Mimi Pollack

My Father’s Paradise

About 15 years ago, a student of mine with blue eyes told me he was a Kurdish Jew. I was surprised because most of my Kurdish students at Grossmont College in nearby El Cajon were Muslim with a scattering of Christians. It turns out I was wrong.

Before the 1950’s when most had to leave, there was a thriving community of Kurdish Jews who lived peacefully in northern Iraq amongst other Kurds, Iraqi Muslims, Chaldeans and Assyrians. I found all of this out when I read «My Father’s Paradise», a book by Ariel Sabar. This fascinating book is about the life of a Kurdish Jew who was born in Iraq, migrated to Israel, and came to the United States on a full university scholarship. He later settled in Los Angeles where his son Ariel was born.

The book was published in 2008, but I read it in 2009. My interest in this book was renewed when I read something on the Aramaic language, the original language of the Kurdish Jews. Also, as an ESL teacher in East County where there is a very large and diverse Iraqi population [including Chaldeans who also speak Aramaic], I was curious to reread it, and learn more about Iraq with its fascinating and sometimes dark history.

The book is divided into seven sections, and it is many books in one. It is about the life of Ariel Sabar born in Los Angeles to a Kurdish Jew, his relationship with his immigrant father, and the rejection of his old world ways. When Sabar has a child of his own, he is suddenly more interested in his family’s past and like a detective delves into his father’s life, and the life and history of the Kurdish Jews, first in Zahro in northern Iraq, and later in Israel. It is also an immigrant’s tale as Sabar tells the story of his father who left a peaceful life in Zahro when he was 12, during the mass exodus of 120, 000 Jews from Iraq. An interesting footnote is that his father was the last boy to have a Bar Mitzvah in Zahro. It continues with his life in Israel, and how he overcame the prejudice and misery his parents faced there.

The next phase was when he arrived in the United States where he became a noted language professor at UCLA, and published a Jewish Neo-Aramaic to English dictionary in 2002, a lifelong goal. Lastly, it is a book about the Aramaic language, and his father’s efforts to preserve the language. I found this part to be especially interesting as most of my Chaldean students speak Aramaic. Only a few write it. Was it the same Aramaic that Kurdish Jews spoke or a different dialect of the same language? Aramaic is one of the oldest languages in the world, the language that Jesus spoke, and ancestral to the modern Hebrew alphabet.

There were certain passages in the book that I found fascinating. One was about how the Kurdish Jews were the world’s oldest Jewish Diaspora and how they had lived in remote villages alongside Kurdish Muslims for nearly 2,700 years.

Another was about the problems they had migrating to Israel as they were not European Jews, including the «calculations about the relative merits of Jewish immigrants». Those from Iraq were viewed as backwards and uneducated. Finally, in the last part of the book, Sabar wrote about the Aramaic language and how it had «hopped so many borders, infiltrated so many faiths, and outlived so many empires». Sabar wrote in a poetic way about it possibly being a dying language. That may be so for the 150,000 Kurdish Jews living in Israel, but I see my Chaldean students teaching to their children, so let’s hope that tradition lives on. I contacted Ariel Sabar via email and asked him the following questions about the book and the Aramaic language.

Q 1] As an ESL teacher, I am very interested in languages and culture. Did the Kurdish Jews speak the same Aramaic as the Chaldeans, or were they two different dialects of the same language?

A: Modern Aramaic — or Neo-Aramaic, as linguists call it — has more than 100 dialects, and the dialect people speak tends to depend both on religion and what village they come from. So Kurdish-born Jews and Chaldeans do speak different dialects, but in all likelihood most would be able to understand one another at a basic level.

Q 2] I read your book in 2009 and skimmed it yesterday to refresh my memory. I have wanted to write something about it for a long time. My older Chaldean students from northern Iraq are always delighted when I lend it to them. The level of the book is a little too high to assign to the class as a whole. How have the Kurds living in the US reacted to your book? I used to have many Kurdish students in the 1990’s, but now I have many more Chaldeans. Because of the mutual language, what has their reaction to your book been?

A: While writing the book, I had no expectation that its readers would extend beyond the American Jewish community. What has pleased and humbled me is the kaleidoscope of readers the book has attracted, who seem to see in its narrative a universal story about immigration, father-son relationships, and the death and resurrection of cultures. What’s been especially cool is hearing from Muslim Kurds both here in the United States and around the world, who have been very gracious in expressing their warm feelings about the book. I’ve given book talks at the Kurdistan Regional Government’s embassy here in Washington, DC and at a Kurdish youth cultural festival at George Mason University in Virginia. Last June, a Kurdish cultural organization in London flew my father and me out to give a keynote address at the Royal Geographical Society. At talks I’ve given in places like Detroit, Chicago and San Diego, I’ve also met some wonderful Chaldeans and Assyrians. I very much hope that more Christian Aramaic speakers hear about and pick up the book.

Q 3] I really like pages 315 and 316 in your book and what you said to your father. Immigrants [and your father’s case, immigrating to two countries] are brave souls. Do you think Aramaic is a dying language? I do not have contact with any Kurdish Jews now, but I know many of the Chaldeans are teaching it to their children.

A: I fear for the future of Aramaic, and worry that not enough people are teaching it to their children for it to survive more than another generation or two. Sadly, both Jews and Christian speakers (Chaldean and Assyrian) have been driven from the homelands where their language once flourished. It’s a lot harder to keep a native tongue alive in countries where languages like English dominate. It’s even harder as the geographic isolation that once cocooned languages gives way to a highly interconnected global age. There’s a group of talented linguists racing across the globe to document the last surviving dialects of Aramaic, and I’ve written about one of them for the coming February 2013 issue of Smithsonian Magazine.

Q 5] Your book is so interesting, and I learned a lot. I hope one day a movie can be made.

A: Amen. Thank you!

Indeed, I feel the whole book is a gift Sabar wrote for himself, his father, his son, and their legacy. It is also a gift for those who read it.

My Father’s Paradise: A Son’s Search for His Family’s Past
by: Ariel Sabar
ISBN: 1565129334

Buy it online, click here.

Wild animals should not be behind cages! That might be your first impression when you see the pictures from Lions, Tigers, and Bears, an animal sanctuary in Alpine, Ca. However, did you know that there are more tigers born in captivity than there are in the wild? Did you know that it is legal in some states for people to own certain wild animals as pets? Some wild cats are sold as cubs over the internet to people who have no business buying them. This is where Bobbi Brink comes in. She is their hero. She has made it her life’s mission to save big cats. Although her animals at Lions, Tigers, and Bears might be behind cages, they are all animals she rescued and they have a good life with land to roam on and many dedicated volunteers who help Bobbi care for them. Lions, Tigers, and Bears is a non-profit organization that relies on donations to operate. I wanted to help, so I became a member. Yesterday, I went up to visit for an early Thanksgiving celebration and the magnificent cats were fed packaged turkeys as their prey. At Lions, Tigers and Bears, the animals’ natural behaviors and instincts are encouraged to keep them active and healthy. Lions, Tigers and Bears is one of only twelve accredited Big Cat and Bear sanctuaries in the United States.

This animal sanctuary was founded in 2002 by Bobbi Brink as a no kill, federally and state licensed animal sanctuary. It started as a sanctuary for big cats, but has since grown to include three African lions, four Bengal tigers, one leopard, one African serval, three bob-cats, a mountain lion, and five Black bears. The 93 acre ranch is located in the Japatul Valley. It also has historical roots as it has one of the oldest adobes, built in 1866, and it served as a stagecoach stop.

Bobbi grew up in San Diego, but in the early 1990’s, moved to Texas to open up a restaurant. An avid animal lover who had been around ranch animals all her life, she witnessed the horrific treatment that captive, exotic Big Cats experienced in Texas. She decided to get involved and began working with the animals. She did this for 10 years and earned her exotic animal handling license in 2000, before returning to San Diego to open her own facility. Bobbi has also gotten involved with Tippi Hedren, founder of Shambala [another wonderful animal sanctuary], to further protect exotic cats. In September, they went to lobby in Washington, D.C. where they met with members of congress regarding HR 4122-The Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act. This bill would outlaw private ownership and breeding of exotic cats in the United States.

Lions, Tigers and Bears also wants to educate, and in addition to the wild animals listed above, there are also assorted ranch animals, including chickens, rabbits, goats, sheep, cows, a miniature donkey, a miniature horse, two horses, a potbellied pig, and two llamas. They are all part of the hands on, educational «Animal Encounters» that teaches humane treatment of all animals.

All this takes money, and Bobbi relies on donations and sponsors. Membership starts at $50 and up, and it entitles you to free, scheduled visits on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, along with all the latest newsletters. You can also bring a friend for $25 which is much less than other sanctuaries charge. Although I was more interested in the lions and tigers, their newest star attraction is Meatball, the Glendale bear. They are in the process of raising money to build a new and larger enclosure for him. There will be a holiday party on December 8th from 1:00 to 4:00 to raise money for the facility. They will have special vendors there as well as delicious food. Also, they are looking for volunteers to help in many capacities. Please check out their website at www.lionstigersandbears.org

Finally, as I was wandering around the small, but very nice gift shop, I met Tomcat, one of the resident, domesticated cats. He was a feral cat that Bobbi adopted. He is now the official greeter of the place, rubbing up against you and meowing at you, so you will pay attention to him. He is a good reminder of why exotic cats are not pets and if you want a feline in your life, stick to ones like Tomcat or «adopt» one from Lions, Tigers and Bears, and help Bobbi continue her mitzvah.

Rabbi Tamar Malino is full of hope and optimism. She has started a new life in Spokane, WA after leaving San Diego in 2008. She still has fond memories of her former congregation in Poway where she was both assistant Rabbi and Rabbi at Temple Adat-Shalom.

In 2008, Rabbi Tamar and her partner, Rabbi Elizabeth Goldstein moved to the Bay Area with their children, so Rabbi Elizabeth could finish up her PHD in Religious Studies and write her dissertation. At that time, Rabbi Tamar worked at the Peninsula Jewish Community Center. In 2010, Rabbi Elizabeth was offered a full time position at Gonzaga University to teach classes in Bible and Ancient History, so the family all moved to Spokane, WA. They felt it was the right time to move on.

Life in Spokane has been an adjustment as both Rabbis were used to living in more cosmopolitan areas. On the one hand, Rabbi Tamar likes raising her children in a safe, small town environment. However, there is also the lack of cultural diversity, and the fact that the Jewish community is so small. Rabbi Tamar estimates that there are approximately 500 Jewish families living in the Spokane area. She hopes that as her children get older, being a minority will have a positive effect on them as she feels it will be important for them to stay connected to their ethnic community.

Continuing her work serving Jewish communities, Rabbi Tamar now works as the executive director of the Spokane area Jewish Family Services. It is a small agency that is mostly a social service agency providing help and guidance for seniors, such as personal care, social events, etc. They also serve families in Pullman, WA and Sandpoint, ID.

As of now, Spokane has only one temple, Beth Shalom, led by Rabbi Michael Goldstein. It is a conservative temple, and about 10-12 years ago, members who were more reform minded left to form their own Havurah. They started as an informal group, meeting at the Unitarian church where they rented space.

Over the years, they have become more formalized, and brought in their own Torah. They are now known as congregation Emanu-el. They had rabbinical students who would come once a month to provide leadership. Although there were and are serious issues that divided the groups, because Spokane has such a small Jewish community, they also remained connected.

