Jewish Observer issue of October 25, 2018 by Jewish Federation of CNY

16 CHESHVAN 5779 • OCTOBER 25, 2018 • VOLUME XXXIX, NUMBER 21 • PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY

If you realized your donation would preserve our Jewish identity… BY NEIL RUBE The following excerpts are from a speech given at the Major Gifts Dinner on October 14. Chairing the Campaign is not a role I ever saw myself taking on, and I must admit I was hesitant. In the course of chewing it over, I mentioned the role and my uncertainty to my sons Harry and Teddy, both of whom are students of history and classics majors. “You know, Dad,” Teddy informed me, “the Greek historian Herodotus, circa 440 B.C.E., at a time when the ancient Persians were running the largest and most well-administered empire in history, wrote that the Persians would only make important decisions if they had first considered them both drunk and sober.” He then e-mailed me the precise passage: “Moreover, it is [the Persians’] custom to deliberate about the gravest matters when they are drunk; and what they approve in their deliberations is proposed to them the next day, when they are sober, by the master of the house where they deliberate; and if, being sober, they still approve it, they act on it, but if not, they drop it.” (Herodotus, Histories, Book 1, line 133.) I’m told the actual practice may be of dubious historical accuracy. Let’s just say I thought about this role from a few different perspectives before signing on. And some say there’s no value in a liberal arts education.

soldiers. He was then taken, A trip my wife, Erica, and tortured and sent to Dachau, I took to Amsterdam last May where he died. unexpectedly put in context After dinner we walked to why I feel it is important to a neighborhood park filled keep Federation strong, and with adults and children. It I want to share that context was Remembrance Day, a with the people in this room, national holiday in the Neththe most generous individual contributors to the Campaign. erlands, and, at 8 pm, after Like many visitors, we some speeches, everything toured the Anne Frank home in the entire country stopped Neil Rube, and its cramped hiding quar- Campaign chair for two minutes. All cars and buses stood still. All cell ters that served as a refuge for a period of time in World War II. phones were in pockets. All converBut later in the week I was impacted by sations halted. This was a somber and events far more personal. We had dinner powerful reflection of the invasion of at the home of my friend Marie-Therese, their country and of the lives both lost a Dutch woman I worked with in New and upended during World War II. Most York City many years ago. She lives on impressive was seeing this wasn’t some a beautiful street in Amsterdam, not far ritual whose purpose was faded from from the Vincent Van Gogh Museum. memory or had lost its meaning. This Marie-Therese, who is Catholic, told the ceremony kept the memory of what Jews story of her Catholic grandparents. Her and non-Jews experienced decades ago grandfather, Jan, had Jewish friends, and very much in the present because they he was asked to help them hide when the know the threat of history repeating Germans invaded. He found places where itself is real. they, and other Jews, could hide, and On another part of our trip, on a train he became active in the resistance. One to Belgium, I listened to an interview family Jan helped hide had a daughter with Brooklyn-born Israeli author Yossi who was engaged. The brother of the Klein Halevi. Halevi believes Jews need fiancé betrayed both the family and Jan, to embrace two commanding narratives who went into hiding as the Germans or risk being one-dimensional. The searched for him. He was later tricked into first is to be nice, not brutal, a narraa meeting on a bridge in Amsterdam. He tive derived from the biblical passage, thought he was meeting another person in “we were once strangers in the land of the resistance, but he was met by German Egypt.” But the other is don’t be naïve.

Temple Concord to present Bernadette Peters with Symphoria heim, Peters is particularly notBY STEWART KOENIG ed for her roles on the Broadway On Sunday, March 24, at stage, including in the musicals 7 pm, Temple Concord will “Mack and Mabel,” “Sunday in present theater and film star the Park with George,” “Song Bernadette Peters with Symand Dance,” “Into the Woods,” phoria at the John H. Mulroy “The Goodbye Girl,” “Annie Civic Center Crouse Hinds Get Your Gun,” “Gypsy” and Theater in a fund-raising “Hello, Dolly.” one-woman concert, with the As an animal lover, she concert’s proceeds going to Bernadette Peters co-founded the animal adoption Temple Concord. charity Broadway Barks and has Peters has won two Tony Awards written three children’s books about her and three Drama Desk Awards. She pet dogs. She is a member of the Board also received an honorary Tony Award. She won the Golden Globe Award for of Trustees of Broadway Cares/Equity Best Actress, Motion Picture Musical Fights AIDS and a director at Standing or Comedy, for her role in the film Tall, a non-profit educational program for “Pennies from Heaven” and received children with disabilities. TC event Chair Vicki Feldman said, two more Golden Globe nominations and three Emmy Award nominations. “Bernadette Peters is Broadway royalty. She received a star on the Hollywood This is a spectacular opportunity to hear Peters sing the music of her storied career Walk of Fame in 1987. Regarded by many as the foremost backed up by superb Symphoria orchestra. interpreter of the works of Stephen Sond- It’s a not-to-miss evening.”

Presale tickets at a variety of prices are available to the Syracuse Jewish community until Thursday, November 1, and can be purchased by calling the Symphoria box office at 315-299-5591, or online at experiencesymphoria.org. Public ticket sales begin on November 1. No tickets are being sold at Temple Concord, and Symphoria subscription seats, discounts and vouchers do not apply.

This commanding narrative is necessary because we need to remember we live in a world where genocide against Jews is possible. Halevi also sees a risk of history repeating itself. He urges that we better take care of ourselves. Take care of ourselves. That’s what Federation does. That’s what we need to remind donors. I don’t want us to panic, but I also don’t want to pretend the threats recalled on Remembrance Day in Amsterdam or cautioned against by Halevi are merely hypothetical. In France, a large immigrant community with antisemitic, anti-Israel leanings has led to Jews moving to safer parts of cities. In Germany, rap singers use antisemitic lyrics to boast they have bodies “as trim as a Holocaust victim.” And the October 11 issue of the Jewish Observer had an article on the growing number of antisemitic incidents in Sweden. And what about here? Torch-lit neo-Nazis chanted “Jews will not replace us” last year in Virginia. But we don’t have to travel to Virginia to see a threat. At a college fraternity mere yards from where we are sitting right now, a secret video recorded pledges being forced to swear hatred of Jews. “Take care of ourselves.” Take care of the Jewish people. That’s an avenue for engagement with our contributors. We should remind ourselves and all the Jews in our community that while we go about our daily lives, the Federation – day in and day out – pursues a mission of making sure Jewish people and Jewish causes, mostly here but also abroad, have a face, a voice and an identity. We should ask ourselves and all Jews in our community: “What’s the price tag for Jewish identity?” “How much should we give to make sure Jews are not marginalized?” “What’s it worth to you to not have to start our Federation – and all it does – from scratch?” And finally, “If you knew your donation would preserve our Jewish identity, how much would you contribute?” It seems like the answers should be “a lot.” Thank you – and enjoy the rest of your night.

