Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 11/2/2018 by Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle

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November 2, 2018 | 24 Cheshvan 5779

SPECIAL COVERAGE LOCAL An outpouring of support

Candlelighting 5:58 p.m. | Havdalah 6:56 p.m. | Vol. 61, No. 44 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

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WE MOURN Baruch dayan ha’emet

Vigils across city bring together people of all faiths.

By Toby Tabachnick and Adam Reinherz

Page 18 LOCAL The president pays a visit

In Squirrel Hill, Trump condemned anti-Semitism. Page 22 LOCAL Out-of-towners lend help

 Makeshift memorials to the victims stand guard outside Tree of Life.

Photo by Jim Busis

Eleven dead, six injured in anti-Semitic attack at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha By Toby Tabachnick | Senior staff writer

Aftermath of attack draws assistance from far and wide. Page 23

leven people are dead, and six injured — including four police officers — following a mass shooting by a suspected anti-Semite at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha’s building on the corner of Shady and Wilkins avenues in the heart of Squirrel Hill. The murdered victims are: Joyce Fienberg (75, Oakland); Richard Gottfried (65, Ross Township); Rose Mallinger (97, Squirrel Hill); Jerry Rabinowitz (69, Edgewood); Cecil Rosenthal (59, Squirrel Hill); David Rosenthal (54, Squirrel Hill); Bernice Simon (84, Wilkinsburg); Sylvan Simon (86, Wilkinsburg); Daniel Stein (71, Squirrel Hill); Melvin Wax (87, Squirrel Hill) and Irving Younger (69, Mt. Washington).

he 11 people who were murdered at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha on Oct. 27, all beloved members of the community, have been described as “kind,” “compassionate” and “faithful” by those who knew them. They ranged in age from 54 to 97 and include a couple who married at Tree of Life in 1956, and two brothers with developmental disabilities who had been fixtures at the synagogue since they were children. Announcements for funerals began going out on Sunday, with the first services being held on Tuesday. Here is a look at who we lost.

Joyce Fienberg

Two city police officers and two SWAT team officers were wounded by gunfire. Timothy Mason suffered multiple gunshot wounds and remains hospitalized. Daniel Mead was shot in the hand and remains hospitalized. Anthony Burke also was shot in the hand and was released. Michael Smidga had a graze wound to the head and was released. Daniel Leger, a member of Dor Hadash, 70, suffered gunshot wounds to his torso and remains in critical condition. Leger is a nurse and hospital chaplain. Mallinger’s daughter, Andrea Wedner, 61, suffered a gunshot wound to her arm and remains hospitalized in stable condition. She will be released temporarily

Fienberg, 75, grew up in Toronto, and studied psychology at the University of Toronto. She was married to the late Stephen Fienberg, a renowned professor of statistics at Carnegie  Joyce Fienberg Mellon University and a Courtesy photo longtime board member of the Chronicle. They married in 1965 and moved to Pittsburgh in the early 1980s. Fienberg, who lived in Oakland, worked as a research specialist at the University of Pittsburgh’s Research and Development Center from 1983 until her retirement in 2008, and was a member of Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha. “She was a wonderful person,” said Alvin Berkun, rabbi emeritus of TOL*OLS. “She was bright, articulate and compassionate.”

Please see Shooting, page 14

Please see Victims, page 12

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NATIONAL Statewide campaigns near end

NATIONAL In politics, most love Israel

LOCAL Curriculum Night at Yeshiva

Headlines Living in Israel during second intifada shaped Englander’s concept for novel — LOCAL — By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

he epigraph that Pulitzer Prizenominated writer Nathan Englander chose to begin his 2017 novel, “Dinner at the Center of the Earth,” is taken from the stark and concluding sentences of Julian Barnes’ 2011 novel, “Sense of an Ending”: “There is accumulation. There is responsibility. And beyond these, there is unrest. There is great unrest.” It became evident that Barnes’ words are apropos not only to the themes of “Dinner at the Center of the Earth,” but to the essence of Englander himself, when the author took the stage at City of Asylum on Oct. 24 to read from his novel and share stories about its genesis. Englander was brought up Orthodox on Long Island and attended a religious day school. He now identifies as “secular,” but his best-selling books, including his short story collections “For the Relief of Unbearable Urges” and “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” are steeped in Jewish traditions and mores. In 2012, along with fellow Jewish novelist Jonathan Safran Foer, Englander released “The New American Haggadah”; Englander translated the Hebrew and Aramaic text, while Foer edited the text and commentary. “Dinner at the Center of the Earth” defies genre. It is part spy thriller, part magical realism, part political fiction. It spans time and place, shifting rapidly from 2002 — during the midst of the second intifada — to the summer of the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, and moving from Paris to Berlin to a prison

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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, Cátia Kossovsky, Andi Perelman, David Rush, Charles Saul

p Pulitzer Prize-nominated writer Nathan Englander speaks at City of Asylum on Oct. 24. Photo by Toby Tabachnick

cell in the Negev to Ariel Sharon’s hospital bed, to even inside the mind of the comatose general himself. At the center of the book is Prisoner Z, an American Jew turned Mossad agent who is being held for years in a remote desert outpost for treason with no hope of release. It is a commentary on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the continuous cycle of terror and retribution — the “great unrest.” Englander, at once funny, poignant and refreshingly honest, also appears to be a soul

feeling the weight of “great unrest.” He recounted his compulsion to move to Israel in the mid-1990s, when it looked like peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians was on the horizon. “I was terrified I was going to miss out, but I was in Iowa City, Iowa, getting my MFA … and I was actually scared I was going to miss the whole peace, because you cannot stop something this good. As soon as I got my degree I flew to New York to kiss [my mother] and hopped on a plane to Tel Aviv.”

Soon after he arrived, he was having dinner with intellectuals in the German Colony in Jerusalem, when his host raised her glass and said, “Welcome to the Titanic.” Yitzchak Rabin had been assassinated, and “busses were blowing up,” he said. But there was an energy in the atmosphere promising peace. “I can’t even tell you what the feeling was on the street,” Englander said. “It really felt like it was happening.” Englander lived in what he described as a “crazy neighborhood, a couple blocks from Mechane Yehuda.” He described shopping in that market prior to the beginning of a particular Shabbat, and shortly after arriving home hearing “a boom and then another low boom, because the market has just blown up.” As a young Jewish man living in Israel at that time, “I was really ready to die for what I believed in, in a really different way,” he said. “We were making peace. There were only two sides to me then, that is really the core of this book. There was pro-peace; there wasn’t Arab and Jew/Israeli. There was, do you believe in peace or do you believe in perpetual war? Those were the sides. If me being part of this thing costs a life while we’re trying to build something, I thought I was up for that then.” After more bombings occurred in his Israeli neighborhood, he came to a profound realization: He had to keep his daily routine despite the turbulence, the destruction, and the deaths. “This is not about right or left, or greater Israel or Zionism or colonialism or any of these notions, it’s just about my neighborhood,” Englander said. “If you don’t go back Please see Englander, page 5

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Headlines Curriculum Night at Yeshiva Schools stresses social and emotional skills

No place. Every place. It happens, and we are shocked. We knew and loved our neighbors who, suddenly, are gone.

p TELC Mentor Teacher, Morah Brenda Faivish explains social interactions that occur in the early childhood years. Photo courtesy of Yeshiva Schools

— LOCAL — By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

ducators and parents collaborated on an explorative evening at Yeshiva Schools, sharing strategies for developing children’s social and emotional skills. Each year, Curriculum Night typically focuses on a particularly relevant aspect to the Early Learning Center, said Chaya Sara Barrocas, the school’s education director: In the past, it’s addressed math and science, or Reggio (a student-centered pedagogy popularized by parents and educators in post-war Italy). The social and emotional focus this year was purposeful, she said. “There are stages of development in emotional maturity, and we would like parents to know what tools we use to help children,” she explained. Blumi Rosenfeld, Yeshiva Schools’ assistant dean, and Barrocas opened the Oct. 23 event with remarks on conceptual aspects of children’s emotional growth. “A child’s character education should take priority over his academic education,” Barrocas said, quoting a teaching attributed to the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson. “All educational efforts are basically meaningless unless built on the solid foundation of good character.” In helping to create such groundwork, mothers are invited to participate in an “after drop-off ” discussion on Tuesday mornings, noted Rosenfeld. Led by the assistant dean and guided by Miriam Adahan’s 1987 book, “EMETT: A Step by Step Guide to Emotional Maturity Established Through Torah,” the group explores passages of text for practical applications. “I can’t think of a better time to take these classes than at a time the [Early Learning Center] is focusing on social and emotional skills,” said Rosenfeld.

Following the administrators’ address, parents entered a converted classroom and observed a gallery display resembling a growth spectrum. Photos and video charted children ranging from 6 weeks old until kindergarten age. Accompanying explanations identified what the children were doing — such as why one child picked up a rattling toy a few seconds after another child — as well as materials for how teachers manage particular situations. “We want parents to have a window into the child’s day, specifically the social and emotional work we do in the classroom,” said Nechama Hordiner, a pre-K teacher at Yeshiva Schools, who helped design the gallery. Hordiner pointed out various panels, including one denoting the creation of safe spaces for children to develop their social and emotional skills. “All ages are represented here,” said Hordiner. It’s basically a “timeline of how kids grow up.” Providing parents with documented photographs and video “gives them a sense of what their children are participating in,” said school president Shlomo Jacobs. “We want parents to be in touch with the curriculum being used this year in the preschool.” Creating collaboration between teachers and parents is critical, said Barrocas. “Spread out throughout the year,” there are various days when fathers, mothers, grandparents and special friends are invited in “to get to see what they’re learning. We have almost 100 percent participation, and when we ask, ‘Do you want us to cut back on these?’ the answer we get is ‘No.’” Throughout the evening, parents proceeded to other classrooms where additional footage demonstrated how students build relationships and manage feelings.

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Please see Curriculum, page 5

We grieve with their families. We come together. :H UHDƫ UP RXU IDLWK This is our strength.

No place for violence. Every place for love.

jaapgh.org | 412-420-4000 | 200 JHF Drive | Pittsburgh, PA 15217 JAA181_PJC_Grief-FINAL.indd 1

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Headlines Pittsburgher incubates kids’ creativity at Hatch — LOCAL — By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

hen Shannon Merenstein was pregnant with her first child in 2015, she began searching for family-friendly activities in the Steel City. With a degree in art education and painting from Pratt Institute — and eight years of experience teaching elementary art at the Environmental Charter School — Merenstein

p Hatch Studio provides space for children to explore their creativity.

Photos provided by Shannon Merenstein

p Shannon Merenstein

was dismayed to find no spaces in Pittsburgh that “focused on art-making for preschoolers and toddlers,” she recalled. So, the Community Day School alumna and Pittsburgh Allderdice grad hatched her own plan. In 2016, on the first birthday of her son, Graham, Merenstein opened the doors to

Hatch, a creative arts studio in Point Breeze that aims to rouse imagination, spark curiosity, develop artistic skills and inspire confidence in children. It’s a place for children to untether their creativity, trying out new materials and methods, while leaving parents free from the hassles associated with that process.

“My vision was to create a space where families could feel comfortable letting their kids get messy and explore arts materials,” said Merenstein. “I think a lot of parents care about promoting creativity, but it’s hard to set it up in your own house, and then deal Please see Hatch, page 5

TO DAY AN D ALWAYS , LOVE YO U R N E IG H BOR

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Headlines Englander: Continued from page 2

the next day, you’re not going to go back the day after that or the day after that. It was about continuity. “I start thinking, how am I going to continue in this way?” he said. “And it’s the peace; that’s how I’m going to continue in this way. And I start grabbing on to this notion of the moon. Like from the dawn of time, people have looked up at the moon and they’ve wanted to touch it. And with their slide rules, they sent someone to the moon. It’s literally impossible. It’s enough to get someone to the moon, but the part I still don’t understand, not having any science in my head, is we brought him back. If you can do that, how hard is peace? Let’s just make peace. It can’t be more complicated.” Then in September 2000, on Rosh Hashana,

Curriculum: Continued from page 3

In a final setting, parents were asked to create crafts or leave messages for inclusion in their children’s portfolios. Designed as “an emotional statement from the parent to a child,” the portfolio inclusions, which will be given to each child upon graduating kindergarten, are accessible to Early

Englander woke up to find “the country is on fire. Intifada two has broken out and it is more violent and more bloody, and there was just a different feel. Everyone on both sides, mutually assured self-destruction, we were just burning the whole thing down.” He realized, “This isn’t getting fixed. Before, I was ready to die for something, but now I realized people were just dying and peace is not on the horizon and I am afraid.” After living in Israel for five years, Englander came back to New York in 2001. “I wrote this book, because that was really my American view of things,” he said. “I thought I was Israeli. Maybe the romance is what has to be removed. It was always complicated, it was never not complicated. But we execute the impossible all the time.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. Learning Center students throughout the day and serve to create a connection between parents, children and the school, said Barrocas. “Parents don’t always get a chance to connect with their child in this venue.” “Yeshiva Schools has a very unique approach to preschool and welcomes collaboration from parents,” echoed Jacobs. PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz @pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

JC Tree of Life condolences 4_Eartique 10/28/18 11:51 PM Page 1

Hatch: Continued from page 4

with the mess afterwards.” At Hatch, she said, children can become “confident creators” because they are free to explore their imagination without anyone prescribing strict rules regarding method. “It’s unusual to have children lead the way in their art-making,” Merenstein explained. “Kids and families are used to being told there is a right way to approach art-making. That’s why some adults are so afraid of being not ‘good’ at art.” Hatch offers about 15 classes each week for children age 18 months through middle school, and also provides open studio time on Fridays and Saturdays. Ceramics, painting, printmaking, working with recycled materials, sculpture and collage are a sampling of the types of art offerings at the studio. Although hosting birthday parties was not in Merenstein’s original business plan, she was “inundated with calls about parties” as soon as Hatch opened. Now, the studio has become a popular party destination, having organized more than 250 so far. At Hatch, there are four to six birthday parties each weekend, for ages 2 and up. “We have tons of party options,” Merenstein said, including the crowdpleasing Rainbow and Unicorn Party. “Our mission, to create a joyful and imaginary space, carries over to our parties,” she added.

Innovative camps are run at Hatch during the summer. One favorite is the Doll House Camp, at which campers are given a wooden doll house to furnish — by printing their own wallpaper, weaving their own rugs and making their own furniture. Merenstein has a solid online presence, she noted, and her idea for Doll House Camp has since been picked up by other children’s art studios around the country. Although located in Point Breeze, several families from Fox Chapel and Mt. Lebanon cross the bridges and go through tunnels to get their kids to Hatch. Merenstein has considered opening satellite studios in other locations throughout Greater Pittsburgh, but for now her “goal is to establish ourselves as the place to be to make art with your children.” Merenstein teaches some classes herself at Hatch, and also has a staff of six parttime instructors. The studio offers lots of special events, including a Dec. 2 Chanukah Party and Menorah Making workshop for ages 3 and up. Children will fashion their own menorahs using wood, glass bottles and other materials. Merenstein is the author of the recently released book “Collage Workshop for Kids” (Quarto, 2018), which she wrote, she said “to inspire families to create at home.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

NA’AMAT USA, PITTSBURGH COUNCIL Invites you to

The Annual Spiritual Adoption/Scholarship Fundraising Dinner Honoring Judith R Robinson

We, at Eartique, would like to express our deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to the families and friends who have lost their loved ones at the Tree of Life Synagogue.

Visual Artist, Writer and Teacher Founder of Robinson Int’l Short Film Competition

Thursday, November 8, 2018 • 6:30 p.m.

May their memories be a blessing.

Samuel and Minnie Hyman Ballroom Congregation Beth Shalom, 5915 Beacon Street RSVP to Jackie Braslawsce, 412-303-5769 or email naamatpgh@gmail.com

We are also praying for the complete recover y of the wounded victims of this senseless act of violence.

Reception: 6:30 p.m. Dinner: 7:30 p.m. Dietary Laws Observed

$360 Minimum Contribution $100 First Time Attendee Contribution $40 Dinner per person

– COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS – Gloria Elbling Gottleib, Carole Wolsh, Debbi Berger and Julian Elbling Presidents - Debbi Berger and Dorothy Greenfield

Executive Director - Jackie Braslawsce

Judy Robinson has served the Jewish Community of Pittsburgh for many years as a Leader and an Innovator. NA’AMAT USA Pittsburgh Council is grateful to honor Judy for her life-long commitment to Jewish Service and for her continued support to the State of Israel. Judy is a pillar in our community and involved in many of our great organizations that make the Pittsburgh Jewish Community so strong. She is connected to The Holocaust Commission, The Rauh Archives, Community Day School, American Technion Society, Zionist Organization of America, Hadassah, LHAS, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. Judy and her children have worked with JFilm to establish the The Robinson International Short Film Competition in 2012 in memory of her late husband, Sanford Robinson SR. This competition spotlights and awards filmmakers whose work illuminates the Jewish experience. This is just another way Judy gives back to her community.

Squirrel Hill ~ 2703 Murray Ave ~ 412.422.8006 ~ eartique.com

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A voice for women and children—A voice for Israel

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NOVEMBER 2, 2018 5

Calendar >> Submit calendar items on the Chronicle’s website, pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. Submissions will also be included in print. Events will run in the print edition beginning one month prior to the date as space allows. The deadline for submissions is Friday, noon. q FRIDAY, NOV. 2 I-Volunteer Kickoff Shabbat will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 1922 Murray Ave. Learn about the ways to make this community a better and more inclusive place to live. Partially sponsored by OneTable. I-Volunteer is a collaboration organized by the Jewish Federation’s Volunteer Center. The Friendship Circle partners with Shalom Pittsburgh, Repair the World and Moishe House to encourage young adults between the ages of 18 and 45 of all abilities to combine entertainment with community service in a comfortable social setting. Together, they perform meaningful work within the Pittsburgh community. Visit facebook.com/events/1850096418443092 for more information or contact moishehousepgh@gmail.com. q SUNDAY, NOV. 4 Shalom Pittsburgh/Young Adult Division will hold a Family Meet-Up at Panera Bread in Shadyside, 5430 Centre Ave., from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Come spend your usual Sunday morning coffee and bagel run with other Jewish families in the community. Everyone is welcome whether you are new to Pittsburgh, new to parenthood or expecting in the near future. Meet other families and connect to

the Jewish community. Kids are welcome and there will be an activity for the little ones. Feel free to come and go anytime. Contact Meryl Franzos at mfranzos@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5204 for more information. Rochelle Dunn, a social studies teacher at Plum High School, teaches an elective course on “History of The Holocaust.” She traveled to Poland as a participant in a Holocaust study seminar with Classroom Without Borders. The trip took participants from Warsaw to Krakow on a journey of Jewish history from pre-World War II to the Holocaust. She will share her trip experiences and photos from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Temple David. Bring a box of paper clips as “admission” for the paper clip project, which strives to represent the 6 million Jews lost during the Holocaust. Visit templedavid.org for more information. The Senior Social Group will meet from 10 a.m. to noon at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, Room 202. There will be a discussion on “How did we get here?” Individuals meet to socialize in a welcoming environment; there is no charge. Contact Marcia Uram at 412-656-5803 for more information. The annual Poale Zedeck Chanukah Boutique at 6318 Phillips Ave. will be held from noon to 4 p.m. with more than 30 vendors selling all types of things, along with Deena’s Dishes selling an array of foods. There is no charge to attend. Temple Shalom Wheeling is organizing

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones at the Tree of Life on Shabbos. May they be comforted among the mourners of Zion. Our thoughts are also with those who were wounded. We wish them a speedy and complete recovery.

the free screening of “Brave Miss World,” a documentary about Miss Israel 1998 Linor Abargil, her gaining the title of Miss World and struggling and overcoming the trauma of sexual assault. A question and answer session with director Cecelia Peck will follow. The program will begin at 6 p.m. at the Highlands Event Center, Triadelphia, W.Va. Contact samuel@thejeweledbird.com for more information.

Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin” and “Words Will Break Cement: The Passion of Pussy Riot.” The recipient of numerous awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Carnegie Fellowship, Gessen teaches at Amherst College and lives in New York City. Gessen will speak at 7:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Music Hall. Visit pittsburghlectures.culturaldistrict.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

Nutritionist Leslie Bonci will share tips from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at a private home on food pairing, followed by small group competitions for the tastiest dish. Wine and appetizers will be served; there is a $10 cover charge. Open to Jewish singles ages 22-32. Contact 412-952-4702 or visit shalompittsburgh.org/ events/prepare-pair-share-jewish-singlesevent for more information and to RSVP.

q TUESDAY, NOV. 6

q MONDAY, NOV. 5 The First Mondays lunch program at Beth El Congregation with Rabbi Alex Greenbaum and guest Dan Kamin will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kamin will present “Comedy in Motion,” a program of movement, illusions, sleight-of-hand magic and comic sketches. There is a $6 charge. Visit bethelcong.org for more information and call 412-561-1168 to make a reservation. Russian and American journalist Masha Gessen is the winner of the National Book Award for “The Future is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia,” is a staff writer at the New Yorker and the author of several books, among them” The Man

Saint Vincent College will commemorate the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht with a lecture by Rabbi Ron Symons and the opening of the exhibition “Beloved: Children of the Holocaust” by Mary Burkett beginning at 5:30 p.m. There is no charge but reservations are required. Call 724-8052177 for reservations and visit stvincent.edu/ community-events for more information. q WEDNESDAY, NOV. 7 National Council of Jewish Women, Pittsburgh Section will hold a Designer Days Patron Party “Couture Carnival” as the kick-off party to its annual fundraiser sale, Designer Days, which runs through Nov. 11. This year’s patron party is a celebration of NCJW, Pittsburgh Section’s 125th anniversary. Enjoy food, wine and music from 6 to 9 p.m. at Thriftique, 125 51st St. at this first chance to shop the gently worn, high end and designer clothing, shoes, and accessories for women and men before the public sale begins. Visit ncjwpgh.org/ncjw-designer-days Please see Calendar, page 7

At the rising sun and at its going down;

We remember them.

Special thanks to our Pittsburgh police, first responders and all local law enforcement for their selfless service. Murray Avenue Kosher, Inc.

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Calendar Calendar: Continued from page 6 for more information and to purchase patron tickets, which are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. There is no charge to shop from Nov. 8 to Nov. 11. Heal Grow and Live with Hope, NarAnon meeting from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Beth El Congregation, 1900 Cochran Road; use office entrance. Newcomers are welcome. Call and leave a message for Karen at 412-563-3395. q THURSDAY, NOV. 8 NA’AMAT Pittsburgh Council Spiritual Adoption Scholarship Gala and Dinner to honor Judith R. Robinson, an active leader in the community who has committed her life to supporting the Jewish community and Israel, will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Congregation Beth Shalom. Dietary laws observed. The cost is $40 for dinner with $360 minimum contribution or $100 minimum contribution for first-time attendees. Contact Jackie Braslawsce at naamatpgh@gmail.com for more information and to RSVP. q SATURDAY, NOV. 10 Adat Shalom and Temple Ohav Shalom will present The Bible Players and their variety show for an evening of laughs, fun and community from 7 to 9 p.m. at Ohav Shalom in Allison Park. The evening will begin with Havdalah at 7 p.m., and will include drinks

and desserts being served. There is an $18 charge per person. Contact Jackie Leicht at jleicht@templeohavshalom.org by Tuesday, Nov. 6 to RSVP. q SUNDAY, NOV. 11 Temple Emanuel will present a discussion from 10:30 a.m. to noon on The December Dilemma: Can Jews have Christmas Trees and still be Jewish? I’m Jewish — what should I do when someone wishes me a Merry Christmas? How do my non-Jewish partner and I decide which traditions to celebrate, and more. For more information and to RSVP, contact Rabbi Jessica Locketz at jlocketz@templemanuelpgh. org or visit templeemanuelpgh.org/event/ december-dilemma. Pittsburgh’s first Jewish food festival will take place from noon to 3 p.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth Shalom, sponsored by Bnai Emunoh Chabad Greenfield. The Steel City’s inaugural Jewish food festival expects to draw a large and diverse turnout. Participants will have a wide selection of kosher cuisine from Jewish communities around the world. Traditional Jewish foods from the Middle East, Northern Africa and Europe will be available for tasting, along with an extensive menu of all-American classics, provided by Elegant Edge Catering, along with an array of wines sponsored by the Herzog family of wines. Proceeds of the event will benefit Bnai Emunoh Chabad Greenfield, a local Jewish organization offering education, outreach and social service programming

Join the Duquesne University community for an evening with author

Dr. Roger Frie

in remembrance of Kristallnacht MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12 • 4 P.M. Duquesne University Charles J. Dougherty Ballroom | 5th Floor, Power Center

for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. Tickets are $45 and the festival is open to the community. Visit Jewishfoodfestpgh.com for more information, including the full menu, and to purchase tickets. q MONDAY, NOV. 12 Grammy nominated American concert pianist, author, and radio host Mona Golabek will be at Pittsburgh’s Byham Theater from 7 to 9 p.m. to perform “The Children of Willesden Lane” in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht. This theatrical production, based on the best-selling book of the same name written by Golabek and Lee Cohen, will celebrate the triumph of the human spirit and the power of music to transcend the unimaginable. The event is presented by the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh in partnership with Classrooms Without Borders. Visit hcofpgh.org/kristallnacht-2018 for more information and to register. q TUESDAY, NOV. 13 Chabad of the South Hills will hold a lunch for seniors at noon with a presentation by Julian Gray Elder Law on “The Top Five Planning Mistakes.” There is a $5 suggested donation. The building is wheelchair accessible. Call 412-278-2658 to preregister. Visit chabadsh.com for more information. The Ben Gurion Society will hold a dinner at a private home with guest speaker Sara Tmim at 6:30 p.m. Tmim will discuss how she made aliyah to Israel from France because of

the anti-Semitism. For more information and to RSVP contact Sara Spanjer at sspanjer@ jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5237. BGS members and those interested in the Israel Next Mission are invited to attend. The Jewish Association on Aging will hold its annual meeting, Legacy, Love and Living Your Best Life Now, at 6:30 p.m. at Rodef Shalom Congregation. Rabbi Daniel Cohen, author of “What Will They Say About You When You Are Gone?” will be the guest speaker. There is no charge to attend. Contact sburke@ jaapgh.org, 412-586-2690 or visit jaapgh.org/ meeting to RSVP. q WEDNESDAY, NOV. 14 Chabad of Squirrel Hill will hold a Ladies Lunch and Learn program with presenter Leah Herman, who will offer Kabbalistic insights on time and what makes one moment different than another, from noon to 1:15 p.m. at 1700 Beechwood Blvd. There is an $18 charge. Visit chabadpgh.com/lunch for more information. Squirrel Hill AARP invites the community to a Medicare 2019 presentation and brief business meeting at 1 p.m. at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha, 5898 Wilkins Ave. Christin Sadowsky Trembulak, founding partner of Senior Insurance Products and a 20 year insurance professional and Medicare specialist, will discuss the national and local advantage plans for 2019. Refreshments will be served following the meeting. Contact Marcia Kramer, president, at 412-731-3338 for more information. PJC

UNITED WE STAND

KKL-JNF grieves for the tragic slaughter that took place at the Tree of Life - Or L'Simcha Synagogue and mourns, together with the Jewish community of Pittsburgh, the entire Jewish people and people of Israel, the lives of those murdered in the anti-Semitism attack.

This event will be followed by a reception in the Shepperson Suite. Register at myduquesne.duq.edu/notinmyfamily Sponsored by Duquesne University’s McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts and the Jewish Studies Forum, in partnership with the Nathan and Helen Goldrich Foundation

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We stand beside the families of those killed and injured, and call for worldwide condemnation of this criminal act of hate and for action against anti-Semitism wherever it is found. KKL-JNF World Chairman, Daniel Atar Members of the KKL-JNF Board of Directors and Management

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NOVEMBER 2, 2018 7

Our hearts go out to all those affected by the tragic events of Oct. 27. If you NEED HELP, as you grieve the loss, visit jewishpgh.org If you WANT TO HELP, to strengthen the community, visit jewishpgh.org Look to jewishpgh.org for: • • • • • •

A link to the Victims of Terror Fund Funeral and shiva information as available Information about counseling, as you mourn and reﬂect Advice for parents, to discuss trauma with children A means to ask community-security questions Messages of hope from around the world

Stay in touch with the heart of the community. We are stronger together. We are stronger than ever.

Today. Tomorrow. Together.

8 NOVEMBER 2, 2018

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Headlines Democrats ahead in polls for statewide races — NATIONAL — By Joshua Needelman | Special to the Chronicle

ith Election Day less than a week away, a pair of Democratic incumbents appear to be favored in their statewide races. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, who labels himself a “pro-life” Democrat, has a comfortable advantage over Republican U.S. Rep Lou Barletta in polls. Barletta has served in Congress since 2011, representing Pennsylvania’s old 11th District. Barletta’s national profile has grown in recent years, as he has publicly attached himself to President Donald Trump. He was part of the president’s transition team, and voiced support for Trump’s executive order from January 2017 that prohibited entry to the United States for citizens of seven majority Muslim countries. Trump stumped for Barletta during a Make America Great Again Rally in WilkesBarre in August. “We need Republicans. We need Lou Barletta,” Trump told the packed crowd at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. The president’s support hasn’t translated to gains for Barletta in the polls, however. A Politico/Morning Consult poll from early October showed Casey receiving 47 percent support to Barletta’s 32 percent.

And fivethirtyeight.com gives Casey a 97.9 percent chance of winning the race. If victorious, Casey would assume his third term in the Senate. The son of a former Pennsylvania governor, Casey began his political career in 1997 as state auditor general. He dethroned former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum in 2005, earning the largest margin of victory (17.4 percent) of any challenger to an incumbent senator since 1980. He has shifted more to the left in recent years, without shedding some of his roots. Long an opponent of abortion, Casey did hold a press conference at a Planned Parenthood location in Upper Darby in March 2017 and spoke of the importance of women’s reproductive rights. Casey voted “yes,” however, on a bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy on Jan. 29. The bill did not get out of the Senate. “I will work with [Trump] where I can and hold him accountable where I must. President Trump promised to be a champion for working people and middle class families, yet instead of putting forth plans to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, he’s pushed obscene tax cuts for millionaires,” Casey told BillyPenn.com in a statement. “If President Trump gets serious and fights for the middle class then I’ll join him, but if he continues to pursue policies that adversely impact Pennsylvania families then I will fight him like hell.”

the now-conservative leaning court will seek to overturn Roe v. Wade. “If Roe v. Wade reverts to the states, I’ll be the last line of defense,” Wolf told the York Daily Record. “I’ll continue to stand up for women’s rights.” Wagner, who is pro-life, has drawn comparisons to Trump in both substance in style, and the president endorsed the Republican at the August rally in Wilkes-Barre. p U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, left, has a comfortable lead over Republican “I am incredibly grateful and challenger Lou Barletta in the polls. honored to receive President Trump’s U.S. Senator Bob Casey/Facebook; Congressman Lou Barletta/Facebook support,” Wagner said in a statement. “Thanks to the president’s tax cuts and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has engaged strong economic leadership, Americans are in similar rhetoric since Trump’s election. seeing more money in their paychecks and The businessman-turned politician has held increased opportunities across the nation. his post since 2015, and recent polls indicate Sadly, Tom Wolf ’s failed liberal policies are he is likely to fend off Republican challenger preventing Pennsylvania from experiencing Scott Wagner, who represented District 28 in the full effect of President Trump’s success.” the Pennsylvania Senate from 2014 to 2018. The race took a turn Oct. 12. In a video The Politico/Morning Consult poll from posted to Facebook, Wagner urged Wolfe to October showed Wolf with 48 percent to “put a catcher’s mask on your face. Wagner’s 36 percent. “Because I’m going to stomp all over your Wolf, who ran uncontested in the face with golf spikes. Because I’m going to Democratic primary, has pointed to his win this for the state of Pennsylvania, and accomplishments in office during his we’re throwing you out office!” campaign. He has presented himself as a The video has since been removed. PJC fierce supporter of women’s reproductive rights, a point he hammered home after Joshua Needelman writes for the Jewish Judge Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Exponent, an affiliated publication of the Supreme Court. Some Democrats worry that Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle.

SATURDAY NOV. 17, 2018 7:30 P.M. Congregation Beth Shalom 5915 Beacon Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412.421.2288 Samuel & Minnie Hyman Ballroom For this year’s Fundraiser Party and Silent Auction. Steelers, Pirates, Penguins Tickets Available! Broadway, CLO and Ballet too and much more! GRAND PRIZE RAFFLE: $1,000 GIANT EAGLE GIFT CARD STROLLING DINNER, DESSERTS AND LIBATIONS! Catering by Elegant Edge Catering Company, with VaaD Harabonim of Greater Pittsburgh Supervision

Honorary Chairs: Debbie and Joshua Resnick Tickets: www.bethshalompgh.org/cometogether/

With our deepest sympathy to those who have lost loved ones, we stand proud of and so grateful for our Pittsburgh community in this tragic time.

$75 per Adult. $10 Childcare for ages 5 – 13 with supervised fun RQ WKH WK ÁRRU J\P ZLWK OLJKW PHDO 5693 UHTXLUHG

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– Sheila and Milt Fine

NOVEMBER 2, 2018 9

Headlines Republicans and Democrats both try to paint the other side’s candidates as worse for the Jews — NATIONAL — By Ron Kampeas | JTA

ASHINGTON — When Ron DeSantis, the Republican congressman running for governor of Florida, was asked in a debate to defend his record on race, he pivoted to his Democratic opponent’s record on Israel. DeSantis and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum each have a problem that won’t go away — DeSantis with racially charged language and Gillum with associates who are antiIsrael. That may not be surprising in a swing state where substantial Jewish and AfricanAmerican minorities can make the difference, and where the race is too close to call. But it’s not just Florida: In race after race, sometimes in areas with few Jewish voters, from upstate New York to Virginia wine country, to Texas and Minnesota, two third rails for American Jewish voters — bigotry and Israel — are touching each other and setting off sparks. In their campaigns to get out the Jewish vote, and to elicit donors, the two partisan Jewish groups, the Jewish Democratic Council of America and the Republican Jewish Coalition, are seizing on the other party’s

JTA collage/Getty Images

vulnerability and defending their own side. White nationalists “have a home in the Republican Party because our president has legitimized these movements,” Halie Soifer, the JDCA’s executive director, said in an interview. Matt Brooks, her RJC counterpart, referred to about a half-dozen Democratic nominees that his group has singled out for sharply criticizing Israel — in one case to say

that it should not exist as a Jewish state. “It’s total hypocrisy of the Jewish Democrats to throw these grenades at us, yet not do anything and embrace some of the problematic elements in the Democratic Party,” he said. There is substance to the concerns expressed by both sides. Democrats continue to adamantly profess to be pro-Israel, but years of tensions between the Obama administration and the government of Prime

Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have left many Democrats willing to openly criticize Israeli policies, and more. The party’s relief in having a surefire congressional nominee in Detroit like Rashida Tlaib , who says Israel should not exist as a Jewish state, would have been unthinkable a decade ago. On the Republican side, President Donald Trump has not rebuffed — and at times has seemed to welcome — the support of white nationalists. On Monday, campaigning for incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas, Trump denounced “globalists” who he said don’t care enough about the United States and called himself a “nationalist.” Neither term is necessarily antiSemitic nor bigoted. But “globalists” is often a code on the far right for Jews, and white supremacists have adopted the “nationalist” label as their own. “For those of us who remember history, to hear an American president embrace and describe himself as a ‘nationalist’ is alarming, and it sends a shiver up our spine,” Abe Foxman, the former national director for the Anti-Defamation League, told Jewish Insider. Please see Politics, page 37

This week in Israeli history

Nov. 5, 1933 — Hebrew U. expansion outlined

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

Nov. 2, 1917 — Balfour Declaration released

Selma’s Story Several weeks ago I received a call from Selma, my friend’s mother. She was paying her medical insurance premiums quarterly. It seems that she did not pay her premium for the second quarter. She was spending a lot of time out of town visiting family members. When she did return to Pittsburgh and went through her mail she found a letter from the carrier that informed her that her policy was cancelled. She is in current negotiations to try and have her coverage reinstated. What can you do to prevent this from happening to you, your spouse, mother, father, etc?

Believe it or not the solution is rather simple. Arrange to have your carrier withdraw the premiums each month from your checking account. Personally I suggest it be the same account into which your Social Security payments are made. Please note that if the premiums increase the amount withdrawn will also be increased. If you would change carries your agent should notify your old carrier as well as your new one. Each carrier has forms that allow you to set it up at any time. If I can be of assistance please call.

Dan Askin

British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour reveals his government’s endorsement of “the establishment in Palestine of a Jewish national home” in a letter to Lord Rothschild, the head of the British Zionist Organization.

Nov. 3, 1878 — Petah Tikvah founded

Religious Jews determined to start an agricultural settlement leave Jerusalem and establish Petah Tikvah, whose name means “gateway of hope.” They purchase 3,400 dunams from a Greek owner near the Yarkon River and the Arab village of Mulabbis after failing to get Ottoman approval for a land sale near Jericho.

