Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 3-13-20

March 13, 2020 | 17 Adar 5780

Candlelighting 7:07 p.m. | Havdalah 8:07 p.m. | Vol. 63, No. 11 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

Parents and children reap the rewards of informal Jewish education

NOTEWORTHY LOCAL Support for Point Park prof

$1.50

Local Jewish institutions prepare for coronavirus

By David Rullo | Staff Writer

T

Jewish community rallies behind Chana Newman.

Page 2

LOCAL Tale of healing

A Palestinian American author comes to Beth Shalom.

 Pittsburgh’s Diller cohort at the Tel-Hai College at the Diller Congress Photo courtesy of Lori Wynn

Page 3

University. While 45% of those children are engaged in formal Jewish education — such n a minivan life — the sort of existence as Jewish pre-school, day school or a partrequiring parents to spend their days time program — others opt for “informal” transporting children between school, programs, such as camp, youth groups or home and countless activities while simulta- trips to Israel. Decisions to participate in Jewish education, formal neously working, cooking, or informal, are typicleaning (maybe), feeding Studying community cally made by parents, those around them, This is the seventh in a according to the study, helping with homework 10-part series, exploring and are linked to the and doing myriad other the data of the 2017 overall Jewish engagetasks associated with the Greater Pittsburgh Jewish ment of the adults.

21st-century family— Community Study through schedules are regularly the people it represents. balanced, with choices to Jewish camping be made. Demands on and ‘immersive time and money, coupled with obligations involvement’ and interests, dictate lifestyle, with Jewish Casey Drucker, of Fox Chapel, has three education often a part of that equation. children, ages 11, 9 and 6. When Drucker’s Fifty-two percent of local Jewish chil- kids were younger, they attended the Jewish dren in grades K-12 engage in some Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh’s form of Jewish education, according J&R Day Camp in Monroeville. In recent to the 2017 Greater Pittsburgh Jewish years, the older kids have spent their Community Study, commissioned by the summers at the JCC’s Emma Kaufmann Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and conducted by researchers at Brandeis Please see Study, page 14

By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

I

LOCAL Tracing ‘mutations’

Film looks at four different aspects of anti-Semitism.

Page 4

he spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, has affected many public and governmental institutions. Travel has been restricted, some schools have closed and festivals like SXSW in Austin, Texas, have been cancelled.

The Jewish world has not been immune to the scope of the virus. In New Rochelle, located in Westchester County, New York, three Jewish day schools had been closed indefinitely as of press time, and nursing homes and senior living facilities had suspended visits from friends and family.

Pittsburgh has yet to identify anyone infected with the virus, but local Jewish institutions have been working to help members avoid an outbreak and create plans to deal with one if necessary.

COVID-19 is a new strain of the common coronavirus, which was first identified in the mid-1960s and most typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person by those who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when a person coughs or sneezes.

“As of this morning, there have only been 19” deaths in the United States, Dr. Jennifer Rudin, an infectious disease specialist, explained on a March 9 Zoom call with various Jewish institutions and congregations organized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. “That is unbelievably low.” (As of press time, that number had risen to 26.)

In contrast, Rudin noted, influenza has already been responsible for 18,000 deaths this season. That number may rise “as high as 46,000 by the time the flu season is over, and we have medicine and a vaccine.”

Tthe CDC is recommending relatively simple prevention procedures. These include: Please see Coronavirus, page 15

Party Planning Special section begins on p. 17

Headlines Point Park prof claiming anti-Semitism at university garners wide community support — LOCAL —

By Toby Tabachnick | Editor

C

hana Newman no longer feels alone.

Since news broke of the professor’s lawsuit against Point Park University, claiming employment discrimination based on her Jewish and Israeli ancestry, and alleging that there has been a concerted effort led by anti-Zionist faculty and students to create a hostile work environment, support for her cause has been “overwhelming,” she said.

She has received messages from people all over the world, including Austria, Canada and Israel, telling her they are in her corner following what she claims is a concerted effort by university employees to stigmatize her and sabotage her career because she is Jewish and a Zionist.

Newman, a Holocaust survivor with U.S., Israeli and Czech citizenship, has been employed by Point Park since 1964. She is currently the chair of the department of humanities and social sciences and is a professor of French and cultural studies.

She originally filed her multicount complaint against the university in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, but the case has been removed to federal court by the attorneys for Point Park.

In her lawsuit, Newman alleges that Professor Robert Ross, an outspoken critic of Israel, used his position at the university to promote “highly anti-Zionist views and activities” and to “foster the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.” She says that Ross and others

sought to have her removed from her position because she did not acquiesce to their one-sided presentation of the conflict.

She also claims in her complaint that, with the support of Point Park, Ross and Professor J. Dwight Hines have “advanced militant and hateful views against Israel and in favor of BDS that are anti-Semitic and lead to the creation of a hostile work environment,” and that the anti-Zionists on campus tried to remove her from her position at Point Park through the filing of a Title IX complaint, in which a student claimed that Newman made an insensitive comment about the #MeToo movement.

Newman was exonerated from the Title IX charges, but not before she had endured significant maltreatment from the university, including having her classes cancelled mid-semester, being prohibited from campus and being denied access to her email, she claims.

More than 100 Pittsburghers, including about 30 Israelis, came out to support Newman at a meeting on Feb. 27 organized

by Julie Paris and Anat Talmy and held at Chabad of Squirrel Hill.

“When I read the article, like so many others in our community, I was distressed and disturbed,” Paris said, referring to a Jan. 24 Jewish Chronicle piece. “What could I do?

We as a community have a responsibility to stand with her and lift her up. All Jewish people are responsible for one another.”

Paris, who did not know Newman at the time, reached out via email to lend support, then organized a meeting with other Jewish Pittsburghers to strategize how to help the professor. They decided to host the community event that took place on Feb. 27, with

p Chana Newman talks to supporters at a community event.

Newman and her attorney, Jim Lieber, sharing her story with the crowd.

Josh Sayles, director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Community Relations Council, also spoke at the event, expounding on the dangers of the BDS movement.

The aim of the BDS movement’s founders “is to eliminate Israel’s existence as a Jewish state,” Sayles said, explaining that the movement’s ambition toward a one-state solution encompasses the Palestinian refugees’ “right of return” to within all boundaries of the State of Israel, ultimately causing Jews to be a minority there.

“The BDS movement is anti-Semitic,”

Photo by Toby Tabachnick

Sayles said, “because it attempts to eliminate Israel as a Jewish state.”

Sayles also explained the anti-Israel and anti-Semitic work of FOSNA, a group for which Ross is a local leader, and Sabeel, its parent organization. FOSNA and Sabeel promote boycotts of the Jewish state.

Sabeel’s leaders have spoken of Israel as “original sin,” referred to the Palestinian refugee issue as “ethnic cleansing” and have said that Israel is “crucifying the Palestinians,” promulgating the ancient blood libel against Jews, Sayles said.

Please see Prof, page 10

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Headlines Palestinian American author recounts tale of redemption and healing — LOCAL —

By David Rullo | Staff Writer

P

alestinian American activist Yousef Bashir remembers that his father was “as much in love with his land as he was with my mother and he loved them both deeply.” So he begins his memoir, “The Words of My Father: Love and Pain in Palestine,” recalling the date palms, guavas, figs, olive trees and honeybees that made the land home.

Bashir was at Congregation Beth Shalom on March 4, part of the congregation’s 2020 Speaker Series. The talk was also sponsored

by Temple Ohav Shalom, Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom and Classic Lines.

The idyllic life Bashir remembers as a child was soon interrupted by conflict, and his book tells the story of a teenager aching to break free from both his father’s expectations and what he refers to as “Jewish settlers and Israeli soldiers living illegally next to and on our land” in the Gaza Strip before Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s withdrawal in 2005. Bashir’s comments were deeply personal and did not address the broader political aspects of the conflict.

Bashir began his talk recounting the passion his parents had for their Muslim faith, “the idea that they came from and descended from the Holy Land,” and the knowledge that the land his family called home had been inherited through multiple generations.

The elder Bashir taught English literature and believed his children should put a premium on education and eventually study abroad.

“In my house, you go to Germany to become a doctor or an engineer. That’s what my siblings are. I remember my dad cornering me one day and telling me this would happen to me and I should start studying really hard.”

“The Words of My Father” might have been simply a tale of generational angst and a son’s search for meaning if not for the Second Intifada.

In 2000, Israeli soldiers were stationed near the Bashirs’ home. Tensions escalated when the soldiers began shooting at their house, according to the author. Bashir’s father believed that there should be peace between Palestinians and Israelis because both were “children of Abraham.” His mantra throughout his family’s ordeal was “everything will be fine.” He even used that phrase after being shot in his bedroom, and

p Yousef Bashir speaks at Congregation Beth Shalom’s 2020 Speaker Series.

Photo by David Rullo

when soldiers forced the family’s neighbors to desert their homes.

When Bashir’s father refused to leave like his neighbors, and IDF soldiers quartered in their home, he used that phrase again.

The author’s description of his youth includes typical complaints of teenagers worldwide: being forced to study and live Please see Author, page 10

Empowering Teen Leaders at EKC EKC is well-positioned to provide teens with empowering opportunities as future Jewish leaders. We do this intentionally through several programs: pairing teens with a younger “sibling,” staff-in-training in Israel and at camp, and times for reflection that allow teens opportunities to explore their connection to Judaism and their leadership style.

We create an environment that gives teens the freedom to try, learn, make mistakes, and try again—without judgement. Our staff are trained to position themselves as coaches—coaches who themselves have just navigated their own teenage years and remember what it is like to find your own path.

At EKC, empowering teens is about providing them with the opportunities to chart their own course and giving them the space to make an impact back at home or in whichever community they eventually become part of. We hope that many of our teens will return to camp and become staff members, where they can continue to hone their leadership skills while contributing to our legacy of providing those at camp with summers full of connections, values, growth, and fun.

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Headlines New documentary examines Oct. 27 Pittsburgh massacre, other incidents of anti-Semitism African Americans getting more rights.

This has been going on for decades, but they began to feel threatened. Suddenly, there was an African American president. The writer Ta-Nehisi Coates described it as “blacklash” against Obama. This was their response. As one person I spoke with put it, “the sewer covers were blown off, and everything started to come out.” It was there to begin with.

I think the (2016) election was a kind of Miracle Grow for a problem that was already pretty bad. It just had not shown itself to the degree that it later did.

— LOCAL —

By David Rullo | Staff Writer

T

he Oct. 27 shooting at the Tree of Life building is one of the anti-Semitic “mutations” writer, director and producer Andrew Goldberg explores in his new documentary, “Viral: Antisemitism in Four Mutations.”

Examining the rise of anti-Semitism in the United States, England, France and Hungary, Goldberg traveled to those four countries to speak firsthand with victims, witnesses and anti-Semites. The documentary also features interviews with Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Fareed Zakaria, George Will and Deborah Lipstadt.

Goldberg spoke with the Chronicle about the documentary, which opened last week at the AMC Waterfront.

What made you decide to do this documentary now?

Right around the time of the election, we saw several upticks in anti-Semitic incidents. There were a number of bomb threats at various JCCs, there were cemeteries that were vandalized and there was a march that

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MARCH 13, 2020

 A moment from the film “Viral: Antisemitism in Four Mutations” Photo provided by Keegan Gibson

was organized against a Jewish woman in Whitefish, Montana. This culminated in the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where they chanted “Jews will not replace us.” This was a trend that we started to see where anti-Semitism was really rearing its ugly head in a way that we had not seen to this degree in the previous years.

So put all together, it really made sense for

us to make this film. And it turns out, things have only gotten worse.

What was it that allowed these hate groups to come out publicly?

There was a real pressure that was building when Obama was president. Members of these groups looked around and saw Hispanic Americans, LGBTQ Americans,

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The documentary looks at anti-Semitic incidents initiated by both the far right and the far left. It’s odd to see two groups on different ends of the political spectrum use the same tactics.

I think what you see is age-old grievances, age-old ideas, expressing themselves in different ways. This is what we talk about in the film with the idea of a virus and a virus having mutations. If you look at the language that the left and the right use, they talk about Jewish power, they talk about Jewish conspiracy, they talk about Jews being bad actors.

Please see Documentary, page 25

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Headlines Jewish Federation, government officials, stand by Asian American community in wake of coronavirus — LOCAL —

By Justin Vellucci | Special to the Chronicle

L

ocal Jewish and Asian American leaders joined a bevy of elected officials Friday at an Oakland restaurant to drive home one message: Chinese food does not spread coronavirus.

Asian restaurants and businesses in Pittsburgh have reported 20% to 40% drops in revenue in the past five or six weeks, since the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, began to spread — first in China, then worldwide, officials said. As of the March 6 press conference, which attempted to tackle xenophobia around notions that Asians are more likely to be carriers of the disease, there were two COVID-19 cases reported in Pennsylvania.

None had been reported in Pittsburgh as of press time.

There are more than 90 Asian restaurants in Pittsburgh’s East End alone — about one in three of them are located in Squirrel Hill, officials said.

“The Jewish community and the Chinese community, we’re neighbors,” said Josh Sayles, director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Community Relations Council,

p Josh Sayles addresses reporters at a press conference in support of Asian Americans.

Photo by Justin Vellucci

before Friday’s press conference. “The Jewish community is the largest minority community in Squirrel Hill and the Asian community is the second-largest minority community there. We’re linked — this impacts our neighborhood and the local economy.”

Pittsburgh City Councilperson Corey O’Connor, who represents District 5, encompassing Squirrel Hill South, called Asian American business “part of our everyday economy in Pittsburgh.”

“Without them, half of Squirrel Hill would be empty,” O’Connor said.

Before the Friday press conference began,

All of us are Pittsburghers: Immigrants, Refugees, Transplants and Yinzers

Asian Americans living in Pennsylvania and many are fearful of the anti-immigrant rhetoric some espouse in connection with coronavirus fears, said Mohan Seshadri, executive director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs.

“Remember,” Seshadri said, “shop at Asian business, be friends with your Asian neighbors, wash your hands.”

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said the city is operating under the notion that coronavirus cases appearing in Pittsburgh “will be inevitable.” Officials, he said, are working daily with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and others, to address the potential outbreak here.

“As we go through this as a city, let us remember that we’re all part of it,” Peduto said. “We don’t want to give up on our ability to be compassionate.”

Others echoed that sentiment, invoking Pittsburgh’s unity in times of crisis.

“What we do in Pittsburgh is we pull together, we root for each other and we support each other,” Fitzgerald said. “Let’s keep doing just that.” PJC Justin Vellucci is a freelance writer living in Pittsburgh.

Hear stories from immigrants and refugees settled in Pittsburgh, along with those who help make Pittsburgh more welcoming. Engage in meaningful conversations with neighbors and enjoy light snacks.

Wednesday, March 18 6-7:45 PM

A conversation exploring the question: How do we create a sense of belonging for all of our community?

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government officials, including Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and U.S. House members Mike Doyle (D-District 18) and Conor Lamb (D-District 17) sampled Asian dishes at Night Market Gourmet on Atwood Street. The establishment’s co-owner, Mike Chen, also operates Everyday Noodles on Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill.

“We’re here and we are fighting this with every Pittsburgher, so let’s fight together,” Chen told reporters.

Marian Lien, president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans, introduced speakers.

“The coronavirus is not a food-borne illness, whether your food comes from China or Fox Chapel,” said Doyle, speaking in front of window dressing marked with Chinese calligraphy and the expression ‘‘Meeting is a wonderful thing.” “We wanted to be here to dispel rumors about COVID-19 (based on) ignorance and fear.”

“It feels as if it’s a patriotic duty at this point to go to your local Asian restaurant, your local Chinese restaurant, and patronize them,” said Pittsburgh City Councilperson Erika Strassburger, who represents District 8, encompassing part of Squirrel Hill. “I will be coming here again with my family.”

There are about 500,000 Asians and

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Membership is open to any healthcare professional who contributes a minimum of $1,800 to the Community Campaign.

