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published by the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven

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SHALOM NEW HAVEN

september - october 2013 / elul - cheshvan 5773-5774

Michael Bolton Offers Backstage Pass Into His Life, Loves and Music

New Grant Program to Strengthen Local Jewish Community

Singer/songwriter Michael Bolton is known throughout the world for his unmistakable, soulful voice and Grammy Awardwinning, charttopping music.

He is also known locally as a hometown hero who made it big from his humble beginnings in New Haven.

The past five years have been a period of extended economic challenge globally, and many New Haven Jewish institutions are experiencing crisis or distress.

In response the Jewish Federation in collaboration with the Jewish Foundation has implemented an extraordinary program to provide funds to our community partners to enable them to restructure and adapt, or to address their most urgent needs.

Bolton began a career in music writing songs as early as age 9. He eventually landed a label deal with Epic Records, however, it would be many years before he would score his first definitive hit and breakthrough as a superstar.

In his first memoir, The Soul of it All, Bolton offers a backstage pass into the fascinating life journey from anonymity to a world-renowned music career.

Die-hard Michael Bolton fans will hear Bolton continued on page 7

Online Database Now Available for Jewish Cemeteries The Jewish Cemetery Association of Greater New Haven (JCAGNH) announces the completion of its central database of the 25,000 interred in the Jewish cemeteries of Greater New Haven. JCAGNH board member Eliezer Greer conceptualized this prodigious project, and a dedicated team of volunteers brought it to fruition. Greer spent more than two years walking the cemeteries in the heat of summer and bitter cold of winter to draw the maps, complete the compilation of data, and create the central database.

JCAGNH President Bob Goodman stated that he is very pleased that this two-year project is ready and available to anyone trying to find the location of a deceased loved one buried in a Jewish cemetery in the area. The central database is free and can be accessed via the JCAGNH link at jewishnewhaven.org.

“The central database has been a huge help to the many monthly inquiries from people throughout the country and around the world,” Goodman said. “The inquiries are not only for information about the burial site in anticipation of a trip to New Haven, but also for folks engaged in Cemeteries continued on page 3

The program is a $1 million grants initiative to enable local Jewish agencies, organizations and synagogues to apply for grants matching funds dollar for dollar, that they raise for capital improvements as well as innovative community initiatives.

Don Hendel, President of the Jewish Federation, commented on the announcement. “We are aware our community is shrinking, and average age of our members is among the oldest in the country. We need to attract new and retain existing members. I am pleased the boards of directors of the

services for young and old. “We are excited to receive proposals that have high potential to stimulate fundraising and help implement innovative projects that will benefit the community,” said Dena Schulman-Green, grants committee member.

The Jewish Federation and Foundation of Greater New Haven have ongoing efforts in place to monitor, examine and improve their community outreach.

Federation and Foundation overwhelmingly approved the program. I believe it will energize and grow our entire community.”

A grants committee consisting of members from both the Foundation and Federation is administering this program. “Under their guidance I am confident this program will help build our community and allow our partners to grow and prosper,” Hendel further stated.

The program is an investment in the future for all Jewish people and organizations throughout the New Haven area.

It will go a long way to sustain existing

As Foundation chairperson, and longtime board member Jeffrey Hoos put it “We are in the business of helping Jewish people and organizations in New Haven. And by help I mean finding ways to build and nourish Jewish life in every way. This grant process is a perfect example of how the Federation and community can work together to attain that goal.”

The matching grant monies are made possible thanks to the unrestricted funds of the Jewish Foundation. The grants will be awarded in two tranches, one this fall and one in the spring.

Francesca Segal Discusses Award-Winning Book Call it a winning debut: The Innocents, Francesca Segal’s first novel, has already been named winner of the National Jewish Book Award for Fiction, the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature and the Costa First Book Award. No stranger to fiction, Segal – the daughter of Love Story author Erich Segal – was inspired to reimagine Edith Wharton’s wry The Age of Innocence for the modern age and show that society hasn’t changed much over the last 150 years.

Set in the modern-day upper-crust North West London, a Jewish community still under the shadow of the Holocaust and where the bonds of family and tradition run deep, The Innocents is slyly humorous and deeply satisfying. It illuminates the conflict between responsibility and passion, security and exhilaration, tradition and independence.

Shalom New Haven spoke with Segal about her influences and how she came about writing the novel.

Shalom New Haven: Have you always been interested in writing? At what age did you begin to write? Were there

certain topics you were drawn to?

Francesca Segal: I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a writer. I think I wanted to be a storyteller even before I could write.

I’m drawn to human relationships – I enjoy constructing a plot but only so far as it facilitates my constructing the people who enact it.

SNH: How was it growing up with a father who was a famous novelist? Did you feel any pressure to follow in his footsteps?

Segal: No pressure other than what I put on myself. At home the only pressure was to work as hard as I could at whatever I chose to do – no one pushed me into a certain path, but there was the expectation, which I am grateful for, that whether I became a writer or a doctor or a pilot, a lot of hard work would be required to be any good.

SNH: Who is your favorite author and are you drawn to a certain genre?

Segal: My heart is in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, I think, but there are a lot of contemporary writers I adore. Jennifer Egan, Salman Rushdie, Jane Gardam, Zadie Smith,

Lauren Groff, Siri Hustvedt. And then it’s Jane Austen, up and above anyone else, Charles Dickens, Edith Wharton, Henry James.

SNH: Your novel is set in a Jewish community in London. How did you get the idea for the setting? Isn’t it ironic since Wharton was a known anti-Semite?

Segal: It’s set in a world that I know inside-out, and when I was re-reading The Age of Innocence I kept hearing echoes – I think any small community has those same pressures that she describes, and I could see it so clearly in North West London that I just had to write it. I don’t think Wharton would have been thrilled about it, but I certainly never set out to write any sort of revenge novel. It just felt so contemporary.

SNH: If the novel was set in a Jewish community in the United States, do you think that would affect the story line?

Segal: I think it would affect the essence of the story very little – but I believe that’s true if it were set in a small town in the Baptist South or a Hindu family in Mumbia. People are people, after all, and the way in which we structure our communities – the benefits and the pressures of such interwoven lives – areaaz same everywhere.

Tuesday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m. JCC, $10 More: Enid Groves (203) 387-2424 x267

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Message from

Don Hendel President, Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven As we approach the New Year, I think about how we listen to the shofar during the High Holiday services. This year, as our community faces its challenges with hope and determination, we should redouble our efforts to listen to one another.

Surely, we need to listen carefully to each other’s words, but we also need to “listen” to each other’s actions, for both are important.

Some of the actions I have heard over the past 12 months have been the unprecedented responses by our community to some of our challenges. Our constituent agencies are stronger than ever and we look forward to maintaining and continuing to strengthen our relationship with each one. We have increased our Foundation by millions of dollars. The annual campaign that closed just a few weeks ago was successful despite the challenges that continue to be imposed by the economy. The boards of the Federation and the Foundation established a $1 million grants program designed to energize our agencies and synagogues and improve our community. Our programming was innovative and well attended. The JCC’s operations were extremely successful. Finally, we have made extraordinary progress in reaching out to our synagogues and outer geographical areas.

I will think about all of this when I listen to the shofar. And, I will try to listen more carefully to our community than I ever have.

On behalf of Ronda, Benjamin and Rebecca, I wish all of you a happy, healthy, sweet New Year.

Women’s Philanthropy Kicks Off Food4Kids Program Hunger doesn’t take a break on the weekend. In Connecticut, nearly one child in five is hungry and does not get enough food outside of the free meal programs provided by public schools.

Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven and Jewish Family Service of New Haven are joining with other programs in the country to help provide food for those in need.

Food4Kids will provide students at the East Rock Community Magnet School with a bag of food to sustain them through the weekend. Most of these children are from low-income households, are chronically hungry and don’t have regular access to food. The bags will contain kid-friendly nutritional foods such as shelf-stable milk and cheese, dried fruit, nut-free granola bars, fruit and pudding cups, cereal, juice boxes, tuna, and crackers.

According to committee chair Deb Epstein, volunteers will assemble bags of food at the Jewish Family

Service food pantry every Tuesday or Wednesday. Subcommittee chairs Marsha Schwartz and Carol Schreiber will coordinate the food assembly and delivery to the East Rock Community Magnet School every Thursday.

We can feed a child in New Haven every weekend during the entire school year for $200 per child.

Students who have participated in such a program in other parts of the country show marked improvement in school attendance, test scores and health.

We invite our community members to get involved, do a mitzvah and reach out to those less fortunate. Contact Enid Groves, egroves@jewishnewhaven. org to volunteer and or contribute to Food4Kids.

Together with our community volunteers, we have the potential to change lives by providing nutritious food for children at risk of going hungry over weekends during the school year.

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Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven Donald S. Hendel - President Sydney A. Perry - Chief Executive Officer Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven 360 Amity Road, Woodbridge, CT 06525, 203 387-2424 - fax: 203 387-1818 ShalomNH@jewishnewhaven.org / jewishnewhaven.org Editor: Jennifer Gelband Editorial Committee: Shelley Gans, Jennifer Gelband, Hilary Goldberg, Ruth Gross, Tanya Weinberg. Design: Debbie Stach. shalomnewhaven is delivered free of charge to every home on the Jewish Federation’s mailing list. To add your name to the mailing list, please phone (203) 387-2424 x307 or e-mail ShalomNH@jewishnewhaven.org For advertising information, log on to jewishnewhaven.org and click on “advertising” in the left navigation. snh reserves the right to decline advertising that conflicts with the mission of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven or does not meet our design standards. Publication of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of kashrut. For advertising information, phone (203) 387-2522 or email Tanya Weinberg at shalomnh@jewishnewhaven.org shalomnewhaven is printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks. Please recycle.

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Jerusalem Post Correspondent to Speak at JCC Oct. 17 Herb Keinon, the diplomatic correspondent for The Jerusalem Post, will be speaking at the JCC on the topic “Netanyahu, Abbas, Kerry and Obama: An Insider’s View of the latest Attempt at Israeli-Palestinian Peace Making.”

Keinon has been at the paper for the last 28 years and took over the diplomatic beat in August 2000, just after the failed Camp David Herb Keinon summit and just before the outbreak of the Palestinian violence in September of that year.

Keinon is responsible for covering the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, often traveling with the Prime Minister on his trips abroad.

He has followed Ehud Barak, Ariel Sharon, Ehud Olmert, and Binyamin

Netanyahu, and, as such, has up-close knowledge and an intimate perspective on Israel’s political, diplomatic and strategic challenges – from Hamas to Hezbollah, Lapid to Likud.

In addition, Keinon has lectured widely in Israel, the United States, Europe, and Australia on the political and diplomatic situation in Israel, and appears on a variety of radio and television programs around the world as a guest commentator on the subject.

Originally from Denver, Keinon received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. He has lived in Israel for more than 30 years, is married with four children, and currently resides outside of Jerusalem.

Cemeteries continued from page 1 genealogy.” Goodman added that the JCAGNH is planning a tribute in mid-October to acknowledge the tremendous accomplishment of establishing the central database.

The JCAGNH formed nine years ago to take over and improve the Jewish cemeteries in Greater New Haven that had fallen into disrepair and neglect. Thanks to the financial support of the community at large, the JCAGNH has been able to proceed in its mission to provide a decent and dignified final resting place for our loved ones by securing and improving the Jewish cemeteries of Greater New Haven. To make a donation, establish a life legacy, create an endowment, or give a bequest, please contact ahodes@jewishnewhaven.org or (203) 387-2424 x303.

Message from

Sydney A. Perry Chief Executive Officer

Saying I’m Sorry and Meaning It In this summer of supplication, with so many scandal-plagued politicians, celebrities and religious leaders seeking forgiveness, I think back more than 40 years to Love Story and the famous line from the gooey courtship and marriage of Jennifer and Oliver: “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”

Erich Segal, Yale and then Harvard classicist, wrote the best-selling novel and, frankly, he got it wrong; it’s always appropriate to say “I’m sorry,” not just during the Days of Awe, and all the more so when we not only mean to truly apologize but also intend to change the behavior that necessitated the apology.

The news is replete with a parade of bankers and hedge fund titans, called to account for mismanagement and wrongdoing, for fraud and licentiousness, who have offered mea culpas that fall short of full responsibility.

