6 SHEVAT 5777 • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • VOLUME XXXVIII, NUMBER 3 • PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY
Summer 2017 camp scholarship applications available BY JUDITH L. STANDER The Jewish Federation of Central New York and the Foundation for Jewish Camps program “One Happy Camper” will once again partner to offer two levels of incentives for first-time Jewish campers in Central New York. The first step involves completing an online application on the One Happy Camper website, www.onehappycamper. org. When a camper is determined eligible by the program, a $1,000 incentive can be awarded to that first-time Jewish overnight camper who plans to stay at least 19 days at a Jewish overnight camp. Similarly, an eligible first-time camper who plans to attend camp for 12 days can be awarded a $700 first-time incentive. These incentive awards
are for first-time Jewish overnight campers who currently reside in the Central New York area. An online application for each One Happy Camper incentive must be completed before eligibility can be determined. Step two involves completing a separate local application to the Jewish Federation of Central New York. The deadline for submission of this form is Tuesday, April 4, by noon. To receive an application, contact Judith Stander at the Federation at 315-445-0161, ext. 114, or jstander@jewishfederationcny.org. While OHC does not provide any incentives for campers who attend a day school, the Jewish Federation of Central New York has determined that local children currently attending a day school will
be eligible to receive half the face value of either first-time camping incentive from funds provided exclusively by Federation. There is no online application process. Only a local application is needed. This can mean $500 for a Jewish first-time camper who is registered for a 19-day camping session or $350 for a Jewish first-time camper who is registered for a 12-day camping session. To further assist families with the costs of Jewish overnight camping, Federation is making limited funds available in the form of needs-based grants. Families of first-time campers, as well as families of repeat campers, can apply for a needs-based summer camp grant. This includes families of the Syracuse Hebrew Day School, Syracuse
Community Hebrew School and Central New York synagogue religious schools. Jewish students who are not affiliated with a religious institution are also eligible to apply to the Federation for summer camp grants. To assure confidentiality and privacy of information, an initial recommendation regarding a needs-based grant amount will be made by the camp, rather than the Federation. A Jewish Federation of Central New York Summer Camp Committee will make the final decision. Camping families can apply for the One Happy Camper program as well as the needs-based grant program. For more information, contact Judith Stander at 315-445-0161, ext. 114, or jstander@jewishfederationcny.org.
The Epstein School prepares for upcoming Teen Taste of Israel trip BY CANTOR PAULA PEPPERSTONE The Rabbi Jacob H. Epstein School of Jewish Studies, with the support of an endowment fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Central New York, will continue A Teen Taste of Israel, a bi-annual educational program begun in 2015. The fund that makes the trip possible is being supported by Elaine Rubenstein and Jack Lyon. The program, which will be held from February 16-26, is a 10-day touring trip to Israel, with 13 ninth and 10th-grade students and two chaperones. It will provide a “hands-on” Jewish educational experience. Students who attend the program will make “a serious commitment” of their time and energy. They have attended the Epstein School since seventh or eighth grade. As a condition of their participation on the largely-subsidized trip, they have committed to continuing their Jewish studies at the Epstein School through their senior year. In preparation for the trip, they learn
about Israel with Tamar Frieden, focusing on the country’s history, successes, challenges and the sites the tour will visit. The trip itinerary includes visits to the Kotel (Western Wall) and the Old City; Yad Vashem; the shuks (markets) in Jerusalem and Jaffa; an evening on Ben Yehuda Street; climbing Masada; swimming in the Dead Sea; staying in Bedouin tents; hiking; and meeting with Israeli peers. Participants “met” their Israeli tour guide through Skype in preparation for the trip. Miriam Elman, associate professor of political science at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School, will speak to the students on the history and current status of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. For more information about the Epstein School’s Teen Taste of Israel trip, contact Epstein Director Cantor Paula Pepperstone at epsteincny@gmail.com. Community members who wish to ensure the continuation of the program in the future should contact Linda Alexander
Federation statement
As a result of the recent presidential campaign, the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Central New York issued a clear statement reaffirming our Jewish values of freedom and human rights. At its January 2017 meeting, the board voted unanimously to accept and endorse the following resolution: The Jewish Federation of Central New York is deeply troubled about the rising tide of antisemitism in the United States and abroad. We are also concerned about increased virulent anti-Israel statements and actions here and abroad which go beyond differences over policy but rise to antisemitism in their scope and degree. We condemn all hate speech and reaffirm our commitment to equality, human dignity and peace. We condemn attacks on any religious or ethnic groups that share our commitment to equality, human dignity and peace, and hold that an attack on any such group is an attack on us as well. We will continue to be vigilant in identifying all manifestations of bigotry, and we will work independently, or with allies, to reduce and eliminate their adverse effects on our community. We will respond as needed to acts and words that are in opposition to our mission to protect the interests of the Jewish community and to advocate for the State of Israel.
at the Jewish Community Foundation of Central New York at 315-445-2040, ext. 130.
For more information about the Epstein School, contact Pepperstone at 315-4274737 or epsteincny@gmail.com.
Israel slated to take in 100 orphaned Syrian refugee children BY JNS STAFF (JNS.org) – Israel has announced that it will take in 100 orphaned Syrian refugee children, the Jewish state’s first such move since Syria’s civil war began nearly six years ago. According to the report by Israel’s Channel 10, the children will receive temporary resident status and become permanent residents after four years. Additionally, the children, who will be housed in an Education Ministry boarding school for the first three months and then enrolled in Israeli schools, will eventually be placed by the government with Arab-Israeli foster families. Israeli Interior Minister Aryeh Deri approved the plan. “Israel to take in Syrian orphans as refugees with path to citizenship. Arab-Israelis will help absorbing,” Israeli-Arab diplomat George Deek wrote on Twitter. The Channel 10 report also said that Israel may allow close relatives of the Syrian children – such as siblings or parents, if they are found alive – to be granted Israeli residence. While Israel has largely remained neutral in regards to the conflict in Syria, the Jewish state has treated more than 2,600 Syrian war casualties in special
hospitals set up along the border as well as in conventional Israeli hospitals.
2017 Federation Annual Campaign Goal: $1,200,000
701,695
$
as of Jan. 30, 2017
To make a pledge, contact Jessica Lawrence at 445-2040 ext. 102 or jlawrence@jewishfederationcny.org.
C A N D L E L I G H T I N G A N D P A R AS H A February 3................5:02 pm.................................................................Parasha-Bo February 10..............5:12 pm...............................Parasha-Beshalach-Tu B’Shevat February 17..............5:21 pm.............................................................Parasha-Yitro
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Tu B’Shevat
Congregational notes
Super Sunday
Four loc al synagogues will Local synagogues announce Volunteers helped raise approxcelebrate Tu B’Shevat together children’s activities, a concert, imately $30,000 to help support bowling event and more. on February 11. the Jewish community. Stories on page 4 Story on page 3 Story on page 5
PLUS Calendar Highlights............... 6 Mazel Tov.................................. 6 Obituaries................................. 7 Simcha & Party Planning..... 8