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29 IYAR 5774 • MAY 29, 2014 • VOLUME XXXVIII, NUMBER 11 • PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY

Combined Federation-Day School-Epstein School annual meeting Philip Holstein, David Horowvice chair for the last two years. itch, Gary Lavine, Bruce Smith, She served on the Spector/WarRuth Stein, Steven Volinsky and ren Fellowship Committee at Ellen Weinstein. Remaining on Syracuse University. She was the board to complete their term president of Congregation Beth ending in 2015 are Adam Alweis, Sholom-Chevra Shas from 2001Minna Buck, Sidney Cominsky, 03, president of the CBS-CS Joel Friedman, Samuel Gramet, Sisterhood for two years and, Elliott Meltzer, Neil Rosenbaum, from 2011-the present, has been a Carl Rosenzweig, Neil Rube, prayer book Hebrew teacher. She Cheryl Schotz, Rabbi Evan Shore, received an honor from NCJW Jef Sneider and David Temes. in 1999-2000 in recognition for Ruth Stein Berg will step down as board starting an annual women’s seder chair and Stein will become the new and, this year, she was inducted into the board chair.

Zanesville City Schools Hall of Fame in Stein is a life member of the National Zanesville, OH. The award recognizes and Council of Jewish Women and Hadassah, honors men and women who have displayed and a member of Na’amat. She has a long “outstanding abilities in athletics, academhistory of community volunteer work and ics, art, music or business, and contributed has served on the boards of Syracuse Hebrew meritorious service to the prestige and progDay School and the Jewish Federation of ress of the Zanesville City Schools.”

Central New York, where she has been the Professionally, Stein has devoted her

tation in the national parliaments of their own countries – are eager for the platform provided by the European Parliament.

See “Elections” on page 6

The 2014 Campaign is closing soon!

Our goal is 2014 donors in 2014!

To date, we have 1,808 donors.

Federation's 2014 Campaign now stands at $961,699. ves in CNY an ’s li da e l p r eo

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See “Grants” on page 5

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By Toby Axelrod BERLIN (JTA) — Armed with ropes and long sticks, a group of teens in Germany’s capital headed out under the cover of night.

Their goal: to tear down from lampposts the campaign posters of the neo-Nazi National Democratic Party.

The young people are one small posse among those who fear gains for far-right parties in the elections for European Parliament.

While the NPD seems unlikely to get more than a single seat, far-right parties in other European countries are looking forward to major advances. Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, told JTA that he is worried about “a surge in the number of extremist, racist and antisemitic lawmakers in Strasbourg and Brussels.”

The parliament, he said, should establish a “no platform policy toward those parties to ensure that they are completely marginalized in the decision-making process.”

Taking place May 22-25 amid economic hard times, the elections were expected to yield a strong showing for far-right, far-left and anti-establishment parties. Polls suggest that Euroskeptic parties are likely to take a quarter or more of the parliament’s maximum 751 seats. Despite their antipathy toward the European Union, such parties – some unable to win significant represen-

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Enable and Transitional Living Services, a not-for-profit organization in Syracuse that helps more than 3,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities. The money the teen funders sent will be used to buy another camera for the organization’s photography club. The club had 10 members last year and will be able to expand with the addition of the new equipment bought with the grant.

From the Ground Up Therapeutic Horsemanship, an organization for troubled teenagers, veterans, the chronically ill and those with learning, physical and/or emotional disabilities. It offers therapeutic horse riding sessions. With the help of the teen funders, it is able to provide its services to some local teenagers.

Hand in Hand: The Center for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel, a nonprofit organization that helps educate young Jewish and Arab children to live and work together peacefully. The donation from the

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By Sarah Young The teen funders of the Jewish Community Foundation met on May 4 for the second of this year’s semi-annual meetings. The group is composed of Jewish teenagers from around the Syracuse area who have donated money given to them for their b’nai mitzvah. The group meets twice a year to determine where to send donations based on requests from charities in Syracuse and beyond. The teenagers received more than 15 requests and made grants to eight non-profits for a total of $3,200 in grants allocated. The grants were awarded to: Syracuse Africa Bound, a Syracusebased girls’ empowerment group focused on social justice. Syracuse-area teenage girls from 13-18 will travel this summer to Ghana to participate in community service projects and travel around the country with five Ghanaian girls. The money will be used to help the Ghanaian girls attend school and afford supplies.

Expected far-right surge in European elections raises worries

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Teen funders make grants

life to education, starting her career as an English teacher in the Syracuse City School District and later becoming a commissioner of education. Through the years, she has been involved with Syracuse University as an instructor, consultant and interim director for the Academic Integrity Office.

She is currently a part-time instructor at LeMoyne College.

The 2014 Esther and Joseph Roth Award for Outstanding Jewish Community Leadership will be presented to Ellen S. Weinstein.

There will be a performance by the Syracuse Hebrew Day School Chorus.

Epstein High School students will make brief presentations.

The combined annual meeting is open to the community. Reservations have been requested and may be made by contacting Kathie Piirak at 445-2040, ext. 106, or kpiirak@jewishfederationcny.org.

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By Kathie Piirak The Jewish Federation of Central New York has announced a combined 2014 annual meeting with the Syracuse Hebrew Day School and the Rabbi Jacob H. Epstein High School of Jewish Studies to be held on Monday, June 16, in the Anne and Hy Miller Auditorium at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse, beginning with refreshments at 6:30 pm and the meeting at 7 pm.

Presiding over the 96th annual meeting will be Board Chair Cantor Francine Berg. A dessert reception will be catered

by Tiffany’s, under the supervision of the Va’ad Ha’ir. First Niagara Bank will be this year’s annual meeting sponsor.

Elections for Federation’s Board of Directors election will be held. This year’s nominations include for a two-year term ending in 2016: Michael Balanoff, Marc Beckman, Berg, Mark Field, Alan Goldberg,

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To make your pledge, contact Marianne at 445-2040 ext. 102 or mbazydlo@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 Seated (l-r): Jewish Community Foundation teen funders Annie Weiss, Marissa Lipschutz, Ella Kornfeld and Allison Bergman. Standing: Jacob Charlamb, Eli Weiss, Rachel Elman, Sarah Young, Hadar Pepperstone, Leah Eve Jezer-Nelson and Matthew Lynne.

May 30......................8:17 pm..................................................................Parasha-Naso June 3........................8:20 pm...................................................................Erev Shavuot June 4........................after 9:31 pm.................................................................. Shavuot June 6........................8:22 pm.....................................................Parasha-BeHa’alotcha June 13......................8:26 pm...................................................Parasha-Shelach Lecha

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Yom Hashoah

Shavuot

News in brief...

Federation announced the essay Community synagogues announce Belgian shooting victims are winners for the annual Yom their Shavuot services and study mourned; U.S. Jews want more Hashoah essay contest. sessions; holiday recipes. religous pluralism in Israel; more.

Story on page 6 Stories on page 8 Stories on pages 11-12

PLUS Gifts for Dads and Grads......... 9 Calendar Highlights................10 Obituaries.................................. 11 Summer Fun...................... Insert

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ may 29, 2014/29 IYAR 5774

On pope’s trip to Israel, rabbi and sheik were to be traveling companions

By Ruth Ellen Gruber ROME (JTA) – With a rabbi and a Muslim sheik as his travel companions, Pope Francis headed to the Middle East with what he hoped would be a powerful message of interfaith respect.

It was the first time that leaders of other faiths were part of an official papal delegation.

The aim was to send “an extremely strong and explicit signal” about interfaith dialogue and the “normality” of having friends of other religions, chief Vatican spokesman Reverend Federico Lombardi told reporters.

The three-day pilgrimage took the 77year-old pontiff to Jordan, the West Bank and Israel. The packed agenda includes courtesy calls on government leaders; openair Masses; meetings with Christian, Muslim and Jewish religious authorities; and visits to holy sites of the three religions.

The two men joining Francis are friends with whom the pope frequently collaborated when he was the archbishop of Buenos Aires: Rabbi Abraham Skorka, former rector of the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary in Buenos Aires, and Sheik Omar Abboud, a former secretary-general of the Islamic Center of Argentina.

“I don’t expect Francis to wave a magic wand and bring together Jews and Palestinians,” Skorka told the Italian Catholic newspaper Avvenire. “But his charisma and his great humility can give a powerful message of peace for the whole Middle East.”

Since being elected to the papacy in February 2013, Francis, the first non-European pope in more than 1,200 years, has become known – and widely hailed – for breaking protocol, shunning the grand trappings of papal power and reaching out to the faithful on a personal level.

Prior to his trip, Francis had insisted that he will not travel in a bulletproof vehicle or special Popemobile. Rather, he planned to get around in “a normal car or open-topped jeep” in order to be closer to the people who come out to greet him, according to the Vatican spokesman.

Eric Greenberg, the director of communications, outreach and interfaith for the Multi-Faith Alliance for Syrian Refugees, said Francis’ ability to captivate world media means every step of his visit will be watched closely.

“There will be opportunities to deepen the important bilateral relationship between

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talked with Pope Francis I during their meeting at the Vatican on December 2, 2013. (Photo by Amos Ben Gershom/GPO/Flash90) Catholics and Jews, and to boost the larger dialogue among Catholics, Jews and Muslims,” Greenberg said.

Francis began his trip in Jordan and proceeded the next day by helicopter to Bethlehem for a six-and-a-half-hour stay.

He met there with Palestinian officials, celebrate dan open-air Mass in Manger Square and visited with children from Palestinian refugee camps.

The official Vatican program said the

pope would visit “the state of Palestine,” which prompted rumors that the Vatican might announce recognition of an independent Palestinian state.

From Bethlehem, Francis was to fly by helicopter to Ben Gurion Airport and then to Jerusalem. He planned to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust center and the Western Wall, where, like his predecessors Benedict XVI and John Paul II, he planned to leave a message in a crack between the stones.

