Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 3-6-20

March 6, 2020 | Adar 10, 5780

Candlelighting 5:59 p.m. | Havdalah 6:59 p.m. | Vol. 63, No. 10 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

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LOCAL Girls excel in STEAM

Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh wins national award for its science focus.

Page 2

LOCAL Students learn about Holocaust

Question of bipartisanship dominated AIPAC Policy Conference

Pittsburgh pulses to the rhythm of Purim shpiels

By David Rullo | Staff Writer

M it’s really important to me to represent that perspective in Washington, D.C.” With a faction of the Democratic party now distancing itself from unconditional support of Israel, “bipartisanship” became a recurring refrain throughout the three-day conference.

Speakers such as presidential candidate Joe Biden (via video) and Sen. Corey Booker (D-NJ) were emphatic that mainstream Democratic support of Israel is secure, while AIPAC leaders declared in no uncertain terms that bipartisanship was being threatened and that they were ready for “a fight.”

Seconds after Betsy Berns Korn, the newly installed president of AIPAC, took the podium Sunday night, she unequivocally

urder. Political intrigue. Love.

Genocide. Men dressed as women. Costumed children.

Unruly crowds.

No, this isn’t a description of a Shakespearean play. Rather it’s a scene that will replay in several local synagogues this weekend as Pittsburgh celebrates Purim.

The holiday recounts the salvation of the Jewish people from Haman, a Persian court official planning to annihilate the Jews. The Jews defeated Haman on the 13th of Adar, celebrating their victory the next day.

To commemorate the victory, large parties take place in synagogues, temples and JCCs and include cookies called hamantaschen, drinking, carnivals, food, costumes, reading the book of Esther, or Megillah, and Purim shpiels.

Purim shpiel simply means “Purim play” in Yiddish and is a staged retelling of the Purim story. The dramatization is often a comic affair that includes the traditional tale updated to include pop references and modern settings.

The shpiels told today cut across all Jewish movements and serve as important links to the community.

Tree of Life*OrL’Simcha is producing its Purim shpiel, “Hershel Potter & the Gantse

Please see AIPAC, page 14

Please see Events, page 14

ZOA takes public school students to US Holocaust Memorial Museum Page 3

LOCAL Talking Israeli-Palestinian conflict  Democratic presidential contender Michael Bloomberg was the only candidate to appear live at the conference.

Photo by Toby Tabachnick

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer, Ron Kampeas | JTA

Colum McCann novel spurs local conversation Page 4

R

ona Kaufman had never before been to an AIPAC Policy Conference. But for the Duquesne University School of Law professor, this was an important year to travel to the nation’s capital and be among 18,000 other supporters of the bipartisan, pro-Israel lobbying group.

“I’m aware, especially right now, that there is a little bit more controversy about Israel than I recognized or noticed in the past,” said Kaufman. “So to the extent that it is more important that we are showing that we want a continued positive relationship between the U.S. and Israel, I wanted to be here for that. And, being a Democrat,

keep your eye on PittsburghJewishChronicle LOCAL

Local center featured at AIPAC

LOCAL

Purim spiel brings fake news

LOCAL

Jewish performer in ‘Band’s Visit’

Headlines Hillel Academy wins national award for girls’ science education — LOCAL —

By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

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focus on bolstering female representation in science netted Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh national recognition, as the Jewish day school was among recipients of the College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award. The honor, which was announced last month, recognizes schools for closing the gender gap and engaging more female students in computer science coursework.

According to the College Board, of the 20,000 institutions offering AP (advanced placement) courses, Hillel Academy was one of 818 schools to “expand young women’s access to AP computer science courses.”

The Squirrel Hill school also achieved more than a 50% female representation in its AP computer science course.

Schoolwide efforts to close the gender gap in science began years ago through curricular changes and targeted hires, explained Hillel Academy girls assistant principal Yikara Levari. By integrating science electives into the official curriculum and welcoming educator Becca Huff to the school, students have gotten richer exposure, she said.

Huff was hired prior to the 2018-’19 school year to advance female representation

in science, said school principal Rabbi Sam Weinberg: “Recent evaluation indicated we needed to make a stronger commitment and provide our girl students opportunities to spark their interests and promote possible careers in computer science.”

Initially, Huff aided Hillel Academy educators in recognizing unconscious bias and helped promote robotics.

“My original position was simply to push science into the classrooms and provide professional support for teachers,” she said.

“But what we thought was there was something lacking.”

While working with the school’s administrators, Huff ’s tasks increased. These days, apart from serving as Hillel Academy’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) director and teaching AP computer science, she oversees K-2 technology education and coordinates an after-school science club for seventh- and eighth-graders.

The efforts to improve STEAM education were bolstered by funds from the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Greater Pittsburgh, said Weinberg. In 2018, the organization granted Hillel Academy $5,000 for its girls’ computer science initiative.

The school purchased equipment for STEAM learning, such as robots and kits, and classroom learning promoted coding and robotics as mechanisms for solving,

 Maya Davis, left and Shira Weisenfeld

Photo courtesy of Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh

Please see Hillel, page 15

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Headlines Pittsburgh public school students visit national Holocaust museum — LOCAL —

By David Rullo | Staff Writer

“The Holocaust seems a lot like the struggles black people went through to me. People can learn to treat people more equally from this.” *

E

very year since 1999, the Pittsburgh District of the Zionist Organization of America has sent hundreds of Pittsburgh public school students to tour the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Close to 7,000 children have participated since the program began.

This year, 11 buses transported more than 500 students and chaperones to the museum.

The trip is attended primarily by 10th-graders, according to Stuart Pavilack, executive director of the Pittsburgh District of ZOA, who said all the students who go have three things in common: “They have studied the Holocaust and Word War II, have a B average and (don’t have) disciplinary issues.”

Some history and social studies teachers also require their students to complete a classroom exercise to qualify.

During the trip, students watch Holocaustrelated movies. This year, the students screened “Denial,” which recounts the story of Deborah

p Students from the Barack Obama Academy of International Studies who took part in ZOA’s trip to the United States Holocaust Photo by Phyllis Roberts Memorial and Museum.

Lipstadt, a history professor sued for libel by Holocaust denier David Irving. The high schoolers also watch a short orientation video about the Holocaust Memorial Museum.

“The voices from the Auschwitz exhibit.

1O TONY AWARDS

Everything felt so real, so personal, so impactful, it resonated with me.”

For the first time, four staff members from the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh accompanied the students, said Pavilack.

INCLUDING

“The Holocaust Center was instrumental when this program was founded, assisting us and providing direction. This year, we’re

Please see Students, page 15

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Headlines Israeli-Palestinian conflict, reconciliation explored in Colum McCann’s new novel — LOCAL —

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

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either Rami Elhanan nor Bassam Aramin have been able to finish Colum McCann’s new novel, “Apeirogon,” despite the fact that it is based on their life stories.

That’s because it’s too painful.

Aramin is Palestinian. Elhanan is Israeli.

The two forged a deep bond based on their shared experiences of grief: Each man is the father of a daughter killed as a result of the conflict between their people. Ten-year-old Abir was killed by a rubber bullet fired by an Israeli soldier. Thirteen-year-old Smadar was murdered by a Palestinian suicide bomber.

Elhanan and Aramin joined McCann as featured speakers on Feb. 26 at the Carnegie Lecture Hall in Oakland as part of the Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures’ New & Noted series.

Although Elhanan has tried to read “Apeirogon,” which was released last week to much critical acclaim, “it was quite difficult for me,” he said. “I was skipping the juicy parts. I couldn’t read it. But I was overwhelmed. I think it is a masterpiece. I couldn’t take it out of my hands.”

p From left: Colum McCann, Bassam Aramin and Rami Elhanan

The parts of the novel Elhanan has read, though, have made him “proud.”

“I think it contains my vision and the feeling that my daughter is standing behind my back and says, ‘Go on. This is what you should do.’”

Photo by Toby Tabachnick

Elhanan and Aramin are co-directors of the Parents Circle, an organization made up of bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families.

They have become close friends, referring to each other as “brother,” and together

visit Palestinian and Israeli high schools to inspire teens to see the humanity of those whom they consider to be other.

The profundity of their stories moved McCann, the National Book Award-winning Irish author of “Let the Great World Spin,” to turn them into a novel.

He chose to call his book “Apeirgon” as it refers to a shape with an infinite number of sides, an apt metaphor for the IsraeliPalestinian conflict.

“Israel and Palestine confused the holy living bejesus out of me,” McCann said in reference to his visits to the region during which he spent time with his two protagonists. “I think it does to most people. Even if you live there it confuses you.”

He took on the challenge, he said, to write a novel that could be appreciated both by those who know nothing about the region as well as those who are better versed in the nuances of the conflict. He acknowledged that he deliberately chose to “engender confusion” at the book’s beginning, but urged his audience to persevere and embrace the confusion.

“If you surrender yourself to the confusion,

Please see McCann, page 15

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Headlines Pittsburgh-inspired center featured prominently at AIPAC — LOCAL —

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

P

ittsburgh-based attorney Mark Frank is accustomed to “preaching to the choir” when speaking about the Akko Center for Arts and Technology, the coexistence program he founded in Israel to bring together underserved Jewish and Arab youth while teaching them marketable skills.

He thought he might have a tough audience when he took his message to AIPAC. He was wrong. Instead, he found thousands of people willing to listen and learn.

“Other places I go, people are always nodding their heads. In this case, I think I saw people listening and then as I went on, they started nodding their heads,” said Frank, who spoke at a panel discussion at AIPAC’s Policy Conference on Sunday titled “Peace Through Technology: The Next Frontier.”

“There is a lot of discussion of shared society (at AIPAC),” said Frank. “I’m gratified to see that. But there are still a lot of people here who haven’t thought about shared society. It’s not that they are against it, it just hasn’t entered their consciousness, and we are sort of spoon-feeding.”

ACAT, which opened in 2016, was modeled on Manchester Bidwell, a Pittsburgh nonprofit that has proven that at-risk populations can thrive when allowed to learn in an environment of respect and beauty. For the last four decades, under the direction of founder Bill Strickland, it has reversed the negative trajectory of thousands of Pittsburghers through such avenues as photography, horticulture, ceramics and the culinary arts, boosting individual confidence and providing people with skills they can use to find jobs.

Since its launch, ACAT has followed in the footsteps of Manchester Bidwell, by providing arts and technology training to underserved youth, simultaneously supporting coexistence among Jews and Arabs in Akko. In a little more than three years, ACAT has trained over 1,400 students while providing a space for young Arab and Jews to learn, work and socialize together.

ACAT was featured prominently at the three-day AIPAC conference in Washington, D.C. In addition to Frank’s panel discussion, the center’s successes were touted at two additional breakout sessions, including Monday’s “Change from Within: Working to Create a More Inclusive Society” which had Strickland and ACAT CEO Naim Obeid explaining how the after-school program is working to engender a generation better able to deal with, or avoid, conflict.

In Akko, a mixed city of 45,000, Jews and Arabs attend segregated schools and are unlikely to get to know one another. But ACAT has given the students a chance to connect through art and technology.

On Sunday morning, Obeid also was a featured speaker at a breakout session on “The Future Leaders of Israel.”

“We feel ACAT is doing a great job in preparing the youth to be accepting each other,” Obeid said. “We have planted the seeds in a great environment for future PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

p ACAT colleagues Keren Zehavi, Bill Strickland, Naim Obeid; Ofer Berkowitch, co-founder of Wake-Up Jerusalem; ACAT founder Mark Frank, and colleague Mirit Strumza.

Photo by Toby Tabachnick

leaders. If we don’t change the circumstances, probably the results won’t change.

So, we are trying to give Israel the circumstances to grow different leaders, leaders who are more understanding of the needs of all communities.”

The ACAT students have been able to overcome the barrier of language through their projects in photography, filmmaking and three-dimensional printing, Frank explained.

“What we are finding is when the Jewish kids don’t speak Arabic and the Arab kids don’t speak good enough Hebrew, they are not communicating in spoken language,” he said. “But they are communicating by being in the same space together — and it’s a beautiful space, it gives them hope — and the projects they are working on, the technology.”

ACAT also exhibited at a booth at the convention’s AIPAC Village, showcasing a virtual reality demonstration that took the viewers inside a working ACAT classroom.

And a film highlighting ACAT’s mission and success was shown at the Monday evening general session before thousands of attendees to robust applause.

“This is an extraordinary validation of everything we believe it, multiplied by thousands of people,” said Strickland in an interview. “And this could be the basis of literally changing the world. It’s not just theory, it’s actually happening in real time, and we have to get on with this and accelerate it into process. You start to get into thousands of people believing this, and you can change the planet.”

Noting that there already are 14 centers operating based on the Manchester Bidwell model, including the one in Akko, Strickland

p Conference attendee tries out ACAT’s virtual realty demonstration.

said, “I am one Bill Gates grant away from changing this whole conversation.”

The response of the AIPAC delegates also “impressed” Obeid.

“I think this is a platform that can give us a stage to say what we have to say and to tell people about us,” he said. “It’s great exposure.

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Photo by Jim Busis

And there is a lot of appreciation coming from the crowd. It charges our batteries, too, because people are very supportive.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Headlines Henteleh is going for something completely different, he said.

“Saints, I know bubkes about saints. What I do know is a good heimesha name when I hear one,” he said.

— PURIM SPIEL/FAKE NEWS — Pittsburghers make aliyah rather than face “horror” of bridge and tunnel commute “We just didn’t want to deal with the mishegas,” Rebekah Stein explained from her Tel Aviv apartment. “Once our daughter moved to Upper St. Clair, it didn’t seem to make much sense to stay in Squirrel Hill. I mean our friends and family are in the city, Nancy lives in the South Hills. We would’ve spent our remaining years in the car.”

“You never know when there will be traffic,” her husband Mel screamed from the living room over the sound of the Israeli version of “Wheel of Fortune.” “What are we supposed to do, guess when there would be a back-up at the tunnel or work to figure out when the Liberty Bridge is three lanes outbound instead of two lanes inbound? Who needs the trouble?”

“I know it might not make sense for everyone,” Stein explained, “but to us it was easier to move to Israel and when we want to visit Nancy, it’s a simple plane ride to Pittsburgh International with a connection through JFK. From there, it’s a quick jaunt down the Parkway West — no bridges, no tunnel, no fuss.”

The Steins are typical of the newest trend in relocation: Jewish couples of retirement age making aliyah from Pittsburgh rather than face the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and Liberty Bridge or Fort Pitt Bridge and Tunnel.

The couple decided to liquidate their home at a loss and move into a $4,000-a-month apartment half the size in Israel. They aren’t alone.

Mike Leibensen knew it was time to trade his family’s home for a studio apartment in Jerusalem once his doctor changed locations from Greenfield to Green Tree.

“Could I have found a new doctor? Maybe.

Could I have sat in traffic for 45 minutes?

Probably. Neither option seemed like a good idea,” he said. “I mean, if I went to Green Tree for my regular physical, I would have had to pack a sack lunch to eat halfway there and then I wouldn’t be able to get most of my tests done. Here, security might be a worry from time to time and, since my parents were more cultural than spiritual, I never really learned Hebrew, which makes the language a bit of an issue, but I never have to worry about construction on the Parkway East.”

Those making pilgrimage to the Promised Land aren’t only from Squirrel Hill and the East End. “I’ve decided to move to a kibbutz,” Marsha Stein explained outside of Panera in the Galleria of Mt. Lebanon. “I looked into it and by working on a farm I’ll have enough money to last through my retirement years. I know finding a Reform temple might be tough but I’m willing to accept the inconveniences.”

The idea of traveling from Mt. Lebanon to Monroeville for Passover seder with her son Matt’s family was one bridge too far for Stein.

“The horror, I’m telling you, the absolute horror, of the commute was too much to bear,” she said. “I mean, Matt doesn’t cook and his wife’s food leaves a lot to be desired, so I would be forced to cook a brisket, wrap it in aluminum foil, schlep all the way out past the mall — for what? Because he found a job teaching in the Gateway School District? Forget it.”

One local South Hills rabbi who asked to remain anonymous said he understood his PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Chronicle chooses new means of communication

p The Liberty Bridge is just one reason some Pittsburghers are making aliyah.

Photo by Scillystuff at English Wikipedia via Wikimedia Commons

congregants packing their bags: “If one more of my tires need to be changed because of a pothole on the Boulevard of the Allies, I’m going to pack my bags as well.

“Everyone thinks it’s so easy to get to a meeting at the Squirrel Hill JCC and be there on time. I have to figure out my whole day before leaving, making sure I have change for the parking meter and if it’s raining, I might as well set aside an entire extra hour. It’s too much.”

Marmot at minyan?

Pennsylvania’s most famous resident may be coming soon to a synagogue near you.

Punxsutawney Phil, the iconic groundhog responsible for declaring the start of spring, has indicated a growing desire to join the Jewish fold.

Long rumored to be areligious, sources close to the woodchuck indicated that Phil’s penchant for faith has actually been brewing for a while.

“I’ve known Phil since he was a pup. He’s always been a mystically minded creature,” said an unidentified mole. “This doesn’t surprise me.”

An avid reader who can’t let go of a good book once he gets his claws into it, Phil has been digesting Jewish literature for years.

A visit to Phil’s burrow reveals decades-old traces of Leon Uris, Naomi Ragen and Herman Wouk paperbacks.

Even so, what prompted Phil to go from reader to believer is unclear.

Social media posts and friends close to Phil point to a multiseasonal spat between him and Inner Circle members. According to documents obtained by the Chronicle, the bulk of the mess stems from a summer 2018 filing.

Months before entering hibernation, Phil requested time off. A cryptic note scratched in Groundhogese, matching Phil’s other writings, reads, “Feb. 2, 2019 is a Saturday. I need to be somewhere that morning.”

After management denied Phil’s request, Phil cited his religious freedoms, “scurried out of the office” and wasn’t seen for months.

“He has a tendency to bury himself in things, so we didn’t think much of it at the time,” said an unnamed source.

As February 2019 approached, communication between the parties was nonexistent.

Phil wasn’t answering calls, texts or faxes, and concern was growing. Finally, on Feb. 1, 2019, the Twitter account @ TheRealGroundhogPhil posted “Slalom.”

The following day, Phil showed up for work, and all seemed well.

Having dedicated countless hours to

investigating the relationship between Phil and Inner Circle members, the Chronicle has determined that while the Feb. 1 message initially seemed to reference Phil’s interest in downhill skiing, it actually indicates a coded wish.

“Phil took a lot of time to sleep on the matter and what he realized was that even before officially becoming Jewish he could adopt a key tenet of the faith: peace in the home,” said a friend. “Phil is all about Shalom Bayit. His Feb. 1 tweet was an attempt to promote that message, but unfortunately his claws forced a typo and here we are.”

What this means for those hoping to see Phil at a future Friday night service remains uncertain.

“All I can say is Phil loves peace,” continued the friend. “Whether he decides to take the plunge and officially convert, who knows. What we know for sure is he’s pretty comfortable in a mikvah.”

Hurricane names announced for 2021

The World Meteorological Organization has released potential hurricane names for the upcoming 2021 tropical storm season, deviating in large part from its long-standing practice of choosing names that are familiar and easy to remember.

The list of names for 2021 names, which have never before been used to describe a weather event, include Bluma, Dudel, Feivish, Glukel, and Shleimy.

Schvitzy Henteleh, new head of storm names at the WMO, acknowledged the names were unusual and a departure from the norm, but opined that a raging tropical storm deserved a name better suited to its strength.

“What, we’re going to go with something ordinary like ‘Bob’ or ‘Betty’?” queried Henteleh.

“A hurricane—now that’s a big megillah.”

In past years, hurricane namers followed the conventional wisdom of using simple names to reduce confusion when several tropical storms brewed simultaneously.

No more, spat Henteleh.

“Gornisht,” he said. “Better we should have names that have some meat sticking to their kishkes.”

Historically, hurricanes in the West Indies were named after the saint’s day on which they occurred.

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Following a Chronicle-convened focus group, Pittsburgh’s Jewish newspaper has adopted a strategy for targeting younger readers. The weekly publication with a more than 100-year history will release stories via TikTok, the popular video sharing network.

“We had several discussions on the topic and this is the direction we feel most confident about,” said Chronicle board chair Reed Nuze.

Discussions about the paper’s communicative future began months ago after the Chronicle’s staff replaced their bylines with hedcuts of mammalian-like emojis.

Users of the subreddit r/whatsupatthechronicle immediately praised the move.

“Getting in touch with you guys has never been cooler,” posted IAmYoungbutLikePrintedNews.

“Agreed. Not sure why the writer with the raccoon ears and lion’s mane is so worried about early morning ordering practices at kosher food trucks in Oakland, but I’m hungry to learn more,” wrote NcollegeAndjewish.

Changes to the paper will be effective immediately.

Uncontroversial seder conversation topics down to woodworking, beige

On March 2, the Jewish Coalitions of North America released its annual list of approved conversation topics for the upcoming Pesach celebrations, and for the 5780th consecutive year, according to the report, the list of acceptable topics has been further winnowed down.

Discouraged topics now include dogs, “Schindler’s List,” hummus, any figure of the Byzantine Empire, Don Rickles, Paleolithic-era tools, the concept of anxiety, Søren Kierkegaard’s “The Concept of Anxiety,” the military, military time, uppers, downers, Upper Dublin, Downingtown, knock-knock jokes, eggs with two yolks, Shakespeare and any intimation that he didn’t really write his plays, ballpoint pens, barnyard hens, the invention of the transition lens, cousin Alan, Post-It notes, New Yorker totes, milk made from oats, castles (those with or without moats), Ireland or any Irish people, lasers, books, cooks, nooks (don’t even think about crannies), well-placed semicolons, economic displacement, meat replacements, The Replacements, unfinished basements, whether something could be had for all the tea in China, puns, nuns, guns, unfounded allegations, slant rhymes, the Hubble Telescope, Hubba Bubba Max bubblegum, any religion, Pope Honorius I, Pope Honorius II, Pope Honorius III, Pope Honorius IV, death, the death of sincerity, the death of God, “The Death and Life of Great American Cities,” the death of Elvis, Elvis Costello, Abbott & Costello, the upstairs neighbors, the Sunday papers, reminiscing about pagers, content creators, paved roads, deli meat, smelly feet, and whether or not the logo that bounces around a screensaver ever perfectly hits a corner. PJC MARCH 6, 2020 7

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MARCH 6, 2020

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Calendar >>Submit calendar items on the Chronicle’s website, pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

Submissions will also be included in print. Events will run in the print edition beginning one month prior to the date as space allows. The deadline for submissions is Friday, noon. q FRIDAY, MARCH 6 Enjoy Shabbat Dinner with Café Agnes at Temple Sinai. Café Agnes serves modern Salvadoran cuisine at farmers markets in Pittsburgh. 7 p.m. $18 (13+)/ $10 (4–12)/free (0–3). templesinaipgh.org/event/ shabbat-dinner-with-caf-agnes.html# ‘Viral Antisemitism in Four Mutations’ opens at the AMC Waterfront. One of the four chapters of the documentary explores the shooting at the Tree of Life building. 300 West Waterfront Drive. q SATURDAY, MARCH 7 Join Rodef Shalom for Jewish Pranks: Talmud Tales for Purim Parties, a morning study in the Lippman Library. Olivia Tucker helps ring in the Purim season with thousand-year-old tales of ancient and esteemed rabbis pulling pranks on one another. 9:15 a.m. q SUNDAY, MARCH 8 All are welcome at Temple Sinai’s Family Purim Carnival. Wear your favorite Purim character costume. $10 (unlimited gameplay — cash only); free for children 3 and under (children under 8 MUST be accompanied by an adult). Food available to purchase (cash only). 11 a.m. 5505 Forbes Ave. templesinaipgh.org/event/purim-carnival.html

Join Rodef Shalom and Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha for a Purim Carnival and Purim Shpiel at 11 a.m. in Freehof Hall, Rodef Shalom, 4905 Fifth Ave. Enjoy free games, food, prizes and surprises. Don’t miss the Hershel Potter & the Gantse Megillah Purim Shpiel performance at Calvary Episcopal Church, 315 Shady Ave. at 12:30 p.m.

Professor Adam Cohen presents Passover Rituals in the Illustrated Haggadah. Explore the way some of the seder’s key rituals have been illustrated in haggadot from the Middle Ages to the present day.

11:30 a.m. New Light Congregation, 5915 Beacon St. Join the entire South Hills Jewish community for the South Hills Jewish Community Purim Carnival at the South Hills JCC. Enjoy carnival games and prizes, pizza, hamantaschen, an inflatable obstacle course and slide, moon bounce, DJ, balloon artist, face painting and PJ Library Quiet Corner. 12:15 p.m.

Lunch and admission are free. Game bracelets can be purchased for $10 on the day of the event. 345 Kane Blvd. southhillsjewishpittsburgh.org/purim20 Join Classrooms Without Borders for a community lecture featuring Avi Ben-Hur, CWB scholar in residence. Ben-Hur will present “Moroccan Jewry from Antiquity to Today,” mapping out the various Jewish communities that have made Morocco their home for over 2,000 years. Co-sponsored by Classrooms Without Borders and Rodef Shalom Congregation. 6:30 p.m. Free. 4905 Fifth Ave. classroomswithoutborders.org/events/show.php?255 Over 21 Purim Party, sponsored by the Beth Shalom Men’s Club and Sisterhood. 6 p.m. in the Samuel & Minnie Hyman Ballroom. $25 per person.

Come dressed in your favorite decade. Light meal, open bar, costumes (with prizes), games, 50/50 raffle, dancing and DJ. 5915 Beacon St. bethshalompgh.org/events-upcoming

q MONDAY, MARCH 9 Join Rodef Shalom Congregation and Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha for a Purim Dinner and Costume Contest.

Enjoy Harry Potter-inspired Purim fun. Dinner at 5:30 p.m. $18 for members, $10 for kids and $25 for guests. The Herschel Potter & the Gantse Megillah Purim Spiel begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by a traditional Megillah reading with Rabbi Jeffrey Myers. For tickets, visit rodefshalom.org/rsvp.

Join Temple Sinai for Rabbi Jamie Gibson’s 32nd and last Purim. The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. with a pizza and salad dinner followed by the Fiddler on the Roof Purim Shpiel at 6:30 p.m. $8 per person (free for ages 0-3). 5505 Forbes Ave. templesinaipgh.org/event/purim-dinner.html Temple David presents ‘Shushan Confidential,’ an original “shpiel” at 6 p.m. following the Megillah reading. Set as a TV talk show hosted by Eubie the Eunuch and including an Elvis impersonator, commercials with jingles from the royal city of Shushan’s finest businesses, the shpiel’s six familiar melodies with repurposed lyrics will introduce the everyday “Persian-alities” behind the Purim story.

4415 Northern Pike. templedavid.org Come share in the mitzvah of hearing the Megillah read at the Young Peoples Synagogue’s Purim Party.

Following the Megillah reading there will be a parade of adults in costume, and then a Purim feast with Italian fare and hamentashen. 7:15 p.m. Suggested donation $10.

Forbes and Denniston aves. in Squirrel Hill. Please RSVP by calling Rebecca at 412-421-3213.

Parkway Jewish Center presents ‘Purim Mashup – 100 Years of Craziness.’ Guest lecturer Eric Lidji, director of the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center, will present examples of

Purim shpiels in the Rauh’s archives collected from Pittsburgh synagogues, schools and clubs. Following the discussion and abbreviated Megillah reading, there will be a “mashup” from various Pittsburgh Purim shpiels. Free. 7 p.m. 300 Princeton Drive q MONDAY, MARCH 9 & TUESDAY, MARCH 10 Grab your mask, grogger and costume for the Purim celebration at Congregation Beth Shalom.

For more information about times, locations and activities, visit bethshalompgh.org/purim.

TUESDAY, MARCH 10 Egalitarianism has become part of the core of the Conservative movement, but where did it come from? This year Rabbi Seth Adelson’s Lunch & Learn will explore the Jewish legal basis of egalitarianism through responsa literature and halakhic sources. 12 p.m. See website for cost and location. bethshalompgh.org/lunchandlearn Chabad of the South Hills presents Purim in the Air. Enjoy a sit-down dinner served airplane-style, inflight entertainment featuring “The Lego Purim Movie,” nail art and face painting party at “Queen Esther’s Xpress Spa,” crafts and fun at kidsport, and Sky Bar for adults. Come in costume (air theme optional). 5 p.m.

South Hills JCC, 345 Kane Blvd. $10/individual or $18/ family. Book your tickets at chabadsh.com/purim. q WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 Join Rabbi Danny Schiff, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Foundation Scholar, and Gal Inbar, executive director of 412×972 Pittsburgh-Israel

Please see Calendar, page 10

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MARCH 6, 2020 9

Calendar Calendar: Continued from page 9 Business Innovation Link, for Conversations That Count, a candid discussion of the role Jewish ethics plays in Israeli business culture, and the similarities and differences between the business cultures of Israel and the United States. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Dietary laws observed. 5:30 p.m. $10. Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, 2000 Technology Drive. To register, visit jewishpgh.org/ event/conversations-that-count-3. q THURSDAYS, MARCH 12-APRIL 2 New Light Congregation is offering Sacred Seasons of Christians and Jews, a new interfaith learning opportunity. Rabbi Jonathan Perlman from New Light Congregation and Rev. Taeeta Candy from Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church will lead the five-week class, which began March 5, and will discuss the connections between Passover and Easter. Free and open to the public. 6111 Rodman St. 6:30 p.m. Please contact Janet Cohen at janet.cohen@gmail.com to register. q FRIDAY, MARCH 13 Bring your family and friends to a very special Shabbat service and oneg celebration in honor of Dr. Walter Jacob on his 90th birthday, featuring artist-in-residence Dan Nichols and the Rodef Shira Choir. RSVPs appreciated. 5:30 p.m. 4905 Fifth Ave. rodefshalom.org/rsvp

people save local land in the Pittsburgh region. The service begins at 6 p.m., soup and speaker at 7 p.m.

300 Princeton Drive. For directions and more, visit parkwayjewishcenter.org.

Join Chabad of Squirrel Hill for Ladies’ Lunch and Learn. Enjoy lunch and a class entitled “Family Feud,” exploring the story of Cain and Abel and its deeper message. 1:15 p.m. $18. 1700 Beechwood Blvd.

During the Holocaust’ — a book talk by Helen Epstein. Suggested donation of $5 at the door; free for Holocaust survivors and students. 826 Hazelwood Ave. hcofpgh.org/francis-war

q SATURDAY, MARCH 14

q SATURDAY, MARCH 21

Dan Nichols will lead Rodef Shalom Congregation in heart-opening music, silence and prayer. Prayer books will be provided so that you can easily follow along. Bring your family and friends. No RSVP is required. 9:15 a.m. 4905 Fifth Ave. rodefshalom.org

Join Rodef Shalom’s Scholar-In-Residence Jeffrey Salkin for two study opportunities. The first, “Haftarah — Will Travel Shabbat HaChodesh, Special Haftarah: Ezekiel 45:16-46:18,” begins at 9:15 a.m.

Following his morning study, Salkin will continue his exploration of “Mahloket Matters: How to Disagree Constructively” at 12:30 p.m. There is no charge for the morning session, the afternoon class is $5. 4905 Fifth Ave. To RSVP, visit rodefshalom.org/rsvp.

Come to Moishe House for a cozy night of knitting, snacks and Harry Potter audiobooks. No knitting experience required. Supplies provided. Message a Moishe House resident for address. 7 p.m. facebook. com/events/650452982431483

Come to Moishe House Pittsburgh’s Purim Party and party until you can’t tell Haman from Mordechai.

Costumes are encouraged. Message a resident or the page for the address. 8:30 p.m. facebook.com/ events/244259853240624 q SUNDAY, MARCH 15 Join Temple Sinai for Lunch & Learn with Artist Kara Snyder. Snyder is the creator of Temple Sinai’s Random Acts of Torah artwork, “The Arms of Torah.”

Free. 12 p.m. 5505 Forbes Ave. q WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 The Squirrel Hill AARP chapter invites the community to attend a performance of the New Horizons Band of Greater Pittsburgh in the Cohen room at Rodef Shalom Synagogue, 4905 Fifth Ave. The general meeting will begin at 1 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring donations of new and/or gently used seasonal clothing for both men and women including large and extra-large sweatshirts/pants, belts, razors, small shaving cream cans, towels, washcloths and other toiletries. For further information, contact president Marcia Kramer at 412-731-3338.

Enjoy soup and a speaker at Parkway Jewish Center’s ‘Souper Shabbat Plus Lecture Series.’

Tom Dougherty, vice president of external affairs at JC Opn S Making 2:02 AM Page 1 Allegheny Land Trust,waves_Eartique will discuss ALT’s 6/11/19 work helping

Come to Moishe House and hear Rodef Shalom Scholar-In-Residence Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin present “What Madonna Doesn’t Know.” Is Kabbalah just another spiritual fad — or does it have something to teach us about God, history, the world and ourselves?

This event is free and open to all ages. 7:30 p.m.

q WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 Join Jewish Residential Services for Understanding Community Health Choices Waiver Services and Supports, featuring experts from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project, AmeriHealth Caritas and UPMC Community Health Choices from 6-8 p.m. Free. Light meal provided. Registration required by March 20 to Alison Karabin at 412-325-0039 or akarabin@ jrspgh.org. Sally and Howard Levin Clubhouse, 2609 Murray Ave. Suite 101. jrspgh.org q SUNDAY, MARCH 29

q SUNDAY, MARCH 22 Temple Sinai and The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Young Adult Division presents Molly Dillon and Taylor Lustig. Dillon and Lusting are two of the authors of the book “Yes She Can: 10 Stories of Hope and Change from Young Female Staffers of the Obama White House.” The pair will sign books after a Q&A. 3 p.m. 5505 Forbes Ave. Free. templesinaipgh.org/event/yes-she-can-qa-andbook-signing.html q MONDAY, MARCH 23 The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh presents ‘Franci’s War: A Woman’s True Story of Survival

Registration is now open for Good Deeds Day, an international celebration of doing good. Check the website for times and locations. Presented by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Volunteer Center. jewishpgh.org/good-deeds-day Join Hillel JUC for Campus Superstar at Stage AE on the North Shore to watch a high-caliber professionally produced singing competition featuring Pittsburgh’s most talented college students. 5:30 p.m. $250 benefactor ticket (includes VIP after party); $75 patron (adult); $25 (child with purchase of adult ticket); free for college students. campussuperstar.org PJC

This week in Israeli history

Hearing device technology that’s

making waves

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

March 6, 1975 — PLO attacks Savoy Hotel

the Democratic List of Nazareth after Israel’s first national election.

March 9, 1932 — Naharayim Power Plant opens

Pinhas Rutenberg and the Palestine Electric Co. open a hydroelectric power plant at Naharayim. It supplies much of the electricity in Palestine until its destruction by Iraqis during the War of Independence.

March 10, 1960 — Ben-Gurion visits Eisenhower

Introducing Oticon Opn S

An eight-man PLO raid hits the beach in Tel Aviv and attacks the Savoy Hotel. The next day, Sayeret Matkal commandos kill seven terrorists and capture the eighth. Three Israeli soldiers and eight civilians are killed.

TM

hearing devices featuring a next-generation microchip able to adjust and balance all the various sounds around you.

A clear breakthrough for more natural hearing.

Debra L. Greenberger, M.S., CCC-A Serving the Pittsburgh area for over 25 years

March 7, 1965 — Egypt discusses captured spy

Egyptian authorities release details about the arrest Feb. 22 of German-Israeli spy Wolfgang Lotz and his wife, Waldrud. Lotz is implicated in the sending of letter bombs to foreign scientists working in Egypt.

March 8, 1949 — First elected government Is formed The last stop you’ll make in successful hearing aid use

Call to schedule a demonstration today!

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David Ben-Gurion’s Mapai forms a governing coalition with the United Religious Front, the Progressive Party, the Sephardi and Mizrahi Communities, and

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion and U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower meet for more than two hours at the White House on a range of issues while American Nazis and Arabs protest outside.

March 11, 1911 — Justice Haim Herman Cohn born

Haim Herman Cohn, who serves on Israel’s Supreme Court for 21 years, is born in Lubeck, Germany. He combines Jewish, Ottoman, Roman and British traditions to create Israel’s legal system in 1948.

March 12, 2004 — Poet Natan Yonatan dies

Natan Yonatan, one of Israel’s greatest poets, dies at age 80. A native of Kyiv who grew up in Palestine, Yonatan almost immediately gained recognition after he started writing poetry in 1940. PJC

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MARCH 6, 2020 11

Opinion Unambiguous response makes powerful statement — EDITORIAL —

L

ast week, the World Health Organization raised its global health assessment of spread and impact of COVID-19, or coronavirus, to its highest alert level. New cases are confirmed every day, the stock market is struggling, and dust and surgical masks are sold out. As of press time, the death toll from the virus approached 3,000, with more than 80,000 confirmed cases in 46 countries.

In cities across the U.S., the Chinese American community has seen the impact of the outbreak, as their business are seeing a precipitous drop in patronage. In Pittsburgh, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco and elsewhere, Chinese

restaurants have been hit hard by the loss of business. In Manhattan, the drop has been as steep as 70% — despite the fact that public health officials have repeatedly emphasized that eating at a Chinese restaurant will not lead to contraction of the virus.

While this crisis for Chinese American communities might not seem, on the surface, to have a connection to Jewish people, the organized Jewish community quickly and decisively came together to make a bold statement about it. On Feb. 21, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs organized “A Letter of Support to Our Friends in the Chinese American and Chinese Communities,” signed by dozens of national agencies, local federations and community relations councils, including Pittsburgh’s CRC. From Dayton to Des Moines, Baltimore to Buffalo,

Jewish community stakeholders spoke out “in response to rising xenophobia aimed at the Chinese American and Chinese communities,” as the letter put it, adding, “we believe it is important that the Jewish community express our solidarity and support for our Chinese American friends.”

We applaud the fast and unambiguous response from the organized Jewish community. It demonstrated an empathy informed by history, and a unified sense of purpose.

The statement didn’t belabor the issue. Rather, it simply indicated: “We are here for you. We support you. We recognize your struggle,” and that was unquestionably the right thing to do.

The message sent, in addition to the explicit one, was that when it comes to other minorities being attacked for their difference, the Jewish community is there, steadfast, like the

oldest tree in the forest that’s been buffeted for centuries by winds and rain, but whose branches are broad enough to shelter others in times of need.

This Jewish communal empathy toward those in distress provides clear answers to those who wonder why there is a need for Jewish community relations councils in our cities, and other local and national organizations that focus on broad community building and support. As we have learned repeatedly from recent events, our Jewish community is very much an important part of our overall communal fabric. We strengthen ourselves when we help others, and build relationships that will ultimately inure to our overall benefit as we make our larger community stronger and more interconnected. PJC

Is American Jewish history worth telling?

Guest Columnist Misha Galperin, Ph.D.

L

ast June I was asked to help plan the future of the National Museum of American Jewish History (NMAJH) as it was nearing the 10th anniversary of moving into a spectacular new 100,000 square foot building on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall — across the street from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

Such prominence at the place of America’s birth was the intent of the leadership of NMAJH. It would be a way to show what America did for the Jews and what Jews did for America. Its core exhibition tells a story of both the yearning for and struggle for freedom.

It is an essential American story that anyone with an immigrant family history can relate to — Jew or gentile, American born or visitor from abroad.

I visited here the year it opened in 2010.

I brought my entire staff from the Jewish Agency for Israel’s North American operations and many of our Israeli colleagues. As so many others before and since, I found meaningful connections within the museum in the stories of Russian and Brazilian immigrants struggling to come to these shores.

There were stories that touched me personally, including one on The Educational Alliance, a Jewish settlement house on the Lower East Side of Manhattan that I once ran, and one on the first Jewish overnight camp, Surprise Lake, where my children had gone. Others made me laugh and marvel at the genius of Gilda Radner’s “What is this I hear about Soviet Jewelry?!” routine on “Saturday Night Live.”

There was, too, the “Only in America” Gallery and Hall of Fame: Albert Einstein, Irving Berlin, Louis Brandeis, Leonard Bernstein, Sandy Koufax, Emma Lazarus, Jonas Salk, Henrietta Szold, Steven Spielberg

12 MARCH 6, 2020

… and this year, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was inducted and feted by nearly a thousand people at the museum and thousands more online.

Yet, the institution was clearly struggling.

It had a debt of approximately $30 million, incurred at a time of construction during 2008-2010 when philanthropy was at its lowest point in decades.

Visitorship was about 75% Jewish and tended to be older. Its fabulous temporary exhibitions like “Chasing Dreams” (about forming American identity through baseball) and one on Leonard Bernstein in honor of the centennial of his birth — both recognized by the National Endowment for the Humanities — brought in new audiences and continue to travel to other venues to great acclaim, but were not financially self-sustainable and required significant additional fundraising on top of the museum’s ongoing operations.

Two years prior, a significant cut in the budget in an attempt to bring expenses in line with revenues took place, leaving a staff that was too thin and a board that was disheartened. When I conducted the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis, one of the trustees described how people would ask about the museum as if it were a sick relative: lowered voice, concerned and sympathetic turn of the head, “How is the museum doing?”

I was asked to step in as an interim CEO beginning in July 2019. After starting with the SWOT analysis, which involved interviews with various stakeholders, review of past plans, campaigns and strategies, I proposed a three-pronged approach: Implement immediate measures to stabilize the institution, devise medium-term (three to six months) actions to prepare for strategic planning, and develop a set of long-term strategies to renew and strengthen the institution.

Every single member of the board and some of our longtime friends contributed to a transition fund that carried us through the first six months of the fiscal year (July

1 to Dec. 31). We opened our doors to the public for free admission during July and August under our “Let FREEdom Ring” project underwritten by the transition fund contributions. We conducted a comprehensive market research study with people coming to Independence Mall but otherwise mostly bypassing the museum.

We also interviewed a large number of our significantly increased flow of visitors, and launched robust marketing efforts through both traditional and digital channels. Exciting and attractive exhibitions and public programs were planned for the fall and a strategic advancement study informed by what we learned through market research was devised to speak with past, current and potential supporters about the various routes to a successful future.

Having run many a successful fundraising campaign, I began an exploration of a new campaign for NMAJH. What became crystal clear is that significantly reducing our debt, righting the financial future and investing in critical education programs and compelling exhibitions that honor the stories of extraordinary American Jews is the only way to attract the kind of support we need to ensure the fulfillment of a mission that serves every American and one that can only be stewarded by NMAJH. We now have hope and we have plans that are realistic, and ideas that are exciting and promising. We had the most successful series of events and exhibits in the museum’s history in the last seven months, and our attendance since last July has been double what it used to be and, in some months, quadruple. Our tireless board of trustees, staff and volunteers have continued to step up their efforts in all areas.

After the smash exhibit “Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” and the justice’s extraordinary presence at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, we reinstalled our traveling exhibition “Power of Protest: the Movement to Free Soviet Jews” — two versions of which are currently traveling around the country thanks to generous

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government and foundation support — and, in conjunction, we will have Natan Sharansky, the most famous of the Soviet refuseniks, former deputy prime minister of Israel, human rights activist and best-selling author; Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations; and Elan S. Carr, special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism here on March 15 to talk about how the Soviet Jewry movement can be a model and an inspiration for the fight against anti-Semitism.

On April 17, we will open “The Evidence Room” — the art installation exhibition inspired by Deborah Lipstadt’s trial against Holocaust denier David Irving after its successful runs at the Venice Architecture Biennale, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C. NMAJH will be the first Jewish venue and the first history museum to present the exhibit. We will have Deborah Lipstadt with us for a public program and many educational opportunities.

Having just been voted one of the 10 best religious-themed museums in the country by a USA Today nationwide poll, NMAJH will also be leading Jewish American Heritage Month nationally during May. We are halfway through conducting the strategic advancement study to map out the museum’s long-term future. It will bring about substantial changes. It will make the museum stronger and better.

But to have a vibrant future, the board had to deal with the untenable debt burden and make the difficult decision to file for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Significantly reducing the museum’s debt is absolutely essential.

The debt is nearly four times our operating budget. The court papers were filed on Sunday, March 1, 2020. We will continue operations as they have been planned and

Please see History, page 13

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Opinion An important story that should be told Guest Columnist Barbara Burstin

L

ast month the Holocaust Center opened an exhibit “For You Were Strangers: Jewish Immigration to Pittsburgh from 1880-1990.” The exhibition panels (put together by Holocaust Center educational associate Jackie Reese) captured some of the highlights of the Jewish immigrant experience and the response, particularly on the part of several Pittsburghers — David Glick, Ziggy Kahn and Zena Saul — to alarming events abroad. The result was a fascinating journey into important local history that was informative, captivating and very well received considering the numbers of people who have come to view the display. (The exhibit is up through May.) The fact that this effort has been so well received underscores the curiosity of Jews and non-Jews about our local history. The Pittsburgh experience with its highs and lows is an important story that the Holocaust Center has started to tell, much to its credit.

I emphasize this because we are at an important moment in our history with an opportunity to do something that we have not been able to do before. I refer to the discussions about the future of the Tree of Life building, which have been ongoing. It is clear that at some future point the building will take on a new life in one form or another.

So let me suggest that as part of that new life, space be devoted to telling something about

History: Continued from page 12

no staff reductions are contemplated.

And now, the question I asked in the title of this piece must be asked and must be answered: Is American Jewish History worth preserving and bringing to the public through a national museum?

As important as it is to preserve and tell the history of the Holocaust, is the history of the struggles and success of American Jewry also worth sharing with both Jews and non-Jews? My opinion is unequivocally: Yes. We can’t understand the global Jewish story without it, and we can’t understand American history without it.

As this country and American Jews face critical questions and challenges in the coming months and years, how can we call upon the lessons of history to understand and contextualize where we are today and where we are going? What can we learn from America’s history that will help us to understand the frightening surge of anti-Semitism and violence against Jews and other communities? Can a retelling of America’s history PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Jews, their religion and the history of Jews in Pittsburgh and their contributions to the general community.

I suggest this for several reasons. First, it is a rich history that can engender pride and inspiration in all who see it. Second, as a certain tourist destination that the Tree of Life building will undoubtedly become, it will allow visitors to balance the narrative of Jewish victimization with a positive one of Jewish vitality and action. Third, given the uptick in acts of violence and inflamed rhetoric against Jews from those on the right and the left, this is an opportunity to counter that pernicious reality with some information about who Jews are, what values and traditions they observe (including the prayers that the 11 innocent victims were chanting in the final moments of their lives) and what Jews have accomplished to better the world around them.

There is no doubt that many of those who denounce and threaten Jews today have never met a Jew and/or know very little about them. For the visitors, younger and older ones alike, learning about Jews, their beliefs, core values and their lives past and present can be a powerful antidote against prejudice, indifference, suspicion. We really can do something more to promote better understanding and help inoculate against this virus of anti-Semitism. That is a worthy mission that will only give new meaning and life to the Tree of Life and help our community heal. PJC Barbara Burstin is on the history faculty at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University.

of immigration and immigration policy, religious freedom and persecution, inclusion and exclusion, and other critical issues ever-present in our world today inform our society on a wise path forward? Is it helpful to have a home in the birthplace of our nation for these stories? Should we have a central address that will allow people to come together across communities to discuss them?

You know where I stand: This institution has a critical role to play. Will American Jews — the philanthropists and the amcha (everyone) — come through with the help the museum needs to thrive and educate many generations in the years to come?

The proof will be in whether this restructuring of the National Museum of American Jewish History will result in a momentous turning point.

Please join with us. Small voices can become big voices; help us continue this important work. Let’s do it together. PJC

— LETTERS — Sanders as standard-bearer?

As one who wants more than anything to end the three-year-plus national nightmare that has been inflicted on the American people with Donald Trump as our president, I am deeply concerned over the prospect of Bernie Sanders becoming the Democratic standard-bearer (“Is 2020 really the year for the US’ first Jewish president?,” Feb. 28).

Although he proclaims himself proud to be a member of our faith, Sanders has done a magnificent job of alienating the Jewish community. He has referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “reactionary racist,” dangled the prospect of moving the U.S. embassy back to Tel Aviv from Jerusalem, and has threatened to redirect aid to our ally, Israel, to the Palestinians. He has earned the enmity of the influential AIPAC. Add to this Sanders’ favorable comments about ruthless and murderous dictator Fidel Castro and his plan to ban fracking, and one can understand his failure to gain the support of Jews and his ability to lose the key states of Florida and Pennsylvania if nominated.

Sanders’ self-classification as a Democratic Socialist has already been used to tar him and render him unelectable in the eyes of many Americans and it is understandable why Trump would hope to run against the man he has called “Crazy Bernie.”

If we allow the Democrats to be defeated this November, our then entirely unrestrained and dangerous president will make America unrecognizable, forever changed from a nation of freedoms, equal opportunity and one that extends the welcome mat to all.

Oren Spiegler Peters Township

Caring about Israel — and the climate As a politically active but not particularly observant Jewish American, I was especially pleased to read the commentary from Rabbi Jonah Rank about the issue that is shaping his vote in the 2020 election: climate change (“I care deeply about Israel,” Feb. 28).

As he notes, “The Torah does not give much voting advice, but it does tell us to ‘choose life’ (Deuteronomy 30:19). I am going to vote with great hope and enthusiasm for the candidate who can best convince me that they will do everything they can to keep our planet a place where we can all live — in Israel and the Diaspora.”

I agree wholeheartedly.

We are seeing clear signs of a coming climate crisis, and we know what we have to do to mitigate its effects. For Rabbi Rank, it is a matter of acting in partnership with G-d in creation and maintaining our world. For me, it is partnership with other humans in doing what can legitimately be called “G-d’s work,” regardless of our personal religious beliefs and observance.

I am one of several active Jewish members of the Pittsburgh chapter of the scrupulously nonpartisan Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL), which includes both people motivated by various faith traditions and non-theists of various flavors. We advocate in person and in writing with our political leaders and fellow citizens, including developing political will for the bipartisan Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 763), which proposes a steadily increasing fee on fossil fuel extraction that will be returned in full as a per capita monthly dividend check to every family.

Our chapter continues to grow, and we would welcome people of all political affiliations and religious persuasions to bring their talents to choosing life.

Jewish Chronicle readers can learn more about CCL at cclusa.org. Please join us!

Alfred B. Bortz Monroeville

We invite you to submit letters for publication. Letters must include name, address and daytime phone number; addresses and phone numbers will not be published. Letters may not exceed 500 words and may be edited for length and clarity; they cannot be returned.

Mail, fax or email letters to: Letters to the editor via email: Address & Fax:

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letters@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 5915 Beacon St., 5th Flr., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Fax 412-521-0154 pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

Dr. Misha Galperin is interim CEO of the National Museum of American Jewish History. This piece originally appeared on ejewishphilanthropy.com.

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MARCH 6, 2020

13

Headlines AIPAC: Continued from page 1

announced that “the U.S.-Israel relationship as we know it, is under attack,” despite its long history of bipartisan support.

Korn was echoing the words spoken that morning by AIPAC CEO Howard Kohr, who sounded “an alarm” of an emerging threat to Israel’s relationship with the U.S. due to a “growing, highly vocal, and energized part of the electorate” that fundamentally rejects the value of the alliance between the two countries.

“In their political utterances, the leaders of this movement repeatedly and reflexively disparage Israel’s democracy and lump her in with nations hostile to American interests and American values,” Kohr said. “Again, these are not the things a friend would say or do. These political leaders have chosen to deploy several surrogates who have long records of hostility to the Jewish state.”

Kohr’s words seemed to be aimed at Vermont senator and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, who has aligned politically with anti-Israel notables like former Women’s March leader Linda Sarsour. Sanders chose not to attend AIPAC’s conference, he said, because he was “concerned about the platform AIPAC provides for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights.”

Kaufman disagreed with Sanders’ assessment.

“I do not believe that this conference in any way gave a platform for bigotry,” said the Pittsburgher. “I think the single mission of the organization is respectable and reasonable, and especially in a time when our country feels so polarized, the idea that we can have an organization that is working for bipartisan support and is doing so from a bipartisan place is beautiful.”

Sanders’ disparagement of AIPAC saddened Kaufman, she said, “especially because, otherwise, Bernie represents so many of the liberal values that I hold so dear. So I feel kind of betrayed, and I wish he just wouldn’t have said anything, or would have come.”

In addition to Sanders, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren also skipped AIPAC this year.

The only presidential candidate remaining in the race who spoke live at the conference was former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who also attacked Sanders for boycotting the event, drawing loud applause, on Monday.

“Sen. Sanders has spent 30 years boycotting this event,” Bloomberg said. “And as you’ve heard by now, he called AIPAC a racist platform. Well, he’s dead wrong.”

Bloomberg also said he would “never impose conditions on military aid” to Israel “no matter what government is in power.”

That appeared to be a reference to pledges

by Sanders and Warren, who have said they would condition aid.

Bloomberg alluded to but did not name

President Donald Trump toward the end of his speech when he referred to the dangers in the rise of anti-Semitism and other bigotries, and noted that the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre hit close to home for him because his sister had attended Tree of Life Congregation when she lived in Pittsburgh years ago.

Anti-Semitism “can be found both on the right and the left,” Bloomberg said, “but there is one fact that we cannot ignore: Presidential leadership matters. It sets a tone.

It is either inclusive or exclusive, divisive or uniting, incendiary or calming.”

Those remarks also drew extended applause.

Vice President Mike Pence also spoke live at the conference on Monday, calling for the reelection of President Donald Trump, which earned cheers from the crowd.

“The most pro-Israel president in history must not be replaced by one who would be the most anti-Israel president in the history of this nation,” Pence said, referring to Sanders.

“That’s why you need four more years of President Trump in the White House.”

Pence listed the multiple Israel-related steps that Trump has taken, including moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing Israel’s claim to the Golan Heights and leaving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, drawing multiple instances of cheers and applause.

The vice president also stressed Trump’s commitment to fighting anti-Semitism, referencing the attack at the Tree of Life building

Events Continued from page 1

Megillah,” in conjunction with Rodef Shalom Congregation. The play will not only be performed at Rodef Shalom but will include a special showing at Calvary Episcopal Church, where Tree of Life celebrated the High Holidays following the shooting at their building on Oct. 27, 2018.

“Inspiration for the shpiel came from being at Calvary during the High Holidays,” explained Rabbi Hazzan Dr. Jeffrey Myers of Tree of Life. “I was sitting on the bema, looking at this magnificent Anglicanstyle sanctuary, and I thought, ‘Oh my, I’m davening at Hogwarts!”

Myers wrote the shpiel based on that idea and his belief that the Harry Potter novels include lessons on Jewish ethics and values.

In true partnership, the Tree of Life/ Rodef Shalom production will include cameo appearances by clergy from Calvary Episcopal Church.

There are two opportunities to catch “Hershel Potter”: The first is Sunday, March 8, at Calvary Episcopal. The performance will be followed by a short conversation, moderated by Myers, about humor in religion. The following evening, Rodef Shalom will host a second performance following a Purim-inspired dinner and costume party.

Temple Emanuel of South Hills is also collaborating with another synagogue for their shpiel this year. The Reform congregation is partnering with Beth El Congregation of the South Hills to present a “Lion King”-inspired production, according to Rabbi Jessica Locketz.

“This year we’ll spend the morning together doing Purim-related activities and then we’ll shpiel together,” she said.

The musical, which includes professional 14 MARCH 6, 2020

p Students from Temple Emanuel and Beth El Congregation perform a parody of “Grease” for Purim, 2018.

Photo by Rob Goodman

music and choreography by Douglas Levine and Chris Liatta, will be performed at Beth El Congregation on Sunday, March 8.

Purim shpiels have a long history. In her book “The Fascinating History of the PurimSpiel,” Janet Leuchter calls the productions “the only genuine folk theater that has survived a thousand years in European culture.” The term “Purim shpiel” was used

by Ashkenazi Jews as early as the mid-1500s.

“People don’t realize that Purim shpiels are not just this funny little thing we do,” points out Cantor Henry Shapiro of Parkway Jewish Center. “They’ve had an immense impact on our culture and lives. They go back hundreds and hundreds if not a thousand years. When people were starting Yiddish theaters, that was their starting place. And where did the Yiddish theater go? Hollywood. So,

that was the start of our involvement in popular culture.”

Rather than a traditional retelling of the Purim story with a consistent theme, Parkway Jewish Center is featuring what they call “Purim Mashup — 100 Years of Craziness” on Monday, March 9. The evening will include a talk by Eric Lidji, director of the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center. Lidji will present examples of Purim shpiels in the Rauh’s archives collected from Pittsburgh synagogues, schools and clubs. Following the discussion, there will be a “mashup” from various Pittsburgh Purim shpiels.

Temple David in Monroeville is also producing a Purim shpiel that veers from the original story found in the Book of Esther.

“Shushan Confidential” tells the original tale of a TV talk show hosted by Eubie the

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and noting that following that massacre, Trump “said America would seek the destruction of those who seek the destruction of the Jews.”

Sixty Pittsburghers attended the conference this year, including many college students and a dozen students from Hillel Academy.

This was the first time Benjamin Marcus, a Hillel Academy senior, had come to AIPAC. He was inspired by the experience, he said.

Marcus agreed with the proposition that a faction of one political party was “moving away from bipartisanship” but believes education could help, including taking members of Congress to visit the Jewish state.

Still, he said he was surprised by “how bipartisan AIPAC still is.”

“I was expecting it to be more Republican, because that is where it has been leading,” Marcus said. “But there are so many people from every walk of life here. It is really good.”

For Lauren Turner, a University of Pittsburgh student, and her sister Lindsey Turner, a Hampton High School senior who will be attending Seton Hill University in the fall, this year marked their second AIPAC conference.

Both women were inspired by AIPAC to start chapters of Students Supporting Israel, an international pro-Israel movement, at their universities next year as a result of attending the conference. PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

Eunuch and includes an Elvis impersonator and commercials with jingles.

“One of the unusual things about the script is that the main characters of the Purim story don’t have any speaking parts,” explained Fred Bortz, Temple David member and author of the shpiel.

“They’re all out there in costume and will be acting out their parts as background to the dialogue. It’s sort of a backstory, answering the questions you never knew you had.”

The production “airs” Monday, March 9.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Temple Ohav Shalom will present its original Purim shpiel “Woodstock” on Sunday, March 8.

Temple Sinai’s production of “Fiddler as a Spoof ” repackages the idea of tradition, adding elements that speak to current events at the synagogue. “I always tell the Purim story,” explained Cantor Laura Berman, who wrote the musical. Because it’s an original script, Berman said, “I’m able to use shtick and jokes or whatever that might be pertinent to now or include Pittsburghese or talk about what’s going on in the news or whatever.”

This year’s production, taking place on Monday, March 9, will rework the familiar number “Tradition” to reflect the retirement of the synagogue’s longtime senior rabbi, Jamie Gibson. Berman has written a parody called “Transition.” Berman pointed out that while the shpiels primarily target children, there is usually a message for adults as well.

“The story of Purim includes sophisticated themes like political power,” she said.

“Also, the stories of women and those who lack a certain power but have been able to put things in play that influenced the destiny of the Jewish people.” PJC David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Headlines Hillel: Continued from page 2

sequencing and collaboration skills. All of these efforts led to a noticeable increase in student interest in STEAM subjects — with obvious payoffs.

“I’ve had students who have struggled with more traditional types of learning, and computer science has been a skill that they’ve been able to pick up very quickly and feel very confident in,” said Levari.

In addition, Huff noted, reading a line of code challenges students differently than memorization does, she said. “It also gives kids, especially girls, a real-world skill.”

In 2019, the AP Computer Science Principles exam was administered to 72,187 students in thousands of post-secondary institutions, according to the College Board.

Students: Continued from page 3

working with the executive director, Lauren Bairnsfather, and her staff. They’ve engaged the students on the trip, have the latitude to talk and explain the film or not even show the film if they would like to have a discussion instead.”

Bairnsfather was glad to see the collaboration between the two organizations.

“Our interest at the Holocaust Center is to always make sure that Holocaust education in the region is as strong and as meaningful as it can be,” she said.

Bairnsfather traveled with a group of students from Brashear High School, which she said has the most diverse student body of any high school in the Pittsburgh public school system.

It gave Bairnsfather the chance to see how the experience affected disparate groups like “students from other countries.”

The visit was an important first step

McCann: Continued from page 4

you can find what is truly important, which is the human story behind it,” McCann said.

The author hopes the book will move readers to “get into the beating pulse of the story that Rami and Bassam told me and to understand that we are all there — we are all complicit in it and we all suffer it. And when they talk about using the power of grief to change the world, there is something really important going on.”

Although Aramin has not yet been able to finish reading “Apeirogon,” he is grateful that the book will help keep his daughter’s memory alive.

“It’s a dream to reach many people around the world to read about Abir’s murder,” Aramin said. “Because I wrote on her grave that ‘You will live longer than your killer.’ No one will talk about him, no one knows his name, but I promised that everyone around PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

The average score for test takers was 3.11 out of 5. Of Hillel Academy’s eight female students who took the test, the average score was 4 out of 5.

“What we’re doing exists in many larger public schools, but in smaller schools like ours, there aren’t always as many opportunities or experiences,” said Huff.

“The girls who go here are taking this to the next level,” noted Levari.

Weinberg praised the students’ “creativity, commitment and enthusiasm” in a statement, and said, “As educators and administrators, we believe a STEAM education plays a critical role in fostering a lifelong relationship with learning and setting our female students on a path to success in a 21st century workforce.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz @pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

in building deeper relationships, both with ZOA and the Pittsburgh Public Schools, she said.

“Our goal is meaningful relationships, not what we call drive-by programming. In the future, we can have even more engagement through the schools with the teachers, and that would improve the experience even more in the way that we would like to.”

“When I walked through the train car, I really felt like I was one of the many people who had to endure that and I was generally scared. I had to let several people pass me before I felt safe to go through.”

Bairnsfather understands the importance of viewing things through a “trauma lens,” especially after the Oct. 27 shooting at the Tree of Life building.

“What they see might be upsetting to them, and it’s OK if they need to step out of the exhibit for a few minutes,” she said. “There is no wrong

p Maya Davis, left, and Shira Wiesenfeld explore computer science principles.

Photo courtesy of Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh

response. I hope that made it easier for them and made it a more meaningful experience.”

The students on the trip also tour the National Mall, which Pavilack views as an important part of the trip.

“A lot of these kids have never been to Washington, D.C.; some of them have never been out of the city,” he said. “Forty-eight or 49% of the total Pittsburgh public school population are low-income students, so this is really something for them and it’s gained in popularity.”

“The responsibility to prevent discrimination and oppression in my society and prevent something like the Holocaust from ever happening again.”

Phyllis Roberts is a physics instructor at the Barack Obama Academy of International Studies. This was her fourth year as a trip chaperone. She said the students who take part in the trip are the “best kids ever.”

“ Israel and Palestine confused the holy living bejesus out of me. I think it does to most people. Even if you live there it

”

confuses you.

— COLUM MCCANN

the world would know the name Abir.”

The stories of Abir, Smadar and their fathers may be further perpetuated in film; the rights to the novel have been acquired by Steven Spielberg’s film production company, Amblin Partners.

“Can stories change the world?” queried

McCann. “It may seem to somebody that it is sentimental to say so, or silly to say so.

But things happen. Miracles happen. Tiny things happen.”

Change often begins with “creating a crack in the wall,” he said. “Then the wall eventually falls.”

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“You would be amazed if I could trap the conversations I heard walking through the museum with the children and just how serious all of them take this,” she said, adding she was glad the students also had the opportunity to see the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial this year.

The trip, she said, “raised the awareness of not to hate, and the opportunity to see the devastation hate caused and its lingering effects.”

Such a meaningful experience isn’t easy to coordinate. While Pavilack said the trip is a highlight of his yearly duties, it does require time and donors. Yet the extra work involved is worth it, he said: “From the feedback we’re getting, the trip makes a real impact.” *Comments made by Pittsburgh public school students who filled out surveys after the trip. PJC David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

Elhanan and Aramin are working to create those cracks.

“We go together, an Israeli and a Palestinian, and we step into a high school class, Israeli or Palestinian, and they are not as polite and receptive as you are,” Elhanan told the audience. “In most cases, it’s like walking into the open mouth of an active volcano. There is a sea of blood between these two nations. Emotions, anger. And for most of them it is the first time ever they see an Israeli and Palestinian like each other, calling each other ‘brother.’

“This encounter creates the crack in the wall that we are looking for. A little question mark. And the crack in the wall allows a little light to come in. A little light can drive away a lot of darkness. No one can listen to us and remain the same. This is the essence of our work.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

MARCH 6, 2020 15

Life & Culture Jewish Pennsylvanian hits the right chord in ‘The Band’s Visit’ — MUSIC —

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

I

f there is one character in “The Band’s Visit” that patrons “may not be terribly fond of,” it is probably Sammy, admitted Marc Ginsburg, who plays that role in the touring production of the show opening at the Benedum Center March 10 and running through March 15.

Still, though the character Ginsburg has been portraying at theaters all over the country for the past eight months has “questionable morals,” there are really “no bad guys in this show,” he said.

“It’s regular people with a lot of complicated things going on in their lives,” said Ginsburg, who praised the simplicity and beauty of the Tony Award-winning musical that tells the story of an Egyptian band scheduled to perform a concert in an Arab cultural center in Petah Tikva, Israel, but instead mistakenly ends up in a tiny Jewish town called Bet Hatikva.

Sammy is a married man having an on-again, off-again affair with Dina, an unmarried café owner and the female lead in the show.

Although Ginsburg does not have much in common with Sammy — the actor is “very much a family man,” with his wife and young son traveling along with him on the tour — he enjoys exploring the motivations of the morally problematic character and pondering what makes him tick.

“I always find it interesting to find the humanity, to find what makes this person this way,” said Ginsburg. “Not all bad guys in shows or movies are the old-school mustache-twirling supervillain-type person.

They are all humans. What derailed them, what got them off the tracks in some way?

I find that really interesting, to delve into people’s psyche in that way.”

Ginsburg, who grew up attending a Conservative synagogue near Philadelphia and earned his BFA from Penn State, is married to Jewish actor Liza Baron. The two met while in adjacent prison cells onstage during a production of “Kiss of the Spider Woman” in Chelsea, New York. They have a 3-year-old son.

Judaism remains important to Ginsberg, even on the road. And Shabbat, which, is a central part of his family’s week, has also become a treasured routine among the company of “The Band’s Visit.” The cast and crew gather a couple times a month on Friday nights after the show for dinner

 Marc Ginsburg and the cast of “The Band’s Visit”

Photo by Matthew Murphy

“Not all bad guys in shows or movies are the old-school mustache-twirling supervillain-type person. They are all humans.

”

What derailed them, what got them off the tracks in some way?

MARC GINSBURG and Shabbat blessings, a tradition begun by the Broadway cast.

“We’ll get the whole group together, usually somewhere between 20 and 25 people will show up, and we will say the blessings and drink wine and just eat in a very familial way, because, you know, we are family,” Ginsburg said.

About half the touring company is Jewish, said Ginsburg, including some Israelis.

Non-Jewish company members join in the Shabbat dinner as well.

“Everybody comes together,” he said.

“The people who aren’t Jewish and who had never done Shabbat before really have enjoyed experiencing it. The main focus of it is to bring people together, to create a family

dynamic and to have everybody experience that and know what that feels like, especially since we are all away from home right now.

And that has been really, really rewarding for the Jews and non-Jews alike.”

That sense of peaceable camaraderie is reflected in the quiet simplicity of the show itself.

“We are not going for glitz and glamour and big production numbers and all that,” said Ginsburg. “We are really trying to examine what makes people people, and what humanity is all about.”

The musical centers on “two groups of people that run into each other in an inconvenient time who are programmed to not like each other,” he explained. “But somehow human nature and human

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sensibility step in and say, ‘Well, we are all people. And these people seem to be going through a tough time. How can we reach into ourselves and be decent human beings and help out another group of human beings who are doing us no harm?’ And to me, that’s fascinating.”

There is much stillness in the show, noted Ginsburg, and a lot “very quiet moments.”

“The great part about this is there are no politics, no agenda, no religion in this show,” he said. “It’s literally about people trying to connect, and I feel it hits home with people on so many different levels.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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MARCH 6, 2020

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MARCH 6, 2020 17

Celebrations

Torah

Bar Mitzvah

A poem for Purim William Aaron Deaktor will become a bar mitzvah on March 7 at Rodef Shalom Congregation. Will is a Lifer at Shady Side Academy. He is presently in the seventh grade (Class of 2025). He skates dual positions in the Viper Stars, an AA Division Hockey Team for both defense and offense.

He also enjoys playing competitive tennis, skiing and going to the beach. William is the son of Marsha and Scott Deaktor, younger brother of Chase (Charles Leonard Deaktor II) and the grandson of Marcia and the late Charles Leonard Deaktor, past president of Rodef Shalom.

Birth

Susan and Rick Tabor are blessed with the birth of their second grandson. Luca Carmine Perla was born on Jan. 5, 2020. He weighed 8 lbs., 7 oz., and was 21 1/2 inches long. Parents are Morgan and Nick Perla and his very special big brother is Valentino Perla. Paternal grandparents are Pam and Rich Perla and paternal great-grandmother is Peggy Perla. PJC

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Rabbi Shimon Silver Parshat Tetzaveh | Exodus 27:20-30:10

N

ow that Purim is almost here Let’s try what we do this time of year To deliver a d’var Torah in rhyme Even if it doesn’t work all the time In Parshas Tetzaveh there is a direct Connection to the Megilah we’ll be reading next Week. And to this we give recognition With one well-known Purim tradition Did you ever wonder why we make a big deal Of Purim costumes that look so real?

To dress up is Purimdig, it’s very funny (Though some of those outfits cost so much money!)

We usually say that our clothing we change Because “venahapoch hu” – Hashem did arrange That instead of the Jews being destroyed without a trace Our enemies were killed, they took our place To commemorate this, it is said We too, switch our clothes and the hats on our heads But that is easy, it can be done Without the expense, you can still have fun Is there some basis in the Purim story For dressing in expensive pomp and glory?

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The truth is that much deeper is the real reason The whole miracle that took place this season From beginning to end came about through dressing As we shall see, not only through gluttonous “fressing” We know Mordechai wore the robes of the king That part of the Megillah we all like to sing But earlier still, when he wore a sackcloth gown To fast and to pray, we chant in a mournful tone You see that our clothing a big role they play In how we act, what we do, what we say Wearing robes of majesty, we feel great of course And sackcloth makes us repent with remorse But clothing can only change our mood To make us feel bad, or to make us feel good Deep down inside us nothing does change Because it’s our own clothing we don’t feel strange.

It is when we try to look like someone else To try to be different from our real selves We might think we’re like the other person But this is not so — of the truth it is a perversion Because if the shoes don’t fit on the feet We are going to trip and fall in the street

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Obituaries GILBOA: Arlyn Gilboa, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Beloved mother of Amit Gilboa, Noam Gilboa and Keren (Jeremy Holzer) Gilboa.

Mot h e r- i n - l aw of Deborah Gilboa. Sister of William (Lisa) Gross, David (Lynne Goldberg) Gross and Jonathan Gross. “Sva” to Ari, Nadov, Oren, Gavri, Liya, Ron and Dan. Also survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. Arlyn was a patron of the Arts. She was a life-long student who tended her garden and family with equal care and love. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment Beth Shalom Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Arlyn Gilboa Foundation, c/o 6324 Morrowfield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. schugar.com HIRSCH: On Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020, Ellen Falk Hirsch died peacefully at The Residence at Weinberg Village in Pittsburgh, PA. Born in Pittsburgh to the late Katharine and Leon Falk, Jr., and predeceased by her husband, Wallace Hirsch, and son, Timothy Glick.

Ellen is survived by: her children, Jonathan Glick, Nancy Glick (Morris Grossman) of Pittsburgh, and Lynne Hirsch (David Reciter) of Oxford, England; 8 grandchildren: 4 great-grandchildren, and siblings, Sarah Moser, Sigo Falk (Jean), David Falk (Judith), and Susannah Falk Lewis (Michael).

Also survived by stepchildren: Steve Hirsch (Gail), Robert Hirsch, and Janet Hirsch Ettinger (Roy). Ellen lived in Jerusalem for over 20 years and the many Pittsburghers who visited her will certainly remember her gracious hospitality. Over the years she also resided in New York City, Philadelphia, Oxford and at Falklands Farm. Services and interment private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Timothy Glick Israel Scholarship Endowment Fund at The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, 2000 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Her family wishes to thank all of the marvelous caregivers who helped Ellen over many years. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com MALONE: On Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, Sherry Helfant Malone, beloved mother of two daughters, grandmother of three grandsons, and family and friend to many, passed away peacefully in Naples, Florida after complications from terminal illness. She was 73. Sherry was born on June 12, 1946 to Ethel (Blumenfeld) and Reuben Helfant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Sherry spent her childhood in Squirrel Hill, becoming an avid reader in kindergarten and continuing a lifelong love of books through her later years, especially enjoying the time she spent in the Cooper-Siegel Library in Fox Chapel. Sherry attended Linden Elementary

School, Allderdice High School, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in History. She truly valued education and instilled that importance in her family. To every endeavor, big or small, Sherry brought her zest for life. Sherry had a strong personality, at times feisty and unfiltered; always clever, dynamic, funny and elegant. She was a one-of-a-kind woman who made an impression on everyone she met, from Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania to Jupiter, Sarasota and Naples, Florida. Sherry had incredible style, impeccable taste, and an appreciation for gardens, design and antiques. She took great joy in her beautiful garden at her Fox Chapel home, and twice featured on the Secret Gardens Tour for the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. Her generous gifts to Aspinwall Riverfront Park, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and Fox Chapel and Allegheny Land Trusts preserve her memory in the landscapes she loved. Inspired by her mother’s example, Sherry cared deeply and dedicated herself to many philanthropic organizations, including The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, the Ladies Hospital Aid Society of Montefiore Hospital, Jewish Healthcare Foundation, National Council of Jewish Women, and Reuben and Ethel Helfant Scholarship Fund at the Pharmacy School at the University of Pittsburgh. Sherry is survived by her daughters, Robin Heitner Koffman (Stephen) of Mill Valley, California, and Jamie Heitner (David Israel) of Los Angeles, California; her three grandsons, Theodore and Alexander Koffman and Jack Israel; her sister Carol Horn and many devoted companions, friends and family.

Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment Beth Shalom Cemetery.

Contributions can be made to Hillman Cancer Center, UPMC Cancer Pavillion, Suite 1B, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232 or Aspinwall Riverfront Park, 285 River Avenue, Aspinwall, PA 15215. schugar.com TEPPER: Gertrude (Klieger) Tepper, on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. Beloved wife of the late Harry Tepper. Beloved mother of Marc Jay (Karen) Tepper and Ronald Michael (Diane) Tepper. Sister of Herman (Anne) Klieger.

Grandma of Shaina Vojtko (John Anderson) and Molly Tepper (Nick Blicha). Also survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. Graveside Services and Interment were held at Machsikei Hadas Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to American Heart Association, 444 Liberty Ave., #1300, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. schugar.com

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

In memory of...

A gift from ...

In memory of...

Anonymous...................................Frances Light Feinberg

Sharon Greenfield........................................... Eugene Light

John Phillips ....................................................Esther Phillips

Anonymous................................................Mariam Kopelson

Karen R. Jurgensmier ........................Isaac L. Rosenfeld

John Phillips .......................................................Frank Phillips

Robert Bogdan .................................Alice Serbin Bogdan

Amy R. Kamin ....................................................Joseph Honig

Nathaniel S. Pirchesky .......................Belle C. Pirchesky

Marsha Burdman ..................................................Sally Miller

Amy R. Kamin ......................................................Harry Kamin

Nathaniel S. Pirchesky ..................................Louis Caplan

Sylvia & Norman Elias.........................Ruth B. Moldovan

Alan Korobkin........................................... Charles Korobkin

Rita Reese ...................................................Frances Barniker

Sylvia & Norman Elias...................... Geraldine A. Tyson

Jeffrey L. Kwall ................................................... Saul A. Kwall

Estelle Rosenfeld..................................Samuel Rosenfeld

Florinne I. Friedken ............................... Dorothy Friedken

Irwin Loft ................................................................ Max Loefsky

Norman S. Rosenfeld .....................................Henry Dentel

Marcia Frumerman .......................................Philip Ellovich

Mary B. Marks .........................................................Sara Baker

Bernard Schwartz................................. Charles Schwartz

Jerry Gordon..................................................Samuel Gordon

Stanton Pearlman...........................Stanton H. Pearlman

Bernard Schwartz..................................... Sarah Schwartz

THIS WEEK’S YAHRZEITS — Sunday March 8: Isadore Bergstein, Joseph H. Braemer, Ida Dektor, David L. Ekker, Jack Elkovitz, Anna Finer, Rebecca (Barron) Greenberg, Marvin L. Gusky, Earl Herman, Harry I. Horwitz, Elinor Kann, Ida Kramer, William Oskie, Pearl Wintner Rosen, Maurice F. Sadowsky, Kenneth S. Samowich, Milton Weisenberg Monday March 9: Samuel Cohen, Harry Davis, Mary Farber, Eva Fingeret, Emanuel B. Friedberg, Md, Belle S. Friedman, Gary Lee Kress, Anna Kuperstock, Ben Leshney, William A. Lubarsky, Steven L. Ochs, Lena Pavilack, Cecelia F. Rosen, David Rosenthal, Bessie S. Schulman, Frances L. Shaeffer, Malie Silverman, Dorothy Sloan, Myer Solomon, Miriam W. Steerman, Silvia Stuhl, Lea S. Teplitz, Helen Tepper, Sidney M. Wolk, Martin Zamore, Sarah Leah Zinner Tuesday March 10: Dorothy Adler, Arlene Y. Apter, Israel Backer, George Bonder, Daniel M. Emas, Anna Feinberg, Mollie F. Ganelin, Minnie Gottesman, Maurice Greenberg, Hyman Greenspan, Rose Harris, Melvin W. Helfant, Max Janavitz, Harry M. Kamin, Jack Lebovitz, Julius Markley, Leonard Nadel, Freda R. Selkovits, William H. Silverman, Esther K. Stutz, Nellie Swartz, Isadore Winerman, Phillip Zamsky Wednesday March 11: Pearl Auslander, Max L. Bluestone, Dr. Paul Cramer, Pearl Erenstein, Max Freedel, Samuel M. Gordon, Betty I. Greenwald, Joseph Honig, Winifred Joyce Hynes, Lena Kline, Jacob Kunst, Louis Lawrence, Samuel Marcovsky, Gertrude Robinowitz, Isabelle I. Sachs, Irwin J. Schultz, Becky Schwartz, Harry Swimmer, Ida Valinsky, Sidney Weisberger Thursday March 12: Dr. Simeon Allen, Bella Bonder, Ida Sisser Bortz, Malvina Chotiner, Clara Cohen, Isidor Davis, Mildred Cohen Feldman, Sadie Fink, Anna Fireman, Dr. Ben Greenberger, Alexander Handmacher, Miriam Keilly, Bessie Kempler, Ella Klein, William Lederer, Ella Miller Lewine, Abe Albert Lewis, Adolph Lobl, Helen Miller, Louis Pechersky, Lucille Pollock, Aaron Pretter, Evelyn Rebb, Esther Ruben, Ralph Rubinoff, Jean Y. Shapera, Mollie Silverman, Minnie L. Sokole, Sadie M. Speer Friday March 13: Rebecca Adler, Dorothy Friedken*, Ida Goldberg, Rachel E. Goldberg, Dr. Norman Golomb, Lillian Hellman, Gerhart M. Horewitz, Ida Levy, Isaac Marcus, Bessie Michelson, Mildred S. Moss, Albert Rapport, Sylvia L. Samuels, Hyman David Segal, Manuel Selker, Edna M. Siegal, Goldie R. Siegel*, Genevieve Stern, Nathaniel Stutz, Isaac Young Saturday March 14: Joseph Abravanel, Louis Cohen, Marjory S. Eiseman, Solomon Evelovitz, Esther S. Finkelhor, Mollie Friedman, Nisan Gilboa, Sophie Goldman, Harry H. Green, Johanna Halle, Harold M. Harris, Martin A. Hepps, Ruth Kaplan, Samuel Katz*, Rosia Kauffman, Rose Kertman, Helen S. Latterman, Edward Lewis, Samuel Lichtenstein, Shirley F. Little, Philip Mallinger, Judith Moritz, Jennie Ostrow, Benjamin Rambach, Max Reifman, Sam Rosenberg, Sarah Schwartz, Marvin Sniderman, Mayme Sukolsky, William Taylor, Sara Weiner

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WNUK : Irving M. Wnuk, age 76 of Pgh , PA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 22, 2020. Beloved husband of Catherine Wnuk; brother of Phyllis Tucker and Marshall Wnuk. Irving made a daily effort to think of others first, to practice understanding and forgiveness. Friends received Thursday 1 p.m. until time of Service at 2 p.m. at Homewood Cemetery Chapel, 1599 South Dallas Ave., Pgh., PA 15217. Arrangements by ROSE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES. PJC

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MARCH 6, 2020 19

Headlines New film exploring anti-Semitism includes Oct. 27 shooting at Tree of Life building “Viral: Antisemitism in Four Movements,” explores the rise of vandalism, social media abuse, assault and murder against Jews worldwide.

The Oct. 27 shooting at the Tree of Life building is one of four chapters examined by Andrew Goldberg who wrote, produced and directed the documentary.

Goldberg said in a press release that the film looks at “the far-right in the US, the far-left in England, a government propaganda campaign in Hungary, and violent acts including murder in France.”

Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Fareed Zakaria, George Will and Deborah Lipstadt are all interviewed in the documentary, as are victims, witnesses and anti-Semites.

“Viral: Antisemitism in Four Movements,” opens Friday, March 6 in 11 cities, including Pittsburgh, where it will be screened at the AMC Waterfront. PJC — David Rullo



FIND IT IN THE BUSINESS SERVICES Torah: Continued from page 18

And in the public instead of looking cool We end up looking like a fool On top of this, the person whom we copy Will take it as an insult, and will not be happy Instead of us enjoying their glory We are likely to feel rather sorry King Achashverosh, we are told Showed off his treasures, his diamonds, his gold

‫בהראותו את עושר כבוד מלכותו‬ ‫ואת יקר תפארת גדולתו‬ The words ‫ כבוד‬and ‫ תפארת‬the Rabbis say

Refer to the verse in the Parsha we read today

‫ועשית בגדי קודש לאהרן אחיך לכבוד ולתפארת‬

Make holy garments — in honor and glory Aharon will dress.

The Talmud says that at the great feast of wine That Achashverosh threw for the drunks of his kind Achashverosh donned the captured priestly garments with pride But he could not change his real self Deep inside He was still a plain disgusting drinker And his presumptuous behavior with holy things to tinker Set him up to be caught, hook line and sinker By the Satan who came along and pointed with his finger “Look at that fool who thinks he is 20 MARCH 6, 2020

the Kohain Gadol!

Let’s show him let’s teach him. His plans we will muddle!”

Imagine a scene with a drunkard like him Wearing the clothing of the holy Kohanim!

Surely he did not wear them To impress the people or even to scare them He sincerely believed that now they were his He was entitled to dress like this It was this feeling that he had that clothing can show A person who he is and that all watching would know That he is exactly as he is attired From the sight of his dress, he is despised or admired Of course, we know this is not always true Sometimes someone will wear for public view Clothing that is deceiving, that does not tell The way he really is under the apparel But when Achashverosh wore the holy clothes He did not simply state that he could do as he chose He wanted everybody to think that when He was thus attired he was Aharon Hakohen But whereas Aharon truly wore them to feel The part he was playing at the time was real And if he wore them for the wrong things His priestly service would be profane. All he would be doing Would be abusing the sacred for his own uses Which he had no right to do — just as he chooses No. Using bigdei kodesh as mere ornaments

Rather than holy vestments Was not in the minds of Aharon or Achashverosh the king But while this one used them to promote his own thing This one understood that they were meant To sanctify the otherwise ordinary event The holy forehead plate on that drunkard’s head Did nothing to change his mood, affect what he said Still so angry and mad did he get When his outrageous demands were not met As for Amalek (for is it not also Zachor!) we are taught That Hakenaani Melech Arad Was really Amalek, who came in disguise To attack the Jews, take them by surprise And later in the story of Shaul and Shmuel The Amalekites disguised themselves as animals, you really couldn’t tell Thus, they escaped and were able To return later from the farm and the stable And come out of the disguises under which they were hidden To try to destroy the Yidden So, my friends you see that the story began In parshas Tetzaveh with the priestly vestments so grand So expensive, so precious in more ways than one Certainly, unsuitable for Achashverosh’s fun.

Now we have learned that there are two uses for dress:

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One is to try to deceive, to impress While knowing full well inside That they are only there the true intentions to hide This was Amalek, over and over He is always hiding under some cover The second thing clothing should Do, is to help a person doing his job feel good This is the way the priestly garments of Aharon Were used by the Kohen, like a king on his throne He feels he’s in charge and in control The same with the Kohen, feeling his role This is also what Achashverosh thought But he was mistaken. His dressing would not distort Or change the way he really was A stable hand turned king. And because He was corrupt and disgusting before The clothes did not help. They just made him more Ridiculous and unsuitable looking To be such an important king He ended up like Amalek trying to hide The real Achashverosh, the villain inside So that is another good reason why on Purim We dress up like kings and act like shikurim*!

Happy Purim! PJC *drunkards Rabbi Shimon Silver is the spiritual leader of Young Israel of Greater Pittsburgh. This column is a service of the Vaad Harabanim of Greater Pittsburgh.

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MARCH 6, 2020 21

Community Leadership training

Pittsburgh at AIPAC

p University of Pittsburgh students gathered at Hillel JUC to learn and develop leadership skills to engage every Jewish student on campus.

Photo courtesy of Hillel JUC

p Approximately 60 representatives of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community met up at AIPAC 2020. The annual policy conference, which serves as America’s largest pro-Israel community gathering, met March 1-3 in Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of Julie Paris

Volunteering never smelled so good

Butterflies at Boyce Middle School

p I-Volunteer, a young adult partnership program spearheaded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Volunteer Center, brought a group of 20 young adults together on Feb. 23 to make more than 700 hamantaschen for the JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry. The volunteers were led by Deena Ross and Moishe Siebzener (not pictured) at their Creative Kosher kitchen and event space in East Pittsburgh. p Sixth-graders at Boyce Middle School painted ceramic butterflies as part of the Butterfly Project, a Holocaust education program. The project, which kicked off on Friday, Feb. 14, is part of the school’s No Place for Hate initiative through the AntiDefamation League.

Photos courtesy of Tina Vojtko

22 MARCH 6, 2020

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Photo courtesy of Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

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Community Scaly slimy fun

Joyce Bender at Temple Sinai

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium visited JAA’s Anathan Club Adult Day Services and AHAVA Memory Care Center of Excellence on Feb. 24. Members and residents interacted with a variety of animals including a turtle, an alligator and a porcupine. They learned about each zoo “friend” and were able to get up close and personal with them. The program was hosted by Rabbi Eli Seidman.

p In observance of Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month, Joyce Bender, founder and CEO of Robinson Township-based Bender Consulting Services, spoke on “Investing in Inclusion,” at the Feb. 23 Temple Sinai Brunch & Lecture Series co-sponsored by Brotherhood and Women of Temple Sinai (WoTS). Bender is a national leader in advancing the employment of people with disabilities. WoTS provided an American Sign Language interpreter for the event.

Photo courtesy of Todd Miller

Project Go-Bags p Bill the turtle with Lucy and Sonya

p Sandy with Bill the Turtle

p Volunteers, including Federation board chair Meryl Ainsman, second from right, assembled emergency Go-Bags, complete with first aid supplies, for all Jewish community classrooms. p Assembled Go-Bags Photos courtesy of Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

p Mork the alligator with Rabbi Eli Seidman

Photos courtesy of JAA

Who’s Your Boo?

p JFCS staff celebrated Valentine’s Day with a monthlong game of Who’s Your Boo?, secretly giving gifts to the person whose name they drew. The game ended with a celebration lunch and a “boo” reveal.

Photo courtesy of JFCS

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PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

MARCH 6, 2020 23

KOSHER MEATS

• All-natural poultry — whole chickens, breasts, wings and more • All-natural, corn-fed beef — steaks, roasts, ground beef and more • Variety of deli meats and franks Available at select Giant Eagle stores.

Visit gianteagle.com for location information.

Empire Kosher Fresh Ground Turkey Sold in 1 lb. pkg.

4

49 lb.

Save with your

Price effective Thursday, March 5 through Wednesday, March 11, 2020.

Available at 24 MARCH 6, 2020

and PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG