arts & entertainment issue

www.jewishpostopinion.comVolume 74, Number 1 • September 26, 2007 • 14 Tishrei 5768 Two Dollars

Periodicals Postage PAIDIndianapolis IN

Reprinted from the February 11, 1966 Indiana Jewish Post & Opinion.

Final plans have been completed this week for closing ceremo-nies at Sharah Tefilla Synagogue, 601 South Meridian Street and for the Torah procession to the new United Orthodox Hebrew Congregation edifice at 5879 Central Avenue Sunday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m.

The closing exercises at the synagogue, which was built in 1910 will start with Mincha. There will be a short program in which Rabbi Solomon Silberberg, R.C. Cohn, president of U.O.H.C. and Philip Kraft will participate. The Ark will be opened and Sifray Torahs distributed by Philip Cohen of Connersville, George Cohen, former president of Knesses Israel, and Ruby Reiswerg, former president of Ezras Achim. The latter two synagogues to-gether with Sharah Tefilla merged to form the United Orthodox Hebrew Congregation. (To participate in the Torah Procession, which is considered an important Mitzvah, have your car in the line of parade at 1 p.m. and keep your headlights on. A police escort will precede the procession.)

Ribbon cutting ceremonies will take place at U.O.H.C. at 2 p.m. The audience will be welcomed by Lewis Davis, chairman. Miklos Sperling will cut the ribbon, officially opening the new synagogue. The front doors will be opened by Louis Cohn, Louis J. Borinstein and Louis Barnett, all three identified officially with the congregation for many years.

Both Cohn and Barnett were presidents of Sharah Tefilla, and Borinstein's father was one of the founders of the synagogue. Borinstein was also chairman of the Cemetery Committee for many years. Cohn also served as president of Knesses Israel. His father was president of Sharah Tefilla when it celebrated its Golden Jubilee, in 1933.

The honor of opening the sanctuary door will go to Sam Re-genstreif of Connersville. Calvin Smulyan and Nathan Regen-streif will attach Mezuzose to the front doors and Gerald Kraft to the sanctuary door.

There will be a procession of Sifray Torahs to the pulpit while the guest cantor, Abraham Mizrachi of Chicago sings Mah Tovoo. This will be followed by one Hakofa around the Bimah and a pro-cession of Torahs around the sanctuary as the congregation joins in the singing of Mizmore L'Duvid. Abe Miller will open the Ark and the Sifray Torah will be placed therein as the congregation sings the "Aitz Chaim Hee," This is a Tree of Life. The dedication prayer, Mizmore Shir Chanukas, will be chanted by Max Sacks and the psalm repeated in English by the audience.

Guest Cantor Abraham Mizrachi will then present a musi-cal interlude of Jewish songs. There will be greetings by former presidents of the merged congregations. Louis Cohn for Sharah Tefilla, George Cohen for Knesses Israel, and Ruben Reiswerg for Ezras Achim. There will also be greetings from Mrs. George Cohen and Mrs. Solomon Silberberg and messages from the Rabbinical Council of America and the Rabbinical Alliance of America.

Plans Complete for Opening of New UOHC Synagogue

(Continued from page IN 4)

According to Halakha, a sukkah is a structure consist-ing of 2.5, 3, or 4 walls with

In temperate climates, ob-servant Jews conduct all their eating, studying, and sleeping activities in the sukkah. In cold climates, full observance of the mitzvah of sleeping in the suk-kah is almost impossible. Some Jews in these locales will spend some time in the sukkah eat-ing and relaxing but go in-doors to sleep.

A sukkah is built as part of the festival of Sukkot. Although the festival of Suk-kot is a joyous occasion and is referred to in Hebrew as Yom Simchateinu (the day of our rejoicing) or Z’man Simchateinu (the season of our rejoicing), the sukkah itself symbolizes the frailty and transience of life. It also reminds its dwellers that true security comes from faith in God, rather than from money or possessions.

Adapted from Wikipedia, sukkoh entry.

a roof, which can be opened to the sky. It can be built on the ground or on an open porch or balcony. Some observant Jews who design their home’s porch or deck will do so in a fashion that aligns with their sukkah building needs. Portable sukkahs are also now available. The walls of a sukkah and the roof can be built from a variety of materials.

Many people hang decora-t ions such as dried or plastic

fruit, streamers, shiny orna-ments, and pictures from the sukkah’s walls and ceiling.

Arts & Entertainment Issue

Josh Prince, Hasten Hebrew Acad-emy class of 1988, will be choreograph-ing DreamWorks’ production of Shrek, which is set to open in Seattle next sum-mer and will be opening on Broadway in December of 2008. Josh has appeared in a number of Broadway shows includ-ing Little Me with Martin Short and the off-Broadway play, Forbidden Broadway. He also appeared in the stage production of The Producers with Martin Short and Jason Alexander in Hollywood. Some of the younger crowd might remember him as a synchronized swimming instructor in the 2004 movie A Cinderella Story. HHAI and the local community is proud of Josh, whose stage experience probably started here on the stage of the Hasten Hebrew Academy as an Early Childhood student.

HHAI grad choreographs Shrek on Broadway

IN 2 September 26, 2007 September 26, 2007 IN 3

Community Events

TheIndianaJewishPost&OpinionisnowavailableatfivelocationsinIndianapolis:Marshat86thandDitch,NorthsideNewsat54thandCollege,O'Malia's at136th&Meridian,NoraLibraryandShapiros.

