Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 12-28-18 by Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle

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December 28, 2018 | 20 Tevet 5779

NOTEWORTHY LOCAL Chief rabbi says Russia appears safer for Jews than U.S. Berel Lazar, who is close to Putin, was in Pittsburgh.

‘Sharing the burden,’ Asian and Chronicle Asian-American groups show looks back support after tragedy on 2018 By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

Page 3 LOCAL ‘This is Us,’ says Federation

Launch of annual campaign focuses on communal support. Page 4 LOCAL

 The Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh held a candlelight vigil on Friday, Nov. 23, in memory of the victims of the Tree of Life shooting and commemorating the first responders of that day. Photo courtesy of Khara Timsina By Lauren Rosenblatt | Special to the Chronicle

Seeing tragedy up close

Mayor Peduto tours Auschwitz. Page 5

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Candlelighting 4:43 p.m. | Havdalah 5:47 p.m. | Vol. 61, No. 52 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

his year, the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh’s Christmas Party focused on one more religion – Judaism. The annual party doesn’t usually include a philanthropic component, but the Dec. 15 event doubled as a fundraiser for members of the Jewish community suffering from the effects of the deadly shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue building nearly two months ago. Since the Oct. 27 slaughter of 11 Jewish worshippers, many people and organizations across the country have worked to raise money and offer donations to the congregations housed within the building, the first responders who put their lives in danger to stop the shooter and the Jewish community that is still reeling. In Pittsburgh, among the numerous Asian and Asian-American community organizations, a significant number have rallied

to offer their support in the form of vigils, benefit events, fundraising drives and statements of solidarity. For many of them, the need to help derived from a connection they felt with members of the Jewish community, both because of the welcome atmosphere Squirrel Hill offered and the undeniable connection that comes from targeted discrimination and persecution, whether in the past or the present. And for many, the events of that fatal weekend and the acts of solidarity that have followed have created a steel resolve to form an even stronger bond in the Pittsburgh community. “It’s made all people become more close to each other,” Fanny Spanos, president of the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh and a resident of Squirrel Hill, said. “There will be no more hatred to each other. We’re going to be like a family in the community.”

erhaps no year prior to 2018 was more emblematic of the Pittsburgh Jewish experience. During the past 12 months, congregations celebrated anniversaries, residents rejoiced at Israel’s 70th birthday and the community marked a moment of change brought about by ultimate pain. Re-reading a year’s worth of news revealed a sobering and hopeful state of affairs. There was a rise in anti-Semitism, students and adults were incensed and called to action by the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., members of the Pittsburgh Police Department met with a Holocaust survivor and discussed the role of law enforcement in Jewish communal life, an active shooter drill was held at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh and steps were taken to bolster security at Jewish institutions. As the year closed, of course, 11 Jews were murdered at Shabbat morning services in Squirrel Hill, and the entire community, joined by individuals from around the world, came together in unprecedented ways to offer consolation and move forward. Since 1962, when The Jewish Criterion and The American Jewish Outlook merged into what is now the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, we have had the privilege of sharing Pittsburgh’s Jewish communal story. It is a responsibility we cherish. This past year brought news no one wanted. May 2019 be a year of peace and happiness for us all.

January: h Temple David celebrates 60th anniversary P I T TS B U R G H

The Monroeville synagogue celebrated its 60th anniversary with R weekend events, including remarks S from Eric Lidji, director of the Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives at the Senator

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January 26, 2018 | 10 Shevat 5778

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Rabbis, community members arrested at Dreamer protest

Candlelighting 5:13 p.m. | Havdalah 6:15 p.m. | Vol. 61, No. 4 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

High schoolers prepare to confront BDS, anti-Zionism on campus

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Temple David celebrates 60 years of Jewish life in the eastern suburbs By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

Local activists were among those arrested in D.C.

“When you don’t know your own story, then you let someone else decide how the conversation begins,” noted Ken Stein, professor of Contemporary Middle Eastern History, Political Science and Israeli Studies at Emory University. “And when someone else decides how the conversation begins, then you are immediately put on the defensive. I would argue that knowing the story before you go to college, even knowing a small part of it, gives you an ability to play into the thinking game without necessarily always being put on the defensive.” Addressing the problem of Jewish college students not having the knowledge and confidence to talk about Israel, several Jewish communities across the United States have created initiatives to educate high school students on the complexities of the Jewish state. Pittsburgh launched its first iteration of such a program earlier this month, a project of the Jewish Life and Learning department of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. Called the Israel Engagement Fellowship, the five-session course taught on Tuesday nights by Rabbi

oz Schwartz remembers the year 1958 as one filled with “optimism.” And why not? The cohort of Jewish families living in Monroeville, which she and her husband — along with five other couples — had organized, received its charter to establish Temple David that year and finally began the process of building a synagogue as a permanent home. Now, 60 years later, Temple David continues to be a hub of Jewish learning and spirituality in the eastern suburbs and will be marking its milestone anniversary with a series of celebratory events throughout the year. “We all had young children, and my husband and I were going out to Beth Shalom [in Squirrel Hill] for services,” Schwartz recalled. “We wanted a place to raise our children with a Jewish education out here in Monroeville. So, we started out by renting an old, creaky, empty house. Then we met in churches and a local movie theater.” By 1960, the congregation, which had grown to about 125 people, had raised enough funds to begin construction of the temple located on Northern Pike, where the Reform community of Monroeville continues to congregate. “After several years of a nomadic existence, we were able to realize our Temple David building,” Schwartz said. What are now called the “eastern suburbs” of Pittsburgh was rural countryside for the first half of the 20th century, explained Eric Lidji, director of the Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives at the Heinz History Center, in an email. “There were Jewish merchants living in

Please see Engagement, page 16

Please see Temple David, page 17

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Four candidates now vying for Gilman’s seat

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 The five-session Fellowship course gives students a chance to engage with the topic of Israel. Photo by Rabbi Danielle Leshaw

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

LOCAL

Women’s March in Pittsburgh

Area activists took to the streets to call for equal rights.

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upport for Israel among Jewish college students is declining dramatically, according to a study commissioned and published last year by the Brand Israel Group. While in 2010, 84 percent of American Jewish college students favored the Israeli position in its conflict with the Palestinians, that percentage plummeted to just 57 in 2016. The drop in young Jews’ support for Israel escalated during the Obama years, a period of often strained U.S./Israel relations. Those years also saw a rise in anti-Semitic incidents and anti-Israel initiatives on campus that were supported by groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace, both proponents of the BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement. Jewish students who have had little or no education regarding Israel’s history and the politics of the Middle East are finding it difficult to respond to even outrageous claims made by those who oppose Israel, often not able to discern facts from distorted narratives or outright lies.

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Headlines Added sets of tefillin broaden opportunity for Jewish practice at CDS — LOCAL — By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

group of sixth-grade girls at Community Day School calling itself the “Tefillin Revolution” is now able to wrap tefillin during morning services at the pluralistic day school, thanks to community fundraising efforts. Spearheaded by Rabbi Seth Adelson, spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Shalom and the father of a daughter in sixth grade at CDS, the fundraising efforts resulted in the purchase of 32 new sets of tefillin. “It came to my attention that CDS needed more sets of tefillin to make it possible for them to be able to teach tefillin to many more students,” Adelson said. “And I’m very happy that members of our community stepped forward to purchase sets of tefillin so both boys and girls can learn about it properly and respectfully.” Adelson raised about $6,000 from members of Beth Shalom and from several local non-Orthodox rabbis, he said. While girls have been permitted to wear tefillin at CDS “for years,” said Head of School Avi Baran Munro, “the interest has grown, and we are grateful to Rabbi Adelson who helped with fundraising to make sure we could purchase enough tefillin for any kids who wished to wear them.” The current policy at CDS, established in 2012, “is that seventh-grade boys are required, and everyone else is welcome” to wear tefillin during services, according to Munro. This is the first year that sixth-graders asked to be provided with tefillin at school, she said.

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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

to lead the ‘Tefillin Revolution,’” Shayna said, adding the girls were encouraged to do so by their Jewish studies teacher, David Harris-Gershon. “We gathered the sixthgraders and took a poll whether they wanted to be a part of it,” she explained. “All 11 or 12 girls said, ‘yes,’ and a majority of the boys wanted to help us, too.” A few weeks ago, after CDS received the new phylacteries, the sixthgrade girls “decided to walk into services wearing tefillin,” said Shayna. “We called it the ‘Tefillin Walkin,’ and we’ve been wrapping every service since.” Laying tefillin is “something that is near and dear to my heart,” Adelson said. “I think that tefillin is a really beautiful mitzvah that I want certainly my children — who are CDS students — and all Jews to p Shayna Valinsky Photo provided by Howard Valinsky be able to learn how to do, and to come to appreciate.” There is historical and But the movement to increase girls’ partic- halachic precedent for women wrapping ipation in the practice was begun last year tefillin, although most Orthodox Jews see by a group of eighth-graders who have since the mitzvah as being unique to males. graduated, according the Shayna Valinksy, “There are sources from the Talmud that a current CDS sixth-grader who picked up indicate that women are permitted — not the mantle of the cause this year along with obligated, but permitted — to wear tefillin several other sixth-grade girls. and tallit and use other ritual objects that “We took on the opportunity to continue were traditionally held as being for men,”

Adelson explained. “And there is good historical evidence that in the Middle Ages in Europe, many women did put on tefillin.” The Conservative movement’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has issued two rulings permitting or requiring women to wrap tefillin. The first, authored by Rabbi Joel Roth in 1984, was written as Conservative women were first being ordained as rabbis. It “affirmed that women may choose to take upon themselves the obligation of tallit and tefillin in daily prayer, time-bound mitzvot that have traditionally been ascribed to men,” Adelson said. In other words, women were “permitted to self-obligate, as long as they do it consistently,” he said, adding that the requirement of consistency is important. “You’re either obligated or you’re not,” he said. “You can’t be obligated on Tuesday and not be obligated on Thursday. If you are obligated to time-bound positive mitzvot, as men are traditionally in Jewish law, then you should understand that it is applying across all of your life.” In 2014, another Conservative halachic authority, Rabbi Pamela Barmash, took things a step further, finding that since the status of women had become equal to men over time, women now are “equally obligated to observe the mitzvot,” Adelson said. For Shayna, wearing tefillin is a statement of parity between the sexes. “I’m big on gender equality and I believe all genders should be treated the same,” she said. “That’s why we did this. And I believe I will be wrapping tefillin every service through school.” PJC

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

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Headlines Russia’s chief rabbi dismayed at rise of anti-Semitism in America — LOCAL — By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

here is tragic irony in the fact that as anti-Semitism in the United States is on the rise, Russian Jews are feeling more secure than they have in decades, according to Rabbi Berel Lazar, Russia’s chief rabbi. In Pittsburgh earlier this month to visit family, Lazar said he felt “shocked” that the murderous anti-Semitic attack of Oct. 27 occurred in Pittsburgh, the town where he was married. Lazar’s wife, Chanie, is a native Pittsburgher, and her sister, Blumi Rosenfeld, is assistant dean of Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh. “Looking back at Pittsburgh when I got married here, I’m thinking this was the place where such a thing took place, and it is really quite disturbing and shocking,” said Lazar, an Italian-born Chabad rabbi who became a Russian citizen in 2000. If the massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue building had been the only recent incident of anti-Semitism in the United States, “I would say it is very sad, terrible, and wonder why Pittsburgh of all places was picked as the place,” he continued. “But sadly, I heard since I landed that there has been a case where some people were arrested in Toledo, Ohio, planning to attack a synagogue, and I just

heard there was an incident that just happened where Jews were attacked in New York, so this is really I must say, quite disturbing.” It’s a bit “strange,” Lazar Berel Lazar said, coming from Russia, Photo courtesy of Wikicommons “where we have a history of so much anti-Semitism, to think it’s more secure there than it is here.” He senses that something has changed in the United States. “The United States was the safest place for the Jews, and that’s where people felt the most comfortable and the most protected,” Lazar said. “To hear and see this kind of news, it’s very, very disturbing.” In the last 10 or 15 years, “there hasn’t been any kind of serious anti-Semitic attack” in Russia, according to Lazar, whose role as the country’s chief rabbi includes his representation of the Jewish community to the government. He acknowledged Russia’s anti-Semitic past, and that “every once in a while we do hear views, or somebody might say something anti-Semitic.” Generally speaking, however, “it is much safer to be a Jew in Russia than probably anywhere in Europe. And to say there are more anti-Semitic attacks in America than in Russia is really something unexpected.” The decline of overt anti-Semitism in Russia, he opined, “trickles down from

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“When people know they can write whatever they want on the internet — the hatred — and finding an outlet for their feelings, that’s where the danger really starts,” he said. “I think there is, in general today in Russia, surely a lot more control about what’s on the internet,” he continued. “Freedom of speech is something good, but freedom doesn’t mean you have the right to do whatever you want. It’s not a jungle where anybody acts the way they want. There has to be some rules and regulations, and I think because of this liberalism and the attitude that everything is allowed, and everything is OK — so we can express feelings in also such a negative way — this is something that has repercussions.” Following the Oct. 27 murders at the Tree of Life synagogue building, the Russian Jewish community held an event in support of Jewish Pittsburgh. “The American ambassador participated, and different government Russian officials,” Lazar said. “And it was really strange to think how much American Jewry has done for Russian Jewry in the past — taken care of all the issues, the refuseniks, everything that was going on in the Soviet Union. And today, to think we are sitting in Russia and showing our support to an American Jewish community, I must say it is strange.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

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the top, and really a lot depends on the leadership.” Lazar is widely reported to have a good working relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who, he said, “has done a lot to show his support to the Jewish community.” That support includes the Russian president participating in Jewish events, allowing the building of a Jewish museum in Moscow, and rebuilding synagogues that were confiscated during the Communist regime. It is the Russian reaction to anti-Semitism that has led to its decline, Lazar said. “There could be anti-Semitic incidents anywhere in the world, anything could happen anywhere, and [anti-Semitism] could come back any time, any place,” he admitted. “But the real question is, how does the government and the ones in charge react?” While there has been a “new wave” of anti-Semitism in Europe, he said, “those governments are not stepping up and doing something about it.” But in Russia, people who commit anti-Semitic attacks are harshly punished. Even those accused of “small” acts of anti-Semitism “are actually brought to trial,” which “sends a message that there is zero tolerance for any kind of antiSemitism,” Lazar said. He sees social media as a negative contributing factor to anti-Semitic sentiment and actions.

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Headlines Federation campaign kickoff calls for community unity and increased security — LOCAL — By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

he Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s community campaign kickoff at the August Wilson Center was a celebration of empathy, highlighting the Jewish community’s recovery — and the work still be to done — less than two months after the murder of 11 Jews at the Tree of Life synagogue building in Squirrel Hill. Surrounded by artwork, jewelry and gifts sent from distant communities, supporters of the Federation studied examples of the letters, quilts, photos and cards delivered in the aftermath of the Oct. 27 attack, the worst anti-Semitic attack in the history of the United States. The materials, which will be preserved at the Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives, revealed “a beautiful outpouring of love and support from everyone,” said Scott Leib, attending with his wife, Cindy Goodman-Leib, of Squirrel Hill. Earlier in the evening, Leib, and his wife, were among several individuals who recorded testimonies with the “Saturday Light Brigade,” a public radio program. Seated in a quieter setting in the center,

participants reflected on their connections to Pittsburgh’s Jewish community and relationship to the events of Oct. 27. Collected recordings, like the displayed materials, will be preserved at the Rauh. Leib said he appreciated the opportunity to share his story, as well as the Dec. 18 program. Moments later, inside the auditorium, guests were welcomed by performances from Chris Jamison, a Pittsburgh singer-songwriter who appeared on NBC’s reality series “The Voice,” and Joe Wodarek and Mike Ofca, members of the local band The Stickers. Meryl Ainsman, Federation’s board chair, saluted “our partners in this community,” and asked for a moment of silence in memory of the 11 victims murdered in the Tree of Life attack. In a video recording, Jeff Solomon, a New York resident who grew up in Pittsburgh, related his connection to the Steel City and a call for moving forward. Brad Orsini, Federation’s director of Jewish community security, April Artz, a mental health consultant who works with Jewish Family and Community Services and the three Jewish day schools, Jordan Golin, JFCS’ president and CEO, and Brian

Schreiber, Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh’s president and CEO, took the stage and related their roles in response to the tragedy. Because of the security training that Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers had completed soon before the attack, he happened to have been carrying a cell phone with him to services that morning and was among the first to call 9-11, noted Orsini. “I know the training Brad p A couple embraced at the event as they provided saved lives,” said watched a video in which Fred Rogers talked Jeffrey Finkelstein, Federation’s about community togetherness. Photo by David Bachman president and CEO. Looking ahead, the community’s needs will There is a benefit to “just coming together increase; accordingly, the annual campaign as one and enjoying each other’s company in will focus on providing safety and security to a difficult time,” echoed her husband, Jeffrey. Jewish Pittsburgh, said Finkelstein. Similarly comforting was the advice of If ever there was a time to increase a Joseph, a 5-year-old student at O’Hara contribution to the campaign, “now is that Elementary School, who on an orange time,” he stressed. “The campaign sustained piece of construction paper had scrawled us in our darkest time and the campaign will a message in black marker: “The thing sustain us in the future.” that makes me feel better when I am sad is As attendees exited the venue, Laura listening to “Eye of the Tiger.” PJC Parker, an event co-chair, said it was “nice Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ to reconnect” with so many members ReSound Rechargeable FIN_Eartique 11/12/18 pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. 9:42 AM Page 1 ofJCthe community.

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Headlines Mayor Peduto visits Poland, tours Auschwitz â&#x20AC;&#x201D; LOCAL â&#x20AC;&#x201D; By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

ittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto recently returned from Katowice, Poland, where he represented mayors from the United States at COP24, the United Nationsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; conference on climate change, but apart from delivering several speeches and meeting with Tom Steyer, the American philanthropist and environmentalist, Peduto used his time in Poland to visit sacred sites and reflect on the Pittsburgh tragedy of Oct. 27. On Sunday, Dec. 9, Peduto attended mass at St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basilica, a 14th-century Roman Catholic church in Krakow. He also visited the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jewish Community Center. Back in Pittsburgh, on Dec. 18, Peduto described a resonant portion of his time abroad. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had reached out to the JCC in downtown Krakow before visiting to see if I could have an opportunity to meet and possibly visit Auschwitz,â&#x20AC;? explained the mayor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They introduced me to a professor from the city and we went and spent the entire afternoon at Auschwitz.â&#x20AC;? Traveling to Auschwitz was important for several reasons, he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Number one, I wanted to be able to experience all of it. Years ago I used to take

p Mayor Bill Peduto, right, met with officials at the JCC in Krakow, Poland.

