the Womens Endowment Fund, the many programs it supports, and how you can get involved, visit www.JewishInSeattle.org/Women.
Dr. Alexander Oscar, President of the Sofia, Bulgaria Jewish Community to Visit Seattle
The Maimonides Society of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle will host a special presentation on Monday, March 5, 2012, featuring Dr. Alexander Oscar, President of the Sofia, Bulgaria Jewish Community. Titled The rebirth of Bulgarias Jewish community: how a neuroophthalmologist from Sophia is leading a Jewish renaissance, Dr. Oscar will recount his role in helping to recreate a vibrant sense of Jewish life in Bulgaria and throughout the Balkan countries of eastern Europe. His story is an amalgam of medical accomplishments, the triumph of the Jewish spirit and a personal commitment to rebuild the community of his ancestors. Registration is open to all physicians, dentists and members of the health professions at: www.JewishInSeattle.org/Maimonides or by calling 206-443-5400. After the fall of communism in Bulgaria, and throughout central and Eastern Europe, an opportunity to rebuild Jewish life was created. Aleks first contact with the re-born Jewish community in Bulgaria was in 1991, when he committed himself to helping this small but spirited Jewish community to assist its needy elderly, reclaim its Sephardic Jewish heritage, and rebuild Jewish communal life. He describes himself as a dreamer a dreamer who believes dreams come true. His whole mission in life could be depicted in just one word, one word that means everything tzedakah, or the everlasting feeling that all Jews share in bringing justice everywhere they go. Dr. Oscar was elected president of the Sofia, Bulgaria Jewish community in December 2007, becoming the youngest leader in the history of that community. maimonides society reception date: Monday, March 5, 2012 Time: 6:30-8:00pm place: WithinSodo 2916 Utah Avenue South Seattle, WA 98134 Cost: $18 per person includes light kosher buffet and wine ($25 after February 27) rSvp: JewishInSeattle.org/Maimonides Dr. Alexander Oscar completed both his PhD and his residency in neurology at the Medical University in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 2009.
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january 29 2012 CONNECTIONS wOmENS phIlaNThrOpy brUNCh 11 am february 2 CardOzO SOCIETy ClE
february 10 pJ lIbrary EVENT march 5 maImONIdES SOCIETy: dr. alExaNdEr OSCar 6:30 pm march 14 TUrN ThE pagE 5:30 pm
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Candlelighting times January 27 ..................... 4:43 p.m. February 3 ...................... 4:55 p.m. February 10 .................... 5:06 p.m. February 17 .....................5:17 p.m. fRiday
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Sharon Mezistrano at smezistrano@sha613.org or 206-323-7933, ext. 211 Join the PJ Library and Seattle Hebrew Academys Early Childhood Program for a Tu BShevat storytime and art project. At Seattle Hebrew Academy, 1617 Interlaken Dr. E, Seattle.
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Features guest lecturers Rabbi Yerachmiel Milstein and Harold Gans. $150$300. Call for location. 7:309:30 p.m. All Through the Night: a Seattle Premiere
Susanna Burney at susjudith@zipcon.net or 206-938-0963, ext. 107 or artswest.org At ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery, 4711 California Ave. SW, Seattle.
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10:30 a.m.2 p.m. Connections womens Philanthropy Brunch: The Power of Passion
Events@jewishinseattle.org or 206-443-5400 or www.JewishInSeattle.org/Connections Author Iris Krasnow will share her insights into how women can put their passions into action in the community and maintain fulfilling relationships in all aspects of their lives. At the Hyatt Regency, 900 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue. 46 p.m. matan Bat mitzvah Program
Mrs. Shaindel Bresler at mrsbresler@seattlekollel.org or 206-779-4373 or seattlekollel.org A Bat Mitzvah program led by Matan-trained instructors for mothers and their daughters ages 1114. $150 for five two-hour sessions. At a private home, Mercer Island.
29 JanuaRy
6:308:30 p.m. Becoming Evil: How ordinary People Commit mass murder and Genocide
Ilana Kennedy at ilanak@wsherc.org or 206-774-2201 or www.wsherc.org/news/ news.aspx The past century, dubbed the Age of Genocide, saw more than 60 million people murdered to meet the needs of the state. Dr. James Waller will discuss the unassailable fact behind this litany of human conflict and suffering. Free. At Microsoft Building 99, 14820 NE 36th St., Redmond. 7:309:30 p.m. All Through the Night: a Seattle Premiere
Susanna Burney at susjudith@zipcon.net or 206-938-0963, ext. 107 or artswest.org At ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery, 4711 California Ave. SW, Seattle.
