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SEPTEMBER 2020
JmoreLiving.com
Recipes: Yontif YearningsHealing ImagesEducation Special SectionTravel: Emerald IsleNesting Dolls Author
FALL ARTSCharm City’s arts community adapts to the new normal
BGE WILL RESPOND, ANYTIME.CALL 877.778.7798TTY/TDD USERS: 800.735.2258 (Maryland Relay Service)
Your safety is our first priority at BGE. Whenever you smell natural gas—late at
night, weekends, even holidays—BGE wants to know about it. Go to a safe place
and call us immediately. We’ll be there as fast as we can, at no cost to you.
Important update: BGE employees and contractors continue to carry out important work, appropriately modified to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines including but not limited to appropriate personal protective equipment and social distancing practices, to ensure safe and reliable energy.
BGE.COM/GasSafety
DO YOU SMELL NATURAL GAS? WE’LL CHECK IT OUT 24/7.
Advertiser: BGE
Publication: Jmore Insertion Date: 9/3/2020
Ad Size: Bleed: 8.625” x 11.125” Trim: 8.375” x 10.875” Live Area: 7.375” x 9.475” Title: Gas Safety Covid: 24/7 - Woman on the Phone
If you have received this publication material in error, or have any questions about it please contact the traffic dept. at Weber Shandwick at (410) 558 2100.
400 Redland Ct., Suite 110 • Owings Mills, MD 21117 • 410-998-2000
lmchplaw.com
David J. Polashuk has built a thriving practice focusing on Federal and State tax controversy and litigation matters, as well as business and real estate litigation and transactions. His background as a CPA distinguishes him from most others in his field, allowing him to understand complicated accounting and financial issues that factor into not only tax matters but business, family law and real estate matters, both for planning purposes and in litigation cases.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
• Federal and State Taxation
• Civil Litigation & Appeals
• Domestic (Family) Law
• Business Planning & Transactions
• Estate Planning and Administration
• Landlord-Tenant
• Personal Injury/Medical Malpractice
• Real Estate
Do you have tax issues related to Covid-19? How about the PPP Loan program?
Levy, Mann, Caplan, Hermann and Polashuk is here to help.
We are open for business for our regular and new clients to assist you with your legal needs.
Our attorneys are active members of the community with diverse backgrounds
and experience. We put our legal and business knowledge to work for our clients with
sound advice, aggressive representation, and close attention to personal service.
400 Redland Ct., Suite 110 • Owings Mills, MD 21117 • 410-998-2000
lmchplaw.com
David J. Polashuk has built a thriving practice focusing on Federal and State tax controversy and litigation matters, as well as business and real estate litigation and transactions. His background as a CPA distinguishes him from most others in his field, allowing him to understand complicated accounting and financial issues that factor into not only tax matters but business, family law and real estate matters, both for planning purposes and in litigation cases.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
• Federal and State Taxation
• Civil Litigation & Appeals
• Domestic (Family) Law
• Business Planning & Transactions
• Estate Planning and Administration
• Landlord-Tenant
• Personal Injury/Medical Malpractice
• Real Estate
Do you have tax issues related to Covid-19? How about the PPP Loan program?
Levy, Mann, Caplan, Hermann and Polashuk is here to help.
We are open for business for our regular and new clients to assist you with your legal needs.
Our attorneys are active members of the community with diverse backgrounds
and experience. We put our legal and business knowledge to work for our clients with
sound advice, aggressive representation, and close attention to personal service. Expert eye care
umm.edu/eyeLOCATIONS: Columbia, Downtown Baltimore, Owings Mills
for ChildrenAs kids continue virtual learning and spending more time at home, their increased screen time can cause dry, irritated eyes which prevents clear vision.
Pediatric ophthalmologists from the University of Maryland Medical Center are in your neighborhood caring for children’s dry eye, as well as for the full range of eye concerns, including:
• Eye misalignment & lazy eye• Double vision• Tear duct obstruction & tearing disorders• Styes & eyelid disorders• Eye allergies • Congenital cataracts & glaucoma• Eye emergencies & injuries• Specialty contact lenses
If left untreated, pediatric eye disease can lead to lifelong vision loss.
APPOINTMENTS & INFORMATION
Call 667-214-1111 to schedule a telemedicine or safe in-person appointment with our team.
MEET OUR PEDIATRIC EXPERTS
Moran Roni Levin, MDFellowship Training: Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus
Janet L. Alexander, MDFellowship Training: Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
HEALTH CARE FROM HOME Secure, private and HIPAA compliant virtual visits are available for existing patients and initial consultations.
Jana Bregman, MDFellowship Training: Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus
StarsROSH
HASHANAHUNDER YOUR
STARS
ROSHHASHANAHyourU
NDER
Distant Yet Together: Home for the Holy Days
Looking to join a local Reform Congregation?Ask us about our educational offerings ranging from E.B. Hirsh Early Childhood Center for infant through PreK, Youth Education for children up to B’nai Mitzvah, NextGen for 8–12 grade students as well as plentiful adult educational offerings. To find out about these and more visit:
BALTIMOREHEBREW.ORG or contact Executive Director, Jo Ann Windman, [email protected], 410-764-1587 x223.
We’re not missing a beat. This year we’re presenting Rosh Hashanah Under YOUR Stars. The warm, welcoming, and engaging Rosh Hashanah service our community has enjoyed for thepast 13 years will be streamed directly to you, under YOUR stars.
Music, family activities, videos and more will be available prior to the service. Check the website below for schedule.
For more details visit: baltimorehebrew.org/praying/RHUYS2020
For service visit: bit.ly/2020RHUYS
A Virtual Experience for a New YearFriday, September 18 at 6 PM
JOIN OURYOUTH COMMUNITY
BHC’s Youth Community includes our Youth Education Progran and the E.B. Hirsh Early Childhood Center with infant–Pre-K care.
• Sunday Mornings• Flexible Options• Creative and Inspiring Education• Community Building• Programs for Infant–High School
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2020-21Rachel Opatowsky,Director of [email protected] ext. 290
Jen Platt, DirectorE.B. Hirsh Early Childhood Center [email protected]
7 4 0 1 P A R K H E I G H T S A V E N U E , B A LT I M O R E , M D 2 1 2 0 8 | 4 1 0 - 7 6 4 - 1 5 8 7 | B A LT I M O R E H E B R E W. O R G
BALTIMORE HEBREW CONGREGATIONIS YOUR COMMUNITY!BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!
VOLUNTARY DUES: BHC is the only Reform synagogue in Baltimore to offer voluntary dues for eligible, first-time members of any age, and for congregants under the age of 30. BHC welcomes new congregants, new Youth Education students, and new students to our E.B. Hirsh Early Childhood Center. For information contact Jo Ann Windman,Executive Director, [email protected] 410-764-1587, ext. 223.
From lower left clockwise: Matthew D. Kunkel, Beth C. Rosenwald, Brennan Dunn and Leksi Kovalerchik
Live a life less complicatedOur knowledgeable and dedicated team works with you to plan for your needs, understand your wants and achieve your wishes.
The Rosenwald Team2800 Quarry Lake Drive, Suite 260 | Baltimore, MD 21209
(410) 318-5074 | (866) 851-0550
www.TheRosenwaldTeam.com
The Rosenwald Team A Multigenerational Wealth Management Practice
Investment and insurance products offered through RBC Wealth Management are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency, are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank or any bank affiliate, and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.© 2018 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC.
18-QL-189_Rosenwald Team_Jmore Ad_8.125x10.875_R3.indd 1 11/16/18 10:32 AM
P R O U D T O H A V E E A R N E D A N A - ( E X C E L L E N T ) F I N A N C I A L S T R E N G T H R A T I N G F R O M A . M . B E S T
Chesapeake Employers helps you protect your employees and your bottom line. For 2020-2021, we declared a $20 million corporate dividend for qualifying policyholders. We’re also reducing our rates—nearly 7%—which means Maryland businesses of all sizes can benefit from the services of a workers’ comp specialist, for less.
More good reasons to work with the state’s largest writer of workers’ compensation insurance.
Connect with your local agent for a coverage quote today or visit CEIWC.com
to Maryland’s healthcare workers for their courage and dedication during the COVID-19 health crisis.
heartfelt thanks
MAY YOU BE WRITTEN AND SEALED FOR A
GOOD YEAR!from your friends at The Rosenblatt Group
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SAM ROSENBLATTMortgage Planner | NMLS# 75844
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Sponsored Content
Maryland Dog Daycare is a Resilient Clean Energy Model
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) continues to develop innovative energy programs that drive economic development, energy resilience and recovery for Marylanders
MEA offers a wide variety of grants and tax credits that help residents close the savings gap on everything from home heating to electric vehicle charging equipment. Read about some of our featured grants here and visit us online at www.Energy.Maryland.gov, to see our full list of programs for residents, businesses, nonprofits and local government agencies.
Maryland was the first state in the country to offer an energy storage income tax credit. The program is available to residential and commercial taxpayers who have installed an energy storage system on their residential or commercial property in Maryland during Tax Year 2020 (January 1 – December 31, 2020).
MEA provides Clean Energy Rebates to businesses, nonprofits, local governments, and State of Maryland government agencies and departments that install clean energy systems on facilities located in the state. MEA also offers a Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program for homeowners who install renewable energy measures in their home like solar or geothermal.
Dog’s Day Farm, owned by Kelly and Matt Brown, is the first Maryland business to take advantage of both the Commercial Clean Energy Rebate Program to install a solar system and the Maryland Energy Storage Tax Credit Program to install a battery system which will store energy generated by the solar panels for use at a later time. Dog’s Day Farm is a 25-acre, kennel free dog daycare and boarding service in Gaithersburg. In addition to outdoor space, the farm has ample climate-controlled indoor spaces which must be maintained in all seasons for the health and safety of the animals in their care.
The farm owners decided to purchase a solar and battery system in the spring of 2019 to enable the farm to become more resilient. Kelly and Matt wanted to make sure that in the event of a power outage, whether temporary or multi-day, their staff would be able to provide the same level of comfort to their clients’ cherished “family members”. Specifically, Matt wanted to be able to continue providing air-conditioning for the dogs in the summer, heat in the winter, and more importantly to have running water, since the farm is on a well.
“I’m very happy with our decision to invest in solar and battery storage. Not only is our business and farm much more resilient, but our energy costs have been reduced to the nominal administrative cost of being connected to the grid,” says owner Matt Brown.
With the installation of a 38 kilowatt solar array and five Tesla Powerwalls, which provide 67.5 kilowatts per hour of energy storage, Dog’s Day Farm has made their business more energy resilient; meaning that the farm can quickly recover from a power outage. MEA assisted in the funding for both projects and awarded the farm a $5,528.50 solar installation rebate and a $12,627.30 tax credit for the energy storage installation. Get more information on both of these programs online at Energy.Maryland.gov or email us at [email protected].
of services for homeowners and renters, aimed at supporting a person’s choice to remain living in his/her home. When you are a CfL member, we serve as your wellness partner, supporting your efforts to remain independent, manage health conditions, utilize local resources and maintain social and community networks by offering access to individualized, quality, vetted services that enable you to Live Well, Age Well and Be Well.Long-term CareKeswick’s long-term care residents receive the commitment and attention they need through 24-hour comprehensive nursing care in a comfortable and home-like setting. With 159 private rooms, our long-term care unit contains everything from medical services and nursing to therapeutic recreation and social work. Keswick is licensed by the State of Maryland and certified to participate with Medicaid and Medicare.
Short-Term RehabilitationKeswick’s Inpatient Rehabilitation programs help guests recover
quickly, comfortably and with the support they need in their private rooms. At Keswick, our therapists specialize in treating adults recovering from cardiac,orthopedic, pulmonary, wound management and other medical events that require some form of rehabilitation after leaving the hospital.
Adult Day ServicesKeswick’s Medical & Respite Adult Day Services Programs are ideal options for older adults who wish to remain living in the community while receiving the individualized care and attention they need. We offer transportation, socialization, nutritious meals, medical care and meaningful activities at an all-inclusive, affordable price.
Your Health & Wellness Partner
With a reputation for excellence as well as industry leadership, Keswick provides individualized, quality care to restore, renew and revitalize adults ages 50+ through healthy living initiatives both on-campus and in the community. Located on West 40th Street in Baltimore, Keswick offers the following services:
The Wise & Well Center for Healthy Living & Community Health Services:In fall 2018, The Wise & Well Center for Healthy Living opened as a dedicated space for people ages 50+ to pursue their health and well-being goals. This membership-based Center offers classes, coaching and personal training across multiple dimensions of wellness. Keswick’s team is dedicated to empowering people to be engaged in their own health and well-being. By offering programs such as Yoga, Zumba, Mindful Movement, Nia, MELT, diabetes prevention, falls prevention, brain health, and community art studio classes, along with our Home & Healthy© care transition program, we engage people in improving the way they approach physical, mental and emotional wellness allowing them to stay in their homes longer and continue doing the things they love.
Maryland Community for Life (CfL) at Keswick:This unique, private-pay program provides a personalized package
For more information about Keswick’s services, please visit ChooseKeswick.org or call, 410.662.4346 or [email protected].
Better never stops. University of Maryland St. Joseph
Medical Center has been recognized for the second
consecutive year as a Best Hospital for 2020-21 by U.S.
News & World Report. Named #3 in both the state and
the Baltimore Metro area, UM St. Joseph is the highest-
ranking community hospital in Maryland.
We owe this recognition to our staff and physicians’
relentless commitment to providing high-quality, safe and
compassionate patient care for all those we serve. We are
most proud because of what this accomplishment means
for our patients: excellent outcomes, improved health and
wellness, and greater access to the very best care.
Learn more at umstjoseph.org
14 JMORELIVING.COM
Together, we are feeding Maryland.
410.737.8282mdfoodbank.org
COVID-19 has driven the need for food to unprecedented levels.Its effects are going tobe long-lasting and will require elevated levelsof resources for yearsto come.
Help us meetthis new need.
JMORELIVING.COM 15
L’ Shana Tova North Oaks thanks our incredible employees, residents, their families
and the community for their support during this time of global crisis we are all facing together.
YEARS
C E L E B R A T I N G
STRENGTH & TRADITION
30
725 Mount Wilson Lane | Pikesville, MD 21208 www.NorthOaksLCS.com | 1-443-501-9696
from our family to yours.
We reserve the right to limit quantities. Not responsible for typographical or pictorial errors.
Prices through September 24, 2020.
L’Shana Tova! Weis Markets extends to you and your family a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!
We also carry many of your favorite Kosher deli, dairy, frozen and grocery products.
UKOSHER PAREVEPAS YISRAEL
visit us at www.weismarkets.com or connect with us on
UUU
Fresh Kosher Whole Chicken per pound
Kedem Sparkling Grape Juice25.4 ounce
Selected Gunter’s Honey 12 ounce
Rokeach Shabbos Candles72 count
Rokeach Memorial Candleseach
Kedem Tea Biscuits4.2 ounce Selected Manischewitz Gefilte
24 ounce
Fresh Leeks or Bunches of Spinach - each
Round Challah Plain or with raisins - each
Fresh Kosher Cut-up Chickenper pound
Kedem Concord Grape Juice 64 ounce
Manischewitz Matzo Ball or Matzo Ball Soup Mix - 4.5 or 5 ounce
Fresh Kosher Chicken Leg Quarters - per pound
Osem Consomme Soup Mix14.1 ounce
Lipton Onion soup Mix - 1.9 ounce; Manischewitz Medium Noodles - 12 ounce
$249
$299
$299
$499 $5992/$1 2/$1
$199 $350
$249 $249
2/$6
2/$4 2/$3
$399
U
U U U
UU
U U
GLOBAL Challenge ISRAEL Needs Us NowINVEST IN ISRAEL BONDS TodayTHE ISRAEL BONDS HIGH HOLY DAYS APPEALS 5781 2020
Development Corporation for Israel1852 Reisterstown Road, Suite 202Baltimore, MD [email protected] • 410.484.6670
This is not an offering, which can be made only by prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before investing to fully evaluate the risks associated with investing in Israel bonds. Issues subject to availability. Member FINRA. Photo: Adobe Stock
INVEST ONLINE AT ISRAELBONDS.COM OR VIA THE ISRAEL BONDS APP
STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY’S BOND WITH ISRAEL THIS HIGH HOLIDAY SEASON.
