Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 3-27-20 by Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle

March 27, 2020 | 2 Nisan 5780

Candlelighting 7:22 p.m. | Havdalah 8:22 p.m. | Vol. 63, No. 13 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

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21st-century Passover plague, Cognizance COVID-19, keeps Jews from of emotional celebrating at communal seders health is key, say local professionals

NOTEWORTHY LOCAL Some minyans move online

By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

COVID-19 has upended the practice of Jewish rituals.

“It was not an easy decision for us,” she explained. “Passover is a time to be together with people. We’ve never had a seder that was just our family. That’s not Passover. It’s unthinkable.” Despite being unable to host friends and families, Schwartz is exploring ways to overcome the challenges and make this year’s holiday memorable. “Even before we decided to cancel our seder, we had decided we would FaceTime my mom in California,” Schwartz said. “Her seder had been cancelled and she can’t travel.” The family most likely wouldn’t have thought to use FaceTime if it wasn’t for the coronavirus and the new ways people are connecting using tools like the teleconferencing program Zoom and social media. “Now I’m thinking, what’s wrong with a Zoom seder?” Schwartz asked. “We’ve got tons of Haggadahs and I can do porch dropoffs. Everyone would have to make their own food, but then we could do a Zoom seder.” Despite a general decline in the number of American Jews embracing formal Jewish

n navigating a COVID-19 world in which the familiarities of work, family life and institutional connections have been upended, community members are being forced to readjust. Whether that means working from home and simultaneously serving as an IT manager for children’s educational learning, determining how best to socially distance in a grocery store’s narrow aisles or finding methods of human connection when social media feels tired, people are undergoing novel constraints. As a result, some have been experiencing unsettling feelings, explained Maggie Feinstein, director of the 10.27 Healing Partnership. “I think the two biggest emotions that are experienced right now are fear and loneliness,” she said. “Fear and loneliness are really uncomfortable emotions — when we think about anger, a lot of the time although anger can be problematic, it’s actually more comfortable — loneliness is one of the most uncomfortable emotions to experience.” Similarly, for many people, anxiety and uncertainty are emanating from the disquietude that’s permeated so much of contemporary life, said Stefanie Small, director of clinical services at Jewish Family and Community Services. “I think you check in with any number of people, as maybe we all have, and there are so many varying levels of emotional experience around this,” noted Angelica Joy Miskanin, psychotherapist at JFCS. Whether it’s confusion, calm, or any feeling in particular, “the most important thing I think for any of us who may be kind of vacillating emotionally is to really pay attention to our body signals and those sensations.” “When people are having a hard time, the

Please see Seders, page 14

Please see Health, page 14

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LOCAL Mazel tov!

Celebrations continue, just not as planned.

 Due to COVID-19, seders will be celebrated without the usual guests and community this year. Photo by Celia Zizzi via Flickr By David Rullo | Staff Writer

Page 5

LOCAL Combating isolation

Keeping in touch with seniors Page 7

ebecca Schwartz’s favorite part of Passover is “when you finish the meal and everyone is having dessert and you are sitting around talking,” according to her mother Beth Schwartz. The Schwartzes typically host a seder including family and friends each year. The meal lasts late into the evening as guests share dessert and talk spills across a range of topics. This year, the family’s Passover table will include only Beth, her husband and two daughters, victim to the social distancing being exercised in Jewish communities across the country due to COVID-19. “When Mt. Lebanon announced their initial school closing, it was until right after Passover. We thought we were in the right ballpark, we could have people in our home,” Schwartz recalled. The initial guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention limiting gatherings to fewer than 50 people with a minimum 6-feet distance between them, “was the tipping point” for Schwartz in opting to forgo a large seder this year.

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Headlines Community adapts Jewish rituals during coronavirus crisis — LOCAL — By David Rullo | Staff Writer

avid Dinkin was a pillar of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community. Dinkin moved to the city after a stint in the army during World War II and found his true calling first as the executive director of Tree of Life Congregation and later as both an acting rabbi for the congregation and principal of its religious school. “He was obsessed with education,” remembered his son Elliot. “He did everything he could to give people an opportunity to learn.” That love of education followed Dinkin when he moved from the Tree of Life to the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. “He was involved with everything from accounting to education and was a teacher there as well,” his son recalled. “Even when he stopped doing that, he would go around to all these different organizations — Weinberg Terrace to Charles Morris to Riverview and Schenley Gardens — to give talks about current events, Jewish education, Jewish topics, holidays, stuff in Israel.” The elder Dinkin loved his community and found value in all the people he met. “He didn’t care if you had $1 or $100 million, he treated everyone the same. He treated everyone with the same respect and genuine interest,” according to his son. David Dinkin died March 14, but there was no large funeral or memorial service for the stalwart community member. And Dinkin’s family has not had a steady stream of visitors paying shiva calls. Elliot Dinkin has been unable to share stories about his dad with friends before or after a minyan. The Dinkin family is in the midst of a period of self-distancing due to COVID-19,

p Congregation Beth Shalom has been holding daily minyans via Zoom. Photo by Jim Busis

and like the rest of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community, has been forced to confront a new normal disrupting many Jewish rituals and practices. Funerals, shivas, brit milot, minyans and b’nei mitzvahs are staples of Jewish life and all have been impacted by the novel coronavirus in some way. “We are following all of the mandates and protocols of the Centers for Disease Control,” explained Sharon Ryave Brody, owner and president of the Ralph Schugar Chapel. “There are no funerals inside the chapel.” Instead of the type of large memorial service that is normally held for many community members, Ralph Schugar is now only offering small, graveside services with a maximum of 10 people.

“We take the public health and safety, and our own, really seriously,” Brody explained. “We’re upholding all the mandates that come out.” Protecting health and safety are fundamental principles of Judaism. “We understand that we have to modify some of our behaviors to serve the greater goal of pikuach nefesh, of saving a life,” explained Rabbi Seth Adelson of Congregation Beth Shalom. Like most congregations in the area, Beth Shalom has moved all of its services and programs online. The one exception, according to Adelson, is a b’nei mitzvah, like the one the congregation was scheduled to celebrate last weekend. The rabbi and family planned to be in the synagogue’s sanctuary

with no one else in attendance. Guests could view the service online. Families also have been forced to alter their plans for b’nei mitzvah celebrations and in some cases, have found unique ways to mark the life cycle event. Amy Zahalsky’s daughter Abigail is becoming a bat mitzvah on March 28. As the family was preparing for the event several weeks ago, Amy and her husband Andrew, who is a doctor, began discussing the possibility that a live service attended by friends and families wouldn’t be possible. “My first step was emailing out of town guests, asking if they would like to amend their RSVPs,” Zahalsky recalled. “That was probably three weeks ago. About a week after that we saw how devastating this whole situation could be and we wrote our guests to tell them we were officially cancelling and to look for a link in your email to watch in the comfort of your own home.” For the Zahalsky family the challenges didn’t end with the guests. Abigail’s grandmother, Cantor Rena Shapiro, was slated to participate in the service, but she is in the age group most susceptible to the virus. A last-minute decision was made to allow Shapiro to record her portion of the ceremony. Zahalsky credits Temple Emanuel of South Hills’ Rabbi Aaron Meyer for working with the family. “Rabbi Aaron has been so flexible, helpful and filled with good humor as we try to figure this out,” she said. The ceremony, however, is only one part of the bat mitzvah. The Zahalskys had planned a dinner with family following the event and are currently “negotiating with the restaurant about our contract.” The deposit paid to a photographer is Please see Rituals, page 15

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Headlines Pittsburgh Jewish community embraces virtual learning opportunities — LOCAL — By David Rullo | Staff Writer

s COVID-19 forced the closure of synagogues, both branches of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, classrooms and other Jewish institutions, the Pittsburgh Jewish community has found a new way to find connect: the virtual world of digital meetings and online learning. “As soon as we closed down Federation last week, we immediately made plans to transfer online our current continuing classes that meet in person,” explained Rabbi Danny Schiff, Foundation Scholar at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. Schiff teaches several ongoing courses including the Florence Melton School of Adult Learning and a series exploring the Rational Bible by Dennis Prager. Additionally, Schiff said that he had just completed “designing five new courses that will be offered to the community free of charge through the end of May.” Schiff understands that the classes he, and other organizations are offering, do more than simply teach. “People have the need to have some significant Jewish connection in their lives. Obviously, we’re hoping to create a sense of community in these classes, not only that

people will learn together but that they will get together and communicate in an online setting not just with the family they live with but with the friends they’re in touch with.” Once it became clear that a period of self-distancing would be required, Temple Emanuel of South Hills moved, not only its weekly services, but all of its adult education and Torah Center programs online. The synagogue’s weekly Torah Study began to meet via the Zoom teleconferencing program, as did the weekly Adult Education classes taught by the congregation’s rabbis. Quick to realize an opportunity existed for Temple Emanuel to “put out content, both interactive and static,” Meyer began creating unique digital offerings addressing both the intellectual and emotional needs of the congregation. “Sometimes that means bringing in people we speak directly to the news of the day,” Meyer said. “We were fortunate to have emergency room doctor Andy Reibach, we’ll be featuring a psychologist who will work with us on things we can do for the anxiety of the day. Next week we’ll have a financial planner, reminding us the best thing we can do is not panic.” Meyer has also reached across the physical South Hills community, inviting Beth El Congregation of the South Hills Rabbi Alex Greenbaum and pastors at various churches into his office, now converted into what

p Rabbi Jonathan Greenberg, senior fellow with the Haym Salomon Center, joins Temple Emanuel’s Rabbi Aaron Meyer to talk Israeli electoral politics via Zoom.

he humorously calls the “Temple Emanuel Studios” for conversations posted online daily at 7 p.m. Beth El has also developed unique programming available via Zoom including debates, adult education opportunities and parenting discussions. Without the ability to meet in person, the congregation is attempting to find community through the internet, or as they describe it in their weekly email, “as we social distance, we will draw closer virtually.” Children and teens aren’t excluded from the opportunity to learn together online,

either. Religious school programs have moved online in an effort to allow students to meet together and continue to learn as a group. Hoping to engage teens that may have time on their hands, BBYO On Demand, “allows teens to participate in a new on-demand streaming service featuring 24-hour programming,” according to BBYO Keystone Mountain Regional Director Lindsay Migdal. Chris Herman, director of Jewish Life at the JCC, pointed out that the Second Floor at the Squirrel Hill JCC now features a full Please see Virtual, page 15

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Headlines An abundance of caution. An abundance of care.

