Fall 2013 | STAV 5774
Minneapolis
Jewish Life
Your Sweetest
New Year Yet!
Try Andrew Zimmern’s family salmon
recipe + local honeys + more!
A Jewish Renaissance in Minsk
Local leaders kick off 2014
Community Campaign overseas
The Revolution is Coming
See page 14 for more
Remembering a True Mensch
What Would Stan Schweitzer Do?
Minneapolis Jewish Federation
partner agencies & programs
contents
AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION
COMMITTEE
AMOS & CELIA HEILICHER
MINNEAPOLIS JEWISH DAY SCHOOL
BAIS YAAKOV HIGH SCHOOL
HOME OF THE FROZEN CHOSEN
BET SHALOM CONGREGATIONAL SCHOOL
B’NAI B’RITH YOUTH ORGANIZATION/
NORTH STAR REGION
3
Happy Holidays from the Community
Concierge
4
What’s Jewcy? Quick News Updates
12
What Would Stan Schweitzer Do?
15
Finding a Helping Hand
17
Jewish Values Inspire Philanthropy
CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FUND
EDGE (ENRICHMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND
GROWTH FOR EDUCATORS)
HILLEL: UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE SERVICES
6
Sweeten the High Holy Days
ISRAEL CENTER
JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL
JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL OF
MINNESOTA AND THE DAKOTAS
JEWISH FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S SERVICE
OF MINNEAPOLIS
GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF THE UPPER
MIDWEST
MINNEAPOLIS JEWISH COMMUNITY
INCLUSION PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES
Nechama
NATIONAL AGENCIES (10)
RIMON: THE MINNESOTA JEWISH ARTS
COUNCIL
8
Jewish Renaissance in Minsk
8
Creating a Jewish Renaissance in
Minsk, Belarus
10
2014 Missions Calendar
FEATURES
SABES JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
SHA’ARIM
SHIR TIKVAH CONGREGATIONAL SCHOOL
6
High Holy Days Guide: Sweeten the
New Year
14
Introducing The 20|30 Project:
Launching this Fall
SHOLOM COMMUNITY ALLIANCE
TALMUD TORAH OF MINNEAPOLIS
TEMPLE ISRAEL CONGREGATIONAL SCHOOL
TORAH ACADEMY
Twin Cities Jewish Community
Government Affairs Program
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
14
The Schweitzer Legacy Lives
our Mission
We build community, care for the
welfare of Jews everywhere and
maximize participation in Jewish life.
Minneapolis Jewish Life is a publication of the
Minneapolis Jewish Federation
13100 Wayzata Blvd., Suite 200
Minnetonka, MN 55305
Tel 952.593.2600
Fax 952.593.2544
www.jewishminneapolis.org
Thank you to our Corporate Partners:
18
Calendar of Events
19
Photo Gallery
Editorial & Creative Team
Editor Lisa Pollack Furman
Associate Editor Daci Platt
Graphic Designer Veronica Gagnelius
Chief Executive Officer Stephen R. Silberfarb
15
The Revolution Begins
home 
Happy Holidays from the Community Concierge
The mitzvah of hachnasat orchim (hospitality) is as old as the first Jew,
Avraham Avinu. According to the Torah commentaries, he would sit at the
doorway to his tent ready to welcome any passers-by with total physical
comfort and radiant kindness.
This New Year, you have the chance to follow in Avraham's footsteps; to
fulfill the mitzvah of hospitality and help make Minneapolis the friendliest
and most welcoming Jewish community In North America. And, you don't
even have to quit your day job to make it happen.
KNOW SOMEONE New in town?
Let the Concierge know so a member
of our Concierge Corps can hand
deliver a box of goodies from Jewish
organizations around Minneapolis
for an extra special first Shabbat!
The Minneapolis Jewish Federation is forming a Concierge Corps - a group
of friendly, welcoming and proud-to-be-Jewish-in-Minneapolis volunteers.
The Concierge Corps is for people of all ages, backgrounds, interests and
affiliations. Members of the Corps will open their homes to newcomers or
natives looking for somewhere to celebrate Shabbat and Jewish holidays.
They will serve as the on-site Community Concierge at major events in
the community, promoting upcoming opportunities, answering questions,
meeting new people, and making new connections. They will deliver welcome boxes to people and families who are new to our community with
all the essentials for putting together their first Shabbat in their new home.
If this sounds like a good fit for you, we want to hear from you this New
Year! Please give me a call at 952.417.2312, send me an email to ltaple@
mplsfed.org or message me on Twitter @jewishmpls. I'd love to meet you for
coffee and tell you more about how joining the Concierge Corps will be an
extremely fun, rewarding and meaningful experience for you. And, If it turns
out that the Corps isn't quite your cup of tea {or coffee}, I'd be happy to
connect you to another volunteer opportunity in the community that is your
perfect match!
Working together, we can make this a vibrant, supportive and inclusive
Jewish community. On behalf of your family at the Minneapolis Jewish
Federation, I wish you a happy, healthy and meaningful Jewish New Year!
May you be inscribed in the Book of Life for a good year.
Warmly,
Laura Taple, Community Concierge
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AT
@jewishmpls
Where can I find
a listing of mohels?
Where can I volunteer
with my family in the
Jewish community?
What events are
happening for Jewish
young adults this fall?
We can answer these questions and so many more! Anything at all you want to know about our Jewish community, our concierge is
more than happy to answer. Just send an email to [email protected], or you can even ask us on twitter: @jewishmpls.
jewishminneapolis.org
03
HOME

What’s Jewcy? Quick News Updates
A glimpse around the Minneapolis Jewish Federation and its local network
➜ THE ISRAEL
CENTER OF THE
MINNEAPOLIS
JEWISH
FEDERATION
DISTRIBUTES
$126,000 IN ISRAEL
EXPERIENCE
SCHOLARSHIPS
This year, 81 teens and young adults are traveling to Israel
for life-changing experiences thanks to scholarships offered
through the Federation's Israel Center. These scholarships
are making it possible for young people ages 16-30 to
experience Israel on programs ranging from high school
summer experiences and study abroads to post-high
school study, volunteering and internships in a wide array
of fields. These trips are vital to building lasting relationships with Israel and strengthening Jewish identity.
