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Published by Phil Lande, 2019-08-09 15:59:55

Indiana Jewish Post

National and Local (Indiana) News regarding the Jewish Community

Keywords: jewish Post,Jewish,Indiana

The Jewish

Post Opinion&
National Edition

Presenting a broad spectrum of Jewish News and Opinions since 1935.

Volume 85, Number 3 • August 7, 2019 • 6 Av 5779

www.jewishpostopinion.com • https://go.usa.gov/xn7ay

Cover Art by Marc Bennett
(see About the Cover on p. 2)

2 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT August 7, 2019 1,500+ Jewish Clergy
Sign Letter to Protect
About the Cover Asylum Seekers

The History of the Star of David HIAS convenes faith leaders and attorneys
By Marc Bennett to deliver petition to members of Congress

The Star of David is the most universally Yad Vashem. “We are honored to have it WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 25, 2019.
prominently displayed at Yad Vashem in
recognized symbol of Judaism and one of Israel and in our offices in NYC.” A delegation of rabbis, attorneys, and
the oldest recognizable symbols in history. advocates gathered in D.C. last week to
Despite its instantly recognizable form, In keeping with Marc Bennett’s reason deliver a petition signed by 1,500-plus
the Star of David has a history that is for creating the History of the Star of Jewish clergy members to elected officials,
unknown to many. The History of the Star David as a gift and vehicle for positive calling on them to protect the essential
of David by Marc Bennett explores the change, the artist has joined forces with legal right to seek asylum in the U.S.
complex journey of the Star of David Soroka Medical Center (rendering above), The letter, spearheaded by HIAS, includes
through 18 iterations of its use spanning Israel’s most strategic hospital to create signatories from 47 states and every
centuries. The artwork a philanthropic project. Through this movement of Judaism. It expresses
allows viewers to bear collaboration, 10 percent of all History of outrage over the United States’ treatment
witness to the depths and the Star of David art sales will be donated of asylum seekers and calls for urgent
heights of the journey of to Soroka in perpetuity. Limited edition moral leadership from elected officials.
the Jewish people. The prints signed by the artist make an
History of the Star of David unforgettable gift, while providing funds The advocacy group visiting D.C.
inspires and educates the to support Soroka’s life-saving mission.
public on the development M. Bennett Bennett’s beautifully finished metal and included national leaders as well as
of this symbol and the meanings it has paper prints are available in various sizes
come to evoke from remote antiquity up for your home, office or institution, representatives from San Diego, El Paso,
to the current State of Israel. Bennett’s delivered ready to display. Visit www.
artwork evokes a sense of survival and StarofDavidArt.com to purchase. and Albuquerque. Each is providing
determination, as well as a celebration of
Jewish culture, tradition and faith. “This is a significant opportunity for Soroka support directly to asylum seekers in their
Medical Center that will support our life-
Pictured on the cover is star number 15 saving mission,” states Dr. Shlomi Codish, local communities and shared their
of the 18, a detail of a porcelain Passover Director General for Soroka Medical Center.
plate, made by Joseph Wetter, Vienna “The artwork’s intrinsic optimism for the experiences with lawmakers. One of
(1900). The design of this Passover plate future reflects Soroka’s current strategic role
has six heart-shaped spaces for the for the State of Israel, enabling the transfor- the participants, Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld,
symbolic foods of the Seder meal and a mative development of the Negev.”
Star of David in the center. Each of the six represents Congregation Albert in
items arranged on the plate have special The American Friends of Soroka
significance to the retelling of the story of Medical Center have also commissioned Albuquerque, which has helped provide
the Jews exodus from Egypt. Judaism has a Bennett to create a monumental depiction
long tradition of commissioning Jewish of his artwork. This installation of The food, clothing, medical care, housing and
ceremonial art and ritual objects from History of the Star of David will become
talented craftsmen and artists. It is believed the focal point for Soroka’s new Legacy bus tickets to hundreds of asylum seekers
to enhance a mitzvah by performing these Heritage Oncology Center and Dr. Larry
rituals with an especially beautiful object. Norton Institute’s healing garden, set to who have been processed at the border
be unveiled later this year at the Soroka
Bennett originally created this artwork as campus in Be’er Sheva, Israel. j i(see Asylum, page 5)
a gift to his Rabbi to celebrate the opening projects include; The Tattooed Torah,
of The Aspen Jewish Community Center. Marc Bennett is an artist and filmmaker featuring Ed Asner’s voice narrating the
Since then, The History of the Star of David from Brooklyn, N.Y., and a member of the renowned children’s book, and I Ride for
artwork has created something of a move- Directors Guild of America. Bennett has the Living, an inspirational story about
ment that remembers the challenges and been honored with numerous awards the annual bike ride from Auschwitz to
triumphs of our culture’s past and inspires including; the Art of California Magazine’s the JCC in Krakow, Poland. Bennett is
us to create a better future. Many presti- “Discovery Award,” the Stamford Art committed to using art and film as visual
gious institutions have since acquired Association’s “Color Award,” and was languages that entertain, educate, enlighten,
pieces from Bennett’s series, including; honored with the“World Medal”from the and inspire positive change worldwide.
Yad Vashem, the Los Angeles Museum of New York Festivals’ Television Advertising To learn more about The History of the
the Holocaust, Sinai Temple Los Angeles, Awards. Bennett’s artwork has been used Star of David and Marc Bennett visit
the Aspen Jewish Community Center, and in campaigns to raise awareness for www.StarofDavidArt.com. For merchandise
the Jona Goldrich Center for Digital numerous organizations such as the licensing opportunities please email:
Storytelling at USC Shoah Foundation – Anti-Defamation League, the Simon [email protected].

The Institute for Visual History and Wiesenthal Center, and the Museum of
Education, and others. Tolerance. Bennett’s current directorial

“The History of the Star of David is a
radiant work of art that serves as a daily
reminder of the tremendous journey the
Jewish people have endured and our shared
role in crafting the next great chapter in
Jewish history,” remarks Ron B. Meier, PhD
Executive Director American Society for

Editorial August 7, 2019 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 3

Inside this Issue

In our June 7, 2019 Indiana edition, I Jennie Cohen (R) with actor Ed Asner. About the Cover ......................................2
Jewish Clergy Sign Letter to
wrote about a play I had seen, The Soap concern about the refusal of the United
Myth starring Ed Asner that was States Holocaust Memorial Museum to Protect Asylum Seekers......................2
performed in Carmel, Ind., a suburb of recognize a Hollywood producer who Jennie Cohen: (Editorial).........................3
Indianapolis. See full version at this link: saved hundreds of Jews from Hitler. Rabbi Benzion Cohen: (Chassidic Rabbi)
https://jewishpostopinion.com/?p=3708
The letter was organized by Sanford Back Home Again in Indiana ............4
On April 30, 2019, the Jewish Federation C. Einstein, an entertainment industry Rabbi Jon Adland: (Shabbat Shalom)
of Greater Indianapolis presented their executive from Northern California,
2019 campaign kick-off. One of the whose father was one of the Jews rescued Shlach L’chah, Numbers 13:1–15:41 ......5
special events for that evening was this by Hollywood mogul Carl Laemmle. Amy Lederman: (Jewish Educator)
play by American Playwright Jeff Cohen.
Laemmle was responsible for such A Jewish View on Love........................6
Asner was born in Kansas City to legendary films as All Quiet on the Western Tracie Freudenthal-Mrakich
Russian Jewish immigrants and he was Front and Phantom of the Opera. Himself
raised Orthodox. In person, Asner is a lot a refugee from Germany, Laemmle served Tracing Our Roots................................7
like he was on The Mary Tyler Moore Show as a financial guarantor for several Miriam Zimmerman: (Holocaust Educator)
– which aired from 1970–77 – cantankerous hundred Jews so they could flee from
but endearing. Although he will be 90 on his hometown of Laupheim and other My Maftir in Munich .........................10
Nov. 15, he remains a very talented actor. parts of Nazi Germany. Miriam Zimmerman

The other cast members included Dee Laemmle’s rescue efforts were cut short Tribute to Eva Kor ..............................11
Pelletier, Ned Eisenberg, and Liba by the Roosevelt administration, which Jim Shipley: (Shipley Speaks)
Vaynberg. Both Pelletier and Eisenberg informed him in 1938 that he was too old
portrayed two different people in this play. to be considered a reliable guarantor for The Final Curtain...............................12
The acting was excellent as was the plot. any more refugees. He was 71 at the time. Melinda Ribner: (Kabbalah of the Month)

Asner plays a disgruntled, but loveable There is no mention of Laemmle in the Av – Out of Sorrow Comes Joy........13
Holocaust survivor who, during World War “Americans and the Holocaust” exhibit at Rabbi Israel Zoberman:
II, witnessed soap that was made from the the U.S. Holocaust Museum, although
fat of human corpses. He even has an individuals who aided far fewer numbers A New Temple & African American
actual photo to prove it. He would like the of Jewish refugees are included – such as Museum Visit ......................................13
Holocaust Museum to include his story in Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus, who brought Rabbi Elliot B. Gertel: (Media Watch)
an exhibit, but they say they cannot since 50 refugee children to America. Two Strange Episodes About Jews ....15
there is not enough documentation to Arnold Ages: (Book Review)
back up his story. The curators of the exhibit, Daniel The Art of Bible Translation.................16
Greene and Rebecca Erbelding, claimed to Sybil Kaplan: (My Kosher Kitchen)
The director of the museum claims this Einstein that Laemmle was left out of the Food You Want: For the Life You...........17
is vitally important because otherwise exhibit because they “were limited by a Ted Roberts: (Spoonful of Humor)
Holocaust deniers will say it is a made-up lack of artifacts or visual material related A Fable: Adam Sees the Light.........18
story. Furthermore, they will claim that to Laemmle.”Yet the New York Times and Sybil Kaplan: (Seen on the Israel Scene)
the other Holocaust exhibits were also other news outlets had no trouble finding Touring the Knesset and
fabricated. The observer of the play has visual materials about Laemmle when Tekoa Mushroom Farm.....................20
to make up his or her own mind about they published articles about him in recent
what is fact and what is a myth and how years. (Go to: https://www.nytimes.com/ PoThse Jtew&ishOpinion
important that difference is. 2014/04/13/movies/unlike-his-peers-a- Jewish News and Opinion since 1935.
studio-chief-saved-jews-from-the-nazis.
After the play, Jeff Cohen mentioned html.) 1389 W 86th St. #160
PBS had filmed the play in New York. Indianapolis, IN 46260
He hoped it would eventually be available Below is the response Einstein received email: [email protected]
for viewing on local PBS stations, but he to his letter from Director Bloomfield: phone and fax: (317) 405-8084
said it would definitely be available on all website: www.jewishpostopinion.com
streaming devices for free. Dear Mr. Einstein, publisher & editor: Jennie Cohen
Yes, we are in receipt of various letters on graphic designer: Charlie Bunes
Ironically on May 31, one month after I this subject.
saw the play, I received the following press An exhibition is never a comprehensive Our curator, Danny Greene, and his team
release. Along with it was a letter to the look at any topic – it is always limited by of historians and educators made choices to
Executive Director of the United States physical space and three dimensional materials determine what would be included or
Holocaust Memorial Museum, Sara available. Furthermore and most importantly, excluded in the exhibition. I realize you do
Bloomfield. The letter, signed by 37 and exhibition is always guided by overall not agree with the choices made but I am
scholars expressed dismay at the omission educational goals geared to a particular very confident in their decisions and the
of Carl Laemmle from the“Americans and audience. educational importance of this exhibition.
the Holocaust”exhibit at the United States
Holocaust Memorial Museum. Sincerely,
Sara J. Bloomfield Director
Press Release: Hollywood mogul United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
saved Jews from Hitler – so why does www.ushmm.org
U.S. Holocaust Museum ignore him? Next I emailed my editorial from June 7,
2019, and this letter above along with other
Thirty-seven prominent Holocaust articles Sanford Einstein sent me to Jeff
scholars, filmmakers, and other public Cohen. This included a telegram Laemmle
figures have signed a letter expressing sent to President FDR in 1939 (photo p. 4).