Yiddish Discussion GroupAn informal get-together in Yiddish, hosted by Michael Blain

and friends at Arthur M. Glick JCC. Keep Yiddish kopf fresh. A bissel kibbitz, a bissel schtick. Join us. First Tuesday of each month, 1– 2 p.m., free; no registration. For more information, call 251-9437 or go to www.JCCindy.org.

Sephardic music concert by ASEFASponsored by the Borns Jewish Studies department at IU

Bloomington. Performance at the IU Bloomington Fine Arts Build-ing, Rm 015, Mon., Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m. For more information on any of the events contact the Robert A. and Sandra S. Borns Jewish Studies Program at 812-855-0453 or visit [email protected].

Congregation Beth-El Zedeck Sisterhood meeting

Mon., Oct. 1, 7:00 p.m., at 600 W. 70th St. Desert Winds Dance Troupe, formed in 1975 and the oldest continuing Middle Eastern Dance Troupe in Indiana, will perform. Desserts by Zev Winicur will follow the performance. Guests are welcome to attend. Please RSVP to 317-873-4579.

Growing Up Under the SwastikaThe Indianapolis Marion County Public Library presents Jo-

sefa Crowe on Oct. 10 at 7 p.m., at the Nora Library, 8625 Guilford Ave. Adults and teens are invited as Crowe shares her true-life experiences in Nazi Germany. Her paperback book describes her growing up in Rhineland Germany and attending school there during the height of the Nazi regime, the Allied Occupation and the birth of the German Federal Republic. Booksales and signings will follow. For more information call the Nora Branch at 275-4470 or go to www.imcpl.org.

The Jewish Experience on Film

Wed., Oct. 10, 7:00 p.m. Beth-El Zedeck’s first film series features several short films from the 2007 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. Films include I’m Charlie Chaplin (directed by Jay Rosenblatt), Naturalized (directed by Julia Kots), Orders of Love (directed by Jes Benstock), Toyola (directed by Ruth Diskin), Weitzman Street No. 10 (directed by Pini Tavger), and Born With a Knife in the Heart.At Beth-El, 600 W. 70th St. Dessert, wine, and gourmet popcorn. No charge. Open to the public. RSVP to Shari Lipp-Levine at 253-3441.

JFGI 3rd annual wine tastingSupport JFGI’s Young Leadership at their 3rd annual wine

tasting, 7:30 p.m., Oct. 11, Indianapolis Arts Center in Broad Ripple. Register at www.jfgi.org; $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Questions? Contact Lindsey at [email protected] or 317.726.5450 ext 532

Appetizers from Provençe

Enjoy cooking with Chef Prosper at an informal evening of food, stories and tasting. Registration limited to 20; last class sold out. At the Arthur M. Glick JCC, Wed, Oct. 17, 6:30–8:30 p.m., $45 JCC members / $57 nonmembers. For more information, call 251-9437 or go to www.JCCindy.org.


BY CHARLES EPSTEIN

Critics Corner

On Saturday, Oct. 20, Avner Eisenberg will perform at the Pike Performing Arts Center, 6701 Zionsville Rd, as Avner the Eccentric.

This is a stunning one-man show that played for 20 weeks at a theater in Paris. Avner does not speak a word during his performance but communi-cates through mime and a ka-zoo. Many surprises are in store for everyone in the audience.

Nothing is what it appears to be. Describing Avner is like catching a snowflake. He is a clown, comedian, magician, juggler, tightrope walker, thoroughly entertaining and extremely funny. He balances a 10-foot ladder on his chin, also a newspaper. His relationship with members of the audience is truly hilarious.

I want to emphasize that what I tell you is through

memory, not through a press release, since I don’t have one. Years ago when I reviewed his performance at IRT, I labeled him the greatest performer of the 20th century.

To say that Avner is impres-sive does not give the man the credit he most richly deserves. Some of you may remember him from the motion picture, The Jewel of the Nile, in which he played title role, a holy man.

When Avner is ever home, he lives on an island off the coast of Maine with his wife and son. His wife is Julie Goell, an avid devotee of klezmer music and leader of the terrific band the Casco Bay Tummlers.

If one misses the stupen-dous opportunity to see Avner the Eccentric, one misses a per-formance extraordinaire – one that will never be forgotten.

Tickets $18 and $20; for more information on this perfor-mance at others at Pike Performing Arts Center, call 317-216-5455 or go to www.pikepac .org.

Hasten Hebrew Academy Family Bingo Night

Save the date: Sun., Oct. 21, 4:30 p.m. Hasten Hebrew Acad-emy will be hosting their family bingo night. Volunteer opportu-nities available; call Marci Landis at 415-0079 or Judith Friedman at 566-1606.

Open Mic NightsFridays, Oct. 26 and Nov. 30, 7:30–10:30 p.m., Books a Million,

5750 W. 86th St. Come with your poetry or song or instrument or rap. Or come to enjoy others. All ages welcome.

Spirit and Place FestivalAuthors, artists, ensembles, scholars, musicians, poets, com-

munity leaders, researchers, storytellers, and more will illuminate what Living Generously means during Indianapolis’s annual one-of-kind civic celebration. Choose from over 71 events for all ages between November 2 and 18. For a complete schedule, go to www.spiritandplace.org.