"Thank you for the scholarship money which helped make
my Israel program possible. I had a wonderful experience
with great teachers and new lifelong friends," says Mia, a
high school student.
The following funds and scholarships are available through
the Israel Center: the Louis Herman Israel Experience Fund,
the Isadore & Molly Boroff Israel Scholarship, the Israel Center
Scholarship Fund, and the Annette Paletz Memorial Scholarship for Alexander Muss High School in Israel. This year,
$126,000 went to 81 students through these funds.
➜ A HOME FOR JEWISH ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
With the help of the
Minneapolis Jewish
Federation, Jewish
Housing and Programming (J-HAP)
has acquired a site
in Golden Valley
to provide safe, service-enriched housing to Jewish adults
with disabilities. J-HAP’s innovative housing development,
slated to open in 2015, will offer independent yet supportive housing with seamless connections to the larger Jewish
and secular communities.
Cornerstone Creek
MINNEAPOLIS, MN | 05.15.2013 | 13-0015
1
Minneapolis Jewish Federation | Fall 2013
The Golden Valley site was secured with the assistance
of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, which provided a
$20,000 loan to J-HAP for initial escrow funds.
➜ SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE?
You may have seen
Alan Bersten on So
You Think You Can
Dance, and you
may have realized
that he’s from the
Twin Cities. But did
you know his family emigrated from
the former Soviet
Union (FSU) with
help from our Jewish community? He
is also the cousin
of Federation’s
in-house graphic
designer, Veronica
Gagnelius, whose journey from life in the FSU to Minneapolis is a must-read {jewishminneapolis.org/veronica.aspx}.
Alan, 19, graduated from Hopkins High School and currently attends the University of Minnesota. A former
teacher at the Sabes JCC, he and his wife run the Dance
With Us America studio at Southdale Center in Edina. Alan
made it into the top 12 dancers on the famed reality show
before being eliminated, but says, “Being on the show was
a life-changing experience. I loved every second of it and
am so grateful that I got to share the experience with all of
the world.”
➜ A NEW GENERATION OF ISRAEL ADVOCATES
DESIGN SUMMARY
The proposed living center will include a Spirituality & Wellness Center in addition to the 45 independent living units.
Future residents will also have access to kosher dining, a
library and media lab, and outdoor gardens and walking
paths.
04
“J-HAP residents will have the freedom to make real choices for the first time in many of their lives… from where to
work to how to spend their free time,” said Jennifer Lewin,
J-HAP Executive Director. “This project will allow residents
to participate in experiences, interactions and relationships
that build a meaningful life—something we all deserve,
regardless of our abilities.”
Last November, during the rocket attacks on Israel, the IDF
told Federations across North America that the best thing
to do in situations like that one was to speak out and stand
up for Israel. This fall, the Twin Cities Jewish community
is taking a step to help a new generation of young Jews do
just that. The Israel Leadership Fellows Program will train
teens in grades 10-12 to be “strong and capable advocates
for Israel” by providing them with a mentor from the JCRC
home 
Speakers Bureau. Students will participate in a series of
classroom sessions and observe their mentors giving community presentations. At the end of the two-year program,
outgoing participants will have the opportunity to present
with their mentor at a community event. The program, a
collaboration between Talmud Torah of Minneapolis, the
Jewish Community Relations Council, the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) and the Minneapolis Jewish
Federation’s Israel Center, begins September 11. Stay
tuned for updates on our blog: www.jewishminneapolis.
wordpress.com.
➜ A NEW PLAYGROUND FOR PRE-SCHOOLERS
If you’ve been by the
Sabes JCC lately, you have
probably noticed a lot
of diggers, dump trucks
and construction workers. They aren’t just there
to entertain the young
children at the JCC’s
Early Childhood Center,
the heavy equipment is
busy rebuilding what was
a crumbling playground.
The new playground, funded in part by a $200,000 grant
from the Federation’s Building and Repair Fund, is scheduled to be completed by the end of the summer. Not only
was the old playground facing safety hazards, but the
underground drainage system was out of date, causing
water in classrooms each time it rained. ECC students
(who range in age from newborn-five) have had no shortage
of fun during the construction; teachers report students
are having a blast going on other outdoor adventures and,
of course, watching the construction!
➜ HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR TO SHARE STORY
Many Holocaust survivors,
like Minnetonka resident
Sam Rafowitz, use their
experiences to impart
wisdom on overcoming
adversity and handling
everyday challenges. Rafowitz’s documentary, Sam
Rafowitz: Remaking a Life, does just that while depicting his
survival of the Shoa and new life in America. On the evening of October 1, 2013 the young adults of our community are invited to watch Rafowitz’s story unfold on the big
screen and ask him questions first-hand, a rare opportunity
that is only becoming rarer as the number of Holocaust
survivors quickly diminish.
Join JFCS’ Next Gen group for this Personal/Professional
Development event co-sponsored by the Federation’s 20|30
Project, Beth El Young Adults, Temple Israel Young Jews,
Temple of Aaron TAXY, Adath Makom and Bet Shalom Congregation. (Location TBA)
➜ MUST-SEE SPEAKERS THIS FALL
This fall, an incredible line-up of inspirational speakers will
be visiting the Minneapolis Jewish community.
Who: The Dmitri Duo, musicians who tell
their touching story of rescue from the
former Soviet Union through music
What: Lion of Judah Luncheon
When: Tuesday, September 17
Where: Oak Ridge Country Club
Contact: [email protected]
Who: Adam Heffez, foreign policy analyst
and author of Words and Walls: Social
Commentary through Graffiti in Israel
and the West Bank
What: Culture BLVD III sponsored by the
Israel Center of the Minneapolis Jewish
Federation, Sabes JCC and Rimon
When: Sunday, September 29
Where: Intermedia Arts
Contact: [email protected]
Who: Maziar Bahari, whose incredible
story of courage in Iran is being made
into a major motion picture directed by
Jon Stewart
What: Voices of Inspiration: A Benefit for
Temple Israel
When: Saturday, October 12
Where: Temple Israel
Contact: [email protected]
Who: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former
Secretary of State and Former U.S.
