October 28, 2011 | 2:28 pm

Stop the Scoops

Posted by Dikla Kadosh

LA Creamery, the artisan ice cream shop offering bold flavors such as Goat Cheese and Currant, Chai Tea Latte and Olive Oil, has shuttered all three locations, which opened in rapid-fire succession at Westfield Topanga Shopping Center in Canoga Park, The American at Brand in Glendale and Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks.

Owner Brad Saltzman told a reporter from Eater LA that the lack of business at Topanga—a super luxe, but notoriously challenging mall for businesses—brought the entire company down. Some speculators say that the company expanded too quickly and that the owners were so smitten with their concept that their visions of success blinded them to the realities of retail in the current economy. One particularly intriguing note in the comment section of the Eater LA article pointed to the fact that this is not Saltzman’s first over-ambitious and disastrous business venture. It included a link to this Forbes article.

Whatever their faults, being an entrepreneur myself, I can sympathize with LA Creamery’s owners and how devastating it must be to see a dream to fruition—which often feels like the biggest hurdle—and then have it come crumbling down as a result of a heap of business management failures. It takes a lot of chutzpah to dream big and for that, I raise a spoon to LA Creamery.

October 24, 2011 | 2:48 pm

Temple Judea Wins Energy Oscar

Posted by Dikla Kadosh

Temple Judea, whose recent renovation was featured in TRIBE’s September issue, has received recognition for incorporating green strategies in its rebuilding project. The Reform synagogue, located in the West San Fernando Valley, celebrated the new year in September with a new $26-million campus, after a decade of careful planning and 18 months of construction.

And now, according to a press release on Judea’s website, the temple has been named a finalist for an “Energy Oscar,” awarded by the California Interfaith Power & Light (CIPL) commission.

“Since we began initial discussions nearly 10 years ago to expand and rebuild our Tarzana campus, our focus has been on community responsibility with energy conservation as an key ingredient of that commitment,” explained Temple Executive Director Ellen Franklin in the press release.

Some of the synagogue’s green features include:

• On-site storm water infiltration pit which prevents storm water from entering and polluting city streets and sewers,

• 25% fly ash content in concrete mix, in lieu of cement, reducing greenhouse gases,

• Formaldehyde-free plywood,

• High efficiency heating and cooling systems,

• Thermal Break aluminum window frames with low-e coating,

• Bamboo flooring, a rapidly renewable source,

• Low VOC paints,

• Drought-tolerant, locally-sourced planting including original San Fernando Valley citrus trees and an edible vegetable garden

Temple Judea will receive the CIPL award at the “Energy Oscars” on Tuesday, November 15, at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.

To read the entire press release, go to templejudea.com and click on the Community tab.

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September 26, 2011 | 1:32 pm

A whole new breed of dancing Chasids

Posted by Dikla Kadosh

Exuberant dancing is not a new trend in Judaism, but this Aish video in honor of Rosh Hashanah mashes pop culture and ancient Judaism in a fun, fresh way. Here is their Jewish version of LMFAO’s Party Rock Anthem, Rosh Hashanah Rock Anthem. Lyrics are below.

Enjoy, and Shana Tova from TRIBE magazine!!

Song Lyrics:

Synagogue, Rabbi’s talk, going on for a while, can you check the clock, huh
Cantor’s opera, lost my spot, do you know the place, choir in the slot
Wine we drink, with family now, good deeds you do, good for your soul
Fish head, ram’s horn, shofar blow, give some money, appeal for dough

Yo, I’m returnin’ to the fold can you explain mo’
Got this desire to know Torah scroll, say hello
Our prayers rock, yeah, we’re the Jews and we question
Got the pride, just cant stop, our lives are changin’
Rosh Hashanah’s in the house tonight

All the world is passing through the light
Let’s all get written in the book of Life
Shana Tova—It’s High Holiday time

Taking stock is what we do tonight
Shana Tova—it’s High Holiday time
Let’s all get written in the book of Life
Blow the shofar and—Shuckle!