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8:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. Creating Change: Teaching about the Holocaust and Genocide
Ilana Kennedy at ilanak@wsherc.org or 206-774-2201 or www.wsherc.org Teacher seminar with keynote speaker Dr. James Waller on Genocide: Ever Again. Clock hours available. Register online at www.wsherc.org/ news/registrationform.aspx. $20. At Bellevue College, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Bellevue. 12 p.m. discovery Seminar weekend
Marilyn Leibert at info@seattlekollel.org or 206-722-8289 or seattlekollel.org Discovery uses scientific methods to explore the authenticity of Judaism and its relevance today.
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Have you visited the new online Jewish community calendar? Find it at calendar.jtnews.net!
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January 29 at 7:30 p.m. TownMusic: Brooklyn Rider Concert This string quartet emerged from a desire to use the musical medium as a vehicle for borderless communication. Consisting of violinists Johnny Gandelsman and Colin Jacobsen, violist Nicholas Cords and cellist Eric Jacobsen, Brooklyn Rider will perform Quartet No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op.131 by Beethoven, Suite for String Quartet from Bent by Philip Glass, Kol Nidre by John Zorn, and a piece by Colin Jacobsen. At Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle. Advance tickets are $20, or $17 for Town Hall members and seniors, and $12 for age 25 and under through brownpapertickets.com or 800-838-3006.
February 5 at 1 p.m. our Words, our songs Concert Featuring Cantor Marina Belenky, cantorial soloist Julie Mirel and Temple Beth Am music director Wendy Marcus, this Jewish Touch event celebrates Jewish women and Jewish music. The program includes selections from Sephardic and Eastern European folk traditions up to Yiddish theater, Broadway and contemporary composers and songwriters. Directed and accompanied by cantorial soloist and composer Peter Pundy, and narrated by Cantor David Serkin-Poole of Temple Bnai Torah. At the Stroum JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island. Tickets are $5 for SJCC members, seniors and students, and $10 for general admission. Reservations recommended. For more information contact Roni Antebi at ronia@sjcc.org or 206-232-7115 or visit www.sjcc.org.
The Anti-Defamation League is a leader in fighting prejudice and protecting civil rights for all. Contact us to connect your passion for social justice with your Jewish roots! Email: seattle@adl.org Phone: (206) 448-5349 Website: www.adl.org/pacific-northwest
Make time for you! Renew and refresh yourself who adds, well create a dynamic Jewish sisterhood through this retreat. and meet the NEW face of Hadassah. Come have an amazing experience bonding, sharThe NEW Hadassah: Live! Laugh! Love! will be ing, learning, laughing and connecting! held March 1011, at lovely Cedarbrook Lodge just south of Seattle. Surrounded by the lodges 18 acres of The NEW Hadassah: Live! Laugh! Love! costs only $100, including room and board (double occupancy). natural beauty, well drink a little wine, tell a few stories, stretch our minds and our muscles, and enjoy the For more information and to register contact the Pacific company of women from around the Pacific Northwest Northwest Region office at NewHadassah@gmail.com or 425-467-9099. region. Bring a friend and make new friends. Part social, part R & R, part educational, and open to Founded by Henrietta Szold in 1912, Hadassah, members and non-members alike, The NEW Hadassah: Live! Laugh! Love! gives you a chance to explore your The Womens Zionist Organization of America, is best known for its two Jerusalem hospitals that provide beauty and sensualityinside and outwhile learning to tell your own compelling story. Youll also learn about up-to-date treatment to Israelis and Palestinians alike, Americas largest Jewish organization and one of the and produce internationally recognized, cutting-edge medical research. Hadassah initiates and supports prolargest womens volunteer organizations in the world. Relaxation, great food, laughter, and good wine are included. gressive health care, education and youth institutions, and land development in Israel. In the US, Hadassah I want everyone in the region to have the opportunity to meet like-minded, creative, smart women they enhances American and Jewish life through education and Zionist youth prowould never meet if it wasnt grams, promotes health for Hadassah, says Jacquie awareness, and proBayley, president of the region serving Alaska, Washvides enrichment and growth for its members. ington, Oregon and Idaho, live laugh love
206-447-1967 www.campschechter.org
Yossi Mentz, Regional Director 6505 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 650 Los Angeles, CA Tel: 323-655-4655 Toll Free: 800-323-2371 western@afmda.org
Kol Haneshamah is an intimate congregation, open to people of different backgrounds and traditions. We meet twice a month at Alki UCC in West Seattle. 6115 SW Hinds St., Seattle 98116 E-mail: info@khnseattle.org Telephone: 206-935-1590 www.khnseattle.org
Seattleites
The premiere Reform Jewish camping experience in the Pacific Northwest! Join us for an exciting, immersive, and memorable summer of a lifetime!