(see Editorial, page 4)

4 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT August 7, 2019 email you copy above.
In re: these stories, sometimes it falls upon
Chassidic Rabbi EDITORIAL
(continued from page 3) artists to tell them – and their patrons to
disseminate them. I have actually written
BY RABBI BENZION COHEN B.H. Jeff Cohen’s response: Hi Jennie, Thanks another play which tells a previously
for all of this! It is always disheartening unknown (or little known) story about a
Back Home Again to see real-life examples of the kind of highly placed German industrialist who
in Indiana “exclusions” encountered by my character risked his life and the lives of family members
Milton Saltzman in his determination to to warn the world of the Final Solution in
I was born and grew up in Indianapolis. see “soap” displayed in museums and July, 1942. His information was the basis of
exhibitions. In my opinion, the scholarly the Reigner Telegram that was received by
However, thank G-d, for the last 50 years community can and should do a better job Rabbi Stephen Wise and subsequently landed
my home is Israel. respecting the kinds of testimony and stories on Roosevelt’s desk in December, 1942. Had
surrounding the Holocaust. Of course six the President acted, I can only imagine the
Growing up in Indianapolis was not million individual stories cannot be told millions of lives that could have been saved
easy or very pleasant. For many years I by museum officials, but each story should from 1943 to 1945. This German’s identity
was the only Jew in my class in public at least be honored by those officials with remained a secret until 1983 (he passed
school. My knowledge of Torah, the laws something a little more personal than the away in 1966). Several years later, his
of G-d, and my observance of His identity revealed, Eduard Schulte was
commandments was close to zero, so life ji posthumously recognized by Yad Vashem
had very little meaning or positive experi- as “righteous among the nations.”
ences. Fifty years ago I discovered the The next day he told me that he had
wonderful Chassidic way of life. I joined changed his mind, and he would also go The play is called Righteous and if
Chabad and now wherever I find myself, to Bloomington. Then he told me an The Soap Myth continues to gain accolades,
every day and every minute has meaning amazing story. That morning he drove to perhaps Righteous will receive productions
and positive experiences. work. While driving up a hill, he got stuck as well and Schulte’s story of courage and
in back of a truck that was going slow. conviction will become known.
Recently I left Israel for the first time in Finally he was able to pass the truck, but
two years. My first stop was in Brooklyn, then he heard a siren, and a police car Best, Jeff
to 770 Eastern Parkway, the world head- pulled him over. Oy veh!
quarters of Chabad. Right now we can’t Carl Laemmle’s telegram to President
see our Rebbe, but when I am in 770, I can He had passed the truck in a no passing Roosevelt in 1939 imploring his help to
feel his presence, and this is a wonderful zone! And he had been speeding! The rescue Jews fleeing the Holocaust.
feeling. I was also very happy to meet policeman came over and started to check
many old friends and some of my former his car and his car’s registration papers. In closing, a big shout out and thank
students. Life is not always easy. We some- This was not right. All together the police- you go to two of our columnists. Rabbi
times face difficulties. When I am in 770, I man wanted to give him five tickets, with Elliot B. Gertel began contributing his
feel my spiritual batteries recharging. who knows what fines to pay. The police- “Media Watch” column 40 years ago on
man went back to his police car to write July 27, 1979 (see current one on page 15).
My next stop was Buffalo, N.Y. There I out the tickets. Rabbi Jon Adland has retired from the
have two married sons and their families. rabbinate and submitted his last “Shabbat
It was wonderful to spend time with them. Well, at this point my son felt that all Shalom”(see page 5). JP&O first published
On June 23 we celebrated together the Bar this had happened because G-d wanted Rabbi Adland on Sept. 11, 1985, and has
Mitzvah of one of my grandchildren who him to go to the family reunion in been publishing his“Shabbat Shalom”since
lives there. It was beautiful. Buffalo has a Bloomington. He said“OK G-d, I’ll go!”A Aug. 20, 2003. We are very grateful to both
strong Chabad community. I was really minute later the policeman came back and for their insights. We will miss reading
impressed and happy. Many people there told him that he was only going to give Rabbi Adland and look forward to more
told me that my sons and their families are him one ticket this time. Amazing! from Rabbi Gertel. L’Shana Tova!
doing a lot to strengthen the community.
Well, we had a nice drive to Bloomington, Jennie Cohen, August 7, 2019

I took it easy and rested for a few days with a few stops on the way to rest and
after the Bar Mitzvah, and then started eat. Driving nine hours at one time is not
planning the trip to Bloomington, Ind., for easy for me at this age, but I really enjoyed
our July 4th family reunion. I have two travelling together with my son and
brothers and five sisters, may they be well, daughter-in-law and four grandchildren.
all living in America, and I was looking And I enjoyed meeting a brother and five
forward to seeing them and their families. sisters and their families. I was very happy
From Buffalo to Bloomington is a nine to see that my family in America is doing
hour drive, but even so both of my sons better, both materially and spiritually.
were planning to attend.
One of my brothers is a professor of
Then one son decided not to go to biology at Yale University. For the last 50
Bloomington. I was not especially happy years I have been trying to convince him
with this. I knew that my brothers and that life on our planet did not just happen
sisters would be happy to see him and his by accident. Now he finally agreed with
family. However, I understood that it was me! He and his fellow scientists have
not an easy trip, and besides, he and his learned that even the most simple one-
family had traveled to Bloomington six cell form of life is amazingly complicated
months earlier to participate in the previous and holds in it an amazing amount of
family reunion there. And even if he did information.
not go, I could get a ride to Bloomington
with my other son and his family. One of my nephews is a lawyer who
lives with his wife and two babies in

(see Benzion, page 5)

August 7, 2019 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 5

Shabbat ASYLUM delegations to San Diego and El Paso.
Shalom HIAS views the National Jewish Clergy
(continued from page 2)
BY RABBI JON ADLAND Letter as a powerful expression from the
and released from detention centers. Jewish community.“At this moment when
Pirke Avot 1:2 – The world is sustained Rabbi Rosenfeld commented, “I was the United States is abandoning its legacy
by three things: the study of Torah, the as a nation of immigrants and refugees
worship of God, and the performance of honored HIAS invited me to be a part of by rescinding its commitment to provide
deeds of loving kindness. presenting the Jewish Clergy Letter to asylum to those fleeing violence and
Congress. The officials we met, from both persecution, more than 1,500 Jewish clergy
June 28, 2019, Shlach L’chah sides of the aisle, were sympathetic to the around the country heeded the urgent call
Numbers 13:1–15:41, 25 Sivan 5779 necessity of providing humane treatment to raise our voices to say that this is a
and facilities to those seeking asylum moral disgrace for all Americans and, in
Sometime in 1996, I had the idea to send in the United States. I believe we made a particular, for Jewish Americans who
difference.” know well the danger of turning away
a weekly email out to addresses I had of those in need of a safe place to call home,”
family and friends that would have a In the coming weeks, Jewish clergy and said Rabbi Rachel Grant Meyer, HIAS’
message and encourage people to remember advocates in more than 20 states will Rabbi-in-Residence. “We pray that our
that Friday evening is Shabbat. I didn’t deliver the HIAS letter to their representa- elected officials will take seriously the
know these things were called blogs, but I tives over the course of 80 visits with the tens of thousands of American Jews we
guess Shabbat Shalom is just that – a blog. district offices of members of Congress. represent and step up to ensure that our
Nearly every Friday since that time, I have country continues to have a fair, humane,
sat down to write something. There have As the asylum crisis intensifies, HIAS is and expeditious asylum process.”
been breaks while on vacation or at GUCI also expanding its direct legal and social
or during the summer, but my guess is services for asylum seekers along the border HIAS is the global Jewish nonprofit that
that I’ve written about 40 a year. Except for and throughout the country. This year, the protects refugees – including women and
a couple, I’ve written all of them on Friday organization brought on three new legal children, and ethnic, religious, and sexual
morning. fellows to represent individuals and families minorities – whose lives are in danger for
seeking asylum in the U.S. They include being who they are. Guided by our values
Sometimes I knew what I wanted to say. Nicolas Palazzo, who is partnering with and history, HIAS helps refugees rebuild
Sometimes I just let my fingers do the the nonprofit organization Las Americas their lives in safety and advocates to ensure
writing. Sometimes I struggled with an Immigrant Advocacy Center in El Paso that all displaced people are treated with
idea. Usually by 8:30 in the morning I had and joined the D.C. delegation. Palazzo dignity. More info at @HIASrefugees,
Shabbat Shalom written and was off to the regularly crosses into Mexico to provide Facebook and hias.org.
gym. In Canton, at some point on Friday, legal guidance to asylum seekers affected by
Shabbat Shalom was emailed to Temple the Department of Homeland Security’s Backed by over 2,000 American rabbis in
members by the office, to my list on Migration Protection Protocols, also 48 states and more than 400 congregations
Google, and posted on Facebook. known as the“Remain in Mexico”policy. across the country, HIAS stands firm in our
commitment, as Jews and as Americans, to
Over the years I have tried to inspire “The purpose of my visit was to dispel
people to light candles and make Shabbat some of the myths and misinformation j isupport and welcome refugees.

in some fashion. I have also weighed in surrounding the border and the plight of
on issues facing our country or Israel. I migrants who are lawfully seeking their BENZION
have remembered people who have died protected right of asylum,” Palazzo said.
whose lives impacted mine. I have noted “The right of asylum and safe refuge is (continued from page 4)
important historical dates. I have “talked” under assault. Now, more than ever, it
Torah. I have shared important moments is absolutely critical that we bring an Springfield, Ill. For two years they have
in my life and the life of my family. I have informed moral and legal perspective to been in contact with the local Chabad
received support from some of you and the conversation on policy. My hope is Rabbi. They go to Chabad for Shabbos
criticism on my positions from others. that more clarity about what’s happening meals and for holidays. We had a nice talk,
One rabbi said that if I don’t piss people in the detention centers, in immigration and I was pleasantly surprised. His inter-
off then I am not doing my job. I don’t courts, and in shelters across the southern est and knowledge of Torah has greatly
intentionally do that, but I know that not border will guide our legislators and increased.
everyone agrees with how I think. policymakers toward a more humane
immigration policy.” Wow! Wherever I go or look I see good
I made the decision some months ago and amazing things happening! Not just
that when I retire, Shabbat Shalom would This month, HIAS hired a national in Israel or Brooklyn, but even in Buffalo
retire with me. After maybe 1,000 of these pro bono technical advisor to support its and Bloomington! We are certainly living
“blogs” it is time to just say thank you to network of social service agencies serving in very special times.
everyone who took the time to open the asylum seekers and launched a joint
email and read what I wrote. My B-CC project with KIND (Kids in Need of The Rebbe told us that our generation
High School English teachers or my Defense), which has represented thousands is the last generation of exile, and will
freshman comp teacher would be amazed of children in immigration court, to provide very soon be the first generation of our
today that I could actually string coherent representation to forcibly separated complete and final redemption. Then the
sentences together. I’ve never seen myself families. In September, HIAS will host world will only know good! No more evil
as a writer, but a communicator. I find its sixth and seventh pro bono attorney or war, no more sickness or death. I hope
something to say and I figure out how to all of you reading this will learn more
get the message to you. It is all I’ve tried to do. ji Torah and do more good deeds to help
make this happen, to bring Moshiach
I’ve had two editors who have corrected (Messiah) Now!
my grammar, spelling, and even content.
Thanks go to Elaine Arffa and Sandy Rabbi Benzion Cohen lives in K’far
Adland for taking the time to read this Chabad, Isarel. He can be reached by email at
[email protected].

(see Adland, page 6)

6 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT August 7, 2019

Jewish our neighbor or the stranger. ADLAND
Educator At the heart of the Torah in Parsha
(continued from page 5)
BY AMY HIRSHBERG LEDERMAN Kedoshim is the Jewish “Golden Rule,”
the commandment which prescribes our “blog”before I sent it out. Maybe someday
A Jewish View relationship with and to one another: I will figure out where a comma goes.
on Love “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
(Leviticus 19:18) The Torah commands us I chose the perek at the top for my last
In Western culture, February 14th, to love our neighbor with the highest one. I believe that the study of Torah, all
quality of love we reserve for ourselves.Why? of Torah which means the teachings that
Valentine’s Day, is a time to celebrate Because each of us is created, B’Tzelim have come to us throughout the ages not
romance and love.* Despite its commercial Elohim, in the image of God. To love our just the five books, should be studied and
appeal of candy, Cupid and romantic neighbor is tantamount to loving God. contemplated and studied again. I believe
dinners, its origins are actually much in God, but I also know that each of us has
darker. Dating back to the 3rd century CE, This is not a rule without exceptions, his or her own understanding of God and
on February 14th, Roman Emperor Claudius however. Whenever loving a neighbor fighting about God is the furthest thing
Gothicus beheaded at least two Christian actually conflicts with loving God or when from God. I believe in making the world
martyrs by the name of Valentine, who love for another would be detrimental a better place and will continue to do
later became Saints. And thus, the holiday to one’s legitimate interests or safety, whatever I can however I can. The world
of St. Valentine’s Day was born. the rabbis teach that we may prioritize needs these three things.
our own interests over others. And we are
As the years passed, however, the further given guidance on what loving our Last weekend the congregation celebrated
holiday morphed into something much neighbor should require by Rabbi Hillel my retirement. It was amazing and
sweeter. Chaucer and Shakespeare who stated in the Talmud: “What is meaningful and spiritual and affirming.
romanticized it in their writings and hateful to you do not do to your fellow.” Sandy and I are blessed to have finished
handmade cards were exchanged until (Shabbat 31a) this part of our journey right here. I do
the 19th century, when the industrial want to thank our friends in Lexington
revolution ushered in factory-made cards. Finally, we are taught, also in Kedoshim: and Indianapolis who nurtured and loved
In 1913, Hallmark Cards began mass “When strangers reside with you in your us for the majority of our journey. In the
producing Valentine’s cards and February land, you shall not wrong them. The end we are staying here in Canton as long
has not been the same since. In fact, in strangers who reside with you shall be as we can to continue to be a part of this
2018, Valentine’s Day poured approxi- to you as your own citizens; you shall community. This is a good city with good
mately $19.6 billion dollars into the love the stranger as yourself, for you people.
American economy according to the were strangers in the land of Egypt.”(Lev.
National Retail Federation. 19:33–34) Let me also thank Josh and Karen, and
Liam, too, and Rachel and Evan [children,
Valentine’s Day is definitely not a Jewish What I find amazing is that over 2,500 their spouses and a grandson] for allowing
holiday but the notion of love most years ago Jewish thinking understood the me (though I never asked) to use them as
certainly plays a central role in Jewish difference between these two types of the center of some of my writings. The five
thought and law. Love, in Judaism, is people: our neighbors who are like us and of you enrich my life every day. Thank
much more than an ideal or passion. It is a the stranger, who is different. The distinc- you to Sandy for reading these, making
commandment, an obligation, a responsi- tion is more than a mere categorical one. It Shabbat in our home, baking amazing
bility, a mitzvah. is based on the reality that we do not challah, supporting me, and going on the
automatically treat a stranger the way we journey. Next week we celebrate 38 years.
As Jews, we are commanded to love three treat our neighbor and, as a result, the
things: God, one another and the stranger. Torah commands us to consciously do So, I come to my final sign-off. When
And while we are also commanded to them no harm. you light your Shabbat candles this week,
show compassion and kindness, and care light one for the beauty of celebrating
for our parents as well as the widow, Practically, there is a moral equation in Shabbat each week. Light the other
orphan, sick, poor, and those in need, we treating one’s neighbor well that doesn’t candle and let its light guide you to the
are not required to love them. exist with the stranger. With our neigh- study of Torah, the worship of God, and
bors, we seek reciprocity and hope to doing deeds of loving kindness. Thank you
The central tenet of Judaism is stated in be treated well so that we can build a for allowing me in your heart and homes
the Shema, which is recited thrice daily: community together from which we all for so many years.
“You shall LOVE the Lord your God, with benefit. The stranger is someone whom
all your heart, with all your soul and with we do not know or trust and in whom we Rabbi Jon Adland has been a Reform
all your might.”(Deuteronomy 6:5) have no communal investment. Human rabbi for more than 30 years with pulpits in
nature being what it is, little incentive Lexington, Ky., Indianapolis, Ind., and
The relationship between God and exists to encourage us to include the currently at Temple Israel in Canton, Ohio.,
humanity is based, not on fear of punish- stranger or help them. where he retired at the end of June. He may
ment or retribution, but on love. be reached at [email protected]. This is his
Therefore, the Torah insists that when final Shabbat Shalom.