When Rabbi Tamar and her family went to Spokane, they connected with both Temple Beth Shalom and congregation Emanu-el where she ran the education program for a year. She is fluent in Hebrew. After the last rabbinical student left, she was invited to lead the congregation and now works for them quarter time, holding services two Fridays and one Saturday a month at the Unitarian church where they continue to rent space.

Rabbi Tamar has a full plate, balancing her responsibilities to her family [two sets of twins, ages 3 and 6], her work at JFS, and leading the congregation. However, she handles all the responsibilities with humor and grace. Her desire is to serve and she feels it is important to reach out to as many families as possible in an area where it is easy to feel isolated as Jewish families are in the minority.

Rabbi Tamar does not know what the future will bring, but for now she has settled into her new life in Spokane.

There are only 70 to 80 people left in Baja California who speak Kumeyaay, according to Michael Wilken Robertson, an anthropologist who also specializes in ethno-botany. When Wilken-Robertson first started his journey studying the indigenous people of Baja California, he was told there were no indigenous cultures there! He believed something had to be done to preserve these ancient cultures and traditions before they were lost, especially those of the Kumeyaay [Kumiai] people. The Kumiai are the indigenous people on both sides of the border, starting from Carlsbad on the United States side, down to the Santo Tomas Valley in Baja California, Mexico. The Museo Communitario de Tecate [Tecate Community Museum] and the Kumiai wing is a good first step towards documenting the life and history of these people. It is part of the Centro Cultural [Cultural Center] in Tecate, Baja California.

Michael Wilken Robertson

Tecate is a border town just east of Tijuana, known for the brewery that makes Tecate beer, and Rancho La Puerta, a world famous spa. Driving on HW 94, it takes about 45 minutes to get there from San Diego. Tecate retains much of its old world charm. The Centro Cultural, which encompasses two square blocks, started out as a chicken ranch on the outskirts of town, but is now considered to be pretty much part of the downtown area. The Community Museum is one facility of many in the Centro Cultural, including an art museum where they have different exhibits. Near the Kumiai structure, there is a building which houses photographs that document Tecate’s history. All of this is sponsored and managed by the Corredor Historico Carem, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to identifying, preserving, and presenting to the public the historical and cultural heritage of Baja California.

Kumiai Museum

The Kumiai building is the jewel of the place. It officially opened in June 2011. The shape of the building is very interesting, as it was designed by James Hubbell to invoke indigenous themes. However, it is clear that Wilken Robertson is the heart and soul of the place. One could see the passion he felt while he was giving a tour. On the inside, there are beautiful stain glass windows and paintings on the wall that represent the history and nomadic life of the Kumiai who spent their time moving between the desert, mountain and coastal areas during their seasonal migrations. Other exhibits depict the way they lived. There are baskets, carrying devices, mortars, pestles, and other tools that had to be both functional and portable. There are also interactive, bilingual electronic displays.

A good metaphor for the museum and what it represents is an oak tree that is planted in the middle of the complex. It started out as a stick with a few leaves. It almost died. They gave it water and good soil and it survived and thrived. The oak tree is a sacred tree for the Kumiai, and it serves them in many ways. Like the tree, the museum can also serve, telling the story of the indigenous people, helping to overcome discrimination, and finding a way to encourage interest in younger generations to spark a new appreciation for their culture.

Traditional Kumiai Dwelling

Along with the Kumiai building, the grounds include a traditional, indigenous dwelling, water well, and a garden of native plants, each with its own use. There is also a gift store with traditional indigenous arts. Emilia, a Kumiai woman who is one of the last remaining 70-80 speakers, manages the gift shop. The day I was there, her six year old granddaughter, Irene, was accompanying her. I asked Emilia if Irene could speak Kumiai, and she told me the girl knew only a few phrases, but that she was teaching her. Let’s hope she learns, and teaches her children, so those 70-80- speakers are not the last!!

Emilia’s granddaughter.

The museum at Calle Tlaloc 400 is open Wednesday through Sunday, and tickets are $2.50 for adults and $1.00 for children. For more information and directions, call tel. 665/655-6419