Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 11/10/2017 by Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle

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November 10, 2017 | 21 Cheshvan 5778

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South Hills Jewish Pittsburgh moves from Federation to JCC

NOTEWORTHY LOCAL Lynda Schuster offers an open book Local author brings “Dirty Wars,” her memoir of childhood and diplomatic missions, to Shadyside. Page 3

By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

LOCAL

ry’s six standalone locations throughout the city. Burgatory is one of only a few restaurants to offer the sandwich across the country. The Impossible Burger was developed by a Silicon Valley startup called Impossible Foods, which is on a mission to “make the global food system more sustainable,” according to its website. The Impossible Burger, which took five years to perfect, is the company’s first product. The Impossible Burger, though not yet certified kosher, is made from vegan ingredients, including wheat protein, coconut oil, potato protein and heme, which is an

tartups and mergers are not just the stories of Silicon Valley. South Hills Jewish Pittsburgh, a community engagement initiative founded in 2014 with seed funding provided by private donors, will transition from the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh to the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh by the close of the calendar year. Although SHJP will turn 3½ on Jan. 1, its tale is already a decade old, explained Adam Hertzman, the Federation’s director of marketing. Following the Federation’s 2002 community study, in which the organization identified a “large number of Jews in the South Hills,” Federation representatives began a series of conversations with community members regarding demographic assistance. “We were looking for a way to reach out to that community more effectively and get them involved with Jewish Pittsburgh,” said Hertzman. After identifying donors and initiating a program, SHJP was launched with the intent to create “a vibrant, interconnected, inspired and engaged South Hills Jewish community,” he added. During those early days, “our focus was just to be a viable sustainable organization,” said Rob Goodman, SHJP’s director. Back then, we were “doing basic things in the South Hills,” such as “building up trust with our partner organizations [and] trying to weave our message into the existing cultures and people’s lives in the South Hills, both in the Jewish community and the secular community.” But with time and effort, SHJP’s reach grew.

Please see Vegan, page 16

Please see South Hills, page 16

Beth El celebrates centennial

South Hills congregation looks back, plans bright future. Page 4 LOCAL Beth Shalom also turns 100

 The Impossible Burger was introduced several weeks ago at Burgatory’s six standalone locations throughout the city. Photo by Toby Tabachnick

It’s easy eating green: vegan options abound in Pittsburgh By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

Squirrel HIll institution celebrates history, path forward. Page 5

ife just got a little yummier for area vegans, as well as those Jews who follow non-Orthodox kashrut standards and are seeking meatless options in mainstream restaurants. Enter the Impossible Burger, a non-meat substitute “hamburger” that looks, smells and mostly tastes like the real thing; it is served medium rare and even oozes pink juice. Add a slice of cheese — dairy or vegan — and you’ve got pretty much the ultimate in a fake treif meal. The Impossible Burger was introduced to Pittsburghers several weeks ago at Burgato-

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Headlines Pitt prof ’s new book examines community ambivalence toward post-war Jewish affluence — LOCAL — By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

ollowing World War II, America saw a new paradigm for a large percentage of its Jewish citizens. Whereas their forebears struggled with issues of Rachel Kranson poverty and marginalization, post-war Jews were becoming upwardly mobile, moving to the suburbs and immersing themselves in a middle-class culture with all its accoutrements. But from 1945 to the mid-sixties, not all Jews were celebrating this new way of life. In fact, some of the most respected leaders of the community, including rabbis and intellectuals, were warning of the compromise and contamination of “authentic” Judaism as a result of affluence. Rachel Kranson, assistant professor and director of undergraduate studies in the University of Pittsburgh’s Religious Studies department, examines the contradictions and complications of this piece of Jewish history in her new book, “Ambivalent Embrace: Jewish Upward Mobility in Postwar America” (The University of North Carolina Press). Kranson spent several years conducting research for “Ambivalent Embrace,” including combing “the entire American Jewish press from 1945 to 1965 at a national level,” as well as examining community newsletters and archival collections of congregations and Jewish organizations,

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searching for “an article, sermon, or a statement that talked about either the process of upward mobility, that commented on Jewish life or that had something to say about the history of Jewish poverty.” The topic of her research evolved from an original plan to examine how “Jews were using their leisure time during this period of rapid upward mobility,” focusing on Jewish vacation destinations. “When I started doing that research what I kept finding — and I didn’t expect to find this — were reports written by Jewish leaders about how these vacations and these other luxuries the middle-class Jews were allowing themselves during the post war years were kind of corrupting American Judaism and compromising American Jews.” Kranson “became interested in this anxiety and where it came from,” she said, and recognized that she would have to look “beyond Jewish leisure patterns and Jewish vacations and focus more broadly on Jewish responses to upward mobility.” One of her most intriguing findings was the dual role that the Jewish leaders — including many rabbis — of the time were playing by both enabling and critiquing the Jewish affluence that they said was leading to “inauthenticity.” “On the one hand, these leaders were the architects of this new middle class Jewish community that was forming in the years

after World War II largely in the suburbs,” Kranson explained. “They were the ones who were creating these communities, who were building these expensive Jewish synagogues. They were heavily involved in these building drives, they were enjoying middle class salaries. But on the other hand, they were the fiercest critics of these communities.” For the most part, those critiques led to no visible change, she said, until the late 1960s and 1970s with the rise of the Jewish counter-culture. “Young Jews were creating the chavurah as an alternative to the middleclass synagogues that their parents and their teachers and their rabbis kept talking about as being communities that were inauthentic and compromised,” she said. “So, in the late 1960s and 1970s it was the young Jewish counter-culture that said, ‘Well, if it doesn’t work, let’s create something else; let’s create the chavurah,’ which is smaller and intimate and not implicated in the middleclass culture as they saw it.” While the young Jewish counterculture of that time is often portrayed as iconoclastic, Kranson sees another dimension to its efforts. “When I look at the long history of Jews in the post-war years, I say, wait, were they really iconoclasts? Or were they taking the lessons they learned from their rabbis really seriously. They didn’t invent this idea that the middle-class synagogue was somehow

inauthentic and compromised. That was the message their rabbis were relaying to them in their synagogues and the Jewish press for years throughout their childhood.” Instead, Kranson sees the Jewish counterculture of the day as “dutiful students who took this critique most seriously and decided they wanted to do something about it.” The concept that poverty is somehow tied to “being a good Jew” remains relevant today in some ways, according to Kranson. “I still think it exists to a certain extent,” she said. “For example, romanticizing the impoverished culture of the Jewish shtetl still exists. But I’m not quite sure this feeling of middle class Judaism being inauthentic or incapable of nurturing the next generation of American Jews is quite as acute as it was in the 1950s when this middle class Jewish culture was still something very new and untested.” The new Jewish culture of affluence “has lasted for a while,” Kranson noted. “It’s already proven a certain amount of longevity.” Yet, Kranson does see contemporary American Jews continuing to identify “with their history of poverty and social marginalization. And, of course, this continues to inform Jewish politics. I think upwards of 70 percent of American Jews continue to vote for liberal candidates and support issues such as progressive taxation even when that doesn’t necessarily serve the economic interests of a good portion of the Jewish community. I see this as coming from a tendency to continue to identify with the history of Jewish poverty and Jewish marginalization.” PJC

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

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Headlines Local author, former foreign correspondent Lynda Schuster to speak at Rodef Shalom Congregation — LOCAL — By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

he tale that Lynda Schuster told is nothing like the stories she wrote before. Within “Dirty Wars and Polished Silver: The Life and Times of a War Correspondent Turned Ambassatrix,” the longtime writer and current Pittsburgh resident takes readers on a 352-page tour of her childhood in Detroit and teenage escape to an Israeli kibbutz, her subsequent years overseas as a foreign correspondent and finally her most recent role as the wife of Dennis Jett, a U.S. ambassador. For Schuster, publishing the journey is a somewhat familiar task. As a former reporter, many of her life’s moments have been penned for print in The Wall Street Journal and The Christian Science Monitor. What “Dirty Wars” does, though, is spin the ink on those days. As opposed to asking others for their impressions of battle, catastrophe and despair, Schuster spends her pages revisiting harrowing incidents and looking inward. That process, of altering her perspective from professional to personal, was challenging, she said. “One of the first things you learn in journalism school is to develop an allergy to the first-person pronoun; and obviously, the whole point of a memoir, unless you’re writing it about someone who is close to you, is that it’s all about yourself.”

“Dirty Wars” isn’t Schuster’s first crack at the first person. Her previous pieces have appeared in Granta, Utne Reader and The New York Times Magazine, among others. What distinguishes “Dirty Wars,” though, is Schuster’s chance to expound on those earlier efforts, even if they invoke painful memories. Throughout the text, Schuster shares her parents’ divorce, the death of her first husband (Los Angeles Times correspondent Dial Torgerson) and detailed insights into the realities of war. Her sources in revisiting those periods were not only recollections, some of which are “etched indelibly,” she explained, but also personal connections from those days, as well as decades-old correspondence, newspaper clippings, notes from her reporting trips and diaries written during her second husband’s stints in Mozambique and Peru. “As a journalist in a live interview, often you have to rely on people’s memories and how they recall a certain incident. It was interesting to be on the other side of the looking glass,” she said. The curiosity of the experience was that “as a journalist, you sit there and, basically, you don’t interrogate because that’s a little too harsh; you try to pick people’s brains. To be on the other side of that process was quite enlightening, and I think I will be much easier on my victims going forward,” she added. Since Schuster’s book release last summer, she has spent considerable time sharing stories of both her prior days abroad and

Jewish Women’s Foundation is making an impact

he Jewish Women’s Foundation of Greater Pittsburgh has completed its 2017 grant making, using its new approach to engage more trustees in all phases of its process. The new evaluation worksheet helped it focus on the social change aspects of each proposal. Lauren Goldblum and Joan Gurrentz led this year’s grant-making process. They were instrumental in implementing many of this year’s process improvements. A total of $75,000 was distributed for 11 grants that are expected to potentially impact 2,600 women and girls. The 2017 grant making funded proposals are: Start-Up Grants: The Global Minds Initiative, $5,000, “Music: The Universal Language”; G.O Girls, $4,000, “Girl Talk”;

Holocaust Center, $4,000, “Girls Empowerment Program”; and Tzohar Seminary, $5,000, “Tzohar Arts Integration.” Small Grants: 3E Now, $7,000, “Prevention Education and Empowerment (PEET) Program”; Angel’s Place, $10,000, “Early Childhood Education and Family Support Program”; Jewish Healthcare Foundation, $10,000, “Women’s Health Activist Movement (WHAMglobal): Building a Refugee and Immigrant Community Health Worker Model”; Planned Parenthood, $10,000, “Peer Helpers Program”; SHIM, $5,000, “Ruling our eXperiences (ROX) Program for Girls”; Women’s Law Project, $5,000, “Breaking the Chains: Protecting the Rights of Incarcerated Women”; and Yeshiva Girls School, $10,000, “Healthy Women: Financial, Physical, Emotional and Mental Well-Being.” PJC

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 Lynda Schuster

Photo provided by Melville House Publishing

more recent authorial activities. Those seeking to learn more about the University of Michigan graduate are encouraged to attend her Nov. 16 talk at Rodef Shalom Congregation in Shadyside. Schuster, 61, will kick off the 2017-2018 series: “A Conversation with the Author.” The five-part program, which in each installment boasts an author presentation, a question-and-answer session and a book signing, is operating in conjunction with the Jewish Book Council, said Seth Glick, network coordinator. Founded in 1944, though with origins Vol.1 Issue No. 1

dating to 1925, the Jewish Book Council is an organization that, along with other managerial duties, promotes “the reading, writing, publishing and distribution of quality Jewish content books in English.” Schuster’s Shadyside event at Rodef Shalom is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Glick and Schuster said that the evening should be enjoyable and entertaining. “Lynda wrote a fun, action-packed memoir, and she will share many of the stories from her book. She is a dynamic speaker and brings a journalist’s eye to detail,” noted Glick. “I think if you look at the voice of the book, it is very humorous, and if you can laugh in the face of adversity it’s helpful,” said Schuster. However, while those who attend the Nov. 16 program should prepare for some chuckling, they should also be ready for a little learning. “I think they’ll hear about the genesis of the book, how I came to write it and how the book came to take the form that it did,” Schuster said. “I think they’ll get an insight.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz @pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

A message from Super Mensch...

Dec. 3, 2017

jfedpgh.org/supersunday

Or you can just pick up the phone!

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You can be a hero to your community by giving or volunteering or donating g bloo bl ood d or ment me ntor orin ing g o bui or u ld ding g hous ho uses es or runn ru nnin ing g in maraathon ma ho s or o clea cl eani ning ng g up tras tr ash h or bla lah h blah h blah h blah h blah h blah bl ah bla lah h blah h blah h Picking up the phone on Super Sunday can do a world of good!

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Continued next week... NOVEMBER 10, 2017 3

Headlines Beth El Celebrates 100 years in almost 100 ways By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

eth El Congregation will spend more than 100 days celebrating its centennial anniversary. As opposed to reducing a century’s span to a single evening or one event, members of the Conservative congregation decided to mark the occasion with multiple mechanisms. “It’s a far more fitting way to celebrate a community that has so many different aspects of it which are wonderful,” said Deb Scheimer, past president of Beth El Congregation of the South Hills. Throughout the course of the year and into 2018, several activities are planned to commemorate the anniversary. As part of the congregation’s history committee, Geri Recht has been working on a book to summarize decades past through member recollections. “Some of them are beautiful memories from the synagogue’s days in Beechview, where it started,” other inclusions denote the origins of particular traditions “and how they’re alive today,” such as the morning minyan or the first women’s group bat mitzvah, said Recht. Along with the other committee members, Recht has been busy sorting photographs

p The contents of the 1926 time capsule are on display in the Tabor Reception Lobby. Photo courtesy of Bonnie Gordon

and discovering related anecdotes. “Our goal is to get 100 different stories. We are progressing very nicely.” Upon the project’s completion, the collection will be available for purchase. And not to worry: “It won’t have any ads, we want to keep the book just about the memories and history of Beth El,” she added. For those eager to read some text before the book’s expected release in April 2018,

several tales of Beth El-goers have been placed on “100 Reasons,” a congregational blog that features “members of our diverse and delightful congregational family.” A recent post recounts a friendship developed at last September’s synagogue picnic. While putting Beth El in print is one method of telling its story, another convention was recently adopted, as last month, a memorial was established in the synagogue.

Less a time capsule than a living testament, the structure contains original manuscripts from the congregation’s 1917 inception as well as photographs pertaining to significant periods. Some of the relics even came from a formerly stored container, said Cliff Spungen, president of the congregation. “The Minsky family dedicated the contents from our 1926 time capsule from our original location in Beechview in a beautiful display case located in the Tabor Reception Lobby,” said Steve Hecht, Beth El’s executive director. What people should realize is that “the history of Beth El Congregation represents two important migrations in the local Jewish community,” said Eric Lidji, archival consultant at the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center. “The first is the move out of the Hill District. In the three years before Beth El was founded in Beechview in 1917, Talmud Torah Congregation started on the South Side, Adath Jeshurun Congregation started in East Liberty, Beth Shalom Congregation started in Squirrel Hill, and Ohave Zedeck Congregation started in Oakland. The second migration is the move out of the city. Beth El moved to the South Hills during a wave of new suburban congregations, including Temple Emanuel, Temple David, Parkway Jewish Center and Beth Israel Center.” Please see Beth El, page 17

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Headlines Through a century of changes, Beth Shalom is still building community — LOCAL — By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

f there is truth to the wisdom of Shakespeare, that “what’s past is prologue,” Congregation Beth Shalom’s first 100 years have set the stage for a profound second act. Beth Shalom’s story began in September 1917 when 35 families got together for prayer in a room above the Orpheum Theater at the corner of Forbes Street and Murray Avenue. Anticipating the imminent migration of Jews from the Hill District to Squirrel Hill, those families soon sought to form a congregation and, just two years later, adopted the name “Beth Shalom.” On Yom Kippur, 1919, $15,000 was pledged to build a synagogue, and the building that still stands on the corner of Shady Avenue and Beacon Street broke ground on March 18, 1922. The congregation that has served as a spiritual home for generations of Pittsburgh families began commemorating its centennial year with a luncheon last April, and the celebration will conclude with a gala dinner on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center. “I framed my High Holiday sermons as past, present and future, because at this particular time it’s really important for us to remember the past, but also to look forward,” said Rabbi Seth Adelson, who is in his third year of serving as the Conservative congregation’s spiritual leader. “We — the Jews — have never only looked backward; we’ve always looked forward as well. The past of this congregation is 100 years of wonderful successes. The fact that we’re still here is a testament to the strength of this congregation.”

Looking toward the future, Adelson continued: “We have to consider where we are as Jews now and where we are going and how we will make this congregation more sustainable and also better suited to the Jews of the 21st century and those that come after.” Beth Shalom has provided the community with services and Jewish activities since its founding. Its Sisterhood Auxiliary was formed in November 1917, and in February 1919, a Hebrew School for children was launched, with classes held at the Colfax School. In 1925, the Men’s Club was organized and the congregation purchased cemetery grounds in Shaler Township. The congregation continued to grow and in 1930 expanded its building, adding a new sanctuary. By 1970, the congregation was so large that it required another expansion, which included a new sanctuary, a chapel, libraries, the Samuel and Minnie Hyman Ballroom, the Shirley and Alvin Weinberg Reception Pavilion and a renovated kitchen. After a fire caused extensive damage in 1996, the congregation remodeled and expanded the synagogue again, with the dedication of the Faye Rubenstein Weiss Sanctuary, the addition of the Halpern Center for Education Preschool wing, the dedication of the Milton and Sarita Eisner Commons, the Homestead Hebrew Chapel and the Jack and Esther Palkovitz Grand Lobby. Spaces were also created for youth in the Jeannette B. and Samuel T. Shear Youth Center, the Rice Auditorium, the Stephen M. Plung Preschool Lobby and the Wagner/Klein Preschool Playground. Gloria Ebling-Gottlieb, 91, has been a member of Beth Shalom for 86 years, beginPlease see Beth Shalom, page 17

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p The synagogue’s staff in the 1930s

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Photo provided by Beth Shalom

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Calendar q SUNDAY,

NOV. 19

Author Dorit Sasson will speak about her service with the Israel Defense Forces and her book “Accidental Soldier” at Parkway Jewish Center, 300 Princeton Drive. The program will be followed by brunch and an early opportunity to shop at the Sisterhood’s Chanukah Gift shop. Contact PJC at parkwayjc@ verizon.net or 412-823-4338 for the time and more information. q FRIDAY, NOV. 10 Shabbat Around the World, an Israeli-style Shabbat dinner, will be held at 6 p.m. at Chabad of the South Hills, 1701 McFarland Road. Call 412-344-2424 for reservations. The event website is chabadsh.com; the cost is $18/individual, $54/family max. Beth El Congregation Musical Shabbat will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The rabbis, Sara Stock Mayo and musicians will hold a fallthemed musical Shabbat. Wine and cheese, hummus and veggie appetizers will follow the service. q SATURDAY, NOV. 11 The Congregation Beth Shalom Centennial Gala, a party celebrating Beth Shalom’s 100th

year, will be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center and will include dancing to the Boilermaker Jazz Band and DJ Jeremy Czarniak. The charge is $180 per person. Contact pghgala@gmail.com or visit bethshalom.org/events for more information. The Semer Ensemble Klezmer Concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, Katz Theater. Tickets are $18 for general admission, $10 for students and free for Holocaust survivors. Some tickets may be available at the door for $20 general admission and $12 for students. The Berlin-based Semer Ensemble plays music from 1930s Berlin, and gives new life to voices that were silenced by the destruction of the Semer record label during Kristallnacht. The concert is presented in partnership by the Holocaust Center of

Pittsburgh and JCC Pittsburgh’s Center for Loving Kindness and Civic Engagement. Visit jfedpgh.org/semer for more information and to purchase tickets or contact Christina Sahovey at csahovey@hcpgh.org or 412-939-7289 with any questions. q SUNDAY, NOV. 12 New Light, a Conservative, egalitarian congregation, will celebrate its move to a new location with a Torah Processional at 11 a.m. from its current location at 1700 Beechwood Blvd. to its new home at 5898 Wilkins Ave. Preparations at New Light will begin at 10:30 a.m. The Torah Processional will end at the dedicated sanctuary in space leased from Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha. Several streets in Squirrel Hill will be closed from 11 a.m. to noon to accommodate the processional. Established in 1909, New Light Congregation has owned the building located at the corner of Forbes Avenue and Beechwood Boulevard since 1955. The move will ensure the long-term vitality and vibrancy of New Light as an independent Conservative congregation by using the proceeds from the sale of the building as an endowment. A brunch in the new sanctuary will follow the processional. Members of Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha will be present to welcome the new Congregation into their building. Contact Stephen Cohen or Barbara Caplan, co-presidents, at info@newlightcongregation. org, 412-421-1017 or 412-421-3999 or visit newlightcongregation.org for more information. The third annual Jewish Comedy Adult Night Out will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Hollywood

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Theater, 1449 Potomac Ave., featuring Avi Liberman, who has performed on the CBS “Late Late Show” with Craig Ferguson and the Comedy Central network. Drinks and appetizers will be available. For more information and registration, visit chabadsh. com or contact mussie@chabadsh.com or 412-344-2424. Event organizer is Chabad of the South Hills. The cost is $25. The Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Men’s Club and Sisterhood will co-sponsor a program featuring Dr. Bruce Rabin, aka Dr. Stress. Rabin will discuss “Understanding and Managing Stress for Better Mental and Physical Health.” Breakfast will be served at 10 a.m. followed by Rabin’s presentation at the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Pavilion. RSVP at 412-521-6788 or aspeck88@yahoo.com. Suggested donation is $5. The Jewish Women’s League Mikva event, “Dealing with Life’s Challenges” with Ruchie Koval, will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Poale Zedeck. Contact nina@aishel.com or 412-225-5121 for more information. Forgotten Stories from the Homefront: Jews in Western Pennsylvania During World War I will be presented from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives at the Heinz History Center. A century ago, as Jewish soldiers from Western Pennsylvania were fighting in battles overseas during World War I, their Jewish communities were fighting a separate set of battles back home. These Please see Calendar, page 7

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Calendar Calendar: Continued from page 6 local battles were about patriotism, civil rights, Zionism, fundraising, unionism, religious traditions and communal bonds. Through an array of stories, researchers Tammy Hepps and Eric Lidji will show how world-changing events challenged and enhanced the identities of typical Jews living where we live today. Admission is free. Visit heinzhistorycenter.org/ events for more information.  MONDAY, NOV. 13 Kristallnacht Remembrance: The Art and Resiliency of the Human Spirit. Join Classrooms Without Borders and Duquesne University in a multimedia performance exploring the powerful response of artists and musicians to oppression, featuring The Jüdische Kulturbund Project. Free and open to the public. Genesius Theater, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Ave., at 7 p.m.  TUESDAY, NOV. 14 Chabad of the South Hills will hold its lunch for seniors at noon. The Mt. Lebanon Police Department will hold a safety presentation on frauds, cons and scams at 1701 McFarland Road. Contact barb@chabadsh.com or visit chabadsh.com for more information. There is a $5 suggested donation. The Squirrel Hill Historical Society will present J. Kevin McMahon, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, who will speak on the Trust’s history at 7:30 p.m. at Church of the Redeemer, 5700 Forbes Ave. Contact historysqhill@hotmail.com, 412-4173707 or visit http://www.squirrelhillhistory. org for more information.  WEDNESDAY, NOV. 15 The Translation Fellowship Program is part of the Yiddish Book Center’s translation initiative to train and mentor a new generation of Yiddish translators and publish newly translated works. Up to 10 translation fellows will be selected to receive yearlong mentorship and training to complete book-

length projects in Yiddish translation. Each fellow will receive a grant of $5,000 and will attend three two-day workshops at the Center to workshop his or her writing in a rigorous collaborative environment led by seasoned literary translators and other experts in the field. Applications are due Nov. 15. Contact Sebastian Schulman at translationfellowship@yiddishbookcenter.org or visit yiddishbookcenter.org/translationfellowship for more information.

 FRIDAY-SATURDAY,

NOV. 17 AND 18

Temple Emanuel, Beth El Congregation and the JCC-South Hills present South Hills Torah Weekend. This year’s theme is Harmony of Spirit, Harmony of Sound. Bill Strickland, founder of the Manchester Bidwell Group, Manchester Craftsmen Guild and Akko Center for Arts and Technology in Akko, Israel, will speak during the 6:30 p.m. Shabbat service at Temple Emanuel on Friday. David Fabilli, known to Pittsburgh radio listeners as David Jaye, will speak about the history of jazz and Jews in Pittsburgh during the 9 a.m. Shabbat morning service at Beth El. The weekend will conclude at the Jewish Community Center of the South Hills with Havdalah and a Saturday evening concert at 7 p.m. with local jazz musician Ken Karsh. Visit templeemanuelpgh.org or call 412-279-7600 for more information.

AARP Squirrel Hill Chapter 3354 will hold its monthly meeting at 1 p.m. at Tree of Life Congregation, Wilkins and Shady avenues. This month’s speaker is Mary Bock, who speaks on consumer affairs issues. Everyone is invited; membership is not required. Contact Ilene Portnoy at 412-683-7985 for more information.  THURSDAY, NOV. 16 Jewish Healthcare Foundation consultant Jonathan Weinkle, M.D., FAAP, will lead a continuing education workshop on building a covenant between patient and provider based on communication. The workshop runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the QI2T Center, 650 Smithfield St., Suite 2600. The cost is $30, which includes dinner; needbased scholarships are available. RSVP to Ben Johnston at bjohnston@prhi.org. Lynda Schuster will speak at 7 p.m. at Rodef Shalom Congregation about her book, “Dirty Wars and Polished Silver,” chronicling her time living through a war on a kibbutz in Israel, reporting on uprisings in Central America, dodging rocket fire in Lebanon and serving as ambassador in Costa Rica, Shuster’s story is about one woman’s quest for self-discovery.  FRIDAY, NOV. 17 Friendsgiving Shabbat Potluck, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Moishe House. Join at the house for Kabbalat Shabbat services, followed by potluck dinner. Bring a vegetarian comfort food dish to share. All are welcome. Visit facebook.com/ moishehouse.pittsburgh/ for more information.

 SUNDAY, NOV. 19 Yonina, the Israeli singing duo, will perform from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh’s Katz Theater. Known for their positive vibe and soft harmonies, Yonina’s acoustic concert in Pittsburgh will feature favorite covers from their weekly online videos along with songs from their debut album. Visit tinyurl. com/yoninapgh for more information and to purchase tickets. Moishe House Sees Art, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Carnegie Museums of Art. Meet at the house at 1:30 p.m. to take the bus together or meet at the 4400 Forbes Ave. entrance. Visit facebook. com/moishehouse.pittsburgh/ for more information.  THURSDAY, NOV. 30 Chabad of Pittsburgh will host its annual Evening of Celebration with guest speaker David Weiss. Weiss is the screenwriter of a number of popular films, including “Shrek 2”

 TUESDAY, NOV. 14 Jewish National Fund (JNF-USA) will honor Steelers owner Art Rooney II and his wife, Greta Rooney, at the annual Tree of Life Award Dinner in Western Pennsylvania at 6 p.m. at the Omni William Penn Hotel. During the event, attendees will hear from guest speaker Bret Stephens, an op-ed columnist at The New York Times and a Pulitzer Prize winner. The Tree of Life Award is a humanitarian award given in recognition of outstanding community involvement, dedication to the cause of American-Israeli friendship and devotion to the peace and security of human life. This year’s award honors the Rooneys, who, along with their support of JNF, are active in a number of philanthropic causes. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit JNF’s vital work in Israel, striving to bring an enhanced quality of life to all of Israel’s residents and translate these advancements to the world. Sponsorship information and tickets are available online at jnf.org/wpatol. Contact Jason Rose at jrose@jnf.org or 412-521-3200 for more information.

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and the Rugrats movies. He will be giving a talk entitled, “A Shrek of a Trek: The Wild Spiritual Ride of a Blockbusting Screenwriter.” The evening will begin with a wine and cheese reception at 7 pm. The reception will be followed by Weiss’ presentation at 7:30 p.m. Visit chabadpgh.com or call 412421-3561 for more information and to make reservations.  FRIDAY, DEC. 8 Chabad of the South Hills Shabbat Around the World with a Mexican-style dinner will be at 6 p.m. at 1701 McFarland Road. Event cost is $18/individual, and $54/family maximum. Contact barb@chabadsh.com or visit chabadsh.com for more information.  MONDAY, DEC. 11 The Ira and Nanette Gordon Professional Achievement Award Reception will be held from 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, Levinson Hall. The award was established to inspire communal service on behalf of the community by recognizing an outstanding community professional in the early career stages. This year’s recipient is Matthew Bolton, director, Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry and SOS Pittsburgh. Bolton has demonstrated exceptional ability and commitment to providing services to thousands of struggling individuals and families in the community. The program will include Carly Zimmerman, CEO of Challah for Hunger, on “Baking a Difference.” The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh program is being conducted in partnership with the local Pittsburgh JPRO Chapter. RSVP to Tracy Grandelis at tgrandelis@jfedpgh.org.  THURSDAY, DEC. 14 The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh’s American Jewish Museum and the Center for Loving Kindness and Civic Engagement present Phat Man Dee and Liz Berlin, who will perform at the Shine the Light with Social Justice Disco at the JCC’s Katz Theater, 5738 Darlington Ave. at 7 p.m. There will be a cash bar and a private meet and greet with the artists at 6:30 p.m. Event is for ages 13-plus. Purchase tickets at bit.ly/ socialjusticedisco. PJC

NOVEMBER 10, 2017 7

Headlines In a big anniversary year for Israel, Christian Zionists are feeling redemptive — WORLD — By Andrew Tobin | JTA

ERUSALEM — Fifty years since the Six-Day War, 100 years since the Balfour Declaration, 150 years since Mark Twain first visited Palestine. This has been a year of big Israel-related anniversaries. To the Jewish state’s most diehard Christian supporters, the barrage of milestones is not mere coincidence but rather a harbinger of prophecies being fulfilled. Every half century, many Christian Zionists believe, history makes a concerted push toward its endpoint: the return of the Messiah to Jerusalem. According to this pattern, something momentous should happen to Israel before the end of 2017. “Reading Israel’s modern history, there seems to be something unusual in 50-year cycles,” said David Parsons, the vice president of the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem. “It means we should expect something incredible to happen this year to further propel Jerusalem and Israel into its prophetic destiny.” Christian Zionists, most of whom are believed to be part of the world’s 700 millionstrong evangelical community, view them-

the half-century cycles that seemed to lead up to the Six-Day War. The proponents of this theory — including Jonathan Cahn, who discussed it in “The Harbinger,” his bestselling Christian novel from 2012 — tied it to the biblical “jubilee year,” which involves the reversion of land to its original owners. So what happened 50 years before 1967? In 1917, the British were on their way to defeating the Ottoman Empire and had made it to Jerusalem. On Nov. 2, they issued the Balfour Declaration pledging to support the establishment of a Jewish “national home” in the territory. The British eventually pulled out of Palestine and, in 1948, the State of Israel was formed. A half century earlier, in 1867, two visitors to Ottoman Palestine separately contributed to the narrative that Palestine had gone to p Visitors line up at the Tomb of Christ at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre pot since the Jews left. British archaeolin Jerusalem. Photo by Michael Privorotsky/Flickr ogist Charles Warren conducted the first selves as the Jews’ partners in God’s plan. him whether this is his first or second visit.” major excavations of the Temple Mount in When Israel captured eastern Jeru- the Old City of Jerusalem and found what Like many Orthodox Jews, they believe that after a world war, the Messiah will take the salem and its holy sites from Jordan in he thought were relics of the biblical city of throne of a Jewish kingdom in Jerusalem and the 1967 Six-Day War, some Christians King David. And the American writer Mark saw proof that the messianic era was nigh. Twain visited the Holy Land and recorded lead the world to peace and prosperity. As Christians, they of course expect They began scouring history for signs they his observations in a hugely popular travel memoir titled “The Innocents Abroad, or the Messiah to be Jesus, whereas Jews are may have missed. still looking for their redeemer. But ChrisMany such signs were identified, from The New Pilgrims’ Progress.” tian Zionists like to joke, “Let’s bring the “blood moons” to stock market crashes. Messiah, and then maybe somebody can ask What most inspired Christian Zionists were Please see Christians, page 20

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This week in Israeli history Nov. 13, 1893 Artist Reuven Rubin is born

— WORLD —

Reuven Rubin (born Rubin Zelicovici), one of Israel’s most acclaimed painters, is born in Galatz, Romania. Rubin’s family was both very poor and religious.

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

Nov. 10, 1975 UN Resolution 3379 is passed The United Nations passes Resolution 3379, which defines Zionism as a form of racism and racial discrimination. It passes with a vote of 72 in favor, 35 against and 32 abstentions.

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Nov. 11, 1973 Kilometer 101 Six-Point Agreement is signed

Nov. 14, 1956 Knesset debates Israeli withdrawal from Sinai

The Knesset debates Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion’s announcement that Israeli troops would withdraw from Sinai following the 1956 Suez War.

The Kilometer 101 Six-Point Agreement focuses on the maintenance of a cease-fire between Israeli and Egyptian forces, the movement of non-military supplies, the use of U.N. supervision and exchange plans for prisoners of war.

Nov. 15, 1948 El Al is founded

Nov. 12, 2000 Leah Rabin dies

The Aliyah-Bet (illegal immigration) ship Kadima (sometimes called the Kedma) arrives in Haifa under British escort. All of its passengers are arrested and moved to detention camps in Cyprus. PJC

Leah Rabin, peace advocate and widow of slain Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, dies at the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikvah after battling cancer.

El Al, Israel’s national airline, is officially founded and legally incorporated.

Nov. 16, 1947 Kadima arrives in Haifa

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Headlines — WORLD — From JTA reports

Record $53.8 million raised at Beverly Hills gala for Israeli soldiers The Friends of the Israel Defense Forces raised $53.8 million at a Beverly Hills gala — a record, according to organizers — to help Israeli soldiers in need. Some 1,200 people were in attendance at the annual event on Thursday night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, raising funds for services such as academic scholarships to combat veterans; financial assistance; support for Lone Soldiers throughout their service; aid for wounded veterans and the families of fallen soldiers; weeks of rest and recuperation for army units; as well as educational, cultural and recreational facilities. Billionaire Haim Saban, a national board member of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces and a major supporter, and his wife, Cheryl, chaired the event. Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle and its executive chairman gave $16.6 million — the largest single gift in FIDF history. His donation will support the construction of well-being facilities on a new training campus for coed infantry units.

“For 2,000 years, we were a stateless people, but now, we have a country we can call our own,” Ellison said. “Through all of the perilous times since Israel’s founding, we have called on the brave men and women of the IDF to defend our home. In my mind, there is no greater honor than supporting some of the bravest people in the world, and I thank FIDF for allowing us to celebrate and support these soldiers year after year. We should do all we can to show these heroic soldiers that they are not alone.” Israeli actress and model Moran Atias emceed the event, which featured special performances by Seal, The Tenors, David Foster & Friends and Gene Simmons of KISS fame. Celebrity guests included Arnold Schwarzenegger, Katharine McPhee, Paul Reubens and Melissa Rivers, as well as Miss Israel 2013, Yityish Titi Aynaw. Pennsylvania students mock exhibits at US Holocaust Museum on social media A school district east of Johnstown is investigating social media posts from students on a senior class trip that mocked exhibits at the U.S. Holocaust Museum. Most of the students from the Forest Hills School District visiting the Washington, D.C., museum on Nov. 1 were respectful, the class president, Gabe Singer, told the Associated Press. But he said some others report-

edly made disrespectful statements next to a photo of a pile of shoes taken from prisoners at a Nazi concentration camp that were posted on Snapchat. Those students “made a mockery of what they saw,” Singer told the AP. In a public letter, he apologized on behalf of his classmates and called their actions “unacceptable,” according to the AP. Singer said he hoped the students who come after his class will still be able to visit the museum. Forest Hills School District Superintendent Edwin Bowser told the AP on Friday that school officials are looking into the students’ conduct. In praising his pro-Israel group, Adelson takes a shot at AIPAC Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire casino magnate and major Jewish philanthropist, said he was the principal funder of the Israeli American Council because its support for Israel was “unequivocal” compared to other American Jewish groups. Adelson, speaking Sunday evening at the IAC’s annual meeting, was explaining why he has backed the organization since its 2007 inception — as it happens, the year he broke with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee over its backing for the George W. Bush administration’s Annapolis peace push. “I said to myself, ‘Self, this could be

an unequivocal support organization for Israel,’” he said. “There’ll be no political correctness, there’ll be no questions about whether we can keep the White House door open to us.” That was an apparent reference to AIPAC’s policy of maintaining access to the White House, whatever tensions there might otherwise be between an administration and the pro-Israel community. Adelson reviled the Obama presidency, fighting the administration at every turn over government spending, Obamacare and the Iran nuclear deal. AIPAC had a relationship with President Barack Obama that was at times tense and other times mutually supportive. It vigorously opposed Obama’s Iran policy, but encouraged his efforts to advance Israeli-Palestinian peace, as long as Israel’s government was on board. Adelson said he was encouraged to see a crowd of 2,500 at the IAC conference and took an explicit shot at AIPAC. “It reminds me of the days of when AIPAC started to grow,” he said. “It grew from less than 2,500 people, smaller than that. This group, the IAC, won’t even question whether or not we should support Israel.” Marshall Wittmann, the spokesman for AIPAC, which now attracts upwards of 15,000 activists to its annual conferences, said in response, “We wish the IAC success in its efforts to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship.” PJC

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NOVEMBER 10, 2017 9

Headlines Trump attacks an immigration program, and Schumer gets caught in crossfire — NATIONAL — By Ron Kampeas | JTA

ASHINGTON — Charles Schumer and Donald Trump like tweaking one another on a broad range of issues. In October alone, the president chided the New York senator for wanting to preserve the Iran deal he once opposed, and the Jewish Democrat berated the president for not moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. Standard stuff for two hard-charging New Yorkers from opposing parties. But even Schumer was taken aback on Nov. 1 when Trump targeted the Senate minority leader for his long-ago involvement in setting up an immigration lottery — and tied it to the deadly terrorist attack the day before in New York City. More than that, Trump’s sweeping condemnation of an immigration program in place since 1990 baffled not only Schumer, but also most Jewish immigration experts, who wondered what, if anything, the program had to do with the attack. “This whole approach that anytime someone not from this country does something to harm Americans we look at the immigration system and think some adjustment is going to change [things], it doesn’t make sense,” said Melanie Nezer, vice president of HIAS, the leading Jewish immigration advocacy group. The latest contretemps was set off the morning after the truck ramming that killed eight and injured at least a dozen people in Lower Manhattan. On Twitter, Trump repeated an unsubstantiated report that the Uzbekistan citizen suspected in the attack had obtained a Green Card, or residency permit, in 2010 through the so-called Diversity Visa lottery program. “The terrorist came into our country through what is called the ‘Diversity Visa Lottery Program,’ a Chuck Schumer beauty,” Trump tweeted about the suspect, Sayfullo Saipov. “I want merit based.” An hour later, Schumer tweeted back. “I guess it’s not too soon to politicize a tragedy,” Schumer wrote just past 7:30 a.m. Schumer, who previously has enjoyed his sparring with the president, was taking this very personally. Speaking from the Senate floor later on Nov. 1, he blasted Trump for being divisive during a time of mourning. By the afternoon, Trump was telling his Cabinet he wants to end the diversity lottery program. “I’m going to ask Congress to immediately initiate work to get rid of this program,” he said. “Diversary and diversity lottery. Diversity lottery. Sounds nice. It’s not nice. It’s not good. It hasn’t been good. We’ve been against it. So we want to immediately work with Congress on the Diversity Lottery Program, on terminating it, getting rid of it.” The program, launched in 1990 as part of broader bipartisan immigration reform sponsored by Schumer — who was then in 10 NOVEMBER 10, 2017

p Sen. Charles Schumer is taking President Trump’s latest tweet personally.

Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images

“ We must always be aware how moments of fear can be used to reinforce harmful stereotypes about scapegoated communities, and this is what Trump is

”

doing with his inappropriate comments.

— STOSH COTLER, CEO OF BEND THE ARC

the House of Representatives — and an array of others, allows in up to 50,000 people a year through lotteries. That’s a fraction of the estimated one million Green Cards issued each year by the United States. It was meant to redress imbalances in U.S. immigration policy that allowed in masses of immigrants from some countries like Mexico and Canada while neglecting others. In fact, it was pitched at first as a program that would allow in more Irish immigrants. (Schumer, as a New York City congressman, answered to a substantial Irish-American constituency.) It eventually was expanded to include an array of countries, including Israel. Applicants must have graduated high school and worked a minimum of two years. Those selected are vetted for criminal pasts and ties to terrorist groups. Trump appears to have been reacting to Fox News commentators who decried the program, and to a former national security adviser, Sebastian Gorka, who blamed Schumer on Twitter the night before. Until now, the program has not figured prominently in the immigration battles between Trump and his opponents. In fact, Schumer no longer favors it; he was one of the “Gang of Eight” Republican and Democratic senators who authored immigration reform that passed the Senate and was backed by President Barack Obama. That deal, killed in the House, rolled back the visa diversity program and instead promoted merit-based

Green Cards — the very program Trump said on Nov. 1 that he favors. Jewish groups have mostly objected to the Trump administration’s immigration policy. It includes plans to end a program for “dreamers,” immigrants who arrived here illegally as children; bids, frustrated until now by courts, to block travelers from between five and seven Muslim majority countries; and attempts to temporarily stop an intake of refugees. The diversity lottery wasn’t even on the radar. “As a matter of policy, we’ve been far more focused on family reunification as a principle of immigration reform,” said Richard Foltin, the director of legislative affairs for the American Jewish Committee. Foltin said it made more sense to fund Homeland Security programs that prevented radicalization than to target the diversity visa lottery. “We have to think in a much more logical way, to look for people within communities who are radicalized, and to fund the resources within our government to have a substantial domestic terrorism program,” he said. Stosh Cotler, the CEO of Bend the Arc, a liberal group that champions the dreamers and has organized actions against Trump’s immigration policies, said the impetuous targeting of the diversity program by the president was of a piece with what she called his “white supremacist agenda.”

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“We must always be aware how moments of fear and moments of genuine tragedy can be used to reinforce harmful stereotypes about scapegoated communities,” she said, “and this is what Trump is doing with his inappropriate comments.” Cotler contrasted Trump’s rhetoric and action following the New York City terrorist attack with his relative sanguinity in August after a white supremacist allegedly rammed a crowd of counterprotesters in Charlottesville, Va., killing one. In that case, Trump blamed “both sides” for the violence and also said there were “very fine people” on both sides. “Trump and his enablers have been aggressive to ensure we are maintaining policies that are xenophobic and Islamophobic,” she said. The suspect in the New York attack, Sayfullo Saipov, was heard shouting “God is great!” in Arabic before he was shot and subdued by police. Trump wants to defund Homeland Security programs targeting domestic terrorism, which is usually attributed to white supremacists and “lone wolves,” in order to focus more narrowly on terror directed by overseas Islamists. Gorka has been a key point man advocating defunding, mocking the Obama administration’s focus on preventing lone wolf attacks and saying it makes more sense to target terrorist structures overseas. Schumer chided Trump for defunding the domestic programs. “President Trump, instead of politicizing and dividing America, which he always seems to do at times of national tragedy, should be focusing on the real solution — anti-terrorism funding — which he proposed cutting in his most recent budget,” he said in a statement. Saipov, according to media accounts on Wednesday, appeared to have been radicalized after his arrival in the United States. He left a note identifying the attack with the Islamic State terrorist group, although New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday that investigators “have no evidence yet of associations or continuing plot or associated plots, and our only evidence to date is that this was an isolated incident that he himself performed.” “We should look at radicalization and why it occurs,” said Nezer of HIAS. “It happens to people who are born here, people who come here as immigrants. It doesn’t really relate to immigration policies.” She noted that Uzbekistan was never among the countries that Trump has targeted in his various executive orders on travel that he claims will stem terrorism. Morton Klein, the president of the Zionist Organization of America, who has backed Trump’s immigration policies, said that on the face of it, looking at the immigration lottery made sense. On Wednesday, he tweeted a video of right-wing talk radio host Mark Levin saying the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program should be gutted. “I don’t think America or any country should make decisions on who immigrates to their country based on randomness,” Klein said. PJC

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Headlines Kiev’s American-style JCC gives low-income Jews the millionaire treatment — WORLD — By Cnaan Liphshiz | JTA

IEV — This city of 2.5 million residents may be the capital of one of the poorest countries in the Former Soviet Union, but it offers a dazzling selection of luxury services to those who can afford them. On potholed streets where some elderly people are forced to rummage for food in dumpsters, well-heeled Ukrainians can enjoy dining at all-night sushi restaurants, shop at designer bag stores and ride around in 16-seat Hummer limousines. Their children also get the VIP treatment at world-class childcare facilities like the Leleka kindergarten — a riverside mansion where the annual tuition easily surpasses the average annual salary of only $3,250. To regular Ukrainians, such Western-standard childcare is utterly unaffordable. Unless, of course, they want to enroll their kids at the kindergarten of Kiev’s new Jewish Community Center, Halom — a 17,000-square-foot building that opened last year with funding from the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, or JDC. Located in an accessible office district downtown, the Halom center, which has an annual budget of more than $500,000, features what is probably this city’s only subsidized “luxury” kindergarten, allowing working-class parents amenities that used to be the exclusive domain of this city’s wealthiest. “I could never afford any other place like this,” said Anna Snitsruk, a working mother of two children. “This place is like a kindergarten for oligarchs,” she said, using a common name for Ukrainians who got rich after the fall of the USSR. The preschool is part of Kiev’s first and only American-style JCC, which is also a rare spot for interactions by Jews of four generations. The amenities at Halom, where parents pay the equivalent of $900-$1,900 annually depending on how many children they enroll and for how many hours, may appear rudimentary to Western eyes. But they are “incomparably better” than the local standard, Snitsruk said. At Halom, which, in addition to the preschool also has entertainment and educational facilities for different age groups, a few dozen children aged 2-7 are divided into four age groups. Each class has a maximum of seven children and a designated teacher. The children are fed kosher, high-quality food, but parents may also bring their own food from home to be reheated. The curriculum features Hebrew studies, holiday programs, dancing, pottery classes, treasure hunts, matchstick model building classes, gymnastics and even rock climbing. Located one story above the pastel-colored lobby, with its free coffee machine, the preschool is part of a hive of activity at Halom. Parents picking up their kids often stop to chat to elderly Jews gathering for

p Children enter the Halom Jewish Community Center in Kiev, Ukraine.

p Visitors enjoy a Shabbat reception.

Photos by Cnaan Liphshiz

candle lighting, and teenagers come to hang out after school at the center’s recreational room with its movie library and PlayStation 4 game console. The building also has free wifi, conference rooms, computer stations and art displays, including an exhibition of hyper-realistic models of famous synagogues made from matchsticks by the well-known artist Iosif Ostashinsky. A former teacher herself, Snitsruk opted to become a stay-at-home mom just to avoid sending her eldest, Lev, to a kindergarten “with one teacher per 20 children, where the food is not so great, where he would’ve gotten no attention and zero stimulation,” she said. “I enrolled him right away” after Halom’s opening, she added. “I can see how he has developed emotionally. It’s a change that has affected our family profoundly.” Even at a subsidized rate of $90 a month, tuition at Halom is making a dent in the household budget of Volodia Pasternak, a retired athlete and father of three whose youngest, four-year-old Maria, attends Halom. “But I wouldn’t call it a sacrifice,” he said.

“I’m so glad that I get to send her to a place that she actually likes. It’s because of the attention each child gets here. It’s not something I thought I could afford.” Halom accepts all children regardless of whether they are Jewish, said Anna Bodnar, the 30-year-old director of Halom. Most recipients of Halom services do, however, self-identify as Jewish, she added. Kiev’s Jewish popualtion is estimated at 60,000. Snitsruk, who is Jewish, said she is rather indifferent to the kindergarten’s religious dimension (the children learn about Jewish holidays and customs like candle lighting and challah baking). Pasternak said he approved of such activities, but he too spoke of them as a secondary reason for enrolling his daughter there. “I came here for the pedagogic approach and facilities,” he said — a sentiment that recalls those Jews, including immigrants from Ukraine, who enrolled at Jewish-run “settlement houses” in America in the early 20th century. JDC supports efforts that bring non-affiliated Jews into Jewish life, but also encourages mutual respect among Jews and non-Jews.

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p Head of the volunteer department Alla Shakhova, left, joins volunteer Adrianna Golubka for a photo.

The opening of Halom (the name means “dream” in Hebrew) in November was a watershed moment for other age groups, too. The center, which greets 1,000-2,000 users monthly, instantly became a hit with the golden age population. “I used to just stay at home all day, I didn’t go anywhere,” said Valentina Basova, a septuagenarian who lives alone since her son immigrated to Israel with his family four years ago. “It’s great to also be around young people, Jewish children,” she added. A regular at Halom, Basova comes nearly every day to participate in intergenerational programs in which elderly people are paired with children or teenagers to exchange skills. Elderly participants are taught to use computers and smartphones, and help youngsters with homework or teach them languages. The exchange program, and its promise of sign language lessons, drew Adrianna Golubka, a non-Jewish Ukrainian and college student who became a volunteer last year. Her sign language teacher, a septuagenarian and Halom regular Irina Yosepavna, became an inspiration to Golubka in all areas of life. “When I’m depressed or tired, I think of Irina, of how positive and energetic she is after leading a long and not so easy life, and I snap right out of it,” she told JTA last month. Part of Halom’s charm, she says, is in amenities that few public spaces boast in Kiev, including the lobby, wi-fi, the free coffee and art displays. “It’s just very pleasant to come here, interact and relax,” Golubka said. For the elderly users, Halom is also a promising dating scene. The center has led to several successful shidduchs, or romantic matches. And last month, Halom celebrated the union of the first couple who married after meeting there: Maya Serebryanaya and Valeriy Utvenko, 68 and 72 respectively. “Their relationship came as a surprise to me, actually,” said Bodnar, the JCC’s director. “I thought they were just friends.” PJC NOVEMBER 10, 2017 11

Opinion Bullish on Birthright — EDITORIAL —

wo years ago, Birthright Israel, the hugely successful free program that has brought half a million young people to the Jewish state for a 10-day tour, began a pilot project in which, as part of the experience, participants met with Israeli Arabs. Last week, Haaretz reported that Birthright Israel ordered its trip providers to end the meetups. In a statement to Haaretz, the organization explained that the “results of the initial evaluation have shown that there is a need for further analysis of this module in the context of the educational trip as a whole.” That was the extent — and level of transparency — of the explanation. Reactions to the announcement were mixed, with many clearly focused on an agenda other than that of the Birthright Israel program. For example, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union of Reform Judaism, criticized the decision, stating that “cutting out the meetings will communicate loudly and clearly that these are trips with a narrow political agenda that is out of step with today’s young Jews and most of their parents as well.”

p Birthright Israel participants visit the Western Wall.

Jacobs went on to accuse Birthright Israel of writing off 21 percent of Israelis who are also Arabs and introducing to participants a “too-narrow slice of contemporary Israel.” Gil Troy, a professor of history at McGill University in Montreal and chair of the Birthright Education Committee, which made the decision to cancel the meetings,

Photo by Flash90

issued a sharp response to Jacobs. Troy noted that feedback regarding the Arab meetings has been “mixed,” and that the program was deemed to be “mediocre.” He went on to say that “we re-evaluate any program that gets mediocre feedback — but when we do it with the Israeli Arab educational piece, you attack us.”

Others reacted with sarcasm, complaining that there was no way Birthright Israel would be able to protect its participants from some exposure to Israeli Arabs — even if that would now be limited to service personnel or Bedouins. We can speculate on the reasons behind the decision to cut the Israeli Arab meetings — it could be anything from pressure from rightwing funders of the program to an organization simply trying to get the biggest bang for its proverbial buck. But in the end, the decision is one that Birthright Israel is entirely entitled to make, and is a non-issue. The raison d’etre of Birthright Israel is to strengthen young American Jews’ connections with the Jewish state. The program’s Education Committee seems to have concluded that whatever the virtues of the two-year-old pilot were, it wasn’t producing the results Birthright Israel was seeking. Organizations are supposed to make those kinds of judgments regarding their programs and activities. As with many things, the politics here is a sideshow. Despite those few times that Birthright Israel has gotten caught up in politics — as it did last week — the program works, and it works quite well. We have no problem with that. PJC

Three questions about the state of our democracy Guest Columnist Joel Rubin

olitical power transitions are always shocks to the system. Our country’s democratic form of governance is both stable and unstable simultaneously. Stable, because the institutions that run the country — federal agencies, the courts and yes, even the media — don’t flip back and forth as often as our elected leaders. Unstable, because those in power can be easily displaced, and they have been at a dizzying pace for the past two decades. Yet the election of 2016, because it was so unexpected, has pushed existential questions into our politics like never before. Was this election nothing more than a normal rotation of power, one that our democracy has experienced throughout its history, or is this time different? Is Donald Trump an anti-democratic figure who will upend the institutional parts of our democracy, rendering it unable to have peaceful transfers of power in the future? Will our democracy still be here for the next elections? And Democrats aren’t the only ones asking these questions. One need look no further than the fierce criticism of Trump by leading Republican Sens. Jeff Flake of Arizona and Bob Corker of Tennessee. Flake and Corker are ideologically conservative, proponents of free trade, a balanced budget, traditional family values and a muscular American defense. 12 NOVEMBER 10, 2017

President Trump has a habit of attacking longstanding heroes of our political culture while withholding criticism of our country’s historic opponents. In any previous era, they would be setting the agenda in a Republican Washington. But they’re not. Instead, they’re going home. And they’re doing so while expressing deep fears about the future of our democracy. So how should we chart a path forward when such fears are being expressed openly from the Senate floor by leading members of the president’s own political party? There are several key questions we should ask. First, are both political parties committed to democracy? Unlike his predecessors who have swept their party back into complete control of the government, Trump’s first political target has been his fellow Republicans. Trump’s allies, led by his political whisperer Steve Bannon, believe in purifying the party to its most extreme self. And so, in the name of Trump, they attack establishment Republicans like Flake and Corker in the hopes of driving them out and replacing them with arch-conservative ideologues like Roy Moore of Alabama. Dissent from Trump is not tolerated, even though it clearly exists.

Safe political debate within the Republican Party appears to be almost extinct, which means that one of our two major parties rejects democratic principles. Second, will the president govern for the majority? President Trump lacks a national mandate for his agenda. Yet his willingness to act as if he won a clear majority, even though he lost the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes, is not unprecedented. Just ask George W. Bush if he governed for the majority after he barely took the presidency in 2000 while losing the popular vote. He didn’t. Instead, he and thenVice President Dick Cheney drove through unpopular tax cuts for the wealthy that decimated the federal budget, pushed the country toward a disastrous war of choice in Iraq, and undermined U.S. efforts to fight climate change in favor of fossil fuel companies, all within his first couple of years. Just because they could enact these policies, it didn’t mean that they were governing for the majority. And they clearly weren’t, as Republicans were swept out of Congress in

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2006 and the White House in 2008. Third, will the president defend our values and oppose our adversaries? President Trump has a habit of attacking longstanding heroes of our political culture while withholding criticism of our country’s historic opponents. This is different from the past. For example, Gold Star families, comprised of sons and daughters, spouses and loved ones of American service members killed in action, have never been subjected to public criticism by a president or his team. Yet now they are, as the president himself has chosen to publicly reject the words of a widow of an American serviceman killed in Niger. But when it comes to the president’s own campaign staff having lied to the FBI about contacts made with Russia during the campaign — a country whom our Intelligence Community assesses attacked our elections last year — the president won’t even utter a word of condemnation on our country’s behalf. Americans have faith in our democracy, yet have reason to question whether it is in jeopardy today. The normal rotation of power doesn’t feel so normal this time. Continually answering these three questions will help us to know whether it truly is in peril and what to do about it. PJC Pittsburgh native Joel Rubin is a visiting fellow at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz School of Public Policy and Management in Washington, a former deputy assistant secretary of state and a councilman in the Town of Chevy Chase. A version of this article also appeared on Inkstick.

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Opinion Giving PTSD the Jewish treatment, not just matzoh ball soup Guest Columnist Anna Selman

Some [Holocaust] survivors also found meaning in telling their stories.

recent study from the Department of Veterans’ Administration (VA) found that the daily number of American veterans who commit suicide has decreased from 22 to 20 — a small improvement, and a step in the right direction. The leading cause of veteran suicide is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), whose sufferers have intense and sometimes disturbing thoughts about a traumatic event that can lead to severe psychological suffering. It can be very common in veterans that have combat experience, and after almost two decades of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, we have a lot of veterans with combat experience, many of them with PTSD. In a shocking discovery, researchers have also found that only 30 percent of PTSD treatments are effective. With such a low success rate, it might leave you wondering what else we can do for our veterans. When someone brings up treating veterans with PTSD, it is unlikely that the first thing that comes to mind is to look to the Jewish community for how it helped treat Holocaust survivors. However, for those of us who come from families of Holocaust survivors, we know that Jews have a long history of treating PTSD — even before the term came into use. In fact, according to

They did not tell their stories to their psychologists; they told their stories to their families, friends and synagogues. They went to schools and museums. some researchers, the prevalence of PTSD in Holocaust survivors is somewhere between 46 and 55 percent, which is really high. To give some comparison, the prevalence of PTSD in combat veterans in Vietnam is much lower, between 2 and 17 percent, and only 15 to 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans meet the criteria to be diagnosed with PTSD. As Jews, our long and rich track record in treating PTSD provides lessons for treating our veterans today. Jewish scholars found that survivors deal with PTSD in three ways: Some victimize themselves, some become defensive and others numb themselves so that they can feel protected. These behaviors can be somewhat helpful during trauma, but they can create problems down the road. One of the leading scholars in treating

survivors during the post-Holocaust period was Viktor Frankl, who famously wrote “A Man’s Search for Meaning.” Frankl’s approach to treating traumatic events was to give everything meaning (also called logotherapy) — even painful trials. He would often talk to survivors, helping them discover their own reasons to live. Some survivors also found meaning in telling their stories, making sure that something like the Holocaust never happened again. They did not tell their stories to their psychologists; they told their stories to their families, friends and synagogues. They went to schools and museums. However, some survivors were reluctant to tell their stories, which might be because we originally did not want to hear them. Survivors were told to move on, and they did. They

built families, found careers, and kept their experiences bottled up for a decade or more. Meanwhile, they often experienced the nightmares and the intense flashbacks associated with PTSD, but once they finally let it out, survivors reported a decreased number of symptoms and an increase in quality of life. So what can be learned from the Jewish treatment of PTSD? There are many veterans coming home who feel like no one wants to hear about their stories, but we know that it is good for veterans to talk about what happened “over there.” This is not only for our veterans. We as Americans can bridge the military-civilian divide and make the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan a shared American experience. In some ways, this can make our veterans feel less alone. So, this Veterans Day, please invite your local veterans to come speak at your synagogue. Organizations, like the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. or the JWB Jewish Chaplains Council, can help connect you with veterans in your area that can come speak to your synagogue, schools and other groups. We owe it to our veterans to understand where they are coming from and to make them part of our community. Together, we can help them overcome their problems, and they can teach us about what it means to serve something greater than themselves. PJC Anna Selman is the programs and public relations coordinator for Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. (JWV). She is an Army veteran.

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NOVEMBER 10, 2017 13

Life & Culture OneTable encourages Shabbat entertainment through pickling — FOOD — By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

Although many people are understandably nervous about organizing any sort of shindig, let alone a Shabbat dinner, there are simple serving tricks that can boast a host’s

“competence and confidence,” said Fattel to the roughly 15 attendees. “If you do a batch cocktail, then your hands are free to be a host or hostess, and

guests can be involved in the recipe,” she said. For example, when making a kombucha-vodka highball, bottles of kombucha could be placed adjacent to both a batch cocktail and a sign that reads, “1 + 1 = delicious.” By allowing arriving company to mix one part kombucha with one part cocktail, “the guests are a little invested, and you’ve made an efficient drink,” Fattel said, along with an advisory against blending the beverages too soon before serving or the bubbles will dissipate. Similar to mixing a kombucha-vodka highball, making pickles or sauerkraut are two other techniques that keep with the classical Friday night theme, as they, like challah and wine, are also fermented foods, added the speaker. Seeking to spawn some excitement and education, Fattel then directed participants to don gloves, separate and stand around two tables. Situp Participants of OneTable’s pickling event enjoy a kombucha-vodka highball. ated at each station were ingredients. After identifying the elements, one group of learners was instructed to create sauerkraut, while the other fledgling fermenters were taught to make fridge pickles. “I am obsessed with pickles and have always wanted to learn how to make pickles,” said Amy Cohen, as she joined peers in mixing fringes of foodstuffs in glass jars. “I love pickling, but this method is a bit different from how I normally do it,” said Erica Kershner, who typically employs a preserving process “just on the counter with a cheesecloth.” For Vlad Kaminsky, the gastronomic gathering had a familiar feel. “My mom and grandma used to do it, but it wasn’t passed on to me. But now I can continue the pickling tradition,” said the newbie foodie p Sara Fatell of OneTable addresses attendees on the merits of eating fermented foods. with a container of dill, pepper, onions and garlic in hand. Others agreed that their freshly acquired skills would soon be applied. “I think that we’ll pickle again,” said Shana Ziff, who attended the affair alongside her husband, Aaron. Playing to the weekly Torah portion, Vayeira, Jonathan Loring of Squirrel Hill said that an upcoming meal would be garnished by the gifts garnered at last week’s course. According to the Babylonian Talmud, when the three guests arrived at Abraham’s tent, the forefather prepared a piece of calf for each p sdfadfafsda Photo by potential eater. Said Loring, “I’m making pickled tongue for Shabbat because [that’s] what Avraham served.”

ew organizations relish being brackish, but OneTable is a jarring enterprise. The social dining platform, which assists “post-college people” to create and share Shabbat dinners, was in Pittsburgh last week promoting the benefits of fermentation, pickling and Friday night get-togethers. Specifically, while hosting a master class on the culinary and cultural heritage of lacto-fermented and vinegar-fermented foods, Sara Fatell, OneTable’s national community manager, delivered bubbly insights on her organization’s purpose and hospitality strategies. “OneTable fills a void for young adults figuring out what to do with their lives,” said Fatell. As opposed to merely clinging to running, yoga or other activities during those years, “why can’t religion be a part of that pivotal period,” she asked listeners at the Oct. 30 function. Founded in 2014, the organization has enabled more than 55,000 young adults to partake in a Shabbat dinner, said Aliza Kline, OneTable’s executive director in an October 2017 report. Far from stale, those myriad experiences have ranged from traditionally infused spreads of chicken soup and matzah balls served on starched white tablecloths to random meetups in restaurants or even thematically planned feasts enjoyed without a table. “We want people to experience Shabbat the way they want to,” said Fattel, a University of Pittsburgh graduate. To deliver such varied offerings, the organization practices a particular recipe. There is a digital platform, which is sort of like “Paperless Post meets Airbnb”: Shabbat coaches — event planners, rabbis and chefs — who are available to aid the planning process; and nourishment credits in the sum of $15 per head for an organizer’s first 10 guests, because we know that “hosting a lot of people can be burdensome and expensive,” explained Fattel, a former wedding caterer who co-founded Grassroots Gourmet, a Washington, D.C.based bakery that operated between 2012 and 2016. Carolyn Slayton recently became a Shabbat coach at OneTable. “It gives me the opportunity to stay connected to other young adults in this community,” said the Squirrel Hill resident, who added that being a Shabbat coach also allows her to be p Sara Fatell gets ready for the pickling process. helpful and creative.

14 NOVEMBER 10, 2017

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Photos by David Chudnow

Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburgh jewishchronicle.org.

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Life & Culture Italian rabbi bridges communities with lectures on Italian Jewish history — HISTORY — By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

abbi Barbara Aiello, a former Steel City native and Italy’s first woman rabbi, delivered a series of lectures last week at the Heinz History Center and at Congregation Dor Hadash in Squirrel Hill. Aiello’s three addresses, which largely focused on Italian Jewish history, welcomed several hundred attendees, as the speaker crafted rich and informative presentations with both a reliance on engaging props and the linguistic peppering of Italian and Hebrew throughout her remarks. Aiello, who just turned 70, was born in Pittsburgh’s East End and formerly resided in the city’s Beechview and Dormont neighborhoods. “I have happy memories of Pittsburgh,” she told listeners at the Oct. 29 program. “I took the Incline when it wasn’t a tourist attraction.” Though certain aspects, such as the growth of Station Square, are noticeably different, much remains the same, she added. “Pittsburgh is Pittsburgh. It’s opening, welcoming and friendly. You get the mishpachah feel.” Careful not to repeat too much of Saturday’s biographical spiel in which she described her background as a first-generation American, Aiello spent Sunday briefly recounting how she was sent to Sacred Heart, a local Catholic school, after her father, Antonio Abramo Aiello, caught her smoking behind a nearby pharmacy. “He said that the nuns will straighten you out, and they did,” said the daughter, who later graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. While Aiello seasoned her speech with other familial sprinklings, she directed most of her comments to an analysis of Italian Jewry and World War II. Beginning with Italy’s economic realities at the close of the Great War, the rabbi explained how so many Jews, including her

p Eric Lidji, Rabbi Barbara Aiello, Melissa Marinaro and Kathleen Vescio Rosella, pose for a photo at the Heinz History Center. Photo by Adam Reinherz

own relatives, supported the rise of Benito Mussolini and the Italian fascist movement. “While Mussolini was crafting his ideas, the Jews in Italy were doing well,” so much so that when the socialists and communists threatened to take over, it was of great distress to the numerous Jewish businessmen who had “worked hard” to secure their post-War fiscal positions. Nevertheless, the same Jews who had supported Mussolini’s political rise and even protested beside him in October 1922’s March on Rome eventually met personal and professional peril, as the 1938 promulgation of the leggi razziali (Italian racial laws) enacted persecuting measures against the Italian Jewish community, she explained, before marking a distinction. Though similarities existed to Nazi Germany’s Nuremberg Laws, the cultural climate in which the leggi razziali were enforced was wholeheartedly different, she said. “Neither the Italians or Japanese cooperated regarding the final solution” and, as opposed to Jewish residents of Eastern Europe, more than 80 percent of Italy’s Jews survived the war, as “many Italians didn’t turn their backs on Jews,” said the rabbi who

was later praised for delivering a balanced report on an ignominious period. Though praiseworthy of gentiles who hid Jews or parties who resisted anti-Semitic government pressures, Aiello also acknowledged the actions of Italians who exposed Jews for financial gain. “Italians can be embarrassed of our alignments to Hitler, but there are moments from the era to be proud of,” she said. As proof for her position, Aiello drew multiple divides between Ferramonti di Tarsia, Italy’s largest concentration camp, and other contemporary European labor, death and detention centers. Prisoners of Ferramonti were not only permitted to engage in cultural, educational and religious activities but also other liberties such as receiving packages and visiting relatives — experiences absolutely unimaginable to detainees of alternative European camps — explained the rabbi who noted that the discrepancies were due to contradistinctive ethos. “It’s not part of the Italian character to treat another person so badly,” she said. After providing other examples of seeming imbalances in Italian Jewish treatment during the war, Aiello concluded her

comments with a claim that “Italy’s story is not black and white but shades of gray.” “This is the best lecture I have heard in many years,” said Joseph D’Andrea, former honorary consul of Italy in Pittsburgh who praised Aiello for her “informative report on the history of Italians in the pre-fascist and post-war world.” Similarly lauding was Eddie Shaw of Squirrel Hill who said that through prior studies he was “sad to learn about the Italian involvement in World War II with the Jews. But her talk redeemed Italy’s treatment of Jews for me.” Aiello’s discussion of both World War II, as well as her earlier oration on “The Story of the Hidden Jews of Southern Italy,” were “fantastic,” said Kathleen Vescio Rosella, an organizer of the Heinz History Center events. As she commonly does throughout her presentations, Aiello eschewed PowerPoint because of its “passive learning” and instead displayed photographs and other materials, including a multipinned boot, which served as a three-dimensional map of Italy, a miniature chair to demonstrate the lowered “shiva seat” and Italian shawls similar to taleisim. The rabbi’s remarks not only dispelled myths but awakened a familiarity among attendees, explained Melissa E. Marinaro, curator of the Italian American Program at the Heinz History Center. “I thought it was interesting to see a number of customs that Jews and Italians have in common,” said Rosella. “This is a different way of creating programming,” said Eric Lidji, archival consultant at the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center who assisted Marinaro and Rosella with Aiello’s Pittsburgh engagements. This is an exciting opportunity to bring together these groups, as “the mainstream doesn’t always see the links between our two communities,” said Marinaro. PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz @pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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NOVEMBER 10, 2017 15

Headlines Vegan: Continued from page 1

iron-containing molecule found in plants. Impossible Foods produces heme through genetically engineered yeast. Making an Impossible Burger, the company’s website claims, uses “about 1/20th the land, 1/4th the water and produces 1/8th the greenhouse gas emissions,” compared with making a burger from a cow. But the Impossible Burger is just one great vegan option for Pittsburgh foodies, as more and more restaurants in the Steel City are offering purely vegan or vegan-friendly menus. Apteka, an Eastern European vegan restaurant in Bloomfield, opened about a year and a half ago to rave reviews and was even named “Best New Restaurant” by Pittsburgh Magazine. It is a favorite haunt of Jeffrey Cohan, executive director of the national organization Jewish Veg, a nonprofit that encourages Jews to adopt a plant-based diet based on Jewish values. “In my job, I travel the country giving presentations coast to coast, and I had never seen an Eastern European vegan restaurant outside of Eastern Europe,” said Cohan, who has been a vegan for about five years. “Apteka has had national attention. That’s how good their food is. They attract a younger crowd, but no one should be afraid to go in there. The food is impressive.” Two other local vegan restaurants that Cohan recommends are B52 Café, a mostly Middle Eastern restaurant in Lawrenceville “with the best tofu scramble in town,” and Onion Maiden, a vegetarian/vegan eatery in Allentown serving what Cohan calls

“vegan comfort food.” “Onion Maiden is a fun place to go,” he said. “Their baked goods are excellent, and they have a food truck with vegan hot dogs. I also would encourage people to try their other dishes.” Other area restaurants that offer vegan options can be found at veganpittsburgh.org, a website that aims to make veganism easier. The site is well-organized, with options searchable by neighborhoods. The hardest thing about becoming a vegan, though, may not be finding delicious things to eat, according to Rebecca Gilbert, a Pittsburgher who operates a website called yummyplants.com. Rather, Gilbert said, the hardest thing about veganism is making the leap to embrace it as a way of life. For Gilbert, who was raised in a kosher home, that decision came in 1998, when she was 26 years old and suffering from chronic joint pain resulting from years as a competitive figure skater. She had tried a slew of different medical therapies — including surgery — to alleviate her pain, but nothing worked, and her career had come to a halt. Gilbert turned to the pre-Google internet, with a Yahoo search revealing a Scandinavian study showing an 80 percent reduction in joint pain for participants who followed a vegan diet. Gilbert decided to give it a try beginning the very next day. Five weeks later, she was back on the ice. “Veganism helped me very quickly, and this is why I became a vegan,” she said. “There are other reasons to become a vegan — animal rights, or other health issues. I’m not a doctor, and I’m not qualified to give medical advice. But this worked for me.” Gilbert, who has written a book called “It’s Easy to Start Eating Vegan,” has seen a

huge increase in vegan options in Pittsburgh beginning in 2012. “There are lots more packaged foods and prepared goods,” she said, adding that the increase in shelf space given to vegan goods at grocery stores is an indication of the popularity of the vegan diet. “There are all different types of substitutions,” she said. “It’s a very different world today. Now, it’s so easy to go vegan. Of course, we want to be eating whole plants, not packaged foods. But it can be really helpful to use these packaged products. Any kind of thing you would want to eat, there is a vegan substitute.” While Gilbert’s motivation to become a vegan was to relieve her chronic joint pain, for other Jews veganism is a higher form of kashrut. Earlier this year, Jewish Veg circulated a statement signed by 75 rabbis, representing a broad cross-section of the international Jewish community, urging other Jews to move away from eating animals and to adopt a plant-based diet. The rabbis stated that in the Torah, God’s preference is for a plant-based diet for man and that modern animal-agricultural practices violate the Torah mandate to prevent animal suffering. But for Moshe Barber, a longtime vegan and owner of the Pittsburgh-based VegOut Cuisine, kashrut was not a factor in his own adoption of a plant-based diet. Barber, 60, has been a Type 1 diabetic for most of his life. When he was 20, he read a book by Nathan Pritikin about healthy eating, then visited the Pritikin clinic in Florida, where he “saw miracles happen.” “I saw people who were not functional before who could now walk 10 miles,” Barber said. “There are diseases that are prevent-

South Hills: Continued from page 1

Two years ago, the initiative promoted 50 programs that attracted approximately 5,000 people. This past year, it supported more than 60 programs with more than 6,800 participants. Reflecting on those statistics, Goodman noted, “It’s taken us three-and-ahalf years to build this from a startup to be a true self-sustaining organization.” Given the “success and size of the program,” the time was right for moving SHJP to “a partner with experience maintaining great programs over the long term and with deep experience in the South Hills. The JCC perfectly fit that bill,” said Hertzman. “We have been on the ground in the South Hills community for more than 25 years, and we’re still the only Jewish organization outside of a congregation with sustained physical infrastructure,” said Brian Schreiber, JCC’s president and CEO. “This move only enhances the Jewish Community Center’s role in the development of the South Hills Jewish community, our working relationship with other Jewish organizations and congregations in the South Hills and beyond and the growth of programs and services that meet the needs of the community.” Given SHJP’s two staff members (Goodman and David Rullo) and limited possessions, those involved do not anticipate 16 NOVEMBER 10, 2017

p South Hills Jewish community members enjoy the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Apples and Honey fall festival, organized by South Hills Jewish Pittsburgh. Photo by Rob Goodman

a lengthy and complicated relocation. “We have already begun some transition planning and the physical office transition is anticipated to take place at the end of the calendar year,” said Schreiber. Of greater interest is the funding structure, said Goodman, whose office no longer will be located in a suite on Washington Road but in the JCC’s brick-and-mortar building on Kane Boulevard. When SHJP was initially launched in 2014, a surplus of monies was provided to last the startup through June 2019. “How we have managed our budget these past three-and-a-half years, there’s enough

funding to sustain us through at least June of 2020,” said Goodman. What the move really provides is a level of comfort regarding next steps and allows the organization to “engage those we truly haven’t had a chance to,” added the director, whose supervisors from the Federation will shortly be replaced by those from the JCC. Although SHJP has grown from being a conversational hope regarding communal aid to an integrated partner serving residents from 15 communities, including Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park, Dormont, South Fayette, Castle Shannon, Baldwin, Canonsburg and Bridgeville, much remains

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able and reversible by eating a plant-based, whole foods diet.” While Barber was at the Pritikin clinic, he learned macrobiotic cooking, and he and his wife have been following a vegan diet for 30 years. In 2011, Barber launched his food service, VegOut, which is certified kosher by the Pittsburgh Vaad Harabanim. Barber cooks at the Beth Hamedrash Hagodol-Beth Jacob Congregation located downtown and delivers between 50 to 150 freshly prepared vegan and vegetarian meals six days a week. Ninety-five percent of his food is also glutenfree, and he often creates vegan versions of traditional Jewish food for his customers. “For Yom Kippur break fast, I made my own bagels and a ‘smoked salmon’ from organic carrots and spices,” he said. Other popular VegOut dishes include Mexican lasagna and vegan pizza. Everything is made from scratch, including refried beans, pizza crust and vegan cheese substitutes. Most but not all of Barber’s customers are Jewish. Some are vegans or vegetarians, but others “just like the food,” he said. Other customers prefer VegOut because they are battling chronic, degenerative diseases that they believe are controlled by a vegan diet. As for Barber, he has been able to control his diabetes, he said, through a plant-based diet. Having optimum health, he added, is a Jewish mandate. “The Shulchan Aruch says to be healthy so that you can learn Torah and do mitzvot,” he said. “Anything you do, you’ll do better if you’re healthy.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

to be determined regarding SHJP’s finances following the expiration of its original funds. By occupying a place beneath the JCC’s umbrella, new opportunities for supporting the initiative, such as through smaller directed gifts, may exist, said Goodman. “We are not sure of the timing of that, but we anticipate that will be possible down the road,” said Cathy Samuels, JCC’s senior director of development and communications. “We are very optimistic about the ability to sustain the program after the initial funding is exhausted. But like all programs and initiatives, decisions will be made based on the impact [of] members served and the ability to generate resources.” “This is all new. We are at the beginning of a transition mode, and nothing is exactly in place right now regarding funding beyond the next few years,” echoed Goodman. The news of note is that this move removes “some of the mystery of what was going to happen after [the first] five years,” added Goodman. “It allows us to continue our mission and grow it even further, because while we have done a phenomenal job, there are still a number of people who don’t know what South Hills Jewish Pittsburgh is and what we’re about, and there are a lot of folks we haven’t reached out to yet.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz @pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Headlines Beth El:

volunteers who give of their time,” said Susie Seletz, a member whose childhood was spent in the congregation. Whether hosting a weekly bingo game for the South Hills community or making Purim boxes for the entire congregation, there are countless ways that people adopt enterprising and conscientious roles in the congregation, added the Beth El returnee. “As someone who was away for my whole adult life and was very active in synagogue life in the other cities where we lived, Beth El, in a much more updated way, has all the wonderful things it had when I left and even more of what I was seeking. I feel incredibly

Continued from page 4

This process of cataloging the congregation’s past and even enclosing a piece of its narrative generates not only reflection, but also a glimpse to the future, said Spungen. “Something that really hit me was when we saw the documents from when the first building was constructed,” he said. “There were members who took out mortgages on their own homes to help build the building. People were willing to put themselves out to help the congregation grow,” he said. That spirit is evident in the number of ongoing projects where “we have a lot of

p The 1927 Men’s Club Frolic

Photo courtesy of Beth El

Beth Shalom: Continued from page 5

ning with her family’s move from the Hill District to Squirrel Hill in 1931. She attended the congregation’s religious school and celebrated “every life cycle event there,” she said, including two of her own weddings. Beth Shalom was like a second home for Ebling-Gottlieb, who spent every Friday after school at Junior Congregation, participated in the shul’s Girl Scout Troop and even took dance lessons there — from instructor Gene Kelly, who taught in the synagogue’s basement during the Depression. The congregation has seen many changes throughout its storied past and continues to evolve, noted Rabbi Stephen Steindel, who served as the spiritual leader of the congregation from 1986-2009. During that time, Steindel shepherded in “several major changes, including the full and equal participation of women in our services and the welcoming of little children into the main sanctuary — even noisy ones,” he said. “It has been interesting to watch the congregation move into smaller, more intimate settings for worship and family rituals. The transition promotes more participation for everyone but the change is remarkable.” Debby Firestone, president of the congregation, has been a Beth Shalom member for more than 40 years. She fondly remembers a chavurah for young families in the late 1980s and early 1990s, an active junior congregation and “Cantor [Moshe] Taube — sitting in the main sanctuary, listening to his voice echoing through in a very spiritual way.” Taube became cantor at Beth Shalom in 1965 and served the congregation for more than 40 years. “My work was to improve the musical services of the congregation to an unmatched level, and I did, thank God, succeed,” he said. Taube recalled a “dedicated men’s choir to sing with me and which did its best to present the congregation with a service that was embraced and accepted by many other congregations that took their example from us,” he said. “Our services were renowned all over the world.” Eighty-five percent of the compositions for choir and cantor “were my own,” Taube said. “People in the congregation were familiar with these melodies and were singing along with great fervor.” The congregation has shifted in recent years, though, to a model based more on lay

p Top photo: The 1939 graduating class from the synagogue’s religious school; above: members of the congregation after signing the contract in 1922 to erect the new Beth Shalom synagogue Photos courtesy of Beth Shalom

participation than cantorial direction, which is working well for a new generation of Jews, according to Rob Menes, executive director of Beth Shalom. “In the last couple of years, we have gained more and more young families who are looking for different types of programming in the services and the courses we have to offer,” he said. “The services needed to be more participatory, and they’ve changed quite a bit. We have recognized the abilities of our congregants, and virtually every service is lay-led.” There is also an increase in the participation of the congregation’s youth in the services, according to Menes, and instrumentation on Friday nights has been introduced as well.

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Rabbi Jeremy Markiz, director of youth tefillah, “is bringing his enthusiasm to young families, and we’re invigorating our older members, too,” Firestone said. Markiz is also heading the new Derekh program, which aims to create a center for expanding Jewish experiences through learning, acts of kindness, mindfulness, culture and Israel. “There is a warm feeling here,” Firestone said. “It used to be a hard place to break into, but it’s changed. People are more welcoming. It’s a happy place to be.” While membership at Beth Shalom hovers around 600 families, down from its peak of 1,300 families just a couple decades ago, it is now on the upswing, according to Menes. That’s good news for the congregation,

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Please see Beth El, page 21

which Menes admits is housed in a building that was built for a much larger membership. The synagogue is nonetheless “being used to capacity,” Menes said. The Reconstructionist Congregation Dor Hadash will soon be moving into the building, as have various other groups, including La Escuelita Arcoiris, a Spanish preschool, and the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. Bernice Meyers and Marlene Silverman, who are heading the centennial celebration, each have been members of Beth Shalom for more than 50 years. They have a long history of working together to chair congregational events. “Beth Shalom has been central in our lives,” Meyers said, adding that in addition to the congregation serving as a source of community, it has also provided opportunities for personal growth. Meyers and Silverman recalled celebrating their 60th birthdays together at the synagogue by chanting the haftorah together. “It was quite an experience for both of us and quite a sense of accomplishment,” said Meyers, who was raised in Beaver Falls and had not had a bat mitzvah. The Nov. 11 gala will be “a festive celebration, with a lot of dancing and minimal speeches,” Silverman said, and concludes seven months of centennial activities, which included the luncheon in April, a picnic and a scholar-in-residence weekend. Beth Shalom, heading into its second hundred years, will continue to evolve, said Adelson. “We have to reconsider what the model of this synagogue is, and we have to make sure that we are focused on connecting Jews with the tradition, connecting Jews with meaning,” the rabbi said. “We are making sure that what we do is not just coming here to daven, but to learn about our tradition, making sure this is a venue in which people are welcome, that we are inclusive, that we are a place where everyone feels comfortable to join us, making sure that, of course, we stand for Jewish tradition, but that we also stand for change in Jewish tradition that comports with who we are today. “I have been working hard to try to reorient the synagogue to be not just a place where people pray, but where people learn. To make it as much of a bet midrash — a classical Jewish study hall — as a bet tefillah, a house of prayer,” he said. PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. NOVEMBER 10, 2017 17

Celebrations

Torah

B’not Mitzvah

A tale of haste Ella Elkoni, daughter of Samantha and Avi Elkoni, will become a bat mitzvah on Saturday, Nov. 11 at Beth El Congregation of the South Hills. Grandparents are Michael and Tova Elkoni of Petach Tikva, Israel; Aaron Len of Florida; and the late Dorraine Len of South Africa.

Olivia Ann Kaufman, daughter of Paul and Tina Kaufman, will become a bat mitzvah on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Rodef Shalom Congregation. Grandparents are Ninette Kay and the late Mickey and Baila Kaufman. PJC

In fact, the whole tale is filled with references to haste — Ezekiel running to Rivka when he sees her, her haste in giving him water and drawing more for his camels, her running to her mother and even her hurried departure and journey back to Abraham and Isaac. I believe the haste indicates two things, the importance of this mission and the enthusiasm of those involved. It also indicates the importance of appearances, for through our actions and appearances we reveal what is important and what motivates us. In many ways, the end result of this story has been preordained. After much heartache and uncertainty, God had already promised to Abraham a nation and a people through his son Isaac. No matter the details here, we know we are coming to an end. No matter how quiet or climactic, after a long trip, it’s the last step that closes the journey and starts

Cantor Henry Shapiro Parshat Chayei Sara Genesis 23:1-25:18

his week’s portion has two storylines; the first is the death and burial of Sarah. The second is the searching and finding of a wife for Isaac, Abraham and Sarah’s son. This second story is the longest chapter in the Book of Genesis. This is remarkable not only for that length, but also for what would seem to be unnecessary repetition in the story. Whereas elsewhere the repeat of a sentence or phrase would be worthy of comment, even the change of a word or a single letter, here we have the extended story itself with a very full retelling, mentioned in addition a number of times.

I believe the haste indicates two things, the importance of this mission and the enthusiasm of those involved. It also indicates the importance of appearances, for through our actions

Chai

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important and what motivates us. Abraham tasks his elder servant Eliezer to travel back to his birthplace to find a wife among his kinsmen. When Eliezer arrives, he prays to God for help to succeed that day, for the conditions in order to recognize the proper woman, and for recognition that he will be true to his oath to Abraham, his lord. This personal heartfelt prayer reveals the motivation and inner thoughts of Eliezer. Other places in the Torah we must infer thoughts and desires of biblical characters by actions or even silences. Here, all is clear by the in-depth story and the retelling thereof. What is even more extraordinary is the granting of his prayer before he even finishes.

the next chapter. Even so, the very end has its own special significance. When you build or remodel a house — after laying the foundation, framing, roofing and drywall — it’s only when the first coat of paint goes on do you finally see it for what it is. When all the broad strokes and fine details come together, after what may seem an agonizingly slow process, that last piece of the puzzle, that last step seems to, in haste, rush fastest to the end. Henry Shapiro is cantor at the Parkway Jewish Center. This column is a service of the Greater Pittsburgh Rabbinic Association.

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Obituaries BERLINER: Irwin “Irv” Berliner, on Sunday, October 29, 2017. Beloved husband of Marguerite and the late Rita Berliner. Beloved father of Marc (Randi) Berliner, Sherri (Fred) Mayer both of Pittsburgh and Amy (Larry) Simon of Boynton Beach, Fla. Also survived by seven grandsons and two great-granddaughters. For many years, Irv was owner of Discount Tire Center of Bellevue. Memorial services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., Shadyside. Contributions may be made to the Children’s Home of Pittsburgh and Lemieux Family Center, NICU Department, 5324 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224. FLAMM: Betty Jane (Losman) Flamm, on Tuesday, October 31, 2017. Beloved mother of Max (Stephanie) Flamm and Danielle Flamm. Sister of Beverly Losman (Larry Melnick) and the late Barbara Naki. Sisterin-law of Tom Naki. Grandmother of Aiden, Alex and Buttercup. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment at Homewood Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Western PA Humane Society, 6926 Hamilton Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15208. GOLDSTEIN: Marilyn Feldshue Verk Goldstein of Monroeville, on Thursday, November 2, 2017, after a brief illness at the age of 85. She was preceded in death by beloved husbands Harold W. Goldstein and Rody S. Verk. She is survived by loving children, Rita (Verk) and Stuart Zolot of Mt. Lebanon and Robert and Lynn Verk of Edgewood, Md. Also survived by loving grandchildren, Suzanna Zolot, David Zolot, Stephanie Verk and Sam Verk and niece Elyse Feldshue Weiner (Allan) of Rockville, Md. Also survived by several nephews and cousins. As a young wife and mother, Marilyn actively volunteered for Pioneer Women (now NA’AMAT) and Temple David Sisterhood; along with both her husbands, she volunteered for the JWV and their auxiliary. She worked for many years as a bookkeeper for several local companies. She loved her friends in Pittsburgh and Florida playing mah-jongg and shopping at Costco. She was addicted to Chinese food, always missed the Tea Garden Restaurant from Kelly Street, and Marilyn never gave up the quest to find the best Chinese food. Above all, she loved her children and grandchildren, and they loved her. Marilyn was the daughter of the late Ethel (Cohen) and Jack Feldshue of New York City, Squirrel Hill and Monroeville and the sister of the late Gene Feldshue. Services and interment private. Donations may be

made to Temple David or Rabbi Barbara Symon’s Mitzvah Fund, 4415 Northern Pike, Monroeville, PA 15146. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. PLOTKIN: Arthur Plotkin passed away on October 11, three weeks shy of his 102nd birthday. Art was a quiet man. Humble in all aspects of his life. He lived in harmony with his lifelong devotion to his faith. Art also found great joy in giving. He was the epitome of the perfect patriarch. He was a sincere listener. Insightful and truthful in his responses. When in his presence, a visit, your chair pulled close, it was easy to be pulled in by the deepness of his blue eyes in the recounting of the family history. When in the fold of these stories it would seem as if the layers of his century would fall away until it was a young man sitting before you. He had a great sense of humor. When he would laugh, which he did often, the joy of that laughter would momentarily linger, playfully rolling his shoulders side to side, tickling his head so it would tuck and turn and then and only then would his laughter escape calling all to join in. It was impossible to leave a visit without a smile and a sense of well-being. As it was impossible not to have been inspired and truly honored to have loved and to have been loved by such a man as this. Arthur Plotkin was preceded in death by his wife Miriam, his parents Maryasha Kasdan and Leon Plotkin and siblings Abraham Plotkin, Nellie Vinograd and Ben Plotkin. He is survived by his devoted children, Marsha Plotkin (Ted Goleman), Maxine Plotkin and Lenny (Erela) Plotkin. He has also had the joy of his grandchildren David Malitz (Melissa Beattie), Andrew Goleman, Jesse Goleman, Miriam (Naftali) Senft, Yehuda Plotkin and Rivka Plotkin; and great-granddaughter, Naomi Leah Senft, born 12 weeks ago and whom Arthur had the good fortune to know in the days before he passed. Also will be missed by many nieces and nephews including loving caregivers, Pat Vlam and Laverne Mcharris. Please go to the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle story, “At 100, Arthur Plotkin Still Going Strong,” at jewishchronicle. timesofisrael.com/at-100-arthur-plotkinis-still-going-strong/. Donations can be made in Arthur’s name to, Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh, 5685 Beacon St., Pittsburgh, PA 15217, The Pittsburgh Center For The Arts, 6300 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh PA 15232 or Community Day School, 6424 Forward Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Please see Obituaries, page 20

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Obituaries Obituaries: Continued from page 19

SPIEGEL: Charlotte (Cecie) Spiegel, age 91, of Newville and formerly of White Oak, died on Monday, October 30, 2017. She was born on September 29, 1926, in McKeesport and was the daughter of the late Zelman Louis (Z.L.) and Dora Friedman Weiss. She was the beloved wife for 61 years of the late David Spiegel; loving mother of Joel (Lynn) Spiegel of Greensburg, Miriam (Robert) Robinson of Mount Holly Springs and Eric (Jennifer) Spiegel of Ellicott City, Md.; sister of Helen (Honey) Davis of State College; adored grandma of Julie (Keith) Goddard, Justin (Miranda) Pihony, Sarah (Jon) Malek, Laura Spiegel, Katie Spiegel and Natalie Spiegel; adoring great-grandma of Mackenzie Goddard, Reese Goddard, Rory Pihony and Rigel Pihony; also survived by many special nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Mrs. Spiegel was preceded in death by her siblings, Ethel Spitz, Milton Weiss, Sidney Weiss, Florence Chottiner, David Weiss, Sylvia Mermelstein, Morris Weiss, Thelma Hartstein, Bette Goodman, Sabina (Binky) Weinstein, and Barbara (Shindy) Weiss. For many years Mrs. Spiegel was a member of Gemilas Chesed Synagogue and its Sister-

Christians: Continued from page 8

Twain capped many pages of unflattering observations with this line: “Of all the lands there are for dismal scenery, I think Palestine must be the prince.” Looking back even further, Christian Zionists singled out 1517, the year the Ottomans conquered Jerusalem. It is also when Martin Luther is said to have posted his protest manifesto against the Catholic Church, launching the Protestant Reformation. Although Christian Zionists are apologetic about Luther’s anti-Semitism, they believe that by popularizing individual Bible study as the means of relating to God, he made it possible for Christians to see the falsehood of replacement theology. According to this doctrine, which was long a core tenant of the Catholic Church and remains influential, God took the title of the chosen people from the Jews and gave it to the Christians. Christian Zionists have had decades to speculate about what historic change would happen in 2017, a half century after the

hood, B’nai B’rith and Hadassah. Services were held at the Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc.; interment at Temple B’nai Israel Cemetery with Rabbi Paul Tuchman officiating. Donations may be made to Temple B’nai Israel, 2025 Cypress Dr., White Oak, PA 15131. Condolences may be made at Gilbertfuneralhomeandcrematory.com TABOR: Zara (Edlis) Tabor, on Monday, October 30 2017. Beloved wife of the late Nathan Tabor. Loving and devoted mother of Robin (Robert) Skirboll, Alan Tabor and Joan Tabor Horvitz (John Gonella). Cherished sister of Effie (Robert) Cohen, the late Millie (late Marvin) Glassman and Adolph Edlis. Loving sister-in-law of Mollie Rudt. Bubbe “Zaz” of Julie (Daniel) Nisenson, Ryan Skirboll, Stacey Horvitz, Lindsey (Chaim) Strassman and Andrew Horvitz. Great-grandmother of Esther Leah “Ella” Strassman. She was also loved by many nieces and nephews. Zara was a beautiful model in her early years. She was active in Beth El Sisterhood as well as being a lifetime member of Hadassah, NCJW and many other Jewish organizations. She was known for her famous honey cake and mandel bread and will be remembered for her class, elegance and quiet demeanor. Graveside services and interment were held at Beth Abraham Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Ellen Rochelle Rudt Scholarship Fund c/o Beth El Congregation, 1900 Cochran Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc.

TARLO: William “Bill” M. Tarlo, on Saturday, November 4, 2017. Beloved and devoted husband of the late Charlene Tarlo. Devoted father of H. Scott Tarlo (Debbie Lawrenzi) and Ricard (Leslie) Tarlo both of Pittsburgh. Brother of Goldie (late Barry) Cohen. Grandfather of Becca, Josh and Madison. Uncle of Meryl Hope Cohen. Mr. Tarlo was a proud alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh. He was the former CFO at Management Science Associates Inc. (MSA) and more recently a financial and estate consultant. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment at Beth Shalom Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205. TEPLITZ: Philip Teplitz, age 87, on Sunday, November 5, 2017. Beloved husband of the late Iris Teplitz (Kimball). Beloved father of Lee Teplitz, Jonathan (Kathryne) Teplitz and Paul Teplitz. Brother of the late George (late Rosalind) and late Rita (late Stan) Rosner. Proud Zayde of Alex and Charlotte Teplitz. Philip’s lifelong passion was the furniture industry. His mother and father founded Finleyville Furniture in 1929. By the time he was 13, he was driving a delivery truck and helping to make deliveries after school. As a senior in high school, he would go to the store after

American Jews, especially the majority who are non-Orthodox and politically liberal, have traditionally been wary of evangelical support for Israel. Six-Day War. At a conference for Christian Zionists in Jerusalem last week titled “Balfour to Nikki Haley: A Century of Christian Zionist Diplomacy,” a popular guess among the 100 or so evangelical and Jewish participants was that President Donald Trump would fulfill his campaign promise to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. But with only two months left in the year, time is running out. Bob O’Dell, an American speaker at the conference and the co-founder of Root Source, a platform that allows Israeli Jews to teach Bible online to Christians, argued that the big event of 2017 may already be happening in the hearts of his fellow evan-

gelicals. He said he has seen a surge in the community’s interest in Israel. “Everyone has a theory, but my view is that what’s happening at this jubilee is a growing realization that Christians are leading the nations in their support of Israel,” he said. “I think this is going to be the most important change of them all.” Donna Jollay, the director of Christian relations for Israel 365, a fast-growing Jewish-run media company that targets evangelicals with biblically themed news and content, listed dozens of signs that Christians were shepherding Israel toward the messianic era, along with relevant Bible passages. She pointed to Trump’s Jewish grandchil-

STORIES COME TO life HERE.

school and sit in with his mother to learn how to buy furniture and appliances for the store. After one year at the University of Pittsburgh, he decided to drop out and formally enter the family business, which he co-owned with his brother, George, until it closed in 1986. Philip and George co-owned the Manor House Ethan Allen Galleries from 1965 until 1993 and the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries from 1985 until 2005. Philip was the president of the National Home Furnishings Association in 1991 and was the retailer representative for more than 20 years to the Upholstered Furniture Action Council, a voluntary furniture industry organization designed to make upholstered furniture more fire resistant. He married Iris in 1960 and she joined him in the furniture business and they had a true partnership both at work and home. He always enjoyed a good book, a single malt scotch and a cigar. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment at West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation. Contributions may be made to Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

Unveiling

GOULD: The family of Rita J. Gould will be receiving family and friends at Rodef Shalom Temple, 4905 Fifth Ave. from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 19 after a private unveiling. Please call Carole Haber at 412-731-8214 to RSVP. PJC

dren, America’s withdrawal from UNESCO over alleged anti-Israel bias (U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley is a convert to Christianity) and growing Christian investment in the Jewish state. Evangelicals from the United States alone bring about $500 million a year into Israeli tourism and charity, and support its current rightwing government. “It’s pretty much everything,” she said. American Jews, especially the majority who are non-Orthodox and politically liberal, have traditionally been wary of evangelical support for Israel. But Josh Reinstein, the founder of the 19-member Christian Allies Caucus, which seeks to promote Christian advocacy on behalf of Israel, said he has also seen a growing willingness among Jews to accept Christian help. “We’ve seen the results,” he said, citing the anti-BDS laws in the United States and increased cooperation between Israel and African and Asian countries. “We know these are people who stand with Israel based on faith, and they’ll stick around in the long run, regardless of political or economic considerations.” PJC

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Real Estate Directory Directory Real Estate

Beth El:

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another component of the centennial celebra- Balk, who credited “excellent rabbinic lead$ tion is “100 Mitzvot,” a project that encour- ership” for providing a path to follow. 210,000 FOR RENT $ READY TO DOWNSIZE? ages members to complete 100 “good deeds” Said Scheimer, “It wasn’t overnight that we 210,000 FOR RENT 5125 Fifth Ave. SPENDING YOUR PittsREADY TO DOWNSIZE? by volunteering became the amazing dynamic community 2 & 3 Bedrooms throughout greater WINTERS IN THE SOUTH? 5125 Corner Fifth of Ave. SPENDING YOUR burgh. For in participating, a that we are. It took years to build this commu2Fifth &3 Bedrooms Come see this 2 BR, 2 Bath unit andthose Wilkinsinterested WINTERS IN THE SOUTH? Corner of with many of theand updatescauses, already Spacious list1500-2250 of more than 40 organizations nity and lots of hard work to maintain this Come see this 2 BR, 2 Bath unit Fifth and Wilkins done including neutral kitchen, square feet with many of the updatescarpeting already Spaciousinformation, both baths, windows, with contact is available online. community for everyone’s enjoyment.” PJC ”Finest in Shadyside” done neutral kitchen, 1500-2250 square feet andincluding more!! Building amenities Bunny Wolff both baths, windows, carpeting “We try to lead the way inexercise many respects 412-661-4456 ”Finest in Shadyside” include room, party 412.782.3700 x238 or and more!! Building amenities www.kaminrealty.kamin.com room,South pool, pretty patio. Wolff for412-661-4456 the community in include the and Bunny Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz 412.855.9213 at exercise room,Hills, party 412.782.3700 x238 or www.kaminrealty.kamin.com prettyTODAY patio. for CALL Berkshire Hathaway at we’ve been doing this room, forpool, some time, ” said 412.855.9213 @pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. appointments to see! Home Services

Part feel so FOR RENT FOR RENTof the reason that people invested is because of a general commitment FOR RENT FOR RENT TOWERS RIVERVIEW to welcomeness, said Spungen. “You can’t be a Your Life “Live TOWERS RIVERVIEW lucky to [be] back.” new personWay” coming into our services without Way” Your “Live Life living by a half dozen or so people retirement Convenient “In the days of moving away, it’s remarkbeing approached 6315 Forbes Ave. for seniors (62+) that is affordable. living retirement Convenient Bedroom One and Studio able how many people have comeforback who are fiisnding out who you are and making Luxury Living 6315 Forbes Ave. affordable. that (62+) seniors apartments available in the Heart of One Bedroom in the service or the and comfortable Studio you and have reacquainted themselves with the building. ” Luxury Living Squirrel Hill apartments available your tour To schedule in the Heart of 1, Squirrel 2 for & 3 BR Apts. synagogue, and it’s very encouraging,” said Th at commitment to caring others Hill 412-521-7876 your tour schedule Tocall 2 &added, 3 BR Apts.as Samuel Balk, Seletz’s father and a past presiextends as well, 1,he412-521-7900 St. Garettaexternally 52412-521-7876 call Continued from page 17

Fox Chapel Mews Fox Chapel Mews

Chronicle dent of the congregation.

FOR SALE FOR SALE

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GARDEN & HOME MAINTENANCE

Spruce up your yard on a one-time or regular basis; clean out house, basement, gutters, painting. Reliable service, with references. Call Scottie at 412-310-3769.

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Meticulous home with high end finishes throughout. Close to Frick Park, Colfax etc. Master en Suite along with 3 additional bedrooms.

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NOVEMBER 10, 2017 21

Community Men’s Night Out

Men from around Pittsburgh heard from former Steeler Merril Hoge at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Men’s Night Out, which is an annual philanthropy event supporting the Community Campaign. More than 180 people attended this year’s event, held at the Byham Theater.

Moms’ Night Out

Moms enjoyed the Friendship Circle’s Moms’ Night Out at the Candle Lab in Lawrenceville. The evening was complete with hors d’oeuvres, salads and wine.

p Jason Kushner, Shofar Society chair Steve Latterman, Sandy Ehrenrich and Michael Regan enjoyed a strolling dinner and drinks at Men’s Night Out.

p From left: Marta Fox, Sarah Fetter and Karen Oosterhous

Photo courtesy of Friendship Circle

p Former ESPN analyst and Pittsburgh Steeler Merril Hoge inspired men from across the community as he spoke about always finding a way to succeed.

Photos by Josh Franzos

A festive Shabbat

Challah happiness Chabad of Pittsburgh’s Mega Challah Event brought out 350 women and girls from around the community to participate. The event was held the same evening as more than 100 challah bakes around the world. Together, the women made challah, sang, danced, prayed and enjoyed words of inspiration.

t Esthi and Karen Galor were one of many mother-daughter pairs that attended the Mega Challah Event.

Chabad at Pitt students joined Lyle Humphrey, business entrepreneur, and Kathy Humphrey, senior vice chancellor and chief of staff at the University of Pittsburgh, for Shabbat dinner on Oct. 27. Students joined Rabbi Shmuel and Sara Weinstein, directors of Chabad House on Campus, to set up for the meal. Later, more than 30 Pitt students enjoyed the lively atmosphere on the Humphreys’ deck, along with Chabad at Pitt directors Rabbi Shmuli and Chasi Rothstein. Photo courtesy of Chabad House on Campus 22 NOVEMBER 10, 2017

u From left: Sharon Jackson, Dana Himmel, Esther Elishaev, Gabriella Lynch, Gabriella Boyiadzis and Chloe John

Photos courtesy of Chabad of Pittsburgh

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Community Celebrating Rabbi Jamie Gibson

Temple Sinai celebrated the beginning of Rabbi Jamie Gibson’s 30th year with a Musical Weekend featuring Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller, distinguished professor of cantorial arts at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music. Friday evening’s Shabbat service and dinner were followed on Saturday evening with Jamie & Friends, a concert attended by more than 300 people, which featured area cantors and soloists, the Temple Sinai Intergenerational Choir and Band and the Homewood Baptist Choir. Since joining Temple Sinai as senior rabbi in 1988, Gibson has helped to shape the congregation as one that embraces inclusion, inspiration and innovation. Thirty years later, he has steered the congregation through change and innovation while extending his influence and leadership beyond Temple Sinai to gain respect from the Pittsburgh Jewish and interfaith community. He also is a voice for the United Reform Judaism movement.

p From left: Performing “A-lei Ei-lai,” or “Come Up To Me,” are Rabbi Paul Tuchman, Rabbi Yair Lehrer, Cantor Michal Grey-Schaeffer, Rabbi Sara Perman, Rabbi Cheryl Klein, Cantor Laura Berman, Rabbi Jeff Meyers, Rabbi Jamie Gibson and Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller at the piano, not pictured.

Photo by Susan Straus

p Special guest Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller and Rabbi Jamie Gibson sing at the Shabbat dinner on Friday, Nov. 3 to celebrate the kickoff of Rabbi Gibson’s 30th year at Temple Sinai. Photo by John Schiller

p The Temple Sinai Intergenerational Choir and the Homewood Baptist Choir perform at the Jamie & Friends Concert on Saturday, Nov. 4.

p Cantors Laura Berman and Benjie Ellen Schiller perform at the Jamie & Friends Concert. Photo by Susan Straus

Photo by Susan Straus

t Rabbi Jamie Gibson and friend Andy Leo perform at the Jamie & Friends Concert.

Photo by Susan Straus

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p “The Teens” perform at the Jamie & Friends Concert. From left: Sarah Bett, Dillon Hvizdash, Joey Breslau and Jacob Epstein Photo by Suzie Hauptman

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

NOVEMBER 10, 2017 23

24â&#x20AC;&#x192;NOVEMBER 10, 2017

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