Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 11/17/2017

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November 17, 2017 | 28 Cheshvan 5778

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Candlelighting 4:43 p.m. | Havdalah 5:44 p.m. | Vol. 60, No. 46 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

March to new home generates mixed emotions

NOTEWORTHY LOCAL Honoring their service

Rauh presentation looks at stories of Pittsburgh’s World War I veterans.

L overabundance of synagogue spaces.

“These buildings are massive, and there needs to be new efficiency in synagogue real estate,” said Eisenberg.

It was not until representatives of New Light and TOL*OLS assembled on their own, however, that any movement was actually stirred.

Stephen Cohen and Barbara Caplan, co-presidents of New Light, reached out to Eisenberg about meeting at a Squirrel Hill coffee house.

“In synagogue life when they ask you to go to Starbucks, it’s never about coffee,” remarked Eisenberg.

From there a plan developed that included selling New Light’s building (a process that is not yet completed, said Cohen), renting space in TOL*OLS (the three-year lease began on Nov. 1) and creating a new model for synagogue usage.

“Each of our congregations wants to maintain a community,” said Eisenberg.

“And we are looking at Dor Hadash to be a partner of this.”

The Reconstructionist synagogue is a

OS ANGELES — Amid a sea of thousands of professional and lay leaders from across North America gathered at the Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly in Los Angeles, Pittsburgh was well represented, with 19 delegates making the cross-country trek to learn best practices and gain inspiration from the wider Jewish Federation network.

Representatives from the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh were eager not only to hear about successful strategies and programs implemented in other communities in terms of “planning fundraising and community engagement,” but to share their own accomplishments with their Federation colleagues, according to Jeff Finkelstein, president and CEO of Pittsburgh’s Federation.

“Each year, the Pittsburgh group walks away feeling really proud with how we are doing as a community,” he said.

Some of Pittsburgh’s best practices were shared at a National Young Leadership Cabinet Shabbat Experience held just prior to the G.A., which began on Sunday, Nov. 12 and ran through Nov. 14. Deborah Baron, chief operating officer of Pittsburgh’s Federation, addressed the group of 100 young Shabbat participants, “exploring the power of language and leadership,” she said.

“That is something we have been doing in Pittsburgh with leadership training at Federation and at JPro workshops,” which support the career growth of Jewish professionals, Baron said, noting that Pittsburgh’s Federation is “consistently recognized for our expertise.”

On the planning committee for the NYL Cabinet Shabbat Experience was Pittsburgher Becca Tobe, 34, who serves as the vice chair

Please see New Light, page 17

Please see G.A., page 17

LOCAL Still touting Iran deal

Page 5 LOCAL

 Members of New Light Congregation proudly carry six Torah scrolls to their new home at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha.

Photo by Barry Werber

By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

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Russian resettlement

Three decades after Freedom Sunday, leaders assess local embrace of Russian Jews.

Page 6

Pittsburgh Federation gives, gets inspiration at JFNA General Assembly

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

Page 3

Diplomat offers renewed defense of JCPOA.

$1.50

he mix of emotions generated by moving was demonstrated on Sunday, Nov. 12, as members of New Light Congregation transported six Torah scrolls to their new home at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha.

The nearly half-mile public procession through Squirrel Hill drew representatives from both congregations, as the parade represented a new beginning in synagogue life, said Michael Eisenberg, president of TOL*OLS. “This is emotional for me. It’s been a long road,” said the lay leader.

“It feels like we’ve walked more than a mile from our old house on Beechwood Boulevard,” echoed Rabbi Jonathan Perlman, New Light’s spiritual guide.

Sunday’s march, which welcomed approximately 75 people, “had been a long time coming,” explained Eisenberg.

Years earlier, organizations including the Jewish Association on Aging, the now defunct Agency for Jewish Learning and even the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh had convened conversations among East End congregations regarding possible plans for mergers, shared settings or other ideas for what to do with an

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NATIONAL Israel wants larger JNF cut

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Headlines Locally motivated, Mekomi moves to build Israeli political power from the ground up — LOCAL —

By Lauren Rosenblatt | Staff Writer

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or Bar Gissin, being a member of the Reform Jewish community living in Rosh Ha’Ayin, an ultra-Orthodox Israeli town, means she prays in a community center that doubles as a synagogue and a gymnasium.

They don’t have their own location, she says, not because of a lack of space, but because no one in the national government is advocating for them.

“The only connection you have with an elected official is through their Facebook page or press releases or scandals they throw out in the middle of Knesset assembly,” Gissin, the national chairperson of Young Meretz, said. “It alienates you. You have no control of what’s going on there. The elected official is not obliged to you.”

This is where a progressive local government — and Gissin’s activism work with a new political movement called Mekomi, or My Place — comes in, she said.

Mekomi is working to “change the equation” and build political power from the bottom up. The 6-month-old political movement wants to equip local leaders with the tools they need to win municipal elections, consequently putting the government’s focus on residents’ concerns at a local level — such as transportation, affordable housing and education — which Mekomi representatives say the major parties on the left have been ignoring.

“My personal experiences showed me our mother parties aren’t aiming to engage [the

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES David Ainsman, Chairman Evan Indianer, Vice Chairman Gayle R. Kraut, Secretary Andrew Schaer, Treasurer Richard J. Kitay, Immediate Past Chairman Jonathan Bernstein, Gail Childs, Elizabeth F. Collura, Seth Dresbold, Milton Eisner, Malke Steinfeld Frank, Tracy Gross, Catia Kossovsky, Andi Perelman, Amy Platt, David Rush, Charles Saul GENERAL COUNSEL Stuart R. Kaplan, Esq.

2 NOVEMBER 17, 2017

p Ido Stossel and Bar Gissin address community members at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Squirrel Hill.

Photo by Jim Busis

“ If we actually want to have impact in Israel, we need to understand how power works and what we need to

”

support, what will bring change.

— MAYA HABER, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING AND STRATEGY FOR PARTNERS FOR PROGRESSIVE ISRAEL communities] initially,” Gissin said. “This is a loser’s approach. I’m not ready to lose. I’m fighting for my future.”

Gissin and Mekomi co-founder Ido Stossel came to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Squirrel Hill on Nov. 5 as part of

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a 10-day United States tour to represent the movement and talk about their mission.

The event was sponsored by J Street Pittsburgh, the local branch of the national pro-Israel, pro-peace movement, and Partners for Progressive Israel.

Maya Haber, director of programming and strategy for Partners for Progressive Israel, said the event was about bringing attention to the movement and also bringing the Israeli discussion in America out of the conceptual abstract and back to what’s happening on the ground.

“Often when we speak about Israel, it’s about values, which is great, it’s about love, it’s about feelings, but it’s not about how politics works,” she said. “If we actually want to have impact in Israel, we need to understand how power works and what we need to support, what will bring change.

“This is the kind of work on the ground in Israel today that gives me hope,” she continued, referring to members of Mekomi working to bring campaign techniques such as canvassing, call centers and door-to-door soliciting to elections in Israel.

As part of their tour, Gissin and Stossel traveled to Boston to observe and discuss campaign techniques and voting practices on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Using grassroots-type efforts to engage with and listen to voters, Stossel said they have already seen a positive reaction in Israel and expect these same techniques will help them to expand their influence.

“The potential voter is not a potential voter anymore,” Stossel said. “We can enlarge our base, enlarge the population we work with.”

Stossel, a political adviser and data analyst who has worked on several political campaigns for members of Knesset in the Labor Party, said he was inspired to create Mekomi after realizing a lack of interest in preparing for the municipal elections among Please see J Street, page 24

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Headlines Rauh researchers reveal forgotten Jewish stories from WWI — LOCAL —

By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

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olitical unrest, economic uncertainty and nations on the brink of battle is not a new story. In fact, as researchers Tammy Hepps and Eric Lidji explained, today’s struggles largely mirror the unmapped episodes of 100 years ago, when Jewish soldiers from Western Pennsylvania set out to take part in the Great War. Through a multisensory presentation, titled “Forgotten Stories from the Homefront: Jews in Western Pennsylvania during World War I,” Hepps and Lidji showcased a collection of materials threaded by tales of historical resonance and emotional gravitas.

The idea for the Nov. 12 program originated nearly a year earlier when Hepps, a researcher at the Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives, encountered competing frustrations.

“Americans don’t seem to know or care that this year is the 100th anniversary of when we entered the war. … [And] Jews seem to have no idea how horrific World War I was for the Jewish communities in Europe,” she remarked.

To right both wrongs, Hepps, a Harvard University graduate and curator of the HomesteadHebrews.com website, went to the proverbial stacks. What she encountered was shocking, she said.

p After being discharged from basic training in Camp Lee, Va., for medical reasons, Myer Levine sent this telegram to his family in Pittsburgh, “Coming home, will stop off at some city for holiday.” It was erev Rosh Hashanah.

Art courtesy of Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives

“I started doing the research on the war during the election cycle last year (both before and after) and was just struck at the uncanny parallels and disheartening similarities and differences between the challenges then and now and how people responded. I felt like this was a real opportunity to use history to get people to think more critically about the present and our opportunities as we live through it.” p Onlookers observe World War I related materials during the Nov. 12 program at the Heinz History Center.

Photo by Adam Reinherz

ASK NADINE

Vol.1 Issue No. 2

Please see WWI, page 24

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Headlines Diplomat with former ties to Boeing returns to Pittsburgh to advocate for Iran deal — LOCAL —

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

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or the third time in three years, Thomas R. Pickering, a longtime United States diplomat who now works for the Iran Project, addressed a Pittsburgh audience to garner support for the Iran nuclear deal.

Pickering, who holds the title of career ambassador, was the featured speaker at a lunch held at the Duquesne Club on Nov. 8, hosted by the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh.

The Iran Project operates to “preserve the JCPOA [the Iran nuclear deal]” which it claims is “working to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons, hold open opportunities for collaboration and dialogue when it is in the U.S. interest to do so and reduce the possibility of a direct conflict between the U.S and Iran,” according to its website.

The Iran Project was started in 2002 by the United Nations Association of the USA and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, which, since 2013, also has given at least $880,000 to groups working to advance a boycott of Israel.

Pickering came under fire from several media outlets last year for failing to disclose that he was working for Boeing during the

time of the JCPOA negotiations, when he was attempting to garner support for the agreement. From 2001 to 2006, Pickering was an employee of Boeing — a company which has benefitted significantly from the Iran deal — and from 2006 to 2015, he worked as a consultant to the aerodynamics firm. In addition to speaking to audiences across the country, Pickering wrote op-eds in favor of the deal and testified before Congress.

The JCPOA allowed Boeing to secure a deal estimated to exceed $20 billion with Iranian Airways.

At his talk last week in Pittsburgh, Pickering told the audience that he no longer works for Boeing in response to a question during the Q&A following his chief presentation, which covered a brief history of Iran’s nuclear program, the basis of the JCPOA and potential Congressional moves following President Donald Trump’s decision last month to not certify that Iran was complying with the agreement.

“The agreement itself is complicated,” Pickering told his audience. “But the fundamental basis of that agreement I think is quite simple. That agreement, in fact, said that Iran would accept severe limitations on its civil nuclear program. It would accept, as well, the most extensive monitoring and verification system ever set up in an arms

Don’t miss an issue

p Thomas R. Pickering makes his case for the Iran Deal.

control arrangement, and in return the sanctions that had been put on Iran internationally would be relaxed and Iran would derive commercial benefits.”

Now, two years into the deal, Pickering said, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the monitoring body that has been charged with “looking at the Iranian performance, has consistently reported that Iran is in compliance” with its obligations under the deal.

But critics of the deal say that inspections

have been absent from Iran’s military sites, and even Iran’s international affairs adviser Ali Akbar Velayati has told reporters that “Nobody is allowed to visit Iran’s military sites.” The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has pressed the IAEA to seek access to Iranian military bases to assess whether the Iranians were concealing activities banned by the JCPOA. Please see Diplomat, page 24

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Headlines Russian Jewish resettlement changed two communities’ lives — LOCAL —

By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

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By 1987, as Gorbachev’s commitment to glasnost (openness) increased, many Jews felt that there was “no choice but to leave,” said Kats.

In May of 1988, Alexey Kharitonov arrived in Pittsburgh with his younger brother and parents. Kharitonov, then 13, was among the first families during the “last wave of immigration,” he said. It was a challenging period, “being the only immigrant in school.”

