Celebrating Israel

Awhat Israel has meant to us as a congregation, and as individuals. In that spirit, we asked Rabbi Arnowitz for his thoughts, as well as a number of congregants who have strong ties to the country.

Alan Queen shares memories of his father, Lenny, and his connection to Israel, and Corey Feldman, Stephen Kutno and Abbe Kellner-Kutno, Robin and Veronica Nazarnadeh, and Neil Wexler all share meaningful stories. And we are pleased to be able to share a set of fun photos from WJC’s recent Israel trip this winter.

We also have a moving, emotional piece about our very own Hanne Brenner Holsten, founding director of WJC’s Nursery School, as she shares her experience as a survivor of Kristallnacht

The other big event on the calendar this season is, of course, Passover, and we are thrilled to share an interview with cookbook author Benedetta Jasmine Guetta about the cuisine of the Italian Jews, and how you might be able to add some of it to your Passover table. Micah Blachman shares thoughts on the practice of bedikat chametz, with reflections from Janet and Alan Arnowitz, Debbie Katz, Jennifer Hirschhorn, Michael Weintraub, and Susan Brecher. And Myra Levine-Harris and Gail Koller bring us their gefilte fish memories.

As we look forward to our Scholar-in-Residence weekend, Rabbi Dalton spoke with Rabbi Ethan Tucker of Hadar about his career and egalitarianism in the practice of Judaism, for a conversation you’ll want to check out. And Sol Israel writes about the WJC cemetery and his personal motivation to become involved.

As if that’s not enough for one issue—we also have profiles of our WJC Spring Gala honorees, and, for the first time—a crossword! Passover-themed, and a lot of fun to create, we really hope you enjoy it.

May your Seders be lively and delicious—happy Passover!

Jeremy Blachman

, his wife, Jackie, and their children, Rachel and Jason, joined WJC in 1988. In addition to his leadership of the WJC cemetery, he has served as a WJC officer, trustee, and committee

THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS

RABBI CORNELIA DALTON joined WJC as the Assistant Rabbi in 2020. A Westchester native, she received a B.A. in French and Francophone Studies and Russian Area Studies from Bryn Mawr College in 2011 and ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in May 2020.

RABBI-TO-RABBI

A Conversation Between Rabbi Cornelia Dalton and Rabbi Ethan Tucker, this year’s Scholar-in-Residence, about egalitarianism and motivating people to dive deeper into their Judaism.

BY THE NUMBERS

A quick list of fun facts to celebrate Israel.

BOCCA DI DAMA/PASSOVER ALMOND CAKE

A sweet recipe for the holiday from Benedetta Jasmine Guetta.

VOICES FROM THE PAST: REMEMBERING KRISTALLNACHT

Hanne Brenner Holsten shares her experience as a survivor of Kristallnacht

I AND THOU AND ISRAEL

Rabbi Arnowitz looks at our relationship with Israel as it turns 75.

BREADY OR NOT? IT’S PASSOVER!

WJC congregants discuss their bedikat chametz practices.

A HELPING HAND, LONG OUTSTRETCHED, FROM WJC TO THE LOWER EAST SIDE

An effort that has supported Holocaust survivors for three decades has evolved to include Jewish residents who are “alone, frail, or have run out of resources.”

COOKING ALLA GIUDIA

The Jewish Food of Italy, at WJC, and on your Passover Table.

A NIGHT AT THE RIVIERA

Voices asked WJC members who know this year’s spring celebration honorees best to offer commentary and insight as to what makes each of them so valuable in our community.

HONORING AND REMEMBERING THE BURIAL GROUND OF A EUROPEAN JEWISH COMMUNITY RAVAGED BY THE HOLOCAUST

WORDPLAY

A Passover-themed crossword puzzle.

REWIND

A photo from the archives.

By The Numbers

In honor of Israel’s 75th birthday, here is a quick list of fun facts to give appreciation for all that the country is, and for all that it has accomplished.

9.5 million

The total population of Israel (including 7.02 million Jews).

*As of May 2022

1,500 to 2,000

Age (in years) of the oldest tree in Israel, which is a jujube tree in Ein Hatzeva on the road to Eilat.

24 million

Doughnuts are served in Israel during Hanukkah.

1,315

1 million

Notes are left in the Western Wall every year.

5 million

Tourists visit Israel annually.

Did

you know?

Israel is the only country in the world that uses kosher glue for its postage stamps.

90

Percent of wastewater in Israel is recycled, making it the leading nation in the world for water recycling.

The number of ways to enjoy a Krembo, the chocolate-coated marshmallow treat that is the most popular confection in Israel (50+ million krembos are sold each year).