Three times a day I’m shucklin’
shucklin’, shucklin’

Shofar blast, all across the world we will do this task
Apples and honey, feelin’ glad—now stop, never get mad

Fill the Kiddush cup, my friends around
Books are opened up, the challah’s round
All our history, we see it now
Now please hear our plea, we’re prayin’ now

Stand up, sit down, pass the prayer books around
Stand up, sit down, pass the prayer books around
Stand up, sit down, pass the prayer books around
Pass the prayer books around, pass the prayer books around

Rosh Hashanah’s in the house tonight
All the world is passing through the light
Let’s all get written in the book of Life
Shana Tova—it’s High Holiday time

Taking stock is what we do tonight
Shana Tova—it’s High Holiday time
Let’s all get written in the book of Life
Blow the shofar and—Shuckle!

Everyday I’m shucklin’

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July 12, 2011 | 12:47 pm

The Story of the Storyteller

Posted by Dikla Kadosh

“Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness,” a film by Joseph Dorman, opens Friday, August 5 at Laemmle’s Town Center 5 in Encino. The film tells the story of the monumental literary figure, who not only left behind a body of work that includes “Fiddler on the Roof” and other riveting classics, he also helped shape a modern Jewish identity in the face of crisis.

Aleichem, who was born Solomon Rabinowitz in 1859, sparked a renaissance in Yiddish literature, memorialized shtetl life right before it vanished, and lived a colorful life himself.

Peter Riegert, Rachel Dratch and Jason Kravits read selections from Aleichem’s writings, and Alan Rosenberg narrates. The film is in English and Yiddish with English subtitles.

To read more about the film, visit www.sholemaleichemthemovie.com.

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June 29, 2011 | 6:10 pm

A Braille Revolution

Posted by Dikla Kadosh

Joshua Goldenberg reading the Braille labels he helped put up at his local Whole Foods store. Photo by Matt Cramer

In the June-July issue of TRIBE, I wrote about Josh Goldenberg, a charming 7-year-old boy who was blind since birth, and the campaign he has sparked to label grocery store shelves with Braille so that blind people can shop independently. It struck me that it took a 7-year-old to point out a glaring lack of resources for the blind community, and to do something to rectify the situation. Josh is a poignant example of how one small person—and I mean that literally—can make a difference in the world.

Josh’s efforts started small—all he (and his incredibly supportive and assertive parents) wanted was to be able to read what was on the shelves of his local Trader Joe’s. When that initiative was thwarted, the Goldenbergs turned to the neighborhood Whole Foods, where The Joshua Project was launched with great enthusiasm by store management. Josh was featured on the news, as well as in TRIBE magazine, and undoubtedly, he has touched many hearts. To read the TRIBE article, click The Joshua Project.

Recently, I received an update from Josh’s parents and wanted to share it with the community:

ATTENTION ALL OF OUR FRIENDS & FAMILY,

Evan & I were contacted by Whole Foods last week to let us know that the National Braille Press had contacted them asking how to get in touch with us. When Evan called them they informed us that our family will be the recipients of their prestigious Hands On Award at their annual gala in October in Boston Mass!  Past recipients of this award include former first lady Laura Bush & J.K. Rowling!  We are so humbled and honored and are even more committed to starting a non profit corporation as soon as we find the funding.  We have big plans to put braille into grocery stores throughout the United States as well as encouraging and supporting public libraries to have more braille books.  Within the next couple of months we hope to have a website set up to keep everyone updated.  Thank you to everyone for your love and support!

Evan, Christie, Hannah and Josh Goldenberg

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May 6, 2011 | 3:14 pm

Prom Comes Early for Foster Care Girls

Posted by Dikla Kadosh

Photo courtesy Morris Kagan and Valley Beth Shalom

BY LIOR HAYKEEN

On an April afternoon 102 young girls walked down the red carpet, decked out in formal prom gowns, jewelry, make up, and shoes to match, friends and family cheering them on.

It is the 12th consecutive year that the San Fernando Valley Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), with the help of dozens of dedicated volunteers from various organizations, is making the dream of a perfect prom reality for high school girls living in foster care.

Upon their arrival at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino on the morning of April 10, the girls were directed to one of the many volunteering professional hair stylists, and then to professional makeup artists to be prepped for the prom-like party that took place later in the afternoon. After their hair and makeup was done, the girls browsed through hundreds of dresses, accessories and pairs of shoes that were donated by companies such as OPI, Marshalls and KOHLS, as well as private individuals.

“These girls go through so much and move around a lot,” said Lovette Panthier, DCFS supervisor and program coordinator. “Most of them don’t get the chance to attend their prom. The idea is to give the girls an opportunity to go to the prom and feel like a princess. It’s all those little things that many take for granted that make this day so special.”

Panthier’s colleagues said that she is the brain and the heart behind this event. She works for months to make this day possible, and every year, aspires to make the event bigger and bring a smile to the faces of more girls.

Many of the girls seemed uncomfortable and perhaps hesitant to participate in the event at first. One girl sitting in front of a makeup artist had a vacant, apathetic look on her face, as if she only showed up under her foster-care parents’ pressure. Slowly, however, as the girls were pampered by dozens of genuinely enthusiastic professionals who showed interest in them, the girls transformed from timid teenagers to confident and glowing young women. By the time the girls had to pick their shoes, they were socializing with one another, trading fashion advice, and smiling broadly.

“We make them beautiful on the outside, and make them feel beautiful on the inside,” said Randi Simenhoff, social action coordinator of Valley Beth Shalom.

At the end of the day, the girls attended a prom-like reception, during which each of them walked down a red carpet in her new gown, accompanied by a male escort, followed by a small ceremony and dinner. As they walked down the carpet, seemingly overwhelmed by the flashing lights of the cameras and the thunderous applause of their families and friends, you could see belief twinkling in their eyes. Belief in themselves and in the good of the people around them. Belief that people care. And belief that they can grow into young women with bright futures.

To see more photos of Prom Prep, check out the Gathering page in the June-July issue of TRIBE magazine on newsstands May 19.

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May 3, 2011 | 11:53 am

Angels Among Us

Posted by Dikla Kadosh

Jared Sharon was driving on the 101 on a rainy March afternoon when he lost control of his car, flipped three times down the side of the freeway and landed upside down. He was bleeding profusely, but was conscious. He turned to God, praying for help.

And help arrived, in the form of three strangers, who rushed to help the 71-year-old Jewish chaplain. This story, which you can read on the San Luis Obispo Tribune website, gave me such a good feeling that I wanted to share it with the community.

As I read it, I thought about what I would have done if I had witnessed the car crash. Would I have stopped or just dialed 911? Would I have stood at the top of the embankment, shocked and paralyzed, not knowing what to do? Would I have had the courage to run down to help Sharon, not knowing what dangers were involved, and what terrifying decisions I would have to make? The responsibility of saving a life is an enormous one with a dark flip side: failing to save a life. Could you carry that burden with you forever?

I doubt these three strangers took a second to ponder these weighty issues. They saw a human being in danger and they simply acted. God bless these heroic human beings—these angels who walk among us.

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March 21, 2011 | 12:34 pm

Ruthie the Foodie

Posted by Dikla Kadosh

When Gourmet magazine closed shop in 2009, foodies around the country shed a collective tear. But the culinary magazine’s unexpected downfall has not hampered its former chief’s forward march through foodland. Ruth Reichl, who has also been the restaurant critic for The New York Times and Los Angeles Times, the owner of a restaurant in Berkeley, and the author of several culinary books and memoirs, is touring the country this spring and stopping at The Granada at UC Santa Barbara.

Recently tapped to be a judge on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters Season 3 (premiering April 6), Reichl will be speaking on the topic of being a “Spy in the House of Food.” Perhaps a good question to ask at this lecture is why she changed the title of her latest book from “Not Becoming My Mother” to “For You, Mom, Finally.” The tone of the title is quite different—Reichl goes from distancing herself from her mother to paying her homage. It speaks to the complex feelings we all have toward our mothers…food for thought, no?

“A Spy in the House of Food” is part of the FOOD for THOUGHT Appeteasers series, put on by UCSB, Whole Foods Market and the Santa Barbara Independent to promote foodie culture in Santa Barbara. Sunday, March 27, 3 p.m. $21. The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. For more info, visit https://artsandlectures.sa.ucsb.edu/Details.aspx?PerfNum=2030.

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