Hebrew Interest-Free Loan

The Jewish Federation of Central New York has instituted the Hebrew Interest-Free Loan program to help Jewish people get past a temporary financial need. To learn more about the program or to see if you qualify, visit the Federation’s website, www.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

October 26....................... 5:47 pm.....................................................Parashat Vayera November 2.................... 5:37 pm.......................................... Parashat Chaye Sarah November 9.................... 4:29 pm..................................................... Parashat Toldot

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Rebbetzins

Congregational notes Well-being symposium

The six local rebbetzins were Concerts, classes, book clubs SJFS and IMPARA plan a sympasked about their views on the and more are announced by local osium on “Creative Self-Expression congregations. role of the rebbetzin today. and Well-being in Later Life.” Stories on page 4 Story on page 2 Story on page 5

PLUS Classifieds................................ 6 Calendar Highlights............... 6 Obituaries................................. 7 Wedding Planning.................. 8

JEWISH OBSERVER ■ OCTOBER 25, 2018/16 CHESHVAN 5779

The rebbetzins of Central New York

BY BARBARA SHEKLIN DAVIS A recent issue of Moment magazine bore the headline “The End of (Jewish) Patriarchy.” The pages describe the transformation that female clergy have brought to Jewish life, ritual and practice, whether they are called rabbi, maharat or rabbanit. To this list, Blu Greenberg, founder of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance, added another model of Jewish leadership exercised by women: the rebbetzin. “Rebbetzins are surely among the most generous-spirited women to walk this earth,” noted Greenberg, declaring that “rebbetzins deserve to be recognized for all that they have done, past and present.” “Rebbetzin” combines the Hebrew word “rebbe” with the Slavic feminine suffix “itsa” and adds the Yiddish feminine suffix “-in” to produce a word that is usually defined as “wife of a rabbi” and which generally, but not always, refers to the wife of a pulpit rabbi. In Israel, the Hebrew word rabbanit is used. But as Shuly Rubin Schwartz points out in her comprehensive study of the word and the role, “The Rabbi’s Wife: the Rebbetzin in American Jewish Life,” the term and all it implies is fraught. Marcia Weinberg differentiates between “rabbi’s wife” and rebbetzin as follows: “Being a rabbi’s wife is the relationship of husband and wife and has many ramifications of its own…but being a rebbetzin has to do with the relationship between rabbi’s wife and congregation.” It is clear that as the roles of women changed in the 21st century, so, too, did the roles played by the wives of rabbis. In the 20th century, it was said of women that “we married what we wanted to be.” Unable to hold rabbinical or other clerical positions, becoming a rebbetzin allowed women to attain status and power. “Marriage to a rabbi gave women the opportunity to satisfy their religious calling; to experience a life of service through teaching, public speaking, and good works; and to gain recognition and status,” writes Schwartz.

Susie Drazen

Melissa Fellman

Rhea Jezer

Cantor Paula Pepperstone

Chanie Rapoport

Deborah Shore

They just were not paid for their work. Schwartz’s book ended with the 20th century, and the Jewish Observer thought it would be interesting to update her research locally to learn what changes or evolution had occurred in the new millennium. The Syracuse Jewish community is fortunate to have six women who meet the definition of rebbetzin as women married to local pulpit rabbis. In alphabetical order, they are Susie Drazen, widow of the late Rabbi Paul Drazen of Temple Adath Yeshurun; Melissa Fellman, wife of Rabbi Daniel Fellman of Temple Concord; Dr. Rhea Jezer, wife of Rabbi Daniel Jezer, rabbi emeritus of Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas; Cantor Paula Pepperstone, wife of Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone of Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas; Chanie Rapoport, wife of Rabbi Yaacov Rapoport of Chabad

Lubavitch of Central New York, and Deborah Shore, wife of Rabbi Evan Shore of Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse. We conversed with them to learn first-hand their views on the role, if there is one, of the rebbetzin today. To allow them to speak freely, we have anonymized their responses, although all are direct quotations. When they meet in Wegmans or anywhere else, two of the women exclaim, “Rebbetzin!” “Rebbetzin!” and hug. But another states, “I find the term so offensive that I’d rather not talk about it.” Clearly the term “rebbetzin” has issues. As women began to take on greater roles in society in general, the wives of rabbis began to re-evaluate their positions, often supported in this by their husbands. “It’s not a two for one deal,” responded one local rabbi when asked by a search committee what his wife was going to contribute to the congregation. “She’s a professional, not a rabbi’s wife,” explained another. Our interviewees took similar stances. One agreed to marry her rabbi only after demanding, “You’re not taking a pulpit,

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right?” Another admitted, “I had no idea what I was getting into.” “I don’t do well with expectations,” added a third, explaining that “the kitchen was never my thing.” This did not prevent their congregations from asking them questions such as “What grades do you teach?,” expecting them to be active members of Sisterhoods, or counting on their spending a lot of time in the synagogue kitchen. But 21st century wives of rabbis have redefined their roles, beginning with the term rebbetzin itself. “As a third generation American, I don’t ever remember hearing the term rebbetzin growing up,” explained one, “but Yiddish was not part of our nuclear family vocabulary.” “Rebbetzin is only a word,” stated another, adding that “you have to be comfortable in your own skin.” A third explained, “You take it and you make it your own,” while another noted that “I’m a rebbetzin because I’m married to a rabbi. However, I don’t think of myself as having a special role within the synagogue.” This redefinition was a consistent theme in these conversations. One woman explained that “within the synagogue, some I am sure expected me to have a role as ‘rabbi’s wife,’ but my participation was more as supportive of my husband’s work and as a parent. As a member of the synagogue I offered help with any expertise I had, but not because I was married to the spiritual leader of the congregation, more as a member and as a parent.” This stance was not universal, however. One rebbetzin defined the term as “helpmate” and saw herself and her spouse as members of a team, at the same time emphasizing that they were a unit, “not a husband with a wife who tags along.” This change often involved a learning process for the congregations. One rebbetzin explained that she chose those areas of the “job” that appealed to her and focused on those. “After the first few years, I was rarely asked to do anything I really didn’t want to do, and I have learned to speak up if they do.” Beginnings were generally the most challenging times, being “bossed around and criticized by a bunch of cranky old ladies” and “listening to the men call the women of the congregation ‘The Gals.’” As one rebbetzin put it, “it See “Rebbetzins” on page 5

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AROUND CENTRAL NEW YORK JCC offers Mah Jongg tutorial BY ANKUR DANG What do Chinese men and Jewish women have in common? Mah Jongg. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to play the popular Chinese game, now is your chance to dive in and learn from some seasoned Mah Jongg players. The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center has been offering Mah Jongg tutorials, with the last one scheduled for Monday, October 29, from 12:45-2:30 pm. The free class will be held in the Holocaust Library at the JCC of Syracuse, 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt. No L-r: Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center Mah Jongg experience is necessary and the session is open regulars Marilyn Lebediker, Adrienne Leblang, Judy Keenan to the community. and Joe Lebediker.