What was Picasso thinking?View and discuss the highlights of art and architecture peri-

ods from antiquity through the modern era. Learn to understand symbolism and get on the inside of artists’ jokes. Paul North, instructor at Ivy Tech Community College and Indiana Wesleyan University’s Adult Studies program, will lead this class and take the group on a guided tour at the Indianapolis Museum of Art for the final class. Tuesdays, Nov. 6 – Dec. 18 (6 sessions; no class December 4), 7–8:30 p.m., at Arthur M. Glick JCC; $36 JCC mem-bers / $54 nonmembers. For more information, call 251-9437 or go to www.JCCindy.org.

Three Faiths / One VoiceWed., Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m., at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, 600

W. 70th St. A musical program honoring Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, with world-reknown musicians Maria Krupoves and Gerard Edery. Co-sponsored by Beth-El, Christ Church Cathedral, and St. Luke’s United Methodist Church as part of Spirit and Place Festival. No charge.

Triathlon training for aspiring and veteran Athletes

12-week program prepares seasoned athletes or aspiring athletes. Training begins Mon., Nov. 12. Triathlon train-ing participants choose: The Basic Training Plan: $125 JCC members / $150 nonmembers. The Premium Training Plan: $290 JCC members / $325 nonmembers.

Sun., Feb. 3, the JCC Indoor Triathlon will host athletes 13 and older in an all-day swim/bike/run competition. Fee: $25 for entries received by Jan. 31 or $30 after Jan. 31. Registration for the triathlon has already begun, and spots are limited. Forms are available online at www.JCCindy.org or can be picked up at the JCC. Call Whitney Diggs, 251-9467, ext. 238 for more information or to receive registra-tion info by mail.

Soy Candle Making

Learn how to make hand-poured and clean-burning jar candles. Take home one 4-oz. and two 8-oz. jar candles. A $10 supply fee is due to the instructor at the beginning of class. Wed., Nov. 28, 6–8:30 p.m., at Arthur M. Glick JCC; $22 JCC members / $32 nonmembers. For more information, call 251-9437 or go to www.JCCindy.org.

Sat., Sept. 29, Indianapo-lis’ “newest” vocal ensemble will kick off its new season as they present a socially con-scious program called “Make Love…The Power of Peace.” The program, at 7:30 p.m. in the Lilly Theater of The Indianap-olis Children’s Museum, is an eclectic mix designed to uplift, challenge, and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to better understand the reasons for conflict and need for resolu-tion in their lives.

Encore Vocal Arts is the ensemble of 36 dynamic sing-ers that was well known in Indianapolis for over 35 years as Indianapolis Arts Chorale, founded by Elise Marshall. Artistic Director Chris Ludwa notes that the name change is one he hopes will attract a new audience to join those loyal supporters of the Arts Chorale’s programming over the last three decades. He notes, “I believe there is a market in Indianapolis for programs that don’t just entertain but also deal with social issues and help us to better understand ourselves and the world in which we live.”

Several other collabora-tors will add a spoken word element to the program. Larry Kleiman, pastor of St. Peter’s UCC in Carmel; Rabbi Lew

Weiss, chaplain for Methodist Hospital; Anne Jones, lifelong Episcopal layperson; and Tim Nation, executive director of the Peace Learning Center, will each provide a perspective on conflict and peace in our lives, drawing on other texts, famous speeches, and leaders through-out history.

In accordance with its slogan of “Entertaining New Ideas,” Encore’s concert will also feature a cash bar, visual elements, and other enhance-ments to the multi-sensory experience. Two local solo singers will be featured on the program: Lela Springfield of Grace Missionary Baptist Church, Indianapolis, will pres-ent a gospel rendition of the U2 hit, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” and Blake Cardenas, of Carmel, will pres-ent a Stevie Wonder tune called “Positivity.” Cardenas, a high school junior, has been featured on several programs through-out the Indianapolis area with Ludwa and jazz violinist Cathy Morris. There also will be ap-pearances from a six-member, vocal jazz ensemble and a jazz combo rhythm section.

The repertoire will span multiple eras, cultural groups, and styles of music, including jazz, musical theatre, folk, rock, and classical. Audiences will

enjoy songs made popular by The Beatles, King’s Singers, the hit musicals Les Miserábles and West Side Story, folk legends Peter, Paul, and Mary, rock group U2, Stevie Wonder, and a world premiere writ-ten by one of the ensemble’s singers.

The doors open at the Children’s Museum of India-napolis at 7:00 p.m. Tickets start at $10 and are available by calling 576-7676 or email-ing [email protected]. For more information, contact Chris Ludwa at 709-0821 or chrisludwa @yahoo.com.

Avner the Eccentric is coming to Indy

Make Love… The Power of PeaceCollaborative vocal performances


Jewish LearningThe Guild of Hooverwood

Nursing Home is having its an-nual rafffle, luncheon, and style show on Wed., Oct, 3, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. at the Broadmoor Country Club, with compli-mentary valet parking.

Co-chairs for the fabulous raffle and door prizes are Wilma Borinstein and Karen Cohen. Raffle chairs are Joan Larman, Shirley Backer, He-laine Simon and Roye Rich.

This is the only large fund-raiser for the Guild. Tickets for the event are $25 and can be purchased by calling the Guild Office at 251-2261. Raffle tickets

are $10 each. A new van was purchased

last year with proceeds from the 2006 event. This year, the goal will be to purchase much needed new electric beds, new wheel chairs, replace old bathtubs and provide music therapy for the residents.

Models for the style show are Laura Carafiol, Karen Cohen, Heather Jenkins, Amy Klooster, Ann Levinsohn, Ellen Lorch, Betsy Lurie, Judy Perk, Florence Reznik, Sarann War-ner, Jennifer Williams and Paela Weissman. Music will be pro-vided by George Nickoloff.

Sibling Rivalry, Mystical Dreams, Empire BuildingThe story of Joseph in the

Torah has been called one of the finest short stories ever written. Join Rabbi Arnold Bienstock of Congregation Shaarey Tefilla in exploring this brilliant and important piece of religious writing. Tues. Oct. 2 and16 (2 sessions; no class Oct . 9) , 6:30–8 p.m., at Arthur M. Glick JCC; $28 JCC members / $38 nonmembers. For more infor-mation, call 251-9437 or go to www.JCCindy.org.

Jewish Views on God and Life

Rabbi Bryna Milkow of In-dianapolis Hebrew Congrega-tion offers a survey of classical Jewish notions of God and how they resonate with our personal notions of God, good and evil, the meaning of life. Judaism is a monotheistic religion, but Jews have never had a singular understanding of the nature of God. Fee: $45; Tuesdays, Oct. 9 – Nov. 13, 7:00 p.m. (6 sessions)

at 6501 N. Meridian. For more information, call Marcia Gold-stein at 255-6647.

Jewish Immigrant Experience – Past, Present, Future

For millions of Jews, includ-ing thousands who settled in In-dianapolis, America provided a haven from a difficult past and the promise of a golden future. Through discussion, media and guest speakers, Dr. Peter Grossman, a Butler University professor, will make their ex-periences come alive. Fee: $45 IHC members / nonmembers $60; Tuesdays, Oct. 9 – Nov. 13, 7:00 p.m. (6 sessions) at Indianapolis Hebrew Congre-gation, 6501 N. Meridian. For more information, call Marcia Goldstein at 255-6647.

Oy Vey! Conversational Yiddish

Have you ever wanted to learn common Yiddish phras-es? Be able to speak a bissel Yid-dish. Larry Berns will help you experience the joy of Yiddish in an informal class. Fee: $45 IHC members / $60 nonmembers; Tuesdays, Oct. 9 – Nov. 13, 7:00

p.m. (6 sessions) at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, 6501 N. Meridian. For more informa-tion, call Marcia Goldstein at 255-6647.

Reform ResponsaResponsa are written replies

given to all aspects of Jewish life. In this class, Rabbi Jon Adland will explore Reform responsa, contemporary answers to the questions about living a Jewish life today. Fee: $30 IHC members / $40 nonmembers, Tuesdays, Oct. 9 – 30, 7:00 p.m. (4 sessions) at 7316 US 31 South. For more in-formation, call Marcia Goldstein at 255-6647.

God’s EchoExplore the Bible through Mi-

drash, a 2,000-year-old method of interpreting the Bible for relevan-cy to modern times and concerns. Rabbi Sandy Sasso of Congrega-tion Beth-El Zedeck will lead this study at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck. Purchase textbook at the first class. Sun., Nov. 4 and 18 (2 sessions), 10:30 a.m. to noon; free; registration required. For more information, call 251-9437 or go to www.JCCindy.org.

IAI is a coalition of Baha’i, Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Orthodox, Protestant, Self- Realization Fellowship, Sikh, and Unitar-ian Universalist congregations and individuals dedicated to promoting a better under-standing among our people and religious traditions. IAI provides educational programs and opportunities for dialogue. Their programs offer an oppor-tunity for building bridges of understanding among people of various backgrounds and religions.

Book group: Monthly book discussions open to anyone, re-gardless of religious, cultural or political background. For date and time, email Jia Yi Chan at [email protected]

Butler Seminar on Religion and Civilization 2007-2008: Secularism and Religion in Global Perspective, Tuesdays, 7:30–9 p.m., Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Jan. 30, Feb. 26; Krannert Room, Clowes Memorial Hall, 46th and Sunset, Indianapolis. First session: Does Christian-ity Have a Future in Europe? Second session: Secularism and

Islam in Turkey Today. Infor-mal reception follows each seminar. Seminars are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Judith Cebula at 317-923-7252 or [email protected].

Speaking of Women: Three-part speaker series, Mondays, 7:00 p.m., Sept. 24, Oct. 1, and Oct. 8. Zionsville Christian Church, 120 North 9th St., Zionsville, IN 46077. First session Sept. 24: Role of women in Islam. Mohja Kahf, born in Damascus, Syria and raised in Indiana, associate professor of

comparative literature at the University of Arkansas and the author of The Girl in the Tanger-ine Scarf will speak. Second session Oct. 1: Role of women in Christianity. Ron Allen, professor of preaching and New Testament at Christian Theological Seminary will speak. Third session, Oct. 8: Role of women in Judaism. Rabbi Sandy Sasso, rabbi at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck will speak. Fee: $10.00 per lecture; tickets available at the door or call the church at 317-873-5301.

Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m., Madame Walker Theatre, admission: $25 & $20. Join the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, one of America’s finest contempo-rary modern dance companies,

Scher Numbers, Nov. 2–29, Opening Reception: Fri., Nov. 2, 5–9 p.m., the work of Paula Scher has been at the forefront of graphic design for over three decades. Well known for her love of typography, Paula interprets the numerals in a series of limited editions posters, The Number Project: 2005–2007. Dean Johnson Gallery, 646 Mass. Ave. 317-634-8020.

Holiday One Piece Show, Dec. 7, 2007 to Jan. 10, 2008, Opening Reception: Fri., Dec. 7, 2007 5–9 p.m., Like catching snowflakes with your tongue, this show will be fun! We’re decking the walls with one piece each from more 50 local artists in a variety of mediums. And like snowflakes no two will be the same. Dean John-son Gallery, 646 Mass. Ave. 317-634-8020.

Hooverwood Guild Autumn Affair

as they captivate the audience with their mixed repertoire of modern, jazz, ethnic and spiri-tual works by nationally and internationally renowned cho-reographers at the inaugural performance of the season.

Madame Walker Theatre hosts “Trios”

Mass Ave receptions

Interfaith Alliance Indianapolis programs

Guest speaker for the cel-ebration will be Rabbi David Shapiro of Anshe Sfard Con-gregation of Milwaukee, Wisc. A noted scholar and former spiritual leader of Knesses Israel Congregation, Rabbi Shapiro is also on the staff of the Chicago Theological Seminary. The pro-gram will end with, the singing of Adon Olam by the cantor and the national anthem and Hatik-vah by the audience.

A guided tour of the building will be followed by refreshments served by the Ladies ' Auxil iary. An in-formation hostess will be present to answer questions on membership in both the men's and ladies' organiza-tions, use of the facilities for weddings, bar mitzvahs, meetings, and so on as well as about inscriptions on the Memorial Tabets which will be installed in the Memorial Hall.

Synagogue(Continued from cover page )


The Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana has recently welcomed its new Community Shlichah, Avishag Debowy, 22. She is the daughter of Israeli parents who made aliyah from New York. Ms. Debowy is also familiar with the Chicago area

Front row (l to r): Kim Thomas, director, Crestwood Village West; Kelli Collins, director, Crest-wood Village East; back row (l to r): Debby Neal, manager, Crestwood Village North; Mary Eaglin, manager, Crestwood Village South; Ruth Diaz, director of activities, Crestwood Village.

Crestwood Village nominated for Best Community Service

Crestwood Village has been nominated for the 2007 Indiana Apartment Association Prodigy Award for Best Com-munity Service. If Crestwood Village wins this highly cov-eted award it will be the third time in as many years.

Crestwood staff and residents community service programs have supported the American Heart Association’s Go Red for women’s heart health, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, children’s causes, the United States military, hunger relief, increased lit-eracy, and youth mentoring. The most tangible result is the nearly $65,000 in donations collected by Crestwood Village residents, staff, associates and the Justus Companies.

The intangible, but irrefut-able, success of their commu-nity service program is based upon the thanks received from mothers who have received a handmade quilt for their new babies, the improved grades of mentored children, and the thanks received from local chari-ties that benefit from their many community service programs.

“At Crestwood Village we measure our success not by winning an award, as presti-gious as it is. We measure our success by the depth of feeling in our hearts as we see our projects through to fruition; when we see the food we col-lected being distributed to the hungry or watch as a disabled veteran stands proudly before the United States flag during

our Flag Day Celebration,” stated Suzanne Dennis of Jus-tus Companies and Crestwood Village

. In a further example of their commitment to com-munity volunteerism, Dennis was honored by the Indiana Apartment Association as the recipient of the 2006 Donald J. Williams Volunteer of the Year Award.

as a former 8th grader at the Solomon Schechter Day School in Northbrook, Ill. She was a sniper instructor in the Israeli Defense Forces. She hails most recently from Kibbutz K’tura in the Negev where she was a youth worker.

Welcome shlichah Avishag Debowy

Gracie Cohen helps prepare Shabbat meal. Gracie is the daughter of Jeff and Jen Cohen.


I

(Continued to page IN 10)

t’s a cultural feast of au-thors, films and art at the Arthur M. Glick JCC, 6701 Hoover Rd. Most events are free and open to the public. In addit ion to being the largest literary event of its

kind in Central Indiana, the festival also includes an art exhibit and film series. En-joy these events and more. For a full calendar, go to www.jccindy.org.

Art Exhibit: Different Strokes for Different Folks... The work of Thaniel I Lee and Paul Neufelder: Oct. 24 – Nov. 30; opening night reception, 6:30 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 24; no charge and open to the public.

Neufelder, of Columbus, Ind., has been teaching with VSAI for 15 years. Paul is the 2003 recipi-ent of the Indiana Youth Institute Youth Worker of the Year Award. This collection of Paul’s drawings and paintings are done by mouth and are based on geometric shape and organic line and how they can be integrated.

Lee, of New Albany, Ind., has work included in several collec-tions including the University of Louisville and Indiana Uni-versity Southeast. He has been

creating art for 12 years. The work included in this exhibit re-flects his current emotional and physical life.

