JCC FOCUS. Jewish Community Center of Corpus Christi. July 2018 Tammuz/Av 5778

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1 JCC FOCUS Jewish Community Center of Corpus Christi July 2018 Tammuz/Av 5778

Jewish Community Council of Corpus Christi 2017-2018 Board of Directors President - Iris Lehrman Vice President - Renee Solomon 2nd Vice President - Gary Blum Secretary - Kari Oshman Rhodes Treasurer

2 Jewish Community Council of Corpus Christi Board of Directors President - Iris Lehrman Vice President - Renee Solomon 2nd Vice President - Gary Blum Secretary - Kari Oshman Rhodes Treasurer - Matt Adler Parliamentarian - Carla De Pena Pres. Appointee - Lois Blum Pres. Appointee - Linda Snider Board Member - Jaron Sela Board Member - Jackie Franklin Board Member - Rikki Schmitchel Board Member - Heather Loeb Board Member - Nene Schmukler Board Member - Brittany Sandbach Board Member - Meredith Ryan JCC Director - Norma Levens JCC Rabbi - Rabbi Roseman JCC Preschool Rep. - Manuela Sela CBI Rabbi - Rabbi Emanuel CBI Rep. - Nedra Lockhart Sisterhood Rep. - Leslie Levy CJA Rep. - TBA Chabad Rabbi - Rabbi Schmukler Jewish Organizations in Corpus Christi Congregation Beth Israel Rabbi Ilan Emanuel 4402 Saratoga Blvd. (361) bethisraelcc.com President: Jim Gold Combined Jewish Appeal (361) President: TBA Assistant: Norma Levens Chabad Coastal Bend Rabbi Naftoli Schmukler 4855 S. Alameda St., Suite 108 (361) chabadcorpus.org Board Meeting TBA Hello friends, Director s Corner I hope you are all enjoying your summer so far. We here the JCC have been extremely busy transitioning from summer to fall...yes, fall. I know, that sounds crazy, but that s the nature of the beast. We are very excited for out friends at the Rise School for they are finally moving into their much needed new school. We have been very fortunate to have worked with them for the last 7 years. We will miss them, yet, wish them success in their new school. However, I am also pleased to say, that our school will be able to expand into that building once again. Our school is in demand and that, my friends, is a wonderful thing for the JCC. As we approach the wonderful holiday, keep in mind our reason for celebration this July 4th. We re to look back and remember our founding fathers-the risks they took and beliefs in freedom, that to this day, allow us to hold our heads high. Enjoy the company of friends, family and the beauty that the summer holds. Remember that all this was made by those who fought for our freedom and liberty and that many men and women continue to do so to this day. And, with that, I wish you a wonderful safe 4th of July. Shalom, Norma page 2

2018 Jewish Community Center Members Patrons Chris & Robert Adler Vincent & Shirley Muscarello Susser Family Foundation Members Randall Berry Lois & Gary Blum DDS Jeanne & Mac Brenz Carla De Pena

3 2018 Jewish Community Center Members Patrons Chris & Robert Adler Vincent & Shirley Muscarello Susser Family Foundation Members Randall Berry Lois & Gary Blum DDS Jeanne & Mac Brenz Carla De Pena Elizabeth Falk Carol & Don Feferman Roz & Ron Ferrell (DDS) Jacqueline Franklin Susan & Myron Grossman Patricia & Robert Harris Marian (Sussman (MD)) & Michael Hiatt Barbara (Samuels) & Sam Horner Ruth Josephs Karen & Harold Kane Ruth Kane Fifi Kieschnick Jeri Kolpack Amy & David Krams Chris & Carl Kuehn Iris & Andy Lehrman Bobbie & Len Leshin Norma Levens Leslie & Carl Levy Nedra Lockhart Gail Gleimer Loeb Sustainers Jaki & Richard Hausman Annette & Melvyn Klein Laurie & Michael Mintz (MD) Toby Shor Angels Annette & Jim Cottingham (MD) Ginger & Richard Harris Beatrice Hinojosa Carol & Sammy Kins Rona & L. A. Train Members Kenneth Maltz Marcia Marks Susan & Bill Martin Mary K. Mauel Amanda & Howard Mintz Amy & Sean Mintz Theresa & Abraham Moss Louis Needleman (MD) Deborah & Scot Oshman Phyllis & Rabbi Kenneth Roseman Hilda & Charles Schechter Rebecca & Maurice Schmidt Barb & Chip Schwamb Manuela & Jaron Sela Nina Shannon Linda & Dean Snider Renee Solomon Carol Solovey Marlene & Jack Super Elizabeth & Jerry Susser Pat & Sam J. Susser Helen Wilk Sue Williams Mille Zalim page 3

