Aug - Jewish Federation of Tulsa

TALKING ABOUT
Av / Elul 5772
August 2012
ivriyeda in review / A jewish china / language, laughter & Lox
HOW MA NY
AMONG US
C AN PRO C L A I M T HAT W E
LOVED
MID D LE S C HO O L?
No question, middle school can be tough. But it can also – truly – be amazing. When classes are small,
and every student counts, your voice really matters. When there are more unique activities, clubs
and sports you can express yourself. When the curriculum empowers independent thinking,
you can pursue your interests. This is the middle school education you wish you’d had.
Meet us in the middle. Contact Richard Hart, Director of Admission (918) 481-1111.
Discover the Advantage.
hollandhall.org
Founded in 1930 by Tulsa Section,
National Council of Jewish Women
CONTENTS
august 2012 • av/elul 5772
vo l um e 83 • numb er 8
6
(ISSN# 2154-0209)
Tulsa Jewish Review
(USPS 016-928) is published monthly by
9
16
jewish federation of tulsa at
2021 E. 71st St., Tulsa, OK 74136.
Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, OK.
STAF F
15
EXECUTI VE DIRECTOR
Drew Diamond
[email protected] | 918.495.1100
EDI TOR
Karen Blum
[email protected] | 918.495.1100
ADVERTI S I NG MA NAGE R
Mindy Prescott
[email protected]
ADVERTI S I NG REPRESE NTATIV ES
Lee Hubby
[email protected]
Marcia Weinstein
[email protected]
BOARD
P R ES I DEN T, J EWI S H FEDE RATION OF TU LSA
Alex Goldberg
CHAI R , T ULSA JEWIS H REVIEW
Shirley Burger
V ICE-CHAI R , T ULSA JEWIS H REVIEW
Paula Milsten
ART
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Tulsa Jewish Review, 2021 E. 71st St., Tulsa, OK 74136
“Meeting wonderful people and
getting to feel what a true close knit
community you have … we bonded
with many. This will surely improve
the connection between the two
regions.”
–Ros Roucher, Former P2G Coordinator
IvriYeda: Year In Review, page 6
F EATU R ES
16
Maintaining a Sense of Identity: Language, Laughter & Lox
by By Paul Brodsky, Jack Zanerhaft, & Nikki Cyter Sack
18 Talking About Diversity
by Drew Diamond & Edna Lapidot
COMMU NITY
4 From the Editor
by Karen Blum
6 IvriYeda: Year In Review
8 The Story of the Talking Fish
by Eliyahu Krigel, MA
9 Community Fundraiser to Support Rebecca Ungerman’s 10 Entry into Tiberias Theater Festival
Balancing Compassion & Anger
by Rabbi Charles P. Sherman,
by Guido Setton
by Louis Davidson
11 12 Why Do We Do What We Do?
A Jewish China
13 Must-See Film for the Jewish Community:
The Portrait of Wally Coming to the Circle Cinema
13
Butterflies
14 Rabbi Irving Greenberg to Deliver
Frank Memorial Lecture
15 20 22 22 Summer Exhibits Open at The Sherwin
Miller Museum to Rave Reviews
August Community Events
Mazels
The Jewish Federation’s Arts and Cultural Alliance: Working to Make Connections
AU G U ST 2 0 1 2
3 From the Editor
I grew up in an “assimilated” Jewish family. My
parents, who were New Yorkers, moved us to a
small town in New Jersey, where we were one of
three Jewish families. My kindergarten teacher,
Mrs. Silverstein, miraculously, was Jewish.
We are already working
on our October issue. Do
you have pictures of your
sukkah from past years?
Or family stories about
Sukkot? We would love
to include them in our
October issue, which is all
about the great outdoors!
Please submit pictures
and short stories to
[email protected].
4 J EW I SHTU L S A.ORG
I recall making and decorating construction
paper Stars of David, while the rest of the class
decorated Christmas trees. In spite of never attending synagogue, waving at Santa as he drove
through our neighborhood at Christmas time,
and hunting for eggs with my classmates during Easter, I knew how Jewish tasted, what it
looked like, and how it sounded. I looked forward to weekly trips to the grocery with my
mother, who often bought a whole smoked
whitefish and halva; spent time beleaguering
my “kinky curly hair” with my other Jewish
friend, Stephanie; and excitedly anticipated our
family’s bimonthly visits to Brooklyn to see my
grandparents, with whom we would sing songs
from Fiddler and oye and schlep our way to the
Chinese restaurant on Flatbush and Avenue
T. I fully identified Jewish, without having an
ounce of religious knowledge.
Diversity and the cultural glue that holds us
together is the focus of this month’s publication.
Diversity within the Jewish community, as in
society as a whole, is not without effort (Talking About Diversity, page 18). Today’s Jewish
community , stresses tikkun olam (repairing the
world), as the cornerstone of our faith; considers intermarriage, once a no-no, an avenue to
widening our circle of inclusion/acceptance;
and allows personal choice to dictate the future of our religious observances, sometimes
resulting in a piecemeal of sorts, of religious
customs. Some of you may argue against this.
Some of you may feel this gradual divergence
from the beliefs of our parents and grandparents contribute to the relevancy of our religion.
So what of the cultural glue? I think most would
agree the consistency of our food, language,
and humor interwoven throughout this tribe
of ours transcends our religious diversity. It is
what truly keeps us together. This month we
are fortunate to have three guest writers – Paul
Brodsky, Nikki Sack, and Jack Zanerhaft – take
on “the glue” of our culture (page 16).
Let me know what you think. Is diversity
always welcome? As the Jewish community,
nationally and locally continues to decrease in
numbers, does the cultural “glue” become more
important? What fond memories do you hold
from your grandparents and great grandparents
that illuminate changes in our culture? I’d love
to hear from you …
Be well,
Karen Blum
IvriY
eda
in Review
I
magined six months earlier, you would never have
guessed what would transpire when Edna Lapidot, our
Israeli emissary, began designing the first of its kind
in Tulsa, Hebrew immersion class. Modeled after the
successful Engliyada program, in which volunteers from
Tulsa traveled to Israel to teach English as a second language,
IvriYeda would prove to be much more than an intense two
week course in Hebrew.
Over 35 students, not only improved their conversational
Hebrew ability, but became truly engaged with Israeli culture
through the three dynamic volunteer teachers from our
Partnership 2Gether Sovev Kinneret region. Avital Shachar, an
attorney by profession, currently a vintner in the lower Galilee,
could be heard singing and laughing with her beginner class.
Miki Malka, a former idf officer who developed his career
in the logistic aspects of the Medicine Core of the idf, who
now works as a tour guide, kept his class busy and smiling
with his high energy and willingness to talk about his beloved
country. Zvika Maidenberg was born in Poland, and has
called Israel and the United States home throughout his life.
Happily retired in Israel, Zvika brought a unique perspective
to not only his class, but everyone who met him. Each of these
volunteers brought Israel to Tulsa! So hard to put into words is
the warmth and willingness of these individuals.
IvriYeda culminated in a potluck dinner and
performances by each class. The energy and enthusiasm
by the participants, teachers, friends and family that
gathered truly captured the spirit of the program
and the goal of Partnership 2Gether, providing
opportunities for meaningful people-to-people
connections.
Due to its overwhelming success, IvriYeda will be
offered in the future. ■
6 J EW I SHTU L S A.ORG
Thoughts From Participants
“It was great to be in Tulsa. What a challenge, what an experience ...
Thanks to all those who hosted us and reminded us that we are all connected.
I hope that the IvriYeda will take place again in Tulsa and in St. Paul and
Milwaukee. Lehitraot!” See you again. Avital, Volunteer Teacher
“It’s wonderful to see how we all dare to dream and it turns into reality that
makes so many people happy and involved. Kol hakavod!”