YOUR HIGH HOLIDAY ISRAEL BOND PURCHASE GETS MATCHED 100% FOR THE STATE OF ISRAEL!
The Associated, WesBanco Bank, Sandra R. & Malcolm C. Berman, and The Haron Dahan Foundation continue the 100% match on Israel bond
investments made during the High Holiday appeals.
The Haron Dahan FoundationSandra R. & Malcolm C. Berman
18 JMORELIVING.COM
SEPTEMBER 2020
In Every Jmore22 From The Publisher
24 From The Editor
28 Opinions
64 Recipes
66 Restaurants
68 Gardening
72 Travel
74 Arts & Culture
77 Books
80 Spiritual Matters
81 Obituaries
82 The Parting Shot
On the Cover: Artist Katharina Grosse’s ‘Is It You?’ is now on display at the Baltimore Museum of Art.
Subscribe to Jmore magazine at JmoreLiving.com and click on the
blue “subscribe” button. Or email us at [email protected]
Contents
34 Claudia’s Courage Local artist Claudia Chappel reaches out to those who are grieving with her book of creative images and thoughts. By Aliza Friedlander
36 ‘Step Up’ Baltimore City Council President Brandon Scott calls on the Jewish community to help rebuild and revitalize Charm City. By Alan Feiler
50 The Muse Lives On! Charm City’s arts community adapts to the new normal this fall. By Simone Ellin
74 Odyssey from Odessa Author Alina Adams explores her heritage in her new Russian-themed book at a locally presented virtual event. By Simone Ellin
78 Fiery Reckoning Remembering Freddie Gray and those fivefierydaysinAprilof2015.By Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg
80 God As Our Partner As the High Holiday season approaches, it’s important to experience God both as king and parent, writes Rabbi Dr. Eli Yoggev.
66 72
50
“I can not say enough positive things about my experience with Jason and his team! They were knowledgeable, responsible, dependable, responsive, and went above and beyond in every situation. My sale ended up being highly unusual and they handled every aspect timely and professionally...and successfully!”
WE’LL GET YOU WHERE YOU NEED TO GO
THE PERLOW HOME TEAM WISHES YOU A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!
BUYING OR SELLING
Cell 410.456.3370 | Office 410.583.0400
JASON [email protected]
20 JMORELIVING.COM
Publisher Scott Rifkin, MDManaging Partners John Coulson, Jonathan Oleisky
C O N T E N TEditor-in-ChiefAlan FeilerAssociate Editor Simone EllinSenior Writer Aliza Friedlander Contributing Writers Eric Berger, Rebecca Brown, Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg, Norman Cohen, Jack Gilden, Larry Luxner, Michael Olesker, Randi Rom, Emma Snyder, Carol Sorgen, Rabbi Dr. Eli YoggevContributing Photographers Steve RuarkCopy Editor Chris ZangEditorial InternGillian Blum
S A L E S Vice President, Director of Sales, Partner Lauren EsakoffSenior Account Managers Dede GlassbandDanny Glazer Julie Sawyer Distribution, Events & Promotions Coordinator Emily Shuwall
P R I N T & W E B Editorial Designer Kim Van Dyke Webmaster W. Kirk Lutz B U S I N E S S O F F I C E Accounting Leah Lancaster Advertising Editorial Business Offices3600 Clipper Mill Road, #300., Baltimore, MD 21211phone: 410-366-7272 email: [email protected]
Copyright notice. JMORE, is published by Maryland Jewish Media, LLC, 3600 Clipper Mill Road, #300, Baltimore, MD 21211. © Copyright 2019, All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of the publisher. Statements or opinions in the magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of JMORE, the editor, or Maryland Jewish Media, or its directors. Publishing an advertisement does not imply endorsement of any product or service. Printed in the United States.
Like and follow us at:
facebook.com/JMORELiving
twitter.com/JMoreLiving
instagram.com/JMoreLiving
pinterest.com/Jmore_Living
What is a Prosthodontist? A Prosthodontist is a dentist who specializes in the esthetic replacement and restoration of teeth. Formal training spans three additional years after earning one’s doctorate in dentistry with a focus on all phases of cosmetic and implant dentistry. A Prosthodontist is the dental professional best suited to restore optimum health, appearance and function to your smile.
When is it Time to See a Prosthodontist?When you are unhappy or self-conscious with your smile. This can happen when teeth are breaking down, missing, crooked or unattractive. An attrac-tive smile helps increase self-confidence!
Why I Should be YOUR ProsthodontistI am highly trained, experienced and dedicated
to the restoration of your teeth. I take the time and work with you to identify your specific dental challenges and provide accurate solutions to create your healthy, beautiful smile. I take a multifaceted approach to therapies including cosmetic veneers, surgical implant therapy, bone augmentation procedures, crowns, bridges, dentures, temporomandibular disorders (TMJ/TMD) and more.
Please call the office for a complimentary consultation (video skype consultations are available as well)
410.828.1717 or [email protected] Kenilworth Drive | Towson, MD | 410.828.1717 | drboenning.com
What’s the Difference Between a General Dentist and a Prosthodontist?
Ask the Expert
Dr. Nathan Dancykier Prosthodontist
Ner Israel Rabbinic College, Bachelors in Talmudic Law
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
University of Illinois at Chicago, Certificate in Surgical Prosthodontics
Male Patient Before & After Female Patient Before & After
Before Before
After After
Urban Gardens inc. is a full-service landscaping company in Baltimore. Urban Gardens Inc specializes in designing and installing some of the most creative landscaping projects throughout the central Maryland area and surrounding counties. True to our trade, we are designers, horticulturists, and craftsmen. We pride ourselves on blurring the lines between interior and exterior when creating your outdoor space. Whether you are interested in our Baltimore landscaping services or a design consultation to turn the outdoors into a living space you can enjoy, we are here to assist you with all your landscaping needs.
u r b a n g a r d e n s i n c . n e t 410.833.4930
Urban Gardens inc. is a full-service landscaping company in Baltimore. Urban Gardens Inc specializes in designing and installing some of the most creative landscaping projects throughout the central Maryland area and surrounding counties. True to our trade, we are designers, horticulturists, and craftsmen. We pride ourselves on blurring the lines between interior and exterior when creating your outdoor space. Whether you are interested in our Baltimore landscaping services or a design consultation to turn the outdoors into a living space you can enjoy, we are here to assist you with all your landscaping needs.
u r b a n g a r d e n s i n c . n e t 410.833.4930
22 JMORELIVING.COM
FROM THE PUBLISHER
An Invitation to Today’s World
Scott Rifkin, MD Publisher
Dear Readers,
I have been struggling with what I wanted to write about this month. The editors always want me to discuss the contents of the edition and I always want to discuss social issues. Since I’m the boss, I usually win. IwasabouttocaveinanddiscussthiswonderfulissueontheBaltimoreartsscenewhenIfinally
got around to opening a stack of mail on my desk. Lo and behold, there was hate mail. Some of you may remember, I wrote previously about how much I love hate mail. It inspires me. Occasionally it makesmethinkaboutthingsfromadifferentperspective.Mostly,however,themailcomesfromthe depths of someone’s own anger and hate. Mr B, a Pikesville resident, was the sender.
Mr. B told me that when a “Black person is shot by a white police person rioting always breaks out …” But he goes on, “Why don’t colored people do anything when a black person kills another black person?” He also tells me things were much better in the Baltimore of the 1930s and ‘40s when “we had better police and politicians.” His last line was to tell me that we need a “two-way street on crime.” I’mnotsurewheretostart.First,Ihavetroubleexplainingtoan85-year-oldmanthatheis
completely warped in his thinking. But of course, he is. I assure you black folks hate when black folks commit any crime. They also hate when anyone commits a crime. As white folks, we feel the same way. Does Mr. B really think that black people enjoy being the target of crime?
Where Mr B goes even more wrong is that he doesn’t see a policeman killing a black man as any-thing more than just another crime. It is way more than that. That a black male is way more likely to be killed by the police is a measure of the degree to which racism is ingrained in the minds of law enforcement and society as a whole. Racism is revealed by a greater likelihood to shoot, or beat, or kneel on the neck of a black person than a white person in identical situations. Until the age of ubiquitous video phones, the police would simply invent a rationale — resisting arrest, etc. Does anyonethinkthatGeorgeFloydwasresistingarrestwhenthepoliceofficermurderedhim?Ifyoudo, you should be required to watch the video 10 times and then explain to god what you saw.
It’s also important to keep in mind that policing issues are only the tip of the iceberg. It is what jumps out and makes folks pay attention but is also just a sign of a bigger problem. Black folks, and others of color, are often treated as second-class citizens. To claim it was better in the ‘30s and ‘40s when we had “better police and politicians” is really saying it was better in the days when all police-men and politicians were white, when black folks were quieter when they were murdered, and the black folks were too scared to protest. Mr. B, it wasn’t a problem because it wasn’t your problem.
By the way, Mr. B, you complained about “looting” in the letter, but I would advise watching something other than conservative cable stations. The amazing part of the protests has been how amazingly non-violent and peaceful they have been for the most part.
Mr. B, what I really think we need is a two-way street on race relations. We need to treat everyone equally and with love and respect. We need to make sure job and educational opportunities are equal. We need to make sure policemen don’t commit murder on anyone. We need to care as much about a black man dying as we do a Jewish man dying. I invite you to join today’s world. Hiding in theblissfulignoranceofthe1950sdoesn’tmeantheproblemsdidn’texistbackthenornow.
Scott Rifkin, MD, Publisher
Get Advice for Your Child’s Educational Needs
This back-to-school season is unlike all others, and many parents are worried about their children’s education. Thankfully, SHEMESH, which offers support for children with learning differences, has introduced a new hotline. Call 410-843-7589 to speak to professionals on everything from how to make your child feel less anxious to how to support your developing reader at home. SHEMESH also invites parents to participate in CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), a monthly support group. Learn more at shemeshbaltiimore.org.
Join a Support Group When times are difficult, we crave the companionship and comfort of our community. Jewish Community Services (JCS) offers a series of virtual support groups to help individuals who are struggling connect with others to talk about their shared experiences. Currently,
offerings include grief support groups, as well as a dementia caregivers support group, low vision support group and Parkinson’s disease support group. Go to jcsbaltimore.org or call 410-466-9200 to learn more.
Escape with Arts and Culture Love arts and culture? Join a virtual painting class at the Myerberg and discover your inner talent while making new friends. Participate in the JCC’s Virtual Author Series for a conversation with Ken Follett, Natan Sharansky and more. Or, if you prefer a little Jewish history, visit the Jewish Museum of Maryland’s newest exhibit, Jews in Space. Check out rare 18th and 19th century rabbinic tomes on astronomy, the dreidel that the first Jewish American astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman took in space, science fiction memorabilia and more.
Connect to Other New Parents Although many of the traditional Mommy and Me programs may be on hold, the
Macks Center for Jewish Education is offering Baby Talk. Join other parents with new Jewish babies (0-6 months old) on Zoom for facilitated conversations, support, community building and a chance to make new friends.
Build Your Professional Community Even though we may not be out and about, The Associated offers many opportunities to build your professional network and participate in topical discussions related to your line of work. Check out our many affinity groups – Real Estate Industry Group, Maimonides for healthcare professionals, Jewish Professional Women, Cardoza Society for legal professionals and more – for industry-related programming. Go to associated.org/professionals.
Learn more about our work and our agencies at associated.org.
Building Community This FallAs school begins, albeit virtually for many, and as the days grow cooler, we begin to shift away from the
lazy days of outdoor living to a new way of doing things. Although the coronavirus is still around and
limiting how we interact, it doesn’t mean we have to do it alone. Here are some ways The Associated:
Jewish Federation of Baltimore and its network of agencies are helping you find your community.
24 JMORELIVING.COM
Yearsago,IheardaboutacolleagueintheJewishjournalismfieldwhospokeabouttheMiddleEastconflictatalocalprivateschool’sforeignaffairsclub.Mostofthestudentstherewere Jewish and wanted to gain insights from an American journalist who’d lived in Israel.
The speaker’s perspective tended to be rather dogmatic and one-sided, focusing on Israel’s herculeaneffortsagainstArabarmieshell-bentondrivingtheJewishstateintothesea.
The students, however, weren’t having it. “Don’t give us the same old line that everything Israel does is perfect and the other guys are evil,” they said. “We’ve heard all that before.” Frustrated and shouted down, the speaker eventually beat a hasty retreat.
I remembered this anecdote recently when reading about actor Seth Rogen’s remarks on comedian Marc Maron’s “WTF” podcast, which sparked an outcry from Israel’s supporters.Inthepodcast,Rogen,whoplaysaJewishimmigrantinthenewfilm“AnAmericanPickle,”
discussed attending Jewish schools and Zionist camps in his native Vancouver. “I was fed a huge amount of lies about Israel,” said Rogen, whose parents met as volunteers
on a kibbutz. “They never tell you that, ‘Oh, by the way, there were people there [in pre-state Israel].’ They make it seem like it was just like sitting there, like the f------ door’s open.”
Rogen branded Israel’s primary raison d’etre — that Jews need a haven after centuries of persecution and genocide — “an antiquated thought process.”
“If it is for truly the preservation of Jewish people, it makes no sense,” he said. “You don’t keep something you’re trying to preserve all in one place — especially when that place is proven to be pretty volatile, you know?”Facingfiercebacklash—includinganapparenttongue-lashingfromhismomandJewish
Agency chairman Isaac Herzog — Rogen subsequently backed down somewhat from his previous remarks and attempted to clarify.
“I don’t want Jews to think I don’t want Israel to exist, and I understand how they could have been led to think that,” he told the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. “I was just not given a full picture of the situation, and I understand it’s a wildly complex picture to give a child.”
And therein lies the problem. The Middle East is an extraordinarily complicated, thorny subject that we Americans attempt to simplify, even in Jewish settings. I still recall learning songs in Hebrew school comparing Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser to Hitler and Haman, while studying the daring exploits of such Israeli “superheroes” as Moshe Dayan and Yitzhak Rabin.
Jewish educators have a dilemma. Their students need to see Israel in a positive, admirable light. But the complexities of the region and history leave little room for evenhanded and objective analysis, especially for young minds.
It’d be easy to demonize Rogen as a self-loathing Jew and Hollywood type who wanted to take a snarky poke at his own people and appear “cutting-edge.” His remarks might demon-strate a clear lack of historical sensitivity and understanding, but there’s a lesson to be learned here. DespitetheheroiceffortsofJewisheducatorsandothersinthecommunitytoinformand
inspire young people about Israel and help them understand why it’s relevant to their lives in the 21st century, we are failing. Miserably.
With this New Year ahead, I suggest we revisit this “Israel Fatigue” quandary and try to come up with real solutions that enable our young folks to see the Middle East in a fair, accurate and comprehensive light while still loving Israel, warts and all.
L’Shana Tova,
Alan Feiler, Editor-in-Chief
FROM THE EDITOR
Alan Feiler Editor-in-Chief
Lessons from Seth Rogen’s Pickle
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By Michael Olesker marking the 40th anniversary of the atomic bomb. She’d been in Hiroshima when it was leveled. “You had a job to do, and you did it,” she said. Twenty-fiveyearsago,the
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., exhibited the Enola Gay, the B-29 that dropped the bomb over Hiroshima. They showed a videotape of that city as it was about to be virtually removed from the face of the Earth.