Fitting in, not only in the broader American society, but in the local Jewish community, was onerous due to a “gap of

six years in the early 1990s.” The gatherings were a chance to share insights into religious services, cantorial music and “whatever I was able as far as the Shulchan Aruch is concerned about Jewish laws and customs,” he said.

One outgrowth was a group marriage, where Russian Jewish couples experienced a traditional Jewish wedding complete with a chuppah and ketubah. Similar activities occurred elsewhere, said Staitman, who recalled Rabbi Alvin Berkun, formerly of Tree of Life Congregation, organizing a comparable event.

While the synagogues and organiza-

hirty years have passed since the masses marched on Washington in the name of Jewish refugees. On Sunday, Dec. 6, 1987, as Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev prepared to meet President Ronald Reagan, nearly a quarter of a million people flooded the National Mall.

The demonstration, which was facilitated by Jewish organizations throughout the country, catalyzed a series of international decisions that ultimately yielded the release of more than 1 million Jews from the former Soviet Union.

In Pittsburgh, efforts had been underway to save Soviet Jewry for years.

Rabbi Mark Staitman, a former spiritual leader at Rodef Shalom Congregation, adopted the cause as a Californian rabbinical student in 1968. By the time Staitman arrived in Pittsburgh in 1975, taking an active lead in Russian Jewish resettlement was “kind of a natural thing,” he explained.

The topic of Soviet Jewry was already on the minds of Steel City residents. In 1971 Pittsburgh Jews had formed the “Pittsburgh Conference on Soviet Jewry, first called Pittsburgh Voice for Soviet Jewry, to gather and send clothing donations to Soviet Jews, distribute promotional materials to local agencies, organize protests and rallies and to lobby local and national politicians for policy changes to help free the Jews suffering under Soviet rule,” p Children from the former Soviet Union celebrate a model seder with teachers from according to the Rauh Jewish History Yeshiva Schools in 1979.

Program & Archives.

While aid was distributed abroad, refugees expectations,” he said. “When people started tions provided services, the Jewish day arrived in Pittsburgh. But between 1972 and coming here, they really came without the schools offered tutors and translators to 1982, a period that Polina Kats termed the religious background that a lot of American ease integration. “third wave” of Russian Jewish resettlement, Jews expected them to have.”

“The Jewish shuls and schools were the number of refugees dwindled. By the end In Russia, it was “dangerous” to be a Jew, welcoming. I went to CDS, my friends went to of the 10-year span, the “doors to the West explained Krimer. “I could not imagine to be CDS or Hillel,” said Kats, who arrived in Pittswere again suddenly closed for Russian in a synagogue because we were afraid.” burgh in 1989 at age 9 along with her parents.

Jews,” wrote Kats in her Carnegie Mellon But it was more than prohibitions against Where problems arose, though, was in University senior honors thesis, “Same religious activity. “People were told from enabling the immigrants to branch out.

Origins, Different Perspectives: Russian birth that God doesn’t exist, that religion is “I think it just didn’t occur to us that we Jewish Immigration to Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- the opium for the people,” said Kharitonov. needed to do things to help them build vania 1882-1917 and 1989-1995.”

Once they finally arrived here, “Russian relationships outside of the Russian Jewish Between 1982 and 1987, while exodus was Jews had, I think, a lot of challenges not community and outside of the particular restricted, Russian Jews experienced extreme just being accepted into the Jewish commu- families who sponsored them or resettled persecution, as Pamyat, a Russian nationalist nity, but accepting the Jewish commu- them,” said Staitman. “Our focus was in organization, rose in power. The ultra-con- nity themselves.” many ways kind of a single-minded focus. servative group accused Jews of destroying Efforts were made to welcome the Russian Our focus was we want these people to have elements of Russian history as well as contrib- Jews, explained Leslie Aizenman, director of the tools necessary to have a meaningful uting to the “persistent problem of alcoholism Refugee & Immigrant services at JF&CS. Jewish life, so we looked at both education that existed in the Soviet Union,” said Kats.

Communally, “hundreds and hundreds and language building and that kind of thing, “It was anti-Semitism from the govern- of people” were involved, said Staitman. and we looked at employment, we looked at ment; we were afraid of being there. We Between teaching English, helping with medical needs and housing, and we looked suffered from it. We suffered from being housing and employment or simply serving at helping them to have Jewish experiences.”

Jewish,” said Nina Krimer, a Greenfield resi- as friends to the new residents, Pittsburghers One piece of the resettlement puzzle was dent who resettled in 1997. from all denominations assisted. having local families welcome Russian Jewish Fears swelled as emigration rates “I took interest in them by teaching them emigres. The difficulty was that “many people declined. In 1985, only 1,140 Russian Jews a special class,” said Cantor Moshe Taube, saw this as one small aspect of their life. They were allowed out, and in 1986, merely 914 formerly of Congregation Beth Shalom. would have their Russian Jewish family over were granted exit, according to the Jewish Given Taube’s Russian proficiency, he to the house once or twice a month and take Telegraphic Agency. organized biweekly meetings for “five to them out to an event or something, but they 6 NOVEMBER 17, 2017

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

didn’t think about how do I go about helping these people build relationships with other Jews in the community,” said the rabbi.

“They could have done better. They could have made them more welcome and given them more attention … and tried to make them feel at home,” echoed Taube.

Further obfuscating coalescence were those who “were leery of the Russian immigrants,” said the cantor. “They didn’t like the idea that they are coming and being welcomed and feted.”

Krimer never felt that way.

“We came like refugees, that’s why we are here. Thank you America, it’s the best of countries,” the octogenarian said.

Kats, whose family was matched with an American family, also appreciated her arrival.

“Being embraced and welcomed, I think it was the right way to approach it. It got people engaged in Jewish life that might not have been engaged otherwise,” said the New York resident.

But Kharitonov disagrees.

“The Russian Jews sometimes felt that they were force-fed religion when they came here. They kind of felt that the American Jews were kind of throwing it in their faces, that they didn’t know the practices, didn’t know the Hebrew. They felt, I guess, that they weren’t accepted as Jews,” said the CMU graduate. “I think those things kind of created a rift between Russian Jews and American Jews and the end result being you rarely see Russian Jews participate in the Jewish community here.”

The only active members are the older generations, added Kharitonov.

Staitman concurred.

“The majority of the kids went to day schools for a period of time, so they were learning about Judaism, but it was difficult for families to make Judaism a part of their lives. And what we see now, and I see this particularly in the synagogue I go to, is some elderly people who have built a nice Jewish life for themselves, but we don’t see a lot of the people who came over in their 20s and 30s and their children in the synagogues today or involved in Jewish organizational life today.”

Alex Kiderman, a mechanical engineer, arrived with his wife, son and mother-in-law in Pittsburgh in 1989. He was 40 years old.

Two days after their arrival, Kiderman’s wife was hired as a translator by JF&CS. Roughly three months later, he found employment as a simple design engineer. In the interim, he attended English classes at JF&CS and religious services at Beth Shalom. Kiderman, whose prior knowledge of Judaism was that his “grandparents were religious,” gravitated to the activities at the Conservative synagogue.

In conjunction with Taube’s offerings, he organized a Russian Jewish club in 1989. At its peak, the group, which met at Beth Shalom for eight years, included 200 immigrants.

“My goal was to bring as many people as possible to services,” said Kiderman.

Please see Russians, page 7

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Headlines Russians: Continued from page 6

It was necessary to “substitute Russian culture” for Jewish culture and American culture; “you can’t be between,” he said, “If you move to another country and you’re still thinking the old way, you can’t live. If you’re not going to check The Chronicle and you start to check the Russian newspaper, living here, it’s not good.”

Over the years, Kiderman’s involvement in the Jewish community grew. After decades on the board of Pittsburgh’s Hebrew Free Loan Association, Kiderman eventually became president, an honor he holds most dearly. “I feel that I’m part of society, it’s most critical. Because to make money, OK, this is something, but to be part of community, this is critical,” said the organization’s immediate past president.

These days, Kiderman serves on the board of trustees at Beth Shalom and as president of the synagogue’s men’s club.

Kharitonov holds a similar spot at Rodef Shalom Congregation. After decades of uninvolvement, Kharitonov met Rabbi Sharyn Henry around the time of his marriage roughly five years ago. “I went to classes, became a member of the brotherhood, was asked to chair a taskforce and started feeling like a member of the community,” said the current Rodef Shalom board of trustees member.

Looking back on the collective experience, there are lessons to be learned, said those involved.

us; we are sort of redefining the role that it plays in our daily lives,” said Kats, whose intermarriage featured a Jewish wedding and whose son’s naming was performed by Rabbi Chuck Diamond. “Rabbi Chuck was a big part of my childhood,” said the 37-year-old.

“Linda Ehrenreich and Charlotte Zabusky, they would tell me how we would take care of people when they came,” said Aizenman.

“I do think that JF&CS has kept the model of wrapping around the families and doing what we need to do, supporting them beyond what is required by our funding.”

Russian Jewish resettlement rendered vast enhancements, explained Staitman. “In any area of life — medicine, academics — we’ve seen tremendous contributions to our lives here from the people who came here, and we would be a much poorer community, country, world if this had not happened.”

The community took on tremendous responsibilities, which was unexpected and “amazing,” said Kats. “The community really pulled together,” agreed Ehrenreich, chief innovation officer and former director of the p Jewish youths at the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill show solidarity with Soviet Jewry in advance of the National Mall march Career Development Center at JF&CS.” in Washington, D.C. Photos provided by the Heinz History Center “It set a tone in terms of people working together regardless of their personal theology, “We weren’t professionals in the area of ball,” the opportunity to welcome Russian regardless of their personal affiliations, people resettlement,” noted Staitman, and though Jews back into the fold “has not been lost,” working together to help people build meanmistakes were made, “I think we were very he said. “Just like in my case. I know a lot of ingful lives,” said Staitman. “Resettling Jews successful in building a sense of responsi- people who came here as immigrants and are was as important for our Jewish community bility in the American Jewish community.” having children, and it’s a great time to start as it was for the people being resettled.” PJC Kharitonov agreed. Although “integrating immersing them in the Jewish culture and Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz Russian Jews into the community here” was Jewish customs.” “something where everybody dropped the “Judaism is incredibly important to all of @pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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NOVEMBER 17, 2017 7

The Real Health, Economic and Climate Crisis Costs of Fossil Fuels to Southwestern PA –and Next Steps Thursday, November 30 • 7-9 PM Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh • 5738 Forbes Avenue • Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Tabling Organizations— Get Involved at the event!

•Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community (BCMAC ) •League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania •Clean Air Council •Penn Environment •Citizens’ Climate Lobby •Allegheny County Clean Air Now •PennFuture •GASP •And more…

Program • Our Moral Challenge Rabbi Ron Symons, JCC of Greater Pittsburgh

• The Global Climate Crisis Joy Braunstein, PennFuture, Climate Reality Project Leader

• Potential Environmental Hazards Associated with Petrochemical Development in Southwestern PA James Fabisiak, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health

• The Petrochemical Build Out — Corporate Power versus Community Rights Lisa Graves Marcucci, Environmental Integrity Project

• Fossil Fuels versus Green Energy: Competing Narratives for Economic Development in Southwestern PA For more information: Rabbi Ron Symons rsymons@jccpgh.org 412-339-5395.

Matthew Mehalik, Ph.D., Breathe Project

• The Future Is Here: Big Problems, Simple Solutions Edward Ketyer, M.D., Pediatrician

• What's Happening in Pittsburgh?

• Concluding Remarks: Getting Involved Rabbi Ron Symons

8 NOVEMBER 17, 2017

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Headlines Community unites to secure Jewish future through endowment funds — WORLD —

By Toby Tabachnick | Senior Staff Writer

T

he adage “two Jews, three opinions” does not always hold true, as was demonstrated at the Nov. 8 kick-off meeting for the launch of the Life & Legacy program where 80 leaders from 13 distinct local Jewish organizations all agreed that to secure the community’s future, financial planning needs to start now.

The Life & Legacy program is a partnership between the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and the Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.

Its aim is to start a communitywide giving program through collaboration with local organizations, providing coaching, training and incentive grants to encourage the solicitation of legacy, or after-life, giving.

Steve Hecht, executive director of Beth El Congregation of the South Hills, learned about the Life & Legacy program, and the success it has achieved in other Jewish communities, while attending a conference of the North American Association of Synagogue Executives. He urged Pittsburgh’s Federation to apply on behalf of the Steel

City’s Jewish community to join the program.

Now Pittsburgh is part of a nationwide 2017 Life & Legacy cohort, which includes nine communities.

Beth El is one of the Pittsburgh participants “because we strongly believe in the need to expand endowment as a means to help ensure our sustainable future,” Hecht said. “We are extremely thankful to the Jewish Federation who has undertaken this endeavor to help strengthen the broader Jewish community.”

Other participating organizations include: Community Day School; The Edward and Rose Berman Hillel Jewish University Center of Pittsburgh; Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh; the Jewish Association on Aging; the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh; Jewish Family & Community Services; Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh; Jewish Residential Services; National Council of Jewish Women, Pittsburgh Section; Rodef Shalom Congregation; Temple Emanuel of South Hills; and Temple Sinai.

The Jewish Community Foundation, upon investing $200,000 in cash and resources, will receive $100,000 per year for up to four years from the Grinspoon Foundation to contribute to the program, according to Sharon Perelman, director of planned giving

p Dena Kaufman of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation talks about endowment strategies.

Photo by Toby Tabachnick

at the Jewish Community Foundation.

Perelman and Dan Brandeis, Jewish Community Foundation director, will assist local participating organizations

as they embark on their own legacy giving campaigns.

“We — the Jewish Community Foundation — are excited to bring this successful national program to Pittsburgh to help local Jewish organizations build sustaining endowments that will strengthen the community for generations to come,” Brandeis said.

While every Jewish organization in the Pittsburgh community was invited to participate in the Life & Legacy program, only 13 have opted in so far, Perelman said. Each organization was required to pay $1800 to join, but will recover those funds, along with an additional $5000, upon securing 18 legacy commitments within the next 16 months.

Each participating organization also must commit to a formal “brit kodesh” of requirements, including establishing a legacy team of at least three people, attending all training sessions and developing a written legacy plan specifying goals and identifying potential legacy donors.

At the kick-off meeting last week, which was held at Rodef Shalom, Dena Kaufman, a Life & Legacy community coordinator from the Grinspoon Foundation, led the group Please see Legacy, page 24

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

Nov. 17, 2012 Leah Gottlieb dies Israeli businesswoman and fashion pioneer Leah Gottlieb dies in her Tel-Aviv home at the age of 94.

Nov. 21, 1880 Joseph Trumpeldor is born

Known for dying while defending the Jewish settlement of Tel Hai in 1920, Joseph Trumpeldor, a Zionist political activist and military hero, is born in Pyatigorsk, Russia.

Nov. 22, 1967 UN adopts Resolution 242

In the wake of the June 1967 Six Day War, the United Nations Security Council adopts Resolution 242, a document that has served as a framework for all major Arab/ Israel negotiations.

Nov. 18, 1958 Jerusalem’s new reservoir opens

The two-and-a-half-year project culminates with the opening of a new water reservoir for Jerusalem at Bayit Ve’Gan.

Nov. 19, 1977 Sadat visits Jerusalem

Egyptian President Anwar Sadat’s plane lands at Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport at the start of his historic 36-hour visit to Israel.

Nov. 20, 1977 Sadat addresses the Knesset

Nov. 23, 1584 Sultan Murad III questions number of synagogues in Safed

Sultan Murad III orders an investigation into the number of synagogues in Safed in the Land of Israel, then under Ottoman control. PJC

One day after arriving from Egypt for his historic visit to Jerusalem, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat addresses a specially arranged sitting of the Knesset.

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NOVEMBER 17, 2017 9

Calendar q WEDNESDAY, DEC. 6 Israel: the Next 70 Years, will be held at 7 p.m. with Avi Weiss, executive director of the Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel who will discuss socioeconomic issues including poverty and demographic trends facing Israel at 70. Visit jfedpgh. org/Israel for more information and to register.

early opportunity to shop at the Sisterhood’s Chanukah Gift shop. Contact PJC at parkwayjc@verizon.net or 412-823-4338 for the time and more information.

mysticism. Visit tinyurl.com/y7yj9y3v for more information and to register.

q WEDNESDAY, NOV. 29

Chabad of the South Hills Shabbat Around the World with a Mexican-style dinner will be held at 6 p.m. at 1701 McFarland Road.

Event cost is $18/individual, and $54/family maximum. Contact barb@chabadsh.com or visit chabadsh.com for more information.

AgeWell at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh is hosting Health & Wellness Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Palm Court. Discover new ways and programs to live better while aging. The program will include health screenings, safety and health promotion exhibits and adult and elder care information. There is no charge.

Contact Marsha Mullen, mmullen@jccpgh. org or 412-339-5415 or visit jccpgh.org for more information. q THURSDAY, NOV. 30

q REGISTRATION NOW OPEN Mitzvah Day, a long-standing tradition in Pittsburgh where the Jewish community comes together to provide services to different organizations throughout the entire community, will be taking place over two days, with projects on Sunday, Dec. 24 and Monday, Dec. 25. This will be the 17th annual Mitzvah Day, named for the Hebrew word mitzvah, referring to “good deeds” or “acts of loving kindness.” The event is coordinated by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Volunteer Center, which provides a network of meaningful opportunities to connect volunteers with organizations and people in need.

Visit http://jfedvolunteer.org/aboutmitzvah-day/ for more information and to register. q FRIDAY, NOV. 17 Friendsgiving Shabbat Potluck, 7 to 9 p.m. at Moishe House. Join at the house for Kabbalat Shabbat services, followed by potluck dinner.

Bring a vegetarian comfort food dish to share. All are welcome. Visit facebook.com/ moishehouse.pittsburgh/ for more information. q FRIDAY-SATURDAY,

Bnai Emunah Chabad will offer a free program on “Forgotten Stories of Legacy of Jewish Communities in Small Towns in Western Pennsylvania” at 7 p.m. at 4315 Murray Ave., Greenfield. The program is for women only, and all women are welcome.

Refreshments follow program.

Yonina, the Israeli singing duo, performs from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh’s Katz Theater. Known for their positive vibe and soft harmonies, Yonina’s acoustic concert in Pittsburgh will feature favorite covers from their weekly online videos along with songs from their debut album. Visit tinyurl.com/yoninapgh for more information and to purchase tickets.

Moishe House Sees Art, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Carnegie Museums of Art. Meet at the house at 1:30 p.m. to take the bus together or meet at the 4400 Forbes Ave. entrance. Visit facebook. com/moishehouse.pittsburgh/ for more information.

Author Dorit Sasson speaks about her service with the Israel Defense Forces and her book “Accidental Soldier” at Parkway Jewish Center, 300 Princeton Drive. The program will be followed by brunch and an

A program on the Real Health, Economic and Climate Crisis Costs of Fossil Fuels to Southwestern PA — and Next Steps is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. The climate crisis is real in SWPA and the air we breathe impacts our physical health and our economic well-being. Hear from experts in the fields of health and economics. Engage with organizations that can give direction on getting involved and improving lives in SWPA. Visit tinyurl.com/ydg9hsd7 for more information, or contact Rabbi Ron Symons at rsymons@jccpgh.org.. q WEDNESDAY, DEC. 6 Women’s Improv is the next series offered

by Tiferet, a newly formed organization offering creative and meaningful courses for Pittsburgh women. Classes will be held at Bnai Emunoh Chabad, 4315 Murray Ave. Tzohar Seminary for Chassidus and the Arts will guide the five-part series and will be led by its founder and artistic director, Amy Guterson, a seasoned actress and member of Pittsburgh Playback Theatre. Classes are appropriate for beginners. At the outset of the first and last sessions, a 15-minute segment will highlight the concepts of “teamwork” and “acceptance” within Jewish

q FRIDAY, DEC. 8

q SUNDAY, DEC. 3 Super Sunday, the community fundraising event/phone-a-thon for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s annual campaign will be held at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh.

Volunteers at Super Sunday come out to make calls for donations that will help strengthen the community at home, in Israel and wherever Jews are in need. Giving is a mitzvah, and so is asking others to give.

In addition to the Super Sunday phoning, there will be a blood drive. Be sure to sign up on the Central Blood Bank website, http://tinyurl. com/ycjtojxw, to choose a time slot ahead of time. Use Group Code C616 when making your appointment at the bottom of the page.

You can also participate in the Gift of Life bone marrow registry with a quick, painless cheek swab across from the registration table. Sessions are 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.; and 3 to 5 p.m. A kosher breakfast, lunch and snacks will be served.

Contact Sally Stein at sstein@jfedpgh. org or 412-992-5243 or visit https://jfedpgh. org/SuperSunday for more information and to register. q MONDAY, DEC. 11 The Ira and Nanette Gordon Professional Achievement Award Reception will be held from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. in the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, Levinson Hall. The award was established to inspire communal service on behalf of the Please see Calendar, page 11

NOV. 17 AND 18

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

q THURSDAY, NOV. 30 Chabad of Pittsburgh hosts its annual Evening of Celebration with guest speaker David Weiss. Weiss is the screenwriter of a number of popular films, including “Shrek 2” and the Rugrats movies. He will be giving a talk entitled, “A Shrek of a Trek: The Wild Spiritual Ride of a Blockbusting Screenwriter.” The evening will begin with a wine and cheese reception at 7 pm. The reception will be followed by Weiss’ presentation at 7:30 p.m. Visit chabadpgh.com or call 412-4213561 for more information and to make reservations.

q SUNDAY, NOV. 19 Chabad of the South Hills is offering a monthly course, Pause and Affect: A Shabbat Outlook,” for women by the Rosh Chodesh Society. Classes will be held on the third Thursday each month beginning at 10 a.m. The same course will also be held on Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m.

Contact barb@chabadsh.com or visit chabadsh.com for more information.

10 NOVEMBER 17, 2017

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Calendar 412-344-2424 or mussie@chabadsh.com for more information.

Calendar: Continued from page 10 community by recognizing an outstanding community professional in the early career stages. This year’s recipient is Matthew Bolton, director of JF&CS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry and SOS Pittsburgh. Bolton has demonstrated exceptional ability and commitment to providing services to thousands of struggling individuals and families in the community.

The program will include Carly Zimmerman, CEO of Challah for Hunger, on “Baking a Difference.” The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh program is being conducted in partnership with the local Pittsburgh JPRO Chapter. RSVP to Tracy Grandelis at tgrandelis@jfedpgh.org. q WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13 Celebrate Chanukah with the South Hills Community at the fifth annual South Hills lights the communitywide Chanukah event at 6 p.m. at the Galleria in Mt. Lebanon, on the upper level near the fountain. Grand menorah lighting, live music by Chillent, latkes with all the trimmings, Chanukah woodcraft with the Home Depot, giant chocolate menorah and raffle prizes.

Chabad of the South Hills and South Hills Jewish Pittsburgh sponsors the family-fun event.

Admission is free. RSVP appreciated but not required. Those who preregister will receive a free entry into the Grand Chanukah Raffle. Visit chabadsh.com/lights or contact

Last year’s menorah under the Homestead Grays Bridge

q THURSDAY, DEC. 14

Chabad of Western Pennsylvania and Bnai Emunoh Chabad of Squirrel Hill have partnered with the Waterfront Shopping Center to celebrate the Festival of Chanukah from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. under the Homestead Grays Bridge at The Waterfront. The festival will include a heated tent with food vendors, games and activities for the kids and grand menorah lighting. The event will be preceded by the annual Menorah Parade beginning at Rodef Shalom Congregation, featuring nearly 100 vehicles adorned with menorahs.

The festival’s headliner from 2016, 8th Day (a popular Jewish-Chassidic rock band) is back again this year to rock the celebration after the lighting, performing some of their hits for festival goers. This event is free and open to the public.

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh’s American Jewish Museum and the Center for Loving Kindness and Civic Engagement present Phat Man Dee and Liz Berlin, who will perform at the Shine the Light with Social Justice Disco at the JCC’s Katz Theater, 5738 Darlington Ave. at 7 p.m. There will be a cash bar and a private meet and greet with the artists at 6:30 p.m. Event is for ages 13plus. Purchase tickets at bit.ly/socialjusticedisco. q FRIDAY, DEC. 15

(APPLICATION DUE DATE)

The Israel Engagement Fellowship will be available for select 10th- to 12th-grade high school students to learn about Israel’s geopolitical climate, explore the diversity of Israel’s cultures and religions, and get important facts about trends on college campuses, including some of the most pressing questions that students grapple with: What does anti-Israel activity look like? How is it different than anti-Semitism?

What can I do to make my campus and community a safer and more inclusive space?

Space is limited. There will be five sessions that will take place at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh in the Robinson Building in the Second Floor Workshop on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dates are Jan. 9, Jan. 16, Jan. 30, Feb. 6 and Feb. 13.

The cost is $100 per participant and will

q TUESDAY, DEC. 12

include dinner. Scholarships are available.

Applications are due Dec. 15; payment is due Dec. 31. Visit tinyurl.com/yb2lxkzv to apply. The Israel Engagement Fellowship is made possible by a grant from Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Jewish Life and Learning Department. q SATURDAY, DEC. 16 Shalom Pittsburgh presents the 12th annual Vodka Latke Pajama Party with a Purpose from 8 to 12 p.m. at The Waterfront Town Center. Visit shalompittsburgh.org/events/vodka-latke for more information and to register.

q TUESDAY, DEC. 19 Chabad of the South Hills and the South Hills Jewish Community Center will hold the annual Chanukah lunch and program for seniors at noon and will include a kosher lunch with hot latkes (potato pancakes) and holiday music. Lunch will be held at the South Hills JCC, 345 Kane Blvd. The building is wheelchair accessible. Preregistration is strongly suggested. $5 suggested donation.

Contact barb@chabadsh.com or visit chabadsh.com for more information. PJC

Family Holiday Camp Carnegie Science Center Planetarium Saturday, December 2• 9:30-11:30 AM es For famili ren with child ages 5+

Includes free admission to the Science Center following the event Learn about light as it relates to the Jewish Festival of Lights: Chanukah. We'll have a scientific and artsy experience as we create take-home Chanukah arts projects inspired by a private viewing of the planetarium show, “Stars Over Pittsburgh,” about the lights and constellations in our night sky. Refreshments included.

1 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Snapology Saturday, December 9 • 1:30-3:30 PM Our JCC Family Camp adventure continues at Snapology. Join us to make take-home chanukiot with our favorite legos.

Refreshments included.

1699 Washington Road, Bethel Park, PA 15228

RSVP to Lewis Sohinki, 412-697-3537 or lsohinki@jccpgh.org.

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NOVEMBER 17, 2017 11

Headlines Israel wants a bigger cut from the nonprofit behind those blue tzedakah boxes — WORLD —

By Andrew Tobin | JTA

J

ERUSALEM — American Jews dropped nickels and dimes into the Jewish National Fund’s blue charity boxes to help Zionists build the Jewish state.

More than a century later, the JNF, known in Hebrew as Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, is rich. It owns 13 percent of all the land in the country and brings in some $3 billion a year, most of it from land sales.

Israel now wants a big cut of that revenue to help fund state-run national infrastructure projects, and the government is pushing legislation that would force JNF to pay up.

But JNF is holding out, saying it is doing a fine job developing the country on its own.

The government feels entitled to JNF’s money, which according to its mission is held in trust for the Jewish people. While JNF is not state run, the government appoints many of its officials and a public agency, the Israel Land Authority, manages and sells its land. In the past, the government has often drawn on JNF funds to meet

in 1901, it bought land and founded settlements on which Israel was established in 1948. Famed for planting hundreds of millions of trees in Israel, the not-for-profit group also focuses on land reclamation and development of communities outside central Israel.

“Mr. Prime Minister, KKL-JNF invests billions every year in strengthening the periphery, education and the environment,” JNF head Dany Atar tweeted, using an acronym that includes its Hebrew name. “It’s a shame that you, Bibi, are fulfilling Zahalka’s dream of dismantling the JNF.” Jamal Zahalka, a Knesset member from the Arab Joint List party, is among those who criticize JNF for selling land exclusively to Jews.

Some would like to see JNF reformed for other reasons.

In January, a scathing state comptroller p The Jewish National Fund collects money through donations in boxes such as this.

Photo courtesy of Flickr Commons report characterized JNF as wasteful, opaque and possibly compromised by conflicts of its needs, and is currently seeking to fund its at an emergency government meeting on the interest. According to the report, over the 15 two-year budget. issue. “It is very important that this money be months leading up to November 2015, the “The JNF sells lands every year and channeled to the needs of the State of Israel.” JNF spent just a third of its revenue on public receives billions of shekels in return,” Prime In response, the JNF argues that it has Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week earned the right to independence. Founded Please see JNF, page 21

Memorandum of Understanding opens gates between Pennsylvania, Israel — NATIONAL —

By Jon Marks | Special to the Chronicle

P

HILADELPHIA — The State of Israel and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), itself a decade in the making, that officials say will usher in a new era of trans-Atlantic business development.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Community and Economic Development Dennis Davin and Ambassador Dani Dayan, the Consul General of Israel in New York, inked the document Nov. 6 at Thomas Jefferson University.

“It’s very important to have written acknowledgment of how welcome Israeli companies are in the Commonwealth,” said Naomi Adler, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. “For years, we have been working on this memorandum through the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition and all the other partners.

“In an environment where companies may think twice, having this agreement is a wonderful way to show that the governments, the nonprofits and the business institutes in Pennsylvania welcome Israeli companies with open arms.”

More to the point, it sends a message to those that might attempt to prey on negative attitudes.

“It’s one more stake in the heart of BDS,” 12 NOVEMBER 17, 2017

p Officials celebrate the Nov. 6 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

Photo by Jon Marks

she continued, referring to the pro-Palestinian boycott, divestment and sanctions movement that’s threatened Israel in recent years. “When a company thinks, ‘Maybe I may not be welcomed,’ here Israelis are welcomed, and we are welcome in Israel.

“I see it as one more opportunity to show the close alliance between companies. There are companies being pushed away for lots of

different reasons. But if they’re worried about their products or their partnerships or their connections to Israel, this is a way to say ‘No, you are incredibly welcome here.’ In fact, the secretary and the government have signed this agreement saying you are welcome.”

Still, officials said it’s no time for the local Jewish community to rest on its laurels.

“It’s fantastic and it only validates what

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

we already knew, that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is entirely committed to strengthening commercial ties with Israel,” said Vered Nohi, executive director of the Philadelphia-Israel Chamber of Commerce (PICC). “In reality, though, it’s like a membership. If we don’t make the most of our membership, it doesn’t mean anything.

So now the work is beginning.”

Dayan is confident the MOU will have significant impact.

“It means they’ve opened the gates for many Israeli companies,” said Dayan, who thanked his predecessor, Yaron Sideman, for paving the way to make this possible.

“I’m quite confident that when implemented you’ll see many more Israeli companies based in Philadelphia and in Pennsylvania on both sides of the state. In some sense, Israel and Pennsylvania have economically reinvented themselves along the same lines of innovation. It’s only natural this agreement is signed now.”

The MOU signing came at the end of a long day at Jefferson, following a series of panel discussions and one-on-one meetings at the Greater Philadelphia-Israel Big Data and Digital Health Summit. That’s where Israeli startup companies met with potential investors and partners to determine compatibility. Nineteen Israeli startups made the trip here as part of a delegation that continued on to Stony Brook, N.Y., and Hartford, Conn.

Please see Memorandum, page 21

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Shalom Pittsburgh presents the 12th Annual

our y nd 79 to a 2 L1 7979 ceive V t Texme to and reicket! na ister our t reg off y $5

DEC. 16, 2017 8-12PM THE WATERFRONT TOWN CENTER shalompittsburgh.org/events/vodka-latke

PARTY WITH A PURPOSE: Please bring a package of NEW underwear for men, women or children and/or feminine sanitary care items (tampons, pads, etc.) to be donated to local charities in need.

{Answer the call} when a Jewish Federation volunteer

calls you about the Community Campaign on

SUPER SUNDAY DECEMBER 3, 2017

9:30AM-5PM JCC SQUIRREL HILL www.jfedpgh.org/supersunday

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NOVEMBER 17, 2017 13

SPONSORED CONTENT

The Federation

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SPONSORED CONTENT

The Federation

Something is missing.

It could be physical therapy for a home-bound senior. It could be Shabbat dinner for a family in need.

It could be an Israel experience for a teen developing her Jewish identity. It could be two weeks of summer camp for a Jewish child in Moldova. But the one thing in common—the one thing missing in all of these stories—is you.

Help fill these pages with amazing, lifechanging experiences. Please give today.

Jfedpgh.org/donate 412.681.8000

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LIFE & LEGACYTM is a partnership program between the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and the Jewish Community Foundation to support Jewish communities in securing after-lifetime gifts to help our community secure resources for generations to come.

Partner organizations participating in LIFE & LEGACYTM Beth El Congregation of the South Hills Community Day School The Edward and Rose Berman Hillel Jewish University Center of Pittsburgh Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh Jewish Association on Aging The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

Jewish Family & Community Services of Pittsburgh Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Jewish Residential Services National Council of Jewish Women, Pittsburgh Section Rodef Shalom Congregation Temple Emanuel of South Hills Temple Sinai

For more information, contact Jan Barkley at JBarkley@jfedpgh.org or 412.992.5294

LIFE & LEGACY program and the LIFE & LEGACY logo are trademarks of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. All rights reserved.

16 NOVEMBER 17, 2017

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Headlines New Light: Continued from page 1

current tenant of TOL*OLS. Over the past seven years, Dor Hadash and its landlord have collaborated on programs and joint Kiddushes, said Rabbi Doris Dyen and Dan Leger, members of the lay-led congregation.

By placing an additional partner beneath the roof, there is increased opportunity for future cooperation, said representatives.

Because of the “critical mass” of people assembled, “the hub of activity will be right here at Shady and Wilkins,” noted Eisenberg.

As a testament to the future, children from the Torah Lishmah Community, TOL*OLS’ religious school, met marchers on the corner of Northumberland Street and Shady Avenue.

Observing the youngsters singing beside the adults was “heartwarming,” said Caplan.

It was also an educational moment, said Karen Morris, TLC’s principal. Having the streets closed and people marching with Torahs is something that the students “don’t see every day,” she said.

Upon the multigenerational crowd’s arrival at TOL*OLS, the group proceeded downstairs to the old sisterhood room. Now known as the New Light Chapel, the space featured freshly painted walls, new ceiling tiles and updated lighting.

p Rabbi Jonathan Perlman affixes a mezuzah on the doorpost of New Light Congregation’s new home.

Photo by Adam Reinherz

Portions of the work were completed by New Light members before the ceremony, said Barry Werber of New Light.

After three of the congregation’s six Torahs were placed in the ark, a mezuzah was placed on the doorway to New Light’s new home.

Perlman then recited the blessing both for

affixing a mezuzah as well as the shehechiyanu. Afterward, responsive readings, more singing and additional speeches occurred before attendees enjoyed a brunch buffet complete with lox, sable, bagels, kugel, cake and other common dishes.

The emotional nature of the engagement

G.A.: Continued from page 1

of educational and leadership development of the NYL Cabinet.

“It was a high energy Shabbat,” Tobe said, “with lots of inspiration and a lot of optimism for the future of young leadership.”

Tobe is “passionate,” she said, about “letting people know that millennials are Jewishly engaged — just in a different way than some people expect us to be. Millennials do care way more than people think.”

A wide variety of topics were covered at the Sunday break-out sessions at the G.A., including the current political climate, reimagining the present and future of Jewish life and the changing Israel/U.S. relationship, serving as a stimulating prelude to Sunday evening’s opening plenary.

Beginning with firsthand accounts by both victims and responders of Houston’s Hurricane Harvey, the audience heard details of how the Federation movement mobilized to send aid within moments after the storm hit Houston’s Jewish community and gained a sense of how a strong collective, working together, can make a profound difference to individuals as well as those in the broader society.

The power of the Federations was also underlined in a poignant speech delivered by David Wolpe, senior rabbi of Temple Sinai in Los Angles, as he recounted the story of a young child of a Russian immigrant who, 25 years ago, called the Los Angeles Federation for help when her father had fallen and could not get up. The Russian father had posted the Federation’s phone number by the phone and told his daughter that in the case of any emergency, “call this number; it’s the Jewish building and they will help you.”

p Israeli activist and author Natan Sharansky joins the Pittsburgh contingent in displaying hometown pride.

Photo provided by Jeff Finkelstein

“That’s who you are,” Wolpe told the delegates at the G.A. “You’re the Jewish building.

“Our task,” he continued, “is to create ongoing generations of Jews that will help.

That’s our mission.”

Marking the 30th anniversary of a 250,000-person march at the National Mall in Washington in solidarity with Soviet Jewry, Ilia Salita, president and CEO of the Genesis Philanthropy Group, representing the Russian-speaking Jewish community, thanked North American Jews and Jewish Federations for the first time for their support in enabling Russian-speaking Jews to immigrate to the United States.

