Y1602 by Jewish Federation of CNY

11 SHEVAT 5776 • JANUARY 21, 2016 • VOLUME XXXVII, NUMBER 2 • PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY

Volunteer at Super Sunday January 24 for your Jewish community BY MARIANNE BAZYDLO The Jewish Federation of Central New York will kick off the 2016 Annual Campaign with Super Sunday, its annual phone-a-thon to benefit the Jewish community. Super Sunday will be held on January 24, from 9 am-3 pm, at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse, 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt. Members of the community have been asked to volunteer for an hour or two, to make phone calls or help with stuffing envelopes. Training will be provided. It is not necessary to sign up ahead of time and volunteer jobs can be assigned that day. A bagel breakfast will begin at 9 am, followed by a short training session at 9:30 am. Calling will begin at 10 am. A lunch buffet will start at 11:30 am. Callers will be needed all day, but there is more need for clerical workers from noon-3 pm.

Federation is on the highway to success. Answer the call on Super Sunday and please give generously. During the event, the Super Sunday teen leadership team will collect items for students at McCarthy @ Beard, the Syracuse school district alternative education program. Items can also be brought to the Federation offices. The teachers have

requested items for their students, including hair accessories, bottles of body wash, hand sanitizer, shampoo, conditioner, hand and body lotion, children’s toothbrushes or toothpaste, hair brushes and combs, coloring books, crayons, colored pencils and chalk, cards and card games,

craft kits, board games and puzzles, gift cards, footballs, basketballs and T-shirts or sweatshirts in sizes youth large to adult XXL. There will also be a collection of nonperishable food for the food pantry at Temple Concord on Super Sunday. Volunteers can bring their cell phones to make calls, or the Federation will provide one. Teenagers can help and letters to document their volunteer hours will be available that day. There will also be a mitzvah project for younger children and their families, when participants will make cards and placemats for Menorah Park residents and for Kosher Meals on Wheels. To make a pledge before Super Sunday or to sign up to volunteer, contact Marianne Bazydlo at 445-2040, ext. 102, or at mbazydlo@jewishfederationcny.org, or for more details visit www.jewishfederationcny.org.

At right: Teenagers and college students have worked the phones each year for Super Sunday.

The Jewish Federation of Central New York’s Super Sunday will be held on January 24, from 9 am-3 pm, at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse, 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt. Participants can have breakfast or lunch with fellow volunteers, make phone calls or stuff envelopes.

Applications for 2016 camp scholarships now available BY JUDITH L. STANDER The Jewish Federation of Central New York and the Foundation for Jewish Camps “One Happy Camper” program are offering two separate incentive programs for first-time Jewish campers. Having completed a five-year contract with the Foundation for Jewish Camps, Federation was able to add a two-year extension to the arrangement for eligible campers residing in Central New York. If a camper is determined to be eligible by the One Happy Camper Program, a $1,000 incentive consisting of $750 from Federation and $250 from OHC can be awarded to first-time Jewish overnight campers who plan to stay at least 19 days at overnight camp and who currently reside in the local Federation’s service delivery area. Similarly, an eligible first-time camper

who plans to attend camp for 12 days can be awarded a $700 first-time incentive of $525 from Federation and $175 from OHC. This is for first-time Jewish overnight campers who currently reside in the local Federation’s service delivery area. An online application for OHC must be completed so OHC can determine the eligibility of each camper. Those interested can visit www.onehappycamper.org to access the form. While OHC does not provide any incentives for campers who attend a yeshiva or day school, Federation has determined that local children currently attending the Syracuse Hebrew Day School will be eligible for half the face value of either first-time camping incentive. The funds will be provided exclusively by Federation. There will be no online application process. The local application will be the

only requirement. This can mean a $500 incentive for a Jewish first-time camper who is registered for a 19-day camping session or $350 for a Jewish first-time camper incentive for a camper who is registered for a 12-day camping session. To further assist families with the costs of Jewish overnight camping, Federation is also making funds available in the form of needs-based grants. Families of firsttime campers, as well as families of repeat campers, may apply for a needs-based grant. This includes families of SHDS and other day school or yeshiva students who live in Central New York.

To ensure confidentiality and privacy of information, the camp – not Federation – will make an initial recommendation regarding a needs-based grant amount. A Federation Summer Camp Committee will make the final decisions. Camping families may apply for both the incentive program and the needs-based grants program. The deadline for submission of all paperwork is Monday, April 11, by noon. To receive an application, contact Judith Stander at 445-0161, ext. 114, or jstander@ jewishfederation.org; or one’s congregational rabbi or education director.

C A N D L E L I G H T I N G A N D P A R AS H A January 22................4:45 pm.................................................... Parasha-Beshalach January 29................4:54 pm.............................................................Parasha-Yitro February 5................5:04 pm.................................................. Parasha-Mishpatim

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Tu B’Shevat

Congregational notes

Did you know?

Tu B’Shevat holiday celebrations Upcoming synagogue events A look at how teenagers benefit at l o c a l s y n a g o g u e s a r e include a Tot Shabbat, a speaker from participating in Federation and a Sisterhood Shabbat. announced. sponsored programs. Stories on page 4 Story on page 2 Story on page 5

PLUS Calendar Highlights............... 6 B’nai Mitzvah........................... 6 Obituaries................................. 7 Health and Wellness.............. 8

JEWISH OBSERVER ■ JANUARY 21, 2016/11 SHEVAT 5776

Tu B’Shevat around the community

SHORASHIM SERVICE AND TU B’SHEVAT SEDER AT CONGREGATION BETH SHOLOMCHEVRA SHAS A family Shorashim service will be held on Saturday, January 30, beginning at 10:30 am, for families with children from 4-years-old-fourth-grade, in addition to sanctuary services, which will begin at 9:30 am. The service will include a story, songs and prayers, as well as a short Torah study. Shorashim means “roots” in Hebrew, and the service was created to help children “grow roots in their family, community and Judaism.” Following services, Rabbi Daniel and Rhea Jezer will lead the annual Tu B’Shevat seder at the synagogue. The seder will include songs and readings, four courses of nuts, fruits and wine or juice. The celebration will be open to people

