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Vol 35, No 28
august 18, 2011 – 18 av, 5771
jewishjournal.org
Agencies Reflect, Discuss New Allocations Policy Amy Sessler Powell Jewish Journal Staff
Courtesy of the JCCNS
Kate Twoomey of Swampscott enjoys a swim at Summer on the Hill, camp at the JCC in Marblehead. For photos from all the camps, see pages 12, 13.
SALEM — A new policy introduced by the Jewish Federation of the North Shore that requires 100 percent of the board members of agencies receiving an allocation to participate in the Community Campaign and 50 percent of those board members to participate on Super Sunday met with mixed reactions in the community. Some board members believe that JFNS is moving in the right direction and simply codifying what has always been a strong and reasonable recommendation, while others are uncomfortable with the mandate.
Many believe that the more the community works together to raise funds, the better off all the agencies will be. There is no minimum contribution requirement. Others fear the policy could potentially chill volunteerism while still others believe that Federation does not return enough on each dollar due to their own overhead. Ariel Berger, chairman of the JFNS Allocations Committee, explained the rationale. “We are all in this together. It is no longer acceptable to say ‘where’s mine’ and go away. For people who are a little less than thrilled, we have
Special to the Journal
Photo by Ron Hallett
Nicole Levy Special to the Journal
LYNN — “He’s just a mensch,” North Shore Hebrew School Director Heather Greenberg said of Harold Mindel, 82, of Lynn. Upwards of 100 people echoed this sentiment at a luncheon on July 23 honoring Mindel’s retirement from eight years as Congregation Ahabat Sholom president. Among the guests were those who have observed his leadership qualities in various Jewish communal activities. “Harold has helped so many people on the North Shore. He is such a special person,” Richard Kessel of Marblehead said. Mindel first entered Ahabat Sholom in 1973 in order to say Kaddish for his mother. He joined the shul soon after because it reminded him of the Walnut Street Synagogue in Chelsea where he was raised. In 2000, he became board vice-president for two years, and then succeeded the late Gary Kaplan as president. Mindel applied determination and warmth to his position during a crossroads for the 110-year old Ahabat Sholom located in Lynn. continued on page 19
6 letters
7 opinion
REVERE — Though the Jews may be a migratory people, they don’t forget the old neighborhoods that remain etched into the hearts of those who played, prayed and came of age in former centers of vibrant Jewish life. Shirley Avenue in Revere was one of those magical, long-ago enclaves of bagels, kishke, JCC basketball teams and Hebrew schools. With all that, plus the beach and amusement park, it’s no wonder people remember the area with such fondness. Wealthy it wasn’t, but judging from Sunday’s 170-person turnout at the Second Shirley Ave. Nosh Reunion Barbecue Bash, with attendees hailing from as far away as Germany and California, it didn’t lack for much. The Mystic River Jews website (mysticriverjews.jcam.org) says that Jews made up about 25 percent of the population of Revere in 1940. Mainly Eastern European immigrants, most lived around Shirley Avenue. “Some 5,000 people lived in Ward 2, located between the beach, Wonderland Race Track, Bell Circle and Suffolk Downs,” wrote former Journal contributor Dov Burt Levy in a 2007 Jewish Historical Society of the North Shore article. “Most of the houses and stores in the area were built between 1910 and 1925,” he wrote, noting that many residents had
10 back to school
Lessons from the Past An interview with Herb Belkin 2
Globetrotting
Wandering Jews Hit the Road
Don’t leave home without us 4
back to school
Susie Davidson
Harold Mindel and his son David of New York.
LOCAL NEWS
continued on page 14
Memories on the Menu at Shirley Avenue Reunion
Harold Mindel: A Board Officer And a Gentleman
inside
14 open houses
Reflections on a Summer Well Spent BBYO goes to Venice 10 Photo by Susie Davidson
Marsha and Jack Cook of Swampscott attended the Second Annual Second Shirley Ave. Nosh Reunion Barbecue Bash, held at Mr. Vernon at the Wharf.
been displaced by the 1907 Chelsea fire. At the time, he reported that only 25 to 30 Jews still lived around Shirley Avenue. “Like Hester Street in the Lower East Side, Shirley Ave. was the heart of Revere’s Jewish neighborhood. The cantorial sounds floating over the triple-decker tenements during the High Holidays were especially inspiring, and streets were blocked off with wooden horses and kerosene lamps to prevent automobile traffic.” said Reunion co-host Steve McCormack from his home in West Hills, Calif., before coming in for the Nosh. continued on page 15
16 arts
20 calendar
ARTS & CULTURE
Ketubah Exhibit
Lamentation for Lodz 16
Business
Avoid Financial Scams
Advice from a private 18 investigator
Russian chronicle 21
22 obituaries
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