The 4 Jewish Women Who Changed Science Forever When we think of scientists and inventors, we often don t think of the women who worked (and currently work) tirelessly in the male-dominated

These four Jewish women changed how we view the world and made groundbreaking discoveries that we take for granted.

Her incredible research resulted in this amazing discovery: Dark matter makes up 27% of the universe. Rubin passed away at the end of 2016 at age 88.

Ruth Arnon is an outstanding immunologists who has made groundbreaking changes in the medical field.

4 The 4 Jewish Women Who Changed Science Forever When we think of scientists and inventors, we often don t think of the women who worked (and currently work) tirelessly in the male-dominated field, especially considering women were basically barred from attending universities to study. These four Jewish women changed how we view the world and made groundbreaking discoveries that we take for granted. Check them out below: Vera Rubin was the astronomer who discovered dark matter, a material that scientists cannot directly observe. Her incredible research resulted in this amazing discovery: Dark matter makes up 27% of the universe. Rubin passed away at the end of 2016 at age 88. Rosalind Franklin was a chemist who discovered the molecular structures of DNA. She also did tremendous research in the areas of crystallography and x-ray science. Ruth Arnon is an outstanding immunologists who has made groundbreaking changes in the medical field. Along with Michael Sela, she worked in synthesizing a substance that aroused the body s immune system, which is how the first synthetic antigen was discovered. Hertha Marks Ayrton was a scientist and mathematician who did significant research and made profound discoveries on the electric arc and ripples. 1899, she was the first woman ever to read her own paper before the Institution of Electrical Engineers. Her paper was entitled The Hissing of the Electric Arc. She also invented a line-divider, designed to divide a line into any number of equal parts. By: Joanna C. Valente Reference: kveller.com page 4

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by Marnie Winston-Macauley There were over 2000 Jews in colonial America and many took part in the Revolutionary War. Here s their story. Picture it.