Senator from New York
What: An Evening with Hillary Rodham
Clinton
When: Sunday, October 27
Where: Beth El Synagogue
Contact: 952-873-7300
Who: John Prendergast, human rights activist, best-selling author and co-founder
of the Enough Project, an initiative to end
genocide in Africa
What: The Twin Cities Cardozo Society
Fourteenth Annual Dinner
When: Thursday, November 21
Where: Marriott City Center
Contact: [email protected]
Do you have a major community-wide event coming up?
Please submit it for consideration to
[email protected] by October 1, 2013!
See what else is happening this fall on page 18!
jewishminneapolis.org
05

FEATURES
High Holy Days
Guide 2013/5773
Fall is a busy time for the Jewish community. We dip apples in honey, repent,
eat in a hut and carry heavy Torahs in a
circle – all in the span of a few weeks! As
is custom in our culture, we’re focusing
on the food.
This year, Rosh Hashana falls early in the apple
harvest. According to Dr. Jim Luby, Professor in the
Department of Horticulture at the University of
Minnesota, their Zestar!TM apple should be coming
in right around the New Year. Zestar!TM apples have
a “moderately tart flavor,” says Dr. Luby. The hint of
brown sugar flavor pairs well with honey.
But which honey to dip it in? Take the time to
really appreciate the complexity of flavors in our
beloved holiday treat by inviting your nearest and
dearest to an apple and honey tasting! The Twin
Cities are “ripe” with options for homegrown
apples and artisan honey, both available in an array
of varieties. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, supply
paper for guests to take notes on which flavors
work best together.
FIVE LOCAL HONEYS TO TRY
Taste-tested by your friends at Federation
Bare Honey’s
Lavender Blossom
Honey:
The floral notes of this
variety brought out the
flavor in our apples and
prompted one tester to
pronounce it the best
honey she’d ever had!
qqqqq
Bare Honey’s
Buckwheat Honey:
This honey had a distinct molasses aftertaste we described as
“earthy.”. It’s not your
standard honey, and
wasn’t the best pairing
for apples – although it
might be perfect in tea!
qq
Bare Honey’s
Raspberry Blossom
Honey:
We were fans of this
sweet variety, and
thought that with its
subtle berry flavor,
it paired best with a
granny smith apple.
qqqqq
Ames Farm
Standard Honey:
A classic (and delicious!)
honey, Ames Farm Standard fought for sweetness with the apples.
We think it’s the perfect
honey for challah!
qqqq
Homestead Sweet
Raw Honey:
This one wasn’t our favorite, but if you’re looking for a classic honey
that’s straight from the
hive, you won't have any
complaints about this
raw honey!
qqq
Check online for information on where to purchase: Barehoney.com • amesfarm.com • homesteadhoneyfarm.com
06
Minneapolis Jewish Federation | Fall 2013
FEATURES 
Andrew Zimmern's Herb Cured Salmon
Rosh HaShanah literally means "head of the year" in Hebrew. For this reason
some communities eat the head of a fish during the holiday meal. If you’re not
brave enough for a fish head, this cured fish recipe is a perfect substitute!
1 skin on salmon filet, @ 3 pounds (trimmed & pin bones removed)
1 cup minced fresh dill
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 cup minced shallots
2T crushed coriander seeds
2T crushed juniper berries
1T lime zest
2 ounces slivovitz or other kosher moonshine (Grandma used gin or
aquavit if she didn’t have slivovitz)
3 ounces brown sugar
1 ounce white sugar
2 ounces kosher salt
1) Combine all ingredients except the salmon.
2) Place salmon, skin down, in a non-reactive pan (that’s crucial).
3) Spread mixture over salmon. Do not use pressure just lay it over top and cover
all exposed areas of fish evenly.
4) Wrap pan carefully with plastic wrap.
5) Let sit for 48 hours in refrigerator.
6) Wipe away the cure gently with a moist towel, discard herb mix, and refrigerate,
wrapped, for 8 hours.
7) Then slice as preferred.
8) Serve any way you would serve cured fish.
This is the
gravlax recipe
that I have been
making for about
20 years ever since
a young cook who
had worked in
[New York chef]
David Bouley's
kitchen showed it
to me. The prevalence of so many
herbs and the fact that the fish isn't weighted
down sparked my curiosity. This recipe was eerily
similar to my Grandma's and after I merged the
two styles I have been making it ever since. It's
especially good around family holidays and goes
beautifully with toasted bagels in the morning
and equally well on a buffet with plenty of toast
crisps and lemon wedges.
a new year's cocktail
If you just can’t get enough of apples and honey,
try this new twist on an old tradition!
Need a place for
the Holidays?
From Reconstructionist to Modern
Orthodox, there’s a service for
everyone in Minneapolis – and many
offer discounted or free tickets
for newcomers. Our Community
Concierge can help you find the
service that’s right for you! Just
contact [email protected]
or 952-417-2312.
The kentucky shofar
2 oz Bourbon
1 dash of honey
1.5 oz fresh pressed apple juice
3 dashes of angostura bitters
garnish with an apple slice
serve on the rocks
Recipe by Wesley Gagnelius, Federation volunteer and local mixologist.
Get more recipes at his blog: westhebarchef.com
We’re looking for a few good Sukkahs!
âThis is it, Minneapolis: our time to shine and show off our creativity!
If you’re like us, you put your blood, sweat and tears into decorating your sukkah. Get it
noticed this year with Federation’s Parade of Sukkahs! Once you’ve hung that final gourd,
send us a photo and a description to [email protected] and we’ll feature it on
Facebook and our website.
Speaking of beautiful sukkahs, check out the Federation's holiday creation!
You're invite to an "Open Sukkah"
September 23 • 4 to 6 pm
Corner of 394 & Plymouth Rd
jewishminneapolis.org
07

GLOBAL
Living for
Today,
Building for
Tomorrow
Creating a Jewish
Renaissance in
Minsk, Belarus
Lori Fritz, Community Campaign Co-Chair and Rhonda Stein, Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair joined Jewish leaders from across the country on
an unforgettable journey to Belarus and Israel to kick off the 2014 Community
Campaign. Here, Lori Fritz shares her life-changing experience:
Walking into the pit, Lori had chills. “It was an
indescribable feeling to be voluntarily stepping into
this place where so many Jews were killed.”
