Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on March 5, 2021

Concentration camps (Konzentrationslager; abbreviated as KL or KZ) were an integral feature of the regime in Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945.

The term concentration camp refers to a camp in which people are detained or confined, usually under harsh conditions and without regard to legal norms of arrest and imprisonment that are acceptable in a constitutional democracy.

The first concentration camps in Germany were established soon after Hitler's appointment as chancellor in January 1933. In the weeks after the Nazis came to power, the SA (Sturmabteilung; commonly known as the Storm Troopers), the SS (Schutzstaffel; Protection Squadronsthe elite guard of the Nazi party), the police, and local civilian authorities organized numerous detention camps to incarcerate real and perceived political opponents of Nazi policy.

German authorities established camps all over Germany on an ad hoc basis to handle the masses of people arrested as alleged subversives. The SS established larger camps in Oranienburg, north of Berlin; Esterwegen, near Hamburg; Dachau, northwest of Munich; and Lichtenburg, in Saxony. In Berlin itself, the Columbia Haus facility held prisoners under investigation by the Gestapo (the German secret state police) until 1936.

The SS gained its independence from the SA in July 1934, in the wake of the Rhm purge. Hitler then authorized SS leader Heinrich Himmler to centralize the administration of the concentration camps and formalize them into a system. Himmler chose SS Lieutenant General Theodor Eicke for this task. Eicke had been the commandant of the SS concentration camp at Dachau since June 1933. Himmler appointed him Inspector of Concentration Camps, a new section of the SS subordinate to the SS Main Office.

After December 1934, the SS became the only agency authorized to establish and manage facilities that were formally called concentration camps. Local civilian authorities did continue to establish and manage forced-labor camps and detention camps throughout Germany. In 1937, only four concentration camps were left: Dachau, near Munich; Sachsenhausen near Berlin; Buchenwald near Weimar; and Lichtenburg near Merseburg in Saxony for female prisoners.

Concentration camps are often inaccurately compared to a prison in modern society. But concentration camps, unlike prisons, were independent of any judicial review. Nazi concentration camps served three main purposes:

Already as commandant of Dachau in 1933, Eicke developed an organization and procedures to administer and guard a concentration camp. He issued regulations for the duties of the perimeter guards and for treatment of the prisoners. The organization, structure, and practice developed at Dachau in 193334 became the model for the Nazi concentration camp system as it expanded. Among Eicke's early trainees at Dachau was Rudolf Hss, who later commanded the Auschwitz concentration camp.

Special political units on alert (Politische Bereitschaften) originally guarded the SS concentration camps. They were renamed SS Guard Units (SS-Wachverbnde) in 1935 and SS Death's-Head Units (SS-Totenkopfverbnde) in April 1936. One SS Death's-Head Unit was assigned to each concentration camp. After 1936, the camp administration, including the commandant, was also a part of the SS Death's-Head Unit.

Although all SS units wore the Death's-Head symbol (skull and crossbones) on their caps, only the SS Death's-Head Units were authorized to wear the Death's Head Symbol on their lapels. The SS Death's-Head Division of the Waffen SS was created in 1940. Its officers were recruited from concentration camp service. They also wore the Death's-Head symbol on their lapel.

The SS Death's-Head Unit at each camp was divided into two groups. The first was the camp staff, which covered:

The second group constituted the guard detachment (SS-Wachbataillon), which prior to 1939 was at battalion strength.

The model established by Eicke in the mid-1930s characterized the concentration camp system until the collapse of the Nazi regime in the spring of 1945. The daily routine at Dachau, the methods of punishment, and the duties of the SS staff and guards became the norm, with some variation, at all German concentration camps.

After 1938, authority to incarcerate persons in a concentration camp formally rested exclusively with the German Security Police (made up of the Gestapo and the Criminal Police).

The Security Police had held this exclusive authority de facto since 1936. The legal instrument of incarceration was either the protective detention (Schutzhaft) order or the preventative detention (Vorbeugungshaft) order. The Gestapo could issue a protective detention order for persons considered a political danger after 1933. The Criminal Police could issue a preventative detention order after December 1937 for persons considered to be habitual and professional criminals, or to be engaging in what the regime defined as asocial behavior. Neither order was subject to judicial review, or any review by any German agency outside of the German Security Police. As the concentration camp system expanded, the camps fell within the exclusive authority of the SS. The German judicial administration had no jurisdiction with the growing camp system.

Nazi Germany expanded by bloodless conquest into Austria and Czechoslovakia between 1938 and 1939. The numbers of those labeled as political opponents and as asocials in German society increased, requiring the establishment of new concentration camps.

By the time the Germans invaded Poland in September 1939, unleashing World War II, there were six concentration camps in the so-called Greater German Reich: Dachau (founded 1933), Sachsenhausen (1936), Buchenwald (1937), Flossenbrg in northeastern Bavaria near the 1937 Czech border (1938), Mauthausen, near Linz, Austria (1938), and Ravensbrck, the women's camp, established in Brandenburg Province, southeast of Berlin (1939), after the dissolution of Lichtenburg.

From as early as 1934, concentration camp commandants used prisoners as forced laborers for SS construction projects such as the construction or expansion of the camps themselves. By 1938, SS leaders envisioned using the supply of forced laborers incarcerated in the camps for a variety of SS-commissioned construction projects. To mobilize and finance such projects, Himmler revamped and expanded the administrative offices of the SS and created a new SS office for business operations. Both agencies were led by SS Major General Oswald Pohl, who would take over the Inspectorate of Concentration Camps in 1942.

Beginning a pattern that became typical after the war began, economic considerations had an increasing impact on the selection of sites for concentration camps after 1937. For instance, Mauthausen and Flossenbrg were located near large stone quarries. Likewise, concentration camp authorities increasingly diverted prisoners from meaningless, backbreaking labor to still backbreaking and dangerous labor in extractive industries, such as stone quarries and coal mines, and construction labor.

After Nazi Germany unleashed World War II in September 1939, vast new territorial conquests and larger groups of potential prisoners led to the rapid expansion of the concentration camp system to the east. The war did not change the original function of the concentration camps as detention sites for the incarceration of political enemies. The climate of national emergency that the conflict granted to the Nazi leaders, however, permitted the SS to expand the functions of the camps.

The concentration camps increasingly became sites where the SS authorities could kill targeted groups of real or perceived enemies of Nazi Germany. They also came to serve as holding centers for a rapidly growing pool of forced laborers used for SS construction projects, SS-commissioned extractive industrial sites, and, by 1942, the production of armaments, weapons, and related goods for the German war effort.

Despite the need for forced labor, the SS authorities continued to deliberately undernourish and mistreat prisoners incarcerated in the concentration camps. Prisoners were used ruthlessly and without regard to safety at forced labor, resulting in high mortality rates.

Author(s): United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, DC

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Concentration Camps, 19331939 | The Holocaust Encyclopedia

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Posted By admin on March 5, 2021

When Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party came to power in 1933, antisemitismwas leveraged to an extreme, eventually leading to the deaths of millions. Hitler and the Nazi regime set up networks of concentration camps before and during World War II to carry out a plan of genocide.

The Nazis believed that by annihilating those of Jewish descent and other groups, including the disabled, homosexuals and gypsies, they could achieve a pure Aryan "master race." At the camps, people were subjected to forced labor, medical experiments and mass murder.

Nearly 1.3 million people were deported to theAuschwitzcamp, alone, in Nazi-occupied Poland, and more than 1.1 million perished at that camp.By the end, 6 million Jews and some 5 million others were murdered in the Holocaust.

Want more HISTORY? Read these stories:

The Jewish Men Forced to Help Run Auschwitz

Watch the Emotional Reunion of a Concentration Camp Survivor and One of His Liberators

Why Poland Punishes Those Who Accuse It of the Holocaust

4 Heroes Who Risked Their Lives to Take on the Nazis

This Midwife at Auschwitz Delivered 3,000 Babies in Unfathomable Conditions

How the Nazis Tried to Cover Up Their Crimes at Auschwitz

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Holocaust Photos Reveal Horrors of Nazi Concentration ...

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Posted By admin on March 5, 2021

It is Sylvie Jean Baptistes job to check on patients during the 15-minute wait that follows their Covid-19 vaccinations.

I am there for them if they need support, said Ms. Baptiste, a nursing graduate student and employee at Mount Sinai Brooklyn in Midwood. I offer them a snack, maybe water or juice. If they seem nervous I start conversations with them.

The hospital typically vaccinates hundreds of people a day, depending on supply, so Ms. Baptiste cannot focus on one person for too long. But Mira Rosenblatt, an older woman wearing a raspberry beret and pushing a bright blue walker, got her attention.

She said, I am not nervous. Ive been through way worse, Ms. Baptiste recalled. Then she started telling her story.

Ms. Rosenblatt, 97, is the mother of four (although only two are still alive, daughters ages 66 and 69). She has eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Since 1968, she has lived in the same apartment in Midwood along Ocean Parkway, where she has also claimed a bench outside. She spends hours a day there, even in the winter, people-watching.

She is also a Holocaust survivor.

Mira Rosenblatt was born a Jew in Sosnowiec, a city in southern Poland. In 1939, she was 15 years old when her family was forced into a ghetto. In 1942, she was taken from her family and sent to a labor camp. In early 1945, while on a midwinter death march, when Nazis made inmates walk long distances with no rest, water, food or coats, she escaped the group and hid in a forest.

She stayed alive there by eating worms and other creatures, digging into the frozen ground to find them, and sleeping in holes underneath snow for warmth. After several days of this, Mira found refuge on a farm, but she was scared of being turned in and went back to the wilderness. Days later, she successfully blended in with a group of dairy farmers by hiding her Jewish identity. Mira worked with them until the war ended, some six months later.

In 1945 as a 21-year-old, she was reunited with a former suitor from Poland named Henry Rosenblatt, who had survived Auschwitz. They immigrated to America and were happily married until he died in 2017.

She started telling me her story when I was 10, said Belinda Levavi, Ms. Rosenblatts younger daughter, who lives in Brooklyn. My mother believes because she lived, she has a responsibility to tell as many people as possible.

Until recently, Ms. Rosenblatt spoke at high schools and colleges about her experience. She moved audiences so much that some of the students became her friends, visiting a few times a month on Ocean Parkway.

March 5, 2021, 5:03 a.m. ET

The pandemic put an end to her in-person guest appearances and social visits. I can tell that Covid has had its effect, Ms. Levavi said. A prolonged absence of activity and people have taken a toll.

Both mother and daughter did use the down time in a productive way, self-publishing Ms. Rosenblatts story, Strength: My Memoir, on Amazon last fall. They tried to hire a ghost writer but ended up writing it themselves. It had to be in her own voice, Ms. Levavi said. My mother didnt want it any other way.

On Feb. 2, Ms. Rosenblatt got to socialize with strangers indoors for the first time in over a year when she went for her second vaccine appointment. The first time slot had been tense and chaotic, she said, so she had kept to herself.

But the day of her second appointment was chaotic for a different reason. By early morning, New York City had been pounded by over 17 inches of snow, more than all of last winter combined. Ms. Rosenblatt, however, wanted that shot. The sidewalks had not been shoveled yet in her neighborhood, so she climbed over a four-foot-tall snowbank to get into the car of her granddaughter-in-law, who was picking her up. Outside of the hospital, she waded through a pool of water that went up to her ankle.

Inside, however, the hospital was calm. Unlike Ms. Rosenblatt, some New Yorkers had been daunted by the weather, canceling their appointments.

It wasnt busy, but it was a good steady flow, said Kristine Ortiz, the nurse overseeing the vaccine operation who noticed Ms. Rosenblatt, with her bright purple striped shirt and sad but alert eyes, as soon as she walked in through the door. She had a presence about her, she said. Sometimes with elderly people you have to be mindful about their mental side, but she was sharp.

Seeing the potential for communion, Ms. Rosenblatt told her story to three nurses that day, including Ms. Ortiz.

When you have someone who has survived something like this, you cant help but stand still, said Ms. Ortiz, who ended up buying Ms. Rosenblatts book and stopping by her apartment later that week for her to sign it. There were definitely tears. I had to ask someone to take over for me for a few minutes afterward because I felt shaky from the story.

Ms. Rosenblatts tale provided a much-needed perspective, said Ms. Baptiste, the nursing graduate. It made me feel like the mind is truly an amazing thing, and if you believe you can get through something you will, she said.

While many New Yorkers decades younger than Ms. Rosenblatt choose to rest and ice their arms immediately after their jabs, Ms. Rosenblatt had a same-day speaking appointment she couldnt miss: a Zoom event organized by the American Society for Yad Vashem, Israels official Holocaust memorial center. She told her story for over an hour.

More than 250 people were on the call, including Ms. Baptiste, who took a break in her studies to tune in to the event. It would be hard to tell if she had side effects from the Zoom, she said. I did feel a little like I was watching a celebrity. I was like, I met her.

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How a Holocaust Survivor Showed Up for a Vaccine and Charmed a Hospital - The New York Times

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Posted By admin on March 5, 2021

Bella Hartman and Samantha Wampold were upset about the anti-Semitism they witnessed in their community, and the Mercer Island High School (MIHS) seniors knew they had to address it head-on.

The duo reached out to Holocaust survivors and invited them to speak to freshmen and sophomore students on Feb. 24 and March 3 during the virtual Islander Hour.

What we wanted to do was make this a chance for education and to let everyone hear about the Holocaust survivor stories, Wampold said.

We wanted to come up with an idea that would let students know why the Holocaust is relevant to today and why it should never be joked about, said Hartman, adding that instead of showing graphic images of the Holocaust, they wanted to use their creativity to make the event more memorable through personal connections with the survivors.

Hartman and Wampold who are both of Jewish faith began their crusade to condemn anti-Semitism two years ago.

In February of 2019, two MIHS students were photographed making Nazi salutes off campus and the image was widely circulated on social media, according to a Reporter article. The school district said in a press release that they were deeply disturbed and saddened by these images and investigated the situation. The students in the photo said in a prepared statement that We realize this mistake was offensive and never meant for that to happen.

Sophomores at the time, Hartman and Wampold gathered some of their peers and asked their then-principal Vicki Puckett if they could hold an assembly to address the incident and to make peace within the student body.

We thought taking that into students hands was the best way since there was so much going on with the parents and there was so much noise in the media, said Hartman, adding that the assembly was successful. MIHS radio station KMIH 88.9 The Bridge also hosted a Day of Unity by airing positive music and including student, staff and community interviews focusing on what it means to be an Islander, the Reporter noted in another article.

Last fall, another anti-Semitic incident occurred, this time on MIHSs Schoology, an internal, educational learning management system and social networking platform.

A few students had posted some pictures relating to the Holocaust and denying the Holocaust, Wampold said. The next day, she posted a few of the images on her Instagram and received 186 comments, some of which were personal attacks on Wampold, she said, adding that parents jumped in and came to her aid.

They were saying like, Wow, I had no idea this was going on. We should really do something about this, Wampold said.

Following the incident, Hartman met with current MIHS principal Walter Kelly to voice her concerns and discuss how to address the situation. Hartman said Kelly was very receptive and understanding and soon gathered with her and some fellow students. After some brainstorming, the students hatched the idea for the Holocaust survivors presentations.

Principal Kelly noted that Hartman and Wampold along with their classmates Mikayla Geisner, Justin Weiss and Jacob Chansky have accomplished what few adults have by stepping up and presenting the inspiring event along with their honored guests.