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February 20 at 8 p.m. Bombay Beach Film The Northwest Film Forums American. Film. Week. features Israeli-born Alma Harels Bombay Beach, an artistic study of Californias destitute. With visuals of desolation and original music, Bombay Beach won Best Documentary Feature at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. At Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave., Seattle. For more information call 206329-2629 or visit www.nwfilmforum.org/ live/page/series/1994.
Through February 2 Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Movie The film adaptation of Jonathon Safran Foers novel about Oskar Schell, whose quest to connect with his deceased father sends him on an emotional scavenger hunt through post-9/11 New York. See our review on jew-ish.com. At select theaters around the state.
professional directory
Care Givers
HomeCare Associates A program of Jewish Family Service 206-861-3193 www.homecareassoc.org Provides personal care, assistance with daily activities, medication reminders, light housekeeping, meal preparation and companionship to older adults living at home or in assisted-living facilities.
to jewish washington
Graphic Design
Spear Studios, Graphic Design Sandra Spear 206-898-4685 sspear@spearstudios.com Newsletters Brochures Logos Letterheads Custom invitations Photo Editing for Genealogy Projects
1/27 2012
ACCeSS The DIreCTory onlIne www.jtnews.net www.jew-ish.com
Counselors/Therapists
Betsy Rubin, M.S.W., L.C.S.W. Individual and couple counseling 206-362-0502 betsyrubintherapy@gmail.com I have more than 30 years exerience helping people deal with getting past the parts of their lives that leave them feeling stuck or unhappy. My practice relies on collaboration, which means that together we will create a safe place in which we can explore growth together. I believe that this work is a journey and that I am privileged to be your guide and your witness as you move to make the changes that you wish for.
Dentists (continued)
Michael Spektor, D.D.S. 425-643-3746 info@spektordental.com www.spektordental.com Specializing in periodontics, dental implants, and cosmetic gum therapy. Bellevue
Senior Services
Hyatt Home Care Services Live-in and Hourly Care 206-851-5277 www.hyatthomecare.com Providing adults with personal care, medication reminders, meal preparation, errands, household chores, pet care and companionship.
Catering
Matzoh Momma Catering Catering with a personal touch 206-324-MAMA Serving the community for over 25 years. Full service catering and event planning for all your Life Cycle events. Miriam and Pip Meyerson
Wendy Shultz Spektor, D.D.S. 425-454-1322 info@spektordental.com www.spektordental.com Emphasis: Cosmetic and Preventive Dentistry Convenient location in Bellevue
Insurance
Eastside Insurance Services Chuck Rubin, agent 425-271-3101 F 425-277-3711 4508 NE 4th, #B, Renton Tom Brody, agent 425-646-3932 F 425-646-8750 www.e-z-insurance.com 2227 112th Ave. NE, Bellevue We represent Pemco, Safeco, Hartford & Progressive
Jewish Family Service Individual, couple, child and family therapy 206-861-3152 contactus@jfsseattle.org www.jfsseattle.org Expertise with life transitions, addiction and recovery, relationships and personal challenges all in a cultural context. Licensed therapists; flexible day or evening appointments; sliding fee scale; most insurance plans.
Financial Services
Hamrick Investment Counsel, LLC Roy A. Hamrick, CFA 206-441-9911 rahamrick@hamrickinvestment.com www.hamrickinvestment.com Professional portfolio management services for individuals, foundations and nonprofit organizations.
