Syr0410

27 NISAN 5778 • APRIL 12, 2018 • VOLUME XXXIX, NUMBER 8 • PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY

Celebrate 70 years of Israeli independence April 19

BY ROBERT DAVIS Come and celebrate Israel Independence Day on the country’s 70th anniversary, Thursday, April 19, from 5:45-8 pm, at Temple Adath Yeshurun. The Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration is an event that brings the Syracuse Jewish community together to celebrate Israel’s anniversary with music, festivities, fanfare, shopping and food. The free event will feature live music by Symphoria, Syracuse Pops Chorus, community cantors, adult and children’s choirs, and the Keyna Hora Klezmer Band.

Participants will be able to shop in the shuk (Israeli market) and meet Israeli jewelry designer Moshe Bar Kocva, who will also represent 50 Israeli artists. The Israeli market will be open exclusively for Bar Kocva on Wednesday, April 18,

from 10 am-6 pm, and on Thursday, April 19, from 10 am-8 pm.

There will also be wine tasting and products for sale from Confetti Cake Designs, Pita Factory and local area synagogue gift shops. There will be a program for tots, PJ Library® activities, photo booth, balloon twisting, face painting and a caricature artist.

A free Israeli kosher dinner will be served, with all food supervised by the Syracuse Va’ad.

The Israel Independence Day celebration is presented by the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center and is funded by the Jewish Federation of Central New York through the Philip L. Holstein Community Program Fund; Pomeranz, Shankman and Martin Charitable Foundation; Selma Radin; Rabbi See “Celebrate” on page 3

The Jewish community cantors led the children’s chorus at the 2017 community Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration.

Israeli Ambassador Dani Dayan to speak on “Future of the Middle East”

BY BETTE SIEGEL On Tuesday, April 24, from noon-1:30 pm, in the Strasser Legacy Room, 220 Eggers Hall, on the Syracuse University campus, Ambassador Dani Dayan, consul general of Israel in New York, will speak on the “Future of the Middle East – Israel’s Integration into the Arab World.” Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1955, he is the first Hispanic consul general of Israel in New York. He has established a reputation as an Israeli public figure, lecturer and entrepreneur. He served as chairman of the Council of Jewish Communities in Judea and Samaria, and as the council’s chief foreign envoy. In these roles, he opened doors to seats of government worldwide and conducted regular meetings with for-

New York area, with SU’s talk eign diplomats and journalists. being one of those arranged Lead sponsors of the talk to mark 70 years of Israel’s include the Maxwell School of independence.

Citizenship and Public Affairs Dayan has been a regular at Syracuse University and the commentator in the internaProgram for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and tional press and was frequently Collaboration (or PARCC) called upon to participate in at the Maxwell School. Adpublic debates and panels. He has contributed to The New ditional sponsors include the SU International Relations Ambassador Dani York Times, The Boston Globe, The Guardian, CNN, BBC, Al Program, Hillel at SU, the JewDayan, consul ish Studies Program at SU and general of Israel in Jazeera, and other venues. In an August 2016 article about him, the SU Moynihan Institute of New York The New York Times called him Global Affairs, Middle Eastern “articulate and charming, a lively and Studies Program.

The ambassador is scheduling speak- provocative conversationalist.”

Miriam Elman, associate professor of ing engagements on campuses in the political science at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, is also a research director in the Program for the Advancement of

AIPAC presentation to community on May 10

Balanoff said, “It is important

BY JUDITH L. STANDER that we take every opportunity The Jewish Federation of to learn all we can about our Central New York, in partnerIsraeli-American relationship ship with the American Israel and how each one of us can be Public Affairs Committee, will a part of making sure that we host a communitywide presenmaintain strong and meaningful tation on Thursday, May 10, ties between the United States at 7 pm, at the Sam Pomeranz and Israel.”

Jewish Community Center.

Sharon Goldman will be the The mission of AIPAC is to strengthen, protect and promote Sharon Goldman featured speaker. She serves as deputy director for AIPAC’s the U.S.-Israel relationship in to enhance their mutual security. AIPAC’s Northeast Region and is responsible for staff and citizen activists educate decision managing an overall strategy for AIPAC’s makers on the bonds that unite the two political, development and communicountries and how it is in America’s best cations efforts across the states of New interest to help ensure that the Jewish state York, New Jersey and Connecticut. She is tasked with advancing AIPAC’s policy is safe, strong and secure.

See “AIPAC” on page 4 Federation President/CEO, Michael

2018 Federation Annual Campaign For more information, contact Colleen Baker at 315-445-2040, ext. 102, or Cbaker@jewishfederationcny.org

Goal: $1,300,000

$

829,899 as of as of April 9, 2018

See “Dayan” on page 5

C A N D L E L I G H T I N G A N D P A R AS H A

April 13............................ 7:27 pm...................................................Parasha-Shemini April 20............................ 7:35 pm....................................... Parasha-Tazria-Metzora April 27............................ 7:43 pm.........................Parasha-Acharai Mot-Kedoshim

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Federation at 100

Congregational notes SHDS at science fair

A look at the years 1998-2008 as Local congregations announce Syracuse Hebrew Day School the Jewish Federation celebrates dinners, talks, concerts, film students and alumni participated 100 years of community service. screenings and more. in the MOST’s annual science fair.

Stories on page 4 Story on page 3 Story on page 5

PLUS Real Estate............................... 6 Mazel Tov.................................. 6 Calendar Highlights............... 7 Obituaries................................. 7

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ APRIL 12, 2018/27 NISAN 5778

YOM HA’ATZMAUT

ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

April 19, 2018 5:45-8 PM Hosted by

Temple Adath Yeshurun 450 Kimber Rd. Syracuse- 13224

Live music by Symphoria, Syracuse Pops Chorus, Community Cantors, and Adult and Children’s Choir.

Also featuring: • Free Israeli kosher dinner supervised by the Va’ad • Tots program and children’s activities • Photo booth and a caricaturist • Israeli market, Judaica, ceramics, olive oils, baked goods, and jewelry • Israeli wine tasting • ...and more!

Israel at

70

Bar Kochva Designer Judaica and Jewelry Show at TAY Wednesday, April 18: 10am - 6pm Thursday, April 19: 10am - 8pm PRESENTED BY: Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse FUNDED BY: Jewish Federation of Central New York through the Philip L. Holstein Community Program Fund, Pomeranz, Shankman and Martin Charitable Foundation, Selma Radin, Rabbi Vicki and Cantor Robert Lieberman, Rachel Chait, Linda and Robert Davis, Jack Lyon, Joan and Norman Poltenson, Dr. Stephen and Marsha Rothenberg, Elaine Rubenstein, Judith Stander, Arnold and Mimi Weiner Fund SUPPORTED BY: Chabad-Lubavitch of Central New York, Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas, Rabbi Jacob H. Epstein School of Jewish Studies, Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse, Syracuse Community Hebrew School, Syracuse Hebrew Day School, Temple Adath Yeshurun, Temple Concord

For more details, contact Orit at oritantosh@yahoo.com

Making matzah at the JCC

BY ANKUR DANG It is not every day that preschoolers get cooking lessons during school. Normally, the children at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center’s Jerome and Phyllis Charney Early Childhood Development Program learn to draw, sing, dance and read the alphabet.

However, the rules are different for Passover. Just as leavened bread is replaced by matzah, the children’s regular routine was replaced by a short baking class where they made their own matzah – and they even wore hats that said so.

The Model Matzah Bakery is an annual event organized worldwide by Chabad Lubavitch in which rabbis and rabbinical students conduct matzah-making workshops for children in the days leading up to Passover.

“I used to love Model Matzah Bakery as a kid,” said Mendel Wolowik, 23.

Wolowik, along with Tzemach Shemtov, 22, conducted the Model Matzah Bakery at the JCC of Syracuse under the guidance of Rabbi Yaakov Rapoport of Chabad Lubavitch of Central New York. Both Wolowik and Shemtov are rabbinical students in Brooklyn, NY. “The excitement of a child is very hard to replace, but as a kid, I couldn’t wait to do it every year,” Wolowik added. “And now, as an adult doing the workshop on the other side, it feels different – but in a good way, like I’m doing something to pass on the traditions to our future generations, just like the people before me did when I was young.”

Wolowik and Shemtov guided the children through each step of making matzah from scratch. But while Wolowik enlightened the young bakers about facts like the highest temperature of an oven and why matzah must be made in under 18 minutes, Shemtov made sure to include all the children in the baking process.

“All the kids deserve the attention and to feel like they belong,” said Shemtov.

“I try to get the quiet ones at the back to come up front and add the water and the flour to the bowl. It helps them feel more comfortable in the group so that they truly enjoy participating in it.”

of Central New York

Syracuse Office

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Ethan Orcutt rolled out his matzah dough.

Shemtov has worked with kids before as a camp counselor and he tries to use that experience to make the Model Matzah Bakery a meaningful activity for all the kids.

“You can’t make matzah without water,” ECDP student Inri Stitt, 4, remarked as she finished pouring water into the mixing bowl. “It is important.”

“Do you think it will taste good?”

Shemtov asked her, crouching down to her level.

“Now it will,” she answered, and went back to her place at the table. It was time to start rolling the dough. Six of the 18 minutes were already over, but she was on top of things and her dough-smeared rolling pin was testimony to that fact.

Connor Kinsella delivered his matzah to be baked.

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APRIL 12, 2018/27 NISAN 5778 ■

JEWISH OBSERVER

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AROUND CENTRAL NEW YORK Federation at 100 – turn of the century: 1998-2008

BY BARBARA SHEKLIN DAVIS Editor’s note: To mark this milestone, we are printing a series of 10 articles highlighting each decade of the Federation’s work with and for the community. We hope you enjoy this look backward as we continue to work to ensure a thriving future.

Federations and fund-raising have always gone hand in hand. It has been said that Jewish leaders receive their basic training in the trenches of fund-raising, and the effectiveness of lay and professional leadership has always been measured by their success at solicitation.

Involvement in fund-raising provides volunteers with a fundamental understanding of Jewish communal needs and has encouraged many to become more involved in the Jewish life of their community. The annual Campaigns, the work of sectors like the Maimonides Society and Women’s Division, and Federation Super Sunday phonea-thons were annual fund-raising activities that generated most of the budget for the Federation and its constituent agencies and organizations. All of them required a lot of planning and an abundance of willing volunteers.

But fund-raising is hard and, at times, thankless work.

At the start of the 21st century, it had become apparent that new mechanisms were needed to provide the financial sustenance that so many Jewish organizations required from the community at large. Thus, in 2001, the Jewish Community Foundation was established by the Federation. Its financial mission was “to ensure the continuity of Jewish life in Central New York into the future.” Its goals were to provide donors and their philanthropic Jewish interests with opportunities for giving that were simple and meaningful; to serve as the local depository of endowment funds for the entire Central New York Jewish community; to assist donors in identifying programs and organizations that could benefit from endowment funding; to create a philanthropic environment to make giving relevant and meaningful to people of all ages; to function in a manner consistent with the best principles, traditions and teachings of the Jewish people; and to operate with support from, and support for, the Jewish Federation of Central New York. The Foundation would become one of Federation’s greatest successes.