Leading the tutorials have been a core group of experienced JCC Mah Jongg players. Each teaching game follows National Mah Jongg League rules. Mah Jongg is played at the JCC Tuesdays through Thursdays from 12:45-4 pm. New players – men and women – are always welcome to join in. Mah Jongg was developed in China as a tile-based game during the Qing dynasty, and it is played around the world. It offers players of all ages and genders a variety of cognitive, fine motor and socialization benefits. For more information, and to make a Mah Jongg tutorial reservation, contact Cindy Stein at 315-445-2360, ext. 104, or cstein@jcccsyr.org.

Menorah Park 36th annual golf open a success

MP Auxiliary

BY JUDY SCHMID Organizers felt that the 36th annual Menorah Park Open, nicknamed “The Double Chai” event, was a success, drawing more than 100 golfers and numerous sponsors to Drumlins Country Club on August 15. Menorah Park Foundation Director Susie Drazen said, “The event is growing every year. Our board helped us commemorate the 36th anniversary with a significant gift and our committee put together a terrific silent auction and raffle, which helped us top last year’s numbers.” All proceeds from the event benefit the programs and facilities of the Menorah Park continuum-of-care campus. The 37th Annual Menorah Park Open is set for Wednesday, August 14, 2019, once again at Drumlins.

Syracuse Post-Standard’s restaurant critic Jane Marmaduke Thompson, along with her husband, John, were the guests at the annual Menorah Park Auxiliary meeting on October 14. More than 40 auxiliary members met for a brunch and meeting at The Bistro at Menorah Park, followed by an informative and humorous presentation from Marmaduke Thompson. The Menorah Park Auxiliary is a group of volunteers who work to support programs for the residents of Menorah Park. Membership is open to the public. For more information, contact Janis Martin at jmmartin@twcny.rr.com.

At right: Menorah Park CEO Mary Ellen Bloodgood with (l-r): Scott, Leonard and Stephen Koldin, and former Board Chair Mark Schulman, one of the many golf foursomes at the 36th annual Menorah Park Golf Open.

Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center senior dining menu OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 2 Monday – baked ziti Tuesday – sweet and sour meatballs Wednesday – chicken fried rice Thursday – spinach cheese quiche Friday – brisket NOVEMBER 5-9 Monday – tomato basil soup and grilled cheese Tuesday – spaghetti and meatballs

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Wednesday – beef stew over egg noodles Thursday – chicken rollatini Friday – stuffed flounder with dill sauce 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 Monday through Friday at noon. 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 further information or to make a reservation, contact Cindy Stein at 315-445-2360, ext. 104, or cstein@jccsyr.org.

John Thompson and Syracuse Post-Standard restaurant critic Jane Marmaduke Thompson spoke about local restaurants to the Menorah Park Auxiliary members in the Anne and Hy Miller Theatre at Menorah Park.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ OCTOBER 25, 2018/16 CHESHVAN 5779

CONGREGATIONAL NOTES Temple Concord GOLDENBERG SERIES PRESENTS MARY SUGAR AND FRIENDS IN A BROADWAY PROGRAM ON NOVEMBER 11 BY CHANA MEIR Five musicians will join vocalist and pianist Mary Sugar in “From Central New York to Broadway: the Jewish Influence in Musical Theatre,” the season-opening Regina F. Goldenberg Series event at Temple Concord on Sunday, November 11, at 2 pm. Before returning to her hometown of Syracuse, Sugar was previously a musical director, pianist and teacher in New York City. She also worked for the D.C. Cabaret Network, Signature Theatre and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. She also played piano for the national tours of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Full Monty,” “Hairspray,” Mamma Mia,” “The King and I” and many other productions. The ensemble performing with Sugar includes Rick Montalbano, a pianist, organist, composer and arranger. He

has performed with a long list of jazz greats including, as a pianist/conductor for Lou Rawls. He currently teaches jazz piano at Colgate University, Hamilton College and Syracuse University, and is the assistant director of the Central New York Jazz Orchestra. Fred Klemperer, Symphoria violinist, Bruce Paulsen, radio host on WCNY and vocalist, and Fayetteville-Manlius High School vocalists Matthew Baum and Emily Shiroff will also perform. The show, which Sugar describes as “a mishegas of music, with Syracuse connections,” will feature songs and stories of Harold Arlen, the Shuberts and others whose “yellow brick road to Broadway” started in Central New York. The performance will be cabaret-style, with light refreshments. This event has a moderate fee and is open to the public. A five-event Flex Subscription for the Goldenberg Series is available. For more information, call Temple Concord at 315-475-9952, or e-mail office@templeconcord.org.

Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas CAMP HAVDALAH ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, AT 6:30 PM On Saturday, November 10, at 6:30 pm, Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas will hold a Havdalah similar to those experienced at summer camp. Campers often return home at the end of the summer missing the camp experience, especially Havdalah. CBS-CS will present an end-of-Shabbat experience that should feel similar to the end-of-Shabbat at summer camp. There will be music, people standing arm in arm in a circle, fire, spices, grape juice, singing, camp food and a surprise evening activity. Reservations are requested and may be made at https://tinyurl.com/cbscs-camper18 or by contacting Daryl Weiss at manager@cbscs.org. This event is open to all ages. HAZAK PRESENTS MARY ANNE CORASANITI: KEEPING OUR SENIORS SAFE BY SARAH RECKESS Elder abuse comes in many forms, from financial exploitation and caregiver neglect to physical and sexual assault. Fourteen percent of adults over 60 have been the victims of elder abuse, and this number rises to 50 percent if a person has dementia. A recent study from New York state found that only one in 24 cases

of elder abuse comes to the attention of authorities; yet we know that older adults lose billions of dollars annually to financial exploitation alone. Ninety percent of elder abuse is perpetrated by family members, but knowledge of the issue often extends only as far as Internet scams and identity theft. Friends and family members are at risk, but elder abuse is complex and survivors are hesitant to come forward. These situations are considered challenging. CBS-CS will host Mary Anne Corasaniti, an expert on elder abuse, on Sunday, November 4, at 2 pm, as part of this year’s Hazak programming. She co-leads the Evergreen Network, a collaboration of Vera House, Adult Protective Services, local social service providers, law enforcement, medical professionals and financial institutions that work to address the issue of elder abuse in Onondaga County. Started in 2012, the Evergreen Network provides outreach, education and training, as well as hosting an annual elder abuse conference in June directed at professionals who work with older adults. To learn more about the Evergreen Network and how to become involved, come to this informative and interactive presentation. To learn more prior to the See “CBS-CS” on page 7

Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas families enjoyed a day at Abbott Farms in Baldwinsville on October 7.