I stood watching, next to two aging Japanese men. In Hiroshima, 66,000 died instantlyandanother69,000sufferedhorribly but clung to life. In Nagasaki, 39,000diedand25,000morewereinjured.
I wondered if an expression of sadnessshouldbeofferedtothetwomen. Not an apology, exactly, but just
an expression of sorrow for so much sufferingonbothsidesofthebomb line.Andmaybethey’dofferregretsoftheir own.
Then all of us could swear such barbarism as world wars would never happen again, or else we’ve learned nothing at all in the long, tortured years since the boys started coming home.
A former Baltimore Sun columnist and WJZ-TV commentator, Michael Olesker is the author of six books. His most recent, “Front Stoops in the Fifties: Baltimore Legends Come of Age,” was reissued in paperback by the Johns Hopkins University Press.
Jacob Beser and the Boys Who Came Home
A roundthistime75yearsago,amid the ashes of World War II, the boys were beginning to
come back home from distant places with names like Iwo Jima, Corregidor, Bastogne and Berlin.Therewere16,112,566Americans
in uniform during that war. Roughly 400,000 never made it back. They lie in graveyards all over the world.
The legendary editorial cartoonist Bill Mauldin once talked about a Memorial Dayservicein1945atamilitarycemetery in Nettuno, Italy, outside of Anzio, just weeks after Germany surrendered, where untold numbers of American soldiers had been laid to rest.
“It was a bunch of VIP types from the Senate Armed Services Committee,” said Mauldin, whose great cartoon characters, Willie and Joe, captured the life of the average army dogface for Stars and Stripes, the U.S. military newspaper. “Commander Lucian Truscott gave the talk. He started out facing the honored guests.
“And then he suddenly turned his back on all these windbags and instead talked to all the graves behind him. He apologized. It was the most moving thing I saw in my life. He apologized to all these poor Joes for getting them killed. He felt responsible. And then he walked away without looking around. I never want to hear another Memorial Day speech. I want to quit with that memory, see?”
Five years ago, nearly a million World War II veterans remained among the living. Today, the government says, only about 300,000 are left.
Among the departed is Jacob Beser, a Baltimorean who helped make it possible for hundreds of thousands of American soldiers to come home at this time75yearsago,insteadofcontinuingthe organized killing. But thousands of Japanese had to die, in two separate atomic bomb blasts, for the war to end.
Three-quarters of a century ago, Beser arrived home from the blistered sky above Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He was a 24-year-old radar operator out of Baltimore City College and Johns Hopkins University. He was the only man whoflewbothoftheatomicbombrunsoverHiroshimaandNagasakithatfinallyended the war.
Try to imagine Beser’s life. Imagine the pressure he felt on those two bomb runs, and all those post-war years when people heard about his missions. Some likely thought they were being really
brave when they asked him, “How does it feel to have killed all those people?”
Sometimes, they’d call in the middle of the night. Sometimes, it was face to face. I saw it happen once in a hallway at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, where Beser was a member.
“War itself is immoral,” he said. “If you’re out to kill a man, it doesn’t matter whether you do it with a gun or a bomb.”
What sustained him were the others who approached him — the Americans who told him, “You saved my life. If it hadn’t been for you, I’d have had to go into Japan.”
And there was the Japanese woman whoapproachedhimin1985atservices
Five years ago, nearly a million World War II veterans remained among the living. Today, the government says, only about 300,000 are left.
OPINIONS & COMMENTARIES
Send an E-Tribute card to the ones you love.E-tribute cards from The Associated are available for any occasion - High Holidays, simchas like weddings, B’nai Mitzvahs, anniversaries or birthdays. Choose a beautifully designed card and
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BEAUTY BEAT
Balancing ACT
P rior to the pandemic’s outbreak, Ariel Lewis, Jmore’s beauty consul-tant, visited Art of Balance, a new
aesthetics and wellness spa at down-town’s Ritz-Carlton Residences. Founded by Dr. Aderonke Omotade, an internal medicine physician and psychiatrist, and Dr. Nia Banks, a plastic surgeon, Art of Balance offerstraditionalspaservicesaswell as such medical services as chem-ical peels, IV nutrient therapy, derma fillersandInjectables,amedicallysuper-vised weight clinic and halotherapy.
“By having a unique combination of services, we were able to pivot to virtual consults for aesthetics and medical ser-vicestokeepthespaafloat,”Dr.Omota-de and Dr. Banks said in an email.
Now, with the spa reopened and
(Above): Jmore beauty expert Ariel Lewis relaxes in a salt chamber. (Left, from left to right): Ariel Lewis, left, sits with Art of Balance Wellness Spa co-owners Dr. Aderonke Omotade and Dr. Nia Banks, and esthetician Alicia Allen. (Below): Ariel receives a facial treatment from esthetician Alicia Allen. (Photos by Steve Ruark)
safety measures in place, we wanted to relive our experience at Art of Balance and reminisce about our last treatment there before heading into quarantine.
A Beauty Day to RememberAriel looks back fondly on her Art of Balance signature facial. “I needed exfoliation, which is why I went with that treatment,” says Lewis. “It also came with a retinol booster. The combination of the extra exfoliation and retinol gave mesignificantresults.Mytechnicianalsodid a high frequency therapy on my face where she did extractions. This eliminat-ed redness and swelling.”
The 6,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility is replete with a spa area that includes spaces for facials, massages and acupuncture treatment, and a medically safe area that includes spaces for supervised weight loss, nutrition and laser treatments.
A Heavily Experience Following her signature facial, Lewis had a halotherapy service. Also known as a salt inhalation treatment, halotherapy is a wellness therapy that relaxes the body and mind while soothing the respiratory system.
“It helps with asthma, eczema, psoria-sisanddetoxification,”Arielsays.“Iwasn’tallowed to bring any technology into the room with me, which gave the opportu-nity to unplug, meditate and totally relax.”
How to Relax during Covid-19Art of Balance is now taking all necessary precautions to ensure a safe and enjoy-able experience. Some of their safety measures include COVID-19 screenings, masks in all common areas and for all treatments, except facials and halother-apy and social distancing. Technicians are required to wear masks and goggles, and have been trained on how to use personal protective gear.
“Our wish is to support the community during this unsettling time by provid-ing much needed services for stress relief andarenewedcommitment toself-care, including a complimentary salt therapy treatment for all health profes-sionalsandfirstresponders.” —Aliza Friedlander
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Rabbi Dena Shaffer, executive director of 4Front: “We’ve used this time to pivot and adapt our program model to better meet the needs of our audience.” (Photo by Steve Ruark)
T he COVID-19 pandemic has impacted virtually every aspect of our lives, including the way in
which synagogues and Jewish commu-nal organizations deliver programs and services.
But Rabbi Dena Shaffer, executive director of 4Front, the teen initiative of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, points to one silver lining.
“We’ve used this time to pivot and adapt our program model to better meet the needs of our audience,” she says.
Some changes in 4Front’s program-ming are in response to the “ever-evolving reality of the pandemic,” says Rabbi Shaffer.Otherchangesreflectgrowingawareness about social justice issues such as racial inequality, as well as programming designed to give teens a broader perspective on how they can
lead their communities.RabbiShafferrecentlyspoke
with Jmore about what teens and their parents can expect for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Can you give us some background on 4Front? 4Front launched in 2016. We’re housed at the Owings Mills Jewish Community Center and support-edbyTheAssociated,theMeyerhoffCharitable Family Funds and the Jim Joseph Foundation. We’re a one-stop shop, a hub for Jewish teens. We’re run by me and our director of innovation, Diana Solomon.
4Front’s two signature programs are Baltimore Diller Teen Fellows and Peer Leadership Fellows. These programs have always been year-long programs, and they will remain full-year programs.
Despite the pandemic, 4Front will offer expanded programming for Jewish teens this fall.
A New Direction
By Simone Ellin / Associate Editor
What is Diller? Diller is a leadership program for 11th graders that’s part of Diller International. Teens gain leader-ship skills while they explore their Jewish identities.
They also make connections with teens from Baltimore’s partner city, Ashkelon. The kids meet monthly, participate in weekend retreats, a 10-day seminar with Ashkelon teens in Baltimore and a three-week summer seminar in Israel.
This year, we’re hoping to keep the program as close to normal as possible, but we’ll be following guidelines set by Diller International. They are cautiously optimistic.
What’s Peer Leadership Fellows? Peer Leadership Fellows trains teens in grades 10 and 11 to be ‘communal connectors.’ It runs from December 2020 to January 2021, and starts with a six-week leadership training program. Fellows receive training on social net-work mapping, community organizing and peer-to-peer engagement following a Hillel campus curriculum.
How will 4Front change this year? We have always been committed to social justice. But with the unrest in our communities and the role young people are playing as change agents, we’re really doubling down to enable them to explore more [social justice] topics and to help them to realize their capabilities.
Historically, we ran a program that followed the school calendar. We’d meet once a month exploring the same social justice topic for a year. With the reality of COVID-19 as well as feedback from our teens, the idea of dedicating a whole year to one topic seems less attractive. Teens want to work faster. They’re look-ing for synergies and connections.
While our two signature programs, Diller Teen Fellows and Peer Leadership Fellows, will still be full year programs, we are shifting others to pop-up events and multi-week programs. The new model allows us to give teens a more robust Jewish experience.
An example? Students Taking Action for Change will now be broken into multiple pop-up programs and intensives that
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happen throughout the school year. Teens can sign up for as many as they want.Thefirstsix-weekintensivewillfocus solely on the upcoming elections. We’ll be looking at the [presidential] elec-tion from all perspectives, helping teens torespectdifferentviewpointsandinspiring them with Jewish values. We’ll focus on the youth vote, stage a debate, host a watch party on election night and debrief about the results.
Our social innovation fellowship will be condensed to 12 weeks from December to March. We can really push the pace and give teens a sense of what entrepreneurial life is all about. As a precursor, we’ll do a one-day design sprint — a hackathon with teens all across the U.S. on issues related to the pandemicthatdirectlyaffectteens.They’ll work in small groups to create aprofitmakingsolution.
Another change is related to COVID-19. We’re prioritizing health and mental health to support parents and teens by adding a wellness component — especially in the peer fellowship pro-gram. We’re teaching teens to be more empathic listeners and great friends to helpnavigatethedifficultiestheirpeersmay be facing.
What’s the plan for social distancing in the fall? With the ever-changing reality [of COVID-19] and the regulations constantly changing, the new model allows us to move more nimbly. We can bounce back and forth between virtual and in-person programming.
We want people to know we’re really excited about the [adapted] programs. We’ve turned this into an opportunity.
For information, visit 4frontbaltimore.org.
We can really push the pace and give
teens a sense of what entrepreneurial life
is all about.
34 JMORELIVING.COM
Claudia’s CourageLocal artist Claudia Chappel reaches out to those who are grieving with her book of creative images and thoughts.
By Aliza Friedlander, Senior Writer
COMMUNITY
Claudia Chappel: “This book came from me trying to help others after all these years. I found helping them made me feel stronger.” (Provided photo)
The loss of a child is an unimag-inable and unbearable thought, but for Claudia Chappel it’s her reality.
Now, 14 years after the sudden death of her son, Benjamin Nathan Chappel, she wants to be a support to those living the same nightmare. An artist who lives in Pikesville, Chappel is the illustrator and author of “The Art of Living with Grief.”
“This is a grief support book,” she says. “It makes you feel like you are being held or that someone is holding your hand. It can help anyone who wants support. It’s not go-ing to help someone who wants to sink in a hole and die. But for anyone who wants the support or wants to talk, I’m available.
“It’s become a mission of mine to help others, even though I start crying every time I talk to another parent,” Chappel says. “It doesn’t get easier, but you do get stronger.”
Flipping through the pages of the book, the reader is immediately drawn to a series of beautiful images such as a vivid pink, orange and yellow sunset, a baby giraffetouchingforeheadswithitsmother,andalandscapeofpurpleflowers.
The book, which is sold on Amazon and at chains such as Target and Barnes & Noble,offerspreciousfewwordsandnoreal beginning or conclusion.
“The book is meant to touch you where you are,” Chappel says. “It doesn’t tell you how to feel or talk about the stages. Every page of the book touches on a separate issue. You can open the book to any page, and it will be relevant.”
While the bright colors and concise blurbs may not be what a person expects from a book about dealing with grief, Chappel says it’s the kind of book she wishes she had after losing Ben, who was 26 when he passed away from a bacterial infection.
“I got so many books that I never looked at because all I saw were black-and-white words,” she says. “I couldn’t concentrate on reading about grief. This book, though, is me and my personality. I’m not real wordy. Benjamin used to say I’m like a hallmark card — very happy and joyful.
“I’m not looking to tell anyone what to do or how to do it. Instead, I want others to know that I understand you feel this way and I know how it feels. I want to inspire others to know that they will get stronger.”
Chappel didn’t originally set out to produce what is now “The Art of Living withGrief.”Theseedsoftheconceptfirstcame to her after speaking with a pair of mothers struggling with the losses of their own children.
“I wrote the book for these two women,” Chappel says. “I wasn’t close friends with either of them, but I could see they were struggling. I needed to give them something to help them when they were feeling deep and dark, to realize they weren’t alone.” Thefirstversionofthebookcameout
in 2018. Chappel created it on the web-basedSnapfishphotosharingandprinting
JMORELIVING.COM 35
service. She had the book edited by Cari Stein, president and executive producer at PBS’s “To the Contrary.” She paid for a handful of copies and gave the book to
the two women to help get them through the December holiday season.
“I was nervous the book was going to make these women feel worse,” Chappel says. “But after I gave them the book, I saw one of the women at the gym and she told me she slept with it. She said it was so comforting to her that I went home that day and added 12 more pages to the original version.”
“The Art of Living with Grief” was published by Chappel’s own South Son Publishingoutfit.
Only a year-and-a-half after Ben’s passing,Chappelandherfamilysufferedanother devastating loss when her step-son, Jacob Aaron Winelander, died in a car accident at age 21.
“You have to live your life, whether you’ve lost a child or not,” says Chappel. “When it’s your time, you will be with your child again. But until then, you have choic-es. You can choose to marinate in self-pity orfindthingstolivefor.“Mysonwasmyfirstgreatlove,and
when he died, of course I thought I was go-
ing to die,” she says. “But I don’t want to die. I want to stay around for as long as I can, to be with my husband and daughter and to watch my two grandchildren grow up.”
Now, during a time when so many people are grieving and anxious due to the pandemic, Chappel says she hopes her book can be a source of great comfort and healing.
“Even though we are going through coronavirus, people are still grieving. They are just grieving alone,” she says. “This book came from me trying to help others after all these years. I found helping them made me feel stronger. If you are strong, you can help others, and if you help others you become stronger. I put myself out there to help others and had no idea that by doing that, I could also help myself.”
For information about “The Art of Living with Grief,” visit claudiachappel.com.
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Claudia Chappel: “You can choose to marinate in self-pity or find things to live for.” (Provided photo)
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COMMUNITY
Baltimore City Council President Brandon Scott calls on the Jewish community to help rebuild and revitalize
Charm City.
includingtheillegalflowofgunsintoBaltimore,” he said. “Not just the police but every city agency. … We have to keep people alive and safe in the city.”
Part of that strategy needs to be reimagining the city’s drug policies while making people of color feel like they are not a targeted population by law enforcement.
“It’s purely luck that I’ve never been arrested,” Scott said. “We know so many people arrested who were in possession of a small amount of drugs, or loitering. That had no impact on reducing crime violence in Baltimore. Now, we have to undo those policies regarding drug use. We have to go into the neighborhoods and invest in health, education, recre-ation, to build stronger families and neighborhoods.”
Scott said he also wants to reenvision and invest in Baltimore’s educational system, working closely with the business community in creating and supporting pro-gramsthatbenefitthecity’syoungpeople.
