Kislev / Tevet 5773December 2012

Creative writing 101 / Newest lion of judah announced the museum of lights / gift up

hollandhall.org

W E LCO M E.

The Holland Hall experience is best understood by visiting the campus. Families are invited and encouraged to attend any of the events listed below. Contact the Admission Team at (918) 481-1111.

Primary School ToursThursday, October 11, 2012 (8:30 a.m.)Tuesday, November 6, 2012 (9:30 a.m.)Wednesday, January 23, 2013 (8:30 a.m.)Tuesday, February 19, 2013 (8:30 a.m.)Tuesday, March 26, 2013 (9:30 a.m.)Wednesday, April 10, 2013 (8:30 a.m.)Thursday, May 9, 2013 (9:30 a.m.)

Middle School ToursTuesday, October 16, 2012 (8:30 a.m.)Wednesday, November 7, 2012 (10:00 a.m.)Wednesday, January 9, 2013 (10:00 a.m.)Tuesday, February 19, 2013 (10:00 a.m.)Tuesday, March 26, 2013 (8:30 a.m.)

Upper School Tours(All tours begin at 8:00 a.m.)Tuesday, October 9, 2012Wednesday, November 7, 2012Wednesday, January 9, 2013Wednesday, February 13, 2013Tuesday, March 28, 2013

DECEMBER 2012 3

CONTENTS december 2012 • kislev / tevet 5773volume 83 • number 12

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4 From the Editor by Karen Blum

4 Butterflies 6 Whatisit&Whereisit? 6 The Jewish Federation of Tulsa Announces Newest Lion of Judah 7 The Cool Factor: 4 the Animals by Shirley Burger

8 Museum Partnerships: Creating an Exhibition with the Green Country Watercolor Society by Karen York 9 BBYO 2012 Kallah Weekend by Joseph Charney

10 Creative Writing 101 13 A Different Way of Looking at Chanukah by Rabbi Charles P. Sherman

14 Enchanted Caves, Mysterious Goats & Harry Potter’s connection to Israel?! by Edna Lapidot

16 The Museum of Lights by Louis Davidson

17 Personal Training? by Amy Underwood

17 Gift Up by Amanda Viles

18 Condolences 18 Hebrew Flourishes at Mizel by Sandi Tilkin, Ed.D. 20 December Community Events

Founded in 1930 by Tulsa Section, National Council of Jewish Women

(ISSN# 2154-0209)Tulsa Jewish Review

(USPS 016-928) is published monthly byjewish federation of tulsa

2021 E. 71st St., Tulsa, OK 74136.Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, OK.

STAFFEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Drew Diamondexecdir@jewishtulsa.org | 918.495.1100

EDITOR Karen Blum

editor@jewishtulsa.org | 918.495.1100

ADVERTISING MANAGER Mindy Prescott

mprescott@jewishtulsa.org

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Lee Hubby

leehubby@cox.net

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BOARDPRESIDENT, JEWISH FEDERATION OF TULSA

Alex GoldbergCHAIR , TULSA JEWISH REVIEW

Shirley BurgerVICE-CHAIR , TULSA JEWISH REVIEW

Paula Milsten

ARTMAGAZINE DESIGN BY

Bhadri Verduzco, Verduzco Design bhadriv@gmail.com | verduzcodesign.com

Postmaster: Send address changes to Tulsa Jewish Review, 2021 E. 71st St., Tulsa, OK 74136

Correction: November The

Cool Factor, Eric Richards,

Restaurateur, incorrectly listed

the names of two children. We

apologize to Eric and Shannon

Richards for this oversight.

From the Editor

I wasn’t a reader as a child, but I have always

loved stories, especially those told by a relative

or close friend. The best stories told were heavy

with inflection and pregnant pauses, playing to

the emotional response of the listeners. Fam-ily stories that have become traditions in their retelling are my favorite. Somehow still funny, sorrowful or inspiring, they reaffirm our fam-ily bond.

As an adult I love to read and as you may have guessed, write. I am especially excited by this issue of the Review, inspired by the Jewish Writing Project (www.jewishwritingproject.wordpress.com), featuring creative writing and how it serves to connect us as a community. I had the opportunity to interview Bruce Black, (page 10) creator of the Jewish Writing Project, an online space where writers are encouraged to share “… a particular experience that may have shaped [their] understanding of what it means to be a Jew, the willingness to explore a memory about being Jewish that holds a special place in [their] heart, or the wish to express

[their] thoughts about how being Jewish has enriched [their] life (or made [their] life more difficult).” Bubby’s Menorah by Janet Ruth Falon and The Sacred Secret World of Women by Jan Booker are just two submissions from the Jewish Writing Project that I hope you enjoy. From our community, we offer you two generous submissions, Finding Your Way in the Pardes by Eliyahu Krigel and An Old Fashion Chanukah by Israella Taxon. I hope you feel inspired!

As we round the corner on Hanukkah, we include Rabbi Sherman’s, A Different Way of Looking at Chanukah, Louis Davidson’s Museum of Lights which takes us to Italy, and in the spirit of giving, the Federation’s announcement of our newest Lion of Judah donor.

Happy Hanukkah!Be well,

Karen Blum

General FundcontributorsGerry & David BernsteinShirley & Martin BrodyFrieda & Marty GrossbardShirley & Norman LevinPhyllis LustgartenBrina ReinsteinBarbara & Dave SylvanIsrella Taxon

Special BirthdayEva Unterman Wedding AnniversaryDr. and Mrs. George Pickler MemoryCarmen BreedingEstelle GordonLorraine RappeneckerMarjorie Singer

EngagementPamela Fitzerman to Ian Cohen Speedy RecoveryJeanette FriedenNancy Wolov

Butterflies Honoring Donors to the Tulsa Jewish Retirement & Health Care Center

LETTER TO THE EDITORDear Editor: In the 1880s,

Philadelphia department store giant John Wannamaker said that he knew half of his advertising budget was wasted but he didn’t know which half.

If that statement is a workable thesis today then you can be assured that the Tulsa Jewish Review is in the half that works. Our store has experienced positive results!

As owners and operators of Tulsa’s only Ethan Allen Home Interiors Design Center, we are extremely pleased with our Tulsa Jewish Review association. So many of you have told us about seeing our ad in the Review. We appreciate that because we know you have many choices of where to make your home furnishings purchases. Thank you for choosing to do business with us as well.

—The Castleberry Family, Bill, Judy & Amy

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WHATISIT&WHEREISIT?

Can you identify the “what and where” of this photo? If you live, work, or play in Tulsa, chances are you’ve passed by it a thous and times. Send us your guess by November December 26, 2012: kblum@tulsajewish.org or mail to Whatisit&Whereisit, Tulsa Jewish Review, 2021 E. 71st St., Tulsa, OK 74136. One guess per person. Please include your name, address and phone number on an index card.

Winner will receive: An Olive Briggs & Riley 21” carry-on with matching tote from the Elephant Trunk!Briggs & Riley is designed for the distinguished traveler who needs style and durability. The new Briggs & Riley baseline helps you travel lighter, easier, faster and smarter. This 21” feautures expansion-compression technology that provides 34% more space, a flat and spacious interior which provides wrinkle free packing, a built in tri-fold garmet folder and a Life-time Guarantee—simple as that. The matching carry-on deluxe travel tote is designed for everything you need. It is easy to pack and helps you stay organized. Briggs & Riley is the top pick for frequent travelers available at Elephant Trunk!

In case of a tie, the winning entry will be drawn; winner and correct answer will be shown in next month’s issue.

Congratulation to last month’s winner, Ed Kaplan, who cor-rectly guessed the clock tower at the office complex at 61st and Memorial.

