3 NISAN 5777 • MARCH 30, 2017 • VOLUME XXXVIII, NUMBER 7 • PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY
Federation friend-making event: Meet at Benjamin’s on April 1 BY JESSICA LAWRENCE The Jewish Federation of Central New York will host “Meet at Benjamin’s,” a “friend-making” cocktail party. It will be held on Saturday, April 1, at 8:30 pm, at Benjamin’s on Franklin, 314 S. Franklin St. in Armory
Square in Downtown Syracuse. The event is adults only, and no reservations are required. The event is sponsored by Mr. Shop, also located in Armory Square. Mark Wladis, 2017 Campaign chair, noted that this is not a fund-raising event
and said, “Meet at the MOST brought together our entire Jewish community in Syracuse and was multigenerational. This will be yet another ‘friend-making’ event. No solicitations will be made and this is no April Fool’s joke. Come have a drink on us and mingle with friends,
both old and new.” Organizers feel that this is the perfect time to have an early dinner downtown, and head over to Benjamin’s. For more information, contact Jessica Lawrence at 315-445-2040, ext. 102, or jlawrence@ jewishfederationcny.org.
Teen Taste of Israel 2017 – “amazing” defined BY DAN EISENSON Last month, I had the honor and pleasure of accompanying Cantor Paula Pepperstone, the Rabbi Jacob H. Epstein School of Jewish Studies’ director, and the greatest group of 13 teenagers on a 10-day trip to Israel. This bi-annual trip was sponsored by a fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Central New York, thanks to the generosity of Elaine Rubenstein, Jack Lyon, the Wells Family
Fund and the family of Dr. William Serog. Linda Alexander, executive director of the Foundation said, “We are very grateful to the local donors, for their foresight in establishing this fund for teen trips to Israel. We hope that others will contribute to this fund so that this will be just the second of many upcoming trips to Israel for our community teens over the years.” In preparation for the trip, the stuSee “Teen” on page 6
Stand in solidarity with the JCC Participants in the Epstein School Teen Taste of Israel trip saw the Mediterranean and the Tel Aviv coast in Old Jaffa.
a u o y g n i l h u s f i e c W a e p d n a y happ ! r e v o Pass
BY WILLIAM WALLAK In the Syracuse area, the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse has been targeted three times by threats. JCC Executive Director Marci Erlebacher said, “The last few months have been scary and unnerving due to the waves of threats made against Jewish organizations across the U.S. and Canada. Whoever is making these threats is out to cause fear and panic. Unfortunately, it’s working.” Despite an “outpouring of support” locally and from outside Central New York, the JCC’s bottom line is suffering. Several families have left the JCC’s Early Childhood Development Program and After-School Program. This equates to tens of thousands of dollars in lost revenue since January. Erlebacher said, “This in itself is frightening and frustrating, despite the fact that the JCC has a plan to help it weather this storm.” She added, “Now, more than ever, we need the support of our local Jewish community. If you are not already a JCC member, please stand with us and join today! Show your solidarity and become part of the Jewish Community Center family.” To “show its appreciation,” the JCC
is offering new members 20 percent off any JCC membership for a limited time. See “JCC” on page 5
2017 Federation Annual Campaign Goal: $1,200,000
907,803
$
as of March 27, 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 March 31........................ 7:12 pm.................................................... Parasha-Vayikra April 7.............................. 7:20 pm........................Parasha-Tsav (Shabbat HaGadol) April 10............................ 7:24 pm........................................................ Erev Passover April 11................... after 8:27 pm.................................................................Passover April 14............................ 7:28 pm.................................................. Parasha-Passover ........................................................
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Yom Ha’atzmaut
Did you know?
Passover
Israel Independence Day will be Federation has given the Safe Local synagogues announce their celebrated locally on May 2 at Haven Museum a grant to develop Passover services and events; new a new organizational website. Temple Adath. books for children; and more. Story on page 5 Story on page 3 Stories on pages 7, 9-14
PLUS Personal Greetings.......... 10-11 Health Care Greetings....12-13 Calendar Highlights............. 14 Obituaries............................... 15