Photo courtesy of Dan Gilman

Pittsburgh Public Schools kids down to the Holocaust Museum with ZOA. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d volunteer chaperone every year and we would take a group on a bus. Being able to see the Holocaust Museum is one thing, being actually on that sacred ground is something very different.â&#x20AC;? The stop afforded another purpose as well.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wanted to recognize what has been now the greatest active crime against the Jewish people in the United States history and at least be able to say a prayer for the 11 people that died at Tree of Life,â&#x20AC;? he said. Peduto said he was able to do so near the International Monument to the Victims of Fascism in Birkenau.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a place toward the end where Soviets built a memorial in languages from around the world, where there was an opportunity to reflect and I did.â&#x20AC;? Between 1941 and 1945, more than 1.1 million people (including nearly 1 million Jews) were killed at the Auschwitz camp complex, according to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Processing the logistics of that figure while standing on site was challenging, said the mayor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had been to Theresienstadt back in 2001 and I had an idea what the concentration camps were like, but the death camps are something completely different,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are designed to be very large and when you think about the amount of time humans had to take to build and design it, and to think through it and to engineer it, it leaves you very hollow.â&#x20AC;? Shortly after the visit, Peduto was asked by Chief of Staff Dan Gilman about seeing Auschwitz. Nearly a week after returning home, little more makes sense, said Peduto. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I still donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think I have the words to say what it was like because the magnitude is so great, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to comprehend it,â&#x20AC;? he said.â&#x20AC;&#x201A; PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Calendar

q SATURDAY, JAN. 12 The Global Intergenerational Initiative for Grandparents and Grandchildren will hold an information session at Rodef Shalom Congregation. The G2 program is a yearlong Jewish journey for grandparents and their preteen grandchildren to connect, explore and strengthen their relationship with each other, Israel and the Jewish people. The program begins Sunday, Feb. 10. Contact Debbie Swartz for details about the information session and program at dswartz@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5208. >> 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 WEDNESDAY, JAN. 2 Nar-Anon and NA meetings are every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Beth El Congregation, 1900 Cochran Road. Enter through the administration office doors. All are welcome. q THURSDAY, JAN. 3 Chabad of the South Hills will host Torah & Tea: A Study Group for Women with speaker psychologist Sharon Saul on “Tips to Authentic Happiness” at 7:30 p.m. at 1701 McFarland Road. There is no charge. RSVP to batya@chabadsh.com or 412-344-2424 or visit chabadsh.com for more information. q SUNDAY, JAN. 6 Shalom Pittsburgh will hold a family meet-up to have coffee and a bagel 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. Register at shalompittsburgh.org/ events/shalom-pittsburgh-family-meet. Community Day School and PJ Library Pittsburgh invite the community with children (ages 2-5) at 10 a.m. in the CDS Annex for a PJ Library Tu B’Shevat story, snack and an opportunity to build inventions with recycled materials. There is no charge. Visit comday.org/pjinventiontime for more information. q MONDAY, JAN. 7 Beth El Congregation will host its First Mondays monthly lunch program with Rabbi Alex Greenbaum from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring a showing and discussion of the

q FRIDAY, JAN. 11

q WEDNESDAY, JAN. 16

Rabbi Don Rossoff, Temple Emanuel of South Hill’s interim rabbi, will lead a Downtown Lunch & Learn from noon to 1 p.m. at Reed Smith, 225 Fifth Ave., Suite 1200. The program is free and open to the community. Bring your own lunch and enjoy an hour of lively conversation on current events. RSVP to skaiser@reedsmith. com. There is no charge. Contact Temple’s office at 412-279-7600 or templeemanuel@ templeemanuelpgh.org for more information.

Congregation Beth Shalom’s Derekh Speaker Series will present Elisha Waldman at 7:30 p.m., made available through the Jewish Book Council. Waldman’s book is “This Narrow Space,” a memoir by an American pediatric oncologist who spent seven years in Jerusalem treating children of all faiths who had been diagnosed with cancer. There will be a book sale and author signing at the end.

Pittsburgh’s Jewish Young Adults will hold a Game Night Potluck Shabbat. There will be fun games, good times and don’t forget about the wine and challah. Register at shalompittsburgh.org/events/game-nightpotluck-shabbat. q SATURDAY, JAN. 12

film “The Sturgeon Queens: The story of Russ and Daughters.” Lunch is deli-themed and includes popcorn. Visit bethelcong.org for more information. Call 412-561-1168 to make a reservation. There is a $6 charge.

Lubavitch Center and Yeshiva Schools Annual Melava Malka celebrating the community and honoring Chaya Engle and Officer Dan Mead will be held at 8 p.m. in the Congregation Beth Shalom Ballroom. The charge is $36 per person or $180 sponsorship (includes two tickets). Visit yeshivaschools. com/melavamalka for more information.

q DEADLINE MONDAY, JAN. 7

q SUNDAY, JAN. 13

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s 2019-2020 Wechsler Fellowship: Building Pittsburgh’s Next Jewish Leaders is now accepting nominations. Nominate one or more outstanding individuals from your organization, synagogue, community or social networks. Ideal candidates are between the ages of 22 and 45, who are passionate, innovative and inspired to lead our Jewish community into the future.

Sisterhood Movie Night sponsored by the Women of Rodef Shalom will be at 7:30 p.m. in Levy Hall. “Green Fields,” a masterpiece of the Yiddish Cinema of the 1930s starring Hershel Bernardi and Helen Beverly, will be shown. The film is a Yiddish folktale of that period that has been remastered and has clear English subtitles. The film is open to the community. Refreshments will follow the film. There is no charge. Visit rodefshalom.org for more information.

q MONDAY, JAN. 21 Community Day School will be in session for Martin Luther King Jr. Day for the fourth consecutive year as the school takes on the themes of race in America and honors the life and legacy of King. The day will begin at 8 a.m. with special morning tefillah (prayers) and a concert featuring The Afro-Semitic Experience, an ethnic world music group merging Jewish and Afro-diasporic melodies and groove to combine the core concepts of àse and shalom power, action, unity and peace. Free and open to the community, but RSVPs are required at comday.org/MLK. Post-concert linger for an opportunity to learn as the students do. q SUNDAY, JAN. 27 Temple Emanuel of South Hills’ Bereavement Support group will meet at 1250 Bower Hill Road at 10 a.m., led by Jamie Del, MS, NCC, LPC and Naomi Pittle, LCSW. The group is open to previously and newly bereaved adults. Contact Temple’s office at 412-279-7600 or templeemanuel@ templeemanuelpgh.org for more information. PJC

q TUESDAY, JAN. 8 Congregation Beth Shalom will hold a Lunch and Learn at noon at 535 Smithfield St., and Tuesday, Jan. 15 at noon at Congregation Beth Shalom. Ever wonder why you don’t have to park three blocks away from a Conservative synagogue on Shabbat? Or whether your rabbi can marry a gay couple? The Rabbinical Assembly’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has been reviewing contemporary halachic issues for the Conservative movement for more than 90 years, and has a long-standing tradition of issuing thoughtful, sensitive responsa to the challenges of keeping Jewish law in today’s world. Learn about these teshuvot. There is no charge. Visit tinyurl.com/ LunchLearnJan2019 for more information. q THURSDAY, JAN. 10 Chabad of Squirrel Hill will present SoulStir, an uplifting dance experience for women from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at 1700 Beechwood Boulevard. There is a $10 charge. Visit chabadpgh.com/dance for more information.

q SATURDAY, JAN. 26 Community Day School presents Jammin’ In The Jungle: A Safari Adventure at 7:30 p.m. at Nova Place, 100 S. Commons on the North Side, in support and celebration of the school and to honor Community Leadership Award winners Lester and Barbara Parker and Volunteer of the Year Derek Smith at the 2019 CDS gala fundraiser. The event will feature a silent auction, raffle prizes, food and dancing to the jungle beats of DJ Sosa. RSVP at comday.org/gala or contact Jenny Jones at jjones@comday.org for questions or ticket information. Safari festive attire is welcome, with dietary laws observed.

www.pittsburghjewishchronicle.org 6 DECEMBER 28, 2018

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Headlines In wake of attacks, settlers ratchet up pressure on Netanyahu government — WORLD — By Sam Sokol | JTA

ERUSALEM — Hundreds of Israeli settlers, mostly high school students, took to the streets last week, heeding a call by leaders of the settlement movement to protest outside of the weekly Cabinet meeting at the prime minister’s office in Jerusalem. Waving placards bearing the slogan “We’ve finished being quiet because we are fed up to death,” the settlers vented their rage at the government after a wave of terror attacks rocked the capital and West Bank over the past week, wounding more than 10 and leaving three dead. The violence and the settlers’ rage is ratcheting up the pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, which is simultaneously pro-settler but wary of inflaming an already tense situation. Likely responding to that pressure, both among the populace and within his own coalition, Netanyahu announced on Sunday that he had ordered the acceleration of the demolition of terrorists’ homes and revoked work permits for their clans.

“I have directed that the status of thousands of homes in settlements in Judea and Samaria be legalized, that two new industrial zones be established near Avnei Hefetz and Betar Ilit respectively, and that 82 new residential units be approved in Ofra. There will be other steps,” he said. Meanwhile, the Ministerial Committee for Legislation voted to advance a bill to legalize dozens of West Bank settlements, and settlers set up mobile homes at the previously evacuated Amona outpost. But the protesters are demanding more: a more aggressive military response, much wider settlement construction and even the dismantlement of the Palestinian Authority. “We demand Abu Mazen’s head,” bellowed right-wing Likud MK Oren Hazan, referring to P.A. President Mahmoud Abbas. “For every dead soldier we will spill the blood of 1,000 terrorists.” “Death to the terrorists!” the crowd chanted in response. The recent incidents include two drive-by shootings at bus stops outside of the Ofra and Givat Asaf settlements, a car ramming near Ramallah, the stabbing of two police officers in the Old City and the knifing of a soldier guarding Beit El. In response, the leaders of several local councils in the West Bank called for a

municipal strike, shutting down schools and encouraging residents to flock to the capital to demand harsh action against the Palestinians. “It’s important not to be quiet anymore,” said Hananel Dorani, who chairs Yesha, the umbrella body for West Bank settlements, in an interview. “We can’t be free from terror until we strengthen the checkpoints. We need a war on terror to break their [will]. We need to build more settlements. That’s the real solution.” Speaking at the rally, Samaria Settlers’ Committee chairman Tzachi Dickstein called for the reestablishment of Unit 101, a disbanded IDF unit that carried out crossborder retaliatory raids during the mid-20th century in response to Arab fedayeen attacks on Israeli civilians. “The IDF needs to avenge our dead. We need the death penalty for terrorists and to expel their families,” Dickstein said. Demanding that Israel also disband the Palestinian Authority, Dickstein too was met with loud calls of “death to the terrorists.” The “Zionist answer” to terrorism, he called out, was “building more settlements.” Nine separate members of Netanyahu’s Cabinet came out to address the demonstration and express their solidarity with its goals, in effect protesting against themselves

as the framers of Israeli government policy. Several members of the Cabinet, including Tourism Minister Yariv Levin and Science Minister Ofir Akunis, echoed the settler leaders’ call for increased construction in the territories, with Akunus calling for a “war on barbaric terror” and denying “animalistic men coming from Ramallah.” He said it was critical to destroy the houses of terrorists and to expel their families as a deterrent to others. In a barely veiled dig at Israel’s judiciary, long a bugbear of Israel’s right, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, head of the national-religious Jewish Home party, told the settlers that Israel was fighting terror with its “hands tied behind our back because of fake law and fake morality.” Stating that Netanyahu had expressed opposition to expelling the families of terrorists, Bennett, who has repeatedly challenged Netanyahu’s decision to keep the defense portfolio for himself, said that this time “we are not backing down.” Not everyone agreed with the tenor of the rhetoric, however. Naftali Sand, a resident of Ofra, said that many Arabs in the West Bank were perfectly civil but that it was important Please see Settlers, page 17

Customer Appreciation Weekend! Friday-Sunday, December 28, 29 and 30 We would like to thank all of our customers and friends for 13 great years in Squirrel Hill by celebrating with specials at 2005 prices on sandwiches and deli meats, plus special coupons for our Smallman Street Deli location in the Strip District. All the same great quality food and catering will continue at our original Strip District location which is in its 19th year.

Located at 1912 Murray Avenue • 412-421-3354 2840 Smallman Street • Free parking • 412-434-5800 We hope to see all of our friends as we celebrate our last weekend in Squirrel Hill! PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

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DECEMBER 28, 2018 7

Headlines â&#x20AC;&#x201D; WORLD â&#x20AC;&#x201D; From JTA reports

Israel joins UN critics of Russiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;occupationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of Crimea Israel voted in favor of a U.N. resolution condemning Russiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s occupation of Ukraineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crimean peninsula. The General Assembly vote last week demonstrated how Israel has gradually abandoned its neutrality on the Crimea issue amid a deterioration in relations with Russia. The resolution calls on Russia to withdraw armed forces from what the signers call â&#x20AC;&#x153;temporarily occupiedâ&#x20AC;? Crimea. It also condemns the growing military presence of Russia in the Black and Azov Seas and obstruction of navigation. Israel, the United States as well as all E.U. and NATO member states were among 66 countries that supported the resolution. Nineteen countries voted against the documentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adoption and 72 abstained, according to the Ukrinform news agency. Israel, whose representatives were absent during a 2014 General Assembly vote on the Russian takeover of Crimea, has since voted several times in favor of U.N. resolutions condemning Russia over the matter. Russia has consistently supported U.N. resolutions that were very critical of Israel. Setbacks in bilateral ties include following the downing earlier this year in Syria of a

Russian plane. Syrian anti-aircraft missiles destroyed the plane minutes after Israeli bombers carried out a mission in Syria. Russia blamed Israel for the incident, though Israeli officials rejected the allegation. Pink Floyd tribute band backs down â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and its shows are back on â&#x20AC;&#x201D; after cancelling gigs in Israel A Pink Floyd cover band announced that its upcoming Israel tour is back on after cancelling due to pressure from BDS advocate Roger Waters, co-founder of the original Pink Floyd. Last week, UK Pink Floyd Experience cancelled its early January shows in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Beersheba, hours after Waters posted a letter calling on the group to honor the Israel boycott. By two days later it had made an about face, posting a statement on its website that it was â&#x20AC;&#x153;obliged to fulfill our contractual obligationâ&#x20AC;? and would â&#x20AC;&#x153;perform a one-off special concert together with Israeli Pink Floyd Tribute Band â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Echoes.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? The band said that it had decided to accept the invitation to play in Israel without wishing to involve itself in politics. In the statement, its members regret â&#x20AC;&#x153;the upset caused by all of this, it was far from our intention to stir up all this anger and hatred, when the opposite was what was intended. In hindsight, it was very naive to think our motives would not be misunderstood and misrepresented.â&#x20AC;? Waters wrote in a Facebook post: â&#x20AC;&#x153;To sing

SAFEGUARDING YOUR PRESENT & FUTURE

my songs in front of segregated audiences in Israel, and contribute to the cultural whitewashing of the racist and apartheid government of that country, would be an act of unconscionable malice and disrespect.â&#x20AC;? Waters announced in another Facebook post that the cover band had decided to cancel their Israel gigs and thanked the band members for their â&#x20AC;&#x153;prompt response.â&#x20AC;? He called on other Pink Floyd tribute bands to refrain from performing in Israel. Supporters of Israel then flooded the bandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Facebook page with angry posts, leading UK Pink Floyd Experience to take down its Facebook page. Lest week, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, in a rare news release, called on sponsors of concerts being given by Waters in Mexico and several South American countries to withdraw their sponsorship, citing the â&#x20AC;&#x153;hostile, bigoted, and anti-Semitic comments made by Mr. Waters on numerous occasions.â&#x20AC;? It also called on elected officials in those countries â&#x20AC;&#x153;to make clear their rejection of his offensive and inciteful [sic] comments.â&#x20AC;? Son of Chicago Jewish federationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top exec will be his successor Chicagoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jewish federation has chosen the son of its current top executive to be his successor. Lonnie Nasatir has been named

This week in Israeli history â&#x20AC;&#x201D; WORLD â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

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president-elect of the Jewish United Fund/ Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, the fundraising umbrella announced Wednesday. He will succeed Steven B. Nasatir, his father and the longtime JUF/ Federation president. Lonnie Nasatir, who will take over the role on July 1, 2019, has served as the AntiDefamation Leagueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Regional Director of the Greater Chicago/Upper Midwest area since 2005. He is a former prosecutor and served in various state government posts before joining the ADL. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are absolutely delighted with the stellar qualifications Lonnie brings to this role,â&#x20AC;? said Michael H. Zaransky, immediate past chairman of the federation and chair of its search committee, in a statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With an exceptional track record as a community leader, Lonnie will bring extraordinary vision, energy and commitment to bear in leading this Federation and our Chicago Jewish community.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We interviewed dozens of exceptional candidates, and were thrilled with the caliber of leadership represented,â&#x20AC;? said Lester Crown, a leading local philanthropist and member of the search committee. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lonnie was simply the best of the best.â&#x20AC;? The federation has distributed nearly $7 billion to charitable causes since Steven Nasatir, the longest-serving CEO of any Jewish federation, took the job in 1979. According to Bloomberg, it is the largest social service agency in Illinois.â&#x20AC;&#x201A; PJC

of the votes, keeping Prime Minister Golda Meir in power.

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

Jan. 1, 1837 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Earthquake devastates Safed

Dec. 28, 1917 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Storrs named Jerusalem gov.

Ronald Storrs, a veteran of the British Foreign Service in Egypt and the British campaign against the Ottoman Turks in World War I, is named the military governor of Jerusalem by Gen. Edmund Allenby.

A massive earthquake that starts a landslide kills thousands and causes extensive damage in the Jewish and Arab sections of the Upper Galilee mountain city of Safed (Tzfat). Almost all the Jewish quarter and the synagogues are destroyed.

Dec. 29, 1901 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; JNF founded

Jan. 2, 2002 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Operation targets Gaza arms

The Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Israel) is launched after an impassioned speech from Theodor Herzl inspires the Fifth Zionist Congress to approve the idea on a 105-82 vote.

Dec. 30, 1990 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Weizman fired over PLO talks

Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir boots Science Minister Ezer Weizman out of the Cabinet after accusing him of meeting with a senior PLO official in Europe in 1989 and corresponding with PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat through an intermediary.

Dec. 31, 1973 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Elections held for 8th Knesset Israel holds elections for the eighth Knesset, and the Alignment wins 39.6 percent

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Israeli navy commandos take off from Eilat in helicopters at night to intercept the Karine-A, a ship carrying 50 tons of Iranian weapons from Yemen to Gaza via the Red Sea. The commandos seize the shipment before dawn Jan. 3 without firing a shot. The Palestinian Authority purchased the arms.

Jan. 3, 1919 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Faisal-Weizmann agreement

Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann and Emir Faisal, son of Sharif Husayn of Mecca, sign an agreement pledging mutual respect and cooperation between Arabs and Jews in the Middle East. At the suggestion of the British, the two men first met in Aqaba in the spring of 1918, then crafted their accord after a second meeting in London in December 1918.â&#x20AC;&#x201A; PJC

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Organization Directory ADATH JESHURUN CEMETERY Office: 217 East Patty Lane Monroeville, Pennsylvania 15146 Phone: 412-508-0817 Website: adathjeshuruncemeterypgh.org Email: office@adathjeshuruncemeterypgh.org

President, Barbara Scheinberg; Vice President, Ted Heyman; Secretary, Gail Schmitt; Treasurer, Marty Elikan; William Berkowitz, Allan Dalfen, Paul Herman, Beverly Kalson, Earl Kaiserman, Sandy Goppman, Lou Kushner, Alan Sable, Stuart Neft; Susan Cohen, Office Administrator. •••

ADAT SHALOM B’NAI ISRAEL/BETH JACOB A welcoming and inclusive synagogue serving the Fox Chapel & North Hills community

368 Guys Run Road (Fox Chapel Area) Cheswick, PA 15024-9463 Phone: 412-820-7000 Website: adatshalompgh.org

Amy Himmel, Pres.; Laurie Singer, 1st V.P.; Marshall Dayan, 2nd V.P.; Jim Grenen, Treasurer; Michele Fryncko, Rec. Secy.; David Lazear, Asst. Rec. Secy.; DeDe Fink, Jodi Lindner, Amy Perilstein Sisterhood Co-Presidents; Yaier Lehrer, Rabbi; Jill S. Rook, Exec.; Sierra Lautman, Religious School Director; Casey Schapira, Preschool Director. •••

AHAVATH ACHIM CONGREGATION The Carnegie Shul

Website: thecarnegieshul.org Email: mrmike7777@yahoo.com

Lawrence Block, Pres; Richard D’Loss, 1st; V.P.; Paul Spivak, 2nd V.P.; Elaine Rosenfield, Secy.; Joel Roteman, Treas.; Rosalyn Hoffman, Michael Roteman, Marcia Steinberger, Irwin Norvitch, and Wendy Panizzi, Board of Directors.

Lindsay Migdal, Regional Director: KMR BBYO ••• CONGREGATION BET TIKVAH A welcoming, queer-centric, independent minyan.

P.O. Box 10140 Pittsburgh, PA 15232 Hotline: 412-256-8317 Website: bettikvah.org Email: info@bettikvah.org

•••

BETH EL CONGREGATION OF THE SOUTH HILLS 1900 Cochran Road Pittsburgh, PA 15220 Phone: 412-561-1168; Fax: 412-561-0499 Website: bethelcong.org Email: steve@bethelcong.org

Alex Greenbaum, Rabbi; Amy Greenbaum, Assoc. Rabbi; Steve Hecht, Exec. Dir.; Rabbi Amy Greenbaum, Edu. Dir.; Warren Sufrin, Pres.; Susie Seletz, Exec. V.P.; Judy Balk, Admin. V.P.; Francine Rosenthal, Ed. V.P.; David Sirota, Fin. V.P.; Geri Recht, Fundraising V.P.; Judi Kline, Membership V.P.; Stacey Reibach, Volunteerism V.P.; Beth Pomerantz, Fin. Secy.; Neal Ash, Asst. Fin. Secy.; Bill Spatz, Treas.; Cindy Platto, Asst. Treas.; Karen Balk, Rec. Secy.; Lynda Abraham Braff, Sisterhood Pres.; Jeremy Broverman, Steven Haberman Men’s Club Co- Pres.; Jacqueline Radin, Kadima Dir.; Marisa Deutsch, USY Dir. •••

BETH HAMEDRASH HAGODOL/ BETH JACOB SYNAGOGUE Visit us Downtown. All are welcome.

810 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Phone: 412-471-4443

AIPAC — THE AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Phone: 410-223-4190 Website: aipac.org Email: myaffe@aipac.org

Michael Yaffe, AIPAC Pittsburgh Director.

•••

ALEPH INSTITUTE — NORTH EAST REGION Hyman & Martha Rogal Center

5804 Beacon St. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-421-0111; Fax: 412-521-5948 Website: alephne.org Email: rabbivogel@alephne.org, info@alephne.org

Rabbi Moishe Mayir Vogel, Exec. Dir.; Marty Davis, Chairman of the Board; Eytan Rosenthal CPA, Treasurer, Ahmie Baum, Estelle Comay Esq., Charles Saul Esq., Jon Pushinsky Esq., Charles Perlow Esq., Neil Notkin, & Jim Leiber Esq. Board members. •••

AMERICAN TECHNION SOCIETY Advancing Innovation for Israel and the World

6735 Telegraph Road, Suite 304 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 Phone: 248-593-6760 Website: ats.org Email: joey@ats.org

Joey Selesny, Regional Director East Central Region. •••

BBYO KEYSTONE MOUNTAIN REGION (KMR) c/o JCC South Hills 345 Kane Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15243 Phone: 412-945-7145 Website: bbyo.org/region/keystone Email: lmigdal@bbyo.org

BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION 265 North Ave. Washington, PA 15301 Phone: 724-225-7080 Website: mybethisrael.org Email: office@bethisraelsynagogue.com

Facebook: facebook.com/bethisraelsynagogue President, The Hon. Gary Gilman; Vice President, Marc Simon; Treasurer, David S. Posner, Esq.; Secretary, Marilyn Posner; Immediate Past President, Richard S. Pataki, M.D.: Rabbi, David C. Novitsky, Esq. Board of Directors: Richard Littman; Stephen Richman, Esq.; Debbie Sekel; Dana J. Shiller, Beth Tully, Fred Weber. •••

BETH SAMUEL JEWISH CENTER A warm and diverse Jewish community serving the needs of Western Allegheny, Beaver and Butler counties.

810 Kennedy Drive Ambridge, PA 15003 Phone: 724-266-5238 Website: bethsamuel.org Email: bethsamueloffice@comcast.net

Cantor Rena Shapiro, Spiritual Leader; Barbara Wilson, Director; William Snider, Pres.; Lauren McLeod, V.P.; Karen Beaudway, Past Pres.; Nicole Homich, Secy.; Sara Braun & Dan Weisberg, co-Fin. V.P.; Sharon Camhi, Trustee 1; Jerry DeSena, Trustee 2.

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Morgantown, WV 26501 Phone: 304-599-1515 Website: JewishWV.org

5915 Beacon St. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-421-2288; Fax: 412-421-5923 Website: bethshalompgh.org Email: office@bethshalompgh.org

Rabbi Zalman and Hindy Gurevitz, Co-Directors.

Seth Adelson, Rabbi; Debby Firestone, Pres.; Alan Kopolow, Joe Jolson, Arlene Shapiro, V.P.s; Mitch Dernis, Treas.; Steven P. Albert, Secy; David Horvitz, Immed. Past Pres.; Hazzan Rob Menes, Executive Director; Dan Eisner, Interim Dir. of JJEP; Hilary Huelsmann, Dir. ELC; Marissa Tait, Youth Program Dir.; Rabbi Jeremy Markiz, Dir. of Derekh & Youth Tefillah; Dale Caprara, Controller; Judy Kayam, Bookkeeper; Lonnie Wolf, Cemetery Dir.; Audrey Glickman, Rabbi’s Assistant; Rabbi Mark N. Staitman, Rabbinic Scholar; Ira Frank, Men’s Club Pres.; Judy Kornblith Kobell, Sisterhood Pres.; Michelle Vines, Events Coordinator; Anthony Colaizzi, Communications & Design Mgr.; Mimi Maizlech, Receptionist; John Williams, Maintenance Supervisor. •••

CONGREGATION B’NAI ABRAHAM A warm, caring, inclusive community.

519 N. Main St. Butler, PA 16001 Phone: 724-287-5806 Website: congbnaiabraham.org Email: congbnaiabraham@zoominternet.net

Cantor Michal Gray-Schaffer, Spiritual Leader; Eric Levin, President; Christine Hood, V. P.; Shirley Grossman, Sec.; Roberta Gallagher, Religious School Director; Emily Csonka, Youth Group Leader. •••

Stanley J. Savage, Rabbi; Ira Michael Frank, Pres.; Sherman Weinstein, 1st V.P.; Lee Oleinick, 2nd V.P.; Joe Goldston, Secy; Brian Cynamon, Treas.; Stephen A. Neustein, Esq.; Assist. Treas.; Arlene Neustein, Sisterhood Pres.

•••

CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM Enriching lives through community, lifelong Jewish learning and spiritual growth!

B’NAI EMUNOH CHABAD 4315 Murray Ave. Pittsburgh PA 15217 Phone: 412-521-1477 Website: bechabad.org Email: bechabad@gmail.com

Elchonon Friedman, Rabbi; Yehuda Cowen, Pres.; Shalom Leeds, VP & Gabbi; Chanani Saks, Treas.; Ivan Engel, Rec. Secy.; Joel Pirchesky, Past Pres. •••

CHABAD OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY

5120 Beeler St. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-772-8505; Fax: 877-286-1434 Website: chabadofcmu.com Email: Rabbi@chabadofcmu.com

Rabbi Shlomo and Chani Silverman, Co-Directors. •••

CHABAD HOUSE ON CAMPUS Serving the needs of the Jewish college community.

Phone: 412-683-7770; Fax: 412-681-7770 Website: chabadpgh.org Email: home@chabadpgh.org

Rabbi Shmuel, Sara Weinstein, Co-Directors. Rabbi Shua, Shoshana Hoexter, Co-Program Directors. •••

••• CHABAD OF THE SOUTH HILLS Bringing the Joy and Relevance of Judaism to the South Hills.

1701 McFarland Road Pittsburgh, PA 15216 Website: chabadsh.com Email: rabbi@chabadsh.com Phone: 412-344-2424; 412-512-3046

Rabbi Mendel & Batya Rosenblum, Co-Directors; Mrs. Mussie Rosenblum, Event Coordinator; Mrs. Barb Segel, Development Coordinator. •••

CHABAD OF SQUIRREL HILL 1700 Beechwood Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-421-3561 Website: chabadpgh.com

Rabbi Yisroel and Chani Altein. •••

CLASSROOMS WITHOUT BORDERS Open Minds. Open Hearts. Providing Holocaust and Israel Education for teachers from all frameworks.

P.O. Box 60144 Pittsburgh, PA 15211 Phone: 412-915-9182 Website: classroomswithoutborders.org Email: tgur@classroomswithoutborders.org, melissa@classroomswithoutborders.org

Dr. Zipora (Tsipy) Gur, Executive Director; Melissa Haviv, Assistant Director; Justin Kahanov Vellucci, Communications Manager; Jamie Campbell, Wheeling Program Coordinator; Robin Monroe, Administrative Assistant; Board of Directors: Robert Glimcher, Chair; Lisa Allen; Michael Bernstein; Estelle Comay; Laura Penrod Kronk; Robert Mallet; Victor Mizrahi; Alex Paul; Charles S. Perlow; Louis B. Plung; Debbie Resnick; James Rudolph; Hilary S. Tyson. •••

COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL 6424 Forward Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-521-1100; Fax: 412-521-4511 Website: comday.org

Avi Baran Munro, Head of School; Bari Weinberger, CFO; Tzippy Mazer, Head of Lower School and Hebrew/Jewish Studies; Mark Minkus, Head of Intermediate School and Middle School; Sarah Glascom Morris and Andrea Erven-Victoria, Co-Directors of Early Childhood Education; Sarah DeWitt, Admission Dir.; Jenny Jones, Institutional Advancement and Donor Relations Dir.; Jordan Hoover, Technology and Strategic Initiatives Dir.; Jennifer Bails, Marketing and Communications Dir.; Debbie Resnick, Pres.; Stuart Kaplan, Immed. Past Pres.; Derek Smith, Executive Vice President; Eva Gelman, Vice President; Jean Reznick, Treas.; Evan Indianer, Secy. •••

CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF MONROEVILLE

CONGREGATION DOR HADASH Pittsburgh’s Reconstructionist Congregation

2715 Mosside Blvd. Monroeville, PA 15146 Website: JewishMonroeville.com Email: Chabad@JewishMonroeville.com

5898 Wilkins Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-422-5158 Website: dorhadash.net

Rabbi Mendy Co-Directors.

President, Ellen Surloff; VP of Ritual, Judy Yanowitz; VP of Administration, Paul Needle; Secretary, Beth Silver; Treasurer, Jim Silver;

and

•••

Esther

Schapiro,

ROHR CHABAD JEWISH CENTER WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY 424 Brockway Ave.

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Please see Organizations, page 10

DECEMBER 28, 2018 9

Organization Directory Organizations: Continued from page 9

Adult Education, Deborah Prise; VP of Youth Education, Wendy Kobee; Life Events, Dan Leger; Social Action, Kerry Ban; Social Events, Judy Grumet and Ellen Berne; Membership, Janey Zeilinger; Programming, Jean Clickner and Roz Becker; Member-at-Large, Dana Kellerman; KOL Editor, Stan Angrist; Principal, Dor Hadash Religious School, Hal Grinberg; Lay Cantor, Cheryl Klein. •••

CONGREGATION EMANU-EL ISRAEL To support Judaism and the welfare of our community

222 North Main St. Greensburg, PA 15601 Phone: 724-834-0560 Website: ceigreensburg.org Email: office@cei-greensburg.org

Stacy L. Petersohn, Rabbi; Sara Rae Perman, Rabbi Emeritus; Richard Virshup, Pres. & Admin.; Gary Moidel, 1st V.P.; Dan Reiter, 2nd V.P.; Julie Goldstein, Treas.; Virginia Lieberman, Secy.; Marion Slone, Sisterhood Pres. & Fundraising; Richard Virshup, Men’s Club Pres.; Robert Halden, Archives; Irene Rothschild, Caring; Shoshana Halden, Edu.; Esther Glasser, Endowment; Shirley Shpargel, Library; Robert Slone, Long-Range Planning; Irene Rothschild Membership; Richard Virshup, Physical Properties; Shoshana Halden, Ritual Practices; Terri Katzman & Mary Ellen Kane, Social Action; Dan Reiter, Mitch Goldstein & Zach Virshup, I.T. •••

FORWARD SHADY APARTMENTS Owned by Forward Housing Corporation and managed by the award-winning SeniorCare Network, this 117-unit supportive senior housing community offers efficiency, one and two bedroom apartments in a convenient location along Forward Avenue in Squirrel Hill.

5841 Forward Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-521-3065 Fax: 412-521-6413 Email: forwardshady@srcare.org

John Spear, Pres.; Donna Kruman, V.P.; Terry Lerman, Treas. •••

THE FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE OF PITTSBURGH Building inclusive community for those with special needs, one friendship at a time.

1922 Murray Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-224-4440 Website: fcpgh.org Email: info@fcpgh.org

Rabbi Mordy Rudolph, Exec. Dir.; Rivkee Rudolph, Dir.; Dr. Laura Marshak, Prof. Advisor; Sara Cato, Director of Operations; Ann Grandinetti, Development Assoc.; Leighann Calamera, Development Assoc.; Hayli Firtell, Volunteer Coord.; Julia Averbach, Member Coord.; Adina Waren, Dir. of Programs; Gila Zimbovsky, Office Manager; Paige Eddy, Friends on the Town Program Coordinator; Alexa Dines, Program Coordinator; Emily Vogt, Friends on the Town Program Associate; Esty Weiss, Reception; Cara Paolicelli, Core Fellow; Board of Dir.’s: Dr. Tracy Levy, Chair of the Board; Amy Spear, V. Chair; Dorothy Pollon, Secretary; Alan Gordon, Treas.; Michael Bernstein, David Goldberg, Ina Gumberg, Lee Hurwitz, Kathy Klein, Mollie Hanna Lang, Aaron Morgenstern, Natalie Moritz, Andrew Rabin, Geri Cohen Recht, Steve Silverman, Cindy Vayonis. 10 DECEMBER 28, 2018

GEMILAS CHESED CONGREGATION 1400 Summit St. White Oak, PA 15131 Phone: 412-678-8859; Fax: 412-678-8850 Website: gemilaschesed.org Email: gemilaschesed@gmail.com

HOLOCAUST CENTER OF PITTSBURGH 826 Hazelwood Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-421-1500 Email: info@hcpgh.org Website: hcofpgh.org

Rabbi Moshe Russell, Interim Rabbi; Gershon Guttman, Pres.; vice president Larry Perl; Bruce Gelman, secretary; Richard Bollinger, Treas.; Gabbaim are Gershon Guttman and Alan Balsam.

Dr. Roy “Jake” Jacobson, Board Chair; Lauren Apter Bairnsfather, Director; Board Members: Dr. Barbara Burstin, Dr. Tim Crain, Marc Friedberg, Paul Guggenheimer, Lori Guttman, Dr. Rachel Kranson, Debra Levenson, Dr. Melissa Marks, Dr. Manuel Reich, Harry Schneider, Barbara Shapira, Benjamin Simon, Paula Spiro, David Sufrin, Hal Waldman, Roberta Weissburg, Dr. Yolanda Avram Willis.