“We have to invest in young people and their families as well,” he said. “If we want Baltimore to reach its full potential, we need to invest in our future and the possibilities of young people.”
Scott said that crucial to revitalizing Baltimore will be rebuilding the city as a business center and regional leader.
“We have to show a deep vision for the city and community to folks and figureouthowwecansupportourlocalbusinesses and help people,” he said. “We have to lead the charge and step up. We know how things work in D.C., so we have to show people the way. … I want to show people how I want to operate and create a renaissance in Baltimore.”
Inspiring young people will be key to the future, but Scott said the city also needs to develop a stronger stable of champions who will promote Baltimore throughout the nation.
“Great things happen in this city every day, but nobody knows about them,” he said. “We need people to champion the city wherever they go. We need to build a better city and make people want to be here and support the services everyone needs.”
COMMUNITY
‘Step Up’
By Alan Feiler / Editor-in-Chief
country, we need folks to get involved. If you want to see racial equity and an end to [police] brutality, you have to be part of that. … We need them to step up and say,‘I’mpartofthisbecause this istheright thing to do. We can’t discriminate against any people.’Wehaveaseatonthe bus for everyone to be a part and step up.”
In a wide-ranging conversation with “Upside” hosts Dr. Scott Rifkin, publisher of Jmore, and Beth H. Goldsmith, chair of the board of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, the City Council president spoke about his vision for Baltimore if elected mayor on Nov. 3.
“For me, this is all about helping the city I love and that helped my family. I want to see that for everyone,” Scott said. “I know that Baltimore is truly the greatest city in America, but we’ve left too many people in too many neighborhoods behind. … I intend to be a mayor for all of Baltimore, wherever you live here or whether or not you voted for me. I want tobe your mayor.”
Scott, 36, spoke about his own back-ground, growing up in the Park Heights community at the corner of Cold Spring Lane and Pimlico Road. “My story is a true Baltimorestory,”hesaid.“I’mafirst-gen-eration Baltimorean. My parents both grew up in the South [Virginia and North Carolina] and moved here.”
Scott said growing up in a tough city neighborhood greatly informed his deci-sion to work in public service. He noted that of a small group of friends that he played basketball with while attending Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, two are dead and another is addicted to drugs.
“That’s what puts you into public service,” Scott said. “When you see your firstshootingbeforeyour10thbirthday,it changes you.”Ifelectedmayor,Scottsaidhisfirst
course of action will be to build a better infrastructure for the city government, which he said has not basically changed since 1974.
“We need to professionalize and mod-ernize the government in that it’s going to be intentional and focused on a compre-hensive strategy on crime in Baltimore,
Baltimore City Council President Brandon M. Scott: “I want to show people how I want to operate and create a renaissance in Baltimore.” (File photo)
B altimore City Council President Brandon M. Scott has a mes-sage for the Jewish community
living throughout the Baltimore metro-politan area.
“Step up,” said Scott, who won the city’s Democratic mayoral primary in June, while appearing on a recent airing of “The Upside.” “When you’re talking about the moment we’re in right now, atapointofreflectionforthewhole
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On the Fast Track
S P E C I A L S E C T I O N : E D U C A T I O N
E itan Glucksman often wakes up at 4:30a.m.,puttingin15-hourdaysasafirst-yearurologyresidentatWest-
chester Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y.A father of two, Glucksman has a
grueling schedule but says he feels lucky. He’s one of only two urology residents admitted annually to the hospital,whichisaffiliatedwithNewYork Medical College, part of the Touro College and University System.“Thisisafieldwhereyoucanreally
makeadifference,”saidGlucksman,27,an Orthodox native of Clifton, N.J., who spends his days treating everything from prostate cancer and bladder problems to kidney stones and urinary tract infections.
“My pre-med coursework at Touro was very hard and intense, and I was a lot more prepared for med school than others in my class,” he said.
Aaron Kattan, 26, of Great Neck, N.Y., enrolled in Touro’s Lander College for
and other genetic disorders.He also works at Forward PT, an
outpatient clinic in Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood.
Glucksman and Kattan are among countless current and former Touro students who have taken advantage of theeducationalecosystemTourooffersto fast-track their path from high school to a degree in medicine or other health sciences.
In many cases, students are able to ful-filltheirbachelor’sdegreerequirementswhile simultaneously doing graduate programs, saving years and thousands of dollars in educational costs.
There are 34 schools in the Touro network, including 10 in medicine and health care, in New York, California and Nevada. More than 7,000 of Touro’s 18,000 students worldwide are pursuing careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy andotherhealthfields,andmanyofthem reached their careers as physician assistants, doctors, nurses, speech pa-thologists or physical and occupational therapists faster than possible through traditional routes at other schools.
“We provide something unique that’s not available elsewhere,” said Dr. Alan Kadish, president of Touro and a cardiolo-gistbytraining.“Weofferourundergrad-uates a liberal arts core, but we also make sure people are prepared for the job market. That heavy emphasis on health sciences was part of Touro’s strategy when they hired me. You can start your undergraduate studies with us and end up with an exciting professional career.”
Touro, which was founded in 1970 by the late Bernard Lander, is the largest university system under Jewish auspices. Although only about one-third of Touro’s studentsareJewish,itscampusesofferkosher food, daily prayers are available, anditsschoolsareclosedonthe Shab-bat and Jewish holidays.
“Dr. Lander envisioned a Jewish col-lege that would be open to all,” said Rab-bi Moshe Krupka, Touro’s executive vice president, “but also ensured that anyone coming from an observant background would receive a superior education — without ever having to choose between religious observance and their pursuit of a career. We have divisions that are spe-
Menafterstudyingforatimeata yeshiva in Israel. It was at Touro that he decided he wanted to work in physical therapy. Touro connected Kattan, then a science major, to a pair of alumni who were physical therapists.
“I started working with them, loved the work they were doing and knew it was for me,” he said.
Staying within the Touro system, Kattan fast-tracked his career.
“I just took all my prerequisites while at Lander, and went directly to PT school withouthavingtofirstreceiveanunder-graduate degree,” he said. “That saved me two years.”
After graduating last year with two degrees — a bachelor of science and a doctor of physical therapy — Kattan now works at the Hebrew Academy for Special Children in Brooklyn’s Borough Park neighborhood helping kids with cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome
Jewish college offers a leg up to students pursuing medical and health care careers.
By Larry Luxner
Sarah Laks, a first-year dental student from North Miami Beach, Fla., is one of five siblings to attend Touro College. (Photo courtesy of Touro)
JMORELIVING.COM 43JMORELIVING.COM 43
cificallygearedfortheobservantJewishcommunity, but all of our divisions provide a warm and nurturing environment for our observant students.”
Yosef Buchen, 26, of Passaic, N.J., was inspired to become a doctor when he fell offaskiliftatage7andfracturedhiship.Buchen attended Lander College for Men — “I liked that I could study Torah and take college classes at the same time,” he said — then New York Medical College, wherehejustfinishedhissecondyear.
He noted the advantages that Touro students have in being accepted to med-ical, dental and other professional health schools, which are very competitive.
“They actually help set up interview prep, research and ongoing coaching,” Buchen said of Touro. “That’s an example of them going the extra step for you. The fact that Touro has so many schools in medicine andthehealthfields,andhasthoseprofes-sors work with us, gives a Touro student an edge that no one else provides.”SarahLaks,24,afirst-yeardentalstu-
dent from North Miami Beach, Fla., also stayed with Touro from college through her professional training.
“I knew going into college that I wanted to dosomethingwiththemedicalfield,”Lakssaid, “and continuing with Touro for dental school was the right decision for me.”
Laks has a special connection to Touro: Her father, Arthur, was part of Touro Col-lege’sfirstgraduatingclass46yearsago.Allfour of her older siblings went there, too.
At Lander College for Women, Laks began shadowing dentists in various specialties. She graduated with an honors biology degree, worked for her alma mater’s dean for a year and then started at Touro College of Dental Medicine, which just graduated its inaugural class. Located at the Westchester County campus of New YorkMedicalSchool,it’sthefirstnewden-tal school in New York to open in 40 years.
Amid the pandemic this spring, the dentistry program along with all of Touro’s other programs went online.
“Since the advent of COVID-19, we have
not missed one class,” Kadish said. “We have successfully transitioned nearly 3,000 classes, including labs, to an online environment.”
Despite the economic downturn that has accompanied the pandemic, health care remains one of the nation’s fastest-growing and most employable professions.
“Our med school graduates are re-ceiving outstanding residencies, and our health science students are experiencing 100 percent employment,” Kadish said. “Providers look for Touro grads because they are highly trained and represent quality and integrity. We are so proud that our system is set up to make the dreams of so many for medical and healthcare careers a successful reality.”
Larry Luxner writes for the JTA global Jewish news source. This story was sponsored by the Touro College and University System, which supports Jewish continuity and community while serving a diverse population of over 19,000 students across 30 schools.
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A New Kind of Learning
Some students with special needs did better with remote learning than in traditional classroom settings. (Courtesy of Sinai Schools)
S P E C I A L S E C T I O N : E D U C A T I O N
When Racheli Friedbauer was en-rolled four years ago in a Jewish special education program, it
changed her life.Due to a rare genetic disorder,
Racheli, now 11, has developmental delays and some medical problems, and is extremely shy. But she thrived in the program run by Sinai Schools, a network of special educational schools operating within regular Jewish day school settings.
“It was an environment where she finallywascomfortable,andshefeltveryloved and accepted for who she was,” said her mother, Jill Friedbauer.
Then, in March, the coronavirus pan-demic hit and Racheli’s life was turned upside down. Her school, the Sinai Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, closed. Teachers and students quickly switched to remote learning.
The abrupt shift was challenging, to
In Racheli’s case, she was able to have physical therapy, math and reading with just one other student (virtually, over videoconference).
Now, educators say the new teaching methods they’ve adopted will be useful even when students can return to tradi-tional classrooms.
“For sure, none of us would want dis-tance learning as an ideal way of teaching our kids,” said Rabbi Yisrael Rothwachs, dean of Sinai Schools. “But since we were thrownintothisandhadtofigureitoutquickly, as did the rest of the world, I think we should be humble enough to take a step back and say, ‘What can we learn from this experience?’”
About 7 million students in the United States receive special education services, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, including those with autism, emotional issues and learning disabilities.
The Learning Disabilities Association ofAmericaestimatesthat15percentofU.S. children have some form of disabil-ity. Among Jews, that would constitute approximately150,000kids.
While distance learning is not ideal, some students actually have done better than in in-person settings, said Arlene Remz, executive director of Gateways, an organization that provides training to Jewish educators to support a diversity of learners.
“There are students who traditionally needed more support and struggled in class that have really done extremely well online,” Remz said. “Part of it is because they have been able to break down tasks and expectations in ways that they weren’t in the regular classroom.”
David Farbman, Gateways’ senior director of education, said teachers are more attuned to individual learning needs now than they may have been in the classroom.
“They have been forced because of thesituationtoengageinlotsofdiffer-ent modalities,” Farbman said. “Rather than just always have the teachers talking to the students, this has opened their eyes even more to the possibility of howyoucanreachstudentsindifferentways.”
saytheleast.Teachersatfirstreplicatedtheir daily schedule using Zoom. But students with special needs who rely on structure for academic and emotional stability found the change jarring.
The risks of failure could be disastrous for these children.
So educators quickly regrouped and retooled. Students were divided into smaller groups so teaching could be more individualized. Teachers put in more hours. Instructors incorporated more visuals — mastering the ability, for example, to visually focus in on a math problem they were working rather than showing the entire board or front of the classroom.
To combat “Zoom fatigue,” educators added activities to break the monotony, such as twice weekly music sessions that hadn’t been part of the pre-pandemic schedule.
Retooled approach helps special education students during the distance-learning era.
By Eric Berger
JMORELIVING.COM 45
Meet our principals, explore our student-centered educational experience, and discover why a Beth Tfiloh education is an education for life. Come learn more at a BT Virtual Open House.
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Jewish day school leaders who specialize in special needs instruction have con-tinually tweaked their approaches since distance learning started in March, with encouraging results.
“We have moved towards even smaller class sizes than when we began, which were already pretty small because that’s sort of the model of our special ed school,” said Ilana Ruskay-Kidd, founder and head of the Shefa School, a Jewish special education primary school in New
York. “We have moved towards check-ing in more individually with students because we know that their social and emotional lives are vulnerable — and to be able to maintain connections between teachers and students and administra-tors and families.”
Ruskay-Kidd said giving students and their families individualized attention helped the schools identify problem areas — and successful solutions — early on and adapt accordingly.
Several weeks ago, the Jewish Education Project and Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools convened hundreds of Jewish day school educators from across the country for an online session to share best practices and support each other.
“I have never seen schools be more col-laborative and less competitive than they are right now,” Ruskay-Kidd said.
Whenever schools are able to resume regular classrooms, some students with special needs — such as those who struggle to manage relationships or have
difficultywithexecutivefunctioninglikewalking from classrooms to the lunch-room — may have a tough time with the transition, said Sinai’s Rothwachs.
“We will very deliberately teach what it means to be a student, what it means to sit in your chair, how we organize our materials,” he said.
Challenges notwithstanding, Rothwachs believes that because the past three months have required teachers to con-stantlyrefinetheirapproaches,“wewillbebetteroffforthis.”
He added, “God did this for some reason — I don’t know what — but I do believe at the end of the day we will be stronger educators.”
This story was sponsored and produced in collaboration with a foundation that wishes to remain anonymous, and is part of a series titled “On the Bright Side: Stories of innova-tion and resilience from Jewish non-profits.” This article was produced by JTA’s native content team.
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“Zackary Drucker: Icons” is part of the Baltimore Museum of Art’s “2020 Vision” exhibition, which will be on display through 2021. (Provided by the Baltimore Museum of Art)
JMORELIVING.COM 51
The muse lives on!
COVER STORY
>>> Here at Jmore, we couldn’t agree more. That’s why we decided to publish our annual fall arts cover package in the middle of a pan-demic while most area theaters, concert halls and museums remain shuttered.
Despite the closures, Charm City’s arts and cultural community has not ceased or cur-tailed the magic of creating. Organizations such as the Gordon Center for Performing Arts, Baltimore Center Stage, the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Creative Alliance
continueofferingqualityvirtualperformances,concerts, literary events and exhibitions that bring meaning and value to our lives at a time when we need it more than ever.
And they’re looking forward to bringing us back to their venues as soon as it’s safe to do so.
This fall, it’s incumbent on all of us to support Baltimore’s artists and the arts and cultural organizations that showcase their work.
Like Manasi Prasad says, we “share a symbiotic relationship.” They need us and we need them. ➡
BY SIMONE ELLIN / ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Charm City’s arts community adapts to the new normal this fall.
“The arts and society share a symbiotic relationship. Just as society needs art to add meaning to life,
the arts need the support of society in difficult times.” — Manasi Prasad, director of the Indian Music Experience, India’s first interactive music museum
52 JMORELIVING.COM
A Virtual RealityOwings Mills’ Gordon Center was preparing to open its 32nd annual William and Irene Wein-berg Family Baltimore Jewish Film Festival when the coronavirus struck and necessitated the closing of the venue.
“We spent a lot of time pivoting and decided toputthefilmfesti-val online,” says Sara Shalva,chiefartsofficerof the Jewish Commu-nity Center of Greater Baltimore. “It was risky. We didn’t know if people would buy tickets. But it turned out to be an overwhelming success. We more than doubled our subscriptions, and we got great feedback abouthowflexibleandadaptable we were.”
During the virtual festival that ran last May and June, “we began talking about how lonely and isolating it can feel during the pandemic,” says Shalva. “We started thinking about how we could gather people in the community safely. Someone came up with the idea of a drive-in movie theater.”
The idea was a
game-changer, and a plan for the new theater quickly materialized.
Expected to open in September, the drive-in, Gordon Outdoors, won’t belimitedtofilmpre-sentations, says Shalva.
