24 SIVAN 5775 • JUNE 11, 2015 • VOLUME XXXIV, NUMBER12 • PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY
Federation approves 2015 summer camp scholarships By Judith L. Stander The Jewish Federation of Central New York recently announced that a total of 26 camperships for Jewish overnight summer camping have been awarded this year. Campers receiving scholarships include those who will attend 6 Points Sports Academy, Camp Harlam, Crane Lake Camp, Etgar 36, PoyntelleLewis Village, Camp Ramah Canada, Camp Ramah New England and Camp Seneca Lake. Funding for these Federation summer camp scholarships was made possible
by the Pomeranz, Shankman and Martin Foundation and the B’nai Israel Legacy Fund of Auburn. The Pomeranz, Shankman and Martin Trust is the result of combining three separate trusts from the Pomeranz, Shankman and Martin families to provide financial support for Jewish needs in Central New York. The funds were intended to support many different goals in the community and are administered locally. For many years, they have allowed the Jewish Federation of Central New York to offer a camper-
ships program to help underwrite some of the expenses of a Jewish overnight summer camp. The trust’s directors are Sheldon Kall, Mateele Kall and Deborah Kall Schaal. The B’nai Israel Legacy Fund was established at the Jewish Community Foundation of Central New York when Temple B’nai Israel of Auburn closed. The synagogue had opened in 1903 and served the Auburn community for more than 110 years. The B’nai Israel Legacy Fund was established in 2013 to honor the memories created by the former members
of the congregation. The fund’s goal is to sponsor Jewish activities and “good works” in Central New York. In this way, the planned use of the congregation’s remaining assets will allow its name to survive and will continue to honor those who worked to maintain a Jewish presence in Auburn. The directors of the B’nai Israel Legacy Fund are Herb and Elaine Sussman. For more information about Jewish summer camping, contact Judith Stander at 445-2040, ext. 114, or jstander@ jewishfederationcny.org.
SHDS fund-raiser for Nepal By Henia Zames Recently, the fifth grade at the Syracuse Hebrew Day School finished the project “Coins, Cans and Cash for a Community in Crisis.” This fund-raiser was created to help the survivors of the earthquakes in Nepal. To initiate the fund-raiser, the students created a proposal and presented it to the SHDS Student Council. All of the members approved of the idea. The fifth grade students’ idea was to collect refundable cans and bottles. They would return each bottle to get five cents back. Thirteen bags of bottles and cans added up to $87, which the organizers were told “could save a life.” The whole school donated and each class collected money. Every day of the week, the students tallied the amount raised by adding each class’s donation. In all, SHDS students raised $600. The Syracuse Hebrew Day School board members then contributed $200 for a total of $800. The students were said to be “so pleased” to know that all of the money will be sent to Nepal to
to the cause.” One of the students said, “We would like to thank all of the people who donated outside of school to our cause. This money will be bestowed upon those who have lost their homes, lost all sources of clean water, have no food, have lost some of their family members and need help getting to some place that is safe. With all of these remarkable donations, we have hopefully saved lives. To those of you who donated, we are so thankful to have a great community, and our gratitude is immense.” Henia Zames is a fifth grade student at Syracuse Hebrew Day School.
2015 Federation paign Update Cam Syracuse Hebrew Day School fifth grade students raised $800 to help the survivors of the earthquakes in Nepal. help those who are suffering. The fifth grade students were called
“the vital leaders of an amazing project, encouraging people to contribute
JCC to hold “Bring on the Summer” vacation camp June 25 and 26 By William Wallak The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse is preparing for the end of the school year with various summer activities. The JCC will hold its “Bring on the Summer” vacation camp for children in kindergarten-sixth grade on Thursday, June 25, and Friday, June 26, from 9 am-4 pm, at the JCC, 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt. The camp will feature a variety of age-appropriate indoor and outdoor activities for the children. All campers should bring seasonally appropriate clothing for outdoor activities, weather permitting, as well as sneakers to play in the gym.