As the 20th century ended, Federation re-evaluated its mission, making sure that it was consonant with the needs of the community in the modern age. Its purposes had evolved from its inception in 1918, and reflected a

The Jewish Community Foundation was established by the Federation “to ensure the continuity of Jewish life in Central New York into the future.” more global consciousness and an enhanced awareness of its leadership responsibilities. No longer was it just a social service funder for the community, no longer a mainstay of the Israeli economy, no longer just an advocacy group. Its roles had become significantly broader and its range of responsibilities significantly greater. The 21st century Federation was responsible for: maintaining links with and supporting the national Jewish community of the U.S.A., Israel and every part of the world, building a thriving Jewish community and enriching the educational, cultural and social life of the Jewish community, raising funds for the support of overseas, national and local Jewish philanthropic agencies, providing for central planning, coordination, administration and leadership development for local Jewish communal services, safeguarding and defending the civic, economic and religious rights of the Jewish people, representing the Jewish community in inter-religious and inter-group activities, and ascertaining the will of the Jewish community on matters affecting the total community and acting as its spokesperson in such matters.

As the new millennium began, Federation sought ways to meet the challenges of a new era. Aware that it was a known and trusted organization, with the effective financial stewardship and oversight of resources that donors required, Federation was a mainstay of local communal life and the major channel for support for Israel and Jews

Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center senior dining menu APRIL 16-20 Monday – beef stew with noodles Tuesday – egg salad on rye Wednesday – chicken rollatini Thursday – meatloaf Friday – birthday celebration – brisket APRIL 23-27 Monday – tomato basil soup, grilled cheese Tuesday – chicken fried rice Wednesday – hot corned beef on rye Thursday – stuffed cabbage Friday – turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce

Celebrate

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 445-2360, ext. 104, or cstein@jccsyr.org.

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Continued from page 1

Vicki and Cantor Robert Lieberman; Rachel Chait; Linda and Robert Davis; Jack Lyon; Joan and Norman Poltenson; Dr. Stephen and Marsha Rothenberg; Elaine Rubenstein; Judith Stander; and the Arnold and Mimi Weiner Fund. It

is supported by Chabad-Lubavitch of Central New York, Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas, Rabbi Jacob H. Epstein School of Jewish Studies, Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse, Syracuse Community Hebrew School, Syracuse Hebrew Day School, Temple Adath Yeshurun, and Temple Concord.

For more information, contact Orit Antosh at oritantosh@yahoo.com.

Your ad SHould be here!

To advertise, call Bonnie Rozen at 1-800-779-7896, ext 244 or bonnie@thereportergroup.org Audience members danced around the sanctuary during the 2017 Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration. This year’s celebration is April 19.

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in need around the world. Unlike other umbrella charities, Federation also served as the lead organization for the Jewish community – its advocate and its defender.

Federation could respond to a crisis and act as a safety net. As a member of the Jewish Federations of North America, and in partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel, the Joint Distribution Committee and ORT, Federation was a powerful force – both on the American scene – and in the global Jewish arena.

Cognizant of its roles and responsibilities, Federation made some significant structural changes in the 21st century. It reduced the size of the Federation board and elected members who represented the Jewish population in Central New York and worked together to make informed decisions that benefitted the community on a variety of levels. It was clear that a new era was beginning. As one Campaign chair noted, “We introduced a new word into the local Jewish community. That word was ‘change.’ We changed the old ways that the Jewish Federation did things. We did that by hosting community events and working as a group toward the common goals of raising money and more importantly, fostering a stronger sense of community.”

Barbara Sheklin Davis is co-author, with Susan B. Rabin, of “A History of the Jewish Community of Syracuse,” published by Arcadia Press.” This series of articles is sponsored by Helen Marcum.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ APRIL 12, 2018/27 NISAN 5778

CONGREGATIONAL NOTES Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas HAZAK PRESENTS THE SENECA STRING QUARTET The CBS-CS Hazak will present the Seneca String Quartet in its eighth Jewish-themed program on Sunday, April 22, at 10:30 am, at Congregation Beth Sholom Chevra Shas. It will feature Susan Jacobs and Fred Klemperer, violinists; Heather Fais, violist and Walden Bass, cellist; all veteran members of Symphoria.

Titled “Old Wine in a New Bottle – from the shtetl to Broadway,” it will provide a look back at Old World memories contrasted with a new spirit of youthfulness and regeneration – how Jewish European music has influenced the American stage.

The concert will feature well-known, as well as lesser-known, selections from the Yiddish theater and Broadway. Highlighted themes will address historical and biblical events, social justice issues, family life, acculturation, nostalgia for the Old World and Shabbat, the nexus of Jewish life.

The program is written, presented and facilitated by Susan Jacobs. She is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and continued her studies with teachers such as Dorothy Delay at the Juilliard School 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 String Quartets. She joined the Syracuse Symphony in 1969 as a member of the first violin section and as first violinist in the Syracuse Symphony String Quartet.

She is well known in Central New York as a performer, educator and chamber musician, currently performing as a member of the first violin section in Symphoria.

Her off-stage pursuits include the development of a string program at Manlius Pebble Hill School, participation in a government grant project integrating music and education in the Syracuse City School District and creating a violin class at the Syracuse Hebrew Day School.

She has lectured for the Syracuse Inter-Religious Council, co-chaired the communitywide Yom Hashoah Committee, served as Congregation Beth Sho-

AIPAC agenda throughout the region, as well as for training staff and lay leaders on how to be effective advocates on behalf of Israel.

Prior to accepting this position, she served as AIPAC’s northeast regional political director and managed AIPAC’s legislative mobilizations; conducted educational briefing with candidates for

lom-Chevra Shas ritual vice-president, offered adult education programs at her synagogue and taught liturgy to well over a 150 area high school students.

Most recently, she has created, produced and presented a series of Jewish-themed string quartet concerts. She is the newest member of the Seneca String Quartet and said she is “thrilled to be able to collaborate with colleagues on these innovative projects that give voice to our heritage.”

This program is free and open to the community.

Following refreshments, the performance will begin promptly at 11 am.

JOEY WEISENBERG Joey Weisenberg will be the scholar-in-residence the weekend of April 27 at Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas, beginning with Friday services at 5:45 pm. He will lead z’mirot (Shabbat table songs) during the CBS-CS Sisterhood-catered Shabbat dinner, present the d’var Torah, and lead Musaf (in a new way) and a lunch and learn based on his new Jewish Book Award-winning book, “The Torah of Music.”

Saturday afternoon and evening there will be a kosher potluck for seudah shlishit (the third and final meal of Shabbat), singing for the end of Shabbat and then a melaveh malkah concert (to “escort the Sabbath queen”). Sunday morning will be a workshop open to the public on davening leader skills and ideas.

SISTERHOOD TORAH FUND DINNER The CBS-CS Sisterhood will hold its annual Women’s League Torah Fund donor dinner on April 25, at 6:30 pm, in the social hall. The dinner supports the Jewish Theological Seminary and its educational institutions, which are the core of the Conservative movement. The evening’s program will feature Carrie Berse and Jeff Unaitis in a medley of Broadway show tunes from different eras.

A minimum donation to JTS is appreciated. Reservations may be made by contacting Dottie Goldberg by Friday, April 20, at dottiegold@twcny.rr.com.

The dinner is open to the public.

Continued from page 1 federal office and tracked and analyzed local campaign activity.

Goldman received her doctorate in political science from Yale University and was a National Science Foundation Fellow. She was an assistant professor of political science at Ramapo College of New Jersey.

Temple Adath Yeshurun SISTERHOOD BOOK DISCUSSION OF “THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY” On Sunday, April 22, at 10:45 am, the Temple Adath Yeshurun Sisterhood will host a book discussion of “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry” by Gabrielle Zevin. The group will meet in the Muriel and Avron Spector Library. The event is open to the public and there is no charge to attend.

The book follows the life of A.J. Fikry,

TAY Rothschild Early Childhood Center preschooler Eleanor Westpfal enjoyed yoga led by Trista Phillipson, owner of Little Yogis by Trista.

a bookstore owner in a sales slump, whose prized possession – a rare collection of Edgar Allen Poe poems – is stolen.

A package arrives at the bookstore and Fikry is given the opportunity to change his story and start afresh.

L-r: Joan Lowenstein with Jill Porter of the Henninger Prom Closet held dress donations after the TAY Sisterhood rummage sale. Any dresses left after the rummage sale were donated to the Henninger Prom Closet. Other donations from this sale were made to Chadwick House and the Rescue Mission.

Temple Concord “HAVA NAGILA (THE MOVIE)” AT TEMPLE CONCORD CINEMAGOGUE ON APRIL 21

BY CHANA MEIR “Hava Nagila (The Movie)” will be shown as part of Temple Concord’s Cinemagogue series on Saturday, April 21, at 7 pm.

Bob Dylan sang it. Elvis did, too.

According to the movie’s creators, the song “Hava Nagila” “is to music what the bagel is to food – a Jewish staple that has transcended its origins and became a worldwide hit.” This documentary takes a look at the party song’s journey from the shtetls of Eastern Europe to the suburbs of North America, taking viewers on a voyage from Ukraine and Israel to the Catskills, Greenwich Village, Hollywood and Bollywood. The movie also features interviews with many of the artists who helped popularize the song, among whom are Glenn Campbell, Leonard Nimoy and Regina Spektor.

Interviews with two of the song’s ambassadors spotlight the cross-cultural connections that music can provide.

Connie Francis, an Italian-American Catholic, who included the song on her best-selling album “Connie Francis Sings Jewish Favorites,” joked, “I’m 10 percent Jewish on my manager’s side,” while Harry Belafonte recalled singing the song in Germany.

Cinemagogue events are free and open to the public, and candy and snacks are available. Donations are welcome.

For more information, contact Temple Concord at 315-475-9952, or office@ templeconcord.org.

“MARCH FOR OUR LIVES” In keeping with the Union of Reform Judaism’s participation in the Washington, DC, rally, a group of Temple Concord’s youth and adults participated in the downtown Syracuse “March for Our Lives” to protest gun violence and support change in gun laws on March 24.

Teen participant Emily Newman said, “I’ve lived through the Sandy Hook, Las Vegas and Parkland shootings, and I’ve seen the comments, the ‘thoughts and prayers’ and the short-lived arguments. Then nothing happened. I felt like something needs to actually be done, so this rally was one way I could do something. I feel like I’m part of making a difference.”

Alana Jacowitz, another TC teen, said, “What made this march even more special was that the only speakers at the end were local students. This was all about giving teens a voice.”

The URJ hosted a pre-rally gathering, Kabbalat Shabbat services and concerts at DC-area congregations for the local Reform Jewish community to welcome marchers.

Temple Concord’s youth and adults participated in the March 24 “March for Our Lives” in Syracuse.

High honors – Shimi Cooper, Rachel Elman, Elyssa Ghalchi, Joseph Seidman, AJ Sikora Highest honors – Kiru Morrissette

See “Science” on page 8

DO YOU KNOW? Your Federation dollars at work – Hillel at SU receives Federation grant for Israel Fest on social media. The program

BY JACKIE MIRON has a low barrier to entry so The Allocations Committee anyone can participate. It is not of the Jewish Federation of intended to be political. Rather, Central New York awards the one of the goals of the event is Philip L. Holstein Community for anyone walking on the Quad Program Fund Grants each to be drawn in. year in addition to the annual Organizers recognize that it is allocations made in the spring. unfortunate to see anti-Israel acBased on the success of the 2017 annual Campaign, community tivities on some campuses. This Jackie Miron program grants are available event is meant to project Israel in to all Jewish organizations, agencies a positive light, and provide students with and synagogues in the Central New York an outlet to openly celebrate Israel in a community. The Allocations Committee safe and entertaining way. Last year, nearly reviews the grant requests and makes 100 students attended the Yom Ha’atzmaut recommendations to the board, which barbecue at the Winnick Hillel Center for votes on the recommendations.

Jewish Life, located at 102 Walnut Place.

Hillel at Syracuse University has re- Many participants sang along to favorite ceived a grant of $7,500 for Israel Fest, modern Israeli songs and reminisced about a mega 70th birthday celebration of Israel their time in Israel, often on a Hillel Birthon April 17, Yom Ha’atzmaut. The event right trip. It is hoped that this year’s event will take place on the SU Quad and fea- will recreate some of that atmosphere and ture several stations and activities that further provide an environment for re-enwill include, among others, Israeli food, gagement and reconnecting. technology, experiential education about The mission of Hillel at Syracuse Yom Ha’atzmaut and Yom Hazikaron, University is to enrich the lives of Jewish Israeli music and a visual art project. The students so they may enrich the Jewish organizers hope the event will be highly people and the world, inspiring every visible and actively engage over 200 member to make an enduring commitment Syracuse students. to Jewish life, learning and Israel. The When the students see the festive Jewish Federation of Central New York balloons, blue and white decorations recognizes the importance of a positive and activities on the Quad, organizers Israeli engagement on campus and looks hope they will instantly be drawn in to forward to feedback from students and participate, engage and share the event Hillel leaders.

Dayan

Research on Conflict and Collaboration and co-editor of “Jerusalem: Conflict and Cooperation in a Contested City” and “Democracy and Conflict Resolution: The Dilemmas of Israel’s Peacemaking.”

She said, “While it would be premature to claim that Israel and the Arab world are experiencing a rapprochement, it wouldn’t be incorrect to say that, 70 years since independence, Israel’s relations with many of her neighbors in the Middle East have never been better. Ambassador Dayan will speak to this changing regional landscape and its potential impact for peace and Israel’s future.”

Dayan is “known as an Israeli intellectual, lecturer and entrepreneur.” As consul general, he represents the state of Israel to

Continued from page 1

communities throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Delaware.

He began his career as an entrepreneur and businessman, founding the high-tech company, Elad Systems, in 1982, at which time it employed 500 IT professionals.

Prior to Elad, he spent more than seven years in the Israel Defense Forces’ elite MAMRAM data processing center, attaining the rank of major.

Dayan holds a bachelor of science in economics and computer sciences from Bar Ilan University, and master of science in finance from Tel Aviv University.

Dayan’s presentation is open to the community. For parking and other inquiries, contact Deborah Toole at datoole@ syr.edu or 315-443-2367.

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Syracuse Hebrew Day School graduate Rachel Elman is among a large group of SHDS students who participated in the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology’s annual Central New York Science and Engineering Fair.

Elman won numerous awards.

JEWISH OBSERVER

Tabatchnick Frozen Soups

4

2/$

4.2 oz.•Select Varieties Where Available

Kedem Tea Biscuits

3

5/$

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 12 oz.

6.3 oz.

Knorr Falafel Mix

5

2/$

Select Varieties

Manischewitz Egg Noodles

3

2/$

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 16 oz.

Gefen Almond Butter

10

99

9.17 oz.

Gefen Mini Mandel

4

99

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b Including a selection of Glatt Kosher Fresh and Frozen Beef, Chicken & Turkey.

Meat b

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 32 oz.

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BY MELISSA KLEMPERER The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology hosted its annual Central New York Science and Engineering Fair on March 25 at the SRC Arena on the Onondaga Community College campus.

Students gain the lifelong benefit of understanding science in a u”nique, hands-on way” by performing an experiment of their own design or engineering a device or process. All students compete for awards that can include cash prizes.

Senior-level students also competed for college scholarships and an all-expenses paid trip to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, from May 13-19, in Pittsburgh, PA. SHDS teachers said “they are incredibly proud of all its students and alumni who participated in the fair this year.”

Honors – Zachary Fellman, Jonah Jaffe, Eden Shirilan-Howlett, Dory Sinclair, Leora Zames

Empire Kosher Boneless & Skinless Chicken Breasts

11

98

Empire Kosher Leg Quarters

2

49

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 7 oz.

33 oz.

Empire Kosher Sliced Turkey, Turkey Salami or Turkey Pastrami

3

79

lb.

Meal Mart Meat Balls in Marinara Sauce

9

99

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– b Including a selection of Salmon Fillets & Steaks.

Fish b

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 8 oz. Acme Smoked Salmon $12.99 or

––––––––

SHDS at the CNY Science and Engineering Fair

APRIL 12, 2018/27 NISAN 5778 ■

Acme Smoked Salmon 4 oz.

6

99

9 oz.

Gold’s Cocktail Sauce

5

2/$

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Exclusively at the DeWitt Super Center 2515 Erie Boulevard • 449-2314

Prices effective Sunday, April 8 thru Saturday, April 28, 2018.

Jew 5 x

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ APRIL 12, 2018/27 NISAN 5778

MAZEL TOV Hannah Marmor

Hannah Marmor will graduate in May from SUNY Upstate College of Medicine and has matched for her medical residency at the Upstate University Hospital Department of Surgery. She is a graduate of the Syracuse Hebrew Day School and Fayetteville-Manlius High School, and received a bachelor of arts in biology, summa cum laude and associate of arts in Jewish studies from Yeshiva University Stern College for Women.

Itai Spinoza plays baseball for Israel

The Spinoza family is a “baseball family.” Eitan Spinoza plays in the Fayetteville-Manlius Little League, a local travel team and also will play modified baseball this spring for Wellwood Middle School. Ari Spinoza made it into the F-M High School varsity team and Itai Spinoza plays for travel teams in Syracuse, NY, and Cary, NC. He also made it onto the F-M Itai Spinoza High School junior varsity team.

In addition, 14-year-old Itai was invited to join the 16U (under 16 years old) Israeli National Baseball Team. The youngest player on the Israeli team, Itai’s skills caught the attention of Israeli baseball coaches last summer.

They invited him to join the Israeli national team when they found out that he is a dual American-Israeli citizen.

A graduate of the Syracuse Hebrew Day School, he just returned to the U.S. from a training week in Tel Aviv, Israel. He said he was “amazed” by the talent of the Israeli players and the level of commitment to the team; some players ride a train for two hours just to attend practice every day in Tel Aviv or Petach Tikvah.

Itai will head to the Czech Republic to represent Israel in the European PONY baseball tournament in Prague from April 19-22. He is the son of Yosef Spinoza and Zulma Tovar-Spinoza of Fayetteville, NY.

D’VAR TORAH Touch the miracle

BY RABBI DANIEL FELLMAN In 1948, no one could have imagined a 70th anniversary celebration for the state of Israel. During those first days of independence, survival from day to day was enough of an unknown. Dreaming about the future? Impossible.

Soon we will mark 70 years of statehood, a celebration of a modern miracle. In becoming an independent state, Israel realized the centuries-old dream of a Jewish self-governance and nationhood. The story of Israel overflows with heroes and challenges, triumphs and everyday people just trying to survive or even thrive.

Back in 1948, the question of a Jewish state divided many Jews. Some saw the Zionist dream as the fulfillment of an ancient promise, while others saw their promise being fulfilled in other lands. Within a short time, though, Jews came together, and one of Israel’s great triumphs remains a unifying of attachment between Jews and our ancient homeland.

Israel made sure that land was available for all Jewish institutions – Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and so much more. And while struggles continue over egalitarian access to the Kotel, the Western Wall, as well as equality in all parts of religious life, each of the movements calls Israel home

and each sends thousands of visitors a year to explore Israel.

Our Syracuse community shares this love of Israel. Each of our congregations celebrates Israel; each sends adults and children to visit; each sees in Israel both the richness of our history and the endless hope for the Jewish future.

This fall, our community will explore Israel in a new and exciting way – with all four of our congregational rabbis. We will travel to Israel in late October and together we will explore Israel, seeing it through each other’s eyes and practices. We will share Shabbat together, celebrate Israel’s triumphs together, struggle with Israel’s challenges together. We will realize the dream nurtured by our ancestors – Jews, at peace, in the land of Israel.

And we will do it all together.

Yom Ha’atzmaut is a holiday like no other. It is religious and nationalist, a day of remembering and a day of dreaming. We mark the day by praying and dancing, celebrating and honoring. Yom Ha’atzmaut and our trip to Israel this fall offer our community a chance to celebrate a miracle, and to join together in continuing that miracle for the next generation as well.

Rabbi Daniel Fellman is the rabbi at Temple Concord.

Profiles of SHDS alumni – Natalie Goldberg

BY BARBARA SHEKLIN DAVIS Natalie Paige Goldberg graduated from the Syracuse Hebrew Day School in 2005 and has a bachelor of fine arts in musical theater from Syracuse University. She is currently working as an actor and a casting associate in Hollywood. She says that “after studying musical theater for years, I discovered that I was particularly passionate about film acting. I also knew that I had interest in working behind the camera in some capacity. I love being in

Natalie Paige Goldberg

the audition room, coaching and working with actors, so casting seemed like the perfect fit.”

While she was a student at the day school, she appreciated being in the school’s chorus, the Chai Lights, and said, “Mr. Kerr-Whitt introduced me to ensemble-style music and it instilled in me a love for performing and teamwork. For a while, music was my only creative outlet and it taught me so much about myself. Chorus taught me how to combine my See “Goldberg” on page 8

Three ways to save when moving (NAPSI) – Every year, some 35 million Americans move to a new home. If you’re ever among them, you should know that three simple steps from www.Moving.org can help you go a long way toward more savings and less stress.

1. Downsize. Donate, sell or toss anything you don’t love, need or use, especially bulky, heavy stuff such as: Books and magazines. Are you really going to read them again?

Food. Why pay movers to pack and lug 80-cent cans of tomatoes or $1 boxes of pasta?

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Old appliances. A washing machine lasts about 10 years, a dryer 13. It may pay to buy new ones for your new home.

2. Comparison shop. The American Moving and Storage Association recommends getting at least three in-home quotes.

3. Time your move. Mid-week and mid-month can offer better deals and more flexible dates with movers. Also, get an early start the day of your move. If you live in an apartment, reserve elevator access for moving day, and save a parking spot for the moving truck in front of your building.

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JEWISH OBSERVER

7

OBITUARIES FRANCES DAVIS

Frances Davis, 92, died on April 2 at Iroquois Nursing Home.

Born in Brooklyn, she had been a resident of Syracuse for most of her life. She and her late husband, Marvin, were the co-proprietors of The Barons frozen yogurt of ShoppingTown.

She was a life member of Temple Adath Yeshurun, Hadassah and the National Council of Jewish Women.

She was predeceased by her husband of more than 70 years, Marvin, in September 2016.

She is survived by her daughters, Janet (Mark) Shriro, and Jeri (John) Byrne II; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and her brother, Alan (Barbara) Goldberg.

Burial was in Adath Yeshurun Cemetery. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements.

Contributions may be made to theAuxiliary of the Jewish Home of CNY, 4101 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13214. 

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.

Wednesday, April 11 Deadline for April 26 Jewish Observer Wednesday, April 25 Deadline for May 10 JO

Friday, April 13

CBS-CS Shirat Shabbat at 6 pm TC Shabbat service led by 5th grade with Shirat Shalom Singers, followed by a congregational Italian Shabbat dinner

Sunday, April 15

TC Brotherhood at 9:30 am TC Sisterhood Brunch at 9:30 am TC GAN program at 10:30 am CBS-CS Kadima program, “Superheroes and Judaism” at 2 pm CBS-CS USY volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House at 4 pm Shaarei Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse presents Tea and Torah at 4 pm Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse

presents Tea and Torah at 4 pm Tuesday, April 17 Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse Executive Committee at 6 pm, followed by Board of Trustees at 7 pm Epstein School at Temple Adath Yeshurun from 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesday, April 18 SJFS presents Poetry and Spirituality from 9 – 11 am hosted by poet Gloria Heffernan Community Lunch and Learn in The Bistro at Menorah Park from noon-1 pm with Rabbis Drazen, Fellman and Pepperstone TAY executive Committee at 6 pm, followed by Board of Directors at 7 pm Thursday, April 19 Community Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration at Temple Adath Yeshurun from 5:45 – 8 pm Saturday, April 21 TC Cinemagogue screens the movie, “Hava Nagillah” at 7:30 pm Sunday, April 22 CBS-CS Hazak presents a string quartet program featuring Sue Jacobs - Jewish music from the shtetl to Hollywood at 10:30 am SJFS hosts a “Wisdom Circle” on “Old People in Training” led by Rabbi Evan Shore and SJFS Director Judith Huober from 5 - 6:15 pm The Auxiliary at Menorah Park presents a comedy cabaret starring comedian Joel Chasnoff from 5 – 9 pm Wednesday, April 25 SJFS presents Poetry and Spirituality from 9 – 11 am hosted by poet Gloria Heffernan Friday, April 27 CBS-CS hosts weekend scholar-in-residence Joey Weisenberg Saturday, April 28 CBS-CS hosts weekend scholar-in-residence Joey Weisenberg Sunday, April 29 CBS-CS hosts weekend scholar-in-residence Joey Weisenberg Tuesday, May 1 Epstein School at Temple Adath Yeshurun from 6:30-8:30 pm

Ê

HELENE LEVI “LENI” JACOBS

Helene Levi Jacobs, 95, died at home in Manlius on April 3.

Leni, as she was affectionately called, was born in Saarwellinghem, Saargebiet, on June 21, 1922. Her life changed dramatically in 1935 when her father saw the looming dangers of Nazi antisemitism. Abandoning their home and loved ones, the family fled to Oran, Algeria, as a temporary refuge.

The Levi family centered their life around Oran’s main Conservative Jewish synagogue. It was here that Leni’s father befriended several American Jewish soldiers who regularly attended Shabbat services. One Friday, he invited them home for a family meal, where Leni first met Melvin Jacobs. They were married on July 5, 1944. When Melvin’s unit was deployed to Italy, Leni, speaking little English, left her family to travel alone to America to her husband’s family, whom she had never met. When the war ended, the young couple began their life together in Utica, NY, and raised two sons.

In 1963, Leni and Melvin created a restaurant that blended fast food with the warm hospitality and homecooked meals that Leni was known for. Their success grew to seven locations in various cities. When Leni retired in 1990, she and Melvin became “snow birds” in West Boca Raton, FL. In 1999, they moved to Manlius as their summer residence. Shortly thereafter, Melvin died.

Eventually she settled in Manlius, where life centered around her family, Temple Concord and shopping.

Leni was predeceased by her husband, Melvin; sister, Ruth; and a nephew, Jeffrey Cominsky.

She is survived by her son, Gary (Susan Pasco) and granddaughter, Caitlin Teres; her son, David (Douglas Goldschmidt); a niece, Ingrid Cominsky and family; and a nephew, Sidney Cominsky and family.

Burial was in the House of Israel Cemetery, Whitesboro, NY. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements.

Contributions may be made to the Jacobs/Levi Fund at Temple Concord, which supports the temple’s community food pantry program. 

NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org

Israeli airstrikes target Gaza following breach of border, planting of explosives

Israeli Air Force fighter jets attacked terror targets in northern Gaza early April 9 following the infiltration on April 8 of three Palestinian terrorists who planted improvised explosive devices on the border fence with Israel. The incident occurred under the auspices of the Hamas-led “March of Return” weekly rioting campaign. At least 20,000 Palestinians participated in April 6 riots on the Gaza border with Israel, burning tires, throwing petrol bombs and attempting to breach the fence.

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RUTH TRACHTENBERG MIZRUCHI

Ruth Trachtenberg Mizruchi, 91, died in Syracuse on March 23.

Born in Mt. Vernon, NY, she also lived in New Haven, CT and Cortland, NY. She earned a B.A. from SUNY Albany and an M.A. from Columbia.

An award-winning lecturer on literature and composition, at Syracuse University and LeMoyne College, she was a longtime resident of Syracuse.

She had a large family in Israel whose roots date back to the 18th century, and she and her husband traveled widely, living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and London, England. She taught hundreds of Syracuse University and LeMoyne College students to write fluently and appreciate literature. She was a member of Temple Adath Yeshurun for more than 50 years and an active member of the CNY James Joyce Club and of Hadassah.

She was predeceased by her sister, Dorothea Trachtenberg Mintz; three brothers; and her son-in-law, Sacvan Bercovitch.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Ephraim H. Mizruchi, their children, Mark S. (Gail) Mizruchi of Ann Arbor, MI, David M. (Marcia) Mizruchi of DeWitt, NY and Susan L. Mizruchi of Boston, MA and three grandchildren.

Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements.

Contributions may be made to Temple Adath Yeshurun, 450 Kimber Rd., Syracuse, NY 13224. 

NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org

Israel’s chief rabbi: Jews have a “moral obligation” to help end genocide in Syria

Israel’s Sephardic Chief RabbiYitzhakYosef declared that Israel has a “moral obligation” to intervene in what he called a genocide being committed against the people of Syria by its president, Bashar Assad. As many as 150 people were killed in the latest chemical-weapons attack on the city of Douma on April 7, with hundreds more injured. First responders have accused Assad of targeting the Douma hospital with a poisonous chlorine bomb. “I have said in the past and I will say it again, what’s happening in Syria is genocide of women and children in its cruelest form, using weapons of mass destruction,” Yosef said in a statement. “We have a moral obligation not to keep quiet, and to try and stop this massacre. It is an obligation no less important than the moral obligation to destroy [the] nuclear reactor in Syria.”

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ APRIL 12, 2018/27 NISAN 5778

Celebrating Passover around the JCC

BY ANKUR DANG Asking questions is an important part of Passover. And as is custom, the youngest people at the table ask the Four Questions during the seder. Two-year-old Nathan Rosenberg was probably just practicing when he asked if the rabbits in the story could replace horseradish with carrots on their seder plates.

“Well, in the story they didn’t,” said Carolyn Weinberg, the storyteller and PJ Library® in Central New York coordinator, as she closed the book that had started the discussion. The book, “Hoppy Passover,” is a story about a family of bunnies who were getting ready to celebrate Pesach – just like Nathan and his classmates in the Jerome and Phyllis Charney Early Childhood Development Program at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse.

“I love it when they ask all these questions,” said Weinberg. “It shows they are engaging with traditions and making them their own.”

PJ Library is a worldwide program that seeks to help preschoolers learn about Judaism and inculcate a habit of reading through simple children’s stories. Every month, PJ Library sends three storybooks to the homes of the

Children in the JCC’s Jerome and Phyllis Charney Early Childhood Development Program enjoyed their Passover seder meal on March 28. L-r: Quinn Malzman, Henry Russell, Lucas Meyerhoefer and Maggie Ondrako.

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Rabbi Evan Shore (standing, far left) began the JCC senior lunch Passover seder celebration on March 28. children registered with the free program. Weinberg brings these books to the ECDP once a month, reads to the children and lets them ask questions.

The next day, the ECDP children had a seder of their own. “It’s like the bunny family,” Rosenberg said as his teachers decorated a basic seder plate for every child in the class. “Horseradish is not so bad,” he added after taking a bite of his matzah-maror sandwich.

As the seder continued, the children said amen as the teachers read the blessings over their grape juice. In another part of the JCC, the same blessings were being spoken over a cup of wine.

Like the youngest members of the JCC, seniors in the JCC’s Bobbi Epstein Lewis Senior Adult Dining Program were celebrating their own seder led by Rabbi Evan Shore of Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse.

After the meal, the Keyna Hora Klezmer Band serenaded the group with some songs from the Yiddish theater. The performance included tunes such as “Glik” (performed by Lisa Levens), “Mah Nishtana” (performed

by Cheryl Wolfe), “Zug Es Pir Nukhamol” (performed

by Chongchun Chen) and the holiday staple “Dayenu,” in which the entire ensemble and audience members participated.

During the performance of numbers such as “Yid’l Mit’n Fid’l” and “Rozhinkes Mit Mandlin,” some in attendance could not help but stand up and start dancing the hora.

Linda D’Imperio, one of the dancers of the band, said, trying to catch her breath, “It just shows that there is no such thing as too old. Some of them are over 90, but here they are, dancing and singing because it is Passover. It reminds me of when I was a child. I used to dance to folk tunes when they were played on the radio. I imagine many of these people did, too.”

Science

LeMoyne College Scholarship Award – $50,000 – Two scholarships are awarded to two high school juniors in recognition of outstanding leadership, research and accomplishments in the field of science – Rachel Elman Upstate Dean’s Award in the Biological Sciences – $500 – This award is given to an outstanding high school student whose project has demonstrated creativity, innovation and scientific excellence in the biological sciences – Rachel Elman IEEE Awards in Electrical and Computer Engineering – These awards are given to students showing mastery of projects in the area of electricity and magnetism, electronics, computer science or optics – Dory Sinclair INTEL ISEF Award: American Meteorological Society – Two awards are given for individual or team projects (junior or senior division) for best meteorological exhibit – AJ Sikora and Eden Shirilan-Howlett American Psychological Association – This award recognizes outstanding research in psychology (junior or senior division) under the category of behavioral and social sciences – Rachel Elman National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Taking the Pulse of the Planet Award – This award goes to research that emphasizes NOAA’s mission to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment and to conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our nation’s economic, social and

Goldberg

passions with a strong work ethic. This drove me to work hard and grow as an artist.”

In her current career, she loves “getting to work with so many different and creative people. Each week I get to read, audition for and help cast different projects. It really keeps me on my toes. Also, it’s incredibly informative to watch other actors work on different material every day. It inspires me creatively in my work and teaches me how to be a stronger actor.” In her free time, as a “Los Angelite,” she enjoys yoga, “hanging with her friends”

Rabbi Evan Shore began to describe the various items on the Passover seder plate as several students from the Syracuse Hebrew Day School, who were there to help rabbi with some of songs, looked on.

For Shirley “Shush” Martin, this program was a reminder of everything she had loved as a little girl. “My family spoke Yiddish… This music, these songs, they make me so happy,” Martin said. “I understand every word and it feels like only yesterday that I heard these songs from my father.”

And that brought this Passover celebration full-circle for her because she also became a great-grandmother on March 25. “He is seven pounds and his name is Samwell, and I am very proud,” she said.

The JCC’s seniors said they felt a “special connection” with Martin and others during the senior lunch program’s Passover seder. Every celebration is often a collection of these moments, whether it is the birth of a child or the expressions of wonder on the faces of children like Rosenberg when he realized that the horseradish wasn’t so bad, especially when eaten with matzah and charoset.

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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.

Continued from page 5

Participating in this year’s Science Fair were current SHDS fifth and sixth grade SHDS students and alumni Rachel Elman and Kiru Morrissette. environmental needs – AJ Sikora Office of Naval Research: The Naval Science Award recognizes any meritorious STEM project – Rachel Elman Grand prizes – Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars) is intended to encourage, reward and celebrate the mastery of science, technology, engineering and math among sixth, seventh and eighth grade science fair participants – Kiru Morrissette Rachel Elman won one of the top three prizes for senior level projects and will attend the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, PA, from May 13-18, all expenses paid.

Continued from page 6

and “watching horrible reality TV with a glass of wine.”

She said she would tell prospective day school families that “there’s something to be said for this school.

I do believe that the small class size helped foster my education. The teachers had more time to devote to each and every one of us. You also form intimate relationships with those around you and you get to know yourself a bit more at a school like this. If I can say anything for SHDS, it’s that it helped me figure out what I was good at and focus on that.”