Category Archives: Advisors

Advisory Council

AI is scary, but more human than you think – by Deborah Levine

originally published in the Chattanooga Times Free Press

Artificial Intelligence is like the weeds growing in my backyard. The AI quickly takes over all the other plants and I often forget that there were actual flowers blooming by my back porch. The impact on our lives is spreading widely. It can be scary when emergency phone lines are now answered by AI. And I was not happy to hear that my son-in-law would lose his position in international banking to AI. So I didn’t know what to think when I was offered a job with an AI company. 

Continue reading AI is scary, but more human than you think – by Deborah Levine

Hannukah, festival of lights and miracles – by Deborah Levine

Originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press 

A friend who runs local programs for seniors asked me about Hanukkah. She knew that the Jewish holiday was coming before Christmas, but wasn’t sure when. The first of 8 nights of Hanukkah begins at sundown on Sunday, December 14. The date often differs according to our calendar, but remains constant on the Jewish calendar as the 25th of the month of Kislev.    

Continue reading Hannukah, festival of lights and miracles – by Deborah Levine

Sacred Calendars and Holidays Define Us — by Deborah Levine

Religious diversity and holidays are challenging regardless of the time of year with deeply held beliefs regarding food, sacred texts, and worship traditions. Yet, there is no season like the end of the year for demonstrating cultural differences linked to religion. The differences can be glaring, giving rise to culture clashes and political controversies. It’s astonishing that there was ever a planetary-wide agreement on a calendar that named the months, determined their length and decreed when one year ends and the next begins. How did that calendar happen and can we capture the global mindset that created it for today’s “Holiday Season”?

Continue reading Sacred Calendars and Holidays Define Us — by Deborah Levine

UNTOLD Stories of a World War II Liberator

EDUCATION TOOL &
AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY
(scroll down for links)

Holocaust education is a vital element to counteracting the  antisemitism and Holocaust denial as they grow world-wide. Educators and students, community leaders and activists should  hear the first-hand Untold stories of WW II and the Holocaust. Deborah Levine, daughter of a World War II military intelligence officer, has created this documentary as a tool for counteracting hate and for Holocaust education. Her father, Aaron Levine was a ” Ritchie Boy” trained at Fort Ritchie, the U.S. secret military intelligence camp focused on training men, often Jewish immigrants who spoke German, to interrogate Nazi prisoners of war.

Hear the wartime perspective of Aaron Levine as he liberated death camps, served as a spy, and wrote letters about his experience. Be inspired by the love letters of Estelle Swig Malloy, a Special Education pioneer whom Aaron married after they graduated from Harvard. Then hear the memoirs of Polish Holocaust Survivor, Leon Weisband who documented the Nazi invasion of his hometown.

   “Many liberators such as Levine’s father kept their experience largely secret So this is an important resource for Holocaust education and research…and a very engaging introduction to the journey of the Jewish community over the past century”
~ The Rev. Dr. John T. Pawlikowski: Founding member of the US Holocaust Center, Prof of Social Ethics/Catholic Theological Union

     “No student of history can come away from this without a deeper understanding of the sacrifices that were made to end the Holocaust and of the power of storytelling to heal the human heart.”
~ Dylan Kussman, Hollywood actor/producer

     “Deborah Levine’s work continues to be of utmost importance for students of all ages. The specific story of ‘UNTOLD’ MUST be told today and forever, so that the words ‘Never Again’ never lose their meaning!”
~Avi Hoffman, CEO Yiddishkayt Initiative, Inc.
Religion Communicators Council names Wilbur Merit Awards:
American Diversity Report and Untold, Stories of a World War II Liberator:
Deborah Levine , Dennis Parker , Michael A. Levine , @Dylan Kussman, Charlene White , Trish Ross , Joel D. Scribner , Greg Glover, @George Hoctor, Chase Parker.

 

From her roots in the only Jewish family to have lived in Bermuda for 4 generations, to her role as a Forbes Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazer, Deborah has been dedicated to “Tikkun olam”, Hebrew for “repair of the world”. This latest project is decades in the making, and is broadcast internationally by Jewish Life TV

“Untold” in its radio theater, documentary and music formats is a Winner in 17 International film festivals including: 1) Lily Indie Film Fest, 2) 4theatre selection, 3) NYC Independent Film Festival (11th season), 4) Red Moon Festival (8th season), 5) Spring Time International, 6) Bright International, 7)  Dreamz Catcher International, 8) Indie Cine Tube Awards, 9) Lightbox International, 10) Crown International, 11) Delta International, 12) EdiPlay International, 13) Red Wolf Film Festival, 14) Indiefare International Film Festival, 15) FlightDeck Film Festival, 16) Cine Sepia Reels Carnival, KIIFF Kurdistan International Independent Film Festival.

Author: Deborah Levine
Director: Dennis Parker
Music Composer/Performer: Michael A. Levine
Actors: Dylan Kussman, Joel Scribner, Charlene Hong White, Trish Ross, Chase Parker, George Hoctor, Greg Glover.

CLICK to see documentary
UNTOLD, Stories  of a WW II LIBERATOR

 

CLICK for the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga version of UNTOLD

Actors: Deborah Levine, Rabbi Craig Lewis, Rabbi Sam Rotenberg, Bea Lurie, Jed Meson, Dr. John Steinberg, Richard Zachary,

CLICK for TEACHING GUIDE:
Untold, Stories of a World War II Liberator

 

Renewing Diversity Part 11: The Mysterious World of Diversity and Economics – by Carlos Cortés

I’ve always been a bit perplexed when it comes to the intersection of economics and diversity.  Maybe this is inevitable because of the sprawling, multifaceted, and contentious nature of the field of economics itself.  As the old saying goes, “You can stack all of the world’s economists end to end and never reach a conclusion.”

So rather than belaboring you with false certainties and pat generalizations about the economics-diversity nexus, I’ll tell you a story.  It’s a story about one acquaintance and two friends, each of whom contributed to my still-developing thinking about this topic.  Here goes.

Continue reading Renewing Diversity Part 11: The Mysterious World of Diversity and Economics – by Carlos Cortés

The hurricane of stupidity – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

I was surprised to see the Times Free Press article: “Bermuda prepares for hits by hurricanes Humberto, Imelda”. I grew up on the island of Bermuda and preparing for hurricanes at this time of year was the norm. But American newspapers don’t often talk about how Bermuda withstands these storms: “Bermuda is a wealthy British territory with strong concrete structures capable of withstanding serious storms.”

Continue reading The hurricane of stupidity – by Deborah Levine

Domestic Violence and the man in the mirror – by Terry Howard

Hey fellas, it’s me, your humble columnist.

I decided to send you a letter and gift you with a mirror to gaze at as you read this narrative. You see, the gift of self-reflection (and mirrors) are the greatest gifts you can give yourself if, taken together, they lead to positive change on your part and on that of others.

But first, I’ll ask you how’s everything in the bar, the locker room or on the golf course while you’re “shooting the breeze” with the boys? Lots of talk about sports, national politics, your trip to Europe and, eh, I’m guessing, the opposite sex, huh? 

Continue reading Domestic Violence and the man in the mirror – by Terry Howard

“Toni,” what else could I have done? – by Terry Howard

Today’s story is about “Toni” and the point her story makes as we look back on October, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

ME: Good morning, Toni. How was your weekend?

TONI: (Subdued) Okay, I guess.

ME: Wait, are you okay? Is that a bruise on your forehead. Did you take a fall? 

TONI: No, my husband beat me up again. Yesterday he hit me upside my head with the Holy Bible. Can you believe it?

ME: Oh my! I, uh, I’m so sorry, and…

TONI: Thanks for asking. I’ll be okay. This is my second marriage, and like my ex-husband, this husband beats me up too. The story of my life is that I seem to attract abusive men. 

Continue reading “Toni,” what else could I have done? – by Terry Howard

Engage in community. Having fun counts! – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

When we moved to East Ridge 25 years ago, Camp Jordan was a rural land mark where you could walk quietly and virtually alone. Purchased in 1930 by the Tennessee National Guard, it was named after Major General Paul Jordan. In 1946, the land was auctioned off as military surplus, but the name “Camp Jordan” remained even when the City of East Ridge purchased the farmland property in 1973. Now, the 275-acre park is operated by the East Ridge Parks and Recreation Department with a mission to serve the community. What began as 2 ball fields developed into 13 baseball/softball fields, 14 soccer fields, a 18-hole Disc Golf Course, 2 Beach Volleyball Courts, 2 picnic pavilions, an amphitheater, a RV campground, a 30,000 sq. ft. arena, along with stores, restaurants and a hotel. It’s like a small village! 

Continue reading Engage in community. Having fun counts! – by Deborah Levine

Renewing Diversity Part 10: Unpacking the Inclusivity Dilemma in Health Care – by Carlos Cortés

I recently received an invitation to attend the national conference of the Society for Intercultural Education, Teaching, and Research.   The conference theme was “Inclusive Interculturalism.” The implicit message was simple: in order to be inclusive, interculturalists need to make a conscious effort .  Inclusivity doesn’t come naturally.

In my last month’s ADR column I addressed a similar issue about the development of multicultural education. I argued that multiculturalists need to be cognizant about whom they may be excluding as well as including. The more that you exclude categories of people, the less inclusive the curriculum becomes. 

Continue reading Renewing Diversity Part 10: Unpacking the Inclusivity Dilemma in Health Care – by Carlos Cortés