Temple Adath Yeshurun KLEZMER BAND YALE STROM Since 1982, Strom has been composing AND HOT PSTROMI TO his own New Jewish music, blending PERFORM AT TAY klezmer with Chasidic nigunim, Roma, BY SONALI MCINTYRE jazz, classical, Balkan and Temple Adath Yeshurun Sephardic sounds. His and the Sam Pomeranz compositions range from Jewish Community Center quartets to symphonies, of Syracuse will bring the and he is considered one klezmer group Yale Strom of the top composers of and Hot Pstromi to Syracuse Jewish music to carry on the on Saturday, November 10, tradition of writing original and Sunday, November songs, with Yiddish lyrics, 11. Saturday evening will about humanitarian and be a cabaret-style concert The Klezmer group Yale social issues. Strom was suitable for all ages. The Strom and Hot Pstromi will the first klezmer musician concert will begin at 7:30 perform at Temple Adath to perform at the United pm in the TAY ballroom. Yeshurun November 10-11. Nations General Assembly. The concert is being underHis work initially fowritten by the Steven Zeitlin Fund, which cused primarily on the use and perforsupports musical programs at Temple mance of klezmer music among the Jewish Adath Yeshurun. Preceding the concert at and Roma communities in Central and 7:15 pm, the JCC will provide desserts. Eastern Europe. However, his focus gradOn Sunday morning, Yale Strom will give ually increased to examining all aspects a multimedia presentation at 10:30 am in of their culture from post-World War II to the Muriel and Avron Spector Library. It the present. With more than 30 years and is titled “A Tree Still Stands: Jewish Life 75 research expeditions under his belt, in Eastern Europe Today,” and is funded Strom has become the world’s leading by the Abraham and Anita Altman Adult thenographer-artist of klezmer music and Education Fund. history. His research has resulted in photo Yale Strom and Hot Pstromi is a documentary books, documentary films klezmer/Roma ensemble featuring Eliz- and CD recordings. Strom has authored abeth Schwartz on vocals, David Licht and edited more than 10 books and he on percussion, Norbert Stachel on reeds, has produced more than 15 CDs ranging Peter Stan on accordion, Sprocket on from traditional klezmer to New Jewish contrabass and Strom, violinist, composer, music. His films have been shown at and film-maker, writer, photographer, ethnog- received awards from various film festirapher and playwright. He is considered a vals over the years, including his most pioneer among revivalists in conducting recent film, “American Socialist: the Life extensive field research in Central and and Times of Eugene Victor Deba,” which Eastern Europe and the Balkans among won the 2017 Audience Choice for Best the Jewish and Roma communities. While Film award at the Workers United Film doing research in Eastern Europe among Festival in New York City. the Jewish and Roma musicians, Strom Strom presented a solo photo exhibit, collected many of the tunes the ensemble “Fragments: Jewish Life in Eastern Europe performs. He lived with them, wrote about (1981-2007),” which opened at the Anne them, made films about them and photo- Frank Center in New York City during the graphed them. All of this comes through fall of 2014, and then traveled to UCLA the Hot Pstromi’s repertoire. The band and San Diego. His photos are part of many plays traditional Yiddish/klezmer tunes, collections, including Beth Hatefusoth, the along with Roma tunes. Skirball Museum, the Jewish Museum of In the book “A Wandering Feast: a NYC, the Frankfurt Jewish Museum and Journey Through the Jewish Culture of the Museum of Photographic Arts. Eastern Europe,” written by Strom in col“We are thrilled that, in conjunction laboration with his wife and fellow band with the Sam Pomeranz JCC, we are member Schwartz, he writes, “When I hear bringing Yale Strom and his ensemble klezmer, I hear the expression of both the Hot Pstromi to the Syracuse community,” ecstatic joy and profound despair of my said Barbara S. Simon, TAY executive people. Klezmer for me is the window into director. “The idea for the concert began the soul of Yiddish culture, the culture of a couple of years ago when Rabbi Drazen, my lineage.” See “TAY” on page 6

Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation FOUR FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT JUDAISM Starting on November 5, Rabbi Evan Shore will present a series of Monday classes at 8 pm titled “Four Frequently-asked Questions about Judaism” at Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse. The November session, “Sort Out the Sources,” will answer the question, “To what exactly do the terms Tanach, Talmud, Gemara, Mishnah and Midrash refer?” On November 19, the question will be, “Does Judaism have room for those with doubts about God?” and on November 26, Rabbi Shore will answer, “What ways does Judaism offer to express gratitude? (Hint: It is not just prayer.)” The December 3 topic will be on “Tikkun Olam: What it is and what it isn’t.” The classes are free and open to the public. To sign up, contact the synagogue at www.stocsyracuse. org/events, 315-446-6194 or info@ stocsyracuse.org.

BOOK CLUB The first meeting of the new STOCS Book Club will be held on Thursday, November 15, at 7 pm, at STOCS with a discussion of “Heir to the Glimmering World” by Cynthia Ozick. The novel takes place in the 1930s and follows the fate of Rosie Meadows, an 18-year-old orphan who accepts the position of “assistant” in a formerly elite German Jewish family who has found refuge in the Bronx. The professor, his physicist wife and their 16-year-old daughter, who runs the household, are a few of the characters. Perhaps best known for her novel “The Shawl,” Ozick has been called “the greatest Jewish writer who still has access to pen, paper, or laptop. ... It is long past time not just to celebrate Ozick, but to really read her.” Refreshments will be served and the session is open to the public. For more information, visit www.stocsyracuse.org/ events, call 315-446-6194 or e-mail info@ stocsyracuse.org.

OCTOBER 25, 2018/16 CHESHVAN 5779 ■

JEWISH OBSERVER

Arts and Minds Symposium October 30-31: SJFS and IMPARA focus on well-being through creativity BY NANCY AURELI Syracuse Jewish Family Service and IMPARA Director Judith Huober said, “Instead of living longer, how about living better (and OK, longer, too!)? It turns out that what helps us enjoy life also often helps extend it.” She cites laughter, feeling connected to others, participating in social and creative activities, and feeling that people have expressed something of who they are and what they are about – despite the aches and pains and general or even significant laments of getting older. To give people a first-hand understanding of how that feels, IMPARA and Syracuse Jewish Family Service at Menorah Park are offering an experiential learning opportunity to find “A Reason to Get Up in the Morning: Creative Self-Expression and Well-being in Later Life.” The two-day Arts and Minds Symposium will be held on Wednesday, October 31, from 9 am-5 pm, at Menorah Park in Syracuse, with a pre-event film presentation, “My Annie Hall,” and optional dinner on Tuesday, October 30, from 5:30-8 pm. Huober pointed out that a growing body of research shows that engaging the brain in challenging and creative activities – especially in a social setting – is an essential part of aging well. She said she is looking forward to an event that will make attendees feel good and help them understand how to use these activities and feelings to make later life better – and last longer – for themselves and their loved ones, clients and patients. “No matter what stage of life we’re in, creativity and self-expression are part of how we make sense of the world and connect our lives with those of others,” she said, citing research from the National Endowment for

