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June 1, 2018 | 18 Sivan 5778
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Candlelighting 8:26 p.m. | Havdalah 9:34 p.m. | Vol. 61, No. 22 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org
NOTEWORTHY LOCAL Israeli tech firm makes a home in Pittsburgh
Israeli EMS services seek Steel City aid
Two Pittsburgh school board members vote against Holocaust education trip
Ohio transplant discovers Bakery Square to be the perfect place for newsletter business.
By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer
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an emergency service geared to the haredi Orthodox community, is the “largest independent, nonprofit, government recognized and fully volunteer emergency medical services organization in Israel.” Rabbi Elisar Admon, a Pittsburgh-based educator and mohel, attested to the group’s merit. United Hatzalah is “a very good organization with a lot of different types of volunteers,” yet despite the diversity of first
ive Pittsburgh Public Schools administrators, including Superintendent Anthony Hamlet, will be traveling to Poland this summer with Classrooms Without Borders — accompanied by a Shoah survivor — to help enrich Holocaust and genocide education throughout Pittsburgh’s schools. But in winning approval from the school board, the trip faced spirited denunciations from two members, as well as their “no” votes. Board members voted 6-2, with one abstention, approving the educators’ participation in the July 1-9 trip. The trip is not being financed through the school performance budget, according to Hamlet, but by a foundation grant. CWB was founded in 2011 by Zipora Gur in association with the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. It provides experiential professional development for educators through study seminars that take place outside of the classroom. CWB has taken groups of educators and students to Spain, Germany and Israel, as well as Poland. The board discussed the pros and cons of the trip for about 20 minutes at the May 23 meeting. That discussion can be viewed at livestream.com. While the majority of school board directors was highly supportive of the trip, Moira Kalieda, representing District 6, was an outspoken opponent. Kalieda, who also serves as chief of staff to Pittsburgh City Councilman Anthony Coghill (District 4), argued that Pittsburgh Public Schools is already doing enough in the area of Holocaust education, and she intimated that
Please see Hatzalah, page 15
Please see Meeting, page 15
Page 2 LOCAL Three decades as house of hope
Bet Tikvah celebrating 30 years serving LGBTQ community. Page 4 LOCAL Golden steps for CDS dancers
Gavriel Friedson is the deputy director of international operations for United Hatzalah of Israel. Photo courtesy of Gavriel Friedson.
Fifth-grade program teaches respect and coordination. Page 6
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By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer
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nited Hatzalah of Israel, the selfdescribed “Uber of lifesaving,” is seeking support. Cari Immerman, United Hatzalah’s Midwest/Central regional director of leadership giving, and Gavriel Friedson, the organization’s deputy director of international operations, visited Pittsburgh last month to solicit funds and spread awareness of the Israeli medical services group. The duo’s sell is that United Hatzalah of Israel, at one time regarded as primarily
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Headlines Israeli startup Smore ‘sweetens’ Bakery Square scene — LOCAL — By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer
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s’more may not be the most ideal meal for international transportation, but as a company, well, that’s a whole different story. Smore, an Israeli-based firm that enables users to develop newsletters, flyers and other marketing material, recently opened its American office in Spaces, a Bakery Square site frequented by creatives, entrepreneurs and startups. While scouring the United States for a potential home, Emily Willner, a former Youngstown, Ohio, resident, visited Seattle, Denver, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Miami. Ultimately, however, Smore’s head of customer success selected Pittsburgh as the company’s second post. “I felt like there was something already established that we could springboard off of,” she said. As a hub of higher education and technology, Pittsburgh presented a viable option. More importantly though, picking Pittsburgh was prudent. “Our investors are really happy with our choice. A lot of time, Israeli startups don’t know where to go in the U.S.; they only know New York and San Francisco, so they’ll go there, the most expensive places in the country and they’ll get stuck there, and then they realize it doesn’t make sense for my business,” explained Willner. Investors “respected the fact that we were so practical in our choice, that we could sustain ourselves here.” Five months into the move, Willner’s appreciation of the area has grown. “I like that you can talk to anybody and
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EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Email: newsdesk@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org BOARD OF TRUSTEES Evan Indianer, Chairman Andrew Schaer, Vice Chairman Gayle R. Kraut, Secretary Jonathan Bernstein, Treasurer David Ainsman, Immediate Past Chairman Gail Childs, Elizabeth F. Collura, Milton Eisner, Malke Steinfeld Frank, Tracy Gross, Richard J. Kitay, Catia Kossovsky, Andi Perelman, David Rush, Charles Saul GENERAL COUNSEL Stuart R. Kaplan, Esq.
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p Emily Willner chose Pittsburgh as the best place to set up Smore’s U.S. base.
Photo courtesy of Emily Willner
everybody is open to talk to you,” she said. “It’s a very community feeling.” Such accessibility is critical as Willner seeks to expand the brand throughout the region. While Smore has built a following in Texas, New York and California, “we are hoping to be able to get to know people here, let them know that we are here, that we can solve this problem for them, because I’m positive that it’s a problem.” What Willner is referring to is the difficulty encountered in easily disseminating information. Whether the digital user is a school, corporation or youth group, there is an inherent need to transmit material clearly and attractively. That’s where Smore, “an interactive online newsletter,” comes
in, she explained. “Anybody can use us, there is very little onboarding,” she said. “You just sign up and open up a template.” From there, users can input information, videos, links, PDF files “and everything,” she added. Smore then sends the completed template out via email or social media. Apart from being “easy to use,” they are “really beautiful newsletters.” Aiding any aesthetic appeal is Smorinio, the company’s logo. Typically sandwiched between two graham cracker crusts, the sweet symbol has also appeared with a graduation cap above his head. “We’re really big in the education market,” said Willner. She also noted that “60 percent
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[of the firm] is women.” She frequently boasts about the figure, “because there are not a lot of women in tech, and our company is very inclusive and has a lot of women in leadership positions.” Smore opened for business in 2011. While the Tel Aviv-based firm was able to create a customer base thousands of miles abroad, managing those relationships from afar “became a problem,” said Willner. Issues including time zone differential, shipping, billing and other logistics necessitated a domestic presence in the United States. “We needed somebody to be here to be on the same time zone and manage some of the tasks that come along,” said the Ohio University graduate who moved to Israel in 2012. Although Willner and a recently hired staff person are now in Pittsburgh, there is no thought to relocate the small business’ remaining employees. “We are still a very Israeli company,” she said. “And there’s still access to a lot of tech there that is better than here. … Israel is known as the startup nation and they have some of the best developers, I think, in the world. It’s a different way of thinking so you would never take away that access to talent that’s there.” Even so, Willner does plan on parading Pittsburgh to her leadership team when they visit this summer. “People really value family here, and they really value face to face conversation, and that comes with the friendliness,” she explained. “There is a very family oriented feeling about Pittsburgh. I think that’s why people are so nice. … It’s a very down to earth city.” PJC
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Headlines Former Pittsburgher trusts her gut when it comes to Crohn’s disease “Looking back, I’m not sure how I maintained my conviction that I was sick, when everyone told me I had fabricated my illness,” Fink, who has recently published By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer her story of survival in a book, said. “Even hen Lois Fink was a Pittsburgh when my own mother didn’t believe me, teenager in the 1960s, she knew I listened to the small voice inside that said I that something was wrong with was very ill. In spite of everything, I guess her health — she just didn’t know what it was. I had a lot of guts.” Neither did her doctors, who dismissed her Fink left Pittsburgh in 1971, two weeks complaints of abdominal pains, fevers and after graduating from Duquesne Univer“episodes of diarrhea,” recalled Fink in an email. sity, and moved to Denver, Colo. Finally, At the age of 14, and weighing barely 80 after dealing with the difficult symptoms of pounds, Fink’s parents “begged” her to eat, Crohn’s for more than three decades, she ultibut to no avail. Her body was not maturing mately decided to undergo ostomy surgery at at the same rate as her peers, which caused the age of 36, although she was at first relucher much anguish. tant to go through the radical procedure. “Numerous physicians were consulted, “After meeting and talking with a young and their diagnosis was the same: ‘no phys- woman who had gone through ostomy ical basis for the symptoms,”’ she said. surgery, she gave me an assignment: list Her mother intimated that if she did not everything I was angry about as a result of “get a grip” on herself, Fink would end up having Crohn’s disease,” said Fink. “After in a mental hospital, but “at a gut level,” the writing, ‘I’m tired of being an observer of teenager knew she was “very sick.” life and not an active participant,’ I stared at Shortly after her 17th birthday, with what I’d written. Something shifted in that symptoms intensifying and her weight drop- moment and I could no longer deny how ping to 62 pounds, Fink collapsed one day narrow and constricted my life had become. after school. She woke up the next day at I wanted an opportunity to fully live my life. Montefiore Hospital, where a doctor finally I was still afraid, but I knew I’d made the JC ReSound SurrondSound_Eartique 4/6/17 4:58 PM 1 diagnosed her as having Crohn’s disease. rightPage decision. ”
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p Lois Fink
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Having the surgery “gave me back everything Crohn’s disease took away — it gave me back my life,” said Fink. “It has given me the freedom to be spontaneous, to do things I was afraid to do when I had active Crohn’s disease. I am free to go hiking, enjoy a meal at a restaurant without sprinting to the bathroom multiple times, sit through an entire movie.
“I don’t have to know the location of every bathroom wherever I go,” Fink continued. “I’m free to really concentrate and listen to others instead of being ‘gut’ centered and wondering if my body will betray me. As strange as this may sound, ostomy surgery has given me the opportunity to see a part of my anatomy that isn’t usually visible, and marvel at the wonder of the human body itself.” Since then, Fink has become an advocate for others suffering from Crohn’s by sharing her story. Her book, available on Amazon. com, is called “Courage Takes Guts: Lessons Learned from a Lost Colon.” She also has addressed medical and nursing students, “demystifying ostomy surgery,” she said. “I have spoken to certified wound, ostomy, continence nurses and GI nurses, shared my story from the patient point of view, and offered ways nurses can help their patients thrive. Knowing myths and fears about ostomy surgery persist, motivates me to keep speaking and working to bring ostomy surgery out of the bathroom and into the living room.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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Headlines Bet Tikvah celebrating three decades in Pittsburgh — LOCAL — By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer
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lot has changed for Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ Jewish community in the last 30 years, but one thing that has remained constant is the “spirit” of Bet Tikvah, according to Deb Polk, a leader of the congregation. “Bet Tikvah provides people with a community you don’t get elsewhere,” said Polk. “This is where I connect to other gay people.” Bet Tikvah, which meets for Shabbat services the first Friday of each month at Rodef Shalom Congregation, will be celebrating its 30th year at a party on Sunday, June 3, at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. Eric Lidji, director of the Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives at the Senator John Heinz History Center, will be talking about the history of the congregation; Frank Giaoui, the president of the World Congress: Keshet Ga’avah, an umbrella group for organizations supporting LGBTQ Jews, will be present as well. Bet Tikvah (“House of Hope”) was founded in 1988 when three people decided to form a group to meet the needs of Jewish gays, lesbians and bisexuals in the Pittsburgh area. The group first gathered at the home of Avram Machtiger for “Shabbat acknowledgement,” said Lidji, who has been conducting oral histories of some of the congregation’s founding members. “The idea was to do not just Shabbat, but the holidays as well,” said Lidji. “A lot of people weren’t religious or observant in any way; they were just Jews who wanted to get together, and prayer felt like the thing to do when they got together.” In the 1980s, Lidji explained, there was not a lot to do to meet other members of the LGBTQ community “if you didn’t want to go to the bars.” Nationally at that time, LGBTQ activism was becoming more pronounced, and “people started to become more visible and more vocal,” he said. That national trend was reflected in Pittsburgh as well. Some in Pittsburgh’s Jewish community were resistant to the trend, with some of that conflict playing out in the pages of the Jewish Chronicle. In 1989, the Chronicle ran an advertisement for Bet Tikvah, and later a brief regarding the appearance of the executive director of the World Congress: Keshet Ga’avah at Temple Sinai. “That set off a huge debate in the next three months in the Chronicle,” Lidji said, with a letter to the editor comparing the decision to run the ad with running an ad for a non-kosher restaurant, and rebuttals to that position.
p Top: Members of Bet Tikvah march in the 1999 Pride Parade. Bottom: A 1990 op-ed by Dennis Prager.
Photo provided by Eric Lidji, Rauh Jewish History Program and Archives.
In 1990, the Reform movement voted to accept openly gay Jews into the rabbinate, and the Chronicle ran an op-ed by Dennis Prager imploring the movement to reverse its decision. That was followed by a response from Rodef Shalom’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Walter Jacob, who was on the committee of the Central Conference of American Rabbis
that passed the resolution stressing that “all Jews are religiously equal regardless of their sexual orientation.” Shortly thereafter, the United Jewish Federation (now the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh) formed a Human Rights Task Force, and in April 1991, hosted a program at the Jewish Community Center of
Greater Pittsburgh on “the gay Jewish experience,” said Lidji. “This was all coming just a few years after the forming of Bet Tikvah, and it was seen as an energizing moment,” he said. Other programs supportive of the Jewish Pittsburgh LGBTQ community followed, including a symposium on “Jews with AIDS in the Family.” By 1989, the Bet Tikvah group had grown and was regularly holding member-led services at a variety of locations in the area, including a local gay-owned restaurant, the Israel Heritage Room at the University of Pittsburgh and the homes of members. By 1995, a new wave of Bet Tikvah leaders had emerged, and with a measure of acceptance now established in the wider community, the congregation gained a more solid footing. It was then that it entered into its relationship renting space from Rodef Shalom. Lidji, who has researched the history of many area congregations, sees a similarity between the founding of Bet Tikvah and the others, which he identified as “the compulsion to start something.” “The fact that these people were not observant, but wanted to start a congregation built around prayer and religious observance, is really something,” he said. The congregation, which maintains a membership roll of about 40 family units, continues to serve as a place for Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ Jews to connect and celebrate. Each year, Bet Tikvah also provides a home away from home for LGBTQ Jewish college students, Polk said. In recent years many mainstream congregations have been intentional in including the LGBTQ population, but that has not obviated Bet Tikvah’s relevancy. “The thing I’m paying attention to is whether new people are seeking us out,” Polk said. “If no more new people are interested in us, I may feel our time is done. But there are still new people reaching out.” Mainstream organizations often reach out to partner with Bet Tikvah, Polk said, including JFilm, J’Burgh, the Federation, Congregation Beth Shalom and Temple Sinai. “Were on the map now,” she noted. “Now people are thinking about us and reaching out to us. I think it’s really neat and amazing.” In addition to monthly Shabbat services, Bet Tikvah continues to host a Passover seder, High Holiday services and Sukkot services, as well as a Chanukah party and other social events. It is open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, and counts several heterosexuals as members. PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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JUNE 1, 2018 5
Headlines CDS students dance their way to success — LOCAL — By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer
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tudents from Community Day School may be the city’s biggest movers and shakers, at least the 12 fifth-graders who executed the merengue, fox-trot, rumba, tango and swing before an audience of 600 at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum in Oakland. The May 16 performance and competition capped a 10-week co-curricular exercise, said Mark Minkus, the day school’s head of Intermediate School and Middle School. “It was quite an event and the outcome was unexpected and amazing,” he said. Although this was CDS’ first go-around with Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh, the Squirrel Hill-based school was named grand champion of the “Colors of the Rainbow” Spring 2018 Semester Final Team Match. Organized by Pittsburgh Mercy and Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh, the nineyear-old program welcomed 10 student teams. Apart from CDS, squads from Pittsburgh Banksville K-5, Pittsburgh Brookline PreK-8, Pittsburgh Montessori PreK-5, Pittsburgh Phillips K-5, Pittsburgh Roosevelt PreK-5, Pittsburgh Westwood K-5, St. Benedict the Moor School, Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Academy and West Mifflin Area Middle School participating in the event. Taking part in Dancing Classrooms is a “truly life changing experience,” said Mark Rogalsky, Pittsburgh Mercy’s senior manager for school and community services. “The kids think they’re learning about dancing, but they’re learning about life.” Throughout the lead up to the finale, issues such as how to appropriately address one another — both physically and verbally — how to bolster self-confidence and how to be a good partner were all covered, said Minkus. There is a level of “respect” that is gained throughout the process, “and it shows,” added Rogalsky. Bringing Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh to CDS “was the brainchild of Judy Adelson,”
p Top left: Ilyssa Bails, Abigail Naveh, Nofar Amram; top right, Michelle Kotov and Aviv Davidson accept their award. Above: Lily Feinman, Sam Tarr, Michelle Kotov, Aviv Davidson, Hannah Adelson, Jay Ross Szczypinski, Nofar Amram, Xander Velazquez, Abigail Naveh, Oren Gilboa, Ilyssa Bails and Ezra Rothschild Photos courtesy of Community Day School
“ If Dancing Classrooms would have ended with the parent event, everyone would have walked away
”
on cloud nine.
— MARK MINKUS a CDS fifth-grade parent, former professional ballerina in New York and current instructor at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, said Jennifer Bails, CDS’ director of marketing and communications. Despite interest in the endeavor, there was an uncertainty as to “how it’s going to go,” admitted Minkus. However, any apprehension abated as the activity advanced.
6 JUNE 1, 2018
There was this “transformation we saw with our kids,” from the first lesson when they thought, “This is dumb; why do we have to do this?” to “I can’t wait,” he explained. “This was the first time where something has checked every single box where they said it would happen. It actually exceeded our expectations.” Prior to the May 16 team match, in lieu
of gym class or music, each of CDS’ 27 fifth graders participated in twice-weekly instructions. The sessions began in January. Given that dance is “musically oriented” and requires physical activity, “we felt like that was a reasonable trade-off,” said Minkus. During the 20th and final lesson, parents were invited to observe. “If Dancing Classrooms would have ended with the parent event, everyone would have walked away on cloud nine because of the growth and confidence, and these kids being able to do something they couldn’t do before,” said Minkus. Although having 12 students selected to represent CDS in the “Colors of the Rainbow” and aiding the school in becoming grand champion was the “unexpected icing on the cake … it’s really about all 27 kids and each of their individual journeys walking into that room and not knowing what to expect and then lesson 20, dressing up, walking in front of their parents and doing all of the different dances,” said Minkus.
PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE
Whether it is “a change in the child for the better by taking school more seriously, treating each other better or test scores and GPA [improving],” the program has had tremendous effect, noted Rogalsky. Launched in 1994 by Broadway dancers Pierre Dulaine and Yvonne Marceau, Dancing Classrooms has taught more than 50,000 students and has spread as far as Israel. Locally, more than 6,000 Pittsburgh students have experienced the “arts-in-education” opportunity since Pittsburgh Mercy introduced it in 2009, said Bails. “The program has gotten very big in Israel,” said Rogalsky, who dreams of one day hosting “an international competition like the Maccabi Games.” “It would be kind of cool in the future but that’s down the road right now,” said Minkus. PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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Headlines NCJW Pittsburgh marking 125 years of community service — LOCAL — By Lauren Rosenblatt | Digital Content Manager
F
or Lynette Lederman, former president and current volunteer at the National Council for Jewish Women, Pittsburgh Section, one of her favorite moments in her nearly 30 years as part of NCJW was when she outfitted a young Bhutanese girl with a pair of gloves. The young girl, who got two pairs of gloves at the Back 2 School Store that NCJW sponsors to offer school supplies and clothes to young students, had previously been using socks to keep her hands warm. “It happens over and over again. The kids say, ‘Can I take this home? Is this really mine?’” Lederman said. “It’s those kinds of moments where you know you’ve touched a child or touched a single mother.” Lederman, who was president of the organization from 2002-2004, said that moment also comes when a mother and her daughter walk out from Project Prom, another NCJW event that outfits girls with prom dresses and shoes, beaming with a new dress in hand. Or when a woman learns financial stability from the Center for Women, an NCJW project established in 2013 that acts as a one-stop shop for women in Please see NCJW, page 16
Chronicle wins awards
T
he Press Club of Western Pennsylvania announced the winners of the 54th Golden Quill Awards during an awards presentation on Thursday, May 24 at the Rivers Casino. The competition recognizes professional and student excellence in print, broadcast, photography, videography and digital journalism in Western Pennsylvania and nearby counties in Ohio and West Virginia. The Chronicle’s senior staff writer, Toby Tabachnick, won two Golden Quill Awards. In the category of History, Nondaily Newspapers, she won for “Stumbling Stones Connect Families, Memorialize Those Murdered by Nazis.” In the Arts & Entertainment, Nondaily Newspapers category Tabachnick won for “Kinky Friedman ‘On the Road
p Left: A welcome sign features many languages. Right: A Back 2 School Store volunteer and friend Photos courtesy of NCJW
Again’ With Stop in Pittsburgh.” She was also a finalist in the category Education, Nondaily Newspapers for “Accidental Activist Lenore Blum Changes Formula, for Women in Math.” Staff writer Adam Reinherz was a finalist in several categories. His “Needlepointing Is a Stitch in Time, Past and Present” was in the Lifestyle, Nondaily Newspapers category; “Local Little Leaguers Enjoy International Competition,” in Sports, Nondaily Newspapers; “JCC Tackles Issues of Gender Identity and Inclusion” in Enterprise/Investigative, Nondaily Newspapers; “Snowballs Make Cool Science” in Health/Science, Nondaily Newspapers; and in Arts and Entertainment, Nondaily Newspapers “Silverman’s New Special Is a Delightfully Coarse Colloquy.” PJC
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Calendar Emanuel and the community. The evening will include dinner and entertainment. Proceeds benefit the Rabbi Mark Mahler Rabbinic Chair Fund. Tickets are $100 per person. Visit templeemanuelpgh.org/event/gala for more information or call the office at 412-279-7600 for more information.
the festivities. The first 50 people to register for the march will get a free “Love is Kosher” T-shirt. Visit jfedpgh.org/pride for more information and to register.
Beth El Congregation hosts its monthly First Mondays program with Rabbi Alex Greenbaum from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring author/teacher Carleton Young who will be discussing his book “Voices From the Attic: The Williamstown Boys in the Civil War.” There is a $6 charge. Visit bethelcong. org for more information and call 412-5611168 to make a reservation.
New Light Men’s Club and Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church will have a bus and walking tour of Pittsburgh’s Hill District with tour guides from the Hill House and the Heinz History Center. Highlights include Freedom Corner, The Lyceum, August Wilson’s Family House, The Crawford (Jazz) Grill, Kether Torah Congregation, Hebrew Institute, Logan Street, “Jew Town” and guest speakers. The tour will begin at 1:30 and end at 4 p.m. There is a $15 charge. Visit newlightcongregation.org/hill-walkingtour.html for more information and to purchase tickets.
SUNDAY, JUNE 17
q WEDNESDAYS JUNE 6-AUGUST 1
q MONDAY, JUNE 11
Before the Pittsburgh Playhouse officially “turns off the lights” at its Oakland campus and prepares to open its new theater complex downtown, join the Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 1212 Smallman St. in a celebration of the many Jewish actors, writers, directors, stagehands, patrons and critics who have made the Pittsburgh Playhouse an iconic part of the cultural landscape of Pittsburgh for more than 80 years. See glamorous photographs and fascinating backstage materials from local playhouse legends including Nat Elbaum, Allan Pinsker, Helen Wayne Rauh, Eddie Steinfeld and many more. There is no charge. Contact Eric Lidji at eslidji@ heinzhistorycenter.org or 412-454-6406 for more information or visit heinzhistorycenter. org/events/curtain-call-jews-and-pittsburgh-playhouse. (Photo courtesy of Eric Lidji)
Temple Sinai will offer a beginner’s Hebrew class to the community for nine sessions from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This is also the Hebrew reading class for those interested in becoming adult b’nai mitzvah. Contact Debbie Haber at dhaber@ templesinaipgh.org or 412-421-9715, ext. 116 or visit templesinaipgh.org/beginnershebrew-class-0.
Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Ladies Who Lunch will hold a discussion on the opioid crisis in the Pittsburgh area from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Temple Sinai. Drinks and dessert will be provided; bring your own brown bag lunch. Featured speakers will be Rosa Davis, executive director, Pennsylvania Organization for Women in Early Recovery (POWER); Karen Hacker, director, Allegheny County Health Department; and Ashley Potts, licensed social worker, Allegheny Health Network. Charlene Tissenbaum will be the moderator. There is no charge but attendees are asked to bring a staple item such as toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, lotion, notebook and journal for clients who arrive at POWER. RSVP by June 8. Visit jfedpgh.org/ ladies-who-lunch to register.
MONDAY, JUNE 4
q THURSDAY, JUNE 7 >> Submit calendar items on the Chronicle’s website, pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. Submissions will also be included in print. Events will run in the print edition beginning one month prior to the date as space allows. The deadline for submissions is Friday, noon. q RESERVATIONS DUE BY JUNE 8 New Light Congregation Men’s Club invites the community to a guided visit to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, Aug. 26. The trip includes bus transportation, museum admission and a city tour. Meals are not included; the bus will stop for breakfast and dinner. The bus will leave from New Light Congregation at 6 a.m. and return at approximately midnight. Cost is $70 per person. Contact Dan Stein at 412-521-5231 to register. Visit newlightcongregation.org/ documents/HolocaustMuseumTripFlyer.pdf for more information. TUESDAYS TO JUNE 26 The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh is hosting the workshop Better Choices, Better Health six consecutive Tuesdays, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in room 202. The workshop is free. Participants will actively be a part of brainstorming on key topics. Contact Amy Gold at 412-697-3528 for more information and to register. q EVERY WEDNESDAY Beth El Congregation of the South Hills at 1900 Cochran Road hosts a NarAnon and an NA meeting every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Enter in the school/office entrance. Contact Karen at 412-563-3395 for more information. q SATURDAY, JUNE 2 Moishe House will go to the Three Rivers Arts Festival downtown from 1 to 4 p.m. at Point State Park. Meet at Moishe House and bus down together. Contact moishehousepgh@ gmail.com for more information.
8 JUNE 1, 2018
SUNDAY, JUNE 3 Temple Emanuel hosts a monthly bereavement group for previous and newly bereaved adults, led by licensed clinical social workers at 10 a.m. RSVP to leonsteineresa@ verizon.net if you plan to attend. Contact Temple Emanuel at 412-279-7600 with questions. The Senior Social Group will meet from 10 a.m. to noon at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, room 202. Join this group to socialize in a warm and friendly environment. Contact Debbie Marcus, program coordinator, AgeWell at the JCC, at 412-521-8010 or dmarcus@jccpgh.org for more information. The Jewish Cemetery and Burial Association (JCBA) together with Ralph Schugar Chapel will hold a book burial of sacred texts at the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 498 Oakwood St. in Shaler Township at 10:30 a.m. The community is invited to participate. Prayer books such as siddurim, chumashim and High Holiday machzorim in which the Hebrew name of God has been printed and that have become frayed, worn out or are in disrepair will be buried in a special grave. Congregations and individuals can participate by collecting these items. Items can be dropped off at Ralph Schugar Chapel, 5509 Centre Ave. or be picked up. Contact Judy at 412-812-2892 for more information and to arrange a pickup. Visit jcbapgh.org for more information or contact jcbapgh@gmail. com or 412-553-6469. Bet Tikvah will hold its 30th anniversary celebration of the founding of Bet Tikvah from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. The community is invited for wine and dessert. There is no charge. Visit bettikvah.org for more information. Temple Emanuel will hold An Evening of Celebration Gala at 6 p.m. to honor Rabbi Mark Joel Mahler upon his retirement after 38 years of dedicated service to Temple
The National Council of Jewish Women, Pittsburgh Section, along with the national organization, celebrate 125 years of service and advocacy in 2018. The evening will include a dinner and program spotlighting the people, projects and partners who have contributed to NCJW’s impact in the Pittsburgh community over the past 125 years. Past presidents will be honored and a new board president will be installed. The Hannah G. Solomon Award will be presented to Susan Foreman Jordan. The event will be held at the University Club beginning at 6 p.m. There is a $50 charge. Visit event ncjwpgh.org/projects/125th-celebration for more information and to purchase tickets. FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JUNE 8-10 Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha is celebrating the installation of Rabbi Jeffrey Myers. Highlights include Friday’s “Shabbat On The Rocks,” cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception at 6 p.m., followed by services at 6:45 p.m. Saturday morning services at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Kiddush luncheon. Sunday is the installation ceremony at 2:45 p.m., followed by a concert by recording artists and cantors, Divas On The Bima at 4 p.m. Cost for the weekend is $25 per person or $100 per family. Contact the office at 412-521-6788 for more information. q SATURDAY, JUNE 9 Moishe House pals will meet for a citywide celebration of LGBTQ+ culture. Join together with others in the community to stand in solidarity with the queer community loudly and proudly. Meet at Moishe House at a time TBA and bus downtown together. Contact moishehousepgh@gmail.com for more information. q SUNDAY, JUNE 10 The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is supporting the LGBTQ+ community by marching together in the Pittsburgh Pride EQT Equality March. If you cannot join the march, stop by the Federation’s booth during
PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE
Women of Temple Sinai will hold its next cooking class with a French-inspired menu led by Executive Director Drew Barkley from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Anyone age 16 and older is welcome. There is a $10 charge per person. RSVP by Friday, June 8 to Carolyn Schwarz at 412-421-1268 or 4carolynschwarz@gmail. com or visit templesinaipgh.org/wotscooking-class-7. Rabbi Danielle Leshaw, senior educator at Hillel International, will hold a two-hour course from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. designed to help parents support their child in evaluating and responding to anti-Israel activity on campus. This course, at the Jewish Community Center Second Floor, Robinson Building, is designed specifically for parents of college students, concluding gap year parents and parents of rising high school seniors. Josh Sayles, director of the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, will participate in the discussion. Contact Rabbi Amy Bardack, director of Jewish Life and Learning, at abardack@ jfedpgh.org or 412-697-6654. The program is in partnership with the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. RSVP at jfedpgh.org/israel-on-campus. Songs of the Inspired Soul, a multimedia concert in honor of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s 24th yahrzeit will be held at 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh Katz Theater. A local string quartet will play six nigunim (melodies) that the Rebbe taught. Each Chabad center of Western Pennsylvania will be honoring a volunteer with the Lamplighters Award. There is no charge. Please see Calendar, page 9
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Calendar
Nam e:Tree o f L ife* L ’Sim c ha Co ngregat W idth:5.0 41 5 in Depth:1 3.75 in Co lo r:B lac k Ad Nu m ber:1 0 0 43569
Calendar: Continued from page 8 q WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13 Temple Sinai is offering a trip to Johnstown from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. that will include a narrated riding tour of Johnstown’s historic downtown and viewing buildings that survived the 1889 Johnstown Flood, an orientation to the old Jewish neighborhood of Iron Street and Grandview Cemetery, a dairy lunch and tour of Congregation Beth Sholom that will include viewing the 125th Anniversary Exhibit of Jewish Johnstown, the Bloom Archives and the Jewish Museum and a ride on the Johnstown Incline. The cost is $20. RSVP to Judy Rulin Mahan at judy@templesinaipgh.org or 412-4219715, ext. 110 by June 6, or register online at templesinaipgh.org/temple-sinaiseniors-group-trip. Rabbi Barbara Symons of Temple David will lead two discussions of “The Gift of Asher Lev” by Chaim Potok in the Monroeville Public Library Gallery Space at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. The discussion is free and open to the public. Visit MonroevilleLibrary.org for more information. Crafts Night at Moishe House from 7 to 9 p.m. Join for a night of crafting and schmoozing. Contact moishehousepgh@ gmail.com for more information. The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh will hold a civil rights discussion on Hate Crime and Hate Speech from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at Rodef Shalom Congregation with representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, State Police and the Pittsburgh Police to discuss crimes that occur here in Western Pennsylvania. The discussion will include laws that govern hate crimes and what to do when you encounter hate speech. Hate crime cases that have been prosecuted in Pittsburgh will be presented. This event is free and open to the community, including other faith-based groups and middle/high school-aged children. Contact Erin Wyland at ewyland@jfedpgh.org or call her at 412-9925252 to RSVP.
CELEBRATE THE INSTALLATION OF RABBI JEFFREY MYERS AT TREE OF LIFE * OR L'SIMCHA
THURSDAY, JUNE 21 Hadassah Greater Pittsburgh will have a Take Me Out to the Ball Game: A night with the Pirates at PNC Park event. The cost is $25 per ticket. Contact fsurloff@hadassah.org for more information.
$25 per person
SUNDAY, JUNE 17
$100 per family
A motor coach will leave the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill for a trip to Fallingwater at 10:30 a.m. and will return at approximately 3:30 p.m. Visit the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, nestled within the lush, wooded Bear Run Nature Reserve. Tickets are $75 prepaid and include transportation and one-hour tour of Fallingwater. Contact Deborah Marcus at dmarcus@jccpgh.org for more information.
Sponsorship Levels Underwriters: $1,000 Patrons: $500 Sponsors: $200
q WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20 AARP Squirrel Hill Chapter 3354 will hold its annual luncheon with entertainment at noon at the Comfort Inn, 699 Rodi Road in Penn Hills. The cost is $23 for members and $25 for guests. Nonmembers are welcome. Make checks payable to Marcia Kramer, 100 Bryn Mawr Ct., #311 East, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Contact Ilene Portnoy at 412-683-7985 for more information. The 27th annual NCSY Garden Sizzler, for adults only, will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Butler Gardens, 5710 Bartlett St. Reservations can be made at centraleast.ncsy.org. PJC
Divas on the Bima PLEASE RSVP BY JUNE 1 tolols.org/installa 412-521-6788
08 JUNE 2018 | FRIDAY 6:00 PM | SHABBAT ON THE ROCKS Cocktails & Hors D’oeuvres
6:45 PM | SHABBAT SERVICES
09 JUNE 2018 | SATURDAY 9:30 AM | SHABBAT SERVICES Kiddush Luncheon to follow
10 JUNE 2018 | SUNDAY 2:00 PM | COCKTAIL RECEPTION For Underwriters, Patrons, and Sponsors
q WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6 The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh will hold its Generations Speaker Series with Lynne Ravas and Alison Brown Karabin from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 826 Hazelwood Ave. Ravas will share one child’s experience in a Jewish orphanage in Germany during Kristallnacht. Karabin will tell the story of her grandmother’s survival in Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Volary death march. This event is free and open to the public, and will also be live streamed. Visit jfedpgh.org/generations-ravas-karabin for more information and to register.
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2:45 PM | INSTALLATION CEREMONY 4:00 PM | DIVAS ON THE BIMA CONCERT Internationally Acclaimed Recording Artists & Cantors 412-521-6788 || 5898 Wilkins Avenue, Pi sburgh, PA 15217 || o
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@tolols.org
JUNE 1, 2018 9
Headlines — WORLD — From JTA reports
Top Democrats want to know why Israeli firm was hired to spy on Obama officials The top Democrats on the House Oversight and Foreign Affairs committees want an Israeli spy firm to share data on its alleged campaign against Obama administration officials associated with the Iran nuclear deal. “We are writing to request documents relating to reports that Black Cube conducted a ‘dirty ops’ campaign against former Obama Administration officials Ben Rhodes and Colin Kahl at the behest of associates of President Donald Trump,� said the letter sent last week by Reps. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, and Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), his counterpart on Foreign Affairs. “If these reports are accurate, they raise grave questions about how and why a foreign entity was engaged to attempt to secretly influence the foreign policy of the United States.� The letter was mostly symbolic: As the minority, Democrats do not have subpoena powers, and even with such powers, congressional authority over a foreign entity would be limited.
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Black Cube, a company also purported to have tracked alleged victims of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who was arrested May 25 on rape charges, does not comment on its cases. At the time of the revelations that it was behind spying on Rhodes and Kahl, the firm said, “It is Black Cube’s policy to never discuss its clients with any third party, and to never confirm or deny any speculation made with regard to the company’s work.� Separately, a spokesman told The New York Times that “Black Cube has no relation whatsoever to the Trump administration, to Trump aides, to anyone close to the administration or to the Iran nuclear deal.� The Guardian first reported that Trump administration officials were behind the operation to dig up negative information about Kahl and Rhodes, who were among dozens of Obama administration officials who helped shape the Iran deal, which swapped sanctions relief for a rollback in Iran’s nuclear program. According to that reporting, the operation supposedly was a bid to help justify Trump’s decision this month to pull out of the deal. Other reporting said Black Cube was hired by an entity with commercial interests in quashing the Iran deal. Cummings and Engel, both notably pro-Israel, said they were not taking on face value Black Cube’s claim that it has no ties to the Trump administration.
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“Your firm has denied these reports only in the broadest terms, stating — in the present tense — that ‘Black Cube has no relation whatsoever to the Trump administration, to Trump aides, to anyone close to the administration, or to the Iran nuclear deal,’� they wrote. “You have not denied the operation itself, you have not explained who was aware of it, and you have not identified the clients who funded it.� Up to 200 gravestones vandalized with swastikas in Illinois cemetery Swastikas were spray-painted on between 150 and 200 gravestones at a cemetery in southwestern Illinois. The vandalism at the Sunset Hill Cemetery in Glen Carbon, Ill., was discovered on Saturday morning. Swastikas also were spray painted on the homes and garage doors of a nearby home subdivision, according to reports. A 34-year-old man was arrested in connection with the cemetery vandalism. The cemetery is nondenominational and there was no common denominator for the gravestones that were vandalized with swastikas. More than 1,300 veterans are buried in the cemetery and officials rushed to have the gravestones power washed ahead of Memorial Day, when a public memorial ceremony was scheduled, CBS News reported.
— WORLD — Items provided by the Center for Israel Education (israeled.org), where you can find more details.
June 1, 1967 — Levi Eshkol appoints Moshe Dayan as defense minister
As tensions with Egypt escalate, Prime Minister Levi Eshkol appoints Moshe Dayan as defense minister, leading to Israel’s first national unity government.
June 2, 1990 — Third Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival takes place
The biennial Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival includes a future Oscar winner among its student films.
June 3, 1948 — Ben-Gurion delivers report to provisional government
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10 JUNE 1, 2018
Jewish woman elected sergeant at arms for West Virginian state House of Delegates A Jewish woman became the first female to be elected sergeant at arms for the West Virginia state House of Delegates. Anne Lieberman was sworn in last week. She is the first female to hold one of the elected positions in the state legislature — doorkeeper, sergeant at arms and House speaker or Senate president, the local ABC affiliate WCHS reported, citing research by the House clerk. Lieberman, a native of Charleston, formerly served as a legislative analyst for the Senate Education Committee and as an assistant doorkeeper and assistant sergeant of arms in the House. Lieberman served as the state chair of JewsChooseTrump.org.  PJC
This week in Israeli history
David Ben-Gurion delivers a report to the provisional government on the status of the 1948 War with neighboring Arab states, discussions with the United Nations and the domestic needs of a young country at war.
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Glen Carbon is located 15 miles northeast of St. Louis, Mo. More than 100 gravestones were toppled in the Chesed Shel Emeth Jewish cemetery in St. Louis in February 2017. A suspect was arrested in that case last month. He was charged with one count of institutional vandalism. He is not charged with a bias or hate crime. The attack came as Jewish community centers and other Jewish institutions around the country were receiving dozens of bomb threats.
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June 4, 2009 — Obama delivers “A New Beginning� speech at Cairo University
At the beginning of his first term, U.S. President Barack Obama addresses the Muslim world in a speech focusing on mutual interests and respect between Muslims and the West.
June 5, 1967 —
June 1967 War begins
Egypt was on alert, expecting an Israeli attack to come at dawn. However, the Israelis delay and do not strike until 8:15 a.m., when most Egyptian pilots are at breakfast and Egyptian commanders caught in traffic.
June 6, 1944 — Allied army invades Europe
Over 325,000 Allied troops, led by General Dwight Eisenhower, land at Normandy and began their march across France. The Normandy invasions comprise the largest seaborne invasion in history.
June 7, 1930 — Magen David Adom is founded
The idea of an emergency medical society such as Magen David Adom is revived in response to the 1929 Arab riots against Jewish settlements in Palestine.  PJC
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Headlines A Jewish prayer for Gaza victims rally makes British Jews lose their cool — WORLD — By Cnaan Liphshiz | JTA
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artin Hizer was driving his taxi through London when he learned that a group of Jews were saying a public mourning prayer for Palestinians killed in Gaza. “Frankly, I was fuming,” Hizer, who is Jewish, said in an interview on YouTube for a pro-Israel channel. The video shows him confronting the 50 Jewish protesters in Parliament Square on May 16 as they said Kaddish for the 61 Palestinians killed that week in clashes with Israeli troops. “Fifty of them were identified as Hamas operatives,” he booms, pointing his finger at a male protester. “And you f***ing p**cks, you’re saying Kaddish for them?! They would’ve f***ing killed you if you were there!” Hizer’s tirade was brief. But his response was part of an unusually toxic debate that featured online shaming, insults and threats directed by Jews against Jews — uncharacteristic for British Jewry. The comment section of a YouTube video of the event features an outpouring of hatred and incitement to violence toward the young men and women who attended. “I’d suggest gathering them within a space of three meters and throwing a grenade there,” YouTube user Moshe Harmanov wrote. Jonathan Hoffman, a pro-Israel activist from London, posted a link on Facebook to a page containing participants’ names headlined “Traitors behind Kaddish for Hamas.” Hundreds of comments, some apparently breaking laws against threats and incitement to violence, were directed at organizers and participants of the event and left-leaning organizations — including Zionist ones — with whom some of the people in attendance were affiliated. Nina Morris Evans, an Oxford student who attended the Kaddish for Gaza event, said no one who came anticipated the backlash. “It’s upsetting, especially people who send me rude private messages on Facebook,” she said. The author of one message called her a “disgrace to her heritage.” Another wrote: “This is who you are. A feeble excuse, selfloathing, weak, traitorous.” Left- and right-wing Jews elsewhere were divided over the deaths in Gaza, which came on the same day that the United States dedicated its new embassy in Jerusalem. Some American Jews on the left criticized Israel for using disproportionate force on the thousands of Gazans who had massed at the border to demonstrate, at times violently, for their right to return to their ancestral lands in Israel. Most centrist and right-wing groups supported Israel’s actions, saying many protesters were armed with Molotov cocktails and that Israel had the obligation to repel those who tried to breach the border. Among British Jews, however, the fallout of the Kaddish for Gaza event was so unprecedented that it prompted Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, a leader of the Reform
p Martin Hizer, right, argues with people at the Kaddish for Gaza event in London, May 16.
p Demonstrators at the Kaddish for Gaza event
p The Kaddish for Gaza event sparked backlash online.
movement in Britain who rarely engages in hyperbole, to warn in an interview with the Jewish News that her community is on “a path to self-destruction.” This path, she said, features “one Jew wishes another dead,” crossing “the boundaries of decency and we are now into violent, harassing, bullying behavior.” Disagreements over Israel often result in acrimonious exchanges between Zionist Jews and those belonging to the antiZionist minority, Keith Kahn-Harris, a London-based writer and sociologist, said. But he said the vitriol around the Kaddish for Gaza affair was unprecedented because “for the first time, the same kind of venom also [was directed at] some Zionist leftof-center groups.” The Kaddish for Gaza event was advertised on the personal Facebook page of a staff member of Yachad, a dovish group that iden-
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Screenshots from YouTube
tifies itself as pro-Israel and anti-occupation, and which is represented at the Board of Deputies of British Jews, British Jewry’s main umbrella federation. Yachad said none of its staff attended the event and the organization did not participate in organizing it. The United Kingdom branch of the leftwing Meretz party in Israel also advertised the event on its official Facebook page. Meretz UK did not reply to a request for an interview. Members of LJY Netzer, a mainstream youth movement of the Liberal Synagogue in London, also attended. Marco Schneebalg, an organizer of the event, said he was aware at the time that a Hamas official had said that 50 of the 61 people killed belonged to the terrorist group, and it was possible that some of them might have liked to kill him because he is Jewish. He came anyway to protest Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians and “mourn the
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dead” because he believes that “their political opinions are not the issue.” Schneebalg, 27, added that if Israelis had also died during the latest clashes, he would have also mourned their deaths. At the Kaddish for Gaza event, one participant was filmed saying “When Palestinians stand resolute on the Gazan border [asserting] their freedom and their right to return, they are not committing acts of terrorism, they are performing a mitzvah.” Another said: “I am here because I refuse to sit by as my community doesn’t condemn outrageous acts of violence.” A third participant said: “I’m here because I’m sick of listening to [people] equivocate and make excuses for Israel.” The Board of Deputies of British Jews published a statement on the May 14 riots blaming only Hamas, which organized the demonstrations. Laura Marks, a former vice president of the Board of Deputies, said the mourning for Hamas members is “deeply problematic.” But she lamented the branding as traitors and enemies of young men and women who “will be the future bedrock of our community.” The backlash, Marks said, is connected to what she described as a recent recession in tolerance for dissent within the community’s ranks because of uncertainty and the rise of anti-Semitism in the United Kingdom. Last year, the CST watchdog on antiSemitism in Britain recorded a record 1,382 anti-Semitic incidents, of which 145 involved physical violence against Jews. Many of the perpetrators were described as Muslims or Arabs. The increase, CST said, possibly owed to the proliferation of anti-Semitism in the ranks of the Labour Party, once a political home for British Jewry. The outgoing president of the Board of Deputies, Jonathan Arkush, said in 2016 that most British Jews “cannot trust” Labour following the 2015 election of Jeremy Corbyn, a hard-left politician, as party leader. Amid signs that Corbyn’s popularity is rising considerably despite his involvement in a number of scandals featuring anti-Semitic and harsh anti-Israel speech, some British Jews are saying they will leave the United Kingdom if he is elected prime minister. And then there’s the United Kingdom’s impending departure from the European Union, which CST says has triggered a wave of nationalist sentiment and many xenophobic assaults. “The community is feeling very vulnerable, fearful on all fronts,” Marks said. “And when you feel vulnerable, you feel fearful and you lash out.” The participants of the Kaddish event, she said, “were definitely no Israel haters.” Janner-Klausner, the Reform rabbi, also traced the outpouring of hostility over the Kaddish for Gaza event to external threats. “We have spent so long focusing on other people attacking us,” she told the Jewish News, that “we have internalized that and are now turning it on each other.” PJC JUNE 1, 2018 11
Opinion Fraternities in trouble — EDITORIAL —
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midst a national conversation concerning the value and possibility of harm posed by the Greek fraternity and sorority system on college campuses across the United States, it may be time to reevaluate the utility of historically Jewish fraternities like Alpha Epsilon Pi and Sigma Alpha Mu. In making this suggestion, we do not take the history of these groups lightly; nor do we ignore the important work done by these fraternities in response to mounting anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment on many college campuses. But just as the #MeToo movement has shined a bright light on the prevalence of sexual assault and
misogyny across a broad swath of society at large, we cannot ignore the all-too-common evidence of very troubling behavior by these and other fraternities across the country. Indeed, for all the good AEPi and other Jewish brotherhood organizations do on behalf of our Jewish community, many of their chapters are among the worst offenders. The SAM chapter at Penn State has been suspended since April 2017, for violating the university’s policies on alcohol. Earlier this month, both the AEPi and SAM chapters at Ohio State University were banned for multiple violations of the school’s alcohol and hazing policies. That news followed by a few weeks the closure of the AEPi chapter at Temple University in Philadelphia over multiple reports of sexual assaults and underage drinking at the frat house.
(The former AEPi president at Temple has been charged with attempted rape and related misdeeds.) And we have seen similarly troubling allegations at Arizona State University, where the AEPi chapter was shut down in 2013; allegations last year of sexual abuse by frat brothers at the College of Charleston; and accusations of the promotion of a racist listserv at the University of Chicago. These and other activities by Jewish fraternity members are a disgrace to Jewish values. And all of these troubling developments challenge a national AEPi board that also has to deal with the resignation of some of its leadership over protests that the group lacks financial transparency. In trying to deal with all of these developments, one gets the sense that the AEPi
board is engaged in a form of crisis management similar to the game of whack-a-mole — which has required the group to focus on defending, defining and debating its own management, operations and standards rather than the growing needs of its Jewish student members. Local chapters of national Jewish fraternities need leadership and guidance from their national organization. But those services cannot be provided by organizational leadership that is distracted by the need to protect its own reputation and actions. If the national Jewish fraternities are unable to promote Jewish values and morality, and are distracted from servicing the rising needs of Jewish students on campus, it may well be time to reevaluate their worth. PJC
Two countries with miraculous pasts contribute to a shared future Guest Columnists
Ari Mittleman
Gary (Yuri) Tabach
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eis gadol hayah sham. A great miracle happened there. This iconic phrase codifies the holiday of Chanukah and symbolizes the miracle of literal and metaphorical light conquering the darkness. Our ancestors — small in numbers and resources — defeated the mighty Seleucid empire millennia ago in Jerusalem. But this past month, we celebrated the modern miracle of the State of Israel. In 2014, we lit Chanukah candles and celebrated both the ancient and modern mira-
cles of Israel’s past and current rebirths with friends living in Azerbaijan. We were particularly reminded of that year’s “festival of light” as birthday candles were lit — 70 in Israel on May 14 and 100 in Azerbaijan on May 28. With less than 10 million citizens, Azerbaijan is a Muslim majority country that broke free from the Soviet Union. Founded in 1918, the republic was the first secular democratic state in the Muslim world. In its capital, Baku — 100 years ago this month, when the dust of the Balfour Declaration was just settling several hundred miles away in Jerusalem — this new country became the first Muslim majority country to grant equal political rights to women. As Israel celebrates its 70th birthday, Jewish olim who were born in more peaceful times in the capitals of Europe are building new lives for their families free of the fear of brutal anti-Semitic attacks. Communities which can trace their roots since the time of the 11th-century French Jewish sage Rashi are evaluating their future in Europe. Azerbaijan, however, is the only place outside of Israel with a community that can trace its roots to the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE. It is in Azerbaijan that new synagogues have been built, community day
schools thrive and Israeli flags can be flown. As the insidious boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel spreads from college campuses to corporate board rooms across the world, Israel’s economy remains resilient. Azerbaijan is not just the only Muslim majority country expanding economic ties with Israel, but one of the few countries in the world which has multiplied its trade volume. Indeed, in April 2017, the two countries abolished double taxation. Sectors outside defense and energy totaled to upward of $260 million in 2016 bilateral trade. As tourists from across the world gathered in Israel to celebrate, chances were their rental cars and taxis were fueled from Azerbaijani oil. As Israel celebrates remarkable diplomatic achievements of the last 70 years with Jordan and Egypt, it must always, unfortunately, be vigilant about its northern border. Too many Israeli mothers go to sleep praying about their children on the front lines. Sandwiched between much larger neighbors — Iran and Russia — Azerbaijan actually is the incoming chair of the Non-Aligned Movement that comprises 120 countries committed to remaining independent and neutral. Despite this, Azerbaijani mothers must cope
with the same fears of Israeli mothers as their children guard a western border subjected to Armenian aggression and terrorism. V’al a haniflaos sheasisah l’avosenu bayamim hahem bizman hazeh. For the wonders which G-d brought for our ancestors in those days and today. This is the prayer we said with our Azerbaijani friends after lighting the Chanukah candles. We said this in a synagogue that had recently received a new Torah scroll. The dedication was attended by Muslim, Russian Orthodox and Catholic leaders. As we reflect on the modern State of Israel, we remain amazed by the wonders of the ever deepening alliance with Azerbaijan. Our hope is that as each celebrates momentous birthdays, they have many more to come in a world filled with peace and vibrant economies free from bigotry and grounded in multiculturalism. PJC Captain Gary (Yuri) Tabach was born in Moscow before immigrating to the United States in 1976. He holds the distinction of being the first Soviet-born citizen to be commissioned an officer in the armed forces of the United States. Ari Mittleman is the founder of Keystone Strategy + Advocacy, a Washington, D.C., public affairs firm.
— LETTERS — Reverend a good friend of the community In light of a recent article, we are writing to allay any potential misconceptions about Rev. Liddy Barlow (“Presbyterian seminary speaker spurs Federation to cut ties,” May 25). Rev. Barlow is a wonderful ally to the Jewish community as well as a personal friend. She is a strong advocate for the right of self-determination for the Jewish people and for all peoples. We look forward to continuing to work with her to make Southwestern Pennsylvania a better place. Jamie Gibson Senior Rabbi, Temple Sinai 12 JUNE 1, 2018
Josh Sayles Director, Community Relations Council Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh
We invite you to submit letters for publication. Letters must include name, address and daytime phone number; addresses and phone numbers will not be published. Letters may not exceed 500 words and may be edited for length and clarity; they cannot be returned. Mail, fax or email letters to:
Letters to the editor via email: letters@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org Address & Fax: Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 5915 Beacon St., 5th Flr., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Fax 412-521-0154 Website address: pittsburghjewishchronicle.org
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Opinion Reflections on Israel at 70
s part of its ongoing coverage of the State of Israel’s 70th anniversary, the Jewish Chronicle invited leaders from a broad swath of the greater Pittsburgh
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Jewish community to offer their thoughts and reflections surrounding the historic milestone. You can read the submissions of those who responded below. PJC
An ever-evolving homeland
had been at the Western Wall on a Thursday afternoon. While many people were praying, it was a visit to a religious site with historical importance. But when we went back the next evening, the plaza was crowded with thousands of people singing and dancing. After singing a few songs, I saw the most amazing thing. A yeshiva, whose students did military service, came skipping and dancing single file into the plaza. Most were wearing white shirts and black pants. Those off duty from the Israel Defense Forces were
in uniform and had their machine guns strapped over their heads and shoulders. Everyone was welcome to step in to take part in the celebration of Shabbat. It was like I was in la la land. I get chills writing this: To me, the Wall is everything. I look forward to my next visit to the Kotel, which will be very soon.
By Brian Eglash
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hether growing up in Wisconsin, making aliyah from Ethiopia or serving in the Israel Defense Forces, Israel has always and will continue to have a special place in my family’s hearts. Our connections to Israel are both emotional and personal. Besides being the homeland of the Jewish people to which we proudly belong, it is also the place where my wife and I met nearly 29 years ago while in Jerusalem attending an ulpan for young new immigrants to Israel. It is the place where I proudly served in a combat unit in the IDF and the reserves for several years. It is also where our daughter was born. It is more than a country or destination to visit; it is part of our daily identity as Jews. Although there are multiple secu-
rity and social challenges within Israeli society, we are still incredibly proud of this country and our connection to it. The technological advances and social entrepreneurship, as well as the ingathering of Jews from a multitude of nations across the diaspora is amazing. Israel at 70 is a miracle in and of itself, and we are proud to have our own deep connection, as well as see our own children develop theirs. We are looking forward to witnessing, first hand, many more years of peace, prosperity and growth in our ever evolving homeland. The writer is the chief development officer and senior vice president at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
We need to have the difficult conversations By Stefi Kirschner
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he 2017 Pittsburgh Jewish Community Study revealed that 59 percent of Pittsburgh’s Jews have visited Israel. With such strong connections to Israel, our community is uniquely positioned to discuss the great successes and great challenges facing the State of Israel. Actions carried out by leadership here and in Israel influence our attitudes and identification with the Jewish state. On its 70th anniversary, while we note significant contributions of Israelis in so many fields, we must also recognize that many people are experiencing a crisis in their relationship with Israel. There’s a crisis when: • the government of Israel does not fulfill its commitment to creating a sacred, egalitarian prayer space at the Western Wall; • peace initiatives are dormant; • pastors are given a platform at the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, when they have spoken openly and disparagingly against Jews, Mormons
and Muslims; and • the Israeli prime minister addresses Congress with a provocative speech against a nuclear agreement with Iran after pleading for one at the United Nations only a few years earlier. On this anniversary, we ask: How can we create safe, respectful spaces to explore diverse points of view? How can we engage more people in what some call “the forbidden conversations?” We may not solve problems or create a consensus. However, we must respect one another, learn together in our democratic, pluralist community and engage with our communal leadership here and in Israel to strengthen our local and global Jewish community. We must find ways to participate in courageous conversations about Israel. The writer is a past president of Congregation Beth Shalom.
A transformative visit to a holy wall By Stuart Pavilack
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grew up knowing Israel was the Jewish homeland, but my connection was really established when I became a Jewish professional. For almost 30 years, I have shared the highs and lows of Israel and the Jewish people: the euphoria of Oslo, peace with Jordan, the assassination of Rabin, the second intifada, peace proposals by Barak and
Olmert, various incursions into Gaza to destroy missiles and tunnels, and the 2006 war with Lebanon, when my colleagues and I sold a million dollars of Israel Bonds in one night at the JCC. All of that pales to an experience that had an unexpected effect on me: Shabbat at the Kotel. My first trip to Israel was in 2010. We
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The writer is the executive director of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Zionist Organization of America.
A closely personal relationship By Brian Schreiber
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vividly remember the endless bus trip from Jerusalem to Kibbutz Hazorea in 1985. I didn’t know a soul, spoke fewer than a dozen Hebrew words and had never traveled overseas. But I had a longing to experience Israel, to learn the language and connect to people on their terms — not mine. The journey took me from the kibbutz to community service work in Ashkelon to running a day camp outside Tel Aviv. I learned to manage in a tiny apartment with few amenities, aerograms, monthly 10-minute phone calls to the United States, a municipal bus pass and a weekly $25 stipend. I met Jews from Mexico, Brazil, France, Holland, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Yemen and Ethiopia. I accompanied 30 school children twice a week on city buses to the Israel Tennis Center by myself. I helped turn an abandoned bomb shelter into a teen activity center
in a neighborhood where delinquency surpassed high school matriculation. I filled Shabbats with more dinner invitations than I could ever accept and feasted on kubbeh, injera and couscous. I became one of the “family” at a Yemenite henna celebration. I limped through a misdiagnosed broken foot, a bout of colitis and an apartment robbery. I discovered resilience, passion and leadership in ways I never could have experienced in the States. Since that magical year, 26 trips back to Israel have been filled with new relationships, experiences and opportunities. For me, Israel is “personal,” with extended family, community and an intrinsic sense of belonging. The writer is the president and CEO of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh.
They’re not your children, they’re ours By Lisa Steindel
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n 1982-1983, my husband was granted a mini-sabbatical, so we rented an apartment in Netanya in order to spend the winter in Israel. Our girls were very young; many people thought they were too young to make this trip. But our sense was that we wanted Israel to be so much a part of their lives that their first trip should be one that they were too young to remember. The municipality allowed us to pay a small tax and enroll our 4- and 5-yearolds into the local public school. And we all learned so much that winter. I finally learned why the trees grow at such a crazy angle, after watching the brutal wind whip across the Mediterranean Sea. I learned that doctors you met on the street would have no qualms about stopping into your apartment to check on a 9-monthold’s funny rash. The most poignant lesson was one I learned upon arriving a half hour late for school pick up one day. We pulled up to find the teacher
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sitting on the steps with our girls. I was all apologies and asked what she would have done if we were even later, and she answered calmly, “Of course, I would have taken them home with me.” Of course. Silly Mother, these aren’t you’re children, they’re our children. We learned that lesson again and again in Israel. When one of the girls had a tantrum in a grocery store or another was crying on a city bus, a complete stranger would offer them a slice of freshly pealed apple or pull out a puppet to entertain. It is only in Israel that you get the very clear message from strangers on the street, who will stop traffic to retrieve a dropped toy or cross the street to let you know the baby’s sweater should be buttoned in this weather. Silly Mother, these aren’t your children, they’re our children. The writer is the council immediate past president of NA’AMAT USA Pittsburgh Council. JUNE 1, 2018 13
Life & Culture Singer-songwriter, just 13, to take stage at Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival — MUSIC — By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer
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ast summer, Sloane Simon was celebrating becoming a bat mitzvah at the Kotel in Jerusalem. This summer, the 13-year-old vocalist, songwriter and guitarist from Fox Chapel will ascend the acoustic stage at the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, where she will perform solo before throngs of Pittsburgh music lovers.
the acoustic stage, and the crowd.” Sloane, a seventh-grader at Shady Side Academy, has been singing since she was 2, playing guitar since she was 9, and writing songs since she was 10. The first song she wrote, the inspirational “365,” was a tribute to her mother, who was battling cancer. That song, Sloane said, is “about being brave when you’re scared.” “While Sloane’s music helped her — and me — through that difficult time, she quickly progressed on her own to use music to express her relationships with anxiety, mean girls, anti-Semitism, friends, feelings and gener-
p Sloane Simon performs at The Viper Room in Hollywood
p Sloane Simon performs at the Millvale Music Festival.
Sloane was chosen to perform after submitting videos of her work to the festival’s open call for artists; she was the youngest performer selected for a solo spot on the acoustic stage. The fact that she is only 13, though, did not factor into her selection as one of only 25 acts from among almost 400 submissions, according to Sarah Aziz, director of the festival. “When I heard Sloane, I didn’t know her age,” said Aziz. “I just heard her and said, ‘Let’s put her on the acoustic stage.’ Then she filled out her bio, and my marketing director called me and said, ‘Did you know you programmed a 13-year-old?’” The teenager has a “mature voice, and she writes mature songs,” Aziz continued, adding that she was impressed by Sloane’s “professionalism” and her “really great vocal quality. And you could tell she could handle
ally everything else that affects her,” said her mother, Robin Simon, who is now healthy. Sloane’s response to finding a swastika painted on the sidewalk in front of her family’s home last spring inspired her to write the moving lyrics and melody to “Hatred and Fear.” “I had so many emotions seeing that swastika in front of my house that I couldn’t process them,” Sloane said. “So, I wrote ‘Hatred and Fear,’ and I hope that the kids who [painted the swastika] see the video posted on Facebook and YouTube, because it means a lot to me.” When she picks up her guitar and begins to play, Sloane connects instantly with her audience through a clear, strong voice and poignant, relatable lyrics. She has the stage presence of a seasoned performer. A few months ago, she had her Hollywood debut at the fabled Viper Room on the
“ When I heard Sloane, I didn’t know her age. I just heard her and said,
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‘Let’s put her on the acoustic stage.
— SARAH AZIZ
14 JUNE 1, 2018
p Sloane Simon has been playing guitar since she was 9. Photos courtesy of Robin Simon
Sunset Strip — although her 17-year-old sister was not allowed to even enter the over-21 nightclub. Other recent gigs include the Millvale Music Festival and the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival. Her Three Rivers Arts Festival hourlong set will include many of her original songs as well as some covers, including those of artists as diverse as Johnny Cash and Led Zeppelin. The covers, though, “are my own take on these songs,” Sloane stressed. The 59th Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival opens downtown on June 1 and runs through June 10. Sloane will perform on the acoustic stage at Gateway Center beginning at 5 p.m. on June 1.
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“I was so honored to be selected,” she said. Sloane has other shows lined up in the next few months, including a June 24 performance at the Rex Theater and a performance at Ladyfest — a fundraiser for the Women’s Shelter and Girls Rock — on June 17. And don’t be surprised if you see this talented young lady on a national stage in the near future: She is already working with Christina Chirumbolo, the New York-based artist developer that discovered Daya, the Mt. Lebanon teen pop artist who won a Grammy in 2017. PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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Headlines Hatzalah Continued from page 1
responders there is a commonality in that each “of the volunteers is 100 percent volunteering,” he said. “They’re not doing this for the money. It’s just to save lives.” While living in Israel, Admon volunteered with the organization for approximately “four to five years,” and although his address has for a while been in Squirrel Hill, whenever he visits Israel “for vacation or any reason they still pull me in. I’m still part of it.” United Hatzalah volunteers rely upon a “proprietary GPS-based dispatch system,” explained Friedson. “It’s the game changer of EMS.” While response times in an ambulance could take 10-15 minutes, United Hatzalah’s ubiquitous motorcycles and other vehicles boast an ability to reach a scene within “just three minutes or less,” or even “90 seconds or less in major cities,” said Immerman. “The fact that we can get to a patient in less than three minutes, stabilize them and fill that gap until the ambulance arrives is significantly increasing the chance of survival,” said Friedson. The “Uber-like” model, which the organization touts, is achieved not only through volunteers’ reliance on GPS but also through its fleet of different types of emergency vehi-
p A volunteer treats an injured man.
Photo courtesy of United Hatzalah of Israel
p In promotional materials, United Hatzalah stresses volunteers’ diversity.
Photo courtesy of United Hatzalah of Israel
cles. Rapid response electric bicycles, 4x4 ambutractors (all-terrain search and rescue vehicles), water rescue unit ambuboats, advanced cardiac and trauma ambulances, as well as ambucycles are all part of the organization’s fleet. As a volunteer, Admon often drove the latter. “It was an amazing time,” he said. “First of all, you’re saving a life. You get a smile on
your face when you have success.” In support of the sacrifices of volunteers, several times a year United Hatzalah hosts “special events for families,” said Admon. They were a chance to spread the love among volunteers’ family members, who were often left alone while a United Hatzalah medic would race with little notice to an emergency. “It felt like one big family,” Admon said of the organization.
Immerman and Friedson are hoping to disseminate that message of kinship, as well as other facts, such as that 30 percent of the organization’s operating budget is provided by Israelis and that 100 percent of all American donations directly support Israeli operations. What people should know about United Hatzalah is that the volunteers, who represent all walks of Israeli life, are “working together with one target: to save lives as quickly as possible,” said Admon. Between speed and innovation, we have an ability to “save more lives,” echoed Friedson. “That is what is the key message, and we’re proud of it and we want to share it with the world.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
Meeting: Continued from page 1
by approving a Holocaust education trip to Poland, the school system would be taking sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “This organization puts us on a slippery slope of not representing the true struggle in that area,” she said in reference to CWB. “We do have a lot of Holocaust education that goes on. … It’s a slippery slope into our geo-political fights and it may not be representative of all the people in that region, especially the Palestinian people, and I will be voting ‘no.’” Despite the fact that school-based funds will not be used to cover the cost of the trip, Kaleida nonetheless argued that the board should not support participation in the seminar and focus instead on African American education and the history of slavery. “It would be great if we had money to do trips everywhere, right?” she said. “But we have a legacy in this district of not supporting our students of color, our black and brown students. “The idea that we are going to come in with the Holocaust, which is a well-covered subject in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, according to many history teachers — and I’ve spoken to English teachers as well — the idea that we will invest what little resources we have in something like this … I understand you got grant money because of the concerns we raised, but I would like to see that grant money go to a program like the one in Ghana, somewhere else, and bringing it back and having this much focus on our African American studies.”
p Video footage of the May 23 meeting is available online.
Kaleida did not respond to a request from the Chronicle for further comment. In recent years, Pennsylvania has placed an emphasis on the importance of Holocaust and genocide education, and in 2014, put into law Act 70 to “strongly encourage school entities in this Commonwealth to offer instruction in the Holocaust, genocide and other human rights violations.” A recent study conducted by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany demonstrated the need for Holocaust education: Less than one-fifth of millennials in the United States have heard of, or are not sure if they have heard of, the Holocaust. Eleven percent of U.S. adults overall have not heard of the Holocaust or are not sure if they did. And two-thirds of millennials cannot identify what Auschwitz was. Board member Kevin Carter of District 8 also voted against allowing administrators to travel with CWB, reasoning that it would be more beneficial to have teachers
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participate in such a trip because they have a direct impact on students in classrooms. He also emphasized that he is not opposed to offering “Jewish education or Holocaust education in the schools.” Sala Udin of District 3 abstained from the vote, echoing Carter’s comments. Josh Sayles, director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Community Relations Council, was puzzled by Kaleida’s reasoning regarding her objections to the trip. “The notion that a trip to Poland to enhance the quality of Holocaust education in Pittsburgh Public Schools somehow discriminates against the Palestinian people is incomprehensible at best,” Sayles wrote in an email. “Holocaust education is frequently used as a launching point to educate about all forms of genocide, intolerance and bigotry. “What’s more, the insinuation that in order to most effectively teach about slavery
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Still shot taken from Livestream.com.
we must allocate resources away from Holocaust education, or vice versa, is disturbing, as teaching about these two very important histories are not and should never be mutually exclusive,” he added. “Perhaps what is most disturbing is that these counterproductive ideas about education are being spewed by an elected member of Pittsburgh’s Board of Education.” For Melissa Haviv, CWB’s assistant director, studying the Holocaust has relevance beyond the Jewish community and extends to all of humankind. “The study of the Holocaust is a world issue,” Haviv said. “The study of the Holocaust promotes tolerance and combats bigotry from all sides. The more support we have from the leadership of the school district, the more impact we can make on the entire district — students and teachers.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. JUNE 1, 2018 15
Real Estate
Headlines NCJW: Continued from page 7
transition from a divorce, a death, a move or any other circumstance. Those projects are just a few that Lederman and other volunteers with NCJW have referenced to describe the impact of the past 125 years of service through the NCJW Pittsburgh section. Celebrating the milestone this week, volunteers say that while the make-up of the organization’s leadership and the techniques for making an impact may have changed, the core mission has stayed the same since its founding in 1893. “I really believe that the women who got involved with what was needed in 1893 would just look a little different in 2018, but we’re doing the same work because the need still exists,” Lederman said. “We fill a need in the community.” That need is as broad as anything that affects the quality of life for women, children and family, and the organization boasts such accomplishments as establishing the first kindergarten in Allegheny County, the first adult day care program and the first and only children’s playrooms in county courts. Cristina Ruggiero, executive director of NCJW, Pittsburgh Section, said the organization has often acted as an “incubator” for programs in the community by partnering with different groups to get a project off the ground and then spinning it off to them to take over. For example, according to Ruggiero, NCJW initially brought Race for the Cure to Pittsburgh before handing it over to Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh. To carry out so many projects, the group raises money through a mix of fundraising efforts, donations from individuals or foundations, and their own “social enterprise,” a thrift store in Lawrenceville, according to Ruggiero. They get involved in projects either because someone reaches out for their help or they do their “due diligence and investigate what are the needs of the community, where we can best serve those needs,” Ruggiero said. “It’s just continuing a long tradition of what this organization does.” The organization keeps “reinventing what they need to be” as time goes on, said Becca Tobe, a volunteer with the Pittsburgh section for the past four years who is chairing the 125th celebration, to be held June 7 at the University Club.
“Unfortunately, the reason it’s still around after 125 years is that the needs are still so great,” she said. “If you look at women and children in Pittsburgh and that’s the goal of people to help, the list just goes on and on.” Throughout its history, NCJW has also worked on programs to help welcome immigrants to the Pittsburgh community, help women who had been incarcerated transition back to society and support children with physical disabilities. For the women volunteering with NCJW, part of the benefit comes not only from the women and children that they help but also from the women they work with and the leadership skills they learn. “We really do develop women leaders and we do provide skills for women to go out in the community,” and continue to make a difference, said Hilary Spatz, president of NCJW, Pittsburgh Section from 2011 to 2013. Spatz added that the group would like to focus on leadership development in the future. For Lederman, the future of the organization relies mostly on staying true to the mission “as times change and culture shifts.” “I want to see the women of tomorrow grab this mission the way we did and the way women at the turn of the century did because I think we’re still working with the same Jewish values,” Lederman said. “There will always be needs in the community, always be reason to give people a hand.” PJC Lauren Rosenblatt can be reached at lrosenblatt@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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JUNE 1, 2018 17
Celebrations
Torah
B’nai Mitzvah
Seventy faces, at least
Jarah Eger, daughter of Jason Eger and Janelle Eger of Mt. Lebanon, will become a bat mitzvah on Saturday, June 2 at Temple Emanuel of South Hills. Jarah is the granddaughter of Dr. Mark and Susan Eger of Moon Township and Judi and Bob Van Winkle of Missouri.
By Rabbi Seth Adelson Parshat Beha’alotecha Numbers 8:1-12:16
W Liam Glen Friedlander, son of Drs. Mary Pat and Eric Friedlander, will celebrate becoming a bar mitzvah on Saturday, June 2 at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation. Liam has an older sister, Hannah. Grandparents are Steven and Linda Friedlander of Boynton Beach, Fla., and Perry and Nancy Schreffler of Oil City, Pa.
Adam Levine (right) and Noah Levine, sons of Donna and Michael Levine, will become b’nai mitzvah on Saturday, June 2 at Beth El Congregation of the South Hills. Grandparents are the late Charles Levine, Sylvia Levine of State College, the late Julius Walther and the late Dorothy Walther.
hen my daughter was in second grade, she learned about the Big Bang theory, the most comprehensive model for how the universe as we know it came into being. We were walking home together from school one day not long after, and she said to me, “Abba, I’m not going to be Jewish when I grow up.” My interest piqued, I raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Why not?” “Because if the Big Bang happened, then the Torah can’t be true.” “Hm. And why is that?” “Because that means that God didn’t create the world in six days and rest on the seventh.” She was 7 years old at the time. I had rather optimistically figured that this moment would not arrive for another decade, at least. So I tried to fumble my way through an amusingly abstract answer (for a second-grader) about holding two stories in our head at the same time, about living Jewishly with feet firmly placed in both the secular world and the religious context, about how science and the Torah answer two different questions: one
the “How?” and the other the “Why?” I reassured her that it would be okay to accept the Big Bang and still be Jewish, and that perhaps someday this would all make sense. She listened politely, and then changed the subject. Rabbi Isaac Luria, the 16th-century kabbalist who lived in Tzfat and created a branch of Jewish mysticism known to us as Lurianic Kabbalah, did not limit Judaism to what was between the covers of ancient books. He explained the image of the menorah, the seven-branched candelabrum described in the opening verses of Parshat Beha’alotecha, as standing for six branches of secular learning, plus the one center stalk as symbolizing the light of the Torah. Science and faith are not mutually exclusive rivals which vie for our hearts and minds. Rather, they sit comfortably together on the menorah, in close quarters, illuminating and complementing each other. The origins of both the Reform and Conservative movements lay in the 19th-century movement known as das wissenschaft des Judentums, the “science of Judaism.” When the scientific tools of archaeology and source criticism and comparative Semitics and so forth enabled our forebears to interPlease see Torah, page 20
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Gabriella Louisa Naveh, daughter of Barak and Lisa Naveh, will become a bat mitzvah on Saturday, June 2 at 10:30 a.m. at Rodef Shalom Congregation. Gabriella has a younger sister, Abigail. Gabriella is the granddaughter of Jacob and Edie Naveh and Peter and Susan Gonsenheimer. Gabriella attends Community Day School. Her interests include political activism, reading, writing and spending time with family and friends. For Gabriella’s mitzvah project, she is collecting books to be donated to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.
Jake Schwartz, son of Ginger and Howard Schwartz of Tempe, Ariz., was called to the Torah on Saturday, May 5 at Temple Emanuel of Tempe. Jake is the grandson of Esther and the late David L. Schwartz of Pittsburgh and Delray Beach, Fla., the late Renie Franklin and Susie and the late Charles Franklin of Pittsburgh, and is the brother of Hannah Jordyn Schwartz. Ellia Simone Neiss will be called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah on Saturday, June 2 at Community Day School. Ellia is a sixthgrader at CDS and loves playing soccer, basketball and trumpet. She is the daughter of Jason and Jessica Neiss and the granddaughter of Dee and Jeff Weinberg and Gerry and Mel Neiss. Close friend Rabbi Ethan Linden of New York will officiate the ceremony. PJC
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Obituaries BERNSTEIN: Bernard “Bernie” Bernstein, on Sunday, May 27, 2018. Beloved husband of Betty Bernstein. Beloved father of Ann Lynn (Jeff) Meyer, Ava (Tom) Cain and Alan (Mamie) Bernstein. Brother of the late Norman (late Phoebe) Bernstein. Poppy of Megan (Timothy) Benninger, Bryan Cain, Whitney Bernstein and Zachary Cain. Also survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Graveside services and interment were held at Shaare Torah Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Parkway Jewish Center, 300 Princeton Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. BLOCKSTEIN, Ph.D.: Zaga M. Blockstein, on Monday, May 28, 2018. Beloved wife of Robert S. Blockstein. Beloved mother to her niece, Nada Reese. Grandma Zaga to grandnephews and grandniece, Brandon (Melissa) Reese, Jordan Reese and Stephanie (Rick) Zahn. Aunt of Daniel (Marian) Levine, Stephen (Dorothy) Levine, David Levine, David (Deborah) Blockstein, Michael (Reean) Blockstein, Susan Blockstein (Michael) Sokolsky, Ellis (Maglie) Amdur and Shelley Amdur. Also survived by great-nieces and nephews and great-greatnieces and nephews. Zaga Blockstein was the author of “Graduate School of Public Health,” University of Pittsburgh, 1948-1974. She was instrumental in introducing adult day care in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation. Contributions may be made to Presbyterian Senior Care, 1215 Hulton Road, Oakmont, PA 15139 or Oakmont Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation, 26 Ann Street, Oakmont, PA 15139 or a charity of the donor’s choice. schugar.com DRESSLER: Bernice Dressler, age 85, of Atlanta and formerly of Alpharetta, Ga., and Monroeville, died on May 22, 2018. Bernice was born in Pittsburgh to Joseph and Ida Sirota. She was a drum majorette at Allderdice High School and went on to earn degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. She met her husband of 51 years, Hans, on a blind date, thinking to herself “I’m going to marry that man” as Hans came up the walkway of her parents’ house for the first time. Bernice was a pioneer in the realm of career women, working as a speech-language pathologist on a multidisciplinary maxillofacial team at the Cleft Palate Center of the University of Pittsburgh. Bernice was a loving, creative and curious woman, who was an explorer at heart — explorer in all forms of art (particularly painting), explorer in reading and learning (often reading 4-5 books at once, while taking one or more classes), explorer in her many worldwide travels and explorer of cultures and food. More than anything else, Bernice loved spending time with family. People who met her always commented on her wonderful laugh and smile. Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Hans; her sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Bernard Berger; and, her grandson, Noah Westmoreland. She is survived by her son, Stu Dressler of Brookhaven, Ga.; daughter and son-in-law, Pam & Dave Westmoreland of Easton, Conn.; granddaughter, Dana Westmoreland of Chicago; brother-in-law, Ernest Seinfeld; nieces and nephews, Kate and Eric Schweitzer, Darcy Berger and Dr. Robert and
Lisa Berger; and, many great nieces/nephews and extended family members. Services were held at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, Ga. Arrangements are by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care of Atlanta (no relationship to family). An online guest book can be signed at dresslerjewishfunerals.com. Contributions may be made to the Noah Westmoreland Pulmonary & Cancer Fund, c/o Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation, 282 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106 connecticutchildrensfoundation.org/ or 860-837-5700. MONSEIN: Esther Gloria Monsein, 87, passed away peacefully at Duke Regional Hospital on May 26, 2018. She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Monsein. Gloria was born in Pittsburgh, and resided in Durham, N.C., since 1964. She is survived by her brother, Leonard Bellman of Pittsburgh, her children, Debbie Monsein-Black (Rick) of Kill Devil Hills, Lee Monsein (Donna) of Durham, Jeff Monsein (Janice) of Durham, and Yale Monsein of Charlotte. She is survived by 12 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. A private graveside service was held. A special thanks to the nursing staff on 5300 at Duke Regional Hospital for the compassionate care shown over the past week. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation or the charity of your choice. NOVICK: Dr. Jodi Shensa Novick, on Sunday, May 27, 2018. Beloved wife of Dr. Howard Novick; beloved daughter of Linda Shensa of Pittsburgh and Dr. David Shensa of Bonita Springs, Fla; sister of Craig (Ariel) Shensa; aunt of Ezra and Samara Shensa. Also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins and many other extended family and friends. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment B’nai Israel Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Animals Friends, 562 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 or the American Heart Association, 444 Liberty Avenue, #1300, Pittsburgh., PA 15222. schugar.com FISHER: Barbara Dawn Swartz Fisher, on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. Beloved wife of 68 years to Ralph Morton Fisher. Beloved mother of Jeffrey Fisher, Michael Fisher, Debra (Michael) Sufrin and Melissa Fisher. Former mother-in-law of Brenda Fisher. Sister of Michele (Ian) Kleier and the late Myron (surviving spouse Laurel) Swartz. Grandma Bobbie to Joshua (Keila) Sufrin, Zachary Sufrin, Brandon Fisher and Gabrielle Fisher. Also survived by nieces and nephews. She was an avid swimmer and ice skater. Barbara was a former president of ORT. In her 40s, she went back to get her education degree and taught in the Pittsburgh Public Schools for almost 25 years. Services and interment were private. Contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 1100 Liberty Avenue, Suite E-201, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. schugar.com
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Please see Obituaries, page 20
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THIS WEEK’S YAHRZEITS — Sunday June 3: Casper Alman, Leah Bloom, Louis Bowytz, Mary Segal Eger, Sadye Klee Gardner, Oscar Green, Sarah Haltman, Rae Kreger Hepps, Rose Kramer, Jack Kenneth Kruman, Shirley F. Levenson, Joseph Pickholtz, Hyman Shapiro, Mollie Silverblatt Monday June 4: Sarah Bass, Benjamin Block, Usher Z. Cohen, William Congress, Suzanne Dolgin, Hyman Elovitz, Louis Fienberg, Ida Leah Hurwick, Cheri Glick Jak, Jessie Levine, Dr. Theordore Lundy, Dorothy Glickman Mandelblatt, Erwin Lawrence Rubenstein Tuesday June 5: Edith S. Adler, Hyman Berkowitz, David J. Cohen, Lawrence Stephen Fisher, Ada Gilles Frank, Herbert S. Goodman, Rae Horovitz, Milton Klein, Rebecca Leff, Sarah Mollie Lewis, Louis Meyers, Harold Middleman, Abraham N. Miller, Rose Morgan, Molly Moskovitz, Rae Rader, Harry Recht, Ben Sussman Wednesday June 6: Rachel Americus, Isadore Becker, Clara Bluestone, Florence Fredericks, Esther Lang Glick, Julius Goldberg, Rose Goldstein, Fannie Goltz, Goldie Graff, Rose Azen Horewitz, David Rosenfield, Libby Silberblatt, Rae Solomon, Phillip Weiss Thursday June 7: Howard J. Friedman, Benjamin Horne, Minnie Reich, Ida S. Segal, Nathan Shaer, Ethel Silver, Irene Feldman Weiss Friday June 8: Frank Bennett, Della B. Berman, Marine Private Alan Bernstein, Sarah Bernice Fine, Ida S. Frieman, Milton Samuel Horowitz, Morris I. Lieberman, Isaac Lincoff, Janet Gutkowska Mirow, Sara Pollack, Barney Snyder, Bertha Weinberg Saturday June 9: Eugene Bernard Barovsky, Norman L. Berger, Louis Cohen, Hyman Danovitz, Hattie Kaufman, Dr. J. Kalman Leon, Evelyn Letwin, Emanuel Samuel Levin, Miriam Levin, David Levine, Esther Levine, Julius Moskovitz, Ruth Perlmutter, Fred Rosen, John J. Roth, Clara S. Sniderman, Mollie Weiss
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Obituaries Obituaries: Continued from page 19
TANNENBAUM: Bernice Tannenbaum (Ackerman), age 92, of Boynton Beach, Fla., died May 24, 2018, after a courageous battle with dementia. Beloved wife of the late Harry Tannenbaum, and the wife of the late Emanuel Stein, Bernice was preceded in life by her parents Hilda and Samuel Ackerman, her brother Alvin Ackerman, her sisters Margaret Schwartz, Sylvia Pitts, Louise Weiss, and her “always with a smile on his face” great-grandson, Colin Brett Orodenker. Those who remain to cherish “T’s” long, well-
Torah: Continued from page 18
pret Judaism in a new light, that did not harm our tradition. Rather, they strengthened it. Our tradition teaches us that there are shivim panim l’Torah, 70 faces to the Torah; if we throw in all the contemporary perspectives,
lived life filled with her goodness and positivity are her children Hedy Stein Orodenker and her husband, Jerry, of Yardley, Pa.; her son, Craig Stein and his fiancée Lenai Rocco, of Blue Bell, Pa., and Delray Beach, Fl.; her dear grandchildren Jamie and Ian Kornbluth of Phoenix, Ariz.; Julie and David Scher of Sands Point, N.Y., and Liz Stein, of Boulder, Colo.; and her treasured great-grandchildren, Camryn and Lindsay Kornbluth and Leo and Hudson Scher. Also remembering Bernice by stopping to smell the roses each day and to not copy poor behavior are her many relatives and friends, especially her sister, Harriet Marks, her longtime best friend, Bea Perer, and a very special thanks to Adam Blank. Bernice’s
family would like to thank the caring staff of Allegro Senior Living and the staff of Trustbridge for their love as well and becoming part of our family. Born in McKeesport on August 16 and then residing in Pittsburgh for most of her life, Bernice instilled in her students the appreciation and self esteem and striving for achievement as a business education teacher in the Pittsburgh high schools. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and later went back to receive her master’s degree and became a high school guidance counselor. Upon her retirement, Bernice and Harry “kicked up their heels” and moved to Boca Raton. Beautiful Bernice was a fashionista but, more importantly, her beauty and caring
came from within to shine on her family and friends. She wore her high-heeled shoes until she was 85. She enjoyed, amongst other activities, always being with family, playing tennis and canasta, entertaining via themed parties, and enjoying Friday night services and Sisterhood functions at Congregation Beth Ami. Memories of adoration of Bernice will be shared by her immediate family at graveside services. Contributions in Bernice’s memory would be greatly appreciated to the East Stroudsburg University Foundation, Colin Orodenker Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Shelley Speirs, 200 Prospect St., East Stroudsburg, PA 18301, or a charity of your choice. PJC
there are a whole lot more. And it is precisely Judaism’s willingness to address and incorporate new perspectives that has enabled it to survive the last two millennia, through exile and dispersion and genocide. My daughter, now completing fifth grade, seems to be less concerned now with the supposed challenge to the Torah raised by science; as a former chemical engineer, I
occupy a Jewish space in which the contemporary academic disciplines only shed more light on what it means to be Jewish and a citizen of the 21st century. As Rabbi Isaac Luria suggested, if we continue to raise the light of Torah a wee bit higher, our lives are only further enlightened by both secular learning and the ongoing Jewish story. We need not fear the challenge of moder-
nity; on the contrary, we should embrace it, while maintaining our commitment to learning and teaching and fulfilling the holy opportunities of Jewish life. PJC Rabbi Seth Adelson is senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Shalom. This column is a service of the Greater Pittsburgh Rabbinic Association.
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Community Young Judaea high school basketball team
Lev Society Event p Lev Society co-chair Mina Kavaler greeted Lev Society members who have made commitments to the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Community Campaign for 32 years or more. The event took place at Rodef Shalom on Thursday, May 24.
The Young Judaea high school basketball team went undefeated in league play and won the Jewish Teen Basketball League championship. The Jewish Teen Basketball League championship game was held on May 6 at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh.
p From left: Craig Nayhouse, team manager; Omri Raz; Judah Kass; Simon Aizenstein; Reuben Swartz; Henry Woolley; Sammy Nayhouse; Josh Fidel; Max Aizenstein; Ziv Mayo; Brian Woolley; Heather Jones, team statistician; and Jeff Nayhouse, coach Photo by Barbara Baumann
Memorial Day cemetery clean-up Annually, prior to Memorial Day, Community Day School youth, teachers, parents and Adath Jeshurun Cemetery board members go to the cemetery and respectfully discard the weathered American flags and replace them with crisp new American flags to honor these individuals who unselfishly have given service to this country.
p From left: Jack Meyers, Esther Wachs and Ethel Weikers were in a full house of more than 160 attendees at the Lev Society Event.
Photos by David Bachman
An Evening with Rabbi Joseph Telushkin The Sajowitz Endowment Fund of Temple Emanuel and South Hills Jewish Pittsburgh hosted “An Evening with Rabbi Joseph Telushkin” at the Upper St. Clair High School on May 10 in honor of Rabbi Mark Mahler’s upcoming retirement. t Temple Emanuel President David Weisberg (right) with Rabbi Joseph Telushkin
p From left: Sam Goldston, Milo Fogel, Tobias Steinberg
p From left: Dalia Kolko, Lilah Sahud, Maya Zimmerman, Roger Zimmerman
Photos courtesy of Chaim Steinberg
22 JUNE 1, 2018
p Rabbi Jamie Gibson, Rabbi Howie Stein, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin and Rabbi Mark Mahler Photos courtesy of Temple Emanuel
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Community Jewish Family and Community Services annual meeting
Jewish Family and Community Services hosted a record crowd at its annual meeting on May 17. The evening began with “Stories of Service” provided by each JFCS department. Clients, volunteers and staff shared stories of their experiences with JFCS in an effort to help friends and supporters understand the agency’s work on a deeper and more personal level.
t JFCS board member Eric Perelman (second from left) accepting the Dr. Howard A. Mermelstein Leadership Award from the Mermelstein family
p President and CEO Jordan Golin with Jennie L. Schulze, the Aryeh Sherman Volunteer of the Year
p Bob Whitehill presenting JFCS Board Chair Dr. Matthew A. Keller with the Shore-Whitehill Award for outstanding leadership in the cause of inclusion and disability rights Photos by Adam Flanagan
Jewish Association on Aging
p Jewish Association on Aging chairman of the board, Mitchell Pakler, singer Megan Hilty, and JAA President and CEO Debbie Winn-Horvitz share the spotlight at the post-concert reception held at the August Wilson
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p Headliner Megan Hilty and Music Director Matt Cusson wow the crowd at the JAA’s Art of Aging sold-out gala. Photos courtesy of Jewish Association on Aging
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