Levana Caro, Sovev Kinneret Partnership 2Gether
“How exciting that IvriYeda came to be and was a success! I am thrilled to
hear about this! I have had contact with many other partnerships. There is no
partnership that compares to Sovev Kinneret – Milwaukee, Tulsa, St. Paul. Your
shared leadership…making connections flourish is done with style and with
excellent organization. Do not take this for granted!
Ros Roucher, Former P2G Coordinator
“Thank you Edna, for giving me this opportunity to be part of this amazing
program. This was your vision and was a huge success!!! Avital, Zvika and Miki,
there are not enough words to tell you what great and amazing friends you are!
I still receive great emails from your students and how thankful they are to you
all. And last I will like to thank all of you who took part in Edna’s dream and
made it into a very successful reality! Todah (Thank you)!
Alin Torianyk, Program Coordinator
What an experience we had teaching IvriYeda in Tulsa! Meeting wonderful
people and getting to feel what a true close knit community you have … we
bonded with many. This will surely improve the connection between the two
regions. Thanks to all who made this possible (especially Edna and Alin, and
(in Israel), Hadar and Levana and the whole staff).
Shalom Ve’Le’hitraot. Zvika, Volunteer Teacher
AU G U ST 2 0 1 2
7 The Story of the Talking Fish
by Eliyahu Krigel, MA,
Director of Education, Congregation B’nai Emunah
T
here were once three
young Israeli boys named
Shmuel, Yoni, and Chaim who
lived in a kibbutz near the Sea of
Galilee, also known as Lake Kinneret. This
beautiful body of water, close to their community, is the largest freshwater source
of pure water in the modern State of Israel and the second lowest lake on earth
(the first being the Dead Sea.) Life at the
kibbutz was peaceful. The kibbutznicks
worked the land and lived full lives rich
with community tied intimately with the
land. Shmuel and Yoni grew up together
and had lived on the kibbutz ever since
they were born. Chaim and his family recently moved to the kibbutz to get away
from the noisy city. Shmuel and Yoni were
best friends. Ever encouraged by their par-
ents to include Chaim in their fun and
games, Shmuel and Yoni would become
easily annoyed with Chaim, because he
was always slowing down their play.
One day, Shmuel and Yoni
decided to go fishing in Lake
Kinneret. They had heard
about a magical red
belly Tilapia fish
called the Zilli that
actually spoke and
granted wishes. The
boys wanted to venture
down to the lake near their
home to see if they could catch
the fish, and if so, they wondered if the
fish would actually talk and grant them
their wishes? As they were about to leave
the outer perimeter of the kibbutz, who
joined their tiyul, or trek, down to the
water? Chaim! Shmuel and Yoni were so
excited to find the talking fish who granted
wishes, that they even allowed Chaim to
tag along. The three boys sat by the lake in
the shade of an outstretched tree branch
and prepared their fishing rods for the
cast of a lifetime. After what seemed like
many hours, Shmuel’s fishing pole began
to move. He quickly rose to his feet and
sure enough, he had caught the talking
fish, Zilli. He ambitiously looked at Yoni
and Chaim and without missing a beat, he
told the fish he wanted to be rich like the
famous Israeli businessman Shai Agassi,
who was in the process of making electric
cars all over Israel in the hope of changing
the transportation industry. Instantly,
LaMode Cleaners
New service brings added convenience
to customers
For more than 60 years, LaMode Cleaners has offered
full service cleaning to Tulsans and recently began a free
home or office pickup and delivery service to customers.
This service is at no additional cost and is perfect for
busy people who would like to have one less errand to
run. LaMode’s route service manager drops by your home
or office twice a week to pickup and deliver
your order.
8 J EW I SHTU L S A.ORG
Dan Hiatt and Jim Light,
managing partners
the fish granted his wish, and with that,
Shmuel disappeared. Then, the fish asked
the other two boys their wishes. Yoni
stepped forward like Nachshon, who led
the ancient Israelites to freedom through
the Red Sea and said boldly, “I want to
be super wealthy like the Israeli tycoon
Idan Ofer who is the 161st richest man
in the world, according to Forbes, with
a net value of $6.2 billion!” The Zilli fish
grinned from fin to fin and granted the
young boy his wish, and with that, Yoni
disappeared.
Now all that was left on the banks of
the Kinneret were the fish who spoke and
little Chaim who had no one to play with.
“What is your wish?” the fish asked Chaim.
After careful consideration, Chaim wished
that his two friends would come back to
him the way they were. At that moment,
both Shmuel and Yoni reappeared, so
thankful Chaim had brought them back.
They threw the Zilli fish back in the water
and headed to the kibbutz to play Gaga the
rest of the afternoon. Chaim could have
wished for anything but he chose to wish
for his two friends return because friendship is the greatest treasure of all! The lesson that Shmuel and Yoni learned from
wishing for wealth and material possessions is that good friends sometime come
from unlikely places and true friendship
fills our lives with happiness. They realized
that the reason they didn’t like Chaim was
because they didn’t know him as he had
just recently moved to their community,
which isn’t a real reason not to be friends
with someone. Now Shmuel, Yoni, and
Chaim are the best of friends!
May we all be blessed as we approach
the beginning of the next academic school
year with unconditional love so that we
can always be there for our old friends and
open to making new friends! ■
“There’s no easier way to get your dry
cleaning done and no better company to do it,”
says Jim Light, a managing partner of LaMode
with Dan Hiatt.
LaMode Cleaners has 12 convenient
locations throughout the Tulsa
area. For more
information, call or visit
LaMode Cleaners
7025 E. 41st St.
our website.
918-622-5255
www.lamodecleaners.com
Community Fundraiser to Support Rebecca
Ungerman’s Entry into Tiberias Theater Festival
Community
Fundraiser/
Performance
Monday, Aug. 13,
in the Sylvan
Auditorium at the
Charles Schusterman
Jewish Community
Center. To attend
contact the Jewish
Federation of Tulsa
at 918.495.1100
or federation@
jewishtulsa.org.
R
ebecca ungerman doesn’t like to
let an accolade define her as an artist. After
being named Urban Tulsa Weekly’s Best
Female Vocalist in 2009, Rebecca decided
to add theater to her resume. June of 2012 was a big
month for Rebecca. Over 3,000 Tulsans voted her
Tulsa People magazine’s Favorite Stage Performer
and she launched her new venture, Spinning Plates
Productions, Inc. (spp ), Tulsa’s first entertainment
company of its kind. Now, in conjunction with the
Jewish Federation of Tulsa and the Tulsa Global Alliance, she is putting together a concert to fund spp ’s
participation in the 2nd annual Tiberias International
Theater Festival in Israel. spp will present The Unwitting Wife, penned by Ungerman and fellow Tulsa
talent, Lisa Cole (music & lyrics by Ungerman and
friends.) While this is an original story, the fifteen
original tunes span Ungerman’s twenty-five year cata-
log as a songwriter, including five new works written
specifically for the show.
The Unwitting Wife, a romantic comedy focuses
on three long-time friends who help each other find
love through a series of modern dating techniques.