“We don’t see the big screen in the parking lot as just a drive-in movie theater,” she says. “We imagine we will have an outdoor experience where we can live-stream con-certs, theater, even b’nai mitzvah and weddings. Families can hold their ceremonies in the lobby or auditorium, and guests can watch from the parking lot.”
Meanwhile, the Gordon Center has launched “Words and Ideas,” a new category of programming that brings best-selling authors, journalists and thought leaders to-gether for enlightening virtual and — eventually — in-person discus-sions about literature and storytelling. One example is the Gordon’s virtual literary series “In Their Own Words.” So far, the series has featured Q&As with such noted authors as Daniel
Shoe designer Steve Madden will discuss his new memoir as part of the Gordon Center’s new “In Their Own Words” series this fall. (Above left): Baltimore Center Stage was forced to cancel live performances of “Where We Stand” starring Donnetta Lavinia in March. (Photo by Joan Marcus)
Silva, Esther Safran Foer, Adeena Sussman, Kevin Kwan and Al Roker.
“In Their Own Words” will continue through the fall featuring virtual conversations with prolificthrillerandhis-toricalfictionauthorKenFollett, shoe designer/memoirist Steve Mad-den, best-selling novelist Jodi Picoult, alternative medicine advocate/author Deepak Chopra, and TV host and author Joan Lunden.
“We can’t wait to welcome our communi-ty back to the beautiful 550-seatGordonCenterwhen it is safe to do so,”
says Shalva. “Of course, we will open as soon as we are able, taking all possible precautions so that our patrons can return and enjoy all the incredible, high-quality live music, dance, family programsandfilmstheyhave come to expect from the Center for Arts and Culture at the J.”
Shalva admits that onebenefitofvirtualprogramming is that the possibilities are, well, virtually limitless.
“When we moved into the virtual context, we realized we could reach out to authors and thought leaders
JMORELIVING.COM 53
who didn’t live in or near Baltimore,” says Shalva.
The Gordon’s new “Wisdom Studio” program, another “Words and Ideas” offering,isaperfectexam-ple. The “Wisdom Studio” will present Jewish authors, cultural commentators, educators and thought leaders from all over the world to facilitate conversa-tions about modern art and culture over Zoom.
Similarly, the Gordon Centerwillofferanewvirtual discussion series called“AmplifiedVoices”that will address topics related to Black-Jewish relations and an “Israel Insights” series in partner-ship with The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore.
The latter will host scholars, academics and journalists for conversa-tions about issues pertain-ing to the Jewish state.
Due to the pandemic, the JCC was forced to furlough350staffmem-bers in May, something Shalva says was “extremely challenging. We had to say goodbye to a lot of people who’ve been part of the family for ages.”
Despite that hardship, says Shalva, the health crisis has reinvigorated the Gordon Center team. “We’ve never done this before, and it’s taken a lot of help to do it. The people I’m working with — Peter Michaelson, Marilyn Zvili and Sara Qureshi — are top-notch professionals, and I feel very lucky to lead them.
“Now more than ever, people are seeking hope,” Shalva says. “These are dark days, and arts and
culture help people escape,findhumanitybysharing stories, studying, spiritual experiences. … This time has taught me a lot about how important the work we do is and how much people value it.”
For information, visit gor-doncenter.com.
The Show Must Go OnBaltimore Center Stage was just about to open a new one-woman show called “Where We Stand” when the pandemic forced the closing of its Calvert Street venue.
“Quickly, we captured theplayonfilm,putitonvideo, got it out and sold pay-what-you-want tickets,” says Michael Ross, the theater’s executive director. “It got sent all over the country and we sold many more tickets than we had anticipated. It was kind of a rewarding experience. But we are about live theater. This piece was about com-munity, and not to have community in the room was sad.”
Like other arts organi-zations here and around the world, Baltimore Center Stage has struggled to keep its community engaged.“Thefirstthingwede-
cided was, ‘We’re not going away. We have a role to play in the community. We’re open for storytelling. That’s what we believe in and what we live by,’” says Ross.
With that in mind, Balti-more Center Stage worked efficientlytocreateseveralpandemic-era initiatives.
Virtual & OtherwiseGet your creative juices flowing this fall with these virtual arts and cultural events:
VISUAL ARTSVirtual Happy Hour with Francisco Loza | September16,5:30p.m.American Visionary Art MuseumDiscover the creative process of Mexican press yarn artist Francisco Loza in this free virtual program in honor of Mexican Independence Day.avam.org
B2020 Virtual Exhibition | Through Sept. 30BaltimoreOfficeofPromotion&theArtsBOPA’s new virtual exhibition pays tribute to the groundbreaking exhibition “Black Male,” which opened at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City in 1994. It features works by emerging local artists including Chris Batten, Ram Brisueno, Walter Cruz, Kayla Fryer and Andrew Gray.promotionandarts.org
The Magic Forest Revisited: Experiments in Viscosity Printing by Richard Hellman | Heldoverindefinitely.Pleasecheckweb-site for dates. Ink Spot Press“The Magic Forest” comprises a series of seven full color etchings, handpulledbyartistandmasterprinterRichardHellman. Theexhibition includes Hellman’s etching plates as well. You can view the exhibition in-person or by setting up an [email protected] or call 443-798-1167
As It Should Be | Ongoing“As It Should Be” asked artists to imagine what tomorrow brings. Curated by Sarah McCann and de-veloped in partnership with the “Rising Up!” educational program of the Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric, the exhibition was originally planned for installation at Baltimore’s Gallery CA. Due to COVID-19, a webpage was created to showcase the work. sarahbmccann.com
54 JMORELIVING.COM
(Above): Katharina Grosse’s “Is It You?” is part of the Baltimore Museum of Art’s “2020 Vision” exhibition. (Below): “Valerie Maynard: Lost and Found” at the Baltimore Museum of Art celebrates 60 years of work by the local sculptor and printmaker.
civic conversations.”Ross acknowledges
that the future is hard to predict. “We’re planning to go slow with two small shows that will both be in our Head Theater,” he says. “The theater is being com-pletelyreconfiguredtobe in cabaret seating, with free-standing chairs that can be moved around in pods so you can sit with the people you’re with but away from others that you
The “Play at Home” pro-gram was one of those. “Thefirstpurposewas
to get dollars into the wallets of playwrights by commissioning 10-min-ute plays that could be performed at home by amateurs and families,” says Ross. “[Baltimore Center Stage artistic di-rector Stephanie Ybarra] had the idea to bring in four other theaters and over 100 playwrights. Thousands of people have done the plays and the program has gotten national recognition. Theaters can either do virtual performances that are videotaped and shown, or live readings on Zoom or other platforms.”
The theater’s “Camp at Home” is another new program developed for children and families. “That program gives young people the chance to do projects around storytelling at home,” says Ross.
In addition to its virtual programming, the theater has tried to help the community’s health care professionals.
“We are really proud of our production shops, the craftspeople that work with us,” says Ross. “When this all happened, their work stopped. Right away, we heard the call for PPE from hospitals. So quickly, I reached out to Mercy Medical Center, our neighbor, and asked them, ‘Do you need help? Our costume shop has this idea of sewing masks.’ And I got immediately [an email] in all caps, ‘YES! WHATEVER
YOU CAN DO!’ Within days, our costume shop and shops all over the city began distributing fabric and patterns that got approved by the CDC and started producing surgical masks and plas-tic shields.”
Ross notes that theaters, including Baltimore Center Stage, also have played a role during the Black Lives Matter movement pro-tests by opening their lobbies to protesters needing supplies, rest-rooms, phone charging stations and more.
Ross says the pandem-ic has encouraged arts organizations to work more collaboratively. “We’ve asked ourselves, ‘How do we amplify other organizations and their causes?’ There’s a lot of talk about how do we do
this together; who else should we bring along?”
Though Baltimore Center Stage has post-poned live theater until late January — if all goes well, they’ll open “The Swindlers” by Noah Diaz on Jan. 28 — the theater willcontinueofferingvirtual programs this fall. Its “Bridge” series will in-clude readings of classic plays, as well as conver-sations about civics and the arts.
On the evening of Nov. 3,thetheaterwilloffera virtual “Election Night Cabaret.” The vision of Ybarra, the cabaret will convene artists, poets, musicians and performerstoreflecton “what it means to be in a democracy, what it means to be voting,” says Ross. “Artists have always been involved in
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don’t know, and putting in all the protocols of social distancing and how we’ll operate concessions and bathrooms.
“Our hope is that by next May, we can be back to a fuller audience, what-ever that might be,” he says. “We’re going to keep looking at it, but we’re not going to do anything that’s not safe for people.”
Regardless of what happens with the pandemic, one thing is for certain, says Ross. “Art will survive. Art has been around forever. We’ll always have artists in our midst,” he says. “I’m not sure what it will look like — probablydifferentthanitlooked before, but ultimate-ly we’re going to be here.”
For information, visit centerstage.org.
A Vision DeferredChristopher Bedford, direc-tor of the Baltimore Muse-um of Art, was gearing up for “2020 Vision,” a yearlong celebration of female-iden-tifying artists, when the coronavirus forced him to close the museum’s doors back in March.
“We have an entire museum of new exhi-bitions that no one has seen,” he laments.
But Bedford hopes that all will change in mid-Sep-tember when the museum anticipates reopening in accordance with health and safety guidelines. Bedford is pleased that many of the exhibitions currently on display will be extended well into 2021.
“We’ve also elected to extend our focus on female-identifying art and
artists,” he says. “2020 Vision” encom-
passes more than 20 distinctive exhibitions spanning the entire museum’s galleries.
“It’s been a hugely exciting undertaking,” says Bedford, noting the BMA’s decision to highlight wom-en artists stemmed from the “broad recognition that museums historically have not placed enough empha-sis on art by female-identi-fying artists.”
The fact that 2020 is the 100th anniversary of wom-en’ssuffragealsoplayeda role in the institution’s decision, as did an analysis of the BMA’s collection. Bedford says the muse-um’s programs and acqui-sitions will especially focus on works by female-identi-fying artists of color.
“We analyzed our collec-tion and like many other encyclopedic museums, only 4 percent of our collection was art by wom-en,” he says. “We felt we needed to radically distort in that direction, signaling our intent to make sure we don’t commit the same error. All of that will unfurl in 2021.”
That’s not to say that activity has stopped at the BMA. In addition to a variety of digital resources — including virtual gallery walks, “BMA Stories” and the “Free Family Sundays at Home” program, which provides families with guided art projects and more — the museum initiated several programs designed to support unem-ployed artists.
“In looking at our avail-able resources, we decided
The Walters Art Museum Online Collection | OngoingThough The Walters is closed for now, you can still view the museum’s world-renowned collection online.art.thewalters.org
The Science and Mystery of Sleep | October 10American Visionary Art MuseumAVAM’snewexhibitionexplorescutting-edgescientificresearchabout sleep and its critical importance to the health and creative well-being of human beings. On exhibit through fall 2022.avam.org
Block Printing with Anita Hagan | October13,October15,6:30p.m.ArtFarm AnnapolisThis two-day class, conducted by block printer Anita Hagen, teaches students to carve their own blocks and create beautiful block prints. No experience necessary.artfarmannapolis.com
HISTORY“Jews in Space: Members of the Tribe in Orbit” | September 6Jewish Museum of MarylandThe JMM reopened for limited hours in July. As of this writing, in-person visitors are welcome Sundays, Tues-days and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Advance tickets and reservations are required, and only 10 tickets are available per time slot. Here’s your chance to go where most people haven’t gone before —
to see the JMM’s newest exhibition, “Jews in Space!” OpenthroughApril30,2021.15LloydSt.,Baltimorejewishmuseummd.org
Virtual Tours: Baltimore Museum of Industry | OngoingTake a virtual tour of the BMI to learn about the history of work and industry in our fair city. At the museum’s website, you’ll also findfreeonlineactivitiesforvisitorsofallages.thebmi.org
LITERARYStorytelling by Bunjo Butler | September 14, 6 p.m.Enoch Pratt Free LibraryRetired librarian, storyteller and workshop facilitator Bunjo Butler shares stories from the African oral tradition in this free kids event.calendar.prattlibrary.com
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For information, visit artbma.org.
Quick Change ArtistsIt was around March 12 or 13 that Josh Kohn, performance director at the Creative Alliance in Patterson Park, realized the landscape had changed.
“We didn’t know how long [the pandemic] would last,” he says. “We had to start immediately canceling programs.”
Naturally, Kohn was concerned about the im-plications of the cancella-tions for the organization. But he was equally con-cerned about the artists andthefinancialburdenthey would face due to the cancellations. But he needn’t have worried.
“We came together
to discard physical and virtual convenings and instead to parcel out money to struggling Baltimore artists,” says Bedford.
The “BMA Salon,” a marketplace plat-form where artists andnonprofitgalleriescould promote their work, is one of those initiatives. Part of the museum’s “Necessity of Tomorrow(s)” series — which invitesacclaimedartists and thought leaders from all over the world to Baltimore for discussions of art, race and social justice issues — the salon invited Bal-timore-based galleries such as C. Grimaldis, Current Space, Galerie Myrtis, Black Arts District and Catalyst Contempo-rary to showcase and sell their artists work.
The “BMA Screening Room” was another pro-gramthatbenefitedlocalvideo artists by providing a platform for them to showshortfilmsandvid-eos.Localfilmmakersarepaidfortheirfilms,whichare available for viewing at tomorrows.artbma.org. “BMA Salon” and “BMA Screening Room” are both scheduled to run through Dec. 31.
The “BMA Studio” was a response to the needs of families stuck at home during the pandemic. It provides art-making kits full of supplies so fam-ilies without access to digital media can do art projects in their homes. Free kits can be picked up at BMA Lexington Market (400 W. Lexing-
ton St.) on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Greenmount West Com-munity Center at 1634 GuilfordAve.onthefirstWednesdays and second Thursdays of the month.
The museum also “reactivated the exterior” of its building in late June when the Alan and Janet Wurtzburger Sculpture Garden and Ryda and Robert H. Levi Sculpture Garden were reopened, says Bedford. Together, the sculpture gardens include 33 modern and contemporary sculptures by such renowned artists as Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, Alexander Cald-well and Ellsworth Kelly.
In August, the BMA de-buted artist Kota Ezawa’s video “National Anthem” in the Latrobe Spring House on the museum’s west lawn. Also, a new Go Mobile audio tour educates visitors about the BMA’s buildings and exterior works of art.
Looking toward the future, Bedford says, “This is a moment to listen, pivot and be cre-ative. We’re in the grip of dual pandemics. We’ve been incredibly biased — relating to race, gender and disabilities — for a very long time. To me, the protests sweeping the country are shap-ing us all to wake up. It is most pressing to museums that we are equitable inside and out. The protests have am-plifiedourcommitmentto making sure we keep progressing and stay focused on that goal.”
(Above): Dan and Claudia Zanes perform as part of Creative Alliance’s Sidewalk Serenades program.(Below): Artist Alina Poroshina’s painting “Beneath the Surface” — was part of this year’s Big Show at Creative Alliance.
Dan and Claudia Zanes
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almost immediately to converse about what it would mean to [operate] without the use of our building,” says Kohn. “How could we create a safe way for our community to en-joy music and to support local musicians?”
The answer was CA’s “Sidewalk Serenades,” a series of “close but not-too-close personal concerts.” For a small fee, CA sends popular local musicians to perform brief concerts outside of ticket-buyers’ homes. The program, which began March 20 with perfor-mances by Ken and Brad Kolodner, is currently entering its third round.
“To date, we’ve had 291 ‘serenades’ in Baltimore City and put $36,000 in the pockets of musicians,” says Kohn.
Ironically, he adds, “We’vespent25yearsasan arts organization trying to get people to come to our building. We never could have dreamed that in three to four days we’d be taking Creative Alliance all over the city!”
Despite the pandemic, “The Big Show,” CA’s an-nual visual arts exhibition, openedits25thanniversaryseason on July 18. The exhi-bition can be viewed online, but is also open to in-per-son visitors on Saturdays at Creative Alliance on Eastern Avenuefrom11a.m.to5p.m. through Sept. 12. A maximum of 10 people are permitted in the gallery at one time, and masks must be worn. Reservations are strongly suggested.
“This year’s show ended up being the biggest show
ever,” says Kohn. In addition, CA has
many other projects in the works, including its “Tian-quiztli” street markets that include live music, artisans and traditional Latin American food.
CA will present a “Black Artists Matter” virtual festival on Sept. 26. The all-day Facebook Live event will encompass arts workshops, live-streamed presentations by commu-nity healers and a per-formance that celebrates Baltimore’s Black artists and communities.
CA is known for its “Great Halloween Lantern Parade and Festival.”
“This is an event that typ-ically attracts 10,000 peo-ple,” says Ari Pluznik, CA’s community arts liaison.”We can’t do that [this year], but we still want to bring joy. We’re playing with the idea ofhavingfloatsandbandson trucks that slowly drive by like a Happy Halloween funeral procession.”
Instead of having onsite lantern-making, CA plans to create take-home lantern-making kits. This year’s parade falls conve-niently on Oct. 31.
As for the future of the organization, Kohn admits, “It’s super-concerning. We talk about it all the time. “On the positive side, even without arts organizations, the city is still creating great art — visual, music, across the board. We exist to support artists and the community. Our core audience knows that we’re still here.”
For information, visit creativealliance.org.
Brown Lecture Series: Dapper Dan, Made in Harlem: A Memoir | September15,7p.m.Enoch Pratt Free LibraryIconic fashion designer and boutique owner Dapper Dan discusses his new memoir “Made in Harlem” in this free virtual lecture. Calendar.prattlibrary.com
2020 Edgar Allan Poe Festival and Awards | October 3-4Edgar Allan Poe House & MuseumBaltimore’s annual “Poe Festival” will take place online this year. Join other devotees of the master of the macabre for two days of books, music, art and Poe-related activities.poefestinternational.org
Be Here Stories | OngoingThe Peale CenterThe Baltimore storytelling programoffersanewwayto learn about people and places in Charm City. So far,
theprogramhassharedmorethan1,500stories:online,atthePeale Center and in Baltimore’s communities.Thepealecenter.org
MUSICCorona Concert Series | OngoingThis music series was created to help musicians earn money during the pandemic and to provide music lovers the opportunity to enjoy live performances despite social distancing guidelines. Facebook.com/coronaconcertseries
Freda Payne | November 13-14Keystone Korner BaltimoreRecording artist, Broadway actress and singer Freda Payne {“Band of Gold”) has been performing since she was a teenager. In November, she’ll grace the stage of Baltimore’s most swingin’ jazz club, now open for outdoor dining and streamed music broadcasts. Check the club’s website to see who else is coming to town. 1350LancasterSt., Baltimorekeystonekornerbaltimore.com
An Die Musik Virtual SeriesSupport classical, jazz and world music venue An Die Musik during the pandemic by visiting its website for real-time online concerts and to view archival concert footage.andiemusiklive.com
— Compiled by Simone Ellin and Gillian Blum
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By Larry Luxner
Robotic Revolution Israeli doctors get help from an unlikely source — robots.
Siemens’ Artis Zeego, provides real-time 3-D imaging during operations, eliminat-ing the need for pre-surgery CT scans and post-surgery X-rays.
“We’ve inserted thousands of screws using this technology. It’s one of our best friends in the operating room, and it’s 99 percent accurate,” Liebergall said. “Usually, the robot doesn’t make mis-takes, but problems sometimes occur. We know when to give up and go back to the old way.”
Robots are also lending a mechanical arm to the essential testing for COVID-19 that Hadassah Hospital has taken on. To help during the pandemic, Hadassah has deployed robotics to address the sudden, massive need for urgent analysis of blood samples for COVID-19.
“We had to move from tens of sam-ples a day to thousands,” said Dr. Asaf Gertler, clinical laboratory director at Hadassah Medical Center’s Ein Kerem campus. “Without robots, this would have been impossible.”
The rooms in which he works hold millions of dollars’ worth of machines made by Roche, Tecan and Qiagen. In all, Hadassah employs eight types of robots just to extract the RNA of the virus; each oneusesdifferentsubstances.
Prof. Abd al-Rouf Higazi, head of clinical biochemistry at the Ein Kerem hospital, said the robots his facility employs are “the cutting edge of civilian technology,moreadvancedthanF-35”fighterjets.
In the old days, Higazi’s lab would re-ceive blood samples in a glass or plastic tube, accompanied by a written request listing which tests were to be performed. After doing the tests, lab technicians would send a printout with the results
NATIONAL
Surgeons performing knee surgery at Hadassah Hospital’s Mount Scopus campus use the ROSA robot, made possible with a grant from USAID’s Office of American Schools and Hospitals Abroad. (Gurion Rivkin)
good when you need to do repeated motions, but not only that. The robot assists the surgeon, creates some dialogue about decision-making and improves performance.”
For example, ROSA might warn surgeons that if they cut the bone at a 5-degreeangleitcouldpreventproperalignment of the leg, while a 3-degree angle will result in better positioning oftheartificialimplant.
“ROSA doesn’t do the work instead of me, but brings me to the right position,” said Liebergall. “It guides me where to cut the bone and at which angle, and it gets that information from the patient’s anatomy.”Forthepast15years,Hadassah
doctors have used the ACMazor Robotics Renaissance Guidance System to place screws in patients’ spines with added safety and precision. Another robot,
O rthopedic surgeons at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center on Mount Scopus recently
welcomed a newcomer to their team. She’sefficient,neverneedsacoffeebreak, doesn’t complain about the long hours and isn’t worried about catching COVID-19.
That’s because she’s a robot.Called ROSA, for Robotic Surgical
Assistant, the diminutive white-and-blue robot already has proved her value in the operating room. Since ROSA’s arrival last year, thanks to a grant from USAID’s OfficeofAmericanSchoolsandHospi-tals Abroad, she has helped Hadassah replace the knees of 20 patients.
“Our preliminary impression is that surgery with ROSA is better — we see theclinicalbenefit,”saidProf.Meir Liebergall, chairman of the hospital’s orthopedic department. “Robots are
It’s one of our best friends in the operating room,
and it’s 99 percent accurate.
back to the department that requested the test.
Now, a physician enters the necessary tests into a computer, which produces a bar-code sticker. When the tube arrives at the lab, a robot sends it to a centri-fuge, where it is opened, forwarded to another machine for analysis, resealed andfinallysenttothearchives—inthe event a physician decides to do an additional test.
“You don’t have to touch the tube,” Higazi said. “It does everything by itself.”
Hadassah’s robots have been partic-ularly useful to spine surgeons. Dr. Josh Schroeder, a spine surgeon at Hadas-sah’s Mount Scopus campus, does 10 to15surgeriesaweek;threeorfourofthem generally involve robots. A recent one was on a Palestinian construction worker from the West Bank who had fallenfromscaffolding,breakingeightribs and smashing his vertebrae.
“With the robot’s help, we did micro- incisions and healed his entire spine,” Schroeder said. “Robots can bring you to places you can’t see with the bare eye.”
Schroeder likened robotic assistance to“thedifferencebetweendrivinganautonomous car with your eyes closed, or looking at the road every second.”
Schroeder said he doesn’t see any downside to using robots, as long as they don’t malfunction.
“We’re not yet at a place where robots can replace us, because they’re not 100 percent safe. But technological enhancement to human hands is phe-nomenal,” he said. “I think as robotic technology evolves, it’s going to become a major part of our everyday medical practice.”
Larry Luxner writes the JTA global Jewish news source.
This article was sponsored by and pro-duced in partnership with Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America Inc., which is celebrating the 100th year of Hadassah Medical Organization, the Henrietta Szold Hadassah-Hebrew University School of Nursing and the Hadassah Ophthalmology Department. This article was produced by JTA’s native content team.
L'Shana Tova
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L'Shanah TovahHAPPY ROSH HASHANAH
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There’s no question that the High Holiday season of 5781 will be different than any previous year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t satisfy your cravings for traditional festival fare. These scrumptious recipes are a delectable way to welcome Rosh Hashanah and the rest of the season.
Sunken plum cake
Pomegranate and Honey Glazed ChickenBy Liz Rueven for The Nosher via JTA
Ingredients: 1 4-pound chicken cut in eighths (breasts cut in half if large) 4 tablespoons canola oil (separated: 2 tablespoons for simmer sauce and 2 tablespoons for browning the chicken) 1 large onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup pomegranate molasses 1/2 cup sweetened pomegranate juice 1/2 cup honey 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth 1 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger
Yontif Yearnings
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IN THE KITCHEN
1/8 teaspoon allspice 1/2 teaspoon turmeric Salt and pepper to taste For the garnish: 2 tablespoons parsley 2 tablespoons pomegranate arils (seeds)
Heat 2 tablespoons canola oil in a large pan (you’ll need a lid for later).
Sauté chopped onion until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes (do not brown).
Add pomegranate molasses, juice, honey, broth and spices.
Stir and bring to boil. Reduce to an active simmer, and cook uncovered, for about 20 minutes or until sauce is
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reduced by about half the volume and slightly thickened.
Taste sauce and adjust seasoning. Too tart? Add 1 to 2 tablespoons honey. Want more kick? Crack more black pepper.
Remove sauce from heat and pour into bowl. Set aside.
Wash pan.Rinse chicken parts, pat dry, season
with salt and pepper.Heat remaining 2 tablespoons of oil
in pan and place chicken parts skin side down.Brownononesideandfliptosecond side. Do not crowd chicken in the pan, as this causes chicken to steam rather than brown.
Lower heat, pour prepared simmer sauce over the chicken. Cover pan and simmeronlowfor35-40minutes.
Remove from pan and platter, garnishing with chopped parsley and pomegranate arils.
Grilled Challah Caprese SaladBy Megan Wolf for JTA
Ingredients:2 cups diced challah21/2 cups cherry tomatoes11/2 cups mozzarella balls1/2 cup balsamic vinegar3 tablespoons olive oil plus more for grilling Kosher salt to taste
Heat a cast-iron grill pan or traditional grill until very hot.
Toss challah with olive oil and place on grill pan, cook until all sides are grilled or
slightly charred, set aside.In a large bowl, combine tomatoes
and mozzarella and set aside.Immediately before serving, heat a
small saucepan over medium heat and reduce balsamic vinegar until thick.
Add grilled challah to tomato mixture and drizzle with reduced balsamic vinegar, olive oil and top with kosher salt to taste.
Serve immediately.
Sunken Plum CakeBy Sonya Sanford from The Nosher via JTA
1/2 cup vegan butter or unsalted butter
at room temperature (1 stick)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 large eggs at room temperature
2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
11/4 cup all-purpose flour or gluten free all
purpose flour
11/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon salt if using unsalted butter,
pinch of salt if using vegan butter
4-5 plums halved, pitted and sliced
1/4-inch thick
Turbinado/raw sugar for sprinkling on top
1/4 cup honey for the glaze (optional)
Preheattheovento350F.Grease and line a 9-inch springform pan
with parchment paper, or you can also make this in a 9-by-9-inch baking dish.
Cream together vegan butter/butter andsugaruntillightandfluffy,about 3-4 minutes, using either a handheld mixer or stand mixer with the paddle attachment.
Add the honey to the sugar mixture and mix until well incorporated.
Add the eggs, vanilla and freshly grated ginger, and mix until they are also well incorporated.Sifttogethertheflour,bakingpowder,
salt and cardamom. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and mix until just incorporated. Be careful not to over-mix.
Pour the batter into the lined and greased cake pan. Add the sliced plums on top of the cake; they will sink as they bake. Top the cake with a generous sprin-kling of Turbinado/raw sugar, or regular sugar if you don’t have raw sugar.Bake35-40minutes,oruntilacake
tester comes out clean when tested in the center of the cake.
If desired, you can brush honey on top of the cake once it has cooled: Heat ¼ cup of honey until just warm, and then brush it over the cake.
Serve topped with whipped cream or ice cream. Can be made a day in advance.
Search for recipes or submit your own in our recipes database at jmoreliving.com/recipesdatabase.
Left: Pomegranate and Honey Glazed Chicken Below: Grilled Challah Caprese Salad
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IN GOOD TASTE
By Randi Rom
Despite the myriad challenges of the pandemic era, there’s a whole lot of innovation and
creativity going on in the Baltimore area’s restaurant community.
For instance, Nancy Longo, executive chef and owner of Pierpoint Restaurant in Fells Point, has created a new and enticing concept. You can now order ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat week-end meal boxes at Pierpoint that are available Wednesdays and Thursdays at 4 p.m., with pickups available Thursdays through Sundays.
The boxes typically contain eight or nine culinary items and always include Pierpoint’s famous smoked or tradition-al crab cakes. On average, the boxes feed two to four people for about three or four days. You just may want to try Grandma Renza’s focaccia or the corn pound cake. (Call Pierpoint in advance at410-675-2080orvisitpierpoint restaurant.com)
Area restaurants get creative and expansive in the COVID-19 era.
Outside the Box
‘Dark in the City, Night is a Wire’Duran Duran, anyone? A new pop-up outdoor dining and carryout concept called Hungry Like the Wolfe recently opened at the Red Star, at 906 S. Wolfe St. in Fells Point. It showcases a new spin on classic American tavern and classic Maryland cuisine created by chefs Adam Scanlon and Cyrus Keefer, and they say it might becomeapermanentfixtureifthetestmarketbrandtakesoff.
(Below): Hungry Like the Wolfe coffee and doughnuts bread pudding. (Right): Karma farms tomato and bread salad. (Provided photos).
Keefer, previously a chef at the Fork & Wrench and the Alexander Brown Restaurant (which closed in May), and Scanlon,RedStar’sexecutivechef,offerto-go and outdoor dining options. (Visit redstarfellspoint.com)
In a somewhat similar vein, to keep itselfafloatduringthepandemic, Hampden’s Bluebird Cocktail Room & Pub has reopened as a pop-up concept. It’s called Until Conditions Improve (apropos name, right?!).
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The menu features gourmet burgers and dogs, snacks and sides (fried pickles anyone?), not to mention boozy milk-shakes. (FYI, they have non-boozy shakes, too.) Order online or outside the restau-rant for takeout or eat at their al fresco dining area. (Visit thebluebird baltimore.com)
So how does a creative bistro owner deal with a pandemic when they own a cozy, 13-seat restaurant in Little Italy? If you’re Nino Germano, executive chef and owner of La Scala, you expand your il Giardino (the garden), the outdoor space where you can enjoy traditional, regional Italian cuisine.
Also, there’s Mercato La Scala, an online marketplace that includes a butcher shop, produce, pasta and sauces, desserts (tiramisu!), ready-to-eat meals, cheese, wine and olive oil. FYI, there’s on-street parking, a garage just behind the restaurant, and they have free delivery (within a 20-mile radius) for orders over $100.
BTW, Chef Nino has created a plan called “Feed Baltimore.” For every 2 pounds of pasta sold, he donates 1 pound with sauce to Our Daily Bread to help feed those in need.
Bravo, bravo! (Visit lascaladining.com)
Parisian PleasuresNow open in the Pikesville Shopping
Center is the much-anticipated Croustille Café, a French kosher bakery specializing in freshly baked bread and pastries prepared daily on the prem-ises. The café, which is owned by Paris native Moshe Mimoun, operates under the kashrut certificationoftheBalti-more-based Star-K supervisory group.
The café section of the space (for-merly a Rite Aid) serves breakfast and lunch, with a focus on bagels (which are also made in-house) with toppings, overstuffedsandwiches,custom-madesalads and store-made ice cream. (For information, call 410-559-6940.)