The emigration of Russian Jews in the late 1980s is “considered one of the most successful immigration waves in the history of the United States,” Salita said. With a nod to the Federations, he added: “You recognized you were investing in our common Jewish future. You helped us discover that wonderful, incredible thing, the American dream.”

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Also speaking on the remarkable achievements of immigrants pursing the American dream was Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles’ first Jewish mayor and the city’s second Mexican-American mayor who gave a personal account of his own family’s struggles and contributions as immigrants and his dual identity as a Jew and as Latino. Garcetti urged his fellow Jews to continue to “connect, speak up and find a better way” to enrich the broader community.

Other highlights of the opening plenary included a “Hollywood Roundtable,” hosted by film producer Marc Platt, who along with his wife, Julie, co-chaired the G.A. Platt and his panelists described how a story told around a Shabbat table — about the power of connection and caring among three young Jews around the world and a Muslim in Yemen under the threat of death — is making its way to the big screen.

“You can change the world,” Platt said, “which is one of the reasons everyone is here

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was felt throughout, said Caplan.

“It’s bittersweet,” said Carol Black of Cranberry Township, a New Light member.

“You have happy memories from the old house, and you will make new memories at the new house.”

“In a way it’s fantastic, but in a way it’s sad. This is the second synagogue I’ve had to close,” said Werber, a former member of Congregation B’nai Israel in East Liberty.

“This is a rebirth. My family has been involved in this congregation for a long time,” said Ezra Reis of Kennedy Township.

Reis’ father, Rabbi Paul Reis, was New Light’s spiritual leader from 1980 until 1983.

“What we have created here is a blank slate.

It is something to grow with and something to build with,” said Cohen, before offering praise. “Tree of Life was very gracious to adopt a metropolitan model of multiple congregations in one building.”

This is an example of “how the Jewish community can partner to come up with creative solutions to challenges we face,” said Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, spiritual leader of TOL*OLS. “Here at Tree of Life, we are housing three different minyans that are existing simultaneously, and I think it’s wonderful that we’re able to do something like that.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz @pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

today. Sometimes we can change the world by the stories we choose to tell.”

The plenary concluded with an address by JFNA president and CEO Jerry Silverman, who highlighted the accomplishments and aspirations of the umbrella organization. Silverman announced that the JFNA would be putting forth a resolution on religious pluralism in Israel, affirming support for the Jewish state while urging the Israeli government to reverse its decision on the Kotel agreement — which put an end to the egalitarian prayer area at the Western Wall — and to permanently halt the conversion bill, which would give sole discretion to the Orthodox Chief rabbinate to perform conversions in Israel.

Pittsburgh’s delegates were energized and motivated by learning and sharing with colleagues from throughout North America.

Cindy Shapira, immediate past chair of the Federation, introduced two round table discussions at a plenary session, on millenials and on politics.

“I’m always inspired going to this conference,” said Brian Eglash, chief development officer of Pittsburgh’s Federation. “Whenever I get back to Pittsburgh, I realize what an amazing community Pittsburgh is.”

Katie Whitlatch, who serves on the board of Pittsburgh’s Federation agreed.

“The G.A. is a great opportunity to get a pulse on what’s going on in the Jewish world nationally and internationally,” she said.

The conference is “a really great showcase for everything Federation does,” said Meryl Ainsman, chair of the board of Pittsburgh’s Federation. “It’s rejuvenating to see what other Federations are doing and to appreciate how great we are.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

NOVEMBER 17, 2017 17

Opinion Priti Patel’s blunder — EDITORIAL —

A

mericans consumed with domestic government and sex scandals can be forgiven for not being aware of the recurring scandals in the United Kingdom which are embroiling Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative government. The latest concerns the now former secretary of state for international development, Priti Patel. A strong Israel supporter in a largely pro-Israel government, Patel, 45, took a private family vacation to the Jewish state in August.

Unlike most visitors to Israel, but par for the course for visiting dignitaries, she met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a dozen Israeli politicians, including Yair Lapid — the head of the Yesh Atid party — and Yuval Rotem, a senior Israeli Foreign Ministry official. What Patel neglected to do was clear the meetings in advance with the British Foreign Ministry or May. This was a clear breach of protocol. Additionally, her

visit to a military base on the Golan Heights, while not objectionable in our eyes, violated the British policy of not recognizing Israel’s annexation of that territory.

The man who helped set up the meetings, Conservative peer Stuart Polak, is a prominent pro-Israel activist. He attended all but one of Patel’s meetings with Israeli leaders.

After her vacation, Patel suggested that some of Britain’s aid budget go to the Israeli army and inquired if Britain could support Israel’s humanitarian operations for Syrian victims of that country’s civil war. When the earlier meetings came to light last week, the public was aghast at what was widely viewed as a conflicted government minister attempting to sway her country’s policies after backdoor lobbying sessions by a foreign power.

Patel resigned on Nov. 8. Earlier she offered a non-apology, writing, “In hindsight, I can see how my enthusiasm to engage in this way could be misread, and how meetings were set up and reported in a way which did not

Syrians in a civil war it had nothing to do with, even as it is forced to respond to a deteriorating security landscape — Iran is reportedly building a permanent military base just 30 miles from the border — made possible by that war. But the way Patel went about doing things while visiting a foreign government was plainly wrong.

Some Brits are castigating p Priti Patel met with Prime Minister Benjamin May for reprimanding Patel Netanyahu while on a private family vacation and using it as evidence of in Israel.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons/

Russell Watkins/Department for International Development British bias against Israel.

British society does have accord with the usual procedures.” worrying anti-Semitic strains, but in this The loss of Patel is unfortunate, partic- case, we‘re not so sure. While Patel could ularly because what she was advocating have been a very good friend to Israel, her would have been welcome developments clumsy execution was bad form. As one of in the Middle East. It is no secret that Israel her country’s senior officials, she should have has incurred great cost in treating wounded known better. PJC

The cowardice of American Jewish Academia Guest Columnist Daniel B. Markind

T

hree weeks ago, Alan Dershowitz gave a speech at the University of California, Berkeley in which he laid out the liberal case for Israel. Shortly thereafter, a cartoon appeared in the student newspaper that depicted Dershowitz with spiderlike features, smiling as he sticks his head through a cardboard cutout. Behind the cardboard he stomps on a Palestinian child with his foot. In his hand is an Israeli soldier who is shooting an unarmed Palestinian.

Incredibly, the cartoon provoked almost no public reaction among the university community. Astounded, Dershowitz wrote his own letter to the editor outing the cartoonist and the editorial staff that published the cartoon. The editorial board then tried to censor Dershowitz’s letter.

He refused. Finally, two weeks too late, the editorial staff apologized for the cartoon.

Carol Christ, the chancellor of the University of California, also belatedly criticized the anti-Semitic imagery.

The entire incident begs the obvious question. Where was the Jewish faculty at Berkeley? Why were they so willing to put up with this appalling pictorial representation without public objection? What would their reaction have been had a similarly offensive cartoon been published depicting Hispanics, African Americans or Muslims?

We’ve had a front row seat to that sort of activity at my alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania. In August, a professor authored an op-ed piece in The Philadelphia Inquirer that some considered offensive and racist. Within a day, many Penn professors and students, including many Jewish professors, organized against her.

18 NOVEMBER 17, 2017

Clearly, Jewish professors know how to get agitated about perceived bias against other peoples and cultures.

But what of our own? It is now common on campus for university-affiliated organizations to advocate anti-Semitism publicly. Rarely is it as obvious as at Berkeley, and usually it is disguised as “anti-Zionism.” Curiously however, those same people who wrap themselves in the flag of multi-culturalism and tolerance seem to focus their outrage only on Israel. Millions can get displaced and purposely starved in Syria, Christians can be persecuted throughout Arab lands, Kurds can be denied independence by at least four nations, but only Israel will be singled out for condemnation on campus.

Take for example an organization which has chapters at numerous law schools, the National Lawyers Guild. When I was at Penn Law School in the early 1980’s, the NLG was a respected liberal organization. While too leftist for me, I respected the Guild’s work and the people who believed in it. What a difference 30 years makes. In 2014, the NLG sought to indict President Barrack Obama before the International Criminal Court for “aiding and abetting Israeli genocide, crimes against humanity and other war crimes.”

What was Obama’s great sin? He provided assistance to Israel during the 2014 Gaza conflict, including money to fund Israeli development of the Iron Dome missile defense shield. To the NLG, protecting Jewish civilians against indiscriminate Palestinian rocket fire was an example of “genocide.”

One might think that when these incidents happen, when the Jewish state alone is accused of such crimes or is targeted separately by the NLG, the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement or other organizations, Jewish professors across the political spectrum and non-Jewish Israel-friendly faculty members would object and make their voices heard. One would be wrong. Their silence has been deafening, to say nothing of cowardly.

Where are the Jewish professors — and most prominently the Jewish Studies professors — at schools where anti-Semitism (both blatant and dressed up as anti-Zionism) practically is an accepted fact of life, such as at Berkeley, San Francisco State or Portland State? If they object at all, they do it awfully quietly. Either the professors are unaware of or unwilling to face the fact that their silence produces the oxygen that fuels the campus radicals who twist the liberal concepts the professors adore into an unrecognizable force they should fear, were they prescient enough to see it.

Given Jewish history and tradition, it’s not that surprising that Jewish intellectuals tend to be liberal. One of the most sacred principles of Judaism is tikkun olam, “repairing the world.” Liberalism generally has taken a more active approach toward this than conservatism.

What is surprising and profoundly disturbing is that as liberalism has morphed into progressivism, and much of progressivism has blurred into anti-Semitism, those Jews who are closest to the intellectual center, our Jewish academics, have closed their eyes to the danger. Any pushback is begrudging at best.

During those rare occasions when a Jewish academic defends Israel, it almost always begins, “While I don’t agree with Israel’s settlement policies.” That’s not support, it’s an apology.

When was the last time a Jewish academic said in a straightforward fashion, “I support Israel because it is a truly good and decent country?”

I’m well aware of Israel’s myriad faults and of the depth of feeling about the Palestinian situation, as well as the complexities of the Arab-Israeli conflict. There is no bright line answer, and no one can claim full virtue.

Jewish academics don’t like Israel’s settlement policies and neither do I. But as people supposedly trained in critical analysis, how are they so prepared to

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place the entirety of the blame on Israel?

Why are they willing to absolve the Arabs for their part in the Palestinian mess? Why are these professors so reticent to challenge claims of “victimization” by the Palestinians despite innumerable chances to become otherwise? Most importantly, why are our academics so willing to let Israel’s problems nullify its accomplishments?

This weekend, the Society for Biblical Literature will hold its annual meeting in Boston. This esteemed organization, which dates back to 1880, lists as its stated mission to “foster biblical scholarship.” It has many Jewish members and has held workshops and published papers on innumerable Jewish themes. This year though, one of the featured speakers at the SBL conference will be Linda Sarsour, who is famous for saying that one cannot be a feminist and support Israel.

How will our Jewish academics react when Sarsour takes the stage in Boston? Will they politely applaud her work on behalf of women and human rights, averting their eyes to those aspects of her bio from which any decent person should recoil? Perhaps more to the point, what professor will proudly state that he or she is an avowed supporter of both human rights and the State of Israel?

As the saga of the Dershowitz cartoon showed, our Jewish academics stay silent while the danger cascades around them.

One of the lessons of Jewish history is that if we refuse to stand up for ourselves, no one else will. When the day comes that any pro-Israel (or even pro-Jewish) sentiment is considered “offensive” and forbidden in the public square, our Jewish academics will be left with nothing to do but weep for the freedoms they refused to defend. PJC Daniel B. Markind is an attorney and former chair of the National Legal Committee of the Jewish National Fund of America. A version of this article first appeared on the website of The Times of Israel.

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Opinion Not your father’s weed Guest Columnist Paul Herman

I

came across an article in a recent issue of the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle touting the benefits of marijuana, and ways it can be enjoyed. It was “a gift from Hashem [G-d].” While that is certainly one perspective, there are others that should be considered as well.

Marijuana is prevalent and it has been part of American culture for decades. It also gets a lot of press, with medical marijuana and legalization efforts all garnering headlines.

Even then-President Obama commented that he had tried a little bit of marijuana when he was much younger and did not think it was that big a deal.

I imagine that when we consider modern-day drug realities like a nationwide opioid epidemic, a little marijuana here and there probably sounds like a relief. What, in fact, is the big deal?

According to government data collection sources that keep track of this sort of thing,

Growers have developed ways to increase the potency to provide a more intense high. For example, in the 1970s, the level of THC, the chemical compound at the heart of marijuana’s draw, was typically between 0.5 and 2 percent in generally available products. Today, the same generally available marijuana has THC rates of 15 to 20 percent or more.