Though the main character is a lesbian, the story and
themes of love and longing for romance are universal
and the charming script and powerful songs appeal to
all. The August 13 performance will feature Ungerman
and Spinning Plates Production performers: Shannon
Shirley Boston, Machele Miller Dill, and Musical Director, Scott McQuade. The spp troupe will perform
excerpts from The Unwitting Wife and selections from
two other shows they will perform during their stay
in Israel. Rebecca and Spinning Plates Productions
are thrilled and honored to represent the city of Tulsa
and the Oklahoma arts community at the Tiberias
International Theater Festival. ■
'Call Charles'
'Call Charles'
'Call Charles'
Terry and Madelyn Rosenthal
(918) 584-3323
Fax - 918 584-7378
[email protected]
P.O. Box 471100
Tulsa, OK 74147-1100
7647 East 46th Place
AU G U ST 2 0 1 2
9 Balancing
Compassion
& Anger
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I
by Rabbi Charles P. Sherman,
temple israel
read a column some time ago by my St. Louis colleague,
Rabbi James Bennett, in which he begins with a very interesting story from the Talmud.
It was taught as Rabbi Ishmael ben Elisha says: “I once
entered the innermost part of the Temple to offer incense and
saw God, seated upon a high and exalted throne. God said to
me: ‘Ishmael, My son, bless Me.’”
“I replied: ‘May it be Your will that Your compassion overcome
Your anger. May Your compassion prevail over Your other attributes. May You deal with Your children compassionately. May
You not judge us solely with strict justice!’ And God nodded to
me.” (Brachot 7A)
As our national election campaigns will soon begin to heat
up, Rabbi Ishmael’s prayer seems as relevant today as ever. Anger
appears often to be a theme in so many of our national and international debates these days. I am convinced that many voices
of dissent on almost every issue need to temper their anger with
a strong measure of compassion.
For example, when we speak with each other as family members, as citizens, as Jews and other people of faith about politics,
Rabbi Ishmael’s prayer seems as
relevant today as ever.
war, Israel, abortion, gay rights, religion and numerous other
issues, we need to temper our “righteous indignation” and anger, which will lead us to take passionate stands, with a strong
measure of compassion.
What would happen if we took a moment to stop and think
about the position of the other, whenever we face controversy?
Is it possible to see issues through the eyes of others, to use
this measure of compassion to find a solution to the seemingly
insolvable dilemmas that face us?
We too often begin by digging in our heels. We know that we
are right. Our tradition reminds us that we, like God, may best
be served by asking ourselves: “How can I address this issue with
kindness, compassion, and love? How can I have a listening ear,
an open heart, and generous spirit?” If we try that approach, we
might find that we are not always right, that people are more
important than money and things, that even principles can sometimes be compromised for the sake of kindness.
As my friend, Rabbi Bennett, writes: “May we all temper our
anger with compassion, and may God nod to all of us.” ■
10 J EW I SHTU L S A.ORG
Why Do We Do What We Do?
by Guido Setton, Director of Community Development
A
s many of you know, my position
At the Federation in Vancouver, not
at the Jewish Federation revolves only did I have my first real exposure to the
around our
fundraising world, taking courses, reading
United Fund Campaign, and
materials and learning about a whole new
the good work the Federation supports in
world, but I also had a chance to participate
Tulsa, nationally and around the world. In
in two different trips with donors: a “fly-in”
the course of my work, I am often asked to Buenos Aires and a mission to Israel. I
how I got to Tulsa, or how did I get into
discovered then, how important it is for docommunity development?
nors to experience first-hand the impact of
In 2002, I moved from Buenos Aires,
their donations. Through the Federation
Argentina where I was born and raised,
of Vancouver, I worked with other organito Montreal, Canada. Upon moving to
zations, including Jewish Family Services
Montreal, my law degree no longer valid,
Agency, and an organization that promotes
I quickly figured out that in order to find
dialogue and joint filmmaking between Isa job, I had to reinvent myself, beginning raelis and Palestinians. These experiences
with simultaneously improving my French transformed me. I realized the Jewish Fedand English. As with most new immigrants eration was an on-the-ground organization
procuring a job was most challenging. For- that made a difference. I was emotionally
tunately, after a short stint working with an committed to my job within Jewish organiimmigration lawyer, I was offered a contract zations. Three years ago, I joined the Jewish
with the Canadian Jewish Congress. Upon Federation of Tulsa.
the completion of the contract, I was recomTulsa is certainly unique. Regardless of
mended for a job with the Jewish Federation your affiliation with Temple Israel, Chabad,
TulsaJewish_June_8.1:Layout
1 6/25/12 8:52 or
AMCongregation
Page 1
in Vancouver.
B’nai Emunah, or if you
are unaffiliated, your relationship with the
Federation through campaign, places you
in our community. You are part of the good
work of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa. Not
everybody realizes that a high number of
projects that take place in our community
get funding from the Federation. The Jewish Intensification program for example,
allows our young members to visit Israel,
New York and many other places. Institute
of Adult Jewish Studies, which brings different groups of our community together
for study, is also funded by the Jewish
Federation of Tulsa.
Cooperation does not imply total agreement. The fact that most members support
the campaign does not mean that they necessarily agree with each other’s agendas,
ideas, or political views. However, the feeling of unity and the commitment to give is
more important than any personal agenda.
This becomes more important as both Jewish and non-Jewish organizations are forced
to make significant efforts to adapt to a new
economic reality. In this context, I am ever
appreciative of our donor’s firm commitment to our Annual Campaign. With the
continued sense of “We” being greater than
the sense of “I” or “me”, Tulsa is assured a
strong future for the Jewish community. ■
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CASTLEBERRY’S AN AUTHORIZED ETHAN ALLEN RETAILER
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ETHANALLEN.COM
AUG U ST 2 0 1 2
©2012 ETHAN ALLEN GLOBAL, INC.
11 A Jewish
China
by Louis Davidson
M
arco polo visited China
about 740 years before my
trip this spring. During his
24 year trip, Marco Polo
sought trading opportunities, the riches
of the East and adventure. During my 24
day trip I sought to witness the technological and industrial marvel that had arisen
in the East, enjoy a bit of mild adventure
and photograph synagogues. Yes, there
are Jews and synagogues in China, and
have been for a very long time. The history
of Judaism and Jews in China as evident
by the Kaifeng Jews of ancient origin, the
Jews who spent the World War II years
in Shanghai, and the Jewish Ex-Pat Community flourishing today, exemplifies the
diversity and tenacity of our people.
Jews of Ancient Origin
Kaifeng, in the Henan province of China, has had a Jewish community since the
Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) and
some authorities date their arrival to the
earlier Tang Dynasty (618-907). Kaifeng
12 J EW I SHTU L S A.ORG
was a cosmopolitan city on the fabled Silk
Road, the age-old trading route connecting Europe with China. While nobody
knows for sure, presumably the Jews of
Kaifeng were originally Silk Road traders
hailing from India or Persia. By 1163, they
had built a synagogue. Throughout the
centuries of China’s turbulent history the
Jewish community of Kaifeng survived,
cut off from the rest of the Jewish world.
Due to their isolation, the religious practices of the Kaifeng Jews differed in many
respects from mainstream Judaism (i.e.,
subscribing to patrilineal descent), however their liturgy consisted of parts of the
Bible and they did not eat pork. Interestingly, the existence of Jews in China was
unknown to Western society until 1605
when an Italian in Beijing met a Jew from
Kaifeng. Over time the Kaifeng Jews intermarried with the local Chinese and are
now indistinguishable in appearance from
their non-Jewish neighbors. According
to the most recent census there are about
100 Jewish families in Kaifeng, totaling
approximately 500 people, while nearly
1,000 residents claim Jewish ancestry.
World War II in Shanghai
Shanghai’s first wave of Jewish immigration came in the latter 19th century.
Many of these early immigrants were
Sephardic Jews who would become the
first foreign traders in Shanghai. The most
famous, David Sassoon, arrived in 1844
to open a branch of his father’s Bombaybased trading company. Thereafter, the
city’s Jewish community grew as many
Indian and Iraqi Jews came to work in
Sassoon’s expanding organization. By the
early 20th century, Jewish immigration to
Shanghai began to increase. Russian Jews
fleeing pogroms; White Russians, being on
the losing side of the Russian Revolution,
and the Japanese occupation of northeast
China in 1931, can be cited for the rise in
the Jewish population of Shanghai.