Erin Hart, the JCC’s assistant director of children and teen services, said, “We have so many neat things planned each day to help the kids jump right into summer vacation. Some of the cool summertime activities we have lined up include swimming, sports, arts and crafts, games and more.” Children may attend one or both days. Half-day programs and extended childcare will also be available. Full-day campers have been asked to bring a non-meat lunch. An afternoon snack will be provided. The camp’s half-day options will be from 9 am-noon and from 1-4 pm. Extended childcare will be available
starting at 7:30 am and running until 6 pm. Early registration pricing is available through Friday, June 19, and discounts are offered for JCC members and siblings. Current JCC membership or program enrollment is not required to enroll a child. For more information or to obtain a registration form, call 445-2360 or visit www.jccsyr.org.
Goal: $1,000,000
We made it!
1,031,151
$
as of June 8, 2015
You can still make a donation to the 2015 Annual Campaign and make this our best year ever!
To make your pledge, please 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 June 12......................8:26 pm.............................................Parasha-Shelach Lecha June 19......................8:29 pm......................................................... Parasha-Korach June 26......................8:30 pm....................................................... Parasha-Chukkat
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Congregational notes
Safe Haven
Community Guide
Local synagogues announce a The Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee The annual Community Guide breakfast program, religious Shelter Museum in Oswego will highlights the synagogues and host an open house on June 21. Jewish organizations in town. school open house and more. Story on page 3 Stories on page 2 Insert
PLUS D’var Torah............................... 2 Mazel Tov.................................. 2 Calendar Highlights............... 3 Obituaries................................. 4
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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ june 11, 2015/24 SIVAN 5775
congregational notes Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas CBS-CS religious school open house Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas will hold a religious school open house for parents and their children on Sunday, June 28, from 10 am-noon. The morning will focus on the congregation’s pre-kindergarten and kindergarten program, but all families with children from birth-sixth grade have been encouraged to attend.
Members of the Education Committee, chaired by Rachael Porter; Julie Tornberg, the director of youth and education; Brianna Smith, the pre-k-kindergarten teacher; other faculty and other CBSCS parents and students will be there to answer questions. The open house is intended to provide an opportunity to learn about the CBS-CS curriculum and teaching philosophy, and to allow others to visit the classrooms and other spaces
within the building. The morning will be open to families within the Syracuse Jewish community with children under the age of 12. For more information, contact Tornberg at director@cbscs.org or 701-2685. Baby, tots and parents group A newly-forming group in the congregation will hold a potluck dairy picnic on Sunday, June 28, from 12:30-
1:30 pm, at the synagogue. With the birth of eight children this past year, CBS-CS is reviving a group for young families. The program will be open to all families in the Syracuse Jewish community with children under the age of 4. They will have the opportunity to meet other families, explore common interests and meet CBS-CS staff and lay leaders. For more information, contact Julie Tornberg at director@cbscs.org or 701-2685.
Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation STOCS breakfast program The final Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse Sunday breakfast program until the fall will be held on June 28 with breakfast at 9 am and the presentation at 9:30 am.
d’var torah Shelach Lecha
By Robert Tornberg What kind of spies do we want our children to become? Bamidbar 13:1-15:41 We live in difficult times! Are these the most difficult times in the history of the world? I don’t know the answer to that question; but I would argue that on a day-to-day basis, this perhaps, feels like the worst of times (to borrow a literary allusion). This may be because the media – social and otherwise – has connected us to every part of the globe during every waking moment. Almost nothing happens that doesn’t appear somewhere on TV, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other platforms whose names I don’t even know. As an educator – and especially as a Jewish educator – I worry a great deal about my students – our children and grandchildren – who are growing up at a time when: They see beheadings televised in real time and shared in even more gruesome detail on various social media; They hear almost weekly about extreme acts of sexual violence on well-known college campuses; They watch cell phone videos of black men being killed by police for seemingly small infractions or no infractions at all; They are fully aware of the sordid details of the corruption, sexual scandals and illegal acts of many individuals who are or were considered role models – politicians, entertainers, sports heroes and, sadly, sometimes their own teachers. They know – perhaps better than we, their parents and teachers – how easy it is to procure drugs and weapons on the street, in their schools, and from their peers. They are aware that no one knows where the next terrorist act will take place. And then there is war after war after war all around the world. So, this is where I am coming from and this is what I am thinking about as I approach the writing of this d’var Torah
mazel tov Esther Marie Kassel
Esther Marie Kassel was born on April 16 to Jeremy and Ruth Kassel, of Glenmont, NY. She joins her big sister, Elisheva. She is the grandchild of Neil and Jackie Kassel, Esther Marie of Syracuse, and Kassel Fred and Marylou Sipione, of Bethel, CT.
Many ex-Syracusans, particularly children of families still in Syracuse, live in Israel. Among the topics to be addressed in the program will be questions such as how they were influenced to make aliyah; what, if any, difficulties they encountered
in doing so; and how they are coping politically, economically and religiously as “Anglos.” The program will include a video presentation featuring several of the individuals being discussed. Organizers
hope the presentation will offer insights into the realities of Israeli life. The program will be free and open to the public. Reservations have been requested and can be made by calling the synagogue at 446-6194.
on Shelach Lecha. In this parasha, we read about the 12 spies that Moses sent to scout out the land of Canaan before they entered into the Promised Land. You will recall that Moses chose capable leaders – the head of each tribe – to check out the land. They were gone for 40 days, and when they returned, they carried a cluster of grapes so large it took two men to carry it. Ten of the spies reported, in the hearing of all the people, “We came to the land you sent us to; it does indeed flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who inhabit the country are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw Anakites (giants) there...We cannot attack that people, for it is stronger than we. The country that we traversed and scouted is one that devours its settlers. All the people that we saw are men of great size... we looked like grasshoppers to ourselves, and so must we have looked to them.” (Bamidbar 13:27-28; 31-33) Only two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, urged Moses and the people to go up and possess the land God had promised. Needless to say, with 10 negative reports, hysteria broke out among the people and they shouted, “It would be better for us to go back to Egypt.” (14:3) Furious over the Hebrews’ lack of trust and faith after the many miracles and wonders performed by God, God declared that not one of that generation would enter the Promised Land, except Caleb and Joshua. The entire generation who left Egypt would die in the wilderness and only their children would join Caleb and Joshua in the land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – an unbelievably harsh consequence. Throughout the ages, many commentators have tried to explain exactly why the negative report of the 10 spies was a transgression worthy of such a great punishment. Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, a second century scholar, believed that the spies went on the mission having already decided that their people were too weak to overcome the obstacles necessary to enter the land. They were closed off from seeing any other possibilities. Rabbi Morris Adler, a leading Conservative rabbi murdered on the bima in the 1960s, even more cynically argued that the 10 were playing politics with their report. They liked the status quo in the wilderness and opposed change. After all, he explained, everything was provided for them in the wilderness; they didn’t have to work for anything. Conquering the Promised Land would require work and sacrifice. They believed that life was “good enough” in the wilderness. Rabbi Ed Feinstein, a Conservative
rabbi and a contemporary leader, finds a hint that gives meaning to the punishment. He highlights the phrase “latur et haaretz” (Bamidbar 13:17), which means “to scout out the land” and is used when Moses sends the 12 spies on their mission. Feinstein, with a play on words in Hebrew and English, interprets latur as “to tour” the land. He explains that the 10 simply went in as tourists. They arrived as mere visitors and left as visitors. They didn’t let the experience change them. They didn’t allow themselves to belong in the place. On the other hand, Caleb and Joshua, the two spies who came back with a positive report, entered the land with a different attitude. Instead of focusing on the phrase “latur et haaretz” (tour the land) they attended more to a phrase that appears later in the same verse, “alu zeh” (go up). Feinstein points out that this is the same word used in Modern Hebrew – oleh – for an immigrant to Israel. In other words, Caleb and Joshua went into the land with the mindset of immigrants. They let the land elevate and transform
them. This was going to be their home, their place. They belonged there. Therefore, they returned with a report that said they could make it theirs. At this point, you might be asking yourself, so what does this explanation of the Torah portion have to do with my worries about today’s young people? Well, to be blunt, I am very concerned about the way my students and our children are learning to think about the world. I worry about how the reality I described at the beginning of these remarks shapes their attitudes about life in general. Given the constant stream of horrible and terrifying images, it is all too easy for them to become cynical, selfabsorbed and expect the worst all the time. In short, they look at the miraculous world created by God – a veritable Promised Land – and, like the 10 spies, see the “giants” attacking and defeating them. So, as an educator, and certainly as a Jewish educator and a grandparent of five, I see myself called by our tradition – by this very Torah portion and many others
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See “Lecha” on page 4
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JUNE 11, 2015/24 SIVAN 5775 ■
AROUND CENTRAL NEW YORK PJ Library®
JEWISH OBSERVER
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Safe Haven to hold open house
Scavenger hunt at the Burnet Park Zoo on June 14 The PJ Library® in Central New York will hold a scavenger hunt at the Burnet Park Zoo on Sunday, June 14, at 10 am. Participants will need to enter the zoo together, and should meet at the front entrance of the zoo to receive the special entrance discount and scavenger hunt details. Reservations should be made by contacting pjcny@jccsyr.org. Shavuot Participants in the PJ Library in Central New York outdoor Shavuot event on May 17 spent the day at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse climbing the hill in the front. When they reached the top, they searched for puzzle pieces about the Ten Commandments and worked together to complete the puzzle. The children learned about the rules in the Ten Commandments. They also discussed reasons why people eat dairy on Shavuot, and made butter from heavy cream, which they ate on crackers and bagels as a snack. Future programming includes “Popsicles in the
Park” on Sunday, July 12, at 6 pm, at Canal Landing Park in Fayetteville. The PJ Library is a nationally-acclaimed literacy program started by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation that gives free Jewish bedtime stories, CDs and DVDs to families raising Jewish children from 6-months-8-years-old. The PJ Library Central New York chapter is a program of the JCC and is supported by the Pomeranz, Shankman and Martin Charitable Foundation, Jewish Federation of Central New York, Jewish Community Foundation of Central New York Teen Funders, Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas, Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse, Syracuse Hebrew Day School, TempleAdath Yeshurun and Temple Concord. The PJ Library in Central New York is in Cortland, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties. For more information or to sign up, visit www.pjlibrary.org or e-mail pjcny@jccsyr.org.
Hanna Wallis (right) completed the Ten Commandment puzzle while Isaac Bloom (left) looked on at the PJ Library® Shavuot celebration at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse.
More than 200 guests attended a celebration for the eight Menorah Park Shining Stars held on May 21. More than $26,000 was raised to support programs of Menorah Park. L-r: Event Co-Chair Robin Sisskind with honorees Jack Justo, Brenda Kellar, George Nabinger, Larry Hoefler, Helen Sheppard, Patricia McGregor and Carol Hoskins, as well as event Co-Chair Steve Sisskind. Honoree Teresa Acey was unable to attend.
Shining Stars 2015 a rousing success
Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center senior dining menu June 15-19 Monday dinner – salmon with dill sauce Tuesday – chicken rollatini Wednesday – hamburger on a bun Thursday – grilled cheese sandwich Friday – honey-roasted chicken
Calendar Highlights
To see a full calendar of community events, visit the Federation's community calendar online at www.jewishfederationcny.org. Please notify jstander@jewishfederationcny.org of any calendar changes.
Friday, June 12 CBS-CS and TC host scholar-in-residence Ron Wolfson Saturday, June 13 CBS-CS and TC host scholar-in-residence Ron Wolfson Sunday, June 14 CBS-CS and TC host scholar-in-residence Ron Wolfson PJ Library at the Burnet Park Zoo at 10 am Menorah Park Auxiliary brunch at 11 am Jewish Music and Cultural Festival fund-raiser at 438 Brookford Rd., Syracuse, at 4 pm Wednesday, June 17 Temple Adath Yeshurun Hazak trip to Corning, leaves Syracuse at 7:30 am CBS-CS Board of Trustees meeting at 7:15 pm Wednesday, June 24 Syracuse Hebrew Day School graduation Thursday, June 25 TAY congregational meeting at 7 pm Friday, June 25 Temple Concord Shabbat in the Garden at 4:45 pm Wednesday, July 10 Deadline for the July 23 issue of the Jewish Observer
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The Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum will host an open house on Sunday, June 21, from 11 am-4 pm, in honor of International Refugee Day. The museum is located at 2 E. 7th St., Oswego. The museum presents the story of the 982 refugees who fled Europe in August 1944, during World War II, and were moved to Oswego as part of the U. S. government’s “Safe Haven” program, as guests of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This is the only place in the United States where refugees were welcomed at that time and placed in a refugee camp. The event will be open to the public. For more information, call 342-3003.
June 22-26 Monday dinner – Moroccan chicken with chickpeas Tuesday – “crab cakes” and coleslaw Wednesday – chicken Marsala Thursday – pulled bbq chicken on a bun Friday – Hawaiian chicken over rice The Bobbi Epstein Lewis JCC Senior Adult Dining Program at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center offers Va’ad Ha’ir-supervised kosher lunches served Tuesday -Friday at noon. Dinners are served on Monday at 5 pm throughout the summer. Reservations for dinner are required by the Wednesday before each dinner. Lunch reservations are required by noon on the previous business day. There is a suggested contribution per meal. The menu is subject to change. The program is funded by a grant from the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth and the New York State Office for the Aging, with additional funds provided by the JCC. To attend, one need not be Jewish or a member of the JCC. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Leesa Paul at 445-2360, ext. 104, or lpaul@jccsyr.org.
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obituaries Franklin J. Adler
Franklin J. Adler, 89, died on May 23 at the Syracuse Veterans’ Hospital. Born in Philadelphia, he had been a resident of Syracuse since the late 1970s. He was the former vice president of sales and marketing for Syracuse China. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and served in World War II as a photojournalist. He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara, in 2008, and his sister, Loretta, in 2007. He is survived by his daughters, Roberta (Brian Walsh) Leonard, of Malvern, PA, and Maxine Appleby of Sodus Point, NY. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements.
Tillie Berman
Tillie Berman, 98, died on May 26 at Crouse Hospital. Born in Jersey City, NJ, she lived in Boca Raton, before moving to The Nottingham in Jamesville, NY. She was a legal secretary for her husband, Julius, in his law practice in New York City, until they retired to Florida. She was a life member of Hadassah, and locally a member of Temple Concord. She was predeceased by her husband, Julius, in 1990. She is survived by her sons, Paul (Lynn), of DeWitt, and Leonard (Marilena), of Harrisburg, VA; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Burial was in Florida. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements. Contributions may be made to Temple Concord, 910 Madison St., Syracuse, NY 13210.
Lecha
Cont. from page 2
– to help young people understand that they have a choice about how to see the world and how they react to it. They can emulate the 10 spies who didn’t make it to the Promised Land, the spies who looked at the good and only saw what was wrong and nasty and difficult; or, they can be like Caleb and Joshua, who looked at the difficulties and focused on their own potential to make God’s promise come to fruition. At this point I hasten to add that I am not suggesting that we try to shield our children from the sadness, pain and injustice in the world. That would never be in their best interests. Instead, I want us to draw a lesson from this week’s parasha. Namely, the way we view our problems is a choice. The way we view our joys is a choice. The way we view all of life is a choice. Do we want to be the 10 spies or do we want to be Caleb and Joshua? The answer to this rhetorical question is actually near the very end of the Torah, when God tells us “I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day: I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life – if you and your offspring would live.” (Devarim 30:19) Let us resolve to teach our children and remind ourselves to choose life – to choose to see the good and the beautiful in the world and the potential to make it even more so as we read the Torah this week and every week. Robert Tornberg, Ph.D., is a member of Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas. Following a 40-year career as a Jewish educator, when he led congregational and Jewish day schools, he is currently working as an evaluation consultant at the office of professional research and development in the School of Education at Syracuse University. He is a past president of the National Association of Temple Educators, a past vice president of the Jewish Educators Assembly and the author of books and articles on Jewish education. He and his wife, Julie, moved to Syracuse two years ago to be near their children and grandchildren.
Neal Hoffman
Neal Hoffman, 85, died on May 21 at Crouse Hospital. Born in Brooklyn, he had been a resident of Syracuse since 1968. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marines and served in the Korean War, and then the National Guard. Formerly of Albany, he was the assistant to the commissioner for the New York State Division of Human Rights from 1962-68. In 1968, he was appointed as the acting director of the Division of Human Rights of New York State, Central New York region. Most recently he was the owner of Hoffman Associates. He was the High Holiday cantor at Temple Beth El of Geneva and Congregation Israel Adas of Rome. He was a member of Congregation Beth SholomChevra Shas. He is survived by his daughter, Ruthann (Nachum) Yonah, of Gadera, Israel; his son, Ira (Dorothy) Hoffman, of Stratham, NH; and six grandchildren. Funeral services were at Sisskind Funeral Service. Burial was in the Onondaga County Veterans Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West St., Amherst, MA 01002.
Rosemarie F. Loftus
Rosemarie F. Loftus, 92, formerly of the north side of Syracuse, died on May 24 at the Grand Nursing home in Chittenango. A native of Norwich, she graduated from Norwich High School. She retired in 1997 after 38 years as the comptroller of Penfield Manufacturing. She was a member of many professional clubs, including Administrative Management Society, American Business Women’s Association, Business and Professionals of Syracuse, Northside Business Association and the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce. She was a member of many other foundations and organizations. She volunteered for the Crouse Irving Memorial Auxiliary, Everson Museum, Landmark Theatre Guild, Onondaga County Women’s Republican Party Club, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Guild, Syracuse Opera Club, Bridge Clubs, Wagon Wheel Toastmaster Club and the Select Toastmasters Club. She was predeceased by her husband, John E. Loftus, in 1970; and her son-inlaw, Richard J. Swiniuch. She is survived by her daughters, Marie (John) Loftus Mariani, of Solvay, and Donna Swiniuch, of North Tonawanda; her sisters, Nancy Lawson, of Hampton, VA, and Margaret Cavelos, of North Syracuse; and a granddaughter. Frasier-Shepardson Funeral Home had arrangements. Contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 1330 W. Peachtree St., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30309.
Joan Stockman
Joan E. Stockman, 81,died suddenly on May 16 in Bradenton, FL. Born in Long Beach, CA, she lived in the Syracuse area for many years. She was a registered nurse specializing in maternity and neonatal care. Prior to that, she was a producer and broadcaster at WCNY-FM. Active in community theater, she also coordinated youth theater programming at the Civic Center. She is survived by her husband, Arthur; four children, Susan (Richard) Eiswerth, Robert Salesman III, Jana (Michael) Timchak and Kerri (Michael) Athanas; four stepchildren, Stephen (Deborah) Stockman, Gary (Jenny) Stockman, Linda (Mitchell) Stockman Vines and Michael Stockman; and 17 grandchildren. Burial was in the Temple Emanu-El section of the Palms-Roberts Memorial Park in Sarasota, FL.