Croustille Cafe, a French kosher bakery, recently opened in the Pikesville Shopping Center. (Photo by Larry Lichtenauer)
All Aboard!Kim and D’Alan Baugh are the new owners of Sykesville Station, formerly the Baldwin’s Station restaurant. This historic landmark on Sykesville’s Main Streetofferscontemporary,Southern- inspired cuisine featuring local products.
The Baughs strongly believe that great food and great music are what bring people together. They say their menu — designed by executive chef Steven Colegrove (formerly of Encantada and Café Azafran) — will bring a little bit of Nashville to Sykesville.
In keeping with the bistro’s railroad theme, Sykesville Station’s food options are listed as Engine Starters, Boxcar Sandwiches and Main Line Dinners. The most popular dishes are the Nashville Hot Chicken (local, crispy chicken with a cayenne glaze), crispy Brussels sprouts (with garlic aioli and a cider glaze) and the Station Smoked Brisket.
Call ahead for curbside pickup, dine inside the station or outdoors on “The Platform” overlooking the mighty Patapsco River and the steel rails of the B&O. And look for a lineup of live country music bands. (Visit sykesvillestation.com)
Randi Rom is president of RJ Rom & Associates. She is a freelance columnist and writer who represents some of the region’s top restaurants and food- related events. Contact her at [email protected].
La Scala in LIttle Italy has expanded its garden to accommodate Italian food lovers during the pandemic.
68 JMORELIVING.COM
GarlicFrom mid-September through October and even as late as November, garlic cloves are planted 1-2 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart in soil amended with organic matter and 10-10-10 fertilizer. Follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Make sure the soil is rich and drains well. The garlic will be ready to harvest in late June of 2021.
Flower Bed and Turf To-Dos:Spring blooming flower bulbs Tulipsanddaffodilsarespringfloweringbut should be planted in late September through November.
Large hybrid-type tulips, referred to as cottage or Darwin, are treated as annuals (replanted each year) and grow best when planted in drifts clumps and large containers.
Unfortunately, squirrels and chip-munks like to eat tulip bulbs while deer enjoymunchingonflowerbuds.Thebest solution? Plant bulbs in containers on a high deck or porch. Wrap them in chicken wire when planted. The critters are unable to eat the wire, but the stems will grow through.Daffodilsaretreatedasperennials,
they contain alkaloids which are unappe-tizing to squirrels and chipmunks. The plants readily naturalize, so give them room to spread.
Water the area, keeping it moist for proper germination. Mow the lawn when thenewgrassexceeds4-5inchestoaheight of 3½ inches. A healthy turf is the first defense against a weedy lawn in the summer.
Rebecca Brown began her career as a horticulturist more than 25 years ago and studied at the New York Botanical Gardens. She has been a University of Maryland, Baltimore County master gardener for five years and is a backyard beekeeper. Norman Cohen is a retired chemist. He has been gardening for 38 years and has been a University of Maryland, Baltimore County master gardener for 12 years. Cohen also provides gardening education to the public at local farmers markets.
GARDENING
W ithbloomingsunflowers,as-ters and zinnias providing late summer beauty, September
is a glorious time to extend the growing season and get a good jump on autumn.
Harvesting tomatoes, sowing cool weathercropsorplantingspring-flower-ing bulbs are perfect gardening activ-ities for this time of year. Fall’s cooler temperatures and seasonal rainfall allow vegetation to thrive and adapt to your garden’s conditions without much maintenance.
Here are some tips that should keep you in good stead throughout the com-ing season.
Vegetable Garden To-Dos:TomatoesTomatoes should be harvested as soon asthefirstblushofredappears.Astheweather cools and the days shorten, many tomatoes will stay green. Harvest
Tips for a healthy harvest and yield this autumn
By Rebecca Brown and Norman Cohen
Fall Into Gardening
the green tomatoes and wrap them in paper along with an apple or banana to encourage ripening. Or hang the toma-toes upside down in a cool, dry room, out of sun and the fruits will ripen.
Lettuce and RadishesSowlettuceandradishesinthefirstweek of September in pots or beds. Let-tuce seed is light germinated and should be sown on top of the soil.
Both lettuce and radishes are best grown in sun, but can also be grown in partial shade. Radishes are planted to a half-inch-depth. Both require moist soil to thrive. Purchase seeds packets with a 2020 date and read the seed packets for thinning directions.
Recommended radish cultivars are Cherry Belle, Cherry Bomb, Crimson Giant and Easter Egg while suggested lettuce leaf cultivars are Black Seeded Simpson, Deer Tongue and Merlo.
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Bari WeissWednesday, October 21, 7:30 pm
Livestreamed via Zoom
Beth Tfiloh Congregation welcomes
Hear Bari Weiss, author of How to Fight Anti-Semitism and former Wall Street Journal and New York Times Op-Ed writer, who recently made news by resigning from the New York Times in response to colleagues’ antisemitic bullying and workplace discrimination.
View details at Bethtfiloh.com/bariweiss
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Howard County’s Inclusive, Participatory
Conservative Congregation
Invites you for the High Holidays– 5781
Come Join Us! We’ve Already Saved Your “Seats!”
Officiated via Zoom by Rabbi Kim Blumenthal and Rabbi Marci Jacobs
From Our New Home in Columbia
ROSH HASHANAHTraditional Service – 9/19, 9:30 AM Family Scavenger Hunt – 9/19, 4:00 PM Holiday Service – 9/20, 9:30 AM Shofar Blowing – 9/20, 12:00 PM
YOM KIPPURKol Nidre – 9/27, 6:15 PM Traditional Service – 9/28, 9:30 AM Family Celebration – 9/28, 5:15 PM Shofar Blowing – 9/28, 6:30 PM
√ Junior Congregation
√ Baby Sitting Available During Services
√ Active Duty Military Personnel & Out-of Area College
Students Are Our Guests
For More Information About High Holiday Services Contact
Membership Chair Jennifer Rogofsky [email protected] or 443-253-1597
And please visit us online at www.bet-chaverim.org
A Happy, Healthy New Year from Bet Chaverim
72 JMORELIVING.COM
Emerald Island Dreamin’ In the post-pandemic era,
a journey to Ireland will be well worth your while.
By Carol Sorgen
“Recalculate, recalculate,” a phrase we were going to become all too familiar with over the course of our travels.
We soon arrived at Dromoland, which dates back to the 16th century. It was the ancestral home of the O’Briens, Barons of Inchiquin, one of the few native Gaelic families of royal blood and direct descendants of Brian Boroimhe (Boru), High King of Ireland in the 11th century.
The following morning we took part in one of Dromoland’s signature activities, a “Hawk Walk.” The walk is just one of a number of programs for experiencing this ancient sport, during which you learn about the natural history of birds of prey and their role in the environ-ment, and (if willing) take part in handling andflyingofoneoftheresidentHarrishawks. This really is an experience not to be missed, especially in the midst of the Castle’s 410 park-like acres.
Having survived the experience of serving as a human landing strip, it was back into the car for an excursion to the nearbyvillageof Bunratty, complete withitsown15th-centurycastleanda re-created village to tour (and shop yourwaythrough).Thecastleoffersamedieval dinner in the evenings. While it is a tourist attraction, it was — much to my surprise — a thoroughly enjoyable one. If you’re hungry or thirsty during the day, or want to skip the banquet, the authenticandhistoric Durty Nelly’s pubis steps away from the castle and makes a nice stop for a pint of Guinness and a
TRAVEL
A re you sure you want to drive?” I asked my intrepid traveling companion while planning a
pre-pandemic vacation to Ireland.Having been to the Emerald Isle
before, I was somewhat familiar with Ireland’s small country roads, round-abouts(ortrafficcircles)everywhichway you turn, and shortage of such safety features as guardrails.
After arriving in Shannon on a dark and rainy morning, we picked up our rental (spring for a GPS!). With itinerary in hand, we began our weeklong adven-ture in the western part of the country, winding our way south and east, eventu-ally ending in Dublin.Ourfirstdestination, Dromoland Cas-
tle Hotel, is (theoretically) just 20 minutes from Shannon Airport in County Clare. It didn’t take long before we came upon our firstroundabout,followedimmediatelyby our GPS chirping in her Irish brogue,
Located in County Clare on 410 acres, Dromoland Castle has hosted such famous guests as former President Bill Clinton, boxer Muhammad Ali, actors John Travolta and Jack Nicholson, and country singer Johnny Cash. (Shutterstock)
Old Irish Cottages of Adare Co. Limerick (left), Aerial Panorama view Killarney National Park on the Ring of Kerry, County Kerry. (Shutterstock)
JMORELIVING.COM 73
platter of fish and chips.One more night at Dromoland and
thenitwastimefor Adare, billed as the “prettiest village in Ireland,” with its many traditional thatched roof cottages.Backinthecaranditwasoffto Killar-
ney, in southwest Ireland’s County Kerry, accompanied by the much-too-frequent “recalculate” admonishments from our disembodied traveling companion.By late afternoon,wearrivedatthe Killarney Park Hotel ourdigsforthenight.Locatedright in the center of town, the Killarney Park is a sleek, contemporary hotel with all the “mod cons” and amenities you couldaskfor.Thetownof Killarney, long popular with the Irish themselves, gained international exposure when Queen Victoriafirstvisitedin1861.
The town itself is a bit touristy, but adjacenttoourhotelwasthe25,000-acre Killarney National Park, a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts who come to enjoy the combination of mountains, lakes, woodlands, waterfalls and wildlife. Forhistoryandarchitecturebuffs,there’salsothe19th-century Muckross House and Gardens. Youcanexploreall this on foot, bicycle, horseback or a horse-drawn “jaunting car.”
Along with the park, the biggest attrac-tion when staying in Killarney (indeed inallofIreland)isthenearby Ring of Kerry, the 110-mile circular route of truly spectacular coastal scenery.
Keep the car parked in your hotel lot and leave the driving here to someone else. Buses are one way to go, but we opted to hire a private guide recom-mended by the hotel, which graciously made the arrangements for us. With our driver’s skill behind the wheel and expert commentary, we were free to sit back and enjoy the scenery that neither of us would have been able to concentrate on had we been driving ourselves.
Leaving Killarney the next day, we made the scenic drive to the picturesque fishingvillageof Kinsale inCountyCork.This holiday destination is not as well known to Americans as it is to Irish and European visitors, who come to enjoy the fishing, sailing, and annual gourmet and jazz festivals.
Only one last drive remained, this time to Dublin, where we had already done
enough research to know that we didn’t want to —and didn’t need to — drive in the city. Dublin is well worth more than a day’s visit, but if you do have only a day to spend, you can opt for a hop-on, hop-offsightseeingbustourofthecity,or narrow down your itinerary. Any or all of these would make for a perfect Dublinday—strolldownlively Grafton Street, with its boutiques, cafes, pubs, and entertaining street performers; visit the Book of Kells at Trinity College; cruisethe River Liffey; and enjoy an Irish beer and music at one of Dublin’s many pubs.
Sadly, it was home to the States the following morning, though we were happytofinallybeabletoleavethetransporting to others.
For information, visit irishtourism.com
A former Baltimorean Carol Sorgen is a freelance writer based in Portland, Ore.
One more night at Dromoland and then it was time for Adare, billed as the “prettiest
village in Ireland.”
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ARTS & CULTURE
Alina Adams’ resume is as surpris-ingasitisremarkable.A New York Times bestsellingauthor,TV
producer, self-proclaimed “soap opera insider” and figure skating researcher, she was born Alina Genrikhovna Sivorinovskaya in the Ukrainian city of Odessa50yearsago.
Adams’ latest accomplishment is the publication of “The Nesting Dolls: A Russian Jewish Family Saga” (Harper Collins), a novel based loosely on her own family’s history.
Adams recently discussed the book at a virtual event sponsored by the Jewish Matryoshka Project of the Center for Jewish Education and the Balti-more-Odessa Partnership of The Associ-ated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore.
Adams lives in New York with her husband, Scott, and their three children. Sherecentlyspokewith Jmore.
How did you come to write “The Nest-ing Dolls”? I was speaking to my agent three years ago and she said, ‘You know, Russia is really hot right now.’ I had been trying to pitch a Russian book for over 20 years. Always the feedback was that Russia doesn’t sell. People aren’t inter-ested.And absolutely the USSR doesn’t sell. Then suddenly, three years ago, Russia was hot!
So “The Nesting Dolls” takes place in three sections —1930s USSR, 1970s USSR and 2019 in Brighton Beach. Thefirstsectionisactuallyfromamanuscript I tried to shop around in
the 1990s. The second is basically my parents’ era.
What was it like when you arrived in the U.S.? My parents and I came to San Francisco when I was 7. When I came, I spoke no English. I went to a small Jew-ish day school and I was one of only two Russian-speaking kids in the school. I al-ways felt like an outsider but that wasn’t a bad thing, especially for a writer.
My parents put me in the school because they wanted me to know about being Jewish. They knew they’d been deprived of that. So I was running the seders, and teaching about the holi-days and prayers. They say that in Europe the parents raise the children, but in America the children raise the parents.
How is it that you’ve taken so many different paths in your career? I’ve lived many lives! The thing with soap operas is I just watched a lot of them growing up. They’re a great way to learn English because they just keep repeating the same things over and over again, and you see something [happen] and then people talk about it.
[After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in broadcast communications], I went to L.A. and worked as a writer for an E! Entertainment Television show called ‘Pure Soap.’ Then I moved to New York be-cause in 1994, the O.J. [Simpson] trial hap-pened and that preempted soap operas. So ABC created a show called ‘SoapLine’ that would catch soap opera viewers up on the shows they had missed.
After the trial ended, I stayed on and produced a soap segment on the day-time show, “Mike and Maddie.”
Author Alina Adams (shown here as a child when her family first moved to the U.S.): “My parents put me in the Jewish day school because they wanted me to know about being Jewish. They knew they’d been deprived of that.” (Provided photo)
Odyssey from OdessaAuthor Aliina Adams talks about her Russian-themed
book at a locally presented virtual event.
By Simone Ellin / Associate Editor
JMORELIVING.COM 75
tel: 410-602-3993fax: 410-602-6277www.wecarepds.com1852 Reisterstown Road, Suite 209Pikesville, MD 21208
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L’Shana TovaL’Shana Tova
Proud to be representing District 11 together with Sen. Shelly Hettleman, Del. Lisa Belcastro, and Del. Jon Cardin
Dana and his wife Margaret Presley-Stein
You also covered ice skating for ABC Sports? In another life, my brother was a competitive ice skater and I was his chaperone, so I had this background in ice skating. So I moved over to ABC Sportsbecausetheyhadafigureskatingdepartment at the time.
Then, I worked the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan, for TNT [Turner Network Television]. I continued to cover ice skating, but by then I had gotten married and had my oldest son. There was one time when I had to cover four shows in fourcities.Everyoneelsewasflyingfromcity to city but because my son was 18 months old at the time, I would come homeforlikehalfadayandthenflyoutthe next day.
How did you get into writing? I had written some romance novels for Avon and Dell. An editor I worked with in ro-mance novels was talking to a colleague whosaidsheneededtofindawriterfora book about the skater Sarah Hughes. So she connected us and I wrote this nonfictionbookaboutSaraHughes,who at the time was an up-and-coming American athlete.
But then, she — very considerately for me — won the 2002 Olympics. So the book went into a second print-ing and did all that. Then the editor said, ‘We should do a skating murder mysteryseries.’SoIdidfivebooks,andthen because I had the connection with book writing when ‘As the World Turns’ hadits25thanniversary,Isaid,‘Let’sdoatie-inbook,butnotanonfictionbook like a lot of those being written [but] one that will actually be part of the story.’Thefirstbook,‘OakdaleConfidential,’
was written by a character on the show and me. And I would like to say at this point that imaginary people do very little work! I did all the work!But just to show you how popular soap operas were, the book was no. 3 on the New York Times bestsellerlistfortwoweeks!
