Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 12-20-19

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December 20, 2019 | 22 Kislev 5780

NOTEWORTHY

Candlelighting 4:38 p.m. | Havdalah 5:42 p.m. | Vol. 62, No. 51 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

Poland’s chief rabbi embraces Pittsburgh partnership

Happy Chanukah!

LOCAL New leadership

Maria Cohen takes the reins at Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition. Page 2

Insights gained at Conservative movement biennial

Please see Conservative, page 14

Please see Poland, page 14

Yeshiva Schools introduces jiujitsu training. Page 4 LOCAL Mission possible

 Rabbi Jeremy Markiz discusses recruitment and retention.

Photo courtesy of Rabbi Seth Adelson

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ay leaders and staff from Pittsburgh’s Jewish community returned from Boston optimistic about the future of the Conservative movement and their place within the fold. Apart from providing participants the chance to enjoy a meaningful Shabbat, last week’s convention, “20/20 Judaism,” hosted by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, granted a forum to network, strategize and reassess. As a leadup to the Dec. 6-10 event, participants were told: “On the eve of the next decade, it is more critical than ever for USCJ, the RA (Rabbinical Assembly) and our community to come together to address the ways that our movement approaches Israel, the

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Jewish family, spirituality, inclusion and other topics that will shape the future of Conservative Judaism.” Andy Schaer, USCJ’s treasurer and a member of Beth El Congregation of the South Hills, described the convention’s tone as “awesome.” “It was positive and energizing, and the content was great,” he said. Marissa Tait, director of youth programming at Congregation Beth Shalom agreed. “I thought it was incredible,” said Tait. “Every session I went to was useful.” Speakers particularly stressed the importance of educating youth, “which for me was really exciting.” Tracks concerning the future of the

The good fight

Leonard Felman recalls his mysterious involvement in a 1969 Israeli mission.

By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

fter a childhood spent in Patchogue, New York, Michael Schudrich visited Poland five times in the 1970s. By the time the Jewish day school graduate completed Stony Brook University in 1977, Schudrich felt called by the Eastern European country and its Jewish inhabitants, so when a professional opportunity arose in 1990, he jumped at the chance. Poland is nearly 4,200 miles from New York, but in some ways accepting employment in “The Land of Fields” was a chance to come closer to home, as between 1983 and 1989 Schudrich worked in Tokyo, Japan, as a rabbi. Pulpits in Poland and Japan had placed Schudrich thousands of miles from the south shore of Long Island, where his father served as a Conservative rabbi, but comparisons between Warsaw and Tokyo are realistically few, he explained. The communities were about as similar as “apples and oranges,” he said. “Tokyo is fundamentally expatriates, foreigners or foreign Jews coming to Tokyo to work for several years for multinational companies, or young people just coming to hang out. In Warsaw, it’s people who have lived there for generations but have recently discovered they’re Jewish.” Schudrich offered insight into Warsaw’s Jewish community, and his own biography, during a trip to Pittsburgh last week. “Most people don’t realize that of the 3.5 million Jews before the war, 90% were murdered during the war by Germans and accomplices, leaving 10% alive — 350,000,” he said. For those remaining Polish Jews, a series of choices impacted current communal realities, as after the war Polish Jews debated whether to leave Soviet-occupied communist Poland or remain but suppress

LOCAL

By Adam Reinherz I Staff Writer

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Headlines Maria Cohen new head of SHUC — LOCAL — By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

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he Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition, a nonprofit, nonpartisan community organization founded in 1972, has new leadership at the helm. For the past four months, Squirrel Hill Jewish resident Maria Cohen has guided the East End community minded group as executive director and overseen familiar programs while exploring methods of promoting civic partnerships. Shortly after her official Aug. 1 start date, Cohen and SHUC joined local organizations (Uncover Squirrel Hill and I Made It! Market) on this year’s final two Squirrel Hill Night Markets. The evening events, held on Aug. 24 and Sept. 28, welcomed hundreds of vendors, whose jewelry, food and other wares occupied tables across upper Murray Avenue. Apart from the lively evening affairs, Cohen and the group additionally hosted SHUC’s annual membership meeting, celebrated local honorees at the Squirrel Hill Treasure Dinner and organized public meetings for neighbors to discuss potential renovations to Phipps Garden Center as well as tax increases. Among the slew of events, on Dec. 3, at a SHUC convened gathering, residents learned more about a possible 2.3% real estate tax bump. Pittsburgh Public Schools is considering the move, which would increase taxes $23 for every $100,000 of assessed land value, reported Print. Providing a pathway for people to come together and better understand the neighborhood is within SHUC’s purview, explained Cohen: The role of the Coalition is to “disseminate information and help

get the word out.” Apart from acting as a mechanism for spreading information, SHUC is a liaison between parties, as many times, when an issue arises, “it’s really hard right now having to figure out who to connect with in this age,” said Cohen. Residents should reach out to SHUC, “we may not have all the right answers but we’ll try to be supportive.” Cohen is excited to connect citizens with their local council person or a particular city department, or advocate on behalf of Squirrel Hill residents. “SHUC adds to the fabric of Squirrel Hill in many ways. It convenes residents to discuss important issues and development projects. It helps disseminate news and information to the public. It advocates for neighborhood improvement projects. And, along with Uncover Squirrel Hill, it acts as a town square, bringing neighbors together around the Night Markets and Lunar New Year events,” said Councilperson Erika Strassburger. “I’m grateful that I have the board and staff of SHUC as community partners.” Cohen relishes the role as partner, and hopes to use those relationships for empowering others and the community around her. Individuals and groups are often seeking ways to bolster their surroundings. One primary mechanism for improving local life is performing litter patrols, she explained. Recently, during a designated “Make a Difference Day,” students from the Campus School of Carlow partnered with SHUC on the volunteer program and helped clean trash and beautify the area. Litter patrols are easy ways for volunteers to get involved, explained Cohen. Although she hopes more organizations reach out to support SHUC’s efforts, the

p Maria Cohen

Photo by Adam Reinherz

Squirrel Hill resident is well aware that garbage pickup isn’t for everyone. There is also tree planting, she explained. Local residents, and those who enjoy the neighborhood, can benefit from a statewide TreeVitalize grant program that promotes increasing urban forestry. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation Natural Resources provided grant enables local residents to have trees planted in front of their property for free. Those interested in tree plantings, or learning more about the program, should contact SHUC. Prior to coming to the Coalition, Cohen worked in business and marketing. She completed an MBA in international marketing and finance at DePaul University and held positions as a senior account manager at HLC International and in marketing and brand management with Del Monte Foods.

Such fiscal understanding is a boon for the coalition, explained Mardi Isler, SHUC’s president: “She’s very interested in the business community and has joined the board of Uncover Squirrel Hill, which is a help when you talk about cross-pollinating what the business community and the coalition can do together.” Uncover Squirrel Hill is a business member based organization, which was originally developed by the late, then councilperson, Bob O’Connor, that seeks to provide a voice for local merchants by connecting businesses with city administration. Whether SHUC provides volunteers during Uncover Squirrel Hill’s Holiday Wine Walk, or helps the business community gather individuals to help clean streets before and after events, Cohen is attuned to the value of SHUC and Uncover Squirrel Hill collaborations, explained Isler: “It’s a good partnership and something she understands, and she’s looking for ways to increase the number of activities we do together.” One of Isler’s first acts as president was organizing a search committee to replace outgoing executive director Marian Lien, who after nearly five years at SHUC left the organization to become director of education for inclusion and global awareness at St. Edmund’s Academy. “We basically started at the same time, and it’s been wonderful. I really enjoy working with her,” said Isler. “Maria has adopted so quickly to all that the Coalition does. It’s a testament to her professionalism but also to her personality. People like her. They open up to her, and she gets along well in working situations so it’s been a good experience.”  PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Headlines Yeshiva Schools introduces jiujitsu training — LOCAL — By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

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lec Rieger entered the doors of Stout Training’s Strip District location in 2015 one day after he turned 45. He had little knowledge of jiujitsu, but in the months leading up to his birthday Rieger watched countless mixed martial arts videos online. Something about the gentle art intrigued him, so Rieger traveled downtown to explore. At the time, Rieger, founder and executive director of NextGen:Pgh, wasn’t necessarily beholden to Brazilian jiujitsu or to obtaining a coveted black belt. The latter seemed well beyond reach, as most practitioners require 10 years of training before receiving the honor and are considerably younger when beginning, explained Rieger. Rieger had run and hiked, but something about jiujitsu resonated. Despite being a self-described “old Jewish dude� at the gym, Rieger got hooked and returned almost daily to reinvest in the discipline. “It’s about the hardest thing I’ve ever discovered, and I think there’s real value at finding the hardest thing in the world you can and then working at it day after day in a sustained fashion to master it,� he said. Repetitive training, year after year, granted Rieger greater perspective.

p Yeshiva students, staff and jiujitsu instructor Warren Stout and Alec Rieger.

Photo courtesy of Alec Rieger

“That’s where the self-mastery comes in,� he said. “What you learn in order to survive the training, and to grow and to learn with it. It is really empowering.� Nearly five years have passed since Rieger first stepped into Stout’s gym. He’s now got a blue belt. It is one of five belts (white, blue, purple, brown and black) presented within jiujitsu. Months ago Rieger had a jiujitsu breakthrough, but it had nothing to do with his ability to choke, pass or bridge. With the help of Warren Stout, founder of Stout Training, Rieger introduced jiujitsu to nearly 30 students at Yeshiva Schools. “We were having a conversation over the

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summer and Alec was saying how great the program is,� recalled Rabbi Eliezer Shusterman, principal of Yeshiva’s boys high school. The curriculum is such that “we have classes and programming on Sundays, no secular studies, and we’re always looking for out-of-the-box things for Sunday afternoons.� With its heavy reliance on technique, study and intellectualism, jiujitsu offered a perfect complement to the students’ education, explained the rabbi. The partnership made sense on many levels, agreed Stout. Apart from Rieger recommending the

relationship, and a desire to introduce jiujitsu to a new demographic, Stout knew from his own dealings that the venture presented a chance for communal betterment: “My best friend is Jewish — I was just at his house last weekend — and he’s had some incidents of harassment, and along with the Tree of Life tragedy that happened in Pittsburgh, I just thought it was a community that that this could help in a lot of different ways.� Prior to last year’s attack, Rieger never connected jiujitsu with self-defense. Training, and mastery, were about something else, but between the aftermath of Oct. 27 and hearing from friends about regular anti-Semitic incidents in New York, Rieger’s thoughts shifted. He wondered whether Jews needed to better prepare themselves, even as doing so ran largely contrary to traditional rabbinic thought. After the fall of the Second Temple, Jews were largely reluctant to fight their oppressors, continued Rieger. There was a belief that suffering was “because we sinned and God kicked us out of our land, and also that we don’t want to make trouble,� he said. Such ideas largely carried through the Holocaust, “and it’s only been in the last 70 to 80 years that we’ve begun to kind of rethink that premise and say, ‘Well, maybe we shouldn’t take it. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing to take some steps to learn how to defend ourselves and to defend ourselves Please see Yeshiva, page 19

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Headlines Pittsburgher recalls mysterious trip to Israel 50 years ago

 Leonard Felman

Photo by Toby Tabachnick

— LOCAL — By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

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he Jewish Chronicle clipping from Dec. 19, 1969, is yellowed and a bit tattered now. But Leonard Felman, 84, continues to hold onto that article that reports on his trip to Israel, 50 years ago this month, during which he helped set up several hearing clinics along with his colleague, Dr. William Lippy of Warren, Ohio. The trouble, said Felman, who still lives half the year in Pittsburgh and the other half in Florida, is that the entire article is false. In fact, a search of the Chronicle archives shows no other article was ever published by “Chronicle Staff Writer” Shandel Bat Shmuel, whose byline is on the piece. “I have a very good memory and I never heard of her,” said former Chronicle editor Joel Roteman, who worked at the paper from 1966 to 2001. “It sounds like a made-up name.” Roteman, who was a Chronicle writer in 1969, has no memory of the article about Felman, or how or why it appeared in the paper. Felman, however, does have a theory about how that article got placed in the Jewish Chronicle, a theory that could form the plot of a Tom Clancy thriller: He believes someone from the Israeli embassy planted the piece in the Chronicle to cover for Felman’s true, clandestine mission in the Jewish state — a mission that was not even clear to Felman until about three years ago. Now retired from a multi-faceted career that included sound technology as well as running a linen and diaper company, Felman reflected back on another role he played in the 1950s and 1960s — as a “pawn,” as he puts it, for the Israel Defense Forces. Specifically, Felman believes that he may have been instrumental to the Jewish state’s success during a covert operation now known as Rooster 53, a mission carried out with helicopters during the War of Attrition with Egypt. Felman explained that he had been groomed from an early age to work covertly for Israel by David Glick, a Pittsburgh attorney who is credited with saving more than 90,000 Jews from Nazi Germany through his work

 The Jewish Chronicle, Dec. 19, 1969

Archives

with the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. An expert negotiator, Glick acted as a liaison in Germany in 1936 between Jewish communities there and the Nazi regime. His work in arranging for the safe immigration of thousands of Jews to South America is documented in the Rauh Jewish Archives. Glick served as attorney for Felman’s family, and was also a close friend to Felman’s parents. It was through his connection to Glick that, in 1956, Felman was assigned to work with a high-profile American diplomat in Israel on a secret mission. Felman was just 21, he said, when during a family vacation in Rome, he was separated from his parents and taken to Israel to work for that diplomat. “I had been prepped for such a mission,” recalled Felman. “I had excellent credentials

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Please see Trip, page 19

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DECEMBER 20, 2019

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Calendar >>Submit calendar items on the Chronicle’s website, pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. Submissions will also be included in print. Events will run in the print edition beginning one month prior to the date as space allows. The deadline for submissions is Friday, noon. q FRIDAY, DEC. 20 An esteemed panel will debate the merits of the latke or hamantasch to determine which is better at the 4th Annual Great LatkeHamantash Debate. Hilarity is guaranteed! Temple Sinai (5505 Forbes Ave.) 8:10 p.m. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit templesinaipgh.org/event/ latke/hamenstash-debate.html. q SUNDAY, DEC. 22 The Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation will celebrate Chanukah with its friends at Calvary Episcopal Church (315 Shady Ave.) beginning at 12:30 p.m. There will be a latkemaking demonstration, simultaneous sessions on the origins and practices of both Christmas and Chanukah, a craft project, community sing-along and food. Free and open to the public but registration is required. Please call 412-521-6788 to register. The community is also invited to the Christmas pageant beginning at 11:00 a.m. Packaged food or new toys will be collected for communal distribution. Join Chabad of Squirrel Hill, city dignitaries and community leaders for the Squirrel Hill Menorah Lighting at the corner of Beacon and Murray Avenues at 4 p.m. to start Chanukah by lighting the grand 12-foot

menorah in the heart of Squirrel Hill. Special entertainment for the children, latkes, donuts and chocolate Chanukah gelt. Live music. The Annual South Hills Lights Community Chanukah Festival features a live concert with Oneg Shemesh and the world’s first Chanukah virtual reality 3D experience, plus the Grand Menorah lighting and more. Free and open to all. 5 p.m. Potomac & Belrose Avenues. For more information, and to RSVP, visit www.chabadsh.com/lights. Join Temple Ohav Shalom as they host the 2nd Annual North Hills Public Menorah Lighting at McCandless Crossing (8970 Covenant Avenue) on the first night of Chanukah. Located at the fountain in McCandless Crossing, free, 5:30 p.m. Join Chabad of Monroeville for Light Up the Night Monroeville! A large 12-foot glow in the dark menorah will be lit. There will be Chanukah gifts for all in attendance. The evening will include a grand chocolate coin drop from a firetruck and Chanukah songs from the Gateway 4th grade chorus. Warm drinks and Chanukah refreshments will be served. Free and open to the whole community. 5:30 p.m. Miracle Mile Shopping Center. The Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha invites the community to a public menorah lighting at 6 p.m. at the corner of Wilkins and Shady Avenues. q MONDAY, DEC. 23 Chabad of Squirrel Hill’s Menorah Car Parade will depart Shadyside at 5 p.m. The parade

travels through the streets of Shadyside and Squirrel Hill bringing the lights of Chanukah to the streets of Pittsburgh. The parade concludes at the Waterfront at the Chanukah Festival. The Chanukah Festival at the Waterfront takes place at 4:30 p.m. under the Homestead Grays Bridge. The event features Avraham Fried., a grand menorah lighting, food, free Dave & Buster’s play credit to the first 1,000 people and kids activities. Free. q TUESDAY, DEC. 24 Chabad of the South Hills (1701 McFarland Road) presents its annual Chanukah Seniors Lunch at noon. Learn about the important documents you need as you age. Wheelchair accessible. Pre-registration is strongly suggested. Please call 412-278-2658. Lunch is co-sponsored by Chabad of the South Hills and the South Hills JCC. For more information, visit chabadsh.com. Enjoy latkes, lo mein and the great Barbra Streisand at Rodef Shalom’s “Latkes and Lo Mein: Hanukkah Dinner and Movie Night” at 6 p.m. as they continue the age-old tradition with a spread of Chinese food and movie on what also happens to be the third night of Hanukkah! The Women of Rodef Shalom and Brotherhood will present “Funny Girl.” Bring your own pillows, blankets and hanukkiah. Kids $10/Members $18/Guests $25. 4905 Fifth Ave. rodefshalom.org/rsvp. Come to Moishe House for Jewish Christmas from 7-9 p.m. and partake in the ancient tradition of Chinese food (vegetarian) and

a movie under the light of their menorah. Moishe House events are intended for young adults age 22 - 32. Message a resident or the page for the address. For more information, visit facebook.com/events/458767981441837. q WEDNESDAY, DEC. 25 The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh presents Mitzvah Day. Sites are available throughout the Greater Pittsburgh region, including kid-friendly opportunities. For more information, visit jewishpgh.org/mitzvah-day. q THURSDAY, DEC. 26 Join Mayor Peduto at 5 p.m. for the Downtown Pittsburgh Menorah Lighting. The historic grand menorah in front of the City-County Building (414 Grant St.) will be lit. Live music and refreshments! Join the entire South Hills Jewish community at the South Hills JCC for the South Hills 5th Night Chanukah Celebration at 5 p.m. Menorah lighting, latkes and donuts, balloon artist, airbrush face painting, open swimming and more. Free and open to the entire community. For more information and to register, southhillsjewishpittsburgh. org/chanukah19. q FRIDAY, DEC. 27 Every year has dozens of Shabbats and eight nights of Hanukkah, but only one Shabbanukkah night, so come celebrate Moishe Please see Calendar, page 7

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Calendar Calendar: Continued from page 6 House’s Hanukkah Party Shabbat dinner at 7:30 p.m. Moishe House events are intended for young adults age 22-32. Message a resident or the page for the address. For more information, visit facebook.com/events/1116667678535345. q SUNDAY, DEC. 29 Join New Light Congregation at 6 p.m. for the synagogue’s Hanukah party. The party includes dinner and a special screening of “Memories of Pittsburgh’s Jewish Hill” by Ken Love. To make reservations, call Barbara Caplan, 412-521-4332. $18/per person. 5915 Beacon Street. q SUNDAY, JAN. 5 Deborah Gilboa, aka “Dr. G” presents “What’s Happy Have to Do With It? Raising Resilient Kids in an Online World” at 4:30 p.m. at the JCC Squirrel Hill (5738 Forbes Ave.) For more information and to register, visit jewishpgh. org/event/knowledge-nosh-womens-lunchbreak-to-educate-3. Presented by Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, the National Council of Jewish Women and the Jewish Women’s Foundation. q WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8 Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Young Adult Division for Ladies’ Night Out. Make kokedama, a form of Japanese garden art. Sip some wine and enjoy a relaxing evening creating a beautiful accent for your home or office! $25 includes kokedama making, wine and snacks! 7 p.m. 5135 Penn Avenue. For more information and to register, visit jewishpgh.org/event/yad-ladies-night-out. q THURSDAYS, JAN. 9, FEB. 6, MAR. 5, APR. 2, MAY 7, JUNE 4 Facilitated by local clergy, the ChristianJewish Dialogue at Rodef Shalom (4905

Fifth Ave.) explores topics of similarities and differences. Themes range from wedding rituals to the story of Noah. Attendees are invited to join for any and all sessions. 12 p.m. Free and open to the public. q FRIDAY, JAN. 10 Rodef Shalom Congregation presents the 2020 Milton E. Harris Interfaith Lecture “Why Is It Always the Jews?” featuring Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin. Anti-Semitism is history’s oldest ideology. What provokes this intense hatred? Why Is It Always the Jews? Join preeminent Jewish thought leader Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin for an interfaith lecture and luncheon at Rodef Shalom Congregation (4905 Fifth Ave.) 11:30 a.m. No cost for clergy. Questions? rodefshalom.org/rsvp. Bob Dylan has journeyed from Judaism to Christianity, and back again. How do his songs illuminate his spiritual journey? Join Rodef Shalom’s Scholar-In-Residence Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin for “Rock of Israel: How Does it Feel?” A dinner and a discussion about this rock legend! 6:45 p.m. 4905 Fifth Ave. $15 for adults, $10 for kids, and $20 for nonmembers. rodefshalom.org/rsvp. q SATURDAY, JAN. 11

“Having a checkup was routine.

Needing a new kidney wasn’t.”

Join Rodef Shalom (4905 Fifth Ave.) for a continuation of our discussions centered on “Mahloket Matters: How to Disagree Constructively - Unit 2 – Fear War or Trust Peace.” Presented by scholar-in-residence Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin at 12:45 p.m. $5. To register, visit rodefshalom.org/rsvp. Walk-ins welcome.

Brenda L., North Versailles

q SUNDAY, JAN. 19 Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Young Adult Division for a tour of Cinderlands Warehouse, 2601 Smallman Street. 2 p.m. Free. For more information and to register, visit jewishpgh.org/event/ young-adult-brewery-club-at-cinderlandswarehouse. PJC

The day after an annual exam that she’d been putting off, Brenda got an unexpected call from her UPMC primary care physician. Her routine bloodwork showed she was in kidney failure and needed a transplant. “One day I’m fine, the next, I need a transplant,” Brenda said. “I didn’t even feel sick. But I knew I was in the right place. My PCP connected me with the transplant team at UPMC. Together, they talked me through everything. I thought I’d be scared, but I really wasn’t. My sister was tested to be a donor and was a match. Now I’m back at work and back to being myself.” To learn why UPMC should be the first choice for all your care, from routine to advanced, visit UPMC.com/Routine.

h a k u n a h C PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

DECEMBER 20, 2019 7

Headlines Jewish and Israel-related groups react to Trump’s executive order on anti-Semitism — NATIONAL — By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer and Jackson Richman | JNS

J

ewish and Israel-related groups had mixed reactions to U.S. President Donald Trump signing an executive order that requires the U.S. government to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism in responding to “prohibited forms of discrimination rooted in anti-Semitism as vigorously as against all other forms of discrimination prohibited by Title VI” of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The executive order mandates that the U.S. Department of Education investigate anti-Semitic incidents on college campuses in accordance with Title VI of that law. The order was hailed by many mainstream Jewish organizations as a welcome tool in the fight against anti-Semitism, while some leftleaning groups and individuals condemned it, expressing concern that it defines Jews as a nationality and that it infringes on the First Amendment right to freedom of speech. The order, however, does not define Jews in any way. Rather it says that Jews may be protected under Title VI if their attackers perceive them to be a race or having a shared

national identity. The White House announced the move in a call with members of the media on Tuesday, Dec. 10, and the executive order was signed at the first White House Chanukah party on Dec. 11. Following Trump’s decision to sign the

anti-Semitic incidents over the past three years. It is deplorable that Jewish students continue to experience hate and hostility. These new tools are not inconsistent with first amendment protections, which we will continue to uphold and defend.” Likewise, the Anti-Defamation League

The order was hailed by many mainstream Jewish organizations as a welcome tool in the fight against anti-Semitism. order, the Jewish Federations of North America issued a statement welcoming it. “The executive order is modeled on language in the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, which has benefited from bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress and formalizes a definition of anti-Semitism that can be used in discrimination cases throughout federal agencies,” the JFNA’s statement read. “It bolsters tools that help prevent discrimination on college campuses, which have been hard hit by a near 90% increase in

welcomed the executive order, noting “a stark erosion of support and safety for Jewish students on campus” in the past few years, and that “anti-Semitism, often in the guise of BDS and other anti-Israel sentiment, has had a corrosive effect at colleges and universities.” “In this climate of rising anti-Semitism,” the ADL’s statement continued, the executive order “provides valuable guidance, giving law enforcement and campus officials an important additional tool to help identify and fight this pernicious hate.”

The Republican Jewish Coalition’s national chairman and former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman called the signing of the order “a truly historic and important moment for Jewish Americans. President Trump has extended to Jewish students very strong, meaningful legal protection from anti-Semitic discrimination.” The language used in the order mirrors that used in the Anti-Semitic Awareness Act of 2019, which had bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate, noted Josh Sayles, director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Community Relation Council, adding that the IHRA’s definition of anti-Semitism has been adopted by 20 countries and nearly 200 organizations worldwide. “This definition was regularly used prior to this executive order and was referenced regularly by the Obama administration,” Sayles said. “Its purpose is to require the Department of Education, when reviewing whether an act is in violation of Title VI, to give the Department a strong working definition of anti-Semitism to which it can refer.” In Pittsburgh, “a college town with lots of universities and lots of Jewish students,” the executive order is a welcome addition, said Sayles. Please see Executive, page 9

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Headlines Executive: Continued from page 8

“There are incidents of anti-Semitism here just like at universities across the country,” he continued. “Anything to help support our Jewish students if and when they face discrimination is something we are supportive of.” Although Pittsburgh’s CRC is “aware of some of the concerns raised around identity” that the executive order provoked, “if we want to provide protection against anti-Semitism under the law, it has to be written into law,” Sayles added.

In the past, while pro-Israel groups have supported the measure, organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union have opposed it, citing First Amendment concerns. But the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the American Jewish Committee, the Endowment for Middle East Truth and B’nai B’rith International all have supported the president’s executive order. “With a dramatic rise in anti-Semitism at home and abroad in recent years, particularly

‘A cynical, harmful measure designed to suppress free speech’

On the other hand, several groups, including the Jewish Democratic Council of America and J Street, criticized the measure.

“ This is truly the arsonist attempting to serve as the firefighter.”

‘Jewish students on campus fear for their safety’

At the Israeli-American Council’s annual summit on Dec. 8, Trump addressed the issue of anti-Semitism, which he called a “vile poison.” “My administration is committed to aggressively challenging and confronting anti-Semitic bigotry in every resource, and using every single weapon at our disposal,” he said. The House has stalled on the AntiSemitism Awareness Act, introduced in July by Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) that would require the U.S. Department of Education to adopt the IHRA’s definition of anti-Semitism in evaluating incidents on college campuses and at other educational institutions. The Senate version was reintroduced in March by Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Bob Casey (D-Penn.).

university campuses. We trust that a careful application of this directive will enable university administrators to avoid running afoul of free speech protections as they seek to root out anti-Semitism on their campuses.”

— HALIE SOIFER, JDCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

on college campuses, the Jewish community has persistently advocated for the protections this measure provides against Jew-hatred,” said the Conference of Presidents in a statement, adding that the executive order “will abate the increasingly virulent Jew-hatred on display at some colleges and universities across the country.” In a statement, the American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris said his organization “welcomes President Trump’s executive order to strengthen efforts to combat anti-Semitism on college and

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“This is truly the arsonist attempting to serve as the firefighter, and we’d prefer Trump stop inciting the flames of hatred against Jews as opposed to feigning his concern with a political stunt timed to correspond with a Republican-only Chanukah party,” said JDCA executive director Halie Soifer. “American Jews and Israel are not pawns to be used in Trump’s re-election bid. It’s not up to Donald Trump to define, stereotype or use Jews for his own political advantage, and we reject his attempts to do so.”

J Street slammed what it called “a cynical, harmful measure designed to suppress free speech on college campuses.” “This executive order, like the stalled congressional legislation it is based on, appears designed less to combat anti-Semitism than to have a chilling effect on free speech and to crack down on campus critics of Israel,” said the group’s president, Jeremy Ben-Ami. “J Street is committed to fighting all forms of anti-Semitism—and we feel it is misguided and harmful for the White House to unilaterally declare a broad range of nonviolent campus criticism of Israel to be anti-Semitic, especially at a time when the prime driver of anti-Semitism in this country is the xenophobic, white nationalist far-right.” Stosh Cotler, CEO of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, said “time and time again, this president and his administration have undermined the civil rights and attacked the dignity of communities protected by the Civil Rights Act, from black people to Muslim Americans to LGBTQ folks. “Now, the administration is perverting the Civil Rights Act for political ends,” she continued. “This president continues to endanger Jews through his embrace of white nationalism, his anti-Semitic comments and his spreading of conspiracy theories that incite violence. Jews across America see through his hypocrisy and reject his efforts to define who we are or what we should believe.”  PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

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DECEMBER 20, 2019 9

Headlines — WORLD — From JTA reports

Brazil commits to embassy move to Jerusalem in 2020 Brazil has opened a new trade office in Jerusalem as a first step to moving its embassy to the Israeli capital next year. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, attended the opening ceremony with Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who reiterated the relocation pledge from Latin America’s largest nation. “You have political arguments, you have historical arguments. You have a bunch of arguments to recognize that Jerusalem is your capital. So we’re not going to do something extraordinary. We’re doing a normal thing — to recognize your capital,” said Eduardo Bolsonaro, a congressman who serves as chairman of the Brazilian International Affairs and National Defense Committee. “We want to do a movement to Jerusalem, not only for Brazil, but to be an example to the rest of Latin America,” he added. Netanyahu, who during the meeting spoke with President Bolsonaro via his son’s phone, thanked Brazil for supporting Israel in international forums. “The office is part of something we have agreed upon in the tightening of relations between Israel and Brazil. And here

OPT. 1

OPT.2

it’s happening today as part of President Bolsonaro’s commitment to open an embassy in Jerusalem next year,” Netanyahu said. In April, Bolsonaro became the first head of state to tour the Western Wall accompanied by an Israeli prime minister. On Jan. 1, Netanyahu attended Bolsonaro’s inauguration and became the first sitting Israeli prime minister to visit Brazil.

