15 TAMMUZ 5776 • JULY 21, 2016 • VOLUME XXXVII, NUMBER 14 • PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY
Neil M. Bronstein is the new chair at the Jewish Foundation of Central New York BY LINDA ALEXANDER At its annual meeting in August, the Jewish Community Foundation will be headed by a new leader, Neil M. Bronstein. He was a founding member of the Foundation 15 years ago, and has served as an active member of the board since then. His new role will take effect with his election at the Foundation’s annual meeting in August. Since its inception 15 years ago, there have only been two Foundation board chairs. Alexander E. Holstein was the founding chair and served in that position for the first seven years. Lynn H. Smith has led the organization for the past eight years. Both men remain active on the board.
Neil M. Bronstein Commenting about his upcoming role as chair, Bronstein said, “Winston Churchill once said, ‘We make a living by
what we get, but we make a life by what we give.’ Our Foundation represents the best of what we have to give as it provides the means to financially sustain our future for generations to come. I am pleased and honored to assist in that endeavor.” Smith, who steps down as board chair, remains a Foundation vice president, and said, “Neil has been a catalyst for the success of the Jewish Community Foundation of Central New York. Our board is pleased that the growth of the Foundation in assets and support has come as rapidly as it has. The board is composed of people who have been longtime supporters of the local Jewish community and Neil exemplifies the best of us.” The board acknowledges that Bron-
stein has always been passionate about community involvement. As a native of Syracuse, he served as president of the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse and Menorah Park boards. He also served as Campaign chair of the Federation Annual Campaign and vice president of Families Against Cancer Terror. In addition, he served on the boards of the Crouse Hospital Foundation, Centerstate CEO Foundation, Menorah Park Foundation and Temple Adath Yeshurun. He also chaired the Syracuse Jewish Community Campus project. He and his wife, Jan, live in Fayetteville. They have two grown sons. The Foundation board is looking forward to continued growth under Bronstein’s leadership.
Menorah Park holds open golf tournament August 17 BY SUSIE DRAZEN An open golf tournament will be held on Wednesday, August 17, at Drumlins East. Organizers hope people will help assure that the community’s seniors are cared for by becoming a sponsor of or entering the tournament. The event will start with lunch at
11:30 am, followed by golf at 1 pm, with an awards dinner afterward. Once again, local sports and media celebrities will join the golfers. Broadcaster Doug Logan will give a preview of the upcoming Syracuse University football season and a silent auction will feature sports memorabilia provided by Grand-
Honeymoon Israel – a “Birthright” trip for married couples aged 25-40 BY BEN SALES JERUSALEM (JTA) – Jay and Mikelle sat next to each other on the bus as it ascended the road to Jerusalem. Later the same day, they accompanied each other on an emotional trip to Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust museum. The next day, they planned to trek up to the desert fortress at Masada and swim together in the Dead Sea. During its week-and-a-half journey through Israel, their bus would stop so they could hike up north and relax at the beach in Tel Aviv. Some of the group had been here before; for others, it was their first time. Unlike the hundreds of Taglit-Birthright Israel buses that traverse Israel every year, there were no random hookups on this tour. The participants were couples, some with children. About a third of the participants weren’t Jewish. Called Honeymoon Israel, the trip is a “Birthright” for married couples aged 25-40. Like Birthright, the free, 10-day journeys to Israel for 18-26-year-old Jews, the couples’ excursion hopes to foster Jewish identity in its participants as they are settling down and having kids. Acknowledging the growing number of intermarried families, the trip mandates that only one of the two partners be Jewish.
“We plan on raising our household Jewish,” said Jay Belfore, a trip participant who was raised Catholic and whose wife, Mikelle, is Jewish. “In order for me to gain a better understanding of the culture, seeing Israel is important to us.” On their second date, Mikelle told Jay that she wanted to raise Jewish children. Jay said he appreciates Judaism’s emphasis on family and added the trip has given him a frame of reference for Jewish life, teaching him about the origins of holidays and customs. The couple has two children, aged 3 and 1. “My hope was that Jay would learn about Judaism on a deeper level and would feel more involved in our children’s upbringing,” Mikelle said. “Honeymoon Israel has created a safe place for couples in similar situations.” That safe place is the trip’s goal, said Honeymoon Israel co-CEO Avi Rubel, who launched the project with co-CEO Mike Wise. Families and Jewish communities at home can be judgmental of intermarried couples or those without much Jewish background, he said, and coming to Israel together allows them to have” an immersive and supportive” Jewish experience. See “Honeymoon” on page 9
stand Sports of New York City, as well as local items. Event Chair Stew Koenig said, “The 34th annual Menorah Park Open (formerly the Jewish Home Open), at Drumlins offers an excellent opportunity to contribute directly to programs, services and facilities that enrich the lives of our residents; and what a great way to help out – you can receive recognition by joining the many businesses, organizations and individuals that are sponsors; and, you can spend a great day with your friends on the course, and enjoy great food, drink and socializing.” Menorah Park of Central New York is said to be “committed to providing enjoyable, stimulating cultural and social opportunities for its residents.” However, the various services require funding. $1,000 provides a year’s worth of
Sunday resident entertainment. $750 brings Beit Tikvah residents to 10 local special events. $500 keeps the Menorah Park van running for 20 community activities. $250 covers the cost of weekly outdoor picnics at Adult Day Care. $100 serves monthly Kosher Meals on Wheels to one person. $50 provides the cost of “Happy Hour” for Menorah Park’s residents every day. Sponsorships are available at different levels. Foursomes and individual golfers will be welcome; donations of goods for door prizes and the auction have been encouraged; and everyone is welcome to attend the dinner. For details, visit www. MenorahParkofCNY.com or contact Susie Drazen, Menorah Park director of development, at sdrazen@menorahparkofcny. com or 446-9111, ext. 141.
Tzofim Friendship Caravan The Central New York Chapter of Friends of Israel Scouts announced the schedule of shows for this year’s Tzofim Friendship Caravan. The first show will be held at the Binghamton Jewish Community Center on Tuesday, July 26, at 7 pm. The second show will be held at the Utica Jewish Community Federation of the Mohawk Valley on Wednesday, July 27, at 7 pm. The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse will showcase the Tzofim Friendship Caravan on Thursday, July 28, at 7 pm. The Car-
avan’s last performance will be held at Menorah Park on Friday, July 29, at 2 pm. The 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 CNY Arts. Organizers would like to thank the Jewish Federation of Central New York, the Pomeranz, Shankman and Martin Charitable Foundation and individual donors for making the programming possible.
C A N D L E L I G H T I N G A N D P A R AS H A July 22.......................8:18 pm............................................................ Parasha-Balak July 29.......................8:11 pm........................................................ Parasha-Pinchas August 5...................8:02 pm..............................................Parasha-Mattot-Masei
INSIDE THIS ISSUE BDS and churches
The Oaks at 20
Hebrew U. is no.1
Israel supporters see challenges The Oaks at Menorah Park will Hebrew University is ranked as and successes in fighting BDS in mark its 20th anniversary with a the best university in the Middle Roaring Twenties party. Protestant churches. East by a Saudi-based center. Story on page 3 Story on page 2 Story on page 4
PLUS Bar & Bat Mitzvah Guide...6-8 Calendar Highlights............. 10 Mazel Tov................................ 10 Obituaries.......................... 10-11