Jewish Observer January 30, 2020 by Jewish Federation of CNY

4 SHEVAT 5780 • JANUARY 30, 2020 • VOLUME XXXXI, NUMBER 3 • PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY

World Zionist Congress elections presents “rare opportunity” to strengthen global Jewish community BY SHIRYN GHERMEZIAN (JNS) – Jews in the United States are voting online for slates that represent diverse political beliefs, religious denominations and cultural traditions vying for a seat in the 38th World Zionist Congress, set to convene in October 2020 in Jerusalem. Thousands of American Jews are expected to cast their ballots in the elections for the WZC, also known as “the parliament of the Jewish people,” before polls close on March 11. A total of 1,800 candidates across a record number of 15 slates are hoping to secure the available 152 seats the United States holds in the Congress, and as such, have a say in decisions made about the Jewish state and world Jewry over the next five years. Voting began on January 21. “American delegates make up nearly 30 percent of the Congress. This election presents a rare opportunity for us to participate in strengthening the Jewish community both in the United States, Israel and worldwide,” said the American Zionist Movement, the U.S. federation in

the World Zionist Organization and the election’s organizer. Eligible voters must be age 18 or older, identify as Jewish, be a permanent resident in the United States (and not voting or planning to vote in the March 2 Israeli general elections), and affirm their commitment to the Jerusalem Program, the official platform of the World Zionist Organization. To register and for information about the groups running, visit ZionistElection.org. Those elected from the United States will join the remaining 500 elected delegates from Israel and around the world at the 38th World Zionist Congress to make decisions regarding four key institutions (the World Zionist Organization, Keren Hayesod, Keren Kayemet LeIsrael–Jewish National Fund and the Jewish Agency for Israel), and its allocation of nearly $1 billion annually to support Israel and Jews around the world. After the delegates are elected, the Congress forms a Zionist Council proportionate to the total number of delegates in the Congress, and they meet at least once a year. The Zionist Council governs the

World Zionist Organization, serves as the general assembly of the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund, and holds half the seats on both the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Board of Governors and the board of Keren Hayesod. Together, the four organizations have a budget of $1 billion per year, and the delegates can advise and work in cooperation with the leadership of these groups on direction, strategies and actions. Theodor Herzl, considered the father of modern-day Zionism, convened the first Zionist Congress in 1897 in Basel, Switzerland. WZC is the only democratically elected global Jewish forum. A total of 56,000 people voted in the last election in 2015. In that election, the slate of the Reform movement got 56 spots on the Congress, the Conservative movement got 25 and the main Orthodox delegation received 24. The rest of the seats were split among other parties. The 15 slates running in the 2020 World Zionist Congress elections are: Eretz Hakodesh: Led by Pesach Lerner, president of the Coalition for Jewish Values,

which represents more than 1,000 Orthodox rabbis in matters of American public policy. The slate’s name, meaning “the Holy Land,” promotes “Jewish values based on the Torah,” and its delegates represent “the yeshivah, Chassidic, Sephardic and Israeli Torah communities” of the United States. Vote Reform: A combination of the Reform and Reconstructionist movements, the party is committed to religious pluralism and equality within Judaism and in Israel; combating racism, discrimination and hatred; security in the Middle East; a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; and ensuring that public Jewish funding does not fund projects in settlements in, what Weinberg called, “non-consensus areas.” The list is headed by Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism. Israel Shelanu: Translated into “Our Israel,” this slate was formed by Israelis living in America seeking to represent Israeli-Americans. It calls for a more “open and pluralistic Jewish culture,” See “Zionist” on page 5

Examining Jewish identity and Israel engagement on Birthright’s 20th anniversary BY ELIANA RUDEE (JNS) – During January, Taglit Birthright will celebrate a major anniversary, representing two decades of the 10-day trips that have impacted the lives of more than 750,000 emerging Jewish adults worldwide. The program was founded by Jewish philanthropists Charles Bronfman and Michael Steinhardt, with support from private donors and the Israeli government, to spur involvement by North American youth who were becoming increasingly disassociated with their Jewish roots. It initially was geared for ages 18-26, though the target age has been extended. While young Jews around the world can participate, the large majority have been those from the United States and Canada. Len Saxe, who in his role as professor of contemporary Jewish studies at Brandeis University has written extensively on the

Cole Keister with unnamed Birthright friends. (Photo courtesy of JNS)

impact of Birthright, told JNS of “the enormous impact that the program has on the lives of people who participate.” By comparing those who have applied for and participated in Birthright, versus those who applied but did not participate, Saxe has traced the lives of various groups of participants six, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months post-program to find that “Birthright is a pivotal movement that changed the trajectory of engagement with Jewish life.” According to his “conservative estimates through complex modeling,” those who go on a Birthright trip are 50 percent more likely to marry another Jew and raise Jewish children. Additionally, Jewish identity, connection to a Jewish community and connection to Israel each increase significantly more for those who participated. Upon returning to Portland State University from his Birthright trip in winter 2015, Cole Keister found that “BDS [had come] to campus” through a motion by the “very anti-Israel” student government that passed the movement to boycott Israel by 23-3. “The language they were using was off the normal BDS script,” he told JNS. “They were calling out Jewish people and weren’t even being anti-Israel, just straight up antisemitic.” Birthright, he said, catapulted his journey to becoming president of the Israel group on his campus following the onslaught of anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment there. “I have created dozens of events and collab-

Natalie (right) and Katherine (center) Dubin posed along the waterfront in Israel with an unnamed Birthright friend. (Photo by Natalie Dubin) orations with other student groups, [such as] the Filipino student union, African student

association and more,” he said. “I have learned to be a leader. I went on Birthright, and now here I am.” According to Saxe, Keister’s story is not an outlier. Most participants, he said, come with positive views on Israel, and even those who are critical of the policies of the Israeli government typically express a strong connection to the Jewish state. “Participants start out with a fairly high connection and association. And this is what is remarkable about Birthright – it is deeply enhanced by the experience. Those who were connected to Israel become very connected,” he noted. “There

See “Birthright” on page 7

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE B’nai B’rith Canada

Local author talk

Tu B’Shevat

In an interview, the CEO of B’nai Local author Jeffrey Gorney will Local congregations announce B’rith Canada paints a portrait of speak at the Jewish Genealogy their Tu B’Shevat seders and Society’s February 9 meeting. Canadian Jewry. celebrations. Story on page 3 Story on page 2 Stories on page 4

PLUS Classifieds................................ 3 Simcha & Party Planning..... 6 Calendar Highlights............... 6 Obituaries................................. 7

JEWISH OBSERVER ■ JANUARY 30, 2020/4 SHEVAT 5780

News analysis

A portrait of Canadian Jewry and B’nai Brith Canada BY ELIANA RUDEE (JNS) – Canadian Jewry may not get as much attention as their American counterparts, but representing a strong voice as staunch defenders of the state of Israel and global Jewry, they cannot be underestimated. Meet B’nai Brith: Canada’s voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity,

which advocates on behalf of senior citizens, and combats antisemitism and racism. It has been called the grassroots voice of the Jewish community, and is the country’s oldest independent and self-funded national Jewish organization. With activities including research, governmental advocacy and public communications, its support comes from thousands of