6 by Marnie Winston-Macauley There were over 2000 Jews in colonial America and many took part in the Revolutionary War. Here s their story. Picture it. A Jew in a waistcoat, knee breeches, holding a shotgun? Yet of the over 2000 Jews in colonial America, many adult Jewish males took part in the Revolutionary War from fighting to financing. A few were royalists, but most American Jews supported the fight for independence. As is often the case, we not only came, some of us conquered, playing a decisive role in American Independence. In fact, had it not been for Jewish Americans, we might be chowing down on fish and chips instead of beans and franks. Here s a sampling: SOUTHERN JEWRY Francis Salvador: Legendary Southern Patriot In 1774, Francis Salvador, a recent arrival from England, is the holder of several Revolutionary records. He was elected to the First Provincial Congress in Charleston in 1774, making him the first professed American Jew to hold such a high elective office. The following year, when a South Carolina republic was established, he signed and stamped the new currency. A volunteer militiaman, participating in an expedition against Indians and Tories, he was also the first Jew to die for his country. He was killed early in the war (August 1, 1776) by Cherokee loyalists in an ambush near the Keowee River. Salvador s commander described this scene to South Carolina President, John Rutledge. With a savage head wound, he asked whether the enemy had been beaten. He was glad... and then said farewell. The bicentennial celebration of the Jewish community of Charleston, 1950, included the creation of a commemorative stone in honor of the patriot. The inscription starts: "First Jew In South Carolina To Hold Public Office And To Die For American Independence. The Jews Company: 1780 Such a large number of Southern Jews wanted to join the Revolutionary cause, Captain Richard Lushington, a Jew from Charleston, South Carolina, formed what was known as the Jews Company which included 28 Jews comprising about half his men. Mordechai Sheftall and Philip Minis A merchant and son of a Jewish colonist who arrived in 1733, Mordecai Sheftall, chaired the committee in Savannah, Georgia, enforcing the decisions of the American patriots against British interests in The meeting is also attended by Philip Minis, also a son of one of the original Jewish colonists. In 1778, Sheftall, was appointed Deputy Commissary General for federal troops in Georgia and South Carolina. Late in the year, as Savannah's defenses are overrun by British troops, many American soldiers escaped by swimming across the Savannah River. British troops captured Sheftall who stayed behind with his teenage son, Levi. The following year, Philip Minis, a member of Georgia s patriot committee and Levi Sheftall were guides to French and American forces in their attempt to recapture Savannah from the British. In 1782, the Jewish community in Philadelphia, with an increased population of Jews from other cities, under Sheftall s leadership, built its first permanent synagogue and Haym Salomon, a financier of the revolution, was a major financial contributor. THE MAN WHO SAVED THE WAR CHEST: HAYM SALOMON There is scarcely a USian who hasn t heard of the sacrifices of Haym Salomon. It could be said that this Polish-born Jew who came to New York in 1772, was largely responsible for us beating the Brits. Salomon acted as a secret agent in British-occupied New York City. After fleeing to Philadelphia in 1778 to escape arrest, his financial skills helped rescue the Continental government. He acted as supplier to American troops and as paymaster general to French forces assisting the patriots. Along with Robert Morris he raised funds for the colonial coffers. Salomon also loaned gelt at nominal rates to members of the Continental Congress in need, among them James Madison. An ardent Jew, in 1782, he made the largest contribution toward the building of the Mikveh Israel Congregation. In 1784, he stated in print: "I am a Jew; I do not despair that we shall obtain every privilege we aspire to enjoy along with our fellow citizens." At the time of his death, January 6, 1785, he was technically bankrupt. His heirs claimed that the U.S. government still owed him in excess of $350,000 and I doubt that s with interest. In Chicago there is a statue linking Washington, Salomon and Robert Morris, with the words: "...The government of the United States which gives to bigotry no sanction to persecution no assistance." FRANKLY SPEAKING Colonel Isaac Franks: Known as George Washington s right-hand man, the two became dear friends when, on November 1 in 1793, he provided his home in Germantown, Pennsylvania to the future first President when, on his way to the Third Continental Congress in Philly, the yellow fever epidemic hit. Washington and Franks remained good friends and he became the first Jew to have his portrait painted by Gilbert Stuart. A Family Affair: Isaac Frank s sister Rachael married Haym Solomon! David Salisbury Franks, a distant relation to Isaac, had a checkered but colorful career! In 1780, when Benedict Arnold turned his coat by tipping off the British of the American surrender of the fort at West Point, his aide de camp was none other than David Franks. This was not mazel. He, along with Arnold s other aides were arrested. He was acquitted, but outraged, requested an additional court inquiry to completely clear his name. Franks was promoted and given 400 acres of land. (Is this Jewish or what?) It gets better. He became a diplomatic courier carrying documents to Benjamin Franklin in Paris and John Jay in Madrid. But more in 1784 he was appointed vice consul in Marseilles, France, becoming the first Jew to serve in a U.S. diplomatic post. WE WON, LET S EAT In a great parade in Philadelphia in 1788 to honor Pennsylvania's ratification of the U. S. Constitution, the chazan (cantor) of the synagogue marched arm and arm with two clergymen. At the public feast that accompanied the celebration there was a table with kosher food that, according to one participant consisted of "soused salmon bread and crackers, almonds, raisins, and more." A PRESIDENT IS SWORN IN! When George Washington was elected the first president of the newly formed republic of the United States his 1789 inauguration was held at Federal Hall on Wall Street in Manhattan. Noted Jewish leader Gershom Mendes Seixas, chazan of New York's Jewish congregation, was one of 14 religious leaders who attend the ceremonies. And so, the United States of America owes a great debt to We Jews. On this July 4th, may we celebrate the debt that s been paid and those still to pay to insure the independence of our Jewish nation, Israel. page 6 Reference:

In Honor of your High School Graduation, Mazel Tov! Miss Lucy Silverman Sam L. Susser A generous donation was made to the Susser Playground Fund. In Honor of your High School Graduation, Mazel Tov!

7 In Honor of your High School Graduation, Mazel Tov! Miss Lucy Silverman Sam L. Susser A generous donation was made to the Susser Playground Fund. In Honor of your High School Graduation, Mazel Tov! Miss Madeline Ryan Sam L. Susser A generous donation was made to the Susser Playground Fund. In Honor of your High School Graduation, Mazel Tov! Mr. Neil Levens Sam L. Susser A generous donation was made to the Susser Playground Fund. In Honor of your JCC Kindergarten Graduation, Mazel Tov! Mr. Jacob Ryan Sam L. Susser A generous donation was made to the Susser Playground Fund. In Honor of your High School Graduation, Mazel Tov! Mr. Vicente Hernandez Sam L. Susser A generous donation was made to the Susser Playground Fund. In Honor of your JCC Kindergarten Graduation, Mazel Tov! Miss Abigail Chessher Sam L. Susser A generous donation was made to the Susser Playground Fund. In Honor of your High School Graduation, Mazel Tov! Mr. Sam E. Susser Sam L. Susser A generous donation was made to the Susser Playground Fund. page 7

Susan Thiem A generous donation was made to

Creating Healthy Smiles in the Coastal Bend

8 Mazel Tov! Rikki Schmitchel 2018 Miriam Award Recipient! Susan Thiem A generous donation was made to the General Fund Everhart Rd. Suite 105 General Dentist S. Padre Island Dr. Creating Healthy Smiles in the Coastal Bend since Loma Alta Center # 211 (On The Island) (Everhart Rd. Near McArdle) Corpus Christi, TX (361) Wishing You A Healthy Smile in 2018! Corpus Christi, TX (361) (Visa, MasterCard and Most Insurances Accepted) Now with Two Locations! page 8 page 7

9 Dinner with Friends was a success! Thank you to all who joined us for our interfaith community gathering! Thank you to Mustafa Safak and Norma Levens. A Big thank you to Dr. Gary Blum DDS for great pictures and memories of the event! page 9

Mintz 13th David Hausman 23rd Simcha Blend 6th Lisa G.

15th Betty Ann Hill 24th Ruth Samocha 9th Bill Martin 17th Carol

Weil 21st Chris Adler 26th Andrew Sheinberg Helen White Hair

10 Happy Birthday To Our Friends! 2nd Len Lesihiin 10th Judy Itkin 23rd Kymberley Oshman 4th Laurie Mintz 13th David Hausman 23rd Simcha Blend 6th Lisa G. Molite 13th Jim Cottingham 24th Annette Cottingham 7th Gary Blum 15th Betty Ann Hill 24th Ruth Samocha 9th Bill Martin 17th Carol Feferman 25th John Hilliard 9th Linda H. Weil 21st Chris Adler 26th Andrew Sheinberg Helen White Hair Removal & Body Design Call For More Information & Monthly Specials! (361) SPID In the Gulfway Center HelenWhiteElectrologists.com page 10

JCC Community Calendar July 2018 Sunday Monday Tammuz/Av 5778 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 7 CBI Services @ 9 a.m. 1 2 3 4 5 6 18 Tammuz 19 Tammuz 20 Tammuz 21 Tammuz 22 Tammuz 23 Tammuz 8 9 10 11 12 13 CBI Shabbat Services 14 CBI Services @9 a.

m. 25 Tammuz 26 Tammuz 27 Tammuz 28 Tammuz 29 Tammuz 1 Av 15 16 17 18 19 20 CBI Shabbat Services 21 CBI Services @ 9 a.m. 3 Av 4 Av 5 Av 6 Av 7 Av 8 Av 22 23 24 25 26 27 CBI Shabbat Services 28 CBI Services @ 9 a.

11 JCC Community Calendar July 2018 Sunday Monday Tammuz/Av 5778 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 7 CBI 9 a.m Tammuz 19 Tammuz 20 Tammuz 21 Tammuz 22 Tammuz 23 Tammuz CBI Shabbat Services 14 CBI a.m. CBI Shabbat 6:30 p.m. Torah 11 a.m. Shabbat begins 8:11 p.m. 24 6:30 p.m. Shabbat begins 8:07 p.m. Shabbat ends 9:09 p.m. Torah 11 a.m. 2 Av Shabbat ends 9:07 p.m. 25 Tammuz 26 Tammuz 27 Tammuz 28 Tammuz 29 Tammuz 1 Av CBI Shabbat Services 21 CBI 9 a.m. 3 Av 4 Av 5 Av 6 Av 7 Av 8 Av CBI Shabbat Services 28 CBI 9 a.m. 10 Av 11 Av 12 Av 13 Av 14 Av 15 Av Av 18 Av 19 6:30 p.m. Shabbat begins 8:07 p.m. Torah 11 a.m. 9 6:30 p.m. Shabbat begins 8:04 p.m. Shabbat ends 9:04 p.m. Torah 11 a.m. 16 Av Shabbat ends 8:59 p.m. page 11

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- While the iconic soft drink has been on the market since 1886, only since 1935 has it been certified kosher, including for Passover.

Geffen was an unlikely contributor to the worldwide success of the beverage.

During his long tenure at Shearith Israel, Geffen became the dean of Southern Jewish Orthodoxy.

wanted increasingly to partake of real American life, including consuming American foods and beverages.

13 - While the iconic soft drink has been on the market since 1886, only since 1935 has it been certified kosher, including for Passover. Rabbi Tobias Geffen, an Orthodox rabbi who served Atlanta s Congregation Shearith Israel from 1910 until his death in 1970 at the age of 99, is responsible for kashering Coke. Geffen was an unlikely contributor to the worldwide success of the beverage. Born in Kovno, Lithuania, in 1870, he immigrated to Canton, Ohio, in 1903 and accepted his Atlanta pulpit seven years later. During his long tenure at Shearith Israel, Geffen became the dean of Southern Jewish Orthodoxy. As the millions of Eastern European Jews who immigrated to the United States from Poland, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine, and elsewhere in Eastern Europe before World War I became more Americanized, they wanted increasingly to partake of real American life, including consuming American foods and beverages. While seltzer water might have been the preference of many traditional Jewish immigrants, their rapidly assimilating children and grandchildren demonstrated their Americanization by drinking Coke. Because he lived in Atlanta where the Coca-Cola Company was headquartered, Geffen received letters from several Orthodox rabbinic colleagues around the nation asking whether it was halachically (according to Jewish law) permissible to consume Coca-Cola. Uncertain of the answer, Geffen contacted the company to ask for a list of Coke s ingredients. At the time, Geffen did not know that the formula for Coca-Cola is a closely guarded trade secret perhaps one of the best-kept trade secrets in American history. Only a handful of individuals know the formula. Once Geffen inquired, the Coca-Cola Company made a corporate decision to allow him access to the list of ingredients in Coke s secret formula provided he swore to keep them in utter secrecy. Geffen agreed to the terms. The company did not tell him the exact proportions of each ingredient, but just gave him a list of contents by name. When Geffen was given the list of ingredients, he discovered that one of them was glycerin made from non-kosher beef tallow. Even though a laboratory chemist told Geffen that the glycerin was present in only one part per thousand (one part in 60 is dilute enough to earn kosher certification), Geffen informed the Coca-Cola Company that, since this glycerin was a planned rather than accidentally added ingredient, observant Jews could not knowingly tolerate its inclusion. Coke failed to meet Geffen s standards. Back at the company s laboratories, research scientists went to work finding a substitute for tallow-based glycerin and discovered that Proctor and Gamble produced a glycerin from cottonseed and coconut oil. When they agreed to use to this new ingredient, Geffen gave his hechsher or seal of approval, for Coke to be marketed as kosher. Still, a second problem vexed Geffen: The formula for Coke included traces of alcohol that were a byproduct of grain kernels. Since anything derived from grains is chametz, or forbidden at Passover, Coca-Cola could not be certified kosher for use at Passover even after the formula was changed to include vegetable-based glycerin. Coke s chemists experimented and found that, during the Passover season, they could substitute sweeteners produced from beet sugar and cane sugar for grain-based ones without compromising Coke s taste. They agreed to start manufacturing Coke with the new sugars several weeks before Passover each year. Geffen was pleased to have performed this service for the American Jewish people and the Coca-Cola Company. In his papers, which are housed in the archives of the American Jewish Historical Society, researchers can find a teshuvah (rabbinic response) that Geffen wrote which includes the following: Because Coca-Cola has already been accepted by the general public in this country and Canada and because it has become an insurmountable problem to induce the great majority of Jews to refrain from partaking of this drink, I have tried earnestly to find a method of permitting its usage. With the help of G-d I have been able to uncover a pragmatic solution in which there would be no question nor any doubt concerning the ingredients of Coca-Cola. Thanks to Rabbi Geffen, even the most observant Jews can feel comfortable that things go better with Coke. Chapters in American Jewish History are provided by the American Jewish Historical Society, collecting, preserving, fostering scholarship and providing access to the continuity of Jewish life in America for more than 350 years (and counting). Visit By: Michael Feldberg Reference: myjewishlearning.com page 13

14 July 2nd - 6th July 9th - 13th July 16th - 20th July 23rd - 27nd Stars and Stripes The Secret Life of Pets Under the Stars Dinosaurs *JCC Summer Program includes: Daily Swim Lessons, Daily Art Lessons, Academics, Music, Science, Story Time, Circle Time, Computer Fun, Songs and so much more! Get ready for a fantastic summer at the JCC, The Place To Be! Happy Birthday! Christal Guill (Pre-K 1 Assistant Teacher) July 29th For more information on the JCC Preschool or The JCC Summer Program Please contact: Manuela Sela, JCC Director Call (361) or jewishcommunitypreschool@yahoo.com JCC The Place To Be! page 14

15 For more information contact: Executive Director - Vanessa Nisbet Call: (361) or director@risecorpuschristi.org page 15

750 Everhart Rd. Corpus Christi, TX 78411 (361) 855-6239 jcccorpuschristi.

16 750 Everhart Rd. Corpus Christi, TX (361) jcccorpuschristi.org Please Note: The JCC Focus is only mailed out to JCC Members. Don t let this be your last FOCUS! Renew your JCC Membership to continue to receive our monthly newsletter. Thank you for your support!! Return Service Requested 2018 Membership January 1, December 31, 2018

JCC FOCUS. Jewish Community Center of Corpus Christi. October 2018 Tishrei/ Cheshvan 5779

JCC FOCUS. Jewish Community Center of Corpus Christi. October 2018 Tishrei/ Cheshvan 5779 JCC FOCUS Jewish Community Center of Corpus Christi October 2018 Tishrei/ Cheshvan 5779 Jewish Community Council of Corpus Christi 2017-2018 Board of Directors President - Iris Lehrman Vice President -