We look at athletes like Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun who has not yet owned up to his misdeeds, Steven A. Cohen under investigation, the Holocaust Claims Conference misuse of funds, and Rabbi Norman Lamm of Yeshiva University who recently took full responsibility for covering up a sex abuse scandal, Nowhere is this process of seeking and granting amends been more closely watched in the public arena than the tawdry spectacle of Democrats Eliot Spitzer and Anthony Weiner seeking a clean slate with their voters, and with their God, as they hope to be on the winning slate as Comptroller and Mayor in New York City. It is fair to say that they are asking for things more tangible than atonement; they seek votes, power and public trust.

Combined, these events bring to vivid life the High Holy Days theme of repentance and forgiveness. As Jews we are enjoined to offer heartfelt apologies if we have injured the feelings of another, to make compensation if it is necessary, to confess and to promise not to make the same mistake again. These are the sins between man and his fellow man that we are to rectify before the holiday, before we repent before God. There is one truth above others in our tradition that it’s okay to make mistakes.

Not just okay – it is of the very essence of life in the presence of God. By giving us free will, God empowered us to make mistakes. That is what makes us different, and I would say more interesting, than the angels.

God never told us not to make mistakes. He gave us a blueprint to follow and He asks that we acknowledge errors when we make them, apologize, make amends, heal the relationships we harmed, and commit ourselves to not make the same mistake a second time. That is what turns failure into a learning experience.

It’s the cluster of ideas the Bible calls repentance, atonement and forgiveness.

Teshuvah.

During this period of the Jewish calendar, when we seek divine compassion and forgiveness, we must open our hearts to forgive those who have hurt us and conciliate those whom we have hurt.

Teshuvah shouldn’t be about public performance; it’s about inner transformation.

Tell that to San Diego Mayor Bob Filner. Spitzer and Weiner.

We are not just computers programmed to sing the praises of our maker. By forming us in His image, the creative God made the one being in the entire world capable of creativity – and there is no creativity without risk, no risk without occasional failure, and no failure without new self-knowledge. It is through the things we get wrong that we learn.

King David sins – seriously as it happens – a sin of sex but not sexting, a sin of abuse of power, and when confronted by the prophet Nathan, he immediately confesses. So do the inhabitants of Ninevah when Jonah finally tells them of their impending doom. They are given the greatest gift a culture can confer: the chance to begin again, the opportunity for renewal.

Teshuvah is the rewriting of the story of our lives. A second chance. It requires acknowledgment, work and repair. Has someone really changed? Only the penitent and God really know. No matter how hard one beats one’s chest, saying, “I have sinned,” no matter how much contrition is expressed, we will evaluate true repentance on our future actions.

I wish you a sweet New Year, filled with the opportunity for new beginnings and the blessings of good health, love of family and friends, the warmth of a caring community, and peace.

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Foundation Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven Endowment Snapshot, as of July 31, 2013: • Total Assets: $42 million+ • Total Funds: 617 individual funds and charitable trusts • Endowment Rates of Return as of June 30, 2013 (annualized for periods of one year or more): 6/30/13 Jewish Foundation Managed Fund •

3 Month Calendar YTD 1 Year 3 Year 5 Year 10 Year -0.4

4.5

12.3

10.1

4.2

6.8

Development and grants snapshot fiscal year ending July 31, 2013: New Funds: 17 new funds established Total Donations: $3.5 million+ Total Charitable Distributions: $1.6 million (to 200 charitable organizations)

New Funds Established at the Jewish Foundation for Fiscal Year Ending July 31, 2013

Family Establishes Endowment for Congregation Mishkan Israel To commemorate their first year of marriage, Mark Sklarz gave his wife, Judy, stock certificates. After all, it was the paper anniversary.

Years later that gesture of love would transform into a gift from the couple to their beloved synagogue. The Sklarzes used their good fortune to establish the Sklarz Family Fund for the Rabbi Herbert N. Brockman Rabbinic Endowment, a permanent endowment at the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven for the benefit of their synagogue, Congregation Mishkan Israel in Hamden and to honor the remarkable work and cherished leadership of their revered Rabbi.

Mishkan Israel, one of the oldest Reform Congregations in the United States, was established in 1840 in New Haven and has a rich tradition of dedication and service from members.

Sklarz and his parents joined Mishkan Israel in 1952 and he became a Bar Mitzvah in the magnificent sanctuary on Orange Street in 1958 under the tutelage of Rabbi Robert E. Goldberg.

Rabbi Goldberg, a close friend and confident of Doctor Martin Luther

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King, Jr., was a major and instrumental participant in the Civil Rights Movement.

In Sklarz’s words, “Rabbi Goldberg taught us as youngsters that bigotry and prejudice in any form was intolerable and it was our affirmative responsibility to eradicate bias of any kind. It was our earliest and most lasting lesson of Tikun Olam.”

Each of the Sklarz children, Jeffrey and Rick, became a Bar Mitzvah at Mishkan Israel and had the great fortune to benefit from the guidance of Rabbi Brockman.

The Sklarz Family has sought to honor and perpetuate that legacy with their creation of the Fund.

“I am sort of the new kid on the block at Congregation Mishkan Israel, but it was clear from day one that this was a special place, and Mark and Judy a special couple. They immediately made me feel like I was joining a family.

With their gift, the Sklarzes are a great example of what selflessness and dedication are all about,” said Rabbi Herbert Brockman.

Fund for Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel • The Legacy L’Chayim Fund for Congregation Beth-El Keser Israel Fund for Congregation Mishkan Israel • Herbert Brockman Rabbinic Endowment Fund Fund for the JCC • Bessie Jacob Shafer Fund for the DJE Library at the JCC • Teplitzky Family Fund for the JCC Fund for Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy • Ruth and Jerome Gross Memorial Fund for the benefit of Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy Fund for the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven • Judy Skolnick Lion of Judah Endowment Fund Fund for the ADL • Stephen L. Saltzman Fund for the Support of the ADL Holocaust Education Program Other Designated Funds • Lucille and Arnold Alderman Fund for the benefit of the Clifford Beers Clinic • Lucille and Arnold Alderman Fund for the benefit of LEAP • George G. & Leah E. Posener Family Memorial Fund Unrestricted Funds • Florence Eisenberg Unrestricted Fund • Seymour Yudkin Unrestricted Fund Donor Advised/Family Philanthropic Fund • Fischman Family Fund • Julie Kovar Fund • Pearl Mantell Fund Jordan R. Conn Tzedakah Fund Build a Tzedakah/Youth Philanthropy Funds • Sophia Colodner Tzedakah Fund • Joshua Thomas Feuerstein Tzedakah Fund

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Glick Continues Involvement with Federation Campaign New VP of Fundraising Stephen Glick, outgoing Chairman of the Board of the Jewish Foundation, continues his involvement as the Vice President of Fundraising for the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, overseeing the 2014 Annual Campaign.

Steve brings years of fundraising and marketing experience, new strategies, and a new focus that serves the needs of our changing community.

When he is not volunteering his time in service to the Jewish Federation, Glick is President and Administrator of Chamber Insurance Trust – a family business that aims to provide costeffective benefit solutions to local business communities throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts. In addition to being very active in the arts community, Glick is a past board member and vice president of Congregation Mishkan Israel.

New Direction: Bring the Campaign to the Community Glick is learning from past successes and introducing new ways to engage the community. Super Sunday (Dec. 8), the largest single fundraising event of each campaign and a time to learn of the community’s hardships and achievements, is looking for multiple sites in Woodbridge, Cheshire and Guilford or Madison. Supporters of the Jewish Federation have volunteered their homes to host small, casual

speaking events, well-attended by a cross-section of the community, to build the spirit of communal philanthropy.

Glick and his wife, Sally, have been long-time supporters of local arts through Long Wharf Theater, Shubert Theater, and the International Festival of Arts & Ideas.

New Focus: Long-Term Cooperative Giving The 2010 Greater New Haven Jewish Community Population Study showed that New Haven is an aging community; the needs of future generations are dependent on investments we make today. Glick advocated for Create a Jewish Legacy New Haven, a widely successful incentive program for community fundraising that was launched by the Jewish Foundation this past year.

Planned giving, the investment of funds to support one’s community long after one’s passing, is the heart of the Federation’s new focus. Families and women are recognized for their long-term contributions through the Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment (PACE) and Lion of Judah Endowment (LOJE) programs.

Under Glick’s guidance, and despite a shrinking source of funds, generations across the community and overseas will be cared for through the efforts of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven.

Create a Jewish Legacy New Haven Begins with Major Successes Create a Jewish Legacy New Haven launched June 1, 2013 and in the first two months an estimated $1.5 million has been committed to the fifteen agencies, organizations and synagogues that are participating. This includes $193,000 for current endowment gifts and another $1,307,000 in commitments for bequests and other deferred gifts.

This is a two-year endowment campaign that promotes current and future (through bequests, insurance, retirement assets, and other vehicles gifts to benefit Jewish day schools, synagogues, Jews in need, the Jewish aged, cemeteries, and other Jewish entities.

Through training, support and monetary incentives, Create a Jewish Legacy motivates the participating organizations to secure current endowment and legacy gifts, steward donors, and integrate legacy and endowment giving into the philanthropic culture of the entire Jewish community.

Create a Jewish Legacy New Haven is a joint effort funded and staffed by the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

Participating organizations include: Camp Laurelwood, Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel (BEKI), Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, Congregation Kol Ami, Jewish Cemetery Association of Greater New Haven, Jewish Family Service of New Haven, Jewish High School of CT, Jewish Historical Society, Orchard Street Shul, Temple Beth David, Temple Beth Sholom, Temple Beth Tikvah, Temple Emanuel, Towers Foundation and UConn Hillel.

New Haven is one of seven communities partnering with the Grinspoon Foundation. In the six months prior to New Haven’s launch, these communities have secured over 300 legacy commitments for an estimated $15 million. This track record, along with the success that New Haven’s organizations have already had, bodes very well for the future.

To find out more information or to create your own legacy, contact any one of the above organizations or Lisa Stanger, Esq., Director of the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven at (203) 387-2424, x382 or lstanger@jewishnewhaven.org.

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New JCRC Director Takes on Challenge of Repairing the World Joshua Ratner is many things: father, husband, former lawyer, Rabbi at Congregation Kol Ami in Cheshire, and now Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council at the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven. His job responsibilities are as vast and varied as the skills he brings to the position. Perhaps the most impressive of those responsibilities, as listed in his job description, is “to repair the world.”

between Judaism and public policy.

He worked as a rabbinic fellow for the Rabbinical Assembly and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. He trained in congregation-based community organizing and was part of the original rabbinical student cohort of Rabbis Without Borders fellows. His role at the JCRC as advocate and lobbyist for the needs of the local and international Jewish community is an extension of his personal drives. JCRC Chairman Allan Hillman is inclined to agree, “With Lauri Lowell’s retirement after 10 years of service, our search for a replacement led quite naturally to Rabbi Ratner.”

It’s a simplified translation of tikkun olam, and according to Rabbi Ratner, a sacred responsibility that he feels “honored and humbled to be tasked with.” His guiding The Director of the JCRC principle is that of Rabbi is charged with promoting Tarfon, who wrote, “It is the social justice needs, not your responsibility to Rabbi Josh Ratner interests, and passions of finish the work [of perthe Greater New Haven fecting the world], but neither are you Jewish community, fostering inter-faith free to desist from trying.” dialogue and support for Israel, and Originally from San Diego, CA, Rabbi cultivating cooperation and common Ratner was educated in the Northeast purpose within the Jewish community. and Jerusalem.

“Each of these areas,” confided Rabbi He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Ratner, “tikkun olam (social justice comparative religion and international work), promoting a sense of klal Yisrael politics from Columbia University and (Jewish community), and Israel advograduated from Columbia Law School. cacy – are essential parts of my Jewish He practiced law for five years before identity. I find working in these areas to be as spiritually satisfying as keeping deciding that the rabbinate was the Kosher or praying.” best way for him to combine both his career and spiritual life in a fulfilling It is clear why Sydney A. Perry, CEO of and effective way. the Jewish Federation, described Rabbi Last August, following his ordination from JTS, Rabbi Ratner made the move to Woodbridge where he resides with his wife, Elena Ratner, and three children, Dimitri, Eli, and Gabriella.

The multi-talented Rabbi Ratner is passionate regarding the interplay

Community Welcomes New Young Emissaries The Jewish community of Greater New Haven is pleased to welcome Amit Amar and Nir Lustig, the next Young Emissaries from Israel.