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The Jewish Federation of Tulsa Announces Newest

Lion of Judah

“Being a  lion of Judah, and wearing a Lion of Ju-dah pin, gives us a very special way to connect with the greater Jewish community. You proudly show you recognize the meaning of tzedakah. Together, through

caring and passion, women who wear the Lion of Judah pin are able to transform the concept of Tikkum Olam from an abstract dream to a concrete reality.” (www.thenewjew.wordpress.com)

Created through the Miami Women’s campaign in 1972 and nationalized in 1980, the Lion of Judah represents the shared commitment and passion of women to the Jewish community, locally, nationally and worldwide. The creation and ongoing growth of Lion of Judah members signals the strength of women donors giving in their own right. The power of these women philanthropists is evident by their understanding of the chang-ing needs of their communities, the differences their gifts make in addressing those needs, and the example their giving sets for

the next generation of female donors. The impressive Lion of Judah pin, worn with pride by thousands worldwide, is one of the most recognizable symbols of strength and vitality of these philanthropists.

Although an annual minimum gift to the Annual Campaign is required, members of this elite group are very involved in the organization they support, as is the case with the Jewish Federa-tion of Tulsa’s newest Lion of Judah, Lori Frank.

Lori’s philanthropic parents have had a significant influence on her, and Lori’s philosophy of tzedakah reflects this influence in her commitment to causes that nurture our community. For many years Lori has supported the Jewish Community Center and the Federation individually and through her family’s founda-tion. Additionally, many years of Board involvement, hands-on participation in Jewish Community Center/ Federation activities, and support of the staff reflects her understanding of the needs of our community.

Lori’s choice to become a Lion of Judah donor grew out of this understanding. At a time when non-Jewish philanthropic choices abound, Lori Frank’s generosity at the Lion of Judah level serves as a powerful example of her commitment to the Federation’s mission of social justice, feeding the hungry, preserving human dignity and building Jewish identity.

The Jewish Federation of Tulsa proudly acknowledges Lori Frank as the newest Lion of Judah donor in our community, joining the extraordinary women who have set a high standard of giving and volunteerism in our community. ■

Lori’s philosophy of tzedakah reflects this influence in her commitment to causes that nurture our community.

Dr. Sarah Gordon and Joel Bernstein Bartlesville/Tulsa Area Mobile Veterinarian

4 The Animals 918.815.9122 • drsarah@4theanimals.net

I asked Sarah and Joel about their unique business concept. Dr. Sarah explained that 4 The Animals is a full-service animal hospital accommodating both emergency cases, as well as less urgent medical, surgical and dental issues.

“Besides first-rate pet care, our clinic is comfortable, kid-friendly and a calm environment. This allows your pet to remain in your home, as we come to you! We treat your animals like the valued family members they are.” The large custom van contains a full surgical suite, autoclave and more.

Who are your clientele? “We do a lot of work at animal shelters, low-income families and any residential settings from Bartlesville to the Tulsa area. Our clients are often people who have difficulty, or would rather not transport their animals to a vet. One of our clients is a disabled woman who has a number of dogs. There is great satisfaction in helping her keep her dogs healthy as they are a source of happiness for her. This is one of our highest goals.”

I asked Sarah about her love of animals. “My grandfather was a vet in Dewey, Oklahoma so I grew up around animals of all kinds. Furthermore, my parents are both in the medical field. I have a degree in Anthropology from UC-Davis, so veterinary medicine was a logical career step.” Sarah has also worked with primates at the Tulsa Zoo, and the family currently fosters many rescue animals at their home in Bartlesville.

“Rescue” seems to be central to your veterinary mission. Joel explained, “Honestly what I think sets us apart from other Veterinarians is our care and compassion towards animals and people. We also ‘walk the walk’ with all the rescue work we do. Not just giving discounts to shelters and rescue groups, but also by fostering animals and getting them homes. For many of these animals we were their last hope before being euthanized. Even all of our own dogs are rescue animals that we keep due to some of their medical needs, geriatric needs or behavioral needs.”

Joel, tell me about your interests. Although he works in

“4 The Animals”, he has many talents in his own rite. Raised in San Jose, California, Joel has a BA in Music, specializing in the recording arts and music industry. He does video/TV production and freelance television work. He owns Midnight Productions.TV which specializes in audio and video for events such as weddings, concerts, etc. Joel elaborated, “I have even produced extensive video for equestrian events, so the possibilities are endless!” However, I think that Joel’s favorite duty is being Mr. Mom to the two children!

Their location in Bartlesville makes the Bernstein-Gordon family part of our extended Jewish family. Before moving to Oklahoma, Joel was active in the Jewish community in California through his synagogue youth group, Hillel, etc. He was pleased to explain, “The Tulsa Jewish community is like coming home for me! We have found this community to be very open and accepting.”

Just hang out in the JCC lobby when the Mizel Jewish Community

Day School parents pick-up their kids and you will meet the coolest people! These Mizel parents own a mobile veterinary clinic, which I think is an interesting concept. Dr. Sarah Gordon and Joel Bernstein run 4 The Animals Veterinary Clinic and it is on wheels! Dr. Gordon is a licensed Veterinarian treating small animals, primarily dogs and cats. The clinic is totally mobile and is contained in a state-of-the-art custom van!

Dr. Sarah Gordon, raised in Oklahoma; Joel Bernstein, raised in CaliforniaResidence: Bartlesville, OklahomaChildren: Amanuel, 8 years & Demekech, 5.5 years Business: 4 The Animals Mobile Veterinary Clinic

THE COOL FACTOR 4 the Animals by Shirley Burger

Dr. Sarah Gordon and Joel Bernstein Bartlesville/Tulsa Area Mobile Veterinarian

4 The Animals 918.815.9122 • drsarah@4theanimals.net

DECEMBER 2012 7

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Museum Partnerships: Creating an Exhibition with the Green Country Watercolor Society

by Karen York, Curator

T he sherwin miller Museum is a place for every-one. This year, in keeping with our mission to find new ways to include as much of the Tulsa area community as we possibly can, we approached the Green Country

Watercolor Society about exhibiting at our Museum.The Green County Watercolor Society (GCWS) was founded

in 2004, and has grown rapidly, at-tracting both be-ginning painters and established professionals. Its mission, to pro-mote awareness and interest in water media paint-ing with a focus on excellence in technique and ma-terials, includes encouraging and assisting water media painters to expand their skills and contacts in the arts.

GCWS furthers the interest of painters by spon-soring programs and competitive exhibits. The Society sponsors major work-shops that focus on helping artists to develop their watermedia painting skills and holds plein-air painting events at various locations.

Programs presented at regular monthly meetings are dem-onstrations by local artists or art-related presentations. GCWS members are from many walks of life; practicing artists, practic-ing instructors, and beginning watercolor painters. The Society welcomes painters of all skills levels who have a love of the art.

I have known the members of the Society for many years; my mother has been an active member since she learned to paint some years ago. When I returned to Tulsa the Society asked me to act as a judge for their juried exhibits. During one of those judging sessions the subject of exhibiting at the Sherwin Miller Museum was discussed; we tossed around the idea of the Society members painting to a particular Jewish theme. Finding time in the Museum’s exhibition schedule proved challenging.

This year the Sherwin Miller Museum is filled with a renewed energy, seeking out partners in our community and extending

the reach of our educational programming. During a staff plan-ning discussion, I brought this exhibit idea to the table, and was empowered to move forward with it.

Our challenge was to choose a Jewish theme broad enough for a group of artists to find space in it for exploration and individual interpretation, while also choosing a theme comprehensible to non-Jewish artists. With input from staff and administration, we finally decided on the concept of Tikkun Olam.

Attending a monthly meeting prior to the exhibit, to explain the meaning of Tikkun Olam, I created a handout for the artists explaining that:

Tikkun Olam is a Hebrew phrase that means “repairing the world” and was first used to refer to social action work in the 1950s.

In Jewish thought, ethical mitzvot as well as ritual mitzvot are important to the process of Tik-kun Olam. Some Jews believe that performing mitzvot will create a model society among the Jewish people, which will in turn influence the rest of the world. By perfecting them-selves, Jews set an example for the rest of the world. For other Jews, the phrase Tikkun Olam means that Jews are not only re-sponsible for creat-ing a model society among themselves, but also are respon-

sible for the welfare of the society at large. This responsibility may be understood in religious, social or political terms.

Some examples of Tikkun Olam might be:• Environmental repair: planting, recycling, water conserva-

tion, community gardens, air quality, ocean littering, endangered species, animal abuse, etc.

• Charitable giving: supporting disaster relief, food banks, health research, etc.

• Acts of kindness: helping a friend, visiting the sick, taking in a stray, feeding the poor, teaching a child, helping elderly friends…

Tikkun Olam is many things, but always is about making a better world.

The Sherwin Miller Museum is pleased to extend hands in partnership to other valued community members, and we hope our audiences will appreciate this unique view of Tikkun Olam. ■

Wonder in a Fallen Blossom by Mary Oswald

From the Sleeping Earth Arise by JL

DECEMBER 2012 9

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BBYO 2012 Kallah

Weekendby Joseph Charney

T his november i was fortunate to co-ordinate, along with Maeghan Jakubo-vitz and Elissa Ungerman, the 2012 Tulsa Kallah. At Kallah, Jewish teens from

around the city gather for a unique experience at a campground in Henryetta, Oklahoma to discuss what it means to be Jewish in relation to a specific topic. Each year Kallah is built around a theme, which becomes the focus for the weekend’s programming. This year’s theme was anger.

Beginning Friday evening, after dinner and Shabbat services and facilitated by our adult advisors, we had an intense discussion about anger. Saturday we were fortunate to have three different speakers. The first speaker was an anger management counselor who explained what anger is and when it is healthy and when it is not. Through this speaker we gained knowledge about the topic. The following “speaker” was a yoga and meditation ex-

pert. Everyone enjoyed this new way of “relieving anger”. The final speaker was our keynote speaker, a man who was angry his entire life. He explained how it led to unthinkable acts. This man shared his many-layered and greatly inspirational story. The coordinators chose this speaker to express the dangerous consequences of anger.

Throughout the weekend I saw teenagers coming together and building strong relationships, which is the true goal of this weekend. ■

At Kallah, Jewish teens from around the city gather annually for a unique experience.

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101Creative Writing 101Q&A with Bob Black

By Karen Blum, Editor

What prompted you to create this space for people to share?When my family and I moved to Florida nine years ago, we discovered that most of our neighbors at our synagogue were from somewhere else—Michigan, Ohio, Maine, Wisconsin, NY, NJ, Illinois. No longer did folks have families close by to share stories, and many families like ours found that their family stories were being lost or forgotten. So I founded the project as a way to help people preserve their family’s stories, as well as to explore and share their Jewish experiences. I thought if we could share stories online about what it means to be Jewish, we might get to know each other a little better.

I love that you acknowledge that we all have a different lens through which we see our Judaism, why do you think it is important to share our differing perspectives?Sharing our different perspectives on what it means to be Jewish broadens our understanding of what it means to be a Jew. Often, we mistakenly believe that our way of practicing Judaism is the “only” way. But if you speak to enough Jews and read enough Jewish stories, you’ll come to the realization that there are as many ways of being Jewish as there are Jews in the world. Each of us may belong to the same synagogue or temple as our neighbors—being Jewish is a communal experience, after all—but each of us experience our Judaism as unique individuals and feel differently about what it means to be Jewish.

In sharing our individual understanding of what it means to be a Jew, we may help someone else better understand how he or she feels about being Jewish. Each individual story has the power to inspire others to explore their lives in search of insights into what it means to be Jewish.

What is your best advice for writing about our Jewish experiences?You might try to make a list of people who influenced how you feel about being Jewish. Ask yourself why a certain person had such a large influence on you. What did he or she do to make you feel that you, too, wanted to be Jewish? Or you might list your most powerful memories of being Jewish. Think of an experience when you realized how much being Jewish meant to you. Then try to describe the experience so that a reader might understand how the experience changed you.

Or, try this: Take some time to think about what matters most to you about being Jewish. Maybe you love the way the light of the Shabbat candles plays on your mother’s face. Maybe you love wrapping your fingers in your father’s tallit during Shabbat morning services. Maybe you remember the first time you held a prayer book in your hands and offered a prayer as part of a minyan. Describe what it is that you love about being Jewish and makes you feel strongly about being a Jew. Start writing. See where the words take you.

Creative Writing

Bob Black created the Jewish Writing Project (www.jewishwritingproject.com), a repository of stories and poems submitted by a variety of writers as an expression of their Jewishness, and as it turns out, ours.

Bubby’s Menorah by Janet Ruth Falon (Elkins Park, PA)I never scrape off the melted wax on my mother’s mother’s menorah. I like the layers of color and the textures of time and underneath, the tarnish of greying age.

My mother, when she visits,picks it off with her varnished fingernails and the probing tines of a fork, and then polishes the menorah with pink wax, to a sparkle that again reflects flame.

Janet Ruth Falon, the author of The Jewish Journaling Book (Jewish Lights, 2004), teaches a variety of writing classes — including journaling and creative expression. She is also continuing to write Jewish-themed readings for what she hopes will become a book.

DECEMBER 2012 11

101Old Fashioned Chanukah by Isrella Taxon

Bah! Humbug! Where is the Chanukah I celebrated as a child? As far as I’m concerned we now celebrate Christmakah!

I remember a menorah with orange candles only. Everybody had orange candles. I remember my father giving me a coin on the first night and I was thrilled. I remember the aroma of potato latkes my mother was frying for us. I remember her grating the potatoes by hand, not coming out of a box or fancy machine. I remember lighting the candles every night and the joy of seeing them add up each day.

My, how things have changed. The children today get eight gifts, one for each night. The parents run to the stores as if celebrating Christmas. Why do we have to follow someone else’s traditions?

I’m sure I was more thrilled with my one coin than the kids today, with all their gifts.

Chanukah is about lighting the menorah, remembering the story of our ancestor and, of course, eating latkes.

Now we have zucchini latkes, sweet potato latkes, and every other concoction you can think of. Call me old-fashioned, but I long for the old days, when we celebrated the holiday itself, not the gift giving.

So—Happy Chanukah to everyone. Don’t come too early; I’ll be grating the potatoes and making the jelly doughnuts for all. But please, no gifts.

Finding Your Way in the PardesBy Eliyahu Krigel, Director of Education, Congregation B’nai Emunah

The Sacred, Secret World of Women by Jan Booker (Malibu, CA)From early childhood, I was my grandmother’s frequent

companion at the neighborhood public bath house whose clients were the Jewish immigrant women who had settled with their families in South Philadelphia. The place was known as “the shvitz” (Yiddish for “sweat”), and an evening spent at this working class imitation of today’s spa was comparable to dining out and theater entertainment for that tired, over-worked community of women. The baths constituted the Jewish equivalent of a Kiwanis convention, the Union League clubhouse, a beauty salon and an elite get-away spa, all under one roof.