Lori was visiting Yama, a deep pit with an even deeper history. On March
2, 1942, Nazis marched a line of Jews into the pit and burned them. By
the end of the day, 5,000 Jews in Minsk, Belarus had been murdered.
It was the tragic beginning to a period of great uncertainty for Jews in
Belarus. Belarus had the great misfortune of being the first country to
be invaded by Hitler and the last to be liberated. As a result, 90 percent
of Belarusian Jews were killed. Those that survived were subjected to
decades of government sanctioned anti-Semitism. Jewish children were
raised without the traditions – and often even the knowledge – of their
heritage. But gradually, with the help of the North American Jewish community, a Jewish renaissance began.
Even in the late 1990s, when Lori last visited the former Soviet Union,
Russians were struggling to grasp their identity. “The goal seemed to
be to take care of elderly Jews until they died, and to teach young Jews
about their heritage – then help them make aliyah to Israel as quickly as
possible,” says Lori.
The goal has since changed. “Today, it’s a completely different place,
filled with life. Young Jews are proud to be Jewish and eager to stay in
Belarus, and the elderly not only survive, many of them thrive, taking ad-
08
Minneapolis Jewish Federation | Fall 2013
GLOBAL 
“We’re not just
there to provide
aid and comfort.
We’re there to
provide a Jewish
renaissance.”
vantage of all the programming
their revitalized community has
to offer,” Lori says.
WITHOUT YOU, I
WOULDN’T BE ALIVE
Elderly women danced in polka
dotted dresses and matching
hats, smiling and clapping as
Lori entered one of the community center’s activity rooms. She caught them in the middle
of folk dancing, one of the activities through the elderly
day care program. They laughed as their male dance partners swung them around the dance floor. In another room,
a group of seniors intently painted ceramic chamsas. This
community center, called a Hesed Center, is one of 175
centers for Jewish life across the former Soviet Union that
provide an antidote to the mind-numbing loneliness many
of these elderly Jews face.
“It was a vibrant space with so much going on. It reminded me of our Jewish Community Center at home,” says
Lori. Alongside the seniors, mothers and children worked
together on art projects and young campers ran around
laughing, spraying each other with water and enjoying the
opportunity to just be kids.
Federation’s global partners, the American Jewish Joint
Distribution Committee (JDC) and the Jewish Agency for Israel have focused much attention on Minsk’s most vulnerable populations, particularly children and the elderly. While
the Hesed Center that Lori visited provided aid to nearly
5,000 elderly Jews in Minsk last year, there are thousands
of seniors, many of them Holocaust survivors, who are living in unimaginable conditions.
“We met Tatiana in Minsk,” Lori says, “She was 86 years
old, homebound and so frail.” Despite her physical limitations, however, Tatiana was lively and affectionate, and
clearly thrilled to have visitors.
“She was so excited to share her story with us, a story that
tragically is shared by thousands of elderly Russians,”
recalls Lori. It wasn’t an easy story to hear: Tatiana’s
mother died when she was just a baby, and her father was
killed during World War II. Her stepmother abandoned her,
and she was sent to an orphanage where she lived until
her brother rescued her. Together, they moved to the Ural
region where they faced a life of poverty. Tatiana collected
and sold metal coil just to earn money to buy food.
Tatiana has little to her name today, but what she does
have wouldn’t be possible without support from the Minneapolis Jewish community. Her monthly government pension
of $254 does not cover the cost of food, medications and
utilities. Through JDC programs, Tatiana receives medical
support for her diabetes, heart condition and pancreatitis;
home care services and a caregiver to do her grocery shopping using a stipend from the Jewish community. During
the bitterly cold winter, Federation's partners also ensure
Tatiana has heating fuel, blankets for her fold-out couch
bed and warm sweaters.
These small yet crucial
items mean the world
to Tatiana, and help
her remain positive in
a world that continues
to hand her hardships.
“She has to share a
bathroom and kitchen,
that I could barely
fit in, with a young
couple,” Lori remembers. This couple
has not been shy in
their feelings toward
Tatiana – they would
like to see as little of
her as possible. “They
Visit jewishminneapolis.org/tatiana.
don’t like her using the
aspx to see a tour of Tatiana's
bathroom,” says Lori.
unthinkable living conditions.
“They’re basically just
waiting for her to die.” The couple has also been known to
take Tatiana’s food. In an extra effort to take care of Tatiana, JDC provided her with a small refrigerator with a lock
that she can keep in her room.
“Without you,” Tatiana told Lori, “I wouldn’t be alive.”
WE ARE THE WORLD
After meeting Tatiana, the group went to visit a new generation of Belarusian Jews.
The Jewish Agency’s summer camp programs in the former
Soviet Union give 6,700 Jewish campers their first taste of
local Jewish history, Jewish customs and practices, and Israel. Trained local counselors and Russian-speaking Israeli
counselors light the fire of curiosity in young Russians and
we are Changing the world
by Providing:
• Home care, hunger relief,
medical care, winter relief
and home repairs for 4,800
impoverished elderly Jews
• Food programs for 1,300
children whose families
cannot afford basic food
products
• Critical assistance including medication and medical
equipment, clothing, shoes, school supplies and beds for
4,100 children
• Jewish identity-building camps across the former Soviet
Union for 6,500 children, including more than 400 in Minsk
• Educational programs, cultural events, youth clubs, outreach and leadership programs for more than 1,000 young
Jews ages 9-25
See what’s happening on the ground in the former
Soviet Union live in real-time at MapYourImpact.org.
jewishminneapolis.org
09

OVERSEAS
“
When we drove up to camp, it felt like
we were driving into Herzl,” recalls
Rhonda Stein. “The kids greeted our
buses clapping and singing. They
told us how much they love camp
and learning Jewish values and
Hebrew. Their dream one day is to
go to Israel. It made us feel so good
to know we are helping them enjoy
these wonderful things.”
encourage them to celebrate their Jewish heritage for the rest of
their lives.