ANONYMOUS (5) DENTISTS General Dentistry

Dr. Rachel K. Eglash DDS Dr. Norman Feldstein * Dr. Richard Finder Dr. Thomas Holber Dr. Herbert Meyers Dr. Ingrid Smiga Dr. William Z. Spatz

Endodontics

Dr. Jeffrey Parker *

Oral Surgery

Dr. Marvin A. Dash Dr. Sarah Davies Dr. Marty Eichner Dr. Eric R. Smiga

GENERAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Ms. Laura Ellman, Social Worker Margaret L. Fischer, Occupational Therapist Steven S. Hausman, Consultant Mrs. Judith Lewandowski, Nurse Dr. Sheree Lichtenstein, Pharmacist Mrs. Nikol Marks, Physician Assistant Betty Sue Rich, Pharmacist Dodie Roskies, Management Mrs. Cathy Schuster, Social Worker Anna Lisa Silberman, Public Health

PHYSICIANS Allergy

Dr. Barry Asman Dr. Robert Gorby Dr. Richard L. Green Dr. Ronald A. Landay Dr. Macy I. Levine Dr. Lawrence Weber

Anesthesiology

Dr. Michael Kentor Dr. Bernard Wolfson *

Cardiology

Dr. Alan H. Gradman Dr. Jared W. Magnani Edward Szabo MD, MS

Cardiovascular

Dr. Lawrence N. Adler Dr. Jeffrey S. Garrett Dr. Lewis Kuller Dr. Rodney Lipman Dr. Daniel A. Rubin Dr. Saul Silver Dr. Albert Treger

Chiropractic Medicine Dr. Edward Leefer

Nutrition

Physical Medicine

Dr. Barbara Weschler

Dermatology

Obstetrics/Gynecology

Emergency Medicine

Dr. Judy Balk Dr. Mark Caine Dr. Stan Denver Dr. Daniel Edelstone Dr. Richard Mann Dr. Dean Pollack Dr. Deanna Love Rutman

Dr. Douglas Kress Dr. Tracy L. Prizant Dr. Susan L. Safyan Dr. Jennifer Brandeis Dr. Andrew Reibach

Endocrinology Dr. Jennifer Pennock

Endocrinology/Metabolism Murray B. Gordon MD, FACE

Family Practice

Dr. Geoffrey Camp * Dr. Robert Green Dr. Barry G. Segal * Dr. Barry Tenenouser Dr. Malcolm S. Weiss

Gastroenterology

Occupational Medicine Dr. Elaine Gelb

Oncology

Dr. Adam Brufsky Dr. Robert Gluckman Dr. Samuel Jacobs Dr. Stanley M. Marks Dr. Sheryl Simon Dr. Norman Wolmark

Ophthalmology

Hospitalist

Orthopedics

Dr. Charles Lebovitz

Geriatric Medicine Dr. Emily Jaffe Dr. Fred H. Rubin

Hematology/Oncology

Dr. Leslie Hope Bondy

Infectious Disease Dr. David Lee Weinbaum

Internal Medicine

Dr. David Brillman Dr. Martin Fenster Dr. Gary Fischer Dr. Morton L. Goldstein Dr. Jorge Lindenbaum Dr. Bruce Rollman Dr. Jennifer Rudin Dr. Jamie Stern Dr. Lee M. Weinberg Dr. Adrienne Young Dr. Erica Zimmerman

Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Dr. Jonathan Weinkle

Nephrology

Dr. David J. Levenson Dr. Paul M. Palevsky Dr. Allen Wolfert

Neurology

Dr. Neil A. Busis Dr. Richard B. Kasdan Stuart L. Silverman MD, FAAN Dr. Lawrence Wechsler Dr. Richard A. Weisman

Neurosurgery

Dr. Milton J. Klein

Psychiatry

Dr. David Brent Dr. Marc Hertzman Dr. Stuart Hirsch Dr. Barry L. Judd Dr. Martin Lubetsky Dr. Loren H. Roth Dr. James Schuster Dr. Robert Slayton * Dr. Susan G. Berman Kress Dr. Marsha Marcus

Elana J. Bloom MD

General Surgery

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Psychology

Dr. David Baker Dr. Bernard Doft (Retina) Dr. Norman L. Edelstein Dr. Andrew W. Eller Dr. Marc E. Hoffman Dr. Barry D. Moskowitz Dr. Scott Portnoy Dr. Janis E. Reed Dr. Jose-Alain Sahel Dr. Michael P. Schneider * Dr. Edward M. Sorr

Dr. Sharon R. Roseman Robert E. Schoen MD

Dr. Marc Adelsheimer Dr. Michael Boninger Dr. Paul Lieber

Pulmonary Disease Dr. Peter D. Kaplan Dr. Joel H. Weinberg

Radiation Oncology Dr. Russell Fuhrer Dr. Kristina Gerszten

Radiology

Dr. Richard Daffner Dr. Robin G. Hausman Dr. Emanuel Kanal Dr. M. Leon Skolnick

Rheumatology

Dr. Marshall Balk Dr. Arnold Broudy Dr. Yram J. Groff Dr. Jon Levy Dr. Robert G. Liss Dr. Allan Tissenbaum

Dr. Burton H. Pollock

Otolaryngology Pathology

Dr. Benjamin J. Davies Dr. Jay Lutins Dr. Allan B. Schachter

Pathology & Immunology

VETERINARIAN

Dr. Mark J. Shlomchik

Dr. Anthony Pardo

Pediatric Infectious Diseases

RETIRED

Stress Management for Mental & Physical Health and Longevity Dr. Bruce S. Rabin

Urology

Dr. Joseph Turner

Dr. Robert Swedarsky

Marian G Michaels MD, MPH

Pediatric Radiology Dr. Kerry Bron Dr. Lynda L. Flom

Pediatrics

Dr. Rachel Berger Dr. Nancy Brent Matthew A. Keller MD Dr. Sheldon R. Levine * Dr. Ellen Mandel Dr. Deborah R. Moss Dr. Aaron Smuckler Dr. Keith Somers

Dr. Marcus Gottlieb Dr. Richard L. Kalla Dr. Howard Lang Dr. Marvin H. Levick Dr. Richard Paul (Pediatrics) Dr. Morton A. Seltman Anna Lisa Silberman Dr. Jon B. Tucker Dr. Malcolm S. Weiss Dr. Tova Weinberg

* Indicates new member

Dr. Peter Gerszten

To join the Maimonides Society, contact Roi Mezare at 412.992.5230 or rmezare@jfedpgh.org

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

MARCH 13, 2020 7

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.  FRIDAY, MARCH 13 Bring your family and friends to a very special Shabbat service and oneg celebration in honor of Dr. Rabbi Walter Jacob on his 90th birthday, featuring artist-in-residence Dan Nichols and the Rodef Shira Choir. RSVPs appreciated. 5:30 p.m.

4905 Fifth Ave. rodefshalom.org/rsvp Enjoy soup and a speaker at Parkway Jewish Center’s “Souper Shabbat Plus Lecture Series.”

Tom Dougherty, vice president of external affairs at Allegheny Land Trust, will discuss ALT’s work helping people save local land in the Pittsburgh region. The service begins at 6 p.m., soup and speaker at 7 p.m.

300 Princeton Drive. For directions and more, visit parkwayjewishcenter.org.  SATURDAY, MARCH 14 Dan Nichols will lead Rodef Shalom Congregation in heart-opening music, silence and prayer. Prayer books will be provided so that you can easily follow along. Bring your family and friends. No RSVP is required. 9:15 a.m. 4905 Fifth Ave. rodefshalom.org

toiletries. For further information, contact president Marcia Kramer at 412-731-3338.

Join Chabad of Squirrel Hill for Ladies’ Lunch and Learn. Enjoy lunch and a class entitled “Family Feud,” exploring the story of Cain and Abel and its deeper message. 1:15 p.m. $18. 1700 Beechwood Blvd.  THURSDAYS, MARCH 19-APRIL 2 New Light Congregation is offering Sacred Seasons of Christians and Jews, a new interfaith learning opportunity. Rabbi Jonathan Perlman from New Light Congregation and Rev. Taeeta Candy from Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church lead the five-week class that began March 5 and discuss the connections between Passover and Easter. Free and open to the public. 6111 Rodman St. 6:30 p.m.

Contact Janet Cohen at janet.cohen@gmail.com to register.  FRIDAY, MARCH 20 Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin leads Rodef Shalom in dinner and discussion at 6:45 p.m. “You Don’t Have to Live Like A Refugee.” That’s what Tom Petty sang. While we don’t have to, others do. How do we recalibrate the Jewish mind, heart and soul to get that message? $15/adults, $10/kids, $20/ nonmembers. 4905 Fifth Ave. rodefshalom.org/rsvp  SATURDAY, MARCH 21

Join Rodef Shalom’s Scholar-In-Residence Come to Moishe House Pittsburgh’s Purim Party and party until you can’t tell Haman from Mordechai. Jeffrey Salkin for two study opportunities. The first, “Haftarah, Will Travel,” focused on the special Costumes are & encouraged.

Message resident The Rauh Jewish History Program Archives at the Senator aJohn Heinzor History Center, Shabbatpresent: HaChodesh reading of Ezekiel 45:16-46:18, the page forand thethe address.

8:30ofp.m. facebook.com/ the Rodef Shalom Congregation Archives University Pittsburgh Jewish Studies Program begins at 9:15 a.m. Following his morning study, events/244259853240624 Salkin will continue his exploration of “Mahloket  SUNDAY, MARCH 15 Matters: How to Disagree Constructively” at 12:30 p.m. There is no charge for the morning Join Temple Sinai for Lunch & Learn with Artist session, the afternoon class is $5. 4905 Fifth Ave. Kara Snyder.

Snyder is the creator of Temple Sinai’s RSVP, visit rodefshalom.org/rsvp.

A conversation with historians, preservationists and developers at the HeinzToHistory Center Random Acts of Torah artwork, “The Arms of Torah.”

Free. 12 p.m. 5505 Forbes Ave. Come to Moishe House and hear Rodef Shalom Scholar-In-Residence Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin present FREE AND OPEN  MONDAY, MARCHTO 16 THE PUBLIC “What Madonna Doesn’t Know.” Is Kabbalah just another spiritual fad, or does it have something to Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s teach us about God, history, the world and ourselves?

Young Adult Division’s Explorin’ Pittsburgh Club This event is free and open to all ages. 7:30 p.m. and join other Jewish young adults on the climbing wall. 7 p.m. Free. Ascend, Pittsburgh, 2141 Mary St. B’naiIsrael SUNDAY, MARCH 22 The Synagogue on Negley Avenue in  WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 TempleisSinai the Jewish Federation of Greater East Liberty oneand of the Pittsburgh’s Young architectural gems of Adult Division presents Molly The Squirrel Hill AARP chapter invites the community Dillon and Taylor Lustig. Dillon and Lustig are Pittsburgh. to attend a meeting of the New Horizon Band of two of the authors of the book “Yes She Can: 10 Greater Pittsburgh at Rodef Shalom Congregation, Stories of Hope and Change from Young Female How did it come to be?

4905 Fifth Ave. The general meeting will begin at Staffers of the Obama White House.” The pair will 1 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring donations ofWhat issign after a Q&A. 3 p.m. 5505 Forbes Ave. its books significance? new and/or gently used seasonal clothing for both Free. templesinaipgh.org/event/yes-she-can-qa-andmen and women including large and extra-large Whatbook-signing.html will it take to preserve it? sweatshirts/pants and belts, and razors, small shaving cream cans, towels, washcloths and other Please see Calendar, page 9

B’NAI ISRAEL:

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE SUNDAY, MARCH 22 | 10:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.

H. Miller & Company Photographs, 2019.0123

 SUNDAY, MARCH 22 FEATURING:

Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives at the Senator John Heinz History Center, the Rodef Shalom Congregation Archives and the University of Pittsburgh Jewish Studies Program present: “B’nai Israel: Past, Present and Future,” a conversation with historians, preservationists and developers at the Heinz History Center. Free and open the public. 10:30 a.m. 1212 Smallman St.

“Origins and Originality in the Architecture of B'nai Israel Synagogue” with Charles Rosenblum “From Mansion to Modernism: the Architectural Evolution of Congregation B’nai Israel” with Angelique Bamberg “The Founding of B’nai Israel and Adath Jeshurun” with Eric Lidji A display of rarely seen materials from the B’nai Israel archives A handmade model of B’nai Israel by local artist Ryder Henry New research about Western Pennsylvania Jewish history by students in Dr. Rachel Kranson’s “Jews and the City” course at the University of Pittsburgh Photograph by Hans Jonas B'nai Israel Records, MSS 470

8

MARCH 13, 2020

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Calendar Calendar: Continued from page 8

to Alison Karabin at 412-325-0039 or akarabin@ jrspgh.org. Sally and Howard Levin Clubhouse, 2609 Murray Ave. Suite 101. jrspgh.org

q MONDAY, MARCH 23

q SUNDAY, MARCH 29

The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh presents “Franci’s War: A Woman’s True Story of Survival During the Holocaust,” a book talk by Helen Epstein. Suggested donation of $5 at the door; free for Holocaust survivors and students. 826 Hazelwood Ave. hcofpgh.org/francis-war

Registration is now open for Good Deeds Day, an international celebration of doing good. Check the website for times and locations. Presented by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Volunteer Center. jewishpgh.org/good-deeds-day

Come to Moishe House for a cozy night of knitting, snacks and Harry Potter audiobooks. No knitting experience required. Supplies provided. Message a Moishe House resident for address. 7 p.m. facebook. com/events/650452982431483 q TUESDAY, MARCH 24 Temple Emanuel of South Hills Presents “Avoiding Fraud - What You Need to Know,” a free program for seniors. Topics will include “Understanding Home Improvement Contracts and Tips for Hiring a Contractor,” “How to Avoid Fraudulent Medicare Bills & Prevent Medicare Fraud” and “The PA Attorney General: Protecting and Assisting Consumers.” Free and open to the public. RSVP to 412-279-7600.

7:30 p.m. 1250 Bower Hill Road. q WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 Join Jewish Residential Services for Understanding Community Health Choices Waiver Services and Supports, featuring experts from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project, AmeriHealth Caritas and UPMC Community Health Choices from 6-8 p.m. Free. Light meal provided. Registration required by March 20

Join Hillel JUC for Campus Superstar at Stage AE on the North Shore to watch a high-caliber professionally produced singing competition featuring Pittsburgh’s most talented college students. 5:30 p.m. $250 benefactor ticket (includes VIP after party); $75 patron (adult); $25 (child with purchase of adult ticket); free for college students. campussuperstar.org q MONDAY, MARCH 30

Join the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh at the Stones and Roses exhibit for a conversation between Repair the World, Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh and creators of the CHUTZ-POW! comic series. The works presented share black, Jewish and intersectional solidarity, coming together through ritual, art-making, collective grieving and organized action. 5:30 p.m. 6140 Station St., 15206. hcofpgh.org/stone-and-rose

The summit begins at 1 p.m. Free. 980 Liberty Ave. hcofpgh.org/together-we-remember

Get the inside story and experience Carmen at the Pittsburgh Opera with the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Young Adult Division. Meet up before the show for a pre-show discussion, join us backstage at intermission and save 30% on your ticket. 5:30 p.m. Benedum Center, 237 Seventh St. To register, visit jewishpgh.org/event/young-adultpre-opera-talk-tour.

q MONDAY, APRIL 6

q MONDAY, APRIL 2

Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Young Adult division and the Cardozo Society for “What they don’t teach you in law school.”

Hosted by the chair of the Cardozo Society, Ruthie Goodboe, and panelists Larry Lebowitz, Brittany Holzer and Lynn Snyderman. Free. Dentons Cohen & Grigsby, EQT Plaza, 627 Liberty Ave. To register, visit jewishpgh.org/event/cardozo-society-panel-2.

Beth El Congregation hosts First Mondays with Rabbi Alex Greenbaum, its monthly lunch program. This month’s speaker is Justice David N. Wecht. Wecht will present “The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and the Judicial System of Our Commonwealth.” Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. and the program starts at noon. 1900 Cochran Road. $6. For more information and to register, visit bethelcong.org/events/first-mond ays-14-2019-11-04-2020-02-03-2020-03-02.

q TUESDAY, MARCH 31

q SUNDAY, APRIL 5

Join Chabad of the South Hills for a model seder and talk on ethics in medicine during their Passover seniors’ lunch at 12 p.m. $5 suggested donation.

1701 McFarland Road.

Join the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh for “Together We Remember: What Does ‘Never Again’ Mean to You?” at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, as it launches a month of programming for Genocide Awareness Month.

Attend the next Women of Rodef ShalomBrotherhood movie night featuring the film “The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg” about the Jewish, Hall of Fame baseball player. This will be the last movie night for this year’s series. Free. 7:30 p.m.

4905 Fifth Ave. rodefshalom.org

Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Young Adult Division’s Fitness Club at Steel Revolution, 731 Copeland St. 6:30 p.m. jewishpgh.org/event/young-adult-fitness-club-atsteel-revolution Join Rodef Shalom for a Night of Music with Rachel Barton Pine. Pine is a leading interpreter of the great classical masterworks. This performance is free and open to the public, taking place in Levy Hall. 7:30 p.m. 4905 Fifth Ave. rodefshalom.org q WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 “Let all who are hungry, come and eat!” declares the Passover Haggadah. In that spirit, Rodef Shalom is dedicating this Passover seder to the hunger crisis. Member tickets/$40, guest tickets/$50, kids under 12/$30, kids under 3 years old are free.6 p.m.

4905 Fifth Ave. rodefshalom.org/rsvp PJC

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Headlines Prof: Continued from page 2

The goal of BDS leaders, he stressed, “is to bring anti-Semitism into the mainstream.”

Sayles and Federation president and CEO Jeffrey Finkelstein met with Point Park officials in February and “let them know that Point Park’s reputation is suffering in the Jewish community in Pittsburgh,” Sayles said.

“We let them know the Federation is there for them for resources and that we are all paying very close attention” to the Newman case.

Point Park officials were invited to attend the community meeting on Feb. 27, but declined.

“Since Point Park University is involved in

Author: Continued from page 3

third floor of his family’s home and requiring passes to even visit the bathroom at night.

Bashir’s story reached an apex in February 2004. A contingent of United Nations peacekeepers were at the family’s house and after a brief 15-minute visit, Israeli soldiers announced over a loudspeaker that it was time for the foreigners to leave. Father and son walked the U.N. staffers out. The author raised his hand to wave goodbye.

“I heard a single shot,” he writes in his memoir.

“The soldier put an M16 bullet in the middle

ongoing litigation with Dr. Channa Newman, the presence of her attorney at the February 27 meeting made it impossible for any University representative to participate,” a Point Park spokesperson said in a prepared statement.

“The allegations raised in the lawsuit filed by Dr. Newman will be aired in a formal court setting, and that is where the University will respond.

“Point Park has always and continues to unequivocally denounce racism and hatred of any kind, including antisemitism.

University leadership is engaged in meaningful and productive discussions with the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh,” the statement continued.

For now, Newman’s lawyer is looking ahead to a “big fight.”

“We are fully committed,” Lieber said.

“This system really has to change — some of that is in the court and some of that is in the community.”

“It’s not just about legal documents, it’s about changing attitudes and reducing prejudice,” he continued. “We hope this process will be conducive to change so that the Zionist and Israeli point of view is not threatened.”

Paris asked attendees at the Feb. 27 meeting to sign a letter of support for Newman, which she sent to Point Park’s board of trustees and the university’s president, asking them “to take a stand against all forms of anti-Semitism, hate and discrimination,”

of the back,” Bashir recounted to the Squirrel Hill audience. “I didn’t feel pain. I didn’t see blood. All I remember is that I couldn’t get my dad’s attention and I couldn’t stand.”

Bashir’s tale took an unexpected turn while he was being treated at a Tel Aviv hospital.

“For the first time, I saw Jewish people who are not settlers or snipers. This time, the same people were telling me with smiling faces to describe the level of pain I am feeling.”

The 16-year-old spent the next three months enduring various surgeries and the following nine months recovering in Israel.

While recuperating, Bashir recalled his father reinforcing that he and his siblings were born “to do great things. Since that

day, I was convinced I was saved to do great things.”

Before leaving for the United States, Bashir returned to his family home and worked to mirror the attitude of his father, treating the soldiers who were occupying his home as guests.

Once in America, the author faced another crossroad, the death of his father. Unable to go home and attend his father’s funeral for fear of not being able to cross the multiple military checkpoints and get back to the United States, Bashir committed himself to becoming an American citizen and to write a book recounting his tale.

Since his memoir’s publication, Bashir has spoken at schools, synagogues, mosques

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Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. and churches, telling his story and hoping to advance the cause of peace to which his father was committed, he said.

Bashir closes his book with a letter to the anonymous Israeli soldier that shot him, concluding with: “Without your bullet, I might never have understood forgiveness. You were created by the same God who created me. You have the same humanity as I have. You are part of the same family as I am. I forgive you my cousin.”

Beth Shalom’s Speaker Series is made available through the Jewish Book Council and funded by Seth Glick and Carolyn Slayton. PJC David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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

Nathan Lane

and urging them to “send a clear and firm message that Point Park University, like the City of Pittsburgh itself, is no place for hate.”

As of press time, she had not received a response from Point Park.

While Newman is still teaching at Point Park this semester, she continues to be “defamed,” she said. “There are students who still haven’t spoken to me since the Title IX accusation.” But the support of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community has been comforting to the professor.

“Now, it’s like it’s not just my own battle and that’s really good,” she said. “It’s so important I’m not alone anymore.” PJC

The Davidka, a wildly inaccurate but frightening mortar designed and manufactured at the Mikveh Israel agricultural school, is used in combat for the first time against Jaffa’s Abu Kabir neighborhood.

March 14, 1972 — Black Panthers steal milk

Israel’s Black Panthers, who seek equality for Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews, steal crates of milk meant for wealthy Jerusalem neighborhoods and hand them out across poor neighborhoods to protest poverty.

March 15, 1939 — Irgun radio begins broadcasting

Kol Tzion HaLokhemet (“Voice of Fighting Zion”), the underground radio network operated by the Irgun, broadcasts for the first time, highlighting news the British would censor.

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

March 16, 2017 — MK Basel Ghattas accepts plea deal

In the first use of the 2016 MK Impeachment Law, Basel Ghattas, an Arab member of the Knesset for the Joint List, signs a plea deal on charges he used his position to smuggle cellphones and documents to prisoners.

March 17, 1921 — Mossad’s Meir Amit born

Meir Amit, who builds the Mossad into a renowned intelligence agency, is born in Tiberias. A career soldier who joins the Haganah at age 15, he leads the Mossad from 1963 to 1969.

March 18, 1974 — OPEC lifts oil embargo

OPEC lifts the oil embargo it had placed on the United States in the fall of 1973 for resupplying Israel during the Yom Kippur War. The embargo quadrupled gasoline prices and produced long gas lines.

March 19, 1999 — Hanoch Levin premieres last play

Hanoch Levin’s final play, “Requiem,” makes its debut at Tel Aviv’s Cameri Theatre. The play is based on three short stories by Anton Chekhov. Levin dies of bone cancer at age 56 later in 1999. PJC PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

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dŚĞ ůĂŝŵƐ ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ ŚĂƐ ŶĞŐŽƟĂƚĞĚ ƚŚĞ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ůŝďĞƌĂůŝnjĂƟŽŶƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ 'ĞƌŵĂŶ ŐŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ͘

ƌƟĐůĞ Ϯ ĂŶĚ &ƵŶĚ

dŚĞ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ :ĞǁŝƐŚ ,ŽůŽĐĂƵƐƚ ƐƵƌǀŝǀŽƌƐ͕ ǁŚŽ ǁĞƌĞ ƉĞƌƐĞĐƵƚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŽƉĞŶ ŐŚĞƩŽƐ ŝĚĞŶƟĮĞĚ ďĞůŽǁ͕ ĨŽƌ Ăƚ ůĞĂƐƚ ƚŚƌĞĞ ŵŽŶƚŚƐ͕ ŵĂLJ ďĞ ĞůŝŐŝďůĞ ĨŽƌ Ă ŵŽŶƚŚůLJ ƉĞŶƐŝŽŶ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ƌƟĐůĞ Ϯ Žƌ &ƵŶĚ͗ ͻ/Ŷ ZŽŵĂŶŝĂ͕ ƐƵƌǀŝǀŽƌƐ ƉĞƌƐĞĐƵƚĞĚ ŝŶ ŽƚŽƐĂŶŝ͕ 'ĂůĂƟ͕ &ŽĐƐĂŶŝ͕ dĞĐƵĐŝ͕ ZŽŵĂŶ͕ WŝĂƚƌĂ EĞĂŵƚ͕ ĂƌůĂĚ͕ sĂƐůƵŝ͕ ůďĂ /ƵůŝĂ͕ ŽŶƐƚĂŶƚĂ͕ dĂƌŐƵ EĞĂŵƚ͕ ,ĂƌůĂƵ͕ ƵnjĂƵ͕ ZĂŵŶŝĐƵ ^ĂƌĂƚ͕ ^ƚĞĨĂŶĞƐƟ͕ ƌĂŝŽǀĂ͕ WĂƐĐĂŶŝ Žƌ ĂĐĂƵ ďĞƚǁĞĞŶ ƵŐƵƐƚ ϭϵϰϭ ĂŶĚ ƵŐƵƐƚ ϭϵϰϰ͖ ͻ/Ŷ ƵůŐĂƌŝĂ͕ ƐƵƌǀŝǀŽƌƐ ƉĞƌƐĞĐƵƚĞĚ ŝŶ WůŽǀĚŝǀ͕ ďĞƚǁĞĞŶ ^ĞƉƚĞŵďĞƌ ϭϵϰϮ ĂŶĚ ^ĞƉƚĞŵďĞƌ ϭϵϰϰ͖ ͻ/Ŷ ƚŚĞ EĞƚŚĞƌůĂŶĚƐ͕ ƐƵƌǀŝǀŽƌƐ ƉĞƌƐĞĐƵƚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŐŚĞƩŽ ŝŶ ŵƐƚĞƌĚĂŵ͕ ďĞƚǁĞĞŶ ^ĞƉƚĞŵďĞƌ ϭϵϰϭ ĂŶĚ ^ĞƉƚĞŵďĞƌ ϭϵϰϯ͘ EŽƚĞ͗ :ĞǁŝƐŚ EĂnjŝ ǀŝĐƟŵƐ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞƐĞ ŽƉĞŶ ŐŚĞƩŽƐ ŝŶ ZŽŵĂŶŝĂ͕ ƵůŐĂƌŝĂ ĂŶĚ ŵƐƚĞƌĚĂŵ ŵĂLJ ĂůƐŽ ďĞ ĞŶƟƚůĞĚ ƚŽ Ă ƉĞŶƐŝŽŶ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ Z ' ;'ŚĞƩŽ WĞŶƐŝŽŶͿ͘ dŚŝƐ ƉĞŶƐŝŽŶ ŝƐ ŶŽƚ ĂĚŵŝŶŝƐƚĞƌĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞ ůĂŝŵƐ ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ͘ dŚĞ ŵĂdžŝŵƵŵ ĂŶŶƵĂů ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ĂŶĚ ĂƐƐĞƚ ůŝŵŝƚ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ƌƟĐůĞ Ϯ &ƵŶĚ ĂŶĚ ĨŽƌ ƐŽĐŝĂů ǁĞůĨĂƌĞ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ŚĂƐ ďĞĞŶ ĐŚĂŶŐĞĚ͘ dŚĞ ĂŶŶƵĂů ŵĂdžŝŵƵŵ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ĨŽƌ ĞůŝŐŝďůĞ ƌĞĐŝƉŝĞŶƚƐ ŝƐ ŶŽǁ Ψϰϵ͕ϴϱϬ ƉĞƌ ĂŶŶƵŵ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ŵĂdžŝŵƵŵ ĂůůŽǁĂďůĞ ĂƐƐĞƚƐ ŚĞůĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĐŝƉŝĞŶƚ ŚĂƐ ďĞĞŶ ƌĂŝƐĞĚ ƚŽ Ψϵϵϳ͕ϬϮϬ ;ĞdžĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŝŶĐŝƉůĞ ƌĞƐŝĚĞŶĐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂŶƚͿ͘ dŚĞ 'ĞƌŵĂŶ DŝŶŝƐƚƌLJ ŽĨ &ŝŶĂŶĐĞ ŚĂƐ ĚĞƚĞƌŵŝŶĞĚ ƚŚĂƚ ͞ŽůĚͲĂŐĞ ƉĞŶƐŝŽŶƐ ĂŶĚ ƉĞŶƐŝŽŶƐ ŽŶ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ ƌĞĚƵĐĞĚ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐ ĐĂƉĂĐŝƚLJ͕ ŽĐĐƵƉĂƟŽŶĂů ĂĐĐŝĚĞŶƚ͕ ŽĐĐƵƉĂƟŽŶĂů ŝůůŶĞƐƐ͕ Žƌ ĚĞĂƚŚ͕ Žƌ ĐŽŵƉĂƌĂďůĞ ďĞŶĞĮƚƐ͟ ƐŚŽƵůĚ ŶŽƚ ďĞ ŝŶĐůƵĚĞĚ ŝŶ ĐĂůĐƵůĂƟŶŐ ĂŶ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂŶƚ͛Ɛ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ƉƵƌƉŽƐĞ ŽĨ ĂŶ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƌƟĐůĞ Ϯ &ƵŶĚ͘ &Žƌ ŵŽƌĞ ĚĞƚĂŝůƐ ƐĞĞ ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ĐůĂŝŵƐĐŽŶ͘ŽƌŐͬǁŚĂƚͲǁĞͲĚŽͬĐŽŵƉĞŶƐĂƟŽŶͬďĂĐŬŐƌŽƵŶĚͬĂƌƟĐůĞϮͬĐŽŵƉĂƌĂďůĞͲ ƉĂLJŵĞŶƚƐͬ͘ EKd ͗ /ƚ ŝƐ ŶŽƚ ƉŽƐƐŝďůĞ ƚŽ ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞ ĂŶ ƌƟĐůĞ Ϯ &ƵŶĚ ƉĞŶƐŝŽŶ ŝŶ ĂĚĚŝƟŽŶ ƚŽ Ă ƉĞŶƐŝŽŶ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ '͘ ƉƉůŝĐĂŶƚƐ ǁŚŽ ǁĞƌĞ Ă ĨĞƚƵƐ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƟŵĞ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞŝƌ ŵŽƚŚĞƌ ƐƵīĞƌĞĚ ƉĞƌƐĞĐƵƟŽŶ ĚĞƐĐƌŝďĞĚ ŵĂLJ ĂůƐŽ ďĞ ĞůŝŐŝďůĞ͘ ůŝŐŝďŝůŝƚLJ ŝƐ ĚĞƉĞŶĚĞŶƚ ŽŶ Ăůů ƚŚĞ ĐƌŝƚĞƌŝĂ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĨƵŶĚ ďĞŝŶŐ ŵĞƚ ĂŶĚ ĨŽƌ Ă ĨƵůů ƐĞƚ ŽĨ ĐƌŝƚĞƌŝĂ ƐĞĞ ǁǁǁ͘ĐůĂŝŵƐĐŽŶ͘ŽƌŐ

ŚŝůĚ ^ƵƌǀŝǀŽƌ &ƵŶĚ

dŚĞ ŚŝůĚ ^ƵƌǀŝǀŽƌ &ƵŶĚ ǁŝůů ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ ƚŚŽƐĞ ǁŚŽ ƚŽŽŬ ƉĂƌƚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ <ŝŶĚĞƌƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚ Ă ŽŶĞͲƟŵĞ ƉĂLJŵĞŶƚ ĂŵŽƵŶƟŶŐ ƚŽ ΦϮ͕ϱϬϬ ƉĞƌ ƉĞƌƐŽŶ͘ WĂƌƟĐŝƉĂŶƚƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ <ŝŶĚĞƌƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚ ŝŶ ƚŚŝƐ ƐĞŶƐĞ ĂƌĞ ĚĞĞŵĞĚ ƚŽ ďĞ :ĞǁŝƐŚ ƉĞƌƐŽŶƐ ǁŚŽ ŵĞƚ ƚŚĞ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞ ĐƌŝƚĞƌŝĂ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ƟŵĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚ͗ o ƚŚĞLJ ǁĞƌĞ ƵŶĚĞƌ Ϯϭ LJĞĂƌƐ ŽĨ ĂŐĞ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ƟŵĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚ͕ ƵŶĂĐĐŽŵƉĂŶŝĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞŝƌ ƉĂƌĞŶƚƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŽŽŬ ƉĂƌƚ ŝŶ Ă ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚ ƚŚĂƚ ǁĂƐ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚŝƌĚ ƉĂƌƟĞƐ͕ ŶŽƚ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞ 'ĞƌŵĂŶ ŐŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ͕ ŝŶ ŽƌĚĞƌ ƚŽ ĞƐĐĂƉĞ ƉŽƚĞŶƟĂůůLJ ƚŚƌĞĂƚĞŶŝŶŐ ƉĞƌƐĞĐƵƟŽŶ ďLJ 'ĞƌŵĂŶ ĨŽƌĐĞƐ͖ o ƚŚĞLJ ǁĞƌĞ ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ƐŽŵĞǁŚĞƌĞ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ƚŚĞ 'ĞƌŵĂŶ ZĞŝĐŚ Žƌ ĨƌŽŵ ƚĞƌƌŝƚŽƌŝĞƐ ƚŚĂƚ ŚĂĚ ďĞĞŶ ĂŶŶĞdžĞĚ Žƌ ŽĐĐƵƉŝĞĚ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ƟŵĞ͖ o ƚŚĞ ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚ ƚŽŽŬ ƉůĂĐĞ ďĞƚǁĞĞŶ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϵ͕ ϭϵϯϴ ĂŶĚ ^ĞƉƚĞŵďĞƌ ϭ͕ ϭϵϯϵ Žƌ ǁĂƐ ĂƉƉƌŽǀĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞ 'ĞƌŵĂŶ ĂƵƚŚŽƌŝƟĞƐ ĂŌĞƌ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϵ͕ ϭϵϯϴ ďƵƚ ďĞĨŽƌĞ ^ĞƉƚĞŵďĞƌ ϭ͕ ϭϵϯϵ͘ /Ŷ ĂĚĚŝƟŽŶ͕ Ăůů ƉĞŶƐŝŽŶ ƌĞĐŝƉŝĞŶƚƐ ǁŚŽ ǁĞƌĞ ŝŶ ŽŶĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŽƉĞŶ ŐŚĞƩŽƐ ŝŶ ZŽŵĂŶŝĂ͕ ƵůŐĂƌŝĂ Žƌ ŵƐƚĞƌĚĂŵ ŶĂŵĞĚ ĂďŽǀĞ ĂŶĚ ďŽƌŶ ĂŌĞƌ :ĂŶƵĂƌLJ ϭ͕ ϭϵϮϴ͕ ŵĂLJ ďĞ ĞŶƟƚůĞĚ ƚŽ Ă ŽŶĞͲƟŵĞ ƉĂLJŵĞŶƚ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ŚŝůĚ ^ƵƌǀŝǀŽƌ &ƵŶĚ ĂĚŵŝŶŝƐƚĞƌĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞ ůĂŝŵƐ ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ͘

EĞǁ WĂLJŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ^ƉŽƵƐĞƐ ŽĨ ĚĞĐĞĂƐĞĚ ƌƟĐůĞ Ϯͬ &ƵŶĚ ďĞŶĞĮĐŝĂƌŝĞƐ

ĞŐŝŶŶŝŶŐ :ĂŶƵĂƌLJ ϭ͕ ϮϬϮϬ͕ ƚŚĞ ůĂŝŵƐ ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ ǁŝůů ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ ƉĂLJŵĞŶƚƐ ƚŽ ĞůŝŐŝďůĞ ƐƉŽƵƐĞƐ ŽĨ ĚĞĐĞĂƐĞĚ ƌĞĐŝƉŝĞŶƚƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƌƟĐůĞ Ϯ ĂŶĚ ĞŶƚƌĂů ĂŶĚ ĂƐƚĞƌŶ ƵƌŽƉĞĂŶ ; Ϳ &ƵŶĚƐ͘ ƐƉŽƵƐĞ ŽĨ ĂŶ ƌƟĐůĞ Ϯͬ &ƵŶĚ ďĞŶĞĮĐŝĂƌLJ ŵĂLJ͕ ƵƉŽŶ ƚŚĞ ĚĞĂƚŚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƌƟĐůĞ Ϯͬ &ƵŶĚ ďĞŶĞĮĐŝĂƌLJ͕ ďĞ ĞŶƟƚůĞĚ ƚŽ ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞ Φϱϭϯ ƉĞƌ ŵŽŶƚŚ ĨŽƌ ƵƉ ƚŽ ϵ ŵŽŶƚŚƐ͕ ƉĂŝĚ ŝŶ ƚŚƌĞĞ ƋƵĂƌƚĞƌůLJ ŝŶƐƚĂůůŵĞŶƚƐ͕ ŝĨ ƚŚĞ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ĐŽŶĚŝƟŽŶƐ ĂƉƉůLJ͗ 1 dŚĞ ƐƉŽƵƐĞ ŝƐ ĂůŝǀĞ ĂƐ ŽĨ :ĂŶƵĂƌLJ ϭ͕ ϮϬϮϬ Žƌ ƚŚĞ ĚĂƚĞ ŽĨ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚĞǀĞƌ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ůĂƩĞƌ͖ ĂŶĚ Ϯ͘ dŚĞ ƐƉŽƵƐĞ ŝƐ ĂůŝǀĞ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ĚĂƚĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƉĂLJŵĞŶƚ͖ ĂŶĚ 3 dŚĞ ƐƉŽƵƐĞ ǁĂƐ ŵĂƌƌŝĞĚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƌƟĐůĞ Ϯͬ &ƵŶĚ ďĞŶĞĮĐŝĂƌLJ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ƟŵĞ ŽĨ ĚĞĂƚŚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƌƟĐůĞ Ϯͬ &ƵŶĚ ďĞŶĞĮĐŝĂƌLJ͖ ĂŶĚ ϰ͘ dŚĞ ƌƟĐůĞ Ϯͬ &ƵŶĚ ƌĞĐŝƉŝĞŶƚ ƉĂƐƐĞĚ ĂǁĂLJ Ăƚ ĂŶLJ ƉŽŝŶƚ ǁŚŝůĞ ŚĞ Žƌ ƐŚĞ ǁĂƐ ƌĞĐĞŝǀŝŶŐ Ă ƉĂLJŵĞŶƚ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ͘ dŚĞ ƐƉŽƵƐĞ ŽĨ Ă ,ŽůŽĐĂƵƐƚ ƐƵƌǀŝǀŽƌ ŵƵƐƚ ďĞ ĂůŝǀĞ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ƟŵĞ ŽĨ ĞĂĐŚ ƉĂLJŵĞŶƚ͘ KƚŚĞƌ ŚĞŝƌƐ͕ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͕ ĂƌĞ ŶŽƚ ĞŶƟƚůĞĚ ƚŽ ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞ ĂŶLJ ƉĂLJŵĞŶƚ ŝŶ ůŝĞƵ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƐƉŽƵƐĞ͘ dŽ ĚŽǁŶůŽĂĚ ĂŶ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶ ĨƌŽŵ ŽƵƌ ǁĞďƐŝƚĞ͕ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ŐŽ ƚŽ͗ ǁǁǁ͘ĐůĂŝŵƐĐŽŶ͘ŽƌŐͬĂƉƉůLJ &Žƌ ŵŽƌĞ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ͕ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ͗ ůĂŝŵƐ ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ P.O. Box 1215 EĞǁ zŽƌŬ͕ Ez ϭϬϭϭϯ dĞů͗ ϲϰϲͲϱϯϲͲϵϭϬϬ ŵĂŝů͗ŝŶĨŽΛĐůĂŝŵƐĐŽŶ͘ŽƌŐ ǁǁǁ͘ĐůĂŝŵƐĐŽŶ͘ŽƌŐ dŚĞ ůĂŝŵƐ ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ ŚĂƐ ĂŶ KŵďƵĚƐǁŽŵĂŶ͘ dŽ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ ƚŚĞ KĸĐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ KŵďƵĚƐǁŽŵĂŶ͕ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĞŵĂŝů KŵďƵĚƐŵĂŶΛĐůĂŝŵƐĐŽŶ͘ŽƌŐ Žƌ ǁƌŝƚĞ ƚŽ dŚĞ KŵďƵĚƐǁŽŵĂŶ͕ WK Ždž ϱϴϱ͕ KůĚ ŚĞůƐĞĂ ^ƚĂƟŽŶ͕ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ͕ Ez ϭϬϭϭϯ

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

MARCH 13, 2020 11

Opinion An object lesson in misplaced American Jewish priorities Guest Columnist Jonathan S. Tobin

W

hen the National Museum of American Jewish History opened its doors in November 2010, the spanking new $150 million building on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall seemed to be the physical manifestation of all that the prosperous community that built it felt about their place in America’s story.

The building’s edifice literally looks down on the visitor center that houses the Liberty Bell and is positioned across the historic mall from Independence Hall, the birthplace of the American republic. The symbolism was deliberate. The museum is a shrine to both democracy and the success of American Jewry.

So the news that it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection may come as a shock to those who remember the pomp with which it was inaugurated at a ceremony that included, among other celebrities and notables, Vice President Joe Biden.

But to anyone who has closely followed the NMAJH’s struggles, the effort to escape the crushing financial debt under which it continues to labor is no surprise. The campaign to raise the staggering amounts needed to erect the pricey new building and to pay for the collection it amassed to fill it never matched the project’s expenses.

After years of budget cuts and layoffs, the current leadership had no choice but to try to get out from under a $30 million debt to bondholders and another half million to unsecured creditors. The federal bankruptcy procedure will enable the institution to survive. That’s encouraging for those who look to the museum as a valuable local resource.

The question to be asked is not about the manner in which the NMAJH is to be saved, but about why it’s in this awful predicament. As such, the museum’s plight is an object lesson on the misapplication of scarce Jewish resources and how the vanity of big givers can lead to colossal mistakes for which the community must pay.

The museum was first opened in the bicentennial year of 1976, originally housed in a single room in a building also home to the city’s oldest synagogue, Mikveh Israel.

But that modest presentation was insufficiently grand to suit the self-regard of its leaders who dreamed of creating something not merely bigger, but that would also make a statement about American Jewish life.

While the Philadelphia Jewish community is rich in history and institutions that provide a multitude of services, it is also known for its inability to raise philanthropic funds commensurate with the size and wealth of its members.

Like all Jewish communities these days, it also struggles to support the vital infrastructure of Jewish life, in particular those elements like day schools, which are essential for ensuring the future imperiled by the demographic implosion of non-Orthodox Jewry.

No rational plan for the future of Jewish life in that city — or anywhere else, for that matter — would have prioritized putting up a massive building and assembling a huge collection of Jewish artifacts while, among other things, quality Jewish education was too expensive for many middle-class families to afford and local Jewish institutions still struggled to survive.

But the leaders of the NMAJH were besotted by the idea that a larger museum would become a centerpiece of Jewish life. In doing so, they were able to play on the fact that charitable donors are naturally attracted to putting up new buildings on which their names will be prominently placed, rather than to the far less glamorous and

ego-satisfying task of maintaining existing and far more essential institutions.

During the course of a decade of planning, the new museum with its prestigious new address, became the sexiest Jewish philanthropic cause in the city. Its ambitions, however, outran even the prolific amount of funds raised as the costs of fulfilling its architect’s vision and compiling an extensive collection rose. In the end, the $150 million price tag was offset by massive contributions, in addition to grants from the state and federal governments (the museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution).

The result is an attractive and interesting museum, albeit one whose basic flaw is a self-satisfied vision of American Jewish achievements that focuses mainly on their ability to fit in, as opposed to what makes their religious and ethnic identity worth preserving, something that I explored in a review essay in Commentary after the opening. The complacent pride in the past and insufficient concern for the future that is the guiding spirit of the museum makes it the perfect metaphor for everything that is wrong with 21st-century American Jewry.

Even if one accepts that the museum still provides a wonderful learning experience, the scale of its expenses was still way out of proportion to the good it could do.

Unlike the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., the NMAJH wasn’t compelling enough to make it a must-see experience for non-Jewish tourists who flock to Philadelphia for other attractions on Independence Mall. The initial projections of 250,000 visitors in its first year turned out to be more than double the actual amount who walked through its doors. And since then, the situation has not improved.

That meant any notion of the museum being able to pay its own way was a fantasy.

Indeed, as I predicted in a January 2008

column published in The Forward, in which I lamented the bad judgment behind its expansion, the museum’s efforts to stay afloat would make it “one more hungry mouth for the community to feed.”

It’s true that the recession of 2008 didn’t help matters. But the NMAJH was always fated to be a white elephant. That was painfully obvious to some of us as it was planned and most of the community’s top Jewish professionals admitted at the time in off-the-record conversations (I was editor of the Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia at the time) that devoting so much energy and funding to the new building was a terrible mistake. Yet they were too intimidated by the museum’s wealthy donors to muster the courage to speak up to try to stop them.

The museum’s fundraising appeals during the heady days of the planning and building stages helped make it harder for other, more important Jewish institutions to raise money.

Now as it drowns in red ink, it similarly diverts precious resources away from causes that address the Jewish future in order to pay debts associated with a monument to the past that is too big and too much a source of local pride to be allowed to fail.

Yet the lesson here goes far beyond these specific circumstances.

Museum consultants who prey upon the hubris of large donors act as if there is an infinite amount of money for Jewish needs, and that an extravagance like the NAMJH can easily be afforded. Indeed, in the past few decades, Jewish museums of one sort or another have sprung up around the United States like opera houses in the ghost towns of the Old West. But the truth is that there is a finite amount of resources at American Jewry’s disposal, and if we care about the future, then we must choose how to spend Please see Tobin, page 13

Recommitment to honor refugees reflects Jewish values Guest Columnists Carolyn Ban Eve Wider

T

his year, on the Shabbat of March 20-21, Congregation Dor Hadash is participating in the Second National Refugee Shabbat. We have encouraged all congregations in the area to also participate and are gratified that several are doing so.

We also invite individuals to join the cause.

The National Refugee Shabbat is organized by HIAS (formerly the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society). HIAS describes it as “a moment for congregations, organizations, and individuals around the country to dedicate a Shabbat experience to refugees and asylum seekers.” This will be the second National Refugee Shabbat. The first was held Oct. 19-20, 2018.

All the reasons for participating last time

12 MARCH 13, 2020

still hold — and there are even more reasons to do so this year — including support for Jewish values, support for HIAS and standing up for our right as Jews to worship in peace.

Chapter 19 of Leviticus states: “The stranger who sojourns with you shall be as a native from among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Anyone who has attended even one Seder understands Jews’ deep connection to those escaping from slavery, war, or abuse because of race, religion, nationality, or political opinion, the defining characteristics of refugees. Many American Jews came here themselves as refugees or descended from people who would meet today’s definition of refugee.

The social action committee of Dor Hadash sees our mission as advocating for more humane policies toward refugees and asylum seekers. That need has only increased in the past year as the Trump administration has continued to reduce sharply the number of refugees admitted to the United States, has carried out an inhumane policy of family separation and has refused to let asylum seekers enter the country while waiting

months for hearings, a practice recently held invalid by a federal appeals court.

You may feel that your congregation is not the place to talk about politics. We would argue that these are questions of tzedek/ justice, not of partisan politics. Christie Balka’s essay, posted on reconstructingjudaism.org, discusses “Political Activism as a Form of Prayer.” She writes: “Activism requires us to make a profound statement of faith. It reflects both our highest ideals and our belief that transformation is, in fact, possible. By acting on this belief, we make it more so.”

Participating in the National Refugee Shabbat is also a way of connecting to HIAS, which has a long history of aiding Jews leaving Russia and then the Soviet Union and now works globally, through direct service and advocacy, to support refugees of all faiths based upon Jewish values.

Many congregations have their own way of supporting tikkun olam, so supporters can find ways to work with HIAS that fit their own and their congregations’ values and priorities. The organization’s Welcome Campaign includes hundreds of congregations, and its website provides materials and

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

ideas about how to organize a service around the issue of refugees.

We also feel strongly the need to stand up to the haters and to assert our right to worship in peace and safety. In doing so, we uphold core Jewish and American values and rights. We cannot protect ourselves from violence by digging a hole and hiding in it.

It is in that spirit that, after our congregation was attacked on Oct. 27, 2018 at the Tree of Life building, we recommitted ourselves to our work supporting refugees and our membership in HIAS’ Welcome Campaign.

It is why we see participating in the National Refugee Shabbat as so important now.

We realize that not all congregations will choose to participate and not all who may want to support this effort belong to a congregation, and so we are opening our own service to all who wish to attend. Please join us on Friday, March 20 for Erev Shabbat services at 7:30 p.m. at Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Avenue. PJC Carolyn Ban is the former chair and Eve Wider is the current chair of the Social Action Committee of Congregation Dor Hadash.

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Opinion Quarantine diaries: Dispatch from a family in isolation Guest Columnist Ann Lapin

Editor’s note: Author Ann Lapin wrote this on Friday, March 6. Since then, her three children were asked to re-quarantine for another week.

“R

eally, Mother?! A bell?!”

Dinner was ready at around 7 p.m., so I walked down the hall to my children’s wing and dropped off their plates — with a bell, so they could ring for me and get my attention when I didn’t have my phone with me. Because as of 4:34 that afternoon, my high school-aged children had been asked to self-quarantine.

My three children attend the SAR schools, Modern Orthodox schools in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx. Unfortunately, my daughter’s 14-year-old classmate and her immediate family had all tested positive for COVID-19, a new strain of the coronavirus making its rounds across the world. So out of an abundance of caution, SAR academy and its high school closed, and all after-school activities are canceled for several days. Two of my three children are under temporary quarantine due to their proximity to one of the students who has tested positive for COVID-19 and thus are not allowed to leave the house until the middle of Shabbat.

My children have been out of school since Monday, but they’ve barely missed a day of learning. From the very beginning of the shutdown, their teachers have been sending assignments and activities to allow them to continue to engage in their learning.

Beginning on the second day of the shutdown, under the guidance of the school’s exceptional

Tobin: Continued from page 12

wisely and treat causes essential to building a sense of Jewish peoplehood as our top priority.

Museums are nice things to have, but they

director of technology and with the cooperation of the award-winning educational staff, the students engaged in distance learning, logging into their Google classrooms and/or going on Zoom for scheduled classes.

While I thought I would have to find ways to help my children occupy themselves during this emergent change in their schedules — and lives — the only thing I really have to do is fill water bottles and serve snacks.

Earlier this week, on Tuesday morning, just after 7 a.m., I ran down the hall holding my phone to find my 14-year-old standing outside her sister’s bedroom while her brother walked around aimlessly wearing one sneaker and holding another.

“School’s canceled!” I yelled to a chorus of, “Oh NO.” I was surprised by their apparent dismay, but thrilled that they must love school so much they didn’t want to stay home.

My 16-year-old was standing in her doorway when I reached her bedroom, but now was heading back toward her bed to put down her bag, one hand already opening and scrolling her phone. “Yep! Here it is … coronavirus.”

I knew it was coming. I suspected coronavirus would somehow affect me. But I hadn’t thought much past “I should make sure I have enough toilet paper in case other people go crazy.”

“You guys,” I told my kids, “this does not have to be a bad thing. It’s just due diligence. Sometimes best practices can be scary, but this may just be the best way to keep people safe.”

The girls said nothing. The boy was now clutching his sneaker close to his chest.

“Can I go take a bath?” he asked.

“Yes! Yes, you can. We can all stay home and clean today,” I said.

I wondered whether or not I should be taking my children out in public. At the time we didn’t even know the identity of the affected family. And the school had only said they were closing, not that I had to keep my

otherwise healthy children home.

I decided it was safe to take my daughter to her scheduled orthodontist’s appointment.

On our way back up to Riverdale, I missed two phone calls and plenty of text messages: “Heard they closed the kids’ school because of the coronavirus … for how long?”

“Hi. You OK?” “Everybody OK?” The irony is, I wasn’t sure what people were asking when they asked if we were OK. Did they want to see if any of us were symptomatic? Were they checking to see how bored we were of each other?

The answer was pretty much always the same: “Hey! We’re totally fine!”

In person, I would elaborate. As I passed fellow parents in the aisles of stores, we would agree: The school reacted appropriately. It was an abundance of caution. They were doing their due diligence. These were best practices. This is just the best way to keep everyone safe.

And that’s what I kept repeating. To our parents, to our children, to our panicstricken neighbors.

That morning, my kids attended school “remotely” from their rooms while I was cleaning, watching press conferences and checking for updates on social media.

In the middle of the day, I came upon a Facebook post from a friend in Maryland — a screenshot of the New York governor’s recent tweet: School would be closed until after Purim.

I’ll admit, I was frustrated at the roundabout way I came upon the information that my children would be home for the next several days.

But the sense of gratitude I felt as I walked past their bedrooms and saw each of them engaged in online learning satisfied me enough to wait to hear from the school administration.

Around 4:30 in the afternoon, an email from SAR finally came with a clear schedule for the next few days: My fifth-grader would

are not as important as schools, summer camps, college programs, Hebrew classes and synagogues — let alone providing the social services Jewish communities must also finance. While not all money is fungible, the idea that a museum, even a good one, was the right way to spend $150

million on a Jewish communal cause isn’t so much unwise as it was sheer madness.

As I noted more than a dozen years ago, you have to wonder what history will say about a community that preferred to spend lavishly on a monument to its past rather than doing all it could to ensure its future.

— LETTERS — Omission in Joan Apt news obituary

Despite her many civic accomplishments detailed in several recent obituaries, I believe one of Joan’s most honored achievements was her devotion to her late daughter and my late wife Judy (who passed away in 2000). I was deeply disappointed to see that Judy’s name was omitted from your cover article in the February 28 Chronicle (“Joan Apt, arts patron who transformed Pittsburgh theater, dies at 93”). To the Pittsburgh community, who knew both of them very well, this was a blaring omission.

Richard Nathenson Monroeville

Death penalty for shooter

It is hard for me to believe that anyone in their right mind would not want the death penalty for the Tree of Life shooter. When you prefer life in prison for the shooter, in essence, you are saying that the lives killed meant nothing to themselves or anyone else.

Rochel and I enjoyed many Shabbat and yom tov meals with Sylvan and Bernice Simon at our house. They were like parents to us. We no longer have that precious relationship. Rabbi Harvey and Sandy Brotsky, Rochel and I will no longer have a relationship with our cousin Melvin Wax. Rabbi Harvey and Sandy Brotsky will no longer have a relationship with their closest friend, Daniel Stein.

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remain out of school until Monday (it was then extended to Wednesday) and my high schoolers until Wednesday. My high schoolers also now had the added burden of remaining at home until Saturday morning in order to help prevent the spread of disease.

I am not worried, and I am still not panicking. But I am taking this reasonably seriously and following all recommendations and guidelines. I have been conscientious, if slightly irreverent.

“Girls? Go to your room. The governor told me you have to stay there,” I said.

As of day 3 of the quarantine, I haven’t hugged or kissed my daughters in 48 hours.

I’m wearing disposable gloves to wash their dishes and fill their water bottles, and they have to use their own bathroom. But I’m also delivering bags of snack food in a basket like a JetBlue flight attendant, I took advantage of this afternoon’s Starbucks BOGO offer and of course have been enjoying their use of the bell. *dingalingaling* “Mommy? Can you fill my water bottle, please?

The quarantine lasts through tonight, Friday. My family, which usually attends Shabbat services and then stays in synagogue for a communal meal, will worship and eat separately. My husband and I will take our son to services and dinner while our daughters will remain at home, respecting the quarantine. Tomorrow, they will leave home for the first time since Wednesday night. I expect attendance at synagogue to be low and a little less socialization after services.

What will Purim be like? I don’t know.

Perhaps a little smaller. Maybe subdued, knowing that there are members of our community who are ill or at risk. I just hope we can soon see a return to normal, for all of our sakes. PJC Ann Lapin lives with her family in New York. This piece originally ran on JTA.org.

That is a question American Jews should be asking themselves as they observe the dismal spectacle of our national history museum heading to bankruptcy court. PJC Jonathan S. Tobin is editor in chief of JNS — Jewish News Syndicate.

The 11 people did not deserve to be killed. They were praying to G-d. They didn’t know the shooter, nor did anything to the shooter or against him.

The shooter must be held accountable for his horrendous, cowardly actions. Spending 30 to 40 years or more in prison is not the answer. It would be a slap on the wrist. Don’t forget, if the shooter wasn’t stopped at the Tree of Life, I believe without a doubt that the shooter would have gone to another synagogue or synagogues and wounded and killed more people.

Baruch McDoodle Pittsburgh

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MARCH 13, 2020 13

Headlines fellowship was, the family also benefited.

“Diller has this great homestay component. We had an Israeli stay with us for 10 days, and we all got to eat with him and talk with him and meet his family via FaceTime,” said Friedman.

Between those interactions, hosting other visiting teenagers from Karmiel-Misgav one evening or simply carpooling kids around, “as a family we got to experience the relationships of being with Israelis, and that brought us all in as a family to access a real connection.”

Study: Continued from page 1

Camp in Morgantown, West Virginia. This summer, all of Drucker’s children will attend the Jewish overnight camp.

Drucker, a former EKC camper herself, is excited for her offspring to escape the hubbub of daily life and enjoy the values afforded at camp.

“Camp is great because it’s a more immersive way for them to not only spend wonderful summer days doing all of the cool outdoorsy camp stuff, but also to have some Judaism that’s interwoven,” she said.

During the school year, Drucker’s kids attend religious school on Sundays and Hebrew school on Tuesdays, but between her and her husband’s full time jobs, and “a ton of other activities that aren’t necessarily specific to Judaism” like basketball, soccer, baseball, karate and competitive dance, time is short.

“Camp allows them to get away from the chaos of everyday school and extracurricular athletic life and really get involved in having Jewish friends that aren’t necessarily only from their community but from other communities, while also experiencing Jewish rituals that we, just by product of how busy we are, can’t practice in our everyday lives,” she said.

Drucker’s children are like many in Pittsburgh who appreciate the value of Jewish camping, according to the 2017 Community Study, which found that 29% of Jewish children in grades K-12 attended Jewish day camp between 2016-’17, and 16% attended Jewish overnight camp.

With at least 19 Jewish summer overnight and day camps serving the community, Pittsburgh’s families have multiple opportunities available, explained Raimy Rubin, manager of impact measurement at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, who also staffed the 2017 Community Study.

Finding the right fit with Diller Teen Fellows

While informal Jewish educational offerings, like their formal counterparts, cater to diverse families’ needs, the smorgasbord isn’t absolute. Finding one’s place requires work and sometimes luck.

As a child, Lori Wynn, of Point Breeze, attended Jewish day school and Jewish summer camp. She desired a similar experience for her daughter, but between economics and her daughter’s learning abilities, providing both formal and informal Jewish education proved challenging.

“It’s not that we weren’t interested, it’s just that there were all these barriers,” said Wynn.

At home, the family held Shabbat dinners, marked havdalah and celebrated the Jewish holidays, but Wynn wanted more. She came across an opportunity that seemed intriguing: the Pittsburgh Diller Teen Fellows program, an immersive leadership experience for Jewish 10th- and 11th-graders. The selective program enables more than 600 teens from 32 communities worldwide to spend a year exploring Jewish principles and topics through workshops, Shabbatonim (weekend retreats) and seminars. Highlights of the 12-month program include a 10-day visit from Israeli teens, as 14 MARCH 13, 2020

‘Weaving’ in Judaism

Beth Gusenoff, of Shadyside, understands the impact of informal p Jenifer Weber in Israel during the Momentum trip. p Ellen Gusenoff makes challah at home.

Jewish education. She and

Photo courtesy of Beth Gusenoff

Photo courtesy of Jenifer Weber her husband were “both raised with strong Jewish In recent years, however, Friedman noticed identities and grew up having Shabbat,” she well as a three week summer stay in Israel for a certain distancing. The family remained said. “We decided we really wanted our chilPittsburgh participants.

“When Diller came along, I just thought connected to Temple Sinai, but Friedman’s dren to have that similar sort of upbringing that would be something really good before daughter wasn’t interested in participating in because of the warmth and the value system she graduates from high school and leaves confirmation or attending other local part- that we were raised with.” the house,” said Wynn. “The whole message time Jewish educational offerings.

Gusenoff is from Rochester, New York, and When her daughter expressed interest her husband is from Boston, Massachusetts. of Diller is figuring out where you fit in as a Jew in your community. I just didn’t feel in Diller, Friedman was excited: “Mostly “When we moved to Pittsburgh together, like I could do that for her because it would because I wanted her to continue some form we decided it was important to weave be like preaching from her mom ... I feel of Jewish connection.”

Judaism into their upbringing,” she said.

By participating in the fellowship, like you get it if you’re at camp, or if you’re They have done so by joining Rodef at a Jewish school, that you’re part of this the teenager not only developed Jewish Shalom Congregation in Shadyside, hosting community, and I just wanted her to have relationships but fortified an identity, Shabbat dinners and bringing their two explained her mother. that experience.” children, 6 and 3, to Tot Shabbat. The “She’s really independent, and she comes monthly program welcomes families for Wynn’s daughter is currently a senior at The University School in Shadyside. Next up with her own ideas, and I love that she’s candle lighting, kiddush, hamotzi, dinner, year the teenager is attending American able to have a way to explore her Judaism music and stories.

University in Washington, D.C., where, that’s on her own, and not something that “We love that Tot Shabbat is singing, and according to Hillel International, there is we’re spoon-feeding her.” they make it fun with dinosaurs, and it’s not Moving forward, those lessons will prove an obligation for our children. They ask to “one of the largest Jewish populations of any private university in the nation” — invaluable, explained Friedman. go,” she said. “They just love it so much. It’s “Our kids are going to go off to college just part of their passion, which is how we approximately 19% of the 8,827 undergrads are Jewish and 18% of the 6,024 graduate and there’s all these challenges about what want them to approach the religion.” students are Jewish. There is kosher food does it mean to be Jewish, and to support The experience of Tot Shabbat is similar on campus, religious services and 25 Jewish Israel, and I think Diller gave her the faces of to J&R Day Camp, noted Gusenoff, as both actual real people, that she’s now close with, settings stress different midot (values): “For studies courses available.

Wynn credits Diller with not only fueling that are Israelis, and that will shape how she it to be validated and enforced by the camp, her daughter’s desire to attend a college with approaches these issues that all college kids by our synagogue, we love that.” such a sizable Jewish presence, but helping on campuses are facing,” she said.

Tot Shabbat and camp also share a her find her place within Pittsburgh’s Jewish commitment to diversity, she said. fold: “She wants to be involved and be out Peer travel to Israel “When I go to the Reform synagogue there and I just think she didn’t feel as Friedman’s daughter also is one of many events, and I go to events at J&R, it’s not connected as she did before the Diller year.” teenagers who have participated in Israel solely Jewish, and I am learning much from Jennifer Friedman, of Regent Square, travel. According to the 2017 Community the other friendships and people at my similarly touted Diller’s value.

Study, 15% of age-eligible Jewish high school table who are in intermarriages, who are “I think what was amazing was just students participated in a peer Israel trip. in same-sex marriages,” she said. “We’re all watching her experience this program,” said The research indicates that as with over- sitting at the same table, having an amazing Friedman about her own daughter’s time in night camp, Israel travel is “immensely time at dinner, watching our kids be happy the fellowship. “I mean, this was really her influential in a person’s Jewish iden- together and we’re enjoying being together. program, this was not our program. We got tity,” said Rubin.

So what I’m learning is we all want the same to see her growth through Diller Jewishly Friedman said her daughter now has thing for our families, we all want the same and just as a person.” “actual people she knows — Orthodox, non- respect, we all want happiness and peace.”

Friedman’s daughter is a junior at Orthodox, secular, this or that, but she has Gusenoff praised the local community for Pittsburgh Allderdice High School and a relationships with people. You can’t underes- offering parents many Jewish entry points. graduate of Community Day School. timate the power of connecting with people.

“I love that the informal Jewish education Friedman described the latter as providing It becomes real when you’re talking about here doesn’t lecture to us. It involves us, and an “organic” setting where students and issues of ‘How do you feel about Israel? How we’ve all learned,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot. parents could create community, “and I do you feel about what’s going on in Israel?’” Even though I went to Hebrew day school, felt like that was something that our whole Diller gave Friedman’s daughter a chance family benefited from.” to develop identity, but as valuable as the Please see Study, page 15 PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

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Headlines Study: Continued from page 14

I keep learning with my children and I’m having a blast.”

Jenifer Weber, now of Point Breeze, has found similar benefits in Pittsburgh’s informal Jewish educational offerings.

Weber has two children, 10 and 8, who attended EKC for the first time last summer.

“The 24/7 kosher experience was something that’s definitely different from home,” said Weber. “At home, we’re not particularly observant. I don’t light candles every Friday night. In fact, I’m often working most Friday nights, sadly.”

Weber’s children spent a week at the Jewish overnight camp. Next summer, they’ll return for two weeks, “and hopefully the following summer it’ll be more.”

Weber’s engagement with the Jewish community has fluctuated over the years.

When her children were younger, they attended the JCC’s preschool and J&R Day

Camp. Over time, however, Weber found herself drifting from the Jewish community.

“It was sort of like a void after my last one graduated from preschool. We weren’t doing anything. We don’t belong to a synagogue, which is very sad for me, but we don’t,” she said.

Weber’s relationship with the community changed after meeting Chani Altein, co-director of Chabad of Squirrel Hill.

“Two years ago, I went on the Momentum trip. It was called JWRP back then, and I met Chani and other Jewish moms,” she said.

The introduction and Israel trip led Weber to begin bringing her family to Chabad, and over the past year, she and her husband, who isn’t Jewish, have taken their children to Shabbat dinners, High Holiday services, hamantaschen baking events, art classes and holiday-related programming.

Some programs meet on Sundays for several repeating weeks. Those offerings, due to their à la carte nature, differ from ones found in a traditional Hebrew school, like the one Weber attended.

“I very vividly remember all of the kids in

my Sunday school class, and I’m Facebook friends with a few of them. I remember their families. I remember the little old ladies in the Sisterhood. There are these very vivid experiences that I had making hamantaschen, making matzah ball soup, doing all the things you do in a Sunday school every single week. And while my kids are friends with the other kids they go to Chabad with ... there’s not always the same people in the classes, and so I don’t think it’s as consistent.

“I don’t know if they’re going to have the same memories and associations as I had,” she continued. “If I had my way, we would belong to a synagogue, and they would be going to Sunday school and they’d be going to Hebrew school, and they’d be doing all of the things that I did. It’s just not in the financial cards for us right now.”

Even so, Weber appreciates her children’s experiences: “I think that as a stopgap measure, and as something to hold onto our heritage and our religion and our culture, it’s really doing a good job.”

“an overabundance of caution.” Head of School Rabbi Sam Weinberg said the event regularly draws 250-350 people from the community. “There’s no mandate for us to stay open” for the reading, he explained.

The school is following CDC guidelines, Weinberg said. Ironically, many students and teachers have missed class due to the flu.

Because of that, Hillel Academy had already started exploring online alternatives to class like “Google Hangout and teleconferencing.”

Community Day School is using its experience fighting the flu as a guideline to fight the novel coronavirus, as well.

“We’re maintaining the routines that we have every flu season for hygiene,” explained Head of School Avi Baran Munro. “We’re ramping up the washing time and making sure that people have enough supplies for sanitizing. We’re just making sure that happens more frequently.”

A segment of the population that seems to be hit particularly hard by the virus is seniors.

In Washington State, 19 residents of one

senior care center who tested positive for COVID-19 have died after being diagnosed with the virus as of press time.

Because of this vulnerability, “we’ve been in regular conversations with the Department of Health for the past two weeks and have been participating for about the past week in daily conference calls with the health department, the county health department and the state health department,” Deborah Winn-Horvitz, Jewish Association on Aging president and CEO, said.

“We’ve already made a large number of changes,” she said, “like restricting large groups from coming into our residences, and we’ve cancelled group outings and have stepped up our cleaning protocols.”

One community event that will continue, with or without the virus, is funerals. Ralph Schugar Funeral Chapel Director Sharon Ryave Brody said that they are monitored by “government agencies to ensure that all funeral homes are abiding by the laws and guidelines for the cleanliness, safety, health and protection of the community.”

Community is important to Weber, who grew up in Washington, Pennsylvania, and while she wishes her children had more access to a formal Jewish educational setting, she has derived great value from informal Jewish education. Through attending programs at Chabad, and continuing to build relationships with Altein and other Israel trip participants, Weber has discovered her own place in Pittsburgh’s Jewish mosaic.

“Just coming from a small town and always being an outsider, I think that that feeling sort of translated into places where it didn’t belong,” she said. “Nobody did anything to me to make me feel like an outsider. Nobody consciously said anything or excluded me or made me feel like that. I think that it was all in my head, but it took something like this (Momentum) trip to open my eyes and really make me feel like I belonged, and now I look back and I feel like I’ve belonged all the time.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

Coronavirus: washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and cleaning and disinfecting objects that are frequently touched.

That advice is being followed by local congregations. Temple Emanuel of South Hills let its members know the synagogue “installed more hand sanitizer dispensers in the building, is encouraging handwashing and is disinfecting railings and doorknobs more frequently,” according to Executive Director Leslie Hoffman. Additionally, Temple Emanuel leaders are “discouraging handshakes and hugs,” urging members to bump elbows instead.

In an email sent to members, Congregation Beth Shalom recommended the same procedures. Additionally, members were reminded to use utensils when serving food and to avoid kissing ritual objects.

Synagogues have not yet cancelled services or large public events such as the recent Purim shpiels and carnivals.

Warren Sufrin, president of Beth El Congregation of the South Hills, said the synagogue, which regularly holds events attended by 50 to 100 people, has no plans to cancel programs now, but will follow whatever guidelines the CDC recommends.

No congregation that responded to queries from the Chronicle had plans to cancel or make alternate arrangements for any b’nei mitzvah service.

The JCC of Greater Pittsburgh has not cancelled any programs or activities either, according to President and CEO Brian Schreiber. Schreiber is a part of the JCC’s national response team. “Our programs are continuing as scheduled while we monitor developments to best address hygiene as well as increasing routine environmental cleaning within our facilities.”

Hillel Academy did decide to cancel its family Megillah reading on March 9, citing PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Photo by wildpixel/iStockphoto.com

Continued from page 1

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

She said Ralph Schugar practices “universal precautions, which is the approach that any and all remains could carry an infectious disease and are treated as such, meaning that the funeral director wears full protective gear, from hair covers, face masks, waterproof gowns, double gloves, down to shoe covers.”

Pittsburghers will feel the impact of the virus if they travel to Israel. The Jewish state has announced that any international travelers will be quarantined for 14 days before being allowed in the country.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh has cancelled its Volunteer Mission and postponed its Campus Ambassador Mission to Israel. Classrooms Without Borders has postponed both its Israel Educational Leadership Seminar and its Children’s Village Service Learning Seminar. PJC David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

MARCH 13, 2020 15

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Party Planning Party Planning And now for something completely different — unique party venues — VENUES —

By Toby Tabachnick | Editor

C

ongregational social halls, hotel ballrooms and community centers can all be great choices for those planning weddings, b’nai mitzvah parties and other events. Local couples looking for something a little different have been known to tie the knot at Kennywood, on the Gateway Clipper, and at a variety of farms throughout the region, while b’nai mitzvah children have had their parties at museums, ball parks and the Carnegie Science Center.

But for those seeking an even more out-ofthe-box space, Pittsburgh has no shortage of options. The Chronicle checked in with three local venues that may not be on the radar of everyone planning a unique event here, but probably should be.

The Studio on Fifth

WQED’s Fred Rogers Studio in Oakland has been hosting events for more than eight years, including weddings, b’nai

Please see Venues, page 18

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

 Shalom Pittsburgh celebrated Chanukah 2018 at HIP at the Flashlight Factory.

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Photo by Joshua Franzos

MARCH 13, 2020 17

Party Planning Venues: Continued from page 17

Host Your Event at Beth Shalom!

3200 square foot open area with 15-foothigh ceilings, exposed brick and hardwood floors, and includes an outdoor area; the Flash Lounge, an 1800 square foot room with a bar; and the Prosecco Room, a 1500 square foot space that can be used for dinner parties, corporate events, bridal showers and birthday parties.

Some local Jewish groups already have discovered HIP, according to Schwartz.

Hillel JUC has hosted an event there, and Shalom Pittsburgh’s annual Vodka Latke party was held there in December, 2018.

Kashrut requirements can be accommodated, she said.

In addition to the “industrial cool” feel of the venue, Schwartz said, an advantage of booking a party at HIP is “we do a lot of DIY (do it yourself) here. You can make your event exactly as you want it to be.”

HIP offers a three-day rental option for weddings, which could include a “girls’ night” and a rehearsal dinner, she said.

Tree Pittsburgh p The Studio on Fifth

What Can Beth Shalom Do For You? Anniversaries

Birthday Parties

Baby Namings: Brit Milah Simhat Bat

Fundraising Events

Benei Mitzvah Parties

Business Meetings Bridal Showers Weddings and more!

Our beautiful Samuel & Minnie Hyman %DOOURRP FDQ EH FRQÀJXUHG IRU DQ\ RFFDVLRQ Free Parking • Full Security • Stage & Dance Floor • Dietary Laws Observed • VAAD Supervision • In House Caterer, Elegant Edge Catering (412.385.2332) For more information, contact: Michelle Vines, Events Coordinator at 412.421.2288 x 113 or catering1@bethshalompgh.org

18 MARCH 13, 2020

Photo provided by Rebecca Born

mitzvahs, private parties and corporate fundraising dinners.

While the set for “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” is no longer housed within the studio — it has been relocated to the Heinz History Center — the space still appeals to those with fond memories of the show, said Rebecca Jean Born, director of client services and production operations at WQED Multimedia.

“Some clients are drawn to the fact that Fred Rogers produced his show here, and there is something magical about being in WQED studios,” Born said, adding that the two fully functioning studios can provide a distinctive party experience, especially for those guests who have never before been inside a television studio.

But the show biz appeal aside, the space stands on its own as something special, according to Born.

The Fred Rogers Studio offers “a sheer black curtain with twinkle lights,” she said.

“It’s simple and stunning.” That studio also boasts a 21-foot-high lighting grid capable of supporting graphic images and special effects in any color.

WQED’s two studios can accommodate 230 people for a formal sit-down dinner, or more than 300 guests for a standing cocktail party.

“We are definitely something different,” said Born.

Kosher catering can be accommodated.

The studios are typically booked 12 to 18 months in advance.

HIP at the Flashlight Factory

This North Side space was built in 1887 as a stamping factory, and in the 1920s was the site of the invention of the flashlight as well as the single cell battery.

Things have changed.

In 2010, Pittsburghers Elaine Stone and Mitchell Schwartz purchased the factory with the idea of creating loft and event spaces.

HIP has been open for a little over a year, said Gracie Schwartz, the couple’s daughter, who manages the venue.

HIP’s spaces include the Grand Hall, a

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

p Tree Pittsburgh in Lawrenceville provides a great view of the Allegheny River.

Photo by Christa Lee Photography

If you happen to be looking for a sustainably designed space, with a great view, it is worth checking out Tree Pittsburgh in Lawrenceville, an environmental nonprofit on the Allegheny River that opened its doors for events in January, 2019.

With a vision to create a healthy urban forest by inspiring people to maintain, plant and protect trees, the 501(c)(3) also provides a unique setting for weddings, bar or bat mitzvah parties, and bridal and baby showers, said Maggie Aupperlee, Tree Pittsburgh’s manager of communications and marketing.

“When folks are looking for a sustainable venue option, we are definitely high up on that list,” Aupperlee said. The organization is currently undergoing its LEED certification process, is 100 percent solar-powered, and even has recycled floors.

But even if someone is not necessarily looking for a LEED certified building in which to host their event, “we are one of the only riverfront properties that folks can rent out. Our courtyard is right on the river,” Aupperlee said.

Last year, the venue was the site of three weddings and a bar mitzvah. Three more weddings are already scheduled for 2020, with another three on the books for 2021.

Rental of the facility includes the indoor Riverfront Room on the Allegheny, which can accommodate 77 people, and the outdoor courtyard, with a capacity of 150. There are no vendor restrictions, so bringing in kosher food and dishes is not a problem. PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Party Planning

Photo by zi3000/iStockphoto.com

Photo by Photografeus/iStockphoto.com

Veganism, healthy fare, are all the rage say local caterers

— FOOD —

By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

P

otato cheese Charlotte may not appear on as many menus as it used to, but such is the story of trendy eats. Like stewed prunes, Raggedy Ann salad or tomatoes stuffed with chicken livers, food has a

way of waxing and waning in popularity.

While there are always those who prefer familiar, traditional fare to serve at their events, a new trend has emerged and Pittsburgh’s kosher caterers have noticed: People want healthier choices, and there has been a rise in orders for vegan food.

“People are watching what they’re eating, they want healthy,” said Judah Cowen, owner of Elegant Edge Catering.

Given the desire for “healthier options,” the kosher caterer, based out of Congregation Beth Shalom, removed monosodium glutamate and other once familiar items from his kitchen.

“The days of canned or frozen vegetables are gone,” he said. “People want healthy, organic, fresh.”

Studies confirm a move toward healthier eating in the United States and abroad. U.S.

Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh Airport will be there to hold your hand every step of the way.

retail sales of plant-based foods grew 11.3% in 2018, while overall food sales rose just 2%, according to a SPINS report commissioned by the Good Food Institute and the Plant Based Foods Association. Between April 2017 and April 2019, plant-based sales increased 31.3%, reaching a total of almost $4.5 billion.

Veganism, once a fringe movement, has Please see Vegan, page 25

Bar and Bat Mitzvah Packages • • • • • • • • •

(4.5) Hours of Open Bar Champagne or Sparkling Cider Toast Fresh Floral Centerpiece Linen Package to include Table Linen, Napkin, Chivarri Chair in your choice of color Dessert Display to include Fruit Display and Coffee Station Complimentary Parking for All Guests on the Night of the Event Complimentary Suite for Night of the Event Kitchen Usage for Caterer, China, Silver, Glassware, Servers $5400 Per Guest 21 and Older; $4200 Per Guest Under 21

Wedding Package • • • • • • • • • • •

Complimentary Ceremony Space (4.5) Hours of Open Bar Champagne Toast Fresh Floral Centerpiece Linen, Napkin, Chivarri Chair in Your Choice of Color Dessert Display to include Custom Wedding Cake from Bethel Bakery, Fruit Display and Coffee Station Complimentary Parking for All Guests Night of the Event Complimentary Bridal Suite Night of the Event Upgrade to Junior Suite at Group Rate for Parents of the Bride and Groom Kitchen Usage, China, Silver, Glassware, Servers $5700 Per Guest 21 and Older; $4500 Per Guest Under 21

The Next Morning To reserve your special date, contact Allison Jones at 724.899.6064 or email at allison.jones@hyatt.com PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

• Breakfast Buffet to include Scrambled Eggs, Fresh Sliced Fruit, Assorted Pastries, Breakfast Potato, Coffee and Juice • $2000 Per Guest

MARCH 13, 2020 19

Party Planning Two hundred guests, zero garbage: It can be easy being green — CLEANUP —

By Toby Tabachnick | Editor

A

s excited as Barbara Bauman was to host 200 guests for the bat mitzvah celebration of her daughter, Evelyn Aizenstein, the environmentally conscious Squirrel Hill resident also had something weighing on her mind: What would she do with all the trash?

Bauman knew she wanted to create as little waste as possible. But, with all those guests — and four separate events planned over the course of the weekend — she also knew that it was not practical for her to compost all the serviceware and food scraps in her own backyard.

“I knew I could buy compostable serviceware, but with 200 guests, where would you compost it?” Bauman wondered.

Bauman’s family composts through Shadyside Worms, which picks up compostable goods curbside each week.

But the amount of waste her guests would be generating would need more serious attention. Events included Shabbat dinner and lunch with Congregation Dor Hadash, a Saturday night party at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh and a Sunday brunch at her home.

That’s when an internet search turned up

20 MARCH 13, 2020

 Zero Waste kits can minimize the carbon footprints of parties and events.

Photo by Kaity Baril

the Pennsylvania Resource Council and its Zero Waste Services.

The PRC is a nonprofit organization launched in 1939 by a group of concerned citizens in Philadelphia. The founders, whose initial project was tackling roadside

blight due to billboards, were all members of local garden clubs. After about a decade, the members of the organization began focusing on the challenge of combatting litter; in fact, the group is responsible for the creation of the iconic public service mascot, the litterbug.

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In the 1970s, the PRC began working on recycling and other waste diversion efforts.

In 2009 the PRC created Zero Waste Pittsburgh to provide waste reduction services and resources in Western Pennsylvania, and about three years ago, began offering its Zero Waste Kits to businesses, organizations and individuals looking to reduce waste at their events, according to Teresa Bradley, the PRC’s Zero Waste Services Coordinator at the time of Bauman’s event.

Each Zero Waste Kit includes a three-bin system, with each bin identified by signage indicating whether its contents are destined for landfill, recycling or compost.

Those utilizing the Zero Waste Services of PRC must also use compostable serviceware, Bradley said, which can be purchased through PRC or from another vendor subject to PRC approval.

Bauman’s event was the first bar or bat mitzvah for which PRC provided a Zero Waste Kit, according to Bradley, but it is not the first time it has provided services to an event within the Pittsburgh Jewish Community. The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh contracted with PRC for its Zero Waste Services at its 2016 Israel Independence Day event. And in the last year, PRC has provided Zero Waste Services for at least three additional b’nai mitzvahs.

Please see Green, page 25

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Party Planning My secret bat mitzvah project

p The big reveal: Jessica Daninhirsch sees that her bat mitzvah video is more than just a montage of her life.

Photo by Amy Rodgers

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; SURPISE PARTY â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

By Hilary Daninhirsch | Special to the Chronicle

I

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been keeping a secret from my daughter.

A colossal one.

In 2016, for a nine-month period, I had been working on a project that, had this been a CIA operation, would have been designated as highly classified, top secret and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d-tell-you-but-then-Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d-have-to kill-you.

The project involved covert communications by email and letter, creating hidden

file folders on the family computer and your basic espionage.

Finally, though, the day was here: Oct. 22, 2016. Sure, it was my daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longawaited bat mitzvah and that, of course, was a meaningful milestone. But I confess that when I woke up that day, my first thought was, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today is the big reveal! I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait for her to see the video!â&#x20AC;?

All of this subterfuge for a bat mitzvah video.

A bit of background: My daughter, Jessica, had been training in gymnastics for several years and was on the competition circuit. It was purely for recreation

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; she had no intention of going into the big leagues, but she loved the sport. She knew the names of all of the Olympic gymnasts, past and present, and even the Olympic hopefuls.

On a summer vacation to Colorado in 2015, we stopped at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs and watched the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s practice â&#x20AC;&#x201D; she knew everyone, even the ones who werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t household names yet.

When we started planning her bat mitzvah, it was a no-brainer that gymnastics would be the theme of her party; specifically, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jessicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Invitational.â&#x20AC;? Jessica worked alongside us to help plan and design everything from the table settings (each one represented by a different gymnast and featuring facts about them), to the welcome sign to the cake baked by my sister-in-law, replete with fondant balance beams and tiny gymnast figurines.

She also helped design the invitations: at the top, in her favorite colors, were five Jewish stars linked together, reminiscent of five linked Olympic rings, along with our logo of a gymnast balancing on elbows, legs in the air.

Individually wrapped chocolate lollipops, imprinted with an image of a gymnast in motion, served double duty as favors and table numbers.

We planned to show a video to our guests during dessert; my husband worked for months to create a sweet montage of Jessica through the years, all set to meaningful music.

Though she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know it, our video was going to knock her Converse socks off.

Early in the year, I reached out to Jessicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite gymnasts and asked if they could record a short video, congratulating her on her bat mitzvah, or perhaps encouraging her in her gymnastics training.

Short of cyber-stalking anyone, I researched where the gymnast trained, if they had a personal website or Facebook page, if they had an agent or a PR person, etc. I emailed some of them, either directly or through their gyms, and wrote good old-fashioned, heartfelt letters to others.

I did not expect to hear back from anyone â&#x20AC;&#x201D; after all, these are busy athletes, and 2016 was a summer Olympics year â&#x20AC;&#x201D; why would they take the time out of their day to record a video for a stranger?

On a cold day in January, I sent my first email out to Jake Dalton, who was on the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Olympic team.

Within two hours, I received a video response from him; jumping up and down alone in my house, I hoped that no neighbors would walk past my window as I processed this initial victory.

After about six months, we received 13 videos out of about three-dozen requests.

We buried the videos in the computer with disguised titles.

Please see Secret, page 22

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Secret: Continued from page 21

Some of them were very sweet — Laurie Hernandez and Nia Dennis made the videos personal, incorporating facts about Jessica and things that they had in common with her.

Other responders included Jordyn Wieber, Maggie Nichols and Sam Mikulak.

When I received a video back from Gabby Douglas, I remember running upstairs to babble incoherently at my husband, who was home sick at the time, dragging him out of bed to come downstairs and see it for himself.

Other gymnasts were more difficult to reach.

Despite many requests, I never heard from Jessica’s favorite gymnast, Nastia Liukin. It’s quite possible that she pegged me as crazy lady and thought I would go away if she ignored me. I also tried my best to get in touch with Aly Raisman, our fellow Jewish gymnast, but to no avail.

Still, we had a good amount of gymnasts representing Team USA. We tacked the gymnast video on to the very end of the main video; after it ended, there was a short pause, after which you could hear the Olympic music in the background with a message that said “Wait!! Nobody Go Anywhere! A few special folks want to say a little something…”

I also tipped off my photographer in advance that this was a moment to be captured on film, and she managed to shoot some great pictures of Jessica in various stages of awe! And there may have been a few (i.e., a river) of mom tears shed that day as well.

An incredible coincidence occurred the next day, making the weekend all the more memorable: Jessica wanted to see the Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions, which was to take place the day after her bat mitzvah, but we both agreed that it would be too much in one weekend. But about 10 days before the bat mitzvah, Jessica’s coach invited her (and several other teammates) to learn a floor routine and perform at the opening ceremony of that very event. We decided it would be a nice reward for all of that bat mitzvah prep, so Jessica left her bat mitzvah brunch early to head down the arena.

In addition to learning and performing a cool floor routine, she got to participate in a “chalk talk” with some of the participating gymnasts, including the elusive Nastia Liukin and Aly Raisman.

After the show was over, some of the gymnasts came out on the floor to sign autographs, including none other than Nastia Liukin, who signed Jessica’s book and took a selfie with her.

We even met Brandon Wynn, who was one of the gymnasts that filmed a video for her.

Although almost four years have passed, I can still picture her face and her reaction to the video, and it never fails to get my tear ducts going. That moment, when she first saw and heard Jake Dalton saying, “Hi, Jessica, Jake Dalton here!” was absolutely priceless.

And I can use it as leverage forever. PJC Hilary Daninhirsch is a freelance writer in Pittsburgh.

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The SECURE Act, effective January 2020, subject

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Then, assuming you find the idea valuable, surprisingly do-able, and worthy of a minimal investment of your time, we would ask that, when we publish: 1. You buy the book from Amazon for 99 cents, even though you get a copy from us first.

2. You leave a book review on Amazon (assuming you genuinely think it is a valuable book).

3. Consider who in your circle would benefit from the book and inform them of the availability of the book. Giving them a gift of a either a digital copy of the pre-publication edition now or a hard copy that we would provide at no cost to you when available, would be an extremely nice gesture.

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The foregoing content from Lange Financial Group, LLC is for informational purposes only, subject to change, and should not be construed as investment or tax advice. Those seeking personalized guidance should seek a qualified professional.

24 MARCH 13, 2020

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Headlines Documentary: Continued from page 4

In the case of anti-Semitism on the left, a lot of it claims to focus on Israel. If you unpack it, you find really there’s a real disconnect between what’s happening on the ground and their motives, and what may or may not be happening thousands of miles away. But still, the conversation is about Jewish power, that the Jews are out to colonize the Middle East, the Jews are out to harm and cause pain to their neighbors in the Middle East.

It’s very hard because if you if you look at it all by itself, the claim is that it’s just a leftwing person with good intentions, trying to stop a bad action from taking place. That’s

the claim but somehow it ends up becoming anti-Semitic. The same language is what you see on the far right, “Jews are powerful, Jews are evil, Jews have bad intentions and therefore, we must do things to stop Jews.” A lot of this comes down to stopping Jews from their nefarious plans.

The Pittsburgh shooter claimed that a Jewish organization was bringing immigrants into the country. The people on college campuses claim that the Jews are out to harm the Palestinians. In both cases, Jews are being accused of either doing or wanting to do evil things.

How did you decide to focus on the four “mutations” of anti-Semitism you selected?

We picked the left, the right, the government and anti-Semitism from Islamic

radicals. We felt that those were the four most visible spaces these mutations currently occupy. There are others, but what it boiled down to is we saw four primary spaces where these activities were taking place.

Did you come to Pittsburgh to film?

Yes, we were there the day of the shooting, we came again and shot inside the Tree of Life building and a third time to spend an extended period of time with (Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s former security director) Brad Orsini. In addition to Brad Orsini, the film includes Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, Rabbi Jonathan Perlman and Andrea Wedner, who was injured in the shooting.

Food fad or not, caterers have responded accordingly.

In recent years, Aaron Siebzener has provided a soup and salad bar spread after services at Shaare Torah Congregation.

“That was very different,” said the owner of Milky Way, Grilliance and Shabbox. “It wasn’t your herring/kichel kind of kiddush.”

Noticeable changes are certainly occurring, agreed Beth Markovic.

“People are asking for more vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free,” said the owner of Murray Avenue Kosher. “It’s definitely not

“It cost $270 all together,” Bauman said.

“That included the bins, the compost Continued from page 20 disposal and to have someone drop off the bins and pick them up. It included the staff Bauman contracted to have a PRC intern for lunch and to reset on Saturday night.” present at the Shabbat lunch to help her Bauman purchased her compostable guests know where to dispose of their waste. serviceware from another vendor, she said.

After lunch, the intern then took the bins “We used no plastic for any of our events. to the JCC to set up for that evening’s party. All the compostable forks were very sturdy.

The PRC also handles pick-up and proper They are made out of corn starch and talc. disposal of the contents of the bins.

And the process to make those is better for

the environment, too, so even if they were to end up in a landfill, it’s a cleaner process.”

At the end of the weekend, Bauman said, “we had almost no trash; just a few Starbucks cups that people had brought in. It was amazing to see.”

The PRC has provided kits for large events as well as gatherings as small as “an outdoor barbeque, a graduation party for about 30 people,” said Bradley.

“At the Pennsylvania Resource Council,

Continued from page 19

gone “mainstream,” noted British reporter Dan Hancox in The Guardian. “Veganism is no longer niche or difficult and, as industrial agriculture bends to adapt to consumer demand and its own crisis of sustainability, it is only going to get more accessible — and more popular.”

Hancox also noted a “35% rise in the number of vegans in Britain from 2006-2016; 542,000 people said they were vegans in 2016.”

Green:

“Viral: Antisemitism in Four Mutations” is currently playing at the AMC Waterfront.

Check with the theater for days and times.

David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

Are there any takeaways from the

But not all those claiming to be vegans are vegan all the time, according to “The retreat from meat,” an Oct. 2018 article in The Economist.

“In general, polls seem to find many more people claiming to be vegan than they do people abstaining from all meat, fish and animal products,” the magazine reported. “It seems safe to say that the number of people sometimes or regularly choosing to eat vegan food is growing much faster than the growth in people deeply committed to a meat-, egg — and dairy-free life.”

Vegan:

Pittsburgh part of the film, or overarching messages in general?

We didn’t give people any kind of a call to action. I don’t know what I would tell people to do. For me to end the film and say something like, “We need more education,” it would fall flat. What we wanted to do is report because we felt that this is an issue that is underreported and needs more attention. So, our goal is to inform. PJC

mainstream but there is a demand for it.”

Markovic, whose involvement in food services spans three decades, estimated that within the past five years, “five to 10%” of her customers have ordered vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free items. As for the latter, it has been “for health reasons, mostly. There are a few people who are allergic to gluten, but most of the people who ask for it think that it is more healthy when it’s gluten-free.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org we are trying to make it as easy as possible for people to properly divert their waste,” she added. “We want to create awareness that it is possible. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small event or the Three Rivers Arts Festival. It doesn’t matter what size your event is, you can make an impact in reducing your environmental imprint.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

Donations to attacked synagogues distributed

C

ontributions totaling $5,453,421, that were received by Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation following the Oct. 27, 2018, anti-Semitic attack, through April 30, 2019, are now being distributed to the victims’ families, survivors, congregations, first responders and for memorialization.

In late August 2019, representatives from the three congregations — Tree of Life, Dor Hadash and New Light — requested that the independent committee previously convened by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh provide recommendations on how the funds collected from around the world should be dispersed. The independent committee, a volunteer group of community leaders previously charged with overseeing the distribution last year from the Federation’s Victims of Terror Fund, unanimously agreed to the request.

On Feb. 13, 2020, the committee delivered a report to the three congregations with recommendations on the distribution of funds.

The report noted that Congregation Dor Hadash and New Light Congregation, PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

as tenants of the Tree of Life synagogue building, saw their own congregants killed and physically and emotionally injured. “It was generally understood by the Committee that many individuals who sent money to Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha probably were motivated by the suffering — and desire for healing — of all victims of this tragedy regardless of their congregational affiliation,” the report stated.

An important step in the process of honoring the intent of donors was to review the contributions to determine how the individual donor intended the funds to be used, according to the report, and the committee said it respected this information where it was available.

Noting that “no amount of money can fully compensate for loss of life, serious wounds and congregational damage,” the committee recommended that the majority of the donations be distributed to those who were “most tragically affected,” according to a press release.

In keeping with the committee’s recommendations, the $5.45 million in donated funds will be distributed as follows:

• For the families of those killed and to two seriously wounded worshippers — $3,024,231 • For the individuals trapped in the building — $215,162 • For the individuals on the premises during the attack — $23,905 • For Congregation Dor Hadash — $240,197 • For New Light Congregation — $240,457 • For Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation rebuilding — $1,275,871 • Funds set aside to honor first responders — $200,000 • Funds set aside for memorialization — $233,598 An additional $125,457 in donations received following the period of the independent committee’s review and interest earned on all of the funds was also included in the distribution to individuals and the three affected congregations.

The committee also recommended the creation of a joint three-congregation committee to oversee the disbursement of funds for memorialization.

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

In addition to David Shapira, who chaired the committee, the independent committee was comprised of Susan Brownlee, former executive director of the Fine Foundation; Jared Cohon, president emeritus of Carnegie Mellon University; Steve Halpern, president of Woodland Management; Mark Nordenberg, chancellor emeritus of the University of Pittsburgh; Charles Perlow, chairman of McKnight Realty partners; and Nancy Rackoff, estates and trusts attorney at Eckert Seamans. In addition, leaders of the three affected congregations actively participated.

“We send our heartfelt thanks to all members of the Independent Committee for their time, efforts and devotion in helping us resolve a very complex issue,” the three congregations said in a joint statement. “And, we are truly grateful for the outpouring of support that people have shown. We will continue to mourn our lost congregants, but we will honor their memories by healing, growing and strengthening the congregations they loved so dearly.” PJC — Toby Tabachnick MARCH 13, 2020 25

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Celebrations

Torah

Birth

Different models of leadership

Mallet: Laine Guttman Mallet and Matthew Mallet are proud to announce the birth of their son, Wesley Jacob Mallet, on Feb 6, 2020. The proud grandparents are Sara and James Guttman and Herbert and Adrienne Mallet. All reside in Pittsburgh.

Bar Mitzvah

Stein: Aidan Jacob Stein, son of Bradley and Allison Stein, will become a bar mitzvah at Adat Shalom during Shabbat morning services on Saturday, March 14, 2020.

Grandparents are Kay Liss of Monroeville, Elsa and Ken Beckerman of Sarasota, Florida, and the late Richard Stein of Scottsdale, Arizona. PJC

Staff changes at the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle

Rabbi Yaier Lehrer Parshat Ki Tisa | Exodus 30:11-34:35

M

oses, after being on Mount Sinai for 40 days, descends from the mountain with the greatest literary work of all time, the Torah. He is anxious to share it with the people of Israel. But instead of seeing a people eager to share the experience with him, he sees a people worshipping a golden calf, the antithesis of God’s declaration that the people should worship no other gods. Moses is furious. He smashes the tablets.

But wait, where does this calf come from?

It turns out that it has been fashioned by Aaron who has gathered up the gold of the people. Aaron further builds an altar for a

—Adam Reinherz

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Please see Torah, page 28

QUALITY COMES WITH EXPERIENCE!

J. MARTIN PAINTING 724-826-0464

T

he Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle is pleased to announce several staff changes.

Liz Spikol, who previously served as acting editor-in-chief of the paper, was named editorial director effective March 1, 2020. The Philadelphia native is also editorial director for the Maryland-based Mid-Atlantic Media, which contracts with the Chronicle. She holds an undergraduate degree in creative writing from Oberlin College and a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin in comparative literature with a specialization in translation studies.

Toby Tabachnick was named editor effective March 1, 2020. Tabachnick has been a writer for the Chronicle since 2007, and her work has been recognized by the American Jewish Press Association and The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania. She holds a bachelor’s in English literature from Washington University in St. Louis, and a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law. Before joining the Chronicle, she practiced business litigation in both Los Angeles and Pittsburgh.

Deborah Ziskind was named director of development effective Feb. 24, 2020. Ziskind previously served as chief development officer at The Global Conference. She additionally worked in fundraising, donor engagement and major gifts on behalf of The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and DCM. Ziskind, a Pittsburgh native, spent 14 years living in Chicago and Washington, D.C., before returning to Pittsburgh in July 2018. The Squirrel Hill resident holds an undergraduate degree from Tufts University in international relations and completed her thesis in international communications/the globalization of communications at The Fletcher School. PJC

sacrifice on which the people will make a burnt offering to this calf. Isn’t this the same Aaron who is Moses’ brother and acted as his spokesperson with the Pharaoh? Didn’t this same Aaron help lead the Exodus? And further, does not this same Aaron become anointed as the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, later in the Exodus saga? While Israelites are forced by Moses to drink water that includes the ground-up golden calf in it, why is it that Aaron seems to get off free from punishment and eventually becomes the Israelites’ sole religious representative to God in the Holy of Holies?