The pope also planned visits to Christian sites and the Temple Mount, a site that is sacred to both Jews and Muslims and the locus of recent clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians protesting Jewish visitors.

In recent years, the Vatican has made the state of Christians in the Middle East a priority issue. Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal, the top Roman Catholic clergyman in the Holy Land, said earlier this month that the recent spate of anti-Christian graffiti attacks

by Israeli Jewish extremists “poisons the atmosphere of coexistence” surrounding the papal visit. He chided Israeli authorities for not cracking down.

See “Pope” on page 9

a matter of opinion letters to the editor Holocaust education in CA To the Editor: Although California is one of six states that mandate teaching the Holocaust, decisions about what and how to teach are usually left to individual teachers or the school district. An example of what can happen when teachers don’t know their history is illustrated by the Rialto, CA, school district’s attempt to have eighth grade students “develop critical thinking skills” by requiring them to write an essay on whether the Holocaust was “an actual event in history or merely a political scheme.”

Yom Ha’atzmaut To the Editor: The entire Jewish community of Central New York owes a debt of gratitude to Orit Antosh and Nurit Nussbaum. The celebration marking the 66th anniversary of Israel on May 6 brought the entire community together in a show of support for the Jewish state.

Many months, weeks and days went into making this evening a tremendous

Now we can certainly debate whether the Allies should have bombed Auschwitz or whether Franklin D. Roosevelt did enough to save Jews; but to debate the reality of the Holocaust is, in Deborah Lipstadt’s words, “the greatest victory for Holocaust denial in over a decade.”

The school district has responded to criticism of the assignment by offering sensitivity training to its teachers, as if the basic issue was their lack of sensitivity to the victims. The real issue, as Lipstadt points out, is their lack of historical knowl-

success. I think I speak for others in saying I am already looking forward to next year’s celebration.

An additional thank you should go to the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse for hosting the event.

Please God, let the coming year be one of peace and serenity for the land of Israel.

Rabbi Evan Shore

Responses to “Who’s Under the Communal Tent”

These two letters were written in response to the editorial article in the May 15 issue, “My take on Who’s Under the Communal Tent.”

To the Editor: Congratulations on the matter of opinion column on “My Take on Who’s Under the Communal Tent.” The passionately expressed thoughts needed to be written. Standing up for diversity of opinion is and should be a core value of the Jewish community. We appreciate the distinction drawn between our community and the actions of the Conference. The sentiments expressed in the column deserve praise and support!

Sincerely, Mark and Sue Field To the Editor: While we agree that it is appropriate to have “all pro-Israel views in the communal tent,” J Street is problematic because of its unbalanced approach. It is vocal in pressuring Israel to adopt a two-state solution no matter what, but it has not pressured the Palestinians in the same way. It has refused to condemn the alliance of Fatah with Hamas, a terrorist group whose goal is to destroy Israel. It welcomes to its events pro-BDS speakers (who campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel), as well as those who oppose the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish nation, but it does not balance its speaker list with those who speak against the BDS movements or who support Israel’s existence as a Jewish state. Furthermore, J Street believes Israel must return to the 1967 borders, which are not defensible.

We support the decision of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations to refuse to admit this divisive organization.

Bruce and Beverly Marmor

edge. The reason for this lack of historical understanding about the Holocaust is clear, since most teachers cite only high school coursework as the source of their Holocaust knowledge. Fortunately, because of the Spector/Warren Fellowship for Future Educators, supported by Andrew and Helen Spector, the Spector Family Foundation and the Certificate Program in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, and by Marilyn Ziering and the Ziering Family Foundation, we are able to provide students in the Syracuse University School of Education and teachers in Central New York with high-quality, multi-disciplinary training in Holocaust education.

Can there be too much Holocaust education? Our response at Syracuse University is

of Central New York

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to provide continuing and better education, by bringing the latest scholarship about the Holocaust and contemporary genocides to our students, Central New York teachers and the general community. I hope that more community members attend our workshops, gaining first-hand understanding of our programs. We always welcome the opportunity to share with community groups what we are accomplishing.

Alan D. Goldberg, Ph.D. Professor emeritus, Syracuse University Director, Spector/Warren Fellowship for Future Educations Director, Certificate Program in Holocaust and Genocide Studies Coordinator, Regional Holocaust and Genocide Initiative All articles, announcements and photographs must be received by noon Wednesday, 15 days prior to publication date.

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AROUND CENTRAL NEW YORK Federation helps send 25 to summer camp

By Judith Stander The Jewish Federation of Central New York recently announced that 25 summer camp scholarships have been awarded for the 2014 summer camping season.

Federation President/CEO Linda Alexander said, “Our children are our future and these camperships are an in-

vestment in the future of Syracuse and Central New York.

We believe in the value of a Jewish overnight summer camp experience.” Summer camping is said to serve “an important mission component” of the local Federation and “helps strengthen Jewish identity and build a strong and thriving Jewish community for the future.”

In partnership with the Pomeranz, Shankman and Martin Foundation, as well as the One Happy Camper and BunkConnect Programs, the Federation camp committee approved funds for 25 campers to attend Camp Ramah New England, Camp Seneca Lake, 6 Points Academy, Crane Lake Camp, Passport NYC and Camp Poyntelle-Lewis Village.

Jewish Motorcyclists ride for Safe Haven 70th reunion

By Judith Stander The Jewish Motorcyclists Alliance has announced that the 10th annual “Ride to Remember” event will benefit the Safe Haven Museum and Education Center in Oswego, NY. JMA is an umbrella organization of Jewish motorcyclists from around the world that includes organized groups in the United States, Canada and Australia. They trace their beginnings to the mid-1990s, when several separate Jewish

motorcycling groups began to move toward an alliance.

The groups now include 44 national and international clubs, including Chai Riders of New York City; Yids on Wheels in Toronto and Australia; and other groups around the world, such as the Montreal Maccabees, Israel Motorcycle Club, Lost Tribe, Motorcycle Menchen, Yids on Bikes U.K., L’Chaim Riders of the Heartland, the Tribe MC in South Africa and several others located all across the U.S. Each year, more than 8,000 members of JMA select a

Oaks summer concert series

By Lasse Jepsen The Oaks at Menorah Park will host free music and entertainment on three Sundays at 6 pm this summer. The programs will be open to the community. Syracuse Flamenco group Alegre Flamenco will perform on June 15, Father’s Day; international guitar duo and three-time Syracuse Area Music Award-winners Loren Barrigar and Mark Mazengarb will appear on July 20; and local comedian and singer Tom Anzalone will perform music from the “Rat Pack” and his

impersonations on August 17.

Oaks Executive Director Jan Edwards said, “We received much positive feedback after last summer’s events, and I really hope that people once again will seize this great opportunity to be entertained at The Oaks. The concerts are diverse in nature with some of the absolutely best talent around.”

For more information, contact The Oaks at Menorah Park at 449-3309 or jedwards@menorahparkcny.com.

Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center senior dining menu June 2-6 Monday – grilled hamburger with lettuce and tomato Tuesday – cheese blintzes Wednesday – closed for Shavuot Thursday – closed for Shavuot Friday – braised short ribs June 9-13 Monday – chicken shwarma on pita with lettuce and tomato Tuesday – Italian Day – grilled sausage sub with peppers and onions Wednesday – corned beef sandwich Thursday – baked lemon fish Friday – herb-roasted chicken The Bobbi Epstein Lewis Jewish Community Center Senior Adult Dining Program, catered by Tiffany’s Catering Company at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center,

site for the annual “Ride to Remember,” which memorializes the victims of the Holocaust and helps raise money for organizations that support and promote Holocaust education and awareness.

Safe Haven Museum and Education Center will be the focus of this year’s Ride to Remember. Safe Haven was the only refugee shelter of its kind in the United States during World War II. The center tells the stories of the 982 refugees who were allowed into the country as “guests” of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to escape the Holocaust.

They were the only refugees granted official asylum in the U.S. throughout the war. They were housed at the Fort Ontario Emergency Shelter in Oswego from 1944-46.

Betsy Ahrens, president of JMA, said, “We are not only commemorating the Holocaust this time... we are celebrating lives saved. While it is the 70th anniversary of the refugees coming to the United States, it is also the 10th anniversary of Jewish Bikers riding for Holocaust Awareness. How appropriate!”

The ride itself will be held on Friday, June 20, from 9:45-11 am, in Oswego. For more information on JMA, visit www.jewishbikersworldwide.com. For information about the events scheduled for the reunion weekend, visit www.safehavenmuseum.com or call 349-8624.

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offers Va’ad Ha’ir-supervised kosher lunches served Monday-Friday at noon. Reservations are required by noon on the previous business day and 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 and United Way of Central New York. To attend, one need not be Jewish or a member of the JCC. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Leesa Paul or Larry Crinnin at 445-2360, ext. 104, or lpaul@jccsyr.org.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ may 29, 2014/29 IYAR 5774

congregational notes Congregation Beth SholomChevra Shas

Hazak to present Miriam Elman topic, “Democracy and Conflict Resolution: the Dilemmas of Israel’s PeacemakBy Miriam Elman and Carol ing,” which was published by Syracuse Chottiner Miriam F. Elman, University Press in January. Copies of associate professor the book will be available for purchase of political science at the event. at Syracuse Universi- Rummage Sale The Women’s Connection of CBS-CS ty’s Maxwell School and research director will hold its semi-annual rummage sale on in its Program for Sunday, June 29, from 10 am-4 pm, with a the Advancement of bag sale from 3-4 pm. Proceeds from the Research on Conflict sale help support scholarships for Jewish and Collaboration, summer camping experiences, gifts for b’nai will give a talk and mitzvah students and synagogue needs not lead a discussion on in the regular budget.

CBS-CS also collects toiletries for Miriam F. Elman Wednesday, June 11, at 7 pm, at Congre- Vera House and Operation Soap Dish, gation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas on “Is which collects toiletries and household Israel too Democratic? Or, How Israel’s products for clients of St. Lucy’s Food Messy Politics are Ruining the Chances Pantry. These items may be dropped off for a Middle East Peace.” The presentation at CBS-CS during the 10 am-4pm rumwill be hosted by CBS-CS Hazak. Desserts mage sale.

For more information, contact Steffi will be served at 7 pm, with the program Bergman at 632-4905, 243-4009 or steffollowing at 7:30 pm.

Elman will discuss how Israel’s domes- fibergman@gmail.com. tic politics have posed obstacles for peacemaking in the past and during the recent round of peace talks. She said, “Certainly the Palestinian Authority must shoulder blame for the collapse of the recent negotiations. More than anything else, the P.A.’s relentless incitement against Israel in its official media and the government-sponsored celebrations for the released Palestinian prisoners, who are convicted terrorists; Mahmoud Abbas’s failure to recognize the Jewish people’s right to self-determination in their ancient homeland; and the P.A.’s recent efforts to unite with Hamas, an organization sworn to Israel’s destruction all but assured that John Kerry’s heroic efforts for peace would go nowhere. That said, Israel must also acknowledge that its peculiar and often hamstrung political system is a hindrance to successful peacemaking. Both in the past, and during the last nine months, L-r: Matan Pepperstone, Danielle Downie, Jeff Israel’s domestic political she- Stanton, Mark Wolfe and Sammy Kuss along nanigans have derailed progress with other students, teachers and members of at critical junctures.”

Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas helped bury Elman’s talk will draw on ritual books at the Chevra Shas cemetery. Sarah her recent co-edited book on the Young helped from within the grave.

Temple Adath Yeshurun Confirmation Temple Adath Yeshurun will hold its 91st confirmation service on Saturday, June 14, at 9:15 am. Rabbi Charles Sherman will lead services and the program “A Torah Commentary.” Six teenagers will participate in the confirmation service: Ellie Anbar, daughter of Hannah and Ran Anbar; Sam Clymer, son of Brenda and Steven Clymer; Zoë Hylan, daughter of Alison and Michael Bronstein; Jesse Johnson, son of Karen Docter and George Johnson; William Johnson, son of Docter and George Johnson; and Emma Stein, daughter of Cindy and Jeffrey Stein. An extended kiddush, sponsored by the parents in honor of the confirmands, will follow the service.

USY The Temple Adath Yeshurun chapter of United Synagogue Youth will hold its annual teen board elections on Sunday, June 8. The board elections will coincide with an end-of-the-year beach party at Green Lakes State Park from 2-4 pm. Any teenager interested in running for the TAY USY board

Elaine and Stephen Meltzer were among a group of Temple Adath Yeshurun Hazak members who visited Bully Hill Winery in the Finger Lakes, where they had lunch, sampled wines and toured the facility on May 14. should contact Alicia Gross at alicia@adath. org to obtain an application. USY is open to teenagers in eighth-12 grade. For more information, contact alicia@adath.org.

L-r: Joshua Malina, national honoree and co-star of ABC’s “Scandal”; Andrea Knoller, past honoree and Citizen of the Year Committee chair; and Alan Burstein, past honoree and master of ceremonies, posed in the Miron Family Chapel at Temple Adath Yeshurun’s Citizen of the Year Dinner on May 8. (Photo by Klineberg Photography)

L-r: Joshua and Tessa Podrid (children of Vivian Rubinstein Podrid and Philip Podrid), and William and Julia Rubinstein (children of Jeffrey and Carole Rubinstein) posed in front of the sculpture “The Last March” by Nathan Rapoport, which was donated by their grandparents, Henry S. and Erna F. Rubinstein in 1971. Henry and Erna were Holocaust survivors who immigrated to Syracuse. They were active members of Temple Adath Yeshurun and the greater Jewish community. The rededication service was held on May 9.

Temple Concord

L-r: Lily Pierce, Jonah Sahm, Noah Cabrey, Jamie Kuss, Emily Greenblatt, Gil Juran, and Jacob Temes modeled the tallesim they made in their CBS-CS Religious School elective. With them were Aliyah MacCrindle, Nettie Goeler and Marty Miller.

Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation Jewish music breakfast Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse will hold its last Sunday morning breakfast of the year after services on June 29 at 9 am. Following the breakfast, Cantor

Marvin Moskowitz will speak on “What is Jewish Music.”

For more information, contact the STOCS office at 446-6194 or visit www. stocsyracuse.org.

Confirmation Temple Concord will celebrate its 131st confirmation class on Tuesday, June 3. The confirmands have met with Rabbi Daniel Fellman regularly throughout the year to study a variety of Jewish topics. The year of study will culminate with the class leading the Shavuot service, which will include some of the students’ own writing.

The service will begin at 7 pm and will be preceded by a dairy dinner sponsored by the confirmands’ parents. Reservations for the dinner have been requested and can be made by contacting the TC office at 475-9952.

Each year, the confirmation class picks a project to do or a cause to support. This year’s class has supported the Temple Concord food pantry. The class includes Dima Bilyarchyk, Nate Bostick, Geo Engel, Jacob Garrow and Ally Muller. While each student is said to bring their individual strengths and personalities to the class, the group

has one distinction in Bilyarchyk, a foreign exchange student from Germany living with the Garrows this year. Bilyarchyk chose to be part of the confirmation class.

After the service, there will be an oneg featuring cheesecake and other desserts. A late night Shavuot study session will follow.

A Shavuot Yizkor service will be held on Wednesday, June 4, at 11 am.

Tot Shabbat The final Tot Shabbat of the year will be held on Saturday, June 7, at 10 am.

Once a month, young families come to Temple Concord for Tot Shabbat, a service geared toward toddlers, preschool and early elementary students. Tot Shabbat is held in the chapel and utilizes “music and movement.”

This year, the young family-oriented service has alternated between Friday evenings and Saturday mornings during the first Shabbat of the month.

See “TC” on page 7

MAY 29, 2014/29 IYAR 5774 ■

JMAC fund-raiser

PJ Library

The Jewish Music and Cultural Festival fund-raising party on Sunday, June 8, at 4 pm, will help to keep the festival free for everyone in the community.

Each year, the success of JMAC is said to depend on donations and sponsorships. This year’s event will be held at the Jamesville home of Drs. Karen Lawitts and Howard Wolhandler, and will feature music by Central New York musicians Jonathan Dinkin, on piano; Cantor Robert Lieberman and Judy Cohen Stanton, on violin; and Mark Wolfe, on percussion. The group will perform traditional klezmer

Hillel Passover seder

Hillel Student Board Religion Vice President David Kimelman, class of 2017, and President Zach Goldberg, class of 2015, attended a Passover seder at Flanagan Gymnasium at Syracuse University. Around 430 people attended. In the background: Executive Director Brian Small.

Continued from page 1

teen funders is going toward Hand in Hand’s four-week Project Harmony English immersion summer day camp, where 150 Jewish and Arab children aged 10-13 will attend a camp together and learn to cooperate with one another in a deeply-divided society.

Krembo Wings, an Israeli youth movement for special needs children and teenagers where, along with their ablebodied peers, youths with special needs from around Israel are able to participate in weekly social activities. The grant from the teen funders is going to help fund a camp for these children and teens along with their families.

Beit Tikvah, a part of Menorah Park and a home for women with developmental disabilities. With the help of a grant from the teen funders, there will be a program for the women to grow their own vegetables by means of hydroponic gardening.

Menorah Park, a local provider of long-term care for seniors in Syracuse. With the grant donated by the teen funders, Menorah Park is now able to afford a new portable bar/kitchen cart, which will allow residents to cook and reminisce about old recipes. The cart can also be used in social activities, such as making English muffin pizza and dessert waffles.

Connecting Soul to Soul, a Syracuse-based not-forprofit whose goal is to help underprivileged families in the city. Rotary International’s Books for the World has donated many books to Connecting Soul to Soul, and the grant from the teen funders will help pay the postage to bring these donated books to Syracuse for reading clubs for inner city children.

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and Yiddish music, as well as original compositions, while guests enjoy hors d’oeuvres and desserts.

There will be a charge to attend and reservations have been requested by Sunday, June 1. JMAC will be held on Sunday, September 14, at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center. Support of the fund-raiser will help keep JMAC free for all who attend.

For more information, or to make a reservation, call Judith Stander at Jewish Federation of Central New York at 445-2040, ext. 114.

Lilah Levy wrote a note to insert in the “mini-Kotel” at the PJ Library® in Central New York’s table during the community Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse on May 6.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ may 29, 2014/29 IYAR 5774

Federation announces Yom Hashoah essay winners

By Judith Stander The entries in the Jewish Federation of Central New York’s Yom Hashoah essay and art competitions included individual art submissions from high school and middle school competitors. First place winners receive $100, while second place winners receive $50.

This year’s theme was “Rescue.” Competitors were invited to write an essay or a short story about a factual or

fictional experience of an individual or family affected by the Holocaust. The timeline was meant to reflect the period of time before World War II began, the war years or the years immediately post-war, encompassing the time from approximately 1937-45. While fiction was the medium, the request was to be as factually accurate as possible.

First place winner of the art competition was Mackenzie Bogart, of G. Ray Bodley High School in Fulton. The second

place art winner was Hannah Goldberg, of the Syracuse Hebrew Day School.

First place winner of the essay competition was Elise Beckman, with second place awarded to Ryan Hinshaw. Both of the essay winners attend Syracuse Hebrew Day School.

This year’s sponsors included the Berg family, Birnbaum Funeral Service, Hillel at Syracuse University and the Jewish War Veterans Post #131.

Rescued – The Abridged Version

By Elise Beckman Elise Beckman is a Syracuse Hebrew Day School fifth grade student.

Trapped. My name is Gretel, a German girl Jew of 12 years. My family fled Germany in hope of escaping the merciless Nazis. We settled in Budapest, Hungary. I thought we would be safe there; but a few months later, the Nazis invaded. They rounded us up and sent my family and thousands of others to a small town outside the city.

We marched; many perished along the way.

They forced us into a crumbling building and boarded up the windows. A ghetto. There were no toilets, and no food. Trapped. Many were injured and bleeding. Mothers tried in vain to calm their babies, wailing with hunger. My father had once told me that if we as a family could stay together, we had a better chance of survival. However, the German officials claimed him too old. He was murdered immediately, along with my new baby brother Heinrick. Only

my mother, sister Marta, and I remained of our family.

We all crowded into a tight dark space. I had not eaten for three days. Why was this happening? I always knew my Jewishness somehow made me different from other classmates and friends, but they were not being locked up or killed. Why was I? We kept hoping the sudden madness in Germany would come to an end, but it just got worse. They say I am lucky to not be working in a slave labor camp. I am not sure if I’d rather be dead. I had given up hope. Trapped.

This was before a man called Raoul Wallenberg arrived at the ghetto. The day he showed up was the day I chose life.

We were all pushed together. The Nazis did not take away the dead bodies, and a stench filled the air. Many had been shot and continued to suffer. Marta’s leg was broken. Mama was on the verge of death. I was starving.

Then Raoul came.

“We have come for all of you with Swedish passes! If you have one, please raise your hand,” he announced. I stared in disbelief. No one moved. We knew of the false passes he handed out that allowed anyone to flee to Sweden, but why was he helping us? Didn’t he know we were Jews?

“It doesn’t matter if you didn’t get one, or if you don’t have it with you. Your name is in the book!” No noise erupted; just quiet, soft whispers of gratitude and thanks.

Raoul brought doctors with him. They moved quickly through the crowd, bending over the people who did not stir or speak. After treating Marta, a doctor asked if I was all right. “Food,” was all I could manage. Raoul wrote down everyone’s name in his book, pretending like it had been there all along. We were given supplies and loaded into a truck. A few minutes ago, we had been lifeless. Then we were rescued. A small song rose throughout the crowd, strengthening as we moved along.

Shema Yisrael Adonai eloheinu Adonai echad.

The Diary of Hildegard Levy

By Ryan Hinshaw Ryan Hinshaw is a Syracuse Hebrew Day School fifth grade student.

This is the diary of the fictional 10-year-old Hildegard Levy, who was on the first kindertransport.

November 25, 1938 Dear Diary, It has been 15 days since Kristallnacht and I am terrified. Mutter has put me on a list so I can be put on a train to go to England. I will leave on December 1 early morning.

November 29, 1938 Dear Diary, Mutter took me shopping today for a new coat and warm clothes because Britain is very cold. I had to pack all my things because tomorrow I will need to get a good sleep. Vater told Mutter that he got visas to England and would be join me in England next spring.

I hope it works because Hitler and his army seem to really hate the Jews.

December 1, 1938 Dear Diary, So much has happened since I last wrote. Vater took me to the train station. I had to say goodbye to Mutter at home because the police did not want any kinder to say goodbye in public. After I got onto the train, I waved goodbye to Vater one last time and then I saw German soldiers. They came into the compartment and went through luggage. I was terrified. Thankfully, they left and we went on. I was given a cardboard number so the supervisors know who I am and if we have all the kinder. My number is 299. We reached Holland and I thought we were getting off the train.

Apparently the Dutch officials didn’t want us to get off. I found a spot to sleep; but I was not very comfortable.

December 2, 1938 Dear Diary, We arrived at the Hook of Holland at about 1:30 this afternoon. We were told to get off the train and get ready to go onto a boat to go across the English Channel. The boat was so big I was afraid I was going to get lost. It took us a

Elections

The president of the European Jewish Congress, Moshe Kantor, warned that anti-establishment and anti-European parties on the far left and far right are a danger to “all Europeans, including Jews.”

While some Euroskeptic parties have built alliances with like-minded factions from other countries, they are a fractious lot. The extreme left and right, despite some similarities, traditionally avoid each other, and there are fissures within the right-wing scene. Far-right parties aiming for broader appeal have been reluctant to cooperate with overtly fascist parties.

“Even if those Euroskeptic extreme-right parties will be more powerful in the next parliament – and they will be – their power will not be enough to block legislation.

I don’t believe this will happen,” said Jean-Yves Camus, a French researcher on antisemitism and far-right parties, citing such divisions.

But their growing power reveals profound discontent with how the EU is being run. More and more people are saying “the kind of Europe that is being offered is not our cup of tea,” he added.

Extremist parties have become “more polished, more professional in communication and have changed their way of saying things so they don’t appear as extremist as they are,” said Viviane Teitelbaum, a member of the Belgian Federal Parliament who serves on the steering committee of the International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians.

For example, she said, the leader of France’s National Front, Marine Le Pen, “doesn’t use the same language against democracy in general as her father [party founder Jean-Marie Le Pen] was using... She does not deny the Holocaust like her father did. But it is a matter of time.” Teitelbaum went on to say, “You cannot be just a little bit democratic or a little bit fascist. When you are a fascist, you are a total fascist.”

In France, the National Front is expected to garner nearly a quarter of the vote for European Parliament and potentially will be first among all French parties. It has agreed to form a parliamentary alliance with Holland’s Party for Freedom, led by Geert Wilders, which polls suggest could

Some 250 supporters of the far-right National Democratic Party marched on May Day in Rostock, Germany, accompanied by riot police. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) take some 17 percent of the Dutch vote.

The U.K. Independence Party, an ardently anti-EU group, is predicted to finish first in Britain’s European Parliament election, even though it holds no seats in the country’s House of Commons. Its leader, Nigel Farage, has said he will not form an alliance with the National Front, citing the French party’s record of “antisemitism and general prejudice.”

The alliance being formed by Wilders and Le Pen also would not include more extreme parties such as Golden Dawn in Greece or Jobbik in Hungary. Golden Dawn, with its swastika-like symbol and anti-immigrant platform, could finish third or fourth in the Greek vote for European Parliament. Golden Dawn’s leader, Nikolaos Michaloliakos, a Holocaust denier, is currently in prison with other party activists facing charges filed in the wake of the murder of an anti-fascist Greek musician. Earlier this month, a Greek court ruled that the party would be allowed to participate in the European Parliament elections.

“We are worried, yes, but not afraid,” said Victor Eliezer, secretary general of the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece. “We are sure that European democratic forces gener-

few hours to get across the channel. We arrived in Harwich at 6:00. Tomorrow we are traveling to London.

December 3, 1939 Dear Diary, Today was really exciting. We arrived in London in the dead of the night. The British have weird things. They have double level buses the color of blood, red. Even though the British have weird customs, I marveled at the parliament houses and London Bridge. The architecture here is beautiful. It reminds me of the Reichstagsgebäude back home.

My first foster family is a small family with two children my age. I hope Vater and Mutter will join me this spring.

I hope to be of help to my foster family.

Epilogue Hildegard had two foster families and kept in touch with her parents. Her parents were captured and sent to Dachau to work; then they were sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau and were gassed to death. Hildegard stayed in England and after going to her parents’ death place, she died in 1988 in England.

Continued from page 1 ally – and especially in Greece – will safeguard the principles of democracy.” He added, however, that “all of us have to make every possible effort to educate society that the threat of neoNazis is an existing one and not just a Jewish illusion.”

Jobbik, Hungary’s third largest party, won 20 percent of the vote in national elections and is expected to post a similarly strong showing in the European Parliament contest. It is fervently anti-Roma and its leaders have often used antisemitic rhetoric.

By contrast, the National Democratic Party has never managed to pass the five percent threshold necessary to gain a seat in Germany’s national parliament, though it currently has seats in two state legislatures.

But the NPD has a chance of breaking into the European Parliament for the first time. A German Supreme Court ruling in March eliminated the threshold to gain a seat in the European Parliament, so a party needs only about one percent of the vote to claim one of Germany’s 99 seats on the EU body, the largest representation of any country.

“The possibility that the NPD will get a seat is relatively high, and I see this as very dangerous,” said Jonas Fegert, the president of Studentim, a Jewish student group in Berlin that has been working with the Brussels-based European Union of Jewish Students to raise awareness about the threat of extremist and populist parties possibly winning a seat.

Meanwhile, vigilantes are busy tearing down NPD posters in Berlin that proclaim, “We are not the world’s welfare service,” “Money for grandmas, not for Gypsies” and “Stop massive immigration!”

“Their slogans appeal to people who are not necessarily far right, so I think they are relatively dangerous,” said a 17-year-old student at Berlin’s Jewish high school who took part in the recent nighttime vandalism and spoke on condition of anonymity. Some of the NPD posters were too high for her to reach, even when she tried standing on a friend’s shoulders.

“It’s bad if the posters hang there and nobody does anything about it,” she said. “To be against foreigners and to be racist goes against the democratic values of our country.”

Yom Ha’atzmaut

MAY 29, 2014/29 IYAR 5774 ■

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At right, l-r: Yom Ha’atzmaut Co-Chairs Orit Antosh and Nurit Nussbaum helped set up for the Israeli art show, which was part of the Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration.

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This year, year he will speak about “Recent major advances in Dr. David Nash medical research and how it impacts you and your loved ones.”

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Sent by their parents to England prior to World War II, more than 10,000 Jewish children from Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia escaped from Nazi Germany. “Into the Arms of Strangers” features several filmed interviews with the rescued children – now men and women in their 60s and 70s – as they recall their feelings and experiences of the Kindertransport.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ may 29, 2014/29 IYAR 5774

Shavuot around the community

Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas will hold its annual multi-generational Shavuot celebration on Tuesday, June 3, at 5:30 pm. It will include an interactive, hands-on, intergenerational dialogue about relationships in the Torah; a dairy dinner; services; “service star” presentations; and workshops on the Psalms.

The community has been invited to join the congregation for “Finding Myself in Torah,” when the Torah will be taken out and participants will have the opportunity to examine nine types of relationships through the lens of the Torah: how people relate to themselves, family, friends, community, learning, God, Israel, nature and Jewish institutions.