They took their passion of creating a better and schoolwide understanding of the Holocaust to build student empathy and were able to create a schoolwide opportunity for students to speak directly with survivors of the Holocaust, said Kelly, adding that hes sincerely grateful and impressed with the students work.

Shannon Tapp, DECA adviser at MIHS, said she was pleased to work with Hartman and Wampold on their event, which they kept to a minimum of two classes this time out to allow for maximum interactivity between the students and speakers. The girls hope that students can continue the event next year and make it an all-district presentation that also focuses on all types of social injustice.

They exhibited maturity and professionalism that exceeded my expectations. The level of detail they put into the project was extraordinary. I hope we can continue to build off this lesson next year, Tapp said.

Hartman and Wampold connected with survivors around the country through their youth groups Stand With Us and BBYO, along with the Holocaust Center for Humanity and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. All of their contacts were enthusiastic about the girls event and the survivors were excited to share their stories.

That initial positive feedback and encouragement motivated the girls even more as all the pieces wedged together and the event neared fruition. Wampold noted that they had six speakers each day and that parents reached out and asked if they could attend the events as well.

It was nice to have that support from the community, knowing that everyone else wanted to show up and hear their stories as much as we did, she said.

Speakers included survivors Sami Steigmann, George Elbaum and Andy Sarkany and more. Steigmann used the quote I am not what happened to me, I am what I chose to be to explain that although he is affected every day by what happened to him, he doesnt let it control and influence his life, Hartman said. Elbaum read a moving chapter from one of his books that depicted some of his war experiences. Sarkany asked listeners to remove hate from their vocabulary and try to love people.

Hartman said that she witnessed student attendees watching with rapt attention during the presentation. She feels that people were uplifted and could go about applying the lessons the speakers brought forth into their everyday lives.

I just never thought I could feel this good about it. I definitely came out of it feeling that this is the highlight of my senior year, Hartman said. I feel like this is what I wanted, to leave a legacy on the school somehow. And I feel like this is the way Im doing it, for sure.

Wampold was deeply affected by Sarkanys talk about striving to create a more inclusive community and get hate out of the way. She was moved to tears during that portion of the event and she could see that everybody hung tightly onto his words and stayed for his whole presentation.

At the end of her sophomore year, Wampold said she didnt feel safe at MIHS after the salute incident.

I mean, how do I come back to a place like this? she asked. Working with Bella and everyone else on this project and hearing how many people are open and just willing to listen has made me feel so much better. And I want any other kid who comes to the high school to feel as safe as I do now and for years to come.

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'It was nice to have that support from the community' - Mercer Island Reporter

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Posted By admin on March 5, 2021

Redwood High School seniors on Tuesday, May 5, 2020.(Photo: Kyra Haas)

Jacob Huerta prefers to take an honest approach when teaching the pilot ethnic studies course at Redwood High School.

Huerta, who has taught history at the Visalia high school for four years, acknowledges the "ugly facts. He doesn't want his students to think, "That guy lied to me."

Yes. Some negative things occurred, he said. They will find that out anyway. For the most part, Huerta focuses on the positive contributions of ethnic groups, he added.

Huerta uses real-world examples to show his students theyre not much different from the groups theyre learning about through various newspaper articles, documentaries and books, including A Different Mirror for Young People: A History of Multicultural America by Ronald Takaki.

The required textbook has been at the center of controversy within the Visalia Unified School District since January. Seven Visalia men argued the book lacks balance, such as vilifying white Europeans and teaching young people to see themselves as oppressed and exploited victims.

It's a controversy many of Huertas students don't agree with. Six students and their families have publicly spoke out in support of the book in recent weeks.

Two other students, including Sophomore Kassandra Almanza, believe those who oppose the book dont understand the true nature of the elective course.

This book allows the readers to understand that, in history, there are different sides to a story, Almanza said. This isn't about who the heroes are and the villains."

It is simply for us to understand and have empathy for people who now make America what America is today, she added.

The seven men opposing Takakis book believe VUSD board members rushed to approve the ethnic studies class and book, according to an op-ed they wrote last month.

They questioned if the district took shortcuts while dealing with the peak of the COVID-19 crisis, plus local racial justice protests

But thats not true, Jesus Gonzalez said. Hes the assistant principal at Redwood.

This course proposal was actually presented in October 2019, Gonzalez explained. I know because I'm the one that wrote the course outline.

In 2016, former Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law mandating that California high schools develop ethnic studies programs.

VUSD expected California officials to make ethnic studies a graduation requirement, so the district paused ongoing conversations that had been occurring for years, Gonzalez said.

This course, the book and everything was in place prior to the coronavirus pandemic, which means it was in place prior to (the death of) George Floyd and the protests, he said. We wanted to align the curriculum with (state requirements).

Last September, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have made ethnic studies a graduation requirement, explaining the initial draft of the curriculum was insufficiently balanced and inclusive.

His comments came at a time other ethnic groups were pushing for more representation in the curriculum.

The bigger picture is there are many other demographics who would like to be included in ethnic studies, Gonzalez said. I believe the state is looking into how to include the right amount of groups for a year-long course for graduation.

Yamilet Juarez learned more multicultural history from her ethnic studies class than past history classes she has taken at Redwood, she said.

The ethnic studies class teaches about history more than the regular classes do, the 16-year-old junior said. Its important. Because when we learn more about our cultures, ethnicities and realize how similar we all are, it will bring us together.

Juarezs mother is from Michoacn, so she did an ethnic studies project about the dances and food from the Mexican state. She presented her findings to Huerta during a breakout session on Zoom.

This course helped me find out more about myself, culture and people in the world, Juarez said. Takakis book has also helped further her knowledge of other cultures, she added.

I think we should keep the book, Juarez said. I dont think there is anything inappropriate about it.

Her fellow classmate, Almanza, agreed, saying the book is a good source for students to learn from.

Before this class, I knew almost nothing about ethnicity and culture, Almanza said. All I knew is what I heard from others, which were stereotypes of certain groups. This class proves that they aren't true. This class teaches respect toward others.

I am proud to be a part of the first-year students in the ethnic studies course, she added. I believe ethnic studies can bring Redwood students (together) as one.

Six other students who are white, Black, Native American and Hispanic also united and have publicly spoken out in support of the book at recent VUSD board meetings.

Most, including Senior Neftaly Gonzalez, made it a point to say they never learned much multicultural history before their ethnic studies course.

This is the first time in my K-12 education I have learned about so many positive contributions about the many different people in our history, including the people from my own ethnicity, Neftaly Gonzalez said.

Takakis book gave her a broader perspective of history, she said.

As a Latina, this course with great help from the textbook, has provided me a balanced perspective of our country's history as well as many ethnicities that make this country great, she added. It has increased our awareness of the resiliency, contributions and successes of the American people.

Huerta has taught three chapters of Takakis book so far.

We read the book, and we discuss questions, he said. The book is very informative. Its just a start. Its not the end.

Students recently read a chapter about Jewish Americans. To connect this history to the real world, Huerta asked students to read a 2018 Los Angeles Times article about the vandalism of a Jewish synagogue.

I wanted to make it relatable, he said.

Since the Jewish community in Tulare County is small, students had no idea a synagogue was located so close to home, Huerta said.

Its important these stories are told. These are other ethnicities we are struggling to recognize, he said. When (students)read about others they relate to, it piques their interest.

Theyre the future, Huerta added. I want to make sure they are best equipped to understand their neighborhoods and neighbors.

Huerta has envisioned other ways to connect past with present, such as reaching out to community members like Darlene Franco.

Franco of the Wukchumni tribe publicly spoke about atrocities that occurred at Indian boarding schools, which were meant to destroy Native Americans heritage. This history is not often shared in K-12 institutions, she said at a recent VUSD board meeting.

Her nephew is one of Huertas students.

Huerta would like to ask Franco and others to speak to his students about Native American history, he said.

And when its safe to do so, hed like to take his students to indigenous social gatherings, such as pow wows, in Porterville or Hanford, he added.

I like to think of myself as progressive teacher, Huerta said. If I can do anything to make it a better lesson, I will do that next year.

When researching for his initial ethnic studies course proposal, Gonzalez found that Takakis book had been part of high school curriculums for decades and that it had won awards.

Gonzalez hadn't heard opposing opinions on the book until after Jerry Jensen spoke at a VUSD board meeting in January. Jensen is one of the seven men opposing the book.

Gonzalez believes the book is appropriate for high school students. He hasnt received any complaints from parents and students, he said.

Though he doesnt agree with the seven men, Gonzalez believes in finding common ground.

The gentlemen who commented on the book I would welcome them to reach out to myself, Gonzalez said, and also reach out to the teacher or the students in the course for them to gain their perspectives of how they feel about the textbook.

Gonzalez supports A Different Mirror for Young People and has no problems with his high school senior daughter taking the course.

She had a very positive experience, Gonzalez said. We've had great conversations around the dinner table about what she's learning and things she had not considered about other ethnic groups being discussed in the course.

The course has opened up her eyes to the greater world, he added, and the greater community we live in.

Contact education reporter Kristan Obeng at KObeng@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrissyObeng.

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Redwood High School students in Visalia detail what it's like to learn ethnic studies amid controversy - Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare...

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Posted By admin on March 5, 2021

There are nights on Bourbon Street when it seems as if the pandemic never touched the Crescent City. There are crowds, flying beads, go-cups and music blaring up and down New Orleans most famous tourist gulch.

But the reality is that the pandemic hit the city hard. Last year Louisiana quickly became a regional epicenter in the South for COVID-19 with New Orleans accounting for the bulk of the states confirmed cases. Mardi Gras 2020 will be remembered as an event that likely accelerated the spread of the coronavirus in Louisiana.

Thousands of hotel, restaurant and bar jobs were lost in a city that counts tourism as its lifeblood. Major events such as the French Quarter Festival, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Essence Festival, New Orleans Pride Festival and the New Orleans Food & Wine Experience all were canceled in 2020.

As the city climbs back through a phased reopening, 2021 is shaping up as a pivotal year preparing to welcome back tourists with key festivals on the books and new hotels already opened or planning splashy debuts.

At press time, there were no travel restrictions or quarantine requirements for travelers to New Orleans. The city is in Phase 2 of a gradual reopening. Masks are required in public; restaurants and bars can sell alcohol from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; no indoor seating in bars and breweries (outdoor seating and takeout only); indoor restaurant dining is limited to 50 percent capacity (outdoor dining at full capacity with social-distancing measures). For updates on reopening restrictions, see neworleans.com.

Visitors will have much to anticipate. The Jazz & Heritage Festival, traditionally held in the spring, is now slated for Oct. 8-17, and the French Quarter Festival is set for Sept. 30-Oct. 3. The new Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, dedicated to exploring the cultural heritage of Jews in the American South, is opening in the spring at 818 Howard near the National WWII Museum. And the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Pedestrian Park, a 7-acre pedestrian park with live-event spaces and public art installations, will open this year as part of a $557 million improvement plan for the citys convention center.

New hotel projects signal a return to a more prosperous year for the hospitality sector. Some of the new properties:

Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Orleans: The citys most anticipated new hotel, and most luxurious, will be this 34-story beauty at the base of Canal Street in the former World Trade Center building. Opening May 15, the hotel boasts 341 guest rooms (and 92 residences) with restaurants from Alon Shaya and Donald Link, both James Beard Award-winning chefs. Shayas restaurant and lobby bar will bow first, followed in October by Links restaurant on the fifth floor adjacent to a crescent-shaped infinity pool and views of the Mississippi River. Room rates will be announced when the website begins accepting reservations later this month. 2 Canal, 504-434-5100; fourseasons.com/neworleans

Virgin Hotel New Orleans: Summer is the projected opening of Virgins 225-room hotel in the Warehouse District. The property will feature a rooftop pool and lounge, gym and the brands signature Commons Club (restaurant and bar) and Funny Library Coffee Shop. 550 Baronne; virginhotels.com

ONE11 Hotel: The first hotel to open in the French Quarter in 50 years, this new boutique property is housed in a former sugar-refining company and warehouse near the Mississippi River waterfront. The 83 guest rooms (including an eighth-floor suite with two bedrooms and private terraces) feature exposed brick, beams and plenty of natural light. The hotels Batture Bistro + Bar offers a seasonal menu with Creole inspiration and the Loading Dock patio with views of the French Quarter. Room rates start at $169. 111 Iberville, 504-699-8100; one11hotel.com

Hotel Fontenot: After a 15-year absence, the Kimpton brand returns to the city with this 202-room boutique hotel in the Central Business District with a design inspired by jazz musicians and Southern hospitality. Guests, welcomed by a complimentary local beer, will have access to bike rentals and a 24-hour fitness center. The Peacock Room, a jewel-box dining room, will serve craft cocktails and a menu of regional dishes while Gospel Coffee and Boozy Treats will be a casual outpost for coffee, cocktails and snacks. Bookings now accepted for later this month. Room rates start at about $150. 501 Tchoupitoulas, 504-571-1818; hotelfotenot.com

Holiday Inn Club Vacations New Orleans Resort: A block from Bourbon Street, this 105-room hotel, the club vacation brands first urban property, opened in January with condo-style accommodations in an 1893 landmark building that was the citys first skyscraper. The hotels Maritime Bar & Lounge is expected to open later. Room rates start at about $200. 203 Carondelet, 504-355-1199; ihg.com/holidayinnclubvacations

The Chloe: This 14-room boutique hotel in a renovated historical mansion is the first hotel from restaurateur Robert LeBlanc, known for his restaurants Sylvain, Cavan, Longway Tavern and the much-loved Meauxbar, which closed last year. The charming rooms feature details such as modern soaking tubs, four-poster beds, turntables and vinyl records, custom robes and locally made bathroom amenities. The restaurant with a Creole classics menu is from chef Tod Pulsinelli, formerly of August, Domenica and the American Sector. Theres a pool, herb garden and outdoor bar. Room rates start at $256. 4125 St. Charles, 504-541-5500; thechloenola.com

Hotel Saint Vincent: Austin-based Lambert McGuire Design (hospitality veterans Liz Lambert and Larry McGuire) has been tapped to design the Lower Garden District hotel that also will house an outpost of Elizabeth Street Caf, an Austin favorite that is under the McGuire Moorman Hospitality umbrella. Set to open this spring, the 75-room property housed in a former orphanage built in 1861 will feature lush public spaces, an opulent color palate, outdoor verandas, a private lounge and guest-only swimming pool and pool bar. San Lorenzo, with a menu inspired by coastal Italian dining, will be the hotels signature restaurant. 1507 Magazine. hotelsaintvincentnola.com

Maison de la Luz: The 67-room luxury guest house from Atelier Ace is offering complimentary daily self-parking, daily breakfast for two and two drinks at the Honor Bar in the Living room per stay through Aug. 31. Rates from $270. 546 Carondelet; maisondelaluz.com

New Orleans Marriott: Receive a $30 Joieful gift card (redeem on activities such as swamp and bicycle tours, cooking classes and WW II Museum admission) with two-night minimum stay through Aug. 31. Rates from $140. 555 Canal; marriott.com

Ace Hotel New Orleans: Free daily parking, breakfast and two priority reservations at the rooftop pool through Aug. 31. Rates from $127. 600 Carondelet; acehotel.com/neworleans/

The Higgins Hotel New Orleans: Special room rates at this new art deco-design Arts and Warehouse District hotel adjacent to the WW II Museum include parking pass and two-day museum pass for each adult. Rates from $157. 1000 Magazine; higginshotelnola.com

Lowes New Orleans Hotel: Central Business District hotel offers free parking, daily $25 food and beverage credit and late check out through Dec. 31. Rates from $189. 300 Poydras; loewshotels.com/new-orleans

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Posted By admin on March 5, 2021

The Wildwoods Convention Center is reopening this weekend but not to the public just yet.

Shuttered since the outbreak of the pandemic last March, the 260,000-square-foot facility on the Wildwood Boardwalk is unlocking its doors to host Spirit Brands The Return cheerleading competition on Saturday, March 6.

However, only participants, judges and coaches will be allowed access and a maximum capacity of 150 will be enforced. Sorry Mom and Dad, absolutely no spectaculars will be permitted.

The center will follow state Department of Health guidelines for sports activities mandating temperature checks for all participants, coaches and officials, masking for everyone except during actual competition, and safe distancing practices.

Coincidentally, the 2020 cheerleading competition was the last event at the venue before the pandemic forced it to cancel its schedule for the rest of the year.

The Montclair-based Outpost in the Burbs will host an online concert 7 p.m. tomorrow, March 4, to benefit the Outpost soup kitchen and Tonis Kitchen. The live stream will feature the Kennedys husband-wife folk duo, along with area musicians Lily Vakili, Scott E. Moore, Sammy Mellman and Ed Seifert, Connie and Kathy Sharar. Donations will be accepted.

***

Here is a rundown of the status of events at arts and entertainment venues and other recreational destinations throughout the state:

ATLANTIC COUNTY

Atlantic City casinos gaming rooms have reopened, but no major entertainment events are planned yet until April the soonest. The Atlantic City Ballet has canceled its season at Caesars Atlantic City but is posting monthly virtual programs online.

Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City has rescheduled its March 14 Michael Buble concert to Aug. 28 and its March 20 Lit in AC concert to March 19, 2022. Visit boardwalkhall.com/events.

The Stockton University Performing Arts Center on the Galloway campus has emptied its schedule of events through May. For more information, contact 609-652-9000 or visit stocktonpac.org.

BERGEN COUNTY

All scheduled entertainment events at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford have been canceled or pushed to this summer. First show on the schedule as of now is the Aug. 5 Guns N Roses concert. For information, visit metlifestadium.com.

Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood has canceled, postponed or rescheduled shows through April 10. It will host a free live-streamed fundraiser gala on March 13 with Paul Anka, John Fogerty, Dionne Warwick, Wynton Marsalis, Jay Leno and others. For information, visit bergenpac.org or call 201-227-1030.

Hackensack Performing Arts Center in Hackensack has no upcoming events planned. For more information, visit hacpac.org.

The Puffin Cultural Forum in Teaneck has canceled live entertainment events until further notice. Visit puffinculturalforum.org or call 201-836-3499 for updates. The Teaneck International Film Festival is hosting series of monthly online documentary screenings in collaboration with PBS TVs Independent Lens through May 19.

The Black Box Performing Arts Center in Engelwood will present The Pillowman onstage March 11-April 3 with a 25-max seating capacity. Visit blackboxpac.com.

The Belskie Museum of Art and Science in Closter is open 1-5 p.m. weekends or by appointment. Visit belskiemuseum.com or call 201-768-0286.

The Mahwah Museum is open 1-4 p.m. Saturdays with a 25% capacity restriction. Visit mahwahmuseum.org or call 201-512-0099.

BURLINGTON COUNTY

The countys museums and galleries including Smithville Mansion and the Historic Prison Museum are reopened with limited hours social distancing guidelines in effect. For more information visit co.burlington.nj.us/parks..

The Roebling Museum in Florence is closed until further notice. Visit roeblingmuseum.org.

CAMDEN COUNTY

The Battleship New Jersey on the Camden Waterfront is reopening this Saturday, March 6, for self-guided tours 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

The Adventure Aquarium in Camden has reopened by reservation. Visit adventureaquarium.com or call 844-474-3474.

The Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood has postponed or rescheduled concert dates through Oct. 14. For information, visit scottishriteauditorium.com or call 856-858-1000.

CAPE MAY COUNTY

Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) formerly Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities and the Cape May Lighthouse are open Saturdays and Sundays.

The Cape May County Park and Zoo have reopened following social distancing guidelines. Winter hours are 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. daily.

The Wildwoods Convention Center is reopening this week for its first live event since shutting last March, but the spectators wont be permitted. (See details above.)

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

The Landis Theater in Vineland has scheduled a series of rock tribute band concerts and has a Quiet Riot concert scheduled on Saturday, March 6. Visit thelandistheater.com for updates.

The Levoy Theatre in Millvilles Broken Arrow concert scheduled for Friday, March 5, is being rescheduled. Next show on the bill is the March 20 Eaglemania tribute. Visit levoy.net or call 856-327-6400.

The Museum of American Glass, Down Jersey Folklife Center in Millville is closed for the winter and aims to reopen in April.

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The Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts in Millville is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Call 856-327-4500 or visit rrcarts.com.

ESSEX COUNTY

The Prudential Center in Newark has closed its facilities, offices, the Grammy Museum Experience and the RJWBarnabas Health Hockey House. It has cleared its entertainment schedule through April 22. The planned March 28 Millennium Tour concert has been postponed with a new date to be determined. The New Jersey Devils condensed season is in progress but live audiences are not permitted. For up-to-date information, visit prucenter.com/events.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark has suspended on-site performances through June 5. It is posting weekly DJ dance parties and other virtual events, including an online concert by Brandy Clark on Saturday, March 6. For information call 888-466-5722 or visit njpac.org.

Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn has embarked on its hybrid subscription-only season, with Pete n Keely next up on the schedule. Visit papermill.org or email boxoffice@papermill.org.

South Orange Performing Arts Center has halted live shows through May 6 but is hosting online film streamings and concert events. For information, call 973-313-2787, email boxoffice@sopacnow.org or visit sopacnow.org.

Wellmont Theater in Montclair has rescheduled its planned March 19 Wild Child concert to Sept 24 and its April 9 Get the Led Out tribute concert to May 7, 2022. Next on the schedule is Ministry on April 16. For information visit wellmonttheater.com or call 973-783-9500.

Outpost in the Burbs, based at the First Congregational Church in Montclair, has postponed its planned March and April concerts until dates to be determined. Next concert on its schedule is Alex Cuba on June 19. It will host a virtual fundraiser for local soup kitchens 7 p.m. tomorrow, March 4. (See details above.). Visit outpostintheburgs.org.

The Newark Museum of Art has targeted June 3 as its reopening date and in the meantime has been mounting online activities (see above). Visit newarkmuseumart.org or call 973-596-6550.

The Montclair Art Museum has reopened with one-hour timed tickets by reservation. For updates, visit montclairartmuseum.org or check social media pages.

The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center in Montclair has again stopped in-person visits. Look for updates at yogiberramuseum.org.

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

Broadway Theatre of Pitman has yet to schedule any new shows. Call 856-384-8381 or visit thebroadwaytheatre.org.

The Heritage Glass Museum in Glassboro will be closed until further notice. Contact heritageglassmuseum.com or call 856-881-7468.

HUDSON COUNTY

The Liberty Science Center in Jersey City is reopened at a reduced capacity to maintain social distancing. Winter hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. Visit lsc.org or call 201-200-1000.

HUNTERDON COUNTY

Music Mountain Theatre in Lambertville will present The Diary of Anne Frank on stage from March 5-21. Visit musicmountaintheatre.org for more information.

The Hunterdon Art Museum in Clinton is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, with 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays reserved for seniors and immunocompromised visitors. Visit hunterdonartmuseum.org.

The Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton has set its planned reopening for April 10. Visit theredmill.org.

The ACME Screening Room in Lambertville is closed but has made virtual screening of films available online and has created a film viewing club. Visit acmescreeningroom.org/upcoming-events.

MERCER COUNTY

McCarter Theatre in Princeton canceled in-person shows. It has extended its posting of The Work of Adrienne Kennedy: Inspiration and Influence, a virtual play festival in association with Round House Theatre, through April. For information, visit mccarter.org or call 609-258-2787.

Passage Theatre at the Mill Hill Playhouse in Trenton has crafted a 2020-21 season lineup that includes online and live productions. next up online will be the family show Surely Goodness and Mercy, March 18-21. Look online at passagetheatre.org.

Anticipating it almost certainly will not be able to hold a live Sourland Mountain Festival this year, the Sourland Conservancy will be hosting musical happy hours via Zoom 6 p.m. the first Thursday of each month. Visit sourland.org for details.

The New Jersey State Museum in Trenton is closed until further notice. Visit state.nj.us/state/museum.

The 1719 William Trent House Museum in Trenton has suspended operations until further notice but has been presenting online programs. For information visit call 609-989-0087 or visit its Facebook page.

Old Barracks Museum in Trenton is temporarily closed but has virtual exhibits posted. For more information visit barracks.org.

CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton is being used as a COVID-19 vaccination site for Mercer County. It has pushed back its planned April 9 Casting Crown concert to Oct. 8. For information visit cureinsurancearena.com.

The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie in Cadwalader Park in Trenton has reopened with timed entries and has mounted virtual exhibits. Visit ellarslie.org.

The Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton reopened to the public with reserved timed ticketing. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays. For information, visit groundsforsculpture.org or call 609-586-0616.

Princeton University public events are suspended and the Princeton University Art Museum is closed until further notice. Visit Princeton.edu for updates. The Lewis Center for the Arts is posting virtual events at arts.princeton.edu. Princeton University Concerts has erased its schedule but plans an online virtual watch party concert on March 28. Visit princetonuniversityconcerts.org.

Kelsey Theatre on the Mercer County Community College campus in West Windsor has postponed its schedule. Visit kelsey.mccc.edu for more.

1867 Sanctuary in Ewing has no events planned as of now. For information visit 1867sanctuary.org.

Rider University Arts has put on- and off-campus Westminster Choir College and Rider events on hold, but has launched a number of online performances. Visit rider.edu/arts.

Morven Museum and Garden in Princeton grounds are open to the public 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. and 1:30-4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays with timed tickets and social distancing precautions. There are no docent-led indoor tours at this time. Visit morven.org.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick has no in-person programming scheduled until August, but is hosting various online events, including a virtual concert by Mandy Harvey on March 25. For more information, visit stnj.org or call 732-246-7469.

Crossroads Theatre Company in New Brunswick has posted an encore performance of the musical Sheilas Day online through March 23 in honor of Womens History Month. Visit crossroadstheatrecompany.org or call 732-545-8100.

George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick will begun its 2021 season online with Theresa Rebecks Bad Dates, available through March 14. Contact 732-246-7717 or georgestplayhouse.org.

The Avenel Performing Arts Center in Avenel will host comedian Eric DAlessandro this weekend, March 5-7 and a production of Til Death Do Us Part -- Late Nite Catechism is scheduled for March 18-21. Contact 732-314-0500 or avenelarts.com.

MONMOUTH COUNTY

Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Banks new venue, the Vogel, has indoor shows booked through mid-June. The Dublin Irish Dance mainstage show scheduled for March 11, the March 12 Daughtry concert and the March 14 Kevin James appearance have been canceled. Visit thebasie.org for updates.

Historic Allaire Village in Farmingdale is open for special events following COVID-19 health safety restrictions.

Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal has suspended productions through April 10. It is hosting its 12th annual International Jewish Israel Film Festival online through March 22. For information call 732-531-9106 or visit axelrodartscenter.com.

The Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan will begin its live 2021 season with Mass Appeal March 20-28. Visit algonquinarts.org for updates.

Monmouth University Center for the Arts in West Long Branch has postponed scheduled events through this season and has mounted its Music and Arts Festival 2020 on YouTube. Visit monmouth.edu/mca for updates.

Some Asbury Park Boardwalk entertainment venues have recommenced live shows, including Langosta Lounge and Tim McLoones Supper Club. The Stone Pony has postponed its planned April 22 reopening with White Reaper and aims to begin its Summerstage outdoor shows in June. Convention Hall has no dates scheduled as of now. Paramount Theatres Mavericks March 14 concert has moved to Dec. 12. For information, visit apboardwalk.com.

Two River Theater in Red Bank has suspended performances and is closed to the public but is posting online readings and workshops. Look online at tworivertheater.org for updated information.

The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County has suspended programming until further notice but has set up an online exhibit, Artists from Within: Creations in Quarantine. Visit jhmomc.org.

The Monmouth Museum in Lincroft is closed with plans to reopen in late spring. It has posted online exhibits. Visit monmouthmuseum.org or call 732-224-1995.

The Garden State Film Festival, based out of Asbury Park, will have virtual and in-person options this year, starting Tuesday, March 23, at the Cranford Theater in Cranford. The festival continues Wednesday, March 24, to Sunday, March 28, with special events each night. A limited size live cocktail reception and screening will be held on March 26 with virtual and in-person screenings through March 28, concluding with a black-tie awards ceremony at the Asbury Lanes.

MORRIS COUNTY

Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown will host two sets of Manhattan Comedy Night on March 12. For information, call 973-539-8008 or visit mayoarts.org.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey in Madison has launched Pandemic Playhouse online series with recorded versions of the three plays from its recent Shaw! Shaw! Shaw! festival. Visit shakespearenj.org.

The Morris Museum in Morristown has reopened 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays. For information, call 973-971-3700 or visit morrismuseum.org.

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum in Morristown has limited gallery tours by appointment for groups of five or fewer. Garden is open for social-distanced walks. Visit macculloughhall.org or call 973-538-2404.

The Museum of Early Trades and Crafts in Madison has reopened for walk-in visits Tuesdays-Sundays, with reservations recommended on Saturdays-Sundays. For information, visit metc.org.

The Folk Project in Morristown has canceled its lineup of indoor concerts, but is promoting a selection of twice-weekly online live performances. Visit folkproject.org or call 973-335-9489.

Roxbury Arts Alliance has cleared its on-site schedule at Investors Bank Theater in Roxbury through April 23. Visit roxburartsyalliance.org or call 862-219-1379.

OCEAN COUNTY

The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts on the Ocean County College campus in Toms River will host a virtual Rhythm of the Dance on-demand concert from March 10-24. Its scheduled March 26 Shawn Colvin concert has been postponed until spring 2022. Visit grunincenter.org/events or call 732-255-0500.

The Strand Center for the Arts in Lakewood erased four tribute shows it had scheduled through March. Its next planned show now will be a Sept. 17 Prince tribute concert. Visit http://www.strand.org or check social media for more details.

Albert Music Hall in Wall hopes to begin presenting outdoor concerts on May 1. For updates, visit alberthall.org.

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Coronavirus in N.J.: Whats reopened, what concerts, festivals and shows are rescheduled, canceled. (March 3, - NJ.com

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Posted By admin on March 5, 2021

Israel's Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and Sheba CEO Yitshak Kreiss Join Gov. JB Pritzker to Champion Transformative Partnership

CHICAGO, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Gov. JB Pritzker, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and Prof. Yitshak Kreiss discussed the vision between Illinois and Israel to collaborate on a health innovation hub to develop and advance health equity solutions locally and globally. It will be based on Sheba's proven health innovation modelARCand established on Chicago's South Side at the historic site of the Michael Reese Medical Center.

Chicago ARC Panelists (PRNewsfoto/Sheba Medical Center)

The three government leaders disclosed details of the global partnership late last week at a private Commercial Club of Chicago meeting cohosted by World Business Chicago. The leaders are committed to eliminating existing health disparities and negative outcomesfrom COVID-19 hospitalizations to infant mortality, chronic disease and early deathconnected to conditions where people live, learn, work and play.

Sheba Medical Center, Kaleidoscope Health Ventures (KHV) and Farpoint Development are partners in the Chicago ARC Innovation Center. The discussion focused on how Sheba's ARC model, which fosters healthcare innovation to redesign this system and make it more accessible by accelerating entrepreneurship, is extending from Israel to Chicago.

Israel to Illinois: A Fast Track for Healthcare Transformation

Healthcare transformation is one of Israel's greatest priorities but is a goal no state or nation can accomplish on its own. The Sheba ARC (Accelerate, Redesign, Collaborate) model will be executed in Chicago to enable alliances with Illinois' abundant trove of life sciences teaching and research institutions, biotechnology companies, health systems and technology startups to make fast progress toward achieving health equity. This includes implementing groundbreaking technologies with a market-driven approach adapted for the United States.

"We have learned many things from the current COVID-19 pandemic. One of the most important is that global challenges need global solutions," Ashkenazi said. "This partnership with the Chicago ARC Innovation Center and Sheba Medical Center could quite literally save lives. Together they will advance healthcare solutions, share best practice and transform health care."

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"Today we are celebrating the partnership between Israel's Sheba Medical Center, one of the world's top-ranking hospitals, and Kaleidoscope Health Ventures and Farpoint Development. It is one of the many ways we have to share Israeli innovation and keep strengthening the unbreakable bond between our two nations," Ashkenazi said.

Prioritizing Health Equity in Illinois with Sheba's Help

Illinois has made health equity an overarching public health goal. Leading through a health equity lens, the state's programs, services and partnerships aim to increase parity in the social determinants of health to close health disparity gaps.

"Here in Illinois, we have some of the best research universities on the earth, one of the largest biotech talent pools in the United States, and our medical centers are among the most respected in the world," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Those assets are just one facet of why our state is ideal for a new health innovation hub. The establishment of the Chicago ARC Innovation Center both recognizes and strengthens our reputation."

"I am so deeply grateful for Kaleidoscope Health Ventures, to Sheba Medical Center and to the ARC Innovation Complex and Farpoint Development for coming together to spur this innovation here in Illinois, bringing more collaborative health innovation, life sciences development and transformative equitable healthcare models to our state," continued Pritzker.

In fact, Sheba's ARC model has allowed Israel to become a world leader in combating COVID-19 by shaping Israel's rapid response to COVID-19which will see half its population vaccinated by Marchand showcases Israel's use of innovative approaches to achieve health equity. With Sheba's guidance, Israel's agencies and health providers are repackaging the temperature-sensitive Pfizer vaccine for wider distribution; opening arenas and field clinics as inoculation centers; and engaging the Arab and ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in a public health campaign to overcome resistance to the vaccine, Kreiss noted.

"The outbreak of COVID-19 boosted this new enterprise and proved to all of us just how crucial it is to get ARC Chicago up and running," Kreiss said. "We have been looking for the right location and partner to bring our model to the U.S. and are very fortunate to have found this great partnership in Illinois.

"Sheba will contribute its global network of partners, its open innovation model, data and sources of technologies and startups looking to transform healthcare in the U.S," Kreiss said. "KHV will use its experience in the U.S. market and impact investing to drive commercialization and investment success. Farpoint will help us cultivate inclusive Chicago neighborhoods, (turning them) into the U.S.A.'s first City of Health with its commercial real estate development (expertise)."

The Chicago ARC Makes Illinois a Global Investment Destination

The Chicago ARC will connect the best science, talent, technology and data to achieve health equity and justice for all through a high-touch, collaborative innovation platform.

A health equity accelerator will be an early Chicago ARC initiative, with plans to launch later this year. The Chicago ARC will partner with South and West Side community initiatives to unlock the benefits for all residents across Illinois and the United States. A life sciences incubator and data collaborative will follow in 2022, all with health equity goals.

International companies, starting with a focus on promising Israeli startups, are targeted as Chicago ARC tenants. A tailored approach with a customer-driven network will give them a U.S. foothold and make Illinois a gateway for global investment. The permanent Chicago ARC facility is set to open in 2023 as the anchor of the Bronzeville Lakefront development. Until then, it will operate out of interim space.

"On behalf of the Chicago ARC partners, we are honored to have the support of Israel's Foreign Minister and the Governor of Illinois for this transformational venture," Kaleidoscope Health Ventures Cofounder and Managing Partner S. Bob Chib said. "We look forward to partnering with Sheba and Farpoint Development on the launch of the Chicago ARC Innovation Center."

About the Speakers

Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi: Minister of Foreign Affairs in the 35th government of Israel, Ashkenazi served in the Israel Defense Forces for 39 years. He headed the IDF from 2007 to 2011 as the 19th Chief of General Staff, or Rav Aluf. While in the IDF, Lt. Gen. (res.) Ashkenazi served in numerous senior capacities, including Deputy Chief of Staff and head of the Northern Command. He also restored the IDF's operative capacity in the wake of the Second Lebanon War and led a series of campaigns, including Operation Hot Winter, Operation Cast Lead and the decisive strike on Syria's nuclear reactor in September 2007. Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi holds a bachelor's degree in political science and oriental studies from Haifa University and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School's Executive Management Program, the IDF's Joint Command Course and the Officer Candidate School of the United States Marine Corps. He headed Shemen Oil and Gas Explorations Ltd. before entering the Knesset in 2019.

Gov. JB Pritzker: The 43rd governor of Illinois is in his third year in office, obtaining bipartisan support for historic investments in education, human services and infrastructure, including $500 million in capital funding for a network of research and innovation hubs. Before becoming governor, Pritzker founded Chicago nonprofit small business incubator 1871, which has helped entrepreneurs create more than 11,000 jobs and more than 1,000 new companies. Since 1871's inception, Chicago has been named one of the top ten technology startup hubs in the world and 1871 was named the best incubator in the world. Gov. Pritzker has expanded support for new business incubators and cut taxes for hundreds of thousands of small businesses while incentivizing job creation and innovation. He also extended research and development tax credits to help manufacturing workers and businesses thrive, and he worked with the business community to create apprenticeship tax credits to promote job training.

Prof. Yitshak Kreiss: Director General of Sheba Medical Center since 2016, Prof. Kreiss is world renowned for his research in leadership and health management based on humanitarian operations he led in the IDF. During his 25 years in the IDF, he rose from combat surgeon to IDF Surgeon General and attained the rank of Brigadier General. He earned his medical degree at the Hebrew University; completed a residency in internal medicine at Sheba Medical School; and earned a Master of Health Administration from Tel Aviv University and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University. Prof. Kreiss was cited as one of the 50 most influential Jews of 2020 by the Jerusalem Post. Under his tutelage, Sheba Medical Center has also been ranked as one of the Top 10 Hospitals in the World by Newsweek magazine.

About the Chicago ARC General Partners

Sheba Medical Center: The Chicago ARC Innovation Center will play a significant part in Sheba Medical Center's global digital healthcare revolution. Sheba is the largest and most comprehensive medical center in the Middle East, the only one in Israel that combines acute and rehabilitation hospitals on a single campus. Sheba is at the forefront of medical treatments, patient care, research and education, recognized by Newsweek as one of the top 10 hospitals in the world two years in a row.

Kaleidoscope Health Ventures: KHV is a venture development firm focused on social impact. It brings together world-class startups, partners, investors and talent to address socioeconomic and health issues while providing high-value services to support a new wave of life science startups and healthcare solutions. The KHV team has collectively created billions of dollars in startup venture value and served in strategic leadership as well as operational roles across startup, growth-stage and corporate entities.

Farpoint Development: Farpoint is a highly experienced team that has been successful in shaping Chicago's skyline and neighborhoods for more than three decades. Farpoint has exceptionally strong local government ties and community relationships and has a notable track record for spurring transformative change in underserved areas locally and nationally. They continue to expand their socially responsible real estate mandate nationwide. Farpoint is a partner in the GRIT joint venture to develop the 100-acre, $7 billion Bronzeville Lakefront site.

For more information contact:Kelley QuinnPurpose Brandkquinn@purposebrand.com (773) 879-3809

Cision

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Posted By admin on March 5, 2021

Identity is personal. It can also be complex and nuanced, layered with a richness of ancestral memory and a source of pride that can help guide present and future experiences of ourselves and our community.

Never miss the best stories and events! Get JewishBoston This Week.

Exploration of identity is also at the heart of the current work of Community Creative Fellows Adriana Katzew and Yoni Battat. As Yoni explores his Mizrahi/Iraqi heritage through his music and Adriana dives into the intersectionality of her Mexican American/Latina and Jewish identities through her art, we all can witness and engage in their creative journeys as they continue to blog about their work each month.

This month we asked the Fellows:

The story of the recent holiday of Purim includes themes of both hidden identity and vulnerability. In your process, where might you have seen similar themes emerge? What questions connected to identity might your art ask others (and yourself) to consider?

A sense of vulnerability emerged with each of my identities, which was largely shaped by the contexts and circumstances of my geographies. I grew to learn that many people had a hard time understanding the fact that I could be both Mexican American/Latina and Jewish. It was not a combination most people had encountered, so they would often choose one identity over the other to define me, depending on their own perspectives, biases or needs (Lets count her as Latina for our demographics, or, Shes not really Latina because shes Jewish!) In the process, I often choose to reveal some elements while keeping others intentionally hidden. As I create work about my own family story, I wonder what work will emerge as I create work that addresses the intersection of my identities, a liminal state in which my Jewish, Mexican and Latina identities dance together.Adriana Katzew (read her full post here)

In the Purim story, when Queen Esther reveals her identity as a Jew, she is burdened with the responsibility to speak on behalf of all Jews in Shushan. Because of her privileged influence in the kings circle, she is thrust into a position of great power, holding the fate of her people in her hands. In a similar way, I have the privilege of being supported by the Community Creative Fellowship, and therefore the responsibility to represent my Iraqi identity to an audience of mostly Ashkenazi Jews who are now listening more closely than ever. In sharing my music, I hope to inspire listeners to break past the confines of self-doubt and make space for vulnerability, self-discovery and self-acceptance.Yoni Battat (read his full post here)

The Community Creative Fellowship is powered by CJP and JArts. To learn more about the fellowship, click here.

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Friday With the Fellows: Expressing Identity and Vulnerability Through Art - jewishboston.com

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Posted By admin on March 5, 2021

When Jake Cohen first met his now-husband, Alex Shapiro, Cohen had never tried Sephardi staples like kubbeh or tahdig. And Shapiro didnt have any exposure to Ashkenazi soul foods like babka, gefilte fish or even matzah ball soup.

Their romantic and culinary union spurred Cohen, 27, to explore the disparate threads of Jewish cuisine, from French onion brisket to eggplant dolmeh, mushroom kasha varnishkes and kale tabbouleh salad. All that comes together in Cohens new cookbook, Jew-ish: Reinvented Recipes from a Modern Mensch, out next week.

I had never heard of any of these dishes, Cohen told Jewish Insider in a recent interview, referring to the Sephardi cooking he learned from his husbands family. My mother had never heard of any of these dishes. This whole concept of blending our families is about this idea of different Jewish communities coming together to celebrate Judaism, even though our definitions of Jewish food are different. I think thats what makes this so special.

With Jew-ish, Cohen has penned a cookbook that is at once deeply personal but effortlessly accessible. Chock-full of his signature tongue-in-cheek humor, the book explores not just wide-ranging Jewish cuisine but also issues of identity and belonging and the fine balance of tradition and modernity.

This book is a love story, its a family tree, its everything that is representative of my journey towards a deep understanding of identity, said Cohen.

Jew-ish is far from a traditional approach to Jewish cooking; there is saffron in the latkes, Chex mix laced with schmaltz and short ribs in a cholent recipe Cohen calls shtetl chic. His challah recipe yields one large loaf, though he offers a note on how to make the more traditional two, and his challah croque monsieur calls for ham, with an aside of (Im sorry!!).

And Cohen wouldnt have it any other way. My perspective in terms of Jewish food is that you can honor those aspects while modernizing them, while bringing them into the 21st century, he said. The way I cook is completely representative of that. The fact is, I make cholent but I dont do it in the traditional way Im very open that I dont keep Shabbat in that way, but I still want to make cholent, and I cook it for a few hours in the oven versus overnight.

Cohen, a food writer based in New York City, has long been immersed in the culinary world. After studying at the Culinary Institute of America, he worked at a handful of restaurants and then took a job at Saveur magazine, followed by other gigs in food media at Tasting Table, Time Out New York and The Feedfeed.

In high school I was one of those kids who was obsessed with watching [Food Network chefs] Ina Garten and Giada [De Laurentiis], he said. I started printing out recipes, began cooking but there was never any intention of it being a career until I started inviting friends over for these little dinner parties, and it was the first time I got that kind of feeling around hospitality, inviting people into your home, cooking for others.

But Jewish foods and Shabbat meals werent a major part of his day-to-day life until Cohen and Shapiro got involved with the nonprofit OneTable, which encourages millennial Jews to host their own individualized Shabbat dinners.

I always like to say it was bashert, said Cohen. Its something that my husband and I were looking for while we were trying to figure out our community in New York and understanding our Jewish identity We started to try hosting through OneTable and it was everything. It was something that became integral to the friends that we made, our deepening connection to Jewish identity, all of it.

Cohen who became a OneTable board member and Shapiro soon became known for their elaborate and well-attended Shabbat meals, including those specifically geared to the LGBTQ community. Those meals, he said, enabled him to explore his identity in a way he hadnt up until that point.

Im Jewish, Im not Jew-ish, however the way that I practice rituals, the way that I practice Jewish tradition, are where that ish comes from, he said. The way I cook is all in the practice of Jewish ritual, but I never pretend that its completely authentic. The second that I gave myself that permission to really lean in to that aspect of exploring and experimenting it made it quite easy to become much more proud to be Jewish, much more enthusiastic about my identity.

But those large meals packed with friends and guests obviously came to an end when the COVID-19 pandemic hit last year.

I was going from hosting, on average, 12 people [per week] and some bigger [meals] around the holidays to strictly family gatherings, Cohen told JI. But Im in a very lucky situation that I live in this Marvelous Mrs. Maisel setup where Im living in an apartment building with my mother and my sister. And though he misses the boisterous dinners he once hosted, theres something really nice in having it small and focused on family, Cohen said. As long as everyone is present and focusing on expending gratitude and reflecting on the week that is the core value.

Cohens infectious enthusiasm and penchant for puns has helped him build a considerable social media presence, with more than 330,000 followers on Instagram and over half a million on TikTok.

And though he refused to name drop, Cohen has a handful of high-profile fans, from Katie Couric to Sarah Jessica Parker, Chloe Grace Moretz and Natalie Portman. I have followers that are Oscar winners, I have followers that are Emmy and Golden Globe winners, he said, but I try not to focus on that, because theyre just people.

But his high online profile has brought out a predictable pattern of antisemitism and hateful comments.

It happens all the time, especially on TikTok, theres a huge issue with that, he said. It sucks, its not fun, but I dont let any hate online dictate what I do.

Instead, he said, it only motivates him to serve as a proud queer Jewish role model who isnt afraid to fully embrace his identity.

The more powerful thing is that I continue to be authentically myself, he said. I find incredible passion in influencing a new generation who otherwise would probably just separate that aspect of their identity out and tuck it away instead of putting it more in the forefront.

This is me, this is who I am, this is how I celebrate, and Im making it work for me and my life.

Read more here:

Jake Cohen embraces the 'ish' in Jewish with his new cookbook - Jewish Insider

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