The Jewish Matryoshka Project provides opportunities for Russian-speaking Jews in Baltimore to form connections. For information visit their Facebook page.
76 JMORELIVING.COM
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בולטימור , מרילנד תהיה מוכנה!We intend to translate our messaging into 26+ different lanuages but we need people passionate about their non-English lanuage and culture to help! Interested? Inqure about joining our Interpretive and Cultural Services Sub Commi�ee. Email us at [email protected]
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JMORELIVING.COM 77
BOOK SMARTS
“Dwellings: A Spiritual History of the Living World” (Paperback)
By Linda Hogan, W.W. Norton & Company, 160 pages, $14.95
Award-winning Chickasaw poet and novelist Linda Hogan calls us to witness how each living thing is alive in a conscious world with its own integrity, grace, and dignity.
“Where Dani Goes, Happy Follows (My Happy Life)” (Hardcover)
By Rose Lagercrantz and Eva Eriksson, Gecko Press, 196 pages, Ages 5-9, $17.99
In the sixth installment of this lovely Swed-ish chapter book series, Dani embarks on a train trip all by herself, fueled by positive thinking and love for her best friend.
“Suggested Reading”By Dave Connis, Katherine Tegen
Books 400 pages, Ages 13+, $17.99
In this hilarious and thought-provoking contemporary teen standalone that’s per-fectforfansof “Moxie,”abookwormfindsawaytofightbackwhenherschoolbansdozens of classic and meaningful books.
CHILDREN’SNONFICTION
“Such a Fun Age” (Hardcover)By Kiley Reid, G.P. Putnam’s Sons,
320 pages, $26
A striking and surprising debut novel from an exhilarating new voice. A page-turning and big-hearted story about race and priv-ilege, set around a young black babysitter, her well-intentioned employer and a sur-prising connection that threatens to undo them both.
“The Factory” (Paperback)By Hiroko Oyamada, Translated by David Boyd, New Directions, 128 pages, $13.95
The English-language debut of Hiroko Oya-mada, one of the most powerfully strange young voices in Japan. With hints of Kafka and creeping humor, “The Factory” casts a vivid — and sometimes surreal —portrait of the absurdity of the modern workplace.
“Uncanny Valley” (Hardcover)By Anna Wiener, MCD, 288 pages, $27
Part coming-of-age-story, part portrait of an already-bygone era, Anna Wiener’s memoirisararefirst-personglimpseintohigh-flying,recklessstartupcultureatatime of unchecked ambition, unregulated surveillance, wild fortune, and accelerating political power. (Out on January 14th.)
FICTIONFICTION NONFICTION
YOUNG ADULT
Emma Snyder,ownerofTheIvyBookshopat11E.33rdStreetinBaltimore, offers recommendations for must-read titles for adults and children.
Seeking your next good read?
78 JMORELIVING.COM
BALTIMORE JUSTICE
Am’s historic front steps. But as I read Moore’s words about
Apr. 27, the day of Freddie Gray’s funeral, I was reminded that I, too, was MIA that night.
The funeral occurred in the late morning. Police were concerned about internet chatter and potential violence. Paranoid and over-prepared, the Baltimore Police Department showed up in full riot gear shutting down public transportation and blocking streets.
Students leaving school for the day were stranded at Mondawmin Mall. Some were lookingforafight.Thevastmajority,fright-ened and frustrated, wanted to go home but thevastmajoritywerepreventedfromdoing so. By 3:30 police reported bottles and bricks had been thrown.
Things deteriorated from there. My house and our shul are about a mile from Mondawmin. Four years later, during our building renovations, our congregation would rent space in a church across the street from the mall because it’s within walking distance.
But that night, the whole world would come to know about Greater Mondawmin, about Penn North and the CVS on Pennsylvania Ave., about Sandtown- Winchester where Freddie Gray was born, raised, lead poisoned and deprived of most every possible oppor-tunity to grow up healthy.
They would learn about how he was ar-rested and placed shackled (and cavalierly or maliciously unseat-belted) in a van, and how he came out injured beyond saving.
After the rioting and looting began, a call went out to local clergy. A number of my Christian and some Muslim col-leagues showed up that night, to stand
By Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg
Fiery ReckoningRemembering Freddie Gray and those five fiery days in April of 2015
I n his new book “Five Days: The Fiery Reckoning of an American City” (One World), Wes Moore describes
hisexperienceonApr.27,2015,thedayFreddie Gray was laid to rest.
Moore had attended the funeral but left early to catch a plane to Boston for a speech he was giving on urban poverty. After the funeral, parts of West Baltimore boiled over, but Moore was already hundreds of miles away.
“As I sat in that Boston hotel room and watched my city descend into a state of emergency, I experienced a strange feeling,” he writes. “I felt guilty being away, but it wasn’t just that. An audience in Boston would listen to me talk about poverty, but at a historic moment in my own city’s history, I was MIA.”
Moore’s recollection triggered some of my own memories of the Baltimore Uprisingfiveyearsago.
I am proud of the way Beth Am’ers and others in the Jewish community showed upduringthosefivedays—Apr.25-29— which are the focus of the book Moore penned with journalist Erica L. Green.TherewasaprotestconvenedApr.25
by Jews United for Justice during which I took the longest Shabbos walk of my life. It was one of many demonstrations that day converging on City Hall to demand justice for Freddie Gray and other victims of police brutality. I am proud that Miriam and I kept our children home Apr. 28, the day after the worst of the rioting, to join thousands in West Baltimore and help clean up the damage.
I’m proud of the way so many of my congregants, including those who are notregular shul-goers, showed up on Saturday,May2,to worshiponBeth
between angry police and fed-up youth.I wanted to be there. Like Wes Moore,
I, too, felt guilty not being there, but I knew I could not. That’s because I was onmywaytoLuthervilletoleada shiva minyan forthemotherofacongregant.
I knew others could stand in the breach. I was proud to see how my colleagues gathered and, holding hands in the street that evening, helped to calm nerves. My task was to calm others’ nerves,tobearwitnesstoadifferentgrief.
In the weeks, months and years to come, Baltimore has been undertaking a reckoning. Perhaps you, too, reader, have grappled with your feelings, actions orinactionsfiveyearsago.Now,withthe meteoric rise of the Black Lives Matter movement this summer, there is a growing sense that more of the country is willing to ask tough questions about systemic racism and police violence.
One way to confront these questions is by reading “Five Days.” Another is to dedicate some of your High Holy Day experience to exploring the question of racial justice in Baltimore.
In 2014, Wes Moore came to speak at Beth Am. This Yom Kippur afternoon, Sept.28,at5p.m.,heandhisco-authorErica L. Green will do so again, this time online. They’ll be joined by one or more of the subjects in their book.
All are welcome. See our website (BethAmBaltimore.org) for details.
Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg is spiritual leader of Beth Am Synagogue in Reservoir Hill, where he lives with his wife, Rabbi Miriam Cotzin Burg, and their children, Eliyah and Shamir. This column and others also can be found at theurbanrabbi.wordpress.
100YEARSThe Next Century Begins With You.
For 100 years, we have been there for you – overcoming the challenges that were thrown our way. From the Great Depression to the Holocaust to the Great Recession, we have stood by you – providing financial assistance, job resources, supports for older adults and mental health services – to keep our community strong.
As we face today’s unsettling and challenging times, know that The Associated was built to support the community in times like these. Through our family of agencies, we continue to do all we can to build a better tomorrow for all.
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SPIRITUAL MATTERS
God as Our Partner
O ur Father, Our King, Avinu Malkeinu.
When I was a student at Bar Ilan University in Israel, I attended a lecture titled, “Is portraying God as King helpful today?” The professor answered in the negative, asking how many kings actually still rule today. He then went on to present more “relevant” models such as Our Father, our President or Our Father, our Prime Minister.
While I strongly disagreed with my professor’s dismissal of the Kingship model — believing that we should em-braceandfindmeaninginourtradition-al liturgical themes — I appreciated his willingnesstoexploredifferentwaystoconnect to the Days of Awe. Inthislight,Iwouldliketoofferex-
periencing God during this season not only as parent (Our Father) or sovereign power (Our King), but also, in the spirit of the Song of Songs, as partner.
In the month of Elul, Am Yisrael is courted by God. The word Elul לולא is an acronym for a verse in the Song of Songs I am for my Beloved יל ידודו ידודל ינא :(3 ,6)and my Beloved is for me. During these days, we draw close to God, our Beloved, and take positive steps (i.e., teshuva) toward cultivating the relationship. This courtship ultimately leads to the nation’s betrothal to God on Rosh Hashanah.
Rosh Hashanah corresponds to the firststageofJewishmarriage: Kiddushin. In Talmudic times, Kiddushin transpired up to a year prior to the second stage, Nissuin.
Despite our celebrating the stages
moves into their new home. During thefirstsevendays,itiscustomaryforthe couple to host a new guest every day (panim hadashot). This is the Sheva Brachot. A resemblance can be marked here between these seven days and the seven days of Sukkot.
On this holiday, we enter into our new home with Hashem: the Sukkah! This res-idence is non-permanent, to symbolize that our marriage has just commenced.
We also have guests visit us for seven days in our new Sukkah home, tradi-tionally known as Ushpizin — a new one each day (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc.). Sukkot is the nation’s honeymoon with God. We sing, celebrate. This is the Time of Our Rejoicing Zman Simchateinu.
As Sukkot concludes, we transition into Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. On these days, we exit the Sukkah and enter into our permanent abodes, marking the conclusion of our honey-moon and the beginning of our new lives together.Astheholidaysenter,it’simportant to
experience God both as king (Malkeinu) and parent (Avinu). This is the bread and butter of our synagogue experience.
But we must also not forget that our Beloved is for us יל ידוד. May we merit achieving this balance between awe and connection, fear and love, and take steps forward toward actively being for our Belovedידודל ינא.
Rabbi Dr. Eli Yoggev serves Pikesville’s Beth Tfiloh Congregation.
During the Hebrew month of Elul, the Jewish nation is courted by God.
By Rabbi Dr. Eli Yoggev
together in modern ceremonies, each retains its unique character. Through the act of Kiddushin, we exclude ourselves from everyone else aside from our spouse. This is central to Rosh Hashanah, where we remove ourselves from all distractions, using the shofar as a wake-up call, and rededicate ourselves to God. This is comparable to what is at times recited in a civil ceremony: “Keeping yourself solely unto him/her for as long as you both shall live.”
Yom Kippur embodies the second stage, Nissuin. In Nissuin, we do not only distance ourselves from other connections but actively embrace our Beloved, entering into a lifelong loving commitment. This provides another way to approach fasting on Yom Kippur: we are in such a unitive state with God, that we resemble the angels who do not eat or drink. Some people wear white on Yom Kippur: maybe these can be seen as wedding garments?
After the Jewish marriage, the couple
As the holidays enter, it’s important to
experience God both as king (Malkeinu) and parent (Avinu). This is the bread and butter
of our synagogue experience.
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July 20Harry BassAnn Handen MonfredRoberta Ruth Neuman
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July 27Myra Shofer ColmanEileen Hotz
July 28Charlotte Marsha HirschbeinPaul Robert Klein
July 29Richard FirestoneStanley Leonard RodbellBernice SchumerDianne Yifrah
July 30Toby Elster EssrogEileen Rita FreedmanAlan B. Shapiro Vyacheslav Vaiman
July 31Fred SchwererLorraine Shirley Weinstein
August 1Dorothy “Dotsie” WeingradCarolyn Kaplan
August 2Julian KossowSteven StaddLeon Fleisher
August 3Joline Sandler
August 5 Terry David Bressler
August 6Irvin BrownRonald E. KahnHarry Deitchman
August 7Carol Ann BairClara Phillipson
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August 10Stacy Haynes
August 11Dr. Irvin I. DonickBluma Z. Saks
August 12Nadine Beth HazmanTheodore Fishman
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August 14Phyllis Mae AbramsEileen Renee Rivkin
August 17Miriam EberweinVirginia LevinFrances Schwartz
August 18Deborah PottsJudy RudoAnnette SchonfeldNechy Zehnwirth
August 19Allan M. Eudell Irma FrankAllan Barry Shapiro
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THE PARTING SHOT
M aybe the world doesn’t quite see it this way but when Bari Weiss resigned from
her plum job recently at The New York Times,itwasoneofthemostsignifi-cant news stories of the year.
While many people fantasize about telling their boss to take this job and shove it, as the old country song goes, Weiss’s decision to actually do it was muchmorethanastalk-offbyanindividual fed up with her supervisor or health care plan.
For some, Weiss had come to sym-bolize things much bigger than herself. For one thing, she has been a voice for centrist political values in an era when citizens have become ever more radicalized. Secondly, she has been an outspoken opponent of anti-Semitism.
Weiss’s stance in the center was something she pointed to as a problem with her colleagues. In her detailed resignation letter to publisher A.G. Sulzberger, she wrote that at the Times, “Lessons about the necessity … of resisting tribalism … have not been learned.”
Further, she claimed that “the truth [at the Times] isn’t a process of collective discovery, but an orthodoxy already known to an enlightened few whose job is to inform everyone else.”
Because of this candor, she said her colleagues referred to her as “a Nazi and a racist.” She said her friends at the paper were badgered and that co-workers used the company intranet to harass her.
Those to the left of Weiss made it no secret that she would have to go if the Times was to be truly inclusive, and they posted axe emojis next to her name. Some of the paper’s writers used their Twitter accounts to call her a liar and a bigot.
Why the Bari Weiss Case Matters
What has caused her the most trouble, however, is her outspoken opposition to hatred aimed at Jews. Weiss recently published an acclaimed book, “How to Fight Anti-Semitism” (Crown Publishing). The subject also came up often in her journalism, which prompted at least one of her colleagues to chastise her.
“Writing about the Jews again,” he said. Weisshadtobrushoffthesebiases
and prejudices just to get along, when in fact her many accomplishments should’ve made her a superstar.
Of course, there is nothing new in womenfindingahostileenvironmentat work. We now know it happens all the time.
What makes Weiss’s case so interest-ing is that the hostility aimed at her is coming from the social justice warriors themselves. The people criticizing and harassing her have protected women by publicizing the #MeToo movement.
They have made the eradication of rac-ism in America a priority by endorsing Black Lives Matter. And they’ve spoken out against Confederate statues and other symbols of hate.
And yet, these are the very people harassing Weiss.
As a Jew, it is hard not to wonder if her problems aren’t really about who she is. If a prominent woman of color were harassed at work for speaking out about abuses aimed at the black community today, it is likely that her tor-menterswouldberootedoutandfired.
And rightfully so. But Bari Weiss is Jewish. She is a Jew
who speaks out about Jewish issues. And for many, that simply doesn’t rate.
The double standard is palpable. Last May, Weiss’s own newspaper
reported that anti-Semitic incidents surged in 2019. We all know about the most violent and ugly of these attacks — the shootings, the machete attacks, the bricks to the head. And yet many of us know through hard experience that many people on the left simply don’t equate anti-Semitism with racism.
These days when I walk around my North Baltimore neighborhood, I see a proliferation of signs with political statements that are taken to be axi-oms. Among them is, “Love is love.”
But I wonder if the people behind the doors also feel that “Hate is hate”? In front of one of those houses, down the street from my own, is a car parked with an anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, Divest-ment, Sanctions) sticker.
From her platform, Bari Weiss never stopped reminding us that all blood is red, and that anti-Semitism is no bet-ter coming from the left than the right.Nowthatshe’sbeenpushedoffher
pedestal like some relic from the past, I wonder how we will ever replace her.
Jack Gilden is the author of “Collision of Wills: Johnny Unitas,Don Shula and the Rise of the Modern NFL” (University of Nebraska Press). He is finishing his second book, about the racehorse Spectacular Bid.
By Jack Gilden
PHO
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Illustration by Juliet Gilden
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