Newman Dierst Hales, PLLC Nolan A. Newman, CPA 206-284-1383 nnewman@ndhaccountants.com www.ndhaccountants.com Tax Accounting Healthcare Consulting
College Placement
College Placement Consultants 425-453-1730 preiter@qwest.net www.collegeplacementconsultants.com Pauline B. Reiter, Ph.D. Expert help with undergraduate and graduate college selection, applications and essays. 40 Lake Bellevue, #100, Bellevue 98005
Mass Mutual Financial Group Albert Israel, CFP 206-346-3327 aisrael@finsvcs.com Retirement planning for those nearing retirement Estate planning for those subject to estate taxes General investment management Life, disability, long-term care & health insurance Complimentary one hour sessions available
United Insurance Brokers, Inc. Linda Kosin 425-454-9373 lkosin@uib.com F 425-453-5313 Your insurance source since 1968 Employee benefits Commercial business and Personal insurance 50 116th Ave SE #201, Bellevue 98004
Jewish Family Service 206-461-3240 www.jfsseattle.org Comprehensive geriatric care management and support services for seniors and their families. Expertise with in-home assessments, residential placement, family dynamics and on-going case management. Jewish knowledge and sensitivity.
Photographers
Dani Weiss Photography 206-760-3336 www.daniweissphotography.com Photographer Specializing in People. Children, Bnai Mitzvahs, Families, Parties, Promotions & Weddings.
Solomon M. Karmel, Ph.D First Allied Securities 425-454-2285 x 1080 www.hedgingstrategist.com Retirement, stocks, bonds, college, annuities, business 401Ks.
The Summit at First Hill 206-652-4444 www.klinegallandcenter.org The only Jewish retirement community in the state of Washington offers transition assessment and planning for individuals looking to downsize or be part of an active community of peers. Multi-disciplinary professionals with depth of experience available for consultation.
Funeral/Burial Services
Hills of Eternity Cemetery Owned and operated by Temple De Hirsch Sinai 206-323-8486 Serving the greater Seattle Jewish community. Jewish cemetery open to all pre-need and at-need services. Affordable rates Planning assistance. Queen Anne, Seattle
Linda Jacobs & Associates College Placement Services 206-323-8902 linjacobs@aol.com Successfully matching student and school. Seattle.
Warren J. Libman, D.D.S., M.S.D. 425-453-1308 www.libmandds.com Certified Specialist in Prosthodontics: Restorative Reconstructive Cosmetic Dentistry 14595 Bel Red Rd. #100, Bellevue
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If you go:
I Am My Own Wife by doug Wright will be performed at seattle Repertory Theatre from Feb. 3 to March 4. The play contains mature themes, according to the theatres website. For information and tickets, visit www.seattlerep.org or call 206-443-2222.
KErI KEllErman
Nick Garrison as Charlotte von Mahlsdorf in Seattle repertory Theatres production of I Am My Own Wife.
German government gave the hoarder a merit award for preserving an entire Weimar-era tavern,the Mulack-Ritze. Further complexities within this story of survival abound, through family abuse, the Nazi and post-Nazi era, through the Communist East German regime and into a reuni-
fied Germany. Given the adventures she had throughout her life, Von Mahlsdorf could have been a more truthful caper for an episode of the original Mission: ImpossibleTV series. Seattle Repertory Theatre is staging I Am My Own Wife, directed by Jerry Manning. Seattle actor Nick Garrison plays the key role or roles as he represents more than 30 characters. For Seattle native Garrison, it looks like hes found his mtier. Called Mr. Personalities, a one-of-a-kind performer whos found his voice by Seattle Met magazine, Garrison played Master of Ceremonies in 5th Avenue Theatres production of Cabaret in 2008 and performed in the offBroadway production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Growing up in Seattle, Garrison acted in productions at The Northwest School and studied voice with Emilie
Berne before leaving for Europe and later New York. According to Seattle Reps Katie Gottlieb Jackman, Manning, the Seattle Reps artistic director, hand-picked Nick Garrison for the one-person role. Manning met Wright in 1995, when Manning was casting director for New York Theatre Workshop, but the timing didnt match up until now, Manning explained. Mannings and Garrisons mutual enthusiasm for the play cut through Seattles three-day freeze: Calling in for their snow-day interview with JTNews, their mutual, straightforward passion, their connection with the play, and their emphatic respect for its author and its message prevailed. You can trust this script because its so finely written, Manning said. We are taking great pains to honor Dougs choice of words. Questioned about the collecting of furniture from the homes of deported Jews both Manning and Garrison believed von Mahlsdorfs intents were for purposes of good: Charlotte was interested in the family and what that piece represented, Manning said. The characters acquisition of the furniture represents the families and the incredible loss during the war, and the
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What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank (Knopf) by Nathan Englander Thursday, February 16 at 1pm
Join us for a special luncheon event with Nathan Englander downstairs in the Third Place Pub. Tickets are $30 and include a signed copy of What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank and lunch provided by Vios! Space is limited, purchase your ticket today!
