16-22 Cheshvan 5782, October 22-28, 2021 Open Your Community

WHY JEWS LAUGH by Monica Osborne

Sarah, the Invisible Hero Checking My Privilege at a Public Library

by Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz by Judy Gruen
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 22 29 42 37

INSIDE THE JOURNAL

22 »NOT JUST FOR LAUGHS What is it about Jews and comedy? 29 » A MAGICAL RECIPE Not wanting to cook separate meals
Why are Jewish comics so prevalent? At a time when the boundaries of for their children led the Sephardic Spice Girls to invent a quick and easy
comedy are being redefined, Monica Osborne takes a deep dive on the chicken dish that was so tasty it was called “Magic.”

32 » NEWS WITH A LATIN BEAT Leah Soibel has two loves:

complex story of Jews and laughter.

9 » COLUMNISTS Tabby Refael on the ethics of interviewing the Israel and Spanish-language broadcasting. She combined them to create
Chief Rabbi of Teheran; Dan Schnur on why Jews need more allies; Rabbi Fuente Latina, which informs the Latin community on news about Israel
Yoshi Zweiback on author Sally Rooney’s decision not to have her new and Judaism. Harvey Farr reports.

33 » REMEMBERING POWELL Aaron Bandler reached out to

book translated into Hebrew; Mark Schiff on apologies and old friends;
and Rabbi Lori Shapiro on the life lesson the late Colin Powell learned —
in Yiddish. local leaders to get their reactions to the passing of General Colin Powell,

14 » CHECKING OUT THE LIBRARY On a trip to the Beverly

who died this week aged 84.

Hills Public Library, Judy Gruen discovers that only certain kinds of books
are showcased.
35 » LEHRER OF THE PACK Tom Lehrer was a satirical songwriter
in the 1960s who skewered politics, culture, and even religion. Community

15 » WOMEN OF VALOR
and Arts Editor Kylie Ora Lobell reports on Allan Murray’s new one-man
There is a long tradition of assessing show, “The Layers of Tom Lehrer.”

36 » GOING ROGEN Laura Miller Rogen was only 20 years old when
the invaluable contributions of women in the Jewish story. Rabbi Chaim
Steinmetz looks to the biblical story of Sarah for more clues.

16 » ISRAEL PRIDE Ofer Newman and Liana Merom, the founders of

her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. With her husband, actor/
writer Seth Rogen, she started Hilarity for Charity to help address a
Israeli Gay Youth, came to America on an educational mission. New Media pressing need. Tabby Rafael reports.

37 » FUNNY BUSINESS For more than 50 years, David Steinberg

Editor Blake Flayton sits down with them and discusses, among other
things, their goal to unite Jews and Arabs.

21 » PARDON OUR PRESIDENTS Former Israeli President

has been making people laugh as a stand-up comic, writer and director.
With his new book, “Inside Comedy,” he writes about what makes
Moshe Katsav left office under a cloud; now the late President Shimon comedians tick, cancel culture and his friendship with I.B. Singer. Book
Peres is being accused of misdeeds. Israel Political Editor Shmuel Rosner Editor Jonathan Kirsch reviews.

42 » LEARNING TO ADAPT In this week’s Rabbis of L.A., Danielle

weighs in on presidential legacy.

27 » TABLE FOR FIVE: VAYERA Salvador Litvak and Rabbis Berrin talks to the head of Valley Beth Shalom’s Day School, Deborah
Lori Shapiro, Ari Schwarzberg, Chaim Singer-Frankes and Pinchas Schuldenfrei, on the endless challenges of running a school during the
Winston share their insights on this week’s Torah portion. pandemic.

» SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING 9 » Columnists 29 » Food 38 » What’s Happening

Fri October 22, 5:53 p.m. 19 » Nation/World 30 » Community 41 » Jonathan Fong Style
Shabbat ends Saturday Oct 23, 6:47 p.m.
21 » Rosner’s Domain 34 » Arts 42 » Rabbis of L.A.

October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 5

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 EDITOR’S NOTE

Volume 38, Number 8

October 22-28, 2021
jewishjournal.com

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief David Suissa

Can Jews Keep Their Sense of Humor?

Editor-at-Large Monica Osborne
Israel Political Editor Shmuel Rosner
U.S. Political Editor Dan Schnur
Book Editor Jonathan Kirsch
Community and Arts Editor Kylie Ora Lobell
Community Writers Ari L. Noonan, Harvey Farr, » by David Suissa
Tabby Refael
Entertainment Writer Brian Fishbach AS MUCH AS FIGHTING JEW-HATRED And yet, somehow, since time imme- The confidence of owning our story
Staff Writer Aaron Bandler is a deadly serious matter, maintaining morial Jews have found the time and the while making America laugh has helped us
Regular Columnists Blake Flayton, Tabby Refael, our sense of humor as we engage in that chutzpah to laugh. Beyond the organic build a fortress of affection that no hater can
Thane Rosenbaum, Dan Schnur, Mark Schiff, Daniel fight is an equally serious matter. truth that laughter helps us cope with the breach. It’s not a coincidence that despite
Stone, Eva Robbins This is not simply because laughter pains of reality, Jews have also understood the eruptions of Jew-hatred and Israel-
New Media Director/Columnist Blake Flayton helps us maintain our humanity, which the connection between humor and em-
Contributing Editor Tom Tugend is important enough. Laughter is also a powerment.
source of power.
Humor is a unique
Contributing Writers Bradley Shavit Artson, Michael
Berenbaum, Steven Mirkin, Judea Pearl, Robin None of this feels self-evident. After all,

weapon that charms

Podolsky, Pamela Paresky, Eva Robbins, Matthew how can anything connected to laughter
Schultz, Lori Shapiro, Ryan Torok, Gil Troy, Michelle be that serious? Isn’t the whole purpose of

and disarms. It
K. Wolf, David Wolpe, Jill Zimmerman laughter to give us a whimsical break from
Rabbis of L.A. Danielle Berrin the drudgery of reality? And who wants to
Table for Five Salvador Litvak
Poem Page Rick Lupert
laugh about things that threaten us? Isn’t
that kind of frivolity dangerous? conveys strength
Copy Editor Steven Mirkin
JEWISHJOURNAL.COM
So, where does laughter gets its power?
In the case of the Jews, comedy has a long
and confidence. It can
Lior Ron, Rick Lupert, Jonathan Fong and rich history. Perhaps no ethnic group
ridicule our enemies.
And Jewish comics,
Design Director Jonathan Fong has been as equipped, willing and eager to
Podcast Director: Shanni Suissa make America laugh as the Jews. I’ve often

these blessed heroes

Social Media Director Nicole Behnam argued that Jewish comics have done more
ADVERTISING than any other Jewish group to create bonds
Executive Director, Advertising
Martin Finkelstein
of affection with our fellow Americans.
Funny people are usually more likeable in our endless fight
Traffic Manager David Fox
ADMINISTRATION
and popular—especially those who can
poke fun at themselves. Jewish comics have against hate, are
Chief Financial Officer Mary Quinn
Bookkeeper Andrea Alonso
been poking fun at themselves and others
for well over a century, with an incredibly As Monica Osborne writes in her deep
seriously good at it.
Director of Distribution Avi Hendeles broad diversity of humor, from vaudeville dive in this week’s cover story: “Making a hatred we’ve seen in recent years, according
to Borscht Belt to political and social satire joke about something dark or something to the latest Pew survey Jews remain the
Israel Advertising Partners to observational humor to squeezing big about which we’re self-conscious puts us most popular religious group in America.
Imp Group Ltd laughs out of the utterly trivial. in a position to own the story, rather than We can jeopardize that affection if we
POB 7195, Jerusalem 91071 ISRAEL The old cliché of laughter being the best allowing the story to own us.” morph into a serious, scolding bunch and
Tel: 972-2-625-2933 medicine has always contained a deliciously Laughter has helped Jews own our story. downplay our funny gene.
Fax: 972-2-624-9240 human idea—it feels really, really good to I’m sure our comics never set out with that Even at a time when self-righteous woke
E-mail: [email protected] laugh. Jews have been brilliant at milking abstract goal in mind, but over the decades, mobs are trying to spook comics into silence,
that medicine. millions of hours of Jewish comedy have lest the comics offend the wrong groups,
Legal Counsel/Accountants Jews must continue to make America laugh.
Jonathan Kirsch of Law Offices of Jonathan Kirsch This is especially needed when millions of
O’Melveny & Myers LLP Americans are still feeling the isolation and

Jew haters would love nothing better than

(pro bono legal services on employment law matters) mental strain of a staggering pandemic.
We also must lead the way in showing
Past Publishers
Richard Volpert (1985-1986) to take our story away from us, to define us how to take a joke. Not every joke about Jews
must harken back to “antisemitic tropes”
Ed Brennglass (1986-1997)
Stanley Hirsh (1997-2003)
on their terms, to lower us into a mud fight. from the Nazi era. When we go shpilkes
over every poke, all we do is look weak. If
Irwin S. Field (2003-2011)
Nothing would make them happier than comics want to play off the stereotype that

to see Jews lose their sense of humor. We

Rob Eshman (2011-2017) Jews are successful, my instinct is to think,
TRIBE MEDIA CORP.
“Hmm, as far as stereotypes go, is that one so

must, of course, avoid that trap.

3250 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1250, bad? And how will whining help?”
Los Angeles, CA 90010. (213) 368-1661 By all means, let’s continue to fight the
Annual subscription rate: $75 for home delivery Jew-haters with everything at our disposal,
(restricted in certain areas); $160 for mail both let’s condemn them and call them out, let’s
in California and out of state; $350 outside of the But in today’s ultra-serious and sobering empowered the Jews to own their story. All push back on hate speech, but let’s not lose
United States. For all subscription services, visit our sense of humor in the process.
times, laughter can trigger a twinge of that laughter adds up.
JewishJournal.com or call (213) 368-1661, ext.129.
The Jewish Journal does not endorse the goods guilt. Who feels good about cracking up Jew haters would love nothing better than Humor is a unique weapon that charms
and services advertised in its pages, and it makes when everything around us is cracking? to take our story away from us, to define us and disarms. It conveys strength and
no representation as to the kashrut of the food Who feels like laughing when we must fight on their terms, to lower us into a mud fight. confidence. It can ridicule our enemies.
products and services in such advertising. the existential danger of climate change or Nothing would make them happier than to And Jewish comics, these blessed heroes
Published weekly by TRIBE Media Corp.
the multiple threats to our democracy or a see Jews lose their sense of humor. We must, in our endless fight against hate, are
All rights reserved. © 2021
nasty virus or the evil of antisemitism? of course, avoid that trap. seriously good at it. n

October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 7

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 COLUMNIST

For years, I
LAST WEEK, I WAS INFORMED THAT
believed that
Rabbi Yehuda Gerami, who has been called the regime
wouldn’t dare
the chief rabbi of Tehran (yes, Tehran, the
capital city of the world’s leading state

harm its Jewish

sponsor of terrorism) was visiting Los
Angeles. Naturally, my knee-jerk reaction

community.
was to immediately secure an interview
with Gerami. But soon enough, I talked
myself out of it. Let me tell you why.
I’m not an American or European-
born writer; I’m not Roger Cohen of The
New York Times, who, over a decade ago,
visited Iran and quoted Jewish residents
who claimed they lived safely and happily

Are Jews in Iran Safe?

(and lambasted Israel). I’m also not a
travel blogger who acquiesces to wearing
the mandatory headscarf (hijab) so she

Don’t Ask a Rabbi in Tehran

can visit the country and take selfies in a
stunning mosque.
I’m an Iranian Jew; I was born in the
1980s, after the Islamic Revolution that
turned Iran into a fanatic theocracy,
unrecognizable to its own citizens (and
the greater Middle East). As much as I’m » by Tabby Refael Mohsen Rezaee
invested in whether the Jews of Iran are Photo courtesy MEHR News Agency
safe today, I don’t need to ask others about
Jewish life in Iran. I was Jewish life in Iran.
My mother handed me a mandatory
headscarf and told me to do whatever my in Iraq in 2020. That same year, on Quds For years, I believed that the regime (military action against Iran), the regime
teachers instructed. So I did. I screamed Day, Gerami appeared on Iranian television wouldn’t dare harm its Jewish community. would take action against “the 10,000 Jews
“Death to Israel!” and “Death to America!” and slammed Israel, claiming, “Know that In fact, the only way Iran seemed to living in Iran.”
in school. And my passport had the word you Zionists do not represent Judaism and evade international condemnation for Now this was unprecedented. That
“Jew” written on it. do not represent the Jewish people.” its genocidal hatred was to repeat that it official, incidentally, was Mohsen Rezaee,
When I contemplated interviewing Don’t be surprised by such harsh words. was (and remains) enemies with Israel, Vice President for Economic Affairs, who
Rabbi Gerami, I felt ambivalent. Here was a For the past four decades, Jewish leaders rather than with Jews. And then, in 1999, previously commanded the powerful IRGC
sphinx; a Jewish leader who lives in Tehran in Iran have felt compelled to say such over a dozen Jews from the southeastern from 1980-1997. In a speech for like-minded
and is returning there soon. I had so many falsehoods (and worse) to maintain their city of Shiraz were arrested and accused fanatics of an ideological organization
questions for him. The only problem? I safety. In the end, we don’t know the full of spying for Israel. The case of the “Shiraz called Tharollah Tehran, Rezaee warned,
knew that I couldn’t ask any of them. story behind any of Gerami’s actions (and 13” drew outrage worldwide and they were “The Israeli government knows very well
You don’t ask a rabbi who is returning that if it makes a mistake, the regime
to Iran and to the regime to speak on- will treat the 10,000 Jews living in Iran
the-record about Iran and the regime. You differently.” Some say it was a slip of the
don’t ask him about Israel. You don’t even
ask him if the Jews of Iran are safe. That is, You don’t ask a rabbi who is returning to tongue. I’m just glad the truth finally came
out.
you don’t ask any of these questions if you
want to know the whole truth. Iran and to the regime to speak on-the- But here’s the most devastating part
of the story: Immediately after Rezaee’s
To expect someone who could face
arrest back home (and put the safety of
record about Iran and the regime. You don’t warning went public, the sole Jewish
member of parliament (Majlis), Houmayoun
his community at risk) to speak truthfully
about such issues is fantastically naive.
ask him about Israel. Sameyah Najafabadi, took to Telegram to
defend Rezaee, claiming the accusations
That’s why I’m always surprised when, were false.
every few months, another Western to what degree the regime forced him to do eventually released (in small groups). If “The great founder of the revolution
journalist visits Iran and writes about such things) and I, for one, don’t judge him you’re a Jew in Iran, God help you if you’re [Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini] and likewise
Jewish life there, citing Jews who swear for them. accused of being a Zionist. The first Jew the Supreme Leader [Ali Khamenei] have
they’re safe and content. Clearly, the circumstances under which to be executed after the revolution was a always emphasized that the religion of the
Gerami’s visit also exposed a separation Gerami finds himself are messy and prominent businessman and community Prophet Moses and the Jewish community
in our local community: some Iranian Jews complicated. Are the Jews of Iran actually leader, Habib Elghanian, who was charged are distinct from Zionism. The publication
invited him to speak at their synagogues safe? Yes, and no. There haven’t been with “friendship with the enemies of God” of such false news is only in order to create
and homes, affording him the respect he pogroms (thank God), such as those we saw (Israel) and shot by firing squad in May division and tension among the Iranians,”
deserves as a holy, learned man and as in other Muslim countries like Iraq, Libya 1979. the Jewish leader wrote.
a fellow Jew. Others were concerned by and elsewhere in the twentieth century. The case of the “Shiraz 13” was over 20 Now that tells you everything you need
some of Gerami’s actions, such as paying Jews are considered religious minorities in years ago, but last week, something deeply to know about Jewish life in Iran today. n
a mourner’s visit to the home of Qasem Iran; they’re free to attend synagogue; they telling occurred: On October 12, an Iranian
Soleimani, the notorious head of the Islamic have Jewish schools and cemeteries. Does opposition group posted on its Telegram Tabby Refael is a Los Angeles-based writer,
Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), who that make them safe? It depends whom channel that a senior Iranian official had speaker, and civic action activist. Follow her on
was killed by a targeted American airstrike you ask. warned that if Israel “makes a mistake” Twitter @RefaelTabby

October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 9

 COLUMNIST

Jews Need More Allies S

» by Dan Schnur
THE MOST IMPORTANT EXISTENTIAL fought successfully to remove the distasteful
G
»
VIRTUAL LUNCHTIME SERIES threat to the Jewish community is neither language from the original proposal and

Civil Society and

Iran or intermarriage. Rather it is our to ensure that the Jewish experience was
increasing political and cultural isolation, included in lesson plans. They ultimately A

Plurality in Israel
and the resulting hostility that we face from helped forge a compromise that included w
both ends of the ideological spectrum. The an imperfect but vastly improved model ex
fringes of the nationalist hard right continue curriculum. Earlier this month, Newsom ca
SESSION 2: NATIONALITY to traffic in Charlottesville-style blood and signed this new version into law. ca
AND EQUALITY soil antisemitism, and such ugly racism The final legislation still has significant di
will always constitute an intolerable threat shortcomings, most notably allowing local cr
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4 to Diaspora Jews around the world. But it school districts to ignore the proposed
12:40 – 2PM PT is the growing anti-Zionism from the far- model curriculum and instead use the th
AMAL JAMAL left fringes of the debate that represents a earlier, uglier version. Already, proponents au
Join us for a year-long virtual lunchtime (Professor of Political Science, less obvious but equally dangerous menace, of the original proposal are aggressively Pe
series on Civil Society and Plurality in Israel. Head of Walter Lebach
when hostility toward the Jewish homeland moving to convince principals, teachers, ha
We will hear from remarkable scholars Institute for the Study of
expands into hatred of the Jewish people. and school administrators to adopt their to
about critical social and political issues Jewish-Arab Coexistence,
Tel Aviv University) in The most recent flank in the latter of those alternative –- antisemitic tropes and all. . th
and movements in Israeli society, including conversation with Daniel two battles is reflected in the argument over But while the final version is flawed, in
questions of religion, gender, nationality, Zoughbie (Associate Project whether to impose mandated ethnic studies it’s difficult to see how a better outcome in
multiculturalism, pluralism, and equality. Scientist, Institute of classes in California’s public schools. The could have been achieved. Had the Jewish D
International Studies, UC vast majority of ethnic studies supporters caucus continued to fight the bill, the result Th
Register Here: Berkeley) about his new book see such a requirement as a helpful way would have been for the already strained do
Reconstructing the Civic:
bit.ly/3z5ehQt Palestinian Civil Activism in
to teach students from underrepresented relationship between Jewish Americans th
communities about their own heritage and other minority communities to become in
Israel (SUNY Press, 2020).
and to expose young people from varying even more difficult. A scorched-earth ce
backgrounds to each other’s traditions, battle over ethnic studies would not have of
histories and perspectives. These people are prevented the bill from passing and would
A Program likely have led to even worse relationships --
of the and subsequently to even more troublesome

Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images

Antisemitism legislation.
Education Ultimately, the path to better policy must
Initiative at
UC Berkeley
Ultimately, the path begin with stronger relationships that will
allow California Jews to work more closely

Bad to better policy must with these other communities rather than
continue to be pitted against them. Newsom’s

News: How begin with stronger creation of a Governor’s Council on Holocaust

relationships.
and Genocide Education and his signature
The Libitzky Lecture on Israel and
the Great Powers at UC Berkeley
Woke Media is on legislation that authorized a California
Commission on the State of Hate create