Over the centuries, commentators have struggled with this event in the history of our

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Headlines Torah: Continued from page 27

people. Some, like Yehuda HaLevi, defend the Israelites. Some say that the formation of the Golden Calf was to find an alternative way to address God and not treat the calf as a separate God. Some say it was just a very small percentage of the people who insisted on the Golden Calf. A midrash blames Satan for conjuring up visions of a dead Moses.

Others take Aaron to task for a failure of leadership while others see him as merely trying to keep the peace and delay the people until Moses returns by demanding the people bring their wives and children’s earrings to be melted down. Perhaps he was even acting out of fear for his life is yet another theory.

But no matter what the reasoning and who is at fault, Aaron really had no guaranteed outcomes based on any choice he made in the face of a mob. And it takes Moses, the man who lost his temper, smashed the tablets and punished the Israelites, to convince God to spare the people.

Yet with all of their apparent faults in this incident, Moses and Aaron remain leaders of the people even in the aftermath of this event. And when Aaron dies toward the end of the Israelite journey in the wilderness near

… perhaps what made them both great leaders, albeit imperfect, is what they had in common. … Each acted with humility and integrity. It is through these qualities that they are both models for leadership despite their different styles and deportment. the end of the Torah, all the people of Israel mourn Aaron for 30 days. Yet when Moses dies a little later, he does not have the same profound reaction from the entire people. The commentators tell us that the reason that there was less mourning for Moses was because Moses reproved them, he told them when they were wrong, while Aaron never did.

There was most assuredly a difference in leadership style between Moses and Aaron.

But while they had different styles, perhaps what made them both great leaders, albeit imperfect, is what they had in common.

Each of them was ultimately concerned with the spiritual well-being of their people above their own. Each of them was willing to sacrifice of himself in highly personal ways for the success and survival of the people of Israel. Each acted with humility and integrity. It is through these qualities that they are both models for leadership despite their different styles and deportment.

We see a similar leadership difference in the two scholarly houses of Hillel and Shammai.

The two houses often disagreed about matters of Jewish law. Hillel was generally the

more populist and moderate of the two but they were both deserving of respect because although they argued with each other, their arguments were not for the sake of their own egos or a need to be right but L’Shaym Shamayim, for the sake of holiness.

It should come as no surprise that it was Hillel in Pirkei Avot who says that one should be a disciple of Aaron, one who loves peace and pursues peace, loves mankind and brings them close to the Torah. But sometimes this style is not appropriate to the matter at hand.

Sometimes a tougher love is needed.

And while Moses smashed the tablets in anger, perhaps his style was not appropriate to that moment, either. We know that it was his temper that eventually barred him from entering the land of Israel when he struck the rock to bring forth water instead of speaking to it as instructed by God. But in the end, it was the the combination of the two styles that guided the Israelites out of Egypt, oversaw the transition from slaves to free people, helped the people understand the importance of God’s law even when they stumbled, and taught the values of justice and holiness. Even if imperfect, it was a type of leadership worth having. PJC Rabbi Yaier Lehrer is rabbi of Adat Shalom Congregation.

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Thursday March 19: Rose Bahm, Fay Seiner Cohen, Robert Davis, Edna Foster, Herman Frank, Mollie Gutkind, Bernice M. Israel, Carl Katz, Harriett W. Kopp, Lena Brodie Lebovitz, Dora Leiber, Samuel Lichtenstul, Gershen Liepack, Harold Meyers, T/Sgt. Sherwyn W. Meyers, Paula Ruth Mitchel, Esther Rider, Isaac Rosenberg, A. Max Schmuckler, Lena G. Schwartz, Jack Isadore Slomoff, Paul Tabor

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Friday March 20: Joanne Brodell Alpern, Ann Goldstein Beck, Marvin Berman, Matilda Helfgott Brand, Herman B. Cohen, Benjamin B. Crone, Rabbi Abraham Feinberg, Jennie Fisher, Esther Gottlieb, Albert Gross, Joseph Harris, Yolan Katz, Sadie Klein, Kathryn Levenson, Lena Levinson, Dr. Herman Meyers, Mischa Mueller, Oscar Paris, William Rosen, Sarah Rothstein, Herman Samuels, Jennie Schoen, Frank Shapiro, Eugene Silverman, Isadore Smalley, Nathan Louis Stearns, Sarah Verbin, Albert Weinberg, Esther Wolovitz

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Saturday March 21: Gertrude Alpern, Grace Bahm, Samuel Barres, Joseph Bleier, Belle Finkel, Fannie Friedman, Mary Gordon, Audrey Brown Green, William Horwitz, Edward J. Levine, Matthew Marcus, Herbert Meyers, Emanuel Morris, B.J. Mundel, Samuel Rosenfeld, Herbert Rothman, Audrey M. Seigworth, Bernard Beryl Sirota, Rosalind C. Solomon, Sophie Warmstein, Tillie Rosenberg Westerman, Dora Wilson, Harry Ziff

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Obituaries CAPLAN: .

Paul S. Caplan, MD: Age 107, on Saturday, March 7, 2020; Beloved husband of the late Gertrude F o r m a n C a p l a n .

Loving father of D on n a (Stanley) Hersh and Roberta Caplan. Brother of the late Joseph Caplan. Grandfather of Craig (Marcy), Brian (April), Eric (Danna) Hersh and Arielle Baumgarten. Greatgrandfather of Jenna, Jordan, Avery and Hadley Hersh. The family is deeply indebted to his devoted caregivers. Dr. Caplan was born in California, PA to parents Dora Freedman and Philip Caplan. Paul moved to Pittsburgh as a young man and attended the University of Pittsburgh, both as an undergrad and for Medical School, Class of ‘36. He was a proud World War II veteran, serving as Captain in the United States Army Air Force. Dr. Caplan landed in Normandy, Omaha Beach, on D-Day Plus Five. He founded the practice, Arthritis and Diagnostic Associates in Oakland, retiring at the age of 95. He was the International Tour Physician for the Pittsburgh Symphony for over 17 years. He received numerous honors and awards throughout his illustrious career as a renowned physician, rheumatologist, and researcher. Services and interment PRIVATE. Contributions may be made to Rodef Shalom Temple, 4905 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., schugar.com.

COHEN: On March 4, 2020, Arlene R. Cohen, loving wife, mother and Nana passed away peacefully at the age of 69.

Arlene was born in Montreal, Quebec, to Samuel and Elaine Rabinovitch. She received her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from McGill University. On Feb. 3, 1974, she married Dr. Larry K. Cohen. They raised three sons, Warren, Erik and Ryan, in Pittsburgh. Over the years, and especially in retirement, Arlene enjoyed traveling with Larry and spending time with their family.

Nothing was more important to Arlene than the time spent with her five grandchildren, Sam, Josh, Hunter, Lyla and Spencer. Arlene loved orchids and the imagery of hearts, and was known for the beautiful ways she displayed them both throughout her home.

Arlene’s love and generosity extended beyond her family. Through her support for Israel and her communities in both Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and Pittsburgh, Arlene devoted much of her time to giving back to her community. She was deeply involved with Adat Shalom in Pittsburgh, Temple Judea in Palm Beach Gardens and the Alpert Jewish Family Service, especially their No Excuse for Abuse campaign.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents Elaine and Samuel and brother-in-law Phil Cohen. She is survived by her husband, Larry; her sons, Warren (Susanne), Erik (Beth) and Ryan (Beth); her grandchildren, Samuel, Joshua, Hunter, Lyla and Spencer; her sister, Thelma Haimovitz PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

(Allan); sister-in-law Ruth Cohen; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends.

A funeral service was held at Temple Judea (4311 Hood Road, Palm Beach Gardens) on Friday, March 6, at 10 a.m. A private burial will be held in Austin, Texas. The family will be observing shiva at the residence of Erik and Beth Cohen in Austin, Texas.

For those wishing to honor Arlene’s memory, donations can be made to Alpert Jewish Family Service of Palm Beach County (alpertjfs.org) or Temple Judea (templejudeapbc.org).

FELD: On Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, Shirley B. Feld, age 94, of Miami, Florida, and formerly of Pittsburgh sadly passed away. Shirley was the beloved wife of the late Joseph Feld, loving mother of Suzie Feld of Lewisville, Texas, and Steven Feld of Miami, Florida, mother-in-law to Steven’s wife, Stephanie Feld, and a wonderful and caring great-aunt and beloved by her many friends. Shirley was a graduate of Peabody High School and earned a higher education degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Before her retirement, she helped young minds expand their horizons as a teacher at Carrick High School.

Shirley loved reading, bridge, music, good food and socializing with friends and family.

She made everyone’s life that she came into contact with a little better. She was beloved by many friends and will be missed. In lieu of flowers, she would like you to lend support to the charitable cause of your choice in her name. Arrangements entrusted to the H.P. Brandt Funeral Home, Inc., Ross Twp. FORMAN: Alan Stanton Forman, 74, died on Saturday, March 7, 2020 in Coconut Creek, Florida. Beloved husband of Lois Berman Forman; loving father of Sean Forman (Pamela) and Nicholas Forman (Sheryl); grandfather of Jonah, Lila, Scott, Spencer, and Micah; and brother of Libby Lee Forman Zal. Born and raised in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Alan earned a Bachelor’s degree from Geneva College and played on the school’s tennis team. He served in the US Army Reserves and worked for the Social Security Administration for 35 years. He lived in Pittsburgh before moving to Florida in 2009. Alan was active Parkway Jewish Center where he served as a board member.

He also coached his sons’ soccer and baseball teams and was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan. Services and Interment were held at Homewood Cemetery. Contributions in Alan’s memory may be made to Parkway Jewish Center, 300 Princeton Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 or Hadassah Wynmoor c/o Bernice Riback, 2802 Victoria Way #F3, Coconut Creek, FL 33066. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com MEIERAN: Gillian Marina Meieran of Point Breeze passed away from Alzheimer’s on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at the age of 83.

Beloved wife of the late Harvey Meieran, loving mother of David and Dolly Meieran, sister-in-law to Eugene and Roz Meieran.

Born in London, England, she moved to Brazil as a teenager before coming to the U.S. to attend Purdue University. It was there she met the man she would eventually marry and settled in Pittsburgh. As it happened,

Gillian would later return to Brazil for another spell, this time with her husband and two kids in tow. Even after returning to the States, Gillian remained a bona fide Brazilophile, often speaking Portuguese to anyone within earshot. In addition to Brazil, another one of Gillian’s passions was Gilbert and Sullivan, and for two decades she sang with the Pittsburgh Savoyards (and occasionally as a substitute for ordinary conversation). One of her proudest achievements was her career as an educator of the visually impaired. She taught at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children, went on to earn her Ph.D. from Pitt, and then worked with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit as a supervisor. Gillian had quick wit and loved to laugh, endearing her to many friends and relatives. She will be sorely missed. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment was at Temple Sinai Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to pittsburghsavoyards.org or humaneanimalrescue.org. schugar.com.

S A C H S : Murray Sachs; February 2, 1931-February 13, 2020, Born in Lithuania in 1931, Murray Sachs immigrated to America on Thanksgiving Day 1937 with his mother and younger brother. He excelled in his studies and graduated from Taylor-Allderdice high school and matriculated to the University of Pennsylvania in the Wharton School of Business. Murray was diagnosed with tuberculosis in his freshman year and spent nearly a year in a sanatorium outside of Pittsburgh where he developed a passion for medicine, particularly lung disease. Undeterred by this obstacle, he completed college in three

years at Washington and Jefferson and earned his medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh in 1957 earning the highest honors. He finished his residency in Internal medicine at Presbyterian University Hospital in 1960 and went on to complete his fellowship in pulmonology at Georgetown in 1962.

He then returned home to be near family in Pittsburgh and to start his practice. In 1966 he met and married Marjorie Fischer. They had two daughters. Murray focused his clinical practice on Shadyside Hospital and became the founding Chief of the Division of Pulmonology, a position he held for 33 years. He built Pittsburgh’s first dedicated Pulmonary unit at Shadyside Hospital.

During his tenure as chief of the Pulmonary Service, every resident in medicine rotated through his unit. Many considered it the high point in their training. Murray loved his patients and took time with each one to listen to both to the person and to their lungs. He was known as a master diagnostician and teacher and was adored by the nurses on his unit. He was kind, gracious and humorous with everyone he encountered from the head of the hospital to the janitorial service. As one of the most loved physicians at Shadyside Hospital, everyone wanted to be under his care even if it meant waiting hours to see him. Murray cherished his practice of medicine, Judaism, and family.

He retired in 2011. Murray is survived by his wife Marjorie Sachs, his daughters Dana Sachs and Alison Sachs, his grandchildren Dylan, Charles, Aidan and Isabella and his sister Susan Schalansky. Donations can be sent to the Murray Sachs MD Lecture Fund, SS Hospital Foundation, 5325 S Aiken Ave Suite 302, Pittsburgh, Pa 15232 or online at www.shadysidehospitalfoundation.org, specifying a gift in memory of the Murray Sachs Lecture Fund. Donations can also be made in Murray’s memory to Chabad House, 715 Hill Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48104.

A service of Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. schugar.com. PJC

Beth El hires new executive director

B

eth El Congregation search committee and was of the South Hills also endorsed unanimously has hired Christie by our board of directors.”

Benton as its new execuBenton’s previous experitive director. Benton will ence includes serving Rodef succeed Steve Hecht, who is Shalom Congregation retiring after serving in that as its assistant director, position since 1999. communications director Benton will begin her and event coordinator. She tenure at Beth El on March most recently worked as 22, and will work with  Christie Benton the development director Kathy’s Kreative Portraits Hecht through his retireof St. Joseph High School ment date of March 31. in Natrona Heights.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from “Chris was selected after an extensive search which yielded a number of qualified Chatham College in Russian and candidates,” said Beth El president Warren political science.

Sufrin in a prepared statement. “She was the — Toby Tabachnick unanimous choice of the executive director

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

MARCH 13, 2020 29

Community Lights, camera, review

Tear down those walls About 110 people filled the Sally and Howard Levin Clubhouse for “Breaking Down the Walls: A Storytelling Event” on Feb. 25. The evening featured visual and spoken storytelling by clubhouse members aiming to break down stigma associated with psychiatric disabilities. Robert Levin emceed.

p Members of the JFilm volunteer committee met to plan Film Pittsburgh’s 2020 JFilm Festival. From left: Mara Hellman, Dina Rayzberg, Marilyn Asimow, Dodie Roskies, Marilyn Swedarsky, Bob Halden, Shoshana Halden, Marian Finegold, Judy Kaplan Photo courtesy of Film Pittsburgh

p Nancy E. Gale, Gerri Sperling, Elana Slesnick, Mayor Bill Peduto and Robert Levin

Photo by Sharon Gretz

Rabbi Chuck visits students

Something sweet is happening

p Rabbi Chuck Diamond met with students from the No Place for Hate Committee at Chartiers Valley Middle School.

Photo courtesy of Rabbi Chuck Diamond

p More than 100 Jewish women participated in the mega babka bake at Chabad of Squirrel Hill on March 4.

Photo by Kelly Schwimer

p Participants baked two babkas: one to take home and one to donate.

Photo by Anat Talmy

30 MARCH 13, 2020

It’s Purim time

p Temple David members Robin Sloan, Arin Keough, Debbie Gerse and Melissa Cooper prepare to deliciously celebrate Purim.

Photo courtesy of Temple David

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Community 2020 Kids’ Mega Hamantash Event

Private tour for New Light

p More than 200 people baked hamentashen at Chabad of Squirrel Hill on March 2.

p Members of New Light Congregation attended a private tour of the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh’s exhibit “For You Were Strangers: Jewish Immigration to Pittsburgh 1880-1990” with director Lauren Bairnsfather on March 1. Photo by Barry Werber

Time to make the hamantaschen Community Day School students prepared for Purim by making hamantaschen with Morah Michal.

p Children helped make triangular tasty treats to take home and to donate to the JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry.

Photos by Anat Talmy

First Mondays Approximately 120 people honored retiring executive director Steve Hecht during a Beth EL First Mondays program. Cantor Rena Shapiro wrote a song in Hecht’s honor. Additionally, as part of the lunchtime program, Mila Sanina, executive director of PublicSource and former Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editor, discussed truth-seeking in the era of fake news. p Kindergarten student Aner Barak

p Joan Charlson, Steve Hecht, Herky Charlson and Cantor Rena Shapiro Photo courtesy of Beth El Congregation of the South Hills

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p First-graders Sara Chester and Madison Perlow

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Photos courtesy of Community Day School

MARCH 13, 2020 31

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