With semesters cut short, college students adjust — LOCAL — By Justin Vellucci | Special to the Chronicle

hree weeks ago, Pittsburgh-raised college student Drew Klein was sitting in one of the epicenters of the coronavirus pandemic. Klein, 21, an American University junior studying education policy, arrived for her semester abroad in Rome in January, just as COVID-19 was starting to spread. When not in class, she wrapped her arms around sightseeing adventures in Florence, Pisa and Tuscany — and even further abroad in London and Amsterdam. Once the U.S. State Department issued a “level three” alert Feb. 28 warning Americans of health and safety concerns in Italy, Klein packed quickly and caught the first flight back to Pittsburgh. Today, John Cabot University, the Italian school where she was studying, remains closed. “The situation in Italy is very dire now but, when I left, there were no cases in Rome; I felt pretty safe,” said Klein, speaking with the Chronicle at the end of a two-week quarantine in her parents’ Squirrel Hill home. “When I got back to the States, everyone was going crazy. I’m trying to figure out what school’s going to be like now, what life is. My life just got turned upside-down.” Klein is one of thousands of college students whose semesters were cut short this spring by the coronavirus pandemic. And the rush to go remote or flee college campuses was not contained to Italy, Iran or China — those countries among the hardest hit by the virus. Here in Pittsburgh, universities shifted quickly to virtual instruction and required most on-campus residents to vacate dorms as reports of coronavirus hit Pennsylvania. On March 20, the University of Pittsburgh further tightened the seal on previous efforts to shut down its campuses. These measures included reducing research-related activities, shuttering academic support facilities such as libraries and computer labs, and consolidating where those students who absolutely needed to stay on campus could live during the shutdown. “I realize that these changes are significant — and that they limit or eliminate many of the things that we associate with being a university community,” Chancellor Patrick Gallagher told Pitt students in a letter posted online recently. “However, we face an unprecedented challenge, and we have a responsibility to do everything we can — both as individuals and as an institution — to slow the spread of this pandemic. The stakes couldn’t be higher.” Pitt recently reported a confirmed case of COVID-19 in one of its residence halls. Pitt students affected by study abroad cancellations are slated to receive “full reimbursements for travel-related expenses” and “varying levels of refunds” depending on how much of their programs were completed, according to a university spokesperson. Leaving campus in the wake of the coronavirus scare “felt surreal,” said Tyler Viljaste, a member of Pitt’s class of 2022 and the student government’s community and

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governmental relations committee chair. “The entire semester felt unfinished. It felt somewhat rushed, but I was reassured by the emails from the school. I was initially worried about room and board costs as well, but the pro rata reimbursement was a relief.” Pitt told students like Viljaste it would reimburse portions of room-and-board fees for the time they couldn’t spend in the residence halls, he said. Carnegie Mellon University, which reported its first confirmed coronavirus case in a student March 20, also shifted to virtual instruction. The sick student was being monitored this week by health officials in “an off-campus residence,” according to a school statement. CMU also faced an uphill task of moving many students off campus. A total of 5,597 international students started the 2019-2020 academic year there, roughly double the 2009 total, according to the school’s Office of International Education. The implications nationwide remain unclear, though some already are bracing for more than just emotional fallout. The credit rating firm Moody’s March 18 downgraded its outlook for the higher education sector from stable to negative and it anticipates widespread instability in the field. Colleges will face “unprecedented enrollment uncertainty” next fiscal year as the virus continues to tamper with the U.S. economy, officials said. Nearly 20 million students were slated to start the 2019-2020 academic year at U.S. colleges and universities, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Jewish university students locally have places to turn for support. The Edward and Rose Berman Hillel Jewish University Center in Oakland is offering virtual experiences for students looking to connect over their shared values in turbulent times, said Dan Marcus, the organization’s executive director and CEO. “We already are seeing the Jewish value of community, which is an essential tenet of our work, playing out in a new way,” Marcus said. Hillel recently launched a website dedicated to virtual meet-ups and online programming, which can be accessed at www.hilleljuc.org/hillelathome. Isabella Hammer, a linguistics major who grew up with two younger siblings in Squirrel Hill, was entering the latter part of her freshman year at Brandeis University when coronavirus hit. Her father, a doctor at a Pittsburgh hospital, drove some 10 hours from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts last week to pick her up from her dorm room in Cable Hall, in Brandeis’s North Quad. Her mother, Robin, was shaken by the news. A friend of Robin Hammer’s lost a parent to SARS about 17 years ago and she quickly cancelled a planned trip to Asia with her 15-year-old daughter when media started reporting on the new coronavirus cases. But she felt a specific heartbreak for Isabella. “My sense from her and her friends is they’re just really shocked and sad their year is ending so abruptly,” Robin Hammer said. “They’re not prepared to leave each other.” PJC Justin Vellucci is a freelance writer living in Pittsburgh.

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Headlines Life cycle events continue during crisis, but now with a twist — LOCAL — By Justin Vellucci | Special to the Chronicle

hanie Rothman came back to her childhood home of Pittsburgh last Tuesday to wed her New York sweetheart. Even in the face of a pandemic, the Squirrel Hill community treated the bride like a queen. The wedding reception at a fancy downtown hotel for 300 out-of-towners was canceled at the last minute due to gathering restrictions stemming from coronavirus concerns. But that didn’t stop Chanie and her now-husband, Shneur Chein, from getting married March 17 under a chuppah at the Lubavitch Center. After the outdoor ceremony, something magical happened. The couple — and their immediate families — were surprised with a white convertible adorned with flowers. So, they took a victory lap. The car belonged to Elly Feibus who disinfected it before lending it to the couple. “People came out of their houses and lined Hobart Street,” said Shulamis Rothman, the bride’s mother. “A good friend made ‘Mazel Tov’ signs. And there were people holding these signs, people singing and dancing and waving and blowing kisses. No eyes were dry as they came down the street.

reported Pennsylvania COVID-19 cases and are finding interesting ways to celebrate weddings and rite-ofpassage events like bar and bat mitzvahs. For some congregations, such as Beth Shalom on Beacon Street, it means livestreaming ceremonies and placing bans on receptions. “For our upcoming simchas the next couple of weeks, we are basically moving forward with the events — a bat mitzvah, a wedding — with limited, immediate family participants, and livestreaming where possible,” said Kenneth p Chanie and Shneur Chein on their wedding day. Photo provided by Shulamis Rothman A. Turkewitz, interim executive director at “It was not actually what we had planned Beth Shalom, a Conservative congregation. and not actually what my daughter dreamed,” “Receptions are canceled or postponed until she continued. “But it turned out to be a a later time in the year.” Rabbi Aaron Bisno is acclimating to the beautiful, beautiful day. This community is new normal at his Shadyside synagogue, not to be beaten. It was just beautiful.” Jews throughout Pittsburgh continue to Rodef Shalom Congregation. On Shabbat, grapple with a new normal in the face of more he livestreamed his sermon in front of a

nearly empty room. That shift in procedure, however, is not stopping young Jews from ascending the bima to read from the Torah as they enter adulthood. “We’re expecting to continue to celebrate bar and bat mitzvahs, as well as all of the regularly scheduled things we are doing,” Bisno said. Those who have been studying and preparing for becoming bar or bat mitzvah “are ready to read from the Torah on Shabbat — it just won’t be with a large congregation in front of them.” Others are waiting to see how the pandemic plays out in Southwestern Pennsylvania before altering plans scheduled for the coming months. Jaime Snyder is eyeing May 23. That’s the day her son Jordan — a 12-year-old Community Day School seventh-grader and the oldest of Snyder’s three children — is set to become a bar mitzvah at Temple Sinai in Squirrel Hill. Snyder has until May 2 to get back her full deposit at Zone 28, an indoor entertainment destination in the North Hills, if she cancels the reception. For now, she’s in wait-and-see territory. “I don’t know if I’m being too optimistic,” Snyder said. “I’m struggling with the amount of notice. And, if we reschedule, when do we reschedule for?” PJC Justin Vellucci is a freelance writer living in Pittsburgh.

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Headlines Fewer at the table, but everyone at the seder â&#x20AC;&#x201D; LOCAL â&#x20AC;&#x201D; By Toby Tabachnick | Editor

oint Breeze resident Barbara Weiss has been hosting large seders in her home every Passover for the past 35 years. This year, thanks to COVID-19, things will be different. But although it will be just her and her husband David sitting around their dining room table as they tell the story of the Jewsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; redemption from slavery, there will still be plenty of family at the Weiss seder. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My daughter came up with the idea to have a virtual seder on FaceTime or Zoom,â&#x20AC;? said Weiss, who readily embraced the idea of using video technology to bring her family together for the holiday. Weiss has two daughters who live out of town with their husbands and two children each: one in Connecticut and one in Calgary-Edmonton, Canada. To make sure everyone is on the same page, they will all use the Maxwell House Haggadah, and they will take turns reading from the text in English or Hebrew as they always do. The only complication, said Weiss, is figuring out what time to begin the seders because of the two-hour difference between Eastern Standard Time and Mountain Standard Time.

p Computers will help people connect this Passover.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;If itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 8:00 here, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 6:00 there,â&#x20AC;? she noted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The people in Connecticut will be hungry. But if we start when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 6:00 in Connecticut, it will be 4:00 for my other daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family.â&#x20AC;? Somehow, they will figure it out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop living,â&#x20AC;? said Weiss. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can either complain about it, which will

Photo by Toby Tabachnick

accomplish nothing, or say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technology,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and make the best of it.â&#x20AC;? Virtual seders â&#x20AC;&#x201D; before the onset of the holiday â&#x20AC;&#x201D; may also be held at Charles Morris Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, according to Sharyn Rubin, its director of resident and community services. At the

Jewish Association of Aging-run facility, strict precautions have been taken to avoid contagion, including the prohibition of all visitors. Residents are no longer eating in communal dining areas, but instead are having meals in their rooms. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will most likely not be holding communal seders,â&#x20AC;? said Rubin in an email. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a closed-circuit TV system with a camera in the synagogue. Rabbi (Eli) Seidman will lead a model communal seder on TV. Residents will be given their own seder plate. They will individually partake in the seder from their room on the afternoon of the onset of Passover.â&#x20AC;? Activities staff will be visiting each room during the model seder â&#x20AC;&#x153;to make sure our folks are able to participate to the fullest,â&#x20AC;? Rubin noted, adding that plans for the holiday were subject to change. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Among the many sad parts of this is that these folks will not be with their families,â&#x20AC;? Rubin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harder during the holidays.â&#x20AC;? Last year, Marnie Fienberg established the non-profit 2 For Seder in honor of her mother-in-law, Joyce Fienberg, who was murdered in the Tree of Life building on Oct. 27, 2018. The mission of 2 For Seder was to fight anti-Semitism by asking Jews to invite two people of a different faith to their seder. Thousands participated in almost 1,000 seders during Passover last year, and Please see Table, page 15

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Headlines Keeping connected is essential for seniors during period of social distancing — LOCAL — By Toby Tabachnick | Editor

espite being physically isolated in her Squirrel Hill apartment these days, Shulamit Bastacky, a Holocaust survivor, has an optimistic outlook in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. “I always say, ‘There is a light at the end of the tunnel,’” said Bastacky, who does not have the virus, but is following recommendations regarding social distancing. “And as someone else said, ‘We shall overcome.’” Bastacky is missing the typical group activities organized for seniors in her building but finds solace in the many phone calls she receives from friends and family, and from staff at the Jewish Association on Aging. “I got a call from a cousin from Oregon, and from a friend from Iowa who I knew as a child in Poland, and one from a friend who lives in Germany,” said Bastacky. “Reaching out to each other is very important. Verbal communication is the key.” One thing Bastacky does miss, though, is the schmoozing she has become accustomed to when the volunteers from Mollie’s Meals deliver prepared food to her apartment

p A JAA resident uses an iPad to visit with a relative with the help of a staff member. Photo provided by Tinsy Labrie/JAA.

three times a week. While the meals are still coming, the interactions with the volunteers are brief because of health concerns. “Today, I just opened the door, spoke for a second, and that’s about it,” said Bastacky.

“But they’ve been calling to check if I’m OK. I think they are doing a good job in view of this situation, as are the people who are making these meals.” Demand for Mollie’s Meals, a kosher

meals-on-wheels organization that partners with the Allegheny Area on Aging and AgeWell Pittsburgh, has “sky-rocketed” since government officials urged everyone — especially the elderly and infirm — to stay home as much as possible, according to Sharyn Rubin, director of resident and community services at the JAA’s Charles Morris Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Not all those requesting meals are doing so because of financial hardship, said Rubin. Some are requesting the meal delivery service because they cannot get out to buy food, or because they are lonely. The JAA staff has been preparing for weeks for the virus to hit Southwestern Pennsylvania, getting plans and strategies in place to keep their residents well physically and mentally. “We started feeling this before everyone else, and we were a little bit ahead of everyone else,” said Rubin. Senior care facilities such as nursing homes are particularly vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19. In Kirkland, Washington, at least 30 deaths have been linked to a nursing home there, and there have been reports of the virus spreading in senior facilities in Please see Seniors, page 15

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

March 27, 1949— Poet Elisheva Bikhovsky dies

Elisheva Bikhovsky, one of the “four mothers” of modern Hebrew poetry, dies of cancer at age 60 in Tiberias. Though not Jewish, she was the first woman to publish a volume of Hebrew poetry in Palestine.

March 28, 2002— Arab peace initiative unveiled

Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah presents what becomes known as the Arab Peace Initiative to the Arab League in Beirut. The plan features two states along pre-1967 lines and normal relations between all Arab countries and Israel.

March 29, 1967— Yitzhak Dov Berkowitz dies

Writer Yitzhak Dov Berkowitz, who translated the work of his father-in-law, Sholem Aliechem, into Hebrew, dies at age 82. In his own writing, Berkowitz mixed tradition and modernity and helped bring realism to Hebrew literature.

March 30, 1976— 6 Israeli Arabs killed in land protests

Demonstrations against the planned government seizure of land in the Galilee turn into riots that kill six Israeli Arabs and are commemorated annually as Land Day, the first widespread Arab protests in Israel.

March 31, 2002— Sharon attacks Arafat after Haifa bombing

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon declares Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat “the enemy of Israel and the enemy of the free world” after two suicide bombings in one day, including a Hamas attack that kills 16 at Haifa’s Matza restaurant.

April 1, 1925— Hebrew University opens

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Menachem Begin becomes the first Israeli prime minister to visit Egypt when he arrives in Cairo a week after signing the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty. PJC

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MARCH 27, 2020 7

Headlines CWB curriculum support center increases role in wake of COVID-19

p Classrooms Without Borders participants traveled to Greece in 2019.

— LOCAL — By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

ith schools, synagogues and area institutions shuttered due to COVID-19, the need for digital resources has grown, and while Zoom and Google Meet have provided the formats for online learning, content still is key. Even prior to recent school closures, Classrooms Without Borders began promoting its online curriculum support center as an electronic resource for educators. Complete with lesson plans, documentary videos and virtual museum tours, the curriculum support center has filled a much needed role, explained CWB’s founder and executive director, Tsipy Gur. In today’s climate “teachers need to be up to date on anti-Semitism,” said Gur. “Through our programs at Classrooms Without Borders, we created a community of educators, and now we can build on supporting that community.” CWB, founded by Gur in 2011, provides

experiential professional development for teachers through study seminars in locales such as Poland, Italy and Israel. While the travel abroad affords educators insight into topics such as anti-Semitism, the brainstorming and collaboration that occurs in connection with those trips also serves as a critical component of CWB’s work, Gur said. Educators who access the curriculum support center can find recently added age-appropriate lesson plans for middle school, high school and university students, including a study guide for Elie Weisel’s “Night”; strategies for cultivating tolerance; and a method for bridge building by “examining the Kielce and Tree of Life massacres and exploring community reconciliation.” Several of the lesson plans were submitted prior to the one year commemoration of the October 2018 attack at the Tree of Life building, explained Melissa Haviv, CWB’s assistant director: It was important “that teachers could take a moment and not let the one year mark go by without addressing the event, and that kids could engage in dialogue and learn what happened.” Apart from addressing the Pittsburgh

Photos courtesy of Classrooms Without Borders

synagogue shooting, educators accessing the curriculum support center can find recently added materials that provide general instruction related to “the Holocaust, hate or respecting cultural differences in the classroom,” she added. Placing this work online is consistent with CWB’s mission, explained Gur. Since its founding, CWB has prided itself on connecting and bolstering teachers in order to benefit students’ education. The COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t change that directive, insisted Gur. “Instead of gathering, and having speakers and bringing them into the classrooms, we will stream until the time comes,” she said. Through CWB’s curriculum support center, teachers can network, share resources and also connect with scholars for mentorship purposes, explained Haviv. Whether it’s connecting classrooms in Israel and Pittsburgh that are each working on water related projects, or any other imaginable assignment, “the curriculum support center is serving as the online presence for something that was already a large part of our programming.” Transitioning venues from public settings

to the digital realm represents a change in CWB’s operations. More dramatic, however, is the fact that the organization, which routinely offers international study experiences as pedagogical tools, has been forced to cancel a number of upcoming foreign seminars. As disappointing as those cancellations are, efforts have been made to use the curriculum support center to connect those educators who were registered for the trips. “We’re doing lectures on Zoom and preparing teachers for when we go,” said Gur. Along these lines, previously scheduled public programs, such as upcoming presentations or movie screenings, will move online and be available to the public-at-large in order to continue the organization’s mission, she added. “We are organizing an online book club for educators; online lectures with our scholar-in-residence Avi Ben-Hur; an online lecture with Dr. David Hirsh on the topic of “Anti-Semitism, Populism and Politics Today: Learning from the British Experience”; an online film screening and discussion with the director of “Warsaw: A City Divided” (and offering virtual ‘school visits’ for him to connect to classes that are using online learning during this time); and more,” said Daniel Pearlman, CWB’s program manager, in an email. Looking ahead, the hope is that the curriculum support center can function as a “one-stop shop for educators,” said Haviv. With more teachers seeking resources for digital dissemination, CWB staff expects increased reliance on its platform. To date, educators from 138 schools in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Sarasota, Florida, have created accounts at curriculum. classroomswithoutborders.org, said Gur. “We know who’s using it, and from where, and it’s lovely because it lets us know that there are so many teachers out there who care. Talk about immediate gratification in your job, it’s amazing,” said Haviv. PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

Confirmed case of COVID-19 in Squirrel Hill prompts Orthodox rabbis to issue community directives

n a written statement circulated via email and social media on March 22, the Vaad Horabanim of Greater Pittsburgh issued a list of directives for the Orthodox community, “as well as the community as a whole,” to ensure the “safety of each and every individual” during the COVID-19 crisis as part of its “Torah obligation of hatzalas nefashos (saving lives).” The directives came shortly after a case of COVID-19 was confirmed in the Chabad community in Squirrel Hill. The young adult who contracted the virus is originally from Pittsburgh and came back to the city after being in school in another community, according to a member of the Vaad. That individual and their family are under quarantine. Seven local Orthodox rabbis signed the statement, which calls for preventing guests,

8 MARCH 27, 2020

“including children and elderly relatives, from coming to Pittsburgh, including for Pesach or simchas.” “Family members who arrived here from out of town already, must be quarantined AWAY FROM the entire family, or THE WHOLE FAMILY/HOME must be quarantined from the community for 14 days,” the statement continues. “This time frame is subject to change based on guidelines of your family doctor or of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).” The rabbis also directed community members to not leave Pittsburgh to travel to any other community for the upcoming Passover holiday. “We need to protect our families, our community, and other communities as well,” the statement reads. Additionally, no one should invite

local guests for Shabbat or holiday meals, including the seder, according to the rabbis. Twenty-seven local Jewish physicians endorsed “the medical necessity of the Va’ad

instructions,” urging the community to comply, the statement said. PJC — Toby Tabachnick

JFilm canceled

he Film Pittsburgh board of directors and staff announced last week that it had “made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel this year’s JFilm Festival, which would have run April 23 – May 3” because of health concerns and restrictions related to the coronavirus. “We are heartbroken that we will not get the opportunity to share these

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incredible films with you, our beloved festival family,” the JFilm team wrote in a prepared statement. This year’s festival would have featured 20 Pittsburgh premieres of world-class independent films, with 11 countries and nine languages represented. PJC — Toby Tabachnick PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

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Opinion A seder different from all others — EDITORIAL —

he Four Questions are a cornerstone of our Passover seder, with Jewish families around the world querying: “Why is this night different from all other nights?” This year, another question could be, “Why is this seder different from all other seders?” although we all know the answer to that. Over the past several weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed our lives. With schools, synagogues and most retail businesses shuttered, and with so many cities and states on lockdown, we all have been struggling to adjust to this abnormal state of living as best we can. Congregations and other Jewish organizations have done a yeoman’s job of getting classes, virtual meetups and even religious services online, but most of us are already sorely missing face-to-face interactions. Meeting friends for dinner. Going to a movie. Running into a neighbor at the market and being able to stop and chat. We are going to feel the negative effects of social distancing even more keenly on Passover as we sit down at our dining room tables to retell the story of our ancestors’ redemption from slavery. Many of us,

We are going to feel the negative effects of social distancing even more keenly on Passover as we sit down at our dining room tables to retell the story of our ancestors’ redemption from slavery. accustomed to hosting friends and families in our own homes for seder, or joining as guests at the tables of others, will instead be celebrating the holiday with just those members of our immediate family who live with us. Lots of us will be alone, asking the Four Questions of ourselves. As distressing and heartbreaking as this sounds, it is imperative that we abide by the directives of our governor, city officials and rabbis and adhere to the social distancing mandates that hopefully will “flatten the

curve” of the spread of COVID-19. On March 22, our Vaad Horabanim, the umbrella group representing Orthodox rabbis in Pittsburgh, issued clear and unambiguous directives for those in the community to invite no guests to their seders or Shabbat meals and to prevent guests, including the elderly and children, from coming to Pittsburgh from out of town to celebrate the holiday. The Vaad also directed that no one in Pittsburgh should leave the city to travel to another community for Passover or any other celebrations.

It is part of obligation of hatzalas nefesos (saving a life) for us to abide by these mandates, the rabbis said. Twenty-seven local Jewish physicians endorsed “the medical necessity of the Va’ad instructions,” urging the community to comply. We also urge the community to take these directives seriously and to make no exceptions. Cases of COVID-19 have already been confirmed in our local Jewish community, and quarantines of those individuals and their families are in place. Containment of the virus is possible, but only if we all play by the rules. We know that the Jewish people will be particularly hard hit by this crisis, even if the spread of the disease to our community is minimized. The Jews are a communal people and removing the joy of being part of a physical community is going to be brutal. But to emerge from this pandemic intact and healthy, we must make the difficult sacrifice now of sheltering in place, even on Passover. COVID-19 has been referred to as the 11th plague. Our ancestors were spared from the original 10 because of their faith in God. That faith can help us now as well, but, as our local Orthodox rabbis have said, it is essential we strictly follow health directives too. PJC

Democracy in Israel is alive and well Guest Columnists Oren Dobzinski Anat Talmy

n recent days, several of the most important newspapers in the world reported on a risk to the democracy in Israel, which is supposedly being attacked by its current prime minster, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his ruling Likud party. These papers include The New York Times, The Guardian and Le Monde. The Washington Post even went beyond that to call recent events “a coup.” Critics in Israel call Netanyahu “a dictator” and a big “virtual demonstration” was held on March 22 under the banner of “saving Israeli democracy.” All of this is much ado about nothing, and Israel’s democracy is alive and well. To prove their claim about Israel’s at-risk democracy, the critics say that Netanyahu shut down the parliament, shut down the courts and ordered the government to track people by their cell phone data to identify those who should be quarantined. Netanyahu was able to do all that by using emergency powers and by bypassing what would typically be a process of approval by Israel’s parliament. In addition, parliament Speaker Yuli Edelstein, a member of the

10 MARCH 27, 2020

Likud, wouldn’t step down and allow the election of a new speaker. Some of the claims against Israel are completely false. First, the president of the High Court of Justice published on March 21 a message that clarifies the courts in Israel are not closed, but they will minimize their activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, Netanyahu didn’t shut down the parliament. The new Knesset assembled on March 16. It then assembled again on March 18 and on March 23. It is true that the speaker of the Knesset, Yuli Edlestein, delayed the establishment of new Knesset committees — and possibly his own replacement — but the Supreme Court ordered him to do so this week; that by itself is a sign of a functioning democracy. In any case, that doesn’t even come close

to “making Israel a non-democratic state” as some Israeli critics, such as Yair Lapid, one of the leaders of the main opposition party, Kahol Lavan, said. Israel must be a very odd dictatorship because nothing prevents the 61 members of the Knesset who oppose Netanyahu from forming a new government and displacing “the dictator” and his government should they decide to do so. No tanks and no coups necessary. Extreme measures to combat COVID-19 are being taken all over the world, including limiting parliaments and courts and sending messages to the public about people who are positive to the virus, and Israel is no different. Many countries closed their courts or limited them to only deal with urgent issues, among them Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and South Korea. So have

Extreme measures to combat COVID-19 are being taken all over the world, including limiting parliaments and courts and sending messages to the public about people who are positive to the virus, and Israel is no different. PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

New York and California. And many other countries have closed or minimized their parliaments’ activity, among them Spain, Denmark and Canada. South Korea has been sending messages that describe the movements of people positive to COVID-19, sometimes exposing embarrassing information about people’s private lives. Similar steps have been taken in Israel, yet The New York Times criticizes Israel for it, while it reported the previous day that in Singapore, “the details of where patients live, work and play are released quickly online, allowing others to protect themselves” with no criticism whatsoever. In Israel’s history there were several major events that were by far more extreme in terms of democratic norms, but Israel’s democracy survived. During the Yom Kippur War, for example, Israel’s election was postponed and a temporary government was in charge. Before that, the first prime minister of Israel, David Ben Gurion, monitored political opponents with the help of the Shin Bet, a practice that was not stopped until the 1960s. As for tracking citizens — all Israeli Arab citizens lived under military rule between 1948 and 1966 that included draconian limitations. Israel’s democracy survived all these. Not only did it not die, but the Israeli democracy is alive and well, and in much better shape than in past decades. PJC Oren Dobzinski and Anat Talmy are software engineers who both hold dual U.S.Israeli citizenship. PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Opinion Stitching together a safety net for one another

n 1976, the Israeli military rescued more than 100 hostages from an Air France plane being held on the tarmac at Entebbe airport in Uganda. Only four hostages were lost, along with Yonatan Netanyahu, the commander of the operation. Twenty years later, I was in level 02 basic training for the IDF, also known as tironut jobnikim, “desk jockey basic training.” In a force where the combat soldiers are revered, rather than being considered “grunts” as they sometimes are in the U.S., 02 was for the misfits, the medically unfit and the only children like me who by regulation are “excused” from serving in combat. Every tiron, trainee, has at least one evening program called moreshet krav, battle traditions. These are a cross between history lesson and ceremony, a retelling of a particular episode in the annals of the IDF meant to prove a point. And in the year of the 20th anniversary of the raid on Entebbe, what better story to retell? But the point they were proving was

not, as one might expect, the brilliance of Netanyahu’s execution of the raid. Nor was it the oft-discussed errors that led to the loss of the handful of lives who did not survive the raid. It wasn’t even the agonizing decisions made at the top level by Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin and Defense Minister Shimon Peres. It was the heroism of the jobnikim. Entebbe worked because Netanyahu and his commandos drove onto the tarmac in a black Mercedes dressed up to look like Ugandan leader Idi Amin and his entourage. To do this successfully, they needed convincing uniforms and the right color car (the air force had to rent a Mercedes, then paint it black because they could only get a white one). Our lesson that night was that among the heroes of Entebbe were the guys who had painted the Mercedes black and the tofrim, the sewing machine operators who had made the uniforms. Litfor, to sew, isn’t a very kind word in IDF slang. Its most common use is “ani tofer otcha la’emdah!” — “I’m going to sew you to your post!” which a commander might say to a soldier who screws up and is punished with having to do guard duty at the same post from now until discharge day. So, a salute to the tofrim was a big deal, indeed. Twenty-four years later, all of us are tofrim — stitched permanently to our houses, our

Don’t insult those against the death penalty With one significant exception, I agree with everything stated by Baruch McDoodle (Letters: “Death penalty for shooter,”, March 13), and I am saddened that people who were a part of his life and whom he obviously dearly loved were so horrifically taken from him and from all of us on our modern day of infamy, the slaughter at the Tree of Life synagogue building. Yes, of course, those who were slain by the heinous killer did not in any way deserve their fate, there was no justification whatsoever for such an antisocial act, and yes, he surely would have gone on to other beloved Jewish institutions to commit slaughter had he not been stopped by our brave law enforcement officers. In my view, the killer deserves the death penalty, and swiftly, not decades from now, not following appeal after appeal. There are, however, two sides to every issue and those who disagree with us, including many victims’ survivors, are to be respected. To say that those who prefer life in prison as his future sentence are “not in their right mind” goes down a dangerous road and it is an insult to the many members of our community who do not believe in capital punishment, even for the worst of the worst. Such dismissiveness for those who disagree is something with which I am familiar from daily participation in online newspaper forums in which I am subjected to ad hominem attack and classified as “deranged” for consistently challenging the president with facts. Disagree, debate, and challenge, tell me why I am wrong, but please: Those who disagree with you are not mentally disabled. PJC Oren Spiegler Peters Township

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their factories to do some actual sewing — making masks, gowns, swabs, hand sanitizer and other supplies, many of them in factories that have never done this work before. We also need a safety net for those in danger of becoming collateral damage. Loneliness, and aloneness, can be as dangerous as the coronavirus, as we learned during the 1995 Chicago heatwave and countless other disasters. People creating web-based content, virtual group activities, minyanim and socially distant real-life get-togethers, like the folks singing from their balconies in Italy, and last Sunday, in Dormont (though I’m sure the playlist was different), are sewing that net. My own shul started “connectionCBS,” an effort to reach out to every congregant and make sure that no one is overlooked in our push to stay connected. There are a lot of jobnikim in this war effort, a lot of tofrim. There is endless work to be done, and somewhere among that work is a task that is tafur aleichem — made just for you. PJC Jonathan Weinkle is a primary care physician in Pittsburgh and author of the book “Healing People, Not Patients: Creating Authentic Relationships in Modern Healthcare.”

Tell us your stories

— LETTERS —

computers and the handful of people we share them with. The enemy this time is not a small cadre of terrorists, the danger not confined to 100-plus people in one airplane. The enemy is everywhere, not capable of negotiating, and all of us are in potential danger. In the current crisis, there are world leaders who might ultimately play the role that Rabin and Peres did, making the critical decision that will save not hundreds, but tens of thousands of lives or more — and probably some who will end up playing the role of the disgraced Idi Amin. There are frontline scientists who may discover the critical treatment, vaccine or test that can turn this virus from a life-threatening disease to just another bad cold or pneumonia. And my colleagues in emergency rooms in Milan, Seattle, New York and eventually here in Pittsburgh may play the Yoni Netanyahu role of tragic heroism. So, what are the rest of us stitching together? Stuck at home, we sew a safety net for those of us who have managed not to get sick so far. Going to work, my colleagues and I in the outpatient medicine world are reinforcing that net, cancelling “elective” procedures and visits that don’t need to happen face-to-face where doctor and patient are suddenly a mutual danger to each other. Those in industry are pivoting

hat are you doing to boost your spirits, and those of others, during the coronavirus crisis? The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle wants to share your ideas and suggestions. Send a paragraph or two, along with a photo of you or your family, to Toby Tabachnick, editor, at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. Be sure to include your name and neighborhood. Let’s stay connected. We are stronger together.

Embrace the staycation

Get up a little earlier than the family. Take a quick shower, get dressed, put on a little makeup and have breakfast. Then wake up the family. Otherwise, the day, the news, the to-dos will get ahead of you and you won’t eat breakfast until 1:30. We need all the help we can get to relax our overstressed brains. Turn down the lights, put some candles in the bathroom, add a delicious-smelling bubble bath, play relaxing music on your iPhone speaker and sip a glass of wine from your nicest goblet. Staycation! Grab your favorite snacks and get in your car. Drive around with the windows open and your favorite tunes playing. Wave to all the bicyclists, strollers, joggers and dog walkers. Park at a lovely spot and call a good friend on your speakerphone. Come home and take a bath. Ahhhh. Ilana Schwarcz Squirrel Hill

Correction In “Jewish organizations offer financial relief to those affected by virus” (March 20, 2020), we incorrectly characterized the type of assistance offered by The Jewish Assistance Fund. It provides assistance to Jewish individuals and families, not directly to businesses. The Chronicle regrets the error. PJC

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MARCH 27, 2020 11

Photo by Ilana Schwarcz

Guest Columnist Jonathan Weinkle

FLAVORS OF

PASSOVER

Prices effective through April 1 - 22, 2020. Items available at participating locations while supplies last.

Thomas Farms Free Range Lamb Shanks

No antibiotics or added hormones. Product of Australia.

49 lb.

Empire Kosher Fresh Whole Frying Chicken

KOSHER WINE

lb.

10% discount available when you Mix & Match 6 or more bottles (750mL or larger). Plus all state and local taxes. Not all items and retails available in all areas.

Manischewitz Concord Grape or Blackberry 750 mL

Bartenura Moscato d’Asti 750 mL

Please visit our stores for additional selections of fine kosher wines

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dietitian pick

Empire Kosher Frozen Hen Turkeys

99 lb.

Golden Delicious or McIntosh Apples 3 lb. bag

2/ 7 $

dietitian pick Florida Natural Orange Juice

Daisy Sour Cream

52 oz., selected varieties

16 oz.

2/ 7 $

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ea.

Fresh Horseradish Root

99 lb.

dietitian pick

Kedem Grape Juice

64 oz., selected varieties

99 ea.

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Manischewitz Passover Matzo Meal

Giant Eagle Brick Cream Cheese 8 oz.

79 ea.

Organic Red Beets Bunch

Yehuda Matzo 1 lb.

99 ea.

Fresh Curly or Plain Parsley bunch

16 oz., canister

49 ea.

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ea.

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dietitian pick Manischewitz Macaroons 10 oz.

99 ea.

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Yehuda Gefilte Fish 24 oz.

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Carrots bunch

99 ea.

MARCH 27, 2020 13

Headlines Seders: Continued from page 1

rituals and celebrations, Passover remains widely observed. According to a 2013 survey by the Pew Research Center, 70% of Jews in the United States attend seders. This year, the coronavirus outbreak will challenge that number. Like Schwartz, Elaine Wolfe has had to change her holiday plans due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Wolfe’s seder usually includes 15-18 people in her home located in the city’s Eastern suburbs. This year, she was forced to disinvite most of her planned guests. “I am in the top group of people who are susceptible. I am ‘elderly’ and I have severe upper respiratory issues. So that puts me at risk. My grandson, who always comes for seder has Crohn’s disease, which means his immune system is compromised. It was a matter of playing it safe, so I am down to just my family.” Wolfe’s seder will now include only her husband, her two daughters and her grandson. Her children no longer live in Pittsburgh — one lives in Maryland and the other in Ohio — “so they’ll be driving,” she said.

Health: Continued from page 1

first thing they should do is just kind of take a break. And again, that break could just be closing your computer, standing up and looking out the window, standing on your porch and taking a deep breath, taking a walk around the block or stopping and going to have a cup of tea,” said Small. Adopting these measures can be beneficial, explained Miskanin: “I’m an art therapist so I made sure to grab an ongoing art piece that I had in the office, because that’s helpful to me, but if it’s music or movement or dance, finding ways to incorporate those things into your daily life” is important, because “you’re helping yourself regulate your nervous system and therefore being able to be more productive in the times when you have to be.” Perhaps surprising to some is that even amidst a global pandemic, life persists. Responsibilities, both personal and professional, continue, so ensuring one’s well-being is critical, agreed the professionals. The current irony, however, is that for so many individuals in relative isolation the primary mode of communicating, maintaining relationships or receiving information is also potentially damaging. “Facebook, or Instagram or any other social media can help ward off loneliness because it can increase connectivity. It also can increase loneliness because it can feel like everybody else is together somewhere and you’re not,” said Feinstein. As a result, people should “notice the emotions it brings up. If it gives some sense of relief, continue doing it. If it gives some sense of desperation, or it starts to make any of those feelings worse, then don’t continue.” 14 MARCH 27, 2020

“I had thought about elderly individuals in senior centers or assisted living that weren’t able to celebrate Passover,” explained GIFT founder Rochel Tombosky. “If you’re not Jewish in an assisted living home, you’re able to celebrate Christmas or Thanksgiving, but if you’re Jewish you’re not able to celebrate Passover. I thought that was unacceptable.” GIFT handed out 70 Passover to Go kits its first year. Last year it distributed 250. This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic and a greater need, it will distribute 300. One aspect that is different this year is that volunteers will not be able to talk to seniors as they deliver their kits. Instead, they’ll simply drop off the packages at the front desk of the various residences or leave them on front porches. The deadline to sign up for a Passover to Go kit is April 1, and the kits will be reserved on a first-come first-served basis. For those forced to change seder plans or spend Passover alone this year, the familiar refrain of hope at the seder’s conclusion, “next year in Jerusalem,” might simply be “next year together.” PJC

While Wolfe is planning for a family reunion, “if they think for one minute that they don’t feel well, they’re going to cancel at the last minute and I appreciate that,” she explained. Although the holiday is observed primarily in homes, many congregations host seders as well — welcoming members and guests alike — celebrating the Jewish people’s freedom from slavery and oppression. With both the city and state having issued directives restricting public gatherings, as well as edicts to practice social distancing, this year Jewish institutions must consider other ways to engage community members and observe Passover. Temple Emanuel of South Hills Rabbi Aaron Meyer said his congregation had not yet finalized plans to change its seder. “I would say, we don’t know what we don’t know. I’m not sure what the state of the world will be by then, but my reading of the tea leaves is that this period of quarantine and self-distancing won’t have lifted by then,” he said. While the future is uncertain, Temple Emanuel has begun to explore using “the virtual space” for its annual second night seder and is looking at the possibility of creating “a seder in a box” for those who

had signed up for the congregation’s event, according to Meyer. The idea of a “seder-to-go” kit has already been embraced by Chabad of Squirrel Hill. “We’ve been doing a community seder on the first night of Pesach for 10 years or more,” Rabbi Yisroel Altein explained. “Last year we drew more than 150 people.” Many of those who attend the community seder don’t have a family to celebrate the holiday with or are unaffiliated, according to Altein. The rabbi still hopes that Chabad of Squirrel Hill, like Chabad centers throughout the country, will be able host a community event. If a seder is impossible, Altein said it’s his job to “make sure people are able to have a seder.” To that end, like Chabad International, Chabad of Squirrel Hill will make available to the community, free of charge “sederto-go” kits that will include items needed to observe Passover. “People who don’t have a family and are living alone, it’s going to be difficult. So, we wanted to provide something for everyone so they can experience a seder properly,” said Altein. The not-for-profit Giving It Forward Together (GIFT) has been assisting seniors in the region experience Passover since 2015.

Along those lines, “if you’re finding yourself reading article after article, or watching news story after news story, and then you start to notice that you’re getting a little bit of a bellyache maybe that’s the time to shut down for a little bit and back away and do something else,” said Miskanin. Along with maintaining self-care there are ways to “exert control over the situation,” said Small. For starters, establish boundaries between home and work. Employees who have been instructed to remain at their residences can begin by avoiding the desire to stay in pajamas, Small said: “People should get dressed and wear some approximation of what they would wear to work, because psychologically it is giving you an ability to make the differential between home and work.” Similarly, keeping to a daily schedule can help, explained Miskanin. “While I would leave that up to the individual, because that experience is so subjective, I do happen to believe that when we create a sense of routine that can be really powerful for a lot of people, particularly in a time when it’s hard to know what to expect tomorrow.” Consistent with a theme of regularity or predictability is establishing designated at-home areas for work or school, explained Small. “The ideal is if everybody can be in separate locations throughout the house, and everybody has their assigned location” with a clear workspace, she said. “That is what allows you to keep those boundaries between home and work and allows you to have the separation in your brain that your physical location is not currently letting you do. Without those boundaries everything just bleeds right into each other and then you

says, ‘good,’” noted Small. “In American society, and especially in Jewish American society, we always hold ourselves up to be amazing and excellent and awesome, and we need to go back to the basics of what God expected of Himself and go with just ‘good.’ And ‘good’ needs to be good enough for now.” In addition to such recommendations, communal resources are readily available to those who need them, explained Feinstein. People can visit online at 1027healingpartnership.org, or, for those interested in speaking with someone from the 10.27 Healing Partnership, they can call 412-697-3534. Small offered similar advice. A list of local resources is available at jfcspgh.org, she said. Or, “if people need p Angelica Joy Miskanin will work on her “inside/outside someone to talk to, it doesn’t matter if they’re a client or box,” an art project, during periods at home. Photo courtesy of Angelica Joy Miskanin not, if they need someone to talk to they can call our just have a 24-hour workday, and a 24-hour number (412-521-3800), leave a message school day, and none of that is good.” with the answering service and someone will With schedules and spaces likely blur- call them back.” ring, there’s going to be some messiness “The Jewish agencies are really trying hard to most people’s attempts at creating an to work together to support our community,” optimal work/home divide. For that reason, said Miskanin. “These are unprecedented Small recommended returning to language times and the agencies are really trying to found in Genesis 1. step up to provide what’s needed in the ways When God completed the efforts of that they can.” PJC several days, the Torah doesn’t say that God Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ saw that the work “was ‘perfect.’ It doesn’t say, ‘excellent.’ It doesn’t say, ‘awesome.’ It pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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

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Headlines Rituals: Continued from page 2

being transferred to Abigail’s brother’s bar mitzvah in 2022. Of course, not everything is so easy to change. “I do have a lot of yarmulkes and party favors if anyone needs one,” Zahalsky laughed. For liberal congregations, although changing the way a bar or bat mitzvah or a minyan takes place may require ingenuity and forethought, it also presents opportunities. “We would typically have 10 or 15 people for evening service and 15 for morning service,” explained Beth Shalom’s interim executive director Ken Turkewitz. But once it was no longer advisable to have more than 10 people in a room, Turkewitz decided to conduct a minyan using the popular Zoom

Virtual: Continued from page 3

calendar of digital opportunities for teens including video game tournaments, J Line learning opportunities and mindfulness and meditation sessions. If the idea of sitting behind a desk or on the couch participating in group learning brings you nothing more than a yawn, the JCC may have classes more to your liking. “We’ve launched #JCCPGHVirtual,”

Table: Continued from page 6

more than 1,100 homes were planning on participating in 2020. But because of COVID-19, and the need to social distance, “We are suspending the premise of 2 for Seder this year,” said Fienberg. “We are uncomfortable with people inviting anyone into their house.” Instead, 2 for Seder is offering an online class to help people who are comfortable using technology on the holiday plan for a virtual seder.

Seniors: Continued from page 7

Illinois, Wyoming and Oregon. As of press time, there have been no reported cases of the coronavirus at JAA facilities. The umbrella organization, which operates the Charles Morris Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the AHAVA Memory Care Center of Excellence, the Residence at Weinberg Village and the Bartlett Street’s Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Terrace, has implemented strict guidelines in its efforts to ward off the virus, including prohibiting anyone who is not an employee from entering its buildings. That means no visitors, which can be hard on the residents.

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video conferencing program. Now, he said, “Every one of our services over the last few days has had more than 20 people.” For Turkewitz, streaming services and events over the internet has provided a welcome and unintended consequence: the ability for non-members across the city and country to sample Beth Shalom’s offerings. “I’ve seen a few people log on just to check it out,” he said. “A friend of mine from Massachusetts with a connection to the community was able to see what our services are like.” Halachic constraints have made it harder on the Orthodox community to daven online: a minyan is only valid if its members are together in person, and they cannot livestream Shabbat services because of the prohibition against the use of electronics on Shabbat. Last week, Shaare Torah Congregation in Squirrel Hill announced that for the time being

it would continue with daily services but would allow no more that 10 men to participate. Congregation Poale Zedeck made the difficult decision to close the synagogue building, citing the need to slow the spread of the virus. “It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you…we will be closing the shul for the period for all davening and other activities,” Rabbi Daniel Yolkut wrote in an email to members. “The time has come,” his message continued, “to focus on social distancing in the hopes of flattening the curve of the epidemic and step back from public tefillah and learning. I am particularly sad for those saying kaddish but firmly believe that our efforts for individual and communal health will provide that spiritual benefit for the departed.” The coronavirus outbreak has impacted all aspects of Jewish ritual, from birth to death, forcing families to reconsider how

to celebrate the first ritual of Jewish life for males, the brit milah. “We are asking families to have a very small number of people attend,” said mohel Rabbi Elisar Admon, “even telling them they don’t have to have a minyan.” Admon explained that there are medical concerns to consider: “You don’t want the baby exposed to the coronavirus, especially while he has an open wound.” COVID-19 has forced the Jewish community to find new ways to connect and adapt, according to Rabbi Aaron Bisno, Rodef Shalom Congregation’s senior rabbi. “This situation requires us, or at least challenges us, to understand what it means to be present and available to one another. It requires us to stretch.” PJC

according to the JCC’s Division Director of Development and Strategic Marketing Fara Marcus. “Everyone can’t come to us, but we can come to them virtually through our media and webpage. We have group exercise class videos, Facebook Live videos, if you join our Facebook fitness group, that’s where those live streams are being held.” Marcus pointed out that the online offerings aren’t available for only one age group. “We have Silver Sneaker offerings online and PJ Library programming, as well,” she said. The new JCCPGHVirtual also includes

demos from personal trainers and information from health and wellness experts. One benefit of the new opportunities created by the various Jewish institutions is price. The content is free and doesn’t require membership. “We’re open to the community right now, our main focus is community, especially in times of crisis,” Marcus said. For Meyer, the online offerings are also a way to connect beyond the city. “This gives us an opportunity to connect, not just with our members here

in Pittsburgh, or snowbirds in Florida, but people throughout the world in different ways than we otherwise would.” The rabbi believes the future will continue to include the type of virtual offerings now being created out of necessity. “This use of technology allows people to stay connected. It’s opening up pathways and vehicles we would be wise not to stop using once the current situation has ended,” he said. PJC

The class will be offered March 31 on Facebook or via a webinar and can be accessed at 2forseder.org. “The key is not to just set stuff up and do your normal thing – I’m bored just thinking about that,” Fienberg said. “Things are so depressing right now, but Passover is coming up and it is something to look forward to.” Fienberg and her cohorts at 2 For Seder “want to encourage people to still have a seder,” but to think of themselves as TV producers and to come up with innovative ways to get kids engaged. The change in format for the non-profit has nothing to do with anti-Semitism, Fienberg

stressed, but is for the safety and health of all. She does not encourage people to invite those of other faiths to a firsttime virtual seder. Although a virtual seder “is good for people who are Jewish and for interfaith families, it’s not great if this experience for you is your first seder,” Fienberg said. “It’s not going to be the same as a traditional seder. This is not a regular year for seders.” In addition to facilitating a group seder, technology can be used to enhance the holiday in other ways, according to Fienberg. “This is the time your grandmother should be showing you through FaceTime

how to make that kugel,” she said. Fienberg also is encouraging people to send Passover gifts to those who are sheltering in place as a way of “sharing some of the sweetness” of the holiday, Barbara Weiss is planning to do just that. She will be baking her daughters’ families’ favorite Passover cookies and shipping them to Canada and Connecticut. “When you’ve got distances, you do what you can do,” Weiss said. “I just hope they go through the border.” PJC

“The staff is trying to play the roles of the family,” said Rubin, who emphasized that activities to keep the residents engaged are continuing, albeit in innovative formats. Take bingo, for example, a favorite pastime among the residents at Charles Morris. Because they can no longer congregate as a group for the game, a staff member goes from room to room calling out the numbers. Arts and crafts are continuing as well, but instruction is individualized in each resident’s room. Because meals no longer take place in communal areas, “We are trying to pump in music,” to make dining more pleasant, said Rubin. “We are trying to be as out of the box as we can.” The residents are able to keep in touch with their families with iPads, with staff

available to help them use video technology to see their loved ones and for their loved ones to see them and be assured that they are OK. “The residents who are alert and oriented are thrilled,” with FaceTime and Skype, said Rubin, and those with dementia and impaired orientation also often show some “recognition of the voices, and relief.” Because Shabbat services cannot be held during this social distancing phase of the pandemic, Rabbi Eli Seidman, the JAA’s director of pastoral care, goes from room to room to visit those residents who typically join him for Saturday morning services, said Rubin. And a cadre of volunteers has been sending letters and cards and pictures to the residents to help keep them connected.

While “we are all just sad,” said Rubin, “the sounds of laughter are still coming out and I love those. We are realizing truly that we are all in this together.” For Bastacky, social interaction, in whatever form it takes, is essential. “Friends call, and I call others,” she said. “It could have been worse. Being a survivor, I can say we have to hope for the best and be supportive of other people.” At Bastacky’s senior apartment building, there will be no group seder this year, but she is taking that in stride. “It’s better to be safe and cautious,” she said. “We will overcome this difficulty just like our ancestors did in Egypt.” PJC

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

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

Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Life & Culture Locals jazz up charoset, a symbolic reminder of long ago AT

— FOOD —

HEINZ HALL

By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

haroset, a Passover seder plate staple and a dish delightfully offsetting the bitter herbs, dates back millennia. Though its first mention in Jewish literature occured nearly 1,900 years ago in the Mishnah, scholars suggest that charoset may actually have Hellenistic origins, as elements of the seder — eating, drinking and dipping — mirror practices within the Greek culture of the time. For Pittsburghers, charoset bears a cherished history. Both because of its ingredients and the manner in which it’s made, charoset functions not only as a paste-like substance symbolizing the mortar ancient enslaved Israelites employed in Egypt, but also as a sweet reminder of family and faraway places. Etti Martel grew up in Jerusalem before moving to the United States more than a decade ago. Martel’s charoset, which is similar in style to that of her Kurdish grandmother’s, requires a process that begins with collecting heart-healthy snacks. “I use all kinds of nuts — almonds, pecans, walnuts — and then I put them in a food processor,” said Martel. After she low boils silan (date syrup) and adds “a little bit of water,” Martel adds the nut mixture. She then cooks it on a very low heat for about 45 minutes and allows “everything to blend.” “Before you serve it, you have to mix it,” she said. Martel maintained that as good as her charoset tastes, there’s an option to make it even better: For people who consume legumes during the holiday, “we add sesame seeds.” Rabbi Oren Levy, who grew up in New Jersey before moving to Pittsburgh, similarly praised Kurdish cuisine. When it comes to charoset, “I was taught by my father who was taught by his mother,” said Levy. The generational practice of making charoset typically begins in the Levy house days before Passover when family members gather dates, then open the fruit and check for bugs, which ensures no one mistakenly consumes an ins ect and violates Jewish law. The inspected dates are then soaked in water for 24 hours. “The next day we mash the dates into a paste, while still (retaining) the water that was used to soak the dates,” he said. Levy then adds ground walnuts and

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PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

ground almonds. “Occasionally, we add in a splash of red wine.” Levy said the spread “stays good the whole Pesach and could even be frozen.” And as for the quality of his creation, the Squirrel Hill Sephardi isn’t shy about praise: “Anybody who has it thinks it’s the best charoset they’ve ever had, including Ashkenazim. They readily drop the whole apple thing pretty quickly.” Although she hasn’t adopted Kurdish culinary norms, Linda Joshowitz has been integrating regional tastes within her recipe. In recent years the Squirrel Hill resident has added dried mango or dried peach to her Passover plate staple. “It tastes good,” she said. “Who doesn’t like the taste of the tropics in their charoset?” Joshowitz typically makes about 16 ounces of charoset — complete with an apple, nut, cinnamon and wine base — weeks in advance and freezes it until the start of holiday. The amount is just fine, she explained. While there are those who use charoset for all sorts of meals throughout Passover, “it’s really just for dipping,” said Joshowitz. Avram Avishai, who during the year makes his own kosher beef bacon, goes whole hog over his charoset. With cinnamon, red wine and red wine vinegar as key ingredients, Avishai’s charoset bears strong resemblance to the way his grandmother “would make it from the Ottoman empire.” “It’s a family recipe that has been used for generations,” he said. Because of allergies, Avishai “deviated a little bit” from tradition, and swapped out dates for raisins, and substituted macadamia nuts for walnuts. Leading up to the holiday, Avishai will “make about a quart of it,” and use it to spread on different dishes throughout Passover. Avishai is pleased with his holiday handiwork. “It’s basically an amazing fruit and nut paste that looks like mortar,” he said. “It’s really good. If my pancreas would forgive me then I would eat it year-round.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

Photos by OlafSpeier/iStockphoto.com

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Life & Culture Passover breakfasts give you a chance to get creative — FOOD — Keri White | Contributing Writer

hen it comes to Passover, the seder gets all the press. And for good reason — it is kind of the Super Bowl of holiday meals. But there are a number of other meals that must be consumed during the holiday or we would get awfully hungry. Today we are here to talk about Passover breakfasts. Taking chametz out of the “most important meal of the day” encourages some creativity. For many of us, breakfast means toast, cereal, oatmeal, a granola bar, muffins — basically all the things that we eschew during the observance of Passover. But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer or starve. There are plenty of tasty, sustaining, healthy options that will keep you going until lunch while staying true to the rules. Yogurt offers a great start toward a solid breakfast; you can take it in a number of directions from sweet and fruity to vegetable-savory. Ditto “matzoh scramble” — keep it super traditional with the standard matzoh brei, or be creative with tasty additions. And for this week, we say toast, schmoast. Matzoh is a swell substitute bed for mashed avocados, nut butters or jam. Yogurt Parfait, Sweet Serves 1

This offers a basic framework, but you can get as creative as you like — or as adventurous as your pantry permits. Swap out plain or fruit-flavored yogurt, add whatever fruits or nuts you have on hand. I tend to avoid citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits here because the acidity can be a little harsh with the tang of the yogurt, but if you like the combo, then be my guest.

The decision on whether to add seeds presents a divide between Sephardi and Ashkenazi Jews. Kitniyot, which includes things like sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and legumes, are permitted among many Sephardim, but not in the Ashkenazi tradition. Depending on your background and your family custom, use or don’t use them. The nuts provide plenty of heft and crunch so if you avoid the seeds I promise you won’t miss them. And you can dump them in with

reckless abandon the next week. This recipe suggests a layering of the ingredients in a glass, which looks pretty but requires some effort. I understand that mornings can be hectic, and this tastes just as delicious with all of the ingredients dumped in a bowl, mixed and gobbled up in a hurry. ⅔ cup vanilla yogurt ⅔ cup fresh or dried fruit — berries, chopped apples, grapes, raisins, dates, etc. ¼ cup nuts — almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, etc. and/or seeds such as sunflower, pumpkin, flaxseed, chia 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup Sprinkle of cinnamon

Photos by Coprid/iStockphoto.com (above); MargoeEdwards/iStockphoto.com

In a glass or parfait bowl, layer the ingredients, starting with the ⅓-cup yogurt, ⅓-cup fruit, half the nuts, a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Repeat, ending with a sprinkle of nuts, cinnamon and honey, and enjoy.

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⅔ cup plain yogurt ⅔ cup assorted vegetables — chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, parsley Pinch salt/pepper 1 teaspoon best-quality olive oil

In a glass, layer ⅓-cup yogurt, ⅓-cup vegetables, a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Repeat; top with a drizzle of olive oil. Matzoh Scramble Serves 2

This version uses caramelized onions and goat cheese, but you can get as creative (or plain) as you like. Tomato/olive/feta; cheddar/broccoli; provolone/spinach; and mascarpone and fig are all fair game.

Yogurt Parfait, Savory Serves 1

2 teaspoons oil ½ onion, coarsely chopped Pinch salt/pepper 2 sheets matzoh 4 eggs ⅓ cup goat cheese

I tend to gravitate toward sweeter flavors at breakfast, but my husband prefers savory. I created this version for those of you who have a palate similar to his. The concept is the same as above: Use what you have on hand and what you like. I omit the nuts in this version; to me, the texture and flavor of the nuts don’t quite marry with the veggies, but if you love nuts in this context, or if your tradition embraces seeds during Passover, then feel free to add them. If you don’t feel like artfully arranging this in a pretty glass, then just chuck it all in a bowl and dig in.

Heat the oil in a skillet and add the onions with the salt and pepper. Cook the onions over low heat until caramelized, about 15 minutes. While the onions cook, whisk the eggs in a medium-sized bowl, then break the matzoh into small pieces and add it to the eggs. Allow it to soak for a few minutes. Add the goat cheese — spoon it into the mixture in small bits. When the onions are caramelized, add the egg mixture to the skillet and scramble until cooked, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately. PJC

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MARCH 27, 2020 17

Celebrations

Torah

Engagement

We will persevere and grow

Dr. Larry and Sharon Dobkin are thrilled to announce the engagement of their daughter, Rachel Faith, to Ben Eisenstein, son of Dr. Daniel and Debbie Eisenstein of Skokie, Illinois. Ben will receive a bachelor’s degree in biology and violin performance from Brandeis University this spring. Rachel received a bachelor’s degree in biology and public health from Brandeis University, and earned her master’s degree in nursing from Columbia University. She is an ICU nurse at UPMC. A fall or winter 2020 wedding is planned .

Bat Mitzvah

Zahalsky: Abigail Zahalsky, daughter of Andrew and Amy Zahalsky of Upper St. Clair, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Temple Emanuel of South Hills. She is the granddaughter of Cantor Rena Shapiro of Pittsburgh, Rhona and Peter Bittle of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. and Linda and Elliot Zahalsky of Pompano Beach, Fla.

Birth

Abrams: Heather Abrams of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is overjoyed to announce the birth of her son, Remi Hudson, on February 4, 2020. He is the grandson of Renee Abrams and the late Richard Abrams. Remi Hudson is named in loving memory of his grandfather Richard, his great-grandmothers Ella Abrams and Mollie Melnick and his great-grandfather Henry Melnick. PJC

Levin Furniture deal called off

obert Levin, in a March 20 press release, announced that the previously agreed upon deal for him to buy back Levin’s Furniture from Art Van Furniture, LLC, the business’ parent company, and the Pennsylvania Wolf Furniture stores, has been terminated. “Two weeks ago, I joyously announced that I had agreed to buy back Levin Furniture and the Pennsylvania Wolf stores out of bankruptcy,” Levin said in a statement. “Today, I have learned that the parent company of Levin’s and Wolf is unwilling to sell to me on the terms of our letter of intent.” As noted in the March 20 issue of the Chronicle (“Robert Levin forgoes retirement for job preservation”), the former CEO remains committed to serving Levin and Wolf employees. Moving forward, the Squirrel Hill resident plans on creating a $2 million fund, available for grants and loans to Levin and Wolf employees, to help with health care costs. He will also hire a firm to “closely monitor the way that the bankruptcy court is

treating customer deposits that were given to the now bankrupt company.” Art Van Furniture could not be reached for comment as of press time. But the company sent the following message to customers on March 19: “Due to the unprecedented circumstances related to COVID-19, and consistent with guidance issued by federal, state and local public health authorities, we have made the difficult decision to suspend all sales operations in all of our stores, effective immediately. “We would like to extend our sincere empathy for the extraordinary hardship so many of our customers, employees and communities are facing. Unfortunately, a confluence of factors has left us with no alternative at this time but to take this action and notify you in as orderly a way as we possibly can. We thank you for your patronage and hope that you and your families stay safe and well during this very challenging time.” PJC

Rabbi Levi Langer Parshat Vayikra | Leviticus 1:1—5:26

his week we begin reading the Book of Vayikra, or Leviticus, which discusses the sacrifice offerings in the Tabernacle. These sacrifices exemplified the commitment of the people to the service of the Almighty, and each day collective public sacrifices were offered in the name of the entire people. Everyone contributed equally toward these public sacrifices. Rich or poor, every person’s contribution was exactly the same. There is a symbolism to this teaching: Sometimes a poor person feels that they have nothing of value to contribute, and they want to give up and let everything get done by those with greater means. The Torah teaches that this is wrong. Every person’s contribution is meaningful, everyone’s input is integral if we are to realize our mission as a people. We have to use a similar paradigm to think about our own role at this moment in time when the COVID-19 pandemic has hit and we struggle to go on from day to day. In just a short time the coronavirus has severely impacted our lives in myriad ways.

Life is hard, and one casualty of this is that we find ourselves unable to express ourselves spiritually as we would like. We’re unable to attend the synagogue, unable to come together for public observances, unable to do so many of the things which usually define our spiritual endeavors. Yet it is precisely here that the Torah teaches us that our struggle and our effort to do good right at this moment is going to make all the difference. What are we going to with the hardships and the hurdles we’re now facing? Will we give up, and succumb to depression? Or will we strive to become better people, to extend greater consideration to members of our household with whom we’re now in close quarters? Will we make phone calls to those who may need encouragement? Will we look for ways to help others, even in these hard circumstances? Those are the challenges which will define us in the weeks to come. With the help of the Almighty, we will persevere and — difficult as it is to imagine — we will grow from this experience as well. PJC Rabbi Levi Langer is the dean of the Kollel Jewish Learning Center. This column is a service of the Vaad Harabanim of Greater Pittsburgh.

‫ ונתחזק‬,‫ חזק‬,‫חזק‬ Be Strong, Be Strong, And let us strengthen one another.

— Adam Reinherz

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Obituaries AZEN: Howard M. Azen passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2020. Beloved husband of the late Joan B. Azen; loving father of Ellen Elovitz, Marilyn (Alan) Moscowitz and Phyliss Michelson; grandfather of Larry Elovitz, Aaron (Liana) Michelson, Julie (Jason) Grindstaff, Andrea Moscowitz, Abbie (Jerry) Ames and the late Mark Elovitz. Howard was born and raised in Pittsburgh and remained there throughout his entire life. Howard was a big part of his family business, Max Azen Furs and Fashions. Graveside services and interment private. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. family owned and operated. schugar.com FRIEDMAN: Louise Jane Friedman, 94, died peacefully from complications related to a fractured hip on March 13 with her cousin at her side. The daughter of Dr. Solomon and Etta Levy Friedman, she was a Dormont native and lifelong resident. She graduated from Dormont High, where she and her brother Robert were involved in the planning of many class reunion activities. She was a long time member of the Rodef Shalom Congregation and, for many years, served as a volunteer in the library of the congregation. Louise loved sports, especially the Pittsburgh Pirates, and attended hundreds of games with her friends in general admission seating. Never married, she developed a large group of lifelong friends. She lived independently and stayed in close, active contact with her extended family and many dear friends until the time of her passing. Besides her mother and father she was also preceded in death by her brothers, Robert and Morley. She is survived by niece Judith Friedman Russell and nephews Douglas and David Friedman in addition to two great nieces and a great nephew. Services were held at West View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks, if you so choose, that a donation be made to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Beinhauer, Dormont, 412 531-4000. Please view or add tributes at beinhauer.com. GRUPP: Edward A. Grupp age 98, of Mt. Lebanon. Beloved husband of the late Anita (Perlmutter) Grupp for 63 years, passed away on March 20, 2020. Ed was the son of Louis and Ceil Grupp; and brother of the late Muriel Samuels. He leaves behind

his daughters, Marcy (of Pittsburgh), Lori (of Wilmette, Ill.); and his son, Jerold (Francine) (of Philadelphia). He also leaves two grandsons, Nathaniel and Jacob Grupp (and girlfriend Rachel Cichowicz); and his nephew, Steven Adell (of New Jersey). A child of the Depression, born in 1921 into a family of musicians, Ed always carried a little piece of his Brooklyn origins in his heart and in his voice. Ed was a proud graduate of James Madison High School. As part of the “Greatest Generation,” he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served in WWII. After being honorably discharged as a sergeant, Ed earned his law degree from St. John’s University in Brooklyn. Ed joined the National Labor Relations Board in Cleveland where he met his bride, Anita. Ed and Anita and their three children moved to Mt. Lebanon in 1958 where they built and settled into the home where he would live for more than 60 years. Ed retired as the regional attorney for the NLRB in 1986. Ed and Anita were passionate travelers, seeing most of the major cities of the world. Together they visited every continent (except Antarctica). They also enjoyed trips to Las Vegas and Aruba where Ed excelled at the craps table. In recent years, you could frequently find him shooting dice at the Rivers Casino. And winning. Ed was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Anita and Ed were a wonderfully matched couple who not only dearly loved each other, but were the best of friends, sharing a love of learning, reading, meeting people and good conversation. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Ed’s neighbors, the O’Connors and the Daniels. These wonderful friends, partnering with Ed’s daughter Marcy, provided care and attention that allowed Ed to live in his home with dignity and independence until only his final few weeks. Due to the COVID-19 emergency, services will be conducted privately. The family will plan a memorial service to be held at a future date. Donations, in Ed’s memory, can be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements entrusted to William Slater II Funeral Service, Scott Twp.

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

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Anonymous ........................................................................Ethel Rogers Evan Adams...................................................................Marvin Adams Stewart Barmen ...................................................................... Abe Turk Helen and Donald Berman................................... Rose Lebowitz Bernard Dickter ................................................Sara Esther Dickter Jeffrey Feryus ................................................................... Isabel Glantz Shirley F. Grossman .......................................................Myer Farber Mary Jatlow .................................................................Joseph Sherwin Karen R. Jurgensmier .......................................Samuel Rosenfeld Ruth Kaiser..................................................................Samuel Ostfield Ruth Kramer .................................................................Gerald Ostfield Ruth Kramer .......................................................... Elizabeth Ostfield Ruth Kramer ......................................................................Jean Ostfield Beverly S. Marks................................................... Samuel Schwartz Janet & Don Moritz .......................................................Dorothy Katz Larry Myer .......................................................................David A. Myer David and Lynetta Neft...................Frances Schulman Snider Paul & Diane Pechersky .....................................Louis Pechersky

A gift from …

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Sylvia Pearl Plevin ..............................................................Betty Pearl Mr. & Mrs. Arthur J. Pollock & Family............ Isadore Pollock Mr. & Mrs. Arthur J. Pollock & Family....... Samuel Davidson Shirley E. Preny .............................................................Max Mallinger Shirley E. Preny ........................................................Esther Mallinger Shirley E. Preny .........................................................Jack I. Mallinger Joan Privman .............................................................Regina Margolis Harvey L. Rice .............................................................William Tapper Flo & Caryn Rosenthal ....................................Sara Ester Dickter Dorothy Samitz ...............................................Miriam W. Steerman Sandra Taxay Schanfarber .............................Dr. William Reiner Sandra Taxay Schanfarber .........................................Diann Taxay Patricia Green Shapiro......................................... Marty B. Kaplan Alvin and Judy Stein ........................................................... Sam Stein Stanley & Carol Lee Stein............................Isadore Mendelson Beatrice Taft (Loefsky) ................................................. Max Loefsky Harold C. Weiss ........................................................Samuel J. Weiss

THIS WEEK’S YAHRZEITS — Sunday March 29: Freda Benowitz, Allen Cohen, Sonia Fogel, Verner William Friedman, Esther Glick, Max Glick, Anne Fierst Goldberg, Ann R. Klein, Joy Ellen Levin Leff, Leo Abraham Levine, Md, William J. Lewinter, Frank Mandel, Ethel Plesset, Julius Rosenfeld, Aaron Louis Shefler, Morris Simon, Anna Snitkin, Ida L. Weinthal, Sam Weiss Monday March 30: Harry Birnkrant, Sara Esther Dickter, Joseph Eisenberg, Nathan Handelman, Mayer Handley, Sidney Jay Israel, Oscar K. Light, Rory Sue Melnick, Belle G. Meyers, Samuel Ostfield, Rowena M. Rosenthal, Mary W. Roth, Isadore Herbert Rudick, Moses J. Sadowsky, Rose Schultz, Milton Schwartz, Beltran Shine, Bertha C. Talenfeld, Geraldine Wald, Ethel Zamsky Tuesday March 31:Rabbi A.M. Ashinsky, Pearl Cohen, Henry Dentel, Rita Serrins Glazer, Morris Harris, Hannah Hershman, Joseph Kleinerman, Edward Kornstein, Bella Lencer, Meyer Levine, Lena R. Mallinger, Morris R. Mandelblatt, Gussie Marcus, Joseph J. Reader, Nettie Ripp, Gertrude Rosenberg, Helen R.B. Sand, Samuel Schwartz, Jacob M. Stone Wednesday April 1: Eleanor P. Backer, Louis H. Broudy, Sam Cartiff, Adele Cherkosly, Edgar Danovitz, Maurice Gutmacher, Libbie Broida Hirsh, Sara Louise Leff, Selma B. Leuin, Max Loefsky, Michael Loffer, Evelyn Selkovits Marcus, Eleanor Silverstein, Rose Lieberman Solomon, Archie Steinberg, Anna Sarah Waldman Thursday April 2: Edna Anish, Herman Berliner, Morris Bloom, Rose Edith Donofsky, Philip Ellovich, Emanuel Epstein, Cecelia Feingold, George Fink, Audrey Green Frank, Joseph Glantz, Mary R. Goodwin, Bessie Halpern, Lilly Hirsch, Evelyn R. Johan, Marty B. Kaplan, Bernard Lieberman, Calvin Morgan, Hetty S. Numerosky, Sylvia Peris, Belle Pirchesky, Jacqueline Goodman Rubin, Alvin Schonberger, Anne Schwartz, Anne Simon, Judith V. Tucker, Benjamin Weiss Friday April 3: Philip Blau, Birdye Brody, Mollie Bucaresky, Louis Engelman, Meyer Goldfarb, Charlotte Gordon, Morris E. Greenberg, Maurice Edward Jacobson, Charles Kaufman, William S. Miller, Gerald E. Moskowitz, Sanford A. Rogers, Trudy Rosenthal, Charles E. Rosenthall, Bella Rosenzweig, Merle Arnold Sands, Fannie Singer, Ida Sissman, Morris L. Speizer, Eileen M. Swartz, Louis Weinberger, Louis Weinberger, Celia Weiner, Samuel Weiner, Zelda Hilda Zamsky Saturday April 4: William L. Birken, Belle Broder, Elsie Cohen, Dorothy Gross, Leon Hytovitz, Pearle N. Lenchner, Israel Marcus, Allan Jay Mellman, Joseph Melnick, Alvin Milligram, Celia J. Rubin, Leo I. Shapiro, Benjamin Thorpe

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Obituaries Obituaries: Continued from page 19

PRICE: Cecille Mankin died on March 5, 2020, peacefully at the home of her granddaughter Samantha and her wife Joanna in Barrington, Rhode Island. She was 96. Cecille was a 50-year resident of Pittsburgh from the age of 20. She was originally from Fort Worth, Texas, where she met Milton Mankin at a USO

dance during World War II. A fairy-tale romance and marriage to Milton led to her move to Pittsburgh. It was a remarkable change for her but before long she was adored by new friends of all ages, backgrounds and ethnicities. Everybody knew and loved “Cele.” Her dimpled smile and sunny disposition were her ticket. Her caring drew people in and made them want to stay. When Milton Mankin died in 1970, Cele saved the Mankin family business, Specialty Clothing Company, a men’s clothing store, known to virtually all Pittsburghers. In 1977, Cecille married William Price and moved to Squirrel Hill with her son, Ricky.

Cecille was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels when she wasn’t working or caring for Milton’s mother, Mary Mankin. Cecille’s Jewish life over the years included memberships in B’nai Israel where her sons were Bar Mitzvah as well Beth Shalom when she married William Price. Following the death of Will Price, Cecille moved back to Dallas where she lived independently with help from her sister, Jessonda Fox, and brother, Louis Gilbert. She survived many bouts of illness throughout her life, always with optimism. Cecille is survived by her daughter Judith Mankin Berkman of New York City and her son Richard Mankin of Medway,

Massachusetts. Her son Robert and daughter-in-law Danielle of Paris, France, predeceased her. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Mindy Gallagher, Michael Berkman, Max Mankin, Samantha Mankin and Emile Mankin, as well as six great-grandchildren, all of whom she had the privilege of spending time with and in the case of William really knowing, if not remembering, as dementia took its toll. She is also survived by her brother, Louis Gilbert of Dallas, Texas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Donations would be gratefully appreciated by The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. PJC

Murray Avenue Kosher update

urray Avenue Kosher has transitioned operations and is accepting orders for curbside pickup only. The move follows a March 22 message to customers in which it was announced that “after careful consideration with doctors and community leaders” the store would close March 23-24 and reopen March 25 for curbside service only. Like others dealing with newfound challenges presented by COVID-19, “we’re not happy with what’s going on but we want to keep our employees and customers as safe as possible,” said Aryeh Markovic, the store’s manager. As of March 24, Murray Avenue Kosher

will accept orders placed online, through its Facebook page, by fax (412-421-4451) or by a paper form that can be either printed from home or picked up at a box outside the store and then returned. Orders will be available for pickup the following day, said Markovic. When people come to the store “we prefer if they can pull up and just open their trunks,” he added. “We want to keep the interactions to a minimum.” The store remains “fully stocked for Pesach,” and specific requests are still being accepted, noted Markovic. If customers don’t see something on the “order guide then there’s a place for people to write in requested items.”

Although efforts have been focused on creating an order guide listing kosher for Passover goods, customers can “write in chametz items and challah this week.” And moving forward, “we don’t see any interruptions in the meat or chicken deliveries,” he added. Murray Avenue Kosher is open for pickup between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays; between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursdays; and between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Fridays. Markovic encouraged people to check Murray Avenue Kosher’s Facebook page for up-to-date information. PJC — Adam Reinherz

p Murray Avenue Kosher lets its customers know they will be only open for curbside service.

nfortunately, once again a major community crisis, this time the coronavirus pandemic, is underlining the necessity of a local Jewish newspaper and website that keeps you informed about — and in touch with — the Pittsburgh Jewish community. We’re responding to this crisis with all hands on deck (even if it’s from our homes) to bring you what you need to know and want to know about our community: organizations, events live or virtual, plans canceled or postponed, hardships and help, friends and neighbors. But even as we deploy more resources we are being hit by the same dire economic forces as are other small non-profits and businesses. We depend heavily on advertising. If organizations cancel events, they don’t advertise them. If businesses are forced to close, they may delay advertising. No one knows how long the upset of normalcy will last. That’s why we need you, our readers and supporters, now more than ever. Please help us continue our mission of bringing you the Pittsburgh Jewish news you rely on and now need more than ever. Help us tell the story of our community in crisis, and how once again we will show amazing resilience to continue to thrive into the future. Your emergency gift today helps make this possible and helps connect increasingly isolated people in our community, including the elderly and infirm. Thank you.

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Community School is in session

Staying busy at JAA

With visitor restrictions in place at JAA, activities staff kept everyone busy at AHAVA, Charles Morris, Weinberg Terrace and Weinberg Village.

p Ed received direction from Marcellina Hoskowicz on the magic of Skype.

p Norman from AHAVA sent a message to loved ones.

p Rabbi Larry Freedman supervised three online Hebrew classes for J-JEP. Photo courtesy of Rabbi Larry Freedman

Photos courtesy of Jewish Association on Aging

t Ruthie listened to books on tape with help from Carol Danhires.

Can you hear me now?

This is how we do it

p Mr. Campbel and Mrs. Shollar helped Yeshiva students on their first day of online classes. Photo courtesy of Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh

Studying with social distance

p Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of Tree of Life participated in a Zoom morning minyan and demonstrated digital davening.

Photo courtesy of Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation

p Netta, Aviv, Yuval and Noa learned about Passover from Chani Altein. Photo by Anat Talmy

22 MARCH 27, 2020

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Community Bon voyage

Let’s get it started

More than 100 young professionals gathered for a Paris-themed Purim celebration at Americus Club in downtown Pittsburgh with Chabad Young Professionals on March 10.

p Chris Herman, director of the J Line program, checked in with students before sending them to their virtual classrooms for learning sessions on March 18. Photo courtesy of Rabbi Aaron Meyer

Shabbat is not canceled

The JCC’s Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) and Children, Youth & Family (CYF) Division held a joint live Shabbat led by both ECDC and CYF staff on March 20. More than 150 families participate in the weekly Shabbat ritual that is usually held in Palm Court and in the after school program at the JCC.

Photos by Julie Kahlbaugh for Chabad Young Professionals

Friendship in the modern age t Yehudah Yolkut (fourth grade) enjoys studying with his online chavrutah (learning partner) in his virtual classroom. Photo courtesy

p Stephanie Miller, ECDC music educator, sang “Shabbat is here.”

of Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh

p Brian Ruttenberg, and his two children, Ezra and Evelyn, participated in the virtual program. Photos courtesy of

Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

Wasn’t it yesterday? t Temple Sinai congregants and staff performed in “Fiddler as a Spoof,” Temple Sinai’s Purim Shpiel on March 9. Photos by Tami Prine

p Rabbi Keren Gorban, Steffi Biersdorff and Barbara Gibson

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MARCH 27, 2020 23

η: W',sŝƌƚƵĂů

ǆƉĂŶĚŝŶŐ ĞǇŽŶĚ KƵƌ tĂůůƐ dŚĞ : ŝƐ ĨŽƌ ĞǀĞƌǇŽŶĞ͕ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ŐŽŽĚ ƟŵĞƐ ĂŶĚ ĚŝĸĐƵůƚ ƟŵĞƐ͘ Our buildings may be closed, but we are striving to keep you and our community strong by maintaining and building connections that go beyond our walls. We are using our digital platforms to bring you many JCC programs virtually.

'Ž ƚŽ η: W',sŝƌƚƵĂů ũĐĐƉŐŚ͘ŽƌŐͬũĐĐƉŐŚǀŝƌƚƵĂůͲďĞǇŽŶĚͲŽƵƌͲǁĂůůƐ zŽƵ ǁŝůů ĮŶĚ͗ t Group Ex classes, livestreamed and on video t Demos from our personal trainers t Live events and activities designed to connect and engage all ages, including our early childhood, afterschool and camp communities t Information from our health and wellness experts t Meet-ups for teens

ŚĞĐŬ ďĂĐŬ ĨƌĞƋƵĞŶƚůǇ ƚŽ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƚ͕ ƐŚĂƌĞ ĂŶĚ ĐĂƌĞ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ : ŽĨ 'ƌĞĂƚĞƌ WŝƩƐďƵƌŐŚ͘

Together, we will keep our community strong and vibrant.

24 MARCH 27, 2020

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