During the Holocaust, when Jews
were seeking to escape Hitler dominated
Europe, some took the rigorous route to
Shanghai. Although it was very difficult
to get there, it was one of the few places
in the world where one didn’t need a visa.
Under corruptible Japanese officials who
controlled the city, Shanghai was a safehaven for Jewish refugees. By 1941, approximately 20,000 European Jews had
found shelter there. Toward the end of
World War II, the Nazis pressured the
Japanese army to exterminate the Jews of
Shanghai. Although the Japanese had been
ruthless in their treatment of the Chinese
they would not accede to the Nazis’ request to slaughter the Jews. Ultimately the
Jews of Shanghai were safe.
continued on page 17»
Must-See Film for the
Jewish Community
P
The Portrait of Wally Coming
to the Circle Cinema
ortrait of wally, Egon Schiele’s tender picture of
his mistress, Walburga “Wally” Neuzil, is the pride of
the Leopold Museum in Vienna. But for 13 years the
painting was locked up in New York, caught in a legal
battle between the Austrian museum and the Jewish family from
whom the Nazis seized the painting in 1939. The documentary
Portrait of Wally traces the history of this iconic image from
Schiele’s gesture of affection toward his young lover, to the theft
of the painting from Lea Bondi, a Jewish art dealer fleeing Vienna
for her life, to the post-war confusion and subterfuge that evoke
The Third Man, to the surprise resurfacing of “Wally” on loan
to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in Manhattan in 1997.
In 1997, when the heirs of art dealer Lea Bondi asked MoMA
to hold the Painting in New York, MoMA and the Leopold Museum dug in their heels and refused. District Attorney Robert
Morgenthau issued a subpoena and launched a criminal investigation. A 13-year battle in court followed, tracking the course
of Holocaust property crime and reopening the wounds of one
of the century’s worst tragedies – all at a time when the prices
of Egon Schiele’s works rose faster than those of any painter on
the art market.
Schiele collector Ronald Lauder found himself caught between
several loyalties – he was chairman of MoMA and the founder of
the Commission for Art Recovery, an organization committed to
returning looted art to the Jews who lost it to the Nazis. Lauder
sided with the Museum, and against the Jewish family. So did all
the museums in New York – even the Jewish Museum.
The “Wally” case brought the story of Nazi art loot into the
open, eventually forcing museums in Europe and the U.S. to
search their own collections for suspect objects. Many museums
ended up returning art to Jewish families who had abandoned
Butterflies
Honoring Donors to the
Tulsa Jewish Retirement &
Health Care Center
from
Marilyn & Michael Greenwood
Betsy & David Baker
Frieda & Marty Grossbard
Jenny Brouse
Sherry & Jerry Heller
Marilyn & Lou Diamond
Myrna Lubin
Richard Fennell
Sylvia Oberstein
Judith Green & John Kilyk
Nanette & Lawrence Peck
hope until “Wally” showed that institutions could be held accountable for holding property stolen during the Holocaust.
The case was resolved in dramatic fashion in the summer of
2010, but only after the history of Schiele’s extraordinary painting was unearthed to revisit the crimes of the Holocaust and to
witness the reluctance of major institutions in Europe and New
York to send the “last prisoners of war” back to their families.
Portrait of Wally, the documentary, takes you on that journey. The
13-year war over “Wally” was more than a dispute over property
stolen from Jews during the Holocaust. It was a battle over history
and memory. This time, the truth won. ■
Alan Stovitz
Fred Strauss
Gertrude Weisman
Gay Wion
birthdays
Shirley Brody
Jenny Brouse
Bob Dormont
Milton Lasky
speedy recovery
Dr. Donald Craig
Tony Gonzales
Joan Green
Dr. David Schwartz
Carol Stanley
Toby Sternfield
in memory
Neal Block
Stanley Borochoff
Simon Levit
E.N. Lubin
Jack Zarrow
honoring
Curtis Green on Father’s Day
AUG U ST 2 0 1 2
13 Rabbi Irving Greenberg
to Deliver Frank
Memorial Lecture
R
abbi irving “yitz”
Greenberg will deliver the
fourth annual Sharna and
Irvin E. Frank Memorial
Lecture in Judaism and Contemporary
Issues. Rabbi Greenberg’s lecture is entitled, “Judaism for the Next Millennium: After the Holocaust and Rebirth
of Israel, What is our Message (Light)
to the Nations?” The lecture will take
place in the Sylvan Auditorium of the
Schusterman jc c at 7 p.m. on Sunday,
August 26, followed by a reception.
A dear friend of the Frank family,
Rabbi Greenberg is one of the major
theologians of our time. He served as
Director of the President’s Commission on the Holocaust under Jimmy
Carter, and was appointed Chairman
of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council by President Clinton. He
founded and chaired the department of
Jewish Studies at City College of the City
University of New York, was a cofounder
and past president of cl al, the National
Center for Learning and Leadership, and
is past president of the Jewish Life Network/Steinhardt Foundation. He is currently at work on a book that explores
the emerging shape of Judaism in a world
where God is totally hidden and humanity has come of age.
The Sharna and Irvin E. Frank Memorial Lecture honors Irv and Sharna’s
creative vision and foresight by providing
a forum for the serious exploration of
Judaism and contemporary issues. The
lecture is hosted by the Jewish Federation
of Tulsa. For more information about the
lecture, please contact Mindy Prescott
at 918.495.1100 x112, or mprescott@
jewishtulsa.org. ■
T h E a LL- n E w C a d i LL a C X T S
i S C o m i n g , a n d i T ’S b r i n g i n g T h E
f u t u r e f o r wa r d .
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CUE driver interface—which leaps two generations ahead—to
its exhilarating driving exp erien ce , the stu n nin gly mo dern
yet meticulously craf te d X T S is a brilliant example of what the
future will hold. Learn more at cadillac.com/xts
3939 South memorial drive / 918.665.3420
www.donthorntoncadillac.com
Available Spring 2012. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
14 GMLS02520000_Tulsa_XTS.indd
1
J EW I SHTU L S A.ORG
©2012 General Motors. All rights reserved. Cadillac® XTS®
3/30/12 10:42 AM
Summer Exhibits Open at
The Sherwin Miller Museum
to Rave Reviews
T
wo new temporary exhibits are
open at the Museum, and visitors love them! Now on exhibit
are A Stitch in Jewish Time: Provocative Textiles, and Take My Wife, Please:
Jewish Comedy in America. Located on the
Museum’s second floor, the two exhibits
will be open through August 26, 2012.
A Stitch in Jewish Time is on loan from
the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion Museum in New York City,
courtesy of curator Laura Kruger. In her
catalog essay she writes:
“Textiles are the most varied of ‘manufactured’ goods. Lending themselves to
body covering, shelter, food storage, transportation of goods, and group/clan identification, they were and remain to this day,
objects of high status, decoration, creativity
and spiritual identity.
A Stitch in Jewish Time: Provocative
Textiles explores how exceptional contemporary artists apply their skillful creativity
to the ever evolving understanding of Jewish values. Individually addressing issues of
memory and reflection, interpretations of
history and ritual, and links between the
past and present, they delve into aspects of
the Holocaust, war, patriotism, celebration,
prayer, feminism, and sexuality. Until modern times, however, textiles were not ranked
as fine art materials and were considered a
domestic craft – ‘women’s work.’
of Jewish history, experience, and values.”