In some alternate forms, THC’s potency is in excess of 70 percent. What this means is that today’s user takes in much more of the drug, increasing the addictive potential.

What about the people who insist that marijuana is not addictive? They’re right … sort of. Instead of the physical dependence more closely associated with alcohol and opioid abuse, marijuana use, especially chronic or early-onset marijuana use, causes what is known as amotivational syndrome, which simply put means that it quietly slips the smoker into neutral. The more the person uses, the more they risk developing this syndrome.

Another point to consider is that marijuana is one of the classic “gateway drugs,” those that pave the way for other substance abuse. This does not mean that anyone who smokes marijuana will go on to use other, stronger drugs.

Proponents of smoking weed or of eating marijuana-infused foods ignore the fact that present-day marijuana is remarkably more powerful than that of a generation ago. Growers have developed ways to increase the potency to provide a more intense high. alcohol is the most widely used drug in the United States. We all know people who use alcohol, and we don’t necessarily see them abusing it. In fact, most people who do drink do not have an alcohol abuse problem. Some do, of course; but they are the minority, though often a visible minority. So maybe the thinking is that marijuana is similar, that people can use it, not abuse it, falling into the “it’s not so bad” category.

Substances that get people “high,” including alcohol, are known as moodand mind-altering. They are also addictive.

Different drug classifications have differing rates of addictive potential. Drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine and crack cocaine exhibit high and very high rates.

They cannot be used without severe risk of developing an addictive relationship with them. Alcohol? Much, much lower.

Marijuana is a bit trickier.

Proponents of smoking weed or of eating marijuana-infused foods ignore the fact that present-day marijuana is remarkably more powerful than that of a generation ago.

But the majority of people in treatment for addiction to heroin and cocaine began with using gateway drugs like marijuana.

What does all of this mean four us? No one is immune — not from the flu, from heart disease or from addiction. We’re also not immune from buying into a convenient theory. Our kids, the next generation of American society, are being given the message that marijuana is natural and therefore safe to use. They’re also exposed to the confusion that accompanies medical marijuana and the reality that legislators are making health-related decisions instead of the FDA or the American Medical Association.

Marijuana is not harmless. Today’s product is different, its effects are different and the risks are different.

I thought you should know. PJC Paul (Pinchas) Herman, Ph.D., is a licensed professional counselor in Pittsburgh. He is board certified in treating addictive disorders and in dual diagnosis.

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NOVEMBER 17, 2017 19

Headlines Yonina, Israeli musical sensation, is coming to Pittsburgh — MUSIC —

By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

T

he sweet spirit of Yonina will sweep through the Steel City on Sunday, Nov. 19. Scheduled for one night only, Yonina, an Israeli singing sensation and internet force, is set to deliver a “wonderful, welcoming, happy time,” said Ilana Schwartz, an organizer of Yonina’s Pittsburgh debut.

Comprised of Yoni, 28, and Nina Tokayer, 22, Yonina — a portmanteau of the performers’ first names — has garnered international attention through weekly social media posts. With uploads of songs sung in their car, living room and random spots throughout Israel, the married couple has fetched notoriety from all corners of the globe.

Among their millions of YouTube hits are dedicated fan bases in both Singapore and Tibet, said Schwartz, who has developed a relationship with the Tokayers through Facebook.

“They are a sign of how modern music works, which is that quality music and its message rise to the top,” said Rabbi Jeremy Markiz, director of Derekh and youth tefillah at Congregation Beth Shalom.

Derekh, an approximately 1-year-old program of the Conservative Squirrel Hill synagogue, took a lead role, along with the SteelTree Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, in directing the musical duo to town.

“We are excited to show that Derekh is here and we are doing stuff. We are excited to bring value to the community, to give the community experiences they may not have had otherwise,” said Markiz.

Fashioned as a multipronged pathway for formative Jewish experiences, Derekh offers five “portals”: learning, chesed (kindness), mindfulness, culture and Israel.

The concert falls under the culture portal, said Judy Adelson, a member of the Derekh committee.

“I can’t think of a better first inaugural event than Yonina to showcase the mission of Derekh,” she said. “Their appeal is so wide-ranging. It’s across the whole spectrum of Jewish life. That’s exactly why, because of their appeal, we’ve been able to gather support from all corners of Jewish Squirrel Hill, from Rabbi Wasserman to Rabbi Gibson. That’s what Derekh is aiming to do, to gather K’lal Yisrael through culture.”

Bringing so many people together is at the heart of what Yonina is about, said Nina Tokoyer, who with her husband undertook a 10-day seven-show tour throughout New York and New Jersey last September.

“We enjoy traveling halfway around the world and meeting people who have seen us in our living room,” she said. “It’s kind of a bizarre experience but also beautiful.

We’re really looking forward to coming to Pittsburgh. It’s actually a blend of communities, and everybody has been extremely nice and positive, and we think it will be a really

20 NOVEMBER 17, 2017

p Yoni and Nina Tokayer, with daughter Ashira, relish their enormous online popularity.

Photo by Shira Sheps

p Yonina in Concert Photo by Abbie Sophia

p Yoni and Nina Tokayer promise “good energy” at their Pittsburgh show.

special show with really good energy.”

Although the set list has yet to be announced, the Pittsburgh performance will feature music from Yonina’s new album as well as recognizable covers.

“There will probably be a variety of English and Hebrew, original and Israeli, really just a mix of everything,” Nina Tokoyer said.

In the two years since Yonina’s online arrival, the group has gone from virtual unknown to selling out concerts in Israel, said Adelson. “I think it’s a whirlwind ride for them, and Pittsburgh is unbelievably lucky to get in on the ground floor, as the wave of their popularity will sweep the U.S.”

“Yonina reflects so much of our values,” said Markiz. “They live in Israel, we care about Israel. They put out a song every Shabbos that reflects the kind of world that we want to live in. We are excited for them to be here because of that positivity.”

“They are so wonderful and wholesome, you can’t help but be swept up in their feelgood vibe,” echoed Adelson.

Schwartz agreed: “There is something very pure and innocent about them, and they manage to share that through their music.” PJC

Photo by Kfir Ziv

Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz @pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Yonina in concert

• Katz Theater at the JCC in Squirrel Hill, 5738 Darlington Road • Sunday, Nov. 19, 5 p.m.

• Tickets on-sale at tinyurl.com/yoninapgh • Limited number donor-level premium seats: $50 • General admission, adults: $18 • General admission, children 10-and-under: $10 • Tickets at the door: $22

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Headlines JNF: Continued from page 12

projects to develop land compared to 43 percent to “expand its own financial assets.”

The comptroller recommended expanded government oversight of the organization.

In response, JNF issued a list of planned reforms in May that Atar said would “deal courageously with the failures and the criticism and use this low point to create a signifi-

Memorandum: Continued from page 12

Now that the MOU has been signed, there’s a greater likelihood those partnerships here can work.

“It’s a very important platform to our bilateral cooperation that we can create a kind of vehicle to encourage companies on both sides to work together,” said Inon Elroy, Israel’s Economic Minister to North America.

“It enables companies to reduce the risk.

When you cooperate with somebody and many times the government gives financial support, it’s less risky. There’s also an understanding that the state is giving its support.”

cant turnaround in the life of the organization.”

Under pressure from the government, Atar agreed last month to hand over 2 billion shekels, or $570 million, in two installments — one this year and one the next. But the JNF board of directors rejected the deal and instead offered to make just the first payment.

That led government ministers to advance legislation Tuesday that would require JNF to transfer 80 percent of its revenue to the Finance Ministry every year or lose its tax-exempt status. Coalition chairman

David Bitan reportedly told ministers that the government must collect the money or it could collapse, forcing new elections.

Nonetheless, several coalition members opposed taking a hard line against the venerable Zionist institution, and later Tuesday, the Knesset Finance Committee lowered the legislation’s demand to 65 percent of JNF’s annual revenue.

For the time being, JNF has declared a freeze on the marketing and development of housing projects on the land it owns. The

leaders of the World Zionist Organization, which is affiliated with JNF, will hold an emergency meeting to discuss the situation.

As it happens, the American branch of the JNF will also host its annual conference this weekend in South Florida. However, the event will probably do little to address the situation in Israel. JNF-USA has stopped sending money from blue boxes, or pretty much anywhere else, to its Israeli counterpart, and largely funds its own distinct projects. PJC

Not only could this be a win-win situation for companies who join forces and Israeli companies who set up shop here, ultimately it should get passed down to the general public, especially with some of the innovative advances in medicine, officials said.

“Basically, the way the health system interacts with patients is going through a revolution,” said Mark Tykocinski, dean of the medical school and provost of the university.

“Digital health is one of the ways in which that revolution will take place. It essentially brings the tools of computers and data so you can provide care to patients in a more efficient and effective way. Given Israel’s drive to innovation, Israel has as much to give to us as we have to give to them.”

The MOU is the 14th Israel has signed in the United States.

“It’s invaluable,” said David Briel, executive director of Pennsylvania’s Center for Direct Investment, Office of International Business Development. “The big thing it does is help us to connect with Israeli companies. It’s a great new asset for the commonwealth to have partnerships. Now we know who to call. Having that personal connection is going to bring results.”

Of course, some will grow impatient waiting to see how it plays out. In time, though, the consensus seems to be their patience will be rewarded.

“It’s strengthening an already strong relationship that exists between Pennsylvania

and the State of Israel,” said Mark Zucker, chairman of the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition. “It positions Pennsylvania much more in the global economy and acknowledges its role in innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.”

“The commonwealth doesn’t have the same resources that Israel has allocating for innovation,” Nohi added. “Israel is the No. 1 country in the world per capita for innovation. Many people have advocated for that, including the Jewish Federation and [the] Jewish coalition because business has no boundaries.” PJC Jon Marks writes for the Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia, an affiliated publication of the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle.

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NOVEMBER 17, 2017 21

Headlines

Torah

Updated mission requires The importance of trust new name at JF&CS

her husband had been reared in the exalted atmosphere of the household of Abraham and Sarah, she was the product of an idolatrous foreign home and somehow was undeserving of God’s favor. Terrified that revealing the secret of her difficult circumstances to Abraham would lead to losing his respect and that, perhaps, he would even advise Isaac that the match had been a mistake, she preferred to maintain her privacy and seek out Shem instead.

I have no doubt that had Abraham and Isaac been aware of Rebecca’s pain and God’s explanation, they would have supported Rebecca wholeheartedly and raised the boys appropriately in light of the prophecy.

Instead, Rebecca felt she needed to bear her burden alone and in silence. Tragically.

Isaac, unaware of the vision bequeathed to Rebecca, was unable to discern Esau’s character and destiny, and hence the stage was set for the terrible conflict that would rip apart their family.

The Maharal’s understanding of Rebecca’s state of mind, while couched in the exalted level of the Matriarch, is eerily familiar. How often has the fear of stigma — whether of physical or mental illness, abuse or addictions — prevented people from seeking out needed support from their loved ones, and the atmosphere of secrecy created added a strain to a relationship at the very moments where friends and family are so critical in overcoming life’s challenges? It is so critical to cultivate an atmosphere of trust, where we can be a safe place for those in our lives to navigate life’s challenges, rather than force them into concealing their struggles. PJC

Rabbi Daniel Yolkut Parshat Toldot | Genesis 25:19-28:9

— LOCAL — Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

J

ewish Family & Children’s Service, a social service agency serving individuals and families throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area for more than 80 years, has announced a name change. The organization’s retitling to Jewish Family and Community Services (JF&CS) more accurately reflects its current mission, explained Jordan Golin, president and CEO at JF&CS. “Incorporating ‘Community Services’ into our name better communicates the reality of who and how we serve. Our clients come from every neighborhood and every walk of life, and our mission centers around improving those individuals’ lives as the key to a stronger community,” said Golin.

“Additionally, we couldn’t perform our work or fulfill our mission without the support of our community, our donors, supporters, community partners, funders and volunteers. Jewish Family & Children’s Service no longer adequately described the breadth of our work or the fact that we serve the entire community.”

As part of the rebranding, prior JF&CS elements (the Career Development Center, Squirrel Hill Psychological Services, the

Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry and Family Hope Connection) will now be called JF&CS Career Development Center, JF&CS Counseling Services, JF&CS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry and JF&CS Family Hope.

“All of these services are provided by one agency,” said Golin, “and we wanted to make that much clearer to our community and make it easier for those seeking help to find us.”

Apart from name changes, the agency’s “tree of life” logo has been “updated and incorporated into all program logos, visuals and marketing materials,” said Iris Valenti, a public relations associate at JF&CS. Given the similarity of the acronyms for both the organization’s old and new names, JF&CS’ website address will remain the same. Nonetheless, JF&CS intends on unveiling a redesigned site that is “far more user friendly, modern and mobile friendly” on Nov. 15, said Golin.

“The name change is actually catching up with all the work we’ve been doing, as is the updated website,” she said. “We’ve been serving our community for 80 years with comprehensive, innovative social services, and we’re ready to continue for another 80 years and beyond.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz @pittsburghjewichronicle.org.

Department of Health finds Charles Morris not in compliance

A

Pennsylvania Department of Health report issued last week indicated that Charles Morris Nursing and Rehabilitation Center was not in compliance with several requirements regarding long-term care. The report was triggered by the accidental death on Sept. 17 of an elderly resident.

A plan of correction, which includes screening tools, fall risk assessments, weekly audits and required in-service sessions, has been ordered. The plan, effective Nov. 1, will be completed by Nov. 27, according to the report.

In response to the health department’s report, Phil Ricci, a Charles Morris administrator, released the following statement: “The Charles Morris Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has remained in constant contact with the … family since [the resi-

dent’s] passing, which was ruled an accident by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner in September. We have cooperated fully with the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s mandatory review of our facility following this tragic accident. Out of an abundance of caution, we removed all bed rails throughout the facility as part of a required plan of correction that the department approved. The well-being of both our residents and their families has always been — and always will be — our top priority. We remain focused on constant improvements to deliver on this promise, which is why we are introducing new approaches aimed at helping our residents to remain mobile and safe at the same time.” PJC

A

fter years of struggling with infertility, Rebecca was blessed with a viable pregnancy. It came, however, with unusual pain, and the Torah tells us that she felt driven to seek out divine guidance.

It was then that she received the prophecy that gave her insight that would change the trajectory of her family’s destiny: “Two nations are in thy womb,” informing her that one of the twins that she would bear would leave the covenant of their family.

The classical commentaries are intrigued by the conduit by which Rebecca received this message, which the Torah conceals behind the elusive phrase, “And she went to inquire of Hashem.” Rashi (R. Shlomo ben Yitzchak, France 1040-1106) cites a midrashic tradition that Rebecca has sought out Shem, the survivor of the Great Flood who has taught the traditions of Noah for generations, and it was he who told her of the struggle to come between Esau and Jacob. Radak (R. David Kimchi, Provence 1160-1235), though, is puzzled by this and wonders why Rebecca would have journeyed so far afield when a prophet, perhaps even greater then Shem, was a choice ostensibly much more accessible: her father-in-law, our Father Abraham.

With great insight into human character, Maharal (R. Yehuda Loew, 16th-century Central Europe) explains why Rebecca would have preferred to travel rather than consult with her father-in-law. Rebecca, Maharal suggests, was wracked with guilt over the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy: Perhaps, somehow the pain she experienced was her fault. After all, while

Rabbi Daniel Yolkut is the spiritual leader of Congregation Poale Zedeck. This column is a service of Vaad Harabanim of Greater Pittsburgh.

This November we take time to remember the victims of transphobic violence we have lost.

­— Adam Reinherz

Bet Tikvah Congregation P.O. Box 10140 Pittsburgh, PA 15232 Web: www.bettikvah.org

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Headlines J Street: Continued from page 2

his colleagues.

Last February, he and a colleague began analyzing past election data on their own to build a portfolio of cities where local officials could have an impact — and a chance to win a seat on city council.

For the upcoming municipal election, in October 2018, Mekomi will have 30 representatives in 15 municipalities competing for a position, according to Stossel.

There are more than 1,200 council

WWI: Continued from page 3

Hepps approached Lidji, then an archival consultant at the RJHPA, about collaborating on a Veterans Day program. After receiving approval of the advisory committee and support from the Heinz History Center, the duo undertook a project of great ambition.

“My hope was to present all this history in a way that might inspire self-reflection about the kinds of Jews and Americans we want to be today,” said Hepps, who, along with her collaborator, adopted technical means for achieving their task.

After months of preparation, and as more than 125 attendees gathered on the fifth floor of the Heinz History Center, Hepps and Lidji occupied opposite sides of the Mueller Event Center. Flanked by large screen projections, the researchers ripped through slides in duet fashion ,as each orator

Diplomat: Continued from page 5

Pickering explained that Trump “ran on a platform consistent with tearing up the agreement,” and in line with that platform, decided on Oct. 13 that he would not certify Iran’s compliance.

That failure to certify compliance has triggered a 60-day Congressional time frame for deciding whether to pass “legislation which would once again reintroduce the American sanctions that were waived as part of our participation in the agreement.”

While there is “no solidifying Congres-

Legacy: Continued from page 9

through a power point presentation of strategies concerning how to approach potential donors, what and what not to say when soliciting legacy commitments and what types of bequests and financial instruments are included when talking about endowment gifts. Kaufman will continue to visit Pitts24 NOVEMBER 17, 2017

members and 250 city councils in Israel.

For the next municipal election in 2023, they plan to “operate all around Israel,” Stossel said. “We do understand that we need to do it in a process, to gain back our support, to go back to the first steps that we lost — to the people.”

Although representatives will run under the Mekomi name, the organization is calling itself a political movement rather than a party. They were also careful to emphasize that they are not replacing the major political parties, but instead filling an area that has been underfunded and under-represented in past elections.

In addition to promoting the Mekomi movement, the program was also a way to illustrate the similarities between the political climates in Israel and the United States.

In both countries, Gissin said, progressives are being challenged by extreme rightwing governments.

In a plea for Americans and Israelis to join the fight together, Gissin quoted Isaiah: “Once you understand better the one who is far from you, you’re also able to understand and correct the one who is near.”

For Nancy Bernstein, co-chair of the J Street Pittsburgh Chapter, the event was a model for connections between Israeli and

built on the previous person’s postulations.

The narrative combination of caesuras and consequent clicks through PowerPoint catapulted the audience’s interest in a subject largely unknown.

“I’m more familiar with World War II than World War I, so this is amazing,” said Lee Kikel of Hampton Township.

“Originally, we were going to do a traditional program with one speaker followed by another,” said Lidji, who was recently named director of the RJHPA. “We were each going to choose a piece of World War I history to talk about at length. But as we started researching, we just found so much interesting material to share.”

“I thought that people would be amazed to know how much this period was a turning point for things we think turned in different ways at other times,” said Hepps.

By creating a tapestry of scripted utterances interwoven with photographs, telegrams and reprints of old newspaper

clippings, the audience experienced a presentation unlike any many had seen.

The work was impressive for what it exhibited, explained Arnie Gefsky, chair of the RHJPA. This was a “fabulous job done by Tammy Hepps and Eric Lidji, our new director; and another example of how, by using our own archives and the records we collect from the community, we are able to put together the basic pieces and components of this program,” said Gefsky.

Along with granting new insights, the Nov. 12 program served as a reminder of past service to a local cause.

“Before Tammy or Eric speak, we’re taking an opportunity to honor Betty Arenth, who was for many years senior vice president of the Heinz History Center and this year retired,” said Gefsky. “She’s been such an important supporter of the Rauh, and we’re honoring her with a few words from one of our board members, Judy Robinson.”

In honoring and praising Arenth, Robinson, a published poet, read an acrostic poem that she composed for the occasion.

“Our heartfelt thanks for all the years together! Good luck to you, Betty, our very special friend,” concluded Robinson, who then invited the researchers to begin their remarks.

As the event unfolded, the artifacts and their custodians were on full display.

Apart from the “records we have that enable us to do this presentation, we have some very bright young people who lend their genius to what we do,” said Gefsky.

“This program is a model for the kinds of events we hope to do in the future at the Rauh,” said Lidji. “We want to tell well-researched, meaningful stories about overlooked corners of regional Jewish history, and we want to find innovative ways to tell those stories.” PJC

sional view,” he said, “there is clearly a view among many leaders of Congress in both parties that they do not wish to take steps with American legislation that would put us in violation of the agreement.”

Reintroducing American sanctions would do just that, he opined.

“That means, in fact, if we put the sanctions back in place against Iran, and there has been no Iranian material breach of the agreement, then we are the first to violate the agreement,” he said. “The result of that would be, on the one hand, to give Iranians under international law the opportunity to say the agreement has fallen, it no longer binds them.”

The Iranians would then be “free once

again to do whatever they like with their nuclear program, including running centrifuges, including enriching uranium with no limitations,” according to Pickering.

“The second alternative that I think in some ways seems slightly more hopeful is that Iran, the Europeans, Russia and China would continue with the agreement after the United States,” he postulated.

But a U.S. abandonment of the agreement would lead to a weakening of U.S. influence, and European partners to the JCPOA would “not be party to additional sanctions over Iran to improve, change or otherwise modify the agreement,” Pickering continued.

That “would be something of a gift to the

Russians,” who are interested in driving a wedge between the U.S. and the Europeans, he said.

Pickering averred that there is strong international support for the continuation of the JCPOA, stating that “even places like Saudi Arabia and Israel” were now in favor of keeping it alive.

“Even Prime Minister Netanyahu has said, ‘it’s time not to nix it but to fix it,’” he said.

Pickering warned that in the absence of an agreement with Iran, the U.S. might be “prepared, if Iran can’t be stopped in other ways, to engage in the use of force.” PJC

burgh in the coming months to provide additional training to the program’s participants.

The Life & Legacy initiative has been implemented in 43 communities across the country so far, according to Kaufman, and has engaged 465 distinct partner organizations.

“We are very excited about participating,” said Debbie Winn-Horvitz, president and CEO of the Jewish Association on Aging. “The program will give us an opportunity to work

with professionals at the Grinspoon Foundation to create a very intentional, goal-oriented plan in support of our endowment, to ensure long-term sustainability of high-quality Jewish senior services in our community.

“It is also a wonderful opportunity to involve lay leaders and volunteers from multiple agencies to tell our story and create a community legacy,” she added.

Although the program is already underway, the Foundation is open to considering addi-

tional participants, according to Perelman.

“The training provided by this program will create a cadre of volunteers who are equipped to speak to others in the community about making legacy gifts,” she said. “We can really secure the future of the community by increasing the endowments of all these organizations.” PJC

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

American Jews and connections between the two governments.

“For American Jews who hope for Israel to solve the conflict, sometimes we need to step back and look to the people working there to see what are their needs,” she said. “It’s a marathon, and they’re looking at trying to improve the health of their communities.”

“It’s like here in the U.S.,” she continued.

“We need to understand what happened in the [last presidential] election. We can’t stay stuck in our ideology.” PJC Lauren Rosenblatt can be reached at lrosenblatt@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz @pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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

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

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Obituaries BAUMHARDT: Peter James Baumhardt, on Sunday, November 12, 2017. Beloved husband of Abbylee Baumhardt. Devoted father of Heather Baumhardt and Brad Baumhardt (Angela). Loving pepaw to Brayden and Addilyn Baumhardt. Brother of Barbara and Dennis Baumhardt and the late Michael Baumhardt. Brother-in-law of Jeffrey Charapp. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment Tiphereth Israel Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Scleroderma Research Foundation, 220 Montgomery St., Suite 141, San Francisco CA 94104-3546.

FORKOSH: Bertha Forkosh, on Monday, November 6, 2017. Beloved wife of the late Nathan Forkosh. Beloved mother of Ronna Forkosh and the late Jeffrey Forkosh. Daughter of the late Pinea and Sosia Rosenfeld. Sister of the late Evelyn Cohen. Graveside Services and Interment were held at Poale Zedeck Memorial Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, 1251 Waterfront Place, 5th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. GERMAN: David German, on Sunday, November 12, 2017. Beloved husband of the late Beverly R. German; Loving father of Jeffery (Ginger Weeden) German of Pleasant Hill, Calif.; Gail and Norman Childs, Sherri and Mark Kramer all of Pittsburgh. Beloved brother of Ida (late Ralph) Steinberg of Pittsburgh. Brother-in-law of David and Carol Gottlieb, Joyce and Sanford Lobliner and Judy and Arthur Perlman. Adoring grandfather of Jeremy Childs, Daniel Childs (Phebe Lockyer), Andrew Kramer, Bari Kramer and Emalynn Farrow German. Also survived by loving nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dave’s caregivers, Karen, Laura, Debbie and Mary for their compassionate help and love. In his later years, in addition to his grandchildren, Dave’s greatest loves were the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Steelers. He ushered for more than 50 years from Forbes Field to Three Rivers Stadium.

A diehard football fan, Dave attended four super bowls throughout his lifetime. He was an avid tennis player, and loved his Racquet Club in Monroeville, an active member there for more than 40 years. He looked forward to his Tuesday lunches with the guys. He was a proud founding member of Temple David, where he remained a dedicated congregant. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment at Sons of Israel Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Temple David, 4415 Northern Pike, Monroeville, PA 15146 or Hillel Jewish University Center, 4607 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

JOSEPHSON: Nathan Josephson, age 99, died Nov 7, 2017, in Madison, Wis. Survived by his wife Fay, stepdaughter Sherry Lessing (Michael) and granddaughter Amy Lessing Thompson (Beau). A funeral service was held in Madison. Donations may be sent to the charity of your choice. Please share your memories at cressfuneralservice.com.

LANDO: Shirley Braunstein Lando, on Wednesday, November 8, 2017, in her 102nd year. Beloved wife of the late David L. Lando. Loving mother of Phyllis and Mark Rosenfield of Pittsburgh and Michael and Ruth Lando of Sarasota, Fla. Sister of Gladys (late Robert) Burstein, Harriet (late Murray) Shapiro, late Melvin (late Elsie) Braunstein and Harry “Buddy” Braunstein. “Grammy” of Amy Rosenfield, Louise (Brian) Schwartz, Rebecca Lando (Kit Pennebaker) and Max (Stephaine) Lando. Great-grandmother of Jordan and Leah Schwartz. Also survived by nieces and nephews. Graveside services and interment were held at Beth Shalom Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Caregiver Connection c/o Jewish Family and Children’s Services, 5742 Bartlett St., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 or Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, 1251 Waterfront Place, Floor No. 5, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. MOSER: Elaine J. Schwartz Moser, in West Hartford, Conn., formerly of Williamsville, N.Y., and Pittsburgh, on October 31, 2017. Loving daughter of the late Freda and Sidney Schwartz. Beloved wife of the late David L. Moser. Sister of the late Herbert Schwartz. Devoted mother of Michael Moser of Amherst, N.Y., and Marie (Mark) Levine of West Hartford. Cherished grandmother of Scott (Emily) Levine of Pittsburgh and Amy (Harris) Schwartz of West Hartford. Adored great-grandmother of Alexa and Julianna Schwartz. Also survived by many devoted nieces and nephews and cousins. She was treasured by her entire extended family in Pittsburgh and from coast to coast. Elaine was a friend to all, and she will be deeply missed. Funeral services were private in Buffalo, N.Y. Memorials may be made in Elaine’s memory to American Friends of Magen David Adom or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements entrusted to Amherst Memorial Chapel LLC. Family guestbook available at amherstmemorialchapel.com.

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

In memory of...

Anonymous .................................................... Charles Wedner Charles Berney.................................................Anne Firestone Charlotte Bluestone ......................................... Esther Morrow Susan Cohen............................................... Howard Schwartz Susan Cohen..............................................Joseph Braunstein Cindy E. Goldberg..............................................Rebecca Malt Cindy E. Goldberg...................................................Alfred Malt Cindy E. Goldberg..................................... Linda Malt Elmaleh Nancy Harris .................................................Bernice Finegold Jeff Kaplan ............................................. Karen Kaplan Drerup The Love Family .....................................................Albert Love The Love Family .......................................... Joel David Cohen The Love Family .....................................................Rose Pittler The Love Family ....................................................Allen Cohen The Love Family .................................... Sarah Dorothy Cohen The Love Family ................................ Mildred Cohen Feldman The Love Family ............................................... Benjamin Love The Love Family ............................................... Jerome Cohen

A gift from ...

In memory of...

The Love Family .................................... Lena Garfinkle Cohen The Love Family .............................................. Abraham Pittler The Love Family ...................................................... Pearl Love The Love Family .....................................................Sarah Love Alan Nathan......................................................William Nathan Rae Papernick...................................................... Annie Segall Harvey Rice ........................................................... Fannie Rice Dr. Marc Rice......................................................... Fannie Rice Ferne Rogow.................................................Esther V. Morrow Arthur Ruben ...................................................... Meyer Ruben Mr. & Mrs. Richard Silk ..........................................William Silk Audrey & Ralph Silverman ............................ Morris J. Semins Owen A. Silverman ..................................... Samuel Silverman Rae Solomon .......................................................Jacob Braun Yvonne & Barry Stein ........................................... Goldie Stein Mrs. Leon Stone.................................................. Morris Stone Sybil Wein & Family........................................Dorothy Abrams

THIS WEEK’S YAHRZEITS — Sunday November 19: Carol Lee Anatole, Rebecca Needelman Bodek, Sadie Chotiner, Benjamin M. Cohen, Morris Cohen, Hyman Daly, Isaac Glick, Gerald Goldberg, Dr. Henry Goldstein, Selma Goldstein, David Gross, Raymond E. Gusky, Hyman H. Kimel, Alfred Malt, Alvin Marks, Max Schwimer, David G. Tarshis, Dora B. Whiteman Monday November 20: Sam Birnkrant, Sara Chotiner, Goldie Fishman, Benjamin Himmel, Abraham Korsunsky, Louise Lebby, Adeline Levitt, Isaac Lieb, Mary N. Lustig, Annie Mermelstein, Ida Nusin, Fred Nussbaum, Noah Saxen, Herman Schiff, Raymond Irwin Sloan, Sherwin Smalley, Arthur Speizer Tuesday November 21: Miriam Abramovitz, Martin Bass, Samson Finn, Hermina Gropper, Lillian Karp Grossman, Goldie Handelsman, Celia Harris, Anna Miller, Harriet M. Nicholson, Harry Seiavitch, Sarah Silberblatt, Goldie Stein, Irving Troffkin, Sylvia S. Vinocur, Molly Weiss Wednesday November 22: Julia E. Brand, Abraham J. Caplan, Sam A. Caplan, Dr. Samuel Cirota, Louis Daniels, Harry Gomberg, Bernard J. Grinberg, Isadore Kurfeerst, Esther Cohen Lubovsky, Dorothy Miller, Leah Rosen, Rae F. Schwartz, Sara Schwartz, George Stern, Frances Turk Thursday November 23: Hyman Balis, Martin A. Berezin, Norman Black, Charles G. Brown, Charles Gessner Brown, Dr. Frederick Carlton, Joseph Chernovitz, Abe M. Cohen, Esther Eisman, Carle Joseph Enelow, Yetta Gerson, Rebecca Greengard, Selma Jeremias Kostova, Abe Kotovsky, David Isadore Mandelblatt, Seymour H. Miller, Irving Nixon, Anna E. Reubin, Sidney Rosenfeld, Fannie Katzman Rubenstein, Walter Sigel, William Weinberg, Florence Bella Wolf Friday November 24: Hannah R. Adler, Minnie Berkovitz, Wilfred Irwin Berman, Harriet Friedlander, David Glick, Mildred Levinson, Sadie Levy, Celia Maglin Lupovitz, Samuel Margolis, Charles Saltsburg, Thelma Sapir, Freda Schwartz, Samuel F. Shaeffer, Michael Supowitz, Elizabeth Kramer Swartz, Solomon Weinstein, Robert H. Wolf Saturday November 25: Max Cohen, Helen Pearl Cushner, Max Engelberg, Arthur Firestone, Annie Friedman, Gertrude Glasser, Evelyn B. Letwin, Norman H. Marcus, Rosa Rokhkind, Jeannette Samuels, Mildred Schoenberger, Samuel Silverman, Jean Walters, Max Walters

PITTSBU RGH NEWEST ’S FUNERA L HOME

• Serving the Pittsburgh Jewish Community with Traditional Jewish funerals • Specially Developed Taharah Room with Mikva facilities for Chevra Kadisha • Accommodations for Shomer • Guaranteed advanced funeral planning LOCALLY OWNED and OPERATED

DEBORAH S. PRISE Licensed Jewish Funeral Director

1650 GREENTREE ROAD • PITTSBURGH, PA 15220 412.563.2800 • FAX 412.563.5347

SERVING Scott Twp., Greentree, Carnegie, Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair and Bethel Park

Unveiling GOULD: The family of Rita J. Gould will be receiving family and friends at Rodef Shalom Temple, 4905 Fifth Ave., from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 19 after a private unveiling. Call Carole Haber at 412-7318214 to RSVP. PJC

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10940 Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235

obituaries@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Our purpose is to serve you and your family, by offering professional service and caring support through High Standards and not High Costs. www.rappfuneralhome.com

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

NOVEMBER 17, 2017 25

Community At JF&CS

Joyful experience  Jewish Family & Community Services once again was voted one of the “Best Places to Work” in Pittsburgh.

Staff members attended the Pittsburgh Business Times celebration lunch on Friday, Oct. 27.

 The Kushner family enjoys Kehillah La La’s Torah Celebration.

Pictured are Jason and Lauren with children Logan, left, and Dylan.

 JF&CS’ Refugee and Immigrant Services held a Halloween Family Fun Day for refugee families and the volunteers who work with them. Family fun days introduce refugee families to American holidays and traditions and American fun. Pictured are Garrett Davey, a volunteer from Nu Delta at the University of Pittsburgh, and Ketia, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 Hanna Pretter studies with Rabbi Chuck as part of Kehillah La La’s “One on One with the Rabbi.”

Photos courtesy of Rabbi Chuck Diamond

Day of service The Hillel Jewish University Center hosted the third annual Stephen D. Kalson Hillel Makes a Difference on Nov. 5. More than 100 students engaged in a day of service throughout the Pittsburgh community. Students started the day with Jewish learning and then continued with projects including making journals to be distributed at a women and children’s shelter, visiting and playing games with the elderly, baking goods to sell and a charity talent show at Carnegie Mellon University that raised money for Nechama, an organization that provides disaster relief.

Photos courtesy of Hillel Jewish University Center

 JF&CS’ Immigrant Legal Services held a citizenship clinic with eight volunteers from Church of the Redeemer helping immigrants apply for American citizenship.

Photos courtesy of Jewish Family & Children’s Service

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Community Immigrant stories

Honored at JAA

Faithful Responses to Strangers, Immigrants and Refugees: A Pittsburgh Conversation, hosted by the Center for Loving Kindness and Civic Engagement at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, brought together clergy, lay leaders, community members, refugees and immigrants who shared their stories.

On Monday, Nov. 6, the Jewish Association on Aging held its sixth annual PEER Award luncheon to honor its exceptional employees. There were 126 employees nominated for awards; 41 of those individuals were nominated more than once. The PEER awards, which stand for the Pakler Exemplary Employee Recognition, was created by JAA board chair Mitchell Pakler and his family to honor the hard work of the JAA staff.

p David Saenz immigrated 40 years ago as a migrant worker. He recently was stalked and threatened by a man who railed against immigrants, Muslims and liberals.

t Eman, from Sudan, introduced herself to neighbors to help them overcome their suspicions about her.

p Sister Janice Vanderneck, director of civic engagement at Casa San Jose, translates for Brandy, whose parents were deported and whose husband is seeking asylum.

Photos by Matt Unger

for the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

p From left: JAA board chair Mitchell Pakler with Employee of the Year Mark Pastoria, director of business development, and president and CEO Deborah Winn-Horvitz

p Department of the Year was the Activities Department at the Charles M. Morris Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. From left: Board chair Mitchell Pakler, Leanne McDonough, Denise Owens, Marcellina Hoskowicz, Carol Danhires and JAA president and CEO Deborah Winn-Horvitz

Photos courtesy of Jewish Association on Aging

Fred Landay honored The Aleph Institute’s Fred Landay Garden was named for its longtime supporter, volunteer and board member. Marty Davis, chairman of the Aleph Institute, thanked the Landay family for its support and dedication to the agency, and remembered Landay for his many hours of dedication. Rabbi Moishe Mayir Vogel, executive director at the Aleph Institute spoke of the many hours of support and dedication Landay invested to build the Aleph Institute, which included visiting those who are incarcerated, taking toys to the families of inmates and being a partner in building the agency.

t Molly Landay, center, with daughters Judy Ryave, left, and Susan Nitzberg, cut the ribbon at the Fred Landay Garden located alongside the Aleph Institute; Andi Fishchoff is on the far right; Rabbi Moishe Mayir Vogel, executive director of the Aleph Institute-North East Region, is on the left.

Photo courtesy of the Aleph Institute

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