“As soon as I walked in, two girls dressed in pink latched on to
me,” remembers Lori. In their broken English, Nastia and Sasha
told Lori the most important thing she needed to know about
them: We’re best friends.
“It seems to be true all over the world: we make our best friends
at camp,” says Lori, smiling. She spent the warm day outside
with Nastia and Sasha, dancing, talking, and sitting in the grass
making art projects inspired by Jewish and Israeli themes. All
day, Sasha sang lines from the song “We Are the World,” over
and over again. At the end of the visit, Lori understood why.
All of the children sang the song together in a performance.
Eventually, Lori and her group joined in. “It was such a powerful moment, one where I felt empowered to be part of a global
Jewish community.”
Through her journey, from the pit where so many Jews were
murdered, to Tatiana’s uninhabitable one-room communal
apartment to the magical summer camp that brought Nastia
and Sasha together, one thing became very clear to Lori. “If it
wasn’t for Federation, we wouldn’t even know these people exist,” she says. “We would never be able to help them.”
This is why, each year, the Federation launches a new Community Campaign – a campaign for the Jewish people. “There are
literally millions of people around the world – including right
here in Minneapolis – like the people we met whose health,
survival and future are dependent on us. And there is only one
place where you can make a gift that touches all of them. The
Federation.”
The 2014 Community Campaign for the Jewish people has just
kicked off under the leadership and inspiration of husband and wife
chairs, Lori and Brad Fritz (see opposite page for details). Join them
and more than 4,500 of your friends and neighbors this year to
change lives and make the world a better place.
Make your gift today at jewishminneapolis.org/donate.
TOGETHER WE DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS…
NOW, SEE THEM FOR YOURSELF!
Sit with an Israeli child as her future brightens in a classroom your gift helped build.
Hand deliver food to elderly Holocaust survivors in the former Soviet Union. See your
generosity in action through one of these incredible missions:
UPCOMING MISSIONS:
JWRP/AISH Minneapolis
Jewish Federation
Mission to Israel
October 20-30, 2013
Chairs: Sue Chargo and Wendy
Lovell-Smith
Minneapolis Mission to Cuba
April 24-28, 2014
Chairs: Kerry & Scott Bader
and Lisa & Mark Ratner
10
National Flavors of Israel
Mission
April 28-May 6, 2014
Local Chairs: Lori & Brad Fritz
L’Dor V’Dor Grandparents
Mission to Israel
June 8-15, 2014
Chair: Sharon Snyder
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MISSIONS, PLEASE CONTACT ALYSSA HUCK AT 952.417.2323 • [email protected]
Minneapolis Jewish Federation | Fall 2013

Looking Ahead
I could be you.
You could be me."
THE 2014 COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN
STARTS RIGHT NOW
We believe no child should go to bed hungry. That every senior
has the right to live with dignity. And that all Jews should be
able to live - anywhere in the world - without fear of persecution.
We believe in the power of community – that together we can
make the world a better place. Do your part today.
Visit jewishminneapolis.org/donate and a make the only gift that
can change the world.
Together we do extraordinary things.
Lori & Brad Fritz
Campaign Chairs
jewishminneapolis.org
11
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HOME
“As a kid, when we went to
services at Temple Israel,
you could just tell Grandpa
was a leader,”
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Minneapolis Jewish Federation | Fall 2013
HOME 
What would Stan Schweitzer do?
A Jewish legacy lives on to inspire a new generation
Shortly after Stan Schweitzer’s death in March of 2013,
his family, colleagues, and friends could be spotted wearing simple gray bracelets.
“I always have mine on or in my purse,” says Jenna Pugh,
Stan’s granddaughter. “It says WWSSD – What would
Stan Schweitzer do?”
The simple tribute speaks volumes about the kind of
person Stan was, says Jenna: a thoughtful man who
lived conservatively, worked hard so he could do good for
others, and always weighed the pros and cons of every
decision. “Throughout my life, so many people have told
me how Grandpa was their mentor; their go-to when they
needed advice. Whether he’s here presently or not, he will
always remind us to stay grounded and think about our
decisions.”
Stan knew the importance and benefits of the Jewish
community early on. He met his wife of 53 years, Lorraine, of blessed memory, playing cards at the Hillel
House at the University of Minnesota. From that point
forward he was an integral part of the Minneapolis Jewish community, later citing his commitment as one of his
greatest achievements.
According to Stan, it was Lorraine who deserved the credit for his involvement. Lorraine co-created Federation’s
Lion of Judah Endowment program and was not only the
love of Stan’s life, but his inspiration to live charitably.
And live charitably he did, serving on the board of the
Minneapolis Jewish Federation as well as the boards of
Sholom, Mt. Sinai Hospital, and the Harry Kay Foundation. He was a former President of Temple Israel and
Temple Men's Club President. Outside of the Jewish community, he served as Phillips Eye Institute Board President, as well as its Foundation Chairman.
“As a kid, when we went to services at Temple Israel, you
could just tell Grandpa was a leader,” says Jenna. “That
was when I first knew he had an important role in the
community. He never wanted to be recognized. “He just
wanted to make others’ lives better and provide as much
as he could for those in need.”
Though Stan had a fulfilling career (he had been at work
part of the day on a Saturday when he passed away at
age 83) and numerous philanthropic commitments, family was still his number one priority. Whether she was
being tossed across a pool as a child or talking to Grandpa on the phone about her job as an adult, Jenna can’t
remember a time when he wasn’t a big part of her life.
“We talked on the phone at least a couple times a week,”
recalls Jenna, “and just before I started my new job he
called every day – if not more than once a day – asking
“He just wanted to make others’ lives
better and provide as much as he
could for those in need”
how my job interviews were going.”
Stan’s commitment and humility have shaped Jenna.
“Thanks to Grandpa, I’m more in tune with what’s going
on in the world and with the Jewish population, and the
ways we can help,” says Jenna. “And I’ve been influenced
by his quiet role. He was such a humble person, it only
seems fitting that in the last year of his life he was publicly honored – twice. “
In the fall of 2012, Stan received the Federation’s
Lifetime Achievement Award and was selected as the
Phillips Eye Institute’s 2012 Honoree.