Take My Wife, Please celebrates the accomplishments of the great Jewish comedians
of the twentieth century, beginning with
the first vaudevillians and continuing on
to twenty-first century stars such as Jon
Stewart, Adam Sandler, and Jack Black.
There is a memory for every generation
in this exhibit. If your childhood memories are of Jack Benny or Bugs Bunny, and
your grandchildren are fans of Kung Fu
There is a memory for every generation in this exhibit.
The men and women artists in A Stitch
in Jewish Time embrace textiles as their
medium for artistic self-expression. In doing so, they change our conception of the
medium – and enhance our understanding
Panda and Toy Story, you will all find your
favorites here! From Mel Brooks to The
Marx Brothers, these comedians shaped
the course American comedy in the last
century and for the future. ■
“We are your keys to Tulsa real estate.”
Willie & Shirley Burger (918) 231-6755
Small Classes.
Big Results.
The Burger Team at McGraw Realtors
[email protected]
facebook.com/TheBurgerTeam
Zarrow Campus • 2021 E. 71st
918-494-0953 • MizelSchool.org
AUG U ST 2 0 1 2
15 Maintaining a Sense of Identity:
Language,
Laughter &
Sephardic Jews are from Spain, Italy, North African countries, England,
Mexico, and South America. Ashkenazi Jews hail from Eastern European
lands such as Germany, Poland & Russia. Regardless of origin, the culture of
American Jews has evolved to the point where our similarities are
The Laughter By Paul Brodsky
The Lox By Nikki Cyter Sack
As Jews, we are bound together by many things such as our
core religious beliefs, a shared history and, of course, food (it’s
always about the food!). But perhaps the least obvious, yet most
interesting, is humor. As a cultural bond, humor is, in many ways,
uniquely Jewish.
First, it’s important to note that humor is more than jokes
and laughter. It’s a personal perception and not easily defined.
When someone is described as not having a sense of humor, it’s a
commentary on how they react to “life” as opposed to an inability
to enjoy a good joke. Humor is to tragedy as yin is to yang; two
seemingly opposite forces that are, in fact, deeply integrated.
So what role does humor play in Jewish culture? You can certainly
find multiple references to humor in the Torah but the cultural bond
of Jewish humor easily transcends biblical scripture. As a people,
we have certainly faced our fair share of tragedy and hardship, yet
we seem to instinctively know the healing and coping power of
humor and during even the toughest times, we not only accept,
but encourage its presence.
Jewish humor can be overt and self-deprecating but quite often,
it’s very subtle. Consider the final scene in Fiddler on the Roof, as
the family is saying their final, tearful goodbyes, it’s hard not to
smile when Tevye parodies Golde and scolds her for yelling too
loudly that they will be staying at Uncle Avram’s. It’s not the words
that are humorous but rather the interaction between them. It’s
personal, deeply caring, and we’ve all been there. The events that
preceded that scene, coupled with our own personal experiences,
makes it easy to wonder if non-Jews will “get” the subtle humor
of the moment and the necessary comic relief it provides.
At the surface, a joke, pun, anecdote, etc. can certainly be
funny to Jews and non-Jews alike but it’s the unspoken part; the
part that taps into our shared beliefs, history, and life experiences
that helps bring us together.
A bagel and a “schmear” are arguably at the center point of Jewish
diaspora cuisine. The ubiquitous ring-shaped bread that can be found at
grocery stores across the country was once the practical food of Eastern
European peasants – formed with a convenient hole for display, sale and
transport. It is thought that immigrant Polish Jews brought the bagel (from
the Yiddish word, beigen, which means, “to bend”) with them to New York
at the turn of the 20th century to feed the longing for the old country. But
whether fresh baked by hand or frozen and mass-produced, this doughy
treat is certainly not just enjoyed by Jews.
And Tulsans are crazy about bagels! Transplants to Tulsa from the East
Coast are often shocked to find such good, authentic New York bagels in
a state with a relatively modest Jewish population. As evidenced by the
popularity of the now-defunct New York Bagel Company– the bagel chain
started in Oklahoma City and Stillwater in the 1980s – and Tulsa’s new(ish)
Old School Bagel – the bagel’s appeal has far transcended its Jewish roots
to become a favorite food of the masses.
Old School Bagel co-owner Joe Trizza says Tulsa is “just a bagel town.”
The recipe and method of Old School’s boiling and baking, distinct to New
York style bagels, was refined by the owners of the former New York Bagel
Company with help from a visiting New Yorker. It is the crucial boiling step
that precedes baking that gives the bagel its characteristic shiny exterior
and chewy interior, distinguishing it from other mass-produced bagels
that are steam-baked and bear more of a resemblance to a bready roll.
Trizza, who started as an employee and ultimately franchisee, of New
York Bagel, started Old School on Brookside in 2009 after hearing locals
clamor for authentic bagels. Surprisingly, he notes, Tulsans have developed
a taste for the most traditional of Jewish-American toppings – lox (smoked
salmon) and cream cheese – and count among their favorite bagel varieties
“plain” and “everything.”
Though Trizza himself is of Italian origin and has never visited New York,
after years of waking before the sun rises to boil and bake, he knows a
good bagel when he tastes one.
16 J EW I SHTU L S A.ORG
LX
stronger than our differences. Jewish
food, language and humor have found their
places in American society and continue to
be the cultural glue that holds us together.
The Language By Jack Zanerhaft
Many years ago, I taught my first class for the Adult Institute. On the front row
sat Rita Levit, Sherri Goodall, Nancy Wolov, Jack Zarrow, of blessed memory, and
Maxine. Though all Tulsans, these people had diverse geographical backgrounds
and unique personal histories, and yet they, and a good number of other fine folks,
came together that Monday night to share in something they all had in common:
Yiddish. For a large segment of American Jews, who trace their origins to Eastern
Europe, the sounds of Mamaloshen were literally the voices of their parents and
grandparents. Sociologists have easily identified many items that helped create a
sense of family or community: common history, holidays, humor, music, as well
as other traits shared by a group of people. However, chief of among all of these
threads is language.
Everybody knows a Yenta who likes to Kvetch. Yiddish-isms have crept into
everyday English. This emotional language touches each of us on some level. It’s
part of the cultural glue that binds us.
At its peak, Yiddish was the vernacular for some twelve million of our people.
Rooted in Middle High German, it represented an important language for a thriving
population. Philologists were amazed at the breadth and depth of Yiddish, because
this language, similar, to the Jewish people, blossomed without a home country.
Sadly, millions of natural Yiddish speakers were murdered during w w i i . Immigration
to other countries, and the passage of time contributed to the further decline of
fluent Yiddish speakers. Nonetheless, a scan of college and university offerings,
the emergence of the y i v o Institute and other organizations dedicated to the
continued survival of this language, bodes well for its future, perhaps not as a
spoken language, but one that is destined not to be extinct.
And, here within the walls of the Jewish Community Center, classrooms, and
social halls of our Jewish institution, we do our part in perpetuating the memory of
a language of our past, with the pride of interjecting it into our present. Whether it’s
David Horowitz and his Klezmer music, or Isrella Taxon keeping “Yiddish Buddies”
going, or Ethel Fitzerman kibitzing in Yiddish with one of her friends, we continue
to bless each other with the words of Yiddish. A language we may not always
understand, but one that we know and that we love with our hearts and for all
those people that keep that flame alive, let’s give them a Shaynedank. ■
A JEWISH CHINA continued from page 12
The Ex-Pat Community
Today, almost all the Jewish organizational infrastructure is Chabad-Lubavitch. My wife and I visited two synagogues in Shanghai and one in China’s
capital city, Beijing.
In Shanghai, we first visited the Shanghai Jewish
Center where we were given a warm reception, as
well as a kosher lunch, by Rabbi Shalom Greenberg
and his wife, Dina, who runs the day school. The
synagogue, day school, kosher mini-market and café,
as well as mikveh, are all located in a remodeled suburban building that looks more like a garden apartment building than a religious institution. Indeed,
this community center building blends so well with
its neighbors that our taxi driver had to ask several
passersby to find the right place. Finally, when he
showed the address to one person, the man tapped
the top of his head to indicate a yarmulke and stroked
his chin to indicate a beard such as worn by the Rabbi, and then he pointed to one particular building
which turned out to be the Beth Yakov synagogue.
Later that day, we visited and photographed an
inner-city Jewish community center that had a kosher market on the first floor with a stairway leading
up to the second floor prayer room. Both locations
serve a mixed variety of international professionals
and business people from many countries and traditions. Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Orthodox, Conservative
and Reform, all are welcomed.
In Beijing, we visited Synagogue Bet Yaakov which
fronts on a busy boulevard and is surrounded on
three sides by a city park. Just one year old, the attractive Bet Yaakov building is the only active synagogue
in China that was specifically built for the purpose
of being a synagogue, and houses a kosher minimarket, day school, café and mikveh as well. When
I asked Rabbi Shimon Freundlich about the size of
his congregation he answered, “We have more than
forty families from the U.S. Embassy alone.” In all,
there are approximately 2,000 Jews living in Beijing,
but that is a fluid number since business people and
diplomats along with their families come and go as
their assignments dictate. I can only surmise the
reason for the Chabad presence in China relates
to this flux of the Jewish community. The rabbis of
the Chabad-Lubavitch movement have established
Chabad houses in China so that Jews visiting from all
over the world can be served. Thanks to their vision
and efforts there is a strong Jewish presence in China.
Founders of Synagogues360, Louis & Ronnie
Davidson travel the world photographing synagogues.
Their mission is to “visually and digitally save Jewish
synagogues, an impressive physical expression of Jewish culture, for this and future generations to see and
experience.” (www.synagogues360.org) ■
AUG U ST 2 0 1 2
17 G
N
I
K
L
ToAut
ab
Y
T
I
S
ID VER
No Right or Wrong
by Drew Diamond,
Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa
T
he United States was once a microcosm of Europe, its
founders reflective of their European heritage, but also
driven to the New World by cultural differences. Today,
the United States is a microcosm of the world as race,
language, religion, custom and tradition coexist and interweave. Racial and ethnic diversity in the United States
has changed dramatically over recent decades and will
continue to evolve as the proportions of African American, Asian, and Latino populations increase. Jewish identity exists inside this microcosm with its many faceted notions
of Jews as a religious community, an ethnic group, and a nation.
Speaking in the context of diversity requires skills and understanding far beyond the usual; this is arguably the area Americans find most difficult to discuss. Diversity is simply a point of
respect in which perspectives differ. In the context of culture,
the word diversity has an even more specific meaning. Simply
stated diversity is different cultures – racial, ethnic, religious and
subcultures such as male/female, juvenile/adult, rural/urban, gay,
lesbian, and physically challenged individuals – having beliefs,
values, arts, morals, habits and customs that are different from
those of others.
When we talk about the issues of diversity it is important to
remember that diversity should be recognized without being
judged as right or wrong. The concept of diversity allows us to
look at people in a variety of ways without passing judgments.
The benefit of diversity is that it gives us an opportunity to recognize and apply beliefs, attitudes, ideas, and customs from other
cultures to form new and creative ways of living our lives. Culture
is a dynamic enterprise; learned and shared by people. People
exhibit their shared behaviors and values as they interact socially.
Culture is a core source of creativity and provides a meaningful
guide for thinking, feeling, and acting. Culture is an integrated
pattern of behavior, meaning that what we think and believe,
what we value and how we act and react, are attributable in large
part to our “culture.”
The application of this cultural definition to Jewish identity
is clear. Jewish history reflects a people entwined in the cultural
fabric of the majority in which they exist. Jewish culture survives
and thrives to a large extent through the ability of its people to
understand others. Actively working to maintain our collective
Jewish identity, religious practices, and education, makes for a
vibrant cultural identity and ensures a prosperous future. The
existence of a multi-cultural society demands that we operate
with an open view to things, appreciating that there are a variety
of different ways of functioning. Seemingly a most challenging
barrier for our own Jewish people to overcome, is recognizing
and appreciating the diversity within our own culture. Learning
to appreciate someone else means first being able to understand
them, their lifestyle, and the things that they believe in. Our differences are important. Ignored or vilified, they pose a great risk
to achieving and maintaining a peaceable society. ■
“The opposite of love is not hate – it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness – it’s indifference.
The opposite of faith is not heresy – it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death – it’s indifference.”
18 J EW I SHTU L S A.ORG
–E lie Weisel
Four Acts of Diversity:
Pluralism in Israel?
By Edna Lapidot, Israeli Emissary
L
Act I: Space for Protest
ast month Ron Huldai, Mayor of Tel Aviv refused to
allow Daphni Leef and her friends to re-erect a “tent
neighborhood” on Rothschild Blvd. The most recognizable
symbol of the social protests of the summer of 2011, Leef
and her tent neighborhoods spread to cities throughout
Israel to protest the high cost of housing. Specifically
advocating for a change back to a welfare state, the
protesters believe an adjustment to the country’s cost of
living would make the real estate market more affordable
and relieve the taxpaying burden imposed on the middle class.
Mayor Huldai asked local police to prevent the activists from
popping their protest-dwellings, an action which resulted in
spontaneous rallies in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Adding insult to
injury, police officers used unnecessary force and arrested over
90 people, including Daphni Leef, on no specific charges.
Later in the week the mayor admitted the arrests were
unnecessary, adding he supports the social agenda of the activists,
and had granted permission to erect tents at a different location in
Tel Aviv, undermining the effort at Rothschild Blvd. At the time
of writing, it is unclear how this protest will unfold. Over 80%
of the population supports the cause of these activists. Knesset
members from the liberal parties continuously advocate for a
more tolerant and pluralistic society. In their eyes and those of
other open-minded citizens who wish to live in relative social
and economic comfort, the municipal authorities’ behavior was
far from democratic.
Act II: The Stranger Among Us
From protesting social change to protests against the presence
of African foreigners in neighborhoods of south Tel Aviv there
is never a dull moment in Israel. According to the Population,
Immigration and Border Authority, the lack of a physical border
between Egypt and Israel has contributed to the infiltration of
over 70,000 African refugees to Israel, specifically Tel Aviv, since
2003.
Predominantly Sudanese and Eritrean, most of these
individuals are immigrant workers seeking better opportunities
for themselves and their families. They come from famine or
war-stricken countries; places the United Nations has defined
as areas of humanitarian crises. A simple Google search on
Eritrea reveals one of the poorest dictatorships in the world.
For someone to leave home, cross the Egyptian desert with the
aid of Bedouin smugglers (who demand up to $2,000 per person
for the “service”, and in many cases inflict physical/sexual abuse
and violence), seems unfathomable to those of us who live in a
free and democratic society. Statistics show that roughly half of
the “African infiltrators” come from Eritrea. Due to the violent
situation in that country, and international pressure on Israel,
the Israeli government is hesitant to deport these individuals as
the consequences upon their return are often dire.
Contrary to common belief, only a small percentage of African
immigrants have been granted refugee status by the State of Israel.
Those include 4,000 Sudanese, of which 1,200 come from the
Darfur region.
From the Sinai borders to neighborhoods in south Tel Aviv,
African refugees both legal and illegal are facing growing
opposition from Israelis. Local residents, politicians and even
members of the Israeli Cabinet, support the claim of one editorial
in the Yediot Achronot newspaper … “the right of legal taxpaying
residents to live in their neighborhoods, without disturbance,
threat or competition from illegal residents. This is an area in
which the country has failed its citizens; providing one of the
basic infrastructures a sovereign entity commits to provide:
controlled, closed and protected boarders.” I can understand
this argument. However, when street protests became heated
and Israelis from Ethiopian backgrounds are mistakenly beaten,
when racist comments are heard and the sense of xenophobia
outweighs intelligent discourse, we need to draw a line. We need
to take a serious look at ourselves and contemplate the meaning
of a truly diverse society.
Act III: The Haifa Model
Yosi and I spent our first three years together living in Haifa.
Out of our windows overlooking the beautiful Mediterranean we
could see the predominantly Jewish neighborhood of Carmeliya,
the Muslim families that lived below in the Wadi, and the
Ahmdiyya neighborhood of Kabbabir – famous for its mosque
with the two identical slim minarets. I used to jog down to the
Wadi, sip fresh water from the two natural springs, and climb
250 year-old Ottoman steps which led through the backyards of
Kabbabir before heading home.
Last minute, we’d shop at a small grocery store in Kabbabir
when Jewish-owned supermarkets were closed for Shabbat.
When hungry and craving good falafel or hummus we would
go downtown to the Arab restaurants for the best in town. For
delicatessen foods and produce we’d shop in Wadi Nisnas, Haifa’s
colorful Arab quarter. A 15-minute drive out of Haifa, southbound
on the Carmel ridge, would take us through the picturesque
Osffiyah and Daliat El-Carmel, the two biggest Druze villages.
Haifa and its surrounding region exemplify a peaceful,
multicultural coexistence. Not cliché but rather a reality. Your
family doctor may be Arab-Christian, your grocery owner may
be Druze, the sales associate at the mall is Muslim, and it all
feels very normal.
Act IV: The Mizel Jewish Community Day School
This Fourth of July was a very pleasant and intimate family
afternoon for me. Two grandparents, one family friend, three
Mizel moms and six Mizel girls, all American citizens, holding
flags and cheering for the old planes flying over Jenks. So nu?
(What’s the big deal?) Not a single child was born here! These six
students represent the diversity of the student body of Mizel. Only
49 students, but an abundance of diversity: countries of origin
(Argentina, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Israel, and China), adopted
kids, single parents and same sex parents, Jews and non-Jews,
Mizel is unique. In the middle of one of the most conservative
states in the U.S., it makes me very proud to be part of this
“family” where part of the “small classes/biggest results” of Mizel
means the opportunity to befriend and learn about someone who
is not like you. As one of the moms said, “It should be called the
International Mizel Jewish Community Day School!” ■
AUG U ST 2 0 1 2
19 august community events
Jewish Federation
of Tulsa
Retired Men’s Club • Wed., Aug. 8 • Noon •
Join us for a delicious lunch followed by our guest
speaker, Susan Robertson, Executive Director
of Oklahoma Israel Exchange ( ok ie ) . Please
RSVP to Falisha at 918.495.1100 or mprescott@
jewishtulsa.org by noon on Aug. 7. Cost for the
luncheon is $6. Please note that lunch can only be
guaranteed for people who have made reservations
in advance.
JFT Cinema Series Presents: Arranged •
Sat., Aug. 18 • 7 p.m. • Arranged is a story
about Rachel is an Orthodox Jew, and Nasira, a
Muslim of Syrian origin. They are both young
teachers at a public school in Brooklyn. They
also have something else in common – they are
going through the process of arranged marriages
through their respective religions and traditional
customs. With both, family pressure on one hand,
and the rejection of traditional values by the
outside world on the other, Rachel and Nasira will
have to rely on each other to pull through this
difficult time of their lives, striving to be strong
women in charge of their own happiness, while
keeping their religious and cultural convictions.
$5/members, $7/non-members. RSVP to
918.495.1100 or [email protected] by
Fri., Aug. 17.
Retired Men’s Club • Wed., Aug. 22 • Noon •
Join us for a delicious lunch followed by our guest
speaker, Bob McCormack, who will be speaking on
his photographic archive. Please RSVP to Falisha
at 918.495.1100 or [email protected] by
noon on Tues., Aug. 21. Cost for the luncheon is
$6. Please note that lunch can only be guaranteed for
people who have made reservations in advance.
ACA • Enriching Lives … Sharing Experiences •
Ladies Who Lunch (lwl) • Fri., Aug. 24 •
11:45 a.m. • lw l will expand their horizons in
August with lunch and a personally guided tour
at Gilcrease Museum. To carpool, meet in the
Temple Israel parking lot (upper level) at 11:20
a.m. Lunch will be followed by a guided tour at
1:00 p.m. Our community’s own Sharon Benjamin
will be the docent. As with all lw l gatherings,
each individual can order what they wish from
the menu, and each person takes care of her
own lunch check. Gilcrease admission will be $8
or less per person for non-members. RSVP to
[email protected] or 918.935.3662 by
Wed. Aug. 22.
20 J EW I SHTU L S A.ORG
Congregation
B’nai Emunah
Kids’ Shabbat at the Synagogue • Fri.,
Aug. 17, at 7 p.m. • Join us for this special edition
of Kids’ Shabbat as we welcome home Jewish
summer campers and recognize the important
place that Jewish summer camp holds in the lives
of Jewish Tulsans. A delicious Shabbat dinner
prepared just for you begins the evening, with
a Klay Kodesh service to follow. Lively music,
great food, nice friends; a great way to begin
Shabbat and the weekend. Call the Synagogue at
918.935.3373, or [email protected].
CBE Sisterhood Arty Party • Thurs.,
Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. • Join the Sisters along with
Andrea Turner, a much beloved art teacher from
Holland Hall, as she takes participants through
a project from start to finish. By the end of the
evening everyone will have something special to
take home. The project will take approximately
two hours to complete and the cost is $25 to
attend. Space is limited; to reserve your place,
please call Jill Wenger at 918.748.5957.
Sherwin Miller
Museum of Jewish Art
Exhibit – A Stitch in Jewish Time:
Provocative Textiles • Brodsky & Second
Floor Exhibition Galleries • Now through
Aug. 26 • This exhibit explores how a variety
of exceptional contemporary artists apply
their skillful creativity to the ever-evolving
understanding of Jewish values. The individual
textiles address issues of memory and reflection,
interpretations of history and ritual, and links
between the past and present. In the realm of
conceptual fine art, the approximately two dozen
outstanding textiles in this show leave an indelible
impression that expands our perception of
contemporary art, and enhance our understanding
of Jewish history, experience and values.
Exhibit – “Take My Wife, Please” –
Jewish Comedy in America • Mezzanine
Gallery • now through Aug. 26 • Humor is a
tradition in Jewish life. In honor of the role that
Jewish comedy and comedians have played in the
life of 20th century America, the Sherwin Miller
Museum tells their stories in this original summer
exhibition. “Take My Wife, Please,” Henry
Youngman’s iconic catchphrase, is the title of the
summer exhibit, representing the level of influence
that shtick has had on American life. Who could
ever forget Groucho Marx and his eyebrows, the
Three Stooges, or Mel Brooks? Come celebrate
their contributions to our American life in this
exhibit, and, bring your wife, please!
Temple Israel
Family Fun Night at Yolotti • Wed., Aug. 8 •
6-8 p.m. • 9918 Riverside Parkway • Join us at
Yolotti Frozen Yogurt for a casual fundraising
event. Mention Temple Israel when ordering and
we will get 15% back as a fundraiser. Everyone is
welcome! Socialize the night away with yummy
yogurt and fun friends! Contact Holly Burger
at 918.392.8475 or [email protected] for
more details.
Havdallah and Game Night at Temple
Israel • Sat., Aug. 11 • 7:30 p.m. • Bring wine
to share and enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres as we
welcome the week with a camp style havdallah
service. Afterwards, enjoy a variety of games from
Mah Jongg to XBox Kinect. Call Holly Burger
at 918.392.8475 or email timvp@templetulsa.
com for more details.
Temple Israel Religious School Opening
Day • Sun., Aug. 19 • 9:30 a.m. Breakfast,
Welcome Assembly & Sunday School •
Attend our opening breakfast, prepared
by the Temple Brotherhood, and program,
to celebrate the start of our year! Meet our
teachers, reconnect as a school community, and
hear about exciting new programs. For more
information or to RSVP, please contact Jenn Lorch
at 918.392.8483 or [email protected]. Confirmand Israel Presentation • Fri.,
Aug. 24 • 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service followed by
oneg presentation • Our confirmands will help to
lead our worship service. During the oneg, we will
have the chance to hear about their experience on
the n ft y L’Dor V’Dor Eastern Europe and Israel
experience this summer. For more information
please contact the office at 918.747.1309 or office@
templetulsa.com. Welcome Back Shabbat Picnic &
Service • Fri., Aug. 31 • 6 p.m. picnic, 7 p.m.
Shabbat Service • Join in our festive Welcome
Back Shabbat Picnic & Service! Our students
will share pictures showing what they have been
up to this summer. Plus, we will hear favorite
camp Shabbat melodies as we worship together
as a community. For more information please
contact Holly Burger at 918.392.8475 or timvp@
templetulsa.com. ■
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This Month’s Advertisers
This publication is brought to you each month thanks to
the support of our advertisers. Please be sure to use their
products and services and mention that you found them
in Tulsa Jewish Review.
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Circle Cinema
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Don Thornton Cadillac Eye Institute
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R e A l T O R S ®
B o va s s o & B e a l T e a m
AUG U ST 2 0 1 2
21 Mazels
Eve Hanley Adelson
To Bat Mitzvah On
August 4
E
ve Hanley Adelson,
daughter of Jim and
Susannah Adelson,
and sister of Caroline and
Elizabeth Adelson, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on
August 4, 2012, at B Bar
Ranch in Emigrant, MT.
This date corresponds to 16 Ave 5772. Eve will be entering
seventh grade at Holland Hall.
Eve’s interests include tennis, playing guitar, making movies
and enjoying her pets. Eve is the granddaughter of Ellen and
Steve Adelson of Tulsa, Herb Hocutt of Birmingham, AL and
the late Virginia Martin of Tulsa.
She will be joined by the Adelson family in Montana. Preparations for her Bat Mitzvah have been led by Debbye Zanerhaft.
Lily Raskin To Bat
Mitzvah On August 11
L
ily Amber Williams
Raskin; Miriam Zahara bat Zvi, daughter of Corey Wren Williams,
Greg Raskin, and sister of
Sophie Raskin, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on
August 11, 2012, at Congregation B’nai Emunah. This
date corresponds to 23 Av 5772.
Lily will begin her seventh grade year at Carver Middle
School this fall. Her special interests include French, jewelry
making, sewing, rock climbing, track, biking, and doing everything fast.
For her mitzvah project, Lily will host educational and fundraising events for Saint Monica orphanage in Uganda, Africa,
an organization that rescues girls from groups like the Lord’s
Resistance Army. Once in Saint Monica, the girls receive safe
haven, health care, educational opportunities, and job skills. In
addition, Lily will lobby the Oklahoma State Legislature to help
raise awareness about the increasing issue of human trafficking/
slavery in Oklahoma.
Lily is the granddaughter of Phyllis Raskin, Howard Raskin
of blessed memory, Cathy Taylor of Tulsa, Tom Taylor of blessed
memory, Steve Williams, and Pat Williams of Bakersfield, California.
Helen Winoker has led Lily in her bat mitzvah preparations.
Please join Lily and her family for services at 9 a.m. and a summer kiddush luncheon to follow. ■
22 J EW I SHTU L S A.ORG
The Jewish
Federation’s Arts and
Cultural Alliance:
Working to Make
Connections
A
s members of our small Jewish community, it might
surprise you to know that too few of us actually know
one another. Divided by social, generational and institutional lines, jft’s Arts and Cultural Alliance (aca)
strives to unify our community by offering, to new and long-time
members of our community, easy opportunities to meet. ac a
activities which began in 2011, under the guidance of Gloria
Estlin and Paula Milsten, include small-venue group outings to
events or restaurants, with the intent of enjoying the company
of others and making new friends. During past months, groups
have gathered for pizza dinners prior to community programming at the Charles Schusterman Jewish Community Center, for
dessert and coffee following musical programs at the University
of Tulsa, and for picnic dinners at Utica Square to enjoy the
summer outdoor musical programs held on Thursday evenings.
This group has been growing from
month to month. All ages are
welcome, and participants are
invited to bring a friend.
The ‘Ladies Who Lunch’ (lwl) group has been ongoing since
aca’s formation and has been meeting monthly since last fall at
different area restaurants. As with all lwl gatherings, each individual can order what they wish from the menu, and each person
takes care of her own lunch check. “This group has been growing
from month to month. All ages are welcome, and participants
are invited to bring a friend,” states Paula Milsten.
‘Ladies Who Lunch’ will expand their horizons in August
with lunch and a personally guided tour at Gilcrease Museum
on Friday, August 24 at 11:45 a.m. Our community’s own Sharon Benjamin will be the docent. Mindy Prescott will take your
reservation at [email protected] or 918.935.3662 by
August 22 and carpooling is available. Gilcrease admission will
be $8 or less per person for non-members.
Consistent with its goal, aca welcomes partnering with other
groups in the community, such as Temple Israel and Congregation B’nai Emunah Sisterhoods, the Tulsa Jewish Retirement
and Health Center, and the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish
Art. New ideas for future planning are always welcomed. For
information, watch the Federation’s weekly e-blast on Thursdays for upcoming events under the aca banner, or check out
‘Community Events’ in the pages of the Tulsa Jewish Review.
Please contact Gloria Estlin, [email protected] or Paula Milsten,
[email protected] for more information. ■
AUG U ST 2 0 1 2
23 Jewish Federation of Tulsa Community Events at a Glance, Aug. 2012
Retired Men’s Club • Wed., Aug. 8 • Noon
aug
JFT Cinema Series Presents: Arranged • Sat., Aug. 18 • 7 p.m.
Retired Men’s Club • Wed., Aug. 22 • Noon
ACA • Enriching Lives … Sharing Experiences • Ladies Who Lunch • Fri., Aug. 24 • 11:45 a.m.
Fantasy games are a way to allow you to live out what it would be
like to own your professional football team, using real athletes
and their real-life performances to generate points. There is a
team owners draft allowing all of the leagues across the continent
to fill the rosters with the best players available. Through the
season, you and your team will set line-ups based on how well
your picked players will perform. The better your line-ups, the
more points you gather, and the closer you are to gaining prizes
from our sponsors.
How it works
The registration fee is $50 per person (1 person = 1 team). All
participants will play on ESPN.com and will play head-to-head
against teams from their league each week. In addition, all
participants will have the opportunity to win grand prizes and
weekly prizes by competing against each other for total points.
There is no fantasy league quite like this – an organized
continental challenge that is exciting and community-minded.
See if you have what it takes to make it to the top. Now is the
time to join. Register for the inaugural year of the JCCs of North
America Fantasy Football Challenge today!
Contact Mindy Prescott @ 918-935-3662 for sign-up information.