•••

HADASSAH GREATER PITTSBURGH 1824 Murray Ave., Suite 202 Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-421-8919 Website: hadassah.org/pittsburgh Email: pittsburgh@hadassah.org

Rochelle Parker, Nancy Shuman, Freda Spiegel, presidium; Barbara Scheinberg, past president; Sharyn Stein, VP Membership; Kathleen Belskey, VP Programming; Christina Zern, VP Fundraising; Emily Levine, VP Education; Marcia Weiss, VP Advocacy; Judith Kadosh, Recording Secretary; Esther Schwartz, Corresponding Secretary; Nancy Glynn, Treasurer; Francine Surloff, Exec. Dir. •••

HEBREW FREE LOAN ASSOCIATION 4307 Murray Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-422-8868 Website: hflapgh.org

Shelley Daniels, Pres.; Nancy Israel, 1st V.P.; Jesse Hirshman, 2nd V.P.; Laurie Moritz, Treas./Secy.; Ellen Clancy, Dir. of Operations; Aviva Lubowsky, Dir. of Marketing & Development. •••

HILLEL ACADEMY 5685 Beacon St. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-521-8131; Fax: 412-521-5150

Daniel Kraut, Esq., CEO; Rabbi Sam Weinberg, Principal & Ed. Dir.; Ella Ziff, Dir. of Student Services; Elky Langer, Assistant Principal K-4; Rabbi Oren Levy, Assistant Principal K-4; Yikara Levari, Assistant Principal 5th- 12th-grade girls; Rabbi Yisroel Smith, Assistant Principal Boys High School; Kira Sunshine, Dir. of Admissions; Ruth Pohuly, Early Childhood Dir.; Sarah Hartman, Fin. Mgr.; Selma Aronson, Exec. Admin. to the CEO. •••

THE EDWARD AND ROSE BERMAN HILLEL JEWISH UNIVERSITY CENTER The Mildred and Joseph Stern Building

4607 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Phone: 412-621-8875; Fax: 412-621-8861 Website: hilleljuc.org Email: info@hilleljuc.org

Daniel Marcus, Exec. Dir. & CEO; Robyn Markowitz Lawler, Assist. Dir.; Jennifer Poller, Dir. of Development; Lori Ferguson, Development Coordinator; Danielle Kranjec, Senior Jewish Educator; Rachel Cohen, Director of Operations; Risa Fruchter, Janet L. Swanson Dir. of Jewish Student Life at the University of Pittsburgh; Alex Zissman, Dir. of Jewish Student Life at Carnegie Mellon University; Matthew Callman, IACT Israel Engagement Coordinator; Andrey Kogan, Israel Fellow; Ariel Walovitch, Springboard Innovation Fellow; Michael Warshafsky, Board Co-Chair; Matthew Weinstein, Board Co-Chair; Aaron Leaman, V. Chair Fin.; Mitchell Letwin, V. Chair Development; Gina Levine, V. Chair Jewish Student Life; David Levine, V. Chair Strategic Planning Committee; Katie Whitlatch, Immed. Past Chair.

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER PITTSBURGH Nurturing People, Connecting Community, Each Day, Through Every Age, Inspired By Jewish Values

•••

ISRAEL BONDS 6507 Wilkins Ave., Suite 101 Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-362-5154; 1-800-362-2669 Email: Pittsburgh@israelbonds.com

James S. Ruttenberg, Chair of the Board; William S. Goodman, Carole S. Katz, Scott E. Seewald, Hilary S. Tyson, V. Chairs; Samuel W. Braver, Treas.; Audrey Russo, Asst. Treas.; Lori B. Shure, Secy.; Joshua M. Farber, Asst. Secy.; Marc Brown, Immed. Past Chair; Brian Schreiber, Pres. & CEO. •••

Julian Elbling, Campaign Chair; Marian Ungar Davis, Advisory Council Chair, Ellen Teri Kaplan Goldstein, Women’s Division Chair; Adrienne Indianer, Registered Representative; Patty Minto, Office Manager; Harold F. Marcus, Executive Director.

JEWISH FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES (JFCS) Supporting people through life’s changes and challenges

5743 Bartlett St. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-422-7200; Fax: 412-422-1162 Website: jfcspgh.org

Matthew A. Keller, MD, Board Chair; Howard S. Berger, David R. Lassman, Jillian F. Sacks, Esq., Vice Chairs; Eric J. Perelman, Treasurer; Scott I. Americus, Secretary; Carol Robinson, At-Large; Jordan Golin, Psy.D., President & CEO.

•••

ISRAEL HERITAGE ROOM University of Pittsburgh

Susie Rosenberg Phone: 412-298-6698 Website: pitt.edu/~natrooms Email: Susan.b.rosenberg@gmail.com

Susan Binstock Rosenberg, Chair; Ruth Gelman, Eileen Lane, Dr. Alex Orbach, Judith Robinson, Dr. Adam Shear, Marcia Weiss, Vice Chairs; Ruth Gelman, Treas.; Dr. Nancy Glynn, Corr. & Fin. Secy.; Sylvia Busis, Nancy L. Shuman, Hon. Chairs. •••

JEWISH ASSISTANCE FUND P.O. Box 8197 Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-521-3237 Website: jewishassistancefund.org Email: Info@JewishAssistanceFund.org

Skip Grinberg, President; Joyce Berman, VP; Sylvia Elias, VP; Gean Goldfarb, VP; Todd Rosenfeld, VP; Roberta Letwin, Secretary; Ellen Primis, Secretary; Harvey Wolsh, Treasurer; Sharon Weisberg, Assistant Treasurer; David Maretsky, Past President; Cindy Goodman-Leib, Executive Director. •••

JEWISH ASSOCIATION ON AGING 200 JHF Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-420-4000; Fax: 412-521-0932 Website: jaapgh.org

•••

JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER PITTSBURGH 2000 Technology Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Phone: 412-681-8000 Website: jfedpgh.org

Meryl K. Ainsman, Board Chair; Charles Porter, David D. Sufrin, Scott E. Tobe, Vice Chairs; Jan Levinson, Treasurer; Dr. Susan G. Berman Kress, Assistant Treasurer; Chuck Perlow, Secretary; Linda Joshowitz, Assistant Secretary; Jeffrey H. Finkelstein, President & CEO. •••

JEWISH NATIONAL FUND Administrative Center/Mailing Address 60 Revere Drive Suite 725 Northbrook, IL 60062 Phone: 412-521-3200 Website: jnf.org

Steven H. Schwartz, President. Amy Cohen, Director. •••

JEWISH RESIDENTIAL SERVICES From disabilities to possibilities

Andrew Stewart, Board Chair; Lynette Lederman, V. Chair, Mike Levin, Treas.; John Katz, Sec; Mitchell Pakler, Immed. Past Chair; Deborah Winn-Horvitz, Pres. & CEO. •••

JEWISH CEMETERY & BURIAL ASSOCIATION OF GREATER PITTSBURGH P.O. Box 81863 Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-553-6469 Website: jcbapgh.org Email: jcbapgh@gmail.com

Gregory Engel, President; Rochelle Sufrin, Vice President; Stanley Kirshenbaum, Treasurer; Natalie Rosenbloom Secretary; Harvey Wolsh, Historian; Jonathan Schachter Executive Director.

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Squirrel Hill: 5738 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-521-8010; Fax: 412-521-7044 South Hills: 345 Kane Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15243 Phone: 412-278-1975; Fax: 412-446-0146 Website: JCCPGH.org

4905 Fifth Ave., Suite #3 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Phone: 412-325-0039 (administrative office) Fax: 412-621-4260 Website: jrspgh.org Email: info@jrspgh.org

Nancy E. Gale, Executive Dir.; Paula Pagnotta, Off. Mgr.; Audra Thomas, Dir. of Residential Support Servs.; Marty Brown, Prgrm. Coord. of Residential Support Serv., Zara Sayles, Clubhouse Prgrm. Supervisor; Alison Karabin, Donor and Community Relations Director, Project Manager, Young Adults in Transition; Judy Greenwald Cohen, President.; Gerri Lynn Sperling, President Elect; Ellen Berne, Vice President Gary Dubin, Vice President; Edward Frim; Vice President; Lorrie Rabin, Secretary; Paul K. Rudoy, Treasurer.

Please see Organizations, page 15

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Life & Culture Bible Museum through an expert’s eyes — TRAVEL — By Jared Foretek | Special to the Chronicle

ASHINGTON — In some ways, the Museum of the Bible is a dramatic scene change for Rena Opert. She’s spent much of her working life in decidedly Jewish spaces — most recently overseeing the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s travelling exhibits. Before that, she worked at the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago. So for her to go to work managing temporary exhibits at the museum founded and chaired by evangelical Steve Green, the former president of Hobby Lobby, might surprise some. She says it’s right up her alley. “Even I was surprised the first time I came here. I think people have a lot of assumptions about what this place is and I think often they’ll come and realize that they’re wrong,” says Opert, who is Jewish. “For me, it’s the perfect intersection of all my different interests. Working in a museum, working with both Jewish and non-Jewish artifacts that can bring together a cross-cultural dialogue.” Opert, 39, began working at the museum almost four months ago, and she said her first order of business has been simply get to know what’s in the building, which boasts more than 4,000 artifacts and 430,000 square feet of exhibit space. But once acclimated, she’ll be responsible for overseeing the museum’s temporary exhibits and plotting out, years in advance, what it will put on display. She’ll also assist in a comprehensive review of the museum’s permanent artifacts, researching where they come from and who might have a cultural claim to them. It’s a controversy that has already fallen the museum, which opened a year ago. In May, the museum returned 3,800 Iraqi artifacts for which the U.S. Department of Justice said Hobby Lobby hadn’t done

p A museum visitor looks at a sculpture of the Bible in the children’s section.

enough to verify proper cultural provenance. And last month, the museum took down five fragments of what it said were parts of the Dead Sea Scrolls after a team of German researchers determined they were forgeries. Opert previously co-taught a class about cultural property issues at George Washington University, where she got her

graduate degree in museum studies. So the Bible Museum position offered yet another way to work in her area of interest. “It was an opportunity for me to work hands on with the problem that I teach about, and to help the museum not only work through it but also become a model for how to deal with these problems,” Opert says. “The museum has taken upon itself a very rigorous course of research where they’re researching every single item in our collection and trying to be as transparent as possible.” A native of Massachusetts, Opert is also hoping to make the museum as inviting as possible to a wide array of visitors, not just Christians, through its exhibits. Despite its ownership, the museum has no religious agenda, she says. Instead, those working in its offices are serious academics. With the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Opert is working on a joint exhibit about a “slave bible” published in the 1800s. It was used to teach West Indian slaves to read, but it left out Exodus and other passages about hope and freedom while emphasizing obedience. “It tells a really difficult story,” Opert says. “But we want to tell those stories. The Bible can be used for good and it can be misused. There are big questions to ask oneself when dealing with it.” And in March, the museum plans to open an exhibit of medieval European Haggadot which Opert says are not only p Rena Opert is the temporary exhibits director at the Museum of the Bible. Photo by Jared Foretek remarkable artifacts in their own right, but PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

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File photo

give snapshots of the Jewish communities from which they came. The museum, according to Opert, isn’t simply trying to check off boxes. “I’m not going, ‘OK, this is the Jewish exhibit,” she says. It already features permanent exhibits on the Hebrew Bible and other religiously Jewish artifacts. But certainly, it has some work to do if it’s to overcome a perception of evangelizing. In a review of its opening, the Forward’s Gordon Haber wrote that its message to non-Christians was clear. “Despite the sincere attempts at inclusion, the museum functions as a message for non-Christians, and it’s our best interests to be aware of it,” Haber wrote. “The Museum of the Bible is telling us unbaptized that, whether it’s American or Israel or ‘Nazareth,’ it’s their world, and we just live in it.” Opert is undoubtedly aware of the perception, and says that as the museum staff grows, higher-ups are emphasizing diversity. And according to Opert, the work will ultimately speak for itself. “The people I work with are serious academics,” she says. “The goal here of this museum is to create a place where everyone will come and learn something, ask questions and be provoked. It does not have a religious agenda. Regardless of whatever the founders may have started with, that is not what it’s translated into for the people who work here.” PJC Jared Foretek writes for the Washington Jewish Week, an affiliated publication of the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. DECEMBER 28, 2018 11

Opinion Bennett’s irresponsible attack — EDITORIAL —

ur hearts go out to our Israeli brothers and sisters who, in addition to living in an official state of war with the wider Arab world since before the country’s founding in 1948, are again dealing with death from terrorism. For the past several weeks, Palestinian gunmen have targeted passing Israeli motorists and pedestrians at junctions in Judea and Samaria, with lethal results. The dead have included two haredi Orthodox servicemen, who were waiting at a bus stop, and a newborn baby who succumbed a few days after being delivered by emergency Caesarean section when his 30-weeks pregnant mother was shot and critically injured in one of the attacks. Anyone who doesn’t sympathize with the plight of these souls and their mourning families is simply cold-hearted. So it’s completely understandable for parts of Israel’s targeted settler movement — which has, with the encouragement of the Israeli government, been building and living on the West Bank since 1967 — to have exploded in rage last week. Protesters took to the

p Naftali Bennett speaks at a conference in Jerusalem in 2015.

Photo by Miriam Alster /Flash90

streets outside the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem, screaming “death to the terrorists” and expressing anger at the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who they feel has not adequately responded to the security threat. Their demonstration has been joined by some rightwing politicians. “We demand Abu Mazen’s head,” said Oren Hazan, a Knesset member from Netanyahu’s Likud party, referring to Palestinian leader

Mahmoud Abbas. “For every dead soldier we will spill the blood of 1,000 terrorists.” For a lawmaker who panders to his supporter base, such bellicosity, even if a bit over the top, is understandable. But it is an entirely different thing, and wholly unacceptable, for an Israeli senior Cabinet member, like Education Minister Naftali Bennett of the Jewish Home party, to succumb to that extremist pandering and then to turn it into

an attack on an Israeli democratic institution. In what was seen as a direct attack on Israel’s judiciary, which has served as a check against some of the right-wing government’s legislative excesses, Bennett told protesters that in its fight against terrorists, the Jewish state had its “hands tied behind our back because of fake law and fake morality.” Those are Trumpian fighting words, which threaten to undermine the law abiding and orderly society that has become modern day Israel. Courts don’t develop “fake laws;” they interpret and enforce the law. Bennett’s effort to blame terrorism and loss of Israeli lives on an independent judiciary is dangerous and offensive, and needs to stop. During the American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin observed: “Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” That admonition remains true today. An independent judiciary is a hallmark of Western governance and a principled society. While we join in mourning the loss of Israel’s innocents, Bennett’s reckless blame of the judiciary for those deaths is simply irresponsible. PJC

Despite UN vote, Palestinian terror is still a losing strategy Guest Columnist Jonathan Tobin

he U.N. General Assembly narrowly defeated a resolution this month that would have condemned Hamas for its terror campaign against Israel. Three days later, a Palestinian gunman opened fire on a group of Jews waiting at a bus stop near the West Bank Jewish community of Ofra and wounded seven people, including a pregnant woman whose life and baby were endangered by the assault. (The baby died last week.) Taken together, the two events painted a dismal picture of international indifference to terror directed at Israelis and Jews. After the vote on Hamas failed, the U.N. General Assembly then passed a resolution condemning Israeli settlements by a 156-5 vote with only Israel, the United States, Australia, Liberia and the Marshall Islands voting against it. Both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, which opposed the measure aimed at the bitter rivals of P.A. leader Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah Party, declared victory. Hamas then endorsed the shooting attack. And should the culprit for the drive-by shooting be found, the supposedly moderate P.A., which sits in the United Nations with non-member observer status, will pay them and their family regular pensions to reward them for the shedding of Jewish blood. But rather than regard these events as proof that Israel’s critics are right about time running out before outrage over its policies

12 DECEMBER 28, 2018

would lead to its complete isolation, the truth is just the opposite. The vote actually illustrated that the world is losing patience with the Palestinians. It wasn’t long ago that neither the United States nor Israel would have bothered trying to pass anything that condemned Palestinian terror. Yet 87 nations voted to condemn both Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli cities and towns, as well as its use of civilian infrastructure to mask its ability to commit such war crimes. It was only because of a last-minute vote to require a two-thirds majority for passage that it failed. But a majority of nations still voted yes, with 57 voting no and 33 abstentions. So while outlets like The New York Times tried to depict the result as a defeat for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley before she leaves her office at the end of the year, the numbers actually ought to trouble Palestinian leaders and their exploited followers. Despite the pro-forma support for the Palestinians in such settings, most of the world has lost interest in their century-old war on Zionism. Part of the credit for this shift must be given to the both Haley and the Trump administration. A year ago, Haley vowed that in the future, the United States would be noticing which nations opposed Washington on key votes, saying she would be “taking names.” Trump made it clear that he would consider cutting U.S. aid to those who flouted American objectives while taking its money. To some extent, that was a hollow threat. But Haley’s successful combination of tough rhetoric and private diplomacy paid dividends, and the 87 votes against Hamas

shows it isn’t impossible for America to make progress at the world body long known for its anti-Israel measures. It also demonstrates that despite predictions that U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem would further isolate America and Israel, the opposite has happened. Yet Abbas and Hamas also know that even many of those Arab nations that voted with them at the United Nations are content to go on paying lip service to the Palestinians in New York, while dealing with and supporting Israel in private. Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and many other Sunni nations have to keep voting against Israel in such forums because to do otherwise would spark outrage among their largely anti-Semitic populations. But in practice, these same governments look to Israel as a strategic ally against both Iran and radical Islamic movements like ISIS, Hezbollah and Hamas. Those nations are perfectly happy to isolate the terrorist state in Gaza that is blockaded by both Israel and Egypt. They also fear an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank might soon be ruled by Islamists who pose as much of a threat to Cairo, Amman and Riyadh as it would to Jerusalem. Were the entire Muslim world truly united in their support for the Palestinians, it wouldn’t be possible for Israel to make new friends in Africa and Asia, or to continue to integrate into the global economy as it has done in recent years. Were the Palestinians serious about peace, this might not be the case. But though American left-wingers who back BDS are willfully ignorant of the last 25 years of

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

history, most of the world knows that it is the Palestinians who have repeatedly rejected peace and who cling to terrorism. While many thought the anomalous and unpleasant status quo in the West Bank couldn’t last, it continues because of incidents like the latest terror attack and the periodic rocket barrages from Gaza. Israelis understand that neither Abbas nor Hamas is capable of making peace. Every rocket launched and every drop of Jewish blood spilled merely reinforces support for the Israeli government’s refusal to make more territorial concessions until the Palestinians demonstrate they have given up their long war and the brutal terror it engenders. It’s painfully obvious that the Trump peace plan crafted by his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner — slated to be released in 2019 — will get nowhere because the Palestinians are, as they were when they rejected previous peace proposals, simply incapable of recognizing the legitimacy of a Jewish state. Few, even in the Muslim world, will care much after that leaves the Palestinians stuck in the same ideological dead end where they’ve allowed themselves to remain for 70 years. The make-believe world of the United Nations may sometimes yield symbolic results that cheer Israel’s enemies. In the meantime, Israel will continue to grow stronger, militarily, economically and diplomatically, and its isolation will continue to ease. If Hamas thinks that’s a victory, I’d like to see what they call a defeat. PJC Jonathan S. Tobin is editor in chief of JNS — Jewish News Syndicate.