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admitting that writing is not a favorite, although she loves to read. She credits NYHS for her achievement. I think my schoolprovide[s] us with good study habits and study skills. They make learning enjoyable, she says, adding, I know that sounds corny. An athlete who plays volleyball and basketball for the school, Dena hopes the girls basketball team makes it to the state finals. The volleyball team did make it to
the state championships this fall, but the Shabbat-scheduled game could not be changed and the team had to forfeit. Theres a huge interest in girls sports at NYHS, Dena reports, even though only about half of the 100 students are girls. Dena is finance chair of the schools student council and has made the deans list every year. Her family attends Bikur Cholim Machzikay Hadath, where she helps out with Shabbat youth programs. I babysit a lot, she says. I like working with kids.
She expects to study something sciencerelated in college. When we spoke, Dena had just been accepted t o a s eminary program in Israel, which she will attend next academic year, before starting college. Shell study at Midrashet Harova, just a couple of minutes walk from the Kotel.
CourTESy nyHS
National Merit Commended Scholar Dena Phillips, number 33 on the basketball court, at a recent tournament.
$29
Ticke
ts fro
To honor Shabbat Shirah, the Sabbath of the Torah portion recounting the Song of the Sea, we bring together all the worship music ensembles of Temple in one night of song, joy and praise. Experience the full range of our incredible musical liturgy, from Rock Shabbat to our youth choir, Kol Doreinu; Temples Adult Choir and Cantorial Soloist, Emily Ziskind.
Joan Rivers
In her benaroya hall Debut
an evening with
Its hard to believe that ten years have passed since Temple pioneered this cutting edge, contemporary approach to Jewish worship. And while the personnel and elements have evolved over the years, the power and spirit of the Rock Shabbat Ensemble continues to inspire and engage countless members of our Temple community and beyond. Join us for a night of celebration for what weve achieved and what we will build together.
February 29 8pm
Mark your calendar for March 11 and join us for our Purim Celebration!
Share our past. Shape our future.
The material in this show is for adults and is not suitable for children or those easily offended.
benaroyahall.org 206.215.4747
MArCh 2 8PM
BENArOYA hALL
photo: Brigitte Lacombe
benaroyahall.org 206.215.4747
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The Unexpected Pleasures of Getting Older. Author event and reception with Wendy Lustbader. At The Summit at First Hill, 1200 University St., Seattle. 59 p.m. SJCS annual Gala
Karen Friedman at kfriedman@seattlejcs. org or 206-522-5212 Honoring Shoshana Stombaugh and presenting the Kaplan Award to Danielle Yancey. At the Seattle Jewish Community School, 12351 Eighth Ave. NE, Seattle.
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impossibility of restoring it, Garrison added. The Grunderzeit Museum, a restored manor house, was created by von Mahlsdorf in eastern Berlin to hold collected furnishings of a past era, furniture left behind after its owners were taken by Nazis, and later collections rescued before mass urban demolition by the East German government.
Wright is gay and portrayed that part of his own persona in the script. The Jewish and gay community have a shared sense of exile and persecution and of being survivors, Garrison said. I Am My Own Wife may serve to remind its audience that regardless of differences, believing in justice, valuing the uniqueness of identity, and preserving what is beautiful may be the best way to learn from history.
shouk @jtnews
college placement tutoring/homecare ExpEriEncEd, caring local woman availablE for funeral/burial services
CEMETERy GAN ShALOM
A Jewish cemetery that meets the needs of the greater Seattle Jewish community. Zero interest payments available. For information, call Temple beth Am at 206-525-0915.
the
admissions counseling
Traditional Jewish funeral services provided by the Seattle Jewish Chapel. For further information, please call 206-725-3067. Burial plots are available for purchase at Bikur Cholim and Machzikay Hadath cemeteries. For further information, please call 206-721-0970.