The Young Emissaries program is a ten-month volunteer service experience sponsored jointly by the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and Southern New England Consortium (SNEC).

The Young Emissaries are Israeli high school graduates from the Afula Gilboa region who choose to defer their army service for one year and serve as young ambassadors for Israel to communities in their region.

The emissaries are selected from among the top 100 youth leaders in their region and attend extensive preparatory seminars prior to their arrival. They are placed in pairs in eight of the SNEC communities. The mission of the program is to strengthen ties between the two regions through interpersonal connections and to strengthening the ties with Israel amongst the Jewish people living in the host communities.

In the community, the emissaries work as Israel specialists leading a variety of activities with spirit and creativity through different organizations and to a diverse array of community members.

Amar and Lustig have vast experience in leadership through their school, youth movement and other programs. Amar was active in the Israeli Scouts youth movement as a counselor and last year traveled with the Israeli Scouts Friendship Caraven for three months.

Lustig was inspired to become an emissary after his brother’s experience in the program nine years ago. He enjoys working with children, sports, carpentry, and music.

This will be the thirteenth year the New Haven community has participated in the program. The emissaries will arrive in the area on Aug. 28. While here, they will live with local host families and work closely with Amalya Brownstein at the Jewish Federation and JCC.

Scholarship Program Helps Send Kids to JCC Day Camp

Ratner as “a young man with tremendous ability and dedication to his rabbinate and social justice.”

According to Hillman, Rabbi Ratner has the support of the entire JCRC Board and his rabbinic colleagues look forward to his leadership.

Sounds of laughter and song fill the air during Barry Vine’s visit to the JCC Day Camp. “I could not tell which of the children attended camp on scholarship; nor could I tell which would someday become a leader in the greater New Haven community,” Vine said. “But I do know that one of these children, perhaps many of them, would someday fill that leadership role…The JCC opened my world.”

JCRC Director Lauri Lowell, who left the position in May after 10 years, receives an award from the past JCRC chairs with whom she worked during her tenure. From left: Mark Sklarz, Allan Hillman, Lowell, Dr. Arthur Levy, and Dr. Milton Wallack.

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Vine never forgot his wonderful summers at the JCC Camp in the early 1950s, and he never forgot the anonymous benefactors who made it possible for him to attend. Now, Vine actively raises money for the “Barry Vine Send a Kid to Camp Scholarship Fund.” The Fund sent 84 children to camp this summer and is on track to meet its goal of $75,000.

“Camp opened up my world and created a love for the JCC and the Jewish community – which has stayed with me for over 50 years,” says Vine, who grew up on Legion Avenue. “If it wasn’t for generous

donors at that time, I would have never attended camp and enjoyed the resources of the community,” he said.

“Mr. Vine has made a tremendous contribution to the JCC of Greater New Haven in many ways over the last several decades,” said Scott Cohen, JCC & Jewish Federation Chief Operating Officer. “Through this fund, which the JCC has named in his honor, Mr. Vine acknowledges how others helped him when he needed it, and reaffirms his willingness and commitment to give back in a meaningful way. I know I speak for the JCC board and staff when I say that we are all very grateful for his contribution.”

Please consider sending a child to the JCC Day Camp. The cost for one child to attend camp is $250 per week, $1000 for one month, or $1800 to provide a full summer of camp memories. Tax deductible contributions may be made to: ATTN: Send a Kid to Camp JCC of Greater New Haven 360 Amity Road, Woodbridge, CT 06525

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Jewish Family Service Opens New Food Pantry

Jewish Family Service Bereavement: Finding Comfort in Our Time of Loss Wednesday, Oct. 16, 23 and 30; 7 - 8:30 pm Coping with the loss of a loved one has no set time frame. There are moments when we manage the best we can in the new normalcy of life, and then there are moments that we struggle. Holidays, life-cycle events and familiar locales may return us to memories which fill us with joy and are bittersweet as well. A bereavement group offers an opportunity to reflect with others who can understand our struggles in a way that individuals who have not suffered the loss of a loved one cannot. Location: Temple Beth David, 3 Main St., Cheshire.

Caregiver Support Group These groups are for individuals who are coping with the needs of elderly and frail loved ones. Monthly meetings take place from 7-8:30 pm at the following locations: Tower One/Tower East, 18 Tower Ln., New Haven - Thursday, Oct. 10 On June 12, members of the JFS Board of Directors, staff and volunteers unveiled the new JFS Food Pantry located at 1440 Whalley Ave. The pantry includes an expanded service and shopping area, a separate waiting room, a donation station, and increased storage. In addition, it offers greater convenience, comfort and ample parking for clients and volunteer staff.

Speakers who joined in the ribbon cutting ceremony included: Allison Dodge (Aide to Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro), New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, Jr., Alderwoman Angela Russell of Ward 27 in New Haven, Woodbridge First Selectwoman Ellen Scalettar, State Senator Gayle Slossberg, Rabbi Fred Hyman of the Greater New Haven Board of Rabbis, JFS President Linda Randell and JFS Executive Director Jonathan Garfinkle.

Long-time JFS supporter and local community leader Barry Vine was honored with the JFS Food Pantry Good Will Ambassador Award for his many years of support and dedication to feeding the poor and hungry and serving as a model for the Greater New Haven community. JFS Food Pantry Manager Sandra Hagan was also recognized for her long-time stewardship and leadership in overseeing operations.

Stars of David Summer Event On Aug. 1, the Stars of David Group of JFS gathered for its Annual Summer Event. The Stars of David is a Jewish Social Group to connect Jewish families created through adoption. Periodic social activities such as pot luck get-togethers, holiday celebrations and events for children are planned by group members.

To participate, contact JFS Adoption Coordinator Amy Rashba, LCSW, at arashba@jfsnh.org or (203) 389-5599 x111.

Seeking Holocaust Survivors

to Participate in Adopt a Survivor Program The Jewish Federation is seeking Holocaust survivors to share their experiences during WWII with high school students as part of the Adopt a Survivor program.

For more information about participating in this powerful life-changing program, please contact Sima Broza, (203) 387-2522 x227 or sbroza@jewishnewhaven.org.

Temple Beth David, 3 Main St., Cheshire - Thursday, Oct. 24 Facilitated by Rabbi Hesch Sommer. Open to the public. For more information contact Michelle O’Brien at the Towers (203) 722-1816 x170, Rabbi Josh Whinston (203) 272-0037, or Rabbi Sommer (203) 389-5599 x117.

Outreach to Senior Adult Living Communities The Jewish Wellness and Healing Center, in partnership with several local senior adult living communities, is providing monthly outreach programs in a variety of settings. Please contact Rabbi Hesch Sommer for more details at (203) 389-5599 x117.

Sept. 10 and Oct. 8, Maplewood at Orange: A monthly discussion group that explores contemporary issues through a Jewish lens.

Sept. 10 and Sept. 24, Whitney Center–Hamden: A series of talks about ethics using Rod Serling’s “Twilight Zone” episodes as a discussion starter.

Sept. 12 and Oct. 10, Tower One/Tower East–New Haven: “Soul Stretching,” a monthly reflection on contemporary issues exploring the ethical concerns that touch each of our lives.

Sept. 18 and Oct. 9, Coachman Square–Woodbridge: A monthly talk about contemporary concerns from a Jewish perspective.

Sept. 25 and Oct. 23, Coachman Square–Woodbridge: A monthly discussion group focusing on the Healing Power of Psalms.

Jewish Pastoral Care Professionals Group Thursday, Oct. 3, 9:30 -11 am Co-sponsored by JFS and the Greater New Haven Board of Rabbis, facilitators Rabbi Steve Steinberg and Rabbi Hesch Sommer offer a monthly meeting of Jewish professionals whose work involves the skills of pastoral care and counseling. Through discussion of practical case issues, study of relevant literature and an open and supportive environment to explore the specific nature of pastoral care from a Jewish perspective, participants gain insights into their own work and a greater appreciation of the various dimensions of Jewish pastoral care offered by their colleagues.

Jewish Family Service, 1440 Whalley Ave., New Haven.

The Healing Power of Psalms Sept. 12, Oct 10 and Oct. 31, 10-11 am All are welcome to share in a lively discussion of the meaning of psalms in our daily lives. Facilitated by Rabbi Hesch Sommer, each session examines psalms for the message it offers about life’s emotional journey. The upcoming classes include Sept. 12, Oct. 10 and 31. For more information, contact Jill Lesage (203) 387-2424, x375 or Rabbi Hesch Sommer (203) 389-5599 x117.

Jewish Federation Shoreline Office, 705 Boston Post Rd., Guilford.

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Students Learn Through Tashlich

JHSC, Yale Establish Partnership

by Aviva Luria This may be surprising, but among all the joyous Rosh Hashana traditions — dipping apples into honey, blowing the shofar — the one my five-year-old son talked about most last year was… tashlich.

and Noah trotted behind them without worrying about overtaking them. “First is worst, second is best, third is the one with the hairy chest,” Max chanted, and nothing could have tickled Noah’s funny bone more.

Usually performed on the first day of Ezra is a place that values connection Rosh Hashana, and believes that tashlich (“castchildren thrive ing away”) in a nurturing, involves tossing supportive combits of bread, munity. The symbols of our relationships the sins, into a youngest children body of water forge with older and watching students are an as the water enormous part of carries this. Worshipping them away. together is at the The idea is not core of Judaism merely and acknowlNoah and Max perform Tashlich at Ezra. to cleanse edging sins as ourselves of a group remind the wrongs we have done so that we us that we are human and all humans receive a kinder judgment on Yom have failings. We toss our morsel of Kippur, but that we can learn and grow bread into the water and it is surfrom acknowledging them and then do rounded by the bits of bread tossed by our best to be better. the other members of our community

Tashlich is performed as a community, and at Ezra Academy, where my son attends school. The most senior students, eighth graders, are paired with kindergartners and first graders, walking with them down the road to a nearby pond for this ritual. The older students, who are working toward their bar and bat mitzvahs, guide the younger ones, helping to bring meaning and fun to the process.

Last year, my son Noah was paired with an eighth grader named Max. As they walked toward the pond, another pair of boys ran ahead to arrive first. Max

and we no longer know which was ours.

We watch them all float away because, together, we will try as individuals and as a community, to be better people, to reach for greater heights.

What a wonderful lesson to teach our children.

For more information on Ezra Academy, call (203) 389-5500 or e-mail info@ezraacademy.net. Ezra Academy is a K-8 Solomon Schecter day school in Woodbridge that embraces academic excellence and Jewish values.

Aviva Luria is an Ezra parent who blogs at oldmomyoungchild.com.

The Jewish High School of Connecticut (JHSC) is proud to establish a strong partnership with Yale University. This fall, JHSC offers students a program which allows them to take courses at Yale and gives qualified JHSC juniors and seniors an opportunity to earn credits at Yale which may be transferred to the college of their choice after high school graduation. In addition, all JHSC students are able to take language courses at Yale.

“Yale University’s superb educational offerings will enable our students to broaden their course options and challenge themselves intellectually,” said Head of School, Dr. Yonatan Yussman.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our students to expand their world and explore new ideas.”

JHSC is partnering with Yale in other ways as well. Last year, JHSC students led a successful Shabbat overnight

at the Yale Slifka Center. “It was wonderful to see the sense of community between the JHSC students and the Yale students. It was a beautiful Shabbat,” said Rabbi Noah Cheses of the Slifka Center.

JHSC was chosen by the Yale School of Management’s Outreach Nonprofit Consulting team to provide pro bono marketing consultation. The team from Yale worked with all constituents at JHSC to strengthen its marketing presence in the community.

Professor Steven D. Fraade is a longtime member of the JHSC Board of Trustees. “It is a natural fit: Our outstanding high school partnering with one of the finest universities in the world,” said Fraade Mark Taper Professor of the History of Judaism, and the Chair of the Program in Judaic Studies at Yale.

JHSC Receives New England Accreditation The Jewish High School of Connecticut (JHSC) is proud to announce that it is now fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

An experienced and esteemed group of educators analyzed the school and came away with a glowing recommendation that JHSC is a school of excellence.

“In 2004, we began with a dream to create a Jewish high school committed to educating our students on a journey of a lifetime – an education for life,” said JHSC Board Chair Randie Weseley. “With the decision by NEASC to grant full accreditation to JHSC, our school has joined the ranks of elite schools in the Northeast.”