Nov. 4, 1995 — Rabin assassinated

Yigal Amir, a law student opposed to the Oslo peace process, fatally shoots Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin after a peace rally in Tel Aviv. Rabin, a native of pre-state Palestine, had played a prominent role in most of Israel’s history, including commanding the defense of Jerusalem in 1948 and serving as army chief of staff during the 1967 war.

Hebrew University President Judah Magnes outlines a plan for the university’s expansion during a speech marking the start of the academic year. His plan includes the hiring of 14 professors who lost their jobs in Nazi Germany.

Nov. 6, 1884 — Hovevei Zion’s 1st gathering

Delegates gather in Katowice — now in Poland — for the first conference of the Hovevei Zion (Lovers of Zion) movement. Leon Pinsker, who inspired Zionist aspirations with the publication of his “Autoemancipation” pamphlet in 1882, organizes the gathering.

Nov. 7, 1944 — Hannah Senesh killed

Hannah Senesh (formerly Szenes) is executed by a Hungarian firing squad in Budapest five months after being captured while trying to enter Hungary from Yugoslavia. Senesh, a poet and Haganah paratrooper who made aliyah in 1939, had parachuted into Nazioccupied territory to free prisoners of war.

Nov. 8, 1936 — Maccabi Tel Aviv ends tour

Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club completes an 11-match soccer tour of the United States with a 4-1 loss to an American all-star team in front of 20,000 people at Yankee Stadium. PJC

412-901-5433 • askinsure@msn.com 10 NOVEMBER 2, 2018

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Headlines — WORLD — From JTA reports

Netanyahu first Israeli prime minister to visit Oman since 1994 Benjamin Netanyahu made the first visit to Oman by an Israeli prime minister since 1996. Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, along with Mossad head Yossi Cohen and others, visited the Gulf state last week, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. The trip to Oman, an Arab country with no formal ties to Israel, had not been announced in advance. Qaboos bin Said al Said, the country’s sultan and ruler since 1970, invited the Netanyahus “following prolonged talks between” Israel and Oman, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. The joint statement issued at the end of the visit, from which the Prime Minister’s Office did not directly quote, said the meetings featured talks on “ways to advance the peace process in the Middle East as well as several matters of joint interest regarding the achievement of peace and stability in the Middle East.” In the statement, Netanyahu’s office called the visit “a significant step in implementing” his policy of “deepening relations with the states of the region while leveraging Israel’s advantages in security, technology and economic matters.” Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had visited Oman days before Netanyahu. In September, Netanyahu said Israel and some Arab countries have forged closer

relationships following the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, including the United States. Despite vocal opposition by Israel and disapproval of several Sunni countries including Saudi Arabia, the deal offered Iran relief from international sanctions in exchange for its scaling back of parts of its nuclear program. “The agreement with Iran was a bad agreement in every respect except for one — it brought us closer to the Arab world on a scale that we never knew, and one of our goals is that it continues,” Netanyahu said in a speech at the Foreign Ministry in September. In addition to the Netanyahus and Cohen, the Israeli delegation to Oman included National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat; Foreign Ministry Director General Yuval Rotem; the prime minister’s head of staff, Yigal Horowitz; and Military Secretary Brig.-Gen. Avi Bluth. Yitzhak Rabin in 1994 had been the last Israeli prime minister to visit Oman. Madonna looking for a kosher chef Madonna is advertising for a private chef who has “confident knowledge of kosher cooking.” The pop singer is offering a yearly salary of nearly $142,000 for the personal chef to prepare the kosher meals for her and her six children and be willing to travel, the Evening Standard reported. The advertisement is seeking someone with “private Household/Superyacht experience” and has experience in cooking

“healthy, simple and family style” food instead of “fine-dining.” “You will be cooking for the Principal, any guests/staff and young children (who all love food and eat the same as the Principal),” according to the ad. “The ideal Chef will have plenty of experience cooking and travelling with VVIP clients, have an endless repertoire of healthy menu ideas and have confident knowledge of kosher cooking.” Madonna has been involved in the Kabbalah Center since the late 1990s and reportedly took on the Hebrew name of Esther. House leader deletes tweet saying Soros et al. are buying elections House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy accused George Soros, Tom Steyer and Michael Bloomberg of trying to “buy” the upcoming elections for Democrats. The Republican congressman from California tweeted a video of himself making the comments last week and temporarily pinned it to the top of his feed before deleting the Twitter post entirely. All three men McCarthy mentioned are billionaires who donate heavily to liberal causes. Many Twitter users objected that McCarthy’s tweet attacking Soros appeared a day after an explosive device was found at Soros’ suburban New York home. “The three individuals who are funding the Democratic Party: one is Soros, one is Tom Steyer — his main goal is trying to impeach President Trump — and then Bloomberg who

reregistered as a Democrat,” McCarthy said on Oct. 14 on Maria Bartiromo’s Fox News show. The tweet contained audio from that interview and images of the three billionaires. Two days after the bomb was found at Soros’ home, similar devices were sent to the homes of former President Barack Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton, as well as at the Time Warner Center in New York City. McCarthy’s California office also was vandalized. The vandals reportedly threw rocks through the office window and stole some equipment from inside. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York linked the vandalism and the bomb at Soros’ house in a Tuesday tweet, condemning “radicals across the the political spectrum.” The Democratic senator was criticized, mostly by Democratic supporters who felt the two incidents were not equivalent. Soros has become a favorite target for activists and politicians on the right for his deep spending on liberal and pro-democracy causes. McCarthy noted that Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor, has donated nearly $100 million to Democrats for this election cycle. Steyer, a hedge fund manager and Democratic megadonor, has been leading calls for President Donald Trump’s impeachment. At the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, then-National Rifle Association head Wayne LaPierre raised eyebrows by accusing Soros, Steyer and Bloomberg of “socialism” and “social engineering.” Some accused LaPierre of airing anti-Semitic dog whistles in the speech. PJC

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ACADEMY OF PERSONAL PROTECTION

NOVEMBER 2, 2018 11

Special Coverage Victims: Continued from page 1

When her husband died, she began coming to the synagogue to worship “on a regular basis and became an integral part of the community,” Berkun continued. “I sat near her, and I admired her siddur; she had these stickers on the different pages for the different prayers and she turned the [prayer] experience into a kind of study. It was impressive to see.” In her position at Pitt, Fienberg was tasked with interviewing teachers and observing them in their classrooms. “Joyce was wonderful at these tasks because she was so honest, sincere, and caring,” said longtime colleague Gaea Leinhardt. “This sense of real engagement with whomever Joyce was talking to was deeply appreciated by teachers and their students, and led to important understandings about the nature of the learning that was going on. Even in these somewhat dry situations Joyce’s warmth always came through. “But Joyce was not only a warm and gentle person, she had a vibrant sense of humor and was surprisingly strong when she felt it was necessary.” Christopher Genovese, chair of the department of statistics at CMU, first met Fienberg about 24 years ago when he came to Pittsburgh to interview for a position at the university. Fienberg was closely connected to the department through her husband. “She was very welcoming,” Genovese recalled. “She got involved in the department and got to know the students and the faculty, and really became a part of the department.” He described Fienberg as someone who was able to remain “calm, reassuring, warm and kind,” even in the midst of a crisis. After her husband died, Genovese said, Fienberg made it a point to become even more involved with initiatives of CMU’s statistics department, particularly those supportive of underrepresented students. “She was always looking to help the community,” he said.

Dr. Richard Gottfried

“The entire city of Pittsburgh should be mourning his loss,” said Gottfried’s friend and colleague, Dr. Richard DeFilippo. “He was an incredible human being.” Gottfried, 65, lived in Ross Township and was married to Dr. Peg Durachko, both dentists and graduates of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Dental Medicine. He had a private practice for more than 30 years in West View. A past president of New Light Congregation, Gottfried was its current

p Dr. Richard Gottfried

12 NOVEMBER 2, 2018

religious committee chairman. DiFilippo worked alongside Gottfried as a volunteer dentist at Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh. During the nine years Gottfried volunteered there, he donated more than 900 hours of his time providing dental services to those in need, according to Susan Rauscher, executive director of Catholic Charities. “Patients just loved him,” she said. “He was so kind and compassionate, and he smiled all the time. He was always putting everyone at ease and his care was remarkable.” Since 2011, both Gottfried and his wife worked part time for the Squirrel Hill Health Center. “They have been a part of the fabric of our health center, providing care to our underserved patients, especially our refugee and immigrant patients, with care and compassion,” said Susan Friedberg Kalson, CEO of the SHHC. “He was really devoted to caring for our patients from all walks of life,” she said. “He lived his Judaism by providing care to his patients.” He also served as a mentor to members of the staff of the SHHC, according to Kalson. “Many said that he was like a second father to them,” she said. Gottfried was also an “excellent clinician,” noted DiFilippo. “He provided the top quality of care to all the patients he came into contact with.” His wife was not Jewish, and the couple “supported each other in their faiths,” noted DiFilippo. “Do not let his death be in vain,” wrote his wife. “Drive out evil from your own life and help another to drive it out of their life. The only way to combat evil is with love. “I know that Judaism was incredibly important to Rich and at the heart of his desire to give back to those in need. We will miss him. And we are determined to continue our work as he would have wanted.”

Rose Mallinger

Mallinger, 97, grew up in a suburb of New Kensington, Pa. She was a devoted member of Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha, volunteering in m any c ap a c i ties there, and attending services regularly with her p Rose Mallinger sister, Sylvia. Courtesy photo “She was a fixture at Tree of Life,” Berkun said. “She was amazing for her age.” Shelly Schapiro, a former director of education at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha, remembered Mallinger, who lived in Squirrel Hill, as “a friendly, sweet, kind and warm woman. She and her sister would come into the building regularly, and would always stop by my office to say hello. She was just a very caring lady.” Even at her advanced age, Mallinger and her cousin took the lead in planning the extended family’s Passover seders each year, said family member Elysa Schwartz. “They would plan the whole thing,” Schwartz said, “up until the most recent one.” “Rosie was in perfect health,” Schwartz

added, noting that she was still physically active and frequently walked to Giant Eagle for her groceries. “Everyone knew her,” Schwartz said. “She was the sweetest lady.”

Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz

Rabinowitz, 69, was a family practice physician and a devoted member of Dor Hadash Congregation. He was remembered by his patients for his compassion and clinical skill. p Jerry “In the old days Rabinowitz for HIV patients in Courtesy photo Pittsburgh, he was the one to go to,” wrote former patient Michael Kerr on Instagram. “Basically before there was effective treatment for fighting HIV itself, he was known in the community for keeping us alive the longest. He often held our hands (without rubber gloves) and always, always hugged us as we left his office.” He was the “kindest, simplest, most joyful, gentle soul,” said Aviva Lubowsky, director of marketing and development for the Hebrew Free Loan Association of Pittsburgh, where Rabinowitz served as a board member since 1999. “He was always cheerful and really made time for the things that were important to him. One of the last times I saw him in Pittsburgh was on Shabbat Mishpatim, and he was leading a text study at Dor Hadash about interest-free lending and the Hebrew Free Loan Association. He was a generous member of our board, both with his time, and financially.” Rabinowitz ran into danger during that fateful shooting to see if people needed help, according to a Facebook post by his nephew, Avishai Ostrin. “I just learned a short while ago that although the shooter traveled within the building looking for victims, Uncle Jerry wasn’t killed in the basement of the building where the congregation was davening. He was shot outside the room,” Ostrin wrote. “Why? Because when he heard shots he ran outside to try and see if anyone was hurt and needed a doctor. That was Uncle Jerry, that’s just what he did.” He was a resident of Edgewood.

Cecil Rosenthal and David Rosenthal

Brothers David, 54, and Cecil Rosenthal, 59, both of Squirrel Hill, were an integral part of Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha since they were children. Both had developmental disabilities, and found a comfortable home at their congregation. Known as “the boys” by their family

p Brothers Cecil and David Rosenthal in a family photo Courtesy photo

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because of their innocence, Cecil and David were always ready to lend a hand. “They were always waiting at the door when I came in to see if they could help me,” recalled Schapiro. “Cecil liked to make copies and help me in the kitchen, and David would help getting tables and chairs set up. They were my boys, as they were for very many people.” Berkun said that if he were to hypothetically ask the brothers where they would want to die, they would have answered, “Tree of Life.” “They were so extraordinarily involved in the synagogue,” he said. “They were gracious to everyone. They were a fixture, and I can’t imagine the synagogue without them.” David loved to joke around, said his brother-in-law, Michael Hirt, and loved anything having to do with the police and fire department. Cecil, Hirt said, was “the consummate politician” and “socialite.” “Cecil knew everyone in town,” he said. “And he knew everyone’s business.” Both brothers were described by many friends as “joyful” and without a trace of hate within them “They were beautiful souls,” said Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers, spiritual leader of Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha. “They were blemish-free.” Regardless of how early Myers arrived at the synagogue, “Cecil was always there” first. “We thought of them as the two gentle giants,” said their sister Diane Hirt. “They died like heroes because they lived like angels,” said family friend Austin Henry.

Daniel Stein

Squirrel Hill resident Stein, 71, had been named for his uncle, who died in World War II’s Battle of the Bulge. With a warrior’s name, he was known for his calm demeanor. “Dan was just a wonderful, gentle guy,” said Skip Grinberg, who recalled Stein from their days in the B’nai Israel Young Adult Congregation “about 30-40 years ago.” More recently, Grinberg saw Stein at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. “We used to have a good kibbitz now and then.” “He was a regular volunteer at the food pantry and he was a regular volunteer for my organization, American Friends of Israel War Disabled,” said Ronna Askin. “He and [his wife] Sharyn accompanied the Israeli veterans to Buffalo and Niagara Falls in 2013, and in 2011 they hosted a veteran in their home. They’re kind warm helpful people. He was a sweetheart. I’ve never seen him get mad and I’ve known him since he was a teenager.” “You never saw him angry,” echoed Grinberg. “He was a pleasant man who was very active at New Light.” Stein, a native of Homestead, was in sales, and when he retired, was a substitute teacher for Pittsburgh Public Schools. Brian Cynamon noted Stein was “the president of the men’s club at New Light for life just about.” Cynamon added that he and his wife were friendly with the Steins for 40 years. “We did a number of things together,” said Cynamon. “We would go to picnics, Please see Victims, page 13

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Special Coverage Victims: Continued from page 12

we would go on New Light bus rides: they had two different ones that took members of New Light and other places locally to various synagogues that were no longer in operation.” Stein was at “our wedding and at our son’s wedding,” said the friend. “Our wedding was 47 years ago, and our son’s wedding will be 14 years. He was a very good friend.”

Irving Younger

A Mt. Washington realtor, Younger, 69, was among the backbones of Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha. “Irv was kind of one of the Irving head ushers,” said Grinberg. Younger “He gave out the honors at Courtesy photo Rosh Hashanah.” Grinberg speculated that his friend was among the victims because “he probably was there early to get everything in order for the service.” “I knew him from the JCC,” said Bob Goldstein. “There was a group of about 12 to 15 of us who would go out to dinner the last Tuesday of every month.” Goldstein remembered how his own late brother, Shelly, would speak with Younger about baseball. Younger “listed and sold our house

in Stanton Heights in the 1970s,” said Cynamon, who later worked for Younger as a sales associate in the late 1980s at Harris Realty. “We were very close forever. “He would come to us for Passover seders, and I got him involved in doing Ward 14, District 36 voting” around 2011. Younger and his wife “adopted two kids and we adopted one,” said Cynamon. “We finally achieved the same status — grandfathers — and we shared pictures together.”

Melvin Wax

Wax, 87, was known for his sense of humor. “He was a gem of the old school,” Barry Werber said of the Squirrel Hill resident. Wax was always at services on p Melvin Wax Courtesy photo Friday night, Saturday morning and Sunday morning, “and always quick with a joke.” Though he spoke softly, Wax’s jokes would resonate, said those who knew him. “Mel” had a joke for every holiday, said Bill Cartiff, a friend of close to 30 years. His jokes were notorious, both for their content and delivery. Given Wax’s soft voice, the listener would have to lean in closely. “He would pull you aside and he would whisper a joke, and then he would laugh,” and you would laugh and he would

smile, said Cartiff. Wax was a CPA by trade and “an avid record keeper of things,” said Cartiff. “Just today we went to pick up his things.” Among some of the belongings, Cartiff and others discovered “a piece of paper where he recorded the filling up of gas in his car. We could tell he never let his car go beyond three-fourths of a tank without filling up.” The irony was that Wax “only drove from shul and back,” which required traveling from Forward Shady Apartments to New Light Congregation, a 1.2 mile trek. The paper revealed that Wax’s recorded sums were about $4 or $6 and that he filled up every three months. “I’m glad I saw that today,” said Cartiff. “That was really something.” Werber called him “a gentleman in every manner.” “His passions in his life were his synagogue, his family and the Pittsburgh Pirates,” added Cartiff. “He would comment about the Pirates being a perennial mediocrity. He didn’t necessarily feel they needed to spend the money; he was just happy to watch them play.”

Bernice Simon and Sylvan Simon

Bernice, 84, and Sylvan Simon, 86, died together as congregants of Tree of Life, the same synagogue where they were married in 1956.

“When I was growing up on Chesterfield Road in Oakland, Sy lv an l ive d across the street from me,” said Bob Goldstein. Bernice “was a real nice person.” p Sylvan and A Dec. 28, Bernice Simon 1956 wedding Photo courtesy of the Simon family a n n o u n c e m e nt in the American Jewish Outlook recorded the details of the Saturday evening “candle light ceremony.” Rabbi Herman Hailperin officiated. “The bride, given in marriage by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Morris Rothenberg of Farrell, Pa., wore a gown of ivory chantilly lace and tulle trimmed with sequins,” reads the announcement. “She carried a white Bible with white orchids and streamers of stephanotis.” Heather Graham, a neighbor of the Simons told TribLive: “They held hands and they always smiled, and he would open the door for her, all those things that you want from another person.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org; Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

As we mourn the loss of the eleven holy souls so senselessly taken from us less than a week ago, we invite you to join us for Shabbat services at the congregation of your choice. Together we will thank God for life and the blessing of loved ones and memory. May those of us in Pittsburgh and all who mourn with us find strength and comfort as we join together in community. — The entire rabbinic community of Pittsburgh

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NOVEMBER 2, 2018 13

Special Coverage Shooting: Continued from page 1

Annual Meeting Life, Legacy, Love

Tuesday, November 13, 6:30 PM, Rodef Shalom 4905 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 We are all too aware that life is uncertain and that legacy is what we build as a cornerstone for the future. We design and grow that legacy with love every day.