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lifecycles
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freedom of our religious expression, he testified before the committee. Sen. Ed Murray (DSeattle), the primary sponsor of the bill, testified that for religious entities opposed to same-sex marriage, no religion will be barred from deciding how they want to marry, nor will they be held legally liable under this legislation for making those decisions. As far as the budget is concerned, community organizations are very concerned. Like she has done for the past several budget cycles, Governor Christine Gregoire has proposed cuts to grants for lowincome families and residents on disability programs, as well as to the states Basic Health insurance program. Because this is now the third straight year of a budget deficit, were continuing to work on making sure the social-service safety net isnt eviscerated for the people who need it most, said Zach Carstensen, the Jewish Federations director of government affairs. We cant just make reforms and cuts anymore. We need to find some new revenue. At this point, a working group in Olympia on which Carstensen sits is recommending that everything should be on the table, from sales tax to securitization to closing tax preferences. Ken Weinberg, CEO of Jewish Family Service, said he would agree that the state should look at a modest, graduated income tax, though he doesnt expect to see one in his lifetime. I think it takes real courage to do that, Weinberg said. It feels like weve got a state thats falling apart. I dont want it to fall apart. We need more money. For JFS, which provides many of the social services on the states chopping block, the question of where the money will come from is at the top of its leaders minds. If we need to cut expenses, how would we go about doing that? Weinberg said. Despite the fact that indicators show the recession has ended, JFS is still seeing increases in its demand for its food bank and money so people can afford rent and utilities. Though Weinberg feels like things may be improving beyond his own agency, I have not seen, here, the economy turning a corner, he said. Weinberg added that the states legislators choices will negatively affect the people who most need help, as they did long before this recession began. I dont think anyone should rest easy after they make those [choices], he said. I think sleep should be lost until were able to reinstate those programs and increase them. Senate Bill 6068, bi-partisan legisla-
www
tion supported by the Jewish Federation and various Jewish communal agencies, was written in response to the December death on Mt. Rainier of Brian Grobois, an Orthodox Jewish hiker from New York. The Pierce County coroners office found bruises on Groboiss body it felt were worthy of examination, but his familys objections to the defiling of the body, a violation of Jewish law, led to a last-minute injunction to stop an autopsy. It is the Jewish belief that the soul continues to live on after death, and the body is sacred and must return to the earth whole and complete, testified Rabbi Zalman Heber of Chabad of Pierce County before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 17. Heber worked with the Grobois family and helped them obtain legal counsel while they were in Washington to retrieve Brians body to bury him in Israel. The Washington Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners opposes the bill. I think this bill would substantially hinder my ability to do what I do now, which is compromise with families, educate families, do the work that needs to be done to ascertain the cause and manner of death, testified Whatcom Countys medical examiner Gary Goldfogel. Goldfogel, himself an observant Jew, said he is neither insensitive nor ignorant of the burial traditions and the religious concerns of Orthodox Jews and Muslims. When issues of religious conflict have arisen he said, we have always been able to sit down and work it out. But the Federations Carstensen said his research, which included conversations with rabbis from different denominations, medical examiners and others who work with families of the deceased, found the medical examiner always ended up performing the autopsy. The Jewish beliefs and the sanctity of the body took a back seat to the medical examiners need or desire to perform an autopsy, he said. Carstensen said this states legislation was modeled after New Yorks law, which he called the gold standard, but that members of the Senate Judiciary Committee met with rabbis, imams and medical examiners this week to make the bills intent more clear. Regardless, legislation is needed, he said, because the current system does not allow for families to have a say in the process. The default is to cut, poke and prod and ask questions later, Carstensen said. If someone has to go to court to say, Hey look, my rights, my religious liberties ensconced in our states constitution are being overridden here, if someone has to come to court every time that that arises, thats a system that doesnt work.
Bar Mitzvah
Adam Gold
Adam celebrated his Bar Mitzvah on January 7, 2012, at The Summit at First Hill. Adam is the son of Caryn and Philip Gold of Seattle and the brother of Ethan and Asher Gold. Adams grandparents are Ruth and Charles Abrams of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Eileen and Ron Gold of Sonoma, Calif. Adam is a 7th-grader at Seattle Hebrew Academy. He enjoys reading, snowboarding, basketball, cross country and volunteering for the Friendship Circle.
Bar Mitzvah
Jeff Menaker
Jeff will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on February 4, 2012, at Temple Bnai Torah in Bellevue. Jeff is the son of Samuel and Tatyana Menaker of Bellevue and the brother of Michael Menaker. His grandparents are Polina Menaker of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Galina Motorina of Bellevue. Michael is an 8th-grader at Odle Middle School. He enjoys participating in the Prism Program and playing soccer and lacrosse. For his mitzvah project, he is collecting video games to donate to Seattle Childrens Hospital.
Birth
2-for-1 Cards
Express yourself with our special Tribute Cards and help fund JFS programs at the same time meeting the needs of friends, family and loved ones here at home. Call Irene at (206) 861-3150 or, on the web, click on Donations at www.jfsseattle.org. Its a 2-for-1 that says it all.
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