Given what challenges and opportunities each of these men have encountered in life, they have taken their skills and used them to give back to those of all abilities and disabilities. As VSAI teaching artists, Neufelder and Lee open doors for others by making the creation of art and the creative process acces-sible. VSAI arts was founded by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where all people with disabilities learn through, participate in, and en-joy the arts.

Beth Wenger, author of The Jewish Americans: Three Centuries of Jewish Voices in America: Wed., Oct. 24, 7:30

p.m., JCC Laikin Auditorium.The Jewish Americans is the

companion piece to a 6-hour PBS series to air in January of 2008. This evening includes a 45 minute sneak peak at the highlights of the PBS series.

This is a fascinating and often surprising look at the growth, difficulties, and ac-complishments of the Jew-ish American community. It includes intimate first-person

9th Annual Ann Katz Festival of BooksOctober 24 to November 15

IN 8 September 26, 2007


Esther Vernick, 94Esther Vernick, formerly of

Michigan City, Ind., and a resi-dent of Indianapolis since 1990, died Sun., Sept. 2, 2007.

A renaissance woman, who was ahead of her time, she loved both rock-n-roll and the opera, was a successful buyer of women's ready-to-wear, a devoted wife, a loving mother and a committed volunteer for Jewish organizations including Hadassah, to which she was a life member.

Daughter of the late Louis Solomon and Pearl Leibovitz Solomon, she is survived by her husband of 72 years, Theodore Vernick, of India-napolis; two beloved children, Victor E. (Phyllis) Vernick of Indianapolis and Muriel A. (Marvin) Glick of Chicago, Ill.; four grandchildren, Steven (Melanie) Glick, Lisa Dery, Michelle Glick, and Kevin (Shoshana) Vernick; and three great grandchildren, Jace and Reese Dery and Noah Glick. Services were held at the Beth-El Zedeck North Cemetery on Tues., Sept. 4. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contribu-tions to the Indianapolis He-brew Congregation, 6501 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260. Arrangements han-dled by Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Mortuary.

Marks A. Levy, 78Marks Levy, of Indianapolis,

died Sept. 5, 2007, with his fam-ily by his side. Marks was born Nov. 5, 1928, in New Orleans, the son of Lazar and Fannye Levy of Chicago.

He was an active volunteer in the Jewish community, serving in various leadership roles, including past president of Indianapolis Hebrew Con-gregation.

Marks graduated from Senn High School in Chicago, then attended Illinois Institute of Technology, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. While there, he met Barbara Litt before he gradu-ated in 1951 with a B.S. in civil engineering. They married in 1951.

He served in the Navy from 1951–1954, retiring as a lieuten-ant (junior grade). He was the engineering officer on the USS Meredith, a destroyer, during the Korean War.

Marks was an avid tennis player, enjoyed model railroad-ing and, later in life, loved sail-ing on Eagle Creek Reservoir and the Chesapeake Bay.

The Levys moved to India-napolis in 1967, and six years later Marks founded Marks A. Levy, P.E. His consulting firm provided engineering design services to retail and commer-cial clients across the country.

Marks was active in build-ing and construction projects at IHC and the Jewish Com-munity Center, including the JCC’s aquatics complex. He was a member of the board of the Jewish Federation of Great-er Indianapolis, a life member of the JCC board and a former chairman of the federation’s Campus Management Com-mittee.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Levy, of Indianapolis, and two children, Jay (Susan) Levy, of Durham, N.C., and Lynn Levy, of Indianapolis.

Services were held on Fri., Sept. 7, at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, 6501 North Me-ridian Street. Burial followed in the IHC North Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation or the Jewish Community Center, 6701 North Hoover Road. Fu-neral arrangements by Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Mortuary.

Randy Lee Presslaff, 42

Randy Lee Presslaff, of India-napolis, died Sept. 16, 2007. She entered our world Dec. 29, 1964 in Opelika, Ala., with boundless energy and an enthusiasm for life and adventure. She was a graduate of Bloomington North High School, class of 1983 and Indiana University.

Randy created Body in Bal-ance, Inc., a massage therapy business which she operated

for over 17 years, and trans-formed many lives with her magical hands and magnifi-cent mind. She was an AMTA member.

Randy was extremely de-voted to her family and friends and gave so much of her to make a difference in everyone’s lives. Her inimitable style and indomitable spirit will forever be missed.

Funeral services were held on Fri., Sept. 21, 2007 at Aaron-Ruben-Nelson mortu-ary and were officiated by Rabbi Lewis Weiss. Randy is adored and survived by her loving family, which includes: her fiancé, David B. Soule; her mother, Mimsie Price-Presslaff of Bloomington. Ind.; her father, Ira Presslaff of Indianapolis; her brothers, Frankie Presslaff and his life partner, Kelly Comp-ton, of Bloomington and Kip Presslaff of Kansas; her sister, Patty Brumm of Bloomington; and her niece and nephews, Devin, Dylan, Nathan, Travis, Bailey, Alicia, Tanner and Ga-briel Price-Presslaff. Randy’s dear grandparents, Sib and Hymie Price and Nan and Murray Presslaff preceded her in death.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to YMCA Camp Ar-rowhead for the Randy Press-laff Fund, c/o Monroe County YMCA, PO Box 2598, Bloom-ington, IN 47402.

Carol Mann, 89Carol Mann, of Indianapolis,

died Sept. 18, 2007. Carol was born in Manhattan, N.Y., to David and Marion (Auerbach) Shaw. She was an artist and supported the Indianapolis Museum of Art. She was also an avid tennis player and Colts fan.

Carol was a life member of the National Council of Jewish Women, a member of the India-

napolis Hebrew Congregation, League of Women Voters, and Hooverwood Guild.

Mrs. Mann was a homemaker who was devoted to her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Mortimer Mann. Carol is survived by her three children; daughter, Janet Mann and her husband Pete Shields of Indianapolis; son, Donald Mann and his wife Linda Mann of Cleveland; and daughter, Barbara Wiggins and her husband Art Wiggins of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; and seven grandchildren: Dr. Stephen Klapper and his wife Beth Klapper, Cheryl Ratzman and her husband Dr. David Ratzman, Joe Magyar, Ann Kline and her husband Justin Kline, Jeffrey Mann, Kevin Mann, and Andrew Mann; and six great grandchildren.

Graveside services were held Sun., Sept. 23, 2007 in the Indianapolis Hebrew Cemetery North. Memorial contributions can be made to Indiana Mu-seum of Art Efroymsom Fund or the National Council of Jewish Women. Arrangements entrusted to Aaron-Ruben-Nel-son-Mortuary.

Ruth Feiman Goldstein, 82

Ruth Feiman Goldstein, born May 24, 1925, in Canton, Ohio, to Joseph A. Feiman and Eva M. Rosenbaum, died Sept. 18, 2007, at her Bloomington home

surrounded by family. Ruth is survived by her hus-

band of 60 years, Bob Goldstein; daughters, Barbara Bonchek and husband, Steve Bonchek, Judie Goldstein and husband, Tom Flynn; sister, Carol Jean Feinstein and husband, Man-ley Feinstein; grandchildren, Fern Bonchek, Sasha Gold-stein, Risa Flynn, Ella Flynn; sister-in-law, Gloria Abrams. She was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Richard and David Goldstein.

Ruth was a member of Congregation Beth Shalom in Bloomington, Ind., since 1987, served as vice chair precinct committee person, member of the Planning Committee Monroe County Democratic Women, and was past presi-dent of Hadassah chapter.

A memorial service took place on Thurs., Sept. 20, 2007, at Congregation Beth Shalom in Bloomington, with Rabbi Mira Wasserman officiating. Nathan Butler Funeral Home was en-trusted with arrangements. Online condolences to the be-reaved family may be offered at www.forevercare.org.

Obituaries


HAS YOUR HAIRDRESSER STOPPED LISTENING TO YOU?

If you long for special attention for your hair, call Theresa to get back to the way you were. She has 20 years of experience and specializes in custom cuts and glorious color. She approaches styling hair with an artist's eye and understands that a person's haircut and color should always enhance their per-sonality. She practices her craft at an established salon in the Broadripple area.

Give her a call at 244-8768.

accounts of several genera-tions of activists, musicians, spiritual leaders, politicians, and so many others who come to life through their photos, cor-respondence, and interviews. They remind us that the story of Jews is the story of America.

Beth Wenger holds the Katz Family Chair in American Jew-ish History and is associate pro-fessor of history at the Univer-sity of Pennsylvania, where she serves as director of the Jewish Studies Program. Wenger pro-gram sponsored by The Robert A. and Sandra S. Borns Jewish Studies Program at Indiana University and WFYI.

Todd Gitlin has long been acknowledged as one of the smartest watchers of Ameri-can politics, media, and mass movements. In The Bulldozer and the Big Tent, Gatlin tells a compelling story of America’s passions. A story that will change the way people talk about partisanship in America. Guaranteed to spark discussion and debate, by giving readers a fascinating new lens through which to view American poli-tics and voters.

Todd Gitlin is professor of journalism and sociology at Columbia University and the author of 12 books. He is also published widely in many periodicals, including: The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Exam-iner, Boston Globe. Sponsored by NUVO.

The Ritchie Boys, a 2004 Ca-nadian fi lm by writer/director: Christian Bauer, running time: 90 min.: Sat., Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m., JCC Laikin Auditorium. Ad-mission $3.

Recipient of the Audience Favorite Award at both the Palm Beach and Hong Kong Jewish Film Festivals. The riv-eting untold story of a group of young men who fl ed Nazi Ger-many and returned to Europe as soldiers in U.S. uniforms. They knew the psychology and the language of the enemy bet-ter than anybody else. In Camp Ritchie, Maryland, they were trained in intelligence and psy-chological warfare. Not always courageous, but determined, bright, and inventive they fought their own kind of war.

They saved lives. They were victors, not victims. The sur-viving Ritchie Boys are in their eighties now. They never met for reunions, nor did they join veteran associations. In the end, the Ritchie Boys quietly left the war behind them and went on to enjoy quite remarkable ca-reers – in arts and politics, in business and academia. They never forgot the war. They just never spoke about it. In The Ritchie Boys these remarkable, funny, sharp, brave men share their memories with us. Spon-sored by Fifth Third Bank.

graduate of Brandeis Uni-versity and Harvard Gradu-ate School of Education. She and her husband, Martin, reside in Chestnut Hill with their two teenage sons, both of whom are klezmer musi-cians.

was president of The Harvard Crimson. Sponsored by AARP Indiana; co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council and the People of the United Methodist Church in Indiana.

