70 Faces of Memphis and Shoham

Photo and interview by Gila Golder

Part of Memphis Jewish Federation’s ongoing efforts to connect Memphis and Israel, the 70 Faces of Memphis and Shoham project was designed to form real connections between the people of Jewish Memphis and the people of Shoham, Israel, Memphis’s partner city through the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership 2Gether program. The project serves as a way to connect Jewish Memphians to each other by showcasing their unique character and contributions to the community.

Gabby Bray knew about BBYO, an international youth organization with four chapters in Memphis. Her mother had been active in BBYO as a teen, and many of her friends had already joined. But she was hesitant to get involved. “My mom was like, ‘Go to the first program. Just give it a shot.’”

Mom was right. “I absolutely fell in love with it.”

That was over three years ago. Today, Gabby is a high school senior— “which is scary!”— and has been an active leader in her BBYO chapter, stepping up to plan and organize programs down to the last detail. Since BBYO is a pluralistic organization and welcomes teens from all backgrounds, it can be challenging to ensure everyone feels welcome.

“It’s being conscious of where you’re doing prayers, are you doing the right prayers, are you aware of where east is in the room…and many of the teens who have joined don’t necessarily have a Jewish background, so making sure we’re explaining everything we’re doing so they understand what’s going on.” And at a leadership convention last year, another issue was raised— designing programs that are accessible for teens with physical disabilities.

For Gabby, taking care of these logistical details isn’t a burden. It’s a responsibility she takes on with joy and pride. “The mindset is, when you’re going through those details, it can’t be a chore. If it’s something put upon you, like oh, I have to make sure this is kosher and shomer Shabbat and all of that, it’s not going to go well. So I enjoy it, and I think that’s why I’ve been fairly good at what I do.”

The one aspect she doesn’t enjoy is recruitment. “People already know what BBYO is to a certain extent, so it’s just trying to find parts of the Memphis Jewish community we haven’t reached before and picking out why they haven’t joined yet, what they don’t know, and how to get them there. But there are people who are much more likable than I am who do that!”

Outside of BBYO, Gabby enjoys reading, competing in Science Olympiad at school, and volunteering at a veterinarian’s office. “I’m currently training a service dog. He’s a maniac!”

This spring, Gabby will participate in BBYO’s March of the Living, a two-week program that unites Jewish teens to bear witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust in Poland, then celebrate Israeli Independence Day in Jerusalem. And next year?

“When I’ve been looking at colleges, one of the things I always check is do they have a Hillel. BBYO doesn’t continue past high school, unfortunately, but I feel like Hillel is a natural place to go for Jewish enrichment.”

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Photo and interview by Jimmy and Natalie Jalenak

Part of Memphis Jewish Federation’s ongoing efforts to connect Memphis and Israel, the 70 Faces of Memphis and Shoham project was designed to form real connections between the people of Jewish Memphis and the people of Shoham, Israel, Memphis’s partner city through the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership 2Gether program. The project serves as a way to connect Jewish Memphians to each other by showcasing their unique character and contributions to the community.

The bedrock of every community is formed by people who are willing to pitch in and do the work of holding the community together. The Memphis Jewish Community has been fortunate for upwards of five decades to have had the commitment, dedication, and service of Fred and Elaine Miner. It would be difficult to calculate the number of hours this couple has contributed to a host of organizations – all while raising three children. And in many of their commitments, they worked together.

Since their marriage in 1962, the Miners have been members of Baron Hirsch Congregation, but not merely members. Early on, Elaine rose to the presidency of the Sisterhood while Fred was an active member of the Men’s Club. Both of them took leadership roles in developing the Young Marrieds’ Group.

Their early commitment to the congregation continues today. For the last eleven years, Elaine has been in charge of a monthly luncheon for Seniors at Baron Hirsch. And Fred chairs a Lunch and Learn program for Torah study with the rabbi. Elaine also leads a weekly yoga class – and it’s free! Thus, it’s no surprise that in 2008 Elaine received the Chesed Award for service to the shul. And in 2010, Fred was Baron Hirsch Member of the Year.

Elsewhere in the community, Fred has coordinated a monthly B’nai Brith Men’s Club luncheon at the Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab, providing speakers, entertainment, and companionship to the male residents. Elaine’s assistance at Jewish Home sing-a-longs involves singing and dancing!

Their support and involvement in community endeavors extend to Hadassah, Sam Schloss B’nai Brith, and Jewish Community Partners. The success of all these organizations owe more than a little to the dedication of Fred and Elaine Miner.

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Part of Memphis Jewish Federation’s ongoing efforts to connect Memphis and Israel, the 70 Faces of Memphis and Shoham project was designed to form real connections between the people of Jewish Memphis and the people of Shoham, Israel, Memphis’s partner city through the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership 2Gether program. The project serves as a way to connect Jewish Memphians to each other by showcasing their unique character and contributions to the community.

By Lynnie Mirvis

“When my son was very young, I wove my first prayer shawl in anticipation of his Bar Mitzvah. After my husband and I moved to Memphis in 2000, we discovered Temple Israel. I studied with (Rabbi) Micah and converted; I taught Sunday School and made a prayer for shawl for everyone in the family but me, and then after my daughter’s Bat mitzvah, she said to me, ‘You’re the only person in the family who has not had a Bar or Bat mitzvah.’ So Micah got together a B’nei Mitzvah class for adults. We bonded and learned together—it was a great experience, and we had an actual ceremony. I was so happy I did that. I had a commission and made prayer shawls for Micah and all the clergy.”

Felicitas means happiness in Latin, a name her mother gave her after they arrived in the Netherlands where she was born. “They were able to be free after such difficult times.” Her parents were World War II refugees from the Dutch East Indies, which is now Indonesia. Her mother went into hiding during the Japanese occupation there, and her father was an allied Dutch soldier and later a Prisoner of War.  “They lost everything. It was a difficult time, and in Indonesia after the war, the people wanted to get rid of everyone who was Dutch.”

The family eventually immigrated to America and Felicitas grew up in Boston. She took a weaving class when she studied occupational therapy. “I loved it, and after my first show, I was weaving, showing, selling and teaching ever since, for the last 40 years.”

Her prayer shawls have been exhibited nationally and have been featured in publications on Jewish textiles. “Weaving is a metaphor for me, and has helped connect different parts of my life. I love to use traditional fabrics like batik that reflect where I am from. Textiles live forever.”

“In worship, there is the concept of hiddur mitzvah – it needs to be beautiful. Having a beautiful piece is to channel that beauty to our connection to God. It’s part of my legacy.” And she’s thinking about making her own prayer shawl soon.

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Part of Memphis Jewish Federation’s ongoing efforts to connect Memphis and Israel, the 70 Faces of Memphis and Shoham project was designed to form real connections between the people of Jewish Memphis and the people of Shoham, Israel, Memphis’s partner city through the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership 2Gether program. The project serves as a way to connect Jewish Memphians to each other by showcasing their unique character and contributions to the community.

By Chany Fleischhacker

Dorothy Goldwin began the “holocaust lecture circuit” with her mother, Paula Beranstadt Kelman, who was a survivor that spoke at many venues, including high schools, to ensure that what happened is not forgotten and must be prevented from happening again. She remembers her mother as a wonderful and highly positive person who always wore red lipstick.

Leo was given to her by a friend. As soon as she met him, she knew that his sweet, gentle and patient nature would lend itself for pet therapy. After intense training, they regularly visit Le Bonheur and the West Clinic, where patients look forward to his visits with great anticipation.

When her mother passed away, Dorothy began and continues to spread her mother’s message. Dorothy still has her mother’s lipstick collection, and a framed note written in her mother’s handwriting that says, “Do not hate. It will destroy you. You must live together in peace.”

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Part of Memphis Jewish Federation’s ongoing efforts to connect Memphis and Israel, the 70 Faces of Memphis and Shoham project was designed to form real connections between the people of Jewish Memphis and the people of Shoham, Israel, Memphis’s partner city through the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership 2Gether program. The project serves as a way to connect Jewish Memphians to each other by showcasing their unique character and contributions to the community.

By Gali Du

Dessie grew up in the small community of Cager Island, Missouri and attended Washington University. A friend in her dorm room introduced her to Lester Sewell, and they married a year later on June 19, 1949. After graduating, the two moved to Memphis, TN. “I’ve been here going on 67 years.”

In July 2018, Dessie celebrated her 89th birthday, but her age does not keep her from being an active member of the community!

“I am a joiner, an attender and a supporter to the best of my ability.”

She goes to Baron Hirsh most every Saturday and attends the Torah Portion class weekly. She is still an active supporter of both the Federation and Hadassah. “I began supporting the United Jewish Appeal Women’s Division (Federation) during college in 1946. I remember taking from my allowance— it was $25 for a year.”

In the 60s, she was the vice chairman for the Federation. “I called people and visited people at their homes to collect money. My mother-in-law was national vice president, and my daughter just finished serving as regional president.” She is a part of the Hadassah book club, in which the members select books to read and meet monthly to discuss their thoughts. Another group that she supports is Soul to Sole for Breast Cancer. “I try to support most everything.”

At Baron Hirsch, she was awarded the Louis Turetsky Chesed Award in recognition of her achievements and dedication to chesed (acts of kindness) in our community.

“This is what you do, you help other Jewish people.”

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Part of Memphis Jewish Federation’s ongoing efforts to connect Memphis and Israel, the 70 Faces of Memphis and Shoham project was designed to form real connections between the people of Jewish Memphis and the people of Shoham, Israel, Memphis’s partner city through the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership 2Gether program. The project serves as a way to connect Jewish Memphians to each other by showcasing their unique character and contributions to the community.

Interview and photo by Gila Golder

David Ross is a Junior Achievement volunteer for over 25 years teaching communications skills at local high schools, currently Cordova High School. David was an advisor to BBYO’s Peres AZA for 13 years. He works as an insurance agent at State Farm Insurance and has held leadership roles for the Raleigh Cordova Civitan, Jewish Historical Society of Memphis and the Mid-South, the advisory board of the University of Memphis Jewish Student Union, the BBYO advisory board, and other organizations— “that’s enough,” he says with a shrug after rattling off the list. But despite his many obligations, you’ll always find him at Cordova Bowling Center at 4 pm every Monday, exchanging friendly hugs and greetings with over 100 Special Olympics athletes.

In 1980, David’s infant daughter Julie contracted encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. She recovered, but the condition left her with permanent intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics, an organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, was instrumental in improving Julie’s quality of life— thanks to Special Olympics swimming lessons, “she could swim before she could walk.”

David and his late wife Jane launched the Special Olympics bowling league 20 years ago. “For all the time Julie spent in Special Olympics, we wanted to return the favor, and we thought it was a good opportunity because there was not a Special Olympics bowling league in Memphis.” Every athlete, no matter what his or her disability, can participate. Lanes are equipped with ramps for athletes who have cerebral palsy or other physical challenges.

While the athletes bowl, their parents or caregivers can socialize, run errands, or enjoy a rare moment of alone time. “When Julie was living at home, it was 24/7. Special Olympics programs gave us the freedom to do things without worrying about her. So this gives these parents the opportunity, some of them will stay and visit with other parents, and some parents will drop off their sons and daughters to the lane and they can do things without having to worry.”

Retired seniors and volunteers from local high schools help ensure the athletes are safe and the program runs smoothly. Often, the athletes form meaningful relationships with the volunteers. David reports that some student volunteers have chosen to pursue careers in special education as a result of working with the athletes and their families. “That’s one of the more rewarding and certainly unforeseen results.”

The program runs September through May, and at the end of the year, there is an awards ceremony. Athletes receive medallions, volunteers receive certificates, and there is a $500 college scholarship for the high school senior “Volunteer of the Year”, established in Jane’s memory.

“It’s a wonderful tribute to her and hopefully she would be happy to know that the program is still continuing…I come in every Monday and I see the athletes just having a wonderful time and enjoying themselves. It’s my favorite hour of the week.”

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Part of Memphis Jewish Federation’s ongoing efforts to connect Memphis and Israel, the 70 Faces of Memphis and Shoham project was designed to form real connections between the people of Jewish Memphis and the people of Shoham, Israel, Memphis’s partner city through the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership 2Gether program. The project serves as a way to connect Jewish Memphians to each other by showcasing their unique character and contributions to the community.

Interview and photo by Amir Sharabi

I’m a sixth-generation Memphian; one of my ancestors was a signer of Temple’s charter in 1864. I have been a member of Temple Israel all my life. 

I took guitar lessons as a kid, but then stopped playing. In junior high school, I picked it up again and have continued since then. Before I graduated from college, I thought that I could be a full-time musician because I was thinking, at the time, that I’m pretty good.  So, one day I went to a bar in Superior Wisconsin, and there was a band playing on the stage. The guitar player was a young boy, not even old enough to be in a bar. He was so much better than I was, and he made me rethink my career as a musician. 

When I was a student in Minnesota, there wasn’t a Jewish organization to be part of, so for several years I wasn’t involved.  I was dating my girlfriend, who was raised Catholic, back then, and she was thinking of converting to Judaism.  It seemed right to be more active myself, so we started going to services weekly and having Shabbat dinners and such. Eventually, my kids attended synagogue weekly.  My oldest daughter became a rabbi, and she’s now serving as Rabbi of Temple B’nai Chaim in Georgetown, Connecticut.

At Temple Israel, I try to be available whenever they need a guitar player. There was a group named Ruach (spirit) that Rabbi Greenstein started about 15 years ago, designed so that younger people would bring in more contemporary Jewish music.  Really, the music was a way for me to be more connected to the service through feeling and spirituality, and if it helps other people, that’s fabulous! 

Nowadays, I sometimes will play by myself in services, sometimes with other musicians. Sometimes I’ll be part of a group that supports singers who are coming to town. It is challenging to play different styles, but is a lot of fun at the same time.

I also taught Sunday school for twenty-one years.  I have been Temple’s attorney for seventeen years. I hope my years of service have been as rewarding to Temple as they have been for me. I appreciate the trust that the Temple and the people put in me. 

The Temple Community is very important to me.  I’d like to think that we are open, inclusive, welcoming, and tolerant, and that our door is open to everyone. I think that everybody here experiences Judaism in a different way and that hopefully, everyone can get something from the services here. 

My family members belong to Baron Hirsch, Beth Sholom, and Temple. I think that while everyone has a different view on Judaism, it is more important to find what is held in common for all of us and be focused on that.

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Part of Memphis Jewish Federation’s ongoing efforts to connect Memphis and Israel, the 70 Faces of Memphis and Shoham project was designed to form real connections between the people of Jewish Memphis and the people of Shoham, Israel, Memphis’s partner city through the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership 2Gether program. The project serves as a way to connect Jewish Memphians to each other by showcasing their unique character and contributions to the community.

Interview and photo by Amir Sharabi

Meet Daniel: I brought the purple FedEx shirt – “FedEx cares” – because I care. I’m 27 years old, from Crystal Springs, Mississippi. I was the only Jewish kid in town, like in Adam Sandler’s Chanukah song. My parents came from the northeastern part of the US, but my father’s profession as an agriculture researcher brought them to Mississippi.

I was always active in sports, but because of my speed, foot skills, and size, soccer was the better fit for me, so I’ve been playing it continuously since I was five years old. My hometown didn’t have a JCC, so when I came to Memphis I excitedly visited the MJCC in the first week. I was very impressed with everything that the MJCC has to offer, and I approached the front desk and told them that I’m interested in volunteering to coach soccer. Moving forward, they got me with a team three days a week. I’ve coached this team three years in a row, and I’ve seen some of them grow from third to sixth grade.

Currently I’m taking a break from coaching, and I’m busy with multiple other community related functions. I serve as an adviser on the Hillel board at the University of Memphis. I’m using my experience as one of the Hillel founders at Mississippi State University, the first ever Jewish group at MSU, that started with about ten students and it’s about twenty-five students now.

I’m a member of ConnecTI, a young professional group at Temple Israel. I’m also teaching at the Temple Sunday school and preparing Bnei Mitzvah to give their Dvar Torah, and playing piano for Temple Israel’s Unplugged Shabbat group.

I’m the chairman of a group in FedEx for young professionals. I got involved in the building committee. After a survey, we decided to get a fitness center for the employees. It looks like the best return on the money for employee morale, stress relief, and better health. Eight months ago we started from nothing; today we have 700 people registered for the fitness center. It opened in May, and now I see pilots, engineers, maintenance people, and other parts of the employee community meeting in a casual environment. Today, people know me around as the Gym Guy.

For me, a community is a cohesive group of like-minded people who are pushing in the same direction for common goals. You need people who are volunteering to help this organization or community to move forward toward those goals. I like a quote from my university president: “You never know what stands on the other side of an opportunity, so when you have an opportunity, take it.”

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Part of Memphis Jewish Federation’s ongoing efforts to connect Memphis and Israel, the 70 Faces of Memphis and Shoham project was designed to form real connections between the people of Jewish Memphis and the people of Shoham, Israel, Memphis’s partner city through the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership 2Gether program. The project serves as a way to connect Jewish Memphians to each other by showcasing their unique character and contributions to the community.

Interview and photo by Jimmy and Natalie Jalenak

It’s more than eighty years since Curt Ward found his way to Memphis from Frankfurt, Germany. Fortune was with him when he was able to get a visa and an American sponsor—his distant cousin, the world-renowned psychoanalyst, Erich Fromm, who met his boat when it docked in New York in November, 1937. Curt already had many contacts in New York and was able to find a job quickly. His evenings were spent at City College where he studied English. As soon as he could afford it, he bought a radio to help him learn the new language.

But he was itching to go to California. A friend in New York had contacts in Memphis and urged him to stop there on his way west. The hospitality he found in Memphis included a place to live and the offer of a job. No wonder he never made it to California!

Curt’s promising business career was put on hold with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Fluent in French as well as German, Curt’s language skills made him a valuable asset. He served in North Africa and Europe, mustering out as a captain in the American Army. The war’s ending was bittersweet. Curt reconnected with his mother and brother in Belgium, but his sister and her family perished at Auschwitz.

Returning to Memphis, he chose to go to work rather than to college on the G. I. Bill so he could earn money to bring his mother to America.  Now 100, he calls her arrival in the U.S. “my proudest accomplishment.”

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Interview and photo by Lynnie Mirvis

Part of Memphis Jewish Federation’s ongoing efforts to connect Memphis and Israel, the 70 Faces of Memphis and Shoham project was designed to form real connections between the people of Jewish Memphis and the people of Shoham, Israel, Memphis’s partner city through the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership 2Gether program. The project serves as a way to connect Jewish Memphians to each other by showcasing their unique character and contributions to the community.

Meet Cindi.

“When my husband Joe and I were building this house, we kept thinking, ‘Why are we building such a big house?’” Then we decided we would open our house to have simchas—for good things.”

The house has seen hundreds of simchas in the sixteen years the Weinsteins and their children have lived there.

“We have had the Margolin Hebrew Academy operational campaign dinners, Sheva Brachot (parties for newlyweds), family parties like Papa’s birthday, Bubbies’. We have had two Bat Mitzvahs, and many Friday night dinners for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, as well as ASBEE Rosh Chodesh classes every month.” (Cindi is past President of ASBEE Sisterhood and Exec Board member of the MHA).

“If people ask if they can use our house, we say yes. We enjoy doing it.  What is amazing about this community is everyone wants to be a part of it. We come together, contributing or bringing a dish. I usually make chicken wontons. We sometimes make 300 for a dinner. My mom helps – Bubbie helps, and even the kids. I always say I will freeze what’s left. Funny thing is, they are always completely gone.”

“Every time I volunteer, I make a new friend. It’s a blessing to be able to volunteer. I enjoy decorating, coming up with ideas that people enjoy. I do it because I like it. I want to raise children who are kind, giving, and committed. You have to teach by example.”

Cindi Weinstein lights the way with her own example.

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