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Opinion Saying goodbye to Kutz Camp, Reform Judaism’s ‘forever home’ Guest Columnist Lisa Tzur

his is a story of gratitude. So much gratitude. In 1983, my local rabbi handed me his guitar and taught me four chords. He said (paraphrasing the first century sage Hillel) “Lisa, with these four chords you can play any Jewish song. All the rest is commentary. Go and learn it.” Months later I left the familiarity of our synagogue and traveled to Warwick, N.Y., to craft my song-leading skills at the URJ Kutz Camp, the high school leadership training center of the Union for Reform Judaism. That was a transformative summer. Surrounded by teenagers who were excited and enthusiastic to create sacred community and deepen their individual Jewish identities, I connected with peers from all over North America. Every day was a blessing, bringing new intellectual challenges, opportunities for meaningful conversations and hours spent with my music cohort, learning and creating contemporary Jewish music. It was then that I solidified my desire to become a rabbi, so greatly influenced by the caring, compassionate, learned souls that gently led us through our summer experience. I returned to Kutz as a musician and a counselor. In the years that followed, I worked as program director, dance leader and yoga instructor. I even worked full-time

for the URJ, recruiting participants from our sister organization in England. I was so profoundly impacted by Kutz that I felt personally responsible to share that experience with as many young Jews as possible. That commitment has been lifelong; as an adult I was honored to serve as the chair of the camp committee, seeking ways to deepen our program and increase alumni engagement. I have observed that every person who enters camp comes with their own unique experience, and I am proud that we have helped these young adults navigate the most challenging situations. Some come in search of intensive Jewish learning, and we are proud to be a place where we wrestle with text to find their meaning in the modern world. Some struggle with their gender identities and sexual orientations; some deal with death and divorce in their families; and some even express thoughts of hurting themselves. I pray that each one of them eventually understands that we are all struggling. Together as a community we fiercely support one other, and try to bring peace and healing to every shattered soul. As a community, we are committed to exploring Judaism in all its beauty. We grapple with tradition, especially when we find it incompatible with our modern-day lives. We pray a lot. We learn. We sing. And there is a tremendous amount of joy that permeates the camp, every day — especially on Shabbat. We are passionate about experimentation, exploration, pushing the boundaries, always searching for the sweet spot between modernity and tradition. We demand creativity from our faculty and staff. We are

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a community of participators, a constant work in progress. And we grow from our failures, learning from our mishaps, picking ourselves up, and trying again and again. Our accomplished alumni are talented journalists, actors, sportscasters, news producers, executives of well-beloved national corporations, political lobbyists, movie producers, musicians, doctors, lawyers, social workers, educators. We have a strong cadre of alumni who have made their home in Israel. We also have produced “just a few” Jewish professionals along the way, many of whom are adamant that their summer spent in the Kutz leadership program set the trajectory for pursuing work in the Jewish community. I am one of those grateful, grateful rabbis. I am also immeasurably saddened, as are the myriad Kutz alumni and supporters, that those gates of 46 Bowen Road are closing after an era of 54 incredible years. The URJ announced this week that next summer’s session will be the last. While organizational change cannot be successfully accomplished by consensus, I wish that our story had a different ending. Yet as we have learned, all endings are an opportunity to begin anew, and I am hopeful that our story will continue in a different iteration. At the end of each summer, after the participants have returned to their homes, our staff sits around the perimeter of the pool in the chill of the evening. Our dearly loved camp director, Melissa Frey, offers everyone the opportunity to share their most magical moment from the summer. At the conclusion, Melissa teaches us that even though we gather intensively only once a

year at this physical location, our community is sacred each and every day, no matter where we are in the world. I am grateful that all three of my children are proud alumni of our program. I am grateful to have found countless teachers and many students who call me their teacher and their friend. I am grateful that unlike many who only were privileged to spend a single summer at Kutz, I have been honored to come back year after year to help shape the community. I am humbled every time I walk into the iconic main building. I am overwhelmed by the presence of divinity when I happen to chance upon a quiet, solitary moment in the Teyatron (our lakeside program/prayer space). And I feel the presence of God each and every time I engage in powerful conversation with teen or adult, knowing from my own experience that each moment is just another opportunity to influence and to be transformed. Last summer, in the middle of his Kutz experience, my son Ayal proclaimed, “Ima, I just want you to know that Kutz is my forever home.” How his words resonated with me at that moment. All the more so, on this day, I emphatically proclaim: Kutz is my beloved, and my forever home. PJC Lisa Silverstein Tzur is a graduate of Brandeis University and the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She is the immediate past chair of the URJ Kutz Camp and the executive director of Positive Jewish Living, championing a holistic approach to spiritual and physical wellness through a Jewish lens.

Letters to the editor via email: letters@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org Address & Fax: Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 5915 Beacon St., 5th Flr., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Fax 412-521-0154 Website address: pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

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DECEMBER 28, 2018 13

Headlines Asians:

could have been us.” Lien moved to Pittsburgh eight years ago and knew within one day of visiting the city that her family would be living in Squirrel Hill. “This is a neighborhood that knows each other, this is a neighborhood that takes the time to say hello,” she said. “I believe there is a respect for neighbors. We might not know each other but there’s a respect that goes beyond tolerance and I think that’s the backbone that makes Squirrel Hill great.”

Continued from page 1

‘A feeling of solidarity’

When Mike Chen first heard the news of the shooting at Tree of Life, his first instinct was to help. Chen, owner of Everyday Noodles in Squirrel Hill and a representative of the Pittsburgh Chinese Restaurant Association, was in Chicago at the time but immediately got on the phone, making plans to come back to Pittsburgh and calling his restaurant connections to start making food. In a matter of hours, members of the association were bringing dumplings, General Tso’s chicken and chicken with broccoli to the police station where officers had responded to the shooting and to the Jewish Community Center — which had become a makeshift triage center for law enforcement and security, people who had witnessed the shooting, people who needed a space to grieve and families who hadn’t yet heard news of their loved ones. “At least somebody had to do it,” Chen said, looking back on that day. “We’re just a small part, we do whatever we can do, that’s it.” Since then, Chen and the Pittsburgh Chinese Restaurant Association have raised more than $3,000 to help both the police officers who were at the scene and the victims

Waiting for a ‘copycat’

Khara Timsina, executive director of the Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh, said his organization also felt “an urgent need to jump into shepherding another community,” because of the support his community had p The window of a Chinese restaurant in Squirrel Hill displays its support to the received as they were settling Jewish community. Photo by Jim Busis into their lives in Pittsburgh. From providing help with and their families. executive director of the Squirrel Hill Urban housing, family support and education, Following the shooting, many of the Coalition, said. “If we shared in the fortune to offering support and condolences after Chinese restaurants and businesses of this neighborhood, as the Chinese saying the first suicide in the local Bhutanese along Forbes and Murray avenues goes, then we also share in the burden.” community, Timsina said Jewish Family and placed a letter in the windows of Many organizations who led fundraising Community Services in particular has gone their stores to show their support and efforts to “share in the burden” are still “way beyond what was required.” solidarity. The letter was printed in looking for the best way to help — waiting to To show their support, Timsina and leaders both Chinese and English to connect hear from people within the Jewish commu- of the Bhutanese Community Association of the two communities and make sure nity where that money could best be used Pittsburgh organized a candlelight vigil on the first Shabbat following the shooting to honor everyone was included, Chen said. and what else they need. The letter expressed gratitude to “Asians, for the most part, it is culturally the victims and recognize the first responders. the Jewish community for embracing that we don’t step forward and then demand About 300 people came to the event, which immigrants and helping them that you do what we want to help you,” Lien featured speeches from the mayors of Baldwin to thrive in Pittsburgh, whether said. “It’s more in line that we step back and and White Hall, the school district superintenthrough business or simply a friendly let you know that we’re here in any which dent and many faith leaders. “Everyone expressed that we needed and welcoming face. way you want us to be. it,” Timsina said. “Soon after the incident “They said, ‘We are successful “The Asian community, while we’re because of this kind of receiving very diverse, there is a great feeling of people started asking me ‘what can we do?’ from this community,’” Marian Lien, solidarity with you, because we know it Please see Asians, page 20

p A few of the cranes that Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania has made and strung for the 1,000 paper crane project in honor of the victims of the Tree of Life shooting.

Photo courtesy of Amy Boots

14 DECEMBER 28, 2018

p Rabbi Barbara Symons, second from left, joined the Hindu and Jain Alliance of Greater Pittsburgh for the Dec. 9 service demonstrating support for the Jewish community. Photo courtesy of Dr. Nangali Srinivasa

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

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Organization Directory Organizations: Continued from page 10 J STREET PITTSBURGH The home for pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans

Facebook: facebook.com/jstreetpittsburgh Email: pittsburgh@jstreet.org

Nancy Bernstein, Malke Frank, Co-Chairs. •••

JEWISH WOMEN’S CENTER OF PITTSBURGH P.O. Box 81924 Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-422-8044 Website: jwcpgh.org

Malke Frank, Pres., Mimi Reznik, Treas., Pat Cluss, Barbara Baumann, Laura Horowitz, Members-at-Large. •••

JEWISH WOMEN’S FOUNDATION OF GREATER PITTSBURGH The Jewish Women’s Foundation supports organizations that improve the lives of women and girls, with a focus on social change.

1620 Murray Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-727-1108; Fax: 412-681-8804 Website: jwfpgh.org Facebook.com/jwfpgh Email: jcohen@jwfpgh.org

Paula Garret, Lauren Goldblum and Joan Gurrentz, Co-Chairs; Elyse Eichner and Susan Leff, Small Grants Committee Co-Chairs; Paula Garret, Signature Grant Committee, Chair; Judy Greenwald Cohen, Exec. Dir. •••

JOINT JEWISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (J-JEP) Providing innovative learning experiences that inspire and prepare students to engage meaningfully in Jewish life

4905 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh PA 15213 Phone: 412-621-6566, ext. 116 Website: jjep.org Email: dan@jjep.org

Dan Eisner, Interim Director; Kate Kim, Assistant Director; Aaron Bisno, Rabbi; Sharyn Henry, Rabbi; Seth Adelson, Rabbi; Laura Swiss and Todd Roscoe, Co-Chairs. •••

KEHILLAH LA LA An inclusive community engaging members in creative Jewish experiences

Phone: 412-335-0298 Website: ravchuck.com Facebook: Kehillah La La Email: ravchuck@gmail.com, ravchuck@ yahoo.com

Chuck Diamond, Rabbi and Executive Director; Fred Davis, President; Bobbi Gerson, Treasurer; Mickie Diamond, Secretary. •••

KOLLEL JEWISH LEARNING CENTER 5808 Beacon St. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-420-0220; Fax: 412-420- 0224 Website: kollelpgh.org Email: info@kollelpgh.org

Rabbi Levi Langer, Rosh Kollel; Rabbi Doniel Schon, Associate Rosh Kollel; Philip Milch, Esq., President; Dr. Frank Lieberman, Vice President; Michael Kaminsky, Treasurer, Mark Sindler, Esq., Secretary; Rabbi Avrohom Rodkin, Director of Education; Stacie Stufflebeam, Director of Development.

Phone: 412-648-6106; Fax: 412-692-2682 Website: lhas.net

President, Carole L. Kamin; Vice Presidents: Jackie Dixon, Peggy Smyrnes-Williams, Heather Ziccarelli; Secretaries: Denise Shipe, Judy Woffington; Treasurer, Cindy Kacerik; Directors: Brittany Holzer, Linda Melada, Jill Nolan, Denise Pochan, Ruth Rubenstein, Marcia Weiss, Gayle Zacharia. •••

LUBAVITCH CENTER SYNAGOGUE Chabad of Western Pennsylvania

2100 Wightman St. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 (Corner of Hobart & Wightman streets) Phone: 412-422-7300

Rabbi Yisroel Rosenfeld, Mr. Charles Saul, Esq., Pres.; Rabbi Yisroel Altein, Chabad of Pittsburgh; Mrs. Chanie Rosenblum, Women’s Organization; Mr. Shmuel Creeger, Men’s Mikvah; Mr. & Mrs. Hirsh Dlinn, Hospitality; Shul Committee: Shmuel Huebner, Hirsch Dlinn, Lior Shkedi, Yosef Goldberg. •••

NA’AMAT USA Pittsburgh Council (formerly Pioneer Women) A voice for Women and Children in Israel. Committed to gender equality, religious pluralism, the status of women in and out of the home, the prevention of domestic violence and education

5898 Wilkins Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-521-5253; Fax: 412-521-5285 Website: naamatpgh.org • naamat.org Email: naamatpgh@gmail.com

Debbey Berger and Dorothy Greenfield, Co-Presidents; Barbra Bowman-Labbie, Fundraising VP; Judy Kobell, Treasurer; Natalie Rosenbloom & Rhoda Judd, Recording Secretary; Barbara Caplan & Elinor Young, Correspondence Secretary; Sibyl Treblow, American Affairs & Allied Activities VP; Debbi Berger, Gloria Elbling Gottlieb, Julian Elbling & Carole Wolsh, Spiritual Adoption/Scholarship Chair; Lisa Steindel, Past President; Jackie Braslawsce, Executive Director. •••

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN Pittsburgh Section

1620 Murray Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-421-6118; Fax: 412-421-1121 Website: ncjwpgh.org

President, Debbie Levy Green; VP Teddi Horvitz, VP Lynne Farber; Immediate Past President, Laurie Gottlieb; Cristina Ruggiero, Exec. Dir.; Becky Abrams, Director of the Center for Women (a joint project of NCJW and the JWF); Misi Bielich, Director of the Children’s Rooms in the Courts; Samantha Dye, Director of Development and Community Outreach; Meredith Brown, Manager of Programs and Operations; Lynn Tomasits, Director of Retail-Thriftique. •••

THE NEW COMMUNITY CHEVRA KADISHA of GREATER PITTSBURGH Phone: 412-422-8044 Email: NewCommunityCK@verizon.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ NCCKPGH/

•••

NEW LIGHT CONGREGATION/ OHR CHADASH Conservative, Egalitarian • Come Join Us

LADIES HOSPITAL AID SOCIETY 3459 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15213

5898 Wilkins Ave. Pittsburgh PA 15217 Phone: 412-421-1017

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Website: newlightcongregation.org

Jonathan Perlman, Rabbi; Barbara L. Caplan, Stephen Cohen, co-presidents; Marilyn Honigsberg, Administrative Assistant; Janet Cohen, Corresponding Secretary; Debbie Salvin, Membership V.P.; Barbara Caplan, Social V.P.; Harold Caplan, Treasurer; Carl Solomon, Fin. Secy.; Ileen Portnoy, Secy.; Sharyn Stein, Sisterhood Pres.; Harold Caplan, Men’s Club Pres. New Light Cemetery, 750 Soose Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15209, Chair: Myron Snider & Stephen Cohen. ••• PARKWAY JEWISH CENTER Egalitarian Conservative Synagogue in the East Suburbs

300 Princeton Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-823-4338; Fax: 412-823-4338 Website: parkwayjewishcenter.org Email: parkwayjc@verizon.net

Cantor Henry Shapiro, Spiritual Leader; Lynda Heyman, Hal Lederman and Bob Caplan, Executive Committee; Laurie Barnett Levine, Sisterhood Pres. •••

PASTE Pittsburgh Association of Synagogue and Temple Executives

Leslie Hoffman (Temple Emanuel), President; Drew Barkley (Temple Sinai); Joel Don Goldstein, FSA (Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha); Steve Hecht, FSA, Treasurer (Beth El); Rob Menes (Beth Shalom), Jill Rook, (Adat Shalom); Bill Stein (Rodef Shalom). •••

PENN STATE HILLEL 114-117 Pasquerilla Spiritual Center University Park, PA 16802 Phone: 814-863-3816 Email: Hillel@psu.edu Website: pennstatehillel.org

Executive Director: Aaron Kaufman; Chairman: Jill Epstein, Vice President, Wealth Management, Wealth Advisor, UBS; Vice Chairman: Dr. Rick Jacobs, Professor of Psychology, Penn State; Secretary: Cindy Ruben; Treasurer/Finance Chair: James Ultman, Professor Emeritus of Engineering, Penn State. •••

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE Connecting Jewish Pittsburgh

5915 Beacon St., 5th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15217-2005 Phone: 412-687-1000; Fax: 412-521-0154 Website: pittsburghjewishchronicle.org Email: newsdesk@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

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, Board Members; Jim Busis, CEO and Publisher; Joshua Runyan, Editor-in-Chief. •••

PLISKOVER ASSOCIATION, INC. Pliskov Landsleit org, manages Pliskover Cemetery

P.O. Box 8237 Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Website: pliskover.com Email: pliskover@pliskover.com

Kimball Rubin, President; Bruce Ibe, 1st Vice President; Pam Ludin, Vice President of Budgets, Investments, and Audits; Carole Rubenstein, Vice President of

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Marketing; Steven Speck, Vice President of Membership; Honey Forman, Vice President Scholarship and Special Events; Jared Kaufman, Treasurer; Cheryl Kaufman, Financial Secretary; Joel Dresbold, Recording Secretary. Anastasia Abramson, Marilyn Brody, Marshall Cohen, Cookie Danovitz, Andrew Pearl, Frank H. Rubin, Paula Rubin, Gloria Shapiro, Ruth Stock Zober, Board members. •••

CONGREGATION POALE ZEDECK 6318 Phillips Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-421-9786 Website: pzonline.org Email: info@pzonline.org

Rabbi Daniel Yolkut, Spiritual Leader; Dr. Louis Felder, President; Joe Ungar, 1st V.P.; Richard Levine, 2nd V.P.; Ben Pollack, 3rd V.P.; Rabbi Ari Goldberg, Fin. Officer; Shifra Poznanski, Rec. Secy.; Todd Stufflebeam, Executive Director; Shifra Poznanski, Stacie Stufflebeam & Naama Lazar, Sisterhood Presidents; Shmuel Isenberg, Men’s Club President. •••

RAUH JEWISH HISTORY PROGRAM & ARCHIVES AT THE SENATOR JOHN HEINZ HISTORY CENTER Preserving the History of the Jewish People in Western Pennsylvania

1212 Smallman St. Phone: 412-454-6406 Websites: heinzhistorycenter.org/collections/ rauh-jewish-history-program-and-archives; jewishfamilieshistory.org; jewishhistoryhhc.org Email: RJArchives@heinzhistorycenter.org

Eric Lidji, Director, eslidji@heinzhistorycenter.org; Adam Reinherz, Chair •••

RIVERVIEW TOWERS APARTMENTS Live Life Your Way

52 Garetta St. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-521-7876; Fax: 412-325-7041 Website: riverviewtowers.com

Bob Bernstein, President; Charles Broff, Carol Cozen, Alan Dunn, Maureen Kelly Busis, Robin Elson, Ray Engel, Dave Lassman, Mitchell Letwin, Sarita Mallinger, Earl Parker, Barry Roth, Alec Stone, Amy Weiss, Macy Kisilinsky, Corey O’Connor, Hanna Steiner, Executive Director. •••

RODEF SHALOM CONGREGATION An Inclusive Reform Jewish Community, LGBTQ+ Safe Zone, & Fully Accessible Gathering Place

4905 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Phone: 412-621-6566; Fax: 412-687-1977 Website: rodefshalom.org Email: info@rodefshalom.org

Aaron B. Bisno, Rabbi; Sharyn H. Henry Rabbi; Dr. Walter Jacob, Rabbi Emeritus & Senior Scholar; Barry D. Weisband, Exec. Dir.; Karen Brean, Pres.; David Kalson, Sr. V.P.; Alex Heit, Laura Swiss, V.P.s; Bob Rosenthal, Secy.; Joel Katz, Treas.; Peter Rosenfeld, Asst. Treas.; Mimsie Leyton, Family Center Dir.; Daniel Eisner, Interim Dir. of J-JEP. ••• RODEF SHALOM BROTHERHOOD

Thomas Litman, Pres.; Peter Rosenfeld, Edward Mandell, V.P.s; Richard Meritzer, Brotherhood Treas.; Al Rosenfeld, Brotherhood Rec. Secy.

Please see Organizations, page 16

DECEMBER 28, 2018 15

Organization Directory Organizations: Continued from page 15 WOMEN OF RODEF SHALOM

Teri Cowan, Pres.; Sandie Brand, Marjorie Goldfarb, Goldie Katz, Elaine Rybski V.P.s; Terri Sterrett, Rec. Secy.; Sheila Werner, Assist. Rec. Secy.; Phyllis Feinert, Corr. Secy.; Emmeline Silk, Assist. Corr. Secy.; Gail Lefkowitz, Treas.; Nancy Rosenthal, Assist. Treas.; Marilyn Caplan, Karen Hochberg, Marla Perlman, Ruth Rubenstein, Directors; Marion Damick, Parliamentarian. •••

SHAARE TORAH CONGREGATION At the gateway to the community — come visit or join our family

2319 Murray Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-421-8855; Fax: 412-521-9938 Rabbi: 412-377-1769 Website: ShaareTorah.net Email: Office@ShaareTorah.net Email Sisterhood: dorseyhannahb@aol.com

Daniel E.Wasserman, Rabbi; Eliezer M. Shusterman, Assoc. Rabbi; Jonathan Young, Pres.; V.P. Adam Rothschild; Secy. Linda Tashbook; Treasurer, Avram Avishai ; Brian Cynamon, Jay Luzer, Salomon Murciano and Bryan Shuman, Gabbaim; Sisterhood Pres., Hannah B. Dorsey. •••

TEMPLE B’NAI ISRAEL A Friendly Progressive Congregation with Traditional Values

2025 Cypress Drive White Oak, PA 15131 Phone: 412-678-6181; Fax: 412-896-6513 Website: tbiwhiteoak.org Email: tbioffice@gmail.com

President: Lindi Kendal; Vice President: Dick Leffel; Secretary: Janice Greenwald; Treasurer: Steve Klein; Office Manager: Lisa Schonberger; Rabbi: Paul Tuchman. •••

TEMPLE DAVID CONGREGATION Making our house of prayer, learning and gathering into your second home.

4415 Northern Pike Monroeville, PA 15146 Phone: 412-372-1200; Fax: 412-372-0485 Weiger Religious School 412-372-1206 Website: templedavid.org Email: tdoffice@templedavid.org

Barbara AB Symons, Rabbi; Jason Z. Edelstein, Rabbi Emeritus; Beverly Reinhardt, Office Mgr.; Rabbi Barbara Symons, Dir. of Education; Barbara Fisher, School Admin. Assist.; Kay Liss, Pres.; Reena Goldberg, Exec. V.P.; Harvey Wolfe, Fin. V.P.; Rachael Farber, Religious School V.P.; Bruce Antonoff, Worship & Ritual V.P.; Robert Bell, Past Pres.; Brett Pechersky, Comptroller; Richard Myerowitz, Rec. Secy.; Alisa Chotiner, Treas.; Mary Bendorf, Fin. Liaison. ••• TEMPLE EMANUEL OF SOUTH HILLS Emanu-El- “God is with Us” ... in our community ... in our families ... in our words and deed, hearts and souls

1250 Bower Hill Road Pittsburgh, PA 15243-1380

Phone: 412-279-7600 Website: templeemanuelpgh.org Facebook: facebook.com/templeemanuelpittsburgh Twitter: @TEPGH

Donald B. Rossoff, Interim Rabbi; Jessica Locketz, Rabbi and Director of Education; Iris Harlan, Early Childhood Development Center Director; Leslie Hoffman, Executive Director; David Weisberg, President; David Rullo, Vice President; Beth Schwartz, Vice President; Lisa Steinfeld, Vice President; Jeffrey Young, Vice President; David Hepps, Financial Secretary; Tracy Barnett, Treasurer; Jason A. Green, Treasurer; Mary Cothran, Secretary; Mark Joel Mahler, Rabbi Emeritus. •••

TEMPLE OHAV SHALOM A vibrant, inclusive Reform community in the North Hills

8400 Thompson Run Road Allison Park, PA 15101 Phone: 412-369-0900; Fax: 412-369-0699 Website: templeohavshalom.org Email: jleicht@templeohavshalom.org

Jeremy R. Weisblatt, Rabbi; Bonnie Valinsky, Preschool Dir.; Jackie Leicht, Temple Admin.; Sara Stock Mayo, Director of Ruach and Music; Arnie Begler, Pres.; Ellen Sapinkopf, Immediate Past President; Andi Turkheimer, EVP Member Services; Andy Bashe, Treas; Cindy Harrison, VP Fundraising; Steve Huber, VP Membership; Susan Loether, VP Lifelong Learning; Danielle West, VP Preschool; Alysia Knapp, Corresponding Secy.; Constance Mayer, VP Social Action, Rhea Marinstein, VP Spiritual Enrichment; Lenette Sostmann, VP Youth; Ian Halper, Rec. Secy.; Brian Kline, Member at Large; Rebecca Mason, Member at Large; Mike Daninhirsch, Men’s Club, Julia Cohen & Kristi Karsh, Women of Ohav Shalom. •••

TEMPLE SINAI 5505 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-421-9715; Fax: 412-421-8430 Website: templesinaipgh.org Email: office@templesinaipgh.org

James A. Gibson, Sr. Rabbi; Rabbi Keren Gorban, Associate Rabbi; Cantor Laura Berman, Cantor; Drew Barkley, Executive Dir.; Marilee Glick, Ed. Dir.; Philip Lehman, President; Saul Straussman, 1st Vice President; Alison Yazer, 2nd Vice President; Jerry Katz, 3rd Vice President; Arthur Goldberg, Treasurer; Marc Darling, Assistant Treasurer; Lynn Rubenson, Secretary; George Arnold, Financial Secretary; Immediate Past President: Nancy Gale. •••

TIPHERETH ISRAEL CEMETERY Oakwood Street Shaler Township, PA 15209 Send correspondence to: 2233 Ramsey Road Monroeville, PA 15146 Phone: 412-824-7460 Email: adamwgusky@yahoo.com

President, Harvey Wolsh; Vice President, Adam Gusky; Secretary & Treasurer, Judy Gusky. ••• TREE OF LIFE*OR L’SIMCHA CONGREGATION 5898 Wilkins Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15217-1299

Phone: 412-521-6788; Fax: 412-521-7846 Website: tolols.org Email: office@tolols.org

YOUNG ISRAEL of PITTSBURGH/ CONGREGATION SHAARE ZEDECK Orthodox

Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey S. Myers, Alvin K. Berkun, Rabbi Emeritus; Alex Speck, Program Director; Sam Schachner, President; Alan Hausman, Vice President; Carol Sikov Gross, Vice President; David Lilien, Treasurer; Ben Simon, Assistant Treasurer; Irwin Harris, Secretary; Michael Eisenberg, Immediate Past President.

5831 Bartlett St. Pittsburgh PA 15217 Phone: 412-421-0508 Email: halochoscope@hotmail.com

•••

TREE OF LIFE*OR L’SIMCHA MEN’S CLUB

Bob Fierstein, Co-President; David Lilien, Co-President/Treasurer; Michael Eisenberg, Harold Lessure, V.P.s; David Dinkin, Ritual Committee Chair; Irwin Harris, Immediate Past President. •••

TREE OF LIFE*OR L’SIMCHA SISTERHOOD

Kara Spodek, Co-President, Stacey Hausman, Co-President; Treasurer, Mary Dawn Edwards; Marlene Haus, Audrey Glickman, Rose Gerson, Committee. •••

TRI-STATE REGION FEDERATION OF JEWISH MEN’S CLUBS

Irwin Harris, President; Alex Kiderman, Executive Vice President; Robert Fierstein, David Lilien, Jeremy Broverman, Warren Sufrin, Vice Presidents; Mark Frisch, Secretary; Harold Lessure, Treasurer; Michael Rosenberg, Immediate Past President. Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers, Spiritual Advisor. •••

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AUXILIARY FOR EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE To help make a better life for those less fortunate.

Seidman;

Treas.,

•••

YOUNG JUDAEA WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA REGION Young Judaea is a Jewish Zionist Youth Movement operating year-round youth activities, volunteering and leadership development, summer camps for children and teens; programs to Israel for teens during the summer, Israel Gap year following high school and college programs.

Contact: Sharon Schoenfeld, Director of YearRound Programs Phone: 646-292-2388 Website: youngjudaea.org Email: pghyj@youngjudaea.org, info@youngjudaea.org

Youth Advisor: Chaim Steinberg; Committee: Sharon Ackerman, Barbara Baumann, Karen Morris. •••

YOUNG PEOPLES SYNAGOGUE 6404 Forbes Ave. P.O. Box 8141 Pittsburgh, PA 15217-8141 Phone: 412-421-3213 Website: yps-pgh.org Email: Rebecca.spiegel1@verizon.net

Rebecca Spiegel, President; Ted Stern, Treasurer; Vice President: Steven Santman; Bima Officers (3-month rotation): Rabbi Richard Marcovitz, Marc Pomerantz, Harold Scheinman, Alexander Orbach; Secretary, Heather Harr; Gabbaim, Sam Gottesman and Allen Spiegel; Allan Zeman, Chairman of the Board. •••

Phone: 412-421-4690

Rabbi, Eli Hershman.

Shimon Silver, Rabb ; Rocky Wice, President 412-260-9694, Email: rocky770@gmail.com

Marian

•••

ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA: PITTSBURGH ZIONISM — The right of the Jewish people to live in their Jewish homeland in peace.

6507 Wilkins Ave., Suite 102 Pittsburgh, PA 15217-1367 Phone: 412-665-4630 Email: stuart.pavilack@zoa.org

YESHIVA SCHOOLS 70 Years of Changing the World for Good

2100 Wightman St. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-422-7300; Fax: 412-422-5930 Website: yeshivaschools.com Email: mail@yeshivaschools.com

Rabbi Yisroel Rosenfeld, Dean; Howard Balsam, Chair of the Board; Shlomo Jacobs, President; Charles Saul, V.P.; Chaya Engle, Donna Katz, Chaim Oster, Yonason Sanford, Board Members; Rabbi Yossi Rosenblum, Educational Director & Boys School Principal; Mrs. Blumi Rosenfeld, Assist. to the Dean; Rabbi Chezky Rosenfeld, Dir. of Development; Rabbi Moshe Levertov, Business Administrator; Rabbi Ephraim Rosenblum, Principal Emeritus; Mrs. Mindy Small, Boys General Studies Dir.; Mrs. Batsheva Deren, Girls School Principal; Mrs. Nami Friedman, Girls Assist. Principal; Mrs. Leah Shollar, Girls School General Studies Dir.; Mrs. Chaya Sara Barrocas, The Early Learning Center Director.

Stuart V. Pavilack, Executive Director; Jeffrey L. Pollock, Esq., President; Stephen A. Neustein, Esq., First Vice-President; Lawrence N. Paper, Esq., Vice President; Andrea Chester, Vice President; Jason Small, Treasurer; Julie Paris, Asst. Treasurer; Judy Kobell, Recording Secretary; Lyn Silverman, Corresponding Secretary; Ira M. Frank, Immediate Past President. Board members: Jeanne Bair, Dr. Marshall Balk, Hirsh Dlinn, Julian Elbling, Alexandra Greenberg, Rhonda Horvitz, Linda Hurwitz, Gerald Kobell, Esq., Debra Levy, Chaya Pollack, Linda Safyan, Charles Saul, Esq., Dee Selekman, Joe Titelbaum, Sibyl Treblow, Cheryl Weisberg, Helene Wishnev. PJC Please send corrections, changes and additions to orgsdirectory@pittsburghjewishchronicle. org. The next Organization Directory will be published in March 2019.

www.pittsburghjewishchronicle.org 16 DECEMBER 28, 2018

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John Heinz History Center, on the history of Monroeville’s Jewish community and the area’s Reform movement. Additional commemorative activities were held throughout the year. Celebrating Temple David’s 60th year is a chance to “mark sacred time, allowing us to reflect back with pride and look forward to what is next,” said Rabbi Barbara Symons.

knowledge that average people can do either deplorable things or great things with their lives, and I’ll chose to do great things.”

April: Gateway school board member accused of anti-Semitic comments resigns, apologizes

Steve O’Donnell, a Gateway school A board member, was accused of making anti-Semitic comments to Rabbi Barbara Symons, spiritual leader of Temple David, at a zoning meeting and then at a school board meeting. During the course of the zoning meeting, O’Donnell twice said to Symons “Do you know you have a thing on your head?” and later addressed her as “Barb” instead of “rabbi.” Symons wrote him a letter criticizing the comments, to which he did not respond. Then, at a school board meeting, Rev. Dr. David Morse of the Monroeville Interfaith Ministerium publicly read a letter from the organization scolding O’Donnell for those comments and his failure to apologize. O’Donnell refused to apologize, claimed he was “bullied” and twice told Symons: “And the only thing I can assume in respect to your letter is that you judge yourself to be superior to me. Perhaps it’s because you’re a Jew.” The remarks were captured on video. O’Donnell eventually resigned from the school board but said it was unrelated to the criticism he received and rather because he and his wife were moving to the city of Pittsburgh. 3 color LOCAL

Headlines

Gateway school board member accused of anti-Semitic comments resigns, apologizes — LOCAL —

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

Gateway school board member who was accused last week of making anti-Semitic comments to Rabbi Barbara Symons, spiritual leader of Temple David of Monroeville, has apologized after initially refusing to do so. Steve O’Donnell spoke to Symons by phone on Monday, telling her he was sorry for making comments which she, and others, interpreted as anti-Semitic. Those comments included asking Symons twice, “Do you know you have a thing on your head?” and addressing her as “Barb” rather than calling her “Rabbi” following a zoning meeting several weeks ago. Symons wrote a letter to O’Donnell criticizing him for those comments, to which he did not respond. Then, at a school board meeting last Thursday, Rev. Dr. David Morse of the Monroeville Interfaith Ministerium publicly read a letter from the organization chiding O’Donnell for those comments as well as his failure to apologize. O’Donnell responded to that criticism in a tirade captured on video in which he steadfastly refused to apologize, said he was being “bullied,” and twice told the rabbi: “And

the only thing I can the rabbi’s yarmulke, declined assume in respect to refer to her as ‘rabbi,’ and to your letter is that suggested that she felt supeyou judge yourrior to him because she is self to be superior Jewish. When asked to apolto me. Perhaps it’s ogize, O’Donnell refused and because you’re a Jew.” insisted that Rabbi Symons owed him an apology.” On Friday, O’DonOn Saturday, O’Donnell announced his nell left a voicemail resignation from the message for Symons school board — on wishing to apologize. which he has served In a phone interview with for the past six years Rabbi Barbara Symons was File photo the Chronicle on Monday, — but said it is unre- target of tirade.. the now-retired school lated to the criticism he received for his comments regarding the rabbi. board member said that the comments he Rather, he said, he resigned because he and made to Symons regarding her kippah at the his wife are moving to the city of Pittsburgh. zoning meeting were intended to “lighten Also on Friday, O’Donnell gave interviews to things” after what had been a “contentious local media defending the comments he made meeting.” But instead, those comments went to Symons, including a televised interview on “horribly wrong.” “I didn’t know she took umbrage to that until WTAE in which he said he was not obliged to address Symons as “rabbi,” and denying that he I received her letter on March 13,” said O’Donnell, a former social worker and politician who is an anti-Semite. The Jewish Federation of Greater Pitts- ran as the Democratic candidate for District 18 burgh’s Community Relations Council of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives condemned O’Donnell’s remarks. in 2008. “I was hurt first, then angry. I have “We are appalled by the actions of Steve never been accused of being anti-Semitic. I O’Donnell, who has since resigned from the didn’t know how to respond to that letter.” board,” the CRC said in a prepared statement. O’Donnell acknowledged that his reac“On separate occasions Mr. O’Donnell mocked tion to being publicly criticized by the

THE

February: Medical marijuana dispensary opens h in Squirrel Hill P I T TS B U R G H

Solevo Wellness, h located on Forward Avenue in Squirrel Hill, became Allegheny County’s P first legalized A medical marijuana dispensary. An initial group of 50 physicians were approved by the state to certify patients for the use of medicinal marijuana. Medical conditions to be treated include autism, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, Crohn’s disease, cancer, PTSD, inflammatory bowel disease and epilepsy. 1 color COVER

P I T TS B U R G H

February 16, 2018 | 1 Adar 5778

Candlelighting 5:39 p.m. | Havdalah 6:39 p.m. | Vol. 61, No. 7 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

NOTEWORTHY

LOCAL

Those ‘boys’ are so nice

Improvisational character wins Hillel-JUC’s “Nice Jewish Boys” competition.

Pennsylvania High hopes, some concerns, as medical marijuana dispensary third-most targeted state opens in Squirrel Hill by white supremacists on college campuses

Page 3

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

LOCAL

Pittsburgh’s newest mohel

Rabbi Elisar Admon shares his adventures.

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 Solevo Wellness’ stylish interior puts customers at ease.

LOCAL

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

Food to the rescue

Becca Sufrin’s stories spur people to take action.