of all ages. It will feature Hebrew and English songs, more than 20 varieties of different foods, a dessert “from biblical times,” and an exploration and appreciation of the natural world. Tu B’Shevat is one of the four New Years enumerated in the Mishnah. It is the official birthday of the trees. For the past several hundred years, it has been celebrated worldwide with Tu B’Shevat programs. In Israel, school children and others plant trees and reforest the land. Services and the seder will be open to the community. For more information, contact the CBS-CS office at 446-9570 or office@cbscs.org. SHAAREI TORAH ORTHODOX CONGREGATION OF SYRACUSE Shaarei Torah Congregation of Syracuse, 4313 E. Genesee St., DeWitt, will hold a Tu B’Shevat seder

on Sunday, January 24, at 4:45 pm, at the synagogue. There will be no charge for this event. Tu B’Shevat, the 15th day of the month of Shevat, is known as the New Year for Trees, the dividing date for the tithing of farmers’ produce. A ceremony, roughly modelled on the Passover seder, was initiated by the 16th century Kabbalists of Tzfat (Safed, Israel). The Tu B’Shevat seder features the drinking of four cups of wine or grape juice, starting with white, adding red, in steps, until the cup of wine is almost completely red. This symbolizes the passage from winter into spring and summer. It features many different species of fruit, particularly those from Israel, praised in the Torah (Deuteronomy 8:8): figs, dates, olives, pomegranates and grapes or raisins, with wheat and barley represented in the

form of bread, cakes or cereal. Various tree nuts and other fruit, with peels, edible seeds and inedible pits, may also be eaten. The number and types consumed are also symbolic. Since the rebirth of Israel, Tu B’Shevat is said to have taken on added significance. It is considered an occasion to celebrate the land of Israel, its agricultural produce, the efforts of Zionist pioneers in its reclamation and the sacrifices of Israel’s youth in defending the country. More recently, there has been emphasis on the imperatives of environmental stewardship. Program Co-Chairs Anick Sinclair and Jodi Bloom have welcomed the community to “indulge in tastes, sights and sounds” from Israel. For more information, contact the STOCS office at 446-6194 or visit www. stocsyracuse.org.

JCC launching TRX for golf class BY WILLIAM WALLAK The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse’s Neulander Family Sports and Fitness Center will begin offering TRX (total body resistance exercise) training classes for golf on Sunday, January 24. The weekly class will be held on Sundays from 11:30 am-12:15 pm and feature TRX training specifically designed to help golfers with off-season conditioning. JCC Fitness membership and pre-registration for the class will not be required. There will be a fee for each class session, which will be discounted for JCC Fitness members. Non-members can purchase a block of classes at a discount. One-on-one TRX for golf training and small group

training for foursomes and larger groups can also be scheduled on specific days and times. Joe Yager, the JCC sports and fitness director, said, “These sessions are geared toward strengthening your core and swing speed, as well as a total body workout for strength and flexibility. With the use of our state-of-the-art TRX training system, we are looking forward to helping golfers stay ahead of the game this winter.” In golf, experts consider the body to be “the most important – and often overlooked – piece of golf ‘equipment.’” Today, more professional and amateur golfers are said to be engaging in TRX to ensure that their bodies are “one tool that

won’t crack under pressure.” Golf is said to depend on rotation to deliver power from the ground, through the core and to the ball. TRX’s resistance bands are intended to “enhance the power of gravity and body weight to create an effective workout tailored for golfers of all ages and abilities.” TRX for golf training aims to help build stability in the lower spine, while working to optimize mobility and power in the hips and upper spine, making the golfer’s swing “unyielding and smooth.” For more information about the TRX for golf class or individualized or group instruction, contact the JCC’s Sports and Fitness Center at 234-4522 or visit www. jccsyr.org.

Joe Yager, Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center Sports and Fitness director, demonstrated a TRX (total body resistance exercise) for golf exercise on a training system.

Menorah Park names Klein as director of home care agency BY STEWART KOENIG Beverly Klein, RN, was recently named director of Menorah Park of Central New York’s Home Care agency, which provides at-home medical and companion care.

Klein came to Menorah Park as a home care case manager in 2013. Prior to joining Menorah Park, she was supervisor of clinical services and case manager at a number of local home care agencies,

Awed by his grandparents’ lives, Japanese man joins Israeli army

(Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) – Daniel Tomohiro is not the typical Israeli soldier. His Hungarian grandparents survived the Holocaust, made aliyah and fought in Israel’s War of Independence, but they then moved to Australia, where his mother met and married a Japanese man and moved to Iwata, Japan. Now, Tomohiro has come full-circle and is serving in the Israel Defense Forces, undergoing basic training with the Nahal Brigade’s 50th Battalion. His unit was recently scheduled to participate in a swearing-in ceremony at the Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem. “My 88-year-old grandfather, Ivan, lives in Sydney, Australia,” Tomohiro said. “He told me that he fought in an artillery during the War of Independence, in the Palmach [the Jewish paramilitary organization in the pre-state years], and was an instructor in an officer training course. My grandmother died when I was a child and I still don’t know what she did in the Palmach.” Tomohiro’s parents met when his father was on a business trip to Australia. “My parents married and moved to Japan, but at home they kept talking about Israel,”

CORRECTION

Tomohiro said. “My family is very proIsrael and loves the state, and I believe the Israel Defense Forces is the most moral military in the world.” According to Tomohiro, his grandparents imbued him with a sense of curiosity about Israel. “I felt very connected to the state, but I arrived here for the first time only when I was 18, with my parents and younger brother,” he said. “My older brother had already made aliyah and was in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.After I graduated high school in Japan, I returned to Israel, and four months ago I joined an IDF Hebrew course and later started basic training.” IDF service “means a lot to me and my family,” Tomohiro said. “My grandmother was in Auschwitz. She survived only because a German nurse covered her with a blanket when Dr. Josef Mengele came to visit. He thought she was dead and this saved her life, because he didn’t perform experiments on her. I realized, after hearing such stories, that the Holocaust happened because there was no state of Israel. I am happy to contribute to the security of the state, to make the IDF and Israel strong, and to prevent another Holocaust.”

In the January 7 edition of the Jewish Observer, the provenance of the collection of Yiddish movies at Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas was omitted. The Yiddish moves at the synagogue were purchased with funds from the Arnold and Mimi Weiner Yiddish fund. The CBS-CS Hazak chapter showed the Yiddish movie “Yiddle with his Fiddle” (with subtitles) on January 17.

and also worked as an operating room, emergency room and physician’s office registered nurse. Menorah Park CEO Mary Ellen Bloodgood said, “In this professional role, Bev oversees and directs the nurses and home health aides to assure that our home care clients are provided the highest level of

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health care services. We are all in great hands with Beverly Klein leading our Home Care agency!” For more information on Menorah Park of Central New York’s Home Care agency, visit http://menorahparkofcny. com/continuum-of-care/menorah-parkhome-care. 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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JANUARY 21, 2016/11 SHEVAT 5776 ■ JEWISH OBSERVER

AROUND CENTRAL NEW YORK Remembering Dolph Schayes for his off-the-court connections

BY WILLIAM WALLAK Two friends on a day trip to the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia a few years ago viewed the exhibits without drawing attention to the fact that one of them was considered the NBA’s greatest Jewish basketball player. That’s just one of the many memories Steve Herwood has of Dolph Schayes, his friend and a basketball legend, who died from cancer at the age of 87 on December 10. Herwood said, “Dolph was a very humble guy who wouldn’t use his NBA fame to gain attention. He was a history buff, [an] avid reader [and] moviegoer, and enjoyed the opera and symphony. Dolph was very cultured and had a strong volunteer ethic. I remember he used to jump at volunteering for things such as helping out with [Temple Concord] Brotherhood activities and handing out prayer books to congregants entering the sanctuary for High Holy Day services.” Herwood and Schayes both attended DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, but 25 years apart, and didn’t meet and become friends until about 10 years ago through their affiliation with Temple Concord. “Dolph was always coming up with ideas and looking for ways to help the Brotherhood,” said Herwood, who served as the Temple Concord Brotherhood president from 2009-11. “He was as active a member as anyone.” Some of Schayes’ career highlights include leading the Syracuse Nationals to their 1955 NBA championship; being a 12-time NBA All-Star (1951-62); leading the NBA in career scoring at his retirement in 1964; being elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1973; and being named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1996. Schayes also went on to coach the Philadelphia 76ers, was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1966 and coached the U.S. Maccabiah Games basketball team to a gold medal in 1977. Although these and other basketball achievements brought Schayes a certain level of fame and celebrity, he was said to be “first and foremost” a family man. His daughter, Carrie Goettsch, said, “Everyone knew Dad as this incredible sports figure and we knew him as an incredible father.” Known as a “good storyteller who loved puns,” Schayes often told stories with a moral to his children. The lesson of one particular story remembered by his daughter, Debbie Ferri, was how Boston Celtics’ coach Red Auerbach (1950-66) obtained 10 percent ownership of the Celtics. “If you don’t ask about something, you can’t ever get it. The worst you can get is turned down,” said Ferri, repeating the words her father spoke to her. “That’s one thing he taught us kids.”

The late Dolph Schayes addressed the audience at the “Let’s Talk Basketball Legends” event held on November 19, 2014, at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse.

L-r: Dolph Schayes; Dolph Grundman, author of “Dolph Schayes and the Rise of Professional Basketball” (Syracuse University Press, 2014); and Sean Kirst, then a Post-Standard columnist, who took a picture of Schayes with his cell phone during the November 2014 “Let’s Talk Basketball Legends” event at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse.

Outside of Schayes’ family life, some would argue that his ties to the Central New York community – especially the local Jewish community – were “just as significant” as his basketball success. Schayes loved to “pay it forward” by giving his time to hold children’s basketball clinics and to mentor children at Camp Walden, a summer camp in the Adirondacks he purchased in the 1960s. “There are so many good things that I could say about Dolph, I could literally write a book,” said Marci Erlebacher, executive director of the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse. “He had a great sense

of humor and could always make me laugh. Dolph was also a wonderful supporter of the JCC. He will forever be a part of the JCC family.” Because of Schayes’ support of the JCC, the Center named the Schayes Family Gymnasium, its new gym, after him in 2001. “When we began planning to build the gym more than 15 years ago, Dolph insisted that the gym’s basketball court be collegiate-sized,” said Erlebacher. “He was convinced that this would be best for the JCC’s members and the community. I’m so glad we listened to See “Schayes” on page 6

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L-r: Naomi and Dolph Schayes and Mike and Joy Moss attended a Jewish Federation of Central New York event at Traditions at the Links in East Syracuse last March.

Wednesday, January 20................. February 4 Wednesday, February 3............... February 18 Wednesday, February 17................... March 3 Wednesday, March 2....................... March 17

Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center senior dining menu JANUARY 25-29 Monday – pasta primavera Tuesday – sweet and sour meatballs Wednesday – chicken Marsala Thursday –tilapia Friday – brisket FEBRUARY 1-5 Monday – TBA Tuesday – TBA Wednesday – TBA Thursday – TBA Friday – TBA 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 of 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.

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” (it’s what you do best)

MIKE LESSEN 256-6167 donatecars@twcny.rr.com Charitable Auto Resource Service In our 12th year of enriching the religious sector

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ JANUARY 21, 2016/11 SHEVAT 5776

CONGREGATIONAL NOTES Temple Adath Yeshurun DAVID NIMMER TO SPEAK AT TAY BY SONALI WIJESURIYA David Nimmer, a copyright lawyer and law professor, will return to Temple Adath Yeshurun to speak about “Bans, Book Burnings, Excommunications: Jewish Copyright Law 1550-1999” on Sunday, January 31, at 11 am. The lecture will offer an overview of the book “From Maimonides to Microsoft – The Jewish Law of Copyright Since the Birth of Print” (Oxford University Press), which he coauthored with Neil Wenstock Netanel, and will touch upon various segment dates such as Venice in 1550, Moravia and Slovakia in 1820, Galicia in 1880 and Bnei Brak in 1999. Nimmer is “of counsel” to Irell and Manella, LLP in Los Angeles, where he represents clients in the entertainment, publishing and high-technology industries. He is a professor from practice at UCLA School of Law and was a distinguished scholar at the Berkeley Center for Law and Technology. Nimmer lectures widely in this country and internationally. Since 1985, he has updated and revised “Nimmer on

Copyright,” which is regarded as the leading treatise on copyright law. He received his A.B. degree, with distinction and honors, in 1977 from Stanford University and his J.D. in 1980 from Yale Law School, where he served as editor of the Yale Law Review. The program will be sponsored by the Temple Adath adult education chavurah. David Simon, co-chair of the sponsoring group, said, “Temple Adath is truly fortunate to have a scholar of [Nimmer’s] caliber speak to us again. I’m confident that Nimmer’s talk will be as informative and thought-provoking as was his previous one on the Dead Sea Scrolls and copyright law. His presentations are geared not just for lawyers, but the community-at-large.” There will be no charge for the event and it will be open to the community. For more information, contact the TAY office at info@adath.org or 445-0002 or visit www.adath.org. TOT SHABBAT AND DINNER Temple Adath Yeshurun will hold the next Tot Shabbat and dinner for young children under 5-years-old and their families on Friday, January 29, starting at

The Finkelstein family joined many families from the Temple Adath Yeshurun Rothschild Early Childhood Center at a Friendly’s “FUNraiser” to raise funds for the RECC. L-r: Andree, Nathanael, Eric and Danielle Finkelstein. 5:30 pm, in the Muriel and Avron Spector Library. A family Shabbat dinner will be served and there will be an interactive, musical Kabalat Shabbat service for young children. The program will be free and funded

by the Edward and Marilyn Steinberg Family Fund for Tiny Tots and Preschool Children’s Programming. Reservations will be required and can be made by contacting Alicia Gross at alicia@adath.org or 445-0002.

Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas CBS-CS SISTERHOOD SHABBAT The Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas will hold its annual Shabbat service from Friday-Saturday, January 22-23. CBS-CS women of all ages will lead services, read Torah and be recognized for various honors. Lisa Levens will lead services on January 22. Services on January 23 will be followed by a kiddush luncheon prepared by Sisterhood members. Sisterhood Shabbat is being organized by Beth MacCrindle.

The purpose of the CBS-CS Sisterhood is to be a place where women can connect with new and old friends, socialize, learn about Jewish heritage, share ideas, develop new interests and skills, and have fun. The Sisterhood is said to be “dedicated to keeping alive the ideals of Conservative Judaism” through a variety of educational, cultural, religious and social programs. It is affiliated with the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism and supports commitment and observance consistent

with the halachah of the Conservative Movement, such as Shabbat and yom tov, Jewish study, kashrut, tzedakah, synagogue and Israel. This year, the CBS-CS Sisterhood scheduled a variety of programs, such as study sessions with Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone, weekly brunches at the Eggplant and bi-weekly walks around Green Lakes or inside ShoppingTown Mall, depending on the time of year. Other events include movie nights; a kosher wine and cheese tasting; bowling; Sisterhood’s annual

programs, such as its fall symposium, co-sponsored with the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse; baking thousands of hamantashen for the synagogue’s mishloach manot fund-raiser; catering congregational simchot; and holding rummage sales to raise money for Jewish camp scholarships for congregational children. Sisterhood also runs the synagogue’s Judaica shop. For more information about Sisterhood Shabbat, contact the CBS-CS Sisterhood at cbscssisterhood@gmail.com.

Temple Concord TEMPLE CONCORD SERVES ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DINNER AT THE SAMARITAN CENTER BY KATHY SCOTT Volunteers from Temple Concord and staff at the Samaritan Center considered the first Christmas dinner at the new Samaritan Center on North State Street to be “a resounding success,” with more than 380 meals served by volunteers from Temple Concord. Maryanne Grady, who works for the center, said early in the day, “We really have no way to predict how many will come for dinner later today, especially with our new location.” In addition to the volunteers, many others also contributed. John Dean, Price Chopper’s manager, donated breads for the stuffing. Temple Concord’s Food Pantry produced gifts to give to the children, while Teri Greiner, of Zerrillo Gardens, brought 100 poinsettias to decorate the tables. The Temple Concord Samaritan Center Christmas dinner tradition goes back decades. It began with a small group of Temple Concord women volunteering to serve the hungry on December 25. In

the mid-1990s, when Lorraine Sher took charge of the dinner, she made the meals healthier, increased the number of volunteers and sought out families with children to help. She also stressed the importance of “fun” throughout the day. This year, Temple Concord volunteers at the morning shift prepared Sher’s stuffing from scratch, cutting up 27 pounds each of apples and onions, multiple loaves of bread and mixing them with broth and seasonings. Other volunteers pulled turkey meat from bones, made gravy, mashed potatoes, mixed and heated vegetables, sliced butter, pulled apart rolls and assembled dessert. The Frishman, Masursky and Smolen families packaged more than 300 bags of home-baked cookies and decorated hundreds of lunch bags by hand. The second shift volunteers served the dinner to a line of hungry people. Stew Koenig said, “People were so polite.” Sue Gordon added, “People kept thanking us.” Finally, the clean-up crew left the Samaritan Center ready to serve breakfast early the next morning.

Volunteers from Temple Concord worked the food line at the annual Christmas dinner at the Samaritan Center. Members prepared, served and cleaned up after the annual meal.

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To advertise, please contact Bonnie Rozen at 800-779-7896, ext. 244 or bonnie@thereportergroup.org A large group of Temple Concord congregants helped prepare, serve and clean up after Christmas dinner at the Samaritan Center. The volunteer program has been held for decades.

JANUARY 21, 2016/11 SHEVAT 5776 ■ JEWISH OBSERVER

EU’s new antisemitism chief prioritizing online hate, implementing laws BY JTA STAFF PRAGUE (JTA) – Tackling online hate speech, implementing hate crime legislation and education are among the priorities of the European Union’s newly appointed coordinator for combating antisemitism. Recently in Prague, Katharina von Schnurbein presented her strategy for addressing growing levels of antisemitism in Europe at her first meeting with special

envoys from several nations and international organizations. They included the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom and France, as well as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. “We have very good legislation on the EU level which, for instance, prohibits Holocaust denial,” von Schnurbein told JTA. “But this legislation has only been implemented in 13 out of the EU’s 28 member See “EU” on page 8

Israeli leaders urge U.N.’s Ban to condemn Iranian Holocaust denial cartoon contest BY JTA STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon must publicly condemn Iran’s Holocaust denial and a cartoon contest promoting it, Israel’s Knesset speaker said. Yuli Edelstein, in a recent letter, also called on Ban to take up the matter directly with Iran. The Holocaust denial cartoon contest is sponsored by the Tehran municipality, according to reports. “As head of an organization that in 2005 adopted the brave resolution to establish January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, I ask that you exert your moral authority through public condemnation of the Iranian policy and by addressing this matter directly with Iran as well,” Edelstein wrote to Ban. “There are no words strong enough to describe

the contempt and profound disdain of the state of Israel, the Israeli people and many others the world over, to Iran’s insistent Holocaust denial.” Some 839 works were submitted to last year’s contest, in part a reaction to the controversy over the media portrayal of the prophet Muhammad, including by the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which was the target of a terrorist attack in January 2015 that killed 11 staffers. The winner of the contest received $50,000. Edelstein also called on Israeli lawmakers to decry Holocaust denial on social media on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, sent a letter to Ban recently calling on him to condemn the cartoon competition.

DO YOU KNOW? How teens benefit from participation in Federation programs usually opt for other ways to BY JACKIE MIRON be involved that day. The Jewish Federation of One illustration of this Central New York benefits process is the Marc and Karen from the involvement of the Beckman family. They have entire community, adults and been involved for many years, teenagers alike. Families that starting with members of Club make Federation part of their 56, the Syracuse Hebrew Day lives gain as much as they give School’s club for fifth and to the organization. sixth grade students, who are First and most obvious is that Jackie Miron regular volunteers on Super the younger generation learns best from examples set by parents and Sunday. Ian Beckman “likes to be with elders. Younger participants learn how his friends while making phone calls,” Federation helps Jews at home and around and his sister Rachel “likes the service the world. Here are a few of the reasons project” implemented to enhance the idea involvement is so valuable for younger of tikkun olam. The teenagers shop for school supplies to donate to lower-income children and teenagers: They learn how to apply Jewish values Syracuse City schools with funds from and teachings related to tzedakah and the Pomeranz, Shankman and Martin Charitable Foundation. communal responsibility. Both have been explicitly told by their They experience planning, communication, social service, grant processing parents how important it is to be philanthropic to Jewish causes. Sister Elise and strategic philanthropy. Beckman thinks “teens calling other teens They can see directly how contributions make a difference, providing more to get involved” might help increase the numbers of teenagers participating that meaning to efforts. day. There is always something to do, and They learn about the allocation process by identifying greatest needs and distribut- some way to help. Adena Rochelson, daughter of Eric ing funds accordingly. and Liza Rochelson, and a good friend They have the opportunity to meet others and form relationships with other Jews of Rachel, said, “The Jewish community helped raise me, and this is a good way having common goals and interests. to give back.” They learn that they are part of a Each of the teenagers has a story of strong Jewish community owing, in part, to a strong Jewish Federation, and relate the role Federation plays in their lives. how taking care of others perpetuates Although they arrive at the story differently, there is a common thread in our Jewish values. Many teenagers from Central New community that connects us all. It is not too late for teenagers and adults York have been involved in Federation’s main event of the year, Super Sunday. to get involved in the Jewish Federation Teenagers have made phone calls, but of Central New York.

JEWISH OBSERVER ■ JANUARY 21, 2016/11 SHEVAT 5776

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.

Sunday, January 24 Super Sunday at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse from 9 am-3 pm Monday, January 25 Tu B’Shevat Syracuse Hebrew Day School board meeting at 7 pm Tuesday, January 26 JCC Executive Committee meeting at 6 pm, followed by a board meeting at 7 pm Epstein School meets at Temple Concord at 6:30 pm Temple Concord Scholar Series presents James Dua-Agemon at 7 pm Wednesday, January 27 Syracuse Community Hebrew School at Temple Adath Yeshurun at 4 pm Friday, January 29 Jethro Shabbat at 6 pm Saturday, January 30 JCC holds Kids’ Nite Out for children in kindergarten-sixth grade from 7-10:30 pm Sunday, January 31 Temple Concord Rabbi Daniel Fellman presents program on Jewish cooking history at 10:30 am TAY presents David Nimmer at 11 am Menorah Park Auxiliary presents ventriloquist Larry Brennan at 1:45 pm Tuesday, February 2 Epstein School meets at Temple Concord at 6:30 pm Wednesday, February 3 Deadline for the February 18 issue of the Jewish Observer SCHS at TAY at 4 pm Epstein School meets at Wegmans Café in DeWit at 7 pm

B’NAI MITZVAH Alexis Snell

Alexis Snell, daughter of Matthew Snell and Randi Gilman Snell, of Clay, became bat mitzvah on January 9 at Temple Adath Yeshurun. She is the granddaughter of Murray and Sylvia Gilman, of Syracuse, and Leona Snell, also of Syracuse. She attends Gillette Road Middle School, the TAY Religious School and the Syracuse Community Hebrew School. Alexis Snell She is a Girl Scout and enjoys basketball and music. She has a b’nai mitzvah fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Central New York.

D’VAR TORAH

Parasha Yitro – Living and learning from “the Other” BY JEANETTE POWELL Parasha Yitro comes to us at an ideal time. Through religion, the media and politics, many are instilling fear and hatred for anyone not like themselves – the other – and blame these groups for evil and terrorism in the world. They fault entire groups for the actions of a minority. The problem is that fear produces both conscious and unconscious reactions. Fear shuts off communication. It shuts off problem solving. It shuts off love, respect and trust. Given our media bombardment, it takes work and time to sort out the facts and make fair assessments about what is really happening and how we need to think and act. It takes a willingness to face new concepts and disagreements. It takes trust and respect to truly hold a dialogue and make peace. How can we, as Jews, think about our world, ourselves and our value system? How do we get the strength and wisdom it takes to confront the world we live in? What does our religious tradition tell us about ourselves and “the other?” In his book, “The Torah Revolution: Fourteen Truths that Changed the World,” Rabbi Reuven Hammer writes, “All human beings have the same common ancestors; they are descendants of one human father and one human mother. Therefore all are equal. No race or nation is superior to any other.” In the article, “Learning from the Friendly Outsider,” Hebrew College’s Rabbi Arthur Green writes, “I always find it strange that this Torah portion is named for Yitro (Jethro), Moses’ father-in-law. In this passage, we are about to approach the mountain to partake as we are able of Judaism’s innermost ‘insider’ event, the revelation at Sinai. This is the eternal moment around which all of Judaism is constructed – the event when the souls of all Jews ever to exist are said to have been present. But before we get there, we have an extended story in Exodus 18 of Yitro’s visit, of his perception of Moses as a leader – and his advice on how to run things, advice that Moses gratefully accepts. In contrast, God, whom we might call the main character in the entire book of Exodus, is completely missing from chapter 18, except as a subject of human conversation.” We need to remember that Moses had extensive contact throughout his life with “the other.” He was adopted into the Pharaoh’s household. He lived in Midian for a while and took a wife from that culture. She bore his children. Moses learned that the world was not black and white. Moses’ father-in-law, Yitro, heard about the Israelite experience of being led out of Egypt and he was impressed with all that the God of Israel had done for the people. He wanted to see, experience and learn. He also felt that, as a priest of his culture, he had something to offer. In turn, Moses was grateful to Yitro for his wisdom and sharing. Yitro’s ideas and suggestions gave Moses enormous help in managing the people and helping set up a functional justice system.

The placing of the verses about Yitro prior to the verses about the Sinai event is questioned by some scholars. However, we can view this placement issue and the entire journey of the Israelites as a metaphor for our own inner journey. The Israelites had come out of the “narrow place” in Egypt and were now at the eve of Sinai. They had been slaves and had experienced “the other” as enemies. With Yitro, they now have the experience of “the other” as respectful, helpful and as friends, not enemies. The justice system that was set up gave them immediate assistance. Did they need time to be able to accept help or thoughts from “the other”? Could they be less fearful of “the other” and more trusting now? Did this helpful experience cause them to be more open to receiving the full message of the Torah? As we look at our own inner passage from the possible slavery of our own thoughts, habits and cultures, it seems that perhaps we need to be open to “the other” as Yitro and Moses were. We need to be willing to listen and learn so that we can receive the full message of the Torah. We need to be discerning when we meet “the other.” This is not a time for fear. It is a time for discovery and learning, for understanding, for agreeing to disagree. It is a time for deep respect for the image of God in all humanity. It takes courage and work to talk with others, to find out how others think and believe. The major religions all call for peace and love of one’s neighbor. This can be a beautiful and enriching journey of discovery if we do not hide behind irrational fears. As Arthur Green says, “the essence of revelation is nothing other than the inward journey, Torah waiting to be discovered within the self. The outer revelation, with all the... authority of halachah, is only a backup system, meant to keep us in line when our mind wanders away from that inner truth our mind’s eye has already seen.” (“Speaking Torah” by Rabbi Green) Many of these theologians are beginning to focus more on conscience with halachah as a guide only, rather than the strict emphasis that has been on halachah in Judaism for centuries. They all point out the inner journey we face. It is that journey that we sometimes fear most of all. When we venture out to explore new ideas, the process can be challenging and perhaps frightening. Those who do venture out are willing to take responsibility for their decisions and can live with their thoughts, decisions and conscience. Abraham Joshua Heschel said, “No religion is an island.” In “Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity” he says, “A religious man is a person who holds God and man in one thought at one time, at all times, who suffers in himself harm done to others, whose greatest passion is compassion, whose greatest strength is love and defiance of despair.” Jeanette Powell holds a master’s in religious studies from Canisius College. She retired as a mental health services executive director and is a member of Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas.

Schayes Dolph because it was the right thing to do.” His support also extended to Temple Concord, which features the Schayes Lounge. Schayes also endowed the Schayes Community Fund. Temple Concord honored Schayes, along with his son Danny, at the “A Tribute to Jewish Americans in Basketball” event in 2009. “Dolph was a shul Jew,” said Temple Concord Rabbi Daniel Fellman. “He was involved in Brotherhood, holidays and holiday services. He understood what it was to be part of the Jewish people. Unless Dolph was

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standing, you couldn’t tell he was any different.” Connecting with other Concord congregants is said to have allowed Schayes’ kindness “to really shine through.” On one occasion, during a synagogue service and auction-style bake sale held at Onondaga Lake Park about 15 years ago, then-preschool student David Becker got into a bidding war with Schayes over a cake. Because the two were at different ends of the park’s pavilion, Schayes did not initially know he was bidding against a child. When Schayes realized this, he let Becker win the auction. In return, Becker shared his cake with Schayes, each indulging in a slice that day. Throughout the years that followed, Schayes was said to have become “an important mentor” for Becker, attending his bar mitzvah and influencing him to pursue a career in sports management. Two of Schayes’ friends, Sid Ashkin and Mike Moss, recently got together to reminisce about their friend and some of the good times they shared. The three men, along with a few other friends, would regularly have lunch on weekdays at some of their favorite local diners. “Wherever we’d go, if someone recognized Dolph, he always made it a point to stop and talk for a few minutes,” said Moss. “Then he would ask the person, ‘Give me your address.’ The very next day, Dolph would send them an autographed photo.” During their lunches, Schayes would sometimes play a little game where he would ask his friends basketball trivia questions. Each answer would always be the same: Dolph Schayes.

“Dolph was a great storyteller,” said Ashkin. “He loved to tell jokes and [he] loved to hear them. Fame never went to his head. He was always a humble person and a generous person.” Many feel it will take time for those who were touched by Schayes’ humor and kindness to process his loss. “I don’t know if I’ve ever known anyone like Dolph, who has such a contagious smile and heart of gold,” said Erlebacher. “His legacy as a basketball star and member of the local Jewish community will live on for a very long time. All of us who knew him, as well as the entire local community, are better off because of his kindness and generosity.” Debra Becker also contributed to this story.

NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org

Peres recovering well after mild heart attack

Former Israeli president Shimon Peres, 92, suffered a mild heart attack and was hospitalized on Jan. 14. Peres’ personal doctor, Dr. Raphi Walden, said the statesman was in “excellent” condition after undergoing a “successful” cardiac catheterization. “I want to calm everyone down and say that my father is in great condition,” said Peres’ son, Chemi, Israel Hayom reported. “He experienced a relatively minor cardiac incident.”

JANUARY 21, 2016/11 SHEVAT 5776 ■ JEWISH OBSERVER

OBITUARIES IRENE MIRIAM GREENBERG BRONSTEIN

Irene Miriam Greenberg Bronstein, 93, died on December 30 in Boynton Beach, FL. Born in Syracuse, she spent her life there. She remained fiercely independent in her later years, despite her physical limitations. She was very proud of her family. She taught her children the value of hard work and the importance of giving back to the community. Seeing and hearing from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her greatest pleasures. She volunteered at the Syracuse Jewish Federation (now the Jewish Federation of Central New York), the Temple Adath Yeshurun Sisterhood Torah Fund and the annual Jewish Home Charity Golf Tournament. She was a longtime member of Lafayette Country Club, where she was an avid golfer. She was a voracious reader of books, magazines and newspapers. For the last 40 years, she wintered in Florida. In recent years, she enjoyed regular canasta games and attending the theater and ballet. She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Irving, who died in 1996. She is survived by three children, Dianne (Richard) Goldman, Neil (Jan) Bronstein, of Fayetteville, and Gary Bronstein; seven grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren. Burial was in the Adath Yeshurun Cemetery. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements. Contributions can be made to the Jewish Community Foundation of Central New York Inc., 5655 Thompson Rd., Syracuse, NY 13214. 

BEVERLY B. FELLMAN

Beverly B. Fellman, 74, of Omaha, NE, died on December 31 from cancer after a lengthy illness. She graduated from Omaha Central High School, where she was a National Merit Finalist; attended Ohio State University; and graduated from the University of Omaha, where she received honors in French. She later earned a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Omaha, now UNO. Following her graduation from college, she worked at the American Embassy in Paris. While in Paris, she attended the Alliance Française as a foreign student. Upon her return to Omaha, she married and began a life-time career teaching French, except for 24 years, when she remained home with her children. When they were all in school, she returned to teaching French. In her final years at Central, she taught and served as chair of the international language department. She was president of the Central High Alumni Association, and an original member of the Central High Foundation Board of Directors. During her career, she received the Buffett Award. In 2007, she was inducted into the Central High Hall of Fame. She led many student summer trips to France; she also received a National Humanities Fellowship for study in Caen of France in World War II. She earned a fellowship that included a summer in southern France; and she was honored as the outstanding teacher of French in Nebraska. Governor Ben Nelson appointed her to the Nebraska Educational Television Board, which she eventually chaired. In recent years, she served on the board of Beth El Synagogue in Omaha and a two-year term as synagogue president. She was predeceased by her parents, Dina and Harold Bloom, of Omaha; and her brothers, Bruce Bloom, of Washington, DC, and Bernard Bloom, of Dallas, TX. She is survived by her husband of almost 52 years, Richard Fellman; her children, Susan (Isaac) Witkowski of Omaha, NE, Deborah Fellman, of Los Angeles, CA, Jon (Michelle) Fellman, of Wilmette, IL, and Rabbi Daniel (Melissa) Fellman, of Syracuse; eight grandchildren; her brother, Brent (Rebecca) Bloom, of Omaha; and her sisters and brothers-in-law, Arlene Bloom, of Potomac, MD, Naomi Bloom, of Dallas, TX, Jane Pickus, of Highland Park, IL, Tom and Darlynn Fellman, and Nancy Rips, of Omaha. Burial was in Beth El Cemetery, Omaha, NE. John A. Gentleman Mortuaries and Crematory had arrangements. Contributions may be made to the Beverly Fellman Fund, Temple Concord, 910 Madison St., Syracuse, NY 13210; the Central High School Foundation, 1823 Harney St., Suite 203, Omaha, NE 68102; or Beth El Synagogue, 14506 California St., Omaha, NE 68154. 

ROBERT FRENT

Robert Frent died at home in Scottsdale, AZ, on January 6. Born in Dumont, NJ, he moved to Syracuse in 1944, where he met his wife, Barbara. They had resided in Scottsdale for the past 37 years. He owned and operated Ace Sanitary Haulers Inc. for more than 45 years with his brother-in-law, Irving Rubenstein, and established Ace Sanitary Haulers as the premier waste hauling company in Central New York to offer containerized services and to provide recycling to its customers. The company was featured in Syracuse media as having the foresight to establish recycling and sustainability programs for their customers before it was mandated by Onondaga County. It was formally recognized by Onondaga County in 1990 for its recycling efforts in institutional and commercial venues. He was active in the Syracuse Jewish community and served as a trustee of Temple Society of Concord, now Temple Concord. As president of the Jewish Home of Central New York, he was dedicated to improving the quality of lives for others. During his presidency, he was instrumental in securing major funds for the building of the Rubenstein Pavilion, which marked the beginning of a new era for Menorah Park, formerly the Jewish Home of Central New York, as one of the most recognized, acclaimed Jewish health facilities in upstate New York. He graduated from Syracuse University and, with his wife, endowed the Frent Family Scholarship Fund for exceptional students. They also provided necessary funds for other numerous major gifts to Syracuse University. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying fishing and golf. He was a former member of Lafayette Country Club in Syracuse, as well as Pinnacle Peak Country Club and Desert Highlands Country Club. He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Barbara, on November 20, 2015. He is survived by his brother, Stanley, of West Palm Beach, FL; sons, Alan (Whitney), of Aventura, FL, Steven (Karen), of Boynton Beach, FL, and Bruce (Deborah), of Tucson, AZ; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Private graveside services were held. Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary had arrangements. Contributions may be made to the Foundation of Menorah Park of Central New York, 4101 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13214. 

NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org

Al Jazeera America shutting down

Al Jazeera America – the cable news operator that is funded by the government of Qatar – has announced that it will be shutting down its operations by the end of April.

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ESTELLE H. GREEN

Estelle H. Green, 72, died early on January 4 in Rochester. Born in Patterson, NJ, she had been a resident of Camillus from 1972 until moving to Rochester in 2013 to be closer to her daughter. She was a math teacher at the West Genesee Middle School for 20 years.An avid reader and a talented knitter and crocheter, she also taught water aerobics and knitting for the West Genesee Adult Education Program. She was a member of Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas, and the Onondaga County chapter of the Math Teachers Association. She is survived by her mother, Betty Rotenberg, of Arizona; her children, Beth Lax, of Rochester, and Ivan Green, of Albany; her brother, Marvin Rotenberg, of Arizona; and two grandchildren. Burial was in the Beth Sholom section of Oakwood Cemetery. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements. Contributions may be made to the Muscular DystrophyAssociation, 6315 Fly Rd., #102, East Syracuse, NY 13057. 

ANNETTE TRUSTICK MAMAT

Annette Trustick Mamat, 92, died on January 7 in West Palm Beach, FL. A Syracuse native, she lived many years as a snowbird between Syracuse and Royal Palm Beach, FL, before becoming a full-time Florida resident in 2001. She was a longtime member of Temple Concord. She was predeceased by her husband, Harvey S. Mamat, in 2005; her mother, Kitty Weinreb Trustick; her father, Frank Trustick; and her brother, Oswald Trustick. She is survived by her son, Frank (Kathy) Mamat, of West Bloomfield, MI; her daughter, Terri (Hugh) Mamat Karangelen, of Virginia Beach, VA, and West Palm Beach, FL; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Burial was in the Beth El Cemetery, Syracuse. Birnbaum Funeral Service had arrangements. Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, 6725 Lyons St., East Syracuse, NY 13057. 

CLAIRE RUDOLPH

Claire Rudolph, 89, died on January 5 at home. Born in New York City, she had been a resident of Syracuse since 1952, when she and her husband, Lionel, moved to continue their graduate studies. They stayed and raised their family in Syracuse. Claire became a faculty member in the Syracuse University School of Social Work, where she remained on the faculty for decades until retiring as a professor emerita. She was the author of several publications and was actively involved in many professional organizations related to social work. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Lionel Rudolph; their children, Susan (Jim) Barrett, Dan (Donna) Rudolph and Alan (Barbara) Rudolph; and seven grandchildren. Sisskind Funeral Service had arrangements.

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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ JANUARY 21, 2016/11 SHEVAT 5776

Aliyah from Western Europe hits an all-time high, Jewish Agency says

BY JNS STAFF (JNS.org) – A record number of Jews made aliyah to Israel from Western Europe in 2015 due to a rise in antisemitic attacks, according to the Jewish Agency for Israel. Most of the Jewish immigrants from Western Europe – about 8,000 among 9,880 – have moved to Israel from

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states. So the European Commission is now moving to ensure proper implementation of those laws. “There is also a very worrying spike in online hate speech. We are already in touch with IT companies so that we can come up with a common solution to this Europe-wide.” The coordinator, appointed by the European Commission to the newly created post in November, said she also was planning to focus on education that places more emphasis on civic values. The EU should also adopt a common definition of antisemitism, she said. “We will now be in touch with Jewish communities and organizations in EU member states so that we know what their concerns are and also to listen to what they suggest in terms of solutions,” she said. Gideon Behar, the Israeli ambassador for combating antisemitism, told the meeting that this was the right time for commitments. “The situation for Jews in Europe is deteriorating,” Behar said, “and we might have to start asking whether Jewish life can continue to exist in Europe.” Some, however, noted that, in light of growing levels of hate speech and antisemitism in Europe, the EU should be acting faster. “The appointment of Katharina von Schnurbein to the post is the result of the Let My People Live conference, which was held in Prague a year ago,” said Tomas Kraus, of the Federation of Czech Jewish communities. “I would have foreseen a much quicker reaction.”

France, where the head of the Jewish community in the city of Marseille recently urged local Jews to avoid wearing a kippah in public following an attack on a Jewish teacher by an Islamic State-inspired Muslim. The teacher was wearing a kippah when he was attacked. France has the largest Jewish community in Europe – about 500,000 people. Due to increasing antisemitic attacks and harassment, most often by radical Muslims, Jewish institutions in France are heavily guarded. French officials say more than 50 percent of all reported racist attacks in the country in 2014 were directed against the Jewish community, the Associated Press reported.

Elsewhere in Western Europe, nearly 800 Jews have immigrated to Israel from the United Kingdom, with significant aliyah also coming from the Jewish communities of Italy and Belgium. “That a record number of European Jews feel that Europe is no longer their home should alarm European leaders and serve as a wake-up call for all who are concerned about the future of Europe,” said Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky. “At the same time, the fact that Israel has become the number one destination for European Jews seeking to build a better future elsewhere is a tribute to the appeal of life in Israel and the values the Jewish state represents.”

NEWS IN BRIEF From JNS.org

After sanctions lifted, Netanyahu vows Israel will continue to “monitor” Iran

Following the official lifting of international sanctions against Iran over the Jan. 17 weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will “continue to monitor all of Iran’s international violations, including regarding the nuclear agreement, the ballistic missile agreement and terrorism. ...The international community must enact severe and aggressive sanctions against each violation,” Netanyahu said. “Were it not for our efforts to lead sanctions and thwart Iran’s nuclear program, Iran would have had nuclear weapons some time ago. Israel’s policy is exactly as it has been – not to allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. What is clear is that Iran will now have more resources to divert to terrorism and its aggression in the region and around the world, and Israel is prepared to deal with any threat.” Netanyahu added that discussions with the Obama administration – which brokered last summer’s nuclear

deal along with the other P5+1 nations – “are currently being completed on a document of understandings for the coming decade regarding security assistance to the state of Israel. This is an important part of permanent policy between us and the United States, our ally, and it is important in order to repel threats in the region, especially the Iranian threat.”

Israel aims to compel social media to combat Palestinian incitement

Israeli Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan on Jan. 17 proposed new legislation that would compel social media platforms to remove posts deemed to directly incite murder or violence. According to Erdan, an Israeli law should be enacted in conjunction with legislation in other Western countries. In the past, various visiting government ministers have expressed interest in cooperating with Israel on such an endeavor. Erdan said his aim is to “systematically expose the Palestinian culture of incitement among relevant audiences around the world.”

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BY JTA STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) – A new treatment tested at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem and developed by an American-Israeli biotech company appears to significantly slow the progression of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. According to the findings of initial clinical trials published on January 12 in the medical journal JAMA Neurology, the treatment, which uses a stem cell infusion protocol, is safe and offers “possible clinical benefits, to be confirmed in upcoming trials.” Hadassah: The Women’s Zionist Organization, which owns Hadassah Medical Center, said in a news release issued the same day that the clinical trials began in 2011 and use an “innovative” treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in which stem cells are harvested from the patient’s bone marrow before being injected into the cerebrospinal fluid. Twenty-six

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ALS patients participated in the trials of a treatment developed by BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics. The study’s principal investigator, Dr. Dimitrios Karussis of Hadassah Medical Center, described the results as “very encouraging. ...Close to 90 percent of patients who were injected intrathecally through the spinal cord fluid were regarded as responders to the treatment either in terms of their respiratory function or their motor disability,” he said in a statement. “Almost all of the patients injected in this way showed less progression and some even improved in their respiratory functions or their motor functions.” A Phase 2, double blind study is running currently at the Mayo Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital and University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center using a treatment protocol identical to the Hadassah trial. “While this is absolutely by no means a cure, it is the first step in a long process in that direction,” Karussis said. “I see this treatment as being potentially one of the major future tools to treat degenerative diseases of the brain and spinal cord, in general.” According to the ALS Association, the disease affects 30,000 people in the United States and 450,000 worldwide.

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