Grave of Gestapo chief Reinhard Heydrich found open

The unmarked Berlin grave of Nazi leader Reinhard Heydrich, one of the primary architects of the Holocaust, was found open. According to the BBC, the Gestapo commander’s grave was left unmarked following World War II to prevent it from becoming a neo-Nazi shrine. Thus whoever opened the grave would have had access to information not publicly available. Dirt was dug up but what was left of the body did not appear to be damaged. German police have opened a criminal investigation. The perpetrator could be found guilty under German law of grave defilement. Known as the “man with the iron heart,” Heydrich was the commander of the Nazi secret police and was one of the main organizers of Kristallnacht, the 1938 pogrom that marked a major escalation of the Nazi war against the Jews. He was also the chair of the 1942 Wannsee Conference, where the Nazi leadership settled on a plan for their “final solution” to the so-called “Jewish problem.”

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Heyrich was killed by British-trained Czech commandos near Prague several months later and buried in Berlin. In a brutal crackdown following Heydrich’s death, the Germans depopulated the Czechoslovakian town of Lidice.

French leader blames Israeli ruling party for Corbyn loss

Jeremy Corbyn said he lost the British elections due to hostile media and his refusal to commit to Brexit. Jean-Luc Melenchon, a far-left politician from France, had a different take: Posting on his Facebook page, Melenchon blamed “networks of influence from Likud,” the Israeli ruling party, before inveighing against French Jews. “Instead of attacking” these networks and the chief rabbi of Britain, who said in a newspaper op-ed that Corbyn was “complicit in prejudice” against Jews, Corbyn “kept apologizing, giving the accusation play,” wrote Melenchon, who won 19% of the 2017 French presidential elections. Melenchon was adamant he would not back down. “I’ll never cede,” he wrote. “Never a point-system retirement, a German neoliberal Europe, green capitalism or kneeling before arrogant dictates by the sectarians of the CRIF.” CRIF, the umbrella Jewish group in France, in a statement Monday called Melenchon’s rhetoric “reminiscent” of anti-Jewish propaganda by French Nazi collaborators.

Avraham Stern, who becomes one of the most wanted men in British-ruled Palestine after founding the underground Lehi, known as the Stern Gang, is born in Suwalki, Poland.

Items provided by the Center for Israel Education (israeled.org), where you can find more details.

Dec. 20, 1976 — Rabin, National Religious party split

Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s Labor-led coalition falls apart as he fires two members of the National Religious Party from his Cabinet and sees a third resign. Left with a Knesset minority, Rabin calls for an election in the spring.

Dec. 22, 1938 — Rambam Hospital opens

OPT. 3

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Dec. 23, 1907 — Stern Gang founder born

— WORLD —

Assaf Gavron, a writer and musician, is born in Arad. In addition to novels, his books include a short story collection and a compilation of newspaper food columns. He also is known for Hebrew translations of Roth, Salinger and others.

M,T, W, Th, F 10am – 6pm Saturday 10-5pm

UNESCO voted unanimously to delist as a heritage event an annual Belgian parade over allegations of anti-Semitism. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization scrapped the Aalst Carnival, which this year featured effigies of grinning Jews holding money with a rat on one of their shoulders, from the agency’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Its Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage put the parade on the list in 2009 and removed it at Belgium’s request. The display of Jews at the March carnival prompted an outcry from Jewish groups and UNESCO itself, which in a statement called it “racist and anti-Semitic.” The float’s defenders argued in response that it was part of the carnival’s tradition of edgy humor, with themes mocking all religions and creeds. Carnival organizers prepared ribbons with caricatures of Jews for the 2020 edition, which they said were meant to mock UNESCO. The International Movement for Peace and Coexistence, a group that has been at the forefront of protest actions against the Aalst parade, said it was satisfied with the delisting. “We hope that delisting will change hearts and minds, and that the kind of displays that have discredited the Aalst carnival will never be seen again, in Belgium, or anywhere else,” Nigel Goodrich, a spokesman for the group, wrote in a statement.  PJC

This week in Israeli history

Dec. 21, 1968 — Assaf Gavron born

Sundays 11am-4pm

UNESCO drops Belgian parade from heritage list

The British Government Hospital of Haifa, now the Rambam Health Care Campus, opens with 225 beds at the foot of Mount Carmel.

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Dec. 24, 1920 — Keren Hayesod founded

Meeting in London, the World Zionist Congress launches Keren Hayesod (The Foundation Fund), now known in English as the United Israel Appeal, to raise money for the Zionist movement.

Dec. 25, 1925 — Tehiya founder Geulah Cohen born

Geulah Cohen is born in Tel Aviv. First elected to the Knesset with Likud in 1973, she breaks away in opposition to the peace treaty with Egypt in 1979 and forms a nationalist party that becomes Tehiya (“Revival”).

Dec. 26, 1968 — El Al flight attacked in Athens

Two members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine attack an El Al flight during a layover in Athens en route from Tel Aviv to New York and kill one of the 41 passengers  PJC

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Headlines After Jersey City shooting, investigation — and healing — begin — NATIONAL — JNS.org | Staff

L

aw enforcement officials say it could take months to complete their investigation of the shooting inside the JC Kosher Market in the Greenville section of Jersey City, New Jersey, that left a total of six people dead, including the two attackers. The three civilians killed inside the grocery were identified as 33-year-old Leah Mindel Ferencz of Jersey City, a Chasidic woman who owned the store with her husband, Moshe David Ferencz; Moshe Hersch Deutsch, 24, of the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn; and Miguel Douglas, 49, an employee at the store. Ferencz’s husband had left the grocery store just moments before the attack began to attend services at a synagogue next door. Also killed at the start of the hours-long incident was Jersey City Police Det. Joseph Seals, a 39-year-old father of five. The Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh released a statement about the shooting: “We are saddened and outraged at the apparent targeting of Jews in Jersey City, New Jersey. The shooting marks the third time in less than 14 months that someone targeted a Jewish community institution in the United States.” Meryl Ainsman, chair of the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, said, “Unfortunately we are all too familiar in Pittsburgh with the havoc that such vicious attacks wreak on a community. We are eternally grateful to law enforcement officers who, at the cost of their own lives, ran toward danger to protect Jewish people. May the victims’ memories forever be a blessing, and may those wounded heal quickly and completely.” Ferencz, a mother of three young children, was originally from the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. She and her husband were among the first Chasidic families to move to Jersey City. Deutsch was remembered by those who knew him as an exceptional person. He was a volunteer for Chai LifeLine’s annual Bike4Chai charity fundraiser for chronically ill children, as well as the organization’s Achim B’Yachad division, which caters to the Chasidic community. Achim B’Yachad Director Hershey Katz described Deutsch’s loss as devastating.

p Police brief Jewish first responders after the shooting in Jersey City. Photo courtesy of JNS.org, via NJ Gov. Phil Murphy/Twitter

“Moshe dedicated his life to chesed and to helping others,” said Katz. “He was always helping others and always available to lend a hand at any event or program.” “Our community has been terrorized once again by violent anti-Semitism,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement. “From Pittsburgh to Poway, and now to Jersey City, the disease that is anti-Semitism has clearly spread to epidemic proportions. But we will not be defeated, we will not stand down, we will not be intimidated.” According to NBC News, the bloodbath began shortly after noon on Dec. 10, when Jersey City Det. Joseph Seals pulled over a U-Haul truck bearing stolen license plates linked to a murder in nearby Bayonne, New Jersey, that took place last weekend. Seals, a 15-year-veteran of the Jersey City Police Department, was fatally shot as he approached the van near the Bayview Cemetery on Garfield Avenue. The two suspects were identified on Wednesday as David Anderson and Francine Graham. They were killed inside the kosher market. According to reports, after killing Seals, the couple drove to the kosher market on Martin Luther King Drive 1 mile away, firing their weapons into the store from the sidewalk before barricading themselves inside and launching into a high-powered rifle shooting spree that lasted for hours. Jersey City Councilman Jermaine Robinson told News 12 that the gunfire was unlike anything he had ever heard before, the shots “going and going and going without a pause.” According to Hamodia, Borough Park, New York resident Yossie Steinmetz had

just left the grocery and gone next door to the Kahal Adas Greenville synagogue when the shots rang out. Steinmetz, Ferencz’s husband, and two others were trapped in the synagogue, the four men saying prayers as the gunfire continued. “To me, it seemed like a scene out of Afghanistan, with shots flying back and forth,” said Steinmetz. More than two dozen area schools were placed on lockdown, including a cheder, a Chasidic boy’s school, upstairs from the synagogue. Heavily armed members of law enforcement stormed the area as the shooting continued. The NYPD, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Port Authority Police were among the numerous agencies that joined local police in their efforts to bring the situation under control. According to law enforcement officials, the suspects had a large supply of ammunition, including a pipe bomb. The shooting dragged on for four hours with minimal information making its way out of the grocery. One person inside the store when the attack began escaped through the back entrance. He sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital. Police stormed the market at approximately 4:30 p.m., where they found the three victims dead, along with the bodies of the two shooters. Approximately 40 children were in the cheder when the shooting occurred. They were visited by an officer from the Jersey City Police Department after the ordeal ended, who told them through a Yiddish

translator, “You guys were very brave and acted correctly today. I wish you guys a happy holiday. You guys are all safe, and you are good to go home with your parents when your parents come here.” The investigation is being handled by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. While officials were reluctant to release details of the ongoing investigation, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop took to Twitter on Tuesday night, contradicting earlier reports that the incident was not believed to be a hate crime by saying the kosher store had been intentionally targeted. One of the two suspects was linked to the anti-Semitic Black Hebrew Israelite movement.According to a report on the shooting in the New York Post, “the group believes they are the true descendants of the ancient Israelites, are known to vilify white and Jewish people and are considered a black supremacist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.” The group labels the Jews “the bastards that funded the slave trade,” according to the Anti-Defamation League. Fulop said that extra police resources would be dedicated to the Jewish community as a precautionary measure and there was no evidence of any additional threats in the area. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy ordered flags across the state to be flown at half-mast for a full week beginning on Friday, Dec. 13, in “recognition and mourning of the passing of the victims in Jersey City.” A fund set up by a group of Orthodox Jewish leaders from the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York, to benefit the family of Seals, raised more than $48,000 in less than 24 hours. Originally, organizers were hoping to raise $25,000 from members of the Jewish community to show their appreciation to the officer who gave his life to save others. “The fear Jews now feel didn’t begin with this terrible incident. The anti-Semitic attacks against our community have been escalating for a while now, and we have been sounding the alarm,” explained Chaskel Bennett, co-founder of the civic and political group Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition, which organized the fund. However, “the response by people to donate more than $48,000 in 18 hours speaks to the overwhelming desire for people to be part of something positive in the midst of such pain. From the depths of our sorrow, the very best of our people shines through.”  PJC Additional reporting by Jesse Bernstein.

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Opinion Protecting Jewish students on campus — EDITORIAL —

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he executive order that President Donald J. Trump signed at the White House Chanukah party last week is designed to protect students from an increasing number of disturbing acts of anti-Semitism on campus by withholding federal funds from colleges and universities that do not prevent or investigate harassment or threats against their Jewish students. The executive order is a potentially important protection for Jewish students who have been victimized by fellow students, college professors or administrators simply because they are Jewish, or because they are targeted for harassment by those who oppose Israel’s treatment of Palestinians or oppose Israel’s existence. The executive order extends to Jews protection against discrimination and harassment under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin, and largely reiterates guidance provided by the Obama administration in 2010 on the same subject. Relying on some sloppy reporting by The New York Times last week, many Jews and Jewish organizations took to social media to condemn the order before it had even been released to the public. Some of them accused

Trump of redefining Jews as a “nationality,” worried that such a designation could lead to trouble down the road. Others were concerned that by equating criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism the order could have a chilling effect on free speech and improperly restrict what should be First Amendment-protected activities of campus critics of Israel. The executive order, however, does not prohibit students from expressing their disagreement with Israeli governmental policies and the like. Rather, it addresses those incidences when otherwise legitimate criticism joins with victimization of Jewish students on campus merely because of their affiliation with the Zionist cause. This protection is both needed and welcome, as many Jewish students — even students who are willing to criticize Israel — can attest. In fact, the order specifically reiterates First Amendment protections: “In considering the materials described in subsections (a)(i) and (a)(ii) of this section, agencies shall not diminish or infringe upon any right protected under Federal law or under the First Amendment. As with all other Title VI complaints, the inquiry into whether a particular act constitutes discrimination prohibited by Title VI will require a detailed analysis of the allegations,” the order reads. Moreover, despite The New York Times’

report that the order attempts to redefine Jews as a “race or nationality,” it does not. As Mark Joseph Stern of Slate explained in the midst of the social media frenzy, the order “does not claim that Jews are a nation or a different race. The order’s interpretation of Title VI — insofar as the law applies to Jews — is entirely in line with the Obama administration’s approach. It only deviates from past practice by suggesting that harsh criticism of Israel — specifically, the notion that it is ‘a racist endeavor’ — may be used as evidence to prove anti-Semitic intent.” It is worth noting that the protection that the executive order gives to Jews under Title VI can be applied equally to other religious groups that sometimes share an ethnicity — such as Muslims and Sikhs — and are sometimes subject to discrimination based thereon. “Title VI bars discrimination on the basis of ‘race, color or national origin’ in programs that receive federal assistance — most notably here, educational institutions,” Stern noted in his Slate piece. “It does not prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, an omission that raises difficult questions about religions that may have an ethnic component. For example, people of all races, ethnicities, and nationalities can be Muslim. But Islamophobia often takes the form of intolerance against individuals of Arab or Middle Eastern origin. If a college

permits rampant Islamophobic harassment on campus, has it run afoul of Title VI?” All students need to feel safe on campus, including Jews. The executive order is designed to codify that protection. It also reminds universities that antiJewish graffiti on campus or the leafletting of dorm rooms of Jewish students with “eviction” notices — ostensibly because that’s what Israel is doing to Palestinians — are every bit as offensive as any number of racist acts perpetrated against students of color, and will not be tolerated. Although there can be disagreement about how to best describe Jews, we support the effort to protect all students from discrimination, harassment and victimization. There are some in the Jewish community who claim that the order is marred because the president, who has engaged in rhetoric that could incite anti-Semitism or is anti-Semitic on its face, has no moral authority to take such an action to fight Jew hatred. Others say his motives in doing so are purely political. We will not speculate on Trump’s motives, nor will we condemn the order based on what may or may not be in the heart of the man who signed it. Rather, we welcome its protections afforded to Jews and other minorities and hope it helps to quell some of the rising hate on our college campuses.  PJC

the Jews were able to connect to G-d’s will and desire. The Greeks despised this notion. They despised the idea of a relationship with G-d; they couldn’t understand how the Jews were able to perform commandments that didn’t have any rationale. The Greeks had no issue with mitzvahs that could be explained logically, such as the prohibitions against stealing and killing. But the idea of a mitzvah beyond knowledge and intellect was the antithesis of a Greek society, which to this day is considered the birthplace of true intellect. The Greeks’ sole desire was to erase any connection between mitzvahs and G-d. By doing so, the Greeks would be able to get the Jews to fully conform and assimilate. It is for this reason that the Greeks chose to defile the oil. By restricting the Jews from keeping an “irrational” mitzvah, the Greeks would be able to destroy the Jews’ connection to G-d. The Greek armies were enormously successful at first, but in the end, a small band of Jews was able to overcome the tyrants. When the Jews re-entered the Temple, they recognized that the Greeks had defiled the majority of oil. Miraculously, the Greeks failed to discover one jar of oil. Although such a find would generally result in celebration, the Jews realized that according to the laws of nature and intellect a jar of oil so small in size would only be able to light the menorah for one day. After the Jews found the oil, they realized they had no choice but to light the menorah and hope for the best. Thank G-d, the best happened and the oil that was supposed to only last for one day lasted for eight miraculous days.

This miracle can be explained in several ways. Chassidus teaches us that seven is the natural order of the world — there are seven days in the week and we very comfortably relate to things that are of an interval of seven. This is the importance of the miracle lasting for eight days — it was an amount of time beyond the realm of the ordinary. This teaches us that when we relate to G-d and Torah on a level that is above reason and intellect, G-d also relates to us on a level that is above reason and intellect. December is very difficult for many Jewish families. Many Jews don’t feel like true participants in the holiday season. To make matters worse, the idea of Christmas often feels more exciting and compelling than the idea of Chanukah. But Chanukah is about the essence of being a Jew. It teaches us that we don’t need to assimilate to be successful; even more, it teaches us that when return to our essence we are rewarded on a level that cannot be comprehended rationally. This Chanukah we have an incredible opportunity to correct a faulty perception. Chanukah is one of the most important Jewish holidays and it is about the essence of Judaism. Rather than shying away from the attention, we should utilize it and teach the world about the power of light over darkness.  PJC

The truth about Chanukah Guest Columnist Gabriel Kaufman

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n recent weeks, I’ve witnessed many of my former University of Pittsburgh classmates share statuses disregarding Chanukah’s spiritual significance. From their perspective, Chanukah is a holiday whose status has been upgraded solely due to the time when it falls. This perspective couldn’t be further from the truth. Due to the fact that Chanukah often falls around the same time as Christmas, many Jewish Americans mistakenly believe that Chanukah is a minor holiday. They believe that our menorah displays and our gift exchanges are merely a result of cultural assimilation. This misperception is unsurprising; in comparison to Christmas, Chanukah seems like a consolation prize. In reality, every Jewish holiday has immense spiritual and physical implications. Our sages teach us that every single year that we celebrate a miracle we are reliving the original experience in spiritual terms. That means that every Passover we are given the power to break through our spiritual limitations; every Shavuot we receive the Torah anew; and every Rosh Hashanah the world is imbued with the same energy that was originally there by the first day of creation (sixth day of creation, for those who would prefer to be more specific). With this idea in mind,

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we have to ask ourselves a question: What spiritual significance does Chanukah have? Many of us have grown up hearing that Chanukah is a story about light and illumination. Although the story of oil lasting for eight days is rather miraculous, it is hardly a reason to celebrate an eight-day holiday. Compared to the splitting of the sea of the reeds or the creation of the world, the miracle of Chanukah seems like a minor occurrence in the scope of world history. Prior to understanding the miracle of the menorah, we must understand the story of Chanukah as a whole. More than 2,000 years ago, the Jews faced brutal opposition (what else is new?) from the Seleucid Greek Empire. In many regards, the Greek Empire admired the Jewish people. The Greeks were very much into academic pursuits and they understood that Jews were among the most intellectual people in the world. They admired the Torah in the sense that it was filled with wisdom and intellect. Regardless of the Greeks’ admiration for Jewish intellect, they detested the faith of the Jew. They were aghast at how a Jew was able to worship G-d at a level was above intellect. The Greeks didn’t mind if the Jewish people studied Torah, they just wanted to make sure that the Torah had nothing to do with G-dliness. The goal of the Greeks was unlike the goal of most anti-Semites — the Greeks desired to crush the Jews in a spiritual rather than physical way. In an effort to break Jewish morale, the Greek armies sought to destroy many jars of oil in the Holy Temple. The Greeks understood that oil represents a Jew’s essential connection to G-d. By lighting the menorah,

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Gabriel Kaufman graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in the spring of 2019. He is currently studying at Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies. Many of the concepts elaborated in this piece are brought down from ideas of the 6th and 7th Lubavitcher Rebbeim.

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Opinion A trip to Jersey City Guest Columnist Daniel Wasserman

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have done this trip, taken this route, so many times. I pointed out when the rough weather would hit because we were traveling through the mountains, how many miles to the next rest area, which exits had the gas stations with the better facilities, and why Waze routed us this way instead of that way. Even the timing was not unfamiliar to me. Leave at 4:45 a.m., drive hundreds of miles, and be back home 16 hours later. But this trip was different. It was different because I was in the back seat for a good part of the trip instead of in the driver’s seat. I was in the company of two other community rabbis (Rabbi Daniel Yolkut and Rabbi Elisar Admon) instead of with my wife and children, or alone. The purpose of the trip was not to go visit immediate family or get matzah or etrogim or go to a wedding or even to attend a funeral or make a shiva visit for someone I

knew or with whom I was associated. It was to visit strangers whom I had not previously met. And it was not to Philadelphia, Passaic, Teaneck, Monsey, Borough Park, Manhattan or any of the places I regularly visited on these trips, on this route. The destination was Jersey City and then Williamsburg. I lived in Jersey City and served as a rabbi there right after we were married. My wife was born there; two of our children were born there. But I left Jersey City in the summer of 1991 with my car packed and a bed tied to the roof, and I had not really had any reason to return to Jersey City since then, except once or twice in the first couple of years after I left, to go to an old hat store in downtown Jersey City, or over the years to use the 1&9 approach to the Holland Tunnel. In all these years I had not returned to actually spend time in a Jersey City home, or to visit a Jewish person there. And I rarely went to Williamsburg, except for a wedding, once in a long while, at one of the wedding halls there that many people in the area use. Our plan was to visit the Ferencz family in Jersey City and then the Deutsch family in Williamsburg. We did not have access to the

any information about the possibility of visits to the families of Det. Seals or Mr. Rodriquez. When we arrived at the Ferencz home, the men were still davening Shacharit so we walked over to the scene of the murders. The store was all boarded up, with notes and flowers and candles on the sidewalk in front of it. There was no need to go inside (even if we were able). Rabbi Admon and I had a pretty good idea of what it looked like inside. Next door, in the yeshiva building, there was considerable activity including prayer and study, although we were told that classes had not yet resumed. When we returned to the Ferencz home, and then later when we arrived at the Deutsch home, we were welcomed warmly, as one would be welcomed by family. They were genuinely appreciative of, and comforted by, three rabbis from so far away, from Pittsburgh, representing their entire community, taking the time and making the effort to come and visit. Even in those two homes and at those two moments Jewish geography was in full force. There was another rabbi there who knew Rabbi Yolkut; there were people from Teaneck who were neighbors of my uncle; there was a man whose cousin is the father of

a woman in Pittsburgh. But on a much deeper and elemental level, there was a connection between us and everyone there. As tragic as the moment was, maybe the trip was not so different. There was Jewish life there. There was a resolve to pick up the shattered pieces of lives and to go forward. There were Jews of different stripes reaching out to support and strengthen each other. There was the beginning of the transition from the disbelief that “it could happen here” to the realization that it can happen anywhere, to any of us. There was the appreciation that there is no you, me or them. There is only us. Rabbi Yolkut, in his Facebook post, captured the emotion of, as he put it, “these two wrenching but inspiring shiva visits.” He wrote: “Hearing a young boy saying Kaddish for his mother, listening to an uncle talk proudly of his murdered nephew’s learning and middos ... feeling the interconnectedness of Klal Yisroel, makes every minute of this whirlwind trip powerful.”  PJC Rabbi Daniel Wasserman is the rabbi of Shaare Torah Congregation and the president of Gesher HaChaim Jewish Burial Society.

Israel: A pluralistic democracy in transition Guest Columnist Randal Whitlatch

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s a member of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs’ board of directors, I recently had the pleasure of co-chairing the organization’s fact-finding mission to Israel. The Jewish Council for Public Affairs, or JCPA, is the national hub of the community relations network, representing 125 local Jewish community relations councils and 17 national Jewish agencies, including the four main denominations of American Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist). JCPA works together with its network to advocate for a just and pluralistic American society; Israel’s quest for peace and security; and human rights around the world. They do so in common cause with other civic, racial, ethnic and faith-based organizations and leaders. The Pittsburgh Jewish Federation’s Community Relations Council is a member of the JCPA network. I accompanied more than 30 other professional and lay leaders from across the country to Israel in order to learn about the current state of Israeli democracy; the present state of pluralism in Israel; and the present state of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. We participated in several meetings

with high-level government leaders (both Israeli and Palestinian); NGO and community leaders; academics; and religious leaders. We took an in-depth, critical look at these issues and intentionally avoided biased views or balanced them with countervailing views. The mission reinforced for me that Israel is, in fact, a pluralistic liberal democracy, much like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or France. Like these other countries, Israel struggles with, but ultimately is dedicated to, LGBTQ+ rights; women’s rights; ethnic, racial, and religious minority rights; and the rule of law. While Israel lacks a constitution, its traditions, Basic Laws propounded by its Supreme Court, and its people make Israel’s dedication to liberal democracy and pluralistic society clear. Much like these other countries, there are political forces — some with formal representation in the Knesset — that are less dedicated to these principles. Israel, much like these other countries, is, after all, a marketplace of ideas. That marketplace of ideas is seemingly undergoing a significant transformation. On our mission, we heard the perspective of an extremely knowledgeable and influential academic that the Israeli left — including the Labor Party — is ostensibly in collapse. This collapse is being caused by a myriad of reasons, not the least of which is the electorate’s skepticism of the left-wing parties’ ability to manage security. Many may be tempted to lament this development, but the reality is that it may

be a very positive thing for the prospects of a progressive Israeli society. Indeed, newer, more centrist political alliances have arisen in light of this development, such as Benny Gantz’s and Yair Lapid’s Blue and White Party. Blue and White is a centrist and liberal alliance dedicated to issues such as introducing prime ministerial term limits, barring indicted politicians from serving in the Knesset, amending the Nation-State Law to include Israeli minorities, investing in early education, expanding health care and re-entering negotiations with the Palestinian Authority for a peace agreement. There are also NGOs arising in Israeli civil society looking to “rebuild” the progressive left. For example, we heard from Rami Hod, the executive director of the Berl Katznelson Center. BKC’s focus is on engaging, educating and training up-and-coming doers and thinkers placed in strategic positions that shape policy, public opinion and national priorities in support of a more just, democratic and equal Israeli society. BKC hopes to then place the leaders it engages and trains in positions of true political power. In my view, while there are bound to be some differences, there appears to be nothing fundamentally incompatible between the progressive ideas and policies SEA promotes and Blue and White’s political agenda. These political and social developments may portend the results of the upcoming Israeli elections in March 2020. These will be Israel’s third elections in the past year. Leaving aside whether such a situation suggests a

crisis of governance, it suggests that the Israeli public may no longer be convinced that a Likud-led right-wing government is essential to maintaining security. Indeed, the public may be questioning the specifics of the Nation-State Law, the wisdom of annexing the Jordan Valley and the longterm viability of the status quo in Judea and Samaria. In other words, new leadership may be arising in Israel at a time when the Palestinian Authority’s, and thus the PLO’s leadership, may be poised for some modicum of change itself as figures like Mahmoud Abbas and Saeb Erekat are rapidly aging and the Palestinian public is clamoring for elections. In sum, many may lament the perceived collapse of the Israeli left or the policies of the more right-wing Israeli government over the past 10 years. However, based on what I heard on the JCPA Israel mission, it appears as though a new center-left may be burgeoning in Israel that could ultimately be attractive to many members of the Knesset who may have otherwise fallen in line with Likud and its coalition allies, and while it is an optimistic view, this could lead to renewed efforts at negotiations with the PLO. The JCPA’s Israel mission gave me hope that Israel will successfully be able to maintain both its Jewish and democratic character while simultaneously navigating the various social and political issues 70-year-old liberal democracies are bound to face as they grow.  PJC Randal M. Whitlatch is a Pittsburgh-based attorney living in Shadyside.

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Headlines Conservative: Continued from page 1

synagogue; the future of the Jewish community; and the future of the Jewish people enabled attendees to select from sessions featuring a variety of subject matters. Titles included: “Bringing in Families by Branching Out: Online Education to Enhance Community,” “The Growing Connection of Liberal Jewish Passion and Jewish Pro-Palestinian Activism,” “Beyond #MeToo: Promoting Healthier Approaches to Sex and Sexuality in Jewish Spaces” and “United States Tax Laws Require a Change in Your Fundraising Shpiel.” Debby Firestone, Beth Shalom’s president, found the different topics germane to her Squirrel Hill congregation’s current needs. “Our four critical areas are financial stability, youth, membership and leadership/ volunteerism,” said Firestone. Beth Shalom recently completed a strategic plan, whose research, drafting and adoption took nearly two years. The process helped identify issues concerning the congregation’s future, she explained, and it was reassuring to hear what tactics other communities or congregations are using when addressing issues like financial stability. Listening to others reinforced “that our strategic plan fit in with what was going on,” said Firestone. “It’s pleasing to know that we’re on the right track.” Rabbi Jeremy Markiz, Beth Shalom’s

Poland: Continued from page 1

any Jewish identity. In a sense it was “stay Jewish, leave communist Poland; stay in communist Poland, stop being Jewish,” said Schudrich. Those who chose the latter then debated whether to tell their children and grandchildren they were ever Jewish. If one refrained from illuminating the past, “this deep, dark family secret stayed a secret for 50 years, from 1939 to 1989,” when Communism fell. “At that point, the Nazi survivors are confronted with the question: ‘Do I feel safe enough today to tell my children and grandchildren, friends, colleagues, neighbors that I’m really Jewish?’” Schudrich arrived in Eastern Europe around the time many residents began navigating these complex waters. “I’d say that the community and I kind of grew up together,” he said. Schudrich holds ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary and Yeshiva University, as well as a master’s degree from Columbia University. As a professional, he came to Poland first with the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation in 1990. In 2000, he became rabbi of Warsaw, and in 2004 accepted the position of chief rabbi of Poland. Schudrich’s visit to Pittsburgh follows last April’s announcement that the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership2Gether

Strategically targeting audiences of greater age diversity, empowering lay leaders to take ownership, cutting red tape and keeping a record of successes and failures can help congregations achieve recruitment and retention. director of Derekh and youth tefillah, and Rabbi Seth Adelson, Beth Shalom’s senior rabbi, were invited to discuss Beth Shalom’s approach to certain contemporary difficulties. They were joined by Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham of Congregation Agudas Achim in San Antonio, Texas, for a presentation titled “Recruitment and Retention: How to Grow and Empower a Synagogue.” Fractured communities, high costs for entry and competition in the spiritual marketplace are among the many barriers facing Conservative congregations; however, by developing relationships and relevant programs, there is a successful path forward,

Peoplehood Platform added Warsaw as an additional partner to the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh; the Steel City has maintained decades-long ties to the northern Israeli regions of Karmiel and Misgav. “We’re hoping to add a new dimension, a new layer of Jewish peoplehood to our work,” said Debbie Swartz, Federation’s overseas planning associate. Welcoming Warsaw “can put a mirror up in front of our faces, in Pittsburgh and Karmiel/Misgav, of our Jewish identity by understanding the journey that they’re going through in Warsaw as an emerging Jewish community since the fall of communism; what that journey is for them; and how does that potentially inspire us; and what they can learn from us about building a Jewish community,” she added. Swartz was among those who talked to Schudrich and four other visiting Polish Jewish professionals about Pittsburgh’s relationship with Karmiel and Misgav and the realities of local Jewish life. Daylong meetings, including those at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, provided insight into the programs that already exist between Pittsburgh’s Federation and Karmiel/Misgav, and the ones that Poland or Warsaw can join immediately or in the future. “We’re thinking about all kinds of possibilities, different ways to integrate them into our programs, different programs, so

explained the rabbis. Strategically targeting audiences of greater age diversity, empowering lay leaders to take ownership, cutting red tape and keeping a record of successes and failures can help congregations achieve recruitment and retention, they said. “Beth Shalom is a great example for many synagogues in the country,” said Markiz. Since July 1, 2019, “we’ve had more than 100 programs and more than 1,300 encounters,” noted Markiz. Between the “striving successful youth program,” led by Marissa Tait, the lay-led davening experience overseen by Rabbi Adelson, the “leadership of the board

p Michael Schudrich Photo courtesy of Michael Schudrich

it is both exciting and it is both challenging because we’ve been in this relationship with Karmiel/Misgav for 25 years,” said Swartz. “It’s like when any new family member comes in. You all have to learn how to work with each other, so that’s what we’re trying to do, and yes we hope to eventually get to the point where it’s working really well but we literally just started. And we’re taking it slow, we’re taking it with baby steps.” Approximately 10,000 Jews currently live in Poland, according to the World Jewish Congress. Schudrich is optimistic about his

and the constant and consistent lay leadership” throughout the congregation, there are many “factors that make Beth Shalom an exciting place to be and we were excited and jazzed to share that with everyone else.” Nearly 1,400 people, including a sizable number of rabbis, attended this year’s convention. The Rabbinical Assembly’s collaboration with USCJ “set the tone for the conference,” said Schaer. “Having that many rabbis there was great.” Now back in Pittsburgh, the travelers are eager to build on the momentum of the conference. “We gained confidence in where we go from here,” said Firestone. “We also learned that there’s help out there if we need it.” Pittsburgh, too, can lend a hand, said Markiz. “Synagogues all across the country are facing a vast diversity of challenges, and when people write about the Jewish world, they focus in on cities like Los Angeles, New York or Jerusalem. Those experiences or challenges are different than ours. Pittsburgh is more relatable to more cities around the country,” said Markiz. “We are focused on building an institution for the future that will be resilient in the face of American Judaism’s changes over time. … We are excited to be moving forward and being a part of the national conversation.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

community, as in Warsaw, the number of active Jews is rising, he explained. “Official members of the community in Warsaw is now over 700,” he said. “That’s up from five years ago, from 250, and more importantly the median age has dropped from like 65 to 45.” Population growth is reflected by interest, he explained: “People are now ready to affiliate.” Building a relationship with Pittsburgh and its sister city offers a number of benefits, but primarily when it comes to Jewish identity, he continued: “When a person in Poland discovers they have Jewish roots, first it’s a very lonely experience there by themselves. It’s their personal journey, their personal discovery. And then they decide they want to do something about it, and they get involved in their local community, but it’s just something very local,” he said. Eventually there is a “realization that there is a whole world out there with the Jewish community. And when people in Warsaw, coming back to their Jewish roots, wanting now to become part of the Jewish world know that Pittsburgh and Karmiel/Misgav want to be in contact with us, whatever that means, that they care about us, it’s incredibly important, it’s incredibly empowering.” Added Schudrich, “We’re not alone.”  PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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None of us knows what the Jewish future will bring. But we can provide for it and enable it to flourish. Plant trees that will bear fruit for decades to come—establish a LEGACY FUND through the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Jewish Community Foundation that will provide the resources for our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Call us to find out how you can help at 412.992.5216.

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Headlines Yeshiva: Continued from page 4

if we need to.’” There’s value in such a belief “especially in today’s day and age — we just heard about Jersey City,” noted Shusterman. “Obviously, we’re not going to be vigilantes out there, but to build a sense of confidence, where after a few months of training you don’t automatically feel like a victim and to have some sense of feeling as though you can protect yourself if needed” is something to consider. “As we know, healthy body, healthy mind and vice versa, and that all blends from a Torah perspective with what we’re trying to accomplish.” With scheduling, curricular and other pragmatic details ironed out — Stout

Trip: Continued from page 5

through ROTC and the military, and I worked with him closely for an entire month. I was a tool.” While Felman does not recall too many details from that 1956 mission, he believes it was in preparation for the Six Day War, which would occur 11 years later, and which the Israelis anticipated, because the 99-year lease of the Suez Canal would expire in 1968, he said. “When I left, (the diplomat) ordered me not to make contact with him. He told me think of myself as a pawn in a chess game,” recalled Felman. Although Felman thought his work with the IDF was over when he left the 1956 mission, he was wrong. In December 1969, Felman was living in Pittsburgh, married, had a 14-month-old child and was expecting to adopt another child through Jewish Family and Children’s Service that month. He was running his family’s linen and diaper service as well as Beltone, which specialized in noise and sound control. Felman said that on Dec. 2, he received a telephone call from Dr. William Lippy, a customer of Beltone whom he had never before met. Lippy, an ear, nose and throat physician in Warren, Ohio, told Felman that he needed to be at Lippy’s home for dinner on Dec. 3. “It was extremely unusual,” said Felman. “It had been 13 years since I left that mission in Israel. But Dr. Lippy used the words ‘it is extremely important for the IDF.’” The next day, Felman drove to Lippy’s home in Warren — about 16 miles northeast of Youngstown, Ohio — where he was introduced to a handler from the IDF. The handler told Felman he was “needed in Israel immediately,” Felman recalled. Lippy, 94, now lives in Florida. He does not remember that dinner with Felman, but he does remember a doctor in Warren who lived with him for about six months and who had the same last name as the IDF handler that Felman recalled. While Lippy remembers visiting Israel in 1969, “it had nothing to do with the IDF,” he said, speaking by phone from his home in Boca Raton. “I met with Israeli doctors and taught them a procedure to restore hearing. I was an ear doctor. I had nothing to do with the IDF.” Contrary to the reporting of “Shandel Bat

Training lent Yeshiva Schools mats for use, provided instruction and hasn’t charged them a penny — the first class was held more than a month ago. Ironically, the date was Oct. 27, 2019, one year to the day of the attack at the Tree of Life building. “It was really heavy. We didn’t plan it that way. It just kind of worked out that way, and it wasn’t lost on me by any stretch. It really shook me up,” said Rieger. “Something about trying to empower young life, and make young life stronger, felt so appropriate to me. It was really kind of beautiful.” On the first day of class, approximately 30 students arrived for instruction. One week later, nearly every student returned. Stout, who had little prior exposure to the Lubavitch community, was immediately drawn to the participants’ practices and reasoning.

“They asked me questions about techniques,” he said. They were “thinking about it from all different contexts.” Students also took to jiujitsu’s physical elements, explained Rieger. During each 60-minute class, time is dedicated to drills, partnering and sparring. After an initial five to 10 minutes are spent demonstrating the move, the move is drilled for 20 minutes before students partner up for live training with full contact. Students are receptive to instruction, said Stout. “They like to have physical contact. They like to move their bodies in all different ways,” he said. “I think it’s a good balance between all the hours of sitting and studying and then to move a little bit while still using the mental capacities.” So long as interest remains, Stout, a former

nationally ranked Division 1 wrestler and dedicated instructor, has every intention of continuing the program at Yeshiva. While teenage boys are currently benefiting from the enterprise, Rieger would like to expand the offering. Stout is ready to help, and is cognizant of cultural sensitivities to mixed gender athletics. He offers dedicated women-only hours at his gym, and is hosting Girls in Gis (a gi is an outfit often worn in jiujitsu and other martial arts) on Jan. 12 from 1-4 p.m. The program is open to women and girls of all ages and skill levels. “I am really proud of this project,” said Rieger. “My vision is that we should be able to scale to CDS and Hillel too.”  PJC

Shmuel” in the Dec. 19, 1969 Chronicle, Lippy also said he did not establish any speech and hearing clinics in Israel that month, or ever. Felman was reluctant to leave for Israel in December 1969, as he and his wife, Doni, were getting ready to move to a new house and were expecting to adopt their child in the next couple of weeks. He asked his IDF handler if he could go to Israel in January instead, but the handler insisted he be in the Jewish state by the end of the week. “He never told me why,” said Felman. “And I didn’t get the full reason until 40 years later.” Felman was told to bring with him his best sound and noise control meter and his file on Dampatin, a sound control substance he had created from diaper lint, which is extremely absorbent. The product was the consistency of Jell-O, was difficult to handle and was ultimately deemed not to be viable for sale, according to Felman. When Felman told Doni he was headed to Israel, she was “shocked he was leaving,” Doni recalled. “But he told me he had to go and he couldn’t send anyone else.” Shortly after he arrived in Tel Aviv, Doni called to tell him she had just been notified that the baby would be arriving within a week and that he needed to be back in Pittsburgh to pick her up. Felman called his handler and explained to him the dilemma. “I needed an excuse why I was not in Pittsburgh,” Felman said. “I needed a reason why I was not going to be there and he said he would take care of it.” Felman suspects that the IDF handler arranged for the Israeli embassy to place the Dec. 19, 1969, article in the Chronicle to serve as an alibi for his presence in Israel and his inability to come back to Pittsburgh to receive his new child. “Doni starts getting calls a week or two later about the article,” Felman recalled. “She reads me what the article said. My picture was in the paper. I had been in Israel for a week and half and I had not been near an Israeli hospital.” Instead, Felman was “taken to one air field after another,” he said. “I looked at the helicopters. I knew that whatever they were doing was in part to silence the helicopters.” Although he explained to the Israelis that he had never sold Dampatin because it was liquid and hard to manage, they were persistent in urging Felman to come up with a way to pack it in a helicopter. They also sought his advice on other ways to quiet sound.

He eventually suggested using sea sponges to contain the Dampatin, and also told the Israelis that “one of the ways to get rid of a noise is with a louder noise, to mask the noise. Masking is every bit as effective as silencing if you can get a reason for the noise.” Felman now believes “that’s exactly what they ended up doing.” Although he was never provided with the reasons for his 1969 trip to Israel, he is convinced that it was to help the Israelis figure out how to silence helicopters for Rooster 53, a mission he had not even heard of until about three years ago when he happened to see an episode about it on the Military History Channel. Rooster 53 was an operation by the IDF during the War of Attrition, which raged along the Suez Canal following the Six Day War until a ceasefire in 1970, according to the Jewish Virtual Library. The Soviets supported the Egyptian military during the War of Attrition with equipment, including newer radars. Israel sought to capture the radars through Rooster 53 — named for the helicopters used in the mission — carried out on Dec. 26, 1969. “A-4 Skyhawks and F-4 Phantoms began attacking Egyptian forces along the western bank of the Suez canal and Red Sea,” according the Jewish Virtual Library. “Hidden by the noise of the attacking jets, three Aerospatiale Super Frelons, carrying Israeli paratroopers, made their way west towards their target.” Paratroopers surprised the security detail at the radar installation and quickly took control of the site. Two helicopters were loaded with the radar equipment, then crossed the Red Sea to Israeli controlled territory. The radar was studied thoroughly and provided the IAF with new countermeasures against the Egyptian air defenses, “removing a threat to Israeli air superiority over the Suez Canal.” Because Felman’s claims date back 50 years, the IDF could not immediately verify them, according to the IDF’s North American spokesperson. Felman’s story, though, is not beyond the realm of possibility. “At times throughout its history, including the pre-state period under the British Mandate, Israel has occasionally drawn upon the expertise or resources of Jews in the Diaspora to help meet specific operational challenges,” explained Laurie Zittrain Eisenberg, a historian of the modern Middle East and a professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Eli Sperling, senior academic research

coordinator at the Institute for the Study of Modern Israel at Emory University, agreed. “In terms of specific examples of the post1948 period, there are numerous examples of the American Jewish community providing support to Israel — political support, through fundraising, and through military service, including to both intelligence and combat units,” Sperling noted. “There was a regular exchange between the American Jewish community and many aspects of statebuilding in Israel, including in the military.” Felman’s story could “absolutely fit into the larger framework between American Jewry and Israel,” Sperling continued. “The difference is, I don’t know of other people who were surreptitiously taken to Israel with only a foggy understanding of why. But interactions between American Jews and Israelis were not uncommon at all, and it is not out of the ordinary to imagine the Mossad reaching out to Americans.” Felman vividly recalls his flight back to the States when he was finally allowed to leave Israel and go home to his family. He was picked up in the early morning hours of Dec. 23 by his handler and taken to the airport in Tel Aviv. Once at the airport, Felman was transferred to another car and taken to a remote area where he saw an El Al plane, “surrounded by men and jeeps.” “I get on the plane, and it looks like any other plane, but the front part of the plane, normally where the first class is, is heavily blocked by what looks like leather and zippers,” Felman recalled. He was seated in the back of the plane, along with only seven or eight other passengers. After about an hour “the zipper comes full length, and Yitzhak Rabin (then Israeli ambassador to the U.S.) walks out,” Felman said. “He stops and talks to the first two people in front of me on the plane, and then he comes to me, and said, ‘Mr. Felman, the prime minister and I want to say thank you.’” After he got back to Pittsburgh, Doni remembers her husband saying, “You wouldn’t believe who I flew home with.” “I said, ‘You wouldn’t believe what’s going on here,’” Doni recalled. She remains “very proud” of her husband. “I think he is very creative,” Doni said. “It doesn’t surprise me some of the things he’s done helping Israel. I’m still not certain how everything comes into play.”  PJC

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Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. DECEMBER 20, 2019 19

Life & Culture A gift for the next generation — HEALTH — By David Rullo | Staff Writer

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illary Kener is on a mission to ensure people know whether they’re carriers of a Jewish genetic disease that can be passed on to their children. Kener is the director of national outreach for JScreen, a not-for-profit laboratory at Emory College in Atlanta that administers tests for 226 known Jewish genetic diseases. While taking a genetic test to find out if you’re a possible carrier of Tay-Sachs disease, cystic fibrosis or Gaucher Disease might not sound as fun as discovering what country or village your ancestors immigrated from, it will tell you if you might pass a devastating disease onto your child. “The only way to know if you’re a healthy carrier of one of these diseases is either to get tested or to have an affected child,” Kener said. “That’s it. DNA is invisible. There’s no way to look in the mirror and know.” She believes this test is vital for people who may be starting a family or pondering having another child. As she explains it, the tests should be considered by anyone aged 18 to 45, but they shouldn’t be ignored by those who might have children in the future. Why? According to Kener, it’s simple math. If two people are carriers of the same genetic disease, they have a 25% chance of passing that disease onto their children. That number doesn’t decrease based on the number of children a couple has had. Every time two carriers of the same genetic disease have a child, there is a 25% probability the child will be born with the disease and a 50% chance the baby will be a carrier of the disease. Because these diseases require two carriers, you may be a carrier of one of the diseases and not know it. “Eighty percent of the babies born with these diseases are born into families with no known family history, because they’re recessive genes,” Kener explained. “A person wouldn’t see it until two carriers get together. Their whole family can be carriers and they would have no idea.” While a one in four chance might not seem that great, it’s important to note that according to JGene Pittsburgh’s Director Dodie Roskies,

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p Students show their JScreen appreciation at an onsite screening event. Photo provided by JScreen

JScreen believes these tests are important to every young Jewish man and woman. As a result, they’ve attempted to eliminate roadblocks that might prevent someone from taking the test. when JGenes did testing in Pittsburgh, they found “almost one in two people” were a carrier of a Jewish genetic disease. JGene Pittsburgh partners with JScreen for testing. In the past they have tested young Jewish men and women at the University of Pittsburgh and supplied funding that allowed the South Hills Jewish Genetic Partnership

to offer vouchers for reduced price testing. Rob Goodman, director of South Hills Jewish Pittsburgh, which promoted the vouchers, recalled that the reduced-cost tests proved so popular that they sold out in close to a week. While the South Hills Jewish Genetic Partnership no longer offers vouchers, Goodman explained, they

continue to assist educating the public about the importance of testing through South Hills Jewish Pittsburgh. In the not so distant past, testing for these diseases required an invasive blood test that made many hesitant. That is no longer the case. A person now need only spit in a tube from the comfort of their home and send the test into JScreen. Approximately three weeks later, a licensed genetic counselor from the laboratory will reach out and set up a meeting to discuss a person’s test results. The process is completely compliant with the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA). The results are only shared with the person taking the test and their physician. While a doctor’s prescription is required in the state of Pennsylvania, JScreen has streamlined that process. Once registered online, a person will be asked for their doctor’s name. The laboratory will reach out to the doctor and get the prescription, eliminating the need for an office visit or additional phone calls. JScreen believes these tests are important to every young Jewish man and woman. As a result, they’ve attempted to eliminate roadblocks that might prevent someone from taking the test. The company maintains a physician’s network to help find a doctor for those without a primary care physician. Additionally, JScreen works to ensure the cost of the test isn’t a barrier. The kit costs $149, with or without insurance. Kener explained that price shouldn’t be an issue. If a person is unable to afford the kit, she urges them to reach out to JScreen and they will work to get the person tested. While a Chanukah gift telling you if you share an eye color with your great-greatgrandmother or if your fourth cousin on your father’s side had a widow’s peak might be on your list holiday list this year, it may be more important to consider getting a test for you and your partner, or your son or daughter, that will tell you if you have a one in four possibility of passing a genetic disease onto your child. The results will last longer than eight nights, and like the Maccabees, help ensure the future of the Jewish people.  PJC David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Life & Culture ‘Goodnight Bubbala’ and other Chanukah-themed children’s books for the holiday season — BOOKS — By Penny Schwartz | JTA

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s a child, Sheryl Haft was captivated by the sounds of her grandparents speaking Yiddish. Sing-songy terms of endearment like “bubbala� and “mamleh shayne� sparked joy when her grandmother used them. Grittier words like “shmendrick� and “kvetch� tickled her funny bone. Now Haft has captured that passion in a new children’s book that puts a delightful Yiddish spin on “Goodnight Moon,� the beloved bedtime classic by Margaret Wise Brown. “Goodnight Bubbala: A Joyful Parody� is set during Chanukah. With bright and lively illustrations by Jill Weber, the lovingly zany story glows with the warmth of family holiday celebrations. The book includes a glossary of Yiddish words and a latkes recipe from master Jewish chef Ina Garten, an early fan of the manuscript. “Goodnight Bubbala� (Penguin Random House, for ages 2 to 5) is among a handful of new children’s Chanukah books out this year. Others include a Sesame Street board book for toddlers, two other picture books and a

couple of chapter books for older readers. Chanukah starts this year on the evening of Dec. 22. Like the original “Goodnight Moon,� Haft’s reimagined story opens with a sleepy bunny in pajamas preparing for bed. Instead of the great green room, there’s a small blue one, and this baby bubbala has a little worn blanket and stuffed gorilla. But once that first page is turned, the quiet hush of the original is upstaged by the arrival of the whole raucous family who have come to celebrate Chanukah. There’s music and dancing, dreidels, bagels, a pot of kneidels — and of course, latkes. The simple verse is brimming with Yiddish words like “plotz,� “tchotchkes,� “kvetching�

and “verklempt.� Page after page is filled with colorful illustrations, with nods to the original art by Clement Hurd. As the festivities wind down, it’s time to say goodnight. A tired “zaydie� (grandfather) nods off in a chair. When the family heads out under the wintry stars, the bunny falls asleep as the glow of the night sky shines through the window. “I just loved the sound of the Yiddish language,� Haft said. “It always made me laugh.� The author of “Baby Boo, I Love You� and the upcoming “Amazing Mazie McGear, Kid Engineer,� Haft wanted to share that sparkle in a book that reached a broad audience of young children. Rereading “Goodnight Moon� struck a chord for her, and she wondered what the story would look like if it were her family. She envisioned a mashup of Brown’s book with “Fiddler on the Roof � and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.� “Oh my gosh, no one is ever quiet,� Haft said. “It’s always a big joyful noisy gathering.� For Weber, an award-winning illustrator whose many books include “The Story of Chanukah,� by David A. Adler, the boisterous family scenes in Haft’s manuscript conjured images of long ago childhood visits with her grandparents.

“When we were there, from the first thing in the morning, in came the great-aunts and the food,â€? Weber said by phone from her home in New Hampshire. “It was this trail of people.â€? Weber said she is honored to have a part in a book that presents Jewish culture to a broad swath of Americans during a time of divisiveness. “It’s important to take this culture ‌ and be proud and to encourage other immigrants to do the same,â€? she said. At book events across the country Haft, who splits her time between New York and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, has been surprised by the warm reception from older generations of Yiddish speakers who are eager to share the book with their grandchildren. One woman bought copies for her senior reading group. “I am enjoying people sharing their favorite Yiddish words and phrases, as well as the excitement families are having around teaching these words to their children,â€? she said in an email. Haft hopes the book succeeds in bringing Yiddish to a diverse audience and inspiring children of all backgrounds to “be a mensch.â€? Please see Books, page 28

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Magen David Adom (MDA) is Israel’s official ambulance, blood-services, and disaster-relief agency, serving the nation’s 9 million people. But like every other Red Cross agency around the world, MDA doesn’t receive regular government support. That’s why it relies on people like you. Since the 1930s, generous Americans like you have provided the vehicles, training, and equipment that’s kept Israelis healthy and strong. There are many ways to support Israel, but none that has a greater effect on its people and its future than a gift to Magen David Adom. Your support isn’t just changing lives — it’s literally saving them. Make an end-of-year donation to Magen David Adom at afmda.org/chanukah today. And our best wishes for a joyous Chanukah and New Year.

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Life & Culture PA scholar invents 20-sided dreidel — RITUAL — Eric Schucht | Contributing Writer

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itualwell.org Managing Editor Hila Ratzabi never saw anything like it before: One day while browsing Facebook, she came across a post by a man looking for retailers to carry his latest invention — a 20-sided dreidel. It’s basically a 20-sided dice with the same letters as seen on a traditional four-sided dreidel, but each letter appears five times instead of once. And instead of spinning the dreidel, it’s tossed like a dice. “It’s different, a little kitschy,” Ratzabi said. “It’s just something fun, maybe a little absurd, and people are really excited about it.” Marketed as the first of its kind, it’s the creation of David Zvi Kalman, 32, who lives in Lower Merion, just outside of Philadelphia. Kalman can’t remember exactly how the idea for a 20-sided dreidel came to him, but he started looking into selling it after writing a piece for Tablet Magazine in 2015. The article focused on how much of today’s Judaica is produced in China. Since so many others were making their wares overseas, he figured it would be straightforward for him to do likewise. “In my academic life, I look at the relationship between Jewish history and the

p Lower Merion resident David Zvi Kalman created what is being marketed as the first 20-sided dreidel. Photo by David Zvi Kalman

history of technology,” Kalman said. “So, I’m approaching this both as someone who’s interested in creating new and interesting products and having some sense of the long trajectory of Jewish ritual objects, both the ones that are important and the ones that are more frivolous, like the dreidel.” Kalman has sold the dreidels in packs of six through online retailers since November. One of the biggest carriers is Ritualwell.org, an initiative of Reconstructing Judaism. Ratzabi lives in Israel and oversees Ritualwell.org’s online store, which sells products including greeting cards, ketubahs, art prints and different ritual objects. When she saw Kalman’s Facebook post, she immediately reached out to the site stocking it.

At first, Ratzabi only ordered 20 packs. But she had orders within minutes of advertising them in an Instagram post and soon sold out. So far, she’s sold more than 700 packs, something unheard of for the online store. “Its fun for me to see this phenomena happening,” Ratzabi said. “It’s really just a fun thing and when there’s so many serious things going on in current events with anti-Semitism and so many sad things happening, it was very joyful for me to see people get really excited about something, even if it seems silly. It’s a nice thing when there’s other things happening in the world that are not so great, it’s nice to have something that makes people smile.” Kalman was surprised about the positive response to the dreidel, but has some

theories on the product’s success. He said there’s a big appeal for the product among dice collectors, Dungeons & Dragon enthusiasts and anyone looking for a Chanukah gift. As it’s easier to throw a dice than spin a dreidel, Kalman said the 20-sided dreidel is great for small children. It also allows for any chance-based game to go quicker as players don’t have to wait for it to stop spinning. “It’s fun. It’s not deep,” Kalman said. “It’s a relatively easy product to understand. It’s aesthetically more interesting. And there’s just something about holding a 20-sided dreidel that, in my experience, feels delightful, even though functionally it’s not that different.” Kalman is in the process of trying to patent his design. After releasing an Israeli version of the 20-sided dreidel and a undisclosed Passover-related product, he plans to take a break from dreidels and move on to other projects. In May, Kalman earned his Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania and now works as a fellow-in-residence at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. In his free time, he works on various side projects, including a publishing house named Print-O-Craft, a network of Jewish podcasts titled Jewish Public Media and a website for anonymously sharing Yom Kippur apologies called AtoneNet.  PJC Eric Schucht is a staff writer at the Jewish Exponent.

When we have joys and special celebrations we yearn to share,

We Remember Them.

Lee & Lisa Oleinick 22 DECEMBER 20, 2019

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Life & Culture Like father, like daughter — only more complicated — COMEDY — By Matt Silver | Contributing Writer

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heba Mason is a comedian with a famous father from whom she’s been estranged nearly all her life, but that hasn’t stopped her from following in his shuffling footsteps. One of Ms. Mason’s go-to lines is: “Jackie Mason is a great comedian, but I wish I was the child of a better looking comedian — like Woody Allen … or Rosie O’Donnell.” It’s a joke that’s funny on a couple different levels. For years, the elder Mason refused to acknowledge publicly that he was Sheba’s father. Once a court-ordered paternity test determined it more than 99% certain that the Borscht-Belt icon was the father, Mr. Mason’s attempts to avoid paying child support were scuttled. But the stance was always untenable for the simple fact that Ms. Mason resembles her famous father quite a bit, not least in the physical mannerisms and halting delivery that aid her comedy. And therein lies at least part of that joke’s beauty. The other part of that joke’s beauty is that Jackie Mason has never been mistaken for the world’s sexiest man. And yet, women were just as drawn to him as he was to them. Ms. Mason’s mother, Ginger Reiter, recounted to the Chicago Tribune in 2017 that

p “As a baby I looked like him. I still look like him—that’s why I dye my hair blonde,” said Sheba Mason, referring to the family resemblance.

during their relationship, Mason would leave suits and ties in her closet, but unbeknownst to her, there were women all over Miami Beach who had Mason’s suits and ties in their closets. Instead of getting mad, Reiter distilled the material from her nearly decade-long relationship with the Tony-winner and turned it into a musical comedy, which the young Ms. Mason would reprise years later as “Both Sides of a Famous Love Affair: The Jackie Mason Musical,” a show that brought Ms. Mason a successful three-year off-Broadway run and jump-started her burgeoning stand-up career. In that play, Ms. Mason plays Reiter, and

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p Sheba Mason performing a stand-up set at the legendary Caroline’s in New York City. Photos courtesy of Sheba Mason

it’s about as shtick-filled an affair as any Jackie Mason fan might expect. The songs have names like “Ode to the Early Bird Special” and “I Never Met this Yenta.” But the underlying story of Sheba’s relationship to her father and to comedy is anything but by the numbers.

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

On one hand, there’s a father who disavowed her, at least publicly, for much of her life and, at one point, compelled her mother to sue him for unpaid child support (which he did, ultimately, pay in full); on the other, there’s Please see Complicated, page 28

DECEMBER 20, 2019 23

Life & Culture Onion and chickpea Indian fritters make a nice deep-fried nosh for Chanukah — FOOD — By Emanuelle Lee | JTA

I

Photo by Emanuelle Lee

t’s not every day you’re actually encouraged to indulge in a deep-fried afternoon snack, so I feel obliged not to pass up that opportunity when Chanukah comes along. I’m all about celebrating for the sake of it, whatever the occasion may be. Halloween: costumes and pumpkin soup it is. Taco Tuesday: Do I even have to say it? Chanukah: Host as many family members and friends in my apartment as possible to light the menorah and cathartically pander to the tradition of deep-fried doughnuts and potatoes. This year, I thought I’d change it up a little — after all, no one ever said doughnuts and latkes were the mandatory way to fulfill our oil quota, right? These Indian fritters, called bhajis, are hot, crispy and still send that endorphin-inducing smell of oil around the house, but the zesty accompanying yogurt dip cuts the calorific guilt a little with its cool freshness. Please see Fritters, page 25

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Life & Culture Fritters: Continued from page 24

Ingredients: For the fritters: 2 small white onions, finely sliced 120 grams cooked or canned chickpeas 1 cup chickpea flour ¼ teaspoon chili powder ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar vegetable oil, for frying

Photo by Vaaseenaa/iStockphoto.com

For the yogurt dip: ½ cup natural yogurt juice of 1 lime ½ cup fresh parsley, washed 1 small clove garlic, peeled salt

2. In a mixing bowl, combine the gram flour, baking powder, turmeric, chili powder and salt. Mix until all ingredients are fully incorporated. Add ½ cup water to the mixture and mix well to form a thick, pasty batter. Add the vinegar and mix again. Add the onions and chickpeas to the batter and mix to coat everything. 3. In a large frying pan, heat 1 inch oil on medium to high heat. Drop a pea-size amount of batter into the oil. If the batter bubbles and floats to the top, the oil is hot enough for frying. Using a tablespoon, scoop heaped spoons of mixture and gently place in the oil. Repeat with the remaining mixture, working in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan. You should leave about an inch between each fritter. Allow the fritter to become golden on the bottom, then turn over to repeat on the other side, about 2 minutes on each side. Lower the heat if they start to burn.

4. When the fritters are crispy and golden, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to dry off excess oil. Season with a pinch of salt and chili powder (optional). Enjoy the fritter immediately or refrigerate and eat up to 4 days later. To reheat, place the fritters on a baking tray and heat for 20 minutes at 350 F. 5. To make the yogurt dip, combine all the ingredients in a small food processor and blend until smooth.

(You can also finely chop the parsley and combine all the ingredients by hand.) This can be made up to 3 days in advance. 6. To serve, sprinkle with fresh parsley, drizzle the yogurt with the pomegranate molasses and serve with lime wedges. Serves 6. PJC This recipe originally appeared on The Nosher.

To serve: fresh parsley, chopped 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses 1-2 limes Directions:

1. Slice the onions finely and rinse them under warm water in a colander or sieve. Drain and leave to drip dry. If the chickpeas are canned, drain and rinse them, too.

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Celebrations

Torah

B’nei Mitzvah

Light your lamp Jordan Leigh Mason, daughter of Bob and Rebecca Mason and sister of Jackson of Franklin Park, was called to the Torah to become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019 at Temple Ohav Shalom. Jordan is the granddaughter of Alan and Michelle Rich of Manalapan, New Jersey and Bob and Lynn Mason of Allen Park, Michigan.

Andrew Cole Elinoff is the son of Beth and Jeffrey Elinoff. Andrew’s older brother is Michael. He is the grandson of Eileen and Myron Snider and Bernice Elinoff and the late Milton Elinoff. Andrew is a 7th grader at Sterrett. He plays volleyball, soccer and baseball, and enjoys math and science. He is in Boy Scouts as well as being a cadet in Civil Air Patrol. Andrew becomes a bar mitzvah on Dec. 21 at Congregation Beth Shalom.

Birth Wendy Bennett and David Coulson of Pittsburgh are thrilled to announce the birth of their grandson, Moshe Wolf Coulson. “Mo”, born May 24, 2019, is the brother of Iggy and Pal and son of Rebecca and Bud Coulson, all of Fair Lawn, New Jersey. Maternal grandparents are Pat and the late Mark Gordon of New York. Moshe is also the great-grandson of Alvin and Felice Gordon of Princeton, New Jersey, Jeannie and the late Bill Coulson of Comptche, California, and the late Harriet and Buddy Bennett.  PJC

Rabbi Mendel Rosenblum Parshat Vayeishev Genesis 37:1- 45:23

I

n the 1990s, two Chabad yeshiva students went on a special mission under a program called Merkaz Shlichus. This is where young rabbinical students travel during their break, particularly during the summer months, to far-flung communities that are not served with a permanent Jewish presence. These two students found themselves in a little remote town in Western Alaska that had more moose than people — let’s just say it wasn’t very Jewish. They searched and couldn’t find a single Jew so they asked the mayor/policeman/fireman/attorney (that was one person, by the way) if they could speak to the children at the school. He agreed and even escorted them to the school and introduced them. One of the rabbinical students got up to speak to the kids and asked, “Has anyone ever met a Jewish person?” A little girl raised her hand and said, “Yes, I have. My mother is Jewish!” So now this rabbinical student is trying to think to himself, “What should I tell this little Jewish girl who will probably not see another Jew in years? What message can I give her that will imbue her with pride? How can I empower her to celebrate who she is?” He took out a little Shabbat candle kit and turned to her and said, “This is a Shabbat candle. We light this each Friday as the sun sets to bring light, peace and joy to our homes, our communities and to the entire world. Here in this western most part of Alaska, the Shabbat is ushered in the last of all of the cities of the world (where Jews live). This means that each Shabbat when you light these candles, the world will be waiting for your light. Do you think you can do this very special task?” The girl smiled and agreed, and so a little girl across the world was inspired and empowered to add her light to the world. Can you imagine what that did for that child? He could have said, “What are you doing in middle of nowhere where there are no Jews?” Instead, in the most beautiful way, he made her feel important. She had a task to perform for the whole Jewish people, for the whole world. That is how you change lives — by showing people a greatness they did not know they had.

What an incredible message! Each of us has our own unique, special light to add to the world and the world waits for that light. We must reach out and empower each soul to add its light to the world. In these uncertain times, when the world shakes at its foundation, it is more vital than ever to empower our brothers and sisters with this message. Each of us must know, like that little girl in Alaska, that ours is a light that the world waits for. This is the message of the Chanukah menorah. When our ancestors entered the holy temple after they had just won their freedom, they searched and found but one jug of oil. I am sure many there thought, “What can you seriously accomplish with one puny little bottle of oil? Let’s wait until the barrels of the temple are once again replenished with oil and then we will begin to light the menorah — to be a light amongst the nations.” Instead, they said, “If we can create light right now, let’s do it.” And the menorah burned for eight days until a new supply could be brought. The message to each of us is clear: When you live in a world shrouded with darkness, you can’t wait; you must light with whatever little oil you have. Such is the urgency of light. We might think, “Someday I will share the talents I have been given — yet I will wait till my jug is full. Until I have my career in order. Until I figure out what I want to do with my life. Until I have financial security. Until the kids get out of the house. I would love to be a light, to light the fire of my fellow man, yet I am not sure I have sufficient light myself.” This menorah softly reminds us that the world needs what you might define as insignificant oil and it needs it today. You give your light and G-d will take it from there. If you know how to pronounce “aleph,” teach it to a friend. If you have a mitzvah that speaks to you, welcome your friend to join along with you. And like the menorah, don’t be abashed. Light your lamp, your Jewish identity, proudly for all to share in its glow. Once you do, you will be amazed to see how much light that small candle can make. Even ice can be melted into a sea of warmth. PJC Rabbi Mendel Rosenblum directs Chabad of the South Hills. This column is a service of the Vaad Harabanim of Greater Pittsburgh.

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Obituaries BODEK: Alvin M. Bodek, M.D., on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019 of Pittsburgh, formerly of Dormont and White Oak, born on Dec. 22, 1928. Beloved husband of Gloria Silberblatt Bodek and the late Elaine Barkowitz Bodek, father of Michael Bodek of Pittsburgh, and Richard Bodek, Ph.D. (Amy) of Charleston, South Carolina; stepfather of Henry Silberblatt of Sun Lakes, Arizona., Jay Silberblatt, Esq., of Pittsburgh, and Jeffrey Silberblatt of Atlanta, Georgia, grandpa of Benjamin Bodek and Zachary Bodek, step-grandfather of Alec Silberblatt and Zoe Silberblatt. Dr. Al graduated from Dormont High School in 1946, University of Pittsburgh 1950 and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine 1954. He served his internship at Montefiore Hospital in 1954-55, then served in the US Army Medical Corps as a captain and commanding officer of the Headquarters Medical Detachment of the 1st Cavalry Division in Tokyo, Japan in 1955-57. Dr. Bodek practiced family medicine in the Duquesne-West Mifflin area from 1957 to 2003. He was a charter diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine and a

charter fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He was a member of the Allegheny County Medical Society and the Pennsylvania Medical Society. He was on the emeritus staffs of UPMC McKeesport and UPMC Braddock. He volunteered in Israel with the Volunteers for Israel in 2005 and the Catholic Charities Free Health Care Center from 2002 to 2008. He was a volunteer at the main branch of the Carnegie Free Library. He was a 32nd degree Mason, Shriner and a member of MENSA and Intertel. Graveside Services and Interment were held at Temple Sinai Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to the American Red Magen David (American Friends of Magen David Adom) 20 West 36th St., New York, NY 10018 or Temple Sinai, Pittsburgh, 5505 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com

Books:

“Barnyard Bubbe’s Chanukah”

Continued from page 21

Here are some more new Chanukah books for children of all ages.

“Grover’s Chanukah Party” Joni Kibort Sussman; illustrated by Tom Leigh Kar-Ben (ages 1-4) The latest in a series of Shalom Sesame/Sesame Street board books for toddlers is all about the number 8, for the eight nights of Chanukah.

Complicated: Continued from page 23

a father who was one of the most beloved Jewish comics of his era, whose name still carries cache (even though it might be argued that a pronounced and public lurch to the right politically has diluted that cache somewhat, in recent years) and a daughter who is unabashed about using that name for all it’s worth to aid her own comedic aspirations. One might think that a tricky emotional dilemma to navigate. “Actually, it’s not really tricky. I’m his daughter, you know? As a baby I looked 28 DECEMBER 20, 2019

CAPLAN: Bernard H. “Bernie” Caplan, 93, of Pittsburgh, formerly of Beaver Falls, died Dec. 4, 2019. Born March 9, 1926 in Rochester, he was the son of the late Phillip and Cerna Levin Caplan. He was a graduate

Joni Klein-Higger and Barbara Sharf; illustrated by Monica Gutierrez Kar-Ben (ages 1-4) W h at will “bubbe” do with eig ht nig ht’s worth of curious pres ents lef t for her by the whimsical farm animals? Make latkes, of course!

“Kugel for Chanukah?”

Gretchen M. Everin; illustrated by Rebecca Ashdown Kar-Ben (ages 4-9) Each night, as a young girl celebrates Chanukah with her family, they light the menorah and exchange small gifts. The young

like him. I still look like him — that’s why I dye my hair blonde,” said Ms. Mason, who recently turned 34, laughing. “He took a blood test, he was court ordered to pay the child support and he did, and, you know, I’m his daughter, it’s my heritage. So I feel absolutely comfortable using his name.” “I mean, why not?” Ms. Mason continued. “If I play a synagogue, I say they couldn’t afford Jackie Mason, so they hired me.” As with her father, self-deprecation isn’t shtick for Ms. Mason, it’s instinct. Born in Miami and raised in Boca Raton, far from the Broadway stages where the elder Mason would orchestrate a storybook career turnaround, Sheba Mason somehow managed to

of Rochester High School and the University of Pittsburgh. He was a member of Temple Rodef Shalom, and a past president of Beaver Valley United Jewish Community Center. He had been the owner of the Fashion Center in Rochester, a partner in Blinn and Company, and founder and owner of Caplan Scrap Metal in Wampum. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Rose Blinn Caplan, a grandson, Aaron Caplan, a sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Melvin Weinberg, and a sister-in-law, Fernie Caplan. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn Sable Caplan, four sons and daughters-in-law, Howard and Lorrie Caplan, York, PA, Michael and Cheryl Caplan, Harrisburg, PA, Phillip Caplan and Zoe Schneider, Denver, CO, Jonathan and Marie Caplan, Atlanta, Georgia, seven grandchildren, Benjamin, Alex, Hannah, Ari, Liam, Amanda, Lauren, two brothers, Reuben Caplan, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mashel Caplan, Pittsburgh, and many loving nieces and nephews. His family and friends will always remember him as a true gentleman and the kindest person they ever knew. He was a loving husband, father,

grandfather, brother, and uncle. There was a graveside service held on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, in Agudath Achim Cemetery, Beaver Falls, with Rabbi Sharon Henry. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made, if desired, to the Jewish National Fund, 6425 Living Place, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 or to a charity of your choice. The Hill & Kunselman Funeral Home, hilland kunselman.com, 3801 Fourth Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 15010 was handling arrangements.

girl dreams of getting a pet, but her grandmother’s gifts turn out to be the ingredients for a sweet kugel. The unusual gifts are a mystery — until the last night.

Kar-Ben (ages 8-13) In this page-turning chapter book, a magical dreidel takes a brother and sister back in time from their home in Los Angeles to ancient Israel, placing them bravely in the center of action in the Chanukah story.

“The Chanukah Fable of Little Dreidel and Silver Menorah”

Sylvia Rouss; illustrated by T.L. Derby MacLaren-Cochrane Publishing (Ages 3-7) A sweet tale with a touch of magic about a plain wooden d re i d e l t h at longs to stand out like the shiny m e n or a h . A warm and engaging story by Sylvia Rouss, award-winning author of the hugely popular Jewish children’s “Sammy Spider” series.

“A Dreidel in Time: A New Spin on an Old Tale” Marcia Berneger; illustrated by Beatriz Castro

inherit a lot of her father’s comedic tics. “His syntax and stuff is so funny. I don’t know if it’s a Jewish thing, but people have told me that before, that I kind of have a little bit of that,” Ms. Mason said. For all that’s happened between father and daughter, personally, one thing that’s certain is the daughter’s admiration of her father’s talent and an undeniable attraction the comedic milieu where he forged his craft. “When you think he had seven or eight one man Broadway shows and each of them is almost two hours of material, it’s incredible,” said Ms. Mason, who found a love for stand-up after moving to New York to be an actress. “I said to myself, ‘Why am I working so

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FARKAS: Jerald Farkas. On Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019; dear father of Beth (Howard) Borin and the late Jeffrey Farkas; beloved brother of Neal (Michelle) Farkas and Nanci Coller; grandfather of Jessica and Mitchell Borin. Also survived by many loving family members and friends. Graveside Service and Interment were held at Temple B’Nai Israel Cemetery, Versailles Boro. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com.

Please see Obituaries, page 29

“Bold and Brave”

Shainy Peysin; illustrated by Michael McFarland Hachai Publishing (ages 7-10) Part historical fiction, part religious adventure story featuring a brother and sister who live in ancient Israel under the rule of King Antiochus, the ruthless ruler of the Chanukah story. As their beliefs are tested, the religiously observant siblings find courage.  PJC

hard trying to get cast as an actress when I can be onstage every night on my own?’” Ms. Mason recalled. “I just fell in love with the whole scene of comedy, comedians and their attitudes about everything. And I loved being alone onstage and not having to rely on anyone else — it was my writing and my personality. I just really love that aspect of it.” Ginger Reiter would go on to marry a South Florida cantor. Ms. Mason joked, “She likes Jews, what can I tell you?”  PJC Matt Silver writes for the Jewish Exponent, a Pittsburgh Chronicle-affiliated publication, where this article first appeared.

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Obituaries Obituaries: Continued from page 28

LEVINE: Warren Levine, on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, FL at age 86. Born on Feb. 24, 1933 in Pittsburgh, PA to Sadie Weiss Weber and Harry Levine, and stepson to Dr. Morris (“Doc”) Weber, Warren was the husband of Judith (“Judy”) Weiner Levine of Pittsburgh, PA, but resided in Vero Beach, FL since 2003; father to David Stanley Ruben (Pittsburgh, PA), B. Harrison Levine (Boulder, CO), Carrie Levine Schiff (Boulder, CO), Marnie Susan Levine (Denver, CO), and Jaime Paige Levine (New York, NY); grandfather of Sidney Schiff, Aaron Ruben, Samuel Schiff, and Jake Ruben; and beloved companion of Scout. A graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, Warren received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Pittsburgh, was a lieutenant in the United States Air Force, and maintained a career in retail clothing with his own shops, “The Village Seat,” in Shadyside and Oakland. Warren married Judith Marcia Weiner in 1962. In 1974 he received his J.D. from Duquesne University, after which he embarked on a long career of service to the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, retiring as an assistant district attorney in 1998. A memorial will take place in Vero Beach in early January 2020. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA Hospice House of Vero Beach (1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960; vnatc.org) or Temple Beth Shalom of Vero Beach (365 43rd Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32968; tbsvero.org). PLUNG: Howard E. Plung, on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019; beloved son of the late Louis and Jane Plung; brother of the late Donald (the late Rose) Plung and the late Shirley Goldman; beloved uncle of Debbie (Josh) Resnick, Patty (Kevin) Maloney, Bobby (Ame) Goldman, Dan (Lisa) Goldman, Louis (Lori) Plung, Linda (Marc) Levine, and the late Stephen Plung; great-uncle of Stephanie (Sean) Stockton, Hillary Maloney, Alex, Max and Natalie Goldman, Aaron and Elise Goldman, Ryan (Marie) Levine, Brandon Levine, Samantha Resnick, and Danielle and Jesse Plung; great-great-uncle of Landon and Lucas Levine. Also survived by his devoted caregivers. Howard was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all those that knew him. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment Beth Shalom Cemetery. Contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. schugar.com ROSENTHAL: Estelle Fern Rosenthal, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. Beloved wife of the late Daniel Rosenthal. Beloved mother of Joel (Reesa), Michael, the late Wendy and Richard Rosenthal. Sister of Nancy (Steve) Binder. Cherished grandmother of Laura, Anna, Carter and Max Rosenthal. Daughter of the

late Max and Anne Tauberg. Also survived by adoring nieces and nephews. Estelle was a beautiful person inside and out. She was an amazing cook, a talented artist, and she loved watching Steeler games as often as she could. She was proud to be a part of Pitt Players while in school. Estelle became a real estate agent in her midlife and was loved by everyone who met her as she was the most caring and patient woman you could ever meet. She was truly dedicated to her family and always made everyone feel extremely loved. Estelle was a devoted wife, had an incredible relationship with her sister, shared a special bond with her daughter-in-law, and took joy in raising her children. She spent years taking care of her daughter with special needs while maintaining the most positive and optimistic outlook. You could not find a more stylish, funny, and inspiring woman. Her family will miss her, but they are so thankful and grateful to have had her in their lives for so long. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment Cneseth Israel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Merakey Allegheny Valley School, attention Dorothy Gordon, 1996 Ewings Mill Road, Coroapolis, PA 15108-3380 or the Caravan Research Foundation, 88 Route 37, New Fairfield, CT 06812. schugar.com. SILVERMAN: Audrey Silverman, born on Sept. 8, 1932 in Winnipeg Canada, passed away peacefully on Dec. 6th, 2019 in her home in Boca Raton, Florida. She was surrounded by her loving family. Survived by devoted and beloved husband of 65 years, Edward Silverman, daughter’s, Janie Rubin (Allan), Lynne Padison (Arik) Lori Silverman, Margie Halem (Mitch) and Marla Garchik (Steve); loving daughter of the late Nathan and Ann Rosenfield and sister of the late Gerald Rosenfield and sister-in-law, Rena Rosenfield. Sister-in-law of Paul Silverman and the late Dale Silverman, sister-in-law to Lois Cohen and the late Hershey Cohen. Cherished grandmother of Sydne Garchik Russell (Marc), Jesse Garchik Wright (Jay), Michael Garchik (Samantha), Harrison Halem (Courtney), Adam Halem (Amanda), Eliot Padison, Ilia Silverman Esrig, (Alex) Nora Padison, Sam Halem, Jared Esrig and Jack Garchik. Loving great-grandmother of Blair and Eliza Russell. Also survived by her loving cousins, nieces and nephews. A private service was held on Monday, Dec. 9. Family will observe Shiva Monday evening in Pittsburgh at the Rubin residence, 5432 Hobart St. (Squirrel Hill), 7-9 p.m. Shiva will continue in Rockville, Maryland, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at the home of Margie and Mitch Halem,13606 Anchor Cove Court, Rockville. 7-9 p.m. May her sunshine, light and pure kindness continue to bring peace to all that knew her. Memorial contributions may be made to http://act.autismspeaks.org/goto/marlaand jackgarchik. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com  PJC

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Jewish Association on Aging gratefully acknowledges contributions from the following: A gift from ...

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Anonymous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ilene Grossman Mattock Anonymous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sophie Ruben Martin Ackerman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Morris Ackerman Reggie Bardin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tinnie Lange Reggie Bardin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charles Bardin Joseph and Jane Blattner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marion Wein Patricia & Charles Bluestone & Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Unger Charlotte G. Bluestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leon Bluestone Hedy Caplan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Benjamin Mitchel Hyla & Sandor Caplan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Zelda Sadowsky Susan Cohen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Howard Schwartz Susan Cohen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Donald Schwartz Susan Cohen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joseph Braunstein Sylvia & Norman Elias . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dorothy Brill Suzanne Falk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caroline Falk Suzanne Falk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin Falk Joan Finkel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Samuel Finkel Bonnie Friedman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ernie Friedman Helene Friedman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sidney Leo Friedman Lynne & Jim Gabriel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Milton Shermer Paula Gessiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Louis Landau Paula Gessiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .William Landau Paula Gessiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phillip Landau Paula Gessiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rhea Landau

A gift from ...

In memory of...

Kathie & Arnie Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack Green Lawrence D. Kanselbaum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arnold Kanselbaum Larry Kanterman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Philip Eatman Jocelyn D. Katz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pauline Daniels Jocelyn D. Katz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Louis Daniels Ron, Julie and Stephie Katz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tracy “TJ” Katz Jan & Ed Korenman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Martin Rebb Dr. Penn Lupovich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rita Lupovich Arlene Murphy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. William Ratowsky Rona Mustin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ada Hilsenrath David Niderberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michael Niderberg Marc Rice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rose Schwartz Bodek Anne D. Rosenberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Edward David Rosenberg David & Sharon Schachter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin A. Berezin Schlesinger & Seed Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Norman H. Schlesinger Gloria Shapiro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Irwin Shapiro Karen K. Shapiro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Samuel Levy Karen K. Shapiro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ann Tergulitza Karen K. Shapiro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Esther Levy Shapiro Anchel Siegman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harry Siegman Freda Spiegel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ethel J. Greenberg Carol & David Steinbach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Samuel Finkel Selma Weiss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fannie White

THIS WEEK’S YAHRZEITS — Sunday December 22: William Aronovitz, Fannie Gertrude Becker, Belle Bennett, Nathan Bennett, Joseph Braunstein, Hannah Cohen, Meyer Fineberg, Benjamin Finkelhor, Louis Fishman, Philip Hoffman, Milton Kuperstock, Samuel Kurfeerst, Benjamin Levin, Abraham Lincoff, Benjamin Jacob Platt, Leon Ryave, Fannie Solow, Philip Stein Monday December 23: Hymen Glickman, Ralph Hoffman, Harry Katzen, Sylvan Meth, Max Osgood, Mary R. Sachs, Dorothy Saul, Dorothy Weiss Schachter, Sylvia Snyder Sealfon, Benjamin S. Shapiro, Charles Tillman, Mary Weinerman Tuesday December 24: Rose Blatt, Reuben Bliwas, Raymond Cole, Lena Eisenberg, Jacob Erenrich, Birdie Weiler Greenberg, Celia Liberman, Morris Miller, Ed Newman, Stella G. Pervin, Louis Riemer, John Rothstein, Lawrence E. Schachter, Marcia E. Schmitt, Sarah Schor, Herman Schwartz, Charles Stewart, Fannie White, Dave L. Wyckoff Wednesday December 25: Ella Braemer, Harry B. Cramer, Anne G. Diznoff, Esther H. Friedman, Benjamin Gordon, Alexander Grossman, Joseph Grumer, Sylvia Rudov Klein, Harry Lieberman, P. A. Love, Alfred (Kurlie) Miller, Esther Monheim, Sophie Ruben, Sidney J. Rudolph, Norman H. Schlesinger, Dr. Donald M. Schwartz, Morris Serbin, Bessie Sherman, Violet Slesinger, Morris A. Taylor, Louis Venig Thursday December 26: Rose Cohen, Isaac Dobkin, Stuart Richard Harris, Zelda Sparks Hepner, William L. Kaplan, Morris L. Karp, Frank Levine, Meyer Levy, Ella Farber Lipman, Harry Marshall, Csipa Shapiro, Marc Wells Shapiro Friday December 27: Thelma Chizeck, Julius B. Epstein, Jacob Goldblum, M.D., Lawrence Louis Green, Mollie G. Kartub, David Aaron Liebman, Bella Marians, Dorothy Mustin, Anna Natterson, Rebecca Oppenheim, Annette Reidbord, Edward David Rosenberg, Howard Bernard Schwartz, Selma Schwartz, Milton Shermer, Bertha Tabachnick Saturday December 28: Samuel Avner, Helen N. Broida, Esther F. Busis, Murray D. Goldstein, Samuel Litman, Mary Malyn, Louis Marlin, Alex Pollack, Nathan A. Potosky, Annette Reicher, Sara B. Rosenberg, Hattie Shire, Hattie Shire, Hattie Shire, Max Shulman, William Silk, Della Ruth Stearns, Louis F. Stein, Mildred Weiner

Compassion is our passion. Not everyone can say they’re passionate about their work. We’re not everyone. Every day that we’re able to help another family make it through a painful loss is one more day we’re proud to be in our chosen profession. Our compassion toward families and enthusiasm for serving the community is truly what sets us apart.

D’Alessandro Funeral Home and Crematory Ltd. “Always A Higher Standard”

Daniel T. D’Alessandro, Spvr.

4522 Butler St. • Pittsburgh, PA 15201

(412) 682-6500

www.dalessandroltd.com

The Original Our Only Location At

2145 BRIGHTON ROAD • PITTSBURGH, PA 15212 • 412-321-2235 Serving the Jewish Community Since 1924

SEND OBITUARY NOTICES AND REQUESTS FOR MORE INFORMATION TO

obituaries@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. THE DEADLINE FOR PUBLICATION IS NOON MONDAY.

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PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

DECEMBER 20, 2019 29

Community Still super

Thank you for helping

Super Sunday volunteers made more than 11,000 telephone calls on Dec. 8 at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh and raised more than $260,000 for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Community Campaign.

JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry collected 2,640 pounds of fresh produce donated at the Squirrel Hill Farmers Market this season. Program assistant Arielle Kroser, along with JFCS volunteers, staffed the Food Pantry table every Sunday.

p Arielle Kroser

p Rabbi Moishe Mayer Vogel of The Aleph Institute

Photo courtesy of JFCS

Donation from B’nai B’rith Executive board of directors member and Pittsburgh native Steve Smiga, on behalf of the B’nai B’rith International Pittsburgh Healing Fund, presented a check for programming for survivors of the attack at the Tree of Life building. The presentation occurred at Jewish Family and Community Services on Dec. 6.

p Community Campaign Co-Chair Debbie Resnick, left, and her husband Photos by Jim Busis Josh Resnick

Stress busters Chabad at Pitt’s Rosh Chodesh Society celebrated a pre-finals pre-Chanukah de-stressing party.

p Steve Smiga; Stephanie Small, director of clinical services at JFCS; Disaster Relief Chair Rebecca Saltzman; Dana Gold, JFCS COO; and Jordan Golin, president and CEO of JFCS

p Stress-free never tasted so good.

p Jonathan Gromek, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Benevolent Fund; Rebecca Saltzman; Susan Hillen, vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police Benevolent Fund; and Steve Smiga Photos courtesy of B’nai B’rith International

30 DECEMBER 20, 2019

Photo courtesy of Chabad on Campus

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Community Jewish innovation at CDS

Paying respects

Through the Jewish Innovator/Inspiration Living Wax Museum, Community Day School students showcased scientists, inventors, writers, artists, rebels and revolutionaries in Jewish history who have made lasting contributions to the world and demonstrated to the students their modern legacy of Jewish innovation.

p CDS fourth grader Alex Friedman shares the story and work of Hungarianborn American physicist Leo Szilard.

p Rabbis Elisar Admon, Daniel Yolkut and Daniel Wasserman visited Jersey City on Dec. 16. The group observed the site of last week’s anti-Semitic attack and offered condolences at a shiva house. Photo courtesy of Rabbi Elisar Admon

To life

Philip Chosky Performing Arts Program at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh hosted its middle school musical, “Fiddler on the Roof.”

p As part of Computer Science Education Week, with the help of Google Pittsburgh engineers, including CDS parent Sagi Perel, fifth graders chose everyday heroes from their own lives and built a game. Pictured are Yuval Perel, left, and Sagi Perel

p Young thespians gather in song.

p Fourth grader Anna Kirkman joined children across the world in the Hour of Code for Computer Science Education Week from Dec. 9-15. Photos courtesy of Community Day School

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p Here’s to tradition!

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Photos courtesy of Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

DECEMBER 20, 2019 31

A JOY TO YOU THIS HANUKKAH! Empire Kosher Frozen Hen Turkeys

3

99

Prices effective through December 25, 2019

lb.

dietitian pick Red Delicious or McIntosh Apples 3 lb. bag

2/$7 dietitian pick Small Red Potatoes 3 lb. bag

Empire Kosher Fresh Whole Frying Chicken

2/ 6 $

Manischewitz Potato Pancake Mix

3

49

Empire Kosher Fresh Boneless Chicken Breasts

lb.

Lipton Kosher Soup Mix 2 to 4 oz., selected varieties

6 oz., selected varieties

699 lb.

Manischewitz Chanukah Candles 44 ct.

Kedem Sparkling Juice

dietitian pick Sun Maid Pitted or Chopped Dates

25.4 oz., selected varieties

8 oz.

2/$6 2/$5 Save up to $2.58 on 2

dietitian pick

199 ea.

Save up to $1.50 ea.

179 ea.

Save up to 20¢ ea.

449 ea.

Save up to 50¢ ea.

KOSHER WINE

Mixed Bouquets

Plus all state and local taxes. Not all items and retails available in all areas.

Spanish Onions

Chanukah Cards

Bartenura Moscato d’Asti

750 mL

Manischewitz Concord Grape or Blackberry 1.5 L

149 lb.

starting at

Kedem Tea Biscuits

4.5 oz., selected varieties

79¢

ea.

Save up to 20¢ ea.

1099 ea.

Save ea.for additional selections of fine kosher wines Please visit $2.00 our stores

SHOP SMART! Buy with Gift Cards & Earn Perks

Elite Chocolate Coins .53 oz., selected varieties

2/$1 Save up to 38¢ on 2

32 DECEMBER 20, 2019

Advantage Card must be scanned. Restrictions apply. Visit GiantEagle.com/Giftcard-Perks or see store for details. Subject to availability. See gift cards for details, terms, conditions and (if applicable) fees. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. Product may not be available in all states. The gift cards featured are not sponsors or otherwise affiliated with this company.

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