Page 5

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rlene Glick has endured severe chronic back pain since 1995. She has had five cervical spine surgeries, eight cervical vertebrae fused and three lower back surgeries, but she continues to suffer and uses prescription opioids for relief. But with the legalization of medical marijuana in Pennsylvania, and last week’s opening of the first dispensary in Allegheny County — Solevo Wellness — Glick, 76, is optimistic that she will finally get some help. “I am hoping to get off opioids,” Glick said. “I have tried marijuana before and it helps. It’s a buffer.” Glick has had no advice on how much marijuana to take, or what strength to use and is looking forward to “getting guidance on the dosage,” she said. “I’ve been using a vapor pen, and I don’t know if there are better ways to take it.” Glick, who is one of about 100 patients who has been certified by Dr. Adam Rothschild as qualifying for medical marijuana in Pennsylvania, will have the opportunity

Photo by Toby Tabachnick

for such consultation as early as this week at Solevo Wellness, located on Forward Avenue in Squirrel Hill. The dispensary doesn’t look like a typical pharmacy. It is decorated in a soft color palette, with comfortable, stylish furniture in its large waiting room. After showing credentials that they have been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health for medical marijuana use, customers at Solevo are asked to fill out a comprehensive health history, including a medication list, before meeting with a pharmacist in a consulting room. The pharmacist talks to the patient about what his or her goals are and makes general recommendations, including dosing and product suggestions. “We want to keep people safe while achieving results,” said Solevo pharmacist Richard Greer. The patient then enters into the dispensary area, where he is assisted in choosing and

ennsylvania ranks as the third-most affected state in the country when it comes to white supremacist propaganda on college campuses, according to a recent report by the Anti-Defamation League. Eighteen college campuses in Pennsylvania were targeted in 2017, including the University of Pittsburgh. Texas was the most affected state in the nation, with 61 incidents, followed by California with 43. “The 18 incidents across the commonwealth marked a dramatic increase over 2016, which saw zero recorded instances of white supremacist propaganda on campus,” according to a Feb. 1 ADL news release. “Institutions that witnessed white supremacist activity included Drexel University, Elizabethtown College, Kutztown University, Millersville University, Pennsylvania State University, Temple University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh, York College and more.” A group called Identity Evropa is one of the most active white supremacist groups on college campuses and the one responsible for the pasting of offensive fliers on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh last July. The group, which the ADL tracks on a continuing basis, was responsible for 158 of the 346 national incidents in 2017 and for 11 of the 18 incidents in Pennsylvania. Identity Evropa focuses on the preservation of “white American culture” and promoting white European identity. The Atomwaffen Division, another group

Please see Dispensary, page 16

Please see ADL, page 16

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March: Pittsburgh Police and Holocaust Center partner on day of training

Forty cadets and officers of the W Pittsburgh Police Department traveled to the Holocaust Center of Greater Pittsburgh to participate in a one-day h training session, which included remarks h from Judah Samet, a Holocaust survivor, and a discussion led by Officer David Shiffren, a Jewish member of the police force. The exercise provided participants with a greater understanding of law enforcement’s role in the Holocaust. As a police officer, “you’re inheriting what those before you did. And you have to understand what those before you did, the egregious things that law enforcement did before and what has been passed down,” said Colleen Bristow, a sergeant of the training academy. Jonathan King, a recruit, was moved by the program, and said, “I will be taking the 2 color LOCAL

Headlines

Pittsburgh police and Holocaust Center partner on day of training — LOCAL —

By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

hat do the atrocities committed against humanity more than 70 years ago have to do with contemporary policing in the Steel City? A lot, according to organizers of a collaborative day of training between the Holocaust Center of Greater Pittsburgh and the city’s police department. “You got to recognize things happening in the past,” said Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert. “Law enforcement was used to do things against other people.” Bringing light to law enforcement’s role during the Shoah was a central aim of the Feb. 26 training, given that attitudes may be carried over for generations, explained Colleen Bristow, a sergeant of the training academy. As a police officer, “you’re inheriting what those before you did. And you have to understand what those before you did, the egregious things that law enforcement did before and what has been passed down.” In gaining a better understanding of not only those sentiments but of prior acts committed by law enforcement agents, cadets and officers from Pittsburgh’s police force traveled to the Holocaust Center to meet with staff, examine relevant artifacts — including Nazi-branded weaponry — and hear from Judah Samet, a local survivor. “It was absolutely fantastic. He had me in tears,” said Bristow of hearing from Samet, who recounted his experience as a child survivor. Jonathan King, a recruit, similarly

p Judah Samet, center, joins recruits for a photo.

described Samet’s speech as “amazing.” Listening to him “deepens my understanding of what he went through.” For many of the 40 cadets and officers present, Samet’s address was the first opportunity to hear from a living survivor. During a discussion led by Officer David Shifren, just one of 20 cadets present indicated that they had ever been to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. As intended, the daylong training furthered participants’ understandings of the police’s complicated relationship to the Shoah, said Lauren Bairnsfather, director of the Holocaust Center. “There are historical examples of times when police were put in positions that were unethical. Regarding the Holocaust, they were the Nazis’ henchmen and it went so far as the police doing the

Photos by Adam Reinherz

crime and committing the killing. So the Holocaust provides an extreme example for law enforcement.” “You don’t see law enforcement’s role when you watch on the History Channel,” echoed Bristow. “You think it’s all military but it’s not, it actually has a law enforcement component as well.” Investigating the period of the Holocaust was similar to other efforts that the Pittsburgh police have made, such as reviewing the role of law enforcement during the implementation of the Jim Crow laws, said Schubert. The purpose goes beyond questioning how “ordinary police officers allowed this to happen” to learning how to apply the lessons of the past. It’s like what the 19th-century philosopher George Santayana said, Schifrin told the

P I T TS B U R G H

p Officer David Shifren leads a discussion with recruits.

cadets. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The partnership between the Pittsburgh police and the Holocaust Center was the brainchild of Norman Conti, a Duquesne University professor, who last August floated the idea. Since then, said Bairnsfather, the groups collaborated on creating a meaningful engagement for all involved. Given the participants’ responses, that mission was achieved. “This is absolutely wonderful,” said Bristow. King agreed, saying: “I will be taking the knowledge that average people can do either deplorable things or great things with their lives, and I’ll chose to do great things.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz @pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Settlers: Continued from page 7

to deter those interested in carrying out attacks. Sand noted that the chants calling for killing Palestinian militants came from the youth, who are often more extreme than their adult counterparts but grow more moderate as they get older. This was a sentiment shared by David Ha’ivri, a member of the Samaria Regional Council who did not attend the demonstration. “I share their pain and frustration,” he said of the demonstrators. “Chants shouted at protest rallies are meant to grab attention and vent some rage, but might not always describe the most partial steps that can be taken by the government.”

ministerium at the school board meeting was “strong, unkind and inappropriate. That response was generated out of anger.” But sometime after that meeting, O’Donnell reflected on his comments to Symons and concluded that “it really didn’t matter what my intention was, but how it was perceived — and it was perceived as a slight. I knew I had to man up and apologize. I made a mistake, and it was compounded at the [school board] meeting.” O’Donnell was finally able to connect with Symons on Monday. “He was contrite,” Symons said. “He apologized and said he would take other steps to publicly apologize.” His apology, she said, “starts to sew up the tear in our community but does not go back to where our community had been.” Although O’Donnell is working on making amends for his actions, the incident has nonetheless prompted one community member, calling himself “John Doe,” to send the following message to Symons via email last Saturday: “If what I read in the paper is correct … Rabbi Babs is a malignant force for discord in the community. What an overly sensitive POS she seems to be. … I must say that, since Please see Gateway, page 21

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May: Pittsburgh celebrated Israel hat 70 P I T TS B U R G H

C om mu n it y w i d e h e vents marke d Israel’s 70th year. At the South Hills JCC, festivities A included Israelithemed crafts, a Ga-ga tournament, face T painting, a South Hills PJ Library Israel Walk and performances by Israeli dancers from the Karmiel/Misgav partner region. The Hillel Jewish University Center of Pittsburgh promoted a week of activities for its students, organized by its Jewish Agency shlicha, Elina Lipov, and the student leaders of Panthers for Israel. The activities included 1 color COVER

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April 27, 2018 | 12 Iyar 5778

Candlelighting 7:54 p.m. | Havdalah 8:57 p.m. | Vol. 61, No. 17 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

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NOTEWORTHY

LOCAL

Steel City’s Israeli ambassadors reminisce Jewish Agency shlichim form connections that endure well past their tenures.

Page 3

LOCAL

If he can do it …

Israel at 70 celebrated with Pittsburgh dance, study, games — and food heroes of the Haganah By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

Famous refusenik offers uplifting message.

Page 4

LOCAL

A century of scoring strikes

 Israel at 70 celebrants at the JCC in Squirrel Hill paint a joint mural that will be displayed at three local Jewish institutions when complete.

Photo by Toby Tabachnick

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

Saul Kaufman, who just turned 100, is one colorful bowler.

Page 5

ricia Burkett was one of almost 200 revelers at the South Hills Jewish Community Center on April 16, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel. But although she was enjoying the festivities, Burkett couldn’t help but think of where she would be just three days later: in Jerusalem, marking Yom Ha’atzmaut in the Jewish state. Burkett would be spending a few days in Jerusalem before heading to Karmiel/ Misgav along with other volunteers on a Partnership2Gether mission with the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. “I’m leaving for Israel early tomorrow

morning,” said Burkett, the music of the South Hills Shalom Singers providing the perfect soundscape to the celebration. “I feel so honored to be going. I’m going to be packing soldiers’ backpacks, gardening and working in a special needs community. To me, that is the best vacation I could have.” Pittsburgh’s Scott Township is half a world away from Israel, but that didn’t stand in the way of the South Hills Jewish community celebrating Israel at 70 in a big way. The JCC was alive with Israeli-themed crafts, a Ga-ga tournament, face painting, a South Hills PJ Library Israel Walk, and performances by

rt Jaffe never thought of himself as a soldier, but as a patriot, recalled his son, Joel. Jaffe, who grew up in Butler, Pa., and moved to Pittsburgh in his later years, served as an intelligence officer in World War II, was on the shores on Normandy on D-Day, and was one of only a few soldiers to survive all six campaigns in France. But, in Jaffe’s own words — as captured in the 1998 documentary “Israel’s Forgotten Heroes” — the “one great thing [he] did was help found the State of Israel.” Jaffe, who passed away in 2015, was one of several Pittsburghers — and hundreds of American Jews — who heeded the call of David Ben-Gurion in the mid-1940s, urging experienced Jewish soldiers in the Diaspora to come to the Jewish homeland in anticipation of an invasion by Arab armies. Jaffe was studying at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem on the G.I. Bill following his service in the Second World War, when he was tapped to join the Haganah, Israel’s Jewish underground military organization. A scholar of classical languages, Jaffe found his niche in the Haganah as a translator of surreptitiously obtained Arab documents. He and his colleagues, said his son, would rummage through the trash at the Arab nations’ headquarters at night, where they would find crumpled up documents containing the questions and responses that the Arabs would be

Please see Israel, page 16

Please see Heroes, page 16

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LOCAL

Merchants buy, sell Israeli goods

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Literary jewel speaks at shul

LOCAL

Riverview Towers wins grant

Some have begun translating their anger into violence, however. In recent days posters have gone up across the disputed territories calling for the assassination of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Last Saturday, settlers outside of Beit El clashed with riot police who were attempting to stop them from stoning Palestinian cars. Two soldiers from the haredi Orthodox Netzach Yehuda battalion attempted to intervene and prevent the police from arresting the stone-throwers, leading to blows being exchanged between Israeli forces. Two of the victims of last week’s violence were members of the battalion, which is stationed in the area. The rising tensions also led to angry words between Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan and opposition politician Tzipi

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a free “Taste of Israel,” the distribution of “stress relief kits featuring Israeli products, including a face mask” at the University of Pittsburgh and blue and white cupcakes at Carnegie Mellon University. Area congregations hosted related programming, such as Congregation Poale Zedeck’s welcoming of former refusenik Rabbi Josef Mendelevich as its scholar-in-residence on the Shabbat prior to Yom Ha’atzmaut.

June: Bet Tikvah celebrates 30 years

Bet Tikvah celebrated the 30th A anniversary of its founding with a wine and dessert reception at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. The congregation, founded in 1988, initially faced difficulties finding a communal home. As pages of the Chronicle historically detail, members of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community were divided on welcoming LGBTQ Jews. In a special program with the congregation, Eric Lidji, director of the Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives at the Senator John Heinz History Center, related that Bet Tikvah originated when three people decided to form a group to meet the needs of Pittsburgh Jewish gay, lesbian and bisexual communities. The group gathered at the home of Avram Machtiger for “Shabbat acknowledgement,” said Lidji. “A lot of people weren’t religious or observant in any way; they were just Jews who wanted to get together, and prayer felt like the thing to do when they got together.” Today, the congregation, whose membership includes approximately 40 family units, continues to serve as a place for Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ Jews to connect and celebrate, as well as a welcome venue for Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ Jewish college students, said Deb Polk, a congregational leader. 4 color LOCAL

Headlines

Bet Tikvah celebrating three decades in Pittsburgh — LOCAL —

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

lot has changed for Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ Jewish community in the last 30 years, but one thing that has remained constant is the “spirit” of Bet Tikvah, according to Deb Polk, a leader of the congregation. “Bet Tikvah provides people with a community you don’t get elsewhere,” said Polk. “This is where I connect to other gay people.” Bet Tikvah, which meets for Shabbat services the first Friday of each month at Rodef Shalom Congregation, will be celebrating its 30th year at a party on Sunday, June 3, at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. Eric Lidji, director of the Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives at the Senator John Heinz History Center, will be talking about the history of the congregation; Frank Giaoui, the president of the World Congress: Keshet Ga’avah, an umbrella group for organizations supporting LGBTQ Jews, will be present as well. Bet Tikvah (“House of Hope”) was founded in 1988 when three people decided to form a group to meet the needs of Jewish gays, lesbians and bisexuals in the Pittsburgh area. The group first gathered at the home of Avram Machtiger for “Shabbat acknowledgement,” said Lidji, who has been conducting oral histories of some of the congregation’s founding members. “The idea was to do not just Shabbat, but the holidays as well,” said Lidji. “A lot of people weren’t religious or observant in any way; they were just Jews who wanted to get together, and prayer felt like the thing to do when they got together.” In the 1980s, Lidji explained, there was not a lot to do to meet other members of the LGBTQ community “if you didn’t want to go to the bars.” Nationally at that time, LGBTQ activism was becoming more pronounced, and “people started to become more visible and more vocal,” he said. That national trend was reflected in Pittsburgh as well. Some in Pittsburgh’s Jewish community were resistant to the trend, with some of that conflict playing out in the pages of the Jewish Chronicle. In 1989, the Chronicle ran an advertisement for Bet Tikvah, and later a brief regarding the appearance of the executive director of the World Congress: Keshet Ga’avah at Temple Sinai. “That set off a huge debate in the next three months in the Chronicle,” Lidji said, with a letter to the editor comparing the decision to run the ad with running an ad for a non-kosher restaurant, and rebuttals to that position.

p Top: Members of Bet Tikvah march in the 1999 Pride Parade. Bottom: A 1990 op-ed by Dennis Prager.

Photo provided by Eric Lidji, Rauh Jewish History Program and Archives.

In 1990, the Reform movement voted to accept openly gay Jews into the rabbinate, and the Chronicle ran an op-ed by Dennis Prager imploring the movement to reverse its decision. That was followed by a response from Rodef Shalom’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Walter Jacob, who was on the committee of the Central Conference of American Rabbis

that passed the resolution stressing that “all Jews are religiously equal regardless of their sexual orientation.” Shortly thereafter, the United Jewish Federation (now the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh) formed a Human Rights Task Force, and in April 1991, hosted a program at the Jewish Community Center of

Greater Pittsburgh on “the gay Jewish experience,” said Lidji. “This was all coming just a few years after the forming of Bet Tikvah, and it was seen as an energizing moment,” he said. Other programs supportive of the Jewish Pittsburgh LGBTQ community followed, including a symposium on “Jews with AIDS in the Family.” By 1989, the Bet Tikvah group had grown and was regularly holding member-led services at a variety of locations in the area, including a local gay-owned restaurant, the Israel Heritage Room at the University of Pittsburgh and the homes of members. By 1995, a new wave of Bet Tikvah leaders had emerged, and with a measure of acceptance now established in the wider community, the congregation gained a more solid footing. It was then that it entered into its relationship renting space from Rodef Shalom. Lidji, who has researched the history of many area congregations, sees a similarity between the founding of Bet Tikvah and the others, which he identified as “the compulsion to start something.” “The fact that these people were not observant, but wanted to start a congregation built around prayer and religious observance, is really something,” he said. The congregation, which maintains a membership roll of about 40 family units, continues to serve as a place for Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ Jews to connect and celebrate. Each year, Bet Tikvah also provides a home away from home for LGBTQ Jewish college students, Polk said. In recent years many mainstream congregations have been intentional in including the LGBTQ population, but that has not obviated Bet Tikvah’s relevancy. “The thing I’m paying attention to is whether new people are seeking us out,” Polk said. “If no more new people are interested in us, I may feel our time is done. But there are still new people reaching out.” Mainstream organizations often reach out to partner with Bet Tikvah, Polk said, including JFilm, J’Burgh, the Federation, Congregation Beth Shalom and Temple Sinai. “Were on the map now,” she noted. “Now people are thinking about us and reaching out to us. I think it’s really neat and amazing.” In addition to monthly Shabbat services, Bet Tikvah continues to host a Passover seder, High Holiday services and Sukkot services, as well as a Chanukah party and other social events. It is open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, and counts several heterosexuals as members. PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Hospital. The location was deliberate, said Greg Hartley, state director of K Your Whole Baby of PA. Your Whole Baby is a Texas-based A nonprofit, which worked to display billboards in Detroit and Owensboro, Ky. The nonprofit is “not against circumcision,” Hartley said, but rather “pro-genital integrity.” Infants, he said, should not be circumcised because they do not have the capacity to make that choice for themselves. It is improper for a Jewish parent to impose that decision on an infant because “freedom of religion also means freedom from religion. A child might not want to be that religion,” and should not be forced to undergo a body-altering procedure to satisfy the “religious desires of the parents.” “The American Academy of Pediatrics clearly states there is a benefit to doing circumcisions,” said Dr. Mark Diamond, a local pediatrician and a trained mohel. “It’s a healthier practice to do them than not to do them.” Wasi Mohamed, executive director of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, said that the billboard could be seen as an attempt to marginalize minorities. Joshua Sayles of the Community Relations Council added that he would classify Your Whole Baby’s work alongside that of “antikashrut and anti-halel” campaigns: to make Jews and Muslims feel uncomfortable in their own community. P I T TS B U R G H

July 13, 2018 | 1 Av 5778

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Furries find purr-fect ‘home’ in Pittsburgh

Oakland billboard decries infant circumcision

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

Annual Anthrocon event draws costumed set, although they’re 20 percent of the movement.