A MATTER OF OPINION

Israel charts the universe’s last great frontier BY UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA STAFF (JNS) – Israel is at the cutting edge of so many technologies and ideas for the technologies of the future that it may surprise some that it has taken this long for the Jewish state to delve into the issue of marine science. Yet even with its entire eastern coast taken up with the Mediterranean Sea – and with an interest in water technology that borders almost on obsession – it has only been since about the turn of the millennium that Israeli research and development have substantively taken off in this area. So why now? With 70 percent of the Earth’s surface covered by oceans and seas, there is more to learn about those bodies of water than is humanly possible. Indeed, there is tremendous untapped potential in these uncharted waters and infinite discoveries to be made, whether in the field of health and food or a greater understanding of delicate submarine ecosystems. Recent estimates suggest that the world’s population will exceed 8 billion people by 2024, accompanied by a fear that land-based resources will come under huge strain and pressure, if not nearly exhausted. Researchers have been searching for possible solutions – some on dry land and others in the waters. Marine biologists and researchers from the University of Haifa’s Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences have been turning their attention to understanding more about this hidden world. “Marine sciences are gaining more and more exposure, especially compared to the time when I started studying,” said Oded Ezra, who earned an M.Sc. from the Department of Marine Geosciences at University of Haifa. “The field [of gas seeps and carbonate rocks in the deep sea] is really growing. Numerous scientific and technologically oriented departments have opened at universities and new companies have been formed around the industry. Of course, there is still a lot of room for further development.” It’s not only the “what,” but also the “how” that these technologies and new approaches can be put to work. While carrying out submarine hydrographic and geophysical surveys, Ezra understood the range of employment opportunities in the field. “These projects include, among other things, deep-sea floor mappings or mapping around maritime ports,” he said. “There are also surveys conducted for the gas industry that include environmental monitoring, such as water and soil samples.” Whether it was synchronous or fortunate, the emergence of this research occurred around the same time that Israel discovered a large natural gas deposit off its coast approximately a decade ago. The discovery was not just an economic and political boon; it also led to new questions about what the seafloor in those areas looked like, as well as what kind of underwater life existed in these regions. This is one of the overarching points about the seas; there are myriad utilities

and applications for water, wave energy or the variations of marine life. For instance, despite the growth of civil aviation, almost all of Israel’s imported and exported goods are delivered and transported by sea. “Essentially everything goes by sea… without the sea, Israel would have no access to the world,” said Professor Zvi Ben-Abraham, Israel Prize recipient and the founder and director of the Mediterranean Sea Research Center of Israel. In addition to the transportation of goods, the sea provides Israel with the plurality of its drinking water – within the next few years, 75 percent of that drinking water. “Global temperatures are rising and more areas are in danger of desertification. As a result, saltwater desalination is the only way many countries can produce reserves of drinking water, and we are seeing exactly how that is happening in Israel,” explained Professor Ilana Bergman-Frank, a biological oceanographer and the director of University of Haifa’s Charney School. This also has its challenges, as desalinated water does not possess the same combination of nutrients as untreated, natural water. At the Charney School, Abraham’s idea of placing everything connected with marine studies under one roof helped create a multidisciplinary unit where related humanities could meet relevant natural and social sciences. In effect, it was an academic startup. This was strengthened by the presence of individuals such as Tamar Lotan, head of the Department of Marine Biology at the University, who blended her extensive academic career with the creation of two successful biotech startups. Another aspect of marine technology that is gathering pace and popularity in Israel is the use of autonomous robots. One specific application of the robots is the attempt to create clearer underwater pictures, altering a milky, mysterious blur to a much sharper image at depth. The Israeli company SEAERRA Vision, for example, has been working to develop algorithms for vision systems for scuba divers, robots and underwater vehicles for a variety of business and private sector uses. In many cases, the use of robots is crucial to enable mapping of the sea. What does all of this mean, and what does the future have in store? Nearly 60 years ago, U.S. President John F. Kennedy challenged NASA scientists to explore the possibility of landing on the moon. By the end of that decade (although he would not get to see it), the task had been accomplished. Today, more people have walked on the moon than have walked on the deepest trench of the ocean floor. Instead of looking up to the heavens as the final frontier, scientists and researchers should be looking beneath the surface of the sea, while acknowledging that understanding more about what goes on underwater will greatly benefit humanity for generations to come.

job and move halfway across Canadian families with diverse the country, and everybody backgrounds and interests that comes home for Thanksgiving empower the organization to – Canadians tend to come back address issues of concern to the home after college. Jewish community. Q: What kind of challenges JNS had the opportunity to are you currently addressing as speak to B’nai Brith Canada’s an organization? CEO Michael Mostyn to get A: Because of the advent of the latest on Canadian Jewry, social media, we see a decrease politics, campus life and anof borders and differences betisemitic behavior, and to hear how the grassroots voice of the B’nai Brith Canada tween America and Canada, Canadian Jewish community is C E O M i c h a e l or Canada and Poland for that impacting each. M o s t y n ( P h o t o matter. Social media is rampMostyn regularly speaks out courtesy of JNS) ing up and allowing further on behalf of Canadian Jewry and polarization of society at a those whose human rights are under threat faster rate than was ever possible before. globally. Before his current and past roles What’s also disturbing is it is allowing at B’nai Brith (which included leading the antisemitic groups to work together in organization’s men’s ice-hockey league), ways that ramp up the threat against the he was a litigation lawyer in Toronto Jewish community. This has a major imand has served as CEO in the high-tech pact from a security standpoint, where we startup sector. see speakers radicalizing and polarizing Q: How does Canadian Jewry differ our populations that are traveling back from American Jewry, and how would and forth [between borders]. you define Canadian Jewish life today? This is why we are proud to work with A: Canadians have a different perspec- other groups around the world, and we are tive than Americans, even though we are finding ways to better share information all living in North America. Because we between those who are leading the charge don’t get the same attention as our Ameri- and making sure [that criminals and can friends, this motivates us even further antisemites] face repercussions in each country – for example, helping to have to make achievements. We have a strong Jewish community Holocaust deniers convicted in Germany. Q: What is support for Israel like in Canada, with participation in Jewish schools and synagogues. Toronto has a among the Canadian public? What about very strong Jewish community and even Canadian politics? A: The Canadian Jewish community places with smaller populations, like Winnipeg, which has a large population is strongly supportive of Israel, strongly of Argentinian Jews, still has Jewish life. Zionist, and anti-Israel movements like Canadians are encouraged to be both BDS have no acceptance within the Canadian and Jewish [or any other na- mainstream Jewish community. When tionality or ethnicity], or in other words, Canada changed its votes in the United to view themselves through two different Nations, voting against Israel, there was lenses. American Jews, on the other hand, real outrage from every sector of the have the American melting pot with so Jewish community in Canada. We have some anti-Israel groups like much American patriotism, which is wonderful, but means that American identity in America, but the individuals are small sometimes differs from Jewish identity, in number, marginal and not involved and you can see this through polling on in any way in Jewish communal life. intermarriage and engagement with tra- Because there is so much self-respect for ditional centers of Jewish life in America. our Jewish identities and for Israel, it has Canadian Jewry also tends to be more allowed B’nai Brith to mobilize and stand traditional than American Jewry. While strongly for the Jewish state. Generally, Canada has a more traditionthe American experience within Jewish families tends to be that the kids are al Jewish community. Under the Stephen raised in a certain household – then the Harper government in 2015, there was a See “Canada” on page 7 children go off to a second state, find a