There will be age-appropriate activities at each stop along the rolled-out Torah based on these themes.

At 6:15 pm, there will be a free dairy dinner in celebration of Shavuot. Reservations have been requested.

At 7 pm, there will be the annual service star presentations. For the last 10 years, the congregation has recognized those who have read Torah, led services or chanted haftorot at least three times between one Shavuot and the next.

First-year service stars will receive an imprinted kippah; second-year service stars receive a bookplate in a mahzor; and third-year service stars will receive a book. This year, 10th-year service stars will receive a copy of “Relational Judaism” by Ron Wolfson. Service star recognitions are held to acknowledge those “who have given of themselves to the congregation” in this manner and promote the congregation’s emphasis on “volunteerism and engagement in Jewish life.”

Following the service star presentations, those in atten-

dance will attend the annual Tikkun Leil Shavuot, which this year will feature an evening studying “The Psalms, Wonder, Wisdom and Woe.” Congregants will present favorite psalms through a variety of methods, including reading, unpacking, exploring what they say and mean; looking at commentaries or stories about them; and chanting or singing them. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in several different sessions.

At 8:20 pm, those present will break from their study for erev Shavuot services, with more studying afterward.

There will be Shavuot morning services on Wednesday and Thursday, June 4 and 5, at 9:30 am. Yizkor, a memorial service for loved ones, will be recited on June 5 during services.

For more information or to make a reservation for the dinner, contact the CBS-CS office at 446-9570 or office@ cbscs.org.

Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse will hold a Tikkun Leil Shavuot dinner and lecture on Tuesday, June 3, at 9:30 pm. The discussion will be “A Confidential Statement: Is It Ever Public Knowledge?” wherein Rabbi Evan Shore will explore the issues of confidentiality, clergy privilege and physician/lawyer/client privacy. Services will begin at 8:25 pm. Between Mincha and Maariv, Shore will speak about “Na’asa V’nishma: We Will Do and We Will Obey: The Mission of Every Jew.” Candle lighting on June 3 will be at 8:21 pm, with Mincha services at 8:25 pm. On Wednesday, June 4, at 9:30 am there will be services, with Mincha at 8:25 pm. Candle

lighting will be at 9:27 pm from a pre-existing flame. On Thursday, June 5, at 8 am, there will be a Chumash class, with the morning services at 9 am, during which Yizkor will be recited. Mincha will be at 8:25 pm, with Havdalah at 9:27 pm.

Temple Adath Yeshurun Temple Adath Yeshurun will hold services to usher in Shavuot on Tuesday, June 3, at 7:45 pm. Immediately following services, there will be a Tikkun Leil Shavuot, with the theme for this year’s teaching being “The News.”

Rabbi Charles Sherman will discuss how Judaism informs the reading and interpretation of the news, and how the news impacts Jewish identity, faith and continuity. The program will be followed by a dessert reception provided by the TAY Sisterhood. The community will be welcome to attend.

Shavuot services on Wednesday, June 4, will be held at 9:15 am and 7:45 pm. Shavuot services on Thursday, June 5, will be held at 9:15 am and 8:15 pm.

For more information, contact the synagogue at info@ adath.org or 445-0002.

Temple Concord Temple Concord will celebrate its 131st Confirmation class with a service on Tuesday, June 3, at 7 pm. There will be a Tikkun Leil Shavuot starting around 9:30 pm. It will be taught by Rabbi Daniel Fellman, along with Jim Brulé, Jessie Kerr-Whitt, Stephanie Marshall and several other congregants.

A Yizkor service will be held on Wednesday, June 4, at 11 am. For more information, contact the synagogue office at 475-9952.

Down with the boring Shavuot cheesecake!

By Mollie Katzen JNS.org Fresh cheese is a staple in classic Shavuot foods, traditionally wrapped in a soft, egg-like blintz that is then fried lightly in butter. Variations on this theme can keep things interesting and expand your kitchen craft. You can try freshening up your blintz package with a cheese upgrade – namely, simple homemade ricotta, which tastes sublime.

Cheesecake is another way to expand the joy of this holiday. Small cheesecake bars, topped with early strawberries, are a wonderful way to usher in the transition-tosummer month of June. A Thai tea cheesecake is beautiful and surprising, rounding out your holiday with a sense of orange expansiveness – and it is actually easier than handcrafting blintzes.

Cheesecake Bars If you love cheesecake, but feel guilty after eating it, pursue it in a small way instead. These bars hit that spot perfectly, especially when adorned with a perfect small, ripe strawberry.

Yield: About 1½ dozen. ½ cup (packed) light brown sugar 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour ½ tsp. salt ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted 1½ cups cottage cheese

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½ cup (4 ounces) cream cheese, softened 1/ cup granulated sugar 3 1½ tsp. pure vanilla extract 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice 2 large eggs, beaten A handful or two ripe strawberries (optional) 1. Preheat the oven to Cheesecake bars (Photo by 350°F (or 325°F if using a Mollie Katzen) glass pan). Have ready a 6by-9 inch baking pan (ungreased) or the equivalent.

2. In a medium sized bowl, combine the flour with ¼ teaspoon of the salt and the brown sugar, crumbling the sugar into the flour with your hands until uniformly distributed.

Add the melted butter and stir to thoroughly combine. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan.

3. Combine the cottage cheese, cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla, lemon juice and eggs in the bowl of a food processor, and buzz until completely smooth. Pour this mixture into the pan, spreading it into place.

4. Bake in the center of the oven for 30 minutes, or until the top surface is firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely before chilling. Let it chill for at least two hours and serve cold, cut into 1½-inch squares. Ideally topped with sliced strawberries.

Homemade Ricotta Homemade ricotta is not only more soulful than anything you can buy, but also more economical, producing approximately one pound of cheese for the price of a halfgallon of milk.

You can determine the thickness of the cheese simply by keeping watch over the project and wrapping it up (in every sense) when the cheese achieves your preferred texture. The longer it stands, the firmer it becomes. Time and gravity – and your taste – are the textural determinants. You also get to decide on the salt content. Try this for dessert or brunch, with some artisan honey warmed and spooned over the top like a syrup, and possibly also some fresh fruit, toasted nuts and scones or little cookies. You can get cheesecloth in most grocery stores. ½ gallon whole milk 1 cup whole milk yogurt ½ cup fresh lemon juice ½ tsp. salt (or to taste) 1. Combine the milk and yogurt in a large saucepan or a kettle, and whisk until smooth. Place over medium heat and warm for about 15 minutes, or until tiny bubbles form along the sides. The top surface may bulge slightly and a little skin might develop, which is normal.

2. Remove the pan from the stove and pour in the lemon juice without mixing. Let the mixture stand at room temperature for an hour to curdle.

3. Prepare a 4-layer cheesecloth net about 16 to 18 inches square. Lay this inside a medium-large fine mesh strainer or colander balanced over a bowl. Long pieces of cheesecloth will drape down the sides. Pour the curdled mixture into the net so the liquid drips into the bowl, and the solids remain in the cheesecloth. Don’t press it or try

to hurry the process along in any way, or you’ll lose some of the cheese. The whey needs to drip at its own pace.

4. After about an hour, lift the side-flaps of cheesecloth and, without actually knotting them, tie them neatly around the cheese. Let it stand, slowly dripping, for another two hours – or even longer, if you like a firmer, drier cheese.

5. Salt the cheese to taste, transfer it to a tightly covered container and refrigerate. It will keep for about 5 days.

Thai Tea Cheesecake From “The Heart of the Plate: Vegetarian Recipes for a New Generation” Yi e l d : 8 o r m o re servings Thai iced tea morphs into a dessert (it didn’t have far to go) and all I can say is, this is kind of amazing. No baking Thai tea cheesecake (Photo required – just a patted- by Mollie Katzen) into-place crumb crust and a stovetop-thickened filling. Cool to room temperature, then chill and/or (in my perfect world) freeze.

Brew and strain the tea well ahead of time. To get the proper strength for this recipe, steep ½ cup Thai tea in 2½ cups boiling water for 10 minutes, then strain, pressing out and saving as much of the water as you can.

Chocolate crumb crust ingredients: 6 to 7 ounces graham crackers (10 or 11 long ones) ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 Tbsp. sugar ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted 1. Place the graham crackers in a food processor and buzz to fine crumbs. You should have about 2 cups.

2. Transfer the crumbs to a bowl, stir in the cocoa and sugar, and pour in the melted butter. Mix to thoroughly combine, and then transfer to a 9-inch pie pan.

3. Spread it out to cover the bottom completely and evenly, letting it begin to climb up the sides of the pan.

Pat it into place, gently at first and then firmly – turning the pan as you go – and building a nice edge flush with the rim. Set aside.

Filling ingredients: ½ cup sugar 3 Tbsp. cornstarch ¼ tsp. salt 2 large eggs 1½ cups strong-brewed Thai tea, strained and cooled (see note) 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 8 ounces cream cheese 1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, eggs and cornstarch until smooth. Stir in the tea and vanilla.

2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking frequently.

Cook and stir for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the custard thickens to the point where it starts to resist being stirred.

3. Remove from the heat and immediately add the cream cheese in pieces; it will melt in. Whisk until the cream cheese is completely incorporated and the mixture becomes uniform. This will likely take several minutes.

See “Shavuot” on page 10

MAY 29, 2014/29 IYAR 5774 ■

Pope

Continued from page 2

Rabbi David Rosen, the American Jewish Committee’s international director for interreligious affairs, said the media attention resulting from the papal trip had prompted some action to be taken against the extremists.

Francis was the fourth reigning pope to visit Jerusalem.

His trip marks the 50th anniversary of the first papal visit to the Holy Land, Pope Paul VI’s pilgrimage in January 1964.

On that trip, Paul’s meeting in Jerusalem with Patriarch Athenagoras, the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians, was a major first step toward reconciling the 1,000-year rift between Western and Eastern Christianity.

The centerpiece of Francis’ stay was to be his meeting with Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew and a ecumenical joint prayer service with leaders of other Christian churches in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

Paul’s trip, the first by a reigning pope outside of Italy, came in a different context than today in terms of JewishCatholic and Vatican-Israel relations. The visit came one year before the Second Vatican Council promulgated its Nostra Aetate declaration, which opened the way to interreligious dialogue between Catholics and Jews.

It also took place decades before the Vatican and Israel established diplomatic relations with a Fundamental Agreement signed at the end of 1993. During his stay in Jerusalem, Paul did not even pronounce the word “Israel.”

For the past 20 years, Israel and the Holy See have attempted to reach agreement on several outstanding bilateral issues, including establishing the juridical rights of the Catholic Church in Israel as well as regulating property and taxation issues.

Just ahead of the pope’s visit, Israeli officials quashed rumors that Israel planned to transfer the Cenacle – the site where Jesus’ Last Supper took place – to the Vatican. Francis planned to celebrate Mass at the Cenacle, which is revered

by Christians. Jews venerate the site as King David’s Tomb, and on May 12, hundreds of haredi Orthodox protested there, demanding that Israel retain control.

All of these factors and more mean that it is impossible to separate bilateral Israel-Vatican relations from CatholicJewish relations, the AJC’s Rosen says.

Papal visits to Israel, he said, demonstrate “the remarkable new Catholic and Christian positive affirmation of the roots of its identity and its commitment to the welfare of the Jewish people.”

Moreover, he said, “I greatly hope that there will still be an opportunity for an interfaith encounter with local representatives of the faiths communities in this land somewhere on the papal itinerary. I actually think that to bring along an Argentinian rabbi and imam is very nice, but if there is no interfaith meeting with the locals, it might be seen locally as rather disingenuous.”

JEWISH OBSERVER

Jewish Community Center news

9

JCC - ECDP and Rabbi Shore For the program “Shabbat Come Alive,” Rabbi Evan Shore has visited the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center’s Jerome and Phyllis Charney Early Childhood Development Program classes numerous times during the winter and early spring. He has shared “the beauty of Shabbat” with the children, teaching Shabbat melodies and bringing items such as a Kiddush cup from Israel and a challah cover to show the children.

Stories and parables about the nature of the Sabbath with the children have been shared with all of the classes to help bring an understanding of Shabbat’s customs to the ECDP on Fridays.

Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center President Steven Sisskind presented JCC Executive Director Marci Erlebacher a $500 check from the York Children’s Foundation for the JCC’s summer camp Yachad program.

Rabbi Evan Shore has visited the Jewish Community Center’s Jerome and Phyllis Charney Early Childhood Development Program numerous times for the program “Shabbat Come Alive.”

Abiyah Campbell participated in “Sidewalk Chalk and Bubbles” on May 8. The activity is one of many held at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center’s afterschool program, which offers activities for children year-round.

The senior program at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse hosted a Mother’s Day lunch on May 9 in the Anne and Hy Miller Auditorium.

The lunch was sponsored by Birnbaum Funeral Service, with the entertainment provided by Sisskind Funeral Service LLC. Thirty-40 people attended the lunch and were entertained by (background, l-r) “Sonny and Barb.”

In front: Herb Weinman and Karen Roberts.

Al Heyman and Lee Chalek danced to live music during the senior program’s Mother’s Day lunch at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse on May 9.

Ways to spend quality time with your dad (StatePoint) – Want more quality time with your dad, but can’t think of anything better than watching the big game together on TV? With a little planning, you can find memorable, exciting ways to spend a day together.

“No matter what you and your father’s hobbies and interests are, there are affordable, fun ways for you to indulge them,” says shopping expert Heidi Stubler at Groupon. Stubler offers some insider tips on affordable activity planning: Learn Together: Has your dad always wanted to learn to take great photos, fly a helicopter or sail? Maybe all that’s stopping him is motivation. Sign him up for a class and take it with him. You’ll both learn a thing or two and have fun bonding in the process.

For Sports Fans: Plan a deep sea or fly fishing trip with your dad. If you’re novices, you can book a chartered trip,

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You may just bring home dinner. Consider a family night at the bowling alley or a batting cage, or even indoor kart racing. If your dad is more of a spectator guy, score tickets to his favorite team’s home game – or even a summer concert at his home team’s stadium.

Poker Night: Beef up your dad’s rec room with activities you can enjoy together, such as a poker set. Help him start a weekly tradition with his friends. Make the first game night special with a whiskey tasting.

Bon Appetit: An evening out at a restaurant your dad has never tried is thoughtful, yet surprisingly easy. If he is more hands on in the kitchen, help him get his grilling set-up ready for summer. Or treat him to a barbecuing, beer making or homemade sausage making class.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ may 29, 2014/29 IYAR 5774

d’var torah

Be a blessing

By Robert Tornberg God spoke to Moses, Speak to Aaron and his sons: Thus shall you bless the people of Israel. Say to them: Y’va-rechch’cha Adonai v’yishm’recha, “God bless you and protect you.” Ya-ayr Adonai panav elecha vichunekha, “God’s presence shine upon you and be gracious to you.” Yisa Adonai panav elecha v’yasem l’cha shalom, “God’s presence be with you and give you shalom.” (Bamidbar 6:22-26) These words from this week’s Torah portion, Naso, are among the most well-known in the Torah. In addition to hearing them as part of services on many special days, I have heard these 15 words said at various life cycle ceremonies, including britot milah, baby namings, weddings and other moments in life.

To many of us, however, these words are so familiar that we do not really pay much attention to them. Have you ever stopped and thought about these three lines, precisely written so that there are three words in line one, five words in line two and seven words in line three? What does each line mean? What does the blessing mean as a whole? Why do we need three stanzas? And what is a blessing anyway?

Clearly, in this brief d’var Torah, we do not have the time to explore all these questions – or, for that matter, any of them – in great depth. I would, however, like to spend a bit of time examining what some of our commentators have to say about why there are three blessings in the priestly benediction and what the difference between them is.

The first blessing, Y’va-rech-ch’cha Adonai v’yishm’recha

Calendar Highlights

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Tuesday, June 3 Erev Shavuot Wednesday, June 4 Shavuot day one Jewish Community Center and Jewish Federation offices closed Thursday, June 5 Shavuot day two JCC and Federation offices closed Sunday, June 8 Jewish Music & Cultural Festival fund-raiser at 4 pm Forget-Me-Nots chorus at Menorah Park from 3-4:30 pm Tuesday, June 10 Temple Concord presents Dr. David Nash at 6 pm Wednesday, June 11 Deadline for the June 26 issue of the Jewish Observer Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas Hazak

presents Miriam Elman at 7 pm Sunday, June 15 Forget-Me-Nots chorus at Menorah Park from 3-4:30 pm

Shavuot

Continued from page 8

4. Pour the hot mixture directly into the crust and let it cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold. Make the topping in the meantime.

Topping ingredients: 2/ cups sour cream 3 2 Tbsp. brewed Thai tea (optional) 1 Tbsp. sugar ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract Pinch of salt 1. Whisk together all the ingredients until smooth and uniform.

2. Spoon on top of the pie, spreading it to the edges of the crust.

3. Carefully (so as not to disturb the top surface) cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate or freeze until serving time. Serve at any temperature from very cold to partially (or even mostly) frozen.

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(“God bless you and protect you”), has two parts. According to Rashi, the first part, “God bless you” refers to the blessing of one’s goods or possessions. He explains the phrase “and protect you” by stating that God’s blessing will not only give you plenty, it implies that God actually stands guard over the material blessings you acquire. Other commentators state it differently, but they all seem to agree that this first blessing has to do with the blessing of plenty, of material wealth.

Midrash Rabbah, a collection of interpretations from the 11th century, explains the second blessing, Ya-ayr Adonai panav elecha vichunekha (“God’s presence shine upon you and be gracious to you”), in the following way: “[This refers] to the light of Torah that God should enlighten your eyes and your heart in Torah and grant you children learned in Torah, as it is said, ‘For the commandment is a lamp and the Torah a light’ (Proverbs 6:23).” So, the focus of the second blessing is spiritual and (according to Nahama Leibowitz, a 20th century biblical scholar) we may take the phrase “be gracious to you” to imply the good will and respect inspired by the one who engages in learning.

The final blessing, Yisa Adonai panav elecha v’yasem l’cha shalom (“God’s presence be with you and give you shalom), according to Sifra, a third century midrashic commentary, is really the summary of the other two. Food and drink are well and good, and learning sharpens the mind and gives one a sense of spirituality, but without shalom, they are worth nothing.

Thus, the three sections of this most famous of blessings are ranked in ascending order, starting with the blessing regarding material needs, then dealing with spiritual wants and finally reaching a crescendo combining both factors, crowning them with the blessing of shalom.

Personally, I find the study of Torah on this level of detail to be intellectually stimulating and challenging. In short, I love to delve into the commentaries and often find the insights and wisdom of the commentators brilliant. I am, however, cognizant of the fact that not everyone reading these words shares my fascination with spending time over these “not-always-obviously-relevant” explorations.

Therefore, I want to briefly look at the bigger picture, which may be of greater immediate interest to readers.

I asked earlier what a blessing is anyway. In considering this, I believe we can intuit something from the threefold structure of our passage from Naso. You see, when I consider this big question, it seems to me that the concept of blessing has three parts, corresponding to the three parts of the priestly blessing.

First, we can be blessed from outside ourselves. While we may not always use religious language to express it, we all hope for this. I am sure that this is true of many of

you. At times of transition – and isn’t every day potentially a time of transition – you are heavily focused on your future. You dream about the person you will become, what paths you will follow and whether you will be successful.

When we are aware of this very human need, we hope to be blessed – by God and/or other people – with good. For all who are feeling this, we say Y’va-rech-ch’cha Adonai v’yishm’recha (“God bless you and protect you”).

Secondly, when we think about blessings, we must realize that we are not only the recipients of blessings. We must give blessings as well. In our tradition, we recognize that we can even bless God as we use our own words, or the traditional formula, Baruch atah Adonai... (“Blessed are you, God...”) to express our thanks for all that is awesome in the world.

Blessing God is easy; but, how do we bless other people? There is a guide for that too. It is the Torah where we learn how to bless others using mitzvot, especially those mitzvot between people. This list is long, but most of us know what I mean – give tzedakah; share our time and energy to make the lives of others better; don’t hurt others physically or emotionally; love our neighbor as we love ourselves. My hope is that we all learn what it means to give to others and we, therefore, say Ya-ayr Adonai panav elecha vichunekha (“God’s presence shine upon you and be gracious to you”).

Finally, while it is important to be blessed and to give blessings, our greatest desire for each other is that we will all “be a blessing.” You see, shalom does not really mean peace – the absence of strife. It comes from the root, Sh-L-M, which means “wholeness,” “the way things should be.” In order to be whole, it is necessary to bring together one’s physical and spiritual resources and join with God as a partner in bringing completion or wholeness to the world. Only then will shalom in all its meanings become a reality. I, therefore, challenge each of us to truly be a blessing – to make a difference in the world. As a symbol of this, may we all join together and say, Yisa Adonai panav elecha v’yasem l’cha shalom (“God’s presence be with you and give you shalom”).

Robert Tornberg has been a Jewish educator for more than 40 years, having led synagogue schools and day schools throughout North America. He most recently was the education director of DeLeT, a program at Hebrew Union College that certifies teachers for the state of California and to teach in Jewish day schools. He is a past president of the National Association of Temple Educators and a past vice president of the Jewish Educators Assembly. He has a master’s degree in Jewish education from Hebrew Union College and has just completed his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. He is the author of numerous articles and several books, and recently moved with his wife to Syracuse to be closer to their children and grandchildren. He is a member of Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas.

Israeli Lunar XPrize team shoots for moon

By Ben Sales TEL AVIV (JTA) – One small step by Israelis could become a giant leap for the state of Israel.

At a Tel Aviv University laboratory, a team of 20 Israelis is building a spacecraft they believe will make Israel only the fourth country – after the United States, Russia and China – to touch down on the moon.

The project, known as SpaceIL, looks like a long shot.

The three-legged hexagonal craft appears too puny for interstellar travel, measuring just 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Of the initiative’s three founders, only one holds an academic degree beyond a bachelor’s. And SpaceIL is competing against 17 other teams to win the $20 million Google Lunar XPrize by being the first private spacecraft to land on the moon. The team hopes to land its craft by the end of next year.

Despite the odds, however, the founders exude the confidence of Nobel Prize-winning scientists – and that’s not all that makes the project Israeli. From its origins to its endgame, SpaceIL is a quintessential story of Israel’s upstart high-tech sector.

Its founders came together with little preparation and no money. They overcame a maze of Israeli bureaucracy to qualify for the contest, attracting funding through personal connections to scientists. And they say they will win the competition not by being the biggest or richest team, but by redefining how to send a spacecraft to the moon.

“Only superpowers have managed to land on the moon,” co-founder Yariv Bash said. “What China did as a nation of 1.3 billion people, SpaceIL is doing as a nonprofit. It puts things in perspective.”

Launched by Google in 2007, the Lunar XPrize has straightforward rules: The first team to land an unmanned spacecraft on the moon, move it 500 meters – about the length of five and a half football fields – across the moon’s surface and transmit high-definition photos and video back to Earth wins $20 million. The mission must be complete by the end of 2015.

Thirty-three teams registered for the competition and nearly all of the remaining 18 contenders plan to launch tank-like rovers to roll across the moon’s surface, which Bash says is more expensive and will consume more fuel than the SpaceIL craft. SpaceIL expects to spend about $36 million on its mission.

SpaceIL’s craft is the size of a dishwasher and weighs just 300 pounds, two-thirds of which is fuel. Rather than drive across the moon, it will take off again after landing and jump 500 meters. Its navigation system will double as a camera and its steering thrusters will guide its landing.

“Instead of taking a bulky radar system, we’re taking cameras with us, so the best thing is to reuse those cameras,” Bash said. “If I can just write more code for my camera, code doesn’t weigh anything.”

Bash hadn’t even considered entering the competition until 2010. He pushed through government bureaucracy to register SpaceIL as a nonprofit and entered the race on December 31, 2010 – the last day of registration. Yonatan Winetraub, another of the project’s co-founders, connected with Israel Space Agency head Yitzhak Ben Yisrael, who gave the group three minutes on stage at a space technology convention in Tel Aviv.

It was enough to convince philanthropists at the convention to give SpaceIL its seed money and lure Ben Yisrael to join the group’s board. SpaceIL has since received support from Rona Ramon, the widow of Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, and casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, who gave $16.4 million.

“They’re young people with a lot of vision, with Israeli initiative,” Ben Yisrael said. “If the government sends a craft to space, that’s OK. But when there’s a group of young people that takes on a project that looks like science fiction, to land something on the moon, it’s different. It’s strong.”

SpaceIL has avoided the expensive and labor-intensive approach of some of the other teams, but it’s not the only one to go small. The Penn State Lunar Lion Team, an XPrize team housed at Pennsylvania State University, also See “Moon” on page 11

MAY 29, 2014/29 IYAR 5774 ■

JEWISH OBSERVER

11

obituaries Zamira Bernstein

Zamira Bernstein, 59, died at home in Syracuse on May 9 as a result of a stroke.

She was a graduate of Ithaca College, fell in love with the Central New York area and made it her home. She was formerly a counselor at Cornell University. She was a writer, pianist and faithful worshipper.

She is survived by her mother, her sisters and a brother.

Burial was in Sharon Gardens, Valhalla, NY. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements. 

Moon

Continued from page 10

is building a small craft that will jump the 500 meters. Team director Michael Paul said small projects like theirs could complement large government initiatives and broaden the reach of space exploration.

“We’ve created a new model that makes space exploration possible through philanthropy,” Paul said. “I don’t know if it’s going to be a dominant piece [of space exploration], but it will be an incredibly important piece in the decades to come. NASA isn’t going away.”

SpaceIL hopes to expand the appeal of space exploration by spreading its message through Israel’s classrooms. The team is investing in a large educational program, lecturing about the program in Israeli classrooms and working with Israel’s Education Ministry to devise a science curriculum based around space travel. Along with reaching the moon, the founders hope to imbue Israel’s next generation with excitement for science and technology.

“We let them know they’re capable of building their own spacecraft,” said the third co-founder, Kfir Damari. “We want to use the story to show that science and technology is exciting, that you can have a huge impact on the world if you’re a scientist and engineer.”

SpaceIL’s team believes it has a good chance of winning. But even if it doesn’t, Damari said landing an Israeli craft on the moon will be reward enough. “It’s the story of three people who decided one day that they’re landing on the moon,” he said. “Today it’s an Israeli project, but it’s [also] three engineers who wanted to land a spacecraft there and it’s happening.”

Dr. Leonard H. Gittler

Leonard H. Gittler, 85, of Liverpool, died on May 10.

A 40-year resident of Liverpool, he was a well-known optometrist in the area. Born in Brooklyn to Eastern European immigrants, he held degrees from the New England College of Optometry, Columbia University and Florida State University. He was a member of Temple Concord and its Brotherhood; the Lions Club of North Syracuse and Liverpool; and was an avid amateur astronomer. He enjoyed traveling in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and had visited 44 states in the U.S. He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Eleanor.

He is survived by his sons, Andrew, of Liverpool, and Gary; and his daughters, Amy Brown and Juliana.

Burial was on Long Island, NY. Contributions may be made to the Lions Club of North Syracuse and Liverpool, or the Temple Concord Food Pantry, 910 Madison St., Syracuse, NY 13210.

Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements. 

Ruth Moskowitz Golden

Ruth Moskowitz Golden, 92, died on May 16 at St. Josephs Hospital.

She lived her entire life in Syracuse and graduated from Central High School. She continued her education at Yonkers Nursing School. She was a homemaker caring for her family and was famous for her apple pies.

She was predeceased by her husband, David; and her siblings and their spouses, Charlotte and Ray Koch, and Jonas and Ruth Marrens.

She is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Levy, of Syracuse, and Abbey Dukeman, of Tamarac, FL; two grandsons; and four great-grandchildren.

Burial was in Frumah Packard Cemetery. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements.

Contributions may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 5005 Campuswood Dr., East Syracuse, NY 13057. 

Irv (Irving) Reikes

Irv (Irving) Reikes died on May 16.

Born in Manhattan in 1925, he grew up in the Bronx.

He served in the U.S. Navy on a destroyer escort from 1943-46 and studied electronics at the RCA Institute from 1948-50. He came to Syracuse in 1950 to work for General Electric. After working in Europe, Syracuse, Daytona and Huntsville, he left GE to open the first Taylor Rental franchise in the area.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margit Reikes; five children; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Burial was in Riverview Cemetery in Baldwinsville.

Maurer Funeral Home, Moyers Corners, had local arrangements.

Contributions may be made to the Syracuse Rescue Mission, 155 Gifford St., Syracuse, NY 13202. 

Norma Stein

Norma Stein, 89, died on May 18 at Iroquois Nursing Home.

Born in the Bronx, she and her husband raised their family in East Meadow on Long Island, and retired to Boca Raton. When her husband died in 2011, she moved to The Nottingham. She was an avid bridge player.

She was predeceased by her husband, Isadore, in 2011.

She is survived by her sons, Philip (Ellen), of Jamesville, and Richard (Becky); four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements.

Contribution may be made to the Foundation of Menorah Park, 4101 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13214. 