Rebbetzins

is challenging to convince people that there are new and better ways to do things.” Being a rabbi’s wife is not easy. “You move to a community and you have no support system,” one pointed out. As several of the women were young wives with young children when they came to town, they found dealing with the demands of the rabbinate and the demands of a family challenging. “You’re always ‘on,’” said one rebbetzin. “It was jarring,” another commented. But one took it with greater equanimity, saying, “I never got bent out of shape.” There was some disgruntlement about the lack of egalitarianism in their lives and it was sometimes difficult to work out equitable sharing of childcare duties, but all accepted the situation and made the best of it. The philosophy seemed to be “to do as much and learn as much as possible.” Not that there weren’t limits. “I struck about Sisterhood,” declared one rebbetzin, who had young children. “They met at 9 am on Sunday mornings. Are you kidding me?” Another recalled, “Every Chanukah, the women spent a week frying latkes and complaining the whole time. I wanted to have fun, so I took over. We bought Golden’s latkes by the case and spent our time on program, not food.” Another asserted, “I never set foot in the kitchen,” although she was very involved in synagogue programming. One of the six used a term to describe herself that applied equally to all, although they were not familiar with it. “I was raised to be a ‘shul mensch,’” she explained, “so it was not a hardship to be an active leader in synagogue activities.” In addition to fulfilling shul and family responsibilities, many of the rebbetzins were also involved in professional and philanthropic work. “I always worked outside the home,” one of the women explained, noting that her work was within the Jewish community, in areas of Jewish communal service and Jewish education. Another said that in addition to volunteering, she always worked part time, serving in whatever capacity was needed. Working in kashrut supervision, she noted, was “quite an education – especially when the kosher butcher was still here. I learned everything you’ve ever wanted to know about kosher meat (not to mention some things I would have preferred not to know.)” Many of the women were very well-educated Judaically and were called upon to teach in a variety of capacities, both formal and informal, and to participate in services, in both paid and unpaid capacities. In doing their own work in the larger community, they were strongly supported by their husbands. “My husband and I supported each other in our work, both in and out of the pulpit, in every way possible,” one of the women declared. Another added that “As we progressed in our careers, I was proud to be the rabbi’s wife, but I would have been proud to be his wife

M-Power U: an Arts and Minds Community participants at SJFS created a flower mandala, the wheel of life in blossoms. the Arts and many others. Outcomes she points to are improved mood, lower blood pressure, improved brain function, decreased stress and anxiety and overall better physical health, including higher levels of alertness and engagement and more involvement in overall activities. Although many people think that creativity diminishes the further away we get from childhood, Huober quotes experts like geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Gene Cohen, who taught that this isn’t true, not even in the presence of actual dementia. The New York Times eulogized the pioneer in linking creativity with healthy aging, crediting him with helping shift the emphasis in gerontological research from the problems of people as they age to their

Continued from page 2 no matter what profession he chose. Since I held very prominent positions myself, I think he was proud to be known as my husband.” Pride in one another’s accomplishments seemed to be a significant factor in these couples’ marriages. “Seeing my husband shine when he gives a d’var Torah,” is one woman’s greatest pleasure as the spouse of a rabbi. Another concurred: “Whenever I have an opportunity to listen to my husband teach or preach, I am reminded how very good he is at this job and what an important part of the community we have become.” A third likewise noted that “my most rewarding experience is being complimented on behalf of my husband and being told how much we are both appreciated in the community.” Being a rabbi’s wife can be very rewarding, especially in terms of “getting to know people and their families and to be part of their lives,” one explained, saying that she was “pleased and proud to be part of a congregation and to support its mission and activities in any way that I can.” Most of the rebbetzins see themselves as “people persons,” and take great joy in the personal relationships they develop and in their congregations’ achievements. In this, they see their role as primary, not secondary. “I don’t play second fiddle to anyone,” one rebbetzin asserted, laying claim to being “a clergy person, knowledgeable and proud of who I am.” She believes her role does not lie only in the kitchen, but includes “stepping up to the plate and doing for others what they need to have done for them.” It is clear that the rebbetzinate has changed in the current millennium. The words of our local rabbis’ wives reflect these changes, and the younger women did not face all of the expectations that more senior women had to deal with. “I’m a rebbetzin because I’m married to a rabbi,” one reported, “however, I don’t think of myself as having a special role within the synagogue. I think of a rebbetzin as someone who gives their life to the synagogue. I am supportive and proud of my husband and his role in the synagogue, but I have a role outside of the synagogue as well.” “I’m not a rebbetzin because I married a rabbi,” declared another, “just as I would not be a dentistzin if I married a dentist.” This is a far cry from the days when even Henrietta Szold, Zionist leader and founder of Hadassah, expressed the belief that “a woman can best serve the interests of the synagogue by devoting herself to her home.” The knowledgeable and capable women interviewed here greatly enrich the Jewish community that employs their husbands. The 21st century allows them to use their many talents in multiple ways, but there is no question that the Central New York Jewish community is fortunate that they are here to share their gifts with us. Barbara Sheklin Davis is author of “100 Jewish Things to Do Before You Die” (Arcadia) and the forthcoming “Two Jews, Three Opinions” (Wipf and Stock).

potential: “He exhorted older people and their families to engage in creative activities, arguing that science had shown that such activities lead people to longer, healthier lives.” Huober said that Cohen and many others have found that creative arts promote self-expression and connect people socially, in part by improving communication with others. “For the individual who cannot easily find words, for example, the arts become a lifeline to self-expression and social engagement,” she said. Locally, Syracuse Jewish Family Service is at the forefront of those offering opportunities to join in “fun, creative, social experiences” like these that shore up cognitive, emotional and physical health. An Arts and Minds Community, for example, is the Friday section of its M-Power U: A Learning Community for Early Memory Loss. Each week, participants come together from 11:30 am-3:30 pm in the Arts and Minds Community Room at Menorah Park to enjoy “imaginative and expressive” activities from movement and music to art, poetry and drama. Recently, they spent several mornings collaborating on a dramatic reading of “Our Town.” In the summer, they created flower mandalas and discussed the thoughts and feelings about change and impermanence. Another group meets monthly on Sundays to watch and discuss a movie that shines a light on some aspect of aging in society and era. A new group will be launching in the spring offering poetry writing as a pathway to connection and spirituality. Information and registration for the Arts and Minds Symposium and other SJFS programs can be found at www.sjfs.org and by calling 315-446-9111, ext. 234. The Symposium events are: October 30, 6:30-8 pm: screening and directors’ panel presentation of “My Annie Hall,” a 30-minute Woody Allen re-boot starring older adults from a community center in Manhattan, which shows an illustration of what happens when older adults are offered the chance to engage their creative selves. There will be an optional deli supper at 5:30 pm. The brainchild of Matt Starr and Ellie Sachs, “My Annie Hall” was filmed in many of the same locations as the original 1977 classic, but with a twist: Alvy is played by 94-year-old Harry Miller and Annie by Shula Chernick, a 73-year-old who can speak and sing in nine languages, and actually used to work at a senior recreation center herself. October 31, 9 am-5 pm: all-day Symposium with keynote by Gary Glazner, poet and founder of the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project; and eight breakout sessions facilitated by Glazner and area professionals in experiencing and understanding painting, dance and movement, drumming, sandtray work, narrative and poetry, culminating in a conversation about collaborating to innovate creative self-expression in community programming for older adults and in one’s personal and professional lives; breakfast and lunch are included. Generous support from sponsors make this symposium possible: “Wellbeing Angel Sponsor” the Health Foundation of Western and Central New York is joined by Employee Benefit Systems, HealthDirect, Jewish Home Foundation, MatrixCare, the Michalak Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, National Grid, Pomeranz, Shankman and Martin Trusts, Sodexo, SU Aging Studies Institute, Upstate Printing, Wegmans, WRVO Public Media and others.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ OCTOBER 25, 2018/16 CHESHVAN 5779

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.