Magee-Women’s Hospital, with the aim of catching the attention of pregnant women headed to the facility. It’s also a “high-traffic area,” Hartley acknowledged. It also happens to be a short distance from the offices of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh on McKee Place, but Hartley said that he was unaware of the Federation’s location and that it had no bearing on the choice of the billboard’s placement. About half the funding for the billboard came from Hartley, who lives in Franklin Park, along with another donor living near Pittsburgh whose identity Hartley declined to reveal. The remainder of the funding came from an online fundraising campaign, with 31 supporters donating a total of $1,500. Your Whole Baby is “not against circumcision,” Hartley said. Instead, he frames the group’s stance as being “pro-genital integrity.” Infants, he said, should not be circumcised

aren Shapira, who passed away in 2005, always dreamed of having a home in Israel. And prior to her death from breast cancer at the age of 60, she expressed her wishes to be buried there. Although her family wanted her closer to them in Pittsburgh, which is where she rests, she will nonetheless soon have an enduring presence in Jerusalem with the construction of Beit Karen, the new home of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. A ceremonial groundbreaking for the new building was held last month, with Karen’s family and former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Sallai Meridor in attendance. The Pardes Institute is a pluralistic, co-ed Jewish learning community based in Jerusalem that also hosts various programs worldwide. Shapira served on the board of Pardes, having become familiar with the institution when her daughter, Deborah, spent two years studying there. When Shapira participated in a leadership learning seminar at Pardes herself, she quickly became an active supporter. “She was a lover of being Jewish,” said her son, Jeremy Shapira. After their children had all left for college, he said, both his mother and his father, Giant Eagle, Inc.’s chairman, David Shapira, “started being much more interested in learning about being Jewish and getting much more involved in the Jewish community.” Karen Shapira took the responsibilities of leadership and volunteerism seriously. Among many other roles, she served as the president of the United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh (now the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh) and as the executive secretary for the New York-based United Jewish Communities (now, the Jewish Federations of North America).

Please see Circumcision, page 16

Please see Pardes, page 16

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Page 4

LOCAL

Women say yes, they can

 A billboard claiming circumcision causes “harm” that was installed on Boulevard of the Allies at Bates Street will remain there for one month.

Photo by Toby Tabachnick

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

Toastmasters club raises confidence one voice at a time.

Page 6

nti-circumcision activists — or “intactivists,” as some prefer to be called — have erected a billboard in Oakland denouncing the practice for infants, claiming it causes “harm.” The billboard depicts a man holding a baby with the words “Love ALL of him. Circumcision harms.” It was installed on July 2 on Boulevard of the Allies at Bates Street, and will remain there for one month, according to a press release from Your Whole Baby, the Texas-based non-profit behind the project. Pittsburgh is not the first city that the organization has targeted with a billboard, according to Greg Hartley, the state director of Your Whole Baby of PA. Other billboards have been displayed in Detroit and Owensboro, Ky. The Oakland location was chosen, Hartley said, because of its proximity to

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Livni, with Dagan screaming, “Why do you hate me? Why do you hate us? What have we done to you,” at the former Foreign Minister during a tour of Ofra. Meanwhile, life appeared normal in Beit El, with residents going about their daily lives with little sign of the tension gripping the community. “They want to kill us. We need to build more,” Snir, a local resident, said. “We need to build more and to arrange what we have built already so that it will be on firm legal footing.” Hadassah, another resident, disagreed, saying that while she believed building was necessary, it was not a solution to terror. “I’m scared. The government is not doing enough to protect us. They’re scared what the United States, the left and the world will say. Building isn’t the answer,” she said. “We need

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P I T TS B U R G H

Pre s i d e nt an d CEO of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh P Brian Schreiber T was chosen to help leadership at the JCC Association of North America begin strategizing and planning for the future of the JCC movement as a whole. Guided by nearly 20 years of experience at the Pittsburgh JCC, Schreiber will serve as special adviser to JCC Association president and CEO Doron Krakow and act as a “resource and connector” between the national association and individual JCCs. 1 color

P I T TS B U R G H

August 31, 2018 | 20 Elul 5778

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 Valarie Bacharach took to poetry when dealing with her own profound loss.

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By Lauren Rosenblatt | Digital Content Manager

Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha vice president volunteers for rescue missions.

in poetry workshops through Carlow University’s Madwomen in the Attic program wo years after Valerie Bacharach’s — has mastered the art. Her first collection of son, Nathan, died at the age of 26 poetry, “Fireweed,” sheds light on a parent’s from causes related to his opioid ordeal suffering through the addiction of a addiction, she was still searching for ways to child, and, ultimately, his death. cope with her unfathomable loss. The slim volume, published by Main Street The grief she was experiencing was Rag Publishing Company, contains just overwhelming. 30 poems, but within its pages lie a heart“To lose a child is the wrong order,” breaking world of truths. B a ch ar a ch , a Bacharach said. “Your children special education should outlive you, not the other teacher, had not written way around. It’s not the way Other fall it’s supposed to be.” poetry prior to her son’s arts preview death, but once she began, When her therapist suggested she look she “grew to love it, not coverage only for the way it helped to art as a way to begins on express her feelings, me begin to cope, but I loved page 13. Bacharach picked up the act of writing, ” she said. w some colored pencils Soon after enrolling in the and some paper, writing workshops, she began and tried to draw. publishing some of her poems, and eventually She hated it. decided “to try to put a book together.” Just But one day, in yet another attempt one month after submitting her manuscript to sketch a flower with a purple pencil, she to Main Street Rag, she heard back that it had instead jotted down a poem. been accepted for publication. “It was a really bad poem,” she recalled, She was thrilled. but nonetheless, the process of putting her “I wanted Nathan’s story out there,” said thoughts to paper was cathartic. Bacharach, whose other son, Jacob, is a That was seven years ago, and in that time, Bacharach — who has been engaged Please see Poet, page 18 By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

Anti-circumcision activists — or “intactivists,” as some prefer to be called — raised a billboard on Boulevard of the Allies, near Bates Street, in Oakland denouncing the practice for infants, claiming it causes “harm.” The billboard depicted a man holding a baby with the words “Love ALL of him. Circumcision harms,” and was installed on July 2 in close proximity to Magee-Women’s

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August: JCC CEO Brian Schreiber selected to help h association strategize national

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July: Oakland billboard decries infant circumcision

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resident and CEO of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh Brian Schreiber has been tapped to help leadership at the JCC Association of North America as it begins to strategize and strategically plan for the future of the JCC movement as a whole. Schreiber will serve as special adviser to JCC Association president and CEO Doron Krakow starting in November. In his role at the JCC Association, he will act as a “resource and connector” between the national association and individual JCCs and will offer advice based on his nearly 20 years of experience as a sitting executive at the Pittsburgh JCC. During his 90-day sabbatical, a team of professional and lay leaders will take over day-to-day operations of the community center in Squirrel Hill. For Krakow, the JCC Association is at a “meaningful juncture,” as they are beginning to form action plans to best evolve alongside the Jewish community and continue to serve as one of the most significant points of contact for Jewish life. “We have an increasingly clear understanding of the vision [for the future of the movement], but being able to take a vision and bring it to life through implementation is going to require a lot of thought and careful planning,” Krakow said. “We’ll be using this time that Brian will be working here to evolve specific plans for how to make ourselves into a better version of ourselves.” Over the next few months, Schreiber and Krakow will work together to plan the agenda and make sure he is prepared and properly equipped once he arrives in Manhattan. At the same time, Schreiber and JCC leadership will be working to prepare for his absence. Please see Schreiber, page 24

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Please see Review, page 18

to kick out the terrorists before they engage in terror. What are we waiting for? We need to be smart and quiet, we don’t need to speak about violence.” Nearby, at the bus stop outside the community of Givat Asaf where Netzach Yehuda servicemen Yosef Cohen and Yovel Mor Yosef were shot to death last week, armed soldiers in full combat kit stood behind concrete barriers as hitchhikers stood clustered near a makeshift memorial. “We worry but we have to man up,” said Efrat, a young woman trying to flag down a ride. “We have to get home. At first I said I won’t stand here but there is nothing to do.” On Sunday afternoon, a woman was hospitalized after Palestinian rock-throwers attacked her car in the West Bank, pelting her with stones and broken glass. PJC DECEMBER 28, 2018 17

Headlines Review: Continued from page 17

September: Mac Miller, global rap icon, remembered as genuine, appreciative friend Mac Miller, the homegrown Jewish musician who died Sept. 7, was remembered by friends for his little league dugout antics, backyard bonfires in Point Breeze and genuine warmth. An Emma Kaufmann Camp alum, Malcolm James McCormick (his legal name) demonstrated his talent on Saturday evenings at the West Virginia-based camp’s Shabbat Concerts, years before becoming a global icon. “Whenever it was his turn to do his act, he brought the house down,” said Jeremy Goldman, a former camp program director. “At 13-years-old he was cooler than anyone I had ever met,” said Goldman, “and I was about 31 at the time.” Apart from a vigil held at Blue Slide Park in Squirrel Hill, international stars such as Elton John, Drake, Future, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, Pharrell Williams, Kendrick Lamar, John Mayer, Ellen Degeneres, Chance the Rapper and Wiz Khalifa offered condolences.

October: When everything changed

On Saturday morning, Oct. 27, a gunman entered the Tree of Life building and forever changed Pittsburgh’s Jewish community. Eleven Jews were brutally massacred and six individuals — including four police officers — were injured. The murdered victims were Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, David Rosenthal, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Daniel Stein, Melvin Wax and Irving Younger. The four police officers injured were Daniel Mead, Michael Smidga, Anthony Burke and Timothy Matson. The Jewish congregants injured

Torah were Andrea Wedner of Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha and Daniel Leger of Dor Hadash. The incident was the largest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history.

November: Community marks shloshim and seeks path forward

Thirty days after the attack at the Tree of Life building, the community gathered at the Marriott City Center on Washington Place for a shloshim service. Local and international speakers encouraged attendees to find inspiration from the countless acts of kindness demonstrated during the previous month, seek comfort from the holiday of Chanukah and continue remembering those lost by loving life itself. “Shloshim marks the beginning of a new reality,” said JCC President and CEO Brian Schreiber. “You can’t really ever close mourning, but you can actually give people permission to go on with their lives,” echoed keynote speaker Erica Brown. “And sometimes we underestimate the importance of that permission.”

December: This Is Us

The Jewish Fe d e r at i o n of Greater Pittsburgh held its community campaign kickoff at the August Wilson Center. The inspirational evening, which recalled the Federation’s role in the aftermath of the Oct. 27 attack at the Tree of Life building, began with a live performance of “Stand Together” by Pittsburgh musicians Joe Wodarek and Mike Ofca, and included remarks from communal leaders. Materials, including letters, quilts and jewelry, sent to Pittsburgh’s Jewish community in the weeks following Oct. 27 were displayed. Participants were invited to recollect on the tragedy through a recorded audio experience with the Saturday Light Brigade, a public radio program. The recordings will be preserved at the Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives. PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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A portrait of true leadership Rabbi Mendy Schapiro Parshat Shemot | Exodus 1:1-6:1

etermined, resolved, unwavering, steadfast — these are some of the qualities we expect to see in a leader. As the Torah introduces us to Moses, one of the greatest leaders of all times, we may be surprised to become privy to a seemingly unconfident person who is quite hesitant to accept the “job offer” to lead the Jewish people. “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh,” Moses exclaims before adding, “and take

hesitant all along. “Send whom You usually send” was a reference to his older brother Aaron, who had been a prophet and leader of the Jewish people in Egypt for quite a few decades, while Moses had been away from Egypt for all of that time. What bothered Moshe was the very idea that he would be encroaching on his brother’s territory, so to say. This explains G-d’s reaction and response: G-d became angry with Moses and said, “Indeed, [Aaron] will be setting out to meet you and when he sees you, his heart will be glad. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. … He will serve as your mouth and you will be his mentor.”

It seems he was quite unwavering and steadfast in the conviction that one’s gain and greatness should not come at the cost of another’s loss.

the Israelites out of Egypt?” To which G-d replies, “I will be with you.” Moses would be speaking with the backing of the highest Higher Authority. Yet he is still unconvinced. Toward the end of the long conversation, Moses resorts to this: “I beg You, O G-d, I am not a man of words — not from yesterday, nor from the day before, nor from the first You spoke to Your servant, for I stammer and am not swift of tongue.” To which G-d responds: “Who gives man a mouth? Who makes him dumb, or deaf, or sighted or blind? Is it not I, G-d? Now go, and I will be with you as you speak and instruct you what to say.” Well, that should have done it, don’t you think? Not quite. At this point, Moses cries out, “I beg You, O G-d! Please send whom You usually send!” What is actually going on? Did the great leader who fearlessly confronted Pharaoh and ably led the not-easy-to-lead Jewish people for 40 years not realize his own leadership qualities? Many commentators, Rashi among them, point out that in his last cry Moses seems to articulate what had been making him so

It turns out Moses was quite determined and resolved not to have someone seem less important, because of his own importance. It seems he was quite unwavering and steadfast in the conviction that one’s gain and greatness should not come at the cost of another’s loss. Surely, this is true leadership. Let us, too, be leaders. Let us be hesitant to enter a situation that can make someone else uncomfortable. As was the case with Moses, that someone may be a close family member. Some may feel that, being close, they can be less considerate of the other’s feelings. Let us learn from Moses that this should not be so. Should we be called upon to fill that role regardless, let us find a creative way to include the person who may feel sidestepped, so that everyone’s potential can be used out to its fullest, for the benefit of the community. PJC Rabbi Mendy Schapiro is the director of Chabad of Monroeville. This column is a service of the Vaad Harabanim of Greater Pittsburgh.

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Obituaries DENMARK: Corrine Denmark, 91, on Monday, December 17, 2018. Beloved wife of the late Abe Denmark; dearly loved mother of Nanc y (R ob er t) Klasterka, Pau l (Debra) Denmark and Ron (Ellen) Denmark; cherished “Gammy” of Leslie Klasterka, Laura (Greg) Humbert, Matthew Denmark, Audrey (Colin) Bradley, Jaclyn Denmark and Daniel Denmark; great-grandmother of Raleigh and Gemma Bradley; sister of Lucille Gordon and the late Dorothy Wolovitz. Mrs. Denmark is also survived by her loving companion Norman Gordon and devoted caregiver Janet Hargenrader. She was a talented artist and taught at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and CCAC. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment Beth Shalom Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, 34 Washington Street, Suite 310, Wellesley Hill, MA 02481, curealz.org. schugar.com DEUTSCH: Carol Liener Deutsch passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, surrounded by her devoted and loving husband, Sidney Deutsch, and loving children and grandchildren. She was born in Midland, Pa. and raised in Farrell, Pa., where her parents operated a kosher butcher shop. She worked for Gulf Oil in Harmarville

while attending the University of Pittsburgh and graduated Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, with a degree in psychology, where her husband was stationed in the Air Force. She then went on to do graduate work in psychology. She was a loving and beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a true Woman of Valor and the ultimate Yiddishe Mama. She was always dedicated to justice, honesty and fairness throughout her life. She worked tirelessly for many Jewish causes that involved her children and benefitted the community at large, such as Hillel Academy, Poale Zedeck and the Chevra Kadisha. She taught a group of Russian immigrants for many years to become comfortable with the English language both at her home and at the Anathan House. She is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years and her loving children, Naomi (Mark) Rubin, Rachel Katz, Tamara (Mitch) Haviv, Avigayil (Benyamin) Cweiber and Moshe Daniel (Shelly) Deutsch. Her grandchildren: Yael and Yoseph Gurevich, Atara (Mendy) Davidson, Avi Rubin, Aliza Rubin, Dina and Avi Lerer, Shira Rubin, Leora Rubin, Adina Katz, Elisheva and Danny Weiser, Leora and Noah Linfield, Devorah Katz, Gavriel Haviv, Becky Haviv, Jeremy Haviv, Orli and Raphael Kaplan, Yechezkel and Devorah Cweiber, Meira and Nosson Hochstadter, Moshe Cweiber, Sara Cweiber, Shayna Cweiber, Tzippy and Brian Lang, Zahava Deutsch, Ayelet Deutsch and Yoni Deutsch. Her great-grandchildren: Yakira, Yehuda, Yonina and Jacob Gurevich,

Elan and Elliora Davidson, Natan Weiser, Yoni and Miri Kaplan, Chaviva Hochstadter, Newborn Baby Cweiber and Asher and Eliana Lang, as well as her sister, Jane Stein of Highland Park, N.J. Funeral services were held Thursday, December 20. Arrangements were entrusted to the Gesher HaChaim Jewish Burial Society. Contributions can be made to Hillel Academy, and Sivitz Jewish Hospice, and any other organization of your choice. MIDDLEMAN: Anita S chachter Middleman, on Dec. 18, 2018. Beloved wife of the late Harold, loving mother of Frani (Milo) Averbach, caring Nini of Madalyn (John) and Michael (Courtney) and special great-grandmother of Dylan. Predeceased by parents Morris and Fannie Ohringer Schachter and brothers Iz and Larry. Anita was a favorite aunt to nephews and nieces. She will be sorely missed but always lovingly remembered. Interment at Beth Shalom cemetery was private. Professional services trusted to D’Alessandro Funeral Home & Crematory Ltd., Lawrenceville. dalessandroltd.com RUDT: Mollie Rudt, on Friday, December 14, 2018. Beloved wife of the late Sam (Shimmy) Rudt; loving and devoted mother of Kerry Arthur Rudt, the late Ellen Rudt and the late Maxene (Barry) Segal. Cherished sister of the late Nathan Tabor and the late Harold Tabor; grandmother to Leonard (Cindy) Segal and great-grandmother

to Matthew Segal; loved by many nieces, nephews and friends. Mollie was a reader for the visually impaired on WRLN Public Radio for 23 years. She was an active member of Temple Beth Shalom in Miami Beach as well as being a lifetime member of Hadassah and NCJW and a past president of the Beth El Congregation of The South Hills Sisterhood. Her biggest passion was with The Pap Corps for Cancer Research in Miami where she held numerous positions. A graveside service was held at Lakeside Cemetery. Contributions may be made to The Pap Corps for Cancer Research, 1191 E. Newport Center Drive #107, Deerfield Beach, FL. 33442. Arrangements entrusted to Beth David Levitt-Weinstein. WAXMAN: Carol Fay (nee Sharapan) Waxman on December 17, 2018. Beloved wife of the late Alvin; Loving mother of Adam (Judy), Jonathan (Jodi) and Melissa. Dear sister of Don Sharapan. Devoted grandmother of Sammi, Jacob, Josh, Bari, Alexa, Brooke, Sydney and Taylor. Mrs. Waxman is formerly of Pittsburgh. She was 81 years old and currently lived in Wyncote, Pa. She was a secretary in the field of education. Services were held at Goldsteins’ Rosenberg’s Raphael-Sacks in Philadelphia. Interment Montefiore Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to American Cancer Society, 1626 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19103 or American Diabetes Assoc., 150 Monument Road, Ste. 100, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. goldsteinsfuneral.com PJC