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23 CHESHVAN 5777 • NOVEMBER 24, 2016 • VOLUME XXXVII, NUMBER 23 • PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY

Philip L. Holstein Community Fund Grant offered BY ELLEN WEINSTEIN AND CHERYL SCHOTZ The Jewish Federation of Central New York has announced a new funding opportunity through its annual grant award program that is now open for applications. All eligible local beneficiary and Central New York non-beneficiary Jewish agencies, synagogues, organizations and entities having IRS Section 501(c)(3) status may apply. Federation Allocations Committee CoChair Ellen Weinstein said, “This annual

grant award program has been renamed the Philip L. Holstein Community Program Fund of the Jewish Federation of Central New York in honor of our dear friend and colleague whom we lost this past year. Phil’s insight and effort served as the genesis for this fund that aims to foster collaboration and cooperation amongst the local Jewish institutions, both existing and emerging. This fund honors Phil’s dedication. “We are excited to announce that we have available funds totaling more than

$40,000. We will award grants at a variety of levels, not to exceed $7,500.” Each agency or organization can submit up to two Request for Proposals. However, an agency or organization can submit one additional RFP if it is submitted in collaboration with another organization. Preference will be given to RFPs that present “innovative” and/or “collaborative” ideas. All eligible agencies and organizations can apply individually or jointly with any other organizations. While collaboration between beneficia-

ry agencies and organizations has been “strongly encouraged,” it is not required. The RFP application is available through Kathie Piirak at the Federation office at KPiirak@JewishFederationCNY. org. The application deadline is Monday, December 19. The Allocations Committee, which is headed by Ellen Weinstein and Cheryl Schotz, will review the applications and make recommendations to the Federation board. They expect to announce the grant fund awards on or about Friday, January 27, 2017.

Meet the Jews in Donald Trump’s inner circle BY JOSEFIN DOLSTEN (JTA)– President-elect Donald Trump has a complicated history with Jews. On the one hand, his daughter Ivanka converted to Orthodox Judaism before marrying Jared Kushner, and he’s spoken fondly about having Jewish grandchildren. On the other, some of Trump’s supporters identify with antisemitic elements of the alt-right movement and he’s a favorite of white supremacist David Duke. On November 13, Trump appointed Stephen Bannon – the former chairman of Breitbart News, a site with ties to the alt-right – as his chief strategist in a move that sparked swift criticism from the Anti-Defamation League. Still, Trump’s cadre of advisers is not short on Jews. While the real estate magnate and former reality TV star may not officially appoint family members to his Cabinet because of federal anti-nepotism regulations, here’s a look at his Jewish advisers, their views and possible roles in his administration. JASON GREENBLATT Greenblatt has worked as a real-estate lawyer for Trump for 19 years, and he is one of two Jewish lawyers whom Trump has said he would appoint as his Israel advisers. An Orthodox Jew and Yeshiva University graduate, Greenblatt studied at a West Bank yeshiva in the mid-1980s and even did armed guard duty there. The father of six from Teaneck, NJ, does not have any political experience. Greenblatt has said he speaks with people involved in the Israeli government, but has not spoken to any Palestinians since his yeshiva studies. He has cited the American Israel Public Affairs Committee as one of his main sources for staying informed about the Jewish state and helped draft Trump’s speech at the lobbying group’s annual conference in March. Greenblatt, who has said he supports the two-state solution, has implied that Trump will take a more laissez-faire approach to peace building. “He is not going to impose any solution on Israel,” Greenblatt told Israel’s Army Radio recently. He also said that Trump “does not view Jewish settlements as an obstacle to peace.”

DAVID FRIEDMAN Alongside Greenblatt, Trump named Friedman, 57, as an Israel adviser. Friedman, a bankruptcy expert and partner at the Kasowitz law firm in New York, is the president-elect’s longtime attorney. The son of a Conservative rabbi with a family history of ties to Republican presidential candidates – his family hosted Ronald Reagan for a Shabbat lunch in 1984, the year he won re-election – Friedman lives in Woodmere and owns a house in Jerusalem’s Talbiyeh neighborhood, according to Haaretz. Friedman has expressed doubt about the future of the two-state solution, traditionally a pillar of bipartisan U.S. policy in the region. Prior to the Republican Party passing a platform that omitted references to the two-state solution, he said it might be time for the party to reject the concept. “The two-state solution might be one answer, but I don’t think it’s the only answer anymore,” he said in July. Friedman has also said that annexing the West Bank would not damage Israel’s status as a Jewish state. JARED KUSHNER Kushner – the 35-year-old scion of one of New York’s real estate families and, since 2009, the husband of Trump’s daughter Ivanka – played what many saw as a crucial role in the president-elect’s campaign, especially with regards to Israel. He worked on Trump’s speech to the AIPAC annual policy conference that earned Trump a standing ovation and helped plan a trip to Israel for his father-in-law last year. (Trump canceled the trip after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed his call to ban Muslim immigration to the United States.) Trump appears to be smitten with Kushner, often referring to his “fantastic” son-in-law when boasting of his pro-Israel credentials. Kushner, an Orthodox Jew who lives with his wife and their three children on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, may have become a household name during the campaign, but he’s no stranger to the limelight. In 2006, at 25, he bought the Observer newspaper. Two years later, he became CEO of his fa-

ther’s company, Kushner Properties, four years after his father was sent to jail for tax evasion, illegal campaign donations and witness tampering. In 2015, Fortune named Kushner to its 40 Under 40 list, its “annual ranking of the most influential young people in business.” IVANKA TRUMP Trump’s daughter Ivanka, 35, who converted to Orthodox Judaism, has served as the polished, softer face of her father’s campaign. A successful businesswoman whose brand is centered around empowering working women, she stood by him when recordings were released that caught the president-elect bragging about sexually assaulting women. Ivanka has reportedly tried – not always successfully – to have her father tone down or walk back some of his most inflammatory remarks, including having called Mexican immigrants rapists, according to New York magazine. She is the founder of the Ivanka Trump Collection, a fashion and lifestyle brand, and serves as executive vice president of development and acquisitions for the Trump Organization, her father’s company. Ivanka, who gave birth to her third child in March, belongs to the Upper East Side Orthodox synagogue Kehilath Jeshurun with Kushner, and has described her family as “pretty observant.” She made Fortune’s 40 Under 40 list in 2014, a year before her husband did. BORIS EPSHTEYN Epshteyn, 34, is a Republican political strategist and “staunch defender” of Trump who has appeared as the president-elect’s surrogate on major TV networks more than 100 times, The New York Times reported. A New York-based investment banker and finance attorney, Epshteyn worked as a communications aide for Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign in 2008, focusing his efforts on the Arizona senator’s running mate, then-Alaska Governor

Sarah Palin, whom Trump is reportedly considering for interior secretary, according to Politico. Epshteyn, a Moscow native, moved to the United States in 1993. A fluent Russian speaker who has moderated a panel encouraging investment in Moscow, he may serve as an asset for Trump in navigating relations with Russia – Trump has expressed his desire to improve ties with President Vladimir Putin. Then again, Epshteyn’s temper may make him less of an asset to Trump. TV hosts described him as “very combative” and “abrasive,” and, in 2014, Epshteyn was charged with misdemeanor assault after he was involved in a bar tussle. The charge was dropped after Epshteyn agreed to undergo anger management training and perform community service. STEPHEN MILLER Miller, 30, has played a crucial role in Trump’s campaign, helping to warm up crowds at rallies and drafting speeches, including the president-elect’s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention. Miller, who has described himself as “a practicing Jew,” joined the Trump campaign in January, quickly rising through the ranks to become “one of the most important people in the campaign,” as Trump’s campaign manager told The Wall Street Journal. Previously he worked for seven years as an aide to Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL), helping the lawmaker draft materials to kill a bipartisan Senate immigration reform bill. Some of Sessions’ arguments contain similarities to Trump’s harsh and often controversial statements on the issue, such as calling for building a wall on the Mexican border and banning Muslim immigration to the country. Though Miller grew up in a liberal Jewish home in Southern California, he was drawn to conservative causes early. As See “Circle” on page 7

C A N D L E L I G H T I N G A N D P A R AS H A November 25...........4:15 pm............................................... Parasha-Chaye Sarah December 2..............4:12 pm.......................................................... Parasha-Toldot December 9..............4:12 pm........................................................ Parasha-Vayetze

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Celebrating Chanukah

Talk on the draft

Antisemites in Europe

The Federation will hold a “The Peacetime Draft During the The founder of Human Rights communitywide Chanukah party Cold War” will be discussed on Watch says the U.S. election has December 4 at a talk at the JCC . encouraged antisemites in Europe. on December 18 at the MOST. Story on page 5 Story on page 3 Story on page 6

PLUS Opinion...................................... 2 Chanukah Gifts....................... 6 B’nai Mitzvah........................... 6 Calendar Highlights............... 7


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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ NOVEMBER 24, 2016/23 CHESHVAN 5777

Stephen Bannon: Five things Jews need to know about Trump’s chief strategist

BY BY BEN SALES (JTA) – On November 13, President-elect Donald Trump appointed Stephen Bannon to be his chief strategist. Before joining Trump’s campaign, Bannon was the chairman of Breitbart News, a site steeped in conspiracy theories that has featured the white supremacist, antisemitic ideologies of the so-called alt-right. Bannon has also been accused of making antisemitic remarks himself. The Anti-Defamation League slammed Bannon’s appointment; CEO Jonathan Greenblatt called him “hostile to core American values.” Here are five things you need to know about Bannon, who will have the president’s ear. Bannon’s site ran multiple columns accused of antisemitism Breitbart News, one of the most vociferously pro-Trump outlets during the presidential campaign, has been accused of racism and Islamophobia. Jewish critics have also accused it of antisemitism. In May, Breitbart ran a column with a headline calling anti-Trump conservative writer Bill Kristol a “renegade Jew.” The column, by conservative activist David Horowitz, said Kristol led a “small but well-heeled group of Washington insiders” who aimed to undermine Trump, even though he won the nomination. Horowitz, himself Jewish, also accused Kristol’s plan of putting Israel in danger by enabling Hillary Clinton to win the

election. (Defenders noted that the article was defending Jewish interests, despite the provocative title.) In September, Breitbart ran another column accusing a Jewish anti-Trump writer, The Washington Post’s Anne Applebaum, of helping orchestrate “attempts to impose a globalist worldview upon citizenries that reject it” alongside a coalition that included George Soros – a favorite Jewish target of the alt-right. “Hell hath no fury like a Polish, Jewish, American elitist scorned,” the column continued. Breitbart has failed to remove some blatantly antisemitic comments, including one that says “Heil Hitler,” below the column. Bannon allegedly called Jews “whiny brats.” His ex-wife claimed in a sworn statement in 2007 that Bannon made three separate antisemitic remarks when they were choosing a school for their daughters. The ex-wife, who also accused Bannon of attacking her, made the statement during divorce proceedings. In one instance, according to NBC News, Bannon asked a school director “why there were so many Chanukah books in the library.” At another school, the ex-wife said, Bannon “asked me if it bothered me that the school used to be in a temple. I said no and asked why he asked … he did not respond.” At a third school, The Archer School for

Girls, Bannon “went on to say the biggest problem he had with Archer is the number of Jews that attend. He said that he doesn’t like Jews and that he doesn’t like the way they raise their kids to be ‘whiny brats’ and that he didn’t want the girls going to school with Jews.” Bannon’s spokeswoman denied the allegations in a statement to NBC News. “At the time, Mr. Bannon never said anything like that and proudly sent the girls to Archer for their middle school and high school educations,” she said. In addition to the antisemitism allegations, an article in the left-wing Mother Jones magazine called him “a champion of the most ardent anti-Muslim extremists” because he brought anti-Muslim guests on his radio show. Bannon called Breitbart the mouthpiece of the white nationalist alt-right movement. While still at Breitbart, Bannon told Mother Jones, “We’re the platform for the altright,” in anAugust interview. The alt-right – a loose movement that has gained prominence during this election season – promotes white nationalism and has been accused of being racist, Islamophobic and antisemitic. The alt-right, short for alternative right, “encompasses a range of people on the extreme right who reject mainstream conservatism in favor of forms of conservatism that embrace implicit or explicit racism or white supremacy,” according to the ADL. “People who identify with the

A MATTER OF OPINION

Why a rabbi under the chuppah may boost Jewish engagement in intermarried homes

BY LEONARD SAXE AND FERN CHERTOK WALTHAM, MA (JTA) – At a summit meeting held recently at the National Museum of American Jewish History, several hundred communal professionals, rabbis, scholars, philanthropists and young intermarried couples gathered to discuss engagement of interfaith families in Jewish life. There is widespread communal agreement that intermarriage has reshaped the landscape of American Jewish life, but a lack of consensus regarding how best to respond to this development. At the forefront of the controversy has been rabbinic officiation at intermarriage ceremonies. For some, the debate over whether a rabbi or cantor should conduct an interfaith wedding hinges on theological questions. But for many, the debate is also about the impact that rabbinic officiation might have on the Jewish character of the homes and families these couples create. Contrary to the long-held assumption that choosing a Jewish officiant is a symbolic, not a substantive act, we now have strong evidence of the association between rabbinic officiation at intermarriages and the couples’ subsequent involvement in Jewish life. Our new report, “Under the Chuppah: Rabbinic Officiation and Intermarriage,” explores the trajectories of Jewish engagement of a large group of young adult Jews married to Jewish and non-Jewish spouses. As part of a long-term follow-up study of 2001-09 applicants to Birthright Israel, we surveyed 1,200 married young adults. We explored differences among three groups of couples: inmarried couples, intermarried couples who had a sole Jewish clergy officiant (i.e., no non-Jewish co-officiant) and intermarried couples who married under other auspices such as a justice of the peace, friend or family member. The data is unequivocal that intermar-

ried couples whose weddings were officiated by Jewish clergy as the only officiant are more highly engaged in Jewish life than other intermarried couples. Among the intermarried couples married by a rabbi or cantor, the overwhelming majority (85 percent) of those who now have children reported that the religion in which their children are being raised is Judaism. This is in stark contrast to the intermarried couples who did not have a sole Jewish officiant, of whom 23 percent are raising their children Jewish. Consistent with these findings, one-third of intermarried couples who had a rabbi or cantor as sole officiant are synagogue members. This number is more than four times higher than the rate for intermarried couples married by another type of officiant. These differences persist even when the gender, Jewish background and college Jewish experiences of the Jewish spouse are taken into account. On the two measures that have been at the heart of the controversy about Jewish officiation at intermarriages — synagogue membership and raising children Jewish — intermarried couples with sole Jewish clergy officiation are not very different from inmarried couples (that is, Jews who marry Jews). The rates of synagogue membership are 34 percent for the former versus 41 percent for the latter, and for raising children Jewish 85 percent versus 94 percent. Sole Jewish officiation at intermarriages does not, however, fully level the playing field between intermarried couples with a sole Jewish officiant and inmarried couples on all measures of Jewish engagement. For example, intermarried couples who had sole Jewish officiation are somewhat less likely to have a special meal on Shabbat. Our study does not provide a full explanation of the reasons for the differences between intermarried couples with a sole Jewish officiant and other intermarried

couples. In part, the decision to have a Jewish officiant likely reflects a continuation of the already existing Jewish trajectory of these couples. But it may also be that the involvement of Jewish clergy has an See “Chuppah” on page 6

of Central New York

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alt-right regard mainstream or traditional conservatives as weak and impotent, largely because they do not sufficiently support racism and antisemitism.” Joel Pollak, a Breitbart editor who is Jewish, defended Bannon in a comment on November 14 on Facebook, calling the allegations against Bannon a “smear.” His post also said Bannon is someone “without a shred of antisemitic prejudice, who worked closely with Jews and started a pro-Israel website.” Bannon has links to the European populist right. In addition to promoting right-wing populism in America, Bannon has links to right-wing populist parties in Europe. He invited Marion Le Pen, a rising star in the French far-right National Front party, to work with Trump. National Front leaders once espoused antisemitism, but when Marine Le Pen – Marion’s aunt – became its leader, she made an effort to rid the party of its antisemites, including her father, the party’s founder. Now the National Front focuses on opposing immigration and the European Union. In addition, Bannon has links to Nigel Farage, the leader of the U.K. Independence Party, a far-right party in Britain. Farage was Bannon’s guest at the 2015 Conservative Political Action Conference, a premier American conservative confab. Republicans have decried Bannon’s appointment. Just because Bannon will be advising the next Republican president doesn’t mean all Republicans like him. On November 13, Republican strategist John Weaver called Bannon part of the “racist, fascist extreme right.” And former Republican strategist Ana Navarro called him a “white supremacist, anti-gay, antisemite, vindictive, scaryass dude.” Reince Priebus, Trump’s incoming chief of staff, defended Bannon from the allegations on “Good Morning America.” “I don’t know where that comes from. That’s not the Steve Bannon that I know,” Preibus said. “I have sat with him for months. I have never, ever, at one time, experienced that.” All articles, announcements and photographs must be received by noon Wednesday, 15 days prior to publication date. Articles must be typed, double spaced and include the name of a contact person and a daytime telephone number. E-mail submissions are encouraged and may be sent to JewishObserverCNY@gmail.com. The Jewish Observer reserves the right to edit any copy. Signed letters to the editor are welcomed: they should not exceed 250 words. Names will be withheld at the discretion of the editor. All material in this newspaper has been copyrighted and is exclusive property of the Jewish Observer and cannot be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. Views and opinions expressed by our writers, columnists, advertisers and by our readers do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s and editors’ points of view, nor that of the Jewish Federation of Central New York. The newspaper reserves the right to cancel any advertisements at any time. This newspaper is not liable for the content of any errors appearing in the advertisements beyond the cost of the space occupied. The advertiser assumes responsibility for errors in telephone orders. The Jewish Observer does not assume responsibility for the kashrut of any product or service advertised in this paper. THE JEWISH OBSERVER OF CENTRAL NEW YORK (USPS 000939) (ISSN 1079-9842) Publications Periodical postage paid at Syracuse, NY and other offices. Published 24 times per year by the Jewish Federation of Central New York Inc., a non-profit corporation, 5655 Thompson Road, DeWitt, NY 13214. Subscriptions: $36/year; student $10/ year. POST MASTER: Send address change to JEWISH OBSERVER OF CENTRAL NEW YORK, 5655 Thompson Road, DeWitt, NY 13214.

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NOVEMBER 24, 2016/23 CHESHVAN 5777 ■

JEWISH OBSERVER

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AROUND CENTRAL NEW YORK Federation to host communitywide Chanukah party at the MOST

BY JESSICA LAWRENCE The Jewish Federation of Central New York will hold a communitywide Chanukah party on Sunday, December 18, from 4-7 pm, at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology, 500 S. Franklin St., in Armory Square, Syracuse. “We are excited to welcome the whole community at this year’s Chanukah party. We hope that grandparents, parents, children and friends will join us for a fun-filled afternoon celebrating family, friendship and tradition in Syracuse!” said event Chair Rebecca Bronfein Raphael. “There will be something for everyone, from balloon animals to a magician and the exciting exhibits at the MOST.” Assisting Bronfein Raphael will be Andy Wein-

berg and a committee of volunteers. Tickets are available for purchase online until the start of the event, and will be available at the door. To purchase tickets, visit www.jewishfederationcny.org or call 445-2040, ext. 102. There will be a cost for the event, with an increase if tickets are purchased at the door. As of November 11, major sponsors include Raymour and Flanigan and Elliott Meltzer. Cardiovascular Group of Syracuse is a contributing sponsor. Valet parking will again be offered and the ticket price includes admission to the MOST. For more information, contact Campaign Associate Jessica Lawrence at 445-2040, ext. 102, or jlawrence@ jewishfederationcny.org.

Pay 2017 Campaign pledge before December 31 for 2016 tax deduction BY JESSICA LAWRENCE Linda Alexander, Federation president/CEO, said, “The 2017 Annual Campaign will begin in January. Sometimes people make their charitable contributions at the end of the year for tax purposes. By making your year-end donation now to the 2017 Campaign, you can get a 2016 deduction for your 2017 gift.” In addition, people holding stocks that have in-

creased in value can donate that stock and get a tax deduction for the full current value without paying any capital gains tax. Checks should be made payable to the Jewish Federation of Central New York, with “2017” in the memo line. For more information, contact Jessica Lawrence, campaign associate, at 445-2040, ext. 102, or jlawrence@ jewishfederationcny.org.

Openings still available for free JCC teen day trip December 11 The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse, in collaboration with area synagogues, will host a “JCC Teen Initiative” excursion for students in grades eight-12 to the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia on Sunday, December 11. The bus will depart at 8 am from the JCC, 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt, and return to the JCC around 10:30 pm. The free outing will include round-trip travel, museum admission, a guided tour and a kosher lunch and dinner. There are still several spots available on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration form is available from local synagogue youth leaders and from the JCC See “Teen” on page 6

A group of children waited for their turn with the balloon man at the 2015 Jewish Federation of Central New York Chanukah party at the MOST.

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Tuesday, November 22, early.... December 5 Wednesday, December 21.............. January 5 Wednesday, January 4.................. January 19 Wednesday, January 18................ February 2

THE JCC, CONG. BETH SHOLOM & TEMPLE CONCORD, GLADLY ACCEPT DONATED VEHICLES THRU C*A*R*S (a locally owned Manlius company) “giving to your own”

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The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse is organizing a trip to the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia on December 11.

Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center senior dining menu NOVEMBER 28-DECEMBER 2 Monday – stuffed cabbage Tuesday – beef stew over egg noodles Wednesday – vegetable lasagna Thursday – mac and cheese Friday – birthday celebration – orange glazed Cornish hen DECEMBER 5-9 Monday – spinach-cheese quiche Tuesday – spaghetti and meatballs Wednesday – chicken fried rice Thursday – imitation crab cakes Friday – fresh salmon croquettes with dill sauce

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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 served Monday-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 more information or to make a reservation, contact Cindy Stein at 445-2360, ext. 104, or cstein@jccsyr.org.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ NOVEMBER 24, 2016/23 CHESHVAN 5777

CONGREGATIONAL NOTES Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas NEW MEMBERS’ SHABBAT AT CBS-CS Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas will hold its annual new member Shabbat on Friday, December 9. Kabbalat Shabbat services, which begin at 6 pm, will be followed by a dinner in honor of its new members at 7 pm. The event will give the congregation the opportunity to meet and formally welcome those who have joined the congregation since last December’s event. The dinner is being organized by Robin Young. There will be a charge for the dinner, with new members as guests. Reservations will be required. Services that night will be a shorashim (Hebrew for “roots”) service, which aims to help everyone, from small children to senior members of the congregation, welcome Shabbat together with singing, reflections of the past week and a short teaching on this week’s Torah portion.

New this year, Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone and members of the congregation will spend time with the new members at a gathering in which those in attendance will share their personal stories. They aim to help new members connect with others at CBS-CS and show everyone “the diversity of paths taken” that have led everyone to CBS-CS as a spiritual home. For more information, contact the CBSCS office at 446-9570 or office@cbscs.org. MELAVA MALKA ON DECEMBER 10 Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas will hold its fifth melava malka on Saturday, December 10, at 7 pm, at a private home. Participants will have the opportunity to “say good-bye to the Sabbath” with Havdalah, singing, musical instruments and a snack on one of the longest nights of the year. Anyone who plays an instrument has been encouraged See “CBS-CS” on page 7

Temple Concord “SON OF SAUL” AT TEMPLE CONCORD CINEMAGOGUE BY CHANA MEIR Temple Concord’s Cinemagogue Series will present “Son of Saul” on Saturday, December 10, at 7 pm. The film follows a day and a half in the life of Saul Auslander, a Hungarian inmate of Auschwitz-Birkenau, in October 1944. As a member of the Sonderkommando, tasked with disposing of the human remains from the gas chambers, Saul becomes convinced that one particular dead boy is his son, and is obsessed with the idea that he must find a rabbi to recite Kaddish and give the boy a proper burial. Saul is played by first-time actor Geza Rohrig, a Hungarian poet who teaches Jewish studies at a school in Brooklyn and volunteers with the chevra kadisha (burial society) there. Hungarian director Laszlo Nemes’ debut film won the Grand Prize at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. Cinemagogue events are free and open to the public. Donations will be

welcome. For more information, contact the TC office at 475-9952 or office@ templeconcord.org. A MUSICAL ADVENTURE BY CHANA MEIR An “out-of-the-ordinary” musical experience will be presented at the Temple Concord Regina P. Goldenberg Cultural Series on Monday, December 5, at 7 pm, when the New Leaf Ensemble performs. The New Leaf Ensemble, which includes Jessica Wooldridge King on bassoon, Alina Plourde on oboe and Steve Rosenfeld on piano, was formed in 2015 to present “innovative concert music to diverse audiences.” In addition to their repertoire, the group specializes in audience-guided improvisations. The event has been called “the perfect opportunity” for those who have wanted to try musical composition. The event will be free and open to the public. Donations will be welcome. For more information, contact the TC office at 475-9952 or office@templeconcord.org.

Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation SHAAREI TORAH ORTHODOX CONGREGATION OF SYRACUSE HOSTED DEWITT POLICE OFFICERS BY RICHARD D. WILKINS Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse hosted two DeWitt police officers, Donald Baumann and Joseph Senus, On October 30. The officers fielded questions concerning police procedures and personal safety concerns. They spoke “highly” of a “strong working relationship” between various police agencies and the

Federation aimed at ensuring the safety of local Jewish communal sites and events. The officers emphasized that while there is “a coordinated system for rapid response to any potentially serious incident,” there are also proactive measures that individuals can take to protect themselves and to aid police. They stressed “constant awareness of one’s surroundings,” including making sure everyone knows how to leave an enclosed environment See “STOCS” on page 5

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CHANUKAH

Deadline: November 30 (December 8 issue) Once again this year, The Jewish Observer is inviting its readers and local organizations to extend Chanukah greetings to the community by purchasing a Chanukah greeting ad, which will appear in our December 8 issue (Deadline: Nov. 30). Chanukah begins this year on the evening of Dec. 24. You may choose from the designs, messages and sizes shown here - more are available. You may also choose your own message, as long as it fits into the space of the greeting you select. (Custom designs available upon request.) The price of the small greeting is $18 (style F), the larger one is $36 (style A) and the largest one is $72 (not pictured). To ensure that your greeting is published, please contact Bonnie Rozen at 1-800-779-7896, ext. 244 or bonnie@thereportergroup.org. More designs are available - contact Bonnie for more information. Checks can be made payable to The Jewish Observer and sent to: The Jewish Observer, 500 Clubhouse Rd., Vestal, NY 13850.

Wishing you a Happy Chanukah light • peace • love

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Style F - $18 Actual Size: 1.5278” x 1.975”

At right, l-r: D e Wi t t p o l i c e officers Joseph Senus and Don Baumann answered questions during the brunch at Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse on October 30.

Temple Adath Yeshurun MISHPACHA (FAMILY) SHABBAT DECEMBER 10 Temple Adath Yeshurun will hold its next Mishpacha (family) Shabbat on Saturday, December 10, at 10:30 am, followed by a kiddush lunch. Mishpacha Shabbat is a monthly program of Shabbat morning services for different age groups. In December, children will learn about and prepare for Chanukah. Young children from birth-kindergarten and their parents or care givers can participate in Tot Shabbat at 10:30 am. Children in first-fifth grade can participate in Junior Congregation at 10:30 am, and sixth-12th grade students will help lead services in the main sanctuary. For more information, contact Alicia Cafarchio Gross at alicia@ adath.org or 445-0002. ROTHSCHILD EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER TO HOST TWO FUNRAISERS AT FRIENDLY’S BY SONALI WIJESURIYA The Temple Adath Yeshurun Rothschild Early Childhood Center will host two “Friendly FUNraisers” in December at Friendly’s. The first will be held on Thursday, December 1, at 3701 James St., Eastwood. The second will be held on Thursday, December 8, at 3275 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Both fund-raisers will be held between 7 am-10 pm. When a voucher is presented to the wait staff, Friendly’s will donate 20 percent of the table’s check to the RECC. RECC Director Alicia Gross said, “This annual fund-raiser is a wonderful time for families to come together and build community while also supporting the RECC.” The event is open to the community. Vouchers are available at the RECC and TAY offices. For more information, contact the RECC office at 445-0049 or recc@adath.org. RUMMAGE SALE The Temple Adath Yeshurun Sisterhood will hold its semi-annual rummage

L-r: Bette and Don Siegel, and Temple Adath Yeshurun Hazak President JoAnn Grower, attended the TAY Hazak annual paid-up membership lunch on November 6. Nearly 60 people attended the lunch and the Siegels’ program, a video program dedicated to the memory of Sam Siegel, the first TAY Hazak chapter president. sale from Sunday-Tuesday, December 1113. “Bag day” will be held on December 13. The sale allows the TAY Sisterhood to support the synagogue by providing b’nai mitzvah gifts, weekly kiddushim and funds for unforeseen expenses. The sale will see the return of its “Designer Corner,” which will feature finer clothing and items for sale. The sale will be open to the community and there will be no fee for admission during the regular hours of the sale, which will be 10 am-3 pm on December 11; 10 am-2 pm on Monday, December 12; and 10 am-1 pm on December 13. There will be an “early bird” option available for a modest fee, which will allow buyers the opportunity to enter the sale from 9-10 am, one hour before the official opening, on December 11. For more information, contact Joan Lowenstein at jmglowe@gmail.com.


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Free presentation on peacetime draft during Cold War December 4 BY WILLIAM WALLAK The military draft will be the focus of an upcoming event based on a book by Mel Rubenstein, a Manlius resident. “The Peacetime Draft During the Cold War,” a presentation by Mel and Mady Rubenstein, will be held on Sunday, December 4, at 1 pm, at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse, 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt. The event will be free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Rubenstein’s book, “The Peacetime Draft During the Cold War” (2009), is a compilation of stories contributed by Syracuse-area men about their service in the military during the period between the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. The presentation will delve into the book’s stories and will include historical photos. The book’s stories include: Sidney Lipton was an aeronautical engineer in the Air Force and worked with German scientists who came to the U.S. after World War II. One was Walter Domberger, who had helped the Germans develop the V-1 and V-2 rockets. Another was a German scientist who developed

the first jet aircraft engine. Kennedy with blood still on her jacket. Also included in the book are Ted Taylor was an officer in the stories by Dick Case, Hall Groat, 82nd Airborne. Two weeks before Charles Barnett, Haden Patton, the Cuban Missile crisis, he gave a Harold Rubenstein, Reverend Irving plane-side briefing to President John Hill, Hal Brown and Mel Rubenstein. F. Kennedy about the readiness of his Several of the contributing writers unit. He then became the minister will be on-hand at the presentation. of the DeWitt Community Church. Rubenstein got the idea for the book Dr. Roosevelt “Rick” Wright from a conversation that he had with wrote stories of four African Amerhis grandson. “One day my 15-yearicans who served when the armed old grandson asked me what it was forces began to desegregate in the like being in the Army,” he said. “It 1950s and 1960s. One of these men was then I realized that it had been a was the only African American pilot number of years since the ‘volunteer in the U.S. Coast Guard. It was his Mady and Mel Rubenstein army’ replaced the draft, and no longer plane that spotted the Russian ship was anyone required to serve in the armed forces. Although loaded with missiles on its way to Cuba. Lawrence Gingold was a lawyer in the Air Force. He I hope that mandatory military service will never again be was in his office at Andrews Air Force Base when Air Force needed, it is important for the younger generations to know One landed with President Kennedy’s body on board. He what it was like serving our country – even in times of peace.” According to Rubenstein, his book may be “the only firstsaw the body lowered to the ground and saw Jaqueline hand evidence of how the draft affected lives of the draftees and everyone around them.” The Fayetteville Free Library’s head librarian checked the Library of Congress database and could not find another book written on this subject. During the early stages of compiling his manuscript, Rubenstein visited retired Colonel Bill Smullen, director of national security studies at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School and former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell. After reading a few pages, Smullen reportedly gave Rubenstein the thumbs up and encouraged him to complete the project. The foreword for the book was written by retired U.S. Navy Admiral John F. Paddock Jr., of Skaneateles. For more information about the program, contact the JCC’s Cindy Stein at 445-2360, cstein@jccsyr.org or visit www.jccsyr.org.

JCC recognized for supporting SU men’s soccer

The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse was recently recognized for its support of Syracuse University’s Men’s Soccer team. Reverend Ernest Morrow (left) presented an SU soccer jersey and scarf to JCC Executive Director Marci Erlebacher in the JCC’s main lobby on October 31. Morrow, a JCC and SU Men’s Soccer supporter, used to offer soccer clinics at the JCC.

STOCS

SAJE held teacher in-service training with Matan

BY DIANE WLADIS Syracuse Area Jewish Educators held its 2016 all-teacher training on October 30 at Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra-Shas. The in-service subject was “Kick It UP! – Special Education in the Jewish Classroom.” Teacher training was led by Matan, a national organization that strives to empower Jewish leaders and educators to create learning environments that help children with special needs. By doing so, Matan endeavors to help Jewish communities “see every individual’s gifts and embrace all children,” regardless of the challenges that occur in every Jewish educational setting. The Syracuse inclusion event was attended by 68 educators from the Central New York Jewish community, including teachers from the various religious schools, the Syracuse Hebrew Day School and early childhood educators. The half-day training began with registration, breakfast and a welcome from Shannon Small, the education director for the Syracuse Community Hebrew School, the Temple Adath Yeshurun education director and the coordinator of the event on behalf of SAJE. She introduced the Matan trainers, Rebecca Wanatick, Tali Cohen and Andrea Fleishaker, who divided the group and led the different sessions that covered six areas: common special needs in the religious school; whole brain child;

active engagement; understanding the challenges of inclusion in the congregational school; teaching and reaching all learners; and red flags in early childhood education. Following the rotation through the training sessions, there was lunch, evaluations and reflections. Small said, “It has been an amazing experience working with the other SAJE directors on this training. All of us feel that when we invest in our teachers, we are investing in our community. We want to send the message that inclusion and meeting the learning needs of every child is our top priority – not only in our individual schools – but in the entire community.” Small was joined by her fellow community directors, Julie Tornberg, Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas; Cantor Kari Siegel-Eglash, Temple Concord; Cantor Paula Pepperstone, Rabbi Jacob Epstein School; Lori Tenenbaum, Syracuse Hebrew Day School; and Jo David, Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse Jerome and Phyllis Charney Early Childhood Development Program. Wanatick underscored the value of bringing these various educators together, and said, “By networking with other professionals, we can often find the solutions to our common problems.” The training session was made possible by a grant from the Jewish Federation of Central New York.

by determining the location of exits. They stressed that “when suspicious situations arise,” whether involving people or unfamiliar objects, calls to 911 should be made immediately, as the 911 operators are “well-trained” to direct calls appropriately. The officers also emphasized that when calling by mobile phone, the caller should not hang up. That way, the location of the call can be traced while the line is open. Because the police cannot always be everywhere, detailed tips, such as license plates, physical descriptions and the use of mobile phones to take pictures can be invaluable. In response to questions, the officers also described some “harrowing” personal experiences requiring lengthy negotiations or split-second decision-making. While acknowledging that some police, on occasion, have acted improperly, they said those are “far from the norm.” The members of the congregation reportedly “unanimously applauded” the officers and offered their support and gratitude to the DeWitt Police Department, as well as all the local and state police agencies. The officers mentioned their “valuable relationship” with the Federation’s Security Liaison Susan DeMari, who coordinates the process of keeping local Jewish agencies and synagogues protected. This presentation was the first of STOCS’ First Sunday Brunches.

At right: Syracuse Area Jewish Educators met with Matan trainers at the all-teacher training, “Special Education in the Jewish Classroom.” L-r: Cantor Kari Siegel Eglash, Cantor Paula Pepperstone, Andrea Fleishaker, Rebecca Wanatick, Tali Cohen, Julie Tornberg, Jo David, Lori Tenenbaum and Shannon Small.

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Continued from page 4

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ NOVEMBER 24, 2016/23 CHESHVAN 5777

D’VAR TORAH

Chaye Sarah – l’dor v’dor BY JUDY STANTON I grew up near my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, and we saw each other frequently. Family was at the center of our social life. But today, like so many other families, mine is scattered around the country and the world. We still make an effort to come together for the most important familial events: births, b’nai mitzvah, weddings and funerals. Such an event was the recent funeral of my mother’s sister, my Aunt Anne, z”l. At the beautiful memorial service, which was packed, my cousins and their grown children spoke lovingly of her, sharing memories of her long, full life – memories that brought tears and laughter to us all. Being with the younger generation was especially comforting to me; they represent the future. When the Torah reports the death of a major figure, it is usually preceded or followed by the deceased person’s future genealogy. Familial continuity ensures historical continuity. Parasha Chaye Sarah (Sarah’s life) begins, paradoxically, with Sarah’s death. She dies in Hebron, in the land of Canaan, and the second verse says, “...Abraham came to mourn Sarah and to keen [grieve] for her.” (Translation by Robert Alter.) In the previous chapter, Abraham settled in Bethlehem after the binding of Isaac; so it’s logical to assume that he and Sarah weren’t living together at the time of her death. There are many discussions in the rabbinical commentaries as to why this was so – and what about Isaac? Did he live with his father, or did he go back to his mother’s home? I will ignore these questions, because I want to focus on “the ties that bind” us together (pun intended). Abraham’s grief is palpable. He keens for his beloved Sarah. After his initial catharsis, he purchases a plot of land and

B’NAI MITZVAH Jack Wells

Jack Wells, son of Pamela and Steven Wells, of Cazenovia, became bar mitzvah on November 12 at Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas. He is the grandson of Barbara and Leslie Davis, of Syracuse, and Rita and Henry Wells, of Fayetteville. He is a graduate of the Syracuse Hebrew Day School and a seventh grade student at Manlius Pebble Hill School. Jack Wells He is a B’nai Mitzvah Fund holder and a member of the Teen Funders Committee at the Jewish Community Foundation of Central New York. He enjoys baseball, politics and military history. He trained his Goldendoodle, Jeter, to be a service dog and takes him to Menorah Park to interact with the residents.

a cave from the Hittites. As a resident alien among them, Abraham insists on paying the full purchase price for what will be his familial burial site. There must be no question of who is its rightful owner, now or ever. This becomes his first legal holding in the land God promised to him and his descendants. With a secure foothold in the land, Abraham’s next act is to find a wife for his son Isaac. The ways of the Canaanite women are too foreign, so Abraham asks his servant to swear to find a wife for Isaac in the land of Abraham’s birth (among his kinfolk). If the woman refuses to come back with the servant to Isaac, the vow will be null and void. Also, the servant mustn’t take Isaac to her; Abraham’s descendants must be born in the Promised Land. Verses 10-67 recount the wonderful tale of how Abraham’s servant finds Rebekah and wins her family’s approval of the match. Rebekah agrees and rides off with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and entourage to meet her destiny. “And Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah as wife. And he loved her, and Isaac was consoled after his mother’s death.” The significance of Isaac consummating his marriage to Rebekah in Sarah’s tent is clear: the clan has a new matriarch. Now that Isaac’s future is settled, Abraham takes himself a concubine, Keturah, who bears him six more sons. But Abraham “...gave everything he had to Isaac. And to the sons of [his] concubines he gave gifts while he was still alive and sent them away from Isaac his son... to the land of the East.”(Translation by Robert Alter.)

Human Rights Watch founder: Trump win encouraging European antisemites THE HAGUE, Netherlands (JTA) — A founder of Human Rights Watch warned that Donald Trump’s election as U.S. president is encouraging antisemitism in Europe. Aryeh Neier, an American Jew who was born in Nazi Germany, addressed the issue on November 13 at a talk about philanthropy and antisemitism during an event organized by the Dutch Jewish Humanitarian Fund, or JHF, in The Hague. “The Trump phenomenon and the phenomenon of xenophobic forces in this part of Europe, some of whom may go further politically than they have gone so far, are likely to contribute” to antisemitism, said Neier, 79, the president emeritus of the Open Society Foundations. Trump, a Republican who defeated Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the November 8 election, fought allegations during the campaign of encouraging racism and xenophobia. He has called Mexicans rapists and drug dealers, as well as for a ban on entry by Muslims into the U.S. His victory has been celebrated by European far-right groups, including Marine Le Pen of France’s National

the Holiday s Celebrate

PAOLA KAY

Abraham took no chances with God’s promise. He ensured that legal title of the land passed to Isaac and disbursed his possessions under the terms of what we today call “a living trust,” so his other sons weren’t sent away empty-handed. (Imagine the consequences if he hadn’t!) Abraham dies “...at a ripe old age, old and sated with years...” (Translation by Robert Alter.) His sons Isaac and Ishmael reunite to bury their father in the Cave of Machpelah next to his beloved wife, Sarah, z”l. Eventually Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob and Leah will all be buried there. Rachel will die in childbirth while on the road to Bethlehem with Jacob and be buried by the roadside. There is a terrible irony in this, because Jacob loved Rachel more than her sister, Leah. However, “the ties that bind” don’t always depend on physical proximity. There is one more loose end to tie up. What became of Ishmael, son of Hagar the Egyptian? The final verse describes the lineage of his 12 sons (chieftains of their tribes). Ishmael dies at the ripe old age of 137 and is gathered to his kinfolk who “...ranged from Havilah to Shur, which faces Egypt.” (Translation by Robert Alter.) Parasha Chaye Sarah teaches us the importance of affirming life even as we mourn; that shared tears and laughter touch our deepest emotions and help connect us not just to one another, but to hope and faith in the future. May all our lives have a positive and lasting impact on our loved ones and on the world we share. Judy Stanton is a member of Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas. She is a violinist, composer and homemaker. She lives in DeWitt with her husband, Jeff, and their 17-year-old son, Abe.

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Front party, who wrote that Trump’s election set the American people “free.” Geert Wilders, a Dutch anti-Islam campaigner, called the Trump victory a “revolution” to be repeated in his own homeland. Neier said the victory will “provide very specific encouragement to those who want to demonstrate xenophobia” because “the United States, which has portrayed itself as a leader in efforts to protect human rights, has elected somebody like Trump.” JHF, which the Dutch Jewish community established with Holocaust restitution money, provides hundreds of thousands of euros in funding annually for Eastern and Central European Jews.

Teen

Continued from page 3 by calling 445-2360 or visiting www.jccsyr.org. The JCC Teen Initiative day trip is sponsored by the Joseph Elman Family Fund for Holocaust Studies at the Jewish Community Foundation of Central New York. For more information about the “JCC Teen Initiative” trip, call 445-2360 or visit www.jccsyr.org.

Chuppah

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independent impact on the lives of intermarried couples. Interactions with Jewish clergy in preparation for the wedding may serve to welcome the non-Jewish partner into Judaism, establish the groundwork for a continuing relationship and affirm the couple’s prior decision to raise a Jewish family. Conversely, rejection by clergy, even with a referral to another rabbi, may have a negative effect. Rabbinic officiation at intermarriage is a relatively new phenomenon, and we are only now beginning to see its effects. What does seem apparent from our research is that most couples who engaged rabbis for officiation purposes appear to have Jewish commitments that carry over past the wedding ceremony. Marshall McLuhan famously cautioned, “We drive into the future using only our rearview mirror.” In contrast to demographic studies which, while valuable, tell us more about the past than the future, our socio-psychological studies of intermarried young couples shed light not only on the lived experiences of contemporary Jews, but also provide critical data for thinking about the future. We would like to think that our research, rather than viewing Jewish experience through a rearview mirror, is looking forward. We are discovering that the consequences of intermarriage that we have long expected to be devastating vis-a-vis the Jewish future may not be inevitable. Leonard Saxe is the director of the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies of the Steinhardt Social Research Institute at Brandeis University. Fern Chertok is a research scientist at the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies.


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a high school student, he wrote a letter to the editor of a local paper in which he slammed his school for providing free condoms to students and for making announcements both in English and Spanish, among other things. STEVEN MNUCHIN Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs executive, worked as Trump’s national finance chairman during the campaign with the aim of raising more than $1 billion for the candidate. Trump and Mnuchin have been friends for 15 years, and prior to being in charge of Trump’s campaign finances, Mnuchin served as an adviser. Part of what The New York Times describes as one of Manhattan’s “elite, most influential families,” Mnuchin and his father both got rich working at Goldman Sachs. The younger Mnuchin also co-founded the entertainment company, RatPac-Dune Entertainment, which has worked on such Hollywood hits as “Avatar” and “Black Swan.” Some saw Trump teaming up with Mnuchin as unusual,

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.

Monday, November 28 Hillel Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone at noon at SU Hillel Tuesday, November 29 Epstein School meets at Congregation Beth Sholom Chevra Shas at 6:30 pm Davar Acher class with a community rabbi meets in the CBS-CS library at 6:45 pm Council of Jewish Organizations meeting at 7 pm in the Syracuse Hebrew Day School library Wednesday, November 30 Syracuse Community Hebrew School at TAY from 4-6 pm Thursday, December 1 Epstein School at Wegmans Café at 7 pm Sunday, December 4 Syracuse Jewish Family Service painting program at 12:45 pm Mel and Mady Rubenstein present program on Cold War peacetime draft from 1-3 pm at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse Monday, December 5 Lunch and learn with Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone at noon at The Oaks Goldenberg Series presents the New Leaf Ensemble at the synagogue at 7 pm Tuesday, December 6 Epstein School meets at CBS-CS at 6:30 pm SCHS board meeting at 7:30 pm at TAY at 7:30 pm Davar Acher class with a community rabbi meets in the CBS-CS library at 6:45 pm TC Seasoned Citizens presents free program at 2 pm with The BelleAires, three bell ringers performing holiday tunes. Open to public. Contact Janis Martin at Jmmartin@twcny.rr.com. Wednesday, December 7 Syracuse Community Hebrew School at Temple Adath Yeshurun from 4-6 pm Thursday, December 8 Epstein School at Wegmans Café at 7 pm Friday, December 9 New Members Shabbat and dinner at CBS-CS at 6 pm Saturday, December 10 TAY Mishpacha Shabbat at 10:30 am Temple Concord Cinemagogue Series presents “Son of Saul” at 7:30 pm CBS-CS MELAVAH MALKA musical goodbye to Shabbat at 7 pm Sunday, December 11 TAY Sisterhood rummage sale - times vary JCC teen trip to American Jewish History Museum in Philadelphia Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse board meeting at 9 am TC Chanukah brunch at 9:30 am CBS-CS Sisterhood gift shop Chanukah sale starts at 10 am SJFS free session featuring drumming, yoga and paintings from previous sessions at 12:45 pm Monday, December 12 TAY Sisterhood rummage sale - times vary TC Board of Trustees meeting at 7 pm Tuesday, December 13 TAY Sisterhood rummage sale - times vary Wednesday, December 21 Deadline for January 5 issue

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considering that the real-estate mogul had consistently bashed Goldman Sachs. But it didn’t seem to get in the way of a good working relationship – Trump is now reportedly considering Mnuchin for the position of treasury secretary, according to Politico. LEWIS EISENBERG Eisenberg, the private equity chief for Granite Capital International Group, serves as finance chairman for the Republican National Committee. He was one of a small group of Republican Jewish Coalition board members who did not flee from Trump’s candidacy, and was a contributor to groups backing Trump’s election – only nine of 55 RJC board members gave to Trump. Alongside Mnuchin, he worked to raise funds for the candidate. Eisenberg grew up in New Jersey, the Forward reported, and he has been floated as a possible pick for commerce secretary in the Trump administration. He was the chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey at the time of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Eisenberg told JTA that he was “extremely enthusiastic” about a Trump presidency, calling him “a strong advocate for Israel, a strong advocate for justice and order.” MICHAEL GLASSNER Glassner was not new to Republican presidential campaigns when Trump appointed him last year to serve as his national political director. He worked as director of vice presidential operations for McCain’s 2008 campaign and ran George W. Bush’s campaign in Iowa in 2000. He has also worked with Palin and Senator Bob Dole, a former presidential candidate. Like many of Trump’s Jewish advisers, Glassner is outspoken in his support of Israel. Prior to joining the Trump campaign, he worked as the political director for AIPAC’s Southwest Regional. Glassner has praised the anti-estab-

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lishment movement, and he told Jewish Insider that his experience with Palin and the fact that he lives in New Jersey, not Washington, DC, made him a good fit for Trump’s political outsider message. He also served as a senior adviser to Eisenberg when he was the Port Authority chairman. Continued from page 4 CBS-CS to bring it. Singers have also been invited, as well as those

who wish to listen. The event has been referred to not as a concert, but as a “participatory circle.” Refreshments will be served. Just as Jews “welcome the Sabbath bride” with Kabalat Shabbat, an extra (musical) service started by the kabbalists in Safad, it is said that they often wish to hold onto the Sabbath presence a little longer, “to linger in the presence of the Sabbath Queen,” and then “escort her as she departs” through music. The intergenerational program will be open to the community. For more information, contact CBS-CS at 446-9570 or office@cbscs.org. THURSDAY MORNING STUDY WITH RABBI PEPPERSTONE RabbiAndrew Pepperstone will begin a new topic for the Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas Sisterhood-sponsored Thursday morning study sessions on December 1. After spending four sessions studying the Book of Job, the topic for exploration and discussion will be “Beyond Binary: Jewish Approaches to Sex and Gender.” Pepperstone will lead the sessions on December 1 and 15, and on January 5 and 19, starting at 10:30 am, in the CBS-CS library. The community will be welcome to attend. For more information, contact the CBS-CS office at 446-9570 or office@cbscs.org.

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