Israel and the Undermining prospective allies for the Jewish community.
Right now, most are not.
an opportunity for the Jewish community
here to join with other marginalized ethnic,
Democracy Unfortunately, a small but vocal faction of racial and religious communities to confront lit
Case of Russia THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18
ethnic studies advocates see such programs
as a means through which to disseminate
common challenges and look for joint
solutions to push back against prejudice
or
it’
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16 5:30PM – 7:00PM reprehensible anti-Zionist and antisemitic regardless of its target. I
6:00PM – 7:30PM falsehoods. The original proposed Strengthening relationships with those ho
Join us for a riveting conversation curriculum included numerous examples of minority community leaders who do share an
Anna Borshchevskaya, Senior Fellow between Batya Ungar-Sargon, objectionable language and ugly stereotypes our goals through these two projects will also do
at The Washington Institute for Near Deputy Opinion Editor of against Jews. It was fiercely opposed not allow us to shape an ethnic studies program pe
East Policy, joins Professor Ron Hassner, Newsweek, and Ethan Katz, only from the Jewish community, but from that teaches our students productive lessons
the Helen Diller Family Chair in Israel Professor of History, UC Berkeley, Governor Gavin Newsom as well. A second about the benefits of California remarkable Ro
Studies at UC Berkeley, for a conversation as they dive into complex and effort was only marginally less odious. To his diversity. Those promoting the divisive an
exploring Israel’s relationship with Russia controversial issues—raised by credit, Newsom vetoed that bill. and hate-filled alternative ethnic studies th
and what this might mean for geopolitics Ungar-Sargon’s new book—about The legislative Jewish caucus has since curriculum already have a head start. We are Je
as we know it. This is the second in a series American journalism and its role been working with other stakeholders to much more likely to defeat their challenge br
of talks examining Israel’s relationships in shaping race, class, religion, and fashion a solution that could highlight the if we can bring new allies on our side to the la
with global powers. culture in America. experiences of a range of communities, both debate – and soon. n Th
those customarily included in ethnic studies hu
research (African Americans, Latinos, Asian Dan Schnur is a Professor at the University cl
Register Here: Pacific Islanders and Native Americans) as of California – Berkeley, USC and Pepperdine. M
well as other ethnic groups whose stories are Join Dan for his weekly webinar “Politics in pu
bit.ly/3nMoJKG an integral part of California’s diversity (Sikhs, the Time of Coronavirus” (www/lawac.org) on its
Armenians, Jews and others). The caucus Tuesdays at 5 PM. ac

10 | Jewish Journal JewishJournal.com October 22-28, 2021 O

 COLUMNIST

s Sally Rooney’s Word

ul
Games
» by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback
nd
as WHEN I WAS A KID, I LOVED RIDDLES. strong statement of rebuke not just against
ly At summer camp, after lights out, we the Chinese government responsible for
ed would play word games, trying to guess, for the reprehensible policies but against
el example, how two men perished in a small the Chinese people as well. In this case,
m cabin in the woods. The forest around the Rooney’s action can be viewed as one
cabin was burned to cinders but the men aimed not just at Israelis, but, because of
nt didn’t die from the fire. (It was an airplane our People’s deep and abiding connection
al crash.) to the Hebrew language, also at Jews.
ed This week I read about a word game In this week’s Torah portion, Lech
he that’s just plain silly. Novelist Sally Rooney, L’cha, Avram is called “Avram the
ts author of the critically acclaimed “Normal Hebrew.” It cannot be lost on Rooney
ly People,” which was made into a Hulu series, that Jews collectively have been known
rs, has refused to allow her most recent book as “Hebrews” and that we have used that
eir to be published in Hebrew. She claims word to describe communal institutions
that she’d be happy to have it published particularly at times when virulent
d, in Hebrew as long as it can be done so antisemitism has transformed the very
me in a way that adheres to the Boycott, word “Jew” into a slur (i.e., the Union of
sh Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) guidelines. American Hebrew Congregations, the
ult This would require finding a company that Hebrew Union College, and the Young
ed does no business with Israeli-owned firms Men’s Hebrew Associations). Eventually,
ns that would be willing to publish the book of course, the more refined “Hebrew” was
me in Hebrew, which is quite a tall order and also transformed into a slur that was later
th certainly calls into question the sincerity reclaimed by the Jewish-themed magazine
ve of her claim. Heeb.
ld
--
me
Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images

st
ill
Rooney is trying to reach
ly into the hearts and minds
of people she influences in
an
m’s

a way that demonizes Israel

st
re

and, more broadly, Jews.

ia Sally Rooney
te
ty
ic, As Deborah Harris, an Israel-based Rooney’s repudiation of Hebrew and
nt literary agent, put it: “When it’s ice cream the disingenuous cloaking of it in a way
nt or when it’s cement, or whatever else it is, that suggests that she’d be delighted to
ce it’s one thing, but when it comes to culture, make the novel available in Hebrew were
I just have a very, very hard time seeing it not for her devotion to the higher value
se how this can be productive in changing of BDS is antisemitism pure and simple.
re anything. What literature is supposed to What’s particularly insidious and
so do is reach into the hearts and minds of problematic about this incident is the
m people.” way such things normalize Jew hatred. To
ns This seems to be precisely the point. be clear, I am not in any way suggesting
le Rooney is trying to reach into the hearts that criticism of Israeli governmental
ve and minds of people she influences in a way policies is off limits. But when Israel is
es that demonizes Israel and, more broadly, held to a double-standard and demonized,
re Jews. Imagine an author painting with as it’s no longer legitimate criticism; it’s
ge broad a stroke around a translation of her antisemitism, arguably the only form of
he latest book into Mandarin, for example. racism that seems to be widely tolerated
The Chinese government is guilty of grave today.
human rights abuses including ethnic There’s a Hebrew word for this and it’s
ty cleansing and genocide against the mostly no game: sinah (hatred).n
e. Muslim Uyghurs. An author’s refusal to
in publish a book in Mandarin, preventing Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback is the Senior Rabbi
on its more than one billion speakers from of Stephen Wise Temple in Los Angeles,
accessing the work, would be seen as a California.

21 October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 11

 COLUMNIST

A Great Phone Call C

2 021- 2 0 2 2 » by Mark Schiff
THE AFTERNOON BEFORE THE EREV
H
Rosh Hashanah 5782, I got a phone call »
from my fifth-grade buddy David Dibo.
David is one of those guys that every
time we talk, it’s fun. I kicked off the th
conversation by telling him that one of the di
kids from our old class died. Now in our th
late sixties, these things happen more and in
more. Almost always better to be the one as
spreading that news as opposed to the one at
it’s being spread about.
When we were around 12 years old, David mad, sometimes crying or sometimes th
and I were leaving my apartment building both. Always feeling very alone. an
when I teased him by singing, “David loves To be quite honest, to some degree, I lif
Marva. David loves Marva.” Marva was a girl deserved some of this treatment, but that’s to
in our 5th grade class. David shot back that for another time. So, David continued, ah
he did not love Marva. I sang it again but this “You know Mark, I just want to say I am lif
time louder. Since David was twelve, his only sorry if I was one of the kids that hurt you. on
recourse was to chase me yelling “take it Because if I did, I really didn’t mean to.” si
back”. Running after me at full speed, he ran This happened 53 years ago. Wow. I can
smack into the 2-inch-thick glass entrance only tell you when he said those things to w
door to the building. He was immediately me, I felt an almost immediate release of du
knocked semi-unconscious. pain I had been carrying around the whole of
Now mumbling like a wino coming off a time. I felt lighter, happier, and it brought ph
40-year wine habit with blood pouring out a big smile to my face. Jokingly I fired back, co

Taste of Early Childhood The power of a simple “I am sorry” even “

Middle Center five decades later can have tornado power o
School Small Group Tours impact uprooting ancient wounds. d
Middle School
October - December of his nose, I walked him back home and “Thank you David. I have waited 50 years s
Visit pressmanacademy.org/visit handed him over to his mom. Freaking out to hear that.” We both laughed.
Open House at the sight of the blood, she asked him The power of a simple “I am sorry” as

Day School “what happened?” David mumbled back even five decades later can have tornado bo
Wed. Oct. 27 to his mom, “Who are you? Where am I?” power impact uprooting ancient wounds. I m

6:30PM-9:00PM Open House We soon found out that besides a busted have told the story of being left out many Te
nose, David also had amnesia. This was times to many people but until David’s
in person Tues. Nov. 9 especially bad for me since he was one of call, I only had a sad ending to the story. It fa
the kids I used to cheat off on school tests. always ended with how much it hurt to be da
Thurs. Oct. 28 8:30AM-10:30AM After a week or so, David, thank God, was left out and forgotten. yo
in person back to normal. I also realized, for the first time, we th
7:30PM-8:30PM A few years later he was voted most were all just kids groping around in the yo
on Zoom 7:30PM-8:30PM popular boy in high school even with a dark hallways that housed our feelings yo
on Zoom bent nose. We both still talk to Marva. and emotions. Thank you, David for the yo
So, it’s now 53 years later and after call, and thank you God for giving us the ed
a few minutes of catch-up, David says, power of Teshuva (repentance) and the

RSVP ONLINE “Some years back I told him that when he

and the other kids would choose sides to
play ball that it was painful for me that I
ability for us to accept a heartfelt “I’m
sorry” when it’s handed to us.
Recently I was tossing a baseball around
an
Bu
ge

pressmanacademy.org/openhouse was almost always chosen last or not at

all.” When you are a kid, that is a big deal.
with some neighborhood 12- and 14-year
old’s when they then decided instead to
ar
Po
When choosing sides, I was what you call play football. I asked if I could play, and an
“What about him?” When everyone else they said no. I look forward to that call in hi
was picked, they would look at me and 50 years. n m
DEVELOPING MINDS. NURTURING HEARTS.
say, “What about him or who wants him?” vu
I N S T I L L I N G J E W I S H VA LU E S . Many times, I would be completely left out Mark Schiff is a comedian, actor and
and walk home kicking the dirt, always writer. en

12 | Jewish Journal JewishJournal.com October 22-28, 2021 O

 COLUMNIST

Rebbe’s Teachings

Colin Powell and

Vayeira:
Founder of

His Yiddish Heart the Faith

» by Rabbi Lori Shapiro

WHAT DO WE DO AS WE WITNESS
the greatest generation before us
disappearing, like stars fading to black in
don’t think that I should stay there. And
I’ll never forget that; that a guy cared
enough about me to say “Go, don’t stay,
P arashat Vayeira describes God’s revelation (Vayeira, “He appeared”) to Abraham
after his circumcision. This revelation is followed by the visit of three angels, who
inform Abraham of his son Isaac’s imminent birth. We then follow Abraham as
he argues with God over the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, migrates to Philistia,
banishes Hagar and Ishmael after Isaac is born, and is finally tested by God’s directive to
the night sky? America seems to be hued move on.” sacrifice Isaac.
in a dimming lamplight of a darkened city This past week, our Torah cycle Parashat Vayeira is the second of the two parashiot devoted exclusively to the life and
as our luminaries fade to black, one light spotlighted the moment that God instructs times of Abraham. The fact that Abraham’s life is chronicled in two parashiot indicates
at a time. Avram, “Lech Lecha!,” or “Go, don’t stay, that it comprised two distinct phases. In fact, if we examine the events recorded in
Colin Powell (z”l) was a trailblazer; move on.” Avram, like Powell, had the these two parashiot, we are left with the impression that Abraham repeated in parashat
es the first in so many, as Diversity, Equity confidence to heed the call. However, Vayeira virtually everything he did in parashat Lech Lecha. Both parashiot open with him
and Inclusivity (DEI) was irrelevant in his we never learn how God’s call impacted
experiencing a revelation of God and receiving the promise of progeny; in both parashiot,
I lifetime - he was a man of color who had Avram. Avram was called, and he went.
his wife Sarah is abducted by a gentile king; in both parashiot, he fathers a son, banishes
t’s to work harder than others in order to get This is where Powell rises above the
Hagar, and enters into treaties; in both parashiot, his righteous behavior is contrasted with
d, ahead. As the eulogies and features of his ordinary. This is where the wisdom lies: in
the immoral behavior of his nephew Lot. It is as if Abraham had to repeat everything he
m life played endlessly this week, there is recognizing not only how important it is
experienced in his first parashah—his first “life” or level of being—but on a different level,
u. one story that rises above all others in its to encourage others, but how necessary it
o.” simple wisdom, like a chassidic proverb. is for us for these words to penetrate and
in order to infuse his past accomplishments with a new level of Divine consciousness.
an Growing up in the South Bronx, Powell form a voice that we can call upon for our
Since the name of a parashah embodies its essence, the essence of each of the two
to worked for a Jewish family in a toy store lifetime. phases of Abraham’s life must be reflected in the name of the parashah describing that
of during his breaks from school. His lexicon In the interview, Powell introduces the phase.
le of Yiddishisms grew there, phrases he was story by admitting that he already knew The event that divides Abraham’s life into two distinct periods is his circumcision. This
ht known to use with his colleagues, both that he would move on from working in a event is related at the very end of parashat Lech Lecha, so that Abraham begins his life as a
k, for valor and for derision, as the best of toy store for the rest of his life. And yet, circumcised Jew only in parashat Vayeira. It follows, therefore, that Abraham’s life prior to
circumcision is one of lech lecha—“go, to your true self,” while his life after circumcision is
one of vayeira—“God appeared to him.” In parashat Lech Lecha, Abraham progresses on
his own, steadily ascending the ladder of spiritual progress as far as human efforts can take

“I was so touched that he thought enough

him. In parashat Vayeira, God appears to him and elevates him to a level of spiritual life
beyond the reach of human effort.

of me to tell me that I had the potential to True, God appeared to Abraham three times in parashat Lech Lecha, but these ap-
pearances were veiled and vague in comparison to His appearance in parashat Vayeira.
do other things in life and don’t think that I The reason for this is straightforward enough: until circumcision, Abraham’s progress was
limited by the constraints of his own human nature. He could only go as far as his own

rs should stay there.” — Colin Powell mind and heart could take him. It was therefore impossible for God to reveal Himself to
Abraham “directly”; Abraham could only experience God through the prism of his own
being.
y” Yiddish phrases capture both. Eight years instead of meeting his boss’s remarks What was it about circumcision that changed all this, that enabled Abraham to tran-
do ago, Powell shared this moment with his with an eye roll or derision, the words scend the limitations of his own humanity and experience a direct revelation of God?
.I alma mater on CUNY Television: penetrated Powell’s soul and bound him to Circumcision was the first commandment that Abraham observed in response to
ny “I was working at a toy store for a Jewish a lifelong friendship with his boss and his
God’s explicit directive. The Torah and its traditions were known even before Abraham’s
d’s family and a man named Jay Sickser. One boss’s children. The blessing was given by
time, and Abraham fulfilled them to the best of his ability. But this observance was volun-
It day, he pulled me aside and said, “Coli - Jay Sickser, and more importantly, it was
tary and therefore lacked the humility implicit in a servant’s compliance with the will of his
be you are a good worker, I love having you in received, cherished and shared by Powell.
master. This is why Abraham did not circumcise himself before God called upon him to
the store, you are a part of the family; but Powell’s 2014 autobiography “It Worked
do so, even though he observed the rest of the Torah’s commandments: since circumcising
we you can’t ever stay here. You have to get for Me: in Life and Leadership” is filled
he with such reflections and aphorisms. One
oneself, unlike the other commandments, can only be performed once, had he circum-
your education, you have a good family,
gs you are smart, make sure you get your of his most salient expressed the common
cised himself on his own, he would never have be able to do so in compliance with God’s
he education and move on.” menschlichkeit he acquired while working explicit directive.
he Powell could have left the adage alone in that toy store: Thus, by circumcising himself in response to God’s explicit command, Abraham
he and the lesson would have been learned. “Don’t just show kindness in passing or entered into an entirely new type of relationship with Him. By nullifying his own will
m But a part of what distinguished this to be courteous. Show it in depth, show it before God’s, Abraham attained a level of self-effacement he could never have achieved
general from others was his ability to with passion, and expect nothing in return. beforehand. His own ego could now dissolve and cease to interpose between God, on the
nd articulate his humility and humanity. Kindness is not just about being nice; it’s one hand, and his own mind and heart, on the other. u
ar Powell continued in the CUNY interview, about recognizing another human being
From the writings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson. The
to and added an important wisdom, with who deserves care and respect.”
Rebbe’s inspirational teachings on the Torah portion can be found in the Kehot Chumash,
nd his unique presence as a stalwart military May the General’s Memory forever be
produced by Chabad House Publications.
in man who possessed an emotional our blessing and May Kindness continue
vulnerability: to be shared in his Honor for the Good. n
“I was so touched that he thought Sp ons o re d by Cha ba d o f Ca lif o rnia , in lov ing m e m o ry o f Ra bbi Tze m a c h
nd enough of me to tell me that I had the Rabbi Lori Shapiro is the founder and Yeh osh u a Cunin, E m is s a ry o f the Re bbe a nd Dire c to r o f Cha ba d o f Ce ntury City.
potential to do other things in life and artistic director of The Open Temple in Venice.

21 October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 13

 MY TURN

As an Orthodox Jew working

in the writing field, I feel
increasingly marginalized—
the views of traditionally
religious Jews and Christians
are nowhere sought by
publishers.

Checking White Privilege at

the Beverly Hills Public Library
» by Judy Gruen
marcoventuriniautieri/Getty Images

I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND LIBRARIANS I tilted my head to read the titles on the ers who really are marginalized: Candace Librarians and booksellers naturally pro-
to be unfailingly helpful. Whether I’ve spines of the other new releases snugly fit- Owens’ “Blackout;” Ben Shapiro’s “The mote titles and authors they like, and I have
asked them to add a new title to the li- ted on the shelves and smiled ruefully at the Authoritarian Moment;” Dan Crenshaw’s watched with growing frustration over the
brary’s collection (admittedly, sometimes irony of what the library had done. The pub- “Fortitude;” and Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s “Prey.” years as their “recommended” books on dis-
those titles were my own), or where I’d find lishing and writing professions are obsessed Hirsi Ali and Owens are women of col- play nearly all favor a clear political agenda.
a particular book genre, librarians have with “marginalized” writers and issues of or. Hirsi Ali, a Somali-born former Dutch This includes at children’s bookstores. As an
leaped into service with kindness and en- diversity, inclusion, and equity. Several pub- politician, is a leading activist against the Orthodox Jew working in the writing field, I
thusiasm. lishers of literary magazines or book imprints brutal treatment of girls and women in the feel increasingly marginalized—the views of
But the other day at the Beverly Hills traditionally religious Jews and Christians are
Public Library, I found that some librarians nowhere sought by publishers. The concern
are a little too enthusiastic about leaping for inclusive language, taught by many edi-
into service, even before they are asked. torial organizations and publishers, is fixated
I was headed to the circulation desk to
check out several books, but as I passed
Librarians and booksellers naturally promote on sexuality and race.
This ham-handed politicking was too
the shelves featuring new hardback re-
leases, I stopped and stared. Many, though
titles and authors they like, and I have egregious to ignore. The library is not pri-
vately owned; it is a public trust. And so,
not all, of the new non-fiction titles were
political, written by authors ranging from
watched with growing frustration over I decided to take a stand for diversity and
equity on my own. I checked the privilege
Stacey Abrams on the left to John Boehner
on the right. One book per shelf had been
the years as their “recommended” books of Bolton, Maddow, Woodward, and Warren
and let them rubberneck with the other new
selected to face out on a generous vista of
open space, beckoning readers to notice
on display nearly all favor a clear political titles, even if it meant they’d touch a conser-
vative book. I set Owens, Hirsi Ali, Shapiro,
them. Every book granted this prime real
estate was not only political in nature, but
agenda. and Crenshaw free to inhale deeply of the
library air, facing out.
anti-Trump or left-of-center. Where book- How I wish I could have been there to
stores still exist, publishers pay for such have announced they would only accept sub- Muslim world. It is bizarre and disturbing see the shock on the face of the librarian
valuable display opportunities. missions from people of color, gender non- that her courage in standing up for the who discovered my moment of mischief. It’s
The books given pride of place were binary, and other favored minority categories rights of females makes her a pariah of the doubtful that the librarians will understand
“Rage,” by Bob Woodward and Robert for the time being. Yet these anti-Trump or left. Shapiro is an Orthodox Jew, certainly the message I left—that their hard-sell of
Costa; “Persist,” by Elizabeth Warren; “The anti-conservative titles were all written by a minority within a minority. Crenshaw, a their own political views is unwelcome and
Room Where It Happened,” by John Bolton; whites; their privilege had not been checked Republican Congressman from Texas, was inappropriate. When we want their advice
and “Bag Man,” by Rachel Maddow. While at the Beverly Hills Public Library. blinded in one eye and lost a leg as a Navy on what new books to read, we’ll ask for it. n
Bolton is a Republican, this tell-all by Don- Meanwhile, no new titles written by SEAL fighting in Afghanistan. No special
ald Trump’s former National Security Ad- conservatives earned any such favored accommodations for access were made for Judy Gruen’s books include The Skeptic
visor heaps scorn on the former president. placement. These included works by writ- this disabled American in the library. and the Rabbi: Falling in Love with Faith.

14 | Jewish Journal JewishJournal.com October 22-28 2021

 MY TURN

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A WIFE’S

contribution to her husband’s career? This
issue stood at the center of Wendt v. Wendt,
a divorce that ignited a national debate on
the role of “corporate wives,” women who de-
voted themselves to their husbands’ careers.
Lorna and Gary Wendt met in high school Invisible work is
and both attended the University of Wis-
consin. They were engaged in college, and very much a part of

solidcolours/Getty Images
married once Lorna graduated. In 1995, af-
ter thirty years of marriage, Gary asked for a rabbinic households.
divorce. In court, the arguments focused on
how to value Lorna Wendt’s contribution to
her husband’s career. The Wall Street Journal
summarized the arguments as “Mrs. Wendt,
54 years old, testified that she contributed
to a 50-50 partnership: giving her husband
advice on job applicants, hostessing lavish
parties and making small talk with foreign
dignitaries ... Mr. Wendt, 55, who has had a
stellar 21-year career at GE, insisted the fam-
ily’s fortune came from his hard work, not his
wife’s housekeeping.” In the end, the judge Sarah presenting Hagar to Abraham, from the
accepted many of Lorna Wendt’s arguments; series ‘The Story of Abraham’ Wikimedia Commons
the “invisible work” that she did was a per-

Sarah, the Invisible Hero

sonal investment in her husband’s career
that deserved to be recognized.
Invisible work is very much a part of rab-
binic households. Shuly Rubin Schwartz, the
Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Semi-
nary, wrote “The Rabbi’s Wife,” a history of
American rebbetzins. In it, she follows the » by Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz
role of the rebbetzin through the past century
and a half. One model, common in the 1920s, Talmud under the topic of “eishet chaver belong to her.” A scholar’s wife is his coach to the house of Avimelech; and without a
is what Rubin Schwartz calls “the power be- k’chaver”: the wife of a scholar has the same and creative influence, his companion and clear exit strategy, Sarah is willing to sacrifice
hind the throne.” Rebekah Kohut, the wife of status as a scholar. The Talmud relates that caregiver. This may be invisible work, but herself for Avraham once again.)
Rabbi Alexander Kohut and a brilliant and Rav Nachman stood to honor the wife of there are many Halakhic opinions that rec- When Sarah sees how Avraham continu-
accomplished woman in her own right, ad- Rav Huna. The Sdei Chemed, an encyclope- ognize that the scholar’s wife is a full partner ally prays to God for a child, she makes an-
vised rabbi’s wives to “hide their own ability dic work written by Chaim Hezekiah Medini, in his achievements. other sacrifice. She offers Hagar as a concu-
behind the personality of their husband” and cites a debate related to this passage: must The concept of invisible work is critical to bine to Avraham, so he can have children;
to recognize that the rabbi’s wife, “though one stand for the scholar’s wife if the scholar how one reads the Parsha. It is easy to over- and this sacrifice is emotionally excruciat-
unheard and unsung, will have played a tre- has died and she is a widow? Can she waive look Sarah as she stands in support of Avra- ing, one from which she never fully recovers.
mendous part in this immortality if she will the honor due to her? As usual, opinions vary, ham. She certainly is a good helpmate, who Sarah not only assists Avraham, but also she
be alive to the mission of her husband.” An- and there are rabbis who take either side of deserves credit for her unwavering support. sacrifices herself completely for Avraham’s
other model, which gained popularity in the these questions. In reading their arguments, But Sarah is much more than that. Not only mission.
’40s and ’50s, is “the two for the price of one” a clear delineation appears; it depends on does she do invisible work in support of her God sees Sarah’s sacrifices, and rescues
rebbetzin. Very often rabbinic wives specifi- how one perceives the scholar’s wife, and the husband, but also she is an invisible hero her time and again. And at the end of the
cally married rabbis because they wanted a Parsha, something far more dramatic oc-
leadership role in Jewish communal work. curs. God changes Avraham’s name, from
Many of these rebbetzins were also scholars Avram to Avraham, to reflect his mission as

But there is another point of view: the wife

and teachers, such as Tamar de Sola Pool. “the father of a multitude of nations”; but he
The daughter of a remarkable Talmid Cha- changes Sarah’s name as well, from Saray to

of a scholar has the same status as a scholar

cham, Rabbi Chaim Hirschensohn, she wrote Sarah, making it clear that she too is a full
and published extensively. It was a different partner in this mission. The Midrash Rabbah

because she is his life partner, and her

time, and these rebbetzins no longer felt the remarks that Sarah was the true leader of
need to always turn the spotlight back on the family, and offers the following insight:

husband’s achievements belong to her as well.

their husbands. Their invisible work is a bit “Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Korcha said: ‘The let-
more visible, and these rabbis and rebbetzins ter Yud that the Holy One of Blessing took
comprise what has been called a “two-per- from Sarai was given half to Sarah, and half
son single career.” But in the 1960s, discon- invisible, intangible work that she does. One who bears the brunt of Avraham’s sacrifices. to Avraham”; Sarah’s yud, with a numeri-
tent with the rebbetzin’s role began to arise. possibility is that we stand for the wife as the The Mishna notes that Avraham’s faith is cal of ten, was divided into two letter “heys”
Many women began to resent having their scholar’s representative, and that is an indi- tried by God ten times; but a closer look at with a numerical value of five. One is given to
own identities submerged under their hus- rect way of showing honor for the scholar. the Parsha recognizes that Sarah faced far Avraham, and the other to Sarah. This letter
band’s choice of career. Rubin Schwartz cites If this analysis is true, then one need greater challenges. “hey” is a metaphor for their relationship; it is
examples of rabbis’ wives insisting that they not stand for the widow of a scholar, for the When they arrive in Egypt, Avraham asks Sarah’s contribution that makes Avram into
not be called rebbetzins, and not be given any scholar is no longer living. But there is an- Sarah to say she is Avraham’s sister, so Avra- Avraham, and shapes their unique mission.
role in the synagogue. At the end of her book, other point of view: the wife of a scholar has ham might live. But what if Pharaoh takes Because the narrative in the Torah focus-
she notes that the rebbetzin no longer exists the same status as a scholar because she is Sarah anyway? Clearly, there was no exit es mostly on Avraham, it is easy to overlook
in the Conservative and Reform movements; his life partner, and her husband’s achieve- strategy for Sarah, only Avraham; and un- that the sacrifices Sarah makes are more
although in Orthodox Judaism, particularly ments belong to her as well. I find this second doubtedly, Sarah knew this. Without God’s exceptional. Invisible work is often underval-
in Chabad, the wives of rabbis often play a view to be compelling; in the Talmud, Rabbi intervention, Sarah would have remained a ued; and so are invisible heroes like Sarah. n
significant role in the community. Akiva tells his students how important his captive in Pharaoh’s harem while Avraham
The question of how to assess the reb- own wife was to his Torah learning, and ex- pursued his mission. (This test is repeated Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz is the Senior Rabbi of
betzin’s role is already discussed in the claims that “my Torah knowledge and yours again later in Sarah’s life, when she is taken Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun in New York.

October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 15

 MY TURN

visiting his childhood Kibbutz after beginning

his work with IGY as very emotional. He met
with his former Kindergarten teacher and
friends of his parents to describe living as a
gay man in Israeli society, a universe still very
far away for most Kibbutzniks. Liana grew up
in Jerusalem, “the city where everything hap-
pens,” and was inspired to begin work in so-
cial activism after seeing her community fall
short in regards to how young LGBT people
are treated.
The perspective I heard over iced America-
nos was one of optimism, passion, but also of
grievance. As much as Israeli society is known
for its celebration of love in the infamous gay
bars of Tel Aviv, so also are the walls of reality-
-the unsustainable occupation of the West
Bank, the blatant homophobia of the religious
right, and the violence between Jews and Ar-
abs-- closing in.
“The work that we do,” Ofer noted, “applies
not only to our participants. They go back to
their homes, they go back to their communi-
ties, they go back to their synagogues, to their

Israeli Pride and Prejudice

mosques--and they create a change. Because
they’re more in love with themselves. And as
Rupaul says, if you can’t love yourself, how the
hell are you going to love someone else?”
After thanking Ofer and Liana for their
time and stepping back into midtown traffic,
» by Blake Flayton I looked back on the two Israelis staring into

OFER NEWMAN AND LIANA MEROM Ofer and Liana tell me they’re shocked tables, we host all of Israeli society,” Liana ex-
Asif are two Israelis who made time to meet “on a daily basis” by the stories of the chil- plained. “We can use our identity to fix things
me for coffee last week. We had just left the dren who walk into IGY’s doors, a number of not just related to LGBT issues, for example
Israeli Consulate in New York, where Ofer and
Liana educated a handful of American Jews
them being homeless. One girl was sleeping
for nights on end in the women’s section of
Jewish and Arab relations. During our semi-
nars, everything is in Hebrew and Arabic. We Not only does IGY
on Israeli Gay Youth (IGY), an organization
that seeks to offer a “social space” for young
a local synagogue after coming out as lesbian
to her father. Both acknowledged the icono-
celebrate all holidays together. We are tackling
the idea of how to combine queer identity champion LGBT rights,
LGBT Israelis, many of whom find themsleves
in oppressive environments. Cars screeched
clasm of Israel in comparison to its Middle
Eastern neighbors when it comes to rights for
and religion, and we tackle problems in small
communities. This, I think, is a way to make
but also relationships
by and jackhammers pounded into the pave- sexual minorities, but also acknowledged the Israeli society not only diverse, because we’re between those who
are consistently
ment, but from our conversation, I was able to
catch deeper insight into the world of “queer

portrayed as enemies.
Israel”-- the good, the bad, and the uncertain.
Ofer is the CEO of IGY, a job he took after
serving as the senior advisor to now Israeli
President Isaac Herzog, who was then the Perhaps outcasts
leader of the opposition in the Knesset. Liana,
a former combat soldier in the IDF, is the Vice
from societal factions
President of IGY. Both were active members can bridge divides
more successfully
of Hashomer Hatzair, a socialist, Zionist and
secular youth movement that dates back to

than politicians and

Mandatory Palestine. This no doubt informs
the progressive angle on Israeli social issues
they both expressed. IGY began in 2002 as an
underground operation in Tel Aviv, but now
Ofer Newman Liana Merom Asif
legislation.
has over 400 volunteers and over 4,000 youth
participants in ongoing activities through- two communities which continue to stall on not only living next to each other, but we’re the epicenter of Diaspora Jewry. I wondered
out the year. Such activities include weekly such liberalism -- Orthodox Jews and Israel’s friends with each other, so we are building a if New York City feels alluring to gay people
meetings, marching in the Tel Aviv Pride Pa- Arab community. IGY promises an accepting society that is together. ” from Israel, where the collision of often con-
rade, researching LGBT issues in Israel (such home for young people, many of whom are in I asked Ofer and Liana about their upbring- flicting identity is baked into their society. I
as the “situation” of gay men in the IDF), and these two circles. ings, in the hope of hearing of how their ex- decided I do not want to believe this, simply
attending workshops and lectures with the As a result, not only does IGY champion periences shaped their activism. Ofer grew up because the Zionist project calls for a Jewish
goal of making social spaces more “inclusive, LGBT rights, but also relationships between on a Kibbutz in the north, a tight-knit commu- and democratic state. In order to fulfill this
egalitarian, and empowering.” IGY is currently those who are consistently portrayed as en- nity of almost seven-hundred people. “Every- dream, LGBT Jews in our ancestral homeland
working with the Ministry of Welfare and Em- emies. Perhaps outcasts from societal factions one knew everything about everyone,” he says, need boots on the ground. n
ployment to establish a training center where can bridge divides more successfully than “and for me, this was an incentive to come out
“at risk” Israeli LGBT youth can earn a degree politicians and legislation. of the closet pretty soon. I realized everyone Blake Flayton is New Media Director and
in a specific skill after their military service. “We like to say that around our Shabbat was already talking and thinking.” Ofer recalls columnist at the Jewish Journal.

16 | Jewish Journal JewishJournal.com October 22-28, 2021

 MY TURN

Our words matter,

so use them wisely.

16 Things I Forbid You

to Say at Work
» by Randi Braun
fizkes/Getty Images

A LEADER AT A STARTUP RECENTLY 8. You all have been working on this unconscious bias and the micro-level, in- Here are a few suggestions:
came to me with a problem: they had just longer than I have…. sidious discrimination of the present and • Just blurt: Seriously, I want you to
brought their first woman onto the lead- Forbidden crutch words: future. practice just blurting your ideas. That
ership team (don’t even get me started on 9. Just As Nordell explains in her recent New means in a meeting, you can drop your dis-
that…) and she was absolutely fantastic. 10. Actually York Times article, This Is How Everyday claimers and just share your perspective.
So, what was the problem? 11. Maybe Sexism Could Stop You From Getting That In an email you can get to the point with
Even though she was consistently mak- 12. I wanted to…. Promotion, even a “tiny” increase in gen- “I’m writing to follow-up on….” vs. “I just
ing the most compelling points in every 13. Sorry der bias, “leads to dramatic discrimination wanted to check in to see how things were
meeting they held, she was constantly Forbidden when praise: over time.” That 3%, she explains, has a going with….” Or, you can share your ideas
putting herself down before and after 14. It was nothing compounding impact. These micro-gaps in a statement instead of couching them in
raising those points with statements like: 15. Happy to help don’t just contribute to gender-based gaps a question, which somebody else can scoop
“you’ve probably already thought of this” On emailing back 1 hour (or even one in leadership scope, title and compensa- up and score points with as their idea.
or “I’m no expert.” day -- gasp!) later: tion, but actively create a drastic delta over • Hit the delete button: Especially around
Could he give her feedback, he won- 16. Sorry for the delay time between men and women’s promo- your hedge words like “just,” “actually” or
dered? Should he give her feedback, he tion potential and earning potential. Criti- whatever softening crutch word is your per-
asked me? My answer was yes but my sonal kryptonite. In email, don’t send your
bigger concern was that this remains all note until you review this and hit that de-
too common for women at work. Even for lete button. In meetings, practice speaking

When women step up to the plate, I want

women in positions of leadership -- if they up intentionally with a focus on (mentally)
can make it that far without these bad deleting these words from your talk track.

to make sure they can swing for the fences.

habits holding them back (note: some- • Say thank you: Had a great idea and
times they do and these behaviors can im- got some recognition? Hallelujah, just say

Using hedging and crutch language is like

pact their lifetime earning potential) -- as thank you! Don’t tell them it was nothing.
he was observing first-hand. Don’t use “we” instead of “I.” Simply say

intentionally hitting a single when our ideas

That’s why I’ve compiled a list of 15 these two words: thank you.
things I absolutely, positively forbid you to • Save sorry: Use “sorry” only when you

and contributions could be a grand slam (or

say at work. actually mean it. Every time you say sor-
ry when it’s unnecessary you are cutting

at least a double).
Forbidden when sharing your ideas: yourself down.
1. You’ve probably already thought of Final thought: don’t overthink it, re-
this think it.
2. Maybe I’m missing something So, does it actually matter? cal gaps that we know widen significantly We often overestimate the cost of our
3. This might be a dumb idea Yes, so (so so so so so so so so so so) for women of color. ideas being wrong, which is why we hedge
4. You all know more about this than I much. Every email matters. Every conver- Unfortunately, everyday millions of or soften, and underestimate the cost this
do sation matters. women go to work in an unfair playing hedging does to our reputation and peo-
5. Have we thought about….? (phras- As research by author Jessica Nordell field. That’s why when women step up to ple’s perceptions of our competence, capa-
ing your idea as a question: by the way, demonstrates, women’s contributions are the plate, I want to make sure they can bility, and leadership. Our words matter, so
when this is a good idea, all you’re doing is often valued 3% less than their male col- swing for the fences. Using hedging and use them wisely. n
passing the ball to let somebody else score leagues. As we look at the future of gender crutch language is like intentionally hit-
your slam dunk off your shot) equity in the workplace, we’re not dealing ting a single when our ideas and contribu- Randi Braun is an executive coach, consul-
6. I’m no expert with the blatant, macro-level “you can’t tions could be a grand slam (or at least a tant, speaker and the founder of Something
7. Using “we” instead of “I” do it” discrimination decades past, but the double!). Major.

October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 17

 MY

Jewish pioneering settlers work in their MY TURN

cooperative farming community of
Kibbutz Urim on Sept. 30, 1946 in the
Negev Desert.
Photo by Zoltan Kluger/GPO via Getty Images

terday when 11 new Jewish settlements were

established in a sweeping dawn-to-dusk ac-
tion,” the Palestine (later Jerusalem) Post re-
ported. “At dawn, scores of vehicles brought
men and building materials” —other media
accounts estimated that 300 of the 1,000
settlers were women—to the eleven chosen
sites, “stretching from Gedera to Rafah, and
by darkness tents and fences had been erect-
ed and the beginnings made on the construc-
tion of the first huts.”

Unity in America, Too

American Zionists were united in their
support for the settlement drive. Rabbi Dr.
Abba Hillel Silver, cochairman of the Ameri-

A Forgotten Display of Zionist Unity

can Zionist Emergency Council—the umbrel-
la for all major U.S. Zionist groups—declared
that American Jews were “thrilled by the
news” of the settlements, which he called “a
» by Dr. Rafael Medoff magnificent tribute to the indefensible spirit
of the Yishuv.”
BITTER CONTROVERSY HAS ERUPTED Describing one of the scenes that unfold- hind the clouds, saying, ‘That which is not The Labor Zionist journal “Furrows” hailed
over the recent visits by two left-wing Israeli ed in the moments after the Day of Atone- accomplished through political means, the settlements as “the reply of the yishuv to
delegations to the headquarters of the Pal- ment ended, a young religious Zionist partic- through discussions and conferences, that every attempt by the British to convert the
estinian Authority. Accusations and insults ipant recalled a legend concerning the Baal is accomplished by Eretz Israel chassidim Jewish homeland into a ghetto.”
have been flying back and forth across the Shem Tov, founder of Chasidism, and the (devotees) burning with the joy of creation.’” During Israel’s War of Independence two
political spectrum over the mission to Ra- custom of blessing the new moon at the end What they created, on the “Night of the years later, the eleven new towns played a
mallah by leaders of the Meretz Party earlier of Yom Kippur. One year, he wrote, clouds Eleven Points,” were Jewish outposts across crucial role in fighting off Egyptian advances
this month, followed four days later by lead- obscured the moon as Yom Kippur drew to a the Negev and the adjoining Gaza region. and ensuring that the Negev would become
ers of the Labor Party. close, which would have made it impossible The settlers came from a variety of Zion- part of the Jewish state. Today, they are thriv-
Ironically, this all-too-familiar display of to recite the blessing. The Baal Shem Tov “be- ist factions, but were united in purpose and ing communities that have helped transform
Israeli disunity overshadowed the 75th anni- gan to concentrate very intensely on some passion. Some of the settlements were es- the region.
versary of one of the most stirring displays of mystical formulas in an effort to bring out tablished by members of Labor Zionist youth Except for one.
unity in Zionist history. the moon,” to no avail. Meanwhile, however, movements, including the sites named Be’eri Kfar Darom was among the Jewish towns
(pen name of Labor Zionist icon Berl Katznel- in the Gaza region that the Israeli govern-
son), Mishmar HaNegev and Urim. Three ment dismantled in 2005, in the hope that an
others—Shoval, Gal On, and Nirim—were Israeli withdrawal would lead to peace. That
In the weeks leading up to the high holidays, created by the members of the further-left
Hashomer Hatzair movement (forerunner of
has not worked out as hoped. n

Zionist factions from across the political and today’s Meretz Party). Two, Kfar Darom and Dr. Rafael Medoff is the author of numer-
ous books on Jewish and Zionist history, in-
religious spectrum united to plan the overnight
Tkuma, were set up by the religious Hapoel
Hamizrachi group. cluding the “Historical Dictionary of Zionism,”
coauthored with Chaim I. Waxman.
creation of eleven new Jewish settlements in
“The map of Palestine was changed yes-

the Negev, to take place immediately upon the

conclusion of Yom Kippur.
The Fight for the Negev his followers began their post-Yom Kippur
The Zionist movement had always ex- custom of singing and dancing, and their en-
pected that the Negev desert would be part of thusiasm drew their leader into their joyous
the future Jewish state. But London and Wash- circle. “The moon suddenly appeared and lit
ington had other ideas. In August 1946, a joint up the sky,” the young settler wrote. “Said the
British-American committee proposed what Baal Shem Tov: ‘What my intense concentra-
came to be known as the Morrison-Grady tion did not accomplish was brought about
plan, which would have divided Palestine into by the joy of the chassidim.’”
semi-autonomous Jewish and Arab provinces “If the Baal Shem Tov had been standing A CARTOONIST’S PERSPECTIVE
under British rule. The Negev was to be con- the evening after Yom Kippur in [the town This political cartoon by Arie Navon—later one of the most famous cartoonists in Israeli
trolled exclusively by the British. of] Be’erot Yitzchak,” the account continued, history—appeared in the Labor Party daily newspaper Davar on October 9, 1946.
The Zionist leadership decided to fight “and had seen hundreds of chalutzim [pio- Titled “This Week in Sport,” it features two goalkeepers. One, smoking a pipe—cartoon-
the plan by establishing facts on the ground. neers], hand on shoulder, tightly interwoven, ists’ standard symbol for the British—is labeled “Anti-Zionist Regime.” There are eleven balls
In the weeks leading up to the High Holidays, surrounding chain-wise the main vehicles in his net. The other, the Jewish goalkeeper, has just one ball in his net, labeled “Rafiah.” The
Zionist factions from across the political and loaded with provisions and dancing joy- reference is to the Rafiah prison camp in the Negev, where the British detained thousands
religious spectrum united to plan the over- ous dances before ascending to the eleven of Jewish political prisoners in the 1940s (note the barbed wire structure behind the Jewish
night creation of eleven new Jewish settle- new yishuvim [settlements], he would have goalie).
ments in the Negev, to take place immedi- placed himself in the center, jumped to the The landscape in the background features eleven towers and a flag reading “The Negev.”
ately upon the conclusion of Yom Kippur. very heavens and drawn the moon from be- The caption at the bottom, “11:1,” gives the “score.”

18 | Jewish Journal JewishJournal.com October 22-28, 2021

 M Y TUR N

NAT I O N / WO R L D B R IE FS

Colin Powell, Who Brokered vices Fund to Louis Farrakhan’s Nation of known as Mammoth Solar Project in Indi- al benefits of our cooperation, not only for
the Middle East ‘Road Map’ to Islam in 2018. He defended the donation in ana on October 14. the people of Israel and the United States
Peace, Dies at 84 a Facebook Live video at the time, saying: The project is going to be a 13,000-acre but for the entire world,” The Jerusalem
Colin Powell, the former U.S. secretary “I am not resigning, I’m not backing down, farm will span across the Starke and Pu- Post reported.
re of state who brokered the “road map” to I’m not discouraged, I’m not depressed, so laski counties in northern Indiana. The “Mammoth Solar will create hundreds
c- a two-state peace deal that still informs run all the media stories you want because project is expected to be operational by of jobs, and produce enough clean energy
e- much of U.S. policy in the region, died my people support me.” 2024 and will have the capability of power- to power over one hundred and seventy
ht Monday aged 84. He died of COVID-19, his — Aaron Bandler ing 75,000 homes, according to the Associ- thousand households annually,” he said,
ia family said on Facebook. He was fully vac- ated Press. adding that “we stand together when our
00 cinated and had been undergoing treat- Israeli Company Breaks Ground Israeli Ambassador to the United States economies are attached.” Erdan also called
en ments for blood cancer. on U.S. Solar Energy Project Gilad Erdan hailed the project as a “mile- Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, a Republi-
nd Powell made history three times as the The Israeli tech company Doral Energy stone in the Israel-U.S. relationship” and “a can, a “true friend of Israel.”
t- first Black man in a senior security posi- broke ground for their solar energy project shining example of the tremendous mutu- — Aaron Bandler
c- tion: As President Ronald Reagan’s last na-
tional security adviser from 1987 to 1989;
as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
from 1989 to 1993 under President George
eir H.W. Bush, who commanded the success-
Dr. ful first Gulf War; and as secretary of state

If You’re Not in the

ri- from 2001 to 2005 under Bush’s son, Presi-
el- dent George W. Bush.
ed Powell was the first Bush administra-
he tion official — indeed, the first U.S. of-

Journal, Will People

“a ficial — to say, in 2001, that the likely
rit outcome of peace talks would be a Pal-
estinian state. Powell forever regretted
ed becoming the leading pitch man for the

Know You’re Still

to Iraq War ahead of its 2003 launch, nota-
he bly with a speech to the United Nations
that was later revealed to have included

Alive and Kicking?

wo distortions. Powell clashed with Vice
a President Dick Cheney over how the war
es developed.
me Powell, disillusioned with the course of
v- the Bush presidency and resigned to the
m fact that his own presidential hopes were
dashed in Iraq, endorsed Barack Obama
for president in 2008. He remained a critic
ns of the rightward drift of his party, endors-
n- ing Obama again in 2012, and Hillary Clin-
an ton in 2016, although he disliked her; Don-
at ald Trump, he said then, was a “national
disgrace.”
— Ron Kampeas, JTA In these pandemic times, it’s important
r- to tell the community: You’re still here.
n- DC City Councilmember Who Said You still matter. You still care. The best,
m,” Rothschilds Are “Controlling the most efficient way is to advertise in
Climate” Running for Mayor
Trayon White, a city councilmember in the award-winning Jewish Journal,
Washington, D.C., is running in D.C.’s may- a non-profit institution dedicated to
oral election. bringing our community together. For
White responded, “I’m running” to an special advertising packages tailored to
Instagram comment suggesting he run
your needs, email Marty Finkelstein at
for mayor. Martin Austermuhle, a reporter
for D.C.’s National Public Radio affiliate, [email protected] or call him
confirmed that White is running mayor. at 213-368-1661 x242.
Austermuhle tweeted a quote he received
from one of White’s advisers stating, “He
has a tremendous amount of support
coming his way because he is willing to

JEWISH JOURNAL
speak out for and advocate for those who
need the leadership the most.”
White made headlines in 2018 when he

Open your community.

i said in a since-deleted video: “D.C. keep
talking about, ‘We a resilient city,’ and
- that’s a model based off the Rothschilds
s controlling the climate to create natural
e disasters they can pay for to own the cit-
s ies.” White subsequently apologized for
h his remarks, stating he “did not intend to
be Antisemitic.”
” Additionally, White came under fire for
donating $500 from his Constituent Ser-

21 October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 19

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Sanders and the Jews
R O S N E R ’ S D O M A IN
Fro m Is ra e l

A Man of Peace (and Something I wrote in Hebrew

Other Misdeeds)
Former Minister of Health and Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Edelstein announced
his intention to challenge Netanyahu as head of Likud. Here is what I wrote about
his chances of success:

Three polls published last week make it clear that the Likud is not losing seats,
» by Shmuel Rosner it is gaining seats. That is, the voters do not believe that the Likud is lost - the vot-
ers seem to be returning to the Likud. The average of polls put Likud at more than
IN THE GARDEN OF ISRAEL’S head the Jewish Agency, Minister of Intel- 34 seats if the election had been held today, compared with 30 the party has in the
President House, not far from the entrance ligence Elazar Stern, withdrew from the Knesset. No less important — Netanyahu himself does not lose support. Not among
to the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, race, following his admission that as a Likud voters and not among the rightwing bloc voters. He is not perceived as having
the Avenue of the Presidents presents the general he ignored anonymous complaints failed in his new role as chairman of the opposition. He gained trust of the kind that
busts of the first 10 to hold that office, against other officers. Why could Peres be would make it difficult for Edelstein, or any other candidate, to challenge the former
from Chaim Weizmann to Reuven Rivlin, president and Stern cannot be the head of prime minister effectively.
who was added just three months ago, the Jewish Agency,
when his term ended and Yitzhak Herzog Avital was asked.
replaced him. On a plaque beneath the Her response is illu- Shimon Peres shake hands with
minating: Peres, she Collette Avital on June 13, 2007
In Israel, this
bust is a quote from Rivlin: “Without the
ability to listen, there is no ability to learn. reminded her inter-
Without the ability to learn, there is no viewer, was a great
ability to repair”.
The plaque has a story. Just a year ago,
man. Apparently,
what great men can
attempt to
Rivlin made a decision to add a line to the
plaque of one of his predecessors, Moshe
do with impunity –
the ordinary chap,
erase the past
because of

Photo by Jim Hollander-Pool/Getty Images

Katsav, reminding the visitors that the such as Stern, can-
seventh president he had been convicted not (and just to be
of rape and was incarcerated. Katsav was
found guilty and jailed almost a decade
clear: Stern admit-
ted only to ignoring sensitivities of
earlier, in 2011. His successor was Presi-
dent Shimon Peres, who had to win a vote
complaints, not to
harassment of any the present has
against two other candidates: Rivlin – and
Colette Avital.
kind).
All this is sala- not yet taken
hold.
Avital is a long-time diplomat and poli- cious and scan-
tician. Last week, she made the biggest dalous. It ignites a
headline of her eventful career by reveal- discussion about

A week’s numbers
ing that Peres sexually harassed her, some current norms and
would say attacked her, back in the 1980’s. previous norms, about our ability today
Following her testimony, another woman to judge the actions of people yesterday, Here are the numbers to prove what I wrote in the paragraph about Edelstein:
came forward with similar testimonies. about the exact boundaries of what’s in-
The woman gave a detailed account of the appropriate and what’s criminal. All of
assault, and described how he touched it is testimony to the changing times, to
her, pinning her to the wall. the endless ability of people to surprise,
This story is filled with ironies, large to the way ideology colors everything we
and small. When Katsav was convicted of do. Would there even be a demand to add
rape, Peres was asked to remove his prede- something to Peres’ plaque? It will not be
cessor’s bust from the garden. He refused a simple demand, as, unlike Katsav, Peres
to do this, or, for that matter, anything else. never stood trial, and never will. Why not?
Only when Rivlin came along, and under Because even the women he harassed and
more pressure, a decision to keep the bust attacked, or at least one of them, thought
yet add an incriminating reminder to the he was a great man, and never complained.
plaque was made. Now one has to wonder: Their story, and the one of many Israelis,
was Peres worried about his own plaque? mostly on the left, is one of cognitive dis-
Was he more sensitive to the harasser sonance. Is Peres to be remembered as a
than to the women who suffered because peace maker or as a women’s harasser?
of him? Or maybe — and this would be my Around the world, statues and busts of
guess — Peres was completely blind to the great men are being taken down. In the US,
fact that his behavior is more evocative of a debate of what to do with statues and
Katsav’s than anyone suspects.
The irony doesn’t stop here. Avital
symbols is not new. Nearly 100 Confed-
erate statues were removed in 2020. Last
A reader’s response:
wanted to be president and run against week, we witnessed another round of de- Prof. Avner Cohen responded (on Facebook) to what I wrote about Peres and Avital:
Peres. But their relations weren’t marked bate concerning Christopher Columbus.
by animosity or alienation. She was po- In Israel, this attempt to erase the past “Avital’s testimony is not surprising on the one hand, nor does it tarnish Peres with
litically loyal to him decades after the al- because of sensitivities of the present has allegations of serious acts. These were things done by almost everyone who was in a
leged sexual attack. “I appreciated him, not yet taken hold. Thus, it was relatively position to do them... these were the norms of the time. Enough with the piousness.”
so I chose to ignore his actions”, said Avi- easy for President Peres to decide against
tal. She also weighed in on a more recent removing Katsav from the President’s row. Shmuel Rosner is senior political editor. For more analysis of Israeli and international
story: last week, the leading candidate to On second thought: Maybe too easy? n politics, visit Rosner’s Domain at jewishjournal.com/rosnersdomain.

October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 21

 One might say that making others laugh is a mitzvah; one might
also say that laughing at ourselves is an even greater mitzvah.

Why Jews Laugh » by Monica Osborne

You can cancel it, censor it, or outlaw it—

but people will still use and rely on humor.
22 | Jewish Journal JewishJournal.com October 22-28, 2021
 Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

C OV E R

T
hese are serious times in America. Seasonal
fires rage, like clockwork, in California and Elon Gold
elsewhere up the Pacific coast. Hurricanes
and floods, persistently taunting the Gulf

“When we’re doing comedy,

Coast and beyond, are no longer the purview
of the biblical Noah, no longer metaphors for collective

we’re arguing and making

cleansing and redemption. Mass shootings, though they
don’t always make the news these days because we’ve
grown accustomed to them, are part of the new American
fabric. Last year, we recorded the highest increase in the
national rate of homicide in modern history. We are, liter-
analogies, and that’s what
ally, killing each other more than ever before. Violent hate
crimes against religious and ethnic minorities, includ- the Talmud is.” — Elon Gold
ing and especially Jews, are becoming more brazen. And
while the pandemic continues, hope for its inevitable end
ebbing and flowing, so do the culture wars that prove our to use to make sense of the world and their place in it. You
penchant for hate rather than tenacity. can cancel it, censor it, or outlaw it—but people will still
Almost nothing remains bubbling under the surface use and rely on humor. They will still be drawn to it. It will
anymore. We keep very little at bay. Hate, violence, fear- flourish no matter what kind of guard rails are in place.
mongering, division—no longer simply percolating, they For Elon Gold, stand-up comedian and actor who will
have become our default mode, our most apparent and be featured in the upcoming season of “Curb Your En-
distinctive feature. We are Americans, and our world is a thusiasm,” the question isn’t why Jews laugh. “I can tell
ticking time bomb. you that Jews, in fact, do not laugh,” says Gold, who jokes
The antidote may feel elusive, but in the meantime, (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) about the difference between Jewish and non-Jewish audi-
there’s something we can do: We can laugh. ences. “When Jews laugh, it’s like a short, quick, reserved
It sounds insensitive, I know. But in the expanse of laugh followed by thinking and planning—‘he’d be good
such a dark horizon, it’s easy to forget the great Jewish we have agreed to be honest with each other for a mo- for a fundraiser we’re having next month!’—so we don’t
tradition of finding humor in things. In such a serious mo- ment. It’s an unwritten contract that’s a win-win for both give the full laugh.” The bigger question is about why Jews
ment in which everything is politicized and partisan—we parties. No compromise. make others laugh. Where does this impulse come from?
are all right, all of the time—and in which so many of us But, as most Jewish comics will tell you, it’s also about Why do we do it? “It’s because we have that observational
have become self-righteous about our politics and ide- darkness in many cases. I’ve written in various places, eye,” says Gold. “When we’re doing comedy, we’re argu-
ologies, maybe we have an even greater responsibility to including for the Journal, about how some of the most ing and making analogies, and that’s what the Talmud is.”
laugh. One might say that making others laugh is a mitz- traumatic and insidious moments in history have given Jews have a long history of engaging with the world in
vah; one might also say that laughing at ourselves is an rise to some of the wildest explosions of humor. Whether this way. The Talmud is about argument and analysis—
even greater mitzvah. When we laugh at ourselves we are it’s the Holocaust, the events of 9/11, the pandemic, or it’s about engaging with complex ideas and subjects and
telling the world that we know how to be introspective, anything else that saddens us, distresses us, or makes us making sense of them. If you know anything about the
that we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Self-reflection feel afraid, many of us—both Jews and non-Jews—feel the Talmud, you know that in many cases disagreements are
is truly an under-appreciated quality. impulse and even the palpable need to laugh. Filmmaker often left unresolved, and that’s the beauty of it. The value
We could all take ourselves a little less seriously. But Ferne Pearlstein, director of the documentary “The Last is in the process of analyzing an issue and confronting it,
Jewish comics are in the lead when it comes to this race. Laugh,” told me that humor “has always been a coping and in seeing it from various perspectives. In much the
Dan Ahdoot is a stand-up comic, podcaster, and actor mechanism, a means of resistance, and a way to fight same way, comedy provides us with a way into some of
best known for his role as Anoush in the Emmy-nominat- back for the oppressed, so it’s not a coincidence that hu- the most pressing issues of our time, giving us a space
ed global hit series “Cobra Kai.” His show “Raid the Fridge” mor has long been associated with the Jewish people.” She for thoughtful analysis, even as we laugh and even if we
premieres on Food Network December 28. I asked Dan to continued: “As Rob Reiner says in ‘The Last Laugh’: ‘The disagree.
tell me why Jews laugh, and he said: “Why we laugh, I’m Holocaust itself is not funny. There’s nothing funny about Jews have a long history of being persecuted and fac-
not quite sure. But why we MAKE people laugh is because it. But survival, and what it takes to survive, there can be ing things like pogroms, genocide, and loss; and while the

Without this freedom to laugh and to tell jokes,

the Jewish story would be very different. The
story of Jewish laughter is the story of Jews.
you can’t get girls when you’re under six feet, have a devi- humor in that.’” idea of Jews as comic geniuses may be somewhat recent,
ated septum, flat feet and gastrointestinal issues. So you’d Dark humor is a complex beast. It’s also subjective. we can find traces of it since the beginning, perhaps gen-
better have good jokes.” Years ago when I taught a Holocaust literature and film tly foreshadowing what would come hundreds of years
Dan Levy, television writer/showrunner, stand-up class at UCLA, we discussed Holocaust humor. There were later. In Genesis, Sarah laughs when God reveals to her
comic, and co-host of “House Hunters: Comedians on six students in the class who were grandchildren of sur- that she, an old woman, will not only enjoy sexual plea-
Couches” had a similar response to my question: “Jews vivors. All of them spoke with their grandparents about sure again with her husband Abraham, but also will bear
laugh because we are self-aware and self-deprecating. We what was happening in class and reported back to me. a child. You’re hilarious, God, her laugh says. I’ve often
also love to get laughs because we are self-involved.” The responses were split. Three of the grandparents were wondered if this is the moment we learned it may be ac-
Comedy—at least, good comedy—is about truth-telling thrilled that humor was being used to confront the Ho- ceptable to laugh even at God sometimes; perhaps even
and honesty. It’s transparency at its finest. When unbri- locaust. The other three were horrified, and said that the God doesn’t need to be taken so seriously. Comedy and
dled and unrestrained by political correctness it is the ul- Holocaust is off-limits when it comes to humor. laughter can be lessons too. Sometimes we laugh because,
timate cultural commentary. It says the things we cannot Both responses were correct. Humor is subjective. It deep down inside, we understand the absurdity of our sit-
say, but often want to or should say. And, in many cases, can be deeply personal. But regardless of how we feel uation, and laughing about it means we are being honest
we are all better because of it, if for no other reason than about it, the reality is that it’s a tool that people are going with ourselves.

October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 23

 Making a joke about something dark or something
Dan Ahdoot about which we’re self-conscious puts us in a position to
own the story, rather than allowing the story to own us.
Some might think that laughing instead of crying is about
escaping, about not dealing with something. But I dis-
“Why we laugh, I’m not quite agree. Humor isn’t always about looking away. It’s about
facing something directly, confronting and acknowledg-

sure. But why we MAKE ing it. It can, in fact, be the most authentic way to confront
sensitive or distressing material.

people laugh is because

Sometimes that makes people feel uncomfortable.
And we happen to be living in a time where the growing

you can’t get girls when

sentiment is that no one should ever feel uncomfortable.
Every space should be safe. Jokes should be at no one’s
expense. The recent controversy over Dave Chappelle’s

you’re under six feet, have Netflix special, “The Closer,” in which he makes a num-
ber of jokes about transgender people, is an example of

a deviated septum, flat feet this. But whether Chappelle’s or anyone else’s humor is
appropriate or not shouldn’t be the question. Instead, we

and gastrointestinal issues.

should be asking why there is a growing movement to
curtail comedy by censoring what we can and can’t laugh

So you’d better have good

at. The answer seems fairly obvious: It’s about power. A
comic standing on stage in front of tens of thousands of
people (not to mention their likely millions of Twitter or

jokes.” — Dan Ahdoot (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Environmental Media Association) Instagram followers) has power.
Making jokes about things that seem off-limits is an
unusual freedom. In America, we have a history of taking
Throughout the centuries things get pretty dark for the sors or perpetrators—to own it. Humor has often flour-
Jews, and while Jewish writing throughout the medieval ished in oppressive regimes (as shown in Rudolph Her-
and middle eras was mostly serious given the trials of the zog’s book “Dead Funny: Telling Jokes in Hitler’s Germany,”
day—hello, crusades—the popular genres of animal fables for example). We instinctively understand the potential
(think Aesop’s Fables) and riddles were for both Jews and for comedy and laughter to rob the most horrific atroci-
non-Jews an outlet for making jokes. Jeremy Dauber, in
“Jewish Comedy: A Serious History,” gives a detailed ac-
ties and disasters of their power to frighten and control
us. But American Jews in particular have really nailed it
Making a joke about
counting of this trajectory, but reminds us that as recently
as the 19th century, Jews were not known particularly for
when it comes to laughing in the face of tragedy and di-
saster. The question is why. What is it about America that
something dark or
their humor. Ruth Wisse, in her study from a few years
prior to Dauber’s, recounts something similar, which rais-
has brought out the impulse to laugh, to tell jokes, and to
frame everything we encounter in the context of humor? something about which
es the question of why Jews, in their American context,
have become so synonymous with comedy.
Laughter is freedom. But the freedom to laugh, and to
make others laugh, isn’t something that should be taken we’re self-conscious puts
It’s easy to say that Jews laugh because it’s a way of
dealing with persecution—that it’s a coping mechanism.
for granted. There is power in laughter. When we laugh
at something we think is ridiculous, we bring it down. We us in a position to own the
And, sure, that’s true in some cases. But the subtext of that
perspective is the story of Jews as perpetual victims, and
show that it doesn’t define or control us. Jeff Ross, stand-up
comedian, author, actor, and writer/producer best known story, rather than allowing
the story to own us.
that’s not who we are. Laughing in the face of persecution as The Roastmaster General, had a straightforward re-
doesn’t mean it’s coming from a place of victimhood. To sponse to my question of why Jews laugh: “In my opinion,
be able to laugh in the face of adversity or tragedy can Jews laugh because it keeps us from crying.” Emmy award-
also signify mastery over a person or subject or history. winning comedy writer Rob Kutner had a similar answer: pride in our freedom. As Americans, we love our rights.
It can be a way to take back the story from the oppres- “Because if we didn’t, we’d never be able to stop crying.” We love having the freedom to speak our minds. We love
being able to laugh at anything and everything, whether
it’s appropriate or not. This is increasingly true of younger
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) generations. A former student at UCLA once told me: “I
love our generation. We make everything hilarious.” It’s
not only college students; it’s teenagers and younger chil-
dren as well. My 8-year-old son tells me that his peers
talk and laugh about memes constantly. And most of
these young people probably have no idea that the kinds
of jokes they laugh at every day would be illegal in some
countries.
Will they soon be illegal in ours as well? It’s hard to
imagine. And yet.
Some people call what’s happening “cancel culture.”
Others mock these accusations and suggest that nothing
of the sort is happening. Either way, as veteran comedy
director Jay Karas says, “It’s on everyone’s mind. Many
comics are treading cautiously on stage, and it’s only a
few brave souls who are putting their acts out there, unfil-

“In my opinion, Jews laugh because tered, exactly the way they want to right now.”
The idea that some comics—historically the people we

it keeps us from crying.”— Jeff Ross

could count on to tell it like it is—are self-censoring is bad
news for all of us. In the short term we might convince
ourselves that self-censorship and political correctness
makes places and spaces safer, and that watching what
we say is a hallmark of a compassionate society. But the

24 | Jewish Journal JewishJournal.com October 22-28, 2021

 Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

(Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)

becomes laughter—until someone gets offended. Lather,

rinse, repeat. We love comedy until we are offended by
it. We’re loving and inclusive until we’re not. We’re de-
manding and understanding and then demanding again.
Plus, we have God’s writers’ room throwing us situations
that test our mettle, sanity and humor at all times: people
plan, and the angels provide the studio audience. We’re
the best surreal meta-historical sitcom out there, and ev-
eryone from Larry David to The Jews Are Coming knows it.
Laughter forces air into and out of our lungs ... it keeps us
alive and motivated even in the worst of circumstances.”
If violence, wild fires, and pandemics—the world as we
currently know it—aren’t the worst of circumstances, I
don’t know what is.
Austin Winsberg, prolific writer/producer and creator
of “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” gave me a few different
answers to my big question, but his final thought was one
that stuck with me: “All this question has done is made
me wonder why I don’t laugh more.”

“The Holocaust itself is not funny. Indeed. Why aren’t all of us laughing more? Rather
than policing laughter and attempting to dictate what is

There’s nothing funny about it. But and isn’t funny, perhaps we should be focusing on laugh-
ing at the jokes and stories we do find funny. Perhaps we

survival, and what it takes to survive, should be making sure that the world we leave for the
next generation is one where the freedom to laugh and to

there can be humor in that.” tell jokes (even if they’re offensive or inappropriate) is an
unquestionable right. In his famous essay “Laughter,” phi-
losopher Henri Bergson cautions us against attempting
— Rob Reiner in the documentary “The Last Laugh” to imprison the “comic spirit” in any one definition. His
insistence that we “regard it, above all, as a living thing”
speaks to its significance as a signifier of all things hu-
man. We want to be more human, not less human. We
want to laugh. n
truth is the more we work to curtail authentic comedy, cial media newsfeed was filled with polarizing responses.
the closer we are to finding ourselves in a society that is Some lamented the loss of such a comedic giant, while Monica Osborne is Editor-at-Large at the Jewish Journal. She is a
untenable. The things we laugh at might not always be others said good riddance, citing his many offensive and former professor of literature, critical theory, and Jewish Studies, and
appropriate, and we certainly have a right to say that. It’s arguably inappropriate jokes about various races and eth- is the author of “The Midrashic Impulse and the Contemporary Liter-
also true that not everyone will agree on what kinds of nicities. What may have been funny two decades ago is no ary Response to Trauma.” Follow her on Twitter @DrMonicaOsborne
jokes work. But the important thing is that we keep trying, longer funny to some people. And that’s okay. Time chang-
that we keep giving comics and writers the space to fail es how we tell stories and jokes; it also changes how we
and fall short. Even jokes that fail or upset people have a read and hear those stories and jokes. As Pearlstein says,
purpose. They, too, tell us something about who we are. “The political context is always changing, and the line (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for TCM)
And those who want to shut down the comedy they find about what is fair game for comedy is ever-shifting. For
the Holocaust in particular, humor about it is much more
prevalent than it was a decade or even five years ago. Time
is a subject that comes up in ‘The Last Laugh’ quite a bit.
Mel Brooks jokes that, ‘Had I done ‘The Inquisition’ as a
movie in 1492, I would’ve been in a lot of trouble. But five
centuries had gone by, and so it was okay. Time opens up
But the important thing is different avenues of thought and acceptance.’”
Just think: what may not be funny today, has a good

that we keep trying, that chance of being funny 10, 20, or 100 years from now. So
maybe the only thing we need to do now is to laugh, or at

we keep giving comics and least to allow others to laugh even if we don’t think what
they’re laughing at is funny. There’s a lot of freedom in

writers the space to fail laughter, for both the one telling the jokes that inspire the
laughter and those who laugh. And the space to tell jokes

and fall short. Even jokes that may or may not land in their intended place is one of
the safest we can find.

that fail or upset people Without this freedom to laugh and to tell jokes, the
Jewish story would be very different. The story of Jewish
“Had I done ‘The
have a purpose.
laughter is the story of Jews.

Inquisition’ as a movie in
Esther D. Kustanowitz, award-winning comedy-ad-
jacent writer, chronicler of #TVGoneJewy, and The Bagel

1492, I would’ve been in

Report podcast co-host, tapped into the idea of the Jewish
offensive—well, history is littered with stories of people story in her answer to my question: Why do Jews laugh?

a lot of trouble.”— Mel Brooks in

who want to silence the prophets and truth-tellers, lock “Why do Jews laugh? Because our survival was so un-
them away. But those people rarely emerge as anything likely that we have no choice: we have to tell our story. A
other than villains. band of desert travelers who grumbled on their way out of
And, anyway, in a world in which people are not al- slavery and into a promised land encounters conflict after the documentary “The Last Laugh”
lowed to be offended, what happens to the hallowed and conflict, arguing with each other all the way while making
indispensable Jewish tradition of laughter? When classic contribution after contribution to every field imaginable.
Borscht Belt comedian Jackie Mason died recently, my so- Our story prompts an existential shrug-sigh that often

October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 25

 The Tacos of Memory » by Rick Lupert A poem for Parsha Vayera (Aliyah 4)

Katya_Havok/Getty Images
And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was Later that evening a similar set of people
eight days old, as God had commanded him. gathered under three stars and sang about
Genesis 21:4 how the week was moving from holy to mundane.

I like to follow instructions so, like Abraham, and how everything from the next moments
eight days after my son was born, he experienced was going to be different from all the moments
the enschnippening of our people. that came before. A separation.

Many people came to witness it We served tacos.

to sing songs while it was happening
to observe our observance of the covenant. Tacos that stained the concrete under which
they were served. A stain which will serve
We served tea. as a new kind of reminder of that day

Thirteen years later, and just two days ago for years to come.
(as of this writing) my son became a man
in the eyes of everyone who’s ever We are a people who strive to remember.
With candles and cuts. With wine and scents.
been enschnipped (and their wives) in front of With food, always with food.
an enthusiastic crowd of familiar people
who sang along and wept along. Ever since Abraham did what he was told
We do what we were told in this
We served sandwiches. chain that never ends.

Rick Lupert, a poet, songleader and graphic designer, is the author of 25 books including “God Wrestler: A Poem for Every Torah Portion.”

26 | Jewish Journal JewishJournal.com October 22-28, 2021

 TA B L E F O R F IV E
W EEKLY PARSHA: O NE V ERSE, F IVE VOICES
Edited by Salvador Litvak, Accidental Talmudist

Rabbi Lori Shapiro Rabbi Pinchas Winston

Open Temple Thirtysix.org
Periods. Menopause. Aging Bodies. In just two verses we know that Sarah used to have Even though we know that it is the right thing to tell the truth, we also know that there
her period, but she is currently post-menopausal. Living in 2021, where #MeToo and neo- are times when lying can be more “truthful.” The trouble is knowing when.
Victorianism confuse and confound, Torah sheds light on Sarah’s So often, people fool themselves into believing they are lying for the
sex-positive declaration. It is NOT a declaration about motherhood; “right” reason when they are really lying to protect themselves from
rather, it is a personal titillation or delight that Sarah will have “some an undesirable consequence. And we’re not talking about people who
sexy-time” again. have no problem lying, but about people who really prefer to tell the
Ibn Ezra elucidates: “the word ednah means pleasure and truth. The bottom line is that if a person is going to lie, they better be
enjoyment.” There is no chastening Sarah’s words here. Her laughter sure it is really the better truth for the moment. Like God in this week’s
“to herself” is a release of the sensual pleasure which she has formerly parsha, Who changed the truth about what Sarah said regarding her
self-contained; her reflection “am I to have enjoyment?” is Dr. Ruth husband.
worthy - yes, you are, Sarah; yes, Yes, YES! Sarah laughed at the prophecy of having children because she
But one ambiguity remains: who is Sarah’s sexual consort? We are couldn’t believe that her body could manage it after having aged so
not given a front row seat to the act itself that creates Yitzak. And a thought arises - might much. But she went even further by saying that her husband was
Sarah, a relic of the ancient near-Eastern Goddess traditions, herself be God’s lover? Love- simply too old to father children, which could have been offensive to Avraham, had he
making is a transcendent gift that brings two humans into yichud (oneness), an experience later found out. So, when God reported what she said to Avraham, He focused on what
of the presence of something that we call Godly. When Sarah “was to have a son,” as Sarah said about herself, leaving out the part about Avraham’s old age. This was such a
equally important as securing God’s covenant with Abraham, “was to experience sexual blatant change of facts that the Talmud learns from this that it is permissible to lie for the
pleasure” all of the days of her life. And so she laughed. And so he was laughter. And so sake of peace in the home…if you can be as altruistic about a “lie” as God was. If you can’t
shall we laugh (I’ll have what she’s having). be, then sticking with the facts is probably best.

Rabbi Chaim Singer-Frankes VAYERA Rabbi Ari Schwarzberg

Interfaith Chaplain, Kaiser Medical Center Dean of Students, Shalhevet High School
Panorama City Perhaps the key to understanding this
I empathize with Sarah Imeinu’s dubiety verse is its third word: ‫הברקב‬, “within herself.”
regarding the hope of motherhood. Countless And Sarah laughed within Rashi, the classical biblical commentator,
parents of ripe childbearing years struggle to interprets the phrase physically — “within
conceive, let alone those as advanced in years
herself, saying, “After I herself” refers to Sarah’s actual insides, her
as Sarah and Avraham. have become worn out, will womb. Sarah laughs
Even with phenomenal because her “insides”
technologies available I have smooth flesh? And are no longer biologically
to us, we still rely upon capable of carrying a
ardent prayer to fulfill
also, my master is old.” child.
all sorts of dreams, But the more literal
including parenthood. translation of the verse
Even in this era of suggests that “within
mass disruption, of — Gen 18:12 herself” describes not
uncertainty, of delayed the subject, but the
dreams and deferred promise—when it may place of her laughter. Don’t think of Sarah
well be laughable to believe we will see a laughing out loud, instead her incredulous
shining and normal tomorrow — a woman Salvador Litvak response to the promise of bearing a child
would find herself bewildered at the prospect Writer, Director, Accidental Talmudist takes place in her thoughts alone. No one
of becoming a mother in the twilight of life. Great is the power of speech, which not only separates us from the animals but hears her and no explicit expression is
How much more so Sarah in the ancient even elevates us toward the heavenly realm. It might seem naive to ascribe a mystical made, her doubt is an internal conversation
world. dimension to the words of humans in general, especially in light of how poorly the located strictly within the confines of her
Indeed, only a chapter prior to this in faculty of speech is being used these days, but I stand by the observation. Words consciousness.
Genesis 17:17, Avraham Avinu foreshadows matter, even if no one hears them but you. This subtle layer of the story may illustrate
his wife’s reaction to the selfsame news. Immediately after our verse, God’s angel says, “Why did an important difference in Abraham and
Straightforwardly, in the verse following ours, Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Is it really true that I will give birth, even Sarah’s character, and perhaps more
the Divine messenger echoes God’s initial though I am old? Is anything too wondrous for The Lord?’” significantly in their respective relationships
befuddlement to Avraham, as if to say, ‘don’t Sarah denies laughing because she’s afraid, but the angel calls with Hashem. Whereas Abraham is depicted
you guys believe in God? Whatsa mattah her out, saying “You did laugh.” throughout his life with strong language
witcha?!’ The students of Talmudic sage Rabbi Yishmael taught and decisive behavior (think of the stories
Paradoxically when odds are absurd, we that great is peace, for even the Holy One departs from truth of Sodom and the Akeidah), Sarah, at least
persist with freakish glee. Thirteen years ago, in order to preserve it: His angel changed her statement from in this episode, models the space that doubt
at age 42, I announced my desire to attend “my husband is old” to “I am old” in order to spare Abraham’s occupies in our relationship with God. While
rabbinical school. Predictably my wife’s jaw feelings, thus preserving the peace between husband and wife. On the other hand, Abraham’s relationship with God is one that’s
dropped to the floor, and rightfully so. I had the angel did not spare Sarah’s feelings when she tried to deny that she’d laughed. firm and resolute, Sarah’s belief is never
no prior training, our daughter was attending I would like to suggest that God and the angel were teaching lessons in positive completely rid of her uncertainties.
private day-school, we had a mortgage to pay, thinking and positive speech. The little jokes we toss off when someone thinks aloud We may often look like Abraham on the
and neither of us was getting any younger. about making a journey, starting a project, etc. often have devastating effect on that outside - confident and in control, but inside
In addition to creativity with schedules and nascent idea. As my teenage son once quipped, “It only takes one person to say ‘This we all have this piece of our matriarch, Sarah,
budgeting, it took a whole lot of laughter for plan is falling apart’ to make that plan fall apart.” Since we usually don’t have an angel lurking. Taken together, Avraham & Sarah
our family to traverse that stretch. Time and or prophet around to birth new ideas for us, any new ideas that flash into our brains set up a dynamic paradigm of faith, one that
again, it is the most unfathomable of sacred may well be coming straight from the Almighty. So let’s not be too quick to dismiss will be useful and meaningful for all of their
goals which comes to fruition. them with a chuckle. Not every new idea is holy to be sure, but you never know… descendants.

October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 27

 B LOG BYTE S
EXCERPTS F ROM
OUR ONL INE
CONTRIBUTORS

We use the term “Lamed To achieve moral standing...we

Vavnik” to describe the 36 would need a teaching — a
people in every generation vision and a path so strong
who are completely righteous. and clear that this teaching
These 36 are the ones who make the would guide us in turning back
world livable. the flood of destructiveness.
— Rabbi Zach Shapiro on the significance of “36” — Rabbi Mordecai Finley on destruction and regeneration in the story of Noah

We saw 8 or 9 bears and a If we continue on business

mother with cubs. I loved as usual, we can expect our
every minute of watching planet to become 5°C warmer
these black bears catch on average compared to pre-
salmon and walk in the river. industrial temperatures by the end of the
— Lisa Ellen Niver on visiting Ketchikan, Alaska century. That’s the reality.
— Max Kaplan-Zantopp on the necessary response to climate change

Asked what subject that she wished more writers would discuss,
Professor Mary Beard said that she’d rather focus on the people whom
she wishes would be less discussed.
— Gershon Hepner on a person he wishes was far less talked about

C o nt inue rea d ing th e se blog posts an d ot h er s at Jew i sh Jo u r n al .c o m

28 | Jewish Journal JewishJournal.com October 22-28, 2021

 SEPHARDIC SPICE GIRLS

Make A Little Magic Chicken

» by Rachel Sheff and Sharon Gomperts
Photo by Alexandra Gomperts

RECENTLY, MY MIDDLE DAUGHTER Science and Textiles and Design (fancy It was just my standard go to, make ev- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
(and Sephardic Spice Girls photographer) terms for cooking and sewing). My mother eryone happy chicken recipe. 1 cup soy sauce
Alexandra Gomperts said to me “I’m so worked in the fashion business, so she really When Alexandra was in second grade, 1/4 cup sesame oil
glad that you never fed us chicken nuggets, wanted me to take sewing. I was like, heck, she and her bestie Talia became friends with 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
schnitzel and pasta when we were little. I I can buy a skirt for $19.99. But I have to eat Roni, who had recently come from Israel.
feel that I like a lot of different foods. Foods every single day. I chose Home Science as Roni went home from every play date telling Place all the ingredients in a large jar and
that my friends would never try.” my elective and so began my cooking career. her mother that I made the best Israeli salad shake well.
I just smiled at her. The first recipe I ever “made up” as a and the best chicken.
I have never revealed my guilty secret: I teenager was a chicken in sauce. I would Her mother insisted that I demonstrate 1 3 lb chicken, cut into 8 pieces and
exactly how I made the chicken. patted dry or chicken wings and
Michal and our friends Melanie and Rosie drumsticks
stood in my kitchen and we made a vegetar- 1 teaspoon paprika

Whenever I don’t know what to make

ian curry, a Chinese salad dressing and sev- 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
eral jars of my sweet and sour sauce. 1 teaspoon garlic powder
The next day Michal called and said your Fresh ground black pepper
for dinner or when I’m entertaining my chicken is magic! It just disappears!
The notoriously picky eaters in her home
1 orange, cut into wedges
1 1/2 cups magic chicken sauce
young nieces and nephews or friends with loved it. And from then on, it was magic
chicken. Preheat oven to 350°F.

children, I make magic chicken. I always have a big jar of this sauce in my
refrigerator. Whenever I don’t know what to
Lightly coat a baking dish with non-stick
cooking spray.
make for dinner or when I’m entertaining Arrange chicken in the dish and sprinkle
was simply too lazy to cook separate meals make it every Friday night for my younger my young nieces and nephews or friends with all the spices.
for the kids. cousins. When I went away to college, they with children, I make magic chicken. Gently squeeze orange wedges over
My cooking is inspired by a wide variety missed it so much that I had to teach their There’s no marinating, nothing to sauté. chicken to release juice and place wedges
of cuisines—Iraqi, Israeli, Indian, Moroccan, housekeeper to make it. The sauce has I just sprinkle chicken pieces with paprika, between the chicken.
Chinese, Thai, Japanese. I learned to love the gone through many versions and many ginger and garlic powder, drizzle some Spoon sauce over the chicken and bake
clean simplicity of Australian recipes during names. Sometimes it included ketchup “magic chicken” sauce and bake in the oven. uncovered for 75 minutes.
my antipodean childhood. and duck sauce, so it was called Sweet and Make it for the big and little kids in your Store remaining sauce in the refrigerator. n
Our children just ate what we ate. Spicy Sour Chicken. Sometimes it included that life.
food. Salads. Soups. Sushi. Stews. And my so yummy, so unhealthy, bright red La Choy Rachel Sheff and Sharon Gomperts have
specialty, roast chicken and veggies. So they sweet and sour sauce and was called red MAGIC CHICKEN been friends since high school. They love cooking
acquired eclectic taste buds. chicken. Magic Chicken Sauce and sharing recipes. They have collaborated on
But there is one recipe that is tailored for When my daughters were little, they ate 1 cup ketchup Sephardic Educational Center projects and com-
children (and loved by adults). it at least once a week. I must have black- 1 cup apricot jam munity cooking classes. Find recipe video clips and
When I was in 8th Grade at Sydney Girls ened the skin once because they started 1 cup strawberry jam recipes on Instagram SEPHARDIC SPICE GIRLS
High School, I had a choice between Home calling it “burnt chicken”. 1 cup honey and Facebook SEPHARDIC SPICE SEC FOOD.

October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 29

 COMMUNITY

Barbara Joan Udelf Braun Student Debt Activists

Press for Loan
Forgiveness in USC Panel
» by Ari L. Noonan
THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S Camoin’s film, said that even before the
detailing of its student loan forgiveness pandemic, 80% of borrowers were not go-
plan on October 6 may help more than ing to be able to pay off their debts because
one-third of those enrolled in the program, of complicated and unfair policies from
but that hasn’t pleased everyone. the government and lenders.
At a screening and discussion of Camoin agreed, and scolded Albert
“Scared to Debt,” presented by USC School Lord, the CEO of Sallie Mae, for regarding
of Cinematic Arts, on October 14, a panel universities as his customers instead of
moderated by USC professor of Critical students.
Studies and vice dean for Academic Affairs Instead of being loudly committed to
Michael Renov that included the film’s di- resolving the stickiest portions of student
rector, Michael Camoin, Rabbi Jason Ros- loan debt forgiveness, Collinge added that
ner of Temple Beth Israel of Highland Park the GOP largely has camped, uninvolved,
Barbara Joan Udelf Braun passed away on October 6, 2021. Mrs. Braun and Eagle Rock, social justice activist Ki- on the sidelines. They need to take care of
was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 12, 1931 to Charles Udelf, a local yomi Kowalski and Alan Collinge, author their own, he said, since “55% of student
of “The Student Loan Scam.” Pre-recorded loan borrowers identify as Republican.”
merchant (who came to America from Belarus as a toddler) and Fay (Marsh)
comments from Senate Majority Leader Kowalski explained that she is deliber-
Udelf , a teacher and the first American-born child in her family. Along with
her future husband, Barbara graduated from Heights High and from Western
Reserve University with a major in English; both schools were in Cleveland,

“There is so much
Ohio. She held pride in her collegiate association along with regrets that it
was renamed for Case, the neighboring institute of technology, when the

convergence
universities merged in 1967. Her romance with Richard Braun started on a
first date that ended with Selichot services, a service which she had not been

between debt
aware existed, and an unexpected meeting with her future mother-in-law and
brothers-in-law. They sang in the choir of the Cleveland Symphony under
George Szell. They married on August 24, 1952, in the presence of many rab-
bis, both invited and uninvited. She was an elementary school teacher in the forgiveness, equity
Cleveland public school system before giving birth to twin boys, David, and
Jonathan, just prior to her husband’s completion of medical school. She bore and Jewish values to
two more children, Robert and Sarah, at Fort Leonard Wood in Lebanon,
Missouri while her husband fulfilled his service in the United States Army.
Kameleon007/Getty Images
explore.”— Lisa Ansell
They moved to Los Angeles in 1960 after her husband finished his residency,
where she became deeply active in the Valley Beth Shalom community. Mrs. Chuck Shumer (D-N.Y.) and USC President ately not married for what she called stra-
Braun was a founding member of the Chavurah movement, the VBS Coun- Dr. Carol L. Folt laid out the main points of tegic reasons. Her original $34,000 student
seling Center, and the VBS Sisterhood Needlepoint initiative, which created the plan. loan has ballooned past a half-million dol-
room-size art installations. During the Refusenik period, when then the So- “For generations, higher education has lars.
viet Union engaged in systemic oppression of Jews, she and Dr. Braun made a been a ladder up to the middle class, espe- During their 45-minute discussion,
clandestine trip to deliver medical and Jewish supplies in Soviet Russia. Mrs. cially for [minorities],” Schumer said. “But the panelists concurred that the misun-
Braun was one of the first class of docents for the Skirball Cultural Center, today, student debt is an anchor weighing derstood, balky and complicated issue of
serving for ten years as a guide to visitors to the Center. In recent years, Mrs. too many down. Listen to this truly fright- student loan debt forgiveness should be a
Braun supported a variety of initiatives to alleviate hunger, both in the United ening number: Over 43 million Americans priority for Congress and influential Amer-
States and throughout the world, and was a vocal advocate for addressing cli- owe more than $1.7 trillion in student loan icans.
debt. Roughly one in five of them is in de- Rosner noted that the shmita (or re-
mate change. Throughout her life her curiosity and delight in others enriched
fault, damaging their finances and credit lease) year is just underway, capping
those around her, at home and in multiple trips to Israel, Europe, Egypt, and
scores for years — maybe decades.” an every-seventh-year cycle when debt
a memorable family vacation to the Galapagos Island, where she greatly ad-
Folt said that access and affordability forgiveness is a major requirement, not
mired the blue-footed boobies. She was a fierce advocate for her beliefs, and
are priorities that USC embraces. “In my merely a good idea. He was optimistic
nothing maintained her more than her pride in her children, grandchildren
first year, I announced an affordability ini- about a solution.
and great-grandchildren. “There is a larger public outcry because
tiative for undergraduates. This program
makes USC tuition-free for undergraduates each year, more people reach the point
Mrs. Braun is survived by her husband of 69 years, Dr. Richard Braun; her whose family annual income is $80,000 or where they can be forgiven, and they be-
children, David Braun, Jonathan Braun, Robert Braun and Sarah Braun; less, and it removes home equity when come enraged when they find that this
eleven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She was laid to rest at considering a family’s contribution.” debt can’t be discharged,” he said.
Eden Memorial Park on October 8, 2021. To honor her memory, the Braun The new policy is making a difference. Lisa Ansell, associate director of the
family encourages donations to Valley Beth Shalom, to Mazon: A Jewish According to Folt, more than 20% of the USC Casden Institute for the Study of the
Response to Hunger (give.mazon.org), and to an organization of your choice newly enrolled first-year students were Jewish Role in American Life, ended the
that addresses climate change. part of the program, and one-third of them discussion with a Jewish bent. She said,
are first-generation students. “There is so much convergence between
They received some pushback from debt forgiveness, equity and Jewish values
the panel. Collinge, who is featured in to explore.” n

30 | Jewish Journal JewishJournal.com October 22-28, 2021

 COMMUNITY

DANCE/LA @ The Wallis

JFS SOVA Receives
$5.7 Million State Grant
» by Harvey Farr

Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian

(left) with a constituent
(Photo courtesy a46.asmdc.org)

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE LA’S SOVA ment will benefit individuals and families
Community Food & Resource Program (JFS throughout the San Fernando Valley for
SOVA) was awarded a $5.7 million grant generations to come.”
from California’s 2021 budget allocation to The JFS SOVA Van Nuys program
purchase and expand the property in Van houses a five-day per week food pantry
Nuys that it has been renting since 2005. distribution center, counseling and case
California Assemblymember Adrin
Nazarian (D-Van Nuys) and State Sen.
Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) announced

‘This $5.7 million

the grant at a news conference at the Van
Nuys JFS SOVA location on Oct. 7.

dollar investment is
In a written statement, Nazarian said,
“This $5.7 million dollar investment is OCT 29-30
critical to allow JFS
critical to allow JFS SOVA to continue pro-
viding life-saving groceries and support to The TL NOV 4-6
SOVA to continue Collective ATE9 Dance
the ever-growing number of individuals
and families struggling to meet their most
basic needs.”
Added Hertzberg: “This funding is es- providing life-saving Making its Wallis debut Company
sential to feeding countless families here
in the Valley. Our Valley neighborhoods groceries and
this season, the LA-based Joy (WORLD PREMIERE)
dance company has received

support to the ever-

have relied on Jewish Family Service LA for A humorous and poignant
rave reiews for its fusion
decades and the state’s investment recog-
of contemporary dance reflection on human habits
growing number
nizes the unique role it plays in the health
and stability of our community, especially and theatrical hip-hop, and addictions, Joy (world
including elements of groove premiere) examines
of individuals and
as we continue to face the ongoing im-
pacts of the pandemic.” accompanied by high- humanity’s yearning for

families struggling to
JFS said its Van Nuys location is the pro- level athleticism. Micaela moments of elation amidst
gram’s central hub and that it will use this
was named one of Dance despair, and offers intimate
meet their most basic
allocation to, “Purchase the property and
fully rehab the existing warehouse and Magazine’s “25 to Watch,” and flashes into the mental and
The TL Collective is now on the physical states of each cast
needs.’ - Adrin Nazarian
pantry site to add additional refrigeration/
freezer capacity. With the ability to incor- rise as one of L.A.’s emerging member. Joy is choreographed
porate the empty storefronts into program dance companies. by Ate9’s Artistic Director
delivery and upgrade those spaces, [we] Danielle Agami with music
will be able to enhance and expand the management offices, drop-in space for
composed by Isaiah Gage.
services available on-site to individuals partner organizations, warehouse space
and families that need them.” and program administration. JFS said that
“For more than 40 years, the JFS SOVA throughout the pandemic, it expanded its
has been a lifeline for those facing hunger services to provide food to more than 5,700 TheWallis.org
in Los Angeles,” Eli Veitzer, JFS president & people and deliver groceries to over 1,300 310.746.4000
CEO, and Nina Tassler, board chair, said in homebound older adults and people with
a joint statement. “This remarkable invest- different abilities each month.n

October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 31

 COMMUNITY

Fuente Latina Provides

Accurate Information on Israel
to Spanish-Language Media
» by Harvey Farr

WHEN LEAH SOIBEL LEFT HER ami, Los Angeles, Tel Aviv, Mexico City and According to Soibel, it’s crucial to en- media. Worse, they are getting misinfor-
position at the Jerusalem Fund in Tel Aviv Madrid. Its mission to engage the Spanish- gage the Spanish-language media about mation, fed to them by anti-Jewish forces.”
in 2012, she knew her next adventure had language media by providing them with Israel and Jewish issues because, “Many is- Soibel said that during the Operation
to include her two passions: pro-Israel ad- 24/7 content to cover local stories about Is- sues important to the Latinx community Guardians of the Wall conflict in the spring
vocacy and the Spanish-language media. rael and the Jewish community positively resonate with the Jewish community and of 2021, Fuente Latina’s Los Angeles Media
“I looked around and saw that the Span- and accurately. vice versa. Further, Israel and the Jewish Associate Daniella Schwartz facilitated in-
ish-language media was basically ignoring Over the last nine years, Soibel said terviews and provided facts to local Span-
Israel and the Jewish community,” Soibel Fuente Latina has facilitated 6,000+ inter- ish-language media to ensure they were
said. “Their coverage of Israel and Jewish reporting on recent antisemitism in LA.
issues wasn’t necessarily negative, it was Her work resulted in several balanced sto-
simply non-existent. However, at the same ries on the Telemundo 52 network about
time, I saw anti-Israel forces making an ef- the antisemitic attack at Sushi Fumi, and

“Eleven percent of
fort to reach out to them. I knew the Latino coverage on Univision, the most widely
community had to hear both sides.” watched Spanish-language television net-

the total US Jewish

That’s when the St. Louis-born Latina work in the country.
founded the nonprofit Fuente Latina (Latin Fuente Latina also brings journalists to

community identify
Source). After creating the nonprofit in Tel Israel so they can see Israel firsthand and
Aviv, she moved to Miami in 2018 to grow up close. To date, they have brought 330

as Latino. It is a
it. She chose Miami because it is the cross- journalists from 12 countries (10 from Los
roads between the U.S. and Latin America, Angeles).

population that can’t

and it’s a major Spanish-language media Soibel said she believes it’s important
hub with a large concentration of Hispanic that people know that Fuente Latina is a

be ignored.” — Leah Soibel

media influencers. women-led, JOC (Jew of Color) organiza-
“I immediately knew we also needed tion. Six of the eight board members and
a strong presence in Los Angeles, and all 10 staff members are Hispanic Ameri-
thanks to the Jewish Community Founda- cans, originating from Mexico, Colombia,
tion of Los Angeles, we were able to open views resulting in 65,000+ accurate news Puerto Rico, Argentina and Spain, reflect-
our second U.S. office in LA,” Soibel, who stories, published 200+ opinion pieces in ing the diverse Latinx populations they
is Fuente Latina’s founder and CEO, said. top Spanish-language outlets and pub- Fuente Latina’s Founder serve.
“More Latinos live in Los Angeles County lished 350+ videos/visual content. She and CEO, Leah Soibel. The nonprofit seems to have carved out
(4.9 million) than any other ethnic group. estimated that this work has resulted in Courtesy of Leah Soibel. a niche that was unfilled. “We are a non-
Further, Los Angeles County is home to informing more than 800 million Latinx partisan, nonprofit organization,” Soibel
America’s second largest Jewish commu- news consumers worldwide. Its accolades community need to ensure that the mas- said. “Our only objective is to provide the
nity (530,000). Eleven percent of the total include two TV Emmy wins and several sive Latinx community has an accurate facts to the large and growing Hispanic
US Jewish community identify as Latino. It nominations for major U.S. Hispanic net- understanding of the facts when they form population so they can make informed
is a population that can’t be ignored.” work coverage and an Associated Press opinions of the Jewish community. They decisions when it comes to Israel and the
Today, the nonprofit has offices in Mi- Broadcasters Award. are not getting that with the mainstream Jewish people.” n

32 | Jewish Journal JewishJournal.com October 22-28, 2021

 COMMUNITY

Jewish Groups Mourn

Colin Powell
» by Aaron Bandler
A Bisl Torah
from Rabbi Nicole Guzik

Recurring Dreams
Handout/Getty Images
Itanthave a few recurring dreams. One of which is wandering aim-
lessly around a school setting, miserably late to take an impor-
test. A dream interpreter might point out that I am worried
VARIOUS JEWISH GROUPS HAVE tweeted, “AJC mourns the passing of Colin
released statements mourning the loss Powell, a soldier-statesman who served about a deadline or wrestling with the idea of disappointing oth-
of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, as the first African American Secretary ers. Another interpreter might say that I still feel traumatized by
who died on October 18 at the age of 84. of State and was a friend of Israel, of the my high school science and math classes (not my best subjects.)
Powell’s family announced that he had Jewish community, and of AJC. We extend And finally, another analyst might ask me what it means to feel
died from COVID-19-related complications condolences to his wife, Alma, and his en- tested.
while battling multiple myeloma (plasma tire family. May his memory be a blessing.”
cell cancer) and Parkinson’s Disease. He StandWithUs CEO and Co-Founder Roz When struggling with an aspect of our lives, we often used the
was fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Rothstein tweeted, “The elegant, brilliant phrase, “We are being tested.” It is the terminology used when
Colin Powell, first Black US secretary of discussing Abraham and his trials. That in leaving his home and
state, will be missed. He left his mark on family, casting Hagar into the wilderness, and being asked to
the world, and was a true friend to Israel.” sacrifice Isaac, Abraham’s faith was tested, conveying his ulti-

“He left his mark on

Republican Jewish Coalition Executive mate loyalty to God. And while Abraham is personified as hav-
Director Matt Brooks tweeted that he was
ing passed God’s test, I find fault with the idea of God testing
the world, and was a
“sorry to hear” about Powell’s death. “May
humanity.
his memory be a blessing.”

true friend to Israel.”

Democratic Majority for Israel tweeted, As portrayed in my dream, I am uncomfortable with “passing
“Today, our thoughts are with the fam- the test” to win someone’s favor. Likewise, I do not believe God
ily & loved ones of Gen. Colin Powell as is testing any of us when we face illness, hardships, personal or
— Roz Rothstein we mourn his loss. Powell was a historic professional difficulties. That isn’t the God I believe in. Those
leader, a statesman and a dedicated sup- aren’t the relationships I believe in. A test conveys both perfec-
Powell had served as a national secu- porter of the U.S.-Israel relationship. May
tion and failure. If you pass the test, you belong. If you fail, you
rity adviser in the Reagan administration, his memory be a blessing.”
are cast aside. While any relationship should have expectations,
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under The Jewish Democratic Council of
President George H.W. Bush and became America tweeted, “Colin Powell was a
real connection is based on a trust and commitment to work
the first Black Secretary of State under dedicated public servant who broke barri- through inevitable disappointments.
President George W. Bush. According to ers in our military and government. We’re In its final interpretation, perhaps my recurring dream is a
Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Powell “bro- deeply saddened to hear of his passing, reminder to us all: we must refrain from “testing” each other.
kered the ‘road map’ to a two-state peace and our thoughts are with his family. May
Rather, if we are looking for a genuine, authentic bond, with
deal that still informs much of U.S. policy his memory be a blessing.”
each other, and with God, then relationship building begins not
in the region” and spoke Yiddish as a sec- The American Jewish Congress said in
ond language. a statement that they were “deeply sad-
with a test. Relationship building begins with Avraham’s voice,
“We have lost a remarkable and loving dened” by Powell’s death. “Throughout “Hineni.” I am here. No final exam. Just a willingness to show
husband, father, grandfather and a great his life, he was a close ally of the Jewish up. That is a dream worth repeating.
American,” Powell’s family said. community and a true friend of Israel. An
Jewish groups tweeted out their condo- American Army leader, politician, and dip-
lences. lomat, Powell epitomized public service, Shabbat Shalom
“Our thoughts are with the loved ones dedicating his life to both our country and
of Colin Powell, who we lost earlier today,” the American people.”
the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) tweet- They added: “He was a towering pres-
ed. “The first African American Secretary of ence for America on the world stage, and
Rabbi Nicole Guzik is a rabbi at Sinai Temple.
State and recipient of ADL’s highest honor, for both his achievements and contribu-
the America’s Democratic Legacy Award, tions, he will always be remembered as
Gen. Powell served his country with honor, an American trailblazer and pioneer. We
integrity & will truly be missed.” express our sincerest condolences to his
The American Jewish Committee (AJC) family. May he rest in peace.” n

October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 33

 ARTS

Even though postpartum depression

used to be a taboo topic, Koppelman said
that now, people are talking about it more
than ever before. Still, it’s not an easy dis-
cussion.
“Many of us we were taught – since we
were little girls – that our worth is inex-
tricably tied to our ability to reproduce
and nurture. If we feel dead inside, fearful
that we aren’t equipped, unsure if we have
the tools to be a mom, then we are of no
value. And that’s not true. Asking for help
doesn’t make you weak. Expressing your
insecurities doesn’t make you a bad mom.
The most important thing to me is that
this movie helps – even in some small way
– destigmatize mental illness and mother-
hood.”
To cope with her depression, Koppel-
man said she sees a therapist, takes medi-
cation and spends “as much time as possi-
ble with my little family. I hunt for the tiny
moments of beauty that make life worth-
Author Amy Koppelman while and try hard not to think about the
Courtesy of: Eliza Wood-Obenauf inevitable goodbye.”
Depression is a common theme in her
work; she also wrote “I Smile Back,” a novel

“A Mouthful of Air” Movie

and movie starring Sarah Silverman that
follows a housewife who is addicted to
drugs and alcohol. Like “A Mouthful of Air,”
it is painfully truthful, depicting what it’s

and Book Dive Into the Pain

really like to struggle.
When adapting “A Mouthful of Air” for
the screen, Koppelman said she wrote
the movie specifically for Seyfried. “She’s

of Postpartum Depression
been my partner in every step of the pro-
cess, down to where I put a period versus
a comma. There is no better collaborator.
She’s as smart as she is pretty and one of
the most genuine and kind people I have
ever met.”
» by Kylie Ora Lobell With the movie and the book, Koppel-
man hopes they not only shine a light on
NATIONWIDE, ABOUT 1 IN 8 MOTHERS is coming out on October 29 and stars goes through the everyday motions, from postpartum depression, but also encour-
suffer from postpartum depression. While Amanda Seyfried as Julie. The author, a caring for her baby to accompanying her age struggling mothers to find the help
some may naturally feel a lack of energy or mother of two, also experienced depres- husband to a sports game and seeing her they need to heal.
trouble concentrating when they’re in that sion, shame, self-doubt and fear, but was doctor. When it seems like she’s on the “Suicide is never the answer,” she said.
newborn fog, others experience a much mainly inspired to write the book after mend, she becomes pregnant again and “Your kids are never better off without
more dangerous form of it. putting, “Can a mother hurt her child?” has to go off her antidepressants. At the you. They need you. Everyone who loves
For Julie Davis, the main character in “A into a search engine. same time, her husband buys a house on you needs you. Postpartum depression is
Mouthful of Air,” a novel and new movie by “A fairly rudimentary website came up,” Long Island, so Julie becomes even more treatable. If you are suffering, please ask
the same name, postpartum depression is she said. “I clicked on it and there was a isolated. for help and get better.” n
all-consuming, and it’s threatening to de- letter a mother wrote to her daughter who
stroy the world she’s built for herself. had recently taken her own life and the
Though things looks perfect from the life of her child (the woman’s grandchild).

“The most important thing to me is that

outside – she has a beautiful baby, she It was the first time I ever saw the words
lives in a nice home and her husband is ‘postpartum depression.’ There was a but-

this movie helps – even in some small

successful – it is anything but. Right be- terfly or an angel on the top left of the
fore her son’s first birthday, she slits her screen and I remember reading the letter

way – destigmatize mental illness and

wrists in a suicide attempt. She survives and crying. The loss was so devastating.
but struggles with her mental illness every And I remember knowing – somehow in

motherhood.” – Amy Koppelman

waking moment. that moment – that this was a story worth
Amy Koppelman wrote “A Mouthful of telling.”
Air” and directed the movie version, which “A Mouthful of Air” follows Julie as she

34 | Jewish Journal JewishJournal.com October 22-28, 2021

 ARTS

Comedian Highlights
Satirical Songwriter Tom
Lehrer in New Musical
» by Kylie Ora Lobell
TOM LEHRER WAS A MUSICAL mathematician instead. Lehrer earned a
comedic force in the 1950s and ‘60s. He gold record, got nominated for a Grammy
wrote and performed satirical songs about and was featured in the same Time Maga-
everything from war to religion to death zine article featuring Lenny Bruce, but Mur-
and politics, and was known for tunes ray said he never cared about being famous.
like “The Elements,” “Poisoning Pigeons in “He wouldn’t even put a picture of him-
the Park” and “The Masochism Tango.” His self on his albums. His enigmatic qualities
work went international, and he ended up only helped grow his cult following, though.
inspiring the likes of Monty Python, Weird His first love was math, not fame. If some
Al Yankovic and Flight of the Conchords. people don’t know his name today that’s all
by his design. But sing ‘The Elements,’ and
they will know the song. That’s fine by him.”
Murray reached out to Lehrer, who is
now 93, to discuss the show prior to its
debut. “I called him to ask for his bless-

‘His enigmatic
qualities only
Comedian Allan Murray plays the helped grow his cult
following.’ – Allan Murray
music of Tom Lehrer in his new show.
Courtesy of: Allan Murray

Now, in a new solo Hollywood Fringe ing,” said Murray. “We’ve had some pleas-
show called “The Layers of Tom Lehrer,” ant conversations and emails back and
comedian Allan Murray is performing Leh- forth about the project. He splits his time
rer’s songs and telling the world about the between Boston and Santa Cruz. I plan to
satirist he’s always enjoyed. send him a video.”
“My folks had his album ‘That Was The While Lehrer is Jewish, Murray said he
Year That Was,’ and I would listen to it as a didn’t make it part of his act like his con-
kid,” Murray told the Journal. “I didn’t un- temporaries Mel Brooks or Allan Sherman
derstand all of the references, but I heard did.
this guy singing and playing the piano to “Tom did write ‘(I’m Spending) Hanuk-
huge laughs from the crowd. I was hooked. kah in Santa Monica,’ “said Murray. “If
He’s one of the reasons that I learned piano. that’s not part of a Jewish legacy, I don’t
I’ve been a fan forever.” know what is.”
Murray, a stand-up comic with credits To prepare for the show, Murray sat
from Comedy Central, Showtime, MTV and at his piano daily to fine tune the songs.
NBC, said that he chose to do a show on “There was a lot to rehearse and a whole
Lehrer not only because he was a fan, but script to write as well,” he said. “I have a
also because of how important the singer five-year-old daughter who knows all the
was to the culture during his time. He wrote words to ‘Poisoning Pigeons in the Park.’”
songs about nuclear tensions between Even though COVID-19 restrictions are
countries when the Cold War was happen- in place, Murray has had full houses since
ing, and wasn’t afraid to parody any topic. his first show. “The audience wearing
Plus, nobody had written a show about Leh- masks didn’t affect a thing,” he said. “You
rer before. hear the laughs, you feel the connection
“Sometimes I’d see reviews of his mu- [and] you get the responses.”
sic pop up, but never a one-person show When people come to see the final per-
about Tom’s journey from math to show- formance of “The Layers of Tom Lehrer” on
biz to math again. I’ve wanted to create a October 23, Murray said he hopes they gain
show about him for years and finally made “a greater knowledge of this great man and
it happen.” his music. And, also, [I hope they] have a
One of the most surprising things about blast at the theater again.”
Lehrer is that when he reached the top of You can purchase tickets for “The Lay-
show business – without much effort, Mur- ers of Tom Lehrer” on the Hollywood Fringe
ray noted – he left it to focus on being a website. n

October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 35

 Lauren Miller Rogen and Seth Rogen ARTS
arrive at Hilarity for Charity’s Third
Annual New York City Variety Show at

For the Millers, Webster Hall on June 8, 2017 (Photo by Robin

Marchant/Getty Images for Hilarity for Charity )

dealing with online years before the COVID-19 pandem-

ic, beginning in 2014.

Alzheimer’s HFC also offers In-Home Alzheimer’s

and Dementia Care Grants through a part-

was truly a nership with Home Instead to provide

three to six months of free, professional,

family affair. in-home care for those who take care of

loved ones at home, but who can’t afford
care for themselves. To date, the program,
which helps those in the United States and
Canada, has awarded over 350,000 hours
of respite-relief for non-professional care-
givers (grants are not in the form of cash,
but respite hours). “We just want people to
have a human moment,” Lauren said.
For the Millers, dealing with Alzheimer’s
was truly a family affair; Lauren’s father,

Offering Support for Alzheimer’s,

Scott, retired early to care for Adele, and
her brother, Dan, serves as chair of the HFC
board. The organization will celebrate its

With a Side of Hilarity

tenth anniversary this year on November
10, with a virtual game show called “Head
to Head.”
Since its inception, HFC has focused
on a critical, but often missing puzzle of
» by Tabby Refael Alzheimer’s education: brain health. HFC
hosts brain health education events such
as dinners that include healthy foods
and question-and-answer sessions with
neurologists. It will soon launch HFC
Universe, a website that will teach about
“FORGET SETH. I’M MORE INTERESTED “For the first time,” she said, “I said the access support for young people affected by brain health and include coursework for
in you,” I told Lauren Miller Rogen a few words aloud: ‘Something’s not right with Alzheimer’s. students in high school, college and medi-
weeks ago. my mom.’” With Seth’s encouragement, Lauren cal school. The educational tool will work
I didn’t really mean those (first) words. She spoke those words to Seth, whom joined a support group for young people in partnership with Dr. Richard Isaacson,
Seth Rogen is a famous actor, writer and she describes as “an amazing partner,” and with parents suffering from the devastat- founder of the Alzheimer’s Preventative
filmmaker, but his wife, Lauren, is a for- who, in 2014, testified before Congress dur- ing disease. In 2011, Matthew Bass, a com- Clinic at Weill Cornell Medicine and New
midable writer, director and producer. And ing a Senate committee hearing about the edy writer and friend of the couple, offered York-Presbyterian.
as soon as I met Lauren, I knew she had a high cost of caring for Alzheimer’s. Only to host an event, which came to be called
story to tell.
As it turns out, Lauren is a mensch who
tells great jokes and loves pretzels and pot-
tery. She and Seth co-founded a wonderful
cause called Hilarity for Charity in 2011 to
support families affected by Alzheimer’s
“We assume only elderly people have
disease and to educate about brain health.
Hearing Lauren’s poignant story was a
this disease, and that their children and
reminder that behind every comedic mind,
there is a heart once broken by pain.
caretakers are older as well.”
When she was just 20 years old, her
mother, Adele, was diagnosed with Al-
– Lauren Miller Rogen
zheimer’s. “I was not at all equipped emo-
tionally to handle it,” Lauren said. Both her two senators were present at the hearing, “Hilarity for Charity,” to raise funds for the Lauren Miller Rogen
maternal grandparents had suffered from despite the fact that 6 million Americans Alzheimer’s Association. The event resulted (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)
Alzheimer’s and dementia. “Alzheimer’s is suffer from the disease (according to the in feedback from young people who reiter-
slow and cruel,” she observed with an air of Centers for Disease Control, that number is ated that they didn’t have voice or a space
graceful, compassionate honesty. set to triple by 2060). with a disease like Alzheimer’s, which is In February 2020, just one month shy of
Lauren grew up in Lakeland, Florida. She “I was really depressed and angry, and primarily focused on an older generation. the pandemic, Adele passed away after a
recalled her family’s amused bewilderment it certainly affected my work,” Lauren re- Hilarity for Charity, which started as a 16-year battle with Alzheimer’s.
upon seeing a visitor’s pamphlet from the called about her mother’s Alzheimer’s diag- fund within the Alzheimer’s Association, “It sounds crazy to say, but in my experi-
local Chamber of Commerce that listed: nosis at age 55. She quit her assistant job became its own independent non-profit or- ence, with a disease like Alzheimer’s, death
“Churches: 300; Jewish churches: One.” and started to write films. “But writing was ganization in 2017 and changed its name to was the easiest part,” Lauren said. “The
“That about sums up my religious up- hard,” she admitted, “because I was angry HFC (its events are still run under the origi- hardest part was the 16 years leading up
bringing,” she said. “But having grown up in and just wanted to look on the internet for nal name). A staff of four oversees two main to it: watching her be immobile and unable
a small town where I had to hold on to my a cure for Alzheimer’s.” programs, which include virtual support to speak. It was much more brutal to have
Jewish identity because there were so few That’s when Lauren realized a mistaken groups and grant assistance. There’s also a been witness to that than to death.” She
of us, it’s something I feel very connected narrative about the disease: “We assume team of devoted volunteers, including Seth, paused for a moment, and then reflected,
to personally.” only elderly people have this disease, and Lauren, Matthew and several other friends. “I actually lost my mom many years ago.”
In January 2004, Lauren moved to Los that their children and caretakers are older The virtual support groups are run by
Angeles and worked as an assistant. The as well,” she said. But Adele was in her 50s; a trained therapist and attract attendees For more information about HFC, visit
following summer, in 2005, she met Seth. Lauren was in her 20s, and she needed to from all over the country. The groups met https://wearehfc.org/ n

36 | Jewish Journal JewishJournal.com October 22-28, 2021

 Aly Answers Question of Holocaust Complicity

BOOK REVIEW

In His New Book, David Steinberg

Talks Funny Business
» by Jonathan Kirsch
DAVID STEINBERG STARTED HIS encyclopedic list of actors and comedians -- ible thing about Robin Williams—he had the If there is a through-line in “Inside Com-
career as a stand-up comedian in 1968 and Woody Allen and Carol Burnett and Sid Cae- biggest heart.” edy,” it is the struggle of stand-up comics to
achieved the distinction of 140 appearances sar, Bette Midler and Mike Myers and Steve Steinberg devotes a chapter to the Hill- test the boundaries of what can be spoken
on The Tonight Show during its golden age Martin, Don Rickles and the Smothers Broth- crest Country Club. “For the price of a small aloud. In that sense, the current controversy
under Johnny Carson. He moved into a par- ers and Lilly Tomlin, Flip Wilson and Jona- house, you could play eighteen holes of golf over Dave Chappelle is only the latest exam-
allel career as a director of comedy shows than Winters and Robin Williams, among there, or a game of tennis,” he writes, “but the ple of the true calling of a comedian. “And
ranging from “Designing Women” to “Curb countless others. Each reminiscence carries real action was at the comedians’ table, set now that the era of Trumpism had suddenly
Your Enthusiasm,” and he has engaged in an insight into the experiences and emotions back in a corner of the main dining room.” fallen on our heads, and as the indepen-
an on-going public conversation with fellow that help to explain what made them so good Among them were both Danny Kaye (“who dent press is suppressed and discredited, we
comedians as the host of the long-running at what they did (or still do). was Jewish despite the changed name – he needed our comedians to remind us that the
documentary series, “Inside Comedy.” Robin Williams, for example, was work- was born David Daniel Kaminsky”) and Dan- emperor had no clothes,” Steinberg writes. “I
Steinberg uses the same title for his new ing the late-night shift at an ice cream parlor ny Thomas (who was “Hillcrest’s first non- should know—a big part of my early success
book, “Inside Comedy: The Soul, Wit, and Bite in San Francisco when he saw a flyer for an Jewish member”). When Thomas became came from satirizing Nixon and his gang, a
of Comedy and Comedians of the Last Five improv night at a Lutheran church. He had a member, Jack Benny quipped: “The least necessary service to the nation, even though
Decades (Knopf), which is both an frank and spent two years as an acting student at Juil- they could’ve done was admit someone who it put me on the Enemies List.”
intimate memoir and, almost coincidentally, liard under John Houseman but “left when looked like a gentile.” Steinberg reveals that The punchline to a famous joke about
a sweeping history of contemporary Ameri-
can comedy. More often than not, when
Steinberg drops a name, it’s someone he
knew before he or she was famous. Not un-
like Steinberg’s on-stage and on-screen per-
sona, the book is funny, savvy and thought-
provoking, all at the same time.
We learn, for example, that he was a pre-

If there is a
rabbinical student at Hebrew Theological
College before taking the stage as a stand-up

through-line in
comedian for the first time in 1968 at the Bit-
ter End in Greenwich Village in 1968. His set

“Inside Comedy,” it
included comic sermons based on the Bible,
his first comedy album was titled “The In-

is the struggle of
credible Shrinking God,” and he cracks that
his familiarity with the Talmud meant he

stand-up comics to
had “the only little black book in Hollywood
that was written in Aramaic.”

test the boundaries

Steinberg learned a crucial lesson about
stand-up he saw Lenny Bruce for the first

of what can be
time at the Bitter End, a jazz and comedy
club in Chicago. “He was a revelation because

spoken aloud.
he wasn’t trying to be funny all the time,”
Steinberg recalls. “Doing comedy was being
smart, which I saw with Lenny. I suddenly
knew that I wanted to be smart as much as I Houseman told him that there was nothing he used to chat in Yiddish with Danny Thom- the secret of comedy – “Timing” – comes to
wanted to be funny. And then I realized that more he could teach him.” The stand-up as, who learned the mamaloshen in showbiz mind in the pages of “Inside Comedy.” Stein-
being funny is a version of being smart.” stage, rather than Juilliard and John House- circles. berg makes the point that there is nothing
Indeed, Steinberg is credible both as a man, was what it took to launch the stellar “Inside Comedy” comes at a fraught mo- new about the effort to stifle the stand-ups
comic and as an intellectual. For example, he career of Robin Williams, which Steinberg ment in American comedy, but Steinberg and censor their comedy, and he reminds us
was introduced to the work of Isaac Bashe- analyzes in detail and with deep compassion. helps us put the latest hot topic – Dave Chap- that perhaps never before has it been more
vis Singer by Philip Roth while a student in “He had an unbelievable sense of what is pelle’s “The Closer” – into its historical con- important to push back. On that point, he
the class that Roth taught at the University funny, and his mind went so fast,” explains text: “There is no way there would be Dave quotes something that George Harrison told
of Chicago. Years later, it was Steinberg who Steinberg. “But his real genius was his impro- Chappelle if there hadn’t been Richard Pryor.” the Smothers Brothers when they found
introduced Barbara Streisand to the Singer’s visation—brilliant, sometimes scary, because And Steinberg himself was capable of offend- themselves in a battle with the network cen-
work, which is why she ended up directing you never knew where he was going.” What ing his fellow Jews with his comedy. When sors in 1968: “’Whether you can say it or not’
and starring in a motion picture version of the public never saw was his generosity, and Pryor and Steinberg were both on the bill at Harrison urged them on the air, ‘keep trying
“Yentl.” By then, Steinberg and Singer were Steinberg reveals that when his classmate the same New York nightclub, Pryor asked to say it.’” n
lunch buddies. at Juilliard, Christopher Reeve, suffered the him: “Son of a bitch, David, how come the
But Steinberg is not merely name-check- catastrophic injury that ended his acting ca- Jews don’t get pissed at you?” Steinberg con- Jonathan Kirsch, author and publish-
ing his fellow celebrities. He recalls the work reer, it was Williams helped to pay Reeve’s fides to us: “Not quite true. They were pissed ing attorney, is the book editor of the Jewish
he did and the conversations he had with an medical bills. “That was the personal, incred- at me.” Journal.

October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 37

 W HAT’S HAP
» by Ryan Torok and Ari Noonan

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22 THE SHABBAT PROJECT

“THE BIG BALD ART SHOW” The Shabbat Project encourages Jews throughout the
In a tribute to hair-challenged Larry David and in recog- world to celebrate Shabbat every week—and from Oct.
nition of the 21st anniversary of his “Curb Your Enthusiasm” 22-23, the South Africa-based organization is facilitating
series, the Bruce Lurie Gallery is holding, “The Big Bald Art Shabbat events in 1,500 cities across the world. The events
Show.” Steve Matoren created and curated this celebration celebrate Shabbat in creative ways that are meaningful for
of 100 episodes of the HBO comedy, which debuted on Oct. participants. Saying that we are going all in on the Shab-
15, 2000. Not only can you browse the art—it is available for bat experience together, Shabbat Project urges community
purchase. The exhibition is on display through Oct. 31. Noon. members to host a Shabbat or join someone else’s Shabbat
Bruce Lurie Gallery, 873 Via De La Paz, Pacific Palisades. For experience. For a list of events, visit https://www.theshab-
more information, visit thebigbaldartshow.com. bosproject.org/en/home.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23
SHABBAT HOLINESS HIKE
Break from routine and join a Shabbat morning hike
with Congregation Kol Ami Associate Rabbi Ross Levy. Hik-
ers explore important natural settings in this schmitta year,
reconnecting with the natural world for healing, and create
space for quiet reflection and text study. 9:30-11 a.m. Hikers
meet at Franklin Canyon, 2600 Franklin Canyon Drive, Bev-
erly Hills. Register at kol-ami.org/event/shabbat-holiness-
hike.html

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24
PINK CHALLAH BAKE
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Kol Tik-
vah community and Sharsharet partner for the Great Pink
Challah Bake. The family friendly day for fifth-graders-and-
up includes all materials, a light lunch, music and a talk by
Jessica Jablon of Sharsharet, which supports Jewish women
with breast cancer. Vaccination proof required for all ages
12-and-older. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $5. Kol Tikvah, 20400 Ventu-
ra Blvd., Woodland Hills. Register at https://www.koltikvah.
org/event/sharsherets-pink-challah-bake1.html.

WALK4FRIENDSHIPLA

Friendship Circle of Los Angeles holds an in-person

Walk4FriendshipLA at Shalhevet High School. The annual
2K walk, raising funds and community awareness for chil-
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22 dren with special needs, kicks off with an inspirational
DOROTHY KALINS opening ceremony and closes with a celebration. All-day
In her latest book, “The Kitchen Whisperers,” food editor Dorothy Kalins peers over her shoulder and thanks the family-friendly entertainment includes inflatables, Lego
many mentors and friends with whom she has cooked with and learned from over the years. Kalins joins Catherine party, puppy party, games, barbecue and concessions. No
Schneider of American Jewish University to discuss stories and tips from notable friends for conversation intended to parking at the Shalhevet campus 1:30 p.m. registration. 2:45
inspire your own creative food journey. The virtual program takes place from 10-10:45 a.m. Free. https://www.aju.edu/ p.m. opening ceremony. 3 p.m. walk. 4 p.m. live concert with
byachad-together/events/Book-Talk-Dorothy-Kalins%E2%80%99-The-Kitchen-Whisperers Moshav Band. Shalhevet High School, 910 S. Fairfax Ave., Los
Angeles. (310) 280-0955. walk4friendshipla.com.

38 | Jewish Journal JewishJournal.com October 22-28, 2021

 Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

S HAP PEN I NG
n

HOW ANTI-SEMITISM IS CHANGING

Steven Windmueller, emeritus professor of Jewish com-
munal studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of
Religion, returns to Congregation Kol Ami to speak on “Un-
derstanding the Changing Nature of Modern Anti-Semitism
and Political Hate.” The virtual discussion is held on Zoom
from 4-5 p.m. Register at kol-ami.org/event/understanding-
the-changing-nature-of-modern-anti-semitism-and-politi-
cal-hate.html.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 25
VISUAL BIOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

Learn how to create a narrative of your family’s past

and find ways to bring it to the present. American Jewish TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26
University holds an online program with Daphne Geismar, MIZRAHI MUSIC WORKSHOP
an award-winning designer, and Ronit Lusky, a curator and Learn Mizrahi music with Samuel Torjman Thomas, a master musician and vocalist. An ethnomusicologist who
museum educator, who show you how to use texts and im- teaches at City University of New York, Thomas’s performances and research work focus on North African, Middle
ages to capture your biography and create a family archive. Eastern and jazz traditions. He leads a virtual class at 5 p.m. Free. schoolofmusic.ucla.edu/event/mizrahi-music-
10-11:30 a.m. $27. Register at learning.aju.edu/event/visual- workshop-with-sam-thomas.
biography-workshop-create-a-family-archive/

LEARNING CALLIGRAPHY WHAT WAS HESCHEL LIKE? WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27

Here is your opportunity to learn calligraphy. Every Mon- Long after his death, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel re- “INTO THE FOREST”
day through Nov. 22, De Ann Singh, a former LAUSD and Bev- mains a model of the intersection of religion and progres- In the summer of 1942, the Rabinowitz family, who were
erly Hills educator, teaches a two-hour class on the visual art sive politics. Author Julian Zelizer discusses his book, “Abra- from a small Polish town, escaped a Nazi ghetto and fled to
form for Sinai Temple. Organized by the Sinai Temple Sister- ham Joshua Heschel: A Life of Radical Amazement,” with the dangerous Bialowieza Forest where they survived two
hood. Noon-2 p.m. $120 for the series. Sinai Temple 10400 Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove of Park Avenue Synagogue in New York years. A most ironic miracle lay ahead and is told in Rebecca
Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. https://www.sinaitemple.org/ City. The discussion is streamed online at 4-5 p.m. https:// Frankel’s book “Into the Forest.” Join Lori Sagarin of Temple
event/calligraphy-series-with-de-ann-singh/2021-10-25/ learning.aju.edu/event/abraham-joshua-heschel-a-life-of- Beth Israel in Skokie, Illinois when she reveals the stunning
radical-amazement/ outcome. The online program is held at 2 p.m. $27. https://
YIDDISH LITERARY GIANTS learning.aju.edu/event/book-club-rebecca-frankels-into-
Miri Koral, CEO and founding director of the California the-forest/
Institute for Yiddish Culture and Language, teaches a four-
week course at Wilshire Boulevard Temple on “The Giants of GEORGE WILL
Yiddish Literature.” This week’s class is on “A Taste of Mod- George Will, a nationally recognized political columnist
ern Yiddish Literature in Four Tongues.” Additional dates for since the 1970s, discusses political and social factors that
the virtual program, which began Oct. 18, are Nov. 1, Nov. 8. made the years 2008-2020 an unsettling, consequential
Noon. https://www.wbtla.org/event/~occur-id/13438638 era. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Will explores his new book,
“American Happiness and Discontents,” in this ongoing
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26 virtual series co-organized by Jews United for Democracy
WORLDWIDE DAY OF LEARNING and Justice and Community Advocates. 5-6 p.m. Register at
A day of worldwide learning honors the memory of the georgefwilloctober27.eventbrite.com.
late Rabbi Jonathan Saks and features Rabbi Pini Dunner on ART OF NEXT GENERATION
“Israel, the Land of Hope;” “Rabbi Shlomo Einhorn on “The During a Holocaust Museum Los Angeles webinar,
Genius of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks;” and Rabbi Kalman Topp on three artists delve into the relationship between the arts
“The Great Partnership: Science and Religion in the Thought and Holocaust awareness and the implications for artists
of Rabbi Sacks.” The in-person program is organized by working a generation removed from the Holocaust. Film-
Young Israel of North Beverly Hills and held in partnership maker Beth Lane is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor;
with Beth Jacob Congregation and Yavneh. The event will painter David Kassan has spent hundreds of hours with
also be streamed online at beverlyhillssynagogue.org/event/ survivors while painting their portraits; and jazz pianist
sackslive. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Beverly Hills Synagogue, 9261 Alden Ted Rosenthal is the son of a survivor. 6 p.m. https://www.
Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 276-7650. beverlyhillssynagogue. holocaustmuseumla.org/event-details/the-art-of-the- Beth Lane -
org/event/sacks. next-generation Art of Next Generation

October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 39

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 J O N AT H A N F O N G S T Y L E

Tips For Decorating Your Mantel

» by Jonathan Fong Mark Lund/Getty Images

ONE DESIGN DILEMMA THAT formation, the asymmetrical – or obtuse – Think in threes height is to stack objects — for example,
frequently stumps home decorators is triangle is also visually effective. Here, you Maybe because I was an English ma- by placing a vase or a figurine on top of a
how to arrange art and accessories on would place shorter objects like books and jor and was taught to outline my essays book. Also, layer them from back to front,
their fireplace mantels. The mantel is a fo- photos on one side, and a taller object like in threes – three main supporting points, overlapping objects so they are not on the
cal point of a living room, often the first a vase holding branches on the other. The each with three specific examples – I also same plane.
place someone looks when they enter the asymmetry guides your eye, allowing it to decorate in threes. To do this, choose three
room. If you’re not sure how to best deco- move from left to right and back again different types of objects and display three Create a gallery
rate your mantel, find some inspiration in of each type. For example, you can dis- If you have any framed prints or pho-
these tips for creating a beautiful display. play three types of home accents, such as tographs gathering dust in the closet,
Keep in mind these are just tips, not rules. books, clocks and candles. And then, if you take them out and show them off. They’ll
And if you don’t have a mantel, these really wanted to be true to the principle of look beautiful grouped together as an
same tips apply to entry tables and side threes, you would select three books, three impromptu gallery on your mantel. And
tables, as well.
Don’t feel like you clocks and three candles. there’s no need to hang them – just lean
them up against the wall. Again, make
Arrange symmetrically
When you’re not sure how to decorate
have to display Keep it monochromatic
Choose a rich hue, like blue or orange,
sure they are of differing heights, and
overlap them to create layers.

: the mantel, the simplest tip is to go for

symmetry. Balance a large object in the
only what you and keep all your display objects in the
same color family. The monochromatic Get personal
middle with identical pieces on either
side. For example, you can place a large
see in design look is chic and modern, and more impor-
tantly, it takes out a lot of the guesswork in
Don’t feel like you have to display only
what you see in design magazines – you
mirror in the center and then arrange
candlesticks of the same height to the left
magazines. Let deciding what to display. Shopping is also
easier when you know you’re looking for a
know, vintage books, candles, vases and
other oh-so-tasteful objets d’art. Let your
and right. This will result in an isosceles
triangle formation that is very pleasing to
your mantel reflect certain colored accessory. mantel reflect your own interests and per-
sonality. I’ve created mantel displays with
the eye.
your own interests Layer with different heights
When displaying objects, try to make
vintage lunchboxes, typewriters, African
masks – whatever was personal and mean-
Skew asymmetrically
In contrast to the symmetrical triangle
and personality. them of variable heights so the eye can
move up and down. One way to vary the
ingful for my client. After all, one person’s
tchotchkes are another’s treasures. n

Jonathan Fong is the author of “Flowers That Wow” and “Parties That Wow,” and host of “Style With a Smile” on YouTube. You can see more of his do-it-yourself projects at jonathanfongstyle.com.

21 October 22-28, 2021 JewishJournal.com Jewish Journal | 41

 R A B B I S O F L.A.

Deborah Schuldenfrei:
The ‘Wartime’ Head of School
» by Danielle Berrin

DEBORAH SCHULDENFREI CAN’T STOP LAUGHING. on the playground. And it took awhile before the usual
She’s recounting the chaos and difficulty of running structured breaks for physical activity and lunchtime were
the conservative synagogue Valley Beth Shalom’s Day integrated into remote learning schedules. Not to mention,
School during the pandemic, a story best described as a the terrible burden placed on parents who found themselves
She laughs
again, and picks
cross between a slapstick comedy and a horror movie, not only working their own jobs from home, but having to
and Schuldenfrei, Head of School, is positively giddy. Well, monitor their childrens’ home schooling as well.

up a Magic-8
perhaps delirious is the more appropriate term. “We made the decision early on that prioritizing in
She says things like, “It was ugly,” “It was crazy,” and person instruction was essential for the mental health and

ball from her

“Avoid! At all costs” as she recalls the K-6 school’s seemingly well being of both parent and child,” Schuldenfrei said.
apocalyptic closure in the spring of 2020, the cautious but After they succeeded with camp, VBS opened their Early

desk. “This,” she

partial re-opening that followed, the challenges of distance Childhood Center and Kindergarten, gradually incorporating
learning, the tightly guarded in-person pods, the midnight first and second grade in rolling percentages in order to
zoom meetings, the traumatized kids, the frightened
teachers, the desperate parents, even the logistical acrobatics
maintain social distancing. As the months wore on, they
folded in the other grades, until, eventually, everyone was said, “saved my
of orchestrating bathroom breaks for 5-year-olds, lest they
have a toilet-side encounter with a student outside their
back. Throughout the process, Schuldenfrei had the added
challenge of convincing frightened teachers who were not life.”
“pod” and possibly kill some unsuspecting grandparent. yet vaccinated that in person learning was a tolerable level
“So I’m tired,” Schuldenfrei says with a sigh. of risk. There was never a dull moment.
I ask how did she not go insane. How did she know what “I have recreated the school 12 times,” Schuldenfrei said.
to do? Her home life was no picnic either. Schuldenfrei and her Fast Takes with Deborah Schuldenfrei
She laughs again, and picks up a Magic-8 ball from her husband Brian, a pulpit rabbi at Adat Ari El, are both full time
desk. professionals raising three school-age sons, ages 13, 11 and Danielle Berrin : What’s currently on your night table?
“This,” she said, “saved my life.” 9, two of whom attend VBS and were experiencing the same Deborah Schuldenfrei: I just finished The Song of Achilles
The pandemic was a lesson in humility and uncertainty pandemic hardships as Schuldenfrei’s other students. by Madeline Miller and a very light book called Miss
for pretty much the entire human population, but for “It was very, very hard and my kids told me just how hard Communication by Elyssa Friedland which was kind of
Schuldenfrei, 43, a well trained educator and rabbi, it was an it was,” she said. ridiculous and wonderful. Also The Tunnel by AB Yehoshua.
opportunity, as the kids say, to level up. “One of my board In addition to coping with their mother’s round-the-clock And I’m re-reading Ruth Gruber’s Raquela, A Woman of Israel.
members put it in a complimentary fashion,” Schuldenfrei schedule, her sons returned to school only to encounter a Clearly I have ADD.
said with a sly smile. “‘You are a wartime head of school.’” strange, unfamiliar routine. “I’m thinking to myself, ‘I have
While most everyone contended with one pandemic rigged a situation where you get to be at school instead of DB: Last show you binge-watched?
challenge or another, Schuldenfrei had to find a way to logging in, and you’re angry,’” Schuldenfrei said. “It’s almost DS: The Other Two on HBO and Nine Perfect Strangers on Hulu.
satisfy the sometimes opposing interests of kids, parents like I got them to school and they were like, ‘This is not what
and teachers while also navigating the intricate, often we meant.’” DB: Your day off looks like…
schizophrenic city and state guidelines that turned But Schuldenfrei soldiered on. DS: I sleep and exercise. And go to the beach.
childhood education into a tightrope walk. And just like in “What equipped me to handle all of it is, frankly, I’m a
a military battle, all of this took place in a perennially high- little stubborn,” she said. “I was committed to finding a way DB: Favorite thing to do in Israel?
risk environment where the slightest error could mean the to make it work.” She said she found inspiration in the reality DS. Eat. It might be shop. But eat sounds better.
difference between life and death. series “Project Runway” and on-air mentor Tim Gunn’s fluid,
“I guess most people have never considered in their life adaptable style. “Things might be sloppy, messy, unpleasant, DB: Something about you most people don’t know?
that everything is uncertain,” Schuldenfrei said. “You don’t but I had to make it work.” DS: I live with someone who brings a puppet to work. You
know when your last breath is going to be, or if you can Schuldenfrei also preserved her own health and sanity by know, for Tot Shabbat.
drop your kid off at school the next day. But here it was in exercising regularly and maintaining her spiritual practice.
practice; suddenly everyone was in this philosophical place.” “Having Jewish community at that time was very helpful DB: Most essential Torah verse?
Schuldenfrei may feign the art of being overwhelmed, even though we were all so disconnected,” she said. “At a DS: Exodus 25: You shall accept gifts for me from every person
but in truth she sounds quite pleased with how quickly the certain point I stopped using the term ‘social distancing’ whose heart is moved.
school got its house in order, opening VBS’s day camp only because I felt the essential nature of having a social network.”
three months after the start of lockdown. It wasn’t all bad. Schuldenfrei said some important DB: Biggest challenge facing the Jewish world?
“I actually think we saved lives doing that,” Schuldenfrei innovations were spurred by the adjustment to distance DS: There’s this joke from ‘The Other Two’ about when there’s
said. “We made families whole again. Because spending learning, including VBS’s development of an online Jewish a gap in conversation and you don’t know what to say, you can
that much time with family in such uncertainty was very curriculum that can now be used to educate Jewish students say, ‘In this climate…’ I’ve been using that a lot. Well, what can
stressful on the parent-child dynamic, the sibling dynamic, in other cities. you say in this climate?
the whole family structure. The children were deeply Being a rabbi helped her, too.
suffering.” “The pastoral side helped me tremendously with DB: Guilty pleasure?
While students from America’s poorest families suffered empathy,” Schuldenfrei said. “Part of the clarity and the drive DS: (Pause) Maybe I don’t feel guilty about things anymore.
most, with many missing school altogether, the social, I have is because a psychologist briefed us early on and said, That’s good. Otherwise, candy.
emotional and academic toll of the lockdown on children of ‘Please keep in mind that for some of these families, seeing
all ages and backgrounds was incalculable. For months on the teacher on zoom is the only regular reliable force in DB: Favorite Jewish food?
end, children were unable to socialize with peers or learn their lives right now.’ Financially, politically, everything was DS: Challah.
in an educationally-conducive environment. They spent bananas; everything was unstable.
most of their day on a screen, sometimes attending school “We were the stable force.” DB: If you weren’t a rabbi you’d be…
in pajamas. There was no physical education or recess time In the end, the wartime leader restored the peace. n DS: A stylist.

42 | Jewish Journal JewishJournal.com October 22-28, 2021

RECKONING WITH REPARATIONS
WHAT THE UNITED STATES COULD LEARN FROM GERMANY
STRONGER THAN HATE - SPEAKER SERIES

Join USC Shoah Foundation Finci-Viterbi Executive Director

Stephen Smith as he moderates a panel discussion around the
issues of reparation, memory, justice and equity.
What can America learn from the example of Germany?

SPEAKERS

Steve Ross Kiyomi Kowalski Karen Jungblut Mark Weitzman Tiffany Crutcher
Dean’s Professor of Social Justice Advocate Director, Global Initiatives CEO, The World Jewish Founder, the Terence
History USC Shoah Foundation Restitution Organization Crutcher Foundation
Myron and Marian Casden
Director

SUNDAY Germany’s role in the Holocaust has forced it to address material claims since the
immediate aftermath of WWII. Despite a long history with reparations, some Ger-
mans hold ambivalence or even pride in the acts they participated in during WWII.
November 14, 2021 The recent documentary film by acclaimed filmmaker Luke Holland, Final Account,

4:00 PM PST lays bare the diversity of perspectives on Germany’s past and opens opportunities
for discussion around the concept of reparations and whether and how monetary
Register today compensation in the aftermath of mass violence can change attitudes and behaviors
in the present.

This event, part of USC’s Stronger Than Hate Initiative, is also

presented in partnership with Wilshire Boulevard Temple.
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