Wednesday, October 24 Deadline for November 8 Jewish Observer Sunday, October 28 Temple Concord blood drive from 9 am-2 pm Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse Tea and Torah at 5 pm Ongregation Beth Solom-Chevra Shas Rummage Sale 10 am-4 pm Monday, October 29 CBS-CS Rummage Sale (all day bag sale) 10 am-4 pm Tuesday, October 30 IMPARA/Syracuse Jewish Family Service presents “My Annie Hall” film and director’s presentation at Menorah Park from 6:30-8 pm; optional dinner at 5:30 pm Epstein School at Temple Adath Yeshurun from 6:308:30 pm Wednesday, October 31 IMPARA/SJFS presents Arts and Minds Symposium at Menorah Park from 9 am-5 pm Syracuse Community Hebrew School at TC from 4-6 pm Friday, November 2 CBS-CS wine and cheese Asefat Shabbat Saturday, November 3 CBS-CS Shabbat Spot with “It’s Cool to Daven in Shul” Sunday, November 4 TC Tot Shabbat at 5 pm TC Brotherhood presents program on SU basketball at 9:30 am TC Sisterhood/Brotherhood trip to Syracuse Stage at 2 pm CBS-CS Hazak: Keeping Our Seniors Safe with Mary Anne Corasaniti Monday, November 5 STOCS Four Questions series at 8 pm TC adult education – History of Temple Concord with Rabbi Daniel Fellman at 7:15 pm Tuesday, November 6 Epstein School at Temple Adath Yeshurun from 6:308:30 pm TC adult education – Talmud with Rabbi Fellman at 12:30 pm Wednesday, November 7 Deadline for November 22 Jewish Observer Syracuse Community Hebrew School at TC from 4-6 pm TC board meeting at 7 pm Thursday, November 8 Jewish Community Foundation board meeting at 4:45 pm Saturday, November 10 Temple Adath Yeshurun and the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center present a communitywide klezmer concert with Yale Strom at 7 pm CBS-CS Camp Havdalah 6:30-8 pm Sunday, November 11 Yale Strom lecture at TAY at 10 am STOCS Tea and Torah at 4 pm TC Gan program at 10:30 am TC Goldenberg program at 2 pm TC Regina F. Goldenberg Series – Mary Sugar and Friends at 2 pm Monday, November 12 CBS-CS SU Lunch and Learn at noon Tuesday, November 13 Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center Executive Committee meeting at 6 pm, followed by board meeting at 7 pm Epstein School at Temple Adath Yeshurun from 6:308:30 pm

D’VAR TORAH

Sodom and selfishness BY RAV URI C. COHEN Money isn’t the root of all evil, but it is a trellis for greed. (Caanan Grall, “Max Overacts” cartoon #216 (Feb. 6, 2012)) Here’s a trick question: Why did God destroy Sodom? Yes, the Sodomites were “evil, sinning against God very much” (Genesis 13:13) and “their sin was very serious” (Ibid. 18:20). But what was their main sin? The reason it’s a trick question is that the answer does not appear explicitly in the Chumash. But it does appear later in Tanach. Here it is: “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before Me. Therefore, I did away with them, as you have seen.” (Ezeziel 16:49-50) In other words, the main sin of Sodom was arrogance, which led the Sodomites to sin by ignoring the poor (and also to do detestable things, which are not specified). Why were they so arrogant? The Gemara explains: “The people of Sodom were arrogant only because of their wealth...” They said, “Since we are an affluent society, immigrants will only cut into our share of the pie; come let us ban immigration!” (Sanhedrin 109a, as rendered by Rabbanit Dr. Chana Henkin) Yes, trying to close the doors to immigrants is not a new phenomenon. (The “haves” often want to keep out the “have nots.”) Why does the Gemara call Sodom an affluent society? Well, what was once Sodom is now called the Dead Sea, but at the time it was incredibly well-located. As one contemporary article points out, that was exactly why Lot moved to Sodom: “The city sat, ‘well-watered,’ beside the Jordan River and looked to him ‘like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt’

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z”l, had a bit of a family reunion with Strom at a White House Chanukah party, to which they’d both been invited. Drazen and Strom are cousins. We are pleased that through this connection we’re able to bring a musician of Strom’s reputation to Central New York.” The Saturday concert and Sunday presentation will be hosted at Temple Adath Yeshurun, 450 Kimber Rd., Syracuse. The programs are open to the community, and while there is no charge to attend, reservations are requested and may be made by contacting the synagogue at www.adath.org, 315-445-0002 or info@adath.org. MACCABI USA PRESENTATION AT TAY BY SONALI MCINTYRE On Sunday, November 4, at 10 am, the TAY Men’s Club will host a presentation by Maccabi USA at the synagogue, 450 Kimber Rd., Syracuse. According to its site, Maccabi USA “endeavors, through sports, to perpetuate and preserve the American Jewish community by encouraging Jewish pride, strengthening Jewish bonds and by creating a heightened awareness of Israel and Jewish identity. The volunteer organization seeks to enrich the lives of Jewish youth in the United States, Israel, and the Diaspora through athletic, cultural, and educational programs.” The program will feature a video presentation of the 20th Maccabiah Games, held in 2017. Afterward, Daniel Gurevich, Maccabi USA shaliach, will give an update on Maccabi USA, and former local Maccabiah athletes will speak. Leo Eisner, a former Maccabiah team member for Team USA and the Men’s Club organizer for the program, said, “Feel the excitement that 950 USA athletes felt