Katz(Continued from page 6)

Todd Gitlin, author of The Bulldozer and the Big Tent: Blind Republicans, Lame Democrats, and the Recovery of American Ideals: Thurs., Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m., JCC Laikin Auditorium.

Children’s author Heidi Smith Hyde, Mendel’s Accor-dion: Sun., Oct. 28, 4 p.m., JCC Laikin Auditorium.

A rollicking program for children 5 to 9. Live accordion music by Ruth Gal. Dance to the music. A reading of the book. Make your own musical instrument Cookies and juice.

Participants will follow Mendel, a klezmer musician, from his village in Europe to the big city of New York. In New York City, Mendel gets married and has children and grandchildren. They all share his love of music. Many years later, Mendel’s great-grandson fi nds his accordion in the attic. He is fascinated by the musical instrument, has it repaired and a whole new generation becomes interested in playing music.

Heidi Smith Hyde is a

Jonathan Cohn, author of Sick: The Untold Story of America’s Health Care Crisis – and the People Who Pay the Price: Mon., Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m., JCC Laikin Auditorium.

The United States is the only country in the developed world that does not guarantee access to medical care as a right of citi-zenship. In this powerful work, Jonathan Cohn, senior editor at The New Republic, travels across the United States to investigate why our health care crisis is happening and to see fi rsthand its impact on ordinary Ameri-cans. The stories he brings back are tragic and infuriating. Pas-sionate, illuminating, and often devastating. Sick interweaves personal stories with clear-eyed reporting.

Jonathan is also a contrib-uting editor for The American Prospect and has been pub-lished in the Boston Globe, Mother Jones, The New York Times, Slate, and The Washing-ton Monthly. Jonathan attended Harvard University, where he

M. J. Rose, author of The Reincarnationist: Tues., Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m., JCC Laikin Au-ditorium

A bomb in Rome, a fl ash of bluish-white light and photo-journalist Josh Ryder’s world exploded. From that instant, nothing would ever be the same. M.J. Rose has appeared on The Today Show and The Jim Lehrer NewsHour. As Josh recov-ers, his mind is increasingly invaded by thoughts that have the emotions, the intensity and the intimacy of memories, but they are not his memories, they are ancient and violent. The Reincarnationist is equal parts modern-day thriller, historical fi ction and love story. With one foot in present-day Rome and New York and another in Rome some 1,600 years ago, the story is about two worlds consumed by the fi res of intrigue and pas-sion.

Prior to becoming an inter-national best-selling author, M.J. Rose was the creative director of Rosenfeld Sirowitz and Lawson and she has a com-mercial in the Museum of Mod-ern Art in NYC. She has been profi led in Time magazine, The New York Times, Working Wom-an, Newsweek, and USA Today. Co-sponsored by The Mystery Company.


www.jewishpostopinion.comVolume 74, Number 1 • September 26, 2007 • 14 Tishrei 5768 5768 Two Dollars

JERUSALEM —Sunday Israel approved the imminent release of about 90 Palestinian inmates from its prisons, in-cluding several from Gaza, describing the move as another in a series of gestures meant to bolster Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

All the prisoners slated for release belong to Abbas's Fatah movement, according to Israeli government spokes-man David Baker. The release was announced during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan as Israel was in dialogue with Abbas and his West Bank–based administration.

Those talks were preliminary to an international confer-ence planned for November in the United States.

Israel has traditionally released Palestinian prisoners on the eve of Ramadan, but there was a delay this year as the full list to be freed was still being made, Baker said. Prime Minister Olmert had proposed freeing 100 prisoners, but some of those later were found not to fit the criteria for re-lease, Baker said. Israel refuses to release prisoners directly involved in attacks that killed Israelis.

Abbas welcomed the gesture but noted that some 11,000 Palestinians remained confined by Israel.

A Hamas spokesman said the prisoners’ future should not be up to Israelis.

Israel OKs release of 90 Palestinians

JERUSALEM — Israel’s deputy prime minister has proposed turning over some Arab neighbor-hoods in Jerusalem to the Palestinians as part of a peace deal.

The official, Haim Ra-mon, who is a close ally of Prime Minister Olmert, proposed the idea as part of a deal with West Bank leader Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president.

His statement fol-lowed by hours com-

plaints by human rights groups here about the government's decision to cut back fuel and electric-ity supplies to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

Ramon said that for Israel to insist on holding all of Jerusalem would en-danger the city's future as Israel's capital.

He said a tradeoff would include interna-tional recognition of the Jewish neighborhoods Israel has built in East Jerusalem since 1967.

LeavepartsofJerusalemtoArabs,saysIsraelideputy

URGING A CONVICTION – Federal prosecutor Barry Jonas, who is Jewish, asked a jury in Dallas to convict Hamas supporters of funding terrorists through a charitable foundation. See story page NAT 4.

Drawing by Dan Crowell, exclusive for the Post & Opinion

When the days get shorter and the air grows crisp and cool, the leaves turn bright yellow, orange, and flaming red. That means it’s time for Sukkot. This rainbow sukkah was made from PVC pipes and panels of colorful fabric.

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