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17 SIVAN 5776 • JUNE 23, 2016 • VOLUME XXXVII, NUMBER 13 • PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY

Foundation Teen Funders give $2,750 in grants

BY ALETHEA SHIRILAN-HOWLETT The most recent Teen Funders meeting of the Jewish Community Foundation was held on May 22. Although this was only my first meeting, I enjoyed it immensely.

There was much discussion over which organizations to donate money to, and there was some debating as well. Leaving that meeting, I felt amazing knowing the money I had received for my bat mitzvah was going to some great causes, which included $800 to the Good Life Youth Foundation, $550 to Yashar LaChayal, $400 to the Outreach Nutrition Program at Menorah Park, $400 to the Learning Disabilities Association of Central New York, $350 to Boys Town Jerusalem and $250 to the Department of Spiritual Care at SUNY Upstate Medical University. In total, we funded a total of $2,750! I am very excited for the next meeting in October.

The award grantees include: A Good Life Youth Foundation – $800.

The organization’s mission is to cultivate a movement of entrepreneurial thinking and action among at-risk youth in Central New York by combining life coaching, financial literacy and entrepreneurial training to interrupt the cycle of poverty, violence and incarceration, and improve academic performance.

Yashar LaChayal – $550. The grant will

be used to support Israeli combat soldiers by providing water backpacks to dozens of IDF combat soldiers. Many come from poorer backgrounds and would not be able to afford such an item.

Menorah Park Outreach Nutrition Program – $400. This grant will help provide classes to improve the nutritional quality of foods purchased by Syracuse families.

Organizers feel it is important to help family caretakers learn how to shop for and cook healthier foods on a tight budget.

Learning Disabilities Association of Central New York – $400. This grant will support children who have a difficult time learning because they have a learning disability and/or ADHD by attending the Summer Adventures in Learning program.

Boys Town Jerusalem – $350. This grant attempts to help turn young boys in Israel from “limited backgrounds” into young men with “limitless futures” by providing private music lessons to students in addition to focusing on technology.

SUNY Upstate Medical University, Department of Spiritual Care – $250.

This grant will be used to provide for the spiritual needs of hospitalized patients at SUNY Upstate Medical University by providing siddurim, books of psalms and electric candlesticks for Shabbat for Jewish patients.

Jewish Foundation CNY teen funders who attended the meeting included (seated, l-r): Nathan Sonnenfeld, Caleb Porter, Colby Porter, Rebecca Blumenthal, Alethea Shirilan-Howlett and Leah Jezer-Nelson. Standing (lr): Jacob Charlamb, Eric Antosh, David Bratslavsky, Ella Kornfeld, Natalie Alweis, Alexis Snell, Abigail Charlamb and Elise Beckman. Not pictured, but also contributing to these grants, were Max Charlamb, Geoffrey Engel, Andrew Goldberg, Caleb Jacowitz, Adam Kiewe, Hal Schulman, Annie Weiss and Eli Weiss.

David Horowitch joins Foundation Board

BY LINDA ALEXANDER The Jewish Community Foundation of Central New York has announced the addition of David Horowitch to its Board of Trustees as of July 1. Lynn Smith, the Foundation’s chair of the board, said, “We are thrilled to have David join our board. He is a well-respected leader in our community, both as a great Jewish volunteer and as a leader in the greater business community. His father, Sheldon, is a founding member of the Foundation board; and both his mother, Sheila, and wife, Lynn, are members of the prestigious Lion of Judah women, who support our Federation Campaign with a major gift in their own name.”

When asked why he “enthusiastically agreed” to serve on the Foundation’s board, Horowitch said, “It has been my pleasure to serve on the Federation board and I am looking forward to joining other community leaders in carrying out the Foundation’s mission. The preservation of our Jewish values and traditions for future generations is essential to our community. The Greater Syracuse community deserves this well-funded, efficiently run entity to continue these endeavors.”

Horowitch has served as vice president of the Horowitch Family Foundation, and as a board member of the Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Federation. He served as vice president of the LaFayette

Jerusalem’s high-tech, academia get $220M boost

BY JTA STAFF (JTA) – Ahead of the 50th anniversary of Israel’s reunification of Jerusalem, the Cabinet allocated an extra $220 million for a plan that encourages the city’s hightech industry.

“This is almost NIS 1 billion that we are investing in the development of Jerusalem, in technology and in companies,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on June 2 about the Jubilee Plan, a five-year

project initiated last year.

“The face of Jerusalem is changing.

There is an interesting technological development here,” he said, adding that the Israeli capital is now producing not only scripture but also software.

The announcement was made three days before Jerusalem Day, a national holiday in Israel that marks the capture of eastern Jerusalem by Israel from Jordan See “Boost” on page 7

2016 Federation Annual Campaign Goal: $1,200,000

1,084,387

$

as of June 20, 2016

David Horowitch Country Club. He has also volunteered as an assistant coach for the Christian Brothers Academy girls’ tennis team and Jamesville-DeWitt swim team.

Horowitch and his wife live in Cazenovia and are the parents of two daughters. He serves as the president of Morris Management LLC and is a past executive vice president of the Morris Distributing Company.

To make a pledge, contact Marianne Bazydlo 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 24......................8:30 pm...............................................Parasha-BeHa’alotcha July 1.........................8:29 pm.............................................Parasha-Shelach Lecha July 8.........................8:27 pm......................................................... Parasha-Korach July 15.......................8:23 pm....................................................... Parasha-Chukkat July 22.......................8:18 pm............................................................ Parasha-Balak July 29.......................8:11 pm........................................................ Parasha-Pinchas

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Friendship Caravan

Congregational notes Golf for Menorah Park

The Tzofim Friendship Caravan Local synagogues announce The 34th annual Menorah Park of Israel Scouts will be in the upcoming events, services and open golf tournament will be held educational programs. on August 17.

Syracuse area in late July.

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

PLUS Home and Real Estate........... 6 D’var Torah............................... 6 Calendar Highlights............... 7 Obituaries................................. 7

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ JUNE 23, 2016/17 SIVAN 5776

A busy time at SHDS

PJ Library interactive look and land of Israel!

Jacob Temes explored the enlarged artwork of Rachel Shalev.

permission from the artist, so that families could experience the book interactively.

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.

The PJ Library Central New York chapter is a program of the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community of Syracuse and is supported by the Pomeranz, Shankman and Martin Charitable Foundation; Jewish Federation of Central New York; Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas; Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse; Syracuse Hebrew Day School; Temple Adath Yeshurun; and Temple Concord.

The PJ Library in Central New York serves children from 6-months-8-years-old in Cortland, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties. For more information or to sign up, visit www.pjlibrary.org or e-mail Carolyn Weinberg at pjcny@jccsyr.org.

PJ OUR WAY PJ Our Way is the newest chapter of PJ Library for children ages 9-11. It is different than PJ Library, as it is designed to meet the developmental needs of 9-11-year-olds by offering choice and creative outlets. Every month, the children can visit the website to choose one book from a selection of four titles with Jewish themes. The books are then mailed to

Bella Gross received a new PJ Library book.

Isaac and Ariel DuChene tried finding the different characters in a picture.

BY CAROLYN WEINBERG PJ LIBRARY AT YOM HA’ATZMAUT Families attending the community Yom Ha’atzmaut festival on May 12 participated in an interactive “look and find” of Israel. Israeli artist Rachel Shalev created a new PJ Library® book, “Israel.”

It colorfully illustrates five cities in Israel and its goal is to locate a number of different characters as they appear in different situations on each page. At the PJ Library section, these pages were enhanced, with

The Syracuse Hebrew Day School has held several activities throughout the past few weeks. The students in fifth grade have been raising funds through a teacher/ parent versus student basketball game and a trunk sale. The students and teachers appeared to have fun and the students collectively raised more than half of the cost of the trip.

See “PJ” on page 3

The students in kita alef celebrated their year of learning with a Kabalat Hasiddur ceremony, where each child received his or her first siddur.

of Central New York

Syracuse Office

The Syracuse Hebrew Day School Academic Fair was held on May 26. This year, it included a family picnic before the fair. The students’ grandparents and friends day was deemed “a success” and the SHDS chorus performed.

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Syracuse Hebrew Day School students raised funds for their trip with a trunk sale. L-r: Eli Goldstein, Abigail Hinshaw, Adam Koss, Sam Wells, Eitan Spinoza and Lily Brown.

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AROUND CENTRAL NEW YORK Tzofim Friendship Caravan

The 2016 Tzofim Friendship Caravan, Afik.

PJ

Continued from page 2

BY MELINDA GREENMAN The Central New York Chapter of Friends of Israel Scouts has announced the local performances for the 2016 Tzofim Friendship Caravan. Since 1985, the Central New York Chapter of Friends of Israel Scouts has welcomed the Tzofim Friendship Caravan to the area.

The caravan’s founders “aim high and want to work toward a better society so that there is a strong connection between the people of Israel and America.” Through song and dance, conversation and activities, the Tzofim Friendship Caravan hopes to “warm your hearts” and “bring a piece of Israel to you.”

The show presents music and imagery that are meant to represent Israel’s people, cultures, heritage and landmarks. The caravan’s mission is “to teach, learn and create friendships in the community.” Organizers said they are “delighted to share” the experience within the Central New York region. This summer’s caravan is named Afik.

The caravan will perform its first show on Tuesday, July 26, at 7 pm, at the Binghamton Jewish Community Center, 500 Clubhouse Rd., Vestal. The second show will be held on Wednesday, July 27, at 7 pm, at the Utica Jewish Community Federation of the Mohawk Valley, 2310 Oneida St., Utica. The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse will showcase the Tzofim Friendship Caravan on Thursday, July 28, at 7 pm, at the Center, 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt. The caravan’s last performance will be held on Friday, July 29, at 2 pm, at

Menorah Park, 4101 E Genesee St., Syracuse.

These shows are made possible with funds provided by the State and Local Partnership Program of the New York State Council on the Arts, through its decentralization initiative administrated locally by CNYArts. Organizers have thanked the Jewish Federation of Central New York, the Pomeranz, Shankman and Martin Charitable Foundation and individual donors for making the programming possible.

To become a sponsor for a performance, to make a donation or for more information, contact Chairs Melinda and Bud Greenman at 457-7201.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ JUNE 23, 2016/17 SIVAN 5776

CONGREGATIONAL NOTES Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas SENECA STRING QUARTET Sue Jacobs and her friends, all members of the Seneca String Quartet, performed for a large audience at Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas on May 15, in the free concert “On the Way to the Chuppah.” It was hosted by CBS-CS and presented by Hazak.

UPCOMING EVENTS Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas will hold a Zmirat Shabbat service on Friday, June 24, at 6 pm, at CBS-CS, 18 Patsy Ln., Jamesville, with Cantor Robert Lieberman leading services and Jonathan Dinkin on the piano. These periodic Friday night services feature congregational participation and melodies, many written

by Dinkin. There will be an opportunity to socialize and snack at 5:45 pm, prior to services. The community is welcome to attend this and all CBS-CS services.

The CBS-CS Oys and Joys Parenting group will meet on Sunday, June 26, from 1-3 pm, at Barry Park in Syracuse for a picnic. The group is for children from birth-kindergarten, their parents and siblings. There are monthly activities that are meant to be enjoyable and informative for families within this age range.

Anyone with children in this age range is welcome to attend. In the event of rain, the group will meet at CBS-CS. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Yolanda Febles at yfebles@gmail.com.

Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone will lead a lunch and learn on Saturday, July 2, following 9:30 am services, on tzitzit (fringes) and the blue string (techelet) that is worn with tzitzit. The session is scheduled for that morning because it is within that morning’s

Temple Adath Yeshurun ADULT JEWISH LEARNING This summer, Temple Adath Yeshurun’s adult education chavurah will host four sessions in a series called “Chat and Challenge.” The casual, bi-weekly discussion with a Jewish slant on current events will be led by Rabbi Paul Drazen.

Participants will read Jewish media – specifically The Forward, The New York Jewish Week and Religion Dispatches.

Participants will meet to discuss events in an “informal, relaxed” setting.

The program will be open to the community and will be free. The series will be held on Wednesdays, July 13 and 27, August 10 and 24, at 7:30 pm, in the Muriel and Avron Spector Library at the synagogue.

Light refreshments will be served.

The program will be subsidized by the Abraham and Anita Altman Fund, which supports adult Jewish learning at the synagogue. To sign up for any or all of the sessions, contact the synagogue office at 445-0002 or info@adath.org.

Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas members Hadar Pepperstone and Michale Schueler were elected to the United Synagogue Youth TZAFON region executive board for the 201617 program year. Pepperstone will serve as the social action/TIKKUM OLAM vice president and Schueler will serve as the region’s vice president for communications. parasha, Shelach, when the Israelites are commanded to wear fringes and attach a blue cord as a reminder to follow God’s commandments. Kiddush and the lunch and learn will begin at approximately 12 pm.

CBS-CS will have a Shabbat dinner on Friday, July 22, at 6 pm, followed by a Shirat Shabbat service at 7:15 pm, led by Lisa Levens, who previously sang with the Zamir Chorale in Boston. There will be a cost for the dinner and reservations will be required. For more information or to make a reservation, contact the CBS-CS office at 446-9570 or office@cbscs.org.

Nearly 40 members of the Temple Adath Yeshurun chapter of Hazak attended a genealogy program presented by Marty Miller on June 1. The program was preceded by an ice cream social. Among those who participated were (l-r) Herb Weinman, Dorothy Schlein, Marty Miller, Arlee Baskin, Rosalie Young and Steve Meltzer.

Memorial Day

Each year, around Memorial Day, Syracuse Hebrew Day School students work to ensure that each grave of a Jewish war veteran is “planted” with an American flag. The school offered its thanks to Steven Sisskind for providing the flags.

L-r: Seneca String Quartet performers included violinist Sue Jacobs, violinist Fred Klemperer, cellist Walden Bass and violist Heather Fais. Also appearing in the photo is coordinator Carol Chottiner, who introduced the group. Lois Weiner (not shown) presented the narration that provided both the back story and introduction to the “celebration of love” selections. (Picture courtesy of Len Levy)

Temple Concord TEMPLE CONCORD’S SHABBATIN-THE-PARK SUMMER SESSIONS Temple Concord’s summer tradition of holding several Shabbat services in some of the many parks in Central New York continues. Five Friday Shabbat services are scheduled in the open air with services starting at 6 pm, with dinner following each service. This transition from indoors to outdoors expands the environment in which participants are able to celebrate and meditate in the of the outdoors. In case of inclement weather, contact the TC office that morning.

On Friday, July 1, Shabbat services will be held in the amphitheater of Thornden Park. Participants should bring their own picnic Participants should also bring their own chairs, as the bleacher seating is somewhat limited for closer groups.

The remaining Shabbat-in-the-Park services include Onondaga Lake Park Willow Bay shelter on July 15. Reservations for dinner, for which there is a charge, are

required. Shabbat services are always free and open to the community.

On July 29, services will be held at Mill Run Park in Manlius. Traditional picnic fare will be offered. Reservations for dinner, for which there is a charge, are required.

Shabbat services are always free and open.

On August 12, the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center in DeWitt will host a Shabbat service to be followed by a kosher barbecue. Participants should bring their swimsuits since the pool will be open.

Reservations for dinner, for which there is a charge, are required. Shabbat services are always free and open.

On August 26, the Temple Concord parking lot will be the venue for a welcome-back-SU Shabbat service and dinner. Reservations for dinner, for which there is a charge, are required. Sabbat services are always free and open.

To make reservations, contact Carrie Balduzzi at the TC office at 475-9952 or carrie@templeconcord.org.

At right: Robin Sisskind placed a flag at the Jewish cemetery within the Norwich cemetery. She and her husband, Steven Sisskind, have traveled annually for the last 10 years to place flags at the veterans’ graves. Since last year, since the Jewish War Veterans no longer provides them, the Sisskinds have donated more than 500 flags that the Syracuse Hebrew Day School students, under Rabbi Evan Shore’s direction, place at the Jewish veterans’graves in the Jewish cemeteries in Syracuse. The school offered its thanks to Steve Nathan, who placed flags at the graves in the Temple Concord sections at Woodlawn Cemetery.

NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo signs executive order against BDS

BY JTA STAFF New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order against the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement. The order signed on June 5, hours before the start of New York’s annual Celebrate Israel Parade, will require state agencies to divest themselves of companies and organizations aligned with the BDS movement.

Cuomo said at the signing at the Harvard Club in Manhattan that New York is Israel’s “true friend. ...And it’s very simple. If you boycott against Israel, New York will boycott you,” he said. “If you divert revenues from Israel, New York will divert revenues from you. If you sanction Israel, New York will sanction you. Period.”

See “BDS” on page 7

JUNE 23, 2016/17 SIVAN 5776 ■

JEWISH OBSERVER

Menorah Park open golf tournament August 1

BY STEWART KOENIG The 34th annual Menorah Park open golf tournament, formerly the Jewish Home open, will be held on Wednesday, August 17, at Drumlins East and will feature golf, food by Pascale’s, local celebrities and a sports memorabilia silent auction.

Menorah Park CEO Mary Ellen Bloodgood said, “Don’t forget: funds raised support the outstanding programs and state-of-the-art facilities that help so many in our community. These are people we know; they are our families, friends and very possibly ourselves.”

The Menorah Park Home open will start with lunch at 11:30 am, followed by Captain and Crew golf. Local sports and media celebrities will join the golfers on the course to help out. Among those scheduled to participate are football star Ger Schwedes, “Voice of the Orange” Matt Park and basketball star Matt Roe. A cocktail reception will be followed by an awards dinner hosted by broadcaster Doug Logan, who will

present a preview of the upcoming Syracuse University football season. A silent auction will feature sports memorabilia provided by Grandstand Sports of New York City, as well as local items.

Foursomes and individual golfers will be welcome.

Sponsorships are available, and donations of goods

BY WILLIAM WALLAK A full house of supporters came out to celebrate with the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse for its 153rd annual meeting and gala held on June 5 at Owera Vineyards in Cazenovia. More than200

people were on hand as the JCC presented “The Leslie” award for the first time, along with four other awards honoring a select group of local men and women for their outstanding service in support of the JCC and the community.

“The Leslie,” which honors the spirit of the late Leslie London Neulander, was created to recognize “outstanding commitment and service” to the JCC and the local community. Organizers felt that these were the qualities that London Neulander personified throughout her many selfless volunteer pursuits. The inaugural “Leslie” award was presented to Sara Temes, JCC board member and See “JCC” on page 8

served Tuesday-Friday at noon. Dinners are served on Mondays at 5 pm throughout the summer, thanks in part to the Dr. Morton and Mrs. Libby Maloff Summer Senior Dinner program. 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 Cindy Stein at 445-2360, ext. 104, or cstein@jccsyr.org.

DO YOU KNOW? Your Federation dollars at work – Relational Judaism

BY JACKIE MIRON The Allocations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Central New York awards Community Program Fund Grants each year in addition to the annual allocations made in the spring. Based on the success of the last year’s annual Campaign, Community Program Fund Grants are available to all Jackie Miron Jewish organizations, agencies and synagogues in the Central New York area. The funds are generally given out in amounts of $10,000, $5,000 or $2,500, but sometimes they are given in smaller amounts to accommodate as many organizations as possible. The Allocations Committee reviews the grant requests and makes recommendations to the board, which votes on the recommendations.

A $1,000 grant was made for a new program written by the “Relationship Judaism Work Group,” a group created to engage the Jewish community using some of the techniques and strategies outlined by author Ron Wolfson on his summer 2015 visit to Syracuse. Wolfson’s book, “Relational Judaism: Using the Power of Relationships to Transform the Jewish Community,” inspired local

for door prizes and the auction have been encouraged.

Everyone is welcome to attend the dinner.

For golf registration, donations and dinner reservations, visit www.MenorahParkofCNY.com or contact Susie Drazen, Menorah Park director of development, at sdrazen@menorahparkofcny.com or 446-9111, ext. 141.

JCC Gala draws large crowd for special award presentations

Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse senior dining menu JUNE 27-JULY 1 Monday –honey-glazed salmon Tuesday – spinach cheese quiche Wednesday – chicken fried rice Thursday – meatloaf Friday – to be announced JULY 4-8 Monday – closed for July 4 Tuesday-Friday – to be announced JULY 11-29 Monday-Friday – to be announced The Bobbi Epstein Lewis JCC Senior Adult Dining Program at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse offers Va’ad Ha’ir-supervised kosher lunches

leaders to form a working group to implement some of Wolfson’s strategies and techniques in the community.

The working group’s general purpose is to build relationships between leaders and members of Jewish organizations on a more personal level, moving from providing programs, to developing rapport and connections, as well as addressing issues of affiliation.

One of the first initiatives to be generated by the working group is a community ambassadors program.

The working group is hoping to launch the ambassador program before the end of the summer as they are seeking additional avenues of funding to support the program.

See “Know” on page 6

L-r: Neil Bronstein; Jewish Community Center of Syracuse Executive Director Marci Erlebacher; Shelly Kruth, who is holding the Hall of Fame Award that was presented posthumously to Phil Stein; and JCC of Syracuse Board President Steven Sisskind.

A view of the room at Owera Vineyards, in Cazenovia, during the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse’s 153rd annual meeting and gala on June 5.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ JUNE 23, 2016/17 SIVAN 5776

D’VAR TORAH Torah especially for this year’s graduates

BY ROBERT E. TORNBERG This d’var Torah is dedicated to all the graduates of 2016-5776. First and foremost – mazel tov on your many accomplishments. Some of you graduated (or are about to graduate) from preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, high school, college/university, graduate school or the Rabbi Jacob Epstein School of Jewish Studies. We are proud of all of you.

I don’t know if you agree, but when I think of graduation, I see it as a moment when “time freezes.” You have completed one chapter of your life and haven’t yet begun the next one. It is sort of like everything stops and you don’t know where you are.

In this week’s Torah portion, BeHa’alotcha, we find our ancestors in much the same position. They are in the midbar, the wilderness, just two short years after receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai. It is a mere 700-plus days after they witnessed the thunder, lightning, smoke and voice of God. And, what did they do? They raised

their voices in bitter complaints, totally forgetting the “awesomeness” of Sinai. They cried out, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish that we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions and the garlic. Now our gullets are shriveled.

There is nothing at all! Nothing but this manna to look to!” (Bamidbar 11:5-6) They certainly were not really hungry. They had all the manna they could eat. How could they kvetch and whine as if the experience of receiving the gift of food, water and Torah had never happened?

Needless to say, I am not the first person to ask these questions. Many Torah commentators, from Rashi to some who are interpreting Torah as you read these words, have raised these issues. It should come as no surprise that their answers are very diverse. Few of the scholars – past or present – agree as they offer explanations to the problems in this text.

The comments of one “modern” commentator, Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808-1888), in the 1959 edition

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of “The Pentateuch, Commentary on Numbers 11:1-11,” especially caught my interest. He suggests that when our ancestors remembered Egypt they were not being nostalgic; they were suffering from boredom. Since Sinai, all their needs had been met. They enjoyed a near perfect situation in the wilderness. Each day they were given manna and plenty of fresh water. Nothing was lacking.

Their lives were complete.

Hirsch goes on to state that they “feel themselves buried alive... The people were as if in mourning over themselves.

They look on themselves as already dead.” With all their needs met, their Torah given, their sanctuary complete, their lives “offer them no compensation... and [seem] without meaning in their eyes.” Frustrated at having no new goal, challenge or mission, they began murmuring and complaining. Their unhappiness arose from their need for new challenges, visions and opportunities.

We celebrate with you – our community’s graduates – as you take time out to reflect on reaching a very significant goal in your lives. It is my hope that the excitement and the glow of this special hour will last for many days and well into the summer. You have worked hard and you deserve this moment to look at what you have achieved.

At some point in the fall, or sooner for some, you will enter a new school or begin a new job. Your lives will change in ways that you expect, but there will be differences that you haven’t considered. As time passes, the joy of graduation will be a distant memory and the next big step in your lives will seem endlessly far away.

You will settle into a routine.

You will find yourselves in much the same position as our ancestors. It will be all too easy to become bored, feel directionless, murmur and complain. The goals and achievements of the past can fall into the category of “OK, I feel complete. Now what?” and your next accomplishment is not yet visible to you.

My hope for you at this moment of reflection and celebration is that you will cement in your minds the meaning of your achievements so far. If you do, you can call upon those feelings of joy and strength and they will help you keep going forward even at the boring or difficult times.

May your lives be a wonderful journey from strength to strength. May you create for yourselves strong memories of where you have been so that your past may be a foundation for the future. Had our ancestors been able to do this, perhaps it wouldn’t have taken 38 more years in the wilderness to get to the Promised Land.

Dr. Robert E. Tornberg is an evaluation consultant, working from the office of professional research and development at the School of Education, Syracuse University. He previously had a 40-year career as a Jewish educator, heading synagogue education programs and Jewish day schools. He is the author of numerous articles and several books, including “The Jewish Educational Leader’s Handbook” (A.R.E./Behrman House). He is a member of Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas.

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It is hoped that four “ambassadors” will be chosen from a variety of Jewish people of diverse backgrounds.

These ambassadors would informally meet with a number of under-engaged Jewish community members or families. Ambassadors will hold at least one initiative for the individuals or families to bring the community together in a common interest, also known as a micro-community.

Ambassadors would attend monthly individual and group professional development meetings with a program coordinator to discuss their engagement and participate in Jewish enrichment. The program shares a number of similarities with the Hillel Peer Network Internship run through Hillel at Syracuse University. Through the efforts of Brian Small, Hillel has successfully used this program design to engage nearly 650 students on campus. Grant money is used to pay the ambassadors a nominal amount for their time and costs of coffee and/ or similar activities.

A similar ambassador program has been successfully deployed in Atlanta, GA, through its Federation system, as well as in other cities around the country. While the program details vary by city, each of the ambassador programs focuses on personal engagement through flyers, pamphlets and other traditional forms of media.

As Wolfson outlines, the old model of running programs and hoping Jewish families and individuals attend is ineffective and outdated. Instead, the community can start a vital transition to a relationship-based peer-engagement model. If executed correctly, and if the program has the desired effect, the result would lead to a more active and engaged Jewish population in Syracuse and the possibility of new participation and membership in Jewish organizations in the community.

JUNE 23, 2016/17 SIVAN 5776 ■

Yom Ha’atzmaut

The community’s cantors led the audience in song.

Seated in front are the children of the Syracuse Hebrew Day School Chorus. L-r: Cantors Marvin Moskowitz, Robert Lieberman and Francine Berg; Ba’alat Tefillah Esa Jaffe; and Cantors Paula Pepperstone and Kari Siegel Eglash. (Photo by Rosalie Spitzer)

The children made and filled with colored sand plastic star necklaces, colored hamsas and made star sun catchers. (Photo by Doug Hornbacker)

Marcia Hammer, 95, formerly of Syracuse, died on June 14 in Southfield, MI. She was predeceased by her husband, I. Irving Hammer; her sisters, Ruth Shamus, Esther Shemin and Dorothy Reisman; and her brother, Harry Gilbert.

She is survived by her daughter, Jil Hammer, of Southfield, MI; four grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

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

Contributions can be made to the Akiva Hebrew Day School, 21100 W. 12 Mile, Southfield, MI 48076; or www.akiva.org. 

Boost

BDS

Continued from page 1

in the 1967 Six-Day War. While Israel regards the lands captured in that war in Jerusalem as part of Israel proper, they are widely seen internationally as occupied by Israel.

Approximately 40 percent of the program’s budget will go to “strengthening and establishing Jerusalem’s status in advanced industries,” the plan’s outline states, including through grants to Jerusalem-based high-tech firms and cinema and animation enterprises, as well as startup incubation platforms.

Another 10 percent will go toward academia, enabling institutions of higher learning to upgrade their infrastructures and diversify their fields of research and instruction, the plan states. Fifteen percent of the budget will help promote Jerusalem internationally and attract visitors, including participants in international conferences.

And another $42 million, or 19 percent of the budget, will go toward improving infrastructure, with an emphasis on high-tech and industrial hubs, by making them more accessible to public transportation, adding bicycle paths and beautifying them with parks. The remainder will become available for a second phase of the program once the initial goals have been reached, the outline says.

Jerusalem, whose 870,000 residents make up 10 percent of Israel’s population, is among the nation’s poorest cities, according to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics’ 2015 report on the city. A third of its residents are Arabs.

Among the Jewish residents, 32 percent describe themselves as haredi Orthodox and 17 percent are modern Orthodox. Only 21 percent define themselves as secular.

Jerusalem’s population grew by 20,000 last year over 2014. Of the new Jerusalemites, 19 percent were Jewish immigrants from abroad. On average, Jerusalemite women have approximately four children, compared to the national average of three children per mother.

Participation in the workforce stood at 51 percent in Jerusalem last year, compared to 64 percent nationally.

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L-r: Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration Co-chairs Orit Antosh, Linda Chait Davis and Nurit Nussbaum.

HARRIET LEVINE

Harriet Levine, 92, of Boca Raton, FL, died at home in her sleep on May 29.

She enjoyed singing and was known for her personal style.

She was predeceased by her husband, Shepard.

She is survived by her daughters, Carrie Bright, of Manlius, and Nancy Liberman, of East Syracuse; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Burial was in Riverside Cemetery in Saddle Brook, NJ. Gutterman Warheit Memorial Chapel of Boca Raton, FL, had arrangements.

Contributions can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 4043 Maple Rd., Suite 105, Amherst, NY. 

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 24

Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas Zmirat Shabbat with Cantor Robert Lieberman and Jonathan Dinkin on piano at 6 pm Saturday, June 25 Temple Adath Yeshurun scholar-in-residence at 10:45 am and 7:45 pm Sunday, June 26 CBS-CS Hazak presents program on gangsters at 10 am TAY installation of Rabbi Paul Drazen at 1:30 pm Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse presents a brunch featuring Lynn Koss speaking on “Who gets hurt? The unintended consequences of the Media’s coverage of Israel” Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse presents the program “Seniors Reaching Out” at 2 pm Wednesday, June 29 STOCS presents Simply Tsfat in concert at 8 pm at STOCS Wednesday, July 6 Deadline for the July 21 issue of the Jewish Observer TAY Hazak attends Cortland Repertory Theater performance of “West Side Story” leaving Syracuse at 10:30 am Sunday, July 24 Fast of 17th of Tammuz Tuesday, July 26 Temple Concord Cinemagogue presents “GETT: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem” at 7:30 pm

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Continued from page 4

New York is the first state in which the governor has taken executive action against the BDS movement. Several state legislatures have passed anti-BDS legislation, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and South Carolina. In total, 21 states have taken up anti-BDS legislation.

Cuomo, a Democrat, criticized elements of his party that have taken stands perceived as being against Israel.

“As a Democrat, I always took for granted that there was a natural relationship with Israel that was unquestionable,” Cuomo said. “You now have aspects of the Democratic Party that are being critical of Israel as being disproportionate in its response.”

Alphonso David, counsel to the governor, told The New York Times before the signing that he expects the number of companies that do business with the state that endorse or are engaged in the BDS movement to be “quite significant.”

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7

OBITUARIES MARCIA HAMMER

On May 12, the local Jewish community gathered at Temple Adath Yeshurun to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut.

All the community rabbis participated. L-r: Rabbis Evan Shore (Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse), Paul Drazen (Temple Adath Yeshurun), Leah Fein (Hillel at Syracuse University), Daniel Fellman (Temple Concord), Rabbi Emeritus Daniel Jezer (Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas) and Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone (Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas). (Photo by Rosalie Spitzer)

JEWISH OBSERVER

Visit the JO online at jewishfederationcny.org and click on Jewish Observer

email: birnbaumfs@cnymail.com www.birnbaumfuneralserviceinc.com

8

JEWISH OBSERVER ■ JUNE 23, 2016/17 SIVAN 5776

JCC

treasurer. Temes is a partner with the law firm Bond, Schoeneck and King. She serves on the board of Menorah Park of Central New York and was a 2015 Syracuse 40 Under Forty honoree.

JCC of Syracuse Executive Director Marci Erlebacher said, “This year’s gala was truly special as we launched ‘The Leslie’ and paid tribute to Leslie’s legacy of exceptional volunteer service. It was a wonderful and touching event to be able to recognize all five of our award recipients.

Each of our honorees has given so much to the JCC and our community, and have made such positive and selfless contributions. We appreciate the terrific support from our sponsors and guests who helped make our gala a huge success.”

This year’s Kovod Gadol Award, which is the JCC’s highest honor and translates

Continued from page 5

to “great honor,” was presented to Steven and Robin Sisskind. The Kovod Award, which signifies honor and importance, was presented to Joanne Maloff. Helen Marcum and the late Phil Stein were honored with the Hall of Fame Award, which recognizes and celebrates individuals who have dedicated themselves to the Syracuse Jewish community and the advancement of the JCC. The JCC of Syracuse’s annual meeting and gala is the center’s largest and most important annual fund-raiser. This year’s event proceeds, as in the past, will provide funding for scholarships to individuals in the JCC’s early childhood, after school, summer camp and senior programs.

For more information about the JCC of Syracuse, call 445-2360 or visit www. jccsyr.org.

The London Neulander families help celebrate the first “Leslie” award presentation.

L-r: Jewish Community Cebter of Syracuse Board President Steven Sisskind, Joanne London, JCC of Syracuse Executive Director Marci Erlebacher holding a copy of “The Leslie” award given to the London Neulander families, Ari Neulander, “The Leslie” award recipient Sara Temes and Ovid Neulander.

L-r: Jewish Community Center of Syracuse Executive Director Marci Erlebacher, Kovod Gadol Award recipients Steven and Robin Sisskind, Kovod Award recipient Joanne Maloff, Hall of Fame Award recipient Helen Marcum, and “The Leslie” award recipient Sara Temes.

NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org

Israel incentivizes Arab municipalities to fight illegal construction

The Israeli Cabinet on June 19 approved the appropriation of about $3.6 billion for Israeli-Arab communities, but made the funds contingent on Arab municipalities fighting illegal construction. The Cabinet decided that the newly allotted funds would go to municipalities that agreed to increase efforts to battle construction violations. The Israeli ministers also decided that the state would press criminal charges against offenders and announced that enforcement officials would have the power to seize heavy-duty vehicles used for construction. “This issue [of illegal construction] is important for Israel as a nation and for its future,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on June 19. Joint Arab List party leader Member of Knesset Ayman Odeh called the newly approved measures an assault on Israel’s Arab sector.

Los Angeles Dodgers first MLB team to sign an Israeli citizen

The Los Angeles Dodgers have become the first Major League Baseball team to sign an Israeli citizen to a contract. Dean Kremer, a standout right-handed pitcher at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, was drafted earlier in June by the Dodgers in the 14th round. Last year, he made history by becoming the first Israeli drafted by an MLB team, the San Diego Padres, but he did not sign with that club. Kremer, who was born in Stockton, CA, to Israeli parents and has dual citizenship, said he has maintained “deep Israeli roots” his entire life.

Israeli legal NGO threatens Boeing deal with Iran

An Israeli legal rights NGO on June 16 threatened to place liens against any planes that the American aerospace giant Boeing plans to sell to Iran. Iran on June 14 announced an agreement with Boeing that would be the first aircraft deal with an American company since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Boeing intends to sell Iran about 100 new airplanes, but the deal is awaiting U.S. government approval. The Shurat HaDin–Israel Law Center represents families of victims of Iranian-sponsored terror attacks and seeks to secure financial compensation for the families that has been mandated by U.S. courts, but has not yet been paid out by Iran. Shurat HaDin said that Iran must pay these debts before it can purchase Boeing’s planes. Some members of the U.S. Congress are also publicly opposing the Boeing-Iran deal, warning that American planes could be used to support terrorism.