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NEWS digest From JTA

UCLA student court: Israel trips no conflict of interest

A student-run judicial body at UCLA found that two former student government representatives did not violate conflict-of-interest rules in accepting sponsored trips to Israel. The Judicial Board for the Undergraduate Students Association ruled on May 22 in favor of Sunny Singh and Lauren Rogers, who had taken trips to Israel sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee, respectively. The trips came prior to a February vote on a resolution urging the university to divest from corporations that do business in the West Bank. Pro-Palestinian groups had charged that Singh and Rogers should have abstained from voting on the resolution because their Israel trips constituted a conflict of interest. The divestment resolution failed, 7-5. The ruling is the latest incident in a series of debates on Israel that have roiled the UCLA campus. Pro-Palestinian groups had urged candidates in the recent student government elections to sign a pledge promising not to take trips to Israel sponsored by the ADL, AIPAC or Hasbara Fellowships. Singh, who refused to sign the pledge, narrowly lost his bid for student body president to a candidate, Devin Murphy, who did sign the pledge.

However, a slate of candidates who refused to sign won a plurality of the council seats. Noting the sensitivities concerning divestment, the Judicial Board said in its statement announcing the ruling that it was “not to be construed as a position on the issue of divestment.”

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Israeli religious court grants divorce to woman with comatose husband

An Israeli government religious court granted a ritual divorce to a woman whose husband is in a coma and cannot consent. The ruling by the court in Safed took place two months ago, but was made public on May 20. Jewish law requires the husband to consent in order for the ritual divorce, or get, to be valid. But according to Haaretz, the court used an obscure Jewish legal concept called a “get zikui” to allow the divorce because the husband would have consented if he were conscious. The ruling can act as precedent for other women with husbands in comas, but the court ruled that it would not apply to women whose husbands intentionally refuse to divorce them.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ may 29, 2014/29 IYAR 5774

By famed waterfalls, brainstorming a future for Latin America’s smaller Jewish communities

minyan still convenes for Friday

By Natalie Schachar night services at a synagogue in PUERTO IGUAZU, Argentina the center of town. But the few ac(JTA) – The youthful group of 60 tive community members, which drew their chairs around tables hover around 25, illustrates how strewn with jars of markers and the times have changed. occasional Rubik’s Cube, nearby “Our principal income is chalkboards at the ready for jotting from the cemetery,” said Pablo down big ideas. The conference Indelman, the synagogue presihall was suffused with a can-do vibe that wouldn’t have seemed Victor Rottenstein, head of SEO operations at dent, community director and out of place in Silicon Valley, but Mercado Libre, gave a presentation on April 1 at a Hebrew teacher.

Jewish population movehigh-tech was not on the agenda. conference convened in Iguazu Falls, Argentina, to Instead, the crowd of social entre- discuss the problem of shrinking Jewish communities ments parallel larger trends in Latin America, where people are preneurs and activists had come to in Latin America. (Photo courtesy of Lazos) flocking to the main urban areas a resort near the Iguazu Falls on of their countries.

Young Jews often do not return to their the Argentina-Brazil border to brainstorm a future for Jewish hometowns after studying or working in the big city. Others life in small communities across Latin America.

“The decline of communities in smaller cities is our leave for Israel or destinations abroad. “There’s almost no biggest problem,” said the event’s co-chairwoman, Ariela youth, they’re all grandparents,” said Moshe Sefchovich, Lijavetzky, director of informal education at Maccabi, a a resident of Guadalajara, a city of more than one million Jewish sports club in Buenos Aires. The recent four-day in the Mexican state of Jalisco. He describes a mass moveLazos gathering – Spanish for “ties” – was sponsored by ment of community members to Mexico City.

While aware of the difficulty of reversing migration the U.S.-based Schusterman Philanthropic Network as part trends, Lazos participants were determined to find ways to of its Connection Points initiative.

One of many thematic gatherings of young Jews con- reinvigorate Jewish life. Participants proposed ventures such vened around the world by the initiative, Lazos focused as the establishment of a new synagogue in the Argentine on the challenges faced by shrinking Jewish communities city of Corrientes and a network for Jewish travelers jourin Latin America. Across the region, Jewish population is neying to Brazil during the World Cup. Technology was becoming increasingly centralized, leaving once-flourishing offered up as a means of changing the status quo.

“Everyone is asking where young adults have disappeared communities in smaller towns and cities struggling.

“It’s at a critical point,” said Carlos Vilches Haquin, a to,” said Victor Rottenstein, the head of search engine optimizalawyer from the city of Concepcion in Chile. “Information, tion operations at Mercado Libre, the LatinAmerican version of programs, subsidies don’t get to Concepcion and a major eBay. “I’ll tell you where they are. They’re on Facebook.”

Participants discussed how to capitalize on the potential reason is our isolation.” contributions of community members who had left and to The trend toward centralization is pronounced inArgentina, improve the way resources are shared among communities. where about 90 percent of the country’s Jewish population “Communities are widely distributed across a broad area,” lives in the capital of Buenos Aires. In the Argentine city of General Roca, located in Patagonia, the Jewish community said Diego Goldman, a psychologist from Buenos Aires once numbered about 400 families. These days, an egalitarian who co-chaired the Lazos event with Lijavetzky. “There is

a big necessity for Latin America to work as a network.”

The effort to strengthen small communities is complicated in some countries, however, by economic uncertainty. In Argentina, an inflation rate of approximately 30 percent and the prospect of further currency devaluations make it more difficult for institutions to stay afloat, with synagogues in a number of smaller cities selling off their properties and merging.

Even communities with storied histories are struggling.

Moises Ville, a town in the Argentine province of Sante Fe, known for its Jewish gauchos, or cowboys, once was a symbol of Jewish community life on the plains of Argentina. With the financial patronage of the German-Jewish philanthropist Baron Maurice de Hirsch, Jews fleeing czarist Russia and Central Europe had taken advantage of Argentina’s open-door immigration policy and established the colony in 1889.

The city is still called the Argentine Jerusalem for its history and culture, and it is currently celebrating its 125th anniversary. Today, however, only about 250 of its 2,000 inhabitants are Jews. “One of our main concerns is the lack of young people,” lamented Claudia Baer, secretary of the community synagogue, before adding that she, too, would like to go to Israel, if it weren’t for her job.

Lazos participants came together at an Argentine resort near the Iguazu Falls to discuss the problem of shrinking Jewish communities in Latin America. (Photo courtesy of Lazos)

NEWS IN bRIEF From JTA

Brussels victims mourned at silent vigil

A crowd of approximately 2,000 gathered for a silent vigil in front of the Jewish museum in Brussels where an unidentified shooter killed four people. The gathering on May 25 came 24 hours after the shooting at the Jewish Museum of Belgium in the center of the country’s capital. Prime Minister Elio di Rupo was among the Belgian politicians who cleared time to attend the vigil on Election Day. “Elections are usually a celebration for democracy, but this year that celebration is in the shadow by this terrorist attack,” he said later that day at a news conference. “My thoughts go out to the Jewish community and their

families.” At the vigil, many lit candles in memory of the four victims and placed flowers and Israeli and Belgian flags at the museum’s entrance. Two of the victims were an Israeli couple on vacation. Emanuel and Miriam Riva of Tel Aviv, both in their 50s, were shot in the head and died instantly, as did Dominique Chabrier, a French volunteer at the museum. A fourth fatality was identified as Alexandre Strens, a museum employee in his 20s. Strens died in the hospital hours after he was shot. “It is good to hear the Belgian politicians sharing their outrage at this Saturday’s attack,” said Robin Sclafani, director of CEJI, a Jewish Brussels-based not-for-profit which promotes tolerance through education. “I hope they can finally hear the alarm this time for what is a wake-up call that has been snoozed too

many times already.” Rabbi Menachem Margolin, director of the European Jewish Association, or EJA, called on European governments to set up a pan-European task force to fight antisemitism. “Condemnation after a predictable attack is nothing but a way to cleanse one’s conscious” unless it is accompanied by concrete actions, he said. Also on May 25, police released security camera footage of the perpetrator entering the museum with an automatic assault rifle and asked for the public’s help in locating him and other accomplices, including a driver who drove him to the museum in an Audi.

Survey: U.S. Jews want more religious pluralism in Israel

U.S. Jews want Israel to remain a Jewish and democratic state, but also accommodate non-Orthodox Judaism, according to a survey. The conclusions from a survey conducted by the Jewish Agency’s Jewish People Policy Institute were released on May 22. In reaching the conclusions, the institute held discussions and seminars with Jewish groups across the United States, and sent out questionnaires and analyzed external research. The survey also found that U.S. Jews disagree with Israel’s handling of religion and state matters, including recognizing only Orthodox marriage and granting authority to the largely haredi Orthodox Chief Rabbinate. U.S. Jews also said Israel should ensure that all its citizens have equal rights while still maintaining its Jewish character. In terms of Israel’s relationship with its neighbors, the survey found that U.S. Jews recognize that Israel exists in a hostile region but believe that regional security threats should not justify its disregarding human rights or democratic values. They also said Israel should strive to end its control of the Palestinians. The survey’s results are “positive and optimistic, contrary to dismal reports we hear about the distancing of Diaspora Jews from Israel,” said Shmuel Rosner, an Israeli journalist who co-headed the project. “The report also indicates that there is a strong need throughout the Jewish world for a deep connection with Israel.”

Sabra trying to est. U.S. hummus law

If Sabra Dipping Co. has its way, the use of chickpeas and tahini in making hummus will become U.S. law. The hummus manufacturer, which is co-owned by PepsiCo and the Israel-based Strauss Group, has filed a petition with the Food and Drug Administration to create a standard for which dips are considered hummus. The standard Sabra is seeking would mandate that hummus be comprised primarily of chickpeas and contain no less than 5 percent tahini. The 11-page proposal asks that hummus be defined as “the semisolid food prepared from mixing cooked, dehydrated, or dried chickpeas and tahini with one or more optional ingredients,” according to a news release issued on May 19. Similar standards exist for other condiments, such as ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise.