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28 AV 5776 • SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 • VOLUME XXXVII, NUMBER 17 • PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY

Syracuse Rabbinical Council launches new learning initiative The Syracuse Rabbinical Council will launch a new Jewish learning initiative called “Davar Acher: Another View.” Beginning on Tuesday, September 13, from 6:45-8:15 pm, it will be a weekly Jewish learning session with one of the seven members of the SRC. Davar acher sessions will be held and at the same time and location as the Rabbi Jacob Epstein School of Jewish Studies, which this year will be held at Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas, 18 Patsy Ln., Jamesville. A davar acher in classical Torah com-

mentaries is a second opinion, sometimes composed by the same author who wrote the prior comment, or sometimes quoting another point of view. A davar acher offers proof that multiple simultaneous interpretations of a text are possible, and often desirable, and perhaps even by the same person. “One Jew, two opinions” is not only a joke; it is said to be a virtue. Every Tuesday, a different member of the SRC will lead the learning, which will be based on a theme. The theme for this initial year is klal Yisrael, meaning “The Whole of Israel” or “Jewish Unity” – every

single Jewish person and their interconnection, shared heritage and destiny. The rabbis hope that the informal sessions will be “lively and engaging.” With this series being held parallel to, and in the same location as, the Epstein School, the rabbis hope to encourage adults from all over Jewish Syracuse to become “role models of lifelong learning” and learn side-by-side with many local teenagers. They also hope that that many members of the Syracuse Jewish community will join the Syracuse Rabbinical Council as they begin a year of learning together. To

make a reservation or for more information, contact Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone, the current president of the SRC, at syracuserabbincalcouncil@gmail.org. The Syracuse Rabbinical Council members are Rabbi Irv Beigel, healthcare chaplain; Rabbi Paul Drazen from Temple Adath Yeshurun; Rabbi Leah Fein from Syracuse University; Rabbi Daniel Fellman from Temple Concord; Rabbi Daniel Jezer, rabbi emeritus of CBS-CS; Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone from CBS-CS; and Rabbi Evan Shore from Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse.

Epstein School unveils new curriculum BY CANTOR PAULA PEPPERSTONE AND BETTE SIEGEL The Rabbi Jacob H. Epstein School of Jewish Studies is piloting a new curriculum this school year. Courses considered to be more diverse will be offered in core, required classes, as well as in the elective offerings. Epstein Director Cantor Paula Pepperstone said, “By working with our community’s congregational rabbis, cantors and educational leaders, as well as teachers, parents and board members, I believe we’ve developed an updated curriculum that will serve our students well. We began by answering the question, ‘What do our students need to know or be exposed to before they graduate high school?’ Fortunately, there was a lot of overlap between the answers of the Jewish professionals

and community members.” Their responses included the topics of Jewish history, theology, Tanach (Bible), rabbinic texts and being prepared to knowledgeably discuss the Tanach and Israel with non-Jews, among others. Pepperstone continued, “We are happy to include these and other topics in a fresh curriculum that will include both modern concerns and answers from our tradition. Teachers will be employing a wide variety of techniques to engage our students, who come from different Jewish experiences and learn in different ways.” Grades eight-10 will meet on Tuesdays, from 6:30-8:30 pm, at Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas beginning on September 13. To start the year, the eighth grade students will engage in debates over ethical choices with Rabbi Evan Shore.

The ninth and 10th grades will learn about Israel “in all its complexity,” including during an evening with Miriam Elman, associate professor of political science in the Maxwell School of Syracuse University. Some of the ninth and 10th grade students will visit Israel in February on the school’s highly-subsidized Teen Taste of Israel trip, made possible through a fund at the Jewish Foundation of Central New York. The fall electives include “Torah, Rah, Sis, Boom, Bah: the Corner of Judaism and Athleticism” taught by Scott Miller; “Hebrew: Say It With Music and Conversation” taught by Tamar Frieden; “Texting Through Time (with Jewish American Writers)” taught by Ryan Howlett; and “Jewish Law Review: Mishnah Edition” taught by Ora Jezer.

Grades 11 and 12 will meet Thursdays, from 7-8 pm, in the Wegmans Café in DeWitt beginning on September 15. Their updated curriculum will have an eye toward Jewish life after high school. “Packing for College: Where Does Judaism Fit?” will be a five-week mini-course for students, parents and guardians. Rabbi Shore will look at different issues through the lens of primary Jewish sources. Elman will also meet with the class to teach them about the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and appropriate responses to it. Laurence Thomas, professor of philosophy and political science at SU, will teach an introduction to Jewish philosophy. Students can register at www.EpsteinCNY.org. For more information, e-mail Cantor Paula Pepperstone, Epstein’s director, at EpsteinCNY@gmail.com.

Jewish groups to help Louisiana flood victims Federations open fund drive for Louisiana flood victims

BY JTA STAFF North America’s Jewish Federations are seeking donations to assist the Jewish Federation of Greater Baton Rouge in providing relief to victims of flooding that has devastated southern Louisiana. Relentless rains and high waters claimed more than a dozen lives; more than 30,000 people were rescued. As many as 110,000 homes have been damaged and 20 parishes have been declared federal disaster areas, according to Nola.com. Staff members from the Baton Rouge Federation and many from the local Jewish community were among those forced to flee, according to the Jewish Federations of North America, which established the Baton Rouge Flood Relief Fund. Donations can be made by visiting https://secure-fedweb.jewishfederations.org/page/

contribute/baton-rouge-flood-relief-fund. Baton Rouge’s newly opened Chabad House, Baton Rouge Beit Chabad, also launched an emergency fund-raising campaign (https://www.gofundme.com/2jrjfhfg) for those affected by the massive floods.

The recent flooding in Baton Rouge may have damaged up to 110,000 homes. More than 100,000 people have applied for disaster relief from FEMA. (Photo courtesy of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans)

IsraAid sending aid team to help Louisiana flood victims

BY JNS.ORG An Israeli international aid organization sent a team of relief workers to help those affected by the Baton Rouge flood. The eight-person delegation from IsraAid will help residents collect personal items from the wreckage and help return them to a normal routine. More than 13 people were killed and thousands of houses were damaged due to flooding from a torrent of rain over three days. “We’ve been following how the storm and flooding have been developing over the last few days,” IsraAid Global Pro-

grams Director Naama Gorodischer told Yediot Achronot. “With the help of our local partners, we’ve been able to get a good situation report on the extent of the damage, and the urgent need for assistance and rehabilitation.” Gorodischer, who is overseeing the delegation that was traveling to Louisiana over the Aug. 27 weekend, said the team is expected to arrive when the water levels subside, which will enable them to start working immediately. IsraAid has helped American communities recover from natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Katrina.

C A N D L E L I G H T I N G A N D P A R AS H A September 2.............7:19 pm............................................................Parasha-Re’eh September 9.............7:06 pm....................................................... Parasha-Shoftim September 16...........6:54 pm....................................................... Parasha-Ki Tetze

INSIDE THIS ISSUE JMAC

Congregational notes JCC children’s classes

The 17th Syracuse Jewish Music Local synagogues announce The JCC announces dance, and Cultural Festival will be held talks, services, the start of their gymnastics and sports classes for religious schools and more. on September 25 at the JCC . preschool and school-age children. Stories on page 4 Story on page 3 Story on page 7

PLUS Did You Know........................... 5 Calendar Highlights............... 6 D’var Torah............................... 6 Obituaries................................. 7


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