Nationally acclaimed author Rabbi Daniel Cohen asks timely and relevant questions about life, legacy, and love, including, “Are you living your most meaningful life right now?” and, like his book’s title, “What Will They Say About You When You Are Gone?” “A touchstone for the timeless values of living a purposeful life.” –Senator Joe Lieberman

from the hospital to attend her mother’s funeral on Friday, according to a family member. “This is an awful, awful period for our Jewish community,” said Jeff Finkelstein, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh at a press conference Sunday morning. “And it’s real once you hear the names.” The synagogue building houses three congregations: Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha, New Light and Dor Hadash. The suspected shooter was identified as Robert Bowers, 46, a resident of Baldwin Borough. Bowers had posted threats against Jews and immigrants on social media sites prior to the attack, according to news reports. One of his posts, on GAB.com, read: “HIAS [Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society] likes to bring invaders in that kill our people. I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.” HIAS launched in 1881 to help Jews immigrate from Eastern Europe, but in recent years has worked to settle non-Jewish refugees from a range of countries including Afghanistan, Bosnia and Vietnam. Locally, it partners with the Jewish Family and Community Services of Pittsburgh. Prior to firing shots, Bowers reportedly yelled: “All Jews must die.” The shooting is being investigated as a federal hate crime. On Saturday night, 29 federal charges were filed against him. Prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty. Authorities said they believe that Bowers acted alone. Law enforcement had no prior knowledge of Bowers, according to a statement given by the FBI special agent in charge, Bob Jones, at a press conference Saturday afternoon. Bowers committed his attack with “an assault rifle and three handguns,” Jones said. The CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, Jonathan Greenblatt, called the assault “likely the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the history of the United States.” It is also the deadliest mass shooting on record in Pittsburgh.

A matter of minutes

Shabbat morning services began at the

building at 9:45 a.m. The police received calls reporting an active shooter at 9:54 a.m., and officers were dispatched at 9:55 a.m. Bowers surrendered at 11:08 a.m. Bowers entered Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha and began firing indiscriminately. He then tried to exit the synagogue but encountered police with whom he exchanged gunfire. Bowers then headed back into the building to escape additional police officers who had arrived at the site. He eventually surrendered to police and was taken into custody. Bowers was shot multiple times, according to Wendell Hissrich, Pittsburgh’s public safety director. He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital, is in fair condition and is under heavy guard. “It’s a very horrific crime scene,” Hissrich said at a press conference. “It’s one of the worst that I’ve seen, and I’ve been on some plane crashes. It’s very bad.” Speaking from Indianapolis, where he was addressing the National Future Farmers of America Convention, President Donald Trump called the massacre “an anti-Semitic act.” “You wouldn’t think this would be possible in this day and age, but we just don’t seem to learn from the past,” Trump said. “Our minds cannot comprehend the cruel hate and the twisted malice that could cause a person to unleash such terrible violence during a baby naming ceremony.” Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner, was on his way to Pittsburgh on Tuesday “to express the support of the American people and grieve with the Pittsburgh community,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said at a press conference on Monday. Prior to Trump’s arrival, Pittsburgh’s chapter of the social justice advocacy group Bend the Arc circulated an online petition stating that the president is “not welcome in Pittsburgh until you fully denounce white nationalism.” By Tuesday morning, almost 70,000 people had added their names to the petition. Tree of Life Congregation was founded more than 150 years ago. It merged with Or L’Simcha Congregation in 2010. Rabbi Please see Shooting, page 15

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p Mayor Bill Peduto and Rabbi James Gibson of Temple Sinai were among attendees of a meeting of community leaders at the JCC. Photo by Jim Busis

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Special Coverage Shooting: Continued from page 14

Hazzan Jeffrey Myers has been the congregation’s spiritual leader since August 2017. Saturday morning services typically are held in the Conservative congregation’s chapel on the first floor. New Light Congregation was established about 100 years ago, and until recently was located in a building on Beechwood Boulevard. The Conservative congregation moved into the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha building in November 2017. Led by Rabbi Jonathan Perlman, New Light holds services on the lower level of the building. Dor Hadash is a Reconstructionist congregation led by members and Rabbi Cheryl Kline. Dor Hadash meets in the social hall of the building. It has been located within the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha building since 2010. This is not the first time the Jewish community has been the target of a mass shooter. In 2000, former immigration attorney Richard Baumhammer of Mt. Lebanon murdered his Jewish next-door neighbor, Nicki Gordon, and fired shots into Beth El Congregation of the South Hills as well as Congregation Ahavath Achim (the Carnegie Shul). There were no injuries at those congregations, but Baumhammer went on to slay four other individuals — of Indian, Chinese, AfricanAmerican and Vietnamese descent — and left a fifth person paralyzed.

Outpouring of support

News of Saturday’s massacre rattled the local, national and international Jewish communities, as well as the world at large. Both Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, and his Republican challenger, Scott Wagner, suspended campaign activity the day of the massacre. Statements of sorrow and support were issued by politicians, Jewish organizations from around the world and other faith groups. “Today, our commonwealth and country stand in solidarity with the Jewish community of Pittsburgh,” said U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.). “This was an evil act of hate and the

p The makeshift memorials outside Tree of Life have attracted flowers from passersby.

Photo by Maureen Busis

perpetrator must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” For Dan Gilman, chief of staff for Mayor Bill Peduto, the attack hit close to home. “Today was one of the hardest days of my life,” Gilman posted on Facebook. “As a Pittsburgher, proud member of the Jewish community and chief of staff of the city. Today, I lost friends — people I had known my whole life. I have friends and family grieving. I have a community struggling with hate and violence. I have heroic first responders who risked their lives to save dozens. “I also have the best city in the world behind me. Pittsburgh will always be stronger than hate. We will always build bridges. We will work through this together. Thank you Pittsburgh!” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “heartbroken and appalled by the murderous attack. … The entire people of Israel grieve with the families of the dead. We stand together with the Jewish community of Pittsburgh. We

p Yeshiva School girls pray outside Tree of Life.

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Photo by Jim Busis

stand together with the American people in the face of this horrendous anti-Semitic brutality.” HIAS, the organization referred to by Bowers in an online rant prior to the attack, released the following statement: “There are no words to express how devastated we are by the events in Pittsburgh this morning. This loss is our loss, and our thoughts are with Tree of Life Congregation, our local partner Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS) of Pittsburgh, the city of Pittsburgh and all those affected by this senseless act of violence. As we try to process this horrifying tragedy, we pray that the American Jewish community and the country can find healing.” David Bernstein, president and CEO of the Jewish Council of Public Affairs, wrote that his organization is “very close to the Pittsburgh Jewish community and are horrified by this atrocity. We commend law enforcement for their reported quick and decisive response and are disheartened that police officers were shot in the line of duty.” The Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition’s chairman, Marc Zucker, said he believed the attack to be “the first mass shooting at a synagogue in our nation’s history. … This cowardly act of anti-Semitic violence … fueled by blind hatred of immigrants is a horrific stain on our nation’s heritage as a beacon of hope for all people.” The JCC Association of North America’s president and CEO Doron Krakow expressed his sorrow and solidarity with the congregations. “Our hearts are with the Tree of Life synagogue, the three congregations co-located within the facility, and the entire Pittsburgh Jewish community on what has been a horrific day, as we mourn this tragedy and face an increasingly violent epidemic of anti-Semitism,” said Krakow. “Today we were reminded that anti-Semitism is a scourge that can — and now has — cost people their lives.” Some pointed to a volatile political climate as contributing to an atmosphere in which festering hate can explode in violence. “This moment calls for responsible leadership,” read a statement issued by J Street.

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“We must all join together in condemning the rising tide of white nationalism, racism and hatred directed at Jewish people and other vulnerable minorities in our country. And we must call for an end to the extreme rhetoric, laced with bigotry and racism, that is dominating our national discourse and breeding violence.” An outpouring of support came from the interfaith community. “Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania expresses deep sympathy to our Jewish brothers and sisters following this morning’s mass shooting at Tree of Life Congregation in Squirrel Hill,” read a statement issued Saturday. “Together, we pray that the memories of the dead may be always a blessing. We pray for healing for the wounded. We pray for peace for the frightened and traumatized. We pray for an end to all violence fueled by hatred and bigotry.” “Someone chose to hate, and chose to kill,” read a letter sent to area congregations by Bishop Dorsey McConnell of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. “And now we are faced with a choice as well — to do nothing, or to reject this hatred in the strongest possible words and actions, and to refute in every way, in every forum, the philosophical foundations of anti-Semitism wherever they have gained a foothold in our churches and our society.” Bishop David Zubik of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh stated: “Anti-Jewish bigotry, and all religious and ethnic bigotry, is a terrible sin. As we pray for peace in our communities and comfort for the grieving, we must put prayer into action by loving our neighbors and working to make ‘Never again!’ a reality.” Support came from the Hindu community as well. “We are praying to Almighty to provide the mourning families help and consolation in dealing with this tragedy at this difficult time,” wrote Hindu statesman Rajan Zed. “Besides these families, we also express deep sympathies to the injured and their relatives and friends and all others affected. It was heartbreaking and appalling for the entire Hindu community.” “The Pittsburgh Muslim community extends our deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims, their families, and all of our Jewish brothers and sisters,” the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh posted on Facebook. “We condemn this hate crime unequivocally, and denounce all forms of hatred and bigotry.” Funerals for Jerry Rabinowitz and the Rosenthal brothers were held on Tuesday. Daniel Stein’s family was preparing a private service. The other services scheduled were for Joyce Fienberg on Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. at Beth Shalom Congregation, Melvin Wax on Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. at Ralph Schugar Chapel and visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Irving Younger on Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. at Rodef Shalom Congregation and visitation from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bernice Simon and Sylvan Simon on Nov. 1 at noon at Ralph Schugar Chapel and visitation from 11 a.m. to noon, Richard Gottfried on Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. at Ralph Schugar Chapel and visitation from 2 to 4 p.m., and Rose Mallinger on Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. at Ralph Schugar Chapel and visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. NOVEMBER 2, 2018 15

ALOCH H E IT

Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization mourns the heavy loss of those murdered in the hate crime at the "Etz Chaim" Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the ZDVO hosting delegation community. Haim Bar, National Chairman Haim Ronen, Brig. Gen. (res.), Director General “It is a tree of life to all who The Dor Hadash congregation is deeply saddened by the tragic event at the Tree of Life building this weekend and the hatred that could have driven someone to commit these atrocities. As a congregation, we mourn for all the lives lost this weekend in our shared sacred space. We deeply appreciate the continual outpouring of support from our local community, and from communities both near and far who stood vigil with us this weekend. This overwhelming response of compassion will help us to traverse the next days and weeks. May we all walk in the way of peace.

grasp it, and whoever holds on to it is happy; its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace.” (Proverbs 3:17-18)

We mourn with you We stand with you United against hate.

Conor Lamb Paid for by Conor Lamb for Congress

16 NOVEMBER 2, 2018

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ur hearts are broken for the Jewish community in the wake of recent events.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Today we join with all of you, Our readers, our friends, our neighbors, our family, our community in grieving for the terrible assault upon us. We mourn together now, and we will pull together as a community, unaffiliated, Reconstructionist, Reform, Conservative and Orthodox, liberal and conservative, Squirrel Hill and the suburbs, young and old, and we will create an even better Jewish community here in Pittsburgh. Baruch Dayan Ha’Emet

From the Board and Staff of the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. Connecting Jewish Pittsburgh in good times and in bad.

pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

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PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

NOVEMBER 2, 2018 17

Special Coverage Community-wide service a cry for peace

p Neighbors and Jewish community members gather at the corner of Forbes and Murray avenues in an impromptu display of mourning the evening of Oct. 27.

Photo by Jim Busis

— LOCAL — By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

onsolation, hope and a tinge of bittersweet humor characterized remarks made at a community-wide interfaith vigil at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial on Sunday evening, October 29. Roughly 36 hours after the previous day’s attack at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha, more than 2,300 people sat inside the Oakland auditorium while hundreds more congregated outdoors in the rain. Hailing from Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods and from cities across the country, gatherers listened to community workers, rabbis, spiritual leaders, politicians and musicians reflect on the tragic murder of 11 Jewish worshippers and the anti-Semitism that apparently motivated the murderer. “We thank you for being here, for being where we should not have to be,” said Jeff Finkelstein, president and CEO the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. “After a raging anti-Semite shot up a holy place of worship on our Shabbat and murdered our extended Pittsburgh Jewish family we needed to be here because at times like these, we need community, we need the comfort of each other, we need love not hate and we need that giant hug that this Pittsburgh Jewish community always gives.” Finkelstein’s comments were followed by the national anthem and “Hatikvah.” “I have been a wreck for days,” said Leon Zionts, who sang the Israeli national anthem. “What was going through my mind was that I wanted to make everyone proud and I wanted them to hear the hope that we have at times like these, even though they are terrible and tragic.” As the evening continued, speakers, both Jewish and not, from the Steel City and well beyond, implored attendees to oppose 18 NOVEMBER 2, 2018

bigotry and hate, to support one another and to remember those lost in Saturday’s attack. “The Tree of Life is a special place, but that attack on the Tree of Life was not just an attack on them; it was an attack on this entire city and this entire region,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “We all come together as one. As Pittsburghers we will support the Tree of Life, we will support the families, we will continue to move forward and grow stronger. This bigotry will not defeat us. Love will conquer all.” Mayor Bill Peduto struck a similar chord. “Let me tell you something about Pittsburgh, we are tough,” he said to thunderous applause. “We are proud of our blue collar roots and we are not the type of people

p It was a packed house at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall Sunday night, when local political and Jewish community leaders joined visiting dignitaries to remember the Tree of Life victims and call for an end to hate.

Photo byJonathan Franzos

community here in Pittsburgh,” he said. With Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers, “I visited the synagogue and I did not see death, I saw life. I saw strength. I did not see darkness. I saw light — much light. “I saw a warm diverse community of love and unity. I saw etz chaim, the tree of life which will never be uprooted by hate.” While subsequent speakers invoked similar tropes, an amusing gest appeared at evening’s end when rabbis from the three congregations housed within the Tree of Life building were asked to speak. After Rabbi Jonathan Perlman recalled his Pittsburgh childhood and later longing to return home after having moved away, he said, “So I brought my family back eight

“ We will drive anti-Semitism and the hate of any people back to the

”

basement on their computer.

— BILL PEDUTO

that react to threats or actions that ever takes back from us. We will drive anti-Semitism and the hate of any people back to the basement on their computer and away from the open discussions and dialogues from around the cities, and around the states and around this country.” Naftali Bennett, the Israeli minister of education and Diaspora affairs, represented the Jewish state. “I met the people, the leaders of the Jewish community and the leaders of the greater

years ago, when I was called to become the rabbi of New Light Congregation, a historic congregation in our city over 100 years old, and I got to meet the friendliest, what we say in Yiddish ‘the most heimish,’ people I have ever got to work with in my career as a rabbi.” Moments later, Rabbi Cheryl Klein of Congregation Dor Hadash took the stage and retorted: “Dor Hadash is a small but mighty congregation that is composed of seekers, learners, lovers and doers. I thought

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

we were the most heimish congregation. Let’s discuss.” Prior to concluding the evening with recitation of the El Malei Rachamim prayer, Myers beseeched political leaders to better their tone. “It starts with speech,” he said. “Words of hate are unwelcome in Pittsburgh. It starts with everyone in this room, and I want to address for a moment some of our political leaders who are here. Ladies and gentlemen, it has to start with you as our leaders.” The service concluded with two pieces performed by members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Attendees said it was the perfect tribute for a broken city. “It was magnificent, it was horrible, it was nora, it was great and horrible and necessary and cathartic, and our community is remarkable,” said Zionts. “Everybody came together to support us, and our city and our damage, and I think it went a long way toward that.” “I am overwhelmed by the amount of community goodwill, but the more I think about it, the more I’m not surprised by the amount of community goodwill, because I have met people in this city and I know how much we love each other,” said Reverend Liddy Barlow, executive minister of Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania. Scott Brady, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, agreed. “It was just wonderful,” he said. “It was just an outpouring of the support of a community coming together. It was really touching, really meaningful, poignant and personal and local.” “We are pushing back against that hatred,” echoed U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-District 12), “and this is the beginning of a people coming together.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz @pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Special Coverage Community Vigil Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall Sun., Oct. 29, 5 p.m.

Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, Sunday evening’s vigil offered community members, local leaders and visiting politicians to grieve following the horrendous murders of 11 worshippers at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha,

Photos by David Bachman

New Light Congregation and Dor Hadash, and show solidarity in the face of anti-Semitism.

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NOVEMBER 2, 2018 19

Special Coverage Jewish day school hosts dignitaries after attack — REACTION — By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

n Monday, Oct. 29, less than 48 hours after 11 Jewish community members were killed in an attack at Tree of Life synagogue, students from Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh returned to their Beacon Street campus. As the children entered the Squirrel Hill Jewish day school, located less than 1 mile from the tragic site, they prepared for shacharit, the morning prayer service. Boys over 13 donned tefillin. They were joined in prayer by Naftali Bennett, Israel’s minister of education and Diaspora affairs, and Jason Greenblatt, senior advisor to President Donald Trump, along with members of their respective staffs. Rabbi Sam Weinberg, Hillel Academy’s principal and education director, explained how Bennett’s visit came about. “Once Minister Bennett came to Pittsburgh, one of his aides got my phone number and texted me and asked if Mr. Bennett can come to school,” he said. “We went back and forth. Our goal as an institution was to try to keep the day as normal as possible for our students, to discuss the issue, give them an outlet through which to talk about their emotions, provide support if

needed, but to really drive home the message that A) they are safe and B) their job today is to live and to continue to thrive as Jews.” The difficulty, explained Weinberg, was “when Mr. Bennett texts you and asks to come to the school, it’s hard to imagine how that fits in with the goal of keeping it a normal day.” Bennett understood Weinberg’s concerns. “We talked about what we wanted the students to get from his visit was a sense of chizuk (strength), to understand that the whole world is with them in support and the concept that kol yisrael areiviem zeh la zeh, that all Jews care for one another and that we are all one family,” Weinberg said. Then, just as Bennett and Weinberg were discussing an appropriate course of action, Greenblatt’s aide reached out to Weinberg as well. “He actually called me directly from a restricted number [and] asked if he could also speak at the school,” Weinberg said. “We said we wanted to avoid speeches, we wanted to keep things normal, so he also had the idea of davening shacharit with us.” Monday morning, as the prayer service inside the school continued, students removed the Torah from its ark. Surrounding the sacred scroll was one student, who served as a gabbai (an assistant in the service) and Greenblatt’s aide, who offered to read the designated portion in Hebrew.

p Jason Greenblatt

Official White House photo by Stephanie Chasez

As the Torah reading continued, the student called up those honored to have an aliyah — including Bennett. As the service continued, a new face appeared. It was Ron Dermer, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, who also arrived to show support to the students and their school. Before the service concluded, Rabbi Yisroel Smith, assistant principal of fifththrough 12th-grade boys, recited one more

prayer, the mi sheberach, a request for healing. When it came time to insert the name of the sick, Smith said, “Daniel ben Sarah,” the Hebrew name of Dan Leger, a member of Congregation Dor Hadash. Leger, who lives next door to Hillel Academy, remains in the hospital after suffering gunshot wounds in Saturday’s attack. After the service, Weinberg thanked the many who had joined the school in prayer and called Bennett up to speak. Invoking the words of Maimonides and 20th-century sage Rabbi Dr. Joseph Soloveitchik, Bennett shared traditional teachings and words from the heart. “I am here to tell the Jews of the United States, the Jews of Pittsburgh,” he said, “that Am Yisrael is with you.” “The minister was extremely thoughtful in his remarks,” said Weinberg. “It was very meaningful,” agreed Yikara Levari, assistant principal of fifththrough 12th-grade girls. “His message to them was basically that Israel is thinking of us here and that we have their support and he hopes to see us in Israel soon.” Having Bennett, Greenblatt and Dermer at the school for the service was an “incredibly powerful takeaway for our students,” Please see Greenblatt, page 26

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Special Coverage Rabbis shaken by attack rally to comfort others — AFTERMATH — By Adam Reinherz and Toby Tabachnick

abbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers, spiritual leader of Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha, was on the bimah leading Shabbat services when Robert Bowers opened fire on his congregation. Myers survived the attack, but recognized, “I am not okay.” “I couldn’t get all of my congregants out safely,” he said. Seven members of TOL*OLS were murdered that day, and now Myers is consumed with planning their funerals. While he is undoubtedly suffering from personal trauma, his focus right now is to help others. “To pastor my congregation and the community at large for whatever their needs, be they mourners, the injured, just ordinary congregants who are stunned and shocked by the events and just need help to get through this crisis,” Myers said. “So, I am there for them 24/7.” While his family and his congregation continue to check in to see how he is doing, Myers said he has had to “compartmentalize it to the extent that I will take care of myself as needed, but there are bigger needs right now than the needs of one. To quote Mr. Spock in ‘Star Trek’ II or III, ‘The needs of

p Left: Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers; right: Rabbi Jonathan Perlman

the many outweigh the needs of the few.’” Although the situation is “difficult,” said Rabbi Jonathan Perlman, spiritual leader of New Light Congregation, which shares space in the TOL*OLS building, “we’ll heal from this, we won’t be broken.” While Perlman will be spending the coming days comforting mourners, he will be looking to his own support system for personal consolation, he said. “My wife and my good friends and my daughter,” Perlman said. “My youngest daughter is living at home. She’s just terrific. My nephew is in town, he’s visiting for a year, and my mother, the matriarch.” Rabbi Alvin Berkun, rabbi emeritus of

ORT, its officers and staff, in the US and throughout the world, stand in solidarity

File photos

Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha, is mourning not only the loss of lives, but also the destruction of the chapel in which he has worshipped for decades. “I just learned two minutes ago that the chapel which was probably one of the most gorgeous worship places I’ve ever seen has been destroyed by hundreds of bullets and will never be the same,” Berkun said. “And it’s painful. I spent 25 years of my life as rabbi of that congregation, and of course these people who died I know every one of them and they were all extraordinary remarkable people and it just breaks my heart. “We are going to have a tough week,” he continued, “but in Judaism, as you know, we

go from shiva to shloshim to a year’s anniversary, and we just have to do that.” The Jewish community will need to be “vigilant,” Berkun said. “I think the days of bringing in police two days a year [on the High Holidays] is no longer. I think we have to follow the Israel model and any time that there’s a gathering of any size of any place, we have to have security there. It’s a new America.” Berkun recalled living in Israel several years ago when that country began to ramp up its security. “It was jarring, it was very tough, Israel in the late ’60s,” Berkun said. “But I think that’s where we are now in America. They really do have to take precautions. I am certainly in no way a gun advocate, but I also feel that security is critical.” Berkun personally knew each of the 11 victims, and said he sees his role now as a “comforter.” “I’m emeritus, which means I’m out of the picture, so I’m not going to intrude myself, but I certainly want to be menachem avel. I certainly want to be a comforter of the suffering and do whatever I need to do or do whatever they want me to do.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz @pittsburghjewishchronicle.org; Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

Just as the American Jewish community has always been here for us, we will be here for you, too.

and sorrow with the Pittsburgh Jewish community and its friends in the Greater Pittsburgh area in the aftermath of the horrific attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue. May the memories of all the victims be blessed. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, the wounded, the heroic first responders and all of you.

ţ Ġ Ę

afmda.org

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NOVEMBER 2, 2018 21

Special Coverage Reporter’s notebook: Trump visits Squirrel Hill — NATIONAL — By Adam Reinherz I Staff Writer

n Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle was granted a spot as part of the local press pool covering President Donald Trump’s visit here to express condolences in the wake of the Oct. 27 murder of 11 congregants at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha, New Light Congregation and Congregation Dor Hadash in Squirrel Hill. The experience offered a window into the immensely public but at times quintessentially private moments the president of the United States has after a major tragedy such as this one, all the more so when Trump’s itinerary included stops at the makeshift memorial outside the Tree of Life building and the hospital to visit the few who were wounded in the attack. Upon Air Force One’s afternoon arrival at the home of the 171st Air Refueling Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard next to Pittsburgh International Airport and the president’s exiting the plane, no questions were taken. The president did not make a statement. He was joined by First Lady Melania Trump, daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner. The presidential motorcade quickly made its way to Tree of Life at the intersection of Wilkins and Shady avenues. Along the way, some spectators had gathered to view the

22 NOVEMBER 2, 2018

p Joined by First Lady Melania Trump and Tree of Life Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers, President Donald Trump places a stone on a makeshift memorial outside the Tree of Life building. Photo by Adam Reinherz

procession, and although some onlookers held signs either expressing their approval or displeasure at the president’s visit, most merely held up their cell phones to take pictures and video of the passing vehicles. There were no protests in sight, and not until Trump’s appearance in Squirrel Hill did any type of abnormal activity increase. (Two

protests elsewhere in the neighborhood drew hundreds of people upset about what they say is Trump’s hateful rhetoric and its making a nightmare such as the Tree of Life massacre possible.) Outside of the synagogue building, now a national landmark of sorts, Trump was greeted by Tree of Life Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers. Rabbis Jonathan Perlman of New

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Light and Cheryl Klein of Dor Hadash, who had joined Myers at the community-wide vigil and service Sunday night at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall, did not take part in the public part of Trump’s visit. Myers took the president and his family into the building, where they remained for 18 minutes. The group then made their way a few yards to the makeshift memorial outside, containing 11 markers topped by Stars of David. Myers stopped before each one, shared some words with the Trumps and waited as the president placed a stone on the marker. The first lady placed flowers. Ivanka Trump placed a bouquet nearby. No one made public remarks. Shouts of “words have meaning” and “make America peaceful again” were offered by unseen people from a distance. The motorcade then traveled to Oakland. As it approached the University of Pittsburgh’s campus, larger crowds had assembled, but most people seemed to have come just to watch. The press vans parked on Cardiac Hill outside UPMC Presbyterian and waited more than an hour as the president made his rounds inside. Having done what he came to do, the president rejoined the motorcade and headed back to the airport. PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Special Coverage World rallies around Pittsburgh offering help and support — AFTERMATH — By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

ne of the most profound lessons that Pittsburgh icon Fred Rogers taught his audience was something he learned from his mother: When dealing with frightening news, she said, “Look for the helpers.” There was no shortage of helpers in Pittsburgh following the deadly shooting of congregants worshiping at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha and four Pittsburgh Police officers on Oct. 27. Eleven people were killed, and six others wounded. In Pittsburgh, community members from all faiths and all walks of life turned out to give blood, comfort those close to the victims, stand in solidarity against anti-Semitism, and donate funds to help defray the costs of the funerals and medical expenses. At 10 a.m. on Saturday, immediately after Robert Bowers began indiscriminately firing at worshipers, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh — in cooperation with the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh — opened its doors and turned Levinson Hall into a “grief center” for families and friends of the victims, many still waiting to hear whether their loved ones had been injured or killed. “All of the victims’ friends, family and community that wanted to be in one place, we immediately became the center for that,” said Cathy Samuels, the JCC’s senior director of development and communications. The JCC provided space, coordinated food, processed telephone calls and worked in conjunction with Allegheny County Human Services to provide support. “We coordinated and used this building, and continue to use this building, for whatever FBI needs there are, as well as police, investigators, Salvation Army, Red Cross, everything that will support those who need a place to come,” Samuels said. About 5,200 relatives and friends of victims congregated at the JCC on Saturday, some staying all day, until the facility closed at 10 p.m. “It was horribly, devastatingly sad,” Samuels said. “I’ve never seen a situation before where people had to wait so terribly long to know the status of their family members. It was very difficult to watch, but very gratifying to be a part of and being able to support that.” Maj. Raphael Jackson, a divisional leader of the Western Pennsylvania Division of the Salvation Army, was on site at the JCC’s temporary grief center serving the families and friends of the victims. Jackson, who has been working with the Salvation Army since 1980, had witnessed what one might imagine to be the worst of the worst — on 9/11 in New York, rendering care to victims and families after the attack on the World Trade Center. But Jackson said that the shooting that occurred at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha was “a whole different kind of horror.” “Where 9/11 was a general community kind of horror, this was specific to a certain

p Crews specializing in the recovery of bodies in accordance with Jewish law came in from New York.

Photo by Jim Busis

group of faith,” Jackson said. “These were people coming to worship and pray. This was like Satan rushing into the sanctuary and doing a heinous crime.” Jackson was among many aid workers at the JCC “to fill in the areas where people might be falling through the gaps or may need emotional or spiritual care, making sure that no one is left on the fringes.” Jewish Family and Community Services began providing counseling services to the injured and to bereaved families, community members, schools and agencies across the city on Monday. The agency is making counselors available for the community on a drop-in basis in Room 202 at the JCC, and by appointment at JFCS. Its staff is also coordinating counseling and therapeutic support for children at all the local Jewish day schools. Fundraising efforts — for the victims, the families of the victims and the congregations — were launched soon after the attack. The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh set up a “Victims of Terror Fund” online (jewishpgh.org/our-victims-of-terror-fund/). Donations are flooding in from local community members as well as those outside of Pittsburgh. The Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago sent $25,000 “as an initial grant” to the Pittsburgh Federation’s fund. “We will continue to assess needs in that community in the coming weeks,” an email to the Chicago Federation’s constituents read. The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation showed its solidarity with the Jewish community — and the Steel City — by making a $25,000 donation to the Federation, and another $25,000 “to establish a fund with the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety to benefit the four Pittsburgh Police officers injured in Saturday’s tragic events,” Dave Soltesz, president of the Penguins Foundation, announced. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families from the Tree of Life Synagogue and the brave police officers who stepped in to prevent more tragedy,” Soltesz said. “All of Pittsburgh is grieving with you and supports you.” The Penguins also planned a blood drive at PPG Paints Arena on Monday. Another avenue for donations was created through a GoFundMe campaign launched

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by Shay Khatiri, an Iranian immigrant, encouraging people to “respond to this hateful act with your act of love today.” By Tuesday night, more than $900,000 had been donated to that fund. The Muslim community initiated another fundraising effort for the victims’ funeral and medical expenses on LaunchGood. By Tuesday night, that effort had raised $200,000. Israel stood side by side with Pittsburgh in the wake of the murders, dispatching a delegation of four volunteers from United Hatzalah of Israel’s Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit. The unit, which arrived in Pittsburgh Sunday night, will be in town for one week to assist the congregations, families of those who were killed in the attack, and other individuals by providing psychological and emotional stabilization and treatment. Miriam Ballin, who is heading the team, said that United Hatzalah would be available to treat anyone affected by the terror attack “who feels the need for our assistance.” The team will be employing techniques and tools developed in Israel that have proven effective in treating those who have experienced acts of terror in the Jewish state, she said. The team has reached out to all three Jewish day schools in Pittsburgh, and anticipates aiding children traumatized by the events. Naftali Bennett, Israel’s minister of education and of diaspora affairs, came to Pittsburgh as an official emissary of the Jewish state to offer support to the Pittsburgh Jewish community, and to meet with political leaders including Gov. Tom Wolf and Mayor Bill Peduto. Bennett addressed the crowd assembled at an interfaith vigil Sunday night at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall. “It has been nearly 80 years since Kristallnacht, and it is clear that anti-Semitism and Jew-hating is not a distant memory,” Bennett said. “It is a very real threat. AntiSemitism is a clear and present danger.” Ron Dermer, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, was also in Pittsburgh to offer support. “As the ambassador of Israel to the United States it was very important to me to be here today,” Dermer said. “This is a community I’ve visited three or four times when I was economic attaché, and I have a close friend from college who is from here and his family

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lives in Pittsburgh, so I was appalled and shocked when I heard the news yesterday. I just came to mourn with the Jewish community here. Very tough day.” Dermer said that Israel would share with Pittsburgh its knowledge regarding managing the aftermath of a terror attack. “Unfortunately, we’ve had a number of attacks like this,” he said. “We also had a terrible attack [in 2014] on worshippers in a synagogue in Jerusalem. … I think there are a lot of things that can be done in the future, but today I am just here to mourn with the community these terrible murders.” Dani Dayan, consul general of Israel in New York, whose territory covers Pennsylvania, arrived in Pittsburgh Saturday night. He said he wanted to “light a candle and say a prayer for the victims.” He also met with community members and politicians and planned to attend the funerals of the victims. The Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha murders compel the Jewish community to plan carefully for the future, Dayan said. “Obviously, I think the main point is the future,” he said, “for the Jewish community of Pittsburgh and for the Jewish community of America as a whole. This is the gravest anti-Semitic attack ever in American history. It has implications — security implications, law enforcement implications, education implications. We obviously as a foreign country do not have authority here to deal with all these things, but it doesn’t make those things not matter to us. The security of Jews all over the world matters to us.” He encouraged Jews to remain active in their communities. “One important question will be what attitude Jewish communities should take from this day on,” Dayan said. “I hope that Jewish communities across the nation will not be deterred by this, but will keep showing up in synagogues and at Jewish events and at Jewish community centers and showing their solidarity with Israel. That’s very important. You know we are a country that unfortunately has experience with these kinds of events and I believe that resilience is the most important thing.” Interfaith outpouring of support at the JCC on Saturday was “enormous,” Samuels said. That support included phone calls, delivering food, “just popping in and out to see what they could do.” At the Soldiers and Sailors vigil Sunday night, several non-Jewish faith leaders took the podium to offer support and prayers. “We just want to know what you need,” Wasi Mohammed, executive director of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, told the crowd. “If it’s people outside your next service protecting you, we will be there. We are here for the community. And that was the same offer made to me by this community after the election and the spike in hate crimes against our community, and the same offer this community made after 9/11. So we thank you for that.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. NOVEMBER 2, 2018 23

Special Coverage Messages of consolation and hope come from politicians here and abroad — REACTION — By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

ollowing a meeting with Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh representatives and Robert Jones, the FBI’s special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh field office, CEOs, rabbis, executive directors, board chairs and leaders from Pittsburgh’s synagogues and Jewish organizations were greeted by Governor Tom Wolf, Mayor Bill Peduto and Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Naftali Bennett. The politicians, who arrived shortly after 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28 at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, delivered brief remarks of consolation and hope. “We of course talked about the tragedy. We talked about security here. We talked about how security is carried out in Israel — what are some of the differences, what can we learn from them,” said Cindy Shapira, Federation’s immediate past chair and immediate past vice chair of the Jewish Federations of North America, who helped facilitate the visit. “[Many] dignitaries are coming to Pittsburgh to be with us and help console our community. And while they’re here, we wanted them to meet our elected officials who are also here and care so much, so they have meetings with the governor, the mayor and County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, with three of our congressman: Congressman Doyle, Congressmen Lamb and Rothfus and also Senator Casey. It’s just to talk and give comfort and we’re grateful for it,” she said. “I’m just trying to help as much as I can with all of the coordination going on, and we’re grateful that so many people from all over the world care so much.” Before leaving, some of the politicians spoke with the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle.

Tom Wolf, Governor of Pennsylvania

“I think right now, this is a time for grieving; it’s not a time for politics. But I think in all of our hearts, in all of our minds we’ve got to resolve moving forward how are we going to make this better? How are we going to make our society better rather than divide people? I think that’s the next step.”

p Israeli education minister Naftali Bennett addresses a gathering of community leaders at the JCC in Squirrel Hill.

JTA collage/Getty Images

Bill Peduto, Mayor of Pittsburgh How will we get through this?

“Well, it’s not going to be easy. That’s the sad part about this. There’s going to be a lot of suffering, continually — as we get ready and prepare for the funerals, as the court appearances start, it’s going to be bringing this back as fresh as it was yesterday, and it will take a long time. “The first thing that we need to do is to help the victims’ families. They’re the ones

What message would you share with the Jewish community of Pittsburgh?

“I am grieving with you, with all of Pennsylvanians, and on behalf of everyone in Pennsylvania, we are so saddened by what happened. Moving forward, let’s make sure that we do all the things to make sure nothing like this happens again.” 24 NOVEMBER 2, 2018

How is the Jewish community an example in leading and serving as a community?

“My heart is broken. My heart is broken. I know several of the victims. I know the families. I look at the names and I see the fabric of Pittsburgh. … I think of some of the people, the elderly, the Rosenthals, it’s just, I think that when Pittsburghers start to learn the stories of each of these 11 people it will be a lot of sadness throughout this community.”

— NAFTALI BENNETT that will suffer the most and they’re the ones that we can have a direct effect on trying to minimize some of that pain. The second thing is trying to pull together the entire Jewish community and allowing the community to understand its allies are 100 percent behind them — and that means all of Pittsburgh. “We need to be able to show it not only across different faiths, but across any type of barrier that people would say, ‘How we are different?’ and show how we are more alike. And finally it will be a healing process

get that message out. So when I asked the community to help to put together what the information would be for an event that would be a gathering, I’m looking for that kind of advice. “What are the healing words? What are the lessons learned? What are the ways a message can pull people together? It’s very unfortunate, but it’s a very true fact that anti-Semitism has had many examples where the Jewish community has been able to do just that.” Is there anything you want people to know?

“ We are all one. We all stand together.”

What do we do today?

“Today, I think we help people mourn. We just say, let’s grieve, let’s take time to mourn the people we’ve lost and be with the families and the loved ones of those. That’s our first job.”

that may take a generation. Hopefully the younger people in our community recognize how evil and insane this hatred is and they’ll look for solutions that don’t try to minimize it but work to eradicate it. That will take time, but there’s 11 people who are counting on us to make sure that their lives are not lost for any half measures, and we owe it to each of them to be able to try and get something that helps to build a better world.”

“It comes from a couple different things. Number one, the Jewish community has gone through this time and time again, not only locally but on a global basis. What happens in Israel on a continual basis is met with messages that not only provide hope but spiritual healing. “I think that if we look to bring together the greater community of Western Pennsylvania to gather together to say, ‘We do not tolerate hate in any form,’ there are lessons that we can learn from Jewish tradition and religion of how to be able to

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Naftali Bennett, Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Minister of Education

“We are all one. We all stand together. When Jews are murdered in Pittsburgh, the Israeli people feel the pain. … Am yisrael chai.” How will we move forward?

“Now is the time to be together, to bridge all of the division, to unite.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Special Coverage Steel City guests and local leaders console each other â&#x20AC;&#x201D; REACTION â&#x20AC;&#x201D; By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

rior to experiencing a communitywide service where more than 2,300 attendees agitated for peace and the eradication of anti-Semitism, out-of-town guests of the Steel City remarked on their decisions to attend â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in some cases, via a cross-country commute â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and the subsequent discoveries made here. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We arrived this afternoon from New Yorkâ&#x20AC;? and then went to visit â&#x20AC;&#x153;a local Pittsburgh couple with connections to New York,â&#x20AC;? said Eric Goldstein, CEO of UJA Federation of New York. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am amazed by how tight knit this Jewish community is. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been talking to local Pittsburgh Jewish families and literally everyone knows everyone. This is not a six degrees of separation community; this is a one degree of separation community. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really incredible.â&#x20AC;? Joining Goldstein on the journey were seven other travelers. We have â&#x20AC;&#x153;a group of eight people, four of whom grew up in Pittsburgh and now live in New York, plus our Federation leadership. They say we all have a responsibility to each other. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s times like this we really feel it,â&#x20AC;? said Goldstein. â&#x20AC;&#x153;An attack on the Jewish community of Pittsburgh is an attack on all

p Visiting dignitaries congregate outside the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial.

Photo by Adam Reinherz

of us, and as the largest Jewish community in the United States, we wanted to be here to express our solidarity with the community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is an unspeakable tragedy. We are heartbroken for your loss and we pray that these kinds of events just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t recur.â&#x20AC;? Erika Rudin-Luria, incoming president of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, arrived in Pittsburgh shortly before the Sunday evening vigil. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here just to lend emotional support to the Pittsburgh Jewish community,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all heartbroken by the tragedy and we want to support the community.â&#x20AC;? Rudin-Luria was reluctant to estimate how

many Clevelanders were coming, but noted â&#x20AC;&#x153;car-fullsâ&#x20AC;? on their way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s such a short drive and so many people in Cleveland have such close connections to Pittsburgh and family in Pittsburgh that I think it hits particularly very close to home,â&#x20AC;? she explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The feeling very much is if it could be in Pittsburgh it could be in Cleveland.â&#x20AC;? She had a message she was intent on bringing back to her city. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hatred and ignorance breed violence, and we have to stand together and not let politics divide us against hatred, and bigotry and anti-Semitism,â&#x20AC;? said Rudin-Luria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to be vigilant about our own

communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s security and the security of the Jewish communities around the world. This is unfortunately a horrible reminder.â&#x20AC;? Local leaders were impressed by the outpouring of support. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think tonight it shows the strength in the community, and what it all means, and how precious a life is and how we all take it sacredly,â&#x20AC;? said Corey Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor, a member of City Council representing parts of Squirrel Hill. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what this community is all about, that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not afraid. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not going to be terrified, we are not going to run and hide. We are going to fight this together.â&#x20AC;? Erika Strassburger, a fellow City Council member, agreed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The leaders of the City of Pittsburgh and the worldwide community are here for the Pittsburgh Jewish community,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we can be a shoulder to cry on or if we can provide support, prayers or anything, we are here. We are here for resources and here for support, moral and otherwise.â&#x20AC;? Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor urged everyone to continue the spirit of goodwill in the days and weeks ahead. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have never seen so many people hug each other in Squirrel Hill, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a huge family and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all part of it.â&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x201A; PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz @pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

Return on value US cautious, but sees the potential of sustainable investing Every day, wealthy investors make spending, philanthropic and even career decisions to help make the world a better place. But when it comes to investing, few act with the same sense of purposeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;yet.

Adoption of sustainable investing also varies dramatically across markets. The emerging markets of China and Brazil show the highest rates of adoption, while only 12% of US investors have any sustainable investments.*

For our latest UBS Investor Watch, we surveyed more than 5,300 investors in 10 markets on sustainable investing. We found that while some understand the basic concept, confusion about terms, approaches and even impact is widespread. For example, investors make little distinction among the three major approaches: exclusion, integration and impact investing.

Few investors expect to sacrifice returns when investing sustainably. In fact, 82% believe the returns of sustainable investments will match or surpass those of traditional investments. Investors view sustainable companies as responsible, well-managed and forward-thinkingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;thus, good investments. Should investors prove to be right, more companies will likely adopt sustainable practices. Perhaps then, the world will be a better place indeed.

Better education often leads to higher adoption. Those who decided to invest sustainably were influenced by multiple sourcesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;such as professional advisors, family, friends and mediaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;with 9 in 10 citing an advisorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s influence. Lee Oleinick Managing Directorâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; Wealth Management 412-665-9914 lee.oleinick@ubs.com

Christopher Butsko, CEPAÂŽ First Vice Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Wealth Management Senior Portfolio Manager, PMP 412-665-9918 christopher.butsko@ubs.com

For a copy of the UBS Investor Watch, please contact us at walnut@ubs.com.

Jacob "Jack" Greenberg, CFPÂŽ Financial Advisor CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM 412-665-9911 jacob.greenberg@ubs.com

Walnut Wealth Management Group UBS Financial Services Inc. 5600 Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412-665-9900

ubs.com/team/walnut

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NOVEMBER 2, 2018â&#x20AC;&#x192;25

Special Coverage Greenblatt Continued from page 20

said Weinberg. “You see these people on the news, you see these people in politics. I think that’s a huge role model for our kids.” The visitors, Levari said, helped explain that “what happened here in Pittsburgh, though it happened in our own backyards, it is affecting the entire Jewish people, the entire world. I think the message of support from all over is a big one. The Jewish people is like a body, and if one part of the body is hurt, the whole body needs to help it heal. And that’s what the whole rest of the Jewish community is doing now — helping us heal.” Rabbi Akiva Sutofsky, Hillel Academy’s school counselor, said, “It’s a serious day.” Though they were trying to keep things normal, Sutofsky said, “we’re not trying to live in a bubble and we can’t ignore what happened. We’re very much a part of the community, and the school as an institution was affected.” Sutofsky emphasized that it was important for the kids to know “that if they have certain emotions, they need to talk to somebody, and at the same time it is also appropriate to bring in people from the outside like Naftali Bennett and other officials to show kids that this was a big deal.” Greenblatt spoke informally with students and staff throughout the morning. “I saw kids who were going about their everyday lives, even though inside I’m sure

they were shaken up,” he said. “Over the coming weeks and months, they will continue to work through these tough questions that there aren’t good answers to. They’ll work them through with their parents, with their teachers, their educators their social workers and with their faith leaders. “I saw a community that’s grieving but at the same time trying to pick up the pieces and move forward and understand what happened.” Greenblatt also visited other members of the community that day. “I had a chance to speak with an individual who knew many of the victims,” he said. “She shared some of her memories of them with me. It’s stories like these that really bring this tragedy to life. They lift the victims’ names off the pages of the newspaper and show the tangible loss to the community of these special individuals. “I was incredibly impressed with the community as a whole. It was quite a learning experience and makes me go home feeling very energized about Jewish life here. It fortified me to see how a community can come together in the face of such a despicable act.” Bennett had a similar reaction to his visit. “These are wonderful boys and girls that care a lot about their community, and it’s clear that they’re a bit worried, but they’re strong,” he said. “Kol Yisrael areivim zeh la zeh. All Jews care for each other, we are one.” PJC

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Opinion Horror at home — EDITORIAL —

e are overwhelmed with deep emotions of grief, shock and frustration over the senseless attack last Shabbat at the Tree of Life building. The memory of the 11 victims of the worst mass murder of Jews in U.S. history haunts us, as does the knowledge that things outside have been getting bad for quite some time. The horror here came the same week that Cesar Sayoc allegedly sent 14 pipe bombs to prominent Democrats around the country, including the Obamas and the Clintons. The first bomb discovered was in the mailbox of philanthropist George Soros, a Jew and a Holocaust survivor. (Soros is also the subject of a number of conspiracy theories, including the one in which President Donald Trump blames him for protests against Justice Brett Kavanaugh, followed by the charge that he is paymaster for the migrant caravan traveling in Mexico.) According to investigators, suspected gunman Robert Bowers was concerned about those migrants in the minutes before he shot his way into Tree of Life. Indeed, standing outside the synagogue, he posted to the Gab.com platform popular with rightwing extremists, blaming the Jewish community for the migrant “invaders” heading to the U.S. southern border. The vitriol and divisive political rhetoric in our country has gotten out of control and we fear that it is creating an environment that can

fuel unimaginable and horrific events, such as the Tree of Life massacre. We agree with Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers of Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha, who said Sunday night that our society’s overriding need is to end the hate speech that has become so prevalent. This prescription for the good of our country is a nonpartisan one and applies most to our political leaders, who set the tone for the rest of us. We acknowledge Trump’s quick denunciation of anti-Semitism soon after the attack. But there is something very disturbing about the coarsening of political rhetoric — enabled, encouraged, exercised and heralded by this president through his deft use of Twitter and his gift for dramatic hyperbole to enflame the masses at his rallies. We do not know what motivated Bowers or if he was directly influenced by anything our president has said or tweeted. But we do know that it is not healthy for our country to be inundated by inciteful and hateful rhetoric. Even if such rhetoric turns out not to have been a precipitating factor in this attack, we fear that it could very well lead to others. We do not place the blame for the anti-Semitism that seems to have motivated Bowers at Trump’s feet, nor do we reflexively blame the proliferation of assault-style firearms or a lack of comprehensive security at houses of worship for the bloodshed. All, some or none of those reasons could account for the senseless deaths of worshippers at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha and at New Light Congregation and Dor Hadash, which

p Hundreds came to reflect at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial.

Photo by Joshua Franzos

shared the building. But words have consequences, and mean-spirited and hateful words have bad consequences. To be sure, the bounds of “acceptable” political speech have been moving to the outer fringes of “polite” speech for quite some time. Trump is not the first president to denigrate opponents, and some on the left are just as prone to anti-Semitic dog whistles as those on the right. But when the person with the largest bully pulpit in the world repeatedly rails against

the press and his political opponents as “enemies of the people,” and campaigns using terminology and images popular with white supremacists, it certainly can lead to no good. This should not be happening. Mass killings diminish our civilization, and rob organized society of essential freedoms. Our leaders are supposed to protect us. If they don’t, or if they feed threats to our safety and well-being, they are simply not worthy of their offices. PJC

Finding a Jewish home in a magical place Guest Columnist Cindy Skrzycki

e are safe. I posted those words to stem a tide of queries about what looked, to the outside world, like an invasion of armed military on a small residential community. Police, guns, stretchers, blood, the unknown of what was inside Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha. They were wondering if we were safe. Squirrel Hill, my adopted community, was shown it is not safe from the world as it is now. We are an entry on the list of another place in America where guns entered our lives and caused carnage. Three blocks from where I live; across the street from the family who saw the horror unfold; and a heartbeat away from the people who live here. Sixteen years ago, my family came to Pittsburgh and looked at the city neighborhoods, the suburbs. Bill Block Sr., then the patriarch of the family that owns the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, pulled us aside and said, “Live in the city.” He lived in Squirrel Hill; we live in Squirrel Hill. It was good advice. Squirrel Hill had people on the streets all the time. Coming from Washington, D.C., where so much fear had already struck — envelopes stuffed full of anthrax, children 28 NOVEMBER 2, 2018

locked down in schools and a sniper running wild on the streets — this felt safe. And it was. It was magical to go to a place that reminded you of childhood. You could walk to everything: a movie, the drug store, the library, walk-up windows for ice cream, coffee shops, a bookstore, the bank, the grocery store, school. It’s a wonderful place

observant Jews who, for the most part, lived different lives. Then, for the first time, we joined a temple. This was the time to join a temple. I found there is a different world, one filled with sacredness on a Friday night, a Saturday morning. The prayers, beautiful. The lifecycle ceremonies, a picture of the genera-

Hearts are broken, but not the bonds that keep people here. All kinds of people. for children and a dream for elders who can get to everything easily, especially the Jewish Community Center, where they can take an exercise class and then have a communal lunch. Yes, magical. Another revelation: the notion that people would actually stop what they were doing and go to temple for Shabbat. My professional life in Washington, D.C., like my husband’s professional life, had been filled with deadlines, with pressure, competition, travel and working with people who are the best journalists in the world. Who would even think about Shabbat? Only truly

tions. And the big houses of Squirrel Hill, many of them built for the rich men who owned the mills, the banks and the coke and coal — some are now small synagogues. I am Catholic, but it doesn’t take long to be infused with Judaism here. My younger daughter certainly was filled with it. She now has a firm date for rabbinical ordination from Hebrew Union College. My older daughter works and lives on the other side of the country, but knows her roots, which were dropped first at Taylor Allderdice High School. Those roots grew into a career in music that never would

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have been possible without the community orchestras to play in and the musicians to mentor her. The Edgewood Symphony sign still sits in her room. I think of this place where my children’s lives really started. When my mom died after five years at the Charles Morris Nursing Home, she had a Catholic burial in Buffalo but we came home and held a shiva of sorts for her. The house was filled with people who didn’t even know her. The rabbi appeared at the door and stepped in. I asked if I could get him anything to drink, eat. Jamie Gibson said: “I am here to serve you.” I didn’t even realize he was coming. My mom didn’t know it, but she became a part of Jewish Squirrel Hill, too, as we went to Shabbat mornings services, waiting with other residents of the nursing home for a minyan to be made and the service to begin. I don’t know any of the 11 victims or the injured, but it didn’t take long to find people who did. Some of these fallen temple members, no doubt, had a part in building and caring for the synagogues and the life we all have now in Squirrel Hill. Hearts are broken, but not the bonds that keep people here. All kinds of people. All kinds of religions. It is a sort of magical place. PJC Cindy Skrzycki is a former Washington Post reporter who is now a senior lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh. She teaches journalism and non-fiction writing.

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Opinion Words matter — use them wisely Guest Columnist Nigel Savage

’m in Israel with our largest ever Israel Ride — 219 participants, plus more than 60 crew and staff members. Six of our riders live in Pittsburgh, two are members of the shul that was attacked, and many more grew up in Pittsburgh or have spent much of their lives there. One person lost one of his closest friends. Two of our riders were married by someone who was shot and had an operation and is in the hospital right now. So — we are a long way away, and it feels very, very close. I and all of us send love and condolences to everyone in Pittsburgh and to everyone who is mourning. And, in a different sense, to everyone in the Jewish community and everyone in America who is appalled and shocked that we have reached this point. This morning, we stood together overlooking Machtesh Ramon and we sang Eitz Chayim Hi — the words that we read before returning the Torah to the ark on Shabbat morning, the tune that is so beautiful and

well-loved. Shuls will be packed next Shabbat morning across America — shuls should be packed next Shabbat morning across America — and I suspect the most intense moment will be when everyone sings those words. The Torah — the essence of who we are, the central thread in Jewish life for 25 centuries, is indeed a Tree of Life. So voices

students, more than 30 of them, met in small groups with our riders. And we heard the same story, over and over, each one different, each one the same. This is how I grew up, this was my family… and I came here, and met these people who had very different histories from mine, very different understandings of the world …

On this sad day, I send love and condolences to everyone.

will crack at that moment, and tears will be shed. A shared sense of our hearts breaking. I said something that was unique to this Ride and that I think is worth repeating. Just the day before we’d done a session with students from the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, our partner on the Ride. Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian

and it was hard. … And we wrestled. … And now we’re friends. Genuinely. Not that we agree on everything — we don’t — but we know each other and we care about each other. And what I said this morning was the fault line now is not between Israelis and Palestinians, or Democrats and Republicans.

It’s between those who strive to use language with honesty and empathy and a desire to make things better, and those who use language to inflame, incite, exaggerate and demonize. That is what our Tree of Life has taught us these two millennia — that language, and respectful discourse and truth are utterly central to being Jewish. So on this sad day, I send love and condolences to everyone. A gentle hug. And I would add: we often say may so-and-so’s memory be a blessing. But what exactly does that mean, what should it mean or could it mean? In this case I think it means may the memory of those who were murdered inspire us to reject abuse, intolerance and lies whenever and wherever we hear them. So I hope you’re able to go to shul next Shabbat morning. I hope that you’ll rededicate yourself to Jewish life and learning. And I hope that you’ll vote against anyone who has been party to whipping up the demons that caused 11 people to lose their lives so tragically. I wish all of us long life. PJC Nigel Savage is the CEO of Hazon, the Jewish Lab for Sustainability.

When hate comes out of the shadows Guest Columnist Joshua Runyan

he way Robert Bowers seemed to see things, he was doing the country a favor. “HIAS likes to brings invaders in that kill our people,” the suspected gunman posted on the Gab.com social media site minutes before beginning a rampage at the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha synagogue building here that left 11 people dead last Saturday. “I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.” By HIAS, Bowers was referring to the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, which got its start assisting Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe toward the end of the 19th century and today provides resettlement, legal and other services for primarily non-Jewish refugees. By “invaders,” Bowers was referring to the thousands of migrants from Central America approaching the southern U.S. border with Mexico. As of Oct. 30, Bowers was recovering from police-inflicted gunshots at Allegheny General Hospital — being treated by a medical staff that included several Jewish doctors and nurses — and the families of the victims consigned to death by his apparent hate were turning to the grim task of burying their loved ones. In times like these — although it’s hard to find a comparison to what is widely believed to be the largest mass murder of Jews in the history of the United States — we all try to make sense of the madness, sometimes grasping at straws to

explain the darkness of the human condition, something that is inherently unexplainable. But what is clear is that (by the time you read this) 11 bodies are in the ground and Bowers will likely face the death penalty because of anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism is a strange phenomenon. Though it has followed our people for millennia, consigning millions of us throughout history to slavery, death and attempted extermination, some of us choose not to see it where it exists, while others see it everywhere. But here in the United States, more than seven decades after the end of World War II and the meteoric rise of Jewish Americans to the highest levels of business and politics, it’s always been in the background, whether we’ve appreciated that fact or not. In political circles, the charge of anti-Semitism has been fought over in a kind-of turf war, with Jewish partisans and their respective organizations playing a twisted poker game of victimization (“I’ll see your Charlottesville and raise you Louis Farrakhan”). Weeks before the attack in Squirrel Hill and the suspected mailing of pipe bombs to prominent Democrats by a right-wing former male stripper who also harbored anti-Semitic animus, a Jewish community leader from Philadelphia reminded his friends and followers on Facebook that at Farrakhan rallies, every time the Nation of Islam leader describes Jews as Satan his supporters cheer. The post was a safety message, he said, a reminder to people that the seemingly friendly neighbors behind them at the checkout line weren’t who they seemed to be. That might be true, but it wasn’t a Nation

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of Islam follower who shot up Tree of Life. By all accounts, it was a white, Middle America loner, a garden variety anti-Semite who embraced the “Make America Great Again” vision but for whom the movement’s leader wasn’t sufficiently anti-Jewish. At least Bowers and I agree on one thing: President Donald Trump is no anti-Semite. But I find it incredibly difficult to believe the denials of the president, Vice President Mike Pence and many of their supporters that the Twitter-cast rhetoric that has trafficked in the “globalist” anti-Semitic dog whistle popular with the alt-right, identified Central American migrants as “invaders,” and fueled such conspiracy theories as George Soros — the alt-right’s favorite Jew to hate — funding the migrant march has had nothing to do with the events of the past week and a half. For the past two years, cries of increasing anti-Semitism in the United States — the swastikas on synagogues, the overturned tombstones — have been answered by various members of the political class, including in our own community, that things aren’t that bad or that, alternatively, anti-Semitism is primarily a problem among Muslims or in Europe. I hope that now, with 11 dead, we can all agree that anti-Semitism — especially of the homegrown, American variety — IS A PROBLEM. To be sure, there’s plenty of blame to go around for the tragedy here in Pittsburgh, as is true for pretty much any mass casualty event. Would posting guards at the synagogue have stopped the loss of life? Would banning assault-style rifles like the AR-15 reportedly used by Bowers have

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minimized the bloodshed? I don’t have any good answers to these questions, and neither does anyone else. But what I do know is that hate has become acceptable among a certain portion of our citizenry, spread like wildfire through social media channels both traditional and upstart. And it’s become commonplace for politicians — of all parties — to borrow these haters’ imagery, to wink, to nudge, to backslap in the pursuit for votes. I also know that Trump, who in the wake of the shootings has condemned anti-Semitism in the strongest of terms, has by virtue of being the president of the United States the largest bully pulpit in the land. And he’s still whipping up xenophobic furor over the migrants and calling the press the “enemy of the people” on Twitter. I’m a member of the press. And when I’m in Philadelphia, I work in the same building as HIAS Pennsylvania. Call me selfish, but I’d like to not worry the next time I go to work — or go to shul — about my own safety the way we all are in this post-massacre world. That will start with all of our elected leaders doing exactly what Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers said is needed during an interview on CNN. “Tone down the hate,” he said. “Speak words of love. Speak words of decency and of respect. When that message comes loud and clear, Americans will hear that and we can begin to change the tenor of our country.” PJC Joshua Runyan is the editor-in-chief of the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. He can be reached at jrunyan@pittsburgh jewishchronicle.org. NOVEMBER 2, 2018 29

Opinion Squirrel Hill strong and proud Guest Columnist Steven Rosenberg

his is the Pittsburgh I know and love. A Pittsburgh built on incredible family foundations. The kind of foundations that Henrietta Pussycat and King Friday XIII found so charming. Squirrel Hill is not your average neighborhood — it’s your above-average neighborhood. It’s people looking out for each other, where your grandfather and my grandmother went to Allderdice High School together. Where going “up street” is your daily rite and where you argue whether Mineo’s or Aiello’s is the best pizza in the world. Waiting for the 67H bus, the 61C or driving to wherever it is you are headed, you are bound to see friends — real friends who know you and love you. It is the place that reared me and almost my entire family. It’s the place I will forever proudly call home. Sadly, we knew all of the victims of the Pittsburgh shooting — murdered while praying on a fall Saturday. Every member of the extended Squirrel Hill community took a bullet that day, but we will persevere and we will always be there for each other. Squirrel Hill is the best place anyone can grow up — and those who are still lucky enough to reside there will be there for each other and for all of us. I can’t think of a better community to hold the entire Jewish community on its shoulders. Now it’s up to the rest of us, here in Philadelphia where I live and across the globe. I was in Israel when I found out about this horrible tragedy. I heard immediately and alerted my brother who lives only

— LETTERS — Support from afar

50 yards from Tree of Life synagogue. The outpouring of love and support from our Israeli brothers and sisters was immense and continues to be. Because an attack on one Jew is an attack on all of us. In Philadelphia, I see so much of that same Squirrel Hill spirit in all southeastern Pennsylvania’s five counties. Many of our great neighborhoods remind me of home because this region is filled with so many wonderful people. As I was talking to my colleagues at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia to help plan our collective responses to this horrible tragedy, I was thrilled to learn that all were already working arm-in-arm to be there for each other. I saw pictures of many vigils and couldn’t wait to see the pictures from Rodeph Shalom, where almost 2,000 people gathered to let the world know we will not tolerate anti-Semitism any longer. So let’s look 300 miles west and remember these 11 victims — murdered senselessly while praying during Shabbat. Say their names often and particularly this weekend when you go to services. Their names are Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, David Rosenthal, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Daniel Stein, Melvin Wax and Irving Younger. Tree of Life sits about three blocks from the real-life home of Fred Rogers. In his land of make-believe, something like this could never have happened. Mr. Rogers wanted to be your neighbor and have you as his. This neighborhood is different today. Not worse — just different. Having grown up there, I can assure you the residents will lead us to better times. PJC

Steven Rosenberg is the chief marketing officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and publisher’s representative of the Jewish Exponent.

I’m a former Pittsburgher with lots of family and friends still in and around the city. Dallas has been my physical home for almost 40 years now, but my heart still lives in the place where I was born, raised, educated and had my first job as a writer — at the old Jewish Criterion. Now I’m a columnist for the weekly Texas Jewish Post, and I can’t begin to say how many phone calls and online posts I received immediately after the terrible news broke about the killings at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha. I frequently reference Pittsburgh in my “Mind’s I” column, so everyone wanted to know if my loved ones were involved, and everyone was very relieved when I could answer in the negative. I accepted their “thank God” because I knew it was offered with the best of intentions. But I was not relieved, because all of Pittsburgh’s Jewry is still — and always will be — my family. My community here is with all of you there, and showed it on Sunday evening with an interfaith gathering of sorrow and support. It was held at Congregation Shearith Israel, largest of the Dallas area’s Conservative synagogues. Its main chapel seats 700, but many more were standing or floor-sitting for what was not a religious service, but an outpouring of sympathy, togetherness and resolve. Clergy of every faith attended. Shearith’s cantor and the two cantors from Temple Emanu-El — largest of our Reform congregations — led us in song. Rabbis and ministers, male and female, offered prayers and words of healing and wisdom from their own traditions. Dallas’ chief of police and the head of our Jewish Federation updated

No Koufax, but Kol Nidre?

I loved reading about Ryan Lavarnway of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Team Israel (“Ryan Lavarnway looks out from behind home plate,” Oct. 19). This Jewish catcher’s clutch hits really helped our Buccos this fall. But how did he feel being the pivotal player in the Kol Nidre come-from-behind 2-1 win by the Pirates over the Kansas City Royals? I did not expect him to act like Sandy Koufax or Hank Greenberg, but this would have been a seemingly obvious point of interest since this talented Member of the Tribe had the game-winning RBI in the bottom of the 11th during the most holy day on the Jewish calendar. Jeff Pollock Squirrel Hill

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us on their continuing security efforts, which have already included physical changes to the Federation/Jewish Community Center campus, plus outreach and assistance to all Jewish institutions and training seminars for community leaders and laity. Everything ended with all rising to link arms and sing “We Shall Overcome” together. And it was for Pittsburgh we were singing, as well as for our own Jewish future. We here want you in Pittsburgh to know that we’re there with you now, not just those of us who are still Pittsburghers from afar, but everyone. And not just those of us who are Jews. We know your Tree of Life will always stand — physically and spiritually. And I’ll be there on a Saturday morning the next time I’m in Pittsburgh. Harriet Pincus Gross Dallas, Texas

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Obituaries CHAMOVITZ: Marcia Applebaum Chamovitz, 88, formerly of Aliquippa, died peacefully on October 24, 2018, in her home in Jerusalem, Israel. Mrs. Chamovitz was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., graduated from Sarah Lawrence College, and moved to Aliquippa in 1956 with her husband, the late Dr. David L. Chamovitz. In her years in Aliquippa, Mrs. Chamovitz became one of the pillars of both the local and larger Jewish community. Among other endeavors, she opened Aliquippa’s first preschool program in the town’s synagogue, was active in the American Association of University Women and in the burgeoning civil rights movement in Aliquippa in the 1960s, and very active in the Aliquippa synagogue. She was a lifelong member of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, serving, among other positions, as the president of Western Pennsylvania Region, and as a member of the national board. She fulfilled her life’s dream and moved to Israel in 1984, where she filled her days walking on the beach with David, taking care of her grandchildren and stray cats, and finding ways of touching everyone’s life. She made it a mission to expose their many visitors to as much of Israel and Zionism as possible. Their home was known to be open to all Pittsburgh Young Judaea year course participants. She was preceded in death by her daughter Amy Chamovitz, and her husband of 59 years. She is survived by her children, Dr. Raina Rosenberg and professor Daniel Chamovitz, their spouses, five grandchildren and their partners and one great-grandson, all of whom live in Israel. May her memory be blessed. Donations can be made in her memory to the Pittsburgh Chapter of Hadassah. COOK: Norma Cook, on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. Beloved wife of the late David Cook. Devoted, cherished and loving mother of Michael Cook of Philadelphia and Cindy (Vincent) Nigrelli of Pittsburgh. Sister of the late Eileen Moses and Janice Reuben. Loving “Nana” of Adam Katz and Alyse Katz (Marat) Massen. Great-grandmother of Aaron Massen. Graveside services and interment were held at Homewood Cemetery. Contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205. schugar.com FIENBERG: Joyce Libman Fienberg, on Saturday, October 27, 2018. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Stephen E. Fienberg. Devoted mother of Anthony (Magali) Fienberg of Paris, France and Howard (Marnie) Fienberg of Vienna, Va. Sister of Robert (Esther) Libman of Toronto. Grandmother of Tiffany, Selena, Victoria, Juliana, Adam and Sophie. Aunt of Chana (Nachum) Shore, Avi (Atara) Libman, Devorah (Michael) Kurin, Miriam (Ephriam) Leiderman, Daniel Fienberg and Ori (Emily) Fienberg. Also survived by great-nieces and nephews. Services were held at Beth Shalom Congregation. Interment Tree of Life Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation, 5898 Wilkins Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 or Family House, 5245 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. schugar.com

GOTTFRIED: Dr. Richard J. Gottfried, on Saturday, October 27, 2018. Beloved husband of Dr. Margaret “Peg” Durachko. Brother of Bonni (Alan) Huffman, Carol (Robert Gomola) Black and twin sister, Debi (Don) Salvin. Also survived by nieces, nephews and cousins. Dr. Gottfried graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English literature and a DMD degree from the School of Dental Medicine. He had a private practice for 30 plus years in West View and most recently was employed at the Squirrel Hill Health Center for over five years. He was a volunteer at the Catholic Charities Free Health Care Center as well as belonging to the Dental Seattle Study Club. He was a member of New Light Congregation and a past president and currently a religious committee chairman. Richard was the heartbeat of the congregation. He was an avid fan of Pittsburgh sports teams, professional and University of Pittsburgh teams. He loved to play golf, was an avid reader and runner. Richard would always enjoy a good cigar and a glass of wine in the evenings on his deck with Peg. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside. Interment New Light Cemetery. Contributions may be made to New Light Congregation, 5898 Wilkins Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. KRESH: Norman N. Kresh peacefully on Saturday, October 27, 2018. Beloved father of Eric and Jennifer Kresh; adored son of Max and Gertrude Kresh; beloved brother of the late Esther Kresh. Norman served stateside during the Korean War at a research facility in Utah. After the war he attended University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine where he graduated at the top of his class. He interned at Montefiore Hospital and did his residency at Western Psychiatric Institute. In addition to developing a private practice in child psychiatry, he joined the Jewish Family & Children’s Service as medical director in 1963 to develop the Guski Clinic, the psychiatric facility of JFCS. His duties at the Guski Clinic included patients, administrative responsibilities and supervising the therapists. He took much pride in this role as teacher and mentor. His work at the JFCS is one example of his lifelong commitment to giving back to the community. Dr. Kresh simultaneously expanded a private practice where he saw children, families and adults. In 1972 he formed a professional partnership with Dr. Emil Trellis. In 1973 they established a psychiatric practice at St. Francis hospital. Again he took great pride and pleasure in teaching and supervising the psychiatric residents. He retired from the practice of psychiatry in 1994. Norman was a devoted husband, father and psychiatrist. He enjoyed music, gardening, swimming, tennis and collecting fine art. His colleague Dr. Trellis said that Norman was not only a great psychiatrist but also a wonderful friend. He will be remembered and missed for his intellect, compassion, dedication and integrity. A memorial service was held Wednesday, October 31, 2018, at Weinberg Village, In honor of Norman, contributions may be made to HFLAHebrew Free Loan Association, hflapgh.org/ donate-to-hfla-pittsburgh.

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Ferne Rogow............................................................. Esther Morrow Doris Schwartz .................................................... Edward E. Strauss Tamara Skirboll ......................................................... Fannie Skirboll Joel Smalley ................................................................ Mary Smalley Joel Smalley ........................................................... Sherwin Smalley Cheryl Sober ................................................................Norma Harris

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THIS WEEK’S YAHRZEITS — Sunday November 4: Doris Libby Bennett, Joseph Bilder, Max Cohen, Herman A. Donofsky, Leah Firestone, Phillip Friedman, Morris Glassman, Betty Grayer, Jennie Iskowich, Harry Jacobs, Bertha Klein, Leon Morris, Polina Novak, Meyer Seiavitch, Irwin Sidler, Fannie G. Skirboll, Sidney Stein, Sam Stern, Sam Stone, Marvin Tachna, Joseph Thompson, Mildred Weinberger, Milton Zakowitz Monday November 5: Bessie Lottie Azen, Sylvia Braun, Harry Cukerbaum, Anne Firestone, Julia Goldstein, Louis Greenberg, Zelda Gutmacher, Isaac Klein, Jacob Levinson, William Levy, Joseph Lustig, Jacob S. Miller, Gertrude R. Nachman, Ruben Nadler, Miriam S. Nydes, Max Perr, Philip Rubenstein, Shana Sergie, Ida Sussman, Nettie Touber, Rose Wolovitz Tuesday November 6: Jeannette Tafel Alman, Charlotte Ginsburg, Hymen L. Kaplan, Benjamin Klawansky, Esther S. Levine, Lafe B. Murstein, Sadie Rossen, Fannie Ruben, Leah W. Schlesinger, Helen G. Sheinberg, Lena Frieman Sieff, Michael Stone, Rebecca Tillman Wednesday November 7: Sam Benowitz, Fannie Fleischer, Jay David Glasser, Meyer Helfer, Samuel E. Jacobson, Bella Kalson, David London, Alvin Meyers, Anna Shapira, Edward I. Solomon, Jacob Stolman, Jack Phillip Sussman, Harry Edward Traub Thursday November 8: Esther Berschling, Saul Cabin, Hyman Goldenson, Raymond E. Gusky, David Pudles, Ida Radbord, David G. Tarshis Friday November 9: Carol Lee Anatole, Nathan Bliman, Rebecca Needelman Bodek, Sadie Chotiner, Benjamin M. Cohen, Morris Cohen, Hyman Daly, Rebecca Friedman, Isaac Glick, Dr. Henry Goldstein, Selma Goldstein, David Gross, Hyman H. Kimel, Alfred Malt, Alvin Marks, Max Schwimer, Elmer Solomon, Dora B. Whiteman Saturday November 10: Sam Birnkrant, Sara Chotiner, Goldie Fishman, Benjamin Himmel, Abraham Korsunsky, Louise Lebby, Nathan Levenson, Adeline Levitt, Isaac Lieb, Mary N. Lustig, Annie Mermelstein, Ida Nusin, Fred Nussbaum

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Please see Obituaries, page 32

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NOVEMBER 2, 2018 31

Obituaries Obituaries: Continued from page 31

LIGHTMAN: Aaron Lightman, on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. Beloved son of Jeffrey and Toby Lightman. Graveside services and interment were held at Beth Shalom Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, 234 McKee Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. www.schugar.com LINDNER: Dr. Robert T. “Bibsy’ Lindner, on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. Beloved husband of Linda Stern Lindner. Beloved father of Allison (Brad Vaughan) Feldstein Vaughan, Amy (Dr. Thomas) Dietrich and Julie (Dr. Mitchell) Goldstein. Brother of the late Marshall (surviving spouse Faylinda) Lindner. Grandpa of Joshua and Elizabeth “Libby” Feldstein, Jonathan and Kate Dietrich, Sarah, Andrew “Drew” and Daniel Goldstein. Uncle of Michael, Jonathan and Andrew Lindner. Dr. Lindner was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dentistry. He practiced as an oral surgeon for over 40 years in Greensburg. After retirement, he served as the Director of In Office Anesthesia Services for the Pennsylvania Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Bob will be remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Graveside services and interment were held at Homewood Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Hillman Cancer Center, 5115 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com

mother, grandmother and friend. Her family was her passion and delight. She will be deeply missed and her family will forever cherish her memory. Norma is survived by her husband of 61 years, Dr. Abe Malkoff of Youngstown; her children Daniel Malkoff (Tammy) of Columbus, Ohio, and Susan Schwartz (Aaron) of Pittsburgh; and her grandchildren, Sarah and Jason Malkoff and Jessica and Benjamin Schwartz. Norma was a member of Congregation Rodef Sholom in Youngstown, and for years was an active volunteer and two-time president of the Temple Sisterhood. Over the years, Norma was a member of B’nai B’rith, a volunteer at Heritage Manor (Youngstown Area Jewish Federation) and was a past chapter president of Hadassah. She was a passionate and generous supporter of environmental issues, animal welfare, and many other charitable causes. Graveside services and internment were held in Youngstown. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Angels for Animals, 4750 West South Range Road, Canfield, Ohio 44406 or to Heritage Manor, 517 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown, Ohio 44504. Arrangements entrusted to ShriverAllison-Courtley-Weller-King Funeral Home in Youngstown.

brother of Diane and Michael Hirt, Michele Rosenthal and Robert Kennedy, and the late David Rosenthal. Beloved uncle of Jennifer and Li Wen Hirt. Also survived by many cousins, friends, and members of Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation. The “Honorary Mayor of Squirrel Hill,” Cecil was a devoted and active member of Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation and was a well-respected member of Achieva as well. Services were held at Rodef Shalom Congregation. Interment Tree of Life Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Cecil’s memory may be made to Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation, 5898 Wilkins Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217, or Achieva, 711 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., schugar.com

ROSENTHAL: David Bruce Rosenthal, tragically, on Saturday, October 27, 2018; David Bruce Rosenthal, beloved son of Joy and Eliezer “Elie” Rosenthal; treasured brother of Diane and Michael Hirt, Michele Rosenthal and Robert Kennedy, and the late Cecil Rosenthal. Beloved uncle of Jennifer and Li Wen Hirt. Also survived by many cousins, friends, and members of Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation. David was RABINOWITZ: Dr. Jerry Paul Rabinowitz, employed by Goodwill Industries and took 66 years old, died October 27, 2018. Son of pride in being a hard worker. He won numerous and loved dearly by his mother Sally and awards and had a strong commitment to his the late Charlie Rabinowitz; his wife of 21 work. He was a devoted and active member wonderful years Miri Rabinowitz; son-in-law of Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation of Dr. Milton and Fradie Kramer; his brother and was a well-respected member of Achieva and sister-in-law Bill and Chris Rabinowitz; as well. Services were held at Rodef Shalom nephews and nieces Elliot Rabinowitz and his Congregation. Interment Tree of Life Memorial husband Jason McGraw; Jacob Rabinowitz Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions in David’s and his wife Megan Larson; Joshua Kramer; memory may be made to Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Ilona Kramer; Hannah Kramer; Max Kramer; Congregation, 5898 Wilkins Avenue, Pittsburgh, MALKOFF: Norma Avishai Ostrin; Yael Ostrin and Nadav Ostrin. PA 15217, or Achieva, 711 Bingham Street, Meyer Malkoff, A devoted family practice doctor and member Pittsburgh, PA 15203. Arrangements entrusted 89, of Youngstown of the Dor Hadash Congregation, he was to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. schugar.com Ohio, formerly beloved by his patients, fellow congregants, of Squirrel Hill, friends and family. Funeral service was held STEIN: Daniel A. Stein, age 71, of Squirrel Hill, passed away on on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the JCC, 5738 Forbes on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. Beloved husband Friday, September Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Interment was of Sharyn; loving father of Joseph (Jeannina) 14, 2018, after a held in Homewood Cemetery. Donations and Leigh Stein; devoted grandfather of Henri brief illness. Born can be made in his memory to Dor Hadash, Federico Stein; much loved brother of Ruth on April 30,1929 5898 Wilkins Avenue, Pittsburgh PA Halle; son of the late Bernard and Yetta Stein; in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of the 15217. Professional services trusted to the brother-in-law of Faye and the late Joseph late Rubin and Ida Meyer of Pittsburgh and D’Alessandro Funeral Home & Crematory Ltd, Konigsberg. Many, many loving family and sister of the late Rita Meyer of New York. Lawrenceville. dalessandroltd.com friends. Dan was a past president of New Light She was a graduate of Taylor Allderdice High Congregation and current president of their School, and was the first in her family to ROSENTHAL: Cecil Howard Rosenthal, Men’s Club. Funeral and interment private. obtain a college degree, graduating from the tragically, on Saturday, October 27, 2018; Professional services trusted to the D’Alessandro University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Cecil Howard Rosenthal, beloved son of Funeral Home & Crematory Ltd., Lawrenceville. Arts in Sociology. Norma was a loving wife, Joy and Eliezer “Elie” Rosenthal; treasured Memorial contributions may be made to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation or the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry. dalessandroltd.com PITTSBU RGH NEWEST ’S FUNERA L HOME

YOUNGER: Irving Younger, tragically on Saturday, October 27, 2018. We can’t begin to express our sadness and heartbreak over the deadly shooting in Pittsburgh that cost

the world our dear Father so abruptly and unfairly. He was one of the closest and most important people in our lives. Dad was a caring and loving man, with the biggest and warmest heart imaginable. Anybody who ever had the pleasure to meet him knew this. Throughout his life, he always found time to spend with friends and family. He was a charismatic and outgoing man who loved to listen and cared so deeply about what was going on in other people’s lives. He could constantly be found chatting with people, peppering those conversations with jokes and frequent bursts of laughter. After both his children moved to Southern California about a decade ago, Dad made regular trips to the state that picked up in regularity after the birth of his grandson, Jaden, who will turn 3-years-old in February. Dad loved nothing more than to spend time with Jaden. He also adored our late mother, Sherry. He constantly remarked how much Mom would have loved spending time with Jaden. Beyond family and friends, two other important things for Dad were his religion and his sense of community. Squirrel Hill was both his home and his livelihood in real estate. We are not at all surprised that Dad was at Tree of Life on Saturday. He was a highly devout man whose life and character were guided by the religious principles he observed. The fact that he volunteered that day to hand out pamphlets to people arriving for services showed who he was, someone who always wanted to help out and always had a kind word for both new and familiar faces. We doubt we are alone among people who will miss Dad dearly. Dad would undoubtedly argue that loss of life through violence is never acceptable. Unfortunately, this tragedy is not an isolated occurrence but further indicates a breakdown in society that can only be fully healed through respectful engagement and action. Hate has no place anywhere in this world. We will grieve the loss of our dad and will continue to pray for the terrible loss of life from others, all of whom also leave behind spouses, siblings, children and grandchildren. We will send our support and love to everyone who will forever be broken and affected by these ongoing tragedies and this absolutely horrific attack. Beloved husband of the late Sherry Younger. Loving father of Jordanna Younger and Jared Younger, both of Los Angeles, Calif. Loving and devoted grandfather of Jaden Buss. Also survived by many cousins and dear friends. Services were held at Rodef Shalom Congregation. Interment Shaare Torah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation, 5898 Wilkins Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 or to the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, 5738 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com PJC

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We are devastated and heartbroken over the savage murders of eleven of our precious Jewish brethren who were killed only because they were Jews. We share in the deep pain of the survivors and friends of the Pittsburgh kedoshim (holy martyrs):

Joyce Fienberg Richard Gottfried Rose Mallinger Jerry Rabinowitz Cecil Rosenthal David Rosenthal Bernice Simon Sylvan Simon Daniel Stein Melvin Wax Irving Younger

And may He grant complete and speedy healing to Daniel Leger and Andrea Wedner, along with the courageous law enforcement personnel who risked their lives and sustained injury in apprehending the killer.

| CW - Hamodia |

and extend the mourners our wishes that Hashem grant them comfort amid all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

And comfort and healing to the entire Pittsburgh Jewish community, amid all of the Jewish people, wherever they may reside.

Agudath Israel of America Shlomo Werdiger

Chairman, Board of Trustees Shia Markowitz

&KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2I¿FHU

Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel Executive Vice President

Rabbi Shlomo Gertzulin

Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration

Rabbi Labish Becker Executive Director

AND THE ENTIRE STAFF OF AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA

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Torah Adding light to the darkness Rabbi Elchonon Friedman Parshat Chayei Sarah Genesis 23:1-25:18

his past Shabbat we read in the parshah the heart wrenching story of akeidat Yitzchak, the binding of Isaac, where God tells Abraham, “Please take your son, your unique and special son, the son you love, Isaac, and raise him as an offering on the mountain which I will indicate to you.” Abraham was confused, and said to himself, “What happened to the promise that ‘your children will be numerous like the stars in the sky?’ Didn’t God say to me that ‘through Isaac you will have eternal progeny?’” Yet, notwithstanding his questions, Abraham hastened to do God’s will. With dedication and enthusiasm he took his son Isaac and placed him on the altar. We read how Isaac understood what was going on and joined his father in one of the most agonizing episodes depicted in the Torah. As we read about how at the last second God told Abraham to remove Isaac from the altar and not to shed one drop of his blood, the news from Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha was starting to reverberate in our shul. The news came with utter shock; it felt as if Isaac wasn’t taken off the altar. God, what happened to your promise

that “I will gather you from your exile”?! God, what happened to your covenant with the Jewish people that, come what may, we will be protected like the apple of your eye? And God, how can people affirming your Oneness by proclaiming “Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad” be slaughtered in your sacred home?!

blessed?’”— we still move forward. Even when hatred and division rear their ugly heads, we stay true to our goal to bring more light into our world. A little light dispels much darkness, and an abundance of good certainly changes our world. Let us add light today by speaking kinder to one another, even when we disagree. Reach

Let’s change the world, individual by individual, so that each man and woman in this entire world will be seen to be as special as the 11 special people our world lost this past Shabbat. Somehow, Abraham was able to move forward with his questions about his faith and God that tormented him as he took Isaac to the altar. Even though he had conflicting messages from God, he still managed to keep plowing ahead in his mission to bring unity into a divided world. Abraham teaches us that we must accept that each Jew is unique and special before God, and that even though we face the deepest challenge, the greatest darkness, when we ask God, “Where is the blessing that ‘through you all nations will be

out to a neighbor or friend and show some kindness and love. Let’s realize that hatred and anger is changed through love and patience. Let’s change the world, individual by individual, so that each man and woman in this entire world will be seen to be as special as the 11 special people our world lost this past Shabbat. Each of these men and women was a son or daughter of God, a unique and special child, a child that He loved, a child like Isaac, who brought joy and smiles to others and to God.

This week we read Parshat Chayei Sarah, in which we mourn the passing of our great matriarch and learn of her burial in the Cave of Machpela, through Abraham. But the parshah is called “the life of Sarah” — in it, we celebrate her life and legacy. We comfort the mourners and we bring new happiness and joy into this world. We march on with the everlasting legacy of our martyrs here in Pittsburgh. We will bring about a world where hatred is removed, a world where peace is desired and kept by all. We will yet see in our lifetime a world where all mankind serves God with united devotion, a world where a nation will not draw a sword against another. The deeds of Abraham, Isaac and Sarah and their legacies guide us for eternity. May the memory and inspiration of our departed holy brothers and sisters be a shining light and influence that brings about a world of peace and holiness. May God comfort their families amongst all Israel that mourns as brethren with them. And may their holy memories bring abundant blessings for each member of our Pittsburgh Jewish community for eternity. PJC Rabbi Elchonon Friedman is the rabbi at Bnei Emunoh Chabad-Greenfield. This column is a service of the Vaad Harabanim of Greater Pittsburgh.

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Headlines Politics: Continued from page 10

Also increasingly popular on the right are attempts to link George Soros, the liberal philanthropist, to every GOP bogeyman, including opposition to the Supreme Court confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh and the caravan of migrants heading from Central America toward the U.S. border, often with scant or no evidence. There are an array of major donors on the left, but it is Soros, who is Jewish, who is singled out most often, and sometimes with anti-Semitic undertones. A pro-Trump, far-right evangelical group that emerged during the 2016 election put out a video this week calling Soros “evil” for trying to “deChristianize a culture and a nation.” The DeSantis-Gillum exchange on Sunday evening was emblematic of each side’s tactics and vulnerabilities. CNN debate moderator Jake Tapper asked DeSantis why the candidate had not returned a donation from a backer who used the N-word on Twitter to attack President Barack Obama, and why he urged voters not to “monkey this up” by voting for Gillum, who is black. DeSantis answered the first question: The donor, Steven Alembik, had apologized. He did not answer the second question, instead claiming a past in which he fought with and for blacks, first in the military and then as a prosecutor. Then he pivoted to Gillum. “I look at what Andrew has done in terms of aligning himself with groups like the

Dream Defenders, who one of their — he stood on the debate stage and said he stood with them and by them, but one of their main planks of their platform is to boycott, divest from and sanction the State of Israel,” he said. “I think he should disavow them because I can tell you this, if you want to unify Florida, taking positions about Israel like that, that may be unifying if you’re running for the mayor of the Gaza Strip.” Gillum has spoken of his support for Dream Defenders, a black activist group that backs education and prison reform, and also has endorsed the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement targeting Israel. Gillum pushed back — “my relationship with Israel is beyond reproach,” he said — and returned to the race issue. “The ‘monkey up’ comment said it all,” Gillum said. “And he has only continued, and the course of this campaign to draw all the attention he can to the color of my skin. And the truth is, you know what? I’m black. I’ve been black all my life. So far as I know I will die black.” In races across the country, alleged alignments with the extreme right or the anti-Israel left have become an issue: • In Southern California, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, a Republican facing a tough race, has been criticized for endorsing for the Orange County school board a Republican who in the past has made anti-Semitic and racist comments on social media. • In Virginia’s 5th Congressional District, encompassing the city of Charlottesville and Virginia’s wine country, the state Republican

Party has called Democrat Leslie Cockburn “anti-Semitic” for a 1991 book she co-wrote that questioned the U.S.-Israel relationship. Cockburn, in turn, has sought to attach the name of her opponent, Denver Riggleman, to the Republican nominee for U.S. senator, Corey Stewart, who has associated with white nationalists, including a leader of the deadly August 2017 neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville. (Riggleman has denounced the marchers.) • In New York’s 19th Congressional District, an upstate region encompassing the Catskills and the Hudson Valley, embattled Republican incumbent John Faso in a debate this week rapped his opponent, Antonio Delgado, for suggesting that as long as Israel maintains control of the West Bank Palestinian population, it is not a “Jewish democracy.” (“I am committed to a two-state solution — a Jewish state of Israel and a sovereign Palestinian state — because it is the only way for Israel to fulfill its own aspirations to remain a Jewish democracy for future generations,” Delgado told Jewish Insider in response.) • In Iowa, Rep. Steve King, a safe Republican incumbent, endorsed for Toronto mayor a white nationalist candidate, Faith Goldy, who has associated with neo-Nazi websites and referred to the “Jewish question,” commonplace anti-Semitic parlance. • In Minneapolis, Ilhan Omar, the surefire Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives, has called Israel an “apartheid regime.” • In Texas, Cruz, in a surprisingly tight re-election bid, has attacked his Democratic

opponent, Rep. Beto O’Rourke, for accepting the endorsement of J Street, the liberal Jewish Middle East policy group, and once voting against emergency funding for Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system. (O’Rourke has said he objected on procedural grounds.) The Jewish partisan groups have made clear where they stand on at least some of its bad actors: Brooks has said that the Republican Jewish Coalition will have nothing to do with Virginia’s Stewart or Iowa’s King, and Soifer’s Democratic group has similarly spoken out against the Israel views of Tlaib and Omar. Part of the mission of Jewish partisan groups is to explain to the national party why it opposes a trend or an individual. Both Brooks and Soifer said they are doing just that, but that they did not expect the national party to shut out actors like Omar, Tlaib, King or Stewart. “It’s important, as we do within the Republican sphere, that we stand up and make clear what the boundaries are in terms of the statements that some of these candidates are making,” Brooks said. “It’s easy for us who have a clear set of values to say ‘this guy’s views do not align with where we are.’ It’s harder for the party, which has a broader, bigger tent.” Soifer said it was important to distinguish between foreign policy positions, however outlandish, and bigotry. “To have an issue on a specific foreign policy issue is very different than associating oneself with a movement of neo-Nazis, anti-Semites and Holocaust deniers,” she said. PJC

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NOVEMBER 2, 2018 37

Community Hillel Academy activities

p Second-grade Judaics teacher Tovi Admon employs her compelling storytelling skills to bring her lessons to life. Photo by Micki Myers p Eighth-grade students use a Newton’s Cradle to demonstrate the physics of waves. Photo by Micki Myers

Jewish Family and Community Services honored

For the 13th year in a row, Jewish Family and Community Services was named one of Pittsburgh Business Times “Best Places to Work.”

p AP Psychology students Batya Mandelbaum and Nechama Rodkin work side by side to map biological processes in different ways. Photo by Sonja Wimer.

p Second-grader Yehuda Yolkut works diligently to create clear, well-written sentences. Photo by Micki Myers

38 NOVEMBER 2, 2018

p Some of the JFCS staff members celebrated at the luncheon. Seated, from left: Yesmina Sahib, Abby Jo Krobot, Jordan Golin, Sandy Budd; standing: Dave Offord and Jamie Englert Photo courtesy of Jewish Family and Community Services

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Community All aboard magic bus The Carnegie Science Center’s Mobile Fab Lab brought to Community Day School an exciting STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) experience recently for the eighth-grade class. Each eighth-grader participated in a two-day workshop called “Design For Good Days.” Students first learned to use design software and equipment,

including vinyl cutters, laser cutters and 3D printers. They then designed, created and tested a prototype that could make a positive difference in the life of an individual, their school, community or society at large. Example designs included Braille bathroom handle clip-ons, gender-neutral bathroom signs, a water filter and an innovative fidget spinner. The students also prepared a “pitch” explaining who they were helping, the problem their “design for good” might address and why their design was important.

p Carnegie Science Center’s Mobile Fab Lab

p In flight prototype

p Instruction from Carnegie Science Center

p Keeping it tight with SureBonder

p Gathering at Emory University in commemoration of the shooting at Tree of Life, with Jewish students from Pittsburgh and others. Pittsburghers Abigail Busis, Lindsay Gorby and Kate Kander were among the speakers. Photo by Dave Cohn

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p Showing off their creation

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Photos courtesy of Community Day School

NOVEMBER 2, 2018 39

STRONGER THAN HATE

Pittsburgh will always be stronger than steel. Our entire Giant Eagle family has been shaken and saddened by the tragedy that unfolded at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburghâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Squirrel Hill neighborhood. As we honor the victims and the indelible legacies they leave behind, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impossible to understand these senseless and evil acts. Just as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impossible to understand how this can happen in our community. But I do know what is possible. We must stand strong together â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as Pittsburghers always do â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and embrace peace, respect, kindness and tolerance. We love our neighbors. And leave no room for hate. 7]Z KQ\aÂ¼[ ZM[QTQMVKM [\ZMVO\P IVL JMI]\a ZMÃ&#x2020;MK\ W]Z LQ^MZ[M PMZQ\IOM <PM Ã&#x2026;^M UMV _PW NW]VLML /QIV\ -IOTM VMIZTa ! aMIZ[ IOW _MZM ITT QUUQOZIV\[ who simply wanted to improve the lives of their families and their communities. <PW[M [IUM Ã&#x2026;^M NIUQTQM[ [\QTT W_V W]Z KWUXIVa \WLIa )VL WVM WN \PW[M Ã&#x2026;^M [XMKQIT UMV _I[ Ua OZMI\ OZIVLNI\PMZ My heartfelt prayers go out to our Jewish community and all Pittsburghers. This is our city. We are one mighty team. Together, we are stronger. Together, we are better. Together, we are Pittsburgh. Laura Shapira Karet 8ZM[QLMV\ +PQMN -`MK]\Q^M 7â&#x20AC;«Ù»â&#x20AC;¬KMZ

40â&#x20AC;&#x192;NOVEMBER 2, 2018

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