Jewish Observer Issue of February 28, 2019

23 ADAR I 5779 • FEBRUARY 28, 2019 • VOLUME XXXX, NUMBER 5 • PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY

Miriam Elman to assume position of executive director of the Academic Engagement Network

BY JACKIE MIRON Miriam F. Elman, associate professor of political science at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and the inaugural Robert D. McClure Professor of Teaching Excellence, has been appointed the new executive director of the Academic Engagement Network in Washington, DC. Elman and her husband, Colin Elman, a political science professor in the same department, have been at SU since 2008.

They have three children, including one currently at the Syracuse Hebrew Day School and another who is a graduate. She will be taking a leave of absence from SU to assume the position.

Elman said that the BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) movement on campus is “real and growing.” AEN seeks to “engage and mobilize” its members on how to combat the BDS movements on

occurs.” It is faculty-focused campus. Elman has a wealth of and one of the only organiknowledge of and experience with the issues surrounding zations to train professors, the impact of the movement administrators and staff in as it “digs deeper into the bedhandling situations that affect the Jewish community on camrock systems of universities.”

She feels that BDS disrupts pus. There are more than 650 AEN members on more than learning, and makes Jewish students uncomfortable. Many 250 campuses. AEN provides Jewish students have reported an agenda for universities to hiding their Jewish identity as “change the campus climate” the movement crowds out other and gives advice to campus Miriam Elman leadership. Mini-grants are opinions and voices.

According to its website, provided for campus educaAEN is an “active organization of tional programs to guide dialogue and American college and university fac- schools’ obligations to offer diverse ulty opposing the Boycott, Divestment learning opportunities for their students. and Sanctions movement, standing for Elman believes that the AEN “has academic freedom and freedom of ex- already done an enormous amount to pression, supporting education and robust counter BDS and anti-Israel activism on conversation about Israel on campuses, campus, to advance literacy in the study of and responding to antisemitism where it Israel, and to promote and model rigorous

Syracuse Hebrew Day School drama program presents “The Jungle Book, Jr.” The Syracuse Hebrew Day School drama program will present its full-scale dramatic production of Disney’s “The Jungle Book, Jr.” on Thursday, March 14, at 7 pm, and Friday, March 15, at 2 pm,

in the JCC auditorium.

Directed by Bethani Rahrle-White, with musical direction by Sheree Galek, the show is based on the 1894 novel by Rudyard Kipling. The first animated film

L-r: Hazel Baltzersen (Bagheera), Shimi Cooper (Baloo), Leora Zames (Mowgli), Jonah Sahm (King Louie) and Zach Fellman (Colonel Hathi) prepare for their March 14 and 15 performances of “The Jungle Book, Jr.”

Hebrew Interest-Free Loan The Jewish Federation of Central New York has instituted the Hebrew Interest-Free Loan program to help Jewish people get past a temporary financial need.

To learn more about the program or to see if you qualify, visit the Federation’s website, www.jewishfederationcny.org.

version was Walt Disney’s last before his death in 1966. Today, this story of friendship and triumph over tragedy has more than 15 on-screen versions. The cast of “The Jungle Book, Jr.” features Hazel Baltzersen as Bagheera, Shimi Cooper as Baloo, Jonah Sahm as King Louie, Ari Eglash as Kaa, Zach Fellman as Colonel Hathi, Kaitlyn Cohen in the dual roles of Baby Elephant and Shanti, and Remy Sinclair as Shere Kahn. The lead role of Mowgli is being played by Leora Zames.

Dory Sinclair is the stage manager.

According to organizers, “The musical will entertain the whole family with familiar songs, comedic dialogue and some spectacular young talent.”

Tickets are available from the SHDS office at 315-446-1900 or by e-mail at shds@twcny.rr.com.

research and teaching instead of the blatant propaganda that sadly all too often passes today as serious scholarship.”

She says she is “excited to teach the teachers,” and deliver talks at universities to “provide knowledge, strength and confidence in changing the dynamic.” Much of her passion comes from the desire to make the future right for her own children as they embark on higher education.

Jewish Federation of Central New York President/CEO Michael Balanoff said, “What an honor for Miriam Elman to become the new executive director of the Academic Engagement Network (AEN) in Washington, DC. The organization is fortunate to have someone with her passion and knowledge in this important leadership position. We in Syracuse realize what an asset she is to the future of the Jewish people.”

2019 Federation Campaign Annual Pay it forward and donate to the 2019 Jewish Federation of CNY Annual Campaign

Goal: $1,300,000

$718,064 as of Feb. 22, 2019

Thank you for your support!

For more information, please contact Colleen Baker at 315-445-2040, ext. 102, or Cbaker@jewishfederationcny.org

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March 1........................... 5:35 pm................................................... Parashat Vayakel March 8........................... 5:44 pm...................................................Parashat Pekudai March 15......................... 6:53 pm................................................... Parashat Vayikra

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Crunch time

Purim

Congregational notes

A Jewish Community Night will Community Purim celebrations at Local synagogues announce be held at the Syracuse Crunch local synagogues and institutions a scholar-in-residence, book are announced. game on March 2. discussion, author talk and more.

Story on pages 2, 4 and 5 Story on page 2 Stories on page 4

PLUS Calendar Highlights............... 6 Classifieds................................ 6 News in Brief........................... 7 Seniors...................................... 8

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ FEBRUARY 28, 2019/23 ADAR I 5779

Syracuse Crunch to donate Jewish Community Night proceeds to JCC and Tree of Life Synagogue

BY WILLIAM WALLAK Community members are invited to chase the winter blues away with a night of hockey and an evening out with family and friends at Jewish Community Night at the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday, March 2. The Syracuse Crunch will face off against their Thruway rivals, the Rochester Americans. The game will start at 7 pm

at the OnCenter War Memorial Arena in downtown Syracuse.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse and the victims of the Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue shooting last fall.

Discounted tickets to attend are available online for $18 plus fees via promo

Syracuse Community Hebrew School Purim

The Syracuse Community Hebrew School will hold a community Purim event on Wednesday, March 20, at Temple Concord. Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas, Temple Adath Yeshurun and Temple Concord will participate in a superhero Purim that is open to the community.

The evening will start with a kosher dairy dinner at 5:45 pm. The cost is $5 per person. Reservations are requested

by Wednesday, March 13, and may be made by contacting participants’ synagogue office. At 6:15 pm, there will be an

interactive megillah reading and Purim shpiel for kids of all ages. Participants are asked to bring a box of macaroni and cheese or rice to use as their grogger; afterward, the boxes will be collected for the Temple Concord food pantry.

Participants can read the first half of chapter three (3: 1-7). The full megillah will be read at 7 pm.

The Conservative daily minyan will be held at 5:30 pm at Temple Concord, instead of at Temple Adath Yeshurun. Hebrew school classes will dismiss at 5:30 pm.

code JCC at syracusecrunch.com/JewishCommunityNight. Or, order tickets by contacting Crunch representative Cooper Gillogly at 315-473-4444, ext. 110, or at cgillogly@syracusecrunch.com by Friday, March 1, to receive the discount.

As of February 10, according to the Syracuse Crunch’s website, the Crunch are on a season-high eight-game winning streak; they’ve also had winning streaks of seven games (November 11-24) and five games (December 21-29). They are one of two teams (Charlotte) with three winning streaks of at least five games this season.

With 61 points, the Crunch are two points behind Rochester for the North Division lead, but the Crunch have two games in hand on the Amerks.

“Tickets are going fast for the Jewish Community Night’s Syracuse Crunch vs.

Rochester Americans game on March 2, so don’t delay in getting the specially discounted seats,” said organizers of the event.

For more information about the Jewish Community Night at the Syracuse Crunch, contact the JCC of Syracuse at 315-4452360 or info@jccsyr.org.

Menorah Park seeks nominees for Shining Stars Menorah Park is seeking nominees for its 2019 Shining Stars event to be held on Thursday, May 23, under the big tent.

Awards are given to residents, volunteers and employees at any of the Menorah Park facilities. Nominees exemplify what a Shining Star should be.

Nominations should be sent to Susie Drazen, Menorah Park, 4101 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13214, or sdrazen@ menorahparkofcny.com. Nominations are due no later than Friday, March 15. For more information, call Drazen at 315-4469111, ext. 141.

With SpaceIL launch, Israeli children can dream about “reaching the moon” and beyond

BY YAAKOV LAPPIN (JNS) – In 2019, a team of Israelis will make history when an unmanned spacecraft they built will launch from Cape Canaveral, FL, destined for the moon.

SpaceIL, an Israeli non-profit organization, has teamed up with defense giant Israel Aerospace Industries to build the spacecraft. When it touches down on the lunar surface, Israel will join an exclusive club consisting of the United States, Russia and China, which have sent spacecraft to Earth’s nearest neighbor.

“This is a major source of pride,” Ofer Doron, general manager of IAI’s Space Division, told JNS. “If the small state of Israel can do this through a civilian mission, then the sky and space are not the limit. Israeli children can dream about reaching the moon and taking on the next challenge. This is a story of initiative and Israeli daring, which allows us to do the unbelievable. It’s a highly complex technological mission, with many challenges.”

The story of Israel’s journey to the moon began in 2010, when Google announced its Lunar Xprize for the first team that would land a spacecraft on the moon. The contest spurred three young engineers – Yariv Bash, Kfir Damari and former IAI employee Yonatan Winetraub – to build, launch and land an unmanned lunar spacecraft and found SpaceIL. SpaceIL’s other stated goal is to inspire the next generation in Israel and around the world to study science, technology,

engineering and mathematics. The NGO attracted more than $100 million in donations from the private sector, mainly from Morris Kahn, and Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson, who also contributed a large amount from the very beginning.

Israel’s Science and Technology Ministry contributed 7.5 million shekels (nearly $2 million) to the project.

SpaceIL’s educational programs have reached approximately a million Israeli pupils so far. At the same time, engineers from IAI and SpaceIL got to work building the spacecraft at IAI’s Space Division. “Infrastructure and technological know-how are needed for this project,” said Doron. The unique cooperation between a startup NGO, whose business model is based on donations, and a large defense corporation enabled the project to literally take off.

No team that entered Google’s competition managed to get a spacecraft to the moon in time for the deadline, but that has not stopped the Israeli initiative.

The Israeli craft is due to launch in the first quarter of 2019 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to an altitude of 60,000 kilometers. From there, it will enter a series of widening orbits, which will land it on the moon’s Sea of Tranquility region after two months. “We have calculated the precise route that will take it on a lunar orbit,” said Doron. “Once on the moon, it will conduct scientific missions with See “Moon” on page 8

At left: Ofer Doron, headofIAI’sMBTSpace Division spoke near the Israeli spacecraft of the SpaceIL team’s spacecraft, during a press conference at the Israel Aerospace facility in Yahud on July 10. (Photo courtesy of Flash90)

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AROUND CENTRAL NEW YORK Susan Case DeMari receives FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award

On February 13, Susan Case DeMari, a federal senior attorney, received the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award at a ceremony at the local FBI office. There are 56 FBI field offices across the U.S. and DeMari was chosen by the Albany field office that oversees Syracuse. This is the first time a nominee was not from the Capital District. The director of the FBI will present the actual award to DeMari on Friday, May 3, in Washington, DC. The citation states, “Outside of her professional employment, she volunteers in a number of capacities to foster and See “DeMari” on page 7

L-r: FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Michael W. DuBois, Susan Case DeMari and FBI Albany Assistant Special Agent Peter Magnetto.

Full house at “Who Will Write Our History” screening

It is said that the written word can be incredibly powerful. That was the takeaway from both the film “Who Will Write Our History” and the question-and-answer session that followed its screening on February 10. The film was shown to a packed house of 200 people at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center.

“Who Will Write Our History” is about

Emanuel Ringelblum and the clandestine Oyneg Shabes group he created to document the experiences of those in the Warsaw Ghetto. With 30,000 pages of writing, photographs, posters, essays and more, the Oyneg Shabes archive is considered the most important cache of in-the-moment, eyewitness accounts from the Holocaust.

L-r: Question-and-answer panelists Alan Goldberg, Syracuse University professor emeritus; Kendall Phillips, SU professor; Rhiannon Berry, Liverpool High School English teacher; Robert Terrell, SU assistant professor; and Karina von Tippelskirch, SU associate professor. The film was hosted by the JCC of Syracuse, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Central New York and a donation from Alan and Dottie Goldberg.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ FEBRUARY 28, 2019/23 ADAR I 5779

CONGREGATIONAL NOTES Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas timesofisrael.com/author/marc-brettler/.

DR. MARK BRETTLER TO BE CBSPast CBS-CS president and professor CS SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE of world religions and Jewish Congregation Beth Shostudies at Colgate University, lom-Chevra Shas and the Rabbi Steven Kepnes said, “Marc Daniel A. Jezer Scholar-in-ResBrettler is one of the leading idence Fund invite the commuacademic scholars of the Henity to a scholar-in-residence brew Bible in the world. He weekend with Marc Brettler on brings both comprehensive Friday, April 5, through Saturknowledge of the wide range day, April 6, at the synagogue. of academic approaches to the Brettler is an American bibBible along with traditional rablical scholar and the Bernice binic interpretive approaches. and Morton Lerner Professor He is unique as an academic in Judaic Studies at Duke Unischolar who is also dedicated versity. He researches biblical Marc Brettler to understanding the Hebrew metaphors, the Bible and gender, biblical historical texts, the book of Bible as a sacred text or Torah.”

Brettler will present several learning Psalms and the post-biblical reception of the Hebrew Bible, including in the New opportunities throughout the weekend. On Testament. He is a co-founder of the web- Friday, April 5, people may come for an site thetorah.com, which integrates critical Asefat Shabbat at 5:45 pm, followed by and traditional methods of studying the Shabbat services at 6 pm and a traditional Bible. In 2004, Brettler won the Nation- Shabbat dinner. Reservations are required al Jewish Book Award for “The Jewish for dinner and there is a charge. Between Study Bible.” In 2017, he was one of 100 dinner and dessert, Brettler will discuss “The scholars and leaders asked to participate Use of the Tanakh in the Pesach Haggadah.”

On Saturday, April 6, during and after in the American Values Religious Voices project. There is more information on his services, Brettler will present a short d’var See “CBS-CS” on page 5 blog, which can be found at https://blogs.

Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation STOCS TO HOLD APPALACHIAN/ SHUSHAN PURIM On Thursday, March 21, at 5 pm, Sha’arei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse will hold an Appalachian/ Shushan Purim Festival. There will be a meat and meatless seudah.

Up-and-coming musician Max Eyle of the Max Eyle Trio will play a few country blues tunes on the harmonica. He is part of the new generation of New York state roots musicians. He sings and plays keyboard and harmonica at venues throughout the area, and performed in February at the Carrier Dome as part of the Syracuse

University women’s basketball pregame show.

Susan Jacobs, known in the area as a member of the first violin section in the Syracuse Max Eyle Symphony and now in Symphoria, will perform “Central Coach Special,” which she describes as a “fun bluegrass riff,” composed by former Syracuse Symphony musician and conductor Calvin Custer. Jacobs is a member See “STOCS” on page 7

Temple Adath Yeshurun SISTERHOOD RUMMAGE SALE The Temple Adath Yeshurun will hold its semi-annual rummage sale from Sunday, March 10, through Tuesday, March 12. The sale is open to the public. For this sale, the TAY Sisterhood is again offering an early bird hour, where people can pay a modest fee for early entry on Sunday, March 10, from 9-10 am. The sale will open to the public at 10 am and run until 3 pm on Sunday, March 10. On Monday, March 11, the sale will run from 10 am-2 pm, and on Tuesday, March 12, the sale will run from 10 am-1 pm. Tuesday will be a $5 bag day. For more information, contact Joan Lowenstein at 315-450-0101 or jmglowe@gmail.com.

BOOK DISCUSSION AT TAY On Sunday, March 17, at 10:30 am, the Temple Adath Yeshurun Sisterhood will host a book discussion on Trevor Noah’s “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood” in the Muriel and Avron Spector Library. The book, a number one New York Times best seller, was named “one of the best books of the year” by Michiko Kakutani of The New York Times and by Newsday, Esquire, NPR and Booklist, and is the winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor.

Penguin Random House writes of the book, “‘Born a Crime’ is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist. It is also the story of that young man’s relationship with his fearless, rebellious and fervently religious mother

Sophia Schiffrick and Sebastian Tapia practiced brushing teeth during a visit from the Village Dental Group to learn about proper dental hygiene at Rothschild Early Childhood Center at Temple Adath Yeshurun. Dia Burrows is in the background.

– his teammate, a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence and abuse that would ultimately threaten her own life.”

The book is about the life of Trevor Noah, whose birth itself was a crime. He was born to a white, Swiss father and black, Xhosa mother during South Africa’s apartheid – a time when interracial relationships were punishable by five years in prison.

Because of this, Noah was kept indoors See “TAY” on page 7

At right: Children from the TAY Rothschild Early Childhood Center ’s Storah Time decorated and donated slipper socks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York. L-r: Kelly Collins, of Make-A-Wish, Elise Cominsky, of RECC, and Debbie Simon, of Make-A-Wish, pose with decorated socks.

Temple Concord “THE LAST PALACE” AUTHOR TO SPEAK AT TEMPLE CONCORD

BY CHANA MEIR Author Norman Eisen will discuss his book, “The Last Palace,” as part of Temple Concord’s Regina F. Goldenberg Series on Sunday, March 10, at 11 am.

Subtitled “Europe’s Turbulent Century in Five Lives and One Legendary House,” “The Last Palace” is a true story about the discovery that Eisen, the former U.S. ambassador to the Czech Republic, made when he moved into the ambassador’s residence. There were swastikas hidden beneath the furniture.

Following that discovery, he traced the lives of four of the people who had called the palace home, including the Jewish financial baron, Otto Petschek; Rudolf Toussaint, the German general who occupied the palace during World War II; Laurence Steinhardt, the first post-war U.S. ambassador; and Shirley Temple Black, an eyewitness to the catastrophic Prague Spring of 1968. She returned to Prague as U.S. ambassador in 1989. The fifth life of the title is that of Eisen’s own mother, whose life he uses to demonstrate how those without power and privilege moved through this turbulent time in history.

Eisen is a senior fellow at Brookings and a CNN commentator. He chairs the watchdog group CREW. He served as ambassador to the Czech Republic from 2011-14, and as President Barack Obama’s ethics czar from 2009-11. His

work has appeared in many publications.

This event is free to attend and not part of the flex subscriptions. Copies of “The Last Palace” will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Temple Concord at 315-475-9952, or office@templeconcord.org.

See “TC” on page 6

Chabad

CHABAD COMMUNITYWIDE PURIM DINNER

BY CHANIE RAPOPORT Chabad-Lubavitch of Central New York will hold its 34th annual communitywide Purim dinner on Thursday, March 21, at the Sheraton University Hotel, 801 University Ave., at 6:15 pm. “Purim at the New York Deli” will offer participants a chance to enjoy a full New York deli dinner and drink royal wine “according to the King’s Bounty” (Esther 1:7). The Purim seudah-dinner has been well-attended in the past and draws from a cross-section of the community.

It is said that the story of Purim is one of the great “historical mystery” stories.

This year, Chabad will introduce an aspect of this mystery to the Purim dinner.

Hanita Blair has attended the dinners for many years and said, “For the past 20 years, my husband and I have enjoyed Purim with Chabad. It is a fun-filled evening See “Chabad” on page 7

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New activities at JCC Purim Carnival coming March 24

BY WILLIAM WALLAK A variety of new games, attractions and entertainment will make their debut during this year’s annual Purim Carnival at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse. The family-oriented day will be held on Sunday, March 24, from noon-4 pm, at the JCC, 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt. There will be food, games, activities and more for families.

Marci Erlebacher, JCC of Syracuse executive director, said, “Thanks to a grant from the Jewish Federation of Central New York, this year we are very excited to roll out new games and a new inflatable obstacle course for children, as well as new cotton candy and popcorn machines, and more entertainment options. It’s a pleasure to open our doors each year to the community and create such a fun and friendly atmosphere. Purim is one of the most lively, joy-filled holidays, and what better way to celebrate than with a carnival for our members, neighbors and the whole community.”

The JCC Purim Carnival is the Center’s largest indoor community event held each year. It has become a tradition for the JCC to hold the celebration as a way of giving back to the community so that families can come together for an afternoon of good quality time.

Children are encouraged to dress in costumes, which is

a Purim holiday custom. Kids dressed in costumes will receive a prize ticket at the door. A food and toiletry drive to benefit the Huntington Family Centers will also be held. Anyone bringing in an item to donate will receive a prize ticket.

One of the carnival’s main attractions is Esther’s Café, which will open for lunch at 11:30 am in the JCC’s Anne and Hy Miller Family Auditorium. A variety of home-cooked, Va’ad-supervised kosher food prepared by the JCC’s chef, Donna Carullo, will be available.

The JCC Neulander Family Sports and Fitness Center’s Schayes Family The JCC Neulander Family Sports and Fitness Center’s Schayes Family Gymnasium will be transformed into a Gymnasium started filling up during last year’s Purim Carnival. mini-indoor midway of sorts and feature children’s carnival games, large inflatable bounce toys entertainment, a toddler/preschool bounce house, childand slides, caricature drawing, face painting, balloon safe ID fingerprinting and car seat safety checks, PJ See “Purim” on page 7 animals and more. Other event attractions will include

Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center senior dining menu MARCH 4-8 Monday – Hawaiian chicken over rice Tuesday – vegetable soup, turkey sandwich Wednesday – roasted herb-rubbed chicken Thursday – cheese quiche Friday – apricot-glazed chicken MARCH 11-15 Monday – tomato soup, grilled cheese Tuesday – meatloaf Wednesday – imitation crab cakes Thursday – spaghetti and meatballs Friday – roasted turkey, dressing The Bobbi Epstein Lewis JCC Senior Adult Dining

At right, l-r: Pictured during last year’s Purim Carnival dressed as Star Wars characters are Aaron Hendricks, a stormtrooper, and his older brother, Ian Hendricks, the X-wing fighter pilot Poe Dameron.

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 315-445-2360, ext.

104, or cstein@jccsyr.org.

CBS-CS

Continued from page 4

Torah as an introduction to his Lunch and Learn at 12:15 pm on “How to Read the Bible.” The Lunch and Learn will follow the 9:30 am Shabbat services.

On Saturday, April 6, at 7:15 pm, CBS-CS members will join members of Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church for the talk, “Why is it important to have a Jewish commentary on the New Testament?” Following the discussion, there will be refreshments and an opportunity for the speaker to sign copies of his books, available at book retailers: “The Bible and the Believer: How to Read the Bible Critically and Religiously,” with Peter Enns and Daniel Harrington, New York: Oxford University Press, 2012; “The Jewish Annotated New Testament,” with Amy-Jill Levine, New York: Oxford University Press, 2011; and “How to Read the Jewish Bible,” Philadelphia, New York: Oxford University Press, 2007. This work has been called “an eye-opening journey through a familiar text, a fresh look at an old story.”

For more information, contact Joan Bordett, chair of the 2019 Scholar-In-Residence Weekend, at jbordett@ twcny.rr.com or 315-445-8161.

CBS-CS HAZAK PRESENTS “HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN” Sue Jacobs and the Seneca String Quartet will present a concert on Sunday, March 10, at 2 pm, at Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas. The program will feature selections characterized as a musical tikkun olam (repairing the world), including pieces from the Chasidic tradition, music based on liturgical texts, Israeli favorites and hits from the pops playlist.

Jacobs is the newest member of the Seneca String Quartet and said she is “thrilled to be working on a decade-long project of composing, arranging, performing

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On January 27, Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone led a hands-on workshop on tallit, tzitzit and tekhelet. L-r: Vinny, Jamie and Joely Kuss practiced tying tzitzit with thick clothesline before mastering the skill and tying their own tzitzit. Phoebe Weisman is in the background.

The CBS-CS Oys and Joys group participated in a morning of music and dancing, provided by Rebecca Oppedisano of Bluebird Music Together.

The Oys and Joys group meets monthly. Contact Melissa Harkavy at director@cbscs.org for more information.

and presenting Jewish-themed string quartet programs to share with the community.”

A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in performance and education, she continued her studies with Dorothy Delay at Juilliard and Franco Gulli in Siena, Italy. She performed as a member of the American Symphony Orchestra under Leopold Stokowski and pursued

chamber music studies with the Hungarian and Guarneri Quartets. She joined the former Syracuse Symphony in 1969 as a member of the first violin section and as first violinist in the Syracuse Symphony String Quartet. She is a member of the first violin section in Symphoria.

The program is free and open to the community.

There will be a reception following the concert and an opportunity to meet and greet the musicians.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ FEBRUARY 28, 2019/23 ADAR I 5779

Calendar Highlights

To see a full calendar of community events, visit the Federation's community calendar online at www.jewishfederationcny.org. Please notify jstander@jewishfederationcny.org of any calendar changes.

Friday, March 1 Young Leadership family Shabbat at the JCC at 5:30 pm Saturday, March 2

Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas Shabbat Spot

at 9:30 am Temple Adath Yeshurun Mishpacha Shabbat at 10:30

Jewish Community Night at the Crunch game at 7 pm Sunday, March 3

American Red Cross blood drive from 9 am-2 pm

Goldenberg Series presents “Kafka’s Metamorphosis: The Musical!” at 2 pm Monday, March 4

Temple Concord Diaspora dinner at Habibas Ethiopian Kitchen at 6:30 pm Tuesday, March 5 Epstein School for Jewish Studies at TAY from 6:308:30 pm Wednesday, March 6 Temple Adath Yeshurun Hazak watches DVD of Syracuse University basketball game at 1 pm Syracuse Community Hebrew School at Temple Concord from 4-6 pm Thursday Marcy 7 CBS-CS book group at 8 pm Friday, March 8 CBS-CS Shabbat HaDorot with Oys and Joys at 5:30 pm Sunday, March 10 Herbert Maloff Florida/Syracuse reunion at South Palm Beach County Civic Center in FL from 11 am-2 pm TC presents former U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic Norman Eisen at 11 am TAY Sisterhood Rummage Sale 10 am-3 pm CBS-CS Hazak presents the Seneca String Quartet at 2 pm Monday, March 11 TAY Sisterhood rummage sale 10 am-2 pm Tuesday, March 12 TAY Sisterhood rummage sale 10 am-1 pm Epstein School for Jewish Studies at TAY from 6:308:30 pm Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center Executive Committee at 6 pm, followed by board meeting at 7 pm Wednesday, March 13 Deadline for March 28 Jewish Observer Syracuse Community Hebrew School at Temple Concord from 4-6 pm TAY Executive Committee at 6:30 pm, followed by board meeting at 7:30 pm Syracuse Hebrew Day School Executive Committee at 7 pm Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas board meeting at 7:30 pm Thursday, March 14 SHDS drama performance at 7 pm Friday, March 15 SHDS drama performance at 2 pm CBS-CS Shirat Shabbat at 6 pm Tzafon USY Regional Convention at TAY Friday-Sunday Sunday, March 17 TAY book discussion on “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah at 10:30 am TC Brotherhood presents Mark Kotzin in “Smartphone Photography” at 9:30 am TC gan program at 10:30 am Monday, March 18 SHDS board meeting at 7 pm Tuesday, March 19 Federation board meeting at 6 pm Epstein School for Jewish Studies at TAY from 6:308:30 pm Wednesday, March 27 Deadline for April 11 Jewish Observer

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L-M PAINTING Residential/Commercial 6340 Danbury Drive Jamesville, NY 13078-9729 (315) 446-0966 Fax (315) 446-1555 Email:LMPainting@aol.com

D’VAR TORAH

How does God heal?

BY JIM BRULÉ “And Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood...” (Exodus 37:1) In a midrash for this week’s portion, Vayakel, the sages use an obscure device to get to a critical problem: what is the Eternal One’s role in human suffering?

The device is the word shittim, which in Hebrew means both a place (Shittim) and the word for acacia wood. The place Shittim is one of the many where we Israelites got into trouble, which raises the question, “Why should the Ark of the Covenant be made from wood that reminds us of our rebellion against God’s laws?”

In Midrash Shmot 50:3, a surprising answer is given, namely: God heals us by wounding us. An astounding paradox! Here’s a bit of their logic: “The ways of God are unlike those of man; for a man inflicts a wound with a knife, and heals with a plaster, but God heals with the very thing with which He wounds.

“It was in Shittim that Israel sinned, for it says, ‘And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit harlotry with the daughters of Moab’ (Num. 25:1); but it was also through shittim (acacia-wood) that they were healed, for it says, ‘And Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood.’”

Now, the problem of theodicy – the presence of evil in a God-created world – is perhaps the greatest challenge that any theology must face, especially if that theology says that God is all-knowing, all-powerful and loving.

However, most of these problems exist at the boundaries of our experience: those disturbing extremes that create huge challenges for every religion. For me, this notion – that we are healed by the wound that God inflicts upon us – is a paradox that can strengthen us in that broad middle of the road, even if it doesn’t satisfactorily answer the problems at the extremes.

Do you know how we build up our muscles and become stronger? We do it by breaking down muscles, tearing them apart in exercise. Then when they heal, they come back not merely repaired, but with more volume and more power.

Do you know how we keep our intellects sharp, our brains healthy? By taking on challenges that stump us; by exercising our cognitive skills in much the same way as we do our physical bodies.

I believe that the challenges that we encounter are opportunities to engage with God and thereby become healed – and strengthened. Am I ready to say that the Eternal One sends us pain and suffering to improve us?

No, I am not.

I am, however, ready to say that God is a healing force that is always available to us, and that the quality of the challenge we find most difficult to face is often the one that will lead us to the most growth if we can encounter it in a spiritually positive manner.

But let’s take this a step further. I do not believe that we can successfully have a full encounter with God’s healing power as individuals. I believe that we must heal each other as agents of the Eternal One, in community.

All too often we forget that the brit – the covenant we have with God – is between God and people, not God and individuals.

So, we are obligated as creatures not only made in the image of the Divine, but as sparks of the Divine in this world, to reach out to each other and help heal the wounds that have been inflicted, by whatever means.

Then, I believe, it will be true that God will heal us – the Divine in each of us can and will heal each of us.

Maggid Jim Brulé is a member of Temple Concord.

His online school for Transformational Storytelling can be found at www.maggidut.com.

Talia Zames wants to help erase people’s medical debt Talia Zames wants to become a physician, video on the Project Eraser website explains but since she is only a high school senior, what she is trying to do: https://secure.qgiv. she has a long road ahead of her. Impatient com/event/projecteraser/. to do something for patients now, she started She is already more than a quarter of the a campaign, Project Eraser, to help people way to her goal. Fund-raising efforts at CBA who are struggling with massive amounts of and SHDS, as well as other events, and a somedical debt. She took a course on public cial media campaign will help her achieve it. health at Cornell University last summer and The amount of debt to be forgiven has been learned that 67 percent of people who file for called “truly staggering,” but Project Eraser bankruptcy do so because of medical debt, will abolish all of the debt listed here: OnonTalia Zames even though 78 percent of them had medical daga County, 489 people, $233,033 in debt; insurance. “You shouldn’t lose your home and your car Madison County, 734 people, $219,838 in debt; Oswego and have your wages garnished because you got sick or County, 97 people, $31,821 in debt; and Oneida County, had to have surgery,” says Zames. “Anyone can get sick 37,899 people, $15,962,445 in debt. The total debt to be and it shouldn’t destroy your financial health as well.” forgiven for 39,219 people is $16,447,136.

Zames heard about RIP Medical Debt, which purchases It sounds impossible, but RIP believes it can make it past-due medical bills and forgives them for those in need. happen. It plans to send yellow envelopes to the debtors It buys debt portfolios at a steep discount (a penny or announcing their no-strings-attached gifts. The reason less on the dollar); the debt has already passed through RIP is able to do this is that when it buys old debt in several collection agencies and months or years of collec- batches with newer debt, it can usually negotiate the tions. The debtors – the poor, the elderly, veterans, first price down. Zames’ Project Eraser seeks to wipe out a responders – are selected based solely on their income lot of hardship and allow people, in debt only because they got sick, to live better lives. level and receive the debt relief as a tax-free gift.

For more information on this project, e-mail Through Project Eraser, Zames is hoping to raise enough money to erase one million dollars of medical projecteraser2019@gmail.com. debt. “I was inspired to do this by a course in public health that I took at Cornell this past summer, and by the values Continued from page 4 I have learned as a student at Christian Brothers Academy and the Syracuse Hebrew Day School. I’m so excited by CINEMAGOGUE PRESENTS “THE BOYS FROM the large number of families we can help,” she says. She BRAZIL” needs to raise $15,000 to erase $1 million in debt ($5,000 BY CHANA MEIR goes toward portfolio purchase and administration). Her The 1978 sci-fi thriller “The Boys from Brazil” will be the next presentation at Temple Concord’s Cinemagogue series on Saturday, March 16, at 7:30 pm.

Based on the novel by Ira Levin, the film centers on a conspiracy by Josef Mengele to clone Adolf Hitler and rekindle the Third Reich. At the time, the idea of human cloning was considered wildly implausible. The Washington Post called the movie “a snazzy pop entertainment synthesis of accumulating suspense, detective work, pseudoscientific speculation and historical wish fulfillment.”

The movie stars Gregory Peck as Mengele and Laurence Olivier as Ezra Lieberman, an aging Nazi hunter.

Olivier was nominated for a best actor Oscar. The film also garnered Oscar nominations for best editing and best original music score.

Cinemagogue events are free and open to the public, and candy and snacks will be available. Donations are welcome. For more information, contact Temple Concord at 315-475-9952, or office@templeconcord.org.

TC

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FEBRUARY 28, 2019/23 ADAR I 5779 5779 ■

JEWISH OBSERVER

NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org

Venezuela’s Guaidó appoints Jewish envoy to Argentina

Venezuela’s self-declared interim president, Juan Guaidó, has appointed ElisaAlejandra Trotta Gamus as the country’s envoy to Argentina. A Venezuelan native, Gamus, 36 – a lawyer and human-rights activist – was a one-time representative to the Latin American Jewish Congress. Israeli Ambassador to Argentina Ilan Sztulman mentioned Gamus

DeMari

as “ambassador” during a meeting at the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires. There, Sztulman said: “We want to in a short period of time resume our diplomatic relations with your new and legitimate government.” Gamus concurred, saying that “hopefully, we will continue working together in mutual efforts between both countries.”

U.S. Palestinian mission to combine with Israel embassy in early March

The U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate General, the latter

Continued from page 3

improve relationships between law enforcement agencies and the public. She also works as the security liaison for the Jewish Federation of Central New York and, as such, she is the Jewish community’s dedicated point-of-contact for federal, state, county and collegiate law enforcement agencies in Central New York. She has been instrumental in helping to prevent and respond to threats made by individuals or groups targeting the Jewish community.

“In her role as Jewish Federation of Central New York security liaison, she makes herself available at all hours of the day and night to interface with law enforcement officials and address the security concerns of the community. She maintains contacts with all local Jewish leaders as well as all federal, state, local and collegiate law enforcement agencies. When a security incident or unusual event occurs, it is often usually only a matter of minutes until DeMari has activated her communications network and brought stakeholders and law enforcement officials together.

“Her work is not only reactive. Her efforts to create and educate public/private partnerships to enhance the security of the Jewish community merits special recognition. Under her leadership, the Federation provides training, presentations and programs that educate citizens about, or aid in the prevention of, criminal acts – particularly hate crimes. She also ensures regular networking opportunities for law enforcement officials at all levels to meet with Jewish leaders and learn about their facilities,

membership and religious traditions.

“She has been a key liaison and trip wire of FBI Albany’s Civil Rights Program for many years. Her support and assistance to the FBI have been instrumental, allowing for open lines of communication, solid relationships and rapid collection of evidence when needed. The security program run by DeMari has been recognized by the Anti-Defamation League as a model program of collaboration and communication between law enforcement and ethnic groups. She willingly shares her security model and approach with other communities in the hope of replicating it.

“Her dedication to the creation of a safer, more secure community through meaningful interaction with the FBI and local law enforcement is commendable.

Her commitment to establishing and nurturing personal relationships with law enforcement officials well before their professional services are required is deeply appreciated. DeMari’s indefatigable efforts are in the finest traditions of volunteerism and exemplary citizenship.

Accordingly, she has been recognized as the 2018 FBI Albany Field Office recipient of the Director’s Community Leadership Award.”

Purim

TAY

Continued from page 4

most of the time during his early years. His mother took “extreme and often preposterous measures” to hide him from a government that could steal him away at any time.

Once South Africa was liberated, Noah has said he and his mother moved forward, living freely and openly as they embraced the opportunities gained after the nation’s long struggle. The book is described as a “funny, honest collection that details the popular comedian’s coming of age in South Africa as apartheid ended.”

Noah is the host of “The Daily Show,” an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning program, on Comedy Central.

He became a recurring contributor on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” at the end of 2014 and became the host in September 2015.

Book discussions are open to the public.

STOCS

Continued from page 4

of the Seneca String Quartet and is involved in many educational and artistic pursuits in Central New York.

A few synagogue members will perform a short, traditional Purim shpiel and STOCS children will perform a traditional American song that “could have originated in Chelm.”

Reservations should be made by Sunday, March 10.

If payment is received by March 10, prices are $18 for adults and $8 for children ages 6-12, free for children under 6, with a family maximum of $54. After March 10, prices increase to $24 for adults and $12 for children ages 6-12, free for children under 6, with a family maximum of $76. Checks should be made payable to STOCS, 4313 E. Genesee St., DeWitt, NY 13214 or participants can pay online at www.stocsyracuse.org/donate. For more information, contact STOCS at info@stocsyracuse.org or 315-446-6194.

Moving any time soon?

Or just leaving town for a few months? of Central New

York

Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, please let the Jewish Observer know so you can stay up to date on community news and quickly receive the paper at your new (or temporary) address!

E-mail jewishobservercny@gmail.com with “JO Address change” in the subject line, or call 315-445-2040 ext. 116, to let the JO know about your new address.

Ê

Continued from page 5

Library activities, a used book sale and the release of the JCC’s 2019 Camp Romano summer camp guide.

The JCC of Syracuse puts on its Purim Carnival each year thanks to the support of a small “army” of volunteers.

Some of the many tasks volunteers will perform include running games, serving food and helping out in the prize room. For students seeking to fulfill community service requirements, volunteering is considered a good way to earn credit hours, help out the JCC and have some fun.

Volunteer shifts are available from 11:45 am-2 pm and from 1:45-4 pm.

For more information about the JCC’s Purim Carnival, including volunteer opportunities and donating gently used books for the sale, contact the JCC of Syracuse at 315-445-2360 or visit www.jccsyr.org. ®

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of which has served as the diplomatic office for Palestinians, will merge in March, reported Reuters on Feb. 19, citing a U.S. official. Both are in Jerusalem. “The merger of the consulate and the embassy will take place on March 4th or 5th, at which point the position of the consul-general will end,” said the U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as the date has not been officially announced yet.

The decision was made in October to “achieve significant efficiencies and increase our effectiveness,” according to the U.S. State Department. The embassy moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May after U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in December 2017.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in October that the move does not alter U.S. policy on Jerusalem, the West Bank or Gaza. “As the president proclaimed in December of last year, the United States continues to take no position on final status issues, including boundaries or borders,” said Pompeo. “The specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem are subject to final-status negotiations between the parties. ...The administration is strongly committed to achieving a lasting and comprehensive peace that offers a brighter future to Israel and the Palestinians,” he continued.

“We look forward to continued partnership and dialogue with the Palestinian people and, we hope in the future, with the Palestinian leadership.”

Chabad

Continued from page 4

from start to finish. We can always count on an evening of good food, good friends and good times with plenty of Purim fun thrown in.”

There will be a megillah (scroll of the Book of Esther) reading accompanied by a slide show of the Purim story at 5:30 pm. Dinner is $24 for adults, $12 for children and free for children under 3.

Parking is available in the Sheraton University Hotel parking lot. For reservations and more information, call 424-0363 or e-mail chanie@juno.com CHABAD SERIES ON PIRKE AVOT Starting on Wednesday, March 6, Chabad Lubavitch of CNY will begin a weekly series, “Jewish Ethics for the 21st Century” on Pirke Avot. The series will provide a “fresh look at an ancient text as seen through the eyes of traditional Jewish teachings.” There will be a new topic every week.

The classes will be held on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm at the Chabad Judaic Center of Fayetteville, 511 E. Genesee St. There will be no class on March 20 (erev Purim).

Pirke Avot translates loosely as Ethics or Chapters of the Fathers. It is the talmudic tractate dealing with ethical conduct and ideal behavioral goals. It has been studied for centuries and, after the haggadah, is considered one of the most revered and well-known books of Jewish literature.

For more information, call Chabad at 315-424-0363.

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Wishing everyone a Happy Passover!

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C O N T I N U O U S LY FA M I LY O W N E D S I N C E 1 9 3 4 Martin J. & Elaine R. Birnbaum Joel M. Friedman 1909 East Fayette Street • Syracuse, New York 13210 315-472-5291 E-MAIL: birnbaumfs@cnymail.com • WEB: birnbaumfuneralserviceinc.com

Wishing everyone a Happy Rosh Hashanah!

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ FEBRUARY 28, 2019/23 ADAR I 5779

Moon

Continued from page 2

the Weizmann Institute of Science [based in Rehovot, Israel], checking the moon’s magnetic fields.”

The lunar spacecraft has also recently been fitted with a laser reflector that will allow NASA to have a precise reference point on the moon. “We think it will be active for a few days, before intense heat overcomes it,” said Doron.

But the spacecraft will also have a more enduring mission after being fitted with a time capsule that will remain on the lunar surface indefinitely. It consists of three discs, each containing hundreds of digital files, including national symbols, like Israel’s Declaration of Independence, the Bible, Israel’s national anthem and the Israeli flag. It will also contain cultural objects such as paintings, collected over many years from the public for sending to the moon; dictionaries in 27 languages; encyclopedias, such as Wikipedia, to reflect knowledge accumulated by all of humanity thus far; Israeli songs; the “Wayfarer’s Prayer”; and photographs of Israeli landscapes. “With no plans to return to Earth, the

Illustration of the SpaceIL lunar space craft. spacecraft and information within the time capsule’s disks will possibly be found and distributed by future generations,” said IAI. “This is another step on our way to the moon,” said Ido Anteby, CEO of SpaceIL. “Inserting the disks into

the spacecraft, which is a real ‘time capsule,’ indicates the spacecraft’s readiness to blast off from the launch site in a few weeks. SpaceIL’s crews and IAI have completed testing of the spacecraft and its systems, and are preparing for the beginning of the amazing and complex journey that exemplifies innovation, creativity and courage.”

Yonatan Winetraub, one of three SpaceIL founders, placed the time capsule into the spacecraft on December 18. “This is a very emotional moment. We do not know how long the spacecraft and the time capsule will remain on the moon,” he said. “It is very possible that future generations will find this information and want to learn more about this historic moment.”

The spacecraft, which weighs only 600 kilograms, will be the smallest to land on the moon. Most of this weight is fuel, and it will number only 150 kilograms when it lands. Its maximum speed will exceed 36,000 kilometers an hour. Doron concluded that “ultimately, this is a badge of honor for Israel’s space capabilities.”

Good nutrition made easy for older adults (NAPSI) – Roughly 110 million adults in the U.S. are age 50 or older. If you’re one of them, or know someone who is, there’s something you need to know: As you age, your nutrition needs change. You may become less active, your metabolism slows and your ability to absorb some nutrients becomes less efficient. You need fewer calories to keep you going – which means the amount of nutrients in your food becomes even more important.

To help, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and nutrition scientists at the Jean Mayer U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, with support from AARP Foundation, created MyPlate for Older Adults.

Based on the federal government’s guide to forming healthy dietary habits, MyPlate for Older Adults seeks to make good nutrition easy. Even better, it may help seniors

with fixed incomes select healthy foods within their budget.

That includes showing how frozen, dried and canned fruits and vegetables can be wise alternatives to fresh produce.

MyPlate for Older Adults encourages eating whole grains, which are high in fiber, as well as plant-based proteins such as beans and tofu, along with fish and lean meat.

Vegetables and fruits make up half the plate, reflecting the importance of eating several servings a day in a range of colors. MyPlate for Older Adults also recommends using herbs and spices instead of salt to season food. Cutting back on salt can have big health benefits – especially for older adults, who are at risk of hypertension.

You can use the MyPlate for Older Adults as a tool when you shop to help you decide on types and combinations of foods, and as a reminder that the foods you choose to eat should be rich in vitamins and minerals.

The rest of the recommendations include:

Brightly colored vegetables, such as carrots and broccoli.

Deep-colored fruit, such as berries and peaches.

Whole, enriched and fortified grains and cereals, such

as brown rice and 100 percent whole wheat bread.

Low-fat and nonfat dairy products, such as yogurt and low-lactose milk.

Dry beans and nuts, fish, poultry and eggs.

Liquid vegetable oils, and soft spreads low in saturated and trans fats.

Lots of fluids, such as water and fat-free milk.

Physical activity, such as walking, resistance training and light cleaning.

For more information on MyPlate for Older Adults and the AARP Foundation, visit www.aarpfoundation. org/myplate.

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