“It was really eye opening to hear him speak about everything he and Grandma did throughout their lives. My husband Scott and I walked away from those events, looked
at each other and just said, we need to do more. We need
to strive to be like him,” remembers Jenna.
In that same year, Stan walked Jenna down the aisle
at her wedding – an experience that Jenna will cherish
forever.
“It means the world to me that he was able to walk me
down the aisle, and that he became so close with Scott.”
Like most people who knew Stan, Scott quickly came
to respect and love him. “Actually,” Jenna says, “Scott
hasn’t taken his WWSSD bracelet off the entire time he’s
had it.”
jewishminneapolis.org
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FEATURES
Introducing The 20|30 Project
Meet the 20|30 Project
Chair: Sarah Gruesner
Following a
two-year term
as Federation’s
Young
Leadership
Campaign
Chair, Sarah
is excited to
step into her
new role! Get to know the woman
behind The 20|30 Project:
The way today’s young people connect
to the world, and by definition, the
Jewish world, is constantly changing.
We are living in a high-tech and fastpaced society filled with endless and
ever-changing choices, “membership
discounts” and special offers. Conference room meetings are now virtual
“hangout” sessions. A trip to the mall
has become a click in the App store.
And the Jewish shtetl has been replaced by Facebook groups, Pinterest
Boards and Hashtags.
Enter: the 20|30 Project. Designed to
help young people redefine, for themselves, what it means to be a young
Jew in Minneapolis, the 20|30 Project
offers opportunities to connect, lead
and give -- meaning there’s a way for
everyone to participate, contribute and
benefit.
The Revolution
The Revolution is a two year learn-andlead initiative kicking off this fall with
a "Ted Talk" themed inaugural summit
focused on how passion and innovation can change the world. Continued
monthly sessions will bring the next
generation into the conversation to
share their ideas and perspectives
about Jewish life and community. We
plan to listen - a lot. We will also teach
participants about the Jewish community we live in today, help them develop
the leadership skills necessary to
design the programs and interfaces for
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Minneapolis Jewish Federation | Fall 2013
the Jewish community of the future– a
community that they can call their own.
Happy Hours + Signature Events
Sometimes, expressing our Judaism is
just about being with other Jews – no
explanation of “Shabbat” or “Chanukah” required. Our monthly happy
hours, Purim party, and co-sponsored
events with other young adult organizations in our community fill that need
while keeping tikkun olam on the table.
20|30 J Pass
By pledging to donate $18 a month for
36 months to the Federation's Community Campaign, donors will change lives
around the world and receive a series
of benefits, discounts and exclusive offers from partner organizations such as
the Sabes JCC, synagogues, and local
businesses. By the end of the program,
donors will have a taste of what the
community has to offer and know what
it feels like to work together to change
the world.
20|30 Giving Circle
All donors to the Federation's 20|30
Campaign (including 20|30 J Pass
members) will have the opportunity
to pool their resources, leverage their
impact and change the world.
IT’S TIME TO OPT-IN!
Do you or someone you know want
to opt-in? Contact Laura Taple at
952.417.2312, therevolution@mplsfed.
org or look us up on Facebook!
What’s your day job:
Corporate Catering for Dining
Delivered/Prime Catering –
specializing in full service and drop
off catering for meetings, trainings,
conferences, and corporate events.
How did you get involved
with Federation? A close friend
asked me to join a committee and I
continued to get involved from there.
What’s your favorite thing
about our Jewish community?
I love that there is always something
going on! A show at the JCC,
happy hours sponsored by an array
of Jewish organizations, a Shabbat
dinner at the synagogue. There is
something for anyone, all the time!
What are you looking
forward to as The 20|30
Project picks up steam?
I'm excited to meet the new
generation of young adults who
want to make a difference in their
own community and abroad. This
program will offer opportunities to
develop leadership skills, but anyone
who wants to be involved is telling
the community that they’re already
a leader.
And when you’re not shaping
the community? I consider
myself a local "falafel connoisseur.”
I like to check out new places that
boast to have the best in town. As
of now, the reigning champ in my
opinion is at Rye Deli in Uptown check it out! You won't regret it!
HOME 
Finding A
Helping Hand…
And a Friendly Face
Federation enables the elderly to age
with dignity and support
E
stelle is 87 and alone. Her daughters, the only family
she has, live a thousand miles away.
"I have no family nearby, and all my lady friends died
without my permission,” she reflects using her wry sense
of humor.
On top of her isolation, Estelle is homebound due to poor
health. "I cannot go places anymore," she says. "I need
someone to open the door for me. I sometimes can't move
my right arm." She also relies on a walker and is no longer
able to drive.
Life became a lot easier, and a lot safer, when the Jewish community connected Estelle to Marni, a caregiver
and companion. Marni began helping Estelle around the
house, taking her to appointments, grocery shopping and
more.
"I'm here to help her, even if it's just opening the door with
the key, or making sure that her walker makes it over the
threshold," she explains. "I go shopping for her, or shopping with her, take her to medical appointments, or just sit
and listen to her. I give her the option of freedom, getting
the job done for her while she's still in control, which gives
her that extra sense of security."
Marni is more than Estelle's caregiver, she's her friend.
"I call her my 'girlfriend' because I tell her stories, and she
says 'Estelle, this is too much information! I don't need to
know that!'" Estelle recounts, laughing.
"If you're in the house alone, the walls don't laugh with
you. They don't cry with you. So you need somebody to
have a conversation with," says Marni.
Geri, one of Estelle's daughters, visits often and has witnessed Marni's work first–hand. "This program has given
me peace of mind. There is somebody here close by who
sees her regularly. I can't tell you how priceless that is, to
know that someone cares about my mother the way I care
about her."
With the Federation's help, Estelle has been able to continue to live the independent life she craves while enjoying
the security of being cared for and a sense of companionship and the security of someone's care.
“I feel taken care of.
I don't feel like I'm alone
in the world. I'm very
blessed having someone,
and by someone I mean
the Jewish Federation."
“One of the most remarkable things about
the Minneapolis Jewish community is that
we have programs and
services to meet the
needs of people of all
ages, backgrounds and
lifestyles,” explains Brad
Fritz, 2014 Community
Campaign Co-Chair.
“The Federation’s Community Campaign is the only place
where you can make a gift that supports senior care for
people like Estelle while addressing short-term and longterm challenges and opportunities that are critical to the
health and future of our community.”
Estelle never thought that she would be in need of help.
"But to have these services available to me in the Jewish
community is very reassuring,” she says. “I feel taken care
of. I don't feel like I'm alone in the world. I'm very blessed
having someone, and by someone I mean the Jewish Federation."
The Minneapolis Jewish Federation partners with more than
40 service providers at home and abroad, creating a worldwide
network to help meet the needs of Jewish people of all ages, backgrounds and lifestyles. Support our mission to change lives and
make the world a better place: jewishminneapolis.org/donate.
Names have been changed to maintain privacy.
We respect our elders… and take care of
them. Together we provide:
200 Minneapolis seniors with a home where they can age
with dignity and engage in Jewish life
2,600 frail, low-income Minneapolis seniors with support
and programming to promote independence and quality of life
21,575 Kosher Meals on Wheels for isolated seniors
190,000 of the world’s most impoverished elderly Jews
with food, medicine and companionship
jewishminneapolis.org
15
HOME

latest buzz about the
#LIVEJEWISH The
Minneapolis Jewish FederatioN
“Thank you so much for
making my dream to go
to Israel possible.” – S.P.
“Herzl is my favorite place in
the world, and thanks to you
I get to go.” – N.C.
“It's wonderful to have
someone you feel comfortable
with - and to know you will
receive assistance when you
need it most." – Anonymous
"We are so happy there is
programming in our community
that makes it easy for us to
bring Jewish life into our home
for our children.” – Mark R.
“I know that my gift to the
Federation supports all the
worthwhile causes in the Jewish
community, and that is a great
relief to me.” – Michael Epstein
"These resources - the camps,
the schools, the youth groups
- wouldn't exist without the
Federation. The Federation helps us
feel our Jewish identity." – Sasha &
Dasha,Twin Sisters, Belarus
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Minneapolis Jewish Federation | Fall 2013
at home 
JEWISH VALUES INSPIRE
PHILANTHROPY
Each year, approximately 700 children and teenagers in
crisis turn to Bridge for Youth for shelter and counseling.
These children and teenagers suffer from abuse and
neglect, and are often held back in life by negative
stereotyping. But even under the staff’s best care,
sometimes what these kids really need is the undivided
attention of someone who has been in their shoes.
Someone like Stella.
Stella, an eight year old pit bull, visits the
Bridge for Youth twice a week as part of
a unique dog therapy program run by A
Rotta Love, a Minneapolis based pit bull
and Rottweiler rescue. The youths in crisis
at Bridge for Youth relate to Stella’s history
of neglect, and the therapy the dog and
her trainer provide equips the kids with tools to build positive relationships and create better lives for themselves.
Through unconditional compassion, Stella encourages participants to open up and process their struggles in a way
that seemed impossible before she came into the picture.
Stella’s sessions at the Bridge, part of a program called
PRIORITY Paws, are made possible in part by the Mount
Sinai Community Foundation (MSCF), a fund of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community Foundation.
Through the Foundation, donors can fulfill their personal
philanthropic goals by establishing funds and administering grants with the support of trained professionals at the
Federation. MSCF is one example of how donors are taking
initiative to make a difference in our Jewish community and
beyond.
MSCF embodies the Jewish values of caring for the vulnerable by supporting initiatives that improve health, enhance
well-being or otherwise advance medical care both inside
and outside the Jewish community.
Recognizing the importance of teaching philanthropy to
the next generation, they have opened up opportunities for
Jewish teens to have a sneak peek at philanthropy through
the Teen Corps Pilot Program. These students, who ranged
from grades 7 to 12, donated $36 each and received a
crash course in grant distributions by working together,
with a facilitator, to determine where their gifts would go.
“I understand more now what’s happening in the community,” said Ellie Goldfarb, 15, a student at Southwest High
School and active participant in United Synagogue Youth
(USY). Ellie was introduced to Teen Corps through her
grandmother, MSCF member Audrey Goldfarb. “The whole
process of giving is kind of empowering,” she explains.
Join MSCF at their annual Giving Circle Kickoff
The future of Genetic Testing: From the Supreme Court to
Personalized Medicine
Featuring: Jeffrey Kahn, Professor of Bioethics and Public
Policy at Johns Hopkins University
November 7, 2013 at 7:15 PM • Beth El Synagogue
For tickets and more info on joining MSCF or the Teen
Corps, contact Jenifer Robins at [email protected]
or 952-212-6128
The whole process of giving is kind
of empowering,”- Ellie Goldfarb Teen Corps Member
MSCF is impacting health and wellness inside and outside the Jewish community by funding these projects:
½ Corner House. MSCF funding will improve access to specialized
medical exams for child victims of physical abuse and adolescent victims
of sexual and physical abuse, allowing Corner House to serve populations
that the agency has not historically been able to serve because of
government funding restrictions.
½ National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota (NAMI).
MSCF funding enables NAMI to kick-start Mental Health First Aid
training for school professionals and others who work with children to
ensure that they are able to recognize the signs of mental illness, connect
children with appropriate care and safely de-escalate crisis situations.
½ Sabes JCC. MSCF funding is supporting a campus wide CPR/First Aid
training initiative in which the JCC would become an accredited CPR and
First Aid training center to ensure that all Barry Family Campus agencies
are prepared to address medical emergencies and to further the JCC's
vision to become a “critical source of community resilience for both the
Jewish and broader local communities.”
½ Hold Your Horses. MSCF funding enables this unique therapy
program to acquire, train and maintain a horse that will improve the lives
of people with disabilities through occupational therapy, physical therapy
and psychotherapy.
jewishminneapolis.org
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SPOTLIGHT
Calendar of Events
SEPTEMBER
NOVEMBER
Mitzi Spiegel Lion of Judah Luncheon
Tuesday, September 17, 12 pm
Oak Ridge Country Club
Featuring the Dmitri Duo, talented musicians
whose poignant and touching story takes them
from persecution in Moscow to a life of freedom
in Israel. Contact Alyssa Huck at 952.417.2323
or [email protected]
A Lens on History: An Afternoon with Documentary
Filmmaker Noemi Schory
Sunday, November 3, 3 pm
Sabes JCC
Israeli director and producer
Noemi Schory has built a
remarkable body of work centered
on stories that have emerged
from the time of the Holocaust. In
lively discussion with independent
filmmaker Emily Goldberg, Schory will reflect on documentary film’s
fundamental questions. Co-sponsored by the Federation's Israel
Center, Sabes JCC & Rimon. Contact Eilat Harel at 952.417.2321 or
[email protected]
jewishminneapolis.org/cultureblvd.aspx
Call for Change Phone-a-thons
Tuesday, October 22, 7-9 pm • Monday, October 28,
10 am-1 pm Wednesday, November 6, 7-9 pm •
Thursday, November 14, 1-4 pm •
Minneapolis Jewish Federation Office
Join us to call for change!
Contact Alyssa Huck at 952-417-2323 or [email protected]
Culture BLVD III: Featuring Foreign Policy Analyst
and Author Adam Heffez
Sunday, September 29, 3 pm
Intermedia Arts
Admission: $12, $10 for JCC
members, $6 for students and
seniors
A journey through Israel and the
West Bank narrated in graffiti –
the most uncensored expression
of how people in this war-trodden
region interact with their reality. Featuring Adam Heffez, author of
Words and Walls: Social Commentary through Graffiti in Israel and the
West Bank. Contact Eilat Harel at 952-417-2321 or
[email protected] | www.jewishminneapolis.org/cultureblvd.aspxspx
OCTOBER
Maimonides Society Fall Event
Tuesday, October 1, 6 pm | Temple of Aaron
A conversation with Eric W. Kale, President of the University of
Minnesota, about the future impact of the University on healthcare
in Minnesota. Contact Alyssa Huck at 952.417.2323 or ahuck@
mplsfed.org.
THE REVOLUTION "TED TALK" INAUGRAL SUMMIT
Thursday, October 3 | Location TBA
Save the date for The Revolution's kick-off event focused on how
passion and innovation can change the world. Contact Laura Taple at
952.417.2312 or [email protected].
King David Society & PaceSetter
Dinner
Monday, October 21, 6:15 pm
Oak Ridge Country Club
Celebrating donors who give $10,000 and
above to support the Federation mission.
Guest speaker Gordon B. Zacks, executive
business leader and pillar of the global
Jewish community. Contact Alyssa Huck at
952.417.2323 or [email protected].
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Minneapolis Jewish Federation | Fall 2013
Culture BLVD III: FEaturing Oscar Nominated Director
Dror Moreh
Wednesday, November 20, 7 pm | Sabes JCC
Admission: $12, $10 for JCC members, $6 for students and seniors
Israeli Film Director Dror Moreh shares behind the scenes stories of
the makings of his Oscar-nominated movie The Gatekeeper.
Contact Eilat Harel at 952-417-2321 or [email protected]
www.jewishminneapolis.org/cultureblvd.aspx
Twin Cities Cardozo Society
Fourteenth Annual Dinner
Thursday, November 21, 6 pm
Marriott City Center, Minneapolis
Honoring Clifford Greene and Ellen Sampson
with the Sidney Barrows Lifetime Commitment
Award, and Leora Itman with the Arthur T. Pfefer
Memorial Award. Keynote speech by human
rights activist John Prendergast.
Contact Alyssa Huck at 952-417-2323 or [email protected]
december
Rimon Artist Salon Series
Sunday, December 8, 2 pm | Cowles Center for Dance
Rimon returns to the JSB Tek Box at the Cowles Center for Dance.
Actor Susan Stein will present excerpts from her one-woman play
based on the letters and diaries of Etty Hillesum, a young Dutch
Jewish student in the early 1940s, whose intensely searching words
reach out from their historical moment into ours. Theater director
Carolyn Levy will join Stein onstage for a dialogue. Contact David
Harris at 952.381.3449 or [email protected].
SPOTLIGHT 
Minneapolis jewish federation
SPOTLIGHT
1. Bob Ansel, David Goldstein, Linda Ketover, Lori Fritz, Renee Soskin, Rabbi Olitzky, Eddie Sherman, and Susie Diamond
celebrated our community volunteers at the Pillars of Our Community Brunch
2. Young adults Matt Walzer, David Jurisz, Sarah Gruesner and Brad Hanly called for change at our May phone-a-thon
3. Brad Fritz greets Ida Greenfield, a past Stephen K. & Carolyn Lieberman Campaigner of the Year, at Pillars of our Community
4. Stuart Chazin, Darren Lederfine and Matt Heilicher catch up at the National Young Leadership Cabinet Reunion
5. Dan Kleinman, Amanda Farley, Erin Striker, Jenna Nash, Jaclyn Grossfield & Ashi Gavzy pause for a photo op at Casino Royale.
6. XXXX XXXXX, Steve Kalin, XXXX and Harold learn about endowing their gift at a legacy event
7. Perci Chester, Ann Ginsburgh Hofkin & David Harris enjoy P'tchotchka, Rimon: The Minnesota Jewish Arts Council’s annual benefit.
8. Youtube sensationThe Maccabeats perform for a sold out crowd of young families at Adath Jeshurun
9. Giti and Rabbi David Fredman of Aish joined nearly 50 local organizations at the State Fairgrounds to celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut
10. Dr. Benjamin Gampel teaches the lessons of Maimonides to local Rabbis, learners and leaders during Jewish University for a Day
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jewishminneapolis.org
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Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 3474
Twin Cities, MN
13100 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 200
Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305
1000 donors.
1000 dollars.
1000s of lives to change.
The challenge is on.
We’re looking for 1,000 people to give a gift of
$1,000 or increase their gift by $1,000.
It’s the 1000 @ $1000 Challenge. Are you in?
Coming 2013/2014