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JEWISH OBSERVER

AROUND CENTRAL NEW YORK Jewish Genealogy Society of Central New York to host local author Jeffrey Gorney Local author Jeffrey Gorney will speak about his book, “Mysterious Places …. Memoir. Journey. Quest,” on Sunday, February 9, at 1:30 pm, at the Jewish Genealogy Society of Central New York meeting, which will be held at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center, 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt. In the book, Gorney takes a journey from his childhood, offering portraits of grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Critics have said that the world of each comes to life in their humor, strength, courage or sheer zaniness, all played out in the aftermath of the Ho-

locaust in Europe and the ongoing struggle for survival and acceptance in the New World of Brooklyn. Across decades and nations, the book first explores memories of immigration and earlier European life. The second section covers the author’s travels to Romania, where he and his mother visit graveyards in search of relatives, possibly lost to the Holocaust. Critics said the two chapters on the Romanian pogroms are especially gripping. Finally, the book reveals how family stories can drive a genealogical quest and even lead to self-discovery. JGSCNY Chair Mike Fixler said, “The JGS is pleased

to present this author, since genealogy is not just about the putting together of a tree, but also preserving the stories behind lives.” Gorney is also the author of “Syracuse University, an Architectural Guide.” His articles and photos have appeared in The Syracuse Post-Standard, “Encyclopedia of New York State” and on the website www.supress.com. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and will be signed by the author. For more information about the Jewish Genealogy Society of Central New York, e-mail JGSCNY@gmail.com.

JCC to hold February break vacation camp Feb. 17-21 BY WILLIAM WALLAK During the upcoming February school break, children can embark on a new adventure each day. The

Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center will offer a February break vacation camp for children in grades kindergarten-six from February 17-21, from 9 am-4 pm,

Men at a Beth El meeting This photo was published in the October 24 issue of the Jewish Observer, asking readers to identify the Temple Beth El gentlemen in it. This picture might have been taken in the original old house on the Beth El site on East Genesee Street, which was torn down to enable the construction of the new building. This may have been the Building Committee planning the construction of the new Beth El, circa 1965. Neil Miller said the old house was used for daily minyanim and school in the interlude until the new building was built. A high schooler at the time, he said he used to be called many evenings at dinner hour to help make a nightly minyan, as his family lived down the street. So, to the best of the JO staff’s knowledge, these are the gentlemen (back row, l-r): Abe Hoffman, Sidney Block, Samuel Abramson (whom Lois Meyer identified as her father), Morris B. Swartz, Abe Wexler (maybe) and Harold Miller. Sitting, l-r: Gordon (first name? last name?), Benny Paikin and Hyman B. Brenner. Thanks to everyone for helping the JO identify this group.

Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center senior dining menu FEBRUARY 3-7 Monday – vegetable soup, spinach cheese quiche Tuesday – spaghetti and meatballs Wednesday – imitation crab cakes Thursday – beef stew over egg noodles Friday – honey mustard chicken FEBRUARY 10-14 Monday – chicken noodle soup, tuna salad on wheat Tuesday – baked ziti Wednesday – glazed orange chicken Thursday – meatloaf Friday – birthday celebration – stuffed flounder

at the Center, 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt. Children may attend just one day or all five days. Early/late care each day from 7 am-6 pm is available and half-day programs are offered most days. The camp will feature various indoor and outdoor activities, field trips and more, along with special theme days such as Mystery Monday and Out of This World Wednesday. All campers should bring winter clothing for daily outdoor activities, weather permitting, including waterproof pants, coats, hats and gloves. Sneakers are required to play in the gym. Full-day campers are asked to bring a non-meat lunch. An afternoon snack will be provided. The camp’s halfday options, when available, will run from 9 am-noon and 1-4 pm. Early registration pricing through Monday, February 10, starts at $38 per child for the half-day program and $60 for a full day, with a discount offered for siblings and JCC members. JCC membership or program enrollment is not necessary for a child to attend the February break vacation camp. For more information, and to obtain a registration form, call 315-445-2360 or visit www.jccsyr.org.

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The Bobbi Epstein Lewis JCC Senior Adult Dining Program at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center offers Va’ad Ha’ir-supervised kosher lunches served Monday through Friday at noon. Lunch reservations are required by noon on the previous business day. There is a suggested contribution per meal. The menu is subject to change. The program is funded by a grant from the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth and the New York State Office for the Aging, with additional funds provided by the JCC. To attend, one need not be Jewish or a member of the JCC. For further information or to make a reservation, contact Cindy Stein at 315-4452360, ext. 104, or cstein@jccsyr.org.

NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org

U.S. intends to send $2 million to Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation

The U.S. State Department, working with Congress, is slated to send $2 million to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation to “preserve the Auschwitz and Birkenau Memorial and Museum so future generations never forget, and to further efforts to combat contemporary forms of antisemitism,” announced U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Jan. 27. Between 2013 and 2018, the United States sent $15 million to support the foundation. “The United States encourages other nations to join us in supporting the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation. We firmly believe it is humanity’s duty to honor Holocaust survivors, guard the memory of Holo-

caust victims and all other victims of Nazi persecution, and fight back against antisemitism, and attempts to ignore and revise history,” said Pompeo. “We urge all to take active steps to make sure the horrors of the Holocaust are not repeated and future crimes against humanity are prevented.” Additionally, the U.K. government also announced a similar pledge, saying it would provide £1 million funding to the foundation. The announcement came on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is marked annually on Jan. 27, to commemorate the 11 million people who perished in the Holocaust, six million of whom were Jews. The week of Jan. 24 marked a commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, where at least 1.1 million people were killed, most of whom were Jews.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ JANUARY 30, 2020/4 SHEVAT 5780

CONGREGATIONAL NOTES Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas CBS-CS ANNUAL TU B’SHEVAT SEDER IS FEBRUARY 8 On Saturday, February 8, participants can feast, sing and celebrate the bounty and beauty of life-sustaining trees. In the middle of the winter, CBS-CS will mark the change of seasons in Israel when the earliest blooming trees begin to awaken from their winter slumber. This CBS-CS tradition will begin at noon following Shabbat morning services. While feasting on a four-course seder “meal” with a wide variety of fruits, nuts and wine or juice, Rabbi Daniel and Dr. Rhea Jezer will lead English and Hebrew songs and passages that invoke humani-

ty’s dependence on – and responsibility for – the natural world. People are never too young or too old for a celebration like this, according to organizers. With fires this year in California, the Amazon and now in Australia decimating millions and millions of trees and wildlife, CBS-CS recognizes all the more the importance of celebrating the importance of trees. RSVPs to the CBS-CS Office at manager@cbscs.org or 315-446-9570 will be appreciated.

L-r: Rachel Pettiford and Asher Moodie Rachel Pettiford’s Lego menorah won constructed Lego menorahs at CBS-CS’ first prize at the CBS-CS science-themed science-themed Chanukah celebration. Chanukah celebration.

Temple Adath Yeshurun BY SONALI MCINTYRE Temple Adath Yeshurun will offer a monthly group discussion for interfaith families on Sundays, February 2 and March 1, at noon, at the synagogue, 450 Kimber Rd., Syracuse. Facilitated by Rabbi Yehoshua Zehavi, the discussion group is intended for those who don’t identify as Jewish, but who are part of a Jewish family or community, as well as those partnered with someone of another background. Organizers hope that this will be an opportunity for participants to share with, and support, each other, and for everyone to learn from each other’s experiences. Rabbi Zehavi said, “Unfortunately, in today’s world, we do a lot of talking about each other rather than TO each other. Since we aspire to create a community that enriches all of our lives, we must commit ourselves to understanding the many different ways that we experience our Jewish journeys, including those of interfaith and mixed-identity families. My intention is that our ongoing conversations will provide support and tools for families as well as insight for us as a synagogue community to become a more inclusive and uplifting Jewish home.” For more information, or to register, contact the TAY office at 315-445-0002, info@ adath.org, or visit the website www.adath.org. SHABBAT SHIRAH AND TU B’SHEVAT WEEKEND BY SONALI MCINTYRE From February 7-9, Temple Adath Yeshurun will celebrate Shabbat Shirah and Tu B’Shevat with a weekend of services and programs. Beginning at 5:30 pm on Friday, February 7, in the Miron Family Chapel, Rabbi Yehoshua Zehavi and Cantor Esa Jaffe will usher in the “Shabbat of Song” and will be joined by Ashira Zehavi

L-r: Teacher Jenny Gomez and preschooler Benjamin Lavine (age 4), along with the children who participate in the weekly Shabbat Experience program on Friday mornings at Rothschild Early Childhood Center at TAY, pretended to make chicken soup for Shabbat dinner. Each child chose an ingredient and stirred the pot. for a musical Kabbalat Shabbat service. Beginning at 9:15 am on Saturday, February 8, there will be a Shabbat Mishpacha, with services for all ages. Junior congregation, for children in grades one through five, will begin at 10 am in the Muriel and Avron Spector Library. Tot Shabbat, for children from birth through age 5, will meet in the youth lounge (room 15) at 10:30 am. On Sunday, February 9, at 4:30 pm, TAY will host an intergenerational Tu B’Shevat seder – a celebration of the trees See “TAY” on page 7

Temple Concord

Matt Fagan (on right) from the MOST demonstrated the physics of sports to CBSCS children at their science-themed Chanukah celebration.

Sha’arei Torah Orthodox Congregation TU B’SHEVAT Elyssa Rosenbaum will make Tu B’Shevat crafts with children on Sunday, February 9, at 11 am, at STOCS. She will apply her cake and cookie decorating skills to decorating flowerpots, and will also use her teaching skills to share knowledge about the holiday. There is no charge for the event, but reservations are requested so there are sufficient materials. Reservations may be made by contacting the synagogue at www.stocsyracuse.org/ events, 315-446-6194 or e-mail info@ stocsyracuse.org. On Sunday, February 9, at 6 pm, Sha’arei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse will host a short Tu B’Shevat seder, followed by a light dairy meal. For the occasion of the New Year of Trees, guest speaker Rachel Jacobson will speak on “Rooted and Resilient: Maintaining our sense of place in the midst of Change.” She said, “Central New York is home to hearty tree species, which are integral to the health of the region’s communities, economies and

environment. However, as the climate changes, so will the composition of our forests.” Her talk will share principles for adapting to these changes and their connections to the mitzvot and themes of Tu B’Shevat. Jacobson has more than a decade of experience implementing climate and environmental change solutions across the public, private, non-profit and academic sectors. She is currently the senior program manager at the American Society of Adaptation Professionals. She earned her bachelor of arts, master of public policy and master of science degrees from the University of Michigan, and holds a certificate in environmental law and regulation from the University of Washington. She moved to Syracuse this summer with her husband, Rabbi Joel Goldstein. They have two young children. There is a charge of $5 per person for the dinner. Reservations may be made at www.stocsyracuse.org/events, 315-4466194, or info@stocsyracuse.org.

See “STOCS” on page 8

FIEVEL AND TEMPLE CONCORD HOST HAVDALAH IN PJS IN CONJUNCTION WITH CINEMAGOGUE On Saturday, February 1, at 5:30 pm, Temple Concord families with or without children are invited to the synagogue for the annual Havdalah in PJs event. This is the first time families will attend with Cinemagogue patrons. Rabbi Daniel Fellman said, “It’s a great way to spend time with friends and say goodbye to Shabbat.” Family and friends are invited to enjoy the classic movie “An American Tail” (a movie that many people never find tiring), personally-made and freshly-baked pizza, and other activities. There is a small fee to attend to cover food costs. For more information or to sign up, contact the TC office at 315475-9952, office@templeconcord.org

or visit www.templeconcord.org/event/ pj-havdallah.html. THE SILVERWOOD CLARINET CHOIR On Sunday, February 2, at 2 pm, the Goldenberg Cultural Series at Temple Concord will host the Silverwood Clarinet Choir. The Silverwood Clarinet Choir is a professional clarinet ensemble founded in 2006. The ensemble plays a range of music that many listeners find “entertaining and challenging.” The group performs at an array of events throughout Central New York. The 16-member group consists of E-flat sopranino, B-flat clarinets, alto clarinet, basset horn, bass clarinets, and contrabass and contralto clarinets. They play many different genres of music, including classical, contemporary, jazz and show tunes. See “TC” on page 5

As part of Temple Concord’s Regina F. Goldenberg Cultural Series and co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Central New York, Temple Concord presented “Kol Ishah: Music that Moves Us,” a concert celebrating female cantors on January 11. The members of Kol Ishah, “voice of a woman,” are (l-r): Cantor Kari Siegel Eglash of Temple Concord; Cantor Paula Pepperstone of Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas; Cantor Barbara Ostfeld, the first woman ordained as a cantor; and Cantor Esa Jaffe of Temple Adath Yeshurun.

JANUARY 30, 2020/4 SHEVAT 5780 ■

Elections

JEWISH OBSERVER

Continued from page 1

better Hebrew education, and claims that it has “a lot to bring to the current Zionist discussion from an American-Israeli point of view.” Orthodox Israel Coalition Mizrahi: A broad-based coalition of major Religious Zionist and Modern Orthodox organization that has represented Orthodox Jewry in the World Zionist Congress for more than 100 years. The slate, which is headed by Rabbi Hershel Schachter, says it is “dedicated to the timeless values of the Torah, and the centrality of the Land and the State of Israel in Jewish life.” Vision: This slate is focused on millennials and the “young activists” fighting for Israel on campuses who are promoting “fresh solutions to Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians” since “the two-state model being aggressively promoted for the past 30 years has not and cannot succeed.” MERCAZ USA: As the Zionist organization of the Conservative/Masorti movement, MERCAZ pushes for no restrictions of the Law of Return, increased funding for its programs, the implementation of the egalitarian prayer plan at the Western Wall and an open Jewish “pluralistic society.”

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the TC office at 315-475-9952 or office@ templeconcord.org. KOL ISHAH IN CONCERT: A CELEBRATION OF THE FEMALE VOICE BY CHANA MEIR As part of Temple Concord’s Regina F. Goldenberg Cultural Series and co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Central New York, Temple Concord presented “Kol Ishah: Music that Moves Us,” a concert celebrating female cantors, at the synagogue on January 11. Kol Ishah, “voice of a woman,” consists of Cantor Barbara Ostfeld, the first woman ordained as a cantor; Cantor Esa Jaffe, of Temple Adath Yeshurun; Cantor Paula Pepperstone, of Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas; and Cantor Kari Siegel Eglash, of Temple Concord. Accompanying them on piano was Joseph Downing, chair of the Department of Music Theory, Composition, and History at Syracuse University. Kol Ishah performed contemporary settings of prayers, including Yihu L’ratzon, Broadway numbers such as “Sabbath Prayer” from “Fiddler on the Roof,” and other standards such as “Blue Skies.” “God’s been waiting a long time to hear women’s voices,” Cantor Ostfeld said later, reflecting on the progress she and

Dorshei Torah V’Tzion: Supported by the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance, the No. 7 slate seeks improved Israel-Diaspora relations, religious pluralism and the expansion of women’s equality, including in religious setting like yeshivas. Its candidates include Rabbi Avi Weiss, the first Orthodox rabbi to ordain women; and his first female graduate, Rabba Sara Hurwitz. Hatikvah: Supported by a number of progressive Jewish organizations such as J Street, the New Israel Fund, National Council of Jewish Women, Ameinu and T’ruah, says its platform is “inspired” by the principles of Israel’s Declaration of Independence. The group has opposed “permanent occupation and annexation,” and “proudly stands with those Israelis searching for peace with Palestine.” World Sephardic Zionist Organization Ohavei Zion: It supports increased funding to promote Sephardic Jewish culture, education and spiritual life, and encourages immigration (aliyah) to Israel. Herut Zionists: Promoted as “the Jabotinsky movement,” named after the Zionist leader Ze’ev Jabotinsky, Herut calls for “a return to the traditional values

Continued from page 4 other female cantors have made. “Now that time has come.” More than 125 people attended, representing most of the area’s synagogues. Cantor Siegel Eglash said that the closing number, “Stand Strong,” was “written for these tough times, when it’s important to be singing together, being together, and expressing our Jewishness in ways that are open and proud.”

JIM BRULÉ DISCUSSES “JOSEPH/ YUSUF – WHERE TORAH AND QU’RAN MEET” On February 10, 17 and 24, from 7-8 pm, at Temple Concord, Maggid Jim Brulé will speak on the story of Joseph as portrayed in the Torah and the Qu’ran. The story of Joseph in the Torah has been called the most significant single narrative amongst the Five Books. In the Qu’ran, it is the only story to completely and exclusively occupy a single chapter, where it is known as the Qu’ran’s “most beautiful story.” The two stories have “a great deal” in common and follow nearly identical timelines. And yet, readers often find their differences “exciting,” with each text illuminating the other. Participants will explore these texts side by side to discover the deeper meanings of each. For information, contact Brulé at jimbrule@gmail.com.

of Zionism,” including Jewish settlements on “all parts of the land of Israel.” ZOA Coalition: Headed by the Zionist Organization of America, the slate is joined by more than two dozen “Zionist and Jewish activist groups.” Among its key platform issues are rescuing Jews endangered by global antisemitism; combating global and campus antisemitism and the BDS movement; rejecting an Iranian-proxy Palestinian-Arab terror state; promoting love and respect for Jewish tradition; defending and strengthening Israel, Israeli sovereignty and the right to settle and live in Judea and Samaria; and strengthening Jewish and Zionist education in Israel and Diaspora. American Forum for Israel: The slate’s “mission is to raise awareness among American Jews, including those of Russian Jewish origin and other émigré Jewish communities in the United States, of the critical need for Israel to remain a powerful democratic and Jewish state.” The party seeks to “fully integrate” all parts of the Russian-American Jewish Diaspora into mainstream U.S. Jewish community “on the basis of pro-Israel activism and practical Zionism.” American4Israel: This slate has a list of “10 commandments” that include promoting programs that encourage Zionism activist, and maximizing the rights and

Theodor Herzl, considered the father of modern-day Zionism, leaned over the balcony of the Hotel Les Trois Rois (Three King’s Hotel/Hotel drei Könige) in Basel, Switzerland, possibly during the sixth Zionist conference there. (Photo courtesy of The Bettman Archive) improving the financial status of Holocaust survivors. Kol Yisrael: Backed by groups such as StandWithUs, the Israeli-American Council, the Conference of Young Jewish Presidents, it aims to strengthen Israel-Diaspora relationships and empower young American Jews to build a connection with Israel. Shas Olami: Affiliated with Israel’s Sephardic Orthodox party Shas, it focuses on “strengthening Sephardic traditions and values worldwide.”

At right: Delegates at the First Zionist Congress in 1897 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Head of School Opening (part time, 10-12 hours per week)

The Rabbi Jacob H. Epstein School of Jewish Studies Syracuse, NY • www.epsteincny.org

The Rabbi Jacob H. Epstein School of Jewish Studies is seeking a Head of School beginning in Fall, 2020. The Epstein School provides continuing education one evening a week for teens in grades 7-12. It is community based and enrolls students from all area synagogues. The Head of School is the chief professional for the school and will be responsible for student enrollment, supervision of faculty and staff, curriculum and program development, grant submission, community and family relations and communication. The Head of School reports to the Board of Directors and collaborates in fundraising, financial planning and marketing. The Head of School also plans and accompanies a Teen Trip to Israel every other year. A full job description is available on request. Other youth engagement positions are available within the community. Candidates should have a strong Jewish background with experience in Hebrew/ Jewish education. The salary range is $15,000-$20,000, depending upon candidate qualifications. Interested applicants should submit cover letter, resume and 3 references to: Fran Ciardullo, Board President, at search.epsteincny@gmail.com. The Rabbi Jacob H. Epstein School of Jewish Studies, Inc. admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin in all the rights and programs, and activities at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship programs, and other school administered programs.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ JANUARY 30, 2020/4 SHEVAT 5780

D’VAR TORAH Tu B’Shevat – Happy New Year, trees BY RABBI DANIEL JEZER “Shortly after God created the universe, He took Adam and Eve for a walk and tour of the world. God showed them all the beauties of nature and explained the intricate interrelationships that allow the world to flourish. They were most impressed, and, as is the wont of humans, they wanted to possess it all. God looked at them and admonished, ‘See this world that I have created. For you have I created it. Do not deface it or destroy it, for once it has been defaced or destroyed, it cannot be created again.’” (adapted from Midrash Ecclesiastes Rabbah) We can all appreciate the sentiment expressed in the story. The difficulty lies in its implementation. How do we use the universe and not deface it or destroy it? From the very outset, the Torah’s description of creation points to a tension as to how we are to view and use the world about us. In the first creation story (Genesis chapter 1), after the creation of each item, God tells us of its inherent value, “and God saw that this was good.” God then gave them to humanity to be used (wisely). The second creation story (chapter 2:4-24) has a different perspective. There is not inherent goodness or value in the items created. Rather, their purpose of being created was to add to the value and enjoyment of human life. Humans are to rule over the earth without regard for the innate holiness of creation. As the holiday of Tu B’Shevat has developed over the past century, very many in our Jewish community have used this holiday to focus on the issues of the environment. Tu B’Shevat, literally the 15th day of the month of Shevat, in mishnaic days, 2,000 years ago, was a day marking the official new year of trees. This was important – both for tax purposes and for permission to eat the fruit of a tree after it was 3 years old. The holiday lost significance after the dispersion of our people to the Diaspora. Beginning in the 16th century, Jewish mystics revived it as the festival of trees – an analogy to the mystical representation of the Tree of Life. Since the Zionist movement began, and reforestation of the land of Israel became a priority, the focus to many has changed

to issues of planting trees and environmental concerns. The debates over the proper use of the world and our relationship to the universe about us has escalated in the past few years. This year, in particular, we have witnessed the devastation of trees. Manmade fires in the Amazon, global warming-induced fires in California, and now most tragically of all in Australia, have heightened the debate. Are we not listening to God’s admonition not to deface or destroy the world – as once it is defaced or destroyed, it cannot be created again? Tu B’Shevat is an antidote to the despair that many feel when we read of these environmental catastrophes and the abrogation of regulations which would prevent further catastrophes from occurring. Tu B’Shevat is a celebration. We eat a variety of fruits and nuts, enjoy the bounty that trees produce for us. In Israel, a million people go out and plant a tree on Tu B’Shevat (February 10 this year), adding to the hundreds of millions of trees already planted in the reforestation program. We can also celebrate that in various countries around the world, tree planting has become a national priority. In Ethiopia, a reported 300 million trees were planted in a single day and four billion additional trees are scheduled to be planted. In Israel, Tu B’Shevat marks the beginning of the budding the trees after the winter. But even here, in this cold climate, in our own backyard, we can watch the wonders of God’s creation particularly in February, the month of Tu B’Shevat. Look at the trees at the beginning of the month. The deciduous trees look almost dead, comatose; yet by the end of February, almost imperceptibly, but yet real, the twigs and branches are beginning to show signs of life, or rejuvenation after the winter. “How great are your works, O God.” Enjoy, celebrate Tu B’Shevat this February 10 and enjoy the world about us. Partake of a meal featuring the bounty of the earth. It is a blessing of God’s creation. Enjoy a Tu B’Shevat seder celebration at one of our synagogues. Rabbi Daniel Jezer is rabbi emeritus at Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas in DeWitt.

Ten Bnei Menashe girls celebrate b’not mitzah in Israel BY SHAVEI ISRAEL STAFF JERUSALEM – Ten 12-year-old girls, all of whom are recent Bnei Menashe immigrants brought on aliyah from India by Shavei Israel, celebrated their bat mitzvah in January 2019 at a festive gathering of family and friends hosted by Girls Town Jerusalem, where they are enrolled as students. “We were delighted to attend this very special and mov-

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ing bat mitzvah celebration, which symbolizes the right of passage that the girls and their families have undergone in returning to the Jewish people,” said Shavei Israel founder and Chairman Michael Freund. “We are grateful to Girls Town Jerusalem for the warmth, love and acceptance that they have showered upon these recent immigrants, some of whom arrived here barely six months ago. May they grow up to be proud Jewish women here in the land of their ancestors, the land of Israel. “We are determined to continue with our efforts until all the remaining 7,000 Bnei Menashe still in India are able to return to Zion,” he added. The Bnei Menashe have been called descendants of the tribe of Manasseh, one of the Ten Lost Tribes exiled from the land of Israel more than 2,700 years ago by the Assyrian Empire. So far, some 4,000 Bnei Menashe have made aliyah thanks to Shavei Israel over the past 15 years, including more than 450 last year. Another 7,000 Bnei Menashe remain in India, all of whom wish to make aliyah.

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A bat mitzvah celebration, organized by Shavei Israel and hosted by Girls Town Jerusalem, of 10 Bnei Menashe immigrants took place in January. (Photos by Shavei Israel/Laura Ben-David)

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Calendar Highlights To see a full calendar of community events, visit the Federation's community calendar online at www.jewishfederationcny.org. NOTE CONTACT CHANGE: Notify kpiirak@jewishfederationcny.org of any calendar changes.

Wednesday, January 29 Deadline for February 13 Jewish Observer Wednesday, February 12 Deadline for February 27 Jewish Observer Monday, February 3 Deadline for March 1 Jewish Observer Friday, January 31 Temple Concord – Tot Shabbat at 5 pm Saturday, February 1 TC “Havdalah in Pajamas” – a joint family and Cinemagogue event. Enjoy making pizza and watching “An American Tail” at 5:30 pm Sunday, February 2 Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas World Wide Wrap at 9 am Temple Adath Yeshurun Foundations for Jewish Life class at 10:45 am TAY Interfaith family forum at noon TC Brotherhood and Sisterhood event featuring Dr. Charles Mango at 9:30 am TC Intro to Judaism at 11 am TC Goldenberg series presents the Silverwood Clarinet Choir at 2 pm Syracuse Hebrew Day School BUDS Winter Wonderland at 3 pm Monday, February 3 TC “Joseph/Yusuf – Where Torah and Qu’ran Meet” with Maggid Jim Brulé at 7 pm World InterFaith Harmony Assembly Celebration at TAY from 6:30-8:30 pm Tuesday, February 4 Epstein School at CBS-CS at 6:30 pm TC Talmud with Rabbi Daniel Fellman at 12:30 pm Wednesday, February 5 Temple Adath Yeshurun Hazak “Orange Glory” video at 1 pm Syracuse Community Hebrew School at Temple Concord from 4-6 pm Sha’arei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse “Words and Melodies: Shabbat Prayers and Songs at Home” with Rabbi Evan and Deborah Shore and Norman Poltenson at 7 pm Thursday, February 6 Federation pres./exec. meeting at JCC at 9 am TAY “How Did We Get Here? Emergence of the Modern Jewish Movements” class with Rabbi Yehoshua Zehavi at 7 pm Friday, February 7 TAY Musical Shabbat at 5:30 pm TC Shabbat Shirah at 6 pm Saturday, February 8 TAY Mishpacha Shabbat at 9:15 am TC Tu B’Shevat Shabbaton 11 am-2 pm Sunday, February 9 STOCS Tu B’Shevat crafts for kids at 11 am STOCS Tu B’Shevat seder featuring environmental professional Rachel Jacobson at 6 pm TAY Foundations for Jewish Life class at 10:45 am TAY Tu B’Shevat program at 4:30 pm TC Brotherhood at 9:30 am TC Sisterhood attends “Wolves” at Syracuse Stage at 2 pm Monday, February 10 Tu B’Shevat TC “Joseph/Yusuf – Where Torah and Qu’ran Meet” with Maggid Jim Brulé at 7 pm Tuesday, February 11 TC Talmud with Rabbi Daniel Fellman at 12:30 pm Epstein School at CBS-CS at 6:30 pm Epstein School board meeting at 6:30pm JCC Executive Committee at 6 pm, followed by board meeting at 7 pm Wednesday, February 12 STOCS “Customs, Conventions, and Commands: things done and said during services that aren’t necessarily in the Siddur” at 7 pm Syracuse Community Hebrew School at Temple Concord from 4-6 pm

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Birthright

OBITUARIES CLIFFORD MILLIAN

Clifford Millian, 78, died on January 13 after a long battle with cancer. Born in The Bronx, he graduated from the High School of Music and Art, and received a bachelor of science in engineering from City College of New York. He adored his family. His passions included photography, wine, music and the trumpet, and he was the family photographer for every occasion. His lifelong love of the trumpet began in junior high school, and he played in bands from New York City to the Catskills. After moving to the Syracuse area, he performed with the Onondaga Civic Symphony, the Lafayette Band and, for 25 years, the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble. Cliff was an electrical engineer and project manager with Niagara Mohawk (National Grid) until his retirement in 1996. Several years later, he found a new avocation as a bus driver for the Fayetteville-Manlius School District. He met his future wife, Joyce (Yellin), in the Catskills (he was in the band; she worked in the office), and they married in 1964. They raised their two children in Manlius and later moved to Fayetteville. He was predeceased by his parents, Esther and Seymour Millian. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; their daughters, Pamela (Gary Orentlicher) Millian and Stephanie Millian; grandchildren, Ellie Millian, Adam (Stacey) Orentlicher, Joshua (Rebecca) Oren; great-grandchildren; his brothers, (including his twin) Sheldon (Diane), Stuart and Norman; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Jay Schondorf; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Burial was in White Plains, NY. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements. Contributions may be made to the Kidney Cancer Association, 2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77019; the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble (SUBrass.com/CliffordMillian); or a charity of choice. 

LIANNE SCHNEIDER

Lianne Schneider, 73, died on January 10 at Brookdale Senior Living in Fayetteville. Born in Montreal, she grew up in Montreal and Toronto. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto and her master’s at Syracuse University. During her professional career, she was a speech therapist and had retired as a preschool special educator from BOCES in Syracuse. She was a former member of Temple Concord. Her loving family includes her son, Randy (Andrea) Schneider; their children, Cody and Phoebe, all of Wellesley, MA; her daughter, Maida (Sean) Lucas; their children, Michael and Jenna, all of Brewerton; her brother, Eric Plotnick, of DeWitt; her sister, Myra Katz, of Sydney, Australia; and her former husband, Bob Schneider and his wife, Sandi, of Manlius. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements. 

Canada

EVA ECKSTEIN TORRES

Eva Eckstein Torres, 94, died on January 8 in Framingham, MA. She was born in Etyek, Hungary, and was a survivor of the Holocaust. Her mother, father, sister, Judith, and countless relatives did not. After being liberated, she met Albert Torres at Feldafing Restitution Camp in Germany and was married on July 13, 1945. They eventually moved to Thessaloniki, Greece, where their children were born. They immigrated to the U.S. in 1951, settling in Syracuse. Incredibly, she was reunited with her brothers, Rudolf and Joseph Eckstein, in Syracuse in 1956. She worked many jobs until co-owning and operating the popular CDM Luncheonette on E. Genesee Street for 20 years with Albert. It was well-known for great food, an eclectic clientele, and Eva as the spunky, quick-witted waitress with a sweet tooth for hot fudge. She was a dedicated member of Pioneer Women of Syracuse for many years. Her story is the epitome of the classic immigrant story: hard-working for a better life and education for their children. She will be forever remembered for her feisty, strong-willed “tell it like it is” personality, a smile that could light up any room, her spirit, and lessons on cooking and life. She was the “real deal,” a survivor in all respects. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Albert, in 2010; and her daughter-in-law, Judith Diamond Torres, in 2018. She is survived by her children, Morris Torres and Dora Torres (David Lombardi); her grandchildren, Jason (Jennifer) Torres, Ben Torres and Jocelyn Torres Wolff; and great-grandchildren, Trevor, Derek and Eliza Torres, and Sydney, Talia and Jonah Wolff; and her devoted caregivers from HomeInstead Senior Care. Burial was in Frumah Packard Cemetery. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements. Contributions may be made to Jewish Family Service, Schechter Holocaust Services, 1430 Main St., Waltham, MA 02451, or 2 Life Communities, c/o Shillman House Resident Council, 49 Edmands Rd., Framingham, MA 01701. 

TAY

Continued from page 4 and the natural world. The program will mark this time of rebirth with song, study, children’s activities and the traditional four rounds of wine (grape juice) and four groupings of fruits and nuts. When describing Tu B’Shevat and natural rebirth, Rabbi Zehavi said, “Though Central New York still slumbers through winter, the land of Israel brims with the pink and white blossoms of early spring.” These programs are open to the greater community. All ages are welcome to participate. Registration is requested and appreciated for the Tu B’Shevat seder. To register, visit www.adath.org or call 315-445-0002.

JEWISH OBSERVER

Continued from page 1 are a relatively few number of people who come feeling completely disconnected from Israel, and that number after they come back is very, very small.” Jewish identity and involvement are also “enormously impacted,” affirmed Saxe. “Birthright alumni are overrepresented in terms of incidence in the population as professional staff in Jewish Federations and careers in the Jewish world, including those who did not go to Jewish day school or had much involvement in the Jewish community early on.” The participants who witness the biggest transformations, according to the researcher, are those who had poorly formed Jewish backgrounds in early life, with little to no exposure to formal and informal Jewish education. In winter 2018, Tennessee native Natalie Dubin concluded her Mayanot Birthright Israel trip with a better understanding of what it means to be a Jew, as well as a stronger desire to become more involved with the Jewish community back home. With barely any Jewish education growing up, in 2019, Dubin reported still feeling “connected” and “changed,” with her trip inspiring her to explore her background further and even wear a Jewish star to express her pride in her identity. After returning to Asheville, NC, where she works as a speech therapist, Dubin recalled talking to everyone at work about the experience and how “it was much more than I could have ever expected. “I raved to my friends about how I fell in love with the people in Israel and how amazing I found the Jewish religion to be,” she told JNS. “Friends would ask if I claim to be Jewish or not, and I tell them I’m not a religious person, but I am Jewish,” she declared. That represented a marked difference, she added, compared to a year-and-a-half prior to the trip when she wouldn’t “advertise” her religion. The Israeli soldiers who participate, too, are “in many ways as profoundly affected as the Diaspora participants,” reported Saxe. “It is interesting how similar they describe the experience. They say, “I came into the program as an Israeli in the army, protecting my country, and I came out feeling not just as an Israeli but a Jew, part of something greater than myself and my community. It is clear that Birthright is transformative,” he summarized. Working with psychologists and experts in education to create programming that is emotionally, physically and intellectually engaging, Birthright is continuously navigating how to achieve its objectives with a diverse and ever-changing population of emerging Jewish adults who represent a range of geographies, backgrounds and education. Two decades after its founding, the program’s central challenge “in a world of pathological individualism,” summed up Saxe, is to continue to hone in on how to make the best use of the 10 days to “provide a Jewish identity experience that reinforces the notion that we are connected to one another and part of something greater than ourselves.”

Continued from page 2

real shift toward the Conservative Party, but since then, the community shifted with Trudeau. Concerning social and fiscal values, Jews in major cities tend to vote more liberal, but we don’t see that sort of 70/30 split like in America; it’s more like 50/50 in Canada. Regarding [actions] like moving its embassy to Jerusalem, a majority [of Jewish Canadians] would like to see something like that take place. In America, there are politicians known to support BDS, an antisemitic movement. In Canada, too, there were a number of incidents with respect to political candidates that espoused antisemitic viewpoints, but we did not hesitate to talk to the public about it. It is important to act in these cases because once an individual is elected to a government, they can use their power to influence positively or negatively. So candidates have lost because they compared Israel to Nazi Germany, and tenured professors who denied the Holocaust faced the consequences; we are proud of our role in increasing transparency and educating the public about the background of certain individuals. Within politics, we believe one should aspire to represent and advocate on behalf of the community through respecting one’s own value systems and principles. Zionism is an inherent part of our Jewish faith. When you respect yourself strongly, others will respect you as well. We are not [in the political arena] to make friends. Q: What’s life like for young Canadian Jews on college campuses? A: Campus life is quite good for Jewish students. There is a subtle trend of antisemitism at certain universities

in Canada, and sometimes, there are incidents of blatant antisemitism on campus, such as at York University and the University of Toronto. I’ve always thought of Canada as being 10 years behind United States, and now we are seeing that on campus, too, where the aggressive, antisemitic behavior in the U.S. is slowly finding its way to Canada. This is something we will be following up on – figuring out how we can make the campus a “safe space” for every group.

Birthright participants hiked up Masada, Israeli flag in hand. (Photo courtesy of Birthright Israel)

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NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org

Palestinians threaten to pull out of Oslo agreement over projected Trump peace plan

Palestinian Authority officials on Jan. 26 threatened to withdraw from key provisions of the Oslo Accords in protest against the U.S. administration’s projected Mideast peace plan.Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told AFP that the U.S. initiative would turn Israel’s “temporary occupation into a permanent occupation,” and that the P.A. reserved the right “to withdraw from the Interim Agreement” should U.S. President Donald Trump unveil his plan. Also known as Oslo II, the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip is a key component of the Oslo accords. Also on Jan. 26, the P.A. Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Trump’s long-awaited peace plan, also called the “deal of the century,” is “the plot of the century to liquidate the Palestinian cause.” The comments were made as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main political rival, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, separately headed to Washington for meetings with Trump ahead of the unveiling of the peace plan, which were set for Jan. 28. The Palestinian leadership was not invited by the White

STOCS

House, having rejected the initiative after the United States recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December 2017. P.A. leader Mahmoud Abbas reportedly also refused a phone call by Trump to discuss matters. On Jan. 25, Erekat said the Trump plan would go down in history as the “fraud of the century” if it denied that Israel was an “occupying force.” Gaza-based terror groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have reportedly pledged to reject the deal and work to thwart it.

Israel officially allows citizens to visit Saudi Arabia

In another sign of warming relations between Israel and some of the Gulf states, Israel’s Interior Ministry announced on Jan. 26 that Israelis will now be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia for religious or business purposes. Under the new regulations, all Israeli Muslims will be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia for Islamic religious pilgrimages without having to receive special permission, as was the case in the past, according to an AP report. Until now, Israelis wanting to travel to Saudi Arabia or other Arab states that do not have official relations with Israel had to use foreign passports or be granted special permission. The Interior Ministry announcement did note, however, that Israelis wishing to visit Saudi Arabia would still require an official invitation, according to the report. Continued from page 4

CUSTOMS, CONVENTIONS AND COMMANDS CLASS On Wednesday, February 12, at 7 pm, at Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse, Rabbi Evan Shore will present the class “Customs, conventions and commands: things we do and say during services that aren’t necessarily in the prayer book.” The rabbi believes that there are moments during davening when the congregation responds with words that are not in the siddur; and there are things that people do, such as back up from the Aron Kodesh or kiss their pinky when the Torah is raised. This is an opportunity for anyone wondering about what to say, the derivation of some of these practices, or what is halachah and what is custom. The content of the class is participant driven. To submit any questions to Rabbi Shore in advance, e-mail him at info@stocsyracuse.org. He said, “There is no such thing as a stupid question.” Reservations are requested and may be made by contacting the synagogue at www.stocsyracuse. org/events, 315-446-6194, or info@stocsyracuse.org. THE ISRAELI-ETHIOPIAN COMMUNITY On Monday, February 24, at 7 pm, Yaakov Frohlich will speak at STOCS about the Israeli Ethiopian community and the work of the Fidel Association. He has worked for more than 18 years with new immigrants to Israel

and, for the last four years, he has worked closely with the Beta Israel (Ethiopian) community while serving as director of resource development at the Fidel Association. He is touring the U.S. to raise funds for Fidel’s work. Frohlich said he has been inspired by the experiences of Fidel’s director, Michal (Tawkalech) Avera Samuel. In 1984, when Samuel’s family left Ethiopia, they walked by foot through Sudan with 20 other families, traveling for weeks by night to avoid the Ethiopian army. They had little water and many died, but others remained optimistic that they would fulfill their yearning for Zion. Samuel stated, “The most powerful educational concept that resonated with children and adults alike in Ethiopia, passed down from generation to generation, was awareness of the need to safeguard the purity of our hearts and deeds in order that we would one day be worthy of entering Jerusalem.” The Beta Israel community believed the Second Temple still stood. Samuel grew up hearing about the kohanim working in the Beit HaMikdash. She recalled, “The ideal of Jerusalem was the force that provided us with the stamina to persevere during the arduous trek through the desert. It was the dream that kept us going.” When Samuel arrived in Israel at age 9 through Operation Moses, she discovered the Temple had been destroyed: this “left a great void in me that I have been unable to fill.”

For Samuel, there were aspects of Israeli life – like showers and indoor cooking – that were easy to adapt to after growing up in a village with no running water. However, her family struggled to integrate into Israeli society. Samuel’s father wanted her to be educated and she succeeded in earning a master’s degree, opening the door for her nieces and nephews to become doctors and lawyers. Samuel is now executive director of Fidel, a notfor-profit organization that focuses on education and achieving its vision of a socially and economically integrated Ethiopian community, proud of its unique identity, sharing strengths with Israeli society and partaking in its leadership. She sends her wishes through Frohlich that the Central New York community will support these efforts. A donation of at least $36 is requested, with tax-deductible checks payable to: PEF Israel Endowment Funds Inc., with a notation that it is for “The Fidel Association” – Amuta #58-0295962. Checks may also be mailed to: PEF Israel Endowment Funds Inc., 630 Third Ave. Suite 1501, New York, NY 10017, or paid online at jgive.com, at Fidel Association. Refreshments will be served. Reservations are requested and may be made by contacting STOCS at www.stocsyracuse.org/events, 315-446-6194, or info@ stocsyracuse.org.

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