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(Genesis 13:10). The implicit syllogism is simple: guaranteed water means guaranteed food and comfort, two things that can make a Sodom, or an Egypt, seem like a garden of Eden.” (Professors Jeremy England and Daniel Kaganovich, “Surrendering Liberty in Sodom,” Mosaic Magazine, Oct. 2013 http://mosaicmagazine.com/ supplemental/2013/10/surrendering-liberty-in-sodom) When some people become wealthy, they generously give tzedakah (charity) and share some of their money with the needy. In contrast, when the people of Sodom became wealthy, they selfishly kept their money for themselves. The founder and director of Nishmat sums up the answer to our trick question: “It is not adultery, paganism, murder, battery, or theft which caused the destruction of Sodom. It was the arrogance of the wealthy, who took it for granted that what was theirs was theirs alone, and that economic bounty need not be shared with the disadvantaged.” (Rabbanit Dr. Chana Henkin, “Parshat Vayera,” 1999. https://web.archive. org/web/19990209062449/http://www.nishmat.org.il/ archive/vayera.htm) To sum up, the main sin of Sodom was selfishness – a lethal combination of arrogance and wealth. What made it so bad wasn’t that the Sodomites were selfish. It was that they were selfish when, in fact, they could have afforded to be generous. Today, since most of us are relatively wealthy and in fact can afford to give more tzedakah than we do, this description of Sodom’s sin should concern us. Dr. Yocheved Engelberg Cohen and Rabbi Uri Cohen, the first couple of the Syracuse Kollel, now live in Ramat Beit Shemesh. Yocheved works as a Hebrew-to-English translator and is currently translating Rabbi Eliezer Melamed’s Peninei Halakha series. Continued from page 4

participating in the 2017 games in Israel. See how the largest single convergence on Israel, created by 10,000 Jewish athletes from 80 countries, played out. I’ve been blessed to feel the chills from the crowd at opening ceremonies, at Rama Gan Stadium, at five different games. Those experiences will never be forgotten. Visualizing the crowd shouting over and over again ‘USA, USA’ as we marched into the stadium, gives me goosebumps all over again.” The free program is open to the community and light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Eisner at 315-637-9551. To make a reservation, contact the TAY office at 315-445-0002.

During the High Holidays, the families and children of Temple Adath Yeshurun began a new tikkun olam project, Operation Backpack. The families and the congregation at-large collected toiletries, school supplies and small toys, along with backpacks to go to children in, or entering, foster care. On Rosh Hashanah, during junior congregation, the children organized the donations and packed the backpacks. Parents delivered them to county foster care, and the backpacks will be distributed to the children who need them. L-r: Ari Gnacik, Noah Mowers and Isabella Weinberg displayed some of the packed bags.

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OCTOBER 25, 2018/16 CHESHVAN 5779 ■

JCC’s preschoolers go pumpkin picking

OBITUARIES IVY BESDIN

Ivy Besdin, 92, died on October 13 at Menorah Park. Born to Samuel and Edna Brenner in Harrisburg, PA, she had been a resident of Syracuse since 1947. She was the first woman vice president at Temple Adath Yeshurun and a past chairperson of the Woman’s Division of the Jewish Federation of Central New York. She was always an active volunteer in the Syracuse community. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert H. Besdin, in 2008. She is survived by her daughter, Helaine (Bruce) Sherman; grandsons, Evan (Christina) and Sam; great-grandsons Gavin and Allister; and her brother, Herbert Brenner. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements. 

CLIFFORD NELSON GOULD

Clifford Nelson Gould, 66, died on October 6. The son of Earle and Betty Gould, he was a special needs student and attended the McCarthy School and Lawrence Road School of North Syracuse. For the past 30 years, he was a resident of a group home, first on Westcott Street and, more recently, in Baldwinsville. He taught himself to read, had a marvelous sense of humor and was a dedicated fan of SU sports, the Yankees and quiz shows. He is survived by his brothers, Eric and A. Sheldon (Rose); and two nephews. Burial was in the Temple Concord section of Woodlawn Cemetery. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements. Contributions in his memory may be made to ARC of Onondaga County, 600 S. Wilbur Ave., Syracuse, NY 13204. 

SALLY GROSS

Sally Gross, 89, died on October 15 in Cortland, NY. Born in Plattsburg, NY, she was a resident of Syracuse for her adult life. She was a former member of Temple Concord. She was a real estate broker, and owner of Gross Real Estate of Fayetteville. Sally was predeceased by her sister and brother-inlaw, Naomi and Adolph Schayes. She is survived by her daughter, Karen Rosenthal and her wife, Kathleen Riley; sister, Victoria Gross; brother, Sam Gross and a large and loving extended family. Burial was in Temple Concord section 30 of Woodlawn Cemetery. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements. Contributions may be made at www.syracuseutaharts. org. 

BY ANKUR DANG In addition to golden leaves, apples, scarecrows and a nip in the air tempered by the sun’s rays, autumn is also a celebration of pumpkins. For the children of the Jerome and Phyllis Charney Early Childhood Development Program at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center, fall is about the ECDP annual visit to a local farm and pumpkin patch. On October 10, students in the ECDP’s classrooms A and B visited Critz Farms in Cazenovia to learn about growing pumpkins and gourds, farm animals and experiencing the outdoors through a ride on a tractor-drawn wagon. The first activity the children attended was a storytelling session about how pumpkins grow, Children in the JCC’s ECDP enjoyed story time led by a Critz which was followed by a practical lesson when Farms employee. they touched the pumpkin plant in various stages of its development – from flowering to the appearance at Critz – llamas, goats, sheep, ducks, chickens and bees. of the fruit to the gigantic specimens that sat outside in Estelle Luttig, 4, especially enjoyed petting the sheep. the field. “They’re so soft,” she wondered out loud even as some “I never saw such big pumpkins,” said Evelyn Kind- of the other children were a bit hesitant. Luttig, though, er, 4. However, later, when she and the other children was fearless. “She’s my friend,” Luttig insisted as she went to pick out their own pumpkins from the patch, petted the sheep for the final time before following her she picked the tiniest one she could find – even though classmates to the goat shed. all the other children chose to pick one that was more “The visit to the farm is always very special,” said or less the same size as their own heads. Amy Bisnett, the associate director of children’s pro“I can’t carry something bigger than myself,” gramming at the JCC. “These field trips are a great way reasoned Alden Groat, 4. “Besides, the little ones for the children to get out of the classroom and learn are cute. They are like toys.” about their environment in a safe, wholesome way. And The children were also introduced to the farm animals of course, it is a lot of fun because they get to touch and see the animals up close instead of in a picture book.” ECDP children have the opportunity to go on field trips during their pre-kindergarten year. Typically, six field trips are offered each school year. In the past, the children have visited an art studio for a session with a local artist, a theater performance at Le Moyne College and apple picking at a local orchard.

TENNY WATSON

Tenny Watson, 78, died at home on October 5. Born to Stanley and Edythe Serpick Hoffman in Baltimore, MD, she had been a Syracuse resident most of her life. During her professional career, she worked for neuropsychologist Anthony Blumetti as a psychometrician. She was involved in many local organizations, most recently Menorah Park, and the NICU at Crouse Hospital. She was predeceased by her parents; her brother, Jay Hoffman; and her sister-in-law, Adrian Nackman. She is survived by her husband, Jeff; their children, Gregg (Michelle) Watson, and Rebecca (Larry) Hudson; her granddaughters, Avery and Emmie; and her brother, Barry (Hinda) Hoffman. Burial was in the Adath Yeshurun Cemetery. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements. Contributions may be made to Camp Good Days and Special Times, 356 N Midler Ave., Syracuse, NY 13206. 

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Alden Groat picked a pumpkin that he was able to carry all by himself.

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Jerome and Phyllis Charney Early Childhood Development Program at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center Early Child preschooler Evelyn Kinder showed off the tiniest pumpkin she could find.

Estelle Luttig became best friends with a sheep.

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presentation, including ordering resource materials, go to www.verahouse.org/programs-and-services/ evergreen-network. CBS-CS Hazak events are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Melissa Harkavy at director@cbscs.org.

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The children enjoyed the Corn Crawl at Abbott Farm’s Fall Festival.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ OCTOBER 25, 2018/16 CHESHVAN 5779

NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org

U.S. issues warning to Russia about helping Iran escape upcoming oil sanctions

The United States warned Russia on Sunday about assisting any potential Iranian attempts to evade an upcoming round of U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic, scheduled to take effect on Nov. 4, months after U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew America from the 2015 nuclear deal. “Iran might be pushing the idea of Russia selling their oil on the world market to evade sanctions,” a senior administration official told The Financial Times. “I would discourage Russia from even considering this. It would be in Russia’s best interests not to facilitate Iranian evasion of U.S.

MP new generator

On October 10, residents of The Oaks at Menorah Park celebrated the installation of a new building generator, the first of its kind locally at any independent senior living facility. The event featured a cocktail hour and kosher hors d’oeuvres from Catering by The Oaks, followed by a balloon launch. “Our facility will be open to anyone in the community who, in the midst of our Central New York winter season, loses power and feels unsafe,” said Mary Ellen Bloodgood, CEO of Menorah Park.

sanctions.” This development comes as U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton is expected to meet senior Russian officials in Moscow the week of Oct. 29. Russia supported the nuclear deal and supports Iran’s proxies, such as Syrian President Bashar Assad and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Additionally, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, visiting Israel the week of Oct. 22, said on Oct. 21 that it will be difficult for countries to receive waivers on Iran oil sanctions. “I would expect that if we do give waivers, it will be significantly larger reductions,” he said in an interview with Reuters. In light of Bolton’s remarks in August about completely eliminating Iranian oil exports, “I don’t expect we will get to zero in November, but I do expect we will eventually get to zero,” added Mnuchin. “There have been already very significant reductions in advance of this date.”

Jordan announces decision to terminate peace-treaty land lease to Israel in 2019

Jordan will not renew parts of a 1994 peace treaty that leases two areas on the Jordan River to Israel, saying Jordan aims to practice “full sovereignty on our land.” Israel’s neighboring nation could have been more flexible on the issue of renewing the leases, but chose not to. In a statement on Oct. 21 – a year in advance of the full termination of the lease and the anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, with whom his father signed the agreement – Jordan’s King Abdullah announced that “our priority in these regional circumstances is to protect our interests, and do whatever is required for Jordan and the Jordanians.” Senior officials in the Jordanian government told Al-Hayat newspaper that due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s stalwart position on Jerusalem and other holy places, Jordan chose to reject a renewal of the leases. The original peace agreement stipulates that the 25-year lease could be renewed by both parties after 25 years, but that both sides had the option to abandon the deal, subject to an announcement one year prior to termination, which is set to occur in 2019. Abdullah did not state a reason for ending the lease to Israel, but analysts note that his popularity has dwindled in recent years, and that a public stand against Israel was met with excitement and patriotism in Jordan. Pressure included a letter signed by 80 Jordanian lawmakers demanding that he cancel the agreement. The leases include the area of Naharayim in the north, where the Yarmouk River flows into the Jordan River and powers a hydroelectric plant near the Isle of Peace tourist spot, and Tzofar in the southern Arava desert, where a small Jewish community engages in farming, and stands to lose some 250 acres of land and 30 farms. At a memorial for Rabin on Oct. 21, Netanyahu responded that the Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty is “an agreement of true peace,” and that Israel would enter into negotiations with Jordan to renew the lease.

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Vietri • Simon Pearce • M. Aram

❑ Discuss honeymoon and new home ❑ Select gown and headpiece ❑ Select music for ceremony and reception ❑ Register with bridal gift registry 4 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING ❑ Order invitations and personal stationery ❑ Plan reception ❑ Plan ceremony and reception music ❑ Choose florist ❑ Mothers choose gowns ❑ Men choose attire ❑ Make honeymoon reservations ❑ Begin trousseau shopping ❑ Arrange motel accommodations for out-of-town guests 3 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING ❑ Make an appointment with gynecologist to discuss birth control, etc. 2 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING ❑ Order wedding cake ❑ Select attendants’ gifts ❑ Plan to keep gift record ❑ Acknowledge gifts as they arrive ❑ Finish invitations -- Mail them 6 weeks before wedding ❑ Plan rehearsal dinner ❑ Check on marriage license ❑ Get rings engraved ❑ Plan luncheon for bridesmaids

❑ Select gift for groom ❑ Go over wedding ceremony details ❑ Gown fitting ❑ Bridal portrait sitting ❑ Arrange for limousine service ❑ Make hairdresser appointment 1 MONTH BEFORE WEDDING ❑ Make up reception seating charts ❑ Check wedding party apparel ❑ Final gown fitting ❑ Get blood tests for marriage license 2 WEEKS BEFORE WEDDING ❑ Make final check on bridal-party clothes and catering ❑ Arrange name changes/get marriage license ❑ Arrange transportation from reception to airport or wherever you are leaving from for the honeymoon 1 WEEK BEFORE WEDDING ❑ Wrap attendants’ gifts ❑ Give final count to caterer ❑ Confirm music arrangements and check selections ❑ Arrange to move belongings to new home ❑ Check that your hairstyle complements your headpiece ❑ Final instructions to photographer and videographer ❑ Final instructions to ushers for special seating ❑ Give clergy fee to best man in sealed envelope (He will deliver it.) ❑ Begin packing for honeymoon 1 DAY BEFORE WEDDING ❑ Give ushers guest list ❑ Do something relaxing and pamper yourself!

"Rustic Elegance"

Fully renovated in 2018 89 Guest rooms • 3500 sq. ft. of meeting space Wedding packages available 7300 East Genesee St., Fayetteville, NY

315-663-2500

Located in Fayetteville Square behind Friendly’s

511 East Genesee Street • Fayetteville

Men’s, Women’s, Children’s Hems & Repairs Done While You Wait Zippers • Formals • Coats • Suits, Linings Take-Ins & Takeouts • Dresses, Skirts • Drapes • Repairs Dry Cleaning • Leather

Drop Off On Way To Work, Pick Up On Way Home! Mon-Fri 7:30am-6pm, Sat 8am-12noon

637-5505