We learn to love God by attempting to we encounter a stranger, we transcend
know God – through the reading of sacred self-interest and practice empathy. To ji
texts, like the Torah, through the actions accomplish that, we resort to our own
(or mitzvoth) required of us, and through experience, that of being strangers with- love the stranger, to dig deep into feelings
observing the world and creation around us. out power or land. This commandment is of empathy, to rise to a higher level of
so important that we are commanded 36 humanity and to provide protection and
Love in Judaism is not an ephemeral or times in the Torah not to oppress the do no wrong, has particular relevance as
lofty concept: it requires knowledge and stranger,“for you know the feelings of the we continue to struggle with the deeply
understanding of the beloved: be it God, stranger, having yourselves been strangers troubling social and political policies on
in the land of Egypt.”(Exodus 23:9). immigration that divide our country today.

This idea of “going the extra mile” to Amy Hirshberg Lederman is an author,

(see Lederman, page 7)

Tracing Our Roots August 7, 2019 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 7

BY TRACIE FREUDENTHAL-MRAKICH LEDERMAN

On March 21, 2019, my sister Linda (continued from page 6)

and I boarded a flight to Frankfurt, Photo of sisters Tracie Freudenthal- Jewish educator, public speaker and attorney
Germany. We were attending the Mrakich (L) and Linda Tann in front of the who lives in Tucson. Her columns in the AJP
Stolperstein (Stumbling Stone) dedication remembrance wall made of original stones have won awards from the American Jewish
in Mannheim, Germany. Mannheim is from the former Mannheim Synagogue Press Association, the Arizona Newspapers
where our father, aunt and grandparents with article in the Mannheimer Morgan Association and the Arizona Press Club for
lived before immigrating to the United newspaper this past March. excellence in commentary. Visit her website at
States in late 1938. Packed in my suitcase amyhirshberglederman.com.
were three tins of hamantashen baked by
my friend, Beth Valinetz-Grimm. I also *Editor’s Note: Tu B’Av (15th of Av),
carried a small photo album containing sometimes called the JewishValentine’s Day,
photos of our father’s early life in is a modern-day mini-holiday in Israel. It
Germany and his family and professional is celebrated as a day of love, this year on
life in Indiana. Aug. 16, 2019.


The Stolperstein is a 3.9” x 3.9” square on the Noordam from Rotterdam on Dec. Stolperstein artist Gunter Demnig March
concrete cube bearing a brass plate 25, 1938, arriving at Ellis Island on Jan. 1, 2019 in Mannheim.
inscribed with “Here lived…” followed by 1939. From NewYork, they made their way
the names, birth year and year and place of to Richmond, Ind., where an aunt who Realschule (middle school) in Eppingen
death of deported Jews and other groups had sponsored the family lived. was to be renamed in memory of Selma
persecuted by the Nazis. The Stolperstein Rosenfeld, a former student and teacher
project also includes individuals or families Like so many German-Jewish immigrants, in Eppingen. Selma had immigrated to
like ours who were fortunate enough to he said little about his life in Germany. We the United States in 1924, received her
leave Germany and other countries that know that our grandfather was a tobacco Master’s degree from UC Berkeley, and
were under Nazi control. “Year fled” merchant. Shortly before our father became a Professor of German in the
replaces the year of death, and the country passed in 2007 we learned that before Foreign Language Department at the Los
that allowed them entrance is noted. leaving Germany, our grandfather had Angeles City College, where she taught
burned the tobacco fields (location from 1930 until her retirement in 1958.
Culture of Remembrance: Two sisters unknown), not wanting the Nazis to Michael shared that Selma was the half-
from the USA with Jewish-German roots profit from the fields. niece of our grandfather, Benno. He was
travel to the “Quadratestadt” for the trying to gather additional information
Stolperstein (Stumbling Stone) placement. We know from Volker Keller’s book, about Selma for the school dedication.
Bilder vom jüdischen Leben in Mannheim He also informed me that our great-
To date, there are more than 70,000 (Pictures of Jewish Life in Mannheim), grandfather, Kaufmann Freudenthaler, had
stones throughout Germany and other that our father was a member of the owned a Ratskeller (restaurant) in Eppingen,
European cities that have been placed by Haschomer Hatzair Socialist-Zionist where Selma and Benno, were born.
artist Gunter Demnig. On March 26, four Youth Group. The book includes a group
stones were dedicated at Richard Wagner photo on page 120 with our then 12-year- Although we were unable to provide
Strasse 8, for our grandparents, Benno and old father that was taken in their apart- Michael with any information about
Kate Freudenthaler, aunt, Suse (Susan), ment in 1934. We know that our father, Selma, he kindly sent me the booklet and
and father, Kurt. Our family name was who was a sportswriter in Indianapolis for map Jüedisches Leben Im Kraichgau created
shortened to “Freudenthal” when they over 50 years, participated in track and by his students, documenting Jewish Life
were processed at Ellis Island. The stone field as a youth. However, it wasn’t until in the Kraichgau.
dedication was the excuse that I did not he died that we learned he attended the
know I was looking for to visit Mannheim. 1936 Berlin Olympics track and field events. Once Linda decided to join me on this
journey, I reached out to Michael, not
What we know. . . We know that our sister, Karolyn, was knowing after 11 years if his email address
We know very little of our father’s life named for our great-grandfather, Kaufmann was still good. Fortunately, my email did
Freudenthaler. We also know that our reach him and he invited us to visit the
in Germany. He was 16 when the family father walked through the rubble of the Jewish historical sites in the area where
fled shortly after Kristallnacht. They sailed destroyed synagogue where he had our ancestors had lived. We planned to
celebrated his Bar Mitzvah a few years meet at the Sinsheim-Hoffenheim train
earlier. Finally, we know that he never station, a 40 minute train ride from
again stepped foot into Germany. Mannheim, on Sun., March 24.

Selma Rosenfeld Tracing the Tribe
A few months after our father had In addition to contacting Michael, I also
(see Roots page 8)
passed, I received an email from Michael
Heitz, a school teacher/counselor in
Eppingen, Germany. Michael was working
with his students on a joint project
between the University of Jewish Studies
Heidelberg and four schools in the
Kraichgau region to research and document
Jewish culture there.

In conjunction with the research project,
thanks to the students’ efforts, the

8 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT August 7, 2019

ROOTS There is also a marker where the After lunch, we explored Eppingen,
Hoffenheim Synagogue stood before which mostly escaped the bombings
(continued from page 7) being destroyed on Kristallnacht. during WWII. The old part of Eppingen is
a beautiful town with preserved unique
posted on the ‘Tracing the Tribe’ Facebook In nearby Simsheim-Steinsfurt, we half-timbered buildings dating back to
group my plans to travel to Mannheim for visited a building that was formerly a the early 15th century. We stopped by
the Stolperstein dedication, asking if there synagogue (built in 1893–94). It survived the “Alte Universität” which hosted parts
were any members of the group from only because the building was sold before of the Heidelberg University in the years
Mannheim. To my delight, Susan Salms- Kristallnacht. Inlaid in the stones adjacent 1564–1565 due to the black plague. The
Moss responded. Susan, currently residing to the building are tiles commemorating “Alte Universität” was also known as the
in NYC, lived in Mannheim for over 30 the various groups that were persecuted “Alte Judenschule” (old Jewish School),
years. She initially went to Europe to study and deported from Steinsfurt to the death where regular school for the Jewish
music, became a world class soprano, camps: Jews, Roma (gypsies), homosexuals, children of the town took place during the
married, and raised two daughters in those of other religions, political, forced early 19th century.
Mannheim. Today, she provides text workers and those with mental or physical
translation services. issues were the first to be “euthanized” by We then walked to the old synagogue
the Nazis. Inside the building, the name of (built 1774) where a beautiful Sephardic
Coincidentally, one of Susan’s daughters one of our relatives, Ludwig Freudenthaler, wedding stone that was hidden away
currently lives on the same street as the is on a plaque in remembrance of all the during the Nazi reign adorns the outside
apartment building where my family Jewish soldiers from Steinsfurt who served of the building. From an outside door, we
had lived. Susan became an invaluable in the German army during WWI. entered the basement to see the medieval
resource and friend whom I look forward mikvah. The mikvah was rediscovered in
to meeting in person! She connected me After Steinsfurt, we made a brief stop the late 1970s and then restored. It is one
to her friends and family in Mannheim, in the old farming village of Eppingen- of the seven oldest mikvot in Germany.
and provided tips and advice as we pre- Richen, where our great-grandfather Like other still standing synagogue build-
pared for this journey. She also introduced was born. It was here that we met the ings, it was sold in the late 1890s and was
me by email to Dr. Manfred Loimeier, a honorable Lord Mayor of Eppingen, Klaus no longer used as a synagogue. The Jewish
professor at Heidelberg University who Holaschke, who was out riding his bicycle. community of Eppingen had built a new,
is also an editorial coordinator at the Michael explained to Mayor Holaschke beautiful neo-romantic style synagogue.
Mannheimer Morgen, the daily regional why we were visiting and later shared The new synagogue, inaugurated in 1873,
paper. It seemed there was interest in our with us that the mayor is deeply engaged was destroyed during Kristallnacht.
trip to Mannheim for the Stolperstein in preserving the Jewish heritage of
dedication. Eppingen and the Kraichgau area. After touring Eppingen, Michael took us
to his home in nearby Sinsheim-Weiler to
Tracing our Roots From Richen, we headed to the Jewish meet his lovely wife, Margit, and enjoy
Sun., March 24: we met Michael Heitz Cemetery in Eppingen, established in coffee and homemade apple cake. Michael
1819. Before the trip, I searched finda- and Margit were excited to receive the tin
at the Sinsheim-Hoffenheim station as grave.com looking for any ancestors of hamantashen.
planned. This is one of the train stations buried in this cemetery. I found several
where 6,551 Jews from the former regions ancestors including our great grandparents, After cake and coffee, I brought out
of Baden and the Palatinate were deported Kaufmann and Bertha Wolf Freudenthaler; the photo album and sports photos
to Gurs, in Vichy, France (at the foot of the great-great grandparents Joseph Hirsch with German writing on the back to see if
Pyrenees), on Oct. 22, 1940. They were and Rachael Stiefel Freudenthaler; and either Michael or Margit could translate
loaded onto seven trains for the two-day great-great-great grandmother Johanna them for us. Because the writing was in
and two-night trip. Had our family, not Freudenthaler. “old German,” it was difficult to read.
fled Germany after Kristallnacht, they Michael was extremely interested in the
would have likely been on one of those There are also many aunts, uncles and photos and asked to scan them for his
trains. Those who survived the brutal cousins buried there. To my surprise, I archives. Michael and Margit’s backyard
living conditions at the Gurs internment learned that Johanna’s husband, great- has a wonderful view of Mount Steinsberg
camp were later transported to, and great-great-grandfather Ascher Schmay with its medieval castle. Their yard is filled
murdered at Auschwitz. Freudenthaler, had adopted the name with fruit trees and backs up to a vineyard
“Freudenthaler” in 1809. Schmay was that was established in 1150. Before
When the Hoffenheim train station Ascher’s father’s name. Michael explained returning us to the train station, Michael
was renovated, the students from the that in 1809, Jews were given the right to gave us a bottle of“Weilermer Steinsberg”
Albert Schweitzer Schule in Sinsheim have “inheritable names”, and Ascher 2016 Späetburgunder from the vineyard. It
were instrumental in the creation of a chose “Freudenthaler” for a nearby town. was hard to say our goodbyes, but we
monument made from two of the large Since Ascher Schmay Freudenthaler, died made plans to meet for lunch on
rectangular stones from the train station. prior to the establishment of the Eppingen Wednesday in Strasbourg, France, since he
Located about a block away from the train cemetery, his resting place is the Jewish would be there for a conference.
station, the monument is in remembrance Cemetery in Heinsheim.
of the 18 Jewish Hoffenheim deportees to Mon., March 25: In the morning, we
Gurs. In addition to the monument, a After visiting the cemetery, we enjoyed walked to the “new” synagogue, about
plaque at the former Hoffenheim town a delicious lunch at the Ratskeller in 20 minutes from our hotel. There we
hall commemorates the 18 former Jewish Eppingen, located a short walk from the met Marlies, who is a member of the
residents – 14 who died at Auschwitz and town hall. This was the restaurant owned synagogue board, and Lisa Wazulin, staff
four children who survived because their by our great-grandfather, Kaufmann. The writer, and the photographer from the
parents were able to send them from the Ratskeller was the first and only restaurant Mannheimer Morgen.
Gurs camp to an orphanage in France. in Eppingen that was run by a Jewish
Later, some of the children were smuggled family from 1876–1924. It was surreal. The I dreaded the interview because we had
out of France through the underground or furnishings have not changed over the so little information about our father’s life
stayed with the underground fighters. years. I felt like I had stepped back in time in Mannheim. Fortunately, Marlies came
to the 1920s. to our rescue, explaining to Lisa that our

August 7, 2019 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 9

lack of knowledge is common among the Mannheim. Next year, they will celebrate a As we were leaving the reception, Orna
second generation survivors. Lisa’s story, Bar Mitzvah in Mannheim. Orna took us introduced us to Volker Keller. Volker had
Following Their Father’s Traces, focused to a nice restaurant overlooking the Rhine. written the book, Bilder vom jüdischen
on how we came to Mannheim for the Meeting Orna was like meeting family. Leben in Mannheim (Pictures of Jewish Life
Stolperstein dedication and to gain a Orna and Bernd received the second tin in Mannheim). This book includes the
better understanding of our family’s roots. of hamantashen. group photo with our father referenced in
the sixth paragraph. He was extremely
Prior to WWII, the Jewish population Tues., March 26 – Stolperstein dedi- interested in the photos and asked if he
in Mannheim was around 6,000, with cation day: There were 23 Stolperstein could get copies.
multiple synagogues serving the Jewish dedications scheduled. Ours was the last
community. Members of Mannheim’s one of the day. The apartment building It was during our conversation with
Jewish community who did not or could was a short walk from our hotel. We Volker that Orna solved the mystery of
not immigrate before October of 1940 arrived at 3:45 p.m. for the 4:05 p.m. the sporting event photographs. She had
were rounded up in the Gurs deportation. scheduled time. We knew that Orna and noticed the letters “B” and “K” written on
Today, there is only the “new”synagogue Bernd would attend but had no idea how the back of some of the photos. They
with roughly 400 members, half of whom many others would be there – especially were from Bar Kochba sporting events!
had emigrated from the former Soviet since our story had appeared in the Our dad, who loved track and field, was
Union in the 1990s. morning paper. Approximately 15 people active in the Bar Kochba Sports Club! As
– Jewish and Christian – had shown up for Michael Heitz had already scanned the
We started our tour of the synagogue in our dedication. I had brought along my photos, it was easy for Volker to obtain
the foyer, where there is a section of the small photo album in case any of the digital copies. It will be interesting to see if
interior wall built from stones that came attendees were interested in learning any of our photos are included in a future
from the destroyed synagogue and one about the lives we were honoring. Plus, I book on Jewish life in pre-war Mannheim.
special red-colored stone from Auschwitz. was still trying to learn about the sporting
The photographer took our photo by the event photographs. Wed., March 27: Prior to taking the
plaque on the wall that reads: train to Strasbourg, France, for the day, I met
Gunter Demnig was running about 45 Jessica, Susan’s daughter, for coffee. Jessica
“Day and night, we wept for the martyrs minutes late, but we were all busy talking lives down the street from our family’s
of my people. – Jeremiah VIII. to each other and didn’t mind the wait. former apartment. We talked about growing
Once he arrived, Gunter immediately got up in Mannheim and why she returned
We wistfully commemorate all the Jewish to work, removing the stone, digging out after graduating from Brandeis University.
people who were persecuted, humiliated and some of the dirt, and leveling the ground. Like so many of us, she fell for a boy!
murdered in the years of the National He added small rocks for drainage and Jessica was excited to receive the last tin of
Socialist terror 1933 – 45.” placed two rectangular and one square hamantashen. We had a short but enjoy-
stone, before placing the four Stolpersteine able time getting to know each other, and
While we were there, a school group was with our families’ information engraved I look forward to seeing her again.
learning about Judaism in the sanctuary. on the brass plates. After the stones were
The synagogue hosts two to three school in place, he poured fine sand between the Upon returning from Strasbourg, we
groups a week and community events gaps and brushed away the residual sand. enjoyed a special dinner at the Goldene
throughout the year, both to educate the Gans Hotel, located a short walk from the
younger generations and to be a part of The whole process took less than ten train station. Evi, who we met at the
the greater community. minutes. Gunter does not say anything with Stolperstein ceremony, had invited us to
words, yet his deeds speak volumes. I did not dinner at her hotel. Both she and her
We joined the students in the beautiful think it would be emotional, but I was husband, Jürgen, treated us like family.
sanctuary to take a few photographs. wrong. Although I recorded the dedication We also met Evi’s sister, Julia, and nephew,
While there is no wall separating the for our sister, Karolyn, and cousins, Frieder. We enjoyed getting to know Evi and
women from the men that you would find Norman and Jeffrey, I wish they had her family and were treated to a delicious
in an Orthodox synagogue, the women sit joined us on this journey. meal prepared by their son, Chef Felix. It
separately from the men – either on the was a nice way to cap off a trip of a lifetime.
sides of the main floor of the sanctuary, or After the stones were placed, I thanked
upstairs overlooking it. everyone for attending and expressed how This journey came together thanks to
important it was for my sister, Linda, and Susan, Michael and Orna, I hope that
Although Jewish girls at the “new” me to represent the Freudenthaler family some day I will be able to“pay it forward”
synagogue may have Bat Mitzvahs, they at the Stolperstein dedication. I shared for other second or third generation
differ from Bat Mitzvahs held at reform that including the two of us, there are 18 holocaust survivors who are interested
and conservative synagogues in the United descendants of Kurt and Suse Freudenthaler; in placing Stolpersteine for their relatives.
States. They do not read the Torah or chant and how the number 18 is spelled with the Perhaps someone who reads this article
the Haftorah, as orthodox tradition forbids Hebrew letters Chet and Yud, to form will be inspired to follow in our footsteps
women from having contact with these “Chai,”the Hebrew word for life. to honor their family with a Stolperstein
holy items. For this reason, Susan’s (www.stolpersteine.eu/en/home/).
daughters prepared for their Bat Mitzvahs Following the ceremony, we walked to
long distance, and then celebrated their the local school for the reception. The Tracie Freudenthal-Mrakich grew up in
Bat Mitzvahs in the United States. Mannheim Stolperstein coordinator, Rolf Indianapolis and spent 18 years in the Los
Schönbrod, said a few words and intro- Angeles area (Pasadena) working in sales
Monday evening, we met Orna, a friend duced a teacher and two of her students. and marketing before moving back in 1999.
of Susan’s, at our hotel. Orna was born in The students had raised money to cover the See a longer version with more photos at:
Tel Aviv. Her father immigrated to costs of some of the stones where there https://jewishpostopinion.com/?p=3630,
Palestine in 1936 from Kaiserslautern, was no living family to help. Each stone and her review of The German-Jewish
Germany. Her mother was born in costs 120 euros ($134). We also heard from Cookbook: Recipes and History of a Cuisine
Drohobycz, near Lemberg, Poland, which a representative from the Mannheim by Gabrielle Rossmer Gropman and Sonya
is now the Ukraine. In 1956, Orna’s father Mayor’s office. In between each speech, a Gropmanat at: https://jewishpostopinion
moved the family back to Germany. Orna pianist played solemn music. .com/?p=3468.

and her husband, Bernd, have three
daughters. One daughter lives in Tel Aviv,
and their two other daughters live in

10 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT August 7, 2019 a girl should become Bat Mitzvah. Terre
Haute rabbis before and after him were
Holocaust not so inclined. Mine was not only the first
Educator Bat Mitzvah in Terre Haute, but because
Rabbi Raab left soon after, for many years,
BY DR. MIRIAM L. ZIMMERMAN it was the only one.

My Maftir in Munich Rabbi Nathaniel Ezray, of Congregation
Beth Jacob since 1995, mercifully said that
A“ re you German or English?” The Miriam Zimmerman (R) congratulated for I did not have to have the same parashah
becoming a Bat Mitzvah by Rabbi David as my actual Bat Mitzvah. Since I have
three-year-old little girl’s question caught Raab in May 1959. no memories of it, it must not have been
me off-guard, made me realize one is important to me. I gratefully accepted
never too old to have an identity crisis. I Chabad synagogue in Poway, Calif., Acharei Mot, on the Shabbat closest to my
have a German passport and a USA shattered my illusion of Jewish safety in birthday this year.
passport; which am I? But my youngest this country as compared to Germany.
grandchild was not asking an existential It pleased me greatly to practice my
question. Leah, my daughter, explained Sixty years ago, my hometown Torah portion daily in Munich, listening to
that Maya is in a bilingual synagogue, Temple Israel on South Sixth Cantor Barbara Powell’s beautiful voice on
preschool with a native Street in Terre Haute, Ind., felt completely my phone, in a country which, 82 years
English teacher and a safe. It was the scene of my Friday night ago, spewed forth my father, of blessed
native German teacher Bat Mitzvah. In a reform congregation in memory, and made studying Torah illegal.
in each classroom. The southern Indiana during the 1950’s, there Chanting my Maftir in Munich while
English teacher speaks were no Saturday morning services. I do surrounded by the toys of my grand-
only English; the German not remember my Torah portion. children was my small revenge.
teacher, only German. The Maya age 3.
children learn to speak the appropriate What I do remember is my mother, of Cantor Barbara asked me why I wanted
language to each. I had been trying out blessed memory, nagging me to ask one of to commemorate the 60th anniversary. My
my German, so my granddaughter was, my best friends, Gloria, if she would be Bat Mitzvah had been just another chore I
understandably, confused. Am I German attending. Mother and her friends would was expected to do, a check mark on the
or am I English? It was I who placed the do the catering, augmented by the local list of things that would help me get into a
existential spin on Maya’s innocent question. bakery. She wanted to have accurate good university. My parents, of blessed
numbers for the dessert reception after memory, placed education at the top of
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary the evening service. It was before the era Maslow’s hierarchy. After all, it was my
of my May 15, 1959 Bat Mitzvah, I gave a of mega Saturday night parties. father’s medical school diploma that
shout out to our children and grandchildren became his ticket out of the Nazi inferno.
watching from afar. The live stream of Gloria looked at me with stricken eyes,
my synagogue, Congregation Beth Jacob which I can see to this day.“My priest told “Education is something they can never
in Redwood City, Calif., collapsed the me that if I stepped foot into a synagogue, take from you,”a heavily German-accented
distance from Thousand Oaks, Calif., I would go straight to hell when I died.” mantra echoed throughout my youth.
where our son Josh lives with his family; Her response, rather, her priest’s response, Besides, my parents couldn’t afford to bribe
and Munich, Germany, where our daughter reflected pre-Vatican II Catholicism, college officials, like some parents today.
Leah lives with her family. before the great reforms of the Church in
the mid-1960’s, culminating in Nostre No one ever explained the spiritual
I also welcomed my San Mateo, Calif., Aetate. That declaration changed the aspect of coming of age as an adult Jew
daughter Rebecca, her husband Jason, and relationship between the Roman Catholic to me. As an adult, I looked forward to
their children Sarah and Jonah, all of Church and the Jewish people forever. mastering the letters of Torah Hebrew, if
whom witnessed my Bat Mitzvah celebration only for a brief passage. The parashah takes
at Beth Jacob. Clearly, I am Jewish, Gloria and I, newly minted teenagers, place just after the death of Aaron’s sons,
German or English – language notwith- did not have the tools to deal with the Nadav and Avihu. What happened to
standing. priest’s pronouncement. Sadly, we drifted Nadav and Avihu is what happens when
apart after that. Happily, in recent years, you disobey G-d’s orders regarding
Just days before my Bat Mitzvah we became friends on social media, and sacrifice and try to enter the Holy of
celebration, Richard and I returned from now, we occasionally “like” each other’s Holies when you are not the high priest,
two weeks in Munich, during which time grandchildren. and it is not Yom Kippur.
Maya asked her question. We had first
night’s Seder in her Maxvorstadt (district It was very unusual for a girl to have a In sermons over the intervening 60
of Munich) apartment, followed by a Bat Mitzvah in those days. Small town years since my Bat Mitzvah, I have heard
community Seder the next night at her Indiana had a turnover of rabbis, often more than one rabbi complain about the
Temple, Beth Shalom, the Liberale Jüdische fresh out of rabbinical school. As soon as laws of temple sacrifice on Yom Kippur, as
Gemeinde München. they qualified for a larger pulpit (and more not being relevant to today’s worshippers.
money), they moved on. Rabbi David But it seems to me that the gift of Acharei
A feeling of apprehension took hold of Raab, of blessed memory, felt strongly that Mot is to provide a means to satisfy the
me as we approached her synagogue, with religious craving to be innocent and pure
a police car and two officers in the parking before G-d.
lot. All over Germany, synagogues need
armed guards. I felt grateful and safe as a G-d gives the Jewish people a mechanism
Jew because I live in the United States and to atone for sin, for missing the mark. By
can attend my synagogue without fear. casting lots to determine which goat is to
But just a few days after our return on the carry the sins of the community to Azazel
last day of Passover, the shooting at the in the wilderness and then projecting
the sins of the community onto the goat,
all can feel purged and free of guilt. The

(see Zimmerman, page 11)

August 7, 2019 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 11

Tribute to Eva Kor ZIMMERMAN to do? The never asked question: how are
you contributing to the problems in your
BY DR. MIRIAM L. ZIMMERMAN (continued from page 10) marriage? Every divorce has two stories.

She chose Jan. 31 as her birthdate, because ritual transforms the community to be What Acharei Mot does not do is offer an
worthy of G-d’s presence. alternative to the scapegoat. Is it possible
she did not remember her birthday. to feel purged, pure, and free of guilt with-
Deported to Auschwitz as a child, Eva Kor, The scapegoat as a psychological out projecting our sins onto an innocent
now of blessed memory, chose a date just process vilified Jews during the Third vessel, the scapegoat? If so, how?
four days after the Jan. 27, 1945 liberation Reich in Germany and unified the
of the extermination camp as her birthday. German Volk. Today in the United States, In the parashah, “land” is repeated
people scapegoat Jews, immigrants, and multiple times, in reference to having
It took a few days after liberation before other minorities. Understanding the psy- “spewed” up, literally, vomited up, earlier
Eva realized that the whole world was chological underpinnings of the scapegoat nations because of their abominations.
not a concentration camp. Unsupervised mechanism is crucial to dismantling its Words repeated in Torah acquire additional
in the immediate aftermath of liberation, power over practitioners and victims alike. meaning, require additional explication. A
Eva, her twin Miriam, and the other warning to Jews for all time: do we want to
“Mengele twins”played in the environs of Scapegoating occurs between individuals be spewed up from the land the way the
Auschwitz. On the banks of the Olah as well as among communities. For the land spewed up other peoples for not
River, Eva noticed a little girl on the last 18 years, my husband Richard and I obeying G-d’s commandments?
opposite bank, dressed in Sunday finery, have worked together as divorce mediators,
probably on her way to church. At that a second career for both of us. Many ask I am grateful to Rabbi Ilana Goldhaber-
moment, Eva realized there was a world us what we think causes divorce, as if Gordon for pointing out that there can be
beyond the horrors of Auschwitz. Eva told there could be one cause. I believe it is not an environmental spin to Acharei Mot. In
me the story herself, at the 50th anniversary a single issue, neither lack of skill, nor Exodus, we are commanded to be stewards
celebration of the liberation of Auschwitz. faulty communication that gives rise to over the land and the animal kingdom. In
relationship loss. the current era of species extinction and
I had the good fortune to accompany climate degradation, have we fulfilled this
Eva to Auschwitz in January 1995 (see We see some of the best people during duty? The land is already spewing us up by
Jewish Post and Opinion July 12, 1995, the worst moments of their lives, struggling way of wildfires, hurricanes, floods, heat
“Forgiving the Nazis,” reposted at this to make sense of what is happening to waves, drought, and volcanoes. We are
link: https://jewishpostopinion.com/?p= them. In my experience, what many oblivious because we are not listening to
3699). Eva’s former biographer, Mary couples have in common at this point in the words of Acharei Mot. We are not
Wright, who accompanied us on this their lives is a tendency to demonize, to obeying G-d’s commandments.
pilgrimage, told me she thought Eva kept blame, to scapegoat the other. I have no
returning to Auschwitz in search of her advice, only stories. Another answer both to Cantor
childhood, beginning ten years earlier at Barbara’s and Maya’s question has to do
the 40th anniversary celebration. Questions abound: how are you using with a new stage of defining who I am.
scapegoats in your life? Are you scape- Judaism has wonderful life-cycle rituals,
At the 50th, I got to know Eva beyond goating your spouse? Is this what you want including the Brit Milah and naming
the confines of the Jewish community of ceremonies, B’nai Mitzvot, marriage,
Terre Haute, Ind., my hometown and Eva’s ji Mikveh, the Chevra Kadisha and Jewish
adopted hometown. My first thought mourning traditions, among others. But
upon hearing of Eva’s July 4th passing was away from her; you cannot fault Eva for there is no ritual, to my knowledge, to
what a shame it is that Eva will not be at anything she does.” mark the transition from one’s work life to
the 75th anniversary in January 2020. retirement. Indeed, was there retirement
At dinner after the San Francisco Jewish in biblical times? Or, did people simply
My father, of blessed memory, first told Film Festival’s 2006 screening of Forgiving expire on the job?
me about Eva. The intensity in his eyes Dr. Mengele, another documentary about
has stayed with me. “You’ll never guess her life, Eva told me how my mother, My Bat Mitzvah anniversary celebration
who has settled in Terre Haute.” I could Hazel Loewenstein, z”l, had influenced was an opportunity for me to remember
not. “Eva Kor, a Mengele twin,” was his her. Mother wanted Eva to become my long ago self as a teenager becoming
awestruck answer. No doubt it was my president of the local Hadassah chapter. a spiritual adult. The question for me now
blank face that inspired him to give me Eva replied that she did not like speaking is to discover how I fulfilled that youthful
an immediate crash course in medical in front of groups. Mother told Eva (Mother, promise and to decide how I can renew
experimentation in concentration camps. too, was known for her directness) to take and redefine what it is that will best reflect
Eva and her survivor husband Mickey, a a course in public speaking. Eva did so, at G-d’s plan for me. I believe that ultimately,
pharmacist, became close family friends. Indiana State University. it is I who must determine that plan.

My father, Werner Loewenstein, I always felt that the Jewish Community If my Bat Mitzvah represented my
graduated from the University of Berlin of Terre Haute was too confining for Eva’s transition to a spiritual adult, how can I
Medical School in 1934. As a medical spirit. Fortunately, she was able to make transition to a spiritual retirement? I have
student, he witnessed the demise of the become a German citizen, a symbolic act
medical profession under the Nazis. He (see Eva, page 12) that opened doors for me. More revenge.
knew a great deal about Mengele, even The future is tantalizing and beckons
before his friendship with Eva. seductively. There are so many worthy
options from which to choose. With G-d’s
Outspoken, and with an Israeli’s help, may I choose wisely.
disconcerting directness, she might have
ruffled the feathers of some of the more Dr. Miriam Zimmerman is professor
“southern-mannered” among the Jewish emerita at Notre Dame de Namur University
community of Terre Haute. Dad always (NDNU) in Belmont, Calif., where she
came to Eva’s defense whenever anyone continues to teach the Holocaust course. She
complained. “They took her childhood can be reached at [email protected].

12 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT August 7, 2019

Shipley EVA account the psychological benefit of
Speaks healing that forgiveness affords.
(continued from page 11)
BY JIM SHIPLEY Without forgiveness, would Eva have
the world her stage, becoming a great had the spirit and energy to create
The Final Curtain human rights advocate and a model for C.A.N.D.L.E.S. (Children of Auschwitz
forgiveness, for the betterment of us all. Nazi Deadly Lab Experiment Survivors),
A“ Near Death Experience”. Ever had an organization of Mengele twins?
In those last days in Poland in 1995, Eva Subsequently, she founded the Candles
one? There actually is such a thing. Been explained to me how forgiving the Nazis Holocaust Museum and Education Center
there – done that. Well, I did – and it ain’t made her feel. By letting go of her hatred in Terre Haute, where schoolchildren from
a picnic. About two months ago I devel- for them, she was no longer their victim. all over the State of Indiana and beyond
oped a cough that would not go away. By letting go of anger, she rose above her come to learn about the Holocaust and hear
tormentors and was able to move on with Eva’s story. She spoke internationally,
We complacently kept the same primary her life, free from the pain which had been promoting human rights as well as
medical practice after our Doc retired. The their legacy. The controversy over Eva’s Holocaust education. Her awards are too
“new” doctor hired by the practice almost forgiving the Nazis does not take into numerous to list here. For more about
killed me – seriously. I complained during Eva’s accomplishments and Indiana’s only
a routine visit of a constant cough. He told ji Holocaust museum, visit its website:
me to go to the drug store and get some https://candlesholocaustmuseum.org/
cough medicine. Didn’t help. the voice of my daughter Robin.
I opened one eye and croaked to her: Eva’s legacy challenges us to become
Cough persisted. Got so bad I could not better people: more forgiving, more
sleep. Two of our children were here for “Robbie…is it worth it?” conscious of social injustice, especially to
the weekend (Thank God). That Friday She shouted back at me: “Of course it is!” children. In an unprecedented era where
night I told them that I was really sick – I Well, think about your life. Under the the United States government separates
mean to the point where I could not refugee children from their mothers, I
breathe well. same circumstances, would you just “let cannot help connecting Eva’s story to
go”? I know! Unless you have been there these children, yearning for their families.
Friday night in the ER at a large local – at the brink – it’s academic. The children are scarred for life. Some are
hospital? Chaos. I asked my son to call 911 dying, even though the facilities were not
– so that we could get an ambulance and In my case, it was a matter of things set up as extermination camps.
get right in. Turned out to be the right unsaid – old wounds that had to
decision: Perforated lung, Pneumonia, heal…and a change in my overall behavior. One Holocaust textbook describes a
some heart problems, etc. I am not a drunk or embezzler. I am not continuum of seven different types of
nor have I ever been a sexual predator. camps under the Nazis. Critics of the term
I was in the Advent Altamonte South “concentration camp”to describe the U.S.
Hospital for three weeks (3). In the first But…I have a sharp tongue, can be facilities fail to make such nuanced
thirty-six hours it was, believe it or not insensitive, mess up priorities….things distinctions. Pictures of people massed
“Touch and Go”. No – seriously. I heard, like that…do not sound that serious. together behind bars such that they are
through a haze, talk of trying to keep Would you give up the chance to rectify unable to sit or lie down certainly depict a
me alive. That, dear reader, will get your some of even the little things? concentration camp, whether in Nazi
attention. Germany or in the United States.
I am lucky in that I have been forgiven
As I lay there, contemplating the worst – for most of my “trespasses” by those close Eva’s son, Dr. Alex Kor, told me that
at that point you do not think of the next to me. BUT: Lying in that drug induced within the last few years, Eva obtained her
time you will jump in the pool – some fog I began to think of the simple things birth certificate when she was honored
thoughts began to materialize.“I am about that are a part of everyday life and what I in her Romanian hometown. Her birthday
to be 89 years old…how much time have would do differently if I could. was, indeed, on January 31, but in 1934
I got altogether?”“This is going to cost and not in 1935. Thus, Eva found out that
my family a fortune…for what? – a couple So – here is the challenge: One night she and Miriam were a year older than
of extra years?”“So…what would it be like soon, in the dark – without the drugs or originally thought.
to just to ‘let go’”? the actual challenge facing you: What
would you do? Would you want to get When asked if he saw a change in his
I do not believe there is anything“on the back to a real life and like “one more mother after her forgiveness of the Nazis,
other side”. I believe done is done. A life is chance”– or just let go. Alex Kor responded: “There is no doubt
lived for better or worse and what you that since 1995 my mother was a happier
leave behind is what you leave behind. I I would put the odds at over 100 to one and more content person. This made my
believe that dreams of an “after life” – a – you would not let go – not let any chance relationship with her so much better in
heaven or hell are pretty much just that – at life slip away. You would face the the last 24 years. In the documentary
dreams. Sorry – when that curtain goes challenge, promise to be a better person about her life titled, Eva: A-7063, this
down – the show, for better or worse is and fight to get back to where you were – change in her is very noticeable. See more
over. This column is not designed as a or better: Where you would like to be. I did at https://www.thestoryofeva.com/.”
religious discussion – just a personal just that.
experience. But I do know that “taking Alex also commented that the planned
one’s life” – however it is done, is a sin I think that is why, we Jews in all our January 2020 journey to Auschwitz for the
and not acceptable under Jewish law. wisdom frown most mightily on giving up 75th liberation by the Candles Museum
the greatest gift: Our lives. I didn’t. I am would proceed as scheduled; he will be
So, lying there in pretty much a stupor on the other side of “well” now and most going. It is time for the Second Generation
from the drugs I was being fed, I grateful. Eighty-nine? Piece of cake! of Holocaust Survivors to take over.
wondered – how do you just let go? There
is no formula. I was awake enough to hear Jim Shipley has had careers in broadcasting, With Eva’s passing, the world has lost a
distribution, advertising, and telecommuni- great human being. Her memory is for a
cations. He began his working life in radio blessing; may she finally rest in peace.

in Philadelphia. He has written his JP&O
column for more than 20 years and is director
of Trading Wise, an international trade and
marketing company in Orlando, Fla. This
column was submitted May.15, 2019.

August 7, 2019 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 13

Kabbalah Blessed be He) with the Shechinah, the New Temple in Virginia
of the Month Divine Feminine. Beach and an
African American
BY MELINDA RIBNER Several times a day, Jews recite the Museum Visit
Shema that is a code for this unification.
Av – Out of Sorrow “Shema Israel, Adon-ai Eloheynu, Adon-ai RABBI ISRAEL ZOBERMAN
Comes Joy Echod.” Listen Israel God (transcendent), Statement by Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman,
is our God, God (immanent) is one.”Even
On Tisha B’Av (August 11), the saddest the letters in the Divine Name, Yud, Hay, founder and spiritual leader of the new
Vav and Hay are both masculine (Yud and Temple Lev Tikvah (Heart of Hope), a
day of the year, we complete the challenging Vav) and Feminine (Hay). God is one, but Reform Jewish congregation in Virginia
time period known as the Three Weeks. transcendent and immanent to us. When Beach that will be at the forefront of Jewish-
The last nine days of those, beginning the balance between the masculine and Christian relations and dialogue:
with Rosh Hosdesh Av (August 2), have feminine is restored on high and in this
restrictions similar to shiva. On Tisha B’Av world, God’s oneness will be revealed. My heart indeed overflows with hope,
we commemorate the destruction of the There will be peace and joy.
ancient Holy Temples in Jerusalem as well gratitude and love as I humbly though
as many other tragedies. Let us not As we now move closer to the messianic proudly announce the blessed birth of the
despair. Out of sorrow comes joy. Out of era, we are told that“the light of the moon youngest synagogue in Virginia Beach and
darkness comes light. will be equal to the light of the sun” Hampton Roads. It is housed in a unique
according to the prophet Isaiah. Women ecumenical Christian setting, the only
A few days after Tisha B’Av, we celebrate and men embodying the feminine will such in the world, making it now an even
the ancient holiday of Tu B’Av (August lead the way. Because the external world is more exceptional interfaith center. Church
16), the most joyous and hidden day of already quite adapted to the dominance of Of The Holy Apostles, established in
the year. It is the time of the full moon of the masculine, the values and wisdom of Virginia Beach in 1977, is both an
this month. The month of Av can be an the feminine will have to rise to create the Episcopal and Catholic congregation.
emotional roller coaster for many. On Tu balance needed for peace and harmony. It Their loving embrace of my new Reform
B’Av, the energy of the month changes. is the revelation of the Divine Feminine, Jewish Temple is ample and inspiring
the Shechinah, that opens our hearts to the testimony to their genuine ecumenical
In ancient times on Tu B’Av when the experience of love and unity. Evil will be spirit reaching beyond their own common
Holy Temple stood, young maidens would eradicated in the presence of the Divine. and diverse Christian traditions. With this
dress in white and dance before the men. golden opportunity we are making and
They would flirt and with their eyes say, Tu B’Av is the time for the revelation of impacting history. Our one God is surely
“Look at me”. And in one look, marriages the Divine Feminine, offering us a glimpse smiling upon us.
would be made. It was only on this day of the messianic time. People do not know
that the people from the various tribes yet what to do on Tu B’Av. My teacher Reb Rabbi Zoberman is founder and spiritual
would meet for the purpose of marriage. Shlomo Carlebach, of blessed memory, leader of the new Reform Jewish congre-
Each marriage brought joy and blessing used to say something like this,“The higher gation, “Temple Lev Tikvah” (Heart of Hope).
not just to the couple, but also to the the holiday, the least known it is and less It meets at The Church of the Holy
community and to God. It is a Jewish clear how to celebrate it.”We are learning Apostles in Virginia Beach, which is the
Sadie Hawkins day. in recent years how to celebrate Tu only Episcopalian and Catholic Church in
B’Shevat. In the messianic time, with our the world. Now it is the only interfaith
Tu B’Av is a day for the feminine, a Holy Temple rebuilt, Tu B’Av will become center in the world with Episcopalians,
revelation of the Shechinah, the day to very clear to us. Catholics, and Jews under one roof.
connect with the soul mate, a special time
to be with your own soul. Tu B’Av is also a My newest book, The Secret Legacy of They graciously invite their Jewish
day of forgiveness and new beginnings. Biblical Women; Revealing the Divine brethren to tend to our 4,000 year old
Feminine is a guidebook for facilitating the nourishing roots that have blessed the
The Jewish calendar is divided between rise of the feminine spirit and the revelation human family, instrumental in birthing
the holiday of Tu B’Shevat, the full moon of the Divine Feminine. Through an inter- the two other great monotheistic world
of the month of Shevat, and the holiday of view format with each biblical woman, the religions of Christianity and Islam. Bishop
Tu B’Av, the full moon of the month of Av. path to revealing the Divine Feminine, the James Magness of the Episcopal Diocese
On Tu B’Shevat, the masculine energies Shechinah, is revealed. We stand on the of Southern Virginia and Bishop Barry
expand that culminate in the holiday of shoulders of these holy women before us. Knestout of the Roman Catholic Diocese
Passover and Shavuos. On Tu B’Av, the In this book, women have a voice! of Richmond are to be commended for
feminine, more inward turning energies,
begin and include the High Holidays, and Melinda Ribner, L.C.S.W. is also the
Chanukah. author of Everyday Kabbalah, Kabbalah
Month by Month and New Age Judaism,
Many people are not aware that Judaism and The Secret Legacy of Biblical
and Jewish spiritual practice is dedicated Women: Revealing the Divine Feminine.
to restoring the balance between the Internationally known for her pioneering
masculine and feminine in both the work in kabbalistic meditation and healing,
spiritual and physical universes. Judaism she is also a spiritual psychotherapist and
may appear to be patriarchal on the out- for more than 30 years has used kabbalistic
side, but on the inside it is all about the wisdom as part of treatment. She offers a free
Divine Feminine. Shabbat and Torah are newsletter on meditation, healing, kabbalistic
feminine. Prayers are continually said to energies of the months, holidays, and
unite HaKodesh Borechu (the Holy One more. www.kabbalahoftheheart.com. Email:
[email protected].


(see Zoberman, page 14)

14 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT August 7, 2019

ZOBERMAN happen only in our free America. Let us that we should focus uninterruptedly?
count our blessings even as we commit to We were guided by an incredible docent
(continued from page 13) turning blemishes into blessings and keep
from turning blessings into blemishes. We telling the story of proud Africans forcibly
their broad ecumenical vision, spiritual shall together yet repair our blemished and so cruelly separated from their rich
fortitude and shining faith in action. planet into a blessed and better home for roots and brought to America – those who
Together we reaffirm a holy bond in face all of God’s children. The Divine delights made it through the terrifying Middle
of a complex and trying history. We are in diversity, God’s divinity and human Passage – and brought here to be violated
committed to overcome troubling past dignity are one and inseparable. of all that is sacred. Both they as slaves and
shadows. Having already made major Europe’s Jews were deemed sub-human.
strides forward, we should maintain and The article was inserted into the The vital Jewish and African American
build upon those breakthrough accom- Congressional Record on June 21, 2019 by partnership during the Civil Rights
plishments of monumental change. Congresswoman Elaine Luria (D) of Movement of the 1960s needs to be
Virginia’s second district. revitalized in the context of a wider
We are mutually enabled to cultivate a coalition to move America forward.
precious interfaith linkage, appreciating National Museum of African
each other’s differences and particularities American History I wish that both museums could be
while celebrating our often overlooked but connected by a bridge or a tunnel to
no less important commonalities, as we On George Washington’s birthday Feb. visualize their inseparable bond. The
collectively admit to our shortcomings, 22, 2019, during Black History Month, I large number of visitors at the museum,
ignorance and biases. This awesome jour- was privileged to travel to the particularly the many students, is a
ney of mutual discovery while interfacing Smithsonian National Museum of African hopeful sign. We dare not despair of past
under one roof, challenges us all to bring American History and Culture, close to and present pain, for that only serves the
out the best God planted within us. It the Washington Monument on the hateful aggressor, while indifference, as Eli
gains added critical significance against inspiring National Mall of our nation’s Wiesel taught us, only enables evildoers
the unsettling backdrop of the global capital. The long-awaited tour was to succeed.
resurgence of consuming dark forces. This organized by the Virginia Beach Human
includes but is not limited to anti- Rights Commission. I was in Jerusalem when I watched in
Semitism with its recent deadly and disbelief on American TV the tormented
shocking manifestation in American As a family member of the Holocaust’s images of Virginia’s Governor Ralph and
synagogues, along with horrific terrorist surviving remnant of European Jewry, I Pamela Northam. I have known them for
attacks on Christians, Muslims, Sikhs and knew ahead of the searing visit of the many years as good people and outstanding
others at worship and elsewhere. tragic bond between the African American citizens who have blessed our community
experience and the destruction of with many gifts. A regrettable past painful
In our gratefully most ecumenical European Jewry. This is a binding bond lapse in judgment, contributed to a large
nation on earth and in our own Hampton among all affected by infectious racial, extent by one’s early environment, should
Roads community of interfaith firsts, we religious, ethnic, national and gender not be a barrier toward redemption.
offer promising and consoling good news. hatred seeking to demean, dehumanize Governor Northam’s planned ‘Racial
I am acutely mindful of my personal and demonize the ‘other’. There is an Reconciliation Tour’ is commendable and
sacred responsibility to ever be a builder unmistakable thread connecting the should lead toward sacred healing born
of Shalom’s essential bridges of healing, 2015 murder of nine Black members at of honest dialogue and redeeming acts.
hope and harmony. After all, I am a family Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal
member of the Holocaust’s surviving Church in Charleston S.C., with the A visit to the African American Museum
remnant of European Jewry. The Holocaust gunning down of 11 Jewish worshippers is highly recommended for all of us along
continues to weigh heavily on both Jews at a Sabbath service in Pittsburg’s Tree of with the Holocaust one. Former Virginia
and Christians. It ought to bring us closer Life Synagogue in 2018; between the Governor Bob McDonnell’s formation of
away from the abyss, raising our prophetic historical lynchings of Blacks and the Virginians for Reconciliation is laudable.
voices in unison when confronted by 2017 White Supremacist mayhem in Further legislation on all levels is necessary
genocidal crimes as in Syria. The cry of Charlottesville, Va., resulting in a murder, to bring about a more equitable society
abandoned refugees and the abused any- with the dreaded shouts of “Jews will with opportunity for all toward a more
where calls us for a joint response of divine not replace us!” still ringing in our ears. Perfect Union. We need better tools to
compassion, born of a Judeo-Christian Vitriolic anti-Semitism is precipitously on fight the scourge and resurgence of all forms
heritage of indispensable values and ideals, the rise in the United States and Europe. of hatred, bigotry and discrimination.
building coalitions pursuing social justice. Democracies are at risk of backsliding, as
The imposing structure of the African was the case in Germany, and require
Polarizing religious, racial, and cultural American Museum stands within sight of eternal vigilance.
strife threatens to paralyze American the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. I
democracy. We enthusiastically recall that recalled my first visit there and the subse- A precious teachable window is open to
our Commonwealth of Virginia is home to quent ones, when I felt an overwhelming us following trying circumstances, as we
the revolutionary 1786 Virginia statue of sense of uncontrollable loss. It was the celebrate this year the 400th Anniversary
Religious Freedom authored by Thomas same sensation of being assaulted to the of Virginia with its dark shadows and
Jefferson, a great native son. It became core of my humanity that I experienced shining lights. Let us pledge, one diverse
enshrined in the First Amendment traveling the challenging halls of the but united family, to rise together higher
protections we dare not to do without, African American Museum.Yet, I emerged and higher.
that has allowed diversity within unity to from both encounters with greater resolve
flourish like nowhere else. It produced the to mend the world, Tikkun Olam, turning Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman is a member
irreplaceable noble American experiment blemishes into blessings. Who can remain of the Virginia Beach Human Rights
we are pledged to uphold and renew. untouched gazing at the casket of brutally Commission and the Holocaust Commission
murdered 14-year-old Emmett Till and the of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
The unfolding and transformative reli- photo of his agonizing mother, the only He is past national Interfaith Chair of JCPA
gious drama in our midst with remarkable exhibit we are forbidden to photograph (Jewish Council for Public Affairs). He is
Christian partners and willing Jews can Honorary Senior Rabbi Scholar at Eastern Shore
Chapel Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach.

August 7, 2019 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 15

Media Scene from “Law & Order: SVU” episode repeating tropes that might normalize anti-
Watch “Alta Kockers” (Season 20, Episode 10) Semitism in ways that started in Germany.
aired Nov. 29, 2018 on NBC.
BY RABBI ELLIOT B. GERTEL No one mentions that the rabbi should
But there is strong evidence of a crime in have shown better judgment than inviting
Two Strange Law the brothers’ basement: They had created her to the synagogue in evening hours
and Order: SVU a grave for their mother, who had been when there was no staff to guide guests
Episodes About Jews riddled with cancer, but the cause of her and to ensure their safety.
death had been asphyxiation, probably for
Jewish Psychos? reasons of euthanasia. We are told that there was a Jewish
youth group meeting that night, and the
After a book-signing, the celebrated The sons are brought to trial, but they two young men, who are quickly found,
are written for sympathy.There is a dark old were wearing hats associated with that
writer of a novel based on personal secret of sexual abuse at an after school activity. (Something else is said – gratu-
experiences in prostitution is found dead. club. At least one brother was afraid to itously – about a planned Israel trip.) The
Videos quickly lead to the killer, who report the abuse because he feared that his councilwoman had confronted the boys
discovered before the book event that mother would have regarded him as“dirty” earlier, in a clear effort to provoke them
the female prostitute he had been seeing and would have not loved him anymore. and to manipulate the media so that it
was a biological male. The killer resented appeared like they spit at her and tried
the lie and the (trans)gender revelations. Why did writer Chernuchin and the to rip off her hijab. Writers Michael
producers hanker after a Jewish version of Churnuchin, Julie Martin and Richard
The only address that the publisher had Psycho? Was this just so funny-sounding Sweren (who usually handle the “Jewish”
for that murdered author was that of the Yiddish vulgarisms, never used by refined themes) make it clear that the council-
92nd Street Y in Manhattan (a Jewish individuals, could make their way into the woman is no victim in her efforts to
Community Center). But detective work script? Was this some kind of last hurrah demonize Jewish youth:“It’s in their blood
soon leads to an impressive mansion on a as the clock runs out on portrayals, already to be Islamophobes,”she says.
Manhattan corner. dated, of certain Jewish types?
The writers never let up on the council-
A search of the mansion yields two aged NBC touted the episode as a tour-de- woman’s anti-Jewish rhetoric.“Everybody’s
Jewish men, the brothers Edelman: Joe, force for two veteran actors. But it seemed so concerned about the Jews,” she says.
the older brother played by Judd Hirsch; more like an easy, cheap reprisal of clichés They have her assistant observe that the
and Ben, the younger brother, portrayed in the series, which constantly exploits Muslim-American politician is “exercising
by Wallace Shawn (photo above center). child abuse for dramatic effect, and like her right to criticize Israel,”but is not anti-
Veteran series writer Michael Chernuchin sheer appropriation of old tropes for Semitic. They also have the mother of one
puts ample Yiddish vulgarisms in both of getting gratuitous laughs with Jewish of the Jewish youths slamming Sharia law.
their mouths, rendering them foils for expressions and mannerisms. Did some
political correctness, but not in any good kind of nostalgia for those terms and Scene from “Law & Order: SVU” episode
or constructive way. They just spout attitudes prompt this discombobulated “Assumptions” (Season 20, Episode 23)
epithets for gays (“feigele”) and blacks half-hearted homage to Hitchcock? aired May 9, 2019 on NBC.
(“shvartze”). When Joe uses the latter
word, Detective Olivia tells him that that Jewish Youth and a The writers allow their Muslim protago-
term is not acceptable and he wonders Muslim City Councilwoman nist to observe that the synagogue sanctu-
whether she means the word or the race. ary felt like a place of reverence and
Such “humor” is weird not only in the Law and Order: SVU decided to exploit Godliness. But they certainly have no
strange context of this tale but in the real-life controversies regarding religion, qualms about manufacturing a gratuitous
context of a police detective becoming an Jews and Muslims. association of a synagogue sanctuary with
arbiter of acceptable speech, however violent rape.
inappropriate and obnoxious the suspect. A Muslim New York city councilwoman
is raped in a synagogue, and two youths The rapist turns out to be the woman’s
We are told that one brother put quarters with red (MAGA?) hats are seen fleeing ex-husband, a “conservative Muslim” who
around the house to test the honesty of a the scene (photo right). When asked why resents her ending the marriage because
black maid. During questioning, a brother she was at the synagogue, the victim says she is a lesbian and struggles with being an
requests a corn beef sandwich from a deli. that she was “set up by those people,” observant Muslim. According to Sharia law,
It is recalled that one of the brothers lured there “by a man pretending to want the punishment for homosexual acts is death.
cheated an Izzie Berkovitz at gin rummy peace. I was lied to by a Zionist.” This seems to be his revenge and“justice.”
one summer while at Kutcher’s (a kosher
summer resort hotel in the Catskill She was referring to the rabbi who had “Why can’t she be both gay and an
Mountains, but who was supposed to get invited her to tour a Holocaust exhibit in observant Muslim?”the police inquire. When
that reference?) response to some of her previous anti- all this comes out in court, the woman’s
Semitic slurs. He claimed that she had not parents are shell-shocked but supportive.
It turns out that while the brothers had met him in the agreed upon room and that The implication is, of course, that when
nothing to do with the murder of the he had concluded that she had chosen not
author, one of the brothers was the real to show up. He added that he had extended (see Gertel, page 16)
author. The murder victim was hired by the invitation because she had been
the publisher who was not privy to the
real identity of the author, and therefore
procured someone for the book-signings.

16 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT August 7, 2019

Book Review As one who has been involved in GERTEL
professional translations from French to
REVIEWED BY English this reviewer understands but (continued from page 15)
PROFESSOR ARNOLD AGES cannot always agree with Alter’s blanket
criticism about making the target Muslims change their perspective on
Robert Alter as language easily accessible to the reader
Warrior Translator by changing the word order, eliminating homosexuality, they will be nicer to
parataxis (“and”), inverting syntax and
The Art of Bible Translation. By using“dynamic equivalence”to render the everyone, including Jews. I suppose that
original text more amenable to the
Robert Alter. Princeton University Press English-speaking reader. this is the message for Orthodox Jews and
(Princeton, N.J., 2019) 127 Pages.
The author would not endorse this traditional Christians, as well.
The author of this powerful treatise on approach because he is dealing with the
Bible translation is an emeritus professor Hebrew text of Scripture – in which other- Clearly, the writers believed that they
of Hebrew and comparative literature wise excusable linguistic manipulations of
at the University of California in Berkeley the text often betray scanty knowledge of were performing a public service, exposing
who has already Hebrew roots, grammar, poetic rhythms
translated the and word order. The thorough possession anti-Semitism, political press manipulation
entire corpus of of these elements by Alter leads him into
the Hebrew Bible controversial explorations, such as his and Muslim fundamentalism. But what
into English and surmise that “tohu vavohu” in the creation
has composed this story was a couplet invented by the Hebrew they really offered was a discombobulated
slim volume to author in the same way “helter-skelter”
explore, analyze was coined in California. Alter’s selection stream of “un-woke” rants and behaviors
and criticize the of“Welter”(“tohu”) seems infelicitous.
major English that made everybody look bad and did
translations of The decades which Alter has spent
Jewish Scripture converting the Hebrew text of the Bible nothing to treat religious beliefs and
from the much to not only an accurate parsing of the
venerated 17th century King James original but also to capturing the oral practices with intelligence, nuance, and
version (1611) to modern ones representing quality of both the prose and poetic texts –
individuals, as well as Protestant, Catholic has prompted him to unravel a Ten sensitivity.
and Jewish renderings. Commandments for translators bent upon
making the Hebrew Bible amenable to And the writers seemed intent on
While he honors the beautiful English modern English-speaking public.
cadences of the first text, Alter takes no making the Jewish teenagers look bad,
prisoners and is an equal opportunity The problem is that most translators,
detractor of bad or inadequate translations from the great executors of the King James one way or another. The boys do, after all,
in the King James work and rather sur- edition to the current crop have sought to
prisingly, even in the Jewish Publication make Scripture not only amenable but knock down an elderly woman, even if by
Society’s highly praised work, given that understandable – and in so doing – have
its editors, among whom were rabbinic distanced themselves from the compact- accident, and run away without rendering
scholars well versed in Hebrew. ness and rawness of the Hebrew original
and have thus deprived it of what Bergson assistance.
Before alluding to Alter’s criticism of called its“élan vital”.
specific translation problems, this reviewer In real life, the news media may pay
wishes to record his appreciation for the However, in his own exegesis of the text
formidable exertions Alter expended in Alter frequently (and happily from the dearly for maligning a youth from a
his translation of the Chumash – the reader’s perspective) violates his own
Pentateuch, which, as he mentions in the prime directive (“Let the Bible speak – Kentucky Catholic school who appears in
current volume, was the spring board for don’t simplify, don’t change the word
his courageous continuation in translating order or explain…”) by indulging in a video to be smirking at a Native American
the rest of the Hebrew Bible. learned clarifications of the real meaning
of specific Hebrew passages. Thus he protester, although video footage that
His interpretation in that first volume unpacks the delicious erotic sensibilities of
contains one of the most highly original Sarah’s response to the three angels in soon emerged shows that he and his
translation-interpretations of a controversial Genesis who announce a geriatric
verse in Genesis 49:10 – seen by Christians pregnancy for her by suggesting that fellow students had been harassed by
(as well as some Jewish commentators) as at her advanced age she might actually
a prediction of the Messiah in the use of experience one again sexual pleasure. various groups for wearing MAGA hats
the word “Shilo.” Alter has no theological
axe to grind because his approach to the The author is also very critical of English and for participating in an anti-abortion
Bible is primarily literary but his deep representations of basic Hebrew words by
knowledge of the architecture of Biblical recourse to bureaucratic or political terms rally. This episode of Law and Order SVU
Hebrew leads him to dispose quite which do not fit the context. He is there-
effectively of the alleged Messianic fore unhappy with the Jewish Publication chose to have a Jewish young man smirk
resonance in the passage. Society’s’ use of the term “dominate” to
describe the functions of the sun and in police headquarters during investiga-
moon in the creation segments of
Genesis because that verb suggests tion of a rape. Which images from this
political domination as in “The Soviet
discombobulated episode will linger?

Rabbi Elliot Gertel has been spiritual

leader of congregations in New Haven and

Chicago. He is the author of two books,

What Jews Know About Salvation and

Over the Top Judaism: Precedents and

Trends in the Depiction of Jewish Beliefs

and Observances in Film and Television.

He has been media critic for The National

Jewish Post & Opinion for 40 years since
July 27, 1979.

i
j
Union dominated its satellites.”
In the same vein Alter faults a modern

Biblical translation for describing the
Pharaoh in Exodus using the term“issued
instructions” to kill male Israelite children
at birth – a bureaucratic phrase totally
out of synchronization with the simplicity
of the Hebrew original. In his survey of
Samuel 3:20–25 and the release of Abner,
Alter shows that clumsy English
renderings of key words conveys ideas
completely alien to the Hebrew text.

The preceding sections represent only a
very small sampling of Alter’s corrections
and emendations of the English that can
be found in Bible translations right across

(see Ages, page 17)

August 7, 2019 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 17

My Kosher Savory Quinoa Bowl AGES
Kitchen (4–6 servings)
1/2 cup red or white quinoa (continued from page 16)
REVIEWED BY SYBIL KAPLAN
(makes 2 heaping cups cooked) the theological spectrum. This small book
Gluten free 2 small Persian or Kirby cucumbers, can deliver very large benefits.
and kosher
chopped (1-1/2 cups) Professor Arnold Ages is “Distinguished
Food You Want: For the Life You 2 chopped tomatoes (about 1 cup) Emeritus Professor” University of Waterloo,
1 peeled, chopped avocado (about 1 cup)
Crave. By Nealy Fischer. Da Capo 1 cup arugula j iOntario Canada.

Lifelong Books. $28 hardcover. April 2019. 1/2 cup chopped green onion (about 4)
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint height (about 45 minutes). Preheat the
This kosher cookbook of gluten-free 1/4 cup finely chopped shallots oven to 350°F. Brush the top with the
recipes is quite a 3 tablespoons lemon juice remaining beaten egg. Bake the bread
delight to read. 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil until it is golden and set in the center, 30
Not only are there salt and freshly ground black pepper to 35 minutes for mini loaves or about 45
at least 128 recipes, minutes for a lager loaf. Cool the bread
but there are 107 to taste completely before removing from the pan
full color photo- 6 large eggs or pans and slicing.
graphs, many of
the author and her Cook the quinoa: mix it with 1 cup Date-Bar Bites
family sampling water in a saucepan over medium low (32 to 36 squares)
the recipes and heat. Bring to a simmer and cook, covered,
enjoying them. for 10 minutes. Check to see if it is done or 1 pound Medjool dates, pitted
needs a tad more liquid. Set aside to cool. and chopped
“These pages are designed to help you Toss the cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado,
obtain a simpler recipe for success, both in arugula, green onions, mint and shallots 1/4 cup maple syrup
and out of the kitchen…. these pages are in a large bowl. Add the cooled quinoa to juice and zest of 1 orange
infused with craveable global recipes the veggie bowl then season with lemon 2/3 cup coarsely chopped raw walnuts
inspired by our life in Asia and Israel.”The juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Divide the
recipes are gluten free because the author mixture between 6 bowls. or pecans
became gluten free more than 10 years ago. 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Fry the eggs in a lightly oiled frying pan 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Recipes have two strategies – Nail this over medium heat until the whites have 1-3/4 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour
(the most essential elements to master for set or to desired doneness. Season with 1-1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
the success of a dish) and Flip It (tips to salt and pepper to taste, then carefully 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
encourage the reader to be creative and slide them on top of the quinoa bowls. 3/4 cup coconut oil at
adapt the recipe to your preferences and
limitations). The author then gives the Herbed Everyday Bread room temperature
reader a 10-step guide to becoming a flex- (2 mini loaves or 1 large loaf) 1/2 tsp. baking soda
ible chef; what to substitute chart; pantry, 1/8 tsp. salt
fridge and freezer essentials; and gadgets.
1 packet active dry yeast (2 teaspoons) In a saucepan over medium heat,
The chapters include: All-day breakfast, 1/4 cup warm water combine dates with 1/2 cup water, maple
Breads and muffins, Soups and small 1 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour syrup, and orange juice and bring to a boil.
plates, Salads and dressings, Fish, poultry 1 cup oat flour Remove the pan from the heat and stir in
and meat, Veggies anytime, Indulgent 1/4 cup almond flour the orange zest, nuts, cinnamon and
desserts, Drinks and nibbles for friends, 1/4 cup flax meal vanilla. Set aside. Preheat the oven to
and Condiments and pantry essentials. 2 tsp. xanthan gum 350°F. Grease a 13x9-inch baking pan or
The book concludes with a conversion line it with parchment paper. In a food
cheat sheet. (omit if already in flour) processor, mix together flour, rolled oats,
1-1/2 tsp. dried rosemary brown sugar, coconut oil, baking soda and
Some nice ideas in the format are above 1 teaspoon salt salt until combination is crumbly but still
the ingredients list is a listing of what 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil holds together. Press 2/3 of the dough
tools to use, which is bolded and, where 2 large eggs + 1 beaten for brushing into the baking pan (reserve 1/3 for the
applicable, divided into dry ingredients, 2 tablespoons raw honey topping). Spread the filling evenly over
wet ingredients and toppings. 1/2 tsp. rice vinegar the crust. Sprinkle the remaining 1/3 of
the topping over the filling. Bake for 30
She also has my favorite idea in In a large bowl, mix the yeast with the minutes or until lightly golden. Cool
cookbooks – numbered instructions warm water; let stand until the yeast completely then refrigerate until cold to
opposite the ingredients so you don’t have bubbles, about 8 minutes. In a separate make the cutting easier. Cut into 1-1/2
to keep looking up and down. My other medium bowl, whisk together gluten free inch squares.
favorite is a comment about each recipe. flour, oat flour, flax meal, almond flour,
If you are gluten-free or know someone xanthan, rosemary and salt. Stir olive oil, 2 Sybil Kaplan is a journalist, author,
who is, this is a great, modern approach. eggs, honey and rice vinegar into yeast compiler/editor of 9 kosher cookbooks
Here are a few of the recipes to try: mixture. Stir dry ingredients into bowl. (working on a 10th) and food writer for North
Mix well. Transfer dough to parchment- American Jewish publications, who lives in
lined loaf pans and let stand covered in a Jerusalem where she leads weekly walks of
warm place until bread rises to double in the Jewish food market, Machaneh Yehudah,
in English, and writes the restaurant
features for Janglo.net, the oldest, largest
website for English speakers.

18 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT August 7, 2019

KAPLAN/ISRAEL Spoonful the light below the horizon, Adam’s
of Humor blindness increased. He chose to run to
(continued from page 20) escape this danger, but he fell over a large
BY TED ROBERTS boulder. He rose, only to run into a tree.
Holy Temple, only olive oil produced in He resumed his running – somewhere
Tekoa was allowed in the service. A Fable: Adam there must be light and he must find it. He
Sees the Light was cold and blind and fearful all at once.
The Jewish community, which was
founded in 1978 by a group of Jewish Can you imagine Adam – G-d’s first And the Lord G-d saw his fear and took
pioneers, is today a mixed religious and pity on him. Ah, we need a light for the
secular community comprised of approxi- human creation in Eden’s green meadow? night, thought the mind of G-d wherein
mately 3,000 people like Mira and Oren. See him, newly minted. His fresh body dwells all the mechanisms of the universe.
Mira and Oren moved to Tekoa in 1983. gleaming and his mind totally empty of Therefore, he flung the full moon into the
facts, attitudes, opinions – as empty as midnight sky. Adam stopped. Only a small
While working in a research lab, Mira Eden is of thorn bushes – ready to begin improvement. Now at least he could see
said to her husband one day,“wouldn’t it its lifelong task of accumulation of data the river, which lay in his path. But still the
be great if we could grow mushrooms at and weaving that data into an intellect. He garden’s beauty seemed blurred in dusky
Tekoa?”In order to learn more, Mira went turns slowly 360 degrees, a full circle, and yellow. So, the lord flung millions of points
to the agriculture department of the takes in grass and forests, and flowers, and of light into the sky. They helped but a little.
Hebrew University and to Germany; mountains, and brooks, all covered by a
Oren went to Holland – both to learn blue dome. The good Lord, who made the heart of
more. “Ultimately, we scraped together Adam, understood the heart of Adam. This
enough money to start a mushroom farm As he registers every throb of the new fear of nighttime blindness needed more
which began in 1986,”says Mira. creation in the lush, green grass of Eden than moon and stars.
and wonders at his consciousness – as
Initially, they grew oyster and shitake flimsy as the few white clouds that sail The Creator spoke in Adam’s ear the
mushrooms, which were particularly above him. He looks closer and sees the secret of day and night. How they revolve
attractive to a market that likes special songbirds. And look, there are small like all things in nature; life and death,
foods, selling to chefs and specialty stores. creatures in the grass and larger ones the seasons, the great architecture of the
In 1990, they started expanding, reaching hopping and bounding amongst the trees. galaxies. But Adam’s mind could not
out to other specialties like lemon grass, Truly, a brave new world full of creatures, accommodate the voice of his maker. It
asparagus, limes, snow peas, baby unlike himself, that are necessary for him was like talking to the beasts. He needed
broccoli, baby artichokes, and more. to understand – he who at birth has no one of his own kind. The ragged hole of
identity and a head full of inexperience. fear in Adam’s soul could only be filled by
They have also added quick preparation Then he chances to stare into that copper a helpmate. Thus, Adam slept and G-d
products which only need hot water added. disc that illuminates his new world. It made Eve.
beams over all.
“Every year we try to add something She stood beside him and pointed to the
new, a healthy product or mushroom Still sitting on the green Savannah and horizon where the earth had swallowed
related or not easily available in Israel,” swiveling his head in all directions, the sun. Her eyes expressed no fear, only
says Mira. because the Lord of creation has put a wonder. They sank to the grass in each
potion called curiosity into his blood- other’s arms – huddled like two babes.
Today, the farm employs 50–60 people stream; unappreciated at the time by Neither knew anything except the warmth
involved in production, sales and marketing. Adam, but destined to nourish his of the other. They watched and waited.
All of the growing rooms are climate intellect. So much to see that it took many Their fearful eyes focused on the pine tree
controlled. In the room for oyster hours to inscribe it all in his heretofore where they had last seen the sun. Would it
mushrooms, which we saw, approximately blank brain like the honeybee fills his ever return to bless them with light and
one ton is grown on wheat straw. Among comb with nectar. warmth? They dozed, frightful, but full of
the mushrooms grown and sold at Tekoa the need to sleep. Then Eve, feeling a
Farms are oyster, shitaki, King oyster, Then among his recording of his warmth at her back and noticing the light-
shimeji and shinoki. surroundings, he made an alarming ening of the black sky, laughed the first
observation. That bright orange thing was exultant laugh of creation and put her
Their vegetables and spices include snow no longer straight ahead. The trees on the hand to Adam’s face in order to turn it to
peas, ginger root, Belgian endive, red endive, far horizon appeared to consume it. And the life-giving light behind them.
turmeric root, shallots, Brussel sprouts, he could no longer see the sharp outlines
baby artichokes, sundried tomatoes and of trees and mountains. In fact, the “It returns, it returns,” she whispered
lemongrass. Fresh fruits include limes, creatures that had been joyfully bounding with awe; “but not where it was eaten by
raspberries and blackberries. Mira says in the woods were no longer visible to the earth.”They stand, they face the rising
they are hoping in the future to have a him. Darkness was replacing light. He sun, and then they lift their faces to heaven
visitor center where people can come for trembled. Even a partially stocked brain – wherein the laws of nature are made – to
tours, but they are not set up for this now. knew that somehow darkness meant thank He who gave them life and light
blindness and blindness was death. and warmth. Around them all living
Sybil Kaplan is a journalist, lecturer, book things hummed a hymn of hope.
reviewer, food writer and author of Witness j iAs the trees pulled more and more of
to History: TenYears as a Woman Journalist The humor of Ted Roberts, The Scribbler
in Israel and nine cookbooks, including photographs. She has been reviewing books on the Roof, appears in newspapers around
What’s Cooking at Hadassah College. for 40 years.
the US, on National Public Radio, and
She lived in Israel from 1970-1980; she numerous web sites. Check out his Web
and her husband, Barry, came to live in site: www.wonderwordworks.com. Blogsite:
Jerusalem in 2008, where she works as a www.scribbleron theroof.typepad.com. His
foreign correspondent for North American collected works The Scribbler on The
Jewish publications, lectures to senior Roof can be bought at Amazon.com or
citizen residences, leads walks in English lulu.com/content/127641.

in Machaneh Yehudah (the Jewish produce
market), and writes stories about kosher
restaurants on Janglo.net for which Barry

August 7, 2019 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 19

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have a healthy New Year.

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If you’re looking to make a di erence for Israel and secure the nation’s health
and safety this coming year, there’s no better way than through a gift to MDA.
Please give today. Shanah Tovah.

Support Magen David Adom at afmda.org/rosh or call 888.674.4871.

20 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT August 7, 2019

Seen on the PoThse Jtew&ishOpinion PRESORTED
Israel Scene STANDARD
1389 W 86th St. #160 US POSTAGE

BY SYBIL KAPLAN Indianapolis, IN 46260 PAID
PHOTOS BY BARRY A. KAPLAN INDIANAPOLIS, IN
PERMIT NO. 1321

Touring the Knesset and the Bible at the top. The one in the imately one hour. Specialized tours focus-
center represents the past, “Exodus,” ing on the art and photography in the
Submitted 12-29-18 showing the exodus from Egypt, Moses Knesset building, the architecture of the
(Photo by Alice Fierstein) on Mount Sinai and King David. The Knesset and the parliamentary work of
one on the right represents the future, the Knesset are also available. Visitors
Many of us travel by the Knesset building, the prophetic “Vision of the Final must bring their passports to join an
Redemption,” a peaceful, utopian piece organized tour. Select Knesset sessions are
acknowledging its purpose but rarely with many Biblical references. open to the public.
have the opportunity to take a tour. When
Hadassah-Israel organized its General From here, we saw the replica of the Mushrooms, Specialties
Assembly meeting Dec. 17th, they chose Declaration of Independence signed and More in Tekoa
to hold it there, preceded by a tour. by members of the people’s council.
Originally they signed a rolled up piece of Submitted June 23, 2019
Israeli-born, Adina, doing her national paper because the declaration was made
service instead of going into the army, was on a Friday afternoon, May 14 and there When Mira Weigensberg (above), born
our tour guide. She explained that the was not time to write it; the British were
word Knesset took its name (meaning leaving Saturday, May 15. Later after the and raised in Montreal, and her husband,
assembly) and fixed its membership at 120 Sabbath, the wording was transferred to Oren Kessler from Brooklyn, moved to
from the Knesset Hagedolah (Great the signed paper. Israel in 1979, she joined a research lab at
Assembly), the representative Jewish Hadassah Hospital and came across inter-
council convened in Jerusalem by Ezra The new wing was planned in 1981; esting research.“Edible mushrooms had a
and Nehemiah in the 5th century B.C.E. construction was completed in 1992. potential effect on the immune system,”
It contains 48 chambers for Knesset she explained as we sat in the office of
Beginning in 1949, the Knesset was members, an auditorium; and storage Tekoa Farms.
housed in Tel Aviv then on King George areas. In the new wing are glass cases with
Street in Jerusalem.The current building was gifts given to the Knesset and a photo wall Tekoa is a Jewish communal town
opened in August, 1966. The Plenum wing of intimate moments. The committee five miles south of Jerusalem close to
houses the Chagall State Hall, a library, a rooms sit in this wing. There are 12 Herodium, the palace fortress and small
cabinet room and committee rooms. permanent committees whose members town built by King Herod between 23 and
sit around the table. Partial members 15 BCE. Tekoa was also the birthplace of
The Plenum Hall has three stories: on and professionals and experts sit against the prophet, Amos, and at the time of the
the lower floor are the Knesset members one wall; journalists, guests and citizens
in seats in the shape of a menorah with the sit on the opposite wall. (see Kaplan/Israel, page 18)
opposition on one side and the coalition
in the center. At the front of the hall is The Kedma wing was completed in
the dais where the speaker of the house, stages between 2005 and 2008 and
currently Yuli Elstein, sits. contains meeting rooms, chambers for
committee chairpersons, and offices. We
Behind the dais is a wall created by were then shown the attendance board
sculptor, Dany Karavan, said to remind with the names and photographs of
one of the Western Wall. The one picture Knesset members. Those lit up are there;
hanging on the wall is Theodor Herzl. those shadowed have not yet come to the
One gallery is for the press; the other, with sessions held Mondays, Tuesdays and
bullet-proof glass, is for the public. Wednesdays, beginning at 4 p.m. Of the
120, 34 are women; 18 are non-Jewish, 13
The Chagall State Hall is where official are Muslims and one is Christian.
ceremonies are held and is decorated with
three hand-woven tapestries designed by General guided tours of the Knesset are
Marc Chagall in the 1960s. The tapestries held each weekday from Sunday to
took eight years to complete. Thursday. Representing the primary
languages of Israel’s citizens, tours are
The one on the left is “Return to Zion,” available in English, Hebrew, Arabic,
representing the present with vibrant French, Spanish, German, Russian and
colors, holidays depicted on the borders Amharic. The guided tours last for approx-


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