The weary women who spent every Saturday night rejuvenating

themselves at the shvitz spoke only in Yiddish, often unaware that I understood them. (Although English was the language of my home, Yiddish somehow imprinted on me, and, from my earliest speech, I was able to communicate with my grandparents in that colloquial and picturesque tongue.) I was always the only child at the baths, but it didn’t seem to bother my bubby, and I suppose it didn’t bother me either.

The building which housed the bathhouse was old and shabby on the outside, with faded paint and crumbling bricks, but the interior sparkled with white tile and shiny chrome, the air redolent with the purifying aromas of soap, antiseptics and cheap but »

The Pardes is a mythical garden, A place you won’t want to pardon. The spiritual euphoria you feel there, Levels you out in a way that is fair. Four Sages in the Talmud enter this holy and unique place, Each individually embrace their journey into this sacred space. The four rabbis each felt a different sensation, Bringing them back in time to their incubation. Ben Azzai saw and then unfortunately dies,His vessel couldn’t hold on even though he tries.His body couldn’t take the site,His soul entered into the light.

Ben Zoma witnessed then lost his mind,Afterwards each interaction he had was not kind.Reality had literally slipped away,His connections lost to the fray.

Akher simply couldn’t find his belief,Religion ceased to give him any relief.Holy community didn’t make sense anymore,He walked through intellectual relativism by using the door. Rabbi Akiva ascended and descended in peace,His good work paid off because of some elbow grease.He entered the sanctuary with a calm state of mind,A master teacher with leadership to serve humankind.

The letters of the Pardes now have become four ways to study,When we study Torah it is always good to have a buddy.The Torah is a tree of life to all who hold onto it,A fountain of resources right in your own toolbox kit.

Peshat means what literally went down,This way of seeing focuses just on verb and noun.To know the truth we have to see,Acknowledging life might not always agree.

Remez is the cross reference meaning,This way of interpreting starts with gleaning.Through the fields of reason filled with lofty thought,Balancing and weighing what we are taught.

Derash is all about making connections,Often taking us in many different directions.Keeping us on our toes until the end,Finding our way so we know what’s behind the bend.

Sod is where the mystic see things,This is the where the secret brings.An unknown and beyond word world,Where life itself is unfurled.

So the next time you think your process of studying is flat,Dig deep underneath even that old door mat.Treasures in learning await all of us,Now is the time to hop on that school bus!

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powerful perfume. As a teenager, before I understood the value of sisterhood, I would recall the conversations that I overheard there as ordinary “woman talk.” But as a child, barely understanding the references to husbands and children, daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law, finances and bargains, recipes and illness, pregnancies and miscarriages, and the veiled sexual references that always drew a giggle or a nod, I knew somehow I was privy to information that ordinarily would have been shielded from my young ears.

Many of the women who were part of this Saturday night at the shvitz were extended family. Cousin Rose, the manicurist in her husband’s beauty salon, somehow found relaxation doing the same, without charge, for her sisters-in-law and cousins at the shvitz. Cousin Eta, a diminutive redhead with a fiery personality, came late to the baths because she worked behind the deli counter in the small grocery store she and her husband ran in west Philadelphia. And cousin Esther, of the same diminutive proportions as Eta, spent the day shampooing customers’ hair in her husband’s salon, but still had the energy to give pedicures to her relatives in the entrance hall of the shvitz.

Some years away from adolescence myself, I was intrigued by the femaleness of the carelessly draped bodies, the loving care of the long, often graying hair, the sighs of relaxation, the unaccustomed self-indulgence. All hinted at inscrutable puzzles I could not understand. But I was not upset by my lack of understanding. I knew these were matters for grownups and my time would come. It was enough to have been invited into this sacred, secret world of women.

Most of these women had been left behind when their husbands made the unknown journey to America to seek their fortunes. The women took care of children, parents, in-laws, and assorted relatives in what was to become a matriarchal society

for a time, while husbands sought their future in the land of milk and honey, dealt with their disillusionment, sent money back to Eastern European countries to keep the family going in their absence, and then, finally, after reconciling the differences between their expectations and the reality, sent the necessary information for travel documents as well as passage money.

My grandmother was among that group. She had been left behind with two small children to await her husband’s “success” and summons. The summons came six years later. When my grandfather finally picked her up at the dock in New York, he discovered a diminished family. Their daughter had died of an undisclosed ailment a few months before my grandmother and her younger child, my father, were to leave. She decided to spare her husband this tragic news until their arrival, so he learned this when he greeted his wife and son after a six year separation.

But past lives were seldom the topic of conversation at the shvitz. The present and future were more relevant. By Saturday night the tired women were ready for some relaxation. It was a time for pampering, a rare and unexpected treat.

The entrance hall, in addition to the manicuring facility, acted as gathering place and social hall. The oversized shower and bathing rooms gleamed with white tile, gracing both walls and floors, and randomly placed wooden benches were plentiful. Drains were positioned along the floor so that when showers and faucets were open, the water ran in rivulets over the tile, negotiating its way to the nearest concave drain. There were no shower or bath enclosures. The shvitz was no place for modesty.

The sound of the ubiquitous running water, the smell of perfumed soap and shampoo mingled with lotions–all created a

feeling of unfamiliar self-indulgence. A massage corner baffled me. Why would people permit someone to pummel them mercilessly? Another thing that puzzled me was the steam room, although I always felt compelled to thrust my face into that hot, humid cauldron for a moment and emerged gasping and ruddy from the steaminess that enveloped me. I never understood how my grandmother and her friends could sit there for twenty or thirty minutes at a time, absorbing the intensity of the heat, continuing to laugh and talk and take pleasure in each other’s company in the midst of that boiler room.

When the women left the steam room, they stood under a cold shower to soak and refresh themselves. There were large wooden buckets placed around the room. My grandmother and I would drag one of them to “our bench.” After she washed my knotted hair with rancid-smelling brown soap, she filled one of the buckets with hot water and poured it over my head for a rinsing. The soapy water cascaded into my eyes and nose, over my body and into the drain at my feet. No one could have been cleaner than she and I after those hours of soaking, sudsing and rinsing.

The bathing part completed, we were ready for phase two. We covered ourselves with white coarse dressing gowns, scratchy against my softened skin. I can still feel the shock of cold air as we exited through the swinging doors of the bathing room to walk upstairs to the resting room. This scene—now that I recall it through the layered backdrop of other experiences—was more like a hospital recovery room. We were all exhausted and purified.

This room sported rows of cots with mattresses. No sheets, no bedding—just mattresses. Behind each cot was a metal locker which held clothing and other belongings. All the women lay down on the mattress ticking (without a pillow) and settled themselves for a rest. But first, each would reach into a brown paper bag and pull out an orange to restore the body after the

fatigue of the bathing. Somehow oranges were endowed with magical recuperative powers. They were supposed to replenish whatever nutrients and strength had been washed away with the soap and water. As the oranges were peeled and eaten, I lay on my bare mattress and listened to my grandmother and the other women recapture their week and share plans for the future.

Adjacent to the central gathering hall/pedicure salon was a small tea room furnished with linoleum-topped tables and wooden stools. When the women felt sufficiently rested, they dressed, and before leaving for home, reluctant to relinquish their closeness and the difference from their daily lives, they lingered in the tea room where each had a glass of tea and some home baked cookies. Although there was a serving area that seemed capable of providing meals, I never saw anything eaten other than tea and cookies.

The women drank the tea Russian-style in a glass, swallowed through a sugar cube held in the teeth. I have never recaptured that melting taste of poppy seed-filled cookies crunching in my mouth, washed down by overly sugared tea, as the women sat and talked, replenished and renewed by their bathing and conversation.

After our snack my grandmother began her protracted goodbyes and, with many pats on the head and blessings for me from her friends, we began our trek back to her house in the dark night. The stars never seemed so bright, the streets so quiet, the bond so strong between us as we walked home from the shvitz, quietly holding hands.

Jan Booker is the author of The Jewish American Princess and Other Myths and Philly Firsts. ■

Some years away from adolescence myself, I was intrigued by the femaleness of the carelessly draped bodies, the loving care of the long, often graying hair, the sighs of relaxation, the unaccustomed self-indulgence.

DECEMBER 2012 13

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A Different Way of Looking at Chanukah

by Rabbi Charles P. Sherman, temple israel

T he oldest and original view of Chanukah is based on the narrative found in the First and Second books of Maccabees in the Apocrypha. According to this account, Chanukah commemorates the successful revolt of the Jews

of the Land of Israel against an alien conqueror. Following three years of hard-fought guerrilla battles against the Syrians, the Maccabees stormed the Temple Mount, drove out the Syrian forces, cleansed the sanctuary, and rededicated the Temple to the service of God.

The Rabbis of the Talmud wanted to reframe this holiday, wor-ried that the Jews in their time would be inspired by the Maccabean Revolt to rebel against Rome and would be slaughtered. So the Rabbis of the Talmudic Era created the miracle story, the one-day supply of oil burning for eight days. Thus, the rabbis changed the focus of heroism from that of the valiant Maccabee warriors to God mak-ing the miracle of the oil so that the Temple could be rededicated.

My colleague, Rabbi David Sofian of Dayton, offers a third way of thinking about Chanukah, the Hallmark Cards approach. This approach is not to think about Chanukah for its distinctive Jewish story and content, but as part of the American holiday season. The greeting card companies don’t compel us to think about what each of our holidays mean within their own traditions ( i.e., Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa), but only that Americans are celebrating holi-days at this time of the year, and we should send each other cards to acknowledge the season.

I admit that this is a self-serving, commercial model which also misses the religious aspects of both Chanukah and Christmas, but Rabbi Sofian suggests that there is something positive about this approach, and he shares the following story about Benny Leonard, the famous Jewish lightweight champion of the world.

Leonard was traveling by train to a bout in Chicago, when a muscular fellow boarded. The stranger looked to the left, then right, before asking belligerently, “Is there a Jew in this car?”

Thinking the worst, Leonard was about to respond in anger but then decided to let it pass. A few minutes later, the same guy re-turned, still shouting, “Is there a Jew in this car?”Now, livid with rage, Leonard responded, “Yes, I’m a Jew. What of it?”

The belligerent man’s face instantly changed, and he began to smile. “Thank God,” he said. “Now we have a tenth for a minyan.” This man who, on the surface, seemed an angry anti-Semite turned out to be a Jew, reminding us that things are not always what they appear.

Given our long history of difficult relations with non-Jews, it is often too easy to assume the worst. Therefore, Rabbi Sofian says, “Perhaps there is something positive to be found in an American holiday season when the emphasis is not on what separates us, but on a common season for celebration.” Let’s remember what is spe-cial and specific about Chanukah, just as those who celebrate other traditions remember what is special about theirs. But this season can also teach us to put aside our suspicions and guarded caution in favor of celebrating the variety of holidays that occur more-or-less at the same time.

Happy Chanukah, friends! ■

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DECEMBER 2012 15

Enchanted Caves, Mysterious Goats & Harry Potter’s connection to Israel?!

by Edna Lapidot, Israeli Emissary

T hrough harry potter, a figment of J.K. Rowling’s fan-ciful imagination, we are in-troduced to “Portkeys”, an en-

chanted object, often a piece of worthless junk, which when touched will transport a person to a predetermined location.

Similar to Rowling, but 76 years ear-lier S.Y. Agnon (pronounced in Hebrew

“Shay”), the greatest Hebrew writer of the 20th century and Israel’s 1966 Nobel lau-reate of literature used a similar motive in his famous short story “The Fable of the Goat.”

Agnon tells of an old man who “groaned from his heart.” The doctors were sent for, and they advised him to drink goat’s milk. He went out and bought a she-goat and brought her into his home. Not many days passed before the goat began disappear-ing for days at a time. However, when she returned her milk was sweeter than honey and tasted of Eden. The old man wanted to know from “whence she brings this milk which is sweet to my palate and a balm to all my bones.” So, the man’s son decided to follow the goat by tying a cord to her tail and followed at a distance as the goat went into a cave until it came to an end.

To make a short story even shorter, the bewitched goat and the enchanted cave led

the son to Eretz Israel. It was so beautiful, so spiri-tual and so romantic that the lad decided to stay. He releases the goat back to his father with a writ-ten note stuck in its ear, telling his father he made it to the Promised Land and to simply follow the goat’s path to be reunited in the “home land”. The lad hopes that when his father welcomes the goat back and pets her, she will wiggle her head and the note will fall out.

The end of the fable is rather tragic. It is sym-bolic of Agnon’s attitude

towards Jews living in the Diaspora. The father sees the goat returning without his son and immediately thinks that beasts have devoured the boy. During his grief it is the goat which becomes a horrible reminder of what he suspects happened to

his son, and the man decides to slaughter the animal. Only then does the note fall out of the dead goat’s ear and the father realizes his tragic destiny. “Since that time the mouth of the cave has been hidden from the eye, and there is no longer a short way. And that youth, if he has not died, shall bear fruit in his old age, full of sap and richness, calm and peaceful in the Land of the Living.”

Agnon’s ancient “Portkey”, a renewed 17th century Yiddish folktale, expresses the longing of the Jew of the Diaspora for the Land of Israel. Today, Jewish communities around the world are committed to main-taining viable and meaningful relation-ships with Israel and its people. Whether

through Shlichut programs, celebrating Yom Haatzmaut, teen travel or ongoing community delegations to Israel, each community creates its own list of priorities and programming. Making Israel engage-ment relevant to the lives of Jews in the US and around the world is the challenge.

In Tulsa, thanks to the leadership and support of the Federation’s Israel com-mittee, we are committed to implement-ing new programs which we hope will provide meaningful connections for our community. We are focusing on the on-going relationship with Sovev Kinneret-Partnership2Gether and our “extended family”; our partners living in the region.

During Hanukkah, December 9–16, our youth and their families, will host six teens from the Sovev Kinneret region of Israel. With the help of our youth leader-ship, we are designing a week full of fun and meaningful engagements meant to create opportunities for dialogue on a va-riety of topics—identity, belonging and making Jewish choices. We are looking forward to a great first-time Mifgash (en-counter), one which, beyond the latkes and sufganiyot, will leave a taste for more. Our goal is to launch a reciprocal visit of

Tulsa teens to the P2G region, making this initiative ongoing for our community.

Moreover, we are looking forward to launching the adult community trip to Is-rael in late February 2013. This experience will open the way for more and frequent community travel opportunities to Israel; engagements which will make our con-nections with Israel ever more meaningful and relevant to our lives as Jews.

Surprisingly, enchanted caves have not been hidden from the eye after all! Our priorities have been set and we continue on the right track. And with that, may the lights of the Hanukkah candles fill your home with warmth and happiness! Hanukkah Sameach. ■

We are committed to implementing new programs which we hope will provide meaningful

connections for our community.

16 JEWISHTULSA.ORG

The Museum of Lights

by Louis Davidson

W hen you hear the word Hanukkah, what’s the first place that comes to mind, the Sec-

ond Temple in Jerusalem? Even if you think of a place other than the site of the

Maccabean Revolt, it’s a good bet that your answer won’t be Italy. Yet, in the town of Casale Monferrato, Italy there is a museum devoted solely to menorahs, displaying what is probably the finest collection of contemporary menorahs in the world. This little known gem oc-cupies the cellar and former matzoth bakery beneath the ancient synagogue of Casale Monferrato, a town of about thirty six thousand people in Italy’s Piedmont district, only a short drive from Turin.

The first traces of Jews in Casale date from 1492, the year of the great expul-sion from Spain. Although the Monfer-rato area was beset by many wars, Jews lived there peacefully under the Dukes of Mantua and other regimes into the

eighteenth century. Compared to the Jewish experience in much of Europe, theirs was a life of relative security and ease. However they were subject to special taxes and required to wear a distinctive yellow arm band. By 1599 premises were leased in the Jewish Ghetto for a synagogue and shortly thereafter a contiguous house was entrusted to a Jewish caretaker and a public oven for matzoth was built in a nearby courtyard.

An unobtrusive door on the syna-gogue’s anonymous exterior leads into an idyllic, arcaded courtyard. Another

simple door from the courtyard opens into the synagogue’s sanctuary, one of the most magnificent examples of baroque architecture and décor that exists. Over the centuries the sanctu-ary has been enlarged, re-arranged and redecorated many times. You can see this incredible baroque syna-gogue in virtual-reality online at: www.synagogues360.org.

When the gates to the ghetto were eliminated in 1848 the Jewish popula-tion of Casale was 850. In 1853, after the emancipation of Italy’s Jews by Napoleon, the synagogue was further embellished and restored. During the following years the city’s Jewish popula-tion declined as many recently eman-cipated Jews chose to migrate to larger

population centers such as Turin and Milan. By 1931 there were still 112 Jew-ish community members while today there are only 10.

In the autumn of 1994, planning be-gan for celebration of the synagogue’s 400th anniversary. A group of art lovers and experts decided that the synagogue’s fine collection of Chanukkiot should be expanded to become a world class tour-ist attraction. Thus began a collection of contemporary art Chanukkiot produced by renown international artists. To de-scribe this collection as beautiful, amaz-ing, fascinating, fabulous or unique is

simply inadequate. A visit to Casale Monferrato’s Museum of Lights is a truly memorable experience. You can see and learn more about the Museum of Lights online at: www.casalebraica.info.

Unlike much of Europe, Italy has treasured and maintained its historic Jewish buildings. Thus, a visit to the Jewish sights and sites of Italy is an exceptional art, architecture and cul-tural experience. There are numerous comprehensive guided tours focusing on Jewish Italy or you can simply do it yourself with the help of such books as “The Guide to Jewish Italy” by Annie Sacerdoti. Just fly into Milan, rent a car with a GPS and start by heading for the incredible synagogue of Casale Monfer-rato and the Museum of Lights. ■

The incredible synagogue of Casale Monferrato and the Museum of Lights.

DECEMBER 2012 17

GIFT UP

Personal Training?by Amy Underwood, Health&Wellness Director

and Ovadia Shoham

W e all know we should exercise. The ques-tions are: How do we get started? What type of exercise should we choose? How do we staying motivated? Many of us set out on our own in an

effort to get in better shape. While our intentions are good, we can become discouraged because we are not getting the results we expect. Not everyone needs a personal trainer but sometimes it makes the difference in bringing an old program back to life or starting a new one with better choices and more realistic goals. The one-on-one attention may be just the boost needed, as was the case for CSJCC member, Ovadia Shoham.

For many years I used to think that I do not need a personal trainer. “Who needs another person to watch you exercise and count the number of repetitions you do?” Well, things have changed after I met our JCC personal trainer Stephanie Blackwell. I found out that personal training has significant advantages as the training routine is based on the individual’s needs.

I have trained with Stephanie as my personal trainer for the past two and a half years. Her knowledge, professionalism, com-mitment, care and dedication are a blessing to all of us. Stephanie has endless exercise variations with and without weights, cus-tomized for one’s specific needs. She consistently monitors the trainee’s progress to ensure steady and continuous development. Stephanie has high standards and is demanding (with a smile), but she is always inspiring and result oriented. In addition, she incorporates her knowledge on Kinesiology (human movement kinetics) in her training sessions.

I am fortunate to have Stephanie as my personal trainer and am thankful for all her training and guidance. She helped me improve significantly, including my posture and balance, and I have lost some weight. In summary, I feel great and I am plan-ning to continue training in the future. Thank you Stephanie. ■

Personal training has significant advantages.

It’s that time of year again and finding the perfect gift for your dearest friend, spouse, child or co-work-er can actually be a lot of fun with a bit of guidance. Many of the fall season trends translate beautifully into holiday gift ideas, so it’s easy to find something that will not only delight the recipient but will also show that you are up to date on the latest fashion. The ShiningOne of the biggest trends this Fall season is embellished details and rich fab-rics with shine and luster—glitter ballerina flats or crystal embellished winter accessories are classic gifts that are sure to please just about any woman in your life. Looking for something for your babysitter or child’s teacher? Give them some shine with a fun metallic nail color in a rich hue like burgundy, navy, deep green or gold.

Technicolor DreamingBrighten up the Winter season with gifts in Technicolor in hues of lime green, turquoise, pink and orange. Bindya specializes in beautiful scarves that can jazz up any wardrobe. You can also add a pop of color with leather gloves in vibrant hues of purple, red or yellow. A gift of Beauty is always great when it comes to color, and it won’t break your budget.

Creature ComfortsIt’s always good to be prepared with hostess gifts, but even more so during the holidays. Scented candles, lotions and soaps, in luxurious gifts sets for both men and women are a great option. Scented candles are also great host-ess or co-worker gifts which are sure to warm up any home. And don’t forget Gourmet goodies for a special treat!

Black & BrightFor the man that loves a basic black classic style but could use a little bit of color, how about a silk paisley tie in purple, turquoise or metallic gray for a stylish yet still conservative look? Or how about a small but strong color statement like a pocket square or funky socks. You can’t go wrong with a men’s wardrobe staple like a cashmere sweater; but to make it stand out, try a bright color in orange, blue or purple.

Uber-GiftingFor that really special person on your list, a gift of fine jewelry , or beauty and fragrance luxuries in opulent jeweled cases will be remembered forever!

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18 JEWISHTULSA.ORG

Hebrew Flourishes at Mizelby Sandi Tilkin, Ed.D., Mizel Jewish Community School Director

Our new hebrew teacher, Morah Alin Torianyk, brings her special talents and years of experience to the Mizel

Hebrew program with an emphasis on Hebrew immersion.

Through the Tal Am program, which is used throughout the world, students are exposed to a variety of modalities which incorporate the five senses. She uses music, software, puppets, colorful posters, games, and books to enhance their language ac-quisition process.

The program makes Hebrew relevant and meaningful for students, setting them on the path toward life-long Jewish learn-ing. Additionally, Alin’s attention to detail in her classroom reflects her love of Israel, the language of modern day Israel and our rich Jewish culture which ensures her stu-dents internalize their lessons.

Students learn Hebrew through song, helping them remember and retain vocab-

ulary. They are not only enjoying the study of Hebrew, but they can recite nouns and verb tenses and link them to extended sen-tences and multiple meanings. Very little English is spoken in class. Morah Torianyk speaks Hebrew to explain concepts with pictures and charts. Hebrew conversation can be heard in the classroom.

The program has also been enhanced through cooking, baking cookies in the shapes of Hebrew letters, making healthy snacks, and tasting other Jewish delicacies.

Rosh Hashanah became more meaningful as the students tasted apples and honey while learning their significance to this important Jewish holiday.

Our Friday Kabbalat Shabbat service has taken on new meaning as students demonstrate many of the new Hebrew songs they are learning, once again rein-forcing their learning. As a student lights the Sabbath candles with their parents, says the blessing over wine and the challah, they feel very special. We welcome parent involvement in this wonderful tradition to observe the Sabbath. Additionally, the Monday/Thursday Tefillah service con-ducted by students in the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art model synagogue has been revised to include additional prayers. By including these additional prayers, we are preparing our students to participate in the services of their respec-tive synagogues.

Our Hebrew program is reinforced by

our secular teachers who post relevant He-brew words, embrace Jewish traditions and support Judaism in their classrooms with books and discussions.

Mizel is a place where Judaism comes alive for all of our students. Meaningful experiences in our Hebrew program is an important piece of our students educa-tional journey, reinforcing Mizel’s mission of “Tikkun Olam,” repairing and caring for the world as responsible adults and future community leaders. ■

Mizel is a place where Judaism comes alive.

C O N D O L E N C E SMarjorie (Marge) Teller Singer

Marge Singer, a loving and beloved matriarch, a longtime Tulsan, and a great and gracious lover of life,

came to the end of her own on Wednesday, October 24, 2012. Marge was predeceased by Alex Singer, her first husband with whom she had 5 children. After Alex’s death, Marge married Ken Renberg on April 25, 2004. Together they were proud and involved members of Tulsa’s Jewish community belonging to Congregation B’nai Emunah and Temple Israel. Among the diverse range of charities to which they generously gave, Marge and Ken were honored, in 2010, for their philanthropy and service to the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art. Funeral services were held on October 28, 2012.

Ann Landgarten Bear

Ann Landgarten Bear passed away at home in San Francisco on the evening of November 17, 2012 surrounded by family and many

friends. Ann spent many years in Tulsa, strongly supporting our Jewish community through her involvement in women’s philanthropy. Her support of Federation was unwavering. Ann cared deeply about Israel, traveled there countless times, and expressed her commitment through her active engagement with the Tulsa Federation and AIPAC. Her generosity of spirit, unabashed sense of humor, eclectic style, and warm and inviting welcome will be missed by the many, many people she touched throughout her life.

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20 JEWISHTULSA.ORG

december community events

Jewish Federation of Tulsa

Final classes for the Fall 2012 Institute of Adult Jewish Studies • Dec. 3 • CSJCC • 7:15 p.m. Mark your calendars for our Winter 2013 classes beginning, Mon. Jan. 14

Retired Men’s Club • Wed. Dec. 12 • Noon • A delicious lunch will be followed by our guest speaker Ron Bernstein from the Jewish National Fund. His topic will be How JNF is helping to develop the Negev. Cost of the luncheon is $6. RSVP to Mindy at mprescott@jewishtulsa.org or 918.935.3662 by noon, Dec. 10.

JFT Cinema Series Presents, Sixty Six • Sat. Dec. 15 • 7 p.m. • 12 year old Bernie is ignored by his own family. His obsessive compulsive father Manny is concerned about the giant supermarket opening opposite his grocery shop, and his mother Esther, is too busy worrying about Manny and Alvie, Bernie’s mischievous older brother. With his upcoming Bar Mitzvah, however, Bernie believes he can finally gain the attention he deserves. He begins to plan the perfect ceremony and reception, where everyone assembled will acknowledge his new status as a man. Unfortunately for Bernie, things do not quite go according to plan. It’s the summer of ’66 and the country’s soccer team makes it to the World Cup Final—set for the very same day. With England caught up in the games, Bernie is in danger of being overlooked again on his big day. Based on the real life experience of the director, Sixty Six is a charming comedy with heart-warming qualities reminiscent of Billy Elliott and Love Actually. Cost for the program is $5/Members, $7/Not yet Members. Please RSVP to 918.495.1100 by Dec. 13.

Jewish Community Blood Drive • Sun., Dec. 16 • 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Temple Israel • Sponsored by Temple Israel Brotherhood in conjunction with the Tulsa Area Red Cross • Call Mindy at 918.935.3662 or mprescott@jewishtulsa.org, to make an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome!

Koach • A Forum for Women without Partners • Sun., Dec. 16 • 11 a.m. • Join us for brunch and socializing at Charleston’s, 6839 S. Yale Ave. • Each person will pay her own check. Please RSVP to Mindy at mprescott@jewishtulsa.org or 918.935.3662 by Dec. 13.

Ladies Who Lunch, a program of the Federation’s Arts and Culture Alliance (ACA) • Mon., Dec. 17 • Noon • Naples Flatbread & Wine Bar •4929 E. 71 St. (former location of Cosi) • Together, let’s enjoy this restaurant brand new to the Tulsa scene! There’s a wide selection of salads, soup, flatbreads, pizzas, paninis and more in an attractive casual atmosphere. The setting will be perfect for our monthly catch-up and conversation! Please remember to RSVP to Mindy (mprescott@

jewishtulsa.org)or 918.935.3662 by December 13. How about inviting a friend to join us this month? It’s how we build Tulsa connections and add to our fun!

Congregation B’nai Emunah

Wishing Menorah in December • Here’s an opportunity to do something wonderful for the kids and families of McClure Elementary School. Each year the school identifies families in extreme need, who cannot provide for themselves in the ways we take for granted. When you enter the Synagogue in the weeks ahead, you’ll find a large menorah with cards indicating the wishes we want to fulfill. Take a slip, pledge yourself to help, and share your wrapped gift by dropping it off at the Synagogue before December 14.

Chanukah Party at the Dust Bowl • Sun., Dec. 9 • 6 – 9 p.m. • Join us for an adult night of Chanukah celebration and bowling at Tulsa’s famed and hip downtown retro bowling alley. Teams of bowlers will pit themselves against one another in spirited competition. You may also enjoy several fast-moving dreidel competitions. For those who are less inclined to competition, please note we will have a delicious dinner on hand, which will include, among many other items, Oklahoma’s traditional Chanukah favorite—the Tatertotka bar. The cost for the whole package is just $20. To make your reservation, please contact the Synagogue at 918.935.3373 or reservations@bnaiemunah.com.

Chanukah Edition of Kids’ Shabbat at the Synagogue • Fri., Dec. 14 • 6:15 p.m. • Latkes galore and a festive Chanukah dinner create a special December Kids’ Shabbat for everyone. Join us for a traditional Chanukah story from the Rabbi and services with Klay Kodesh and you. The service begins at 7 p.m. with no reservations needed. If you would like to join us for dinner, please contact the Synagogue at 918.935.3373 or reservations@bnaiemunah.com.

Smart Conversations from the 92|Y at the Synagogue with Jon Meacham on Jefferson • Sun., Dec. 16 • 7 p.m. • The series features dynamic and visionary thinkers, newsmakers, and entertainers in conversation via satellite from the proudly Jewish 92nd Street Y in Manhattan. Jon Meacham is an executive editor at Random House and former editor of Newsweek. He is the author of several books, including Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power. Learn about the Founding Father who steered the states to nationhood, wrote the Declaration of Independence, and was a master politician President. The program costs $10; students may attend free of charge. To purchase tickets, or to get more information, contact the Synagogue at 918.935.3373 or reservations@bnaiemunah.com, or visit www.tulsagogue.com.

12 for 12 Christmas meals for Hospice Families • Mon., Dec. 24 • Volunteers will help prepare and deliver 12 complete turkey Christmas meals for families in hospice care who may not have the ability to provide a festive holiday meal for themselves. Kitchen volunteers will cook a meal worthy of the season. Then in the afternoon, volunteers will deliver hot Christmas eve meals to the homes of the recipient families. If you’d like to be part of Twelve for Twelve by cooking earlier in the day, or by delivering meals in the afternoon, please contact Greg Raskin at 918.583.7121.

Cookie Bake 2012 • Mon., Dec. 24 • We invite all members of the community to bake their favorite cookies and bars at home for this project any time during the month of December. If you begin early, please wrap your contribution securely and freeze it at home. The Synagogue only stores items baked in our own kitchens. Baked goods may be dairy or pareve and should be dropped at the Synagogue on December 24, before 1 p.m. We will tray everything for eventual distribution to hospital emergency rooms, waiting rooms, police and fire stations, the Ronald McDonald House—wherever essential services are offered on Christmas Day. Each tray will include our best wishes for the season. Bake as much as you can; everything will be put to good use! If you would like to participate, please contact Greg Raskin at 918.583.7121.

Temple IsraelYoung Kehillah Latkefest-Beer Slurp • Sat., December 8 • 6 p.m. • Enjoy a few varieties of latkes and some quality beer to accompany all that yummy fried food. We have solicited some local folks to share their homebrews and the Eglash household will try their hand at homemade root beer! Complimentary babysitting offsite. RSVP to Cantor Kari Siegel-Eglash at 918.392.8474 or cantor@templetulsa.com.

Chanukah Dinner and Festival Service featuring Jammin’ with Judah • Fri., Dec. 14 • 6 p.m. • Temple Israel Sisterhood invites all community members to join the Temple Family for a delicious Chanukah dinner catered by Susan Surchev beginning at 6 p.m., followed at 7:30 p.m. by a “Family Musical Extravaganza with Cantor Kari, The Adult and Junior Choirs and The Levites.” Please bring your Chanukiah and 8 candles. RSVP by Tuesday, December 11 to Holly Burger at 918.392.8475 or timvp@templetulsa.com. The cost of dinner is $13/adult and $7/child (age 10 and under) with an immediate family maximum of $40. Sisterhood asks that each guest bring a can of food which will be donated to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.

DECEMBER 2012 21

december community events

Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art

Family Art Workshop: Dreidel! Dreidel! Dreidel! • Sun., Dec. 2 • 2 p.m.-3 p.m. • Come join the SMMJA in the special holiday family workshop. Children and parents will get the opportunity to decorate their own dreidel to take home and use during Hanukkah. For more information or to register, please call the museum at 918.492.1818.

Exhibit: Roy Lichtenstein- American Identity • Now - Jan. 13, 2013 • Brodsky & Second Floor Galleries • Roy Lichtenstein spent his career in a relationship with American popular culture. As a beginning artist, he turned his interest in the legends of the American West into painting of western subjects in modern art styles. His signature comic strip style paintings were first introduced to the art world in 1960. Lichtenstein’s technique, using large dots to simulate mass market printing in very large scale formats, led to a lifelong exploration of themes in American pop culture: romance, war, science fiction, patriotism, and consumerism. This exhibit of twenty iconic Lichtenstein prints, some up to 7 feet wide, includes examples from his comic book themes, patriotic works, war themes, and includes a rarely viewed series of six Lichtenstein American Indian theme lithographs.

Exhibit: Tikkun in Tulsa: Caring for the Earth Exhibition - Paintings from the Green Country Watercolor Society • Now - Dec. 26 • Mezzanine Gallery • For this premier event, members of the Green Country Watercolor Society will interpret the Jewish philosophy, Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) in water color paintings. The exhibit is a juried members’ show, and all works exhibited will be available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds benefitting The Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art.

2012 STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation of

13. Tulsa Jewish Review

1. Tulsa Jewish Review 14. September 2012 2. ISSN: 2154-0209 15. Average Actual

3. Monthly a. 1,100 1,100 4. 12 b. (1) 0 0 5. 0.00 (2) 0 0 6. Jewish Federation of Tulsa

2021 E. 71st St., Tulsa, OK 74136-5411 Tulsa County 918.495.1100

(3) 0 0 (4) 0 0 c. 0 0

7. Jewish Federation of Tulsa 2021 E. 71st St., Tulsa, OK 74136-5411

d. (1) 138 147 (2) 803 812 (3) 50 50 (4) 0 0

8. Publisher: Jewish Federation of Tulsa 2021 E. 71st St., Tulsa, OK 74136-5411 Editor: Karen Blum Jewish Federation of Tulsa 2021 E. 71st St., Tulsa, OK 74136-5411 Managing Editor: Drew Diamond

e. 991 1,009 f. 975 975 g. 109 91 h. 1,100 1,100 i. 0% 0% 16. -

9. Jewish Federation of Tulsa 2021 E. 71st St., Tulsa, OK 74136-5411

17.December 2012 18. Karen Blum, editor 10/18/12 I certify that the information supplied above is correct and complete.

10. None 11. Has not changed

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22 JEWISHTULSA.ORG

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November 16 Through December 16, 2012

Handcrafted art SHow and Sale

glass artists participating in the show include:Ron Fleming Roy Loman Kenneth J. Gonzales Rachel Haynes

Rory McCallister Matthew Everett Paul Bevilacqua Natalie Legener Carson Smith Erich Minton

Above: Celebration No. 34, by Kenneth J. Gonzales

DECEMBER 2012 23

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DECEMBER 2012 25

Where You Can See the Forest for the Treesby Eve Abrams & Jane Comerford, CSJ

Oklahoma is full of surprises. When most people think of an ashram or spiritual retreat, they begin planning their trip to California, New Mexico, or even India. Rarely do people think of Oklahoma.

Nestled on 47 acres just west of Sand Springs is The Osage For-est of Peace, one of Tulsa’s hidden treasures. The Osage Forest of Peace is an inter-spiritual, contemplative retreat center, replete with hiking trails, Zen garden and meditation areas.

In 1976, Catholic Sister, Sr. Pas-caline Coff from Clyde, Missouri, and a companion Sister, traveled to South India to live, for one year, in a Christian ashram called Shantiva-nam. Shantivanam had been estab-lished by Father Bede Griffiths, an English monk. There Sr. Pascaline learned eastern meditation and developed an understanding of the world’s great religions. Upon her return to Missouri, her Catholic Order gave her the blessing to build the Osage Monastery in Sand Springs. The Osage Mon-astery incorporated much of what she had learned in India about eastern spirituality with her Catholic faith and Benedictine values.

A community of Catholic Sisters lived at Osage Monastery from 1979 to 2008. They were dedicated to the ashram principles of a simple lifestyle, openness to all religions, and intensive spiri-tual exercises. Due to age-related issues, the sisters left the mon-

astery four years ago to return to other monasteries where their needs could best be met. Osage Monastery was sold to one of its lay supporters and the facility transitioned into an inter-spiritual retreat center which is now owned by its new board of directors. Sr. Jane Comerford, from Tucson, is Director of Community & Mission for the “Forest.” Sr. Jane is an experienced spiritual guide with a long history of directing programs focused on the spiritual development of the individual.

Open to all denominations, the “Forest” is a place to rest and regain spiritual focus in a beautiful, peace-ful environment. For others, it is a resource for retreats, classes, spiritual direction or the development of spiri-tual practices, such as meditation, si-

lence and reflection. Joli Jensen, Professor of Communication at the University of

Tulsa, and member of Tulsa’s Jewish community, has been visit-ing the “Forest” for several years. For her, the Forest has offered a chance to explore how Jewish prayer and meditation can be integrated with contemplative traditions, like Buddhism. She especially enjoys the well-stocked library, the wonderful meals, and the chance to spend quiet time in a supportive environment.

The Osage Forest of Peace offers a retreat from our daily lives, and to think it’s only a stones’ throw away. ■

Open to all denominations, the “Forest” is a place to rest

and regain spiritual focus

26 JEWISHTULSA.ORG

Kislev / Tevet 5773December 2012