“The successful accreditation process has been a remarkable two-year journey made possible by the incredible efforts of the founders, faculty, students, and parents,” said Head of School Dr. Yonatan Yussman. “JHSC is an institution with a brief but exciting past and now with this golden stamp of approval, a compelling future.”

March of the Living Information Session Sunday, Sept. 29, 11 a.m. • JCC A two-week experiential journey, April 24-May 8, 2014, for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. Join Jewish teens from around the world as we travel to Poland and Israel for an educational experience that honors and celebrates your Jewish past, present and future.

Light refreshments will be served. Parents and students are invited to attend.

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Bolton continued from page 1 for the first time details of a rewarding yet often challenging journey. From the emotional trauma resulting from his parents’ divorce to his early days as an artist indulging in the excesses of the 60s and 70s and through a period where he struggled to make ends meet by recording jingles to support his wife and three young daughters.

Bolton, who once lived right down the street from the JCC at 555 Amity Rd., talked with Shalom New Haven about his book.

Shalom New Haven: You grew up in the New Haven area, and now you live in California and Connecticut, right?

Michael Bolton: I live in Connecticut, 25 minutes from Grace New Haven Hospital where I was born. I work in L.A. most of the time writing songs and producing my next projects so I’m often out there four months or more a year.

SNH: Can you give us a quick overview about the book, highlights, what should fans expect?

MB: People should expect the unexpected. I tried to convey the long, long climb that was my journey from an aspiring artist trying to keep my family sheltered and fed, which was far more difficult than many people know.

SNH: Why did you decide to write a memoir now?

MB: I’ve wondered when would be the right time if not now, because there continue to be events and life experience that I wish I could have included in my book. But similar to working on each new CD, my understanding is that you can always wait for every sign in the

universe to confirm the “right time” and once the process begins you can always improve, modify and amend until the life you’re writing about has passed.

I had been approached and asked through the years about writing my story. I had recently seen many of my peers publish memoirs. I enjoyed reading and observing their rides and related personally to so much of the creative and business aspects as well as the seemingly constant inherent conflict of attempting to balance a personal life and family with the demands of a career.

SNH: What exactly is the soul of it all?

MB: There’s no “exact” answer as much as it’s an “internal” sense or deep awareness of the meaning, the point, the heart of what you are doing with your gift, with your life. What life is trying to convey to you. If you believe in God then the soul of it all is the greater awareness of the connection and dialog between you and your creator.

SNH: The book is pretty candid. What’s the response you’ve received from your family, friends and peers?

MB: People have mostly appreciated the candor and access to the early years as well as the fact that my peers had been through quite a bit of exploration in their teen years as well. The Woodstock generation, the Beatles and Stones, the British Invasion.

SNH: How, if at all, do you expect people in New Haven to connect with the book differently than others around the country?

MB: I don’t expect them to connect differently except for the occasional

acknowledgment that my becoming years and struggle as well as the learning took place in Connecticut, which includes many, many years of club gigs in New Haven and throughout the state.

I truly believe that the pursuit of “the dream” is a universally fundamental and basic American theme.

spending half the year showing up on a set where a team of great writers are working to make each day of filming a funnier one than the last. Ideally I would still tour the world and weave music into the episodes.

SNH: I read that you’re developing a sitcom based on the book, true?

MB: It’s a tougher business than when I was starting out in terms of new artists making a real living at it. Technology allows a lot of creative people the ability to write, play and sing without needing to go into a big studio and spend a fortune. We all have software programs that turn our homes into studios. But with the amount of single downloads replacing entire CD sales, it’s much harder on a career.

MB: I am developing several projects for television, which I am executive producer and there’s a sitcom I’d star in where my character is based upon what a day in the life has been like for me over the last 20-25 years – which is quite surreal!

SNH: Your book starts with a recent career move – making the Lonely Island video for “Saturday Night Live.” It clearly marked an image shift and a new audience – how have things changed as a result?

MB: The Lonely Island guys definitely created a game changer for me and the success of the video (which now has over 120 million views on YouTube) has put me on the radar of a lot of television writers and producers, which led to my appearance on “Two and a Half Men” and a few commercials soon after. All of this has been informative for me and has allowed me to express a side of myself that only people who really know me understand. I’m irreverent by nature, always seeing or at least seeking the humor and irony in most everything. The Lonely Island guys were so much fun to work with and then the cast and crew of “Two and a Half Men” made work seem easy. I wouldn’t mind

SNH: Any advice to local kids trying to break into the music business?

I would still give a new artist the same advice I always have: Make your instrument (mostly your voice) the greatest one you can. Be disciplined and respectful of your body and your vocal chords.

Don’t abuse it but nourish it and respect it through the years and it’ll be there for you in full force and flexibility all of your life. The material is the single most important part of the fuel for your career to have legs, and whether you’re a solo artist or a band it takes more than one hit to build a career.

Perspectives Speakers Series welcomes singer/songwriter Michael Bolton discussing his life, his music and his new book: The Soul of it All. All participants receive an autographed copy of his book.

Tuesday, Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m., JCC, 360 Amity Rd. $25m/$27nm. Tickets available at jccnh.org or (203) 387-2522 x216.

‫שלום‬ shalom. peace. welcome.

We welcome our new spiritual leader

Rabbi Rona Shapiro

Please join us for the High Holidays featuring Cantor Kenneth Cohen of Honolulu, Hawaii.

Come visit our award-winning Religious School and Gan Hayeled Early Childhood Center.

Call or email: 203.389.2111 Info@bnaijacob.org High Holiday Tickets and “Meet the Rabbi” Events

Congregation B’nai Jacob

Est. 1882

Dedicated to tradition Responsive to change

75 Rimmon Rd, Woodbridge 203.389.2111 www.BnaiJacob.org Info@BnaiJacob.org

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B’nai Jacob Welcomes Rabbi Rona Shapiro as New Spiritual Leader

By Cindy Gerber, special to Shalom New Haven In August, Congregation B’nai Jacob officially welcomed Rabbi Rona Shapiro as their new spiritual leader. Rabbi Shapiro comes to the area from Cleveland, where she served for four years as the rabbi of Congregation Bethaynu and two years at B’nai Jeshurun Congregation.

“We are all so excited to welcome Rabbi Shapiro to Woodbridge and Congregation B’nai Jacob,” said Dr. Steven Fleischman, incoming CBJ board president, “I have been so impressed that she has already reached out to many members of our community and has generated a great deal of enthusiasm for her arrival. We hope the entire community joins us in welcoming her.”

After receiving her Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, Rabbi Shapiro spent two years studying at the Pardes Institute in Israel. She was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in

1990 and served as senior associate of Ma’yan: The Jewish Women’s Project in New York and as executive director of Berkeley Hillel. She is the founding editor of ritualwell.org and a graduate of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.

Rabbi Shapiro, her husband David Franklin and their two daughters, Noa and Hallel, look forward to building relationships within Greater New Haven.

Here, she gives Shalom New Haven readers a glimpse into her plans and hopes for CBJ: Shalom New Haven: What will be your first order of business?

Rabbi Rona Shapiro: Getting to know as many people as possible, learning their stories and their concerns. The beating heart of any congregation is the relationships built, maintained and strengthened there.

again, especially one as distinguished as B’nai Jacob; to share our vision and work hard to build something great.

SNH: How do you plan to make an impact?

Shapiro: Synagogues are strongest when they return to their core mission: learning torah, engaged prayer, serious tikkun olam, and caring community. I hope to work with congregants to make sure that we are strong in all of those areas. People need communities grounded in meaning. A synagogue is such a place, a vital antidote to our increasingly atomized and dehumanized world.

SNH: What do you hope to accomplish?

Shapiro: Twenty years from now, Godwilling, the thing that will have made me most proud is that more people will have engaged Judaism seriously, however they choose to do it.

SNH: What are you most looking forward to?

SNH: How does being the first woman conservative rabbi at B’nai Jacob impact your role in the community?

Shapiro: To lead my own congregation

Shapiro: I’m excited and honored! On

the one hand, I believe that women bring unique perspective and sensibility to the rabbinate. On the other hand, I think that being a woman is the least important thing about me.

SNH: Any pet projects?

Shapiro: Educating families together offers so much more than educating adults or kids alone and I hope to do lots of it. Also, just teaching wherever and whenever I can. Spirituality, the opportunity to strengthen our chesed commitments within the synagogue and our community.

SNH: What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

Shapiro: I love to hike, bike and camp.

I know the whole outfield of the ’69 Mets and lyrics to most Broadway musicals. My paternal grandmother was born and raised on a farm in Colchester, Conn., and I consider our move here a kind of homecoming.

For more info, visit bnaijacob.org or call (203) 389-2111.

Berkshire County Offers Jewish Flavor All Year Long Located in the Western parts of Massachusetts and Connecticut, the Berkshires are a mecca for nature lovers, offering the Appalachian Trail, Kent Falls, Berkshires Botanical Garden, and Hebert Arboretum. The area is noted as a center for the visual and performing arts, inhabiting the Norman Rockwell Museum, the Clark Art Institute, Mass MoCA, and the

The Berkshires was settled in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and eventually became known as a summer getaway for the rich and famous.

Ironically, the first Jews who came to the area were peddlers. German and Eastern European Jews moved from Boston in the 1840s-50s. One of the earliest Jewish settlers, Abraham Kohn reportedly carried a pack through

Brahmins. His humble origins of being the son of two Jewish klezmer musicians from a Russian shtetl was concealed, as he had been required to convert to the Russian Orthodox Church in order to be admitted to school in Moscow. On August 13, 1936, the BSO gave its first concert in the Berkshires, at Holmwood for an audience of nearly 15,000.

In 1937, the BSO returned to the Berkshires for an all-Beethoven program, but this time at Tanglewood.

The 210-acre estate donated by the Tappan family initiated a new era in the history of the American summer music festival. The BSO has performed in the Koussevitzky Music Shed every summer since, except for the war years 1942-45, and Tanglewood has become a place of pilgrimage to millions of concertgoers.

Canyon Ranch Williams College Museum of Art. They have long attracted artists, actors, dancers, musicians, writers, sculptors and visitors. It is no surprise that Jews have made their mark here. Today, Berkshire Country is home to an estimated 4,300 Jews.

The scenery and culture of Berkshire Country, Mass., are as rich as Jewish heritage; Jewish culture is a significant thread in the historic and modern Berkshire tapestry. The annual Berkshire Jewish Film Festival is a unique event not to be missed. Farm stays can be arranged through the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center for those who really want to dig into the rural lifestyle. And of course, the Massachusetts Museum on Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA) in North Adams is home to an incredible 30,000-square-foot retrospective of Sol LeWitt’s wall drawings.

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central and northern Massachusetts, praying in fields alone, with his partner or brother Judah, or with other Jewish peddlers he met along the way. The peddlers turned into storekeepers, tailors, watchmakers, cigar makers, and shoemakers who put down stakes in factory and mill towns such as Pittsfield and North Adams.

Located in beautiful Lenox and known in the early 1900s as a favorite escape to notables such as Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Norman Rockwell, and author Edith Wharton, is the Bellefontaine Mansion. This historic marble and brick structure replicates Louis XV’s Petit Trianon, a small house on the grounds of Versailles in France.

After the death of its original owner,

Tanglewood In August 1934, a group of musicloving Berkshire summer residents arranged for members of the New York Philharmonic to perform three outdoor concerts at Interlochen.

The Festival Committee then invited Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra to take part in the festival. Koussevitzky, was the “hot” new conductor of the BSO and known for his “aristocratic European” bearing that bowled over the Boston

financier Gerard Foster, Bellefontaine was nearly destroyed by a fire, rebuilt as a monastery and then fell into despair. In 1987, entrepreneur Mel

Zuckerman transformed the regal mansion into a premier health spa, Canyon Ranch as a sister location for his successful Tuscon, AZ spa.

The Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center

In the southern foothills of the Berkshires in Falls Village, CT, spans the 400 acres of the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center. It serves kosher food, most of which is grown on its own farm, and features activities and programs for people of all ages, interests and backgrounds. The forerunner of the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center began in 1893 as a Jewish Working Girls Vacation Society and was established to offer Jewish working women, primarily immigrants in the New York garment industry, an affordable vacation.

By 1940, the camp had changed its name and offered co-ed summer vacations to young adults including ex-GIs and students who could not afford a vacation.

Philanthropist and board member Isabella Freedman bequeathed $25,000, and the agency’s name changed to Camp Isabella Freedman in her honor. In 1956, the agency moved to Falls Village to serve senior adults. In the 1990s, the agency opened its doors year-round as the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center and became the primary retreat center for Jewish communities in New York and New England.

Today, there are many more Berkshire programs that have a Jewish flavor: lectures, concerts, films, and more. Jews are drawn to culture and many famous Jews have called the Berkshires home.

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Survivors Gather at Holocaust Memorial at Annual Kever Avot Ceremony Sunday, September 8, 2013 at 11 a.m.

On Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013 at 11 a.m., the GNH community of survivors and their families will gather at the Greater New Haven Holocaust Memorial on the corner of Whalley and West Park avenues in New Haven for the annual Kever Avot Memorial service.

An ancient custom, Kever Avot, literally meaning “graves of the fathers,” is traditionally observed between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Jews worldwide mark the approaching High Holy Days with annual visits to the graves of departed loved ones. This memorial service includes a short program of remembrance as well as traditional prayers.

Because most victims of the Holocaust have no graves, the Greater New Haven Holocaust Memorial serves as a place for surviving family members to gather and pay respect to their family whose lives were lost in the Shoah.

For more information, please contact Ruth Gross at (203)387-2522, ext. 310 or ruthg@jccnh.org.

Jewish Head Coach Top Storyline for Upcoming NFL Season

by Matt Santillo, special to Shalom New Haven While he may not be the first Jewish head coach in the National Football League, Marc Trestman will have his actions followed extremely close this season.

The concerns have nothing to do with his faith, however. Instead, Trestman is replacing a very successful coach at a time where many experts believe the Chicago Bears could be primed for a big season.

That, coupled with his wealth of NFL experience as both a quarterbacks coach and an offensive coordinator, made him such a suitable candidate that he interviewed for the Indianapolis Colts’ coaching vacancy last year.

Trestman was also in the running to head up the Cleveland Browns before deciding on the Windy City.

Appearing to be a great addition on paper, Trestman will be under scrutiny from the first preseason game on due to the high expectations of Bears’ fans because the team has gone without a championship since 1985.

After missing out on the playoffs last year, despite a 10-6 record, the Bears opted to part ways with former coach Lovie Smith. Losing five of his final eight games doomed Smith, who led Chicago to a Super Bowl in 2006. And despite his strong career record, Smith was highly criticized for his inability to put together a consistently good team.

The Bears felt the urgency to make a change, especially one predicated on scoring some touchdowns. While Trestman has a reputation as an outstanding offensive mind, his selection as the new head coach in Chicago did raise some eyebrows, mainly due to the fact that he had been away from the NFL for nearly a decade. Also, the 57-year-old’s only prior head coaching experience had been with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, a circuit that isn’t exactly looked upon as a potential breeding ground for talent, coaches or players.

All divergences aside, Trestman was extremely successful north of the border, winning four East Division titles in five seasons and appearing in three Grey Cups, claiming two championships.

The three previous Jewish head coaches have all been very successful: Allie Sherman led the New York Giants from 1961-69 and was the NFL Coach of the Year in ‘61 and ‘62; Sid Gillman coached three organizations over 18 seasons from 1955-74 and won the American Football League championship with the San Diego Chargers in 1963; and Marv Levy led the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls in the 1990s.

Aside from Testman, some of the other Jews in the NFL this season include Gabe Carimi of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brian de la Puente of the New Orleans Saints, Antonio Garay of the New York Jets, Taylor Mays of the Cincinnati Bengals (who reportedly had a football-themed bar mitzvah years ago), Geoff Schwartz of the Kansas City Chiefs, and his brother Mitchell Schwartz of the Cleveland Browns. The Schwartzes are the first pair of Jewish brothers to play in the NFL since Ralph and Arnold Horween in 1923.

Follow Testman and the others this season at the JCC. Join others in the community to watch NFL games on Sundays on the big screen in the Vine Auditorium.

The drinking of wine is often associated with the high holidays. While we respect its limitations and the dangers of excess, we celebrate its craftsmanship, symbolism and the enjoyment it can bring to life.

Centuries ago, in the land of Palestine, wine was a precious commodity for nourishment, medicinal properties and as a craft of civilization. It was watered down and consumed with most meals.

It was used as a covenant symbol to bless our ceremonies and life events.

The celebration of life continues at the 32 wineries and vineyards of Connecticut, especially in harvest season (late August to October). The coolclimate growing region of Connecticut allows for intricate and refined flavor development, whether you are looking for robust barrel aged reds, crisp and bright whites or local fruit wines.

Although the range of wines statewide is almost limitless, commonly grown varietals include Cabernet Franc and 1) Arrigoni Winery 1297 Portland-Cobalt Rd, Portland (860) 342-1999 2) Bethlehem Vineyard and Winery 46 Town Line Rd, Bethlehem (203) 266-5024 3) Bishop’s Orchards Winery 1355 Boston Post Rd, Guilford (203) 453-2338 4) Cassidy Hill Vineyard 454 Cassidy Hill Rd, Coventry (860) 498-1126 5) Chamard Vineyards* 115 Cow Hill Rd, Clinton (860) 664-0299 6) Connecticut Valley Winery 1480 Litchfield Tpke, Route 202, New Hartford (860) 489-9463 7) Dalice Elizabeth Winery 6 Amos Rd, Preston (860) 930-9198 8) DiGrazia Vineyards* 131 Tower Rd, Brookfield (203) 775-1616 9) Gouveia Vineyards 1339 Whirlwind Hill Rd, Wallingford (203) 265-5526 10) Haight-Brown Vineyard 29 Chestnut Hill Rd, Litchfield (860) 567-4045 11) Holmberg Orchards and Winery 12 Orchard Ln, Gales Ferry (860) 464-7305 12) Hopkins Vineyard 25 Hopkins Rd, Warren (860) 868-7954 13) Jerram Winery 535 Town Hill Rd, New Hartford (860) 379-8749 14) Jonathan Edwards Winery 74 Chester Main Rd, North Stonington (860) 535-0202 15) Jones Winery 606 Walnut Tree Hill Rd, Shelton (203) 929-8425 16) Land of Nod Winery 99 Lower Rd, East Canaan (860) 824-5225 17) Lost Acres Vineyard 80 Lost Acres Rd, North Granby (860) 324-9481 18) Maugle Sierra Vineyards 825 Colonel Ledyard Hwy, Ledyard (860) 464-2987 19) McLaughlin Vineyards 14 Albert’s Hill Rd, Sandy Hook (203) 426-1533 20) Miranda Vineyard 42 Ives Rd, Goshen (860) 491-9906 21) Paradise Hills Vineyard & Winery 15 Wind Swept Hill Rd, Wallingford (203) 284-0123 22) Preston Ridge Vineyard 100 Miller Rd, Preston (860) 383-4278 23) Priam Vineyards 11 Shailor Hill Rd, Colchester (860) 267-8520 24) Rosedale Farms & Vineyards 25 East Weatogue St, Simsbury (860) 651-3926

St. Croix for reds and Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Seyval Blanc for whites. Despite the geographic variability, a common theme of dedicated farmers, passionate winemakers and timeless New England charm await.

Explore the fine craftsmanship of our region. Visit one winery, or create your own tour.

In search of Kosher wines? Although none are produced in Connecticut yet, Amity Wines carries an extensive collection.

We raise a glass and say l’shana tovah.

Did you know?

Why do Jews say L’Chaim when they drink wine?

Answer: The custom of saying L’Chaim when drinking wine is first mentioned in “Machzor Vitri” 80, s.v. “Shnayim.”

At one time, they used to give wine to the condemned so that their execution would be less painful for them - (source: “Midrash Tanchuma” Parshat Pekudei 2).

Jews started to say L’Chaim (which means “to life”) before drinking wine to distinguish from this and to emphasize that drinking wine should be for life (source: “Kol Boh” 25 s.v “U’B’Seudat”).

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Chicago Bears Coach Marc Trestman

During the high holidays, we acknowledge and respect the hardships of our history. We also celebrate the joys of creation and our ability to endure. We forgive and seek forgiveness.

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Bears general manager Phil Emery appears to have made a very shrewd move in hiring Trestman, who is the fourth Jewish head coach in the history of the NFL.

Explore the Harvest’s Finest Offerings at Connecticut Wineries

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25) Saltwater Farm Vineyard 349 Elm St, Stonington (860) 415-9072 26) Savino Vineyards 128 Ford Rd, Woodbridge (203) 387-2050 27) Sharpe Hill Vineyard* 108 Wade Rd, Pomfret (860) 974-3549 28) Strawberry Ridge Vineyard 23 Strawberry Ridge Rd, Warren (860) 868-0730 29) Stonington Vineyards 523 Taugwonk Rd, Stonington (860) 535-1222 30) Sunset Meadow Vineyards 599 Old Middle St, Rte 63, Goshen (860) 201-4654 31) Taylor Brooke Winery 848 Rte. 171, Woodstock (860) 974-1263 32) Walker Road Vineyards 17 Walker Rd, Woodbury (203) 263-0768 33) White Silo Farm & Winery* 32 Route 37 East, Sherman (860) 355-0271 *Jewish owned winery

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Joseph Vinnitsky Turns 100 Years Young

Family and friends help Olga Vinnitsky and Alex Vinnitsky celebrate the 100th birthday of their father Joseph Vinnitsky of New Haven on June 23 at the JCC.

The Russian Revolution, World War II, the invention of television and the Internet – Joseph Vinnitsky has lived through it all. On June 20, Vinnitsky turned 100 years old, the latest milestone in a colorful life that began in a village in czarist Russia.

JCC Welcomes New Director of Jewish Family Engagement The JCC of Greater New Haven welcomes Laura (LJ) Ross as Director of Jewish Family Engagement. In her new position, she is responsible for planning holiday and early childhood programming, creating parent workshops, teaching a theater production course (Theater with LJ) and a reading enrichment course (My First Book Club), leadLaura LJ Ross ing the Rosh Chodesh Girls Group and serving on the board of the Cub Scouts. She also serves as the PJ Library Representative.

Ross previously worked for the Jewish Community Project in downtown

Manhattan in Communications. Her background includes experience teaching reading enrichment in the classroom, creating programming and teaching in the field of museum education, and digital marketing. A New York native, Ross graduated from Eugene Lang College at The New School University with concentrations in Religious Studies and Theater in 2011.

Check out Ross’s blog to find parent resources, information about programs, PJ Library resources, and much more at laurarblog.wordpress.com.

Contact her at laurar@jccnh.org or (203) 387-2424 x317.

In 1979, Joseph Vinnitsky and his family resettled in New Haven with help from the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven.

Yeladim Hosts Open House – Oct. 27 JCC’s Yeladim Early Learning Center hosts its semi-annual Open House on Sunday, Oct. 27 from 12 to 2 p.m., following the author Meg Akabas’ presentation of 52 Weeks of Parenting Wisdom. Explore the dynamic hands-on learning environment, meet the experienced staff and spend time in our classrooms.

New Americans Succeed Through Educational Programs

The JCC of Greater New Haven proudly announces the re-opening of the Nitzamin Kindergarten program for the 2014-2015 school year. Educator Laura Prestash will be available to answer questions about the new program.

Children of all faiths and background ages 3 through Kindergarten are welcome.

For information and to register to this event, contact Director Lynn Bullard, (203) 397-7415 x280.

Yelena Gerovich and Marina Zeldin run an educational workshop at the JCC on July 25, 2013.

Jewish Women’s Circle invites you to

An Island in Time

A Women’s shAbbAt RetReAt

Relax, Rejoice, ReJeWvenate novembeR 1-3, 2013

Guest Speaker: Shimona Tzukernik

Crowne Plaza Hotel - 18 Old Ridgebury Road, Danbury, CT 06810 For more info: email jwc@chabadOW.org or call 203-795-7095

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After more than 10,000 attempts to create a commercially practical incandescent electric lamp, Thomas Edison was asked by a reporter how it felt to have failed so many times. Edison said that he had not failed, but succeeded in discovering over 10,000 ways that did not work.

that are conducive to developing growth mindsets. The knowledge, skills and strategies plus a growth mindset is a powerful combination to ensure success.

More than 14,000 attempts were needed before Edison achieved his goal. This is a good example of a growth mindset and success mentality. Helping refugees from the Former Soviet Union to manage their outlook on life and empower themselves is one of the top goals for the New American Acculturation Program.

The programs included an Independence Day celebration, a trip to Philadelphia with historian Inna Lipnitsky, a program called Scam Alert for Russian-Speaking Individuals, and an educational program Why Be Jewish?

The program also offers citizenship classes to Russian-speaking immigrants.

The New American Acculturation Program is able to continue its programs due to the financial support from the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services, Women of Vision Society, Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut, and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven.

The JCC provides the Russian-speaking community with resources and support

Numerous educational summer programs were offered for all groups of immigrants: seniors, women, children, and families.

The New American Acculturation Program held a workshop for seniors to provide training for modern technology such as cell phones, computers, library, websites, and mobile applications.

For more information about the New American Acculturation Program, including sponsorships of specific programs, please contact Yelena Gerovich at (203) 387-2424 x321, or ygerovich@jewishnewhaven.org.

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Runners Take Your Mark for the 2013 JCC Bagel Run – Sept. 22 The JCC’s third annual Murray Lender 5k Bagel Run, presented by MARCUM, will be held Sunday, Sept. 22 at the JCC, 360 Amity Rd., Woodbridge.

The Bagel Run is the area’s premier road race for those with a passion for running and bagels. Everyone is welcome, including those who just want to have a good time jogging or walking along the beautiful roads of Woodbridge.

Onton Trains For English Channel at JCC Ann Onton leads two lives. On weekdays, she is a dedicated biotechnology chemist at Nano Viricides, Inc. and was recently honored as Professional Woman of the Year in Science by the National Association of Professional Women. She works on complex projects, which could involve formulating DNA-sequencing gels or making and testing new materials for the treatment of various diseases. That’s her mental workout.

The road race is a United States Track and Field (USTAF)-Certified course and will be officially timed. The event will feature awards for top male and female finishers, a post-race bagel reception, raffle prizes, free chair

massages. The event also features a kids run that begins at 8:45 a.m. and will include an obstacle course.

The 5k race will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will start and finish at the JCC. Pre-registration is $20, day-of registration is $25; the kids run is $5. A race shirt is guaranteed for all runners who pre-register.

Visit jcchn.org for more information and online registration. The event is organized by members of the JCC Fitness Committee and proceeds will support JCC fitness programs.

For more information, contact Susan Donovan, (203) 387-2522 x265.

She also likes physical challenges, and on weekends and evenings she trades in her lab coat for a swim suit. Onton, 69, holds more than 75 different swimming records, and this summer completed her third St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound race, a 15.5 mile swim from Port Jefferson, NY, to Captain’s Cove Seaport in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport.

To prepare for the SWIM, Onton trains daily with lengthy swims along the beach from the edge of West Haven through Milford. She is also a regular at the JCC’s indoor pool.

To celebrate her 70th birthday this September, Onton hopes to complete a swim across the English Channel, a straight-line distance of 22.5 miles. Onton said she’s always loved to swim because of the competitive edge she felt.

JCC Offers New Fitness Programs When you think of the word diet, do you think of it as a noun or a verb?

The answer to that question may explain why dieting is so difficult.

Those who struggle the most with weight loss and lifestyle change are those whose intention is to change their eating habits for the short term.

The problem with short-term commitment is that it typically results in shortterm success. The key to successful long-term lifestyle change lies in finding and nurturing a lifetime commitment.

According to the dictionary, diet is defined as “What a person or animal usually eats and drinks: daily fare.” In this definition, diet is a noun that refers to food eaten as regular daily nutritional intake. Succeeding at long-term weight loss is really about being committed to lifestyle change.

The JCC’s Skinny on Weight Loss program can help those serious about thinking of diet as a noun. The premier fat-loss program of the popular Largest Loser contest teaches strategies to lose weight and keep it off. Group sessions are forming and private consultations are available.

Family Zumbatomic is a Zumba program designed for kids ages 5 and older. These high-energy fitness parties packed with kid-friendly routines and the music kids love, it is a great way to support a whole family’s fitness goals by working out together.

The program runs Saturdays Oct. 5-Nov. 23 from 11:15 a.m. to noon. Free to JCC members/$10 per class non-members.

More information: Susan Donovan, JCC’s Director of Fitness Services, (203)387-2522 x265 or susand@jccnh.org

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Panel Discussion: Can Jewish Women Have it All? Sheryl Sandberg – Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, former Vice President of Operations at Google, and former Chief of Staff for the US Secretary of Treasury, describes her strategies for advancing in modern business as a woman and mother in Lean In. Marissa Mayer, President and CEO of Yahoo builds a nursery for her son while banning employees from working at home. The issue of “having it all” is a hot topic and the discussion continues at the JCC. On Thursday, Oct. 24, a panel discussion entitled Can Jewish Women Have it All? will explore the work-life balance in the Jewish community. The panel, sponsored

by Whitney Center and moderated by B’nai Jacob Congregation’s new spiritual leader, Rabbi Rona Shapiro, will include: Blu Greenberg, founder of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance and author of On Women and Judaism and How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household; Doris Zelinsky, of the Gordman Group, and former CEO of Country Home Bakers; Michelle Cove, author of I Love Mondays and Other Confessions from Devoted Working Moms; Rabbi Leah Cohen, the new executive director of the Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale; Sarah Fader, stay-athome-mother and blogger.

The group will reflect on “having it all” and whether it is harder or easier as Jewish women. Finding this balance cannot occur in a vacuum; it is dependent upon family and community support. Can Jewish Women Have it All? will address whether or not the community is creating an infrastructure for Jewish women and families to succeed. Are our Jewish organizations providing paid parental leave, flex-time, or childcare assistance? Is compensation enough to raise a Jewish family? How the community is supporting those who may not be able to pay for Jewish education or synagogue dues? These questions are a crucial part of the “having it all” discussion, and exploring them strengthens the community.

Thursday, October 24, 7-9:30 pm 7-7:30 pm: Registration, dessert and cocktails 7:30-9:30 pm: Panel Discussion JCC Vine Auditorium, $18/person For tickets and information: jccnh.org Presenting Sponsor: Whitney Center. Co-sponsors: The Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, and Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven.

We’re All Reading the Same Book: Community Read Program On Nov. 7, 2013 at 7:30 pm, the JCC of Greater New Haven will be hosting Joshua Henkin to discuss his latest novel The World Without You. Make October your month to read the book and then meet the author for a reading and discussion.

The book tells the story of the Frankel family gathering one year after the death of the youngest son. Each family members has a story that serves as a vehicle for conversation, study and celebration of the book itself as well as of the values and issues within.

Book groups, synagogues, agencies, and other community organizations are invited to read The World Without You as part of an effort to create a community read program.

Henkin is the author of the novels Matrimony, a New York Times Notable Book, and Swimming Across the Hudson, a Los Angeles Times Notable Book. The World Without You has just been released in paperback from Vintage Books and has been named an Editors’ Choice Book by The New York Times and The Chicago Tribune and is the winner of the 2012 Edward Lewis Wallant Award for Jewish American Fiction and a finalist for the 2012 National Jewish Book Award. His short stories have been citied for distinction. He directs the MFA program in Fiction Writing at Brooklyn College.

To get your book club or group involved, or to be a part of the planning for this event, contact DeDe Jacobs-Komisar at dedek@jccnh.org or (203) 387-2522 x300. The event will be free of charge; optional dinner will be available for purchase.

JCC Theaterworks 2013-2014: Exploring Identity, Community Theology JCC Theaterworks launched last year with three productions: The Gospel According to Jerry; Jew-ish: A One-Page Play Festival Exploring Jewish Identity and Community; and The Jewish Plays Project’s Playwrighting Contest.

Beginning in December, the 2013-2014 season will tackle current issues of the Jewish world, including identity, theology, family relationships, homosexuality, and the meaning of community. The season will include: He Who Laughs, a new play by Ian Cohen, directed by Reuven Russell. A modern retelling of the sacrifice of Isaac. Dec. 14-16, the Off-Broadway Theater.

Fires in the Mirror, by Anna Deavere Smith, directed by Jesse Freedman. In this exploration of the aftermath of the 1991 Crown Heights Riots, one woman plays 26 of the incident’s African-American and Jewish survivors, in an incendiary discussion of race, faith and community. January, Meta Phys-Ed Theater.

The Jewish Plays Project Second Annual New Haven Playwriting Contest.

Directed by David Winitsky. The Jewish Plays Project presents excerpts of three new Jewish plays and invites the audience to vote on which will receive a full residency and workshop in New York. February.

Love Poems for Dead Bodies, by MJ Kaufman, directed by Margot Bordelon.

A hilarious murder mystery set in a queer women’s Jewish burial society. In partnership with Theater 4. February.

The Last Seder, by Jennifer Maisel, directed by Dana Sachs. A dysfunctional, hilarious family reunion as four daughters return for the final Passover celebration in their childhood home. Starring members of the Greater New Haven community.

March 6-10, JCC Vine Auditorium.

Malkiel, by Itta-Chana Englander, directed by DeDe Jacobs-Komisar. Exploring an unlikely friendship between an HIV-positive yeshiva student and a childhood friend who has since come out of the closet. In partnership with AIDS Project New Haven. May. More info: dedek@jccnh.org.

Know-how is supporting the

communities where we live and work.

People’s United Bank proudly supports

Shalom New Haven and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven!

Scott Zimmerman, VP

198 Amity Road, Woodbridge 203-387-5136

©2013 People’s United Bank | Member FDIC |

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Equal Housing Lender

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Shoreline Author Events Tania Grossinger

Israeli Scouts Tzofim Friendship Caravan Makes Stop in New Haven

Memoir of an Independent Woman Tania Grossinger, from the legendary hotel in the Catskills, will present a memoir of her fascinating life among celebrities such as Ayn Rand, Jackie Robinson, Tim Leary, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Grossinger was the publicist for the Feminine Mystique, a promoter for Playboy and did for TV’s The $64,000 Question. Smart, sensitive and illuminating, the book reveals what sets her apart. “It takes a certain kind of woman to have the courage to defy societal conventions. In an era when her female counterparts were still expected to marry early and have children, Tania Grossinger set out on her own.”

The event is sponsored by the Shoreline Office of the Jewish Federation and Shoreline Hadassah. Open to the public.

Tuesday, Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m. Anchor Reef’s Club House, 60 Maple St., Branford.

Reception and book signing to follow. Suggested donation $7.

Liliane Willens

Stateless in Shanghai Dr. Liliane Willens will discuss the experience she and her family faced living in China during a tumultuous period in history and the books she wrote about it. Stateless in Shanghai is her first-hand account of life in China through WWII, the Chinese Civil War and the Communist Takeover. The presentation will highlight the three waves of Jewish Migration to China between 1845-1940.

Join The Jewish Federation and Shoreline Hadassah. Open to the public.

Sunday, Oct. 6, 3p.m. Shoreline Office of the Jewish Federation, 705 Boston Post Rd., Guilford. Reception and book signing to follow. Suggested donation $5.

Hundreds of guests are captivated by the Tzofim Friendship Caravan performance at the JCC on July 9.

The Tzofim Friendship Caravan of the Israel Scouts, a troupe of 10 singing and dancing teenagers, performed at the JCC on July 9 during a stop on their annual North American tour.

The teens, who are part of Israel’s co-ed scout program, serve as goodwill ambassadors for their country. They travel through North America and share their lives in Israel through song, dance and story with a message of peace.

The highly selective Caravan chooses performers based on their maturity, fluency in English, and performance skills. The Caravans have been to over 45 states, and have also been to China, the Ukraine, the UK and even represented Israel at the 2012 Olympics.

Award-Winning Author Lynn Povich to Speak Lynn Povich, author of The Good Girls Revolt: How the Women of Newsweek Sued their Bosses and Changed the Workplace will discuss how 46 women sued Newsweek magazine for sex discrimination in 1970.

Five years later, she closed the gender gap in media by becoming the first Senior Editor at Newsweek. Povich has been editor-in-chief of Working Woman Magazine, a senior executive at MSNBC.com, winner of the Matrix award, and sits on the advisory boards of the International Women’s Media Foundation and Women’s Rights Division of Human Rights Watch. She is the daughter of famous sports columnist Shirley Povich and the sister of TV personality Maury Povich.

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m. Shoreline Office of the Jewish Federation, 705 Boston Post Rd., Guilford. Reception and book signing to follow.

Suggested donation $5.

RSVP or questions: Jill Lesage, Shoreline Program Coordinator, jwlesage@jewishnewhaven.org or (203)738-0033.

What every woman should know about her genetics.

Featuring a panel of medical experts from the Yale University School of Medicine James J. Farrell, M.D., Director, Yale Center for Pancreatic Diseases, Associate Professor of Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases

Erin Wysong Hofstatter, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine,

Breast Cancer Program

Ellen T. Matloff, M.S., C.G.C., Director, Cancer Genetic Counseling,

Yale Cancer Center

Elena Ratner, M.D., Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences

Thursday, October 3, 2013 • 7 p.m.

JCC of Greater New Haven 360 Amity Road, Woodbridge Free and open to the entire community.

Pre-registration is requested: www.jewishnewhaven.org

Presented by Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven in partnership with Discovery to Cure, the comprehensive women’s reproductive cancer clinical care and early detection program.

Event Co-Chairs Beverly Levy, Judy Sklarz

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Synagogues

Beth Israel Synagogue Beth Israel Synagogue in Wallingford will hold prayer services for the High Holiday season, which opens the Jewish New Year of 5774. The congregation is pleased to offer High Holiday tickets to unaffiliated Jewish individuals and families (interfaith and non-traditional).

The small historic sanctuary allows worshippers to experience prayer in an unusually intimate and “heimish” setting.

For more information, contact Beryl Bloch, (203) 949-0651, BerylBloch@aol.com, www.bethisraelwallingford.org.

Beth Israel, 22 North Orchard St, Wallingford.

Temple Beth Sholom Calling all Vendors and Crafters…

Temple Beth Sholom announces its upcoming indoor Craft and Vendor show on Sunday, Oct. 13 from 9 am - 4 pm. The fair will benefit Temple Beth Sholom’s Hebrew School.

Space fee is $50 plus a raffle prize. Fee includes an 8’ ft. space (6’ ft. tables available for rent), two chairs and a light bagel breakfast for the vendor. For more information and a vendor application, please email TBSVendorShow@gmail.com.

Temple Beth Sholom, 1809 Whitney Ave., Hamden. (203) 288-7748. www.tbshamden.com.

Congregation Mishkan Israel Congregation Mishkan Israel (CMI) will be hosting its annual Community Day & Activities Fair on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 9 am.

Enjoy bagels and coffee while learning about the synagogue’s nursery and religious schools, committees, adult education, social activities, and youth groups. Sit in on an adult education class with Rabbi Brockman. At the school’s opening day assembly, learn what’s new and exciting this year. The day will conclude with sukkah decorating.

For more information, call (203) 288-3877.

Volunteers work at the B’nai Jacob Mitzvah Garden.

Congregation B’nai Jacob The Birth of the Mitzvah Garden at B’nai Jacob In 2011 B’nai Jacob was approached by Brooks Sumbeg, founder of Harvest, to create a garden to provide fresh produce to local food banks. It was a way for B’nai Jacob to help the community and provide healthy food to those in need.

The Mitzvah Garden was started the spring of 2012 by the social action committee at B’nai Jacob. Many congregants came on mitzvah day to remove rocks, put up a temporary fence, plant seeds and took weekly shifts to maintain the garden. Over 50 pounds of fresh produce was donated to local food banks.

This year, Jacob Wyner made the garden his Eagle Scout Project and was instrumental in enlarging the garden, building a fence with gates, installing a watering system and putting in raised beds. The new enclosed garden will be ready for the next growing season.

Please consider helping for the future growing seasons. B’nai Jacob seeks volunteers on mitzvah day in May and to commit to a week during the growing season to help maintain the garden. The goal is to donate over 100 pounds of produce to Jewish family Service and the Spooner House.

Please contact Stefanie Kreiger, (203) 389-9663, drwoof@optimum.net.

The new name of Torrington Supply and Luxury Bath Center

Wishing you a happy, healthy and sweet new year!

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Congregation Kol Ami Hazzan Ben Goldwater is passionate about inspiring and leading a vibrant spiritual community through music, tefillah and Jewish learning. Growing up, Goldwater sung classical music in school and lead services at his synagogue. His passions for both classical and liturgical music grew concurrently.

Goldwater studies Jewish Thought and Ethics as well as Biology in the Joint Program between Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminaries. He has traveled around the country and the world, singing with Pizmon, the Jewish, co-ed, and pluralistic a capella group at Columbia; and will return to the group as music director.

For the Jewish High Holidays we will have the beautiful voice and nusach of Goldwater as cantor with Rabbi Joshua Ratner conducting services.

New Innovative Policy for Sunday School Kol Ami invites anyone with children in the age group of Pre-K, kindergarten and first grade to attend our religious school free of charge. Come meet us and our Kol Ami Family.

Our Religious School is a full service school from Pre-K through Bar and/or Bat Mitzvah with professional teachers and assistants.

The new policy enables families with young children to begin their Jewish education without worrying about cost. We want to help the children learn about Jewish holidays and the fun of family traditions.

For days, times and other details contact Craig Goldstein, cheshirefitness@msn. com or Guy Darter, sales@darterpress.com, or call Kol Ami at (203) 272-1006.

Shefer Appointed Director of Religious School Limor Shefer has been appointed director of the religious school at Kol Ami. Shefer was born in Israel and raised in BatYam. She served in the Israeli Army during the Gulf War and was recognized for performance in computer graphic skills.

Shefer arrived to the United States in 1994 and started coaching ice-skating in Connecticut and taught religious school as a first grade teacher in Hebrew. The curriculum included Hebrew reading and writing, prayers, Jewish holidays and customs, and Israeli culture. She continued teaching various age groups as well as preparing students for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Shefer was a Hebrew and Judaic teacher at Kol Ami and Ezra Academy. In addition, Shefer served as the JCC drama director for summer camp, and athletic director for Woodbridge Recreation summer camp.

Shefer begins the school year 2013-2014 as director of the religious school. “The Kol Ami community and I have been working very closely to create a new and exciting program; as well as music, family and community events, cooking, and art. I am honored to become religious school director.”

Congregation Kol Ami, 1484 Highland Ave., Cheshire. (203) 272-1006.

Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel (BEKI) Celebrate the High Holidays with Rabbi Jon Jay Tilsen. We welcome Michael Stern as our Lead Cantor for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. We offer a learner’s minyan and children’s and youth services and programs. The sanctuary has an updated and improved sound system, thanks to a gift from the Rosenbaum family in honor of Paula Hyman (of blessed memory). The BEKI art gallery features a new exhibit called “Off Our Walls: Jewish Artwork from BEKI Homes,” an eclectic collection of prints, oil paintings, watercolors, collage, and needlepoint along with the story of each piece. Please call the BEKI office to reserve your High Holiday tickets (203) 389-2108.

Kol Nidre without an Annual Fundraising Appeal What’s a Kol Nidre service without the traditional annual appeal for funds? The congregants of BEKI in Westville are about to find out this Yom Kippur. To keep the emphasis on the spirituality of the holiest day of the Jewish year, the BEKI Board of Directors decided to dispense with the president’s annual appeal for funds that has been a mainstay of the Kol Nidre service through the years. Yaron Lew, BEKI’s chair of income development, explains, “We believe that on the holiest day of the year we should concentrate on the true meaning of Tefila and Teshuva. We want this day to be free of distractions so everyone can concentrate on their prayers.”

BEKI will implement an Annual Appeal program that involves a simplified dues statement and a onetime appeal for funds in the summer. BEKI believes that this new approach will be more appealing to members and will be more consistent with the synagogue’s spirit. The monies collected will go toward all the things that bind the 120-year-old BEKI community together and enable it to fulfill its mission of mitzvot, worship, Torah study, and Tikkun Olam but in a much less intrusive way.

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Synagogues Temple Beth Tikvah

Friday evening services: At Temple Beth Tikvah there is a rhythm to our Shabbat Services.

Every first, third and fifth Friday of the month is a 7:30 pm Erev Shabbat Service.

Every second Friday is a 7 pm Family Shabbat Service.

Every fourth Friday is a 6 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service.

Everyone is welcome at every service. Please join us to celebrate the beauty of Shabbat.

Temple Beth Tikvah Welcomes Cantor Kevin Margolius Cantor Kevin Margolius joined Temple Beth Tikvah as a full-time cantor and religious school director on July 15. He received his ordination from Hebrew College in 2013, as well as a Masters degree in Jewish Studies in 2012. While at Hebrew College, Margolius was awarded the Myer and Anna Wolf Prize for Judaic and Hebraic Studies, the Cantor Rick Boyer Prize for Hazzanut and an honorary diploma from the Prozdor High School in Boston.

Originally from Ohio, Margolius studied at Tufts University. He graduated with a BS in Quantitative Economics and was active in Hillel. While at Tufts, he recorded three award-winning albums with the Jewish a cappella group Shir Appeal.

His arrangement of “Le’an Shelo Telchi” was selected for The Best of Jewish a Cappella, vol. 2.

Margolius previously served as the music director and cantorial intern at Temple Beth Shalom in Peabody, MA. “If there is one defining moment that first set me on the path to becoming a cantor, it was certainly on Rosh HaShanah, after silent prayer in the evening service at the Suburban Temple Kol-Ami in Ohio,” he said. A harp began playing Bonia Shur’s Yih’yu L’ratzon, softly bringing the congregation out of personal, private meditation. Then the soprano joined in, singing the haunting melody, followed by the choir. The moment I got home I tried to recreate what I could remember on the piano. It was a musical moment that touched my Jewish soul and underscored how important music is to expressing our tradition. I’m hoping I can share this spiritual connection through music with our TBT community.”

Margolius enjoys composing music, playing piano and guitar, and collecting books. He lives in New Haven with his husband, Dr. Jason Gaines.

Join us for an official installation service honoring Cantor Margolius on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 pm. Cantor Charles Osborne from Temple Sinai in Toronto, Ontario, will join in leading services with Rabbi Stacy Offner and Cantor Margolius.

Scholar-in-Residence Weekend Features Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin will be the featured scholar at the TBT Scholar-in-Residence Program Nov. 22-24. Rabbi Salkin is a well-known and thought provoking author of numerous books including Putting God on the Guest List, The Gods Are Broken: The Hidden Legacy of Abraham, and Righteous Gentiles in the Hebrew Bible: Ancient Models for Sacred Relationships. The weekend is sponsored by TBT member Jimmy Shure and features a Saturday night Havdalah service and presentation “Martini Judaism – For those who want to be shaken AND stirred.”

For more go to templebethtikvahct.org or call (203) 245-7028.

Temple Beth Tikvah, 196 Durham Road, Madison. (203) 245-7028. templebethtikvahct.org

Westville Synagogue High Holidays at Westville Synagogue Celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur at Westville Synagogue led by Rabbi Fred Hyman and Cantor Yosef Muskin. Please join the Westville Synagogue congregation for all of the chagim, contact the office for tickets 389-9513.

Westville University Westville University, an educational initiative that offers dynamic high level programming to the community reflecting our commitment to Jewish learning, history, culture, law and the State of Israel.

Wednesday, Sept. 11, 8:00 pm Rabbi Fred Hyman “Yom Kippur and the Theme of Repentance”

Sukkah Building and Decorating

Sunday, Sept. 15 -Building after Shachrit -Decorating Party for children (and adults) Sunday afternoon.

Westville Synagogue, 74 West Prospect St, New Haven. (203) 389-9513. www.westvilleshul.org.

BEKI is a traditional, egalitarian, participatory, Conservative synagogue community.

For more information, visit www.beki.org or call the synagogue office (203) 389-2108.

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sept.

1st Annual Israeli BBQ Sunday, Sept. 1 | 5 pm Experience authentic Israeli BBQ food.

All you can eat! Enjoy music, juice bar and fun for activities for the kids. Entire community is welcome!

Location: Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy, 261 Derby Avenue, Orange Contact: info@chabadow.org Kever Avot Memorial Service Sunday, Sept. 8 | 11 am Community gathers at Holocaust Memorial on corner of Whalley and West Park Avenues for short program of remembrance and traditional prayers in preparation for Yom Kippur.

Location: Holocaust Memorial, corner of Whalley and West Park Avenues, New Haven Contact: Ruth Gross, (203) 387-2522, ruthg@jccnh.org Perspectives Speaker Series: Michael Bolton Tuesday, Sept. 10 | 7:30 pm Michael Bolton comes home to the JCC offering an exclusive backstage pass into his life, loves and lessons on his journey through the music business.

Part of the JCC’s Perspectives Series.

Location: JCC Vine Auditorium Contact: DeDe Jacobs Komisar, (203) 387-2522, dedek@jccnh.org Professional Advisors Happy Hour Thursday, Sept. 12 | 5:30 pm Sponsored by the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven and the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven Location: Kitchen Zinc, 966 Chapel St., New Haven Contact: Lisa Stanger, (203) 387-2424, lstanger@jewishnewhaven.org Mishkan Israel Hosts Community Day & Activities Fair Sunday, Sept. 15 | 9 am Grab a bagel and coffee; learn about our congregation, nursery and religious schools, committees, activities, and youth groups.

Location: Congregation Mishkan Israel, 785 Ridge Road, Hamden Circle of Life: Round Challah Baking and Discussion Tuesday, Sept. 17 | 4 pm This workshop will draw attention to the symbolism and significance of round challah. Take part in this family learning session. Please pre-register by 9/9.

Location: JCC, Vine Auditorium Contact: Laura Ross, (203) 387-2522, laurar@jccnh.org http://laurarblog.wordpress.com Shabbat Friends Friday, Sept. 20 | 11 am “Shabbat Friends” is a Friday morning storytime featuring different educators, storytellers, musicians, and teachers each week! Free for children under 6 with their parent or caregiver.

Location: JCC Family Center Contact: Laura Ross, (203) 387-2522, laurar@jccnh.org http://laurarblog.wordpress.com

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3rd Annual Murray Lender 5K Bagel Run and Kids Run Sunday, Sept. 22 | 8:45 am Location: JCC Contact: Susan Donovan, (203) 3872522, susand@jccnh.org An Afternoon of Translation Sunday, Sept. 22 | 1:30 pm Translators of Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian, Polish, Romanian, German, and French will be available to translate your documents! You may then determine their relevance to your genealogical journey.

Location: Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield St., Middletown Contact: Gail Kalison Reynolds, gail.kalison.reynolds@aya.yale.edu Pizza in the Hut Tuesday, Sept. 24 | 5 pm Come decorate our community Sukkah on the JCC patio in honor of the Jewish harvest festival of Sukkot! Pizza will be served. $5 per person, $25 per family.

Location: JCC Patio Contact: Laura Ross, (203) 387-2522, laurar@jccnh.org http://laurarblog.wordpress.com Israel @ 65 Mission Parlor Meeting Tuesday, Sept. 24 | 7 pm Join us for an informational evening as we plan for Israel @ 65!

Location: Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, 360 Amity Rd. Contact: Stacey Trachten, (203) 3872424, Strachten@jewishnewhaven.org Shabbat Friends Friday, Sept. 27 | 11 am Location: JCC Family Center Contact: Laura Ross, (203) 387-2522, laurar@jccnh.org http://laurarblog.wordpress.com JCC Open House – Welcome to the Jungle!

Sunday, Sept. 29 Location: JCC of Greater New Haven, 360 Amity Rd., Woodbridge

oct.

Rosh Chodesh Girls’ Club Thursday, Oct. 3 | 5 pm Celebrate each month with adventure, learning and self-empowerment. $54 member, $60 non-member.

Location: JCC Auditorium Contact: Laura Ross, (203) 387-2522, laurar@jccnh.org http://laurarblog.wordpress.com Create a Jewish Legacy Training Session Thursday, Oct. 3 | 7 pm Create a Jewish Legacy Training Session- Stewardship Location: Temple Beth David of Cheshire, 3 Main Street, Cheshire Contact: Lisa Stanger, lstanger@jewishnewhaven.org

The Angelina Jolie Effect: What Every Woman Should Know About Her Genetics Thursday, Oct. 3 | 7 pm A panel discussion featuring medical experts from obsterics/gynecologists, research science, and oncologists.

Location: JCC Contact: Enid Groves, (203) 387-2424, egroves@jewishnewhaven.org My First Book Club Friday, Oct. 4 | 11 am Ages 3-5: Introduce your child to a relationship with books that will enrich their entire lives. This is a book club for PJ Library Members. All Children must be accompanied by a caregiver and must register ahead of time.

Dates: 10/4, 11/1, and 12/6.

Location: JCC Family Center Contact: Laura Ross, (203) 387-2522.

Red Letter Event Federation Major Gift Event Sunday, Oct. 6 | 5 pm Location: JCC Vine Auditorium Contact: Gary Geller, (203) 387-2424, ggeller@jewishnewhaven.org Shabbat Friends Friday, Oct. 11 | 11 am Location: JCC Family Center Contact: Laura Ross, (203) 387-2522, laurar@jccnh.org http://laurarblog.wordpress.com Temple Beth Sholom Fall Vendor Fair Sunday, Oct. 13 | 9 am to 4 pm Benefitting Temple Beth Sholom Hebrew School. Free and open to the public.

Location: Temple Beth Shalom, 1809 Whitney Avenue, Hamden Contact: Hinda Piscatelle, (203) 444-9576, malcombooks@yahoo.com Spooky Physics with Professor French Monday, Oct. 14 | 11 am Join Raphael Sarfati (Applied Physics PhD candidate at Yale University), aka Professor French, as we learn with a fun and exciting experiment.

Location: JCC Auditorium Contact: Laura Ross, (203) 387-2522, laurar@jccnh.org http://laurarblog.wordpress.com Author Francesca Segal Tuesday, Oct. 15 | 11 am Francesca Segal, author of The Innocents, $10. Presented by Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven.

Location: JCC Contact: Enid Groves, (203) 387-2424, egroves@jewishnewhaven.org Publishing Your Family Tree Sunday, Oct. 20 | 1:30 pm JGSCT Board Members Georgia Haken and Barney Miller will demonstrate how to publish your findings, valuable not only to you and your family but also to the Library of Congress and genealogical organizations!

Location: Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield Street, Middletown Contact: Gail Kalison Reynolds, gail.kalison.reynolds@aya.yale.edu

Jewish Foundation Investment Committee Monday, Oct. 21 | 5:30 pm Location: JCC Contact: Lisa Stanger, (203) 287-2424, lstanger@jewishnewhaven.org Look Who’s Talking Wednesday, Oct. 23 | 7 pm Monthly series offering parents a chance to discuss parenting inspired

by Jewish values, featuring a different guest each month.

Location: JCC Auditorium Contact: Laura Ross, (203) 387-2522, lauar@jccnh.org http://laurarblog.wordpress.com Can Jewish Women Have it All? Thursday, Oct. 24 | 7 pm Women “having it all” has always been a hot topic, and is enjoying a recent resurgence in the news. This panel will bring together women from a variety of professional backgrounds and affiliations to explore work-life balance for Jewish women. Sponsored by the Jewish Foundation, Jewish Federation, Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven. Whitney Center presenting sponsor.

Location: JCC Vine Auditorium Contact: Shelley Gans, (203) 387-2522, shelleyg@jccnh.org Sifriyat Pijama B’America Friday, Oct. 25 | 11 am Free Hebrew PJ storytime! Ages 2-6.

Older children wishing to learn Hebrew are welcome. Sifriyat Pijama B’America (SPBA) is brought to you through PJ Library and is a Hebrew-based Jewish Literacy and Family Engagement Program.

Contact: Laura Ross, (203) 387-2522, laurar@jccnh.org http://laurarblog.wordpress.com Dance with the Stars of David Saturday, Oct. 26 | 7 pm Put on your dancing shoes and join CMI’s Brotherhood for a fun and exciting evening of “Dancing with the Stars of David” This casual evening includes a dance showcase and instruction provided by Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Hamden.

Jewish Foundation Board of Trustees Meeting Monday, Oct. 28 | 6 pm Contact: Lisa Stanger, lstanger@jewishnewhaven.org Red Letter Event Consul General Wednesday, Oct. 30 | 7:30 pm Speaker from the US Israeli Consulate, Location: JCC Vine Auditorium

shalomnewhaven

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Summer Institute Series Focuses on Current Events in Israel Each year, the JCC’s Summer Institute engages the community with thought-provoking lectures. In commemoration of Israel’s 65th anniversary, this year’s Institute focused on several pressing issues facing Israeli society.

On July 8, Rabbi Marc Gopin spoke about The Future of Peacebuilding in Israel. Gopin is the Director of the Center on Religion, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University’s Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Rabbi Gopin, who has extensive experience aiding with peace efforts on the ground throughout the Middle East, discussed the efforts of nongovernmental religious leaders and groups building peace in Israel, Syria, and Egypt.

Participants reported learning a great deal about the potential for grassroots reconciliation in the Middle East. The lecture was sponsored by the Connecticut Humanities Fund.

On July 22, Jimmy Taber of the New Israel Fund and Stephen Slater of Right Now: Advocates for African Asylum Seekers in Israel spoke about the pressing issue of African Refugees in Israel – where they’ve come from, the challenges of racism, poverty, and detainment they’re facing in Israel, the government’s

response in light of Israeli law, international law, and Jewish law, and how the influx is impacting Israeli society. After the lecture, facilitators led participants in small-group, text-based discussions exploring possible solutions that would treat the African population in Israel with dignity. Many participants reported learning about the plight of African refugees in Israel for the first time.

On July 29, Rabbi Debra Cantor of B’nai Tikvoh-Sholom of Hartford, attorney Miriam Benson, and Rabbi Dov Linzer of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah discussed the issue of Religious Pluralism in Israel, as part of a panel moderated by Rabbi Josh Ratner, the new director of the Jewish Community Relations Council. The panel explored the status of religious policy in Israel dictated by the Orthodox-run Chief Rabbinate, and how this has impacted society through its sole mandate on marriage, divorce, and conversion. All three panelists discussed possible solutions, and the audience posed questions relating to the balance Israel is attempting to maintain as a Jewish democracy.

The JCC is grateful to all of the speakers and participants for devoting their summer evenings to discussing important issues facing Israel.

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Children’s Event

Sunday, November 3 • 2-4 pm

Peter and the Wolf

New Haven Symphony Orchestra presents Peter and the Wolf, a timeless classic for families and kids. JCC Vine Auditorium. FREE. Sponsored by the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven.

Thursday, November 7 • 7:30 pm

Joshua Henkin

The World Without You The author will discuss his moving, mesmerizing new novel about love, loss and the aftermath of a family tragedy. Book signing to follow. JCC Vine Auditorium. FREE. Community Read Event – See

page 14 to find out how to get your book club involved!

Sunday, November 10 • 10:30 am

The Life and Legacy of Sholem Aleichem A literary/musical program exploring the impact of one of Judaism’s greatest cultural icons. Featuring author Jeremy Dauber, author Alisa Solomon, with musical accompaniment by Andrew Rubenoff. JCC Vine Auditorium. $10 Co-sponsored by the Jewish Historical Society of Connecticut.

Tuesday, November 19 • 7:30 pm

Daniel Bergner

What Do Women Want?

Adventures in the Science of Female Desire Are women actually the less monogamous gender? Bergner explores the latest scientific research and paints an unprecedented portrait of women’s sexuality. Book signing to follow reading/discussion. JCC Vine Auditorium. FREE. Off-Site: JFGNH Shoreline Office, 705 Boston Post Rd., Guilford.

Wednesday, November 20 • 7:30 pm

Lynn Povich

The Good Girls Revolt:

How the Women of Newsweek Sued Their Bosses and Changed the Workplace

Newsweek’s first female senior editor tells the story of how the women writers sued the magazine for sexual discrimination in hiring and promotion. FREE. Children’s Event

Thursday, December 5 • 6:30 pm

Hanukkah Play A live performance featuring the talented kids of Theater with LJ! JCC Vine Auditorium.

Children/$5. Adults, caregivers and children under 5/Free.

Off-Site: Temple Beth David, 3 Main St., Cheshire

Sunday, November 10 • 4 pm

Ronald Balson

Once We Were Brothers

A Holocaust survivor sues a famous philanthropist for war crimes, accusing him of being a Nazi in disguise. It is revealed that the survivor and the alleged Nazi grew up as brothers in the same household. A contemporary legal thriller and poignant look back into the lives of small town Poland during World War II. Sponsored by Temple Beth David.

Judy L. Mandel

Replacement Child: A Memoir

Mandel will read from her memior of being the “replacement child” her parents brought into the world to provide “a salve for the burns.”

A memoir of love and lies, family and hope.

Book signing to follow. JCC Vine Auditorium.

Co-sponsored by Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven.

Global Day of Jewish Learning Celebrate Jewish learning throughout the New Haven community. Stay tuned for more info!

For more information about the Arts and Culture Festival at the